Long-term outcome in patients with benign biliary strictures treated endoscopically with multiple stents

BACKGROUND: The long-term efficacy of sequential insertion of multiple plastic stents for benign biliary strictures is poorly defined. The aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term outcome (bile duct patency, complications) of this therapy and to identify predictors of a good outcome. METHODS: Retrospective review of 29 cases of benign biliary strictures treated with sequential plastic stent insertion in progressively increasing numbers and/or of increasing diameter. RESULTS: Stricture etiology was as follows: postoperative 19 (66%), chronic pancreatitis 9 (31%), and idiopathic 1 (3%). Therapy succeeded in 18 patients (62%) (mean follow-up 48.0 [11.56] months after stent removal). Therapy failed in 11 patients (38%) (mean interval to failure 11.59 [9.79] months after stent removal). The 2 groups of patients in which therapy failed had either a hilar stricture (n = 4, 25% success) or distal common bile duct stricture caused by chronic pancreatitis (n = 9, 44% success). In the remaining cases, therapy succeeded in 13 of 16 (81% success). The observed differences in success rate among subgroups were not statistically significant. There were no ERCP-related deaths. One episode of mild pancreatitis and 2 episodes of cholangitis developed during 126 ERCPs over a period of stent insertion of 36 patient years. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with benign biliary strictures, sequential endoscopic insertion of multiple biliary stents may lead to long-term success that could be equal to or superior to surgery with minimal morbidity. Hilar strictures and those caused by chronic pancreatitis appear to respond poorly to this therapy.     

Long-term outcome of palliative treatment with self-expanding metal stents for malignant obstructions of the GI tract

Objective. To assess the role of personality as a predictor of Short form-36 (SF-36) in distressed patients (perceived stress questionnaire, PSQ) with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Material and methods. Fifty-four patients with CD and 55 with UC (age 18–60 years) who had relapsed in the previous 18 months, i.e. with an activity index (AI) for UC or CD≥4, PSQ≥60, and without severe mental or other major medical conditions, completed the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPA), the Neuroticism and Lie scales of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-N and -L), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (LOC) (Internal (I), Powerful Other (PO), Chance (C)), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) and the SF-36. Results. Multiple linear regression analyses controlling for gender, age and clinical disease activity (AI) in separate analyses for UC and CD showed that the mental and vitality subscales were predicted by neuroticism in both UC and CD. The highest explained variance was 43.8% on the “mental” subscale in UC. The social function subscale was related to alexithymia only in UC, while the role limitation and pain subscales were related to personality in CD only. The physical function subscale related differently to personality in UC and CD. Conclusions. While mental and vitality subscales were predicted by neuroticism in both UC and CD, other subscales had different relationships to personality, suggesting different psychobiological interactions in UC and CD.     

胰头癌的内镜支架引流治疗

目的探讨经内镜支架引流姑息性治疗胰头癌的临床意义。方法2003年8月至2007年8月对197例胰头癌患者进行内镜支架引流姑息性治疗,并观察其疗效。结果197例均伴有胆道梗阻,伴有远端胰管扩张126例,伴有胰体尾萎缩91例。放置胰管支架108例,成功率96．4％;放置胆管支架197例,成功率为99．0％。内镜治疗成功的195例术后黄疸均消失,101例疼痛患者完全缓解98例,部分缓解3例。术后24例出现血清淀粉酶升高,对症处理后恢复正常。随访率93．8％,平均生存期（373．57±157．35）d,最长生存期842d。结论经内镜支架引流姑息性治疗胰头癌是一种确实有效的方法,可以提高患者生存质量,延长生存期。     

Tamoxifen therapy in unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Twenty-four patients with biopsy-documented unresectable ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with tamoxifen. Six of 15 postmenopausal female patients had documented prolonged survival, with three living greater than 2 years.     

Endoscopic insertion of biliary stents in 18 patients with metallic duodenal stents who developed secondary malignant obstructive jaundice

AIM: The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic insertion of biliary stents in patients with duodenal stents who develop secondary malignant obstructive jaundice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included 133 patients with unresectable malignant duodenal obstruction. In 106 patients a biliary stent was inserted before or at the same time as the duodenal stent. Malignant biliary obstruction appeared secondarily in 18 patients; fifteen of these patients already had a biliary stent. We present our experience of biliary stent insertion in these 18 patients with metallic duodenal stents. RESULTS: Biliary obstruction was successfully alleviated in 17 out of 18 patients (94%) without complication. Insertion of a new biliary stent failed in one patient because the mesh of the duodenal stent passed over the metallic biliary stent already in place. Mean duration of endoscopic insertion was 95 minutes (range: 60 - 180). All patients remained free of biliary complications to death (57 days, range: 30 - 120). CONCLUSION: Our report shows that endoscopic insertion of a biliary stent is feasible in patients who have metallic duodenal stents. Technical difficulties exist especially if the mesh of the duodenal stent passes over the papilla.     

