Belt device for simplified CT-guided puncture and biopsy: A technical note

A new radiolucent device for increased accuracy of CT-guided fine-needle punctures permits precise determination of the optimum angle, depth, and position of the fine needle, which can be preset from the data supplied on the CT monitor. Puncture and repeat scans for controlling the tip of the needle can be performed with the patient in a stationary position. The device is designed as a belt that holds a needle holder sheath and a goniometric scale, both of which can be moved to varying positions around the patient.     

Localization of small intestinal bleeding

The preoperative identification of a bleeding site is not always possible, particularly when bleeding originates in the small intestine. Small vascular abnormalities, such as the telangiectatic lesion described in this report, comprise about 40–60% of such cases. Preoperative location using arteriography, radionuclide bleeding scan, and enteroclysis were nondiagnostic. The lesion was demonstrated by intraoperative endoscopy. A segment of small intestine was resected, and the patient made an uneventful recovery.     

Detection of abnormal lesions recorded by capsule endoscopy: A prospective study comparing endoscopist''s and nurse''s accuracy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive technique for small bowel examination but its evaluation is time consuming. The aim of this study was to assess whether, following adequate training, an endoscopy nurse is capable of picking up all significant images without reducing the diagnostic accuracy of the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2003 and December 2004, a total of 41 consecutive capsule endoscopy studies were blindly reviewed by both an endoscopy nurse and an endoscopist. The two operators had to select all significant images independently and to complete a structured questionnaire. Thirty-nine capsule endoscopy examinations (two studies discharged for premature battery failure) were evaluated. The agreement between the two operators was calculated by kappa statistics (coefficient of agreement). RESULTS: Agreement was excellent for all kind of selected lesions (mean kappa>0.85); the agreement was complete (kappa=1) for site identification, active bleeding, stenosis and negative studies. The greater disagreement (kappa=0.77) was found in cases of subtle mucosal abnormalities (i.e. reduction of villi), which were over-estimated by the nurse. CONCLUSIONS: The preview recordings made by the nurse may increase the cost/effectiveness of the study, by considerably reducing the time needed for the endoscopist to make the final report (about 5-10 min), without compromising final diagnosis.     

Carcinoma of the papilla of vater: Are endoscopic appearance and endoscopic biopsy discordant?

Carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is classified as periampullary cancer representing 5% of all gastrointestinal tract malignancies. Early and accurate diagnosis is important for those patients with a tumor of the papilla, as the prognosis is more favorable than in other periampullary neoplasms. Endoscopically obtained biopsies from suspicious papillae can detect an early tumor, although even for skilled pathologists it is often difficult to differentiate carcinomas from noninvasive lesions on the basis of forceps biopsies. The purpose of this study was to assess the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of duodenoscopy appearance and biopsy in all cases with suspicion of tumor. Thirty patients with suspicion of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater and with final diagnosis established by pancreatoduodenectomy were included in this retrospective study. In each case, a comparison was made between endoscopic biopsy and duodenoscopic appearance. Duodenoscopic appearance sensitivity and accuracy for malignancy were 86% and 83%, respectively, whereas endoscopic biopsy sensitivity and accuracy were 65% and 67%, respectively. Although preoperative diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is useful for making therapeutic decisions, the diagnostic value of the endoscopic appearance was superior to endoscopic biopsy in this series. Presented at the 2003 American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Congress, Miami, Florida, February 27-March 3, 2003. Supported by FADA-CAPES/PROP 200J (M.L.D.).     

Strecker stent in stenotic hemodialysis Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous fistulas

Flexible tantalum stents (Strecker) were used as an adjunct to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of stenotic arterial or venous limbs of Brescia-Cimino hemodialysis fistulas. The diagnostic procedure was performed using retrograde fistulography. After PTA with unsatisfactory results, stents were placed in 5 patients with significant residual stenoses and poor fistula function. Within the mean follow-up period of 6.4 months (range 3–10 months) all fistulas were functioning. We conclude that Strecker stent is useful in the treatment of stenotic hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas as an adjunct to PTA.     

