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Aim: This study was designed to ascertain the perception of patients (and their parents) followed-up for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) concerning the transition from pediatric to adult care., Patients and Methods: Forty-eight youths with IBD who had transited from pediatric to adult care were surveyed. Their age at transition was 17.9+/-0.9 years. Thirty-four patients (71%) had been referred to a gastroenterologist working in the same hospital and, in 27 cases, after having attended a joint pediatric-adult care visit., Results: The response rate was 71%. Twenty-nine patients (85%) and 25 parents (74%) felt they were ready to transit into adult care. Seven patients (22%) and 10 parents (32%) were apprehensive about transition to adult gastroenterology. All patients considered the joint medical visit beneficial in terms of transmitting information from their medical records and 93% considered it beneficial for building confidence in the new gastroenterologist. All parents considered the joint medical visit helpful for building the children's confidence in their new doctor. At the time of the survey, 29 patients (85%) were continuing to be followed-up by the same gastroenterologist., Conclusion: Effective planning, including a joint medical visit, enabled successful, well-coordinated transition to adult medical-care follow-up.

Exclusively gastric form of juvenile polyposis associated with germline SMAD4 mutation is a rare clinical entity and is usually difficult to diagnose in the absence of colorectal lesions. We describe the phenotype of two unrelated cases of exclusive or predominant gastric expression of juvenile polyposis. Endoscopically, we found an unusual hypertrophic and polypoid gastropathy with abundant mucus adhering to the mucosal surface. Initially diagnosed as hyperplastic polyps, examination of gastric macrobiopsy specimens and identification of SMAD4 gene mutation in both cases confirmed the diagnosis. Close upper GI surveillance was proposed in case 1 and prophylactic total gastrectomy in the second one. Juvenile polyposis limited to the stomach is a rare condition that is linked to SMAD4 mutations. Such a diagnosis should be considered whenever a mixed, hypertrophic and polypoid gastropathy is encountered.

Hyperplastic polyps are by far the most common benign tumors in the stomach larger than 5mm. Although the malignant potential of hyperplastic gastric polyps was originally denied, a low risk for carcinomatous conversion is now recognized. Its has been recommended that all gastric polyps of 5mm or more in diameter have to be removed. We present here the case of a large hyperplastic gastric polyp located at the esophagogastric junction with endoscopic malignant appearance. The description of its endoscopic and histological characteristics gives us the opportunity to discuss the difficulty of endoscopic diagnosis in the case of gastric polyps and to remind their prognosis.

Following the 4th International Conference on Capsule Endoscopy (ICCE, Miami 2005), the main indications for videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) were reviewed. The consensus guidelines were published in Endoscopy in 2005. These propositions for VCE were based on an analysis of evidence reported in the literature published through 2005. A small working group of experts examined each methodology and presented their report at the plenary session. The final conclusions were then published. At the ICCE 2006 held in Paris, this first version of the consensus guidelines was improved and completed.

