Search

Objective Some patients (10 % – 32 %) with a positive guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) do not undergo the recommended colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and computed tomography colonography (CTC) in terms of participation rate and detection outcomes when offered to patients with a positive gFOBT who did not undergo the recommended colonoscopy. Methods An invitation letter offering CTC or VCE was sent to selected patients after randomization. Acceptance of the proposed (or alternative) procedure and procedure results were recorded. Sample size was evaluated according to the hypothesis of a 13 % increase of participation with VCE. Results A total of 756 patients were targeted. Following the invitation letter, 5.0 % (19/378) of patients underwent the proposed VCE and 7.4 % (28/378) underwent CTC, ( P = 0.18). Following the letter, 9.8 % (37/378) of patients in the VCE group underwent a diagnostic procedure (19 VCE, 1 CTC, 17 colonoscopy) vs. 10.8 % in the CTC group (41/378: 28 CTC, 13 colonoscopy; P = 0.55). There were more potentially neoplastic lesions diagnosed in the VCE group than in the CTC group (12/20 [60.0 %] vs. 8/28 [28.6 %]; P = 0.04). Thus, 15/20 noninvasive procedures in the VCE group (19 VCE, 1 CTC; 75.0 %) vs. 10/28 in the CTC group (35.7 %; P = 0.01) resulted in a recommendation of further colonoscopy, but only 10/25 patients actually underwent this proposed colonoscopy. Conclusion Patients with a positive gFOBT result who do not undergo the recommended colonoscopy are difficult to recruit to the screening program and simply proposing an additional, less-invasive procedure, such as VCE or CTC, is not an effective strategy. ClinicalTrials.govNCT02558881TRIAL REGISTRATION: Randomized, controlled trial NCT02558881 at clinicaltrials.gov.

One hundred fifty-nine cases of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were reviewed from a series of 1060 cases of percutaneous fine needle biopsies of the liver. The biopsies were performed under ultrasonic guidance using a 22-gauge needle with a beveled tip. Specimens were obtained from the lesion and from areas of normal-appearing liver for comparison. Two sets of slides were prepared for Papanicolaou and Giemsa staining. In 147 cases (92%), the diagnosis of malignancy was established. In 134 cases (84%), the specific diagnosis of HCC was made. Fifty-four percent of the HCCs were well differentiated without cytonuclear abnormalities. In these cases, the diagnosis was made by comparison of specimens from the tumor with those obtained from the normal liver. Thirty-seven percent of the HCC were moderately differentiated with cytonuclear abnormalities. Nine percent of the HCCs were poorly differentiated, and in these cases, identification of glycogen on periodate-Schiff's procedure staining permitted differentiation from a metastatic tumor. In 9 cases, the aspirate was inadequate: there was insufficient tissue in 3 cases and the lesion was missed in the 6 other cases. In 3 cases, a biopsy of normal liver was not obtained and the diagnosis of HCC could only be suspected. Significant bleeding after biopsy occurred in 4 of 1060 cases, all with HCC.

In 19 patients suffering from choledocholithiasis or papillary stenosis, retrograde cholangiography or sphincterotomy failed because of anatomic abnormalities. In such cases, sphincterotomy was then performed with the assistance of a percutaneous catheter. Two complications were observed: moderate bleeding from the transhepatic drain, and a retroperitoneal perforation needing surgery. This combined procedure is very efficient, but gives rise to complications of both the transhepatic and endoscopic routes.

We report a case of dissecting aneurysm of the celiac axis and hepatic artery resulting in obstructive jaundice. The aneurysm was demonstrated both by ultrasound and by angiography, but the associated aortic dissection was apparent only on CT scan. The patient was treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, surgical exclusion of the aneurysm by ligation, and progressive dearterialization of the hepatic artery.

In 30 patients with inflammatory bile duct stenoses or slow-growing tumors of bile ducts, 12–18 F silicone catheters were placed with a percutaneous transhepatic approach in order to provide a more efficient and comfortable internal-external drainage. The main advantages were the large variety in size, improved flow, and softness of the catheter. However, because of the basence of distal tapering, the tubes had to be inserted several days after the initial drainage, when a tract was formed through the liver.