Gastric Lesions in the Excluded Gastric Segment Undetected by Endoscopy or Radiography in Patients Status Post Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

A patient had two surgical revisions and another patient had one surgical revision of a vertical banded gastroplasty because of intraoperative findings of gastric ulceration, incomplete penetration, and transmural penetration of the silicone band. Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy in all three cases and an upper gastrointestinal series in two of the cases failed to demonstrate these lesions, because the lesions were located in the surgically excluded gastric segment. These reports demonstrate that a normal upper gastrointestinal series or panendoscopy in a patient after vertical banded gastroplasty does not exclude significant lesions in the endoscopically inaccessible, excluded gastric segment, and that it may be necessary to perform a laparotomy on a severely symptomatic patient even when an endoscopy is normal.     

Gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms: does body mass index matter?

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown inconsistent results about the association between body mass index (BMI) and gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the association between BMI and gastrointestinal disorders in patients referred for endoscopy. METHODS: Consecutive patients received a questionnaire about gastrointestinal symptoms prior to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The association between BMI and gastrointestinal disease and related symptoms was determined by adjusted logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1023 subjects were included, 303 (35%) subjects were overweight (BMI 25 to 30 kg/m2), an additional 118 (14%) subjects were obese (BMI >30 kg/m2). Overall, 42% of the patients experienced symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD ), 70% dyspepsia and 55% lower abdominal symptoms. In obese patients the prevalence of GERD was higher (52%) compared with normal weight (44%) and overweight (44%) (ns). Reflux oesophagitis was found in 13, 17 and 19% for normal weight, overweight and obese, hiatus hernia in 7, 9 and 11% and Barrett's oesophagus in 6, 7 and 8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: More than half the patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal (GI ) endoscopy were overweight or obese. In this patient population, no relation between BMI and GI disorders and symptoms was found. However, a small but statistically insignificant trend was observed toward obesity for patients with GERD-associated symptoms.     

Magnifying chromoendoscopy for the detection of premalignant gastrointestinal lesions

The prognosis for patients with malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract is strictly dependent on the early detection of premalignant and malignant lesions. At present, endoscopy can be performed with new, powerful high-resolution or magnifying endoscopes. Comparable to the rapid development in chip technology, the optic features of the newly designed endoscopes offer resolutions that allow new mucosal surface details to be seen. In conjunction with chromoendoscopy, the newly discovered tool of video endoscopy is much easier to use and more impressive than previously used fibreoptic endoscopy. This review summarises the value of magnifying endoscopy in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and focuses on gastroesophageal reflux disease and early gastric and colorectal cancer.     

Gastric polypoid lesions—illustrative cases and literature review

Currently, upper gastrointestinal endoscopies are frequently performed for patients with various gastrointestinal symptoms. From time to time, lumps and bumps in the stomach are encountered on endoscopy. Four cases of gastric polypoid lesions are presented. The classification, differentiation, and management approach to these lesions are discussed. Although there is consensus that all gastric adenomatous polyps should be removed, as should gastric hyperplastic polyps that are symptomatic and/or bear dysplastic foci on forceps biopsy, controversy still exists over the management of asymptomatic gastric hyperplastic polyps that do not bear any dysplastic focus on forceps biopsies. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has a promising role in the evaluation of gastric submucosal polypoid lesions.     

Marlex mesh erosion: a complication of horizontal banded gastroplasty

One-hundred and thirty-eight obese patients underwent horizontal banded gastroplasty. The stoma in each case was reinforced with Marlex mesh. Fifty of these patients developed upper gastrointestinal symptoms sufficiently severe to require endoscopy. At endoscopy 12 were found to have erosion of the Marlex mesh into the stoma. Mesh erosion was found at various intervals postoperatively ranging from 5 weeks to 55 months with a mean of 23 months. Nine of the 12 had associated stenosis of the stoma and three had dehiscence of the staple line. There were no symptoms peculiar to Marlex erosion. Seven patients required surgical revision of the stoma, four were treated medically, and one was treated with a combination of stomal dilation and medical therapy.     

