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Association of older age and female sex with inadequate reach of screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.

PURPOSE: Estimates of the sensitivity of screening sigmoidoscopy assume an adequate depth of insertion is reached. However, in clinical practice, the frequency that sigmoidoscopy reaches various lengths of the colon is not known. We assessed the frequency of inadequate reach (depth of <50 cm of the colon) in a large U.S. cohort, according to age and sex. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 15,406 asymptomatic persons aged 50 years or older who underwent screening flexible sigmoidoscopy between April 1997 and October 2001 at sites participating in the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative, which examines outcomes of endoscopy in "real life" settings. The maximum depth of insertion of the sigmoidoscope was measured in centimeters from the anus and classified as adequate (> or =50 cm) or inadequate (< 50 cm). Patient characteristics as well as procedure-related variables were also recorded. RESULTS: Eighteen percent (n = 2801) of subjects had an inadequate examination. In men, the percentage of inadequate examinations increased progressively with age, from 10% (343/3338) in those aged 50 to 59 years to 22% (53/248) in those aged 80 years or older (P <0.001). Inadequate examinations were more common in women at all ages, ranging from 19% (733/3798) in those aged 50 to 59 years to 32% (86/267) in those aged 80 years or older (P <0.001). These associations were confirmed in a multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Our finding that advancing age and female sex were independently associated with the risk of inadequate reach of screening sigmoidoscopy suggests that the sensitivity of sigmoidoscopy may be lower in these populations. Estimates of the benefits of sigmoidoscopy may need to be tailored to the age and sex of the patient.

Age Factors↗

Endoscopy versus double-contrast barium enema in the evaluation of patients with symptoms suggestive of colorectal carcinoma.

Two hundred seventy-six patients with positive findings on a stool guaiac test, hematochezia, a change in bowel habits, or a family history of colorectal carcinoma were referred to the colorectal clinic for further investigation. There were 105 men and 171 women. All patients underwent examination with the 65 cm flexible sigmoidoscope. Patients with no abnormalities on endoscopy underwent a double-contrast barium enema. If the barium enema revealed a polyp or other suspicious pathologic process, the patient was referred for colonoscopy. In 258 patients, findings of barium enema and flexible sigmoidoscopy were in agreement. The findings in 178 of these examinations were completely negative, and in the remaining 80 cases flexible endoscopy and barium enema revealed diverticulosis. In an additional 18 patients, negative findings on flexible sigmoidoscopy were followed by positive findings on barium enema. Thirteen of these 18 patients (72 percent) had negative findings on colonoscopies and therefore had false-positive findings on barium enema. In the remaining five patients (28 percent), an unsuspected colonic carcinoma or premalignant polyp was discovered on barium enema and documented by colonoscopy. Also, in four of these five patients, colonoscopy found additional polyps that were not seen on barium enema.

Barium Sulfate↗

Pharmacokinetics of nicotine carbomer enemas: a new treatment modality for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is largely a disease of nonsmokers, and transdermal nicotine is of therapeutic value in the active disease. Because side effects are common, we developed a topical enema formulation of nicotine. OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacokinetics of nicotine complexed with a polyacrylic carbomer and administered by enema to eight healthy volunteers and to eight patients with active ulcerative colitis, verified sigmoidoscopically. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 16 subjects were nonsmokers. The mean age for normal subjects was 33 years; the mean for patients with ulcerative colitis was 60 years. Median stool frequency for patients with ulcerative colitis was four daily. Patients were taking 5-amino salicylic acid compounds and five were taking oral prednisolone (median dose, 12 mg daily). Nicotine, 6 mg, complexed with carbomer 974P, 400 mg, was administered in a 100 ml enema after an overnight fast, with serial blood measurements taken over 8 hours. Serum nicotine and cotinine were measured by gas liquid chromatography. Area under the concentration-time curves were calculated by the trapezoidal method, and the terminal elimination half-life was derived by extrapolation of the log-linear terminal phase. RESULTS: With the exception of nicotine time to reach peak concentration, which was longer in patients (median of 60 minutes compared with 45 minutes; p < 0.005), other comparisons between normal subjects and patients showed no statistically significant difference, although there was considerable inter-subject variation. Maximum concentration of nicotine, 8.1 +/- 3.5 ng/ml, in the 16 subjects occurred after a median of 60 minutes (range, 30 to 180 minutes); maximum cotinine concentrations of 60.4 +/- 11.5 ng/ml occurred after 4 hours. Side effects in five subjects were mild (four subjects) or moderate (one subject) and included lightheadedness, nausea, and headache; these five subjects were female lifelong nonsmokers of low body weight. CONCLUSION: Because most of the active ingredient of nicotine is converted to continine on the first pass through the liver, substantial concentrations can be achieved at the site of disease with only modest rises in serum nicotine, which are responsible for side effects; cotinine has low pharmacologic activity. Topical administration of nicotine may be useful treatment for distal ulcerative colitis.

