Predictive factors by multivariate analysis for colorectal cancer in Malaysian patients undergoing colonoscopy

BACKGROUND: The majority of colorectal cancers are still diagnosed in patients who present with symptoms especially in countries where colorectal screening programs are not practised. The aim of our study was to determine the predictive factors for colorectal cancer in patients referred for colonoscopy. METHODS: A prospective study of 485 consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy during a 22-month period was performed. All patients answered a detailed questionnaire. Indications for colonoscopy and the findings were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 55.7 +/- 14.7 years. There were 221 (45.6%) males and 264 (54.4%) females. Sixty-five (13.4%) were Malays, 298 (61.4%) were Chinese and 112 (23.1%) were Indians. Multiple backward stepwise regression analysis revealed that independent predictors for colorectal cancer (odds ratio [95% CI]) were the presence of rectal bleeding (4.3 [4.0-8.0]) and iron deficiency anemia (4.0 [3.6-10.2]). In those aged 50 and over, male gender (4.5 [2.2-9.3]) and abdominal pain (3.1 [1.4-6.7]) were also significant positive predictors of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: With the ever-increasing demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy, the appropriate utilization of colonoscopy is essential to afford prompt patient evaluation. Our study supports the need to prioritize the use of colonoscopy in patients with rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia. In the older patient where the background prevalence of colorectal cancer is higher, referral for colonoscopy is also justified.     

Scoliosis in children with Chiari I-related syringomyelia

Objective To study the relationship between scoliosis and Chiari I malformation, with reference to the possible role of cranio-vertebral decompression in preventing the need for scoliosis correction.Material and methods Out of a total of 36 patients with symptomatic Chiari I, who underwent primary cranio-vertebral decompression by a single paediatric neurosurgeon with an interest in Chiari malformation between 1998 and 2003, 13 had clinically detected scoliosis. Of these, ten had no other structural spine abnormality, which could influence the natural history of scoliosis and were included in this study.Results In all but one patient, syringomyelia improved significantly after cranio-vertebral decompression. Of the ten patients, eight had levoscoliosis (left convexity), all single curves, and two had curves to the right (both double curves). Six patients did not require corrective scoliosis surgery after cranio-vertebral decompression. The mean Cobb angle for those not requiring scoliosis correction was 29° in contrast to a mean of 76° for those requiring correction [p=0.001, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. The mean age of patients requiring corrective surgery was 158 months against 125 months for those not requiring correction (p=0.084, one-way ANOVA). These findings were confirmed by multivariate analysis, which also confirmed that symptom duration, syrinx length and site were not significant in predicting the need for corrective surgery following cranio-vertebral decompression.Conclusions Cranio-vertebral decompression for Chiari I may prevent the need for corrective scoliosis surgery when performed before the age of ten and below a Cobb angle of 30°.     

Efficacy of a 1-week pantoprazole triple therapy in eradicating Helicobacter pylori in Asian patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present paper was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of a 1-week treatment regimen consisting of pantoprazole and two antibiotics: clarithromycin and amoxycillin, in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: The patients selected had unequivocal evidence of H. pylori infection based on urease test, culture and histology on antral and corpus biopsies obtained at endoscopy. Patients received pantoprazole 40 mg twice a day, clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day and amoxycillin 1 g twice a day for 1 week and were assessed for successful eradication at least 4 weeks after completion of therapy by repeat gastroscopy and gastric biopsies. Eradication was defined as absence of bacteria in both antral and corpus biopsies tested by culture, histology and urease test. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients were recruited for the study.The mean age was 48.0 years (range: 23-74 years). Four patients defaulted follow up and five patients were not compliant (taking less than 85%) with medications. Eradication rates on per-protocol analysis were: 88/97 (90.7%; 95% CI: 83.1-95.7); and on intention-to-treat analysis they were: 88/106 (83.0%; 95% CI: 75.9-90.2). Side-effects were in general mild and tolerable: 57 of 106 (53.7%) patients complained of a bitter taste; 15 (14.1%) complained of giddiness; 10 (9.4%) complained of increased abdominal pain; 11 (11.5%) complained of lethargy and 16 (15.1%) complained of loose motions. Pre-treatment metronidazole resistance was encountered in 57/74 strains (77.0%). Clarithromycin resistance was not encountered in any of the strains. CONCLUSIONS: The pantoprazole 1-week triple therapy with amoxycillin and clarithromycin is effective in H. pylori eradication. The treatment was well tolerated by patients. Metronidazole resistance was reported in a high percentage of strains isolated from patients. Clarithromycin resistance was, however, not detected in any of the strains.     

Endoscopic intervention for hepatolithiasis associated with sharp angulation of right intrahepatic ducts

BACKGROUND: Hepatolithiasis (intrahepatic stones) is common in Asian patients. Hepatolithiasis with intrahepatic strictures and sharp ductal angulation poses a particularly difficult management problem. METHODS: Cases of hepatolithiasis with sharp angulation of right intrahepatic ducts were retrospectively reviewed. OBSERVATIONS: Five patients with hepatolithiasis and right sharp intrahepatic ductal angulation were treated endoscopically via ERCP. Two patients died soon after the procedure. In the remaining 3 patients, treatment by dilation of the intrahepatic strictures and stent placement was only partially successful. Attempts to access the sharply angulated intrahepatic duct were unsuccessful. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic management of hepatolithiasis associated with sharp angulation of a right intrahepatic duct is difficult and is generally managed best with percutaneous treatment modalities or surgery, where possible.     

ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF PANCREATICO‐BILIARY STRICTURES: A MALAYSIAN EXPERIENCE

Three thousand one hundred and thirty‐seven endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures were carried out over a 10‐year period from 1993 to 2003. Two thousand three hundred and seventeen (73.9%) procedures were first attempt procedures, and 516 (22.2%) cases were performed for malignant biliary strictures. The majority of tumors were distally located (43.4%) followed by hilar or subhilar strictures (34.5%). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed in 35 patients with non‐malignant biliary strictures: 12 were due to chronic pancreatitis and 13 due to postoperative damage one, tuberculous stricture four were benign strictures with no obvious cause, four cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis, and one case of Caroli's disease. Of 936 patients with biliary stone disease, 63 (6.7%) patients had strictures of varying degree and extent. ERCP was performed in only 12 cases of benign pancreatic strictures. Biliary stricture due to tuberculosis was distinctly uncommon and only one case was reported. Pre‐cutting with needle‐knife was used successfully in 27.0% of first attempts at common bile duct (CBD) cannulation. Overall, the use of needle knife precutting facilitated cannulation of the CBD in 159/435 (36.6%) (first and second attempts combined). The overwhelming majority of stents placed were polyethylene stents. Metallic self‐expandable stents were used only in a limited number of patients. Cytology brushings of biliary strictures were infrequently carried out. Multiple polyethylene stents were placed across benign strictures as a dilatation device for up to 12 months. Our experience with long‐term follow‐up (mean 7.7 years) of nine patients following for postoperative benign strictures has demonstrated excellent results with this management approach.