E. Masci

Small bowel capsule endoscopy in clinical practice: a multicenter 7-year survey

Background and aim Data about small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) come from studies involving small and highly selected populations. The study aim was to describe extent of use, indications, results, complications, and practical issues of SBCE in clinical practice in a Northern Italian Region (Lombardia). Materials and methods Twenty-three out of 29 invited centers fulfilled a specific questionnaire. Results Between 2001 and 2008, 2921 procedures were performed and both the number of centers performing SBCE (from 5 to 29) and the number of SBCE (from 7.2 to 69.2 per month) increased steadily. The main indications for SBCE were: obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) (43.4%), unexplained anemia (23.9%), suspected Crohns disease (7.8%) and abdominal pain (5.3%). Overall, SBCE was positive in 50% of cases, negative in 36% and undefined in 14%. The highest diagnostic yields were observed in patients with OGIB (62.5%), polypoid syndromes (74.1%), known (54.8%) or suspected (47.3%) inflammatory bowel disease, while the yields were low in patients examined for chronic diarrhea (27.4%) and abdominal pain (14.9%), 61 patients (2.1%) experienced capsule retention. Thirty-two of them eventually excreted the capsule naturally while endoscopic or surgical retrieval was necessary in 29 (1%) (in two because of obstruction). Conclusion Over a period of 7 years the use of SBCE in Lombardia increased steadily confirming, in clinical practice, a high diagnostic yield and an acceptable safety profile.

Cholesterol Metabolism After Bariatric Surgery in Grade 3 Obesity: Differences between malabsorptive and restrictive procedures

OBJECTIVE Malabsorptive bariatric surgery (biliopancreatic diversion and biliointestinal bypass [BIBP]) reduces serum cholesterol levels more than restrictive surgery (adjustable gastric banding [AGB]), and this is thought to be due to greater weight loss. Our aim was to evaluate the changes of cholesterol metabolism induced by malabsorptive and restrictive surgery independent of weight loss. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a nonrandomized, self-selected, unblinded, active-comparator, bicenter, 6-month study, glucose metabolism (blood glucose and serum insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] index) and cholesterol metabolism (absorption: serum campesterol and sitosterol levels; synthesis: serum lathosterol levels; catabolism: rate of appearance and serum concentrations of serum 7-α- and serum 27-OH-cholesterol after infusions of deuterated 7-α- and 27-OH-cholesterol in sequence) were assessed in grade 3 obesity subjects undergoing BIBP (n = 10) and AGB (n = 10). Evaluations were performed before and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS Subjects had similar values at baseline. Weight loss was similar in the two groups of subjects, and blood glucose, insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides decreased in a similar way. In contrast, serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, serum sitosterol, and campesterol levels decreased and lathosterol levels increased only in BIBP subjects, not in AGB subjects. A significant increase in 7-α-OH-cholesterol occurred only with BIBP; serum 27-OH-cholesterol decreased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Malabsorptive surgery specifically affects cholesterol levels, independent of weight loss and independent of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Decreased sterol absorption leads to decreased cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, accompanied by enhanced cholesterol synthesis and enhanced cholesterol catabolism. Compared with AGB, BIBP provides greater cholesterol lowering.

Different interdigestive antroduodenal motility patterns in chronic antral gastritis with and withoutHelicobacter pylori infection

Fasting antroduodenal motor activity was studied in 15 dyspeptic patients with chronic superficial antral gastritis andHelicobacter pylori infection (group A), 10 dyspeptic patients with chronic superficial antral gastritis withoutHelicobacter pylori infection (group B), and eight healthy control subjects (group C) by manometric recording of phases of the interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) prolonged over 240 min. A significantly lower incidence of activity fronts (phase III of MMC) starting from the antrum was observed in patients with gastritis andHelicobacter pylori infection vs patients without bacterial colonization (P=0.013) and in these latter vs control subjects (P=0.013). Likewise, the overall number of activity fronts was smaller in patients with gastritis than in healthy subjects (P=0.034). Symptomatic evaluation was performed in the two groups of dyspeptic patients, without detecting any differences in frequency and severity of complaints. Our results show a significant reduction in the occurrence of interdigestive antral phase III of MMC in chronic gastritis associated withHelicobacter pylori infection, suggesting a possible relationship between fasting motility and bacterial colonization.