Acrylic Resins↗

Case report: transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis of ano-rectal varices.

Extensive ano-rectal varices were diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in a patient with portal hypertension who presented with an altered bowel habit. The diagnosis of ano-rectal varices is usually made by direct inspection during procto-sigmoidoscopy in patients who present with rectal bleeding. However, the sigmoidoscopic and barium enema appearances of varices may mimic that of a tumour. A firm diagnosis can readily be made using TRUS and the local extent of varices clearly mapped out.

Aged↗

The value of a barium enema in the investigation of patients with rectal carcinoma.

A review of 545 patients with clinically diagnosed rectal carcinoma was conducted to determine the diagnostic usefulness of pre-operative barium enema and the frequency with which it was employed. Only 118 patients underwent pre-operative barium enema (21.7%). This successfully outlined the whole colon in 107 (90%). Synchronous carcinomas were detected in 9.3% of patients who underwent complete barium enema, compared to 4.3% of those who underwent laparotomy alone (P less than 0.05). Polyps were found in 23.4% of patients who had a barium enema but in only 14.7% of those who did not (P less than 0.05). Twenty-nine per cent of synchronous carcinomas and 11% of polyps were proximal to the descending colon and would have been beyond the reach of a flexible sigmoidoscope. Barium enema remains a useful investigation in patients with rectal carcinoma. It will outline the whole colon in most cases and will result in the detection of more synchronous carcinomas and polyps than if the surgeon relies on operative palpation alone.

Barium Sulfate↗

Budesonide enema for the treatment of active, distal ulcerative colitis and proctitis: a dose-ranging study. U.S. Budesonide enema study group.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Budesonide is a highly potent topical glucocorticosteroid that is characterized by low systemic availability as a result of high first-pass hepatic metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of three doses of an enema preparation of budesonide in patients with active distal ulcerative colitis/proctitis. METHODS: In a double-blind multicenter trial, 233 patients were randomized to receive either a placebo enema or budesonide enema at a dose of 0.5 mg/100 mL, 2.0 mg/100 mL, or 8.0 mg/100 mL. The primary efficacy variables were an improvement of sigmoidoscopic inflammation grade, total histopathology score, and remission rates. Effects on cortisol concentrations were also assessed. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, there was significant improvement in sigmoidoscopy and histopathology scores in the budesonide 2.0-mg and 8.0-mg dose groups compared with placebo. Remission was achieved in 19% of patients in the 2.0-mg budesonide group (P </= 0.050) and 27% of patients in the 8.0-mg budesonide group (P </= 0.001) compared with 4% in the placebo group. More than 90% of all budesonide patients had a normal adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-stimulated cortisol response at the last visit. The budesonide enemas were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Budesonide enema is both effective and safe for the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis/proctitis. A dose of 2. 0 mg/100 mL budesonide is the lowest effective dose.

Adult↗

Balsalazide is more effective and better tolerated than mesalamine in the treatment of acute ulcerative colitis. The Abacus Investigator Group.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Aminosalicylates are widely used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Balsalazide is a novel mesalamine prodrug, activated by colonic bacteria. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of balsalazide with that of a pH-dependent formulation of mesalamine in active UC. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study was performed comparing balasalazide, 6.75 g daily, with mesalamine, 2.4 g daily, administered for 4, 8, or 12 weeks to 101 (99 evaluable) patients with symptomatic, sigmoidoscopically verified UC. RESULTS: More patients treated with balsalazide achieved symptomatic remission after 2 (64% [balsalazide] vs. 43% [mesalamine]), 4 (70% vs. 51%), 8 (78% vs. 45%), and 12 weeks (88% vs. 57%) and complete remission (none/mild symptoms, sigmoidoscopy grade 0/1, no rectal steroid use within 4 days) after 4 (38% vs. 12%), 8 (54% vs. 22%), and 12 weeks (62% vs. 37%). Patients taking balsalazide experienced more asymptomatic days (4 weeks, 24% vs. 14%) and achieved the first asymptomatic day more rapidly (median, 10 vs. 25 days). Fewer patients in the balsalazide group reported adverse events (48% vs. 71%); four serious adverse events occurred in the mesalamine group. CONCLUSIONS: Balsalazide is more effective and better tolerated than mesalamine as treatment for acute UC.