Hemoccult II is the only method of screening for colorectal cancer whose effectiveness in reducing specific mortality has been proved by randomized controlled trials. The first experience of French districts based on this strategy reproduced on a population scale the results of the experimental studies. Expanding screening in France to the general public is a public health priority. Large-scale media campaigns, which currently do not exist, could then be launched, and prevention opportunities seized. Immunological tests identifying the presence of blood in the stool have better sensitivity than the guaiac smear tests, especially for the diagnosis of adenomas and to a lesser extent, for that of cancers as a whole. These tests may constitute an alternative to guaiac tests, but are more expensive. Total colonoscopy, proposed every 10 years from the age of 50 years or once in a lifetime around the age of 60 years, is not a realistic method because of its cost and its risks. Sigmoidoscopies are under evaluation in several countries in randomized controlled trials but do not seem appropriate to either the epidemiologic trends of colorectal cancer or to the practice of endoscopy in France. Virtual colonoscopy is an attractive alternative to searching for blood in stool. The evaluation now underway should not interfere with the broad expansion of methods of proven efficacy. Virtual colonoscopy may face competition from numerous emerging techniques of endoscopic exploration of the colon, including the video-capsule. To obtain widespread participation in colorectal cancer screening, policy-makers must take the opinions of healthcare professionals and of the public into account. The medicoeconomic data will be a decisive factor in the choice between these new strategies.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in France is based on a faecal occult blood test every two years in average risk subjects 50-74 years of age while other endoscopic or non-endoscopic screening methods are used in Europe and in the USA. Beside the reduced incidence of and mortality from CRC found in available studies, cost-effectiveness data need to be taken into account. Because of the delay between randomized controlled trials and clinical results, transitional probabilistic models of screening programs are useful for public health policy makers. The aim of the present review was to promote the implementation of cost-effectiveness studies, to provide a guide to analyze cost-effectiveness studies on CRC screening and, to propose a French cost effectiveness study comparing CRC screening strategies. Most of these trials were performed by US or UK authors and demonstrate that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio varies between 5 000 and 15 000 US dollars/one year life gained, with wide variations: these results were highly dependent on the unit costs of the different devices as well as the predictive values of the screening tests. Although CRC screening programs have been implemented in several administrative districts of France since 2002, and the results of these randomized controlled trials using fecal occult blood have been updated, cost-effectiveness criteria need to be integrated; especially since the results of screening campaigns based on other tools such as flexible sigmoidoscopy should be available in 2007.

Objective: The immunosuppressive properties of azathioprine (AZA) are mediated by intracellular metabolism of 6-MP into its active metabolites 6-thiguanine nucleotide (6-TGN) and 6-methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP). The aims of this study were to correlate red blood cell (RBC) 6-TGN and hematological parameters and their change in adult patients with Crohn's disease (CD) treated by AZA and to determine independent factors enabling determination of RBC 6-TGN., Methods: RBC 6-TGN concentration was determined with high performance liquid chromography (HLPC) performed on 74 hepa-rinized blood samples from 32 patients. Changes of hematological parameters were measured for each RBC 6-TGN concentration. RBC 6-TGN concentration above 235 pmol/8x108 RBC was proposed as the therapeutic level in patients treated by AZA. Correlations between the various parameters were assessed as appropriate. Logistic regression analysis was used to determinate independent variables. P<0.05 was considered significant., Results: There was a positive correlation between RBC 6-TGN and decreased red cell count (DeltaRBC) (r=0.314; P=0.006), platelet count (DeltaPlatelets) (r=0.314; P=0.007), White cell count (DeltaWC) (r=0.241; P=0.04) and neutrophil count (DeltaPMN) (r=0.292; P=0.02). RBC 6-TGN in the therapeutic zone was positively correlated with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (r=0.527; P=0.01), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (r=0.437; P=0.04), increase in MCV (DeltaMCV) (r=0.512; P=0.012), decrease in White cell count (DeltaWC) (r=0451; P=003) and in neutrophil count (DeltaPMN) (r=0.463; P=0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that low activity of CD (P<0.02), young age at onset of treatment by AZA (P<0.03) and a low red cell distribution width (RDW) (P=0.003) were independent factors for RBC 6-TGN situated in therapeutic zone. RBC 6-TGN could be determined by logistic regression from AZA dose (mg/kg/d) and MCV increase., Conclusion: This study confirms that hematological parameters or their change can be used to determine whether RBC 6-TGN concentration has reached the therapeutic level. Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased RDW and increased MCV were independent factors for RBC 6-TGN level.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase 1 (COX-1) and/or cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2). Different groups of NSAIDs, defined by their action on either COX-1 or COX-2, have been developed. Whether intestinal toxicity of preferential or selective COX-2 inhibitors is reduced compared with that of standard NSAIDs is controversial. We report the cases of two patients with self-limited colitis induced by preferential COX-2. We discuss the mechanisms of intestinal toxic effects of COX-2 preferential inhibitors from endoscopic and histological features of colitis.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is rarely associated with intestinal complications. We report a case of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria with small bowel ischemia leading to ileal perforation. In the literature, an ulcerative jejuno-ileitis has been reported in 6 cases of intestinal ischemia, due to thrombosis of mucosal small vessels. This disease is usually revealed by abdominal pain. Based on published cases and our observation of intestinal ischemia leading to small bowel perforation, surgery should be considered as the first-line treatment, especially when small bowel lesions are limited.

