PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Lucio Petruzziello

Publications and source records attributed to Lucio Petruzziello.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

The European experience with double-balloon enteroscopy: indications, methodology, safety, and clinical impact.

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a new technique that allows high-resolution visualization, biopsies, and therapeutic interventions in all segments of the GI tract. The objective of the study was to evaluate the indications, the safety, and the clinical impact of DBE. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis conducted at 4 European medical centers. A total of 62 patients with suspected or documented small-bowel diseases were investigated by DBE. A total of 89 procedures were performed (26 and 9 patients from the oral or the anal route, respectively; 27 patients from both). The main outcome measurements were complications, depth and time of insertion, diagnostics, and therapeutics rates. RESULTS: No complications occurred. Mean time was 70 +/- 30 minutes and 90 +/- 35 minutes from the oral and the anal route, respectively. Length of insertion was 254 +/- 174 cm beyond the pylorus, 180 +/- 150 cm beyond the ileocecal valve, whereas the entire small bowel was completely explored in 10 patients. DBE was diagnostic in 80% of the patients: in 29 of 33 of patients with GI bleeding, in one of 5 patients with iron deficiency anemia and positive fecal occult blood testing, in 3 of 5 patients with chronic diarrhea, in two of 3 patients with abdominal pain, in two of 3 patients with GI cancer (follow-up), in all patients with suspected or refractory celiac disease, and in two of 3 patients with Crohn's disease. Treatment was performed in 41.9% of patients (22 polyps and 29 angioectesias). CONCLUSIONS: DBE is a safe and feasible diagnostic and therapeutic tool for suspected or documented small-bowel diseases. At present, the best candidates for the procedure appear to be those with obscure GI bleeding.

Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal↗

Efficacy of main pancreatic-duct endoscopic drainage in patients with chronic pancreatitis, continuous pain, and dilated duct.

BACKGROUND: The aim of endoscopic treatment in patients with chronic pancreatitis is to achieve decompression of the pancreatic duct, because duct obstruction with increased pressure within the duct is one of the leading causes of pain in these patients. The majority of patients suffer from relapsing pain, thus making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of therapy. The outcome of endoscopic treatment on pain has been evaluated in patients with continuous pain (present for more than 1 month, at least 5 days per week, requiring daily analgesic therapy) and dilated duct. METHODS: Of 343 patients who underwent endotherapy for chronic pancreatitis in a 15-year period, 22 (6.4%)(19 men, mean age 48 years, alcohol abuse 14) had continuous pain and a dilated pancreatic duct. RESULTS: Endotherapy was successful in all patients, with no procedure-related mortality and only mild complications. Pain disappeared, and analgesics could be discontinued in all patients immediately after endotherapy. Six patients are pain free after a mean period of 5.5 years. One pain-free patient died after 3.4 years from myocardial infarction. Five patients were successfully endoscopically re-treated for pain relapses. Four patients underwent surgery for frequent pain relapses after a mean period of 2.5 years. Six patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endotherapy should be considered as the initial treatment of choice in patients with chronic pancreatitis, dilated duct, and continuous pain.

Adult↗

Hilar tumours.

Tumours that involve the confluence of the bile ducts in the liver hilum provide a major therapeutic challenge. Adequate palliation requires relief of jaundice. Even though jaundice can be relieved if only 30% of the liver is drained, the presence of undrained bile ducts may result in pruritus and a continued risk of cholangitis and hepatic abscess. The biliary anatomy is defined by cholangiography, which today can be performed by magnetic resonance; the stricture is dilated, and plastic or metallic stents are endoscopically inserted over a guidewire. Patients with complex hilar strictures may benefit from the insertion of one or more stents, although there is debate about how many are necessary. The present article provides specific technical details, describes comparative trials of unilateral versus bilateral biliary drainage and explores new techniques that warrant further investigation.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