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Biomedical subjects

P Matzen

Publications and source records attributed to P Matzen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hands-on endoscopy training: an evaluation of the SADE endoscopy course. Scandinavian Association of Digestive Endoscopy.

The Scandinavian Association of Digestive Endoscopy course in advanced practical endoscopy has been arranged on a regular basis since 1980, representing a joint Scandinavian effort to offer hands-on endoscopy training with expert supervision at major endoscopy centers. The course has been aimed at gastroenterologists with previous endoscopic experience, focusing on special techniques, practical hints and expert solutions in special cases. Three days of practical training throughout Scandinavia are completed with two days of review lectures, case reports and special techniques. An inquiry among previous course participants indicates that the course has indeed been of practical value for their daily work, and that personal training as well as watching "experts at work" were useful for their ensuing endoscopic practice. The course model does, however, require close co-operation with the endoscopy units hosting the practical part of the course.

Curriculum

Budesonide versus prednisolone retention enemas in active distal ulcerative colitis.

METHODS: Efficacy and safety of the topically acting glucocorticosteroid budesonide retention enema (2.3 mg/115 mL) were compared with prednisolone disodium phosphate enema (31.25 mg/125 mL) in patients with active distal ulcerative colitis. The study was a randomized, multicentre trial, with two parallel groups and single-blind to the investigator. One hundred patients with active ulcerative colitis, not reaching beyond the splenic flexure as determined by endoscopy, were treated for up to 8 weeks. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were randomized to receive budesonide and 55 to prednisolone. Both treatment groups improved significantly in terms of endoscopic and histological scoring during the study, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Clinical remission, defined as no more than three daily bowel movements without blood and endoscopically non-inflamed mucosa, was achieved in 16% of the patients in the budesonide group after four weeks and in 24% in the prednisolone group (N.S.). After 8 weeks treatment the clinical remission rate in the groups had increased to 36% for budesonide and 47% for prednisolone (N.S.). Mean morning plasma cortisol levels were unchanged in the budesonide group, whereas they were significantly suppressed in the prednisolone group after 2, 4 and 8 weeks (P < 0.0001). Side effects were mild and rare in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with budesonide enema in active distal ulcerative colitis was comparable, regarding efficacy, to treatment with conventional prednisolone enema. A prolongation of the treatment time from 4 to 8 weeks doubled the clinical remission rate in both groups. However, budesonide may be preferable to prednisolone since it causes less systemic effects as reflected by a lack of plasma cortisol suppression.

Adult

Longitudinal study of influence of Helicobacter pylori on current risk of duodenal ulcer relapse. The Hvidovre Ulcer Project Group.

Seventy-four patients with duodenal ulcer were followed up longitudinally for 2 years after initial ulcer healing. Endoscopy including biopsy of the antral mucosa was performed every 3rd month and whenever clinical symptoms of relapse occurred. The presence of Helicobacter pylori in the biopsy specimens was scored as 0 (none), 1 (sporadic occurrence), 2 (clusters), and 3 (numerous bacteria found diffusely in the mucus layer). The incidence rates of ulcer relapse per patient-month, grouped in accordance with these scores, were (with 95% confidence intervals) 0.073 (0.048-0.111), 0.083 (0.052-0.133), 0.123 (0.096-0.157), and 0.069 (0.041-0.116), respectively. No significant differences in incidence rates across H. pylori scores were observed when taking into account the observation period after healing of the first ulcer, number of ulcer recurrence (1st, 2nd, 3rd), sex, age, smoking habits, peak acid output, time of healing of the preceding ulcer, treatment of the present ulcer (cimetidine, antacids, or no treatment), or type and degree of gastritis. Thus, although H. pylori is prevalent in patients with duodenal ulcer disease, the present study indicates that H. pylori does not have a substantial note in the precipitation of active duodenal ulcer.

Adult

Experimental clogging of biliary endoprostheses. Role of bacteria, endoprosthesis material, and design.

The major problem facing patients treated with biliary endoprostheses is their frequent clogging, necessitating their exchange. Clogged endoprostheses contain mainly bacteria embedded in an amorphous proteinaceous material with the occasional presence of food fibres. We studied this problem in an in vitro model, evaluating the role of bacteria, endoprosthesis design, and material in sludge formation. We found endoprostheses perfused with artificially contaminated bile to contain significantly more sludge than those perfused with sterile bile (p less than 0.05). The amount of sludge varied with the bacterial species used. Endoprostheses perfused with bacteria producing beta-glucuronidase were not associated with a particularly large amount of sludge. Endoprostheses with side holes contained significantly more sludge than those without (p less than 0.05). Furthermore, endoprostheses made of material with a low friction coefficient, such as Teflon, contained significantly less sludge than endoprostheses made of materials with a higher friction coefficient, such as polyethylene and polyurethane (p less than 0.05). These results emphasize the role of bacteria in endoprostheses clogging and clearly demonstrate the harmful effect that side holes have on endoprosthesis function.

Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures

[Endoscopic percutaneous transhepatic cholelithotripsy in the treatment of complicated stones in the deep biliary tracts].

The results of endoscopic percutaneous transhepatic cholelithotripsy in seven patients with stones in the deep biliary passages which could not be treated by endoscopic papillotomy (EST) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are presented. A new dilator technique combined with mechanical or laser-lithotripsy was employed. All of the patients were relieved of the stones after uncomplicated course. It is concluded that endoscopic percutaneous cholelithotripsy which can be carried out under local anaesthesia, should be offered to patients with stones in the deep biliary passages which are not accessible to conventional treatment with EST or ESWL.

Aged

[Duodenal ulcer in systemic mastocytosis].

Two cases of systemic mastocytosis are presented. Both patients had peptic ulceration. Greatly raised values on investigation of gastric acid secretion in patients with therapy-resistant peptic ulceration and normal serum gastrin should raise the suspicion of systemic mastocytosis.

Adult

[Extracorporeal shockwave crushing of gallstones. Preliminary report].

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was used for treatment of symptomatic x-ray negative stones in 23 patients. The number of ESWL sessions per patient was 1.8 (range 1-4). In 18 patients (78%), adequate fragmentation was seen comparable to results obtained elsewhere. Oral bile acid therapy was used after ESWL in the 18 patients mentioned and the mean follow-up period was five months (range 3-8 months). Four patients had by now passed all stones while 12 patients still had remaining stone fragments and one patient a gallstone. After ESWL, one patient was and one patient a gallstone. After ESWL, one patient was referred for cholecystectomy at his own request. Of the remaining five patients, cholecystectomy was performed in two and was scheduled for in three. Complications after ESWL were seen in two patients who developed acute pancreatitis. Thus, our preliminary experience shows that ESWL resulted in fragmentation and passing of gallbladder stones, but not without complications. Like the gallstone groups in Lyon, Montreal and Munich we are convinced that ESWL should be performed in accordance with prospectively designed protocols in order to establish optimal planning of indications and strategies for future treatment.

Adult

Ultrasound examination in jaundiced patients. Is computer-assisted preclassification helpful?

In this study we attempted to determine the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of ultrasonography (US) for jaundice and to see how US can best be combined with preliminary clinical-biochemical diagnoses to plan the invasive work-up. US proved reproducible in two diagnostic departments (127 agreements in 135 cases). But, since obstruction was underdiagnosed (15 double-false negatives), the predictive value of a negative result was only 0.83. By adding a term which represents the US conclusion, obstruction or not, to the Copenhagen pocket diagnostic chart score (based on the logistic model) we found that an obstructive conclusion increases the odds of obstruction by a factor of 25, and a non-obstructive conclusion decreases the odds by a factor of only 1.9. We conclude that the preliminary diagnosis is frequently sufficiently certain to be unalterable by US. This leaves only 40% of the jaundice cases in which US is necessary to plan invasive work-up. The US workload can even, it appears, be reduced to about 22% without appreciable penalty in terms of unrewarding invasive procedures. Using these strict indications, four US examinations seem to suffice to avoid one such error. Relying on either US or clinical-biochemical data alone is inferior to the combined strategy.

Algorithms

Clogging and other complications of endoscopic biliary endoprostheses.

This study included 236 patients treated with endoscopic biliary endoprostheses. Malignant strictures were responsible for the obstruction in 87% of the patients. The 1-week and 1-month mortality for patients with malignant strictures was 10% and 22%, respectively, whereas that of patients with benign conditions was 3% and 10%, respectively. The major complication encountered was the frequent hospital readmissions of patients owing to clogging of their endoprostheses. Late clogging had an overall occurrence of 33% and presented with recurrence of jaundice with or without fever or pain. Late signs of cholangitis occurred in 15% of the patients, whereas other late complications were rather infrequent. Although 10-french endoprostheses had a significantly longer patency period than 7-french--that is, 6 months versus 2 months (p = 0.01)--the proportion of patients in whom clogging occurred was nearly the same, 30% for 10-french and 32% for 7-french endoprostheses.

Adult

Clogging of biliary endoprostheses. A morphologic and bacteriologic study.

The main problem encountered with the use of biliary endoprostheses is their tendency to clog, which necessitates their exchange. We studied this problem by performing light and electron microscopy and bacterial cultures on both unused and clinically used endoprostheses. These examinations showed several basic defects in their manufacture, such as irregular inner surfaces and badly constructed side holes. The deposit that ultimately led to their occlusion was found mainly to be concentrated around the side holes. Minimizing the amount of material, bacteria, and plant fibres adhering to the endoprosthesis is the desired goal and may be achieved by improving their manufacture and design.

Bacteria

Agreement among multiple observers on endoscopic diagnosis of esophageal varices before bleeding.