We describe a case of Whipple's disease confirmed by clinical, histological, bacteriological and molecular criteria. The duodenal involvement was associated with the presence of an endoscopic and histological enterocolitis. Final diagnosis of small bowel and colonic involvement by Whipple's disease was confirmed by histology and molecular biology. We review the literature on extra duodenal involvement. We underline the fact that enterocolitis in Whipple's disease is non-specific. We also discuss the other causes of intestinal mucosal infiltration by macrophages.

Objective: To evaluate the results of infliximab therapy, an anti-TNF-alpha antibody, in patients with severe and refractory Crohn's disease or with fistulas, treated outside the setting of a therapeutic trial., Methods: All Crohn's disease patients treated at the Departments of Gastroenterology of the University Hospitals of Bordeaux, Nantes, Poitiers, Rennes and Tours were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Sixty-nine patients were treated with a total of 170 infusions of infliximab, 32 patients being treated for refractory Crohn's disease and 37 for fistulas. The median follow-up was 8 months (extremes 1-20). An objective response was observed in 79% of refractory Crohn's disease patients and 78% of fistulazing patients. A remission was observed in 72% and 70% of the patients respectively. Forty-five percent of patients had relapsed within 4 months (extremes 2-7). Immunosuppressive therapy was associated with a lower relapse rate (18% with versus 56% without, P=0.004). Infliximab resulted in a steroid-sparing effect in 73% of patients. Forty adverse events, none of severe grade, were observed in 22% of the patients, without any influence of steroids or immunosuppressive therapy., Conclusion: This study confirms that infliximab is very effective in steroid-dependent and fistulazing Crohn's disease. Infliximab has a steroid-sparing effect and immunosuppressive therapy is associated with a reduced relapse rate. Although the tolerance is good in the short term, long term safety remains to be established by further studies.

Background and Aims: Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) is a pancreatic stress protein also expressed in the ileum but not in the colon. Its serum concentration is increased in patients with small bowel inflammation due to untreated celiac disease. We searched to determine whether PAP could be a serum marker for ileal location of active Crohn's disease (CD)., Methods: A multicenter prospective study was conducted, including 54 healthy controls and 124 patients with CD of whom 38 had quiescent ileal or ileocolonic disease (group A), 45 had active ileal or ileocolonic disease (group B), 18 had quiescent colon-only CD (group C), and 28 had active colonic disease (group D). Active disease was defined by a Crohn's disease activity index > 150 and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) > 10 mg/mL. Location of lesions was assessed by endoscopy. PAP was assayed in serum, the upper threshold for normal values being 50 ng/mL., Results: In group B, 27 patients (60%) had elevated serum PAP, compared to one in group A (2.5%), one in group C (5.3%), three in group D (10.7%) and none in the control group (P<0.01). By contrast, serum levels of C-reactive protein did not differ between patients with active CD and either ileal location (group B) or pure colonic location (group D) (38 +/-10.5 vs 41.6 +/- 6.4 mg/mL, NS). Within group B, serum PAP concentration was correlated with none of the epidemiological, clinical or biological data available. Increased serum level of PAP diagnosed ileal location in active CD with a sensitivity of 60%, a specificity of 94%, a positive predictive value of 84% and a negative predictive value of 81%., Conclusion: Elevated serum PAP (> 50 ng/mL ) is significantly associated with disease activity and ileal location

We report a case of multiple aseptic splenic abscesses occurring in a woman with Crohn's disease for three years. All microbiological samples were negative. The diagnosis was suspected on abdominal echography and CT scan and confirmed on histologic examination of the splenectomy specimen. The evolution was marked by recurrence of fever and inflammatory syndrome, associated to transitory morphological abnormalities of the accessory spleen. Aseptic splenic abscesses recurrence was suspected. This case allows us to consider aseptic splenic abscesses as an extra-intestinal manifestation and not as a splenic localisation of Crohn's disease.