Changes in indications for upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and endoscopic findings during the last fifteen years in south-western Greece

BACKGROUND: During the past years, major advances in the management of upper gastrointestinal diseases have been achieved. The aim of this study was to determine if changes in indications for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic findings have occurred during the last 15 years in our area. METHODS: Indications for upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and endoscopy findings of patients who underwent upper endoscopy in years 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005 in our department were compared. RESULTS: Over the 15-year period, the number of diagnostic endoscopies performed in our department in years 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005 increased (953, 1245, 2350, and 2528, respectively). Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding had become less frequent (40%, 42.8%, 19.7%, 14.3%, P<0.001), but dyspepsia (24.4%, 33.6%, 54.3%, 51.3%, P=0.002) and reflux (1.8%, 1.3%, 5.1%, 10.8%, P=0.005) more frequent indications for upper endoscopy. The endoscopic findings of duodenal ulcer (39.1%, 22.5%, 20.5%, 9.3%, P<0.001), gastric ulcer (15.9%, 8.3%, 5.7%, 4.6%, P=0.036) as well as erosive gastroduodenitis (35.6%, 22.2%, 15.3%, 4.7%, P<0.001) decreased, whereas that of reflux esophagitis (3.1%, 10.1%, 12%, 16%, P=0.034) increased. Moreover, the percentage of patients with negative endoscopy or minimal endoscopic findings (eg, nonerosive gastritis) increased (12.8%, 33.7%, 54.1%, 64.4%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In south-western Greece, dyspepsia and reflux as an indication for upper endoscopy have been increasing, whereas acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been decreasing. The finding of peptic ulcers at the upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy has become significantly less frequent, while the percentage of patients with negative results of endoscopy seems to have been increasing rapidly.     

Esophagitis and gastroduodenal disorders associated with diabetic gastroparesis

The prevalence of associated gastrointestinal disorders with diabetic gastroparesis was studied retrospectively by reviewing all data on patients with diabetic gastroparesis who were admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, over a four-year period. Twenty diabetic patients with intractable nausea and vomiting, thought to be secondary to diabetic gastroparesis, underwent upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy after failure to respond to conventional therapy for gastroparesis within several days. Nine (45%) patients had normal upper endoscopic examination results. Eleven (55%) patients were discovered to have other gastrointestinal tract disorders that could explain their persistent symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Specifically, three patients had Candida esophagitis, four had erosive esophagitis, two had gastric ulcers, one had duodenal erosions, and one had bile reflux gastritis. These 11 patients improved when therapy was altered to treat their additional disorder. Management of diabetic gastroparesis is discussed with emphasis on early upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy for patients who fail to respond to therapy initially.     

Angiodysplasia of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Clinical spectrum in 41 cases

Over a 3-year period, arteriovenous malformations (angiodysplasia) were identified at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 41 patients. The lesions were multiple in one-third of patients and were predominantly situated in the proximal stomach. We considered angiodysplasia to be the cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 11 (27%) patients and of anemia in nine (22%) patients. In these two groups other mucosal lesions were not seen at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and there had been prior undiagnosed episodes of overt or occult bleeding in almost half. In 21 (51%) patients the lesions were judged to be incidental findings. Other medical conditions noted were the presence of an aortic systolic murmur (24%) and renal impairment (12%). Only three patients had mucocutaneous telangiectasia (two had Osler-Rendu-Weber syndrome, and one had scleroderma with CRST syndrome). Specific treatment in 14 symptomatic patients included endoscopic electrocoagulation or injection sclerotherapy. In eight patients with adequate post-treatment surveillance, endoscopy demonstrated obliteration of the vascular lesions.     

Clinical course of subepithelial lesions detected on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

AIM:To evaluate the natural history of subepithelial lesions.METHODS:We reviewed the medical records of 104 159 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at the Center for Health Promotion of Samsung Medical Center between 1996 and 2003.Subepithelial lesions were detected in 795 patients(0.76%);252 patients were followed using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for 82.5 ± 29.2 mo(range,12-160 mo;median,84 mo;1st quartile,60 mo;3rd quartile,105 mo).The median interval of follow-up endoscopy was 1...     

Outcomes of endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency anemia after Billroth II partial gastrectomy

GOALS: To determine the frequency of gastrointestinal lesions detected by upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in patients who developed iron deficiency anemia after Billroth II surgery. STUDY: The authors reviewed the medical records of 116 consecutive patients with a Billroth II partial gastrectomy and 232 age- and gender-matched controls without gastric surgery who were referred for endoscopy to evaluate iron deficiency anemia over a 5-year period. RESULTS: Clinically important lesions were detected in 22.4% of the patients with gastric surgery and in 59.5% of those with intact stomachs (p < 0.001). In the gastric surgery group, clinically important lesions were found more often in the upper gastrointestinal tract than in the colon (19.0% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001). In the nonsurgical group, the diagnostic yields of upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were not significantly different (38.4% vs. 32.8%, p = 0.24). Synchronous lesions in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract were significantly less common in the group of patients with gastric surgery compared with those without gastric surgery (0.0% vs. 11.6%, p < 0.001). Small bowel biopsies and small bowel follow-through did not identify any additional lesions. In the gastric surgery group, multivariate analysis identified abdominal symptoms (OR = 11.2, 95% CI 3.2-39.2, p < 0.001), a positive result on fecal occult blood testing (OR = 6.4, 95% CI 2.0-20.3, p = 0.002), and Billroth II surgery at least 10 years before evaluation (OR = 5.4, 95% CI 1.7-16.7, p = 0.004) as independent predictors of identifying a clinically important lesion by endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Upper endoscopy had a significantly higher diagnostic yield than colonoscopy in patients who developed iron deficiency anemia after Billroth II surgery. Prospective studies are necessary to determine the role and cost-effectiveness of colonoscopy in the evaluation of iron deficiency anemia in this patient population.     

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the cancer patient

The usefulness of fiberoptic endoscopy, performed to identify the cause(s) of gastrointestinal bleeding in cancer patients was assessed by (1) identifying the clinical presentation of bleeding, (2) evaluating the safety and diagnostic yield of fiberoptic endoscopy, (3) determining the frequency distribution of causes of bleeding, and (4) evaluating the clinical course following acute gastrointestinal bleeding in a cancer patient population. Hematemesis, melena, and hematochezia were observed in decreasing order of frequency as manifestations of bleeding. Of 187 endoscopic procedures performed on 133 patients, 75% were bleeding from benign lesions with the majority due to gastric ulceration, gastritis, or duodenal ulceration. One third of patients with tumors involving the gastrointestinal tract were bleeding from another source. Mortality from major hemorrhage was 8%; 55% of patients were alive at the end of 2 years. Endoscopy was performed without complications and contributed to medical management, angiographic therapy, and surgical planning.     

放大结合窄带成像在上消化道内镜检查中指导靶向活检的价值

目的探讨放大内镜（magnifying endoscopy,ME）结合窄带成像（narrow—band imaging,NBI）在上消化道胃镜检查中指导靶向活检的价值。方法筛选普通白光胃镜检查活检提示存在低级别上皮内瘤变的患者或直径大于2．0cm的胃溃疡患者,共200例,随机分成2组,2—4周复查胃镜。普通白光胃镜组：普通白光胃镜观察后局部活检。ME—NBI组：根据放大胃镜下表现,在病变最严重部位靶向活检。分析普通胃镜活检结果与ME—NBI靶向活检结果与最终病理诊断结果的关系。结果200例患者中,3例患者失访,共完成197例。普通白光胃镜组100例,其中食管病变23例,胃病变77例。ME—NBI组97例,其中食管病变19例,胃病变78例。ME-NBI组平均每例活检数（2．95块）与普通胃镜组（4．56块）相比差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．001）。与最终病理结果符合率：ME—NBI90．7％（88／97）,普通胃镜71．0％（71／100）。两组间差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论ME—NBI技术操作简便,可清晰观察病灶微细结构,有助于提高早期上消化道肿瘤的靶向活检准确率,在常规胃镜检查中发现可疑病灶后,可使用ME．NBI观察,指导靶向活检。     

Iron deficiency anemia in the elderly: prevalence and endoscopic evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in outpatients

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA), mostly due to chronic occult bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, is a common problem in the elderly. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IDA in the elderly and to investigate the gastrointestinal tract in elderly patients with IDA. 1,388 patients over 65 years were prospectively evaluated for IDA in our outpatient clinic. IDA was defined if decreased hemoglobin concentrations (<13 g/dl for men and <12 g/dl for women) were associated with low serum ferritin levels (<15 ng/ml in men and <9 ng/ml in women). We evaluated the gastrointestinal system of all patients with IDA by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy regardless of fecal occult blood loss. The prevalence of anemia was found to be 25% (n = 347) in our study population, and 30.5% (n = 106) of these patients with anemia had iron deficiency. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed in 96 patients with IDA. Fifty-eight upper gastrointestinal system lesions (55 patients, 57.3%) and 27 colonic lesions (26 patients, 27.1%) were detected. We diagnosed gastrointestinal malignancy in 15 (15.6%) elderly patients with IDA (8 colon, 1 esophageal and 6 gastric cancers). IDA is a common problem in elderly patients; consequently, before iron replacement therapy, patients should be thoroughly investigated regarding a possible association with gastrointestinal malignancy.     

