Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Ponette.
A patient is reported who developed acute pancreatitis complicated by pseudocyst formation immediately after the insertion of a self-expanding metallic biliary stent via the percutaneous route. The distal end of the stent was positioned into the duodenum. Endoscopists should be aware of this potential complication of metallic biliary stents.
The value of ultrasound (US) in determining the cause and site of biliary obstruction was critically evaluated and compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP), in a prospective study performed on 120 consecutive patients. The final diagnosis was based on surgery, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or a combination of other examinations. Ultrasound successfully differentiated obstructive from non obstructive jaundice in 96% of the patients, comparing well with the results ERCP. US correctly defined the cause of obstruction in 71% of the patients with ductal stones, in 90% of the patients with tumoural bile duct obstruction, but only in 59% of the patients with chronic pancreatitis.
We present two cases of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, one complicated with perforation. Orthopedic surgery was the pathogenetic factor in both cases. Recovery was successful in both patients after appropriate treatment. The importance of conventional X-ray techniques, and more specially the plain X-ray of the abdomen, is stressed regarding early diagnosis and follow-up.
In a retrospective study of 143 patients with Zenker's diverticulum followed for a period of 20 years, we classified the diverticula into 4 categories (A, B, C and D) using Brombart's scheme as a basis; the difference between the first two categories, however, was made on the basis of a morphological-dynamic criterion rather than a purely morphological one. Furthermore, a quantitative index was introduced to define the size of the diverticulum. In two cases we noted a substantial increase in volume with the transition from category C to D after more than 3 years, but we were unable to demonstrate an evolution from category A to B, nor from B to C. Our study confirms, on a large scale, the presence of three possible pathogenetic mechanisms, as proposed earlier in the literature: decreased relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter as the most frequent factor in all categories except category A, and delayed opening or early closing of this sphincter as less frequent factors. The good relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter in our category A, the different sex ratio and the absence of evolution in this category suggest that category A does not necessarily evolve further.
Two patients with cirrhosis are presented who developed retrosternal pain and dysphagia immediately after sclerotherapy of esophageal varices. Extensive submucosal bleeding of the esophageal wall was demonstrated radiologically and endoscopically. Complete resolution occurred spontaneously and did not lead to residual complications such as strictures. Intramural hematoma of the esophagus is an unusual complication after endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy.
Double contrast is the best radiological technique for the detection of small esophageal cancer. Gastrografin is indicated when a blind mediastinal fistula is suspected; in cases of choking or suspicion of a fistula with the airways, a low osmotic hydrosoluble Iodium compound must be used. Conventional radiology and endoscopy are complementary techniques for the detection of esophageal cancer, as some lesions may be missed or misinterpreted by both. The need for endoscopic biopsy being incontestable for diagnostic confirmation and characterization, radiology presents some advantages over classic esophagoscopy for preoperative and the general pretherapeutic staging of esophageal carcinoma: assessment of topographical relation with the surrounding organs is possible and with the upper esophageal sphincter is easier; appreciation of tumoral extension along the longitudinal axis (tumor length, gastric invasion) remains mostly possible even in cases of severe stenosis; tumoral extension along the transverse axis (kinking, fistula) may be evaluated; detection of a second tumor or concomitant pathology distally from a stenosing tumor is mostly possible; moreover radiology is important before starting radiotherapy; and finally, previous radiology may reduce the (small) risk of endoscopic perforation. Radiology is indispensable or indicated in the posttherapeutic follow-up of esophageal carcinoma, as well after surgery as after endoscopic interventions, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Obstructive jaundice is a very rare complication of peptic ulcer disease. We report a patient who presented with symptoms suggestive of malignant distal common bile duct stenosis. A final diagnosis of benign duodenal ulcer with stricture of the common bile duct was made. A short review of the literature is also presented.
Two cases of endometriosis of the cecal area are reported. In one case, the endometriosis was located in the appendix causing intussusception into the cecum. Both cases were associated with localizations of endometriosis in the rectosigmoid.
We report a patient with chronic alcoholic calcifying pancreatitis in whom a pancreaticoportal fistula was demonstrated by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. No complications could be ascribed to this fistula except for thrombosis of the portal, splenic, and superior mesenteric veins. An expectant conservative management was adopted. A short review of the six other cases reported in the literature is presented.
We report our experience with percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy in 10 elderly patients with acute cholecystitis, complicated by empyema formation. Most of these patients has severe underlying disease, rendering them at high risk for surgical intervention. In all patients, the percutaneous procedure was followed by a rapid regression of clinical symptoms and of radiologic abnormalities. Six were considered inoperable. Three of these remain free of biliary symptoms, respectively 22, 10, and 7 months after percutaneous cholecystostomy. Three others died of nonbiliary disease 1-4 months after cholecystostomy. Three patients underwent successful elective cholecystostomy 1-5 wk after percutaneous cholecystostomy. In one patient, cholecystectomy had to be performed because of recurrence of hydrops, 1 wk after catheter removal. In our opinion, percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of elderly patients with acute complicated cholecystitis. It can be followed by elective cholecystectomy in good surgical candidates, or by an expectant conservative management in high surgical risk patients.
Acute abdominal complications of systemic lupus erythematodes requiring laparatomy are not frequent. A 30-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematodes developed a necrotizing enteritis of the small bowel with pneumatosis intestinalis. Only one case of intestinal vasculitis associated with systemic lupus erythematodes has previously been reported. Presence of intramural gas in the small bowel and of gas in the portal vein was detected on plain abdominal film and confirmed by subsequent CT examination. Since corticosteroids often mask the severity of the disease, radiological evaluation is essential to the overall management of the patient with intestinal vasculitis. Due to the observed radiological signs, emergency laparotomy was performed. Histologic examination revealed necrotizing enteritis due to vasculitis.
A series of 18 patients with diarrhoea and positive stool cultures for Campylobacter jejuni is presented. The most important radiological features were thickening of ileal mucosal folds, of interhaustral indentations and of the ileocaecal valve, lymphoid hyperplasia and microulcerations. Radiology, as well as endoscopy, are both nonspecific in Campylobacter jejuni enterocolitis. The importance of radiology is to exclude more typical features of other causes of inflammatory bowel diseases. Moreover, before the result of the stool culture is available, the radiological features should suggest the suspicion of an acute infectious enterocolitis by Campylobacter jejuni as possible diagnosis.
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We consider here a case presenting X-ray abnormalities in the stomach caused by amyloidosis: decreased distensibility of the stomach wall and absence of folds. These X-ray findings are non-specific. They can also be observed in cases of chronic gastritis and tumor infiltration.
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The difficulties in recognizing a diaphragmatic rupture are well known and mostly due to a lack of typical clinical findings and an aspecific chest X-ray. This paper gives a brief review of the radiological techniques which can be helpful in the early diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the diaphragm.
A patient with biliary ascariasis was observed. The diagnosis was strongly suggested on endoscopic cholangiography. X-ray examination of the small bowel confirmed intestinal infestation and the stools were positive for ascaris lumbricoides. The incidence, symptomatology, diagnostic features, complications and therapy of biliary ascariasis are briefly discussed.