Aim: To evaluate in a prospective study the prognostic factors of recurrent bleeding and mortality in patients presenting with high risk peptic ulcer bleeding routinely treated by endoscopic hemostasis., Patients and Methods: A multicenter study was carried out in 8 Western French hospitals in 144 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding peptic from ulcer type I or IIa, b as defined by Forrest classification. Thirty four and 38 parameters were studied respectively in order to predict recurrent bleeding and death. Significant predictive factors (P < 0.1) in univariate analysis were entered in a multivariate logistic regression analysis., Results: Endoscopic hemostasis was performed in 108 of 144 cases (75%). Recurrent bleeding and death occurred in 39 (28%) and 22 cases (15%), respectively. By multivariate analysis, the only predictor of rebleeding was hypovolemia at admission. Predictors of death were ASA score, cardiovascular Goldman score and recurrent bleeding. In this study, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was low (41%) but was not a predictive factor., Conclusions: In a selected population of peptic ulcer bleeding patients with high risk of rebleeding, prevalence of recurrent bleeding and death remains rather high, despite routine endoscopic hemostasis. In the era of endoscopic hemostasis, clinical parameters remain the best prognostic factors of peptic ulcer bleeding outcome.

Objectives: A 1993-1995 three year epidemiological survey of home parenteral nutrition was performed through in France in approved centers for adults., Methods: Data were retrospectively collected each year on a standardized questionnaire focussing on indications and short term outcome., Results: All centers (n = 14) participated in the study and 524 new adult patients were recruited. The overall incidence was unchanged at 3.75 patients/10(6) adults. Indications for AIDS rose (8 to 18%) whereas other indications were stable. Prevalence increased by 19%: 4.40 adults/10(6) patients at 01.01.1996. At six months, the probability to stay on treatment was 19.5% for AIDS and cancer indications but 52% for others, whereas death rates were 59% and 9% respectively., Conclusions: For both cancer and AIDS indications, short-term treatment was due to a poor prognosis. For other diagnosis, complicated with a short bowel in 51% of cases, prognosis was excellent but associated with treatment dependency. The latter point focuses on the need for additional treatments in irreversible intestinal failure.

Objectives: Multiplex family studies have excluded chromosome 6 as a candidate gene of susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease. However, one recent study suggested that a gene involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease is located on chromosome 6 confering to a microsatellite allelic combination (a2, b1, c2, d4, e1) a strong genetic risk factor in Crohn's disease. The aim of our study was to determine simultaneously the polymorphisms of the TNF microsatellites and of the genes coding for TNF synthesis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease., Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with ulcerative colitis, 100 patients with Crohn's disease were compared to 64 healthy ethnically matched controls. Five TNF microsatellite loci (a, b, c, d, e) were typed using polymerase chain reaction PCR, and two dimorphisms of TNF alpha and TNF beta (intron 1) were studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)., Results: Allelic frequencies of TNF microsatellites and of TNF alpha and beta genes were similar in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and controls. Five loci microsatellite haplotypes, especially a2 b1 c2 d4 e1 allelic combination, were not more frequent in Crohn's disease (25%) compared to ulcerative colitis (27%) or controls (20%). Subgroups stratification according to clinical characteristics did not modify haplotype frequencies. Analysis of our data taking simultaneously into account the MHC alleles (DRB*01 or DRB1*04) did not modify our data; however, it suggested that extended haplotype on short arm of chromosome 6 differed between patients and controls. Linkage disequilibrium (delta = -360.10(-4); P < 0.01) between a2, b1, c2, d4, e1 allelic combination and DRB1*04 allele was observed only in Crohn's disease., Conclusion: Percentages of patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis carrying TNF microsatellite or TNF alpha and beta gene haplotypes were similar to those of healthy controls. These data argue against involvement of the TNF locus without exclusion of short arm of chromosome 6 implication in Crohn's disease pathogenesis.