Bulb biopsies for the diagnosis of celiac disease in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUNDnCeliac disease (CD) is a gluten-dependent enteropathy. The current standard for diagnosing CD involves obtaining 4 biopsy samples from the descending duodenum. It has been suggested that duodenal bulb biopsies may also be useful.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo assess the utility of bulbar biopsies for the diagnosis of CD in pediatric patients.nnnDESIGNnProspective study.nnnSETTINGnSingle center.nnnPATIENTSnForty-seven consecutively enrolled pediatric patients with celiac serologies and a clinical suspicion of CD.nnnINTERVENTIONSnAll patients underwent EGD, and 4 biopsy samples were obtained from the duodenal bulb and 4 from the descending duodenum of each child.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTSnThe pathologist blindly reported the Marsh histological grade for the diagnosis of CD of the bulb and descending duodenum.nnnRESULTSnThe diagnosis of CD was histologically confirmed in 89.4% (42/47) of the cases of biopsy samples obtained from the descending duodenum and in all 47 obtained from the bulb. In 35 patients (74.5%), histology was the same in the bulb and duodenum; in 11 (23.4%) cases, the grade of atrophy was higher in the bulb than in the descending duodenum, and 5 (10.6%) had bulb histology positive for CD but negative duodenal findings. One child (2.1%) had a higher histological grade in the duodenum than in the bulb. The diagnostic gain with bulbar biopsies was 10.6%.nnnLIMITATIONSnSmall sample and absence of a comparison group (asymptomatic children with normal CD antibodies).nnnCONCLUSIONSnWe suggest examining 4 biopsy samples from the duodenal bulb and 4 from the descending duodenum to improve diagnostic accuracy of CD.

Gastric cancer in chronic atrophic gastritis: Associated gastric ulcer adds no further risk

Atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia is generally considered a precancerous lesion. We followed 261 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, with and without gastric ulcer, every 12 months for 9 +/- 2 years by means of endoscopic and histological examination. In the presence of dysplasia, however, studies were carried out every 6 months in moderate cases, or every 3 months in severe cases. Patients with gastric ulcer received medical therapy for 8 weeks; if healing did not occur, treatment was continued. Only subjects with healed ulcers were admitted to the follow-up. To date, 205 subjects have been included in the study. Over a 10-year period, 16 patients with recurrent gastric ulcer and 12 patients with cancer in situ or in an early stage, were subjected to surgery. One case of advanced cancer was observed. Cancer has been found in five of 95 cases of atrophic gastritis with gastric ulcer (5.2%), and in 7 of 166 cases of atrophic gastritis without gastric ulcer (4.2%). The difference was not statistically significant. Our results confirm that gastric ulcer per se is not a high-risk condition, but it must be considered as an epiphenomenon on a background of epithelial atrophy.

Duodenogastric Reflux: Correlations among Bile Acid Pattern, Mucus Secretion, and Mucosal Damage

Forty-five patients with bile reflux at endoscopic examination, confirmed by titration of bile acids in gastric juice, were admitted to the study and divided into three groups in accordance with histologic results: normal findings, chronic superficial gastritis, and chronic atrophic gastritis. Bile acid pattern was determined in duodenal samples by high-performance liquid chromatography titration, and the mucoprotein content of gastric juice was assessed. The results of qualitative analysis of bile acid showed an increase of deoxycholic acid in patients with atrophic gastritis (p less than 0.05) in comparison with controls; determination of taurine and glycine conjugates showed an increase of taurodeoxycholic acid in patients with atrophic gastritis (p less than 0.01) compared with controls. The composition of mucus was altered only in patients with atrophic gastritis. Whether the increase in deoxycholic acid in biliary reflux is a factor in the development of chronic atrophic gastritis or is secondary to the increase of gastric pH, detectable in this condition, is still uncertain. However, the increase of deoxycholic acid and its taurine conjugates may be a factor that leads to persistence of mucosal lesions.

Optical coherence tomography in pediatric patients: A feasible technique for diagnosing celiac disease in children with villous atrophy

BACKGROUND AND AIMnCeliac disease is a common condition with many atypical manifestations, where histology serves as the gold standard for diagnosis. A useful new technique, optical coherence tomography, can depict villous morphology in detail, using light waves. This study examined the correlation between the sensitivity and specificity of optical coherence tomography in pediatric patients undergoing esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy for the diagnosis of celiac disease.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA total of 134 children were prospectively enrolled, 67 with a serological suspicion of celiac disease (group 1) and 67 with negative histology for celiac disease (group 2). During a diagnostic esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy we acquired multiple images and films in the four quadrants of the second part of the duodenum, and biopsies were taken in the area where optical coherence tomography had been done. Three patterns of villous morphology were considered: pattern 1=no atrophy (types 0, 1 or 2 of the Marsh classification); pattern 2=mild atrophy (type 3a or 3b); pattern 3=marked atrophy (type 3c).nnnRESULTSnThe diagnosis of celiac disease was histologically confirmed in all 67 children with positive antiendomysium and/or antitransglutaminase antibodies. Optical coherence tomography correlated with pattern 1 histology in 11/11 cases, pattern 2 in 30/32 (93.8%) and pattern 3 in 22/24 (91.6%). Sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 100%. In the control group there was 100% concordance between optical coherence tomography and histology. The overall concordance between optical coherence tomography and histology in determining patchy lesions was 75%.nnnCONCLUSIONnOptical coherence tomography could be a helpful diagnostic tool in children with mild or marked villous atrophy for diagnosing celiac disease during upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, avoiding biopsies. However, duodenal biopsies are mandatory if the optical coherence tomography shows normal villous morphology in patients with positive antibodies.