APPRAISAL OF SURGICAL AND ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS

One hundred and ten patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones were treated in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India between January 1989 and December 1992. The primary modality of treatment was surgery in 62 patients (group I) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) in 48 (group II). The two groups were well matched with respect to clinical features and presence of medical risk factors. Surgical clearance of CBD stones was achieved in 58 patients (93.5%; group Ia). Four patients (7%) had retained stones following surgery (group Ib). In group II, the CBD was cleared by endoscopic means in 20 out of 48 patients (42%) and was categorized into group IIa. In the remaining patients ES was followed by CBD exploration (group IIb). Significantly higher morbidity was seen in patients needing CBD surgery following attempted endoscopic clearance, because of ES-related complications, such as bleeding, cholangitis, septicaemia and numerous others. Use of ES to treat CBD stones on a routine basis was therefore not found to be any better than one-time surgical exploration.     

经皮椎体成形术与椎体后凸成形术治疗胸腰椎压缩性骨折的临床疗效比较

目的比较经皮椎体成形术与椎体后凸成形术治疗胸腰椎压缩性骨折的临床疗效。方法对98例胸腰椎压缩性骨折，根据手术方法不同分为椎体成形组和椎体后凸成形组。比较两组术前术后椎体前缘、中线、后缘高度变化，疼痛视觉模糊评分（VAS），手术时间，出血量等方面的差异。结果两组对椎体高度的恢复比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），VAS、手术时间和出血量比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论经皮椎体成形术与椎体后凸成形术具有创伤小、手术时间短、出血量少等微创优点，而椎体后凸成形术具有较好的复位作用。     

Impact of gastrointestinal endoscopy on HIV‐infected children

Objective: To evaluate the role of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected children with GI problems. Methods: From 1998 to 2002, we retrospectively reviewed all cases of HIV‐infected children presenting with GI problems in which an upper or lower GI endoscopy was indicated. The initial diagnostic endoscopic examination and any repeat endoscopic session leading to a new diagnosis were used in the data analysis. Tissue biopsies were obtained from all abnormal lesions and representative sites of normal‐appearancing GI mucosa. Results: Fourteen patients (median age: 22.5 months) underwent 23 sessions of GI endoscopy, including 10 esophagogastroduodenoscopy, nine colonoscopy and four flexible sigmoidoscopy. Chronic diarrhea was the most common indication, followed by lower GI bleeding, abdominal/retrosternal pain, dysphagia/odynophagia, and upper GI bleeding. Gross endoscopic abnormalities were observed in 78.3%; whereas histological inflammation and opportunistic pathogens were identified in 87% and 43.5%, respectively. Cytomegalovirus was the most common identified pathogen. Abnormal gross findings were significantly associated with histological inflammation and identification of pathogens (P = 0.006 and 0.046, respectively). Specific changes in medical management were made in 50% of cases as a result of endoscopic investigation. Conclusion: If non‐invasive investigations for HIV‐infected children with GI symptoms fail to establish a diagnosis, gastrointestinal endoscopy should be performed and often yields a positive result leading to changes in medical management.     

影像设备引导下经皮穿刺与支气管填塞治疗耐多药肺结核空洞的疗效分析

目的评价影像设备引导下,经皮穿刺与经支气管填塞,治疗耐多药肺结核空洞的临床疗效。方法CR、CT及生化,病理学确诊的耐多药肺结核空洞患者88例,用经皮穿刺治疗44例(A组)和经支气管填塞治疗44例(B组)。并对照分析其方法,并发症和疗效,评估其应用价值。结果A组闭塞性空洞愈合14例(32%)、净化性空洞愈合16例(36%),无变化及轻微缩小14例(32%),总治愈率为68%;B组闭塞性空洞愈合23例(52.27%),净化空洞愈合17例(38.64%),无变化及轻微变小4例(9%),总治愈率达91%。B组比A组总疗效高出23%(91%~68%),并发症低,疗程缩短1~2个月。结论支气管填塞治疗耐多药肺结核空洞的疗效要优于经皮穿刺的方法。是目前治疗耐多药肺结核空洞的比较有效方法。