Adult↗

The prevalence, anatomic distribution, and diagnosis of colonic causes of chronic diarrhea.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic diarrhea from a colonic disease and the optimal method of its diagnosis have not been ascertained. METHODS: Eight hundred nine patients with chronic non-bloody diarrhea unassociated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection underwent colonoscopy with biopsy specimen taken from throughout the colon and, if reached, the terminal ileum. The prevalence and anatomic distribution of ileocolonic histopathology and whether flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy represents the safest and most cost-effective test for diagnosis were determined. RESULTS: 122 of 809 patients (15%) had colonic histopathology (microscopic colitis in 80 patients, Crohn's disease in 23, melanosis coli in 8, ulcerative colitis in 5, other forms of colitis in 5, and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in 1). A correct assessment of colonic histology (normal or abnormal) could have been made from biopsies of the distal colon in 99.7% of patients. CONCLUSION: In a referral setting, colonic histopathology occurs in 15% of patients with chronic diarrhea without HIV infection. According to this prevalence and the nearly universal diffuse anatomic distribution of colonic disease in these patients, a diagnostic investigation for chronic colonic diarrhea using a 60 cm flexible sigmoidoscope is highly efficient and cost-effective.

Biopsy↗

Morphological consequences of bisacodyl on normal human rectal mucosa: effect of a prostaglandin E1 analog on mucosal injury.

Bisacodyl causes acute injury to the human rectal mucosa. Our objectives were to test whether pretreating the human rectum with an enema of 400 micrograms of a prostaglandin E1 analog (misoprostol) would ameliorate the mucosal injury provoked by an enema of 10 mg of bisacodyl, and to follow the evolution of the bisacodyl-induced injury in normal volunteers. Mucosal biopsies were taken 10 cm from the anus with an endoscopic forceps through a straight sigmoidoscope. Histological sections were interpreted blindly. In a preliminary experiment without bisacodyl, biopsies obtained from six subjects after misoprostol administration were indistinguishable from those taken from another six subjects after enemas of saline. In a parallel treatment experiment involving 30 subjects, all subjects sustained injury to the superficial epithelium and upper third of the crypt within 30 min after bisacodyl. Pretreatment with misoprostol also failed to prevent deeper injury to the lower third of colonic crypts. In a cross-over trial, a subset of four volunteers had biopsies at five different intervals after an enema of bisacodyl or saline. For up to 30 hours after bisacodyl, there was histological evidence of mild inflammation. Bisacodyl-induced colitis might confound the assessment of patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease.

Administration, Topical↗

Interobserver variability in endoscopic ultrasonography: a prospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an imaging modality that is now widely used to stage gastrointestinal malignancies. Few studies have addressed the issue of interobserver variability in the interpretation of EUS, particularly as it pertains to the staging of rectal carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with a diagnosis of rectal carcinoma were evaluated prospectively by three endoscopists. One performed sigmoidoscopy, the second (primary endosonographer) performed an EUS staging examination with full knowledge of the patient history and sigmoidoscopic appearance of the lesion, and the third endoscopist (secondary endosonographer) performed EUS blinded to this information. The results of the respective examinations were then compared. RESULTS: When the EUS findings of the endosonographers were compared, T stage agreed in 88% of patients, with the following kappa coefficients: T1 (kappa = 0.00); T2 (kappa = -0.04); T3 (kappa = -0.05); T4 (kappa = 0.00). Interrator N stage agreed in 73% of patients (kappa = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Our study prospectively evaluated interobserver variation in staging rectal carcinoma by EUS. The protocol that was followed provides a useful template that eliminated potential observer bias. Fair agreement was demonstrated regarding lymph node assessment. Although the raters agreed in 88% of the patients, kappa statistic analysis did not reach significant agreement, due to this institution's preponderence of UT3 lesions. Thus, validation of our findings in a setting where a broader spectrum of disease is encountered is required.

Carcinoma↗

Prevalence of proximal colonic polyps in average-risk asymptomatic patients with negative fecal occult blood tests and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Proximal colonic adenomas were found in 13% to 37% of patients without distal adenomas who underwent colonoscopy. Fiberoptic flexible sigmoidoscopy (FFS) was not performed prior to colonoscopy in all studies except one. The proximal colon at colonoscopy was defined as that portion of the colon proximal to either the descending-sigmoid junction or 60 cm from the anus while withdrawing the colonoscope. These estimates may not reflect exact colonic location when a 60 cm length sigmoidoscope is fully inserted. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of proximal colonic neoplasms in asymptomatic patients with average risk for colon cancer, aged 50 years and over, with negative fecal occult blood tests and without adenomas at FFS. METHODS: Colonoscopy was performed in 80 patients without and 95 patients with adenomas at FFS. Polypectomy was done using hot biopsy forceps or snare cautery. RESULTS: Twenty-four proximal colonic adenomas (19 < 1 cm and 5 > or = 1 cm) were found in 18 of 80 patients (23%) with normal FFS compared with 39 proximal colonic adenomas (32 < 1 cm and 7 > or = 1 cm), in 28 of 95 patients (29%) with adenomas at FFS (p = 0.31). In patients with normal FFS, there were 20 tubular, 2 tubulovillous, and 2 villous (1 with severe dysplasia) adenomas. In patients with adenomas at FFS, there were 31 tubular, 5 tubulovillous, and 3 villous (1 with severe dysplasia) adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal colonic adenomas are found in up to one fourth of asymptomatic average-risk patients with negative fecal occult blood test and both with and without adenomas at FFS. The adenomas in both groups have similar size, histology, and location. Severe dysplasia is rarely present.

Adenoma↗

Nitrous oxide inhalation as sedation for flexible sigmoidoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Flexible sigmoidoscopy is usually performed without sedation in screening programs for colorectal cancer. Most patients report some degree of discomfort or pain during the procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate self-administered nitrous oxide as a method to reduce patient discomfort, thereby improving the procedure and conceivably increasing patient compliance and motivation. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 38 patients undergoing sigmoidoscopy self-administered 60% nitrous oxide (n = 18) or oxygen (n = 20) by mask. The endoscopist recorded the depth of insertion of the sigmoidoscope, duration of the procedure, and time to patient recovery. Patients scored the degree of pain and discomfort felt during the examination. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to patients' age, gender, pain or discomfort, duration of procedure, or depth of insertion. Recovery time was significantly longer in the nitrous oxide group (3.3 +/- 0.6 minutes vs 0.5 +/- 0.5 minutes; p = 0.02), but this finding was of no practical or clinical consequence. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of "on demand" nitrous oxide did not improve sigmoidoscopy performance or diminish pain and discomfort. However, further studies using improved administration techniques and larger study groups are justified in the search for ways to increase compliance with and motivation for colorectal cancer screening.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Cytomegalovirus colitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a clinical and endoscopic study.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus colitis is an important complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), although the clinical and colonoscopic manifestations of this disease have not been systematically characterized. METHODS: Patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus colitis were prospectively identified at two medical centers. The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus disease was based on established endoscopic and histologic criteria. At the time of sigmoidoscopic and/or colonoscopic examination, clinical features were recorded; the location, size, and appearance of all endoscopic abnormalities were documented; and multiple biopsies of any lesions were performed. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were studied. The majority of the patients were homosexual men with severe immunodeficiency (median CD4 lymphocyte count 15/mm3, range 1 to 294/mm3). Chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain were the most frequent clinical manifestations, seen in 45 (80%) and 28 (50%) patients, respectively. Five patients (9%) presented with lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, three of whom had no antecedent history of diarrhea. The colonoscopic abnormalities could be categorized into three main groups: colitis associated with ulcer (39%), ulceration alone (38%), or colitis alone (20%). Subepithelial hemorrhage was a prominent endoscopic manifestation of disease. Of the 31 patients undergoing colonoscopy to the cecum, in four (13%) endoscopic evidence of disease was limited to the colon proximal to the splenic flexure. CONCLUSIONS: Cytomegalovirus colitis in AIDS appears to have variable but stereotypical clinical and colonoscopic manifestations. Distal colitis associated with ulceration is the most common colonoscopic pattern.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Fatal outcome in a child with pseudomembranous colitis.