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients aged 85 years or more. Results of a feasibility study in a district general hospital

We performed a cross sectional analysis of the feasibility and yield of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) in a cohort of patients aged 85 years or more. The study involved 218 patients who underwent diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a district general hospital between 1994 and 1998. Indication, use of sedation, endoscopic findings and treatment after endoscopy were evaluated. Indications for gastroscopy were suspicious of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGI) bleeding (41%), anemia (15%), and presence of dyspeptic- (31%), alarm- (9%) and/or reflux symptoms (3%). Serious UGI disease (cancer, peptic ulcer, reflux oesofagitis and/or erosive gastritis/duodenitis) was detected in 97 patients (44%). With respect to clinical presentation, serious UGI disease was present in 61% with bleeding, in 57% with reflux symptoms, in 42% with alarm symptoms, in 33% with anemia and in 28% with dyspepsia. Carcinoma was detected in eight patients (3.8%), all of them were treated with supportive care. In very old people gastroscopy is generally performed on sound indications reveals serious UGI disease in almost one out of two patients, markedly influences medical treatment, and reveals low malignancy rates (3.8%). In these patients, UGE is worthwhile and should not be omitted because of age considerations.     

Combined Endoscopy in Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage

Summary: Combined endoscopic examination was performed in 206 patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. This represents 92% of all patients admitted with this emergency to one hospital over a 12 month period.
Endoscopy achieved a diagnosis of the cause of bleeding in 92% of patients. The causes were: Pyloroduodenal ulcer 32%, haemorrhagic gastritis and gastric erosions 23%, gastric ulcer 20%, oesophageal varices 6%, Mallory Weiss lesion 5%, haemorrhagic duodenitis 5%, gastric carcinoma 4%, miscellaneous causes 5%. Combined lesions were found in 12% of patients.
Follow up assessment revealed endoscopy to be an accurate investigation.
The mortality for the series was 4.8%. Half the deaths resulted from bleeding oesophageal varices with advanced liver disease.
It is suggested that because of its accuracy and high diagnostic yield, early endoscopy may replace contrast radiography as the first investigation in upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.     

The Changing Pattern of Upper Gastro-Intestinal Lesions in Southern Saudi Arabia: An Endoscopic Study

Background/Aim:

Dyspepsia is a common gastrointestinal disorder and is the most common indication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE). In recent years, it has been observed in several centers that there is a change in the causes of dyspepsia as revealed by UGIE. Our main objectives were: (1) To study the pattern of upper gastrointestinal pathology in patients with dyspepsia undergoing upper endoscopy; (2) Compare that with the pattern seen 10-15 years earlier in different areas of KSA.

Patients and Methods:

Retrospective study of all UGI endoscopies performed at Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Southern Saudi Arabia during the years 2005-2007 on patients above 13 years of age. Patients who underwent UGIE for reasons other than dyspepsia were excluded. The analysis was performed using the SPSS 14 statistical package.

Results:

A total of 1,607 patients underwent UGI endoscopy during the three-year study period (age range, 15-100). There were 907 males (56.4%) and 700 female (43.6%). Normal findings were reported on 215 patients (14%) and the majority had gastritis (676 = 42%), of whom 344 had gastritis with ulcer disease. Moreover, 242 patients (15%) had gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), with or without esophagitis or hiatus hernia. Also, a total of 243 patients had duodenal ulcer (DU) (15%) while only 12 had gastric ulcer (0.7%).

Discussion and Conclusion:

There is clear change in the frequency of UGIE lesions detected recently compared to a decade ago with an increasing prevalence of reflux esophagitis and hiatus hernia. This could be attributed to changes in lifestyle and dietary habits such as more consumption of fat and fast food, increased prevalence of obesity, and smoking. These problems should be addressed in order to minimize the serious complications of esophageal diseases.     

An ambulant porcine model of acid reflux used to evaluate endoscopic gastroplasty