Objectives: In man, fat induces a fed motor pattern in the small bowel and stimulates colonic motility. With a pure lipid meal, these motor effects are dose-related. However, animal studies have suggested that the motor effects of fat are reduced when lipids are mixed with proteins and carbohydrates. Our aim was to study in healthy volunteers the duodeno-jejunal and sigmoid motor responses after two 750-kcal meals, one containing 28%, the other 58% lipids., Methods: Combined duodeno-jejunal and sigmoid manometric sessions were performed in each volunteer during 3 hours after each test meal. Meal was always given 30 minutes after the occurrence of a phase III in the duodenum. The order of the two studies was randomly assigned with a minimal interval of 8 days between the two studies. The number of waves and the area under curve were calculated both on the overall and on each of the 6 successive half hours of the recording period., Results: Phases III were interrupted at least for 3 hours by both types of meals in each volunteer. The overall duodeno-jejunal motor response was not different after the two meals and, in all cases, a progressive decrease of the motor parameters with time was demonstrated. A lower response in the duodeno-jejunum during the first postprandial hour and a delayed onset of the maximal motor activity were observed with the high fat meal. In the sigmoid, a motor response to food was observed in all volunteers without any quantitative difference between the low and high fat meals., Conclusion: A two-fold increase of the lipid fraction of a meal does not enhance the duodeno-jejunal and sigmoid motor responses to food. At variance, it reduces the first hour motor response and delays the peak of maximal activity in the duodeno-jejunum. Our data confirm that the specific motor effects of fat are modified by their combination with proteins and carbohydrates.

Objectives: To compare the advantages of endoscopic ligation and endoscopic sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices, published randomized clinical trials were critically reviewed by meta-analysis. Only ten clinical trials concerning a history of recent or active bleeding esophageal varices were included., Methods: The methodology, population, treatment and outcomes of each relevant trial were evaluated by duplicate independent review., Results: Endoscopic sclerotherapy compared to banding ligation significantly increased the rate of rebleeding (OR: 1.6; 95% IC: 1.1-2.3) without increasing early mortality compared to endoscopic banding ligation (OR: 1.3; 95% IC: 0.8-1.9). The rate of varice eradication associated with these two types of treatment was not different (OR: 0.9; 95% IC: 0.6-1.3) but was obtained more quickly with endoscopic banding ligation (3.8 +/- 1.6 versus 5.8 +/- 2.2; P < 0.05). The rate of complications was higher after sclerotherapy (OR: 2.5; 95% IC: 1.7-3.7), in those cases with a positive heterogeneity test., Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows a lower morbidity with endoscopic banding ligation in patients with variceal hemorrhage. The most important advantage of endoscopic banding ligation was the reduction of the rate of rebleeding.

The main aetiology of acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage in cirrhotic patients is variceal bleeding. Prognosis is determined by early or late rebleeding rates and the severity of underlying liver disease, mostly estimated by Child Pugh score. Diagnosis and therapy of variceal bleeding is currently based on endoscopic sclerotherapy and more recently on banding ligation. However, the management of acute variceal bleeding remains controversial and vasoactive drugs are an alternative treatment. At present, most of these studies showed encouraging but conflicting results. These trials show that the cyclic octapeptide analogue (octreotide) of somatostatin or the triglycyl analogue (terlipressin) of vasopressin are safer and more effective than their natural drugs respectively. Clinically, drug choice depends on four factors: -results of trials comparing vasoactive treatment to classical sclerotherapy: comparison of these two kinds of treatment show similar results concerning haemostatic rate as well as mortality especially for somatostatin or its synthetic analogue; -results of trials comparing synthetic analogue of vasopressin to cyclic analogue of somatostatin in variceal bleeding: current study designs demonstrate an arithmetic difference (p = 0.06) with a better early haemostatic rate after octreotide associated with comparable final haemostasis (after 24 hours) and mortality; -results of combination of both treatments (i.e. sclerotherapy associated with vasoactive drug versus sclerotherapy): such association decreases variceal rebleeding without improvement of survival rate; -and finally, importance of adverse drug effects on hepatic and renal functions: few studies show scanty and conflicting adverse drug effect especially on free water clearance which must be studied by further clinical trials to confirm their benefit in emergency management of variceal bleeding.

