[Treatment of metastatic carcinoid tumors with interferon-alpha. Five cases]

OBJECTIVE

Interferon has been proposed in treatment of metastatic carcinoid tumours with varied results.

METHOD

Five patients with metastatic carcinoid tumours were treated for 1 year with rIFN alpha 2b at a dose of 5 MU. three times a week during the first month and 10 MU. three times a week during the following months. Carcinoid syndrome was present in all cases.

RESULTS

Clinical response with improvement of diarrhoea and flushs was obtained in all cases. Urinary excretion of 5 HIAA and blood serotonin were reduced in 2/5 and 4/5 patients respectively. IFN treatment led to a stabilization of the metastatic tumour in all cases. Recurrence of symptoms was observed within three months following the end of the IFN treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings confirm the contribution of IFN in the treatment of metastatic carcinoid tumours.

[Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis: retrospective study of 48 cases diagnosed by colonoscopy]

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is a rare but potentially severe complication of antibiotic treatment, which is characterized by the proliferation of the bacterium Clostridium difficile in the colon. In this retrospective study, 48 cases of endoscopically confirmed PMC were included. The following variables were analysed: characteristics of the patients, antibiotics, clinical, biological and endoscopic features of PMC and its treatment. The antibiotic treatment was often ambulatory (83 per cent) for a broncho-pulmonary infection (42 per cent). In 90 per cent of the cases, the treatment included a -lactam, frequently amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, and in 25 per cent of the cases, a fluoroquinolone. The PMC generally occurred after more than 4 days of treatment and was associated with diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever and rarely vomiting (23 per cent). The complications were hypokalaemia (37 per cent), renal failure (27 per cent) and/or hypoproteinaemia (50 per cent). Pseumembranes were found between the rectum and the left angle of the colon. All patients recovered after one week of oral treatment with metronidazole and/or vancomycin, often in association with Saccharomyces boulardii.

Fibrotic stricture of the extrapancreatic biliary tract: a new complication of acute pancreatitis. Two cases

Two cases of fibrotic stricture of the extrapancreatic common bile duct were observed 3 and 5.5 months after severe acute alcoholic pancreatitis. The diagnosis was made by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in both cases. Although colonic or ureteric stenosis have been reported after acute pancreatitis, this is the first report of extrapancreatic biliary stricture occurring after acute pancreatitis. The strictures could have arisen by either an enzymatic or ischemic mechanism. Outcome was favorable after surgical hepaticojejunostomy.

Incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in northern France (1988-1990)

There were no data concerning the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in France. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in northern France. This prospective population based study was realised through the gastroenterologists of the region Nord-Pas de Calais and the Somme Department. Each gastroenterologist referred patients consulting for the first time with clinical symptoms compatible with IBD. Data were collected by an interviewer practitioner present at the gastroenterologist's consulting room. Two independent expert gastroenterologists assessed each case in a blind manner and made a final diagnosis of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ulcerative proctitis, or unclassifiable chronic colitis. From 1988 to 1990, 1291 cases of IBD were recorded: 674 (52%) Crohn's disease, 466 (36%) ulcerative colitis including 162 proctitis (35%), and 151 (12%) unclassifiable chronic colitis. The mean annual incidence was 4.9 per 100,000 for Crohn's disease and 3.2 for ulcerative colitis. The sex ratio F/M was 1.3 for Crohn's disease and 0.8 for ulcerative colitis. The highest age specific incidence rate for Crohn's disease was between 20 and 29 years: 13.1 for women and 9.8 for men. The highest age specific incidence rate for ulcerative colitis was between 20 and 39 years: 5.5 for women and 6.5 for men. This first French prospective study has shown an incidence rate for Crohn's disease comparable with that seen in north European studies but lower than that seen for ulcerative colitis. These results could be related to the different environmental factors or the genetic background of the population studied, or both.

Linkage analyses of chromosome 6 loci, including HLA, in familial aggregations of Crohn disease. G.E.T.A.I.D

Segregation analyses of familial aggregations of Crohn disease have provided consistent results pointing to the involvement of a predisposing gene with a recessive mode of inheritance. Although extensively investigated, the role played by human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes in this inflammatory bowel disease remains elusive and the major histocompatibility complex is a candidate region for the mapping of the Crohn disease susceptibility gene. A total of 25 families with multiple cases of Crohn disease was genotyped for HLA DRB1 and for 16 highly polymorphic loci evenly distributed on chromosome 6. The data were subjected to linkage analysis using the lod score method. Neither individual nor combined lod scores for any family and for any locus tested reached values suggesting linkage or genetic heterogeneity. The Crohn disease predisposing locus was excluded from the whole chromosome 6 with lod scores less than -2. It was excluded from the major histocompatibility complex and from 91% of the chromosome 6 genetic map with lod scores less than -4. The major recessive gene involved in genetic predisposition to Crohn disease does not reside on the major histocompatibility complex nor on any locus mapping to chromosome 6.

