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Gastric dysrhythmias following pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Possible mechanism for early delayed gastric emptying.

Transient delayed gastric emptying is reported as a frequent complication following pancreas-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPW). We placed serosal electrodes on the stomach of a patient undergoing PPW. Myoelectric recordings were obtained postoperatively and correlated with simultaneous radionuclide liquid gastric emptying studies. The patient developed early postoperative gastric atony, associated with frequent gastric dysrhythmias. These dysrhythmias may have been exacerbated by a perihepatic abscess. The gastric dysrhythmias correlated with alterations in liquid gastric emptying. Gastric dysrhythmias may be a mechanism for gastric dysfunction in the early postoperative period.

Adenocarcinoma↗

An autopsy case with Good's syndrome and dermatomyositis.

A 31-year-old male patient complaining of repeated respiratory infections was revealed to be in an immunodeficient state in both humoral and cellular immunity and accompanied by dermatomyositis which was proved by both clinical and histological findings. Persistent diarrhea followed by colonic bleeding due to multiple ulcers and a severe liver dysfunction seemed to bring him to his death. The autopsy revealed the presence of thymoma of spindle cell type, depleted cells in the systemic lymphatic systems and inflammatory lesions in the muscle, liver, lung, kidney and gastrointestinal tract. This is the first report of Good's syndrome accompanied by dermatomyositis.

Adult↗

Anorectal sphincter function and rectal barostat study in patients following transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study evaluated the effect of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) on anorectal sphincter functions and determined the risk factors for anorectal dysfunctions (including incontinence). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A study group of 33 patients with small, mobile rectal tumors (adenoma and carcinoma) located up to 12 cm from the anal verge underwent anorectal motility studies (using pull-through anorectal manometry and rectal barostat) and endoanal ultrasound prior to surgery and 3 weeks and 6 months after TEM; controls were 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Resting and squeeze anal pressures were reduced 3 weeks after TEM. Resting anal pressure remained reduced 6 months after surgery; the changes were related to low preoperative levels and to the internal anal sphincter defects rather than to the procedure duration or the type of surgery. High-pressure zone length and vector volume were decreased 3 weeks after TEM and restored 6 months later. Rectoanal inhibitory reflex, reflex sphincter contraction, rectoanal pressure gradients, threshold and maximal tolerable volume of rectal sensitivity, and compliance were significantly changed 3 weeks after TEM; only rectal wall compliance remained low at 6 months. The rectoanal inhibitory reflex, reflex sphincter contraction, rectal sensitivity, and compliance were related to the extent and type of excision (partial or full thickness). Anal ultrasound revealed internal anal sphincter defects in 29% of patients studied 3 weeks after TEM. Only 76% of patients were fully continent. Disturbed anorectal function (including partial fecal incontinence) was observed in up to 50% of patients at 3 weeks. Partial and moderate anorectal dysfunction was found in 21% patients 6 months after surgery. The main risk factors of anorectal dysfunctions following TEM included: postoperative internal anal sphincter defects, low preoperative resting anal pressure, disturbed rectoanal coordination, extent (>50% of wall circumference) and the depth (full thickness) of tumor excision. CONCLUSION: TEM has a relevant but temporary effect on anorectal motility. As a result of TEM procedures 21% of the patients had disturbed anorectal functions, mostly due to the extent or depth of tumor excision (influencing rectal compliance and rectoanal coordination), and to the sphincter defects lowering resting anal pressure. Preoperative anorectal motility studies and anal ultrasound allow the identification of patients with the risk of postoperative anorectal dysfunctions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Selective dysfunction of mechanosensitive intestinal afferents in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Experimental studies have shown gut hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine whether heightened perception of gut distention in irritable bowel syndrome is related to either decreased gut compliance, altered mechanosensitive afferents, or nonspecific sensory dysfunction. METHODS: In 17 patients with irritable bowel syndrome and 15 healthy controls, stimulus-related perception of (1) intestinal balloon distentions, (2) transmucosal electrical nerve stimulation (15 Hz, 100 microseconds), and (3) somatic transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (100 Hz, 100 microseconds) was measured. Individual stimuli of 1-minute duration were randomly applied at 5-minute intervals. RESULTS: Patients tolerated smaller intestinal volumes than controls (33 +/- 3 mL vs. 43 +/- 4 mL, respectively; mean +/- SE; P < 0.05), whereas both intestinal compliance and perception of transmucosal electrical nerve stimulation were normal (patients tolerated 58 +/- 5 mA and healthy subjects tolerated 69 +/- 5 mA). Interestingly, patients perceived both stimuli more diffusely than controls; 48% +/- 9% distentions and 52% +/- 9% electrical stimuli were perceived over more than one abdominal region vs. 21% +/- 9% and 18% +/- 6%, respectively, in controls (P < 0.05 for both). In contrast to gut distentions, patients showed higher tolerance of somatic stimuli than controls (68 +/- 7 mA vs. 42 +/- 6 mA, respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome show selective hypersensitivity of intestinal mechanosensitive pathways associated with a nonspecific, probably central dysfunction of viscerosomatic referral.

Abdomen↗

Platelet disorders in uraemia before and after haemodialysis under the influence of low dose aspirin.

Thrombocyte dysfunction and increased bleeding time (BT) are well documented in uraemic patients. However, these patients are frequently medicated with low dose aspirin (ASA) in order to maintain shunt patency and prevent cardiovascular events. Recently, life- threatening gastrointestinal haemorrhage in an uraemic subject taking low dose aspirin has been reported. In this work ASA related bleeding risk in uraemic patients and the effect of haemodialysis on their bleeding tendency was studied by measuring in vitro bleeding time (BT) using the Thrombostat 4000 in 34 uraemic patients on chronic haemodialysis compared to 50 healthy subjects. Our results indicate that low dose aspirin does not influence uraemic thrombopathia 8 to 10h after ingestion but seems to increase bleeding risk shortly after ingestion. Moreover, haemodialysis alters uraemic in vitro BT with regard to the time after ingestion of ASA.

Adult↗

Impaired gut contractility following hemorrhagic shock is accompaied by IL-6 and G-CSF production and neutrophil infiltration.

Recovery from hemorrhagic shock (HS) is frequently accompanied by bowel stasis. The aim of this study was to examine whether or not HS initiates an inflammatory response that includes production of cytokines, specifically G-CSF and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and recruitment of leukocytes within the intestinal muscularis which contribute to impaired muscle contractility. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to HS (MAP 40 mm Hg for 156 min) followed by resuscitation, and then they were killed at 4 hr. Shock animals demonstrated accumulation of PMNs in the jejunal muscularis and decreased spontaneous and bethanechol-stimulated muscle contractility. Semiquantitative RT-PCR demonstrated elevated levels of IL-6 and G-CSF mRNA in shock animals in full-thickness jejunum and in mucosa and muscularis layers compared to sham controls. Immunostaining demonstrated increased IL-6 protein production within the muscularis externa and submucosa. In situ hybridization studies localized G-CSF mRNA production to the submucosa. Gel shift assays revealed increased NF-kappaB and Stat3 activity in full-thickness jejunum and jejunal layers of shock animals. Activation of Stat3 also was demonstrated in normal muscularis tissue exposed to IL-6 and G-CSF in vitro. IL-6 and G-CSF are produced in the muscularis and mucosa layers of the gut in HS where they may contribute to PMN recruitment and smooth muscle dysfunction.

Animals↗

Inhibition of platelet-activating factor, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 reduces experimental pancreatitis-associated gut endothelial barrier dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial barrier dysfunction is a critical link in the development of tissue injury and organ dysfunction, via upregulation and exposure of adhesion molecules, intercellular signals and leucocyte-endothelial cell interactions. Inhibitors of inflammatory mediators and receptors have been suggested as a means of downregulating the cascade of both local and systemic inflammation. METHODS: The potential therapeutic inhibition of platelet-activating factor (PAF), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 1 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) 1 was investigated in pancreatitis-associated gut endothelial dysfunction in rats, by treatment with a PAF antagonist (lexipafant, BB-882) and monoclonal antibodies against rat ICAM-1 (anti-ICAM1-Mb) and PECAM (anti-PECAMA1-Mb). Alterations in gut endothelial barrier dysfunction and leucocyte recruitment, and systemic levels of interleukins were evaluated. RESULTS: Plasma exudation measured by the albumin leakage index and tissue leucocyte recruitment in the distal small intestine and colon increased significantly 12 h after induction of pancreatitis and treatment with saline. These alterations were to varying degrees counteracted by treatment with lexipafant, anti-ICAM1-Mb or anti-PECAM1-Mb. Alterations in levels of interleukin (IL) 1 paralleled the changes in gut endothelial barrier dysfunction and leucocyte trapping. CONCLUSION: Treatment with lexipafant and monoclonal antibodies against ICAM-1 or PECAM-1 reduced the severity of pancreatitis-associated gut endothelial dysfunction, and decreased systemic concentrations of IL-1 and local leucocyte recruitment.