Manometric evaluation of the interdigestive antroduodenal motility in subjects with fasting bile reflux, with and without antral gastritis.

The interdigestive antroduodenal motor activity was studied in 15 patients with bile reflux without gastritis (group A), 17 with bile reflux and chronic antral superficial gastritis (group B) and in nine healthy controls (group C), by manometric recording of phases of the interdigestive motility complex (IDMC) over 240 minutes, or until two consecutive migrating motor complexes (MMCs) had been recorded, whichever the shorter. In the patients with bile reflux the occurrence of MMCs was decreased and median duration of the IDMC was significantly prolonged (group A = 162.5 min; group B = 185.0 min), compared with controls (group C = 92.0 min; p less than 0.01 v groups A and B). There were no differences in motility pattern between patients with and without gastritis, suggesting that motor abnormalities are not caused by gastritis, but may precede its occurrence. Delayed occurrence of motor activity fronts increases duodenogastric reflux, but correlation with gastric mucosal lesions was not shown, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved.

Management of warfarin-associated coagulopathy in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding: A cross-sectional physician survey of current practice

BACKGROUNDnThe management of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) associated coagulopathy is a cornerstone of pre-endoscopic assessment of anticoagulated patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal bleeding.nnnAIMSnTo evaluate physician attitudes in the management of VKAs-associated coagulopathy in patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding and to assess their compliance to current practice guidelines.nnnDESIGNnCross sectional physician web-based survey amongst regional members of three Italian Gastroenterological Societies (AIGO, SIED, SIGE) practicing in academic medical centres or community hospitals. Physicians were asked to provide management preferences in four hypothetical case-scenarios describing patients with warfarin-associated coagulopathy presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding of varying severity.nnnRESULTSnA total of 105 out of 238 (48%) members responded; mean age±SD: 46.3±9.8 years, 68% male. The adherence to practice guidelines for the reversal of warfarin-induced anticoagulation ranged from 24% to 86% and it was not dependent on age, years and type of specialisation, hospital setting and active performance of on call emergency endoscopy or not.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThere is a considerable variability amongst physicians in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding patients with VKAs-associated coagulopathy and a poor compliance to practice guidelines. These data indicate that better education is needed in this area.

Effects of Gabexate Mesilate, a Protease Inhibitor, on Human Sphincter of Oddi Motility

Gabexate mesilate is an antiprotease drug, which reduced the severity of pancreatitis and frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis. In dogs gabexate inhibits sphincter of Oddi motility but no data are available in humans. The aim of this study was to verify by manometry the action of gabexate on human sphincter of Oddi motility. We enrolled 12 patients with idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis (eight males, five females, mean age 46 ± 8 years). Standard preendoscopic sphincter of Oddi manometry was done in basal conditions and during infusion of gabexate 20 mg/min: basal pressure, amplitude and frequency of phasic contractions, and motility index (amplitude per frequency) were calculated before and after gabexate injection. Statistical analysis was performed by using Wilcoxon rank test for paired data. Six patients had a manometric diagnosis of stenosis (basal pressure greater than 40 mm Hg); six had normal findings. Phasic activity was not evaluable in five patients with stenosis. Basal pressure was unaffected by drug infusion, while gabexate caused a significant reduction of phasic activity, both in terms of frequency (4.5 ± 1 vs 3.6 ± 1; P < 0.05) and amplitude (157.4 ± 44 vs 80.0 ± 32; P < 0.05) of contractions. Motility index was reduced on average by 49%. In conclusion, this pilot study confirms, in patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis, the inhibitory action of gabexate on sphincter of Oddi motility already described in dogs. This action needs to be revaluated at therapeutic dosages. On the other hand, prophylactic use of the drug should be avoided during sphincter of Oddi manometry, in order to avoid false negative results.