Long-term survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) has the worst prognosis of all malignant tumors due to unavailable screening methods, late diagnosis with a low proportion of resectable tumors and resistance to systemic treatment. Complete tumor resection remains the cornerstone of modern multimodal strategies aiming at long-term survival. This study was performed to investigate the overall rate of long-term survival(LTS) and its contributing factors. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) for PDAC between 2007 and 2014 at the St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed and evaluated for prediction of LTS with Cox regression analysis. Results: The overall rate of LTS after PD for PDAC was 20.4%(34/167). Median survival was 24 months regardless of adjuvant treatment. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, tumor grade, lymph vessel invasion, perineural invasion and reduced general condition were significantly associated with LTS in univariate analysis( P 0.05). Serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, tumor grade, abdominal pain, male, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and duration of postoperative hospital stay were independent predictors of cancer survival in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Cancer related characteristics are associated with LTS in multimodally treated patients after curative PDAC surgery.     

Effectiveness of combined biliary and duodenal stenting in patients with malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction

Abstract

Introduction. Concomitant biliary and duodenal obstructions are not uncommon complications in patients with gastroduodenal or pancreatobiliary malignancies. Alleviation of obstruction is very important for the palliation of inoperable patients. We studied the clinical outcomes of combined biliary and duodenal stenting. Methods. Between January 2003 and January 2010, the records of 24 patients who underwent biliary and duodenal stent placement due to inoperable malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction were reviewed retrospectively. Results. Of the 24 patients, a duodenal stent was placed after biliary stenting in 23 patients and a biliary stent was placed after duodenal stenting in one patient. Biliary stents were placed endoscopically (33 cases) or percutaneously (14 cases). Duodenal stents were placed endoscopically by fluoroscopic guidance in all patients. Oral feeding was possible at a mean of 2.7 ± 1.2 days (range, 1–6 days) after duodenal stenting. Acute pancreatitis and acute cholangitis developed in three patients and one patient, respectively, as early complications after biliary stenting. Biliary stent occlusion was developed in 12 patients and was treated successfully by stent reinsertion. As complications of duodenal stent, one case of stent migration and five cases of stent occlusion developed. Median survival after initial bilioduodenal stenting was 195.5 days (range, 21–725 days). Stent patency was well maintained in 83.3% of patients after combined stent placements while patients were alive. Conclusion. Combined biliary and duodenal stenting seems to be safe and effective in palliation of inoperable malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction.     

Effectiveness of combined biliary and duodenal stenting in patients with malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction

Abstract Introduction. Concomitant biliary and duodenal obstructions are not uncommon complications in patients with gastroduodenal or pancreatobiliary malignancies. Alleviation of obstruction is very important for the palliation of inoperable patients. We studied the clinical outcomes of combined biliary and duodenal stenting. Methods. Between January 2003 and January 2010, the records of 24 patients who underwent biliary and duodenal stent placement due to inoperable malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction were reviewed retrospectively. Results. Of the 24 patients, a duodenal stent was placed after biliary stenting in 23 patients and a biliary stent was placed after duodenal stenting in one patient. Biliary stents were placed endoscopically (33 cases) or percutaneously (14 cases). Duodenal stents were placed endoscopically by fluoroscopic guidance in all patients. Oral feeding was possible at a mean of 2.7 ± 1.2 days (range, 1-6 days) after duodenal stenting. Acute pancreatitis and acute cholangitis developed in three patients and one patient, respectively, as early complications after biliary stenting. Biliary stent occlusion was developed in 12 patients and was treated successfully by stent reinsertion. As complications of duodenal stent, one case of stent migration and five cases of stent occlusion developed. Median survival after initial bilioduodenal stenting was 195.5 days (range, 21-725 days). Stent patency was well maintained in 83.3% of patients after combined stent placements while patients were alive. Conclusion. Combined biliary and duodenal stenting seems to be safe and effective in palliation of inoperable malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction.     

Phase I study of concomitant gemcitabine and IMRT for patients with unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

Purpose: We hypothesized that dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) would protect normal tissues enough to allow the escalation of either the gemcitabine or radiotherapy dose in unresectable pancreatic cancer patients. Methods and Materials: The trial was designed to build on a previous phase I trial that determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine (350 mg/m²) with concurrent radiotherapy (30 Gy/10 fractions). Only patients with unresectable disease based on established criteria were eligible. The plan was to alternate escalating the radiation dose by 3 Gy and the gemcitabine dose by 50 mg/m². The starting dose of gemcitabine was 350 mg/m² and 33 Gy/11 fractions of IMRT to the regional lymphatics and primary disease. The NCl Common Toxicity Criteria were used for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Results: All three patients in the first cohort treated suffered DLT. Therefore, a second cohort of patients received a lower gemcitabine dose (250 mg/m²). Both patients treated at this dose level experienced DLT. The DLTs were all due to myelosuppression and upper gastrointestinal toxicity. All patients required a gemcitabine dose reduction. Also, four patients required hospital admission for supportive care, while the fifth died of an unrelated cause shortly after completing therapy. The trial was then closed due to excessive toxicity. Conclusion: Hypofractionated dynamic IMRT to the primary site and regional lymphatics did not permit escalation of either the radiation or gemcitabine dose. Dynamic IMRT requires further investigation before it can be applied to toxic combinations of chemotherapy and radiation in the upper abdomen.     