Short report: treatment of gastric ulcer with lansoprazole or ranitidine: a multicentre clinical trial

We studied the effectiveness of lansoprazole and ranitidine in promoting gastric ulcer healing in a multicentre double-blind trial, by comparing the proportion of healed ulcers after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. One hundred and fifty-eight patients were randomly given either ranitidine (150 mg each morning and at bedtime) or lansoprazole (30 mg each morning and placebo at bedtime). One hundred and twenty-eight patients completed the trial (62 taking lansoprazole, 66 taking ranitidine). Fifty-one (80%) of those treated with lansoprazole and forty-two (62%) of those treated with ranitidine had healed ulcers at 4 weeks (P < 0.05). Sixty-one (98%) patients who received lansoprazole and 57 (86%) who received ranitidine had healed ulcers at 8 weeks (P < 0.05). The observed differences were not significant in the intention-to-treat analysis. No serious adverse event was reported with lansoprazole.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the small intestine presenting as an isolated lower digestive tract hemorrhage. Report of 2 cases]

The authors report two cases of leiomyosarcoma of the small intestine revealed by lower and isolated digestive bleeding. In both cases, only the pelvic examinations by means of ultrasonography and/or CT scan have shown a mass which corresponded to the small intestine tumor. The authors underlined the necessity of US and/or CT scan pelvic when faced with a lower digestive bleeding whose etiology cannot be determined by the endoscopic or radiologic intestinal examinations.

[Prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma. Multifactorial analysis of 84 cases]

To identify prognostic factors taking in account recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, 24 clinical, biological, and morphological factors were evaluated by means of uni- and multivariate analysis in 84 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed between 1984 and 1991. Okuda's grading (P < 0.01), creatininemia (P < 0.01), and treatment (P < 0.05) were independent prognostic factors. Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin reached a significant level (P < 0.05) in a subgroup of 32 recent patients but its prognostic value needs to be confirmed. Further prospective randomized trials comparing surgical and non-surgical treatment should take these factors into account.

[Presymptomatic detection of familial colonic polyposis]

In familial adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) it is possible to detect APC carriers either by research of bilateral congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) or by genetic diagnosis (APC gene is localized in 5q21). These detections were performed in 33 patients of four families with the same positivity for genetic typing (11 patients) or for CHRPE (11 patients) which thus avoided annual coloscopy.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibodies in sera from patients with ulcerative colitis after proctocolectomy with ileo-anal anastomosis

Presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibodies (ANCA) in ulcerative colitis could be an epiphenomenon related to colonic inflammation and/or may reflect a primitive disturbance of immune regulation. In this regard, study of ANCA status after the whole colorectal mucosa has been removed could favor one of these two hypothesis. We compared the prevalence of ANCA in a first group of 70 patients with non operated UC and in a second group of 32 patients with UC having had a proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis. Perinuclear ANCA (p-ANCA) were found in 34/70 (49%) of the first group as compared to 11/32 (34%) in the second group (NS). Our results further support that the presence of ANCA in UC reflects an immune disturbance not linked to the presence of the target organ.

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of Mirizzi's syndrome

Mirizzi's syndrome is the name given to common bile duct obstruction secondary to a stone in the cystic duct. The cause of the biliary obstruction is often difficult to establish before operation. We report two cases of Mirizzi's syndrome, diagnosed endoscopically and treated without surgery. One of the patients was treated by drainage of both the common bile duct and the gallbladder associated with monooctanoin dissolution of the gallstone. The other was treated by common bile duct stenting.

Chlamydia trachomatis peritonitis: another cause of protein-rich lymphocytic ascites

Ascites as a main feature of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in two young women was successfully treated with doxycycline. In both patients, ascitic fluid protein levels and lymphocyte counts were very high. This report, as well as six previously published cases, suggest that ascitic fluid culture for C. trachomatis and blood antibody determinations should be performed in all cases of protein-rich lymphocytic ascites in sexually active women.

[Spontaneous contained perforation of a hiatal hernia. A new equivalent of Boerhaave's syndrome]

The authors report the case of an alcoholic 49-year-old man hospitalized because of epigastric pain and hematemesis. Upper endoscopy showed a tear in a hiatus hernia (interpreted as a Mallory-Weiss lesion) and a bleeding duodenal ulcer. Upper barium examination performed 16 days later revealed a mediastinal collection communicating with the hiatus hernia. Retrospective evaluation of chest roentgenograms obtained at admission showed a limited mediastinal gas collection. With medical management, the collection progressively disappeared. From a theoretical point of view, this case illustrates Watts' theory on the effect of hiatus hernia on the site of postemetic injury. From a practical point of view, it confirms that conservative management is indicated in contained spontaneous perforations.

[Biopsies of the endoscopically normal rectum and colon: a necessity. Incidence of collagen colitis and microscopic colitis]

Collagenous colitis and microscopic colitis are histologic entities which do not have corresponding endoscopic features. Their precise incidence and role in the development of intestinal symptoms are poorly known. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of these histologic abnormalities in patients with endoscopically normal colon and to correlate these findings with abdominal symptoms. Total colonoscopy was performed in 132 consecutive patients, 81 females and 51 males, aged 19 to 83 years (mean: 47.8 years). Patients complained of abdominal pain and/or diarrhea (66 cases), normal bowel transit or constipation (66 cases). Subjects were prepared for colonoscopy with polyethylene glycol 4,000. Three to 8 biopsies were taken from the rectum and the different parts of the colon. Histologic abnormalities were found in 36 patients (27.2 p. 100): collagenous colitis (7 cases), microscopic colitis (21 cases), and melanosis coli (8 cases). The frequency of diarrhea was significantly higher in patients with collagenous colitis and microscopic colitis than in those with melