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Biomedical subjects

I Pilpilidis

Publications and source records attributed to I Pilpilidis.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Gastric predominant hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) or Rendu-Osler-Weber disease is an autosomal-dominant disorder that frequently presents with epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding which may be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We describe a 48-year-old monk with familiar history of HHT, who presented with frequent epistaxes and symptoms of ferropenic anemia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed innumerable telangiectasias in the stomach. The patient underwent three sessions with argon plasma coagulation treatment but the results were poor. We also review the literature on the pathophysiology of the disease and discuss the suggested treatment.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy avoids postprocedure pancreatitis in patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of biliary type II: a report of three cases.

We report the cases of three patients who fulfilled the criteria for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of biliary type II and underwent needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy. These patients presented with episodes of biliary-type pain after cholecystectomy and significant elevation of liver enzymes. Ultrasonography and MRI cholangiography revealed dilatation of the common bile duct, without visible stones. The patients all underwent needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy because free cannulation of the common bile duct could not be achieved. Needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy enabled catheterization of the common bile duct. After clearing of the common bile duct with a balloon catheter, no stones, fragments of stones, or sludge were observed to exit from the sphincterotomy. None of our patients developed postprocedure pancreatitis. When needle-knife suprapillary sphincterotomy is performed by an experienced biliary endoscopist, it is a safe and effective procedure for patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of biliary type II, who otherwise constitute a high-risk group for the development of postsphincterotomy pancreatitis.

Catheterization↗

Dieulafoy-like lesion of the colon presenting with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

The Dieulafoys lesion is a rare cause of severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The lesion is usually located in the stomach, although it may occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by severe bleeding from a minute submucosal arteriole that bleeds through a punctate erosion in an otherwise normal mucosa. We describe an elderly patient who presented with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a colonic Dieulafoy-like lesion. This is the third report of colonic Dieulafoys lesion treated successfully with endoscopic hemoclipping. We review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare disease.

Aged↗

The effect of indwelling endoprosthesis on stone size or fragmentation after long-term treatment with biliary stenting for large stones.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic biliary stenting is often used for large or difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones, but the effect of indwelling endoprosthesis on size or fragmentation of stones after long-term treatment with biliary stenting has not been formally established. We compared the stone size or fragmentation of common bile duct stones after a long period of biliary stenting. METHODS: Endoscopic biliary endoprosthesis was performed for 49 high-risk patients with CBD stones too large or difficult to be extracted by conventional endoscopic means. Bile duct drainage was established in all the patients without complications. Of the patients, 24 died with endoprosthesis in situ all from causes unrelated to biliar disease; 22 underwent a second and three patients a third attempt at stone extraction. The largest stone diameter was >12 mm in all patients. RESULTS: In 11 of 25 patients (44%) the endoprosthesis allowed resolution of the problem of unextractable common bile duct stones. Four patients showed no existence of stent, and ERCP complete stone clearance from the CBD on programmized appointment after endoprosthesis insertion. Reduced size or fragmentation of stones was obtained in seven patients, and the stones could be removed endoscopically. The remaining 14 patients demonstrated no significant change in the size or fragmentation of their stones, and endoprostheses were replaced. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that endoscopic endoprosthesis for large or difficult CBD stones is an effective method to clear the duct in selected cases, as well as an important definitive treatment in high-risk patients.

Adolescent↗

Double Dieulafoy-like lesion in the stomach.

Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon cause of major gastrointestinal bleeding and may be difficult to recognize. It consists of an arteriole that protrudes through a tiny mucosal defect usually within 6 cm of the gastroesophageal junction on the lesser curve of the stomach. Despite widespread awareness of this entity, it remains a diagnostic challenge for gastroenterologists because of its small size and hidden location. Emergency endoscopy is the most effective method of diagnosing the disease. We report a patient, with double Dieulafoy-like lesion, who was successfully treated endoscopically using hemostatic clip application. The characteristics of the Dieulafoy's lesion, its current diagnosis, and its treatment are discussed.

Aged↗

Hemolysis caused by G-6PD deficiency after a difficult and prolonged therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), together with its substantial therapeutic capabilities, carries a higher potential for complications than other endoscopic procedures. Common major complications specific to pancreaticobiliary instrumentation include pancreatitis, post-sphincterotomy hemorrhage, perforation, and cholangitis with or without systemic sepsis. Two patients underwent therapeutic ERCP for recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and elevation of hepatobiliary enzymes. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was difficult and prolonged. The calculi were successfully extracted by sweeping the choledochus with a balloon-tipped catheter or basket in both cases. The patients experienced postprocedure diffuse abdominal pain unassociated with nausea or vomiting. Laboratory data showed normal serum amylase and lipase 2, 6, and 18 h after the end of procedure, a fall in hematocrit level, and an increase of indirect bilirubin and lactic dehydrogenase. The abdominal pain subsided in 4 to 6 h. The hematocrit level remained stable during the next 3 days, and the patients were very well when discharged. Examination of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) enzyme levels in red cells 20 days later showed complete enzyme deficiency. This report highlights the importance of examining G-6PD deficiency in patients with post-ERCP abdominal pain, normal serum amylase and lipase, and laboratory findings of hemolysis.

Abdominal Pain↗

Pyogenic cholangitis after inadvertent submucosal contrast injection in the papilla of Vater in a patient with cholestatic hepatitis.

Common bile duct stones and tumors constitute the leading cause of acute biliary tract obstruction and cholangitis. Septic complications after diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are very unusual in unobstructed bile ducts. There are only three reported cases of patients without evidence of biliary tract disease who developed cholangitis and liver abscesses due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biliary endoscopists believe that the inadvertent submucosal injection of contrast into the papilla of Vater is an innocent accident that has no serious consequences other than increasing the percentage of unsuccessful catheterizations of the common bile duct. Herein we describe a patient with drug-induced cholestatic hepatitis who developed pyogenic cholangitis after the inadvertent injection of submucosal contrast in the papilla of Vater.

Aged↗

Black esophagus induced by severe vomiting in a healthy young man.

Black esophagus is an uncommon entity that has been described only a few times previously. It is defined as a dark pigmentation of the esophagus associated with histologic mucosal necrosis. Most cases have no known etiology, although ischemia, nasogastric tube trauma, infection, gastric outlet obstruction, gastric volvulus, and hypersensitivity to antibiotics have all been suggested as possible causes. Herein we report the case of a young, healthy, athletic man who developed black esophagus due to severe vomiting after alcohol overindulgence and summarize the other published cases to date.

Adult↗

Needle-knife sphincterotomy.

Choledochocele, now classified as choledochal cyst type III, is a rare anomaly of the terminal biliary tree causing abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and obstructive cholestasis. Traditionally, the therapy for this malformation has been surgery. Recently, endoscopic therapy has been used alternatively for the treatment of choledochocele mainly in adults. We report two patients with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis found to be caused by a large choledochocele; both patients were treated by needle-knife sphincterotomy without complications. They remained asymptomatic at 1 and 2 years' follow-up, respectively. Despite the fact that the risk of bleeding seems to be higher using needle-knife sphincterotomy, when the Choledochocele is large, our experience suggests that needle-knife sphincterotomy can be performed accurately and safely. Further studies are necessary to confirm the safety and effectiveness of needle-knife sphincterotomy in large choledochocles.

Acute Disease↗

Acute recurrent pancreatitis associated with anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union and choledochal cyst of mixed type I plus II.

Anomalous pancreatobiliary ductal union (APBDU) has a variety of presentations. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who presented with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis that were found to be caused by the presence of an APBDU associated with an unusual choledochal cyst of mixed type I plus II. She underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy and has remained asymptomatic to the present time, 2 years after sphincterotomy. A discussion of the possible etiologies of choledochal cyst and pancreatitis due to APBDU is presented.

Acute Disease↗

Biliary stricture due to neuroma after an innocent blunt abdominal trauma.

A traumatic neuroma of the biliary tract is rarely associated with biliary obstruction. However, when it arises in the common bile duct (CBD) and is associated with obstructive jaundice, it is difficult to distinguish it from bile duct cancer. We describe a patient who developed obstructive jaundice and itching, due to CBD stricture, 8 years after innocent blunt abdominal trauma. The stricture was resected and hepatico-jejunal anastomosis was performed. Histological examination revealed a traumatic neuroma and a fibrous scar around the common bile duct. Symptoms disappeared following surgical removal of the lesion. Blunt abdominal injury may cause the late onset of a fibrous scar and traumatic neuroma in the common bile duct. To our knowledge, a traumatic neuroma of the biliary tract after blunt abdominal trauma has not been reported previously. We review the clinical picture of this relatively rare problem, along with its diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Treatment of proctalgia fugax with botulinum A toxin.

Two recent studies described a temporal association between a high-amplitude and high-frequency myoelectrical activity of the anal sphincter and the occurrence of proctalgia, which suggest that paroxysmal hyperkinesis of the anus may cause proctalgia fugax. We describe a single case of proctalgia fugax responding to anal sphincter injection of Clostridium botulinum type A toxin. The presumed aetiology of proctalgia fugax is discussed and the possible mechanism of action of botulinum toxin (BTX) in this condition is outlined. Botulinum A toxin seems to be a promising treatment for patients with proctalgia fugax, and further trials appear to be worthwhile for this condition, which has been described as incurable.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A↗

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for the treatment of amoxycillin-clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)-induced intra-hepatic cholestasis: report of two cases.

This report describes two patients who developed jaundice within two weeks of receiving an amoxycillin-clavulanate potassium combination. Causes of jaundice, other than drug administration, were excluded. The patients' jaundice and clinical symptoms did not respond to stopping the drug. Ursodeoxycholic acid (750 mg/day) led to a prompt and sustained improvement in their hyperbilirubinaemia and symptoms such as pruritus and fatigue. These cases suggest that ursodeoxycholic acid may be an effective treatment for drug-associated cholestasis.

Aged↗

Needle-knife papillotomy: a safe and effective technique in experienced hands.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Results from studies evaluating needle-knife papillotomy are conflicting. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the safety and efficacy of needle-knife papillotomy as a precut procedure to achieve biliary access during ERCP. METHODOLOGY: During a period of seven years, ERCP was performed 938 times. During this time, needle-knife papillotomy was carried out in 68 patients, with complete follow-up obtained in all patients. The follow-up concentrated on the safety and efficacy of the procedure and short-term complications. RESULTS: Cannulation of the common bile duct was successful immediately after needle-knife papillotomy in 44 patients (66%), during a second ERCP in 18 patients (26%), and in a third ERCP in 2 patients (3%) achieving a total cannulation rate of 94%. There were no needle-knife papillotomy related deaths. Complications included bleeding in 5 patients (7%), and pancreatitis in 3 patients (4%). All complications were managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience indicates that needle-knife papillotomy is a versatile, effective and safe technique of gaining biliary access in patients in whom deep cannulation proves impossible and biliary access is considered essential.

Adult↗

Lipohyperplasia of the ileocecal valve as a cause of intussusception.

We present a case of lipohyperplasia of the ileocecal valve causing episodes of intussusception, and visualized by abdominal ultrasound and CT as a "target-like" appearance. At surgery, a large yellow soft mass was in the region of the ileocecal valve, raising the suspicion of lipohyperplasia. Resection of the fatty tissue from the ileocecal valve was performed at operation, after histologic diagnosis on frozen section. Our case suggests that limited resection removing the terminal ileum is effective and preferable to more extensive resection.

Adult↗