Animals↗

Severe hypertension induced by the long-acting somatostatin analogue sandostatin LAR in a patient with diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

A 26-yr-old woman with type 1 diabetes and severe symptomatic autonomic neuropathy was treated with the long-acting somatostatin analogue Sandostatin LAR for intractable diarrhea. Her diarrhea had previously been successfully managed with three daily injections of octreotide without adverse consequences. She was given a single dose of Sandostatin LAR and within 2 weeks reported the development of increasingly frequent and severe headaches. Three weeks after the injection, she was admitted to hospital with severe hypertension, which eventually resolved with the administration of antihypertensive agents. No other underlying cause of the hypertension was discovered. Rechallenge of the patient with octreotide resulted in a transient hypertensive episode, which lasted 3 h. Severe hypertension, therefore, seems to be a possible adverse effect of treatment of diabetic diarrhea with somatostatin analogues, which should be used with great caution in subjects with severe autonomic dysfunction.

Adult↗

Development of agents for the treatment of systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disease characterised clinically by fibrosis and ischaemic atrophy. Internal organ involvement can be life-threatening. Although there are effective treatments for some of the organ-based manifestations of SSc, for example proton-pump inhibitors for upper gastrointestinal disease, no drug has so far been proven to modify the underlying disease process. Our increased understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc, which involves a complex interplay between excessive collagen production, vascular abnormalities and immune dysfunction, is directing development of drugs which hold promise as 'disease-modifying' agents. Some of the drugs under investigation for the treatment of SSc have already been used in other conditions which 'overlap' with SSc, for example primary pulmonary hypertension. Conversely, it is to be hoped that in the future, drugs shown to be effective in SSc might prove beneficial for other fibrotic diseases.

Humans↗

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) as a treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: case report.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a menstruous dysfunction, is characterized by profoundly depressed mood, and studies have shown that antidepressants are effective for PMDD. The authors describe a case of PMDD who was initially treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Due to intolerable gastrointestinal side effects with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, St. John's wort (900 mg/day) was substituted and much improvement in PMDD symptoms was noted for at least five-month follow-up. The authors propose that St. John's wort could be an alternative medication for PMDD, especially for patients experiencing intolerable side effects with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Adult↗

Comparison between radiologic and endoscopic evaluation of the continent ileostomy reservoir.

The present study was performed to compare the results of radiologic examination and endoscopy in 156 patients with continent ileostomy reservoirs. Data from clinical follow-up and findings at revisional surgery were used for confirmation of diagnosis. One hundred and one patients had the clinical diagnosis nonspecific inflammation, 48 had symptoms of valve dysfunction, and 7 were studied because of suspected valve-shunting fistulas. For moderate and severe inflammation the findings on radiographs and at endoscopy were in accordance, whereas slight inflammation was more frequently reported by radiology than endoscopy. Radiology overdiagnosed slight inflammation. One disadvantage of endoscopy in patients with inflammation was that the afferent ileal segment could be reached in only 56%. By radiology 41 of 44 defective valves were identified (93%), whereas endoscopy disclosed only 24 defective valves (55%). The combined efforts of radiologic examination and endoscopy only managed to diagnose three of the seven patients with valve-shunting fistulas (two by radiologic and one by endoscopic examination). In conclusion, the retrograde double-contrast examination is a valuable complement in the assessment of patients with continent ileostomies and appears to be superior to endoscopy in the diagnosis of valve dysfunction and in depicting the afferent ileal segment.

Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal↗

Hemoperfusion in a child who ingested diquat and died from pontine infarction and hemorrhage.

A 2 1/2 year old boy accidentally ingested the herbicide diquat. Progressive neurologic dysfunction preceded his death 143 hours after poisoning. Brain stem infarction and purpura were noted at post mortem and closely resembled the brain stem pathology in 3 of 7 adults who died after diquat ingestion. Renal, gastrointestinal and pulmonary involvement in this child also resembled that seen in adults after ingestion of diquat. Hemoperfusion was performed six times in an effort to lower the body diquat burden. Cellulose-coated, activated charcoal was first employed 40 hours postingestion and removed diquat from serum with clearances of 104 and 39 ml/minute at the initiation of hemoperfusion and 6 hours later, respectively. Serum diquat concentrations decreased rapidly during charcoal hemoperfusion. However, marked rebound in serum diquat concentrations were noted between charcoal treatments, indicating extensive sequestration of diquat by tissues. Thrombocytopenia and hypocalcemia, the major complications of charcoal hemoperfusion, were easily treated. Unlike charcoal, Amberlite XAD-4 resin hemoperfusion did not remove diquat from serum. Charcoal hemoperfusion may temporarily reduce serum diquat concentrations. Whether the early institution and daily performance of charcoal hemoperfusion will minimize diquat-induced damage to brain and other organs is not clear from this case and will only be determined in future studies.

