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J Martí-Ragué

Publications and source records attributed to J Martí-Ragué.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Current status of follow-up of the upper digestive tract in familial adenomatous polyposis].

Familiar adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disease characterized by the development of multiple adenomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and colorectal cancer in practically all patients who do not receive appropriate treatment. Although the most commonly involved region in this disease is the colorectal area, it is well known that adenomas can also develop in the upper gastrointestinal tract, mainly in the periampullary area of the duodenum. Because of the possibility of malignant transformation of these polyps, adequate monitoring is required, even though the optimal follow-up schedule has not yet been defined. In the present article, we report a case of a gastric adenocarcinoma detected during the follow-up of a patient diagnosed with FAP, as well as a review of the literature on this subject. We stress the need for early detection and appropriate management of this disease. Sufficient information is available to support the use of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with lateral vision and serial biopsies of the periampullary region in these patients. The first endoscopy in patients with FAP should be performed at the age of 20 years or at diagnosis. Subsequently, a follow-up schedule should be designed, according to the number and histological characteristics of the polyps observed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Long-term urinary dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Urinary dysfunction is a well-known complication of rectal surgery, secondary to injury to the autonomic nervous plexus. The object of this study was to evaluate the incidence, prevalence and type of micturition disorders following rectal cancer surgery and their reversibility during long-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 45 patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer between 1993 and 1998 was undertaken. Those with pre-operative urinary dysfunction were excluded after sequential uroflowmetry and clinical interview. Ten of the surgical interventions were high anterior resections, 18 low anterior resections, and 17 abdominoperineal amputations. Pre-operative radiotherapy was performed in 47.9% of patients. All patients underwent sequential uroflowmetry and a clinical interview 3 and 12 months after the intervention. Subjects who presented micturition disorders underwent urodynamic examination The follow up period was three years. RESULTS: Three months after surgery alterations were found in 14 (31.3%) patients; the most frequent were stress incontinence, urinary tenesmus and the urge to urinate. At the 12-month assessment only 6 (13.3%) patients had urinary symptomatology or uroflowmetry abnormalities. After three years, micturition disorders persisted in 3 (6.6%) patients. CONCLUSION: Urinary dysfunction after rectal cancer excision is associated with a high degree of reversibility. Seventy-eight percent of the alterations detected after three months and 50% of those that persisted after a year disappeared during follow up.

Adult↗

Standardized approach for microsatellite instability detection in colorectal carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Ubiquitous mutations in microsatellite DNA sequences define a specific type of genetic instability, termed microsatellite instability (MSI). Various approaches have been used to identify the presence and degree of MSI. To define standard diagnostic criteria for MSI, we developed and tested a mathematical model. METHODS: We designed an algorithm for the efficient characterization of MSI and used it to analyze data on six microsatellite markers in colorectal carcinoma and normal tissues from 415 patients. Theoretical models considering one, two, or three populations were tested against the data collected. RESULTS: The observed frequencies of MSI in our series of samples best fit a two-population model, stable and unstable, defined by instability in two or more of four to six markers analyzed. MSI was observed in 7.5% of the tumors. The misclassification rate was less than 5% when any four loci were analyzed and less than 1% when the six markers were used. A stepwise strategy, consisting first of a bulk screening of two loci and then a second screening of two to four additional markers, provided excellent sensitivity (>/=97%) and specificity (100%). Tumors with MSI had distinctive genetic and clinicopathologic features, including better patient survival. CONCLUSION: To assess the presence of MSI in colorectal cancer, we have developed a simple, sensitive, and specific approach based on the apparent good fit of the data to a two-population model. Its application to a prospective series of patients with colorectal carcinomas demonstrates that the presence of MSI characterizes a subset of less aggressive tumors.