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of suitable models for testing of therapeutic procedures for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Endoscopic sewing methods might allow the development of a new less invasive surgical approach to treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. AIMS: To develop an animal model of gastro-oesophageal reflux for testing the efficacy of a new antireflux procedure, endoscopic gastroplasty, performed at flexible endoscopy without laparotomy or laparoscopy. METHODS: At endoscopy a pH sensitive radiotelemetry capsule was sewn to the oesophageal wall, 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter, in six large white pigs. Ambulant pH recordings (48-96 hours; total 447 hours) were obtained. The median distal oesophageal pH was 6.8 (range 6.4-7.3); pH was less than 4 for 9.3% of the time. After one week, endoscopic gastroplasty was performed by placing sutures below the gastro-oesophageal junction, forming a neo-oesophagus of 1-2 cm in length. Postoperative manometry and pH recordings (24-96 hours; total 344 hours) were carried out. RESULTS: Following gastroplasty, the median sphincter pressure increased significantly from 3 to 6 mm Hg and in length from 3 to 3.75 cm. The median time pH was less than 4 decreased significantly from 9.3% to 0.2%. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first long term measurements of oesophageal pH in ambulant pigs. The finding of spontaneous reflux suggested a model for studying treatments of reflux. Endoscopic gastroplasty increased sphincter pressure and length and decreased acid reflux.     

Limited diagnostic value of laryngopharyngeal lesions in patients with gastroesophageal reflux during routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is growing evidence that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause typical laryngeal/pharyngeal lesions secondary to tissue irritation. The prevalence of those lesions in GERD patients is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of GERD signs in the laryngopharyngeal area during routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: Between July 2000 and July 2001, 1,209 patients underwent 1,311 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies and were enrolled in this study. The structured examination of the laryngopharyngeal area during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was videotaped for review by three gastroenterologists and one otorhinolaryngologist, blinded to the endoscopic esophageal findings. From the 1,209 patients enrolled in this prospective study, all patients (group I, N = 132) with typical endoscopical esophageal findings of GERD (Savary-Miller I-IV) were selected. The sex- and age-matched control group II (N = 132) underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for different reasons, had no reflux symptoms, and had normal esophagoscopy. RESULTS: In the two groups of patients, we found no difference in the prevalence of abnormal interarytenoid bar findings (32%vs 32%), arytenoid medial wall erythema (47%vs 43%), posterior commissure changes (36%vs 34%), or posterior cricoid wall edema (1%vs 3%). The only difference was noted in the posterior pharyngeal wall cobblestoning (66%vs 50%, P= 0.004). CONCLUSION: The results of this large systematic investigation challenge the diagnostic specificity of laryngopharyngeal findings attributed to gastroesophageal reflux.     

Is There a Role for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the Evaluation of Patients with Occult Blood-Positive Stool and Negative Colonoscopy?

Objective: To determine the role of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the clinical investigation of patients with occult blood-positive and negative colonoscopy. Methods: This is a retrospectivc study of 211 consecutive patients who were investigated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for occult blood-positive stool and negative colonoscopy. Patients were categorized into four groups: asymptomatic (n = 117), symptomatic (n = 37), severe anemia (hemoglobin < 10 g/dl) (n = 33), and incomplete (CBC not obtained or insufficient documentation regarding the presence or absence of symptoms) (n = 24). Results: Eighty-eight of the 211 patients (42%) had abnormal upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings: 43% of the "asymptomatic" group, 35% of the "symptomatic" group. 45% of the "severe anemia" group, and 42% of the "incomplete" group. The number of patients with abnormal upper gastrointestinal findings increased with age (p =0.0002). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in upper gastrointestinal lesions between the patients who were 60 yr of age or older, and the patients less than 60 yr of age: 51% compared to 22% (p = 0.00003). All upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings were benign, with 53 of the 88 patients (60%) having erosive gastritis. However, only 25 of those 88 patients (28%) had a lesion for which a specific treatment was available. Conclusions: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with occult blood-positive stool and negative colonoscopy has a very low yield for significant lesions, not only from a therapeutic standpoint, but also for detection of malignant lesions. Prospective studies are needed to determine which specific groups of patients deserve further investigation.     

Value of diagnostic upper endoscopy preceding percutaneous gastrostomy.

Percutaneous gastrostomies, placed endoscopically or radiographically, have supplanted their surgical counterparts in many institutions. Although there are few comparative data, a cost advantage is claimed for the radiographic method, as no endoscopy is required. We performed upper endoscopy on 201 patients prior to attempted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The medical records of these patients were reviewed. Data collected included endoscopic findings which precluded gastrostomy, necessitated conversion to jejunostomy, or led to changes in medical management. For a total of 73 patients (36%), findings at pregastrostomy endoscopy led to major changes in medical management, including 35 patients with severe reflux esophagitis, 29 patients with peptic ulcers, and two patients with gastric outlet obstruction. Appropriate treatment of such conditions may improve morbidity, mortality, and cost by reducing length of hospital stay. The authors recommend diagnostic upper endoscopy in patients undergoing percutaneous gastrostomy, regardless of placement method.