Acute pericarditis is rarely associated with inflammatory bowel disease. In such cases, when usual aetiologies have been excluded, pericarditis can be considered to be either an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease or due to an adverse drug effect. We report a case of acute pericarditis in a 17-year old patient with ulcerative colitis treated with mesalazine for 15 days. Mesalazine was discontinued with a prompt and spontaneous resolution of the symptoms. Extensive investigations revealed no known cause for his pericarditis. Eight days and 75 days after the diagnosis, a lymphoblastic transformation test in the presence of mesalazine was performed and was positive for concentration greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/mL; this test was negative in 3 control patients treated with mesalazine without adverse drug effect. This observation together with the rare documented cases allows to consider the possibility that pericarditis may be caused by an adverse drug reaction in these patients.

Early and appropriate treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP) depends on early causal diagnosis. Published studies have shown favourable results following sphincterotomy performed within the 72 hours of onset of severe gallstone-associated AP. Among the various bio-clinical indices, the lipase/amylase (L/A) ratio, computed within 72 hours after onset, has been shown to discriminate between alcoholic and non alcoholic AP. Our study evaluates the data of biochemical disorders in 51 patients presenting with an episode of AP; these patients were divided into 3 groups: A: alcoholic AP, n = 15; B: biliary AP, n = 25; and C: post-ERCP AP, n = 11. These 3 groups were similar with respect to clinical severity of AP and CT scan. The time delays between onset of the symptoms and the biochemical assay were 1.9 +/- 0.3, 1.9 +/- 0.2 and 0.6 +/- 0.3 d (P < 0.01). AST, ALT, bilirubin, GGT and alkaline phosphatase were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in group B. Blamey's score was 0.5 +/- 0.2, 2.8 +/- 0.2 and 2.5 +/- 0.4 in groups A, B and C respectively. Serum amylase, serum lipase and L/A ratio were identical in groups A and B. The decrease in serum amylase after 48 hours was more important only in group B (56 +/- 8, 80 +/- 4, 47 +/- 3% respectively in groups A, B and C). L/A ratio was significantly greater in group C when compared with group A and B (1.7 +/- 0.4, 1.5 +/- 0.2 and 2.2 +/- 0.3 in groups A, B and C respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Unlabelled: A new therapeutic approach has been recently proposed in the management of chronic pancreatitis, including pancreatic endoscopic papillotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and the short--and long-term results of these procedures in a series of 16 patients aged 48.9 +/- 14 years. The indication for endoscopic treatment was pain in 15 cases and steatorrhea in one case. Pancreatic duct abnormalities included main pancreatic duct stenosis with calculi (9 cases), communicating pseudocysts upstream to a ductal stenosis or obstruction by calculi (4 cases), and isolated calculi (4 cases). Clinical response and morphologic parameters were used for analysis. Mean follow-up was 18.6 months (3.5 months to 7 years)., Results: a) pancreatic endoscopic papillotomy, stents placement, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy were successfully performed in 15 out of 16 cases, 1 out of 4 cases and 8 out of 8 cases, respectively; b) symptomatic improvement was observed in 11 of 15 patients with painful pancreatitis as relief was complete in 8, and partial in 3 cases. Pain relapse occurred in these latter 3 patients 4, 18 and 48 months after treatment; diabetes mellitus remained unchanged in all cases; c) diameter of the main pancreatic duct and pancreatic calcifications decreased in 8 of 15 cases and in 10 of 15 cases, respectively; pseudocyst disappeared in 2 of 4 cases; clinical improvement was significantly correlated with pancreatic morphology improvement. Clinical relapse was associated with calculi recurrence in every case. No complication was observed. Endoscopic papillotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy are feasible in most cases of chronic pancreatitis. Relief of pain is obtained rapidly after treatment and seems to be correlated with the quality of pancreatic drainage.

Cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas are the most common cystic tumors of the pancreas. Their inner lining contains neuroendocrine cells that may, in rare cases, produce a systemic syndrome. Similarly, digestive or pancreatic endocrine tumors have been reported in association with cystic tumors of the pancreas. We report a case of cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas head, associated with a serous cystadenoma and an endocrine tumor of the body of the pancreas. In a 70 year old patient, jaundiced due to obstruction of the extra-hepatic bile ducts, the abdominal ultrasound and CT scan showed a hypoechogenic hypodense lesion of the pancreas head resulting in an enlargement of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. Echoendoscopy confirmed the diagnosis and gave additional information; it showed that the cephalic lesion was heterogeneous, with anechogene spaces separated by coarse echogenic septae associated to a solid contingent. Also detected by echoendoscopy was a cystic lesion containing thin septae and a contiguous hypoechogenic nodule of the body of the pancreas. Histology of the specimen following total pancreatectomy revealed a cephalic cystadenocarcinoma associated with a serous cystadenoma and a non-secreting endocrine tumor of the body region. This observation highlights the usefulness of echoendoscopy in the work-up of cystic lesions of the pancreas; indeed, the tumors of the body of the pancreas were not detected by others methods. Furthermore, there are reports in literature on endocrine secretion syndromes secondary to digestive endocrine tumors or neuroendocrine cells in the lining of cystic tumors of the pancreas.

Unlabelled: Adults with dyschezia are occasionally diagnosed as having megarectum when anorectal manometry identifies rectal sensory disturbances. It remains difficult however to ascertain whether this state represents a part of the pathophysiological process responsible for symptoms, or just an associated phenomenon. The aim of this study was to highlight the symptomatic and functional features encountered in patients with dyschezia and megarectum, and to compare them with those obtained in an asymptomatic group and in a group of patients complaining of dyschezia without manometric megarectum., Patients and Methods: The maximum tolerable volume (MTV) was defined as the highest tolerable volume which induced painful and irrepressible repletion upon inflation of the rectum with air. The upper normal range of MTV (330 mL) was obtained from rectal manometry performed in a group of 18 healthy volunteers and asymptomatic patients (mean age: 37.8 +/- 14 years, 12 F, 6 M). Between February 90 and February 92, 27 consecutive adults (48 ans +/- 15 years, 26 F, 1 M) suffering from dyschezia were found to have abnormally increased MTV, and were compared to a group of 35 patients (47 +/- 15.3 years, 34 F, 1 M) with dyschezia with MTV within normal ranges. Symptomatic patients underwent detailed interrogation, clinical examination, anorectal manometry, and evacuation proctography., Results: Parity, prevalence of hysterectomy, symptoms and natural history did not differ between the two groups except for increased use of antidepressive agents in the megarectum group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Villous neoplasms of the main pancreatic duct are uncommon. Two cases of neoplasm of the main cephalic pancreatic duct in 61- and 42-year-old patients presenting with long standing (10 and 12 years) history of abdominal pain are reported. In both cases, duodenal fistula was present and mucus was observed by endoscopy at the fistula and major papilla levels. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed a stricture of the main pancreatic duct in the pancreatic head. In one case, with incomplete stricture, pancreatic ducts disclosed typical features of chronic obstructive pancreatitis and contained mucus casts. Histologic examination of total and proximal duodenopancreatectomy showed a villous neoplastic pattern with focal malignant changes within the main pancreatic duct. The adjacent pancreatic tissue showed signs of stromal invasion without lymph node or nervous infiltration. Glandular parenchyma was atrophic in the pancreatic body and tail, with extensive fibrosis, and the pancreatic duct depicted signs of nonpapillary hyperplasia. Histochemical study disclosed a predominant sialomucin secretion by villous adenoma and sulfomucin secretion by epithelial cells lining the accessory or main caudal pancreatic ducts. These results lead us to suggest a possible relationship between villous adenoma of ducts and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Gastroduodenal duplication is a rare congenital entity. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because symptoms are usually non specific and can mimick pancreatitis. We report 2 cases of gastric and duodenal cystic duplication in adults presenting as pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis was observed on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography and confirmed at laparotomy in both cases. Pancreatitis was probably related to alcoholism in one case, but might have been secondary to duplication in the other. In both cases, duplication was misinterpreted initially as a pseudocystic complication of pancreatitis until laparotomy was performed. These 2 cases lead us to discuss the relationship between duplication and pancreatitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis and the determinants of survival in cirrhotics presenting with variceal bleeding. One hundred and ninety one consecutive patients with cirrhosis (alcoholic 93 percent) were enrolled between 1983 and 1988. Treatment was principally but not exclusively based on early endoscopic sclerotherapy. At admission all patients were classified according to Child-Pugh's classification (class A = 16 percent; class B = 53 percent; class C = 31 percent). The rebleeding rates at 48 hours and for the entire hospitalisation were 11 and 30 percent respectively. Actuarial survival rates were 45, 40, and 37 percent at 12, 18, and 36 months, respectively. Prognostic factors, as determined by uni- and multivariate analysis (Cox model), corresponded to Child-Pugh's score, to the five components, and the occurrence of early bleeding recurrence. This study also showed that: i) the role of Child-Pugh's classification on long-term prognosis is determined during the 3 months following index bleeding; ii) early rebleeding is a significant prognostic factor, particularly in Child-Pugh's class B patients; iii) there are few indicators of early rebleeding (serum albumin level, presence of gastric varices at initial endoscopy). Prognosis of variceal bleeding is still severe in cirrhosis but efforts made to prevent early bleeding recurrence seem to be fully justified.