The interobserver variation in diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices may be ascribed by characteristics of the observers as well as to the patients. Assessment of this variation therefore requires the contributions of multiple observers and patients. Twenty-eight patients with cirrhosis without previous bleeding or known presence of varices were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Each endoscopy was videotaped and shown to 22 endoscopists. The varices were graded on a scale of 0 to 3 according to size. Each endoscopist diagnosed varices in 8 to 20 patients (mean = 15.9). Overall agreement on the presence (grades 1 to 3) or absence (grade 0) of varices was 70%. The average kappa value was 0.38 (standard deviation = 0.16). Discrimination between varices graded 0 to 1 and varices graded 2 to 3 gave a higher kappa value (p less than 0.01) of 0.52 (standard deviation = 0.17). There was a large variation in kappa values (range = -0.025 to 0.975). No significant correlation was observed between kappa values for the two dichotomies (range = 0.16). The kappa values were not related to the experience of the endoscopist. Considerable variation in the agreement on diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices was found. These results must be taken into account in the assessment of trials of prophylaxis of first-time variceal bleeding.

Adult

Endoscopically inserted biliary endoprosthesis in malignant obstructive jaundice. A survey of the literature.

Eighty-seven publications in English on endoscopic bile duct stenting for palliation of obstructive jaundice were electronically or manually retrieved. Only eight of these studies were found to represent series of more than 20 patients and to include only a single presentation of data from patients published more than once. These eight studies refer to data on 856 patients, of whom 702 are from four open series, whereas 154 are from four randomized trials comparing endoscopic insertion of endoprosthesis to percutaneous stents or surgical by-pass. Endoscopic insertion was successful in about 90% of the patients. Stent diameters were 7-12 French. Patient survival was not affected as it is governed by the natural history of the underlying malignant disease. Endoscopic endoprosthesis was superior to percutaneous stenting and equal to surgical by-pass, but probably less resource consuming. The most important unsolved problem is the tendency to cholangitis and clogging of endoprostheses. Some suggestions concerning questions to be addressed in a more uniform manner in future publications on this subject are presented.

Biliary Tract Neoplasms

Comparison of regional pancreatic tissue fluid pressure and endoscopic retrograde pancreatographic morphology in chronic pancreatitis.

The relation between pancreatic tissue fluid pressure measured by the needle method and pancreatic duct morphology was studied in 16 patients with chronic pancreatitis. After preoperative endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) the patients were submitted to a drainage operation. The predrainage pressures were higher in the tail of the pancreas (29 mm Hg; range, 16-37 mm Hg) than in the head (18 mm Hg; range, 2-30 mm Hg; p = 0.02). The regional pressure differences were significantly greater in four patients who had previously undergone pancreatic surgery than in the 12 patients without previous surgery. A stone, total obstruction, or major stenosis in the pancreatic duct at ERP was related to a downstream pressure gradient significantly higher than found in a non-obstructed pancreatic main duct, but the relation was not uniform. Generally, there was no significant relation between pancreatic duct diameter and pressure, but in each individual patient, the regional pressure tended to be highest in the region with the largest duct diameter. In conclusion, the study shows considerable regional pressure differences in chronic pancreatitis and indicates that the intraoperative pressure measurements give important information supplementary to ERP about the pathologic process in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Adult

Pancreatic tissue fluid pressure during drainage operations for chronic pancreatitis.

Pancreatic tissue fluid pressure was measured in 10 patients undergoing drainage operations for painful chronic pancreatitis. The pressure was measured by the needle technique in the three anatomic regions of the pancreas before and at different stages of the drainage procedure, and the results were compared with preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) morphology. The preoperatively elevated pressure decreased in all patients but one, to normal or slightly elevated values. The median pressure decrease was 50% (range, 0-90%; p = 0.01). The drainage anastomosis (a pancreaticogastrostomy) was made in the body of the pancreas, but the pressure decrease in this region was not significantly different from that in the head and tail. The pressure decrease was independent of findings during ERCP (stone, total duct obstruction, or major ductal stenosis). In conclusion, the results showed a decrease in pancreatic tissue fluid pressure during drainage operations for pain in chronic pancreatitis. Regional pressure decrease were apparently unrelated to ERCP findings.

Abdominal Pain

Pancreatic tissue fluid pressure in chronic pancreatitis. Relation to pain, morphology, and function.

The relation between pancreatic tissue fluid pressure and pain, morphology, and function was studied in a cross-sectional investigation. Pressure measurements were performed by percutaneous fine-needle puncture. Thirty-nine patients with chronic pancreatitis were included, 25 with pain and 14 without pain. The pressure was higher in patients with pain than in patients without pain (p = 0.000001), and this was significantly related to a pain score from a visual analogue scale (p less than 0.001). Patients with pancreatic pseudocysts had both higher pressure and higher pain score than patients without (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0003, respectively). The pressure was significantly related (inversely) to pancreatic duct diameter only in the group of 19 patients with earlier pancreatic surgery (R = -0.57, p = 0.02). The pressure was not related to functional factors or the presence of pancreatic calcifications. In conclusion, pancreatic tissue fluid pressure is a valuable indicator of pain in chronic pancreatitis.

Abdominal Pain