Clinicopathological analysis and survival outcome of duodenal adenocarcinoma

Duodenal adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer, contributing <10 % of periampullary carcinoma. This study reviews the single center experience of duodenal adenocarcinoma and analyzes the clinical and pathological factors to predict survival and recurrence. The records of 50 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical exploration or resection from 1995 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the clinicopathological factors associated with survival and recurrence. There were 35 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 61 years. In multivariate analysis of 50 patients, R0 resection [p = 0.041, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.569, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.057–12.054] and symptom at initial admission (p = 0.025, HR = 11.210, 95% CI = 1.354–92.812) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Thirty-six patients underwent curative resection (resectability 72%). The 5-year survival rates for curative and noncurative resections were 46.4% and 0%, respectively. Univariate analysis of 36 patients who underwent R0 resection revealed that symptoms at initial admission (p = 0.023), presence of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.034), and perineural invasion (p = 0.025) were significant prognostic factors after curative resection. There was no significant factor for overall survival in the multivariate analysis. There was recurrence in 15 patients, mainly as liver metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of symptom (p = 0.047, HR = 5.362, 95% CI = 1.021–28.149) and ulcerative tumor (p = 0.036, HR = 5.668, 95% CI = 1.123–28.619) were independent factors for disease free survival. An aggressive surgical approach to achieve R0 resection was important to enhance survival. Most of the recurrence occurred within 1 year after surgery. Close follow-up is necessary after surgical resection.     

糖尿病合并冠状动脉慢性完全闭塞性病变患者置入药物洗脱支架的远期预后

目的 评价糖尿病合并冠状动脉慢性完全闭塞性(CTO)病变患者置入药物洗脱支架(DES)的远期临床预后.方法 回顾性分析143例于2006年1月至2007年5月期间连续入院接受经皮冠状动脉介入治疗并置入DES的糖尿病合并CTO病变患者的临床资料,并对患者进行随访.研究终点为主要不良心血管事件,包括死亡、心肌梗死和再次靶病变血管重建.根据随访结果,将患者分为事件组和非事件组.结果 143例患者中,139例完成随访,4例失访,随访(19.8±5.1)个月.长期随访中共发生主要不良心血管事件15例(10.5%),其中死亡3例,心肌梗死1例,再次靶病变血管重建11例.与非事件组比较,事件组的残余狭窄较重[(17.7±1.8)%比(15.4±5.0)%,P=0.001],最终最小管腔直径较小[(2.14±0.22)%比(2.89±0.37)%,P=0.004].Cox回归分析显示,最终最小管腔直径(OR:0.097,95%可信区间:0.013~0.694,P=0.020)为长期随访预后惟一独立危险因素.结论 糖尿病合并CTO患者置人DES安全、有效.最终最小管腔直径可能为长期随访事件的重要预测因子.     

Long-term survivors among Danish patients after resection for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Abstract

Objective. A diet high in sugars may promote colorectal carcinogenesis, but it remains uncertain whether high intake of sugars or sucrose confers increased risk of colorectal cancer. The authors investigated the associations of sugars and sucrose intake with colorectal cancer risk in a community-based case–control study in Japan. Methods. The study subjects comprised 816 incident cases of colorectal cancer and 815 community controls. Consumption frequencies and portion sizes of 148 food and beverage items were ascertained by a computer-assisted interview. The authors used the consumption of 29 food items to estimate sugars and sucrose intake. The odds ratios of colorectal cancer risk according to intake categories were obtained using a logistic regression model with adjustment for potential confounding variables. Results. Overall, intakes of sugars and sucrose were not related to colorectal cancer risk either in men or women. The association between sugars intake and colorectal cancer risk differed by smoking status and alcohol use in men, but not in women. In men, sugars intake tended to be associated with colorectal cancer risk inversely among never-smokers and positively among male ever-smokers (interaction p = 0.01). Sugars intake was associated with an increased risk among men with no alcohol consumption, but was unrelated to the risk among male alcohol drinkers (interaction p = 0.02). Body mass index did not modify the association with sugars intake in either men or women. Conclusion. Sugars intake was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer among smokers and non-alcohol drinkers in men selectively.     

支架置入治疗胃出口-十二指肠恶性梗阻的进展

近年来，应用支架置入治疗胃出口-十二指肠梗阻（gastric outlet and duodenal obstruction，GOADO）越来越多，在减轻患者痛苦、提高生活质量等方面发挥了积极作用。本文回顾分析相关的国内外文献，对支架类型、适应证与禁忌证、临床疗效、并发症等最新进展作一综述。