Diffuse gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a new disease entity corresponding to peculiar acquired vascular malformations. In 1984 Jabbari et al. coined the term "Watermelon Stomach" for this lesion. We report here in a new case particular by its association with systemic sclerosis in a 66 year-old female. The diagnosis of GAVE was suggested upon endoscopic and angiographic findings. Atrophic fundic gastritis associated with achlorhydria and hypergastrinemia was also noted. Antrectomy was performed with success. Pathologic examination and morphometric analysis of the antrum specimen revealed the characteristic features of GAVE: 1) increase of the mean cross sectional area of mucosal vessel lumen and increase of the mean percentage of specimen area occupied by vessels; 2) presence of intravascular fibrin thrombi and 3) fibromuscular hyperplasia of the lamina propria.

Intra-arterial injection of lipiodol-adriamycin mixtures are commonly used in the treatment of hepatic tumors based on the progressive release of adriamycin. This study was undertaken to assess, in vitro, the influence of mixture formulations on the adriamycin release pattern. Eight mixtures containing 10 mg of adriamycin were tested. Adriamycin was tested in solution (mixture A) in suspension (mixture B), or in emulsions with Hexabrix 320 (mixtures C to F). Ratios between Hexabrix and lipiodol volumes were 2/1, 1/1, 1/2, and 1/4 for emulsions C, D, E, and F, respectively. Emulsions G and H corresponded to emulsions E and F, with Arlacel A as emulsifying agent. All mixtures were prepared in triplicate and added with water. Samples of 200 microliters were taken from the aqueous phase after 10, 20, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 120 h for adriamycin dosage. Lipiodol-adriamycin mixture formulation significantly influenced the release pattern of adriamycin. Three formulations (suspension, emulsions 2/1 and 1/4) induced the most progressive release of adriamycin from lipiodol. This release was dramatically retarded by the addition of an emulsifying agent.