Adult↗

Plasma and mucosal fatty acid pattern in colectomized ulcerative colitis patients.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased plasma n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients persists six months after colectomy, suggesting a primary abnormality in fatty acid (FA) metabolism in IBD. This finding needed to be confirmed in a larger series of UC long-term colectomized patients. We aimed to assess the plasma FA pattern in UC colectomized patients with either Brooke's ileostomy (UC-BI) or ileal pouch anal anastomosis (UC-IPAA) and the mucosal FA pattern in the ileal reservoir of the UC-IPAA patients. Plasma FAs were assessed in 63 UC colectomized patients (31 with BI and 32 with IPAA) and 30 controls. In 26 UC-IPAA (8 with pouchitis and 18 without pouchitis) and in 13 healthy controls gut mucosal FAs were also investigated. FAs were detected by capillary column gas-liquid chromatography. Increased levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and decreased percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were observed in both groups of patients. There were no changes in plasma n3 and n6 PUFAs. The mucosal FA pattern of the ileal reservoir consisted of increased long-chain PUFAs, specially n6 PUFA, and a decrease of their essential precursors. High percentages of SFAs and low percentages of MUFAs were also seen. The plasma FA profile previously described in IBD is not observed long-term after colectomy in UC, suggesting that it is related with the presence of inflamed intestine. High concentrations of SFAs and decreased percentages of MUFAs might represent early events in disturbed FA metabolism in IBD. The changes in FAs of the ileal reservoir, which closely resemble those found in human and experimental IBD, probably represent a common pattern of intestinal inflammation.

Adult↗

Factors related to the presence of IgA class antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have assessed the IgA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity in ulcerative colitis patients and there is no information about factors related to its synthesis and its status after colectomy. The aims of the study were to assess the serum IgA ANCA prevalence in ulcerative colitis patients, both nonoperated and operated, and to determine the clinical factors related to this positivity. METHODS: Fifty-four ulcerative colitis patients, 63 ulcerative colitis colectomized patients (32 with Brooke's ileostomy and 31 with ileal pouch anal anastomosis), and 24 controls were studied. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were detected by specific indirect immunofluorescent assays. RESULTS: The percentage of IgA ANCA was significantly higher in patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (45%) than in patients with Brooke's ileostomy (22%). There were no differences related to the presence of pouchitis in ileal pouch anal anastomosis patients. Patients with nonoperated extensive colitis (47%) had a significantly higher percentage of IgA ANCA than patients with proctitis (19%). Total percentage of ANCA (IgA and/or IgG) tended to be higher in ulcerative colitis and in patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis than in patients with Brooke's ileostomy. However, in ileal pouch anal anastomosis patients, ANCA positivity was mainly due to exclusive IgA production. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial percentage of ulcerative colitis patients, and especially colectomized patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis, had IgA ANCA, suggesting that ANCA production in ulcerative colitis might be stimulated by an immune reaction in the intestinal mucosa.

Adult↗

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in sera from colectomised ulcerative colitis patients and its relation to the presence of pouchitis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the influence of colectomy on antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity in ulcerative colitis (UC). In small series of patients it has been suggested that ANCA positivity in UC might be predictive for development of pouchitis after colectomy. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of ANCA in UC patients treated by colectomy and a Brooke's ileostomy (UC-BI) or ileal pouch anal anastomosis (UC-IPAA), and the relation between the presence of ANCA, the type of surgery, and the presence of pouchitis. SUBJECTS: 63 UC patients treated by colectomy (32 with UC-BI and 31 with UC-IPAA), 54 UC, and 24 controls. METHODS: Samples were obtained at least two years after colectomy. ANCA were detected by indirect immunofluorescent assay. RESULTS: There were no differences between patients with (36.3%) or without pouchitis (35.0%) and between patients with UC (55%), UC-BI (40.6%), and UC-IPAA (35.4%). However, ANCA prevalence significantly decreases in the whole group of operated patients (38.0%) compared with non-operated UC (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ANCA in operated patients was significantly lower than in non-operated UC, suggesting that it might be related either to the presence of inflamed or diseased tissue. ANCA persistence is not related to the surgical procedure and it should not be used as a marker for predicting the development of pouchitis.

Adult↗

[Options in the surgical treatment of diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectum].

Cavernous haemangioma of the rectum is an unusual hamartomatous malformation. Patients usually present with painless massive rectal bleeding that generally begins at an early age and frequently surgery is necessary. To avoid abdominoperineal resection of the rectum in these patients, a procedure of colo-anal sleeve anastomosis, that includes a large rectal mucosectomy, has been described. However, in our opinion, if affectation of other pelvic organs can been excluded by MRI, it is easier to do a conservative proctectomy with colo-anal anastomosis. We present a case in a seventeen years old patient.

Adolescent↗