The clinical and histologic changes occurring with antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis are usually reversible with discontinuation of the causative medication. The spectrum of disease patterns ranges from a benign form to a very fulminant and occasionally fatal one. This report describes a child with a severe form of the disease. Despite recognition and sigmoidoscopic confirmation of this syndrome and cessation of antibiotics, his course continued to deteriorate. Sepsis, leukocytosis, refractory diarrhea, and abdominal distension led to exploratory laparotomy. A proctocolectomy was performed for necrosis of the entire colon; however, the patient died of sepsis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Pediatric surgeons can and should perform colonoscopy.

We describe our six-year experience in establishing a colonoscopy service in a pediatric surgical center in Hong Kong. A total of 65 colonoscopies on 60 children (aged 1 to 16 years) were performed, with the pediatric surgeon being the collaborator in the first 27 examinations and the endoscopist in the subsequent 38 examinations. Except on two occasions when bowel preparation was inadequate, all examinations were successful. General anesthesia was employed initially but with more experience, sedation alone (37 cases) was found to be adequate in most children and even in infants. Barium enema was available in 20 cases and had a low diagnostic accuracy in comparison to colonoscopy, being incorrect in six cases and inconclusive in one case. Therapeutic procedures with colonoscopy included removal of arteriovenous malformation (1) and polypectomy (37); 24 polyps were situated beyond the reach of rigid sigmoidoscopes and two patients had previous failed polyp removal by laparotomy in another hospital. There were no complications in our series. Our experience suggests that pediatric colonoscopy is a useful procedure that can be safely and effectively performed by pediatric surgeons after adequate training.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in a child.

We describe a 6-year-old boy with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, and the sigmoidoscopic and histopathologic findings. The evolution of the histologic features and the absence of trauma suggest that the origin of the ulceration is ischemic in nature.

Child↗

Dietary protein-induced colitis in breast-fed infants.

Six infants are reported who developed an inflammatory proctocolitis in the first month of life while being breast fed exclusively. All has been born at term and had normal perinatal courses. None had growth failure or constitutional symptoms other than bloody diarrhea. No toxic, bacterial, viral, or parasitic cause was established. Rectal inflammation was suggested by the presence of fecal leukocytes and was confirmed by sigmoidoscopic observation of focal ulcerations, edema, and increased friability. Rectal biopsies demonstrated a wide spectrum of acute and chronic inflammatory changes. All infants responded clinically to initiation of feeding with either a hydrolyzed casein or a soy protein-based formula. Breast-feeding was subsequently resumed in five of the six infants; all experienced immediate recurrence of symptoms. Elimination of cow milk protein from the maternal diet led to tolerance of breast-feeding in two infants but there was no change in the other three. We believe that dietary protein-induced enterocolitis, previously reported in formula-fed infants, occurs occasionally in the exclusively breast-fed infant as well.

Breast Feeding↗

Ureterosigmoidostomy: long-term results, risk of carcinoma and etiological factors for carcinogenesis.

We followed postoperatively 75 patients who underwent ureterosigmoidostomy between 1942 and 1987. Of the patients 30 were asked to undergo routine examination, including fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy with biopsy and analysis of a urine-feces slurry for nitrate, nitrite and nitrosamines in comparison to 20 control volunteers. After a mean observation of 14 years 7 months (1 to 46 years) 64.5% of the patients had bilaterally normal kidneys without any previous complications, 77.5% of the renal units being normal. Sigmoidoscopic biopsy revealed 3 carcinomas at the ureterocolonic junction resulting in an 8.5 to 10.5-fold increased risk of colon carcinoma compared to the general population. The excretion of nitrite and N-nitrosamines was increased, and nitrate excretion was decreased compared to healthy control volunteers, suggesting endogenous formation of nitrosamines by bacterially reduced nitrate and endogenous amines. The urological long-term results of ureterosigmoidostomy are similar to those of conduits. However, the increased incidence of colon carcinoma is not yet proved to be higher than in conduits.

Adult↗