Adolescent↗

[Heart failure in the elderly].

Heart failure (HF) is a major disease of the elderly. Since their symptoms of HF are generally light, on admission of the hospitals HF is sometimes in an advanced stage. Therefore, preventive medicine for those with the risk factors of HF is needed as a future strategy of cardiac gerontology. The routine assessment of the HF severity may be performed noninvasively by Nohria's profiles rather than other invasive methods. HF is worsened by the interaction with the co-morbidity factors, such as renal dysfunction and anemia. The interaction between HF and kidney disease (and anemia) is called 'cardiorenal (anemia) syndrome.' Recurrent hospitalization due to HF is common, and the period of hospitalization tends to be long in this syndrome. One of the hopeful therapeutic agents is carperitide, a recombinant human atrial natriuretic peptide. In cardiorenal syndrome, much lower initial doses of carperitide, such as 0.0125 microg/kg/min is recommended for treatment of HF in order to avoid possible worsening of renal dysfunction. In cardiorenal anemia syndrome, supplement of iron, careful blood transfusion in severe cases, administration of recombinant human erythropoietin, should be performed if indicated. However, the possibility of anemia unrelated to HF, such as due to gastrointestinal carcinoma, is also considered in the elderly. In such cases, finding a decrease of serum ferritin preceding that of hemoglobin may contribute to a differential diagnosis of anemia in elderly HF patients. Thus, the therapies considering several features of HF in elderly will contribute to improving quality of life and outcome.

Aged↗

Upper gastrointestinal findings in oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Oral mucosa is known to be frequently affected by the disease, but it has also been observed that gastrointestinal mucosas are sometimes involved. METHODS: In this study, the upper gastrointestinal tract was investigated endoscopically and histopathologically in 20 patients with oral lichen planus. RESULTS: Endoscopy determined antral gastritis in seven patients, esophagitis in four, bulbitis in three, chronic duodenal ulcer in one and esophageal sphincter dysfunction in one patient. Lichen planus-like changes on the esophageal mucosa at histopathological examination were found in one patient. Findings in the other patients were as follows: chronic atrophic gastritis (nine), helicobacter pylori infection (nine), esophagitis (two), bulbitis (two) and erosive gastritis (one). CONCLUSION: Patients with Lichen planus should be evaluated for possible gastro-intestinal involvement with endoscop.

Journal Article↗

Digoxin toxicity presenting as altered mental status in a patient with severe chronic obstructive lung disease.

Gastrointestinal and cardiac manifestations are the commonly considered features of digoxin toxicity. This report describes a patient with severe chronic obstructive lung disease whose primary manifestation of digoxin toxicity is acute alteration of mental status. Neurologic dysfunction may be the sole manifestation of digitalis toxicity. The diagnosis of digoxin toxicity should be considered in elderly patients with altered mental status, even when serum levels are within a therapeutic range.

Aged↗

Clinical characteristics of the lethal cytomegalovirus infection following renal transplantation.

An ongoing prospective study of the role of viruses in renal transplant recipients has provided identification of two patterns of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. In both patterns, fever and leukopenia occur within 6 months after transplant. In addition, the benign form is characterized by renal biopsy evidence of rejection and brisk Antibody responses to CMV. The lethal syndrome runs a typical 4 week course, beginning with prostration, orthostatic hypotension, mild hypoxemia and progressing to severe pulmonary and hepatic dysfunction, muscle wasting, central nervous system depression, and death. antibody responses to CMV are minimal, and renal biopsy does not show rejection despite elevation of serum creatinine. At autopsy, CMV is found in lung, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. Successful management of the potentially lethal kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. Successful management of the potentially lethal CMV syndrome requires rapid clinical recognition and immediate reduction of immunosuppressive therapy. future prospects for control include development of a CMV vaccine and specific antiviral chemotherapy.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Iron loading anaemias.

Iron loading anaemias are characterized by anaemia, high serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin values, and haemosiderin deposits in parenchymal cells and reticuloendothelial tissue with or without organ dysfunction. Sideroblastic anaemias and congenital dyserythropoietic anaemias (CDA) are important types of iron loading anaemias. Two cases of sideroblastic anaemia and five cases of CDA type I are presented as prototypes of iron loading anaemias. Increased gastrointestinal absorption of iron remains the main mechanism of iron loading in these anaemias. Phlebotomy can be used to reduce the iron load in those with mild or moderate anaemia, whereas desferrioxamine can be used to chelate excessive iron in all cases irrespective of severity of anaemia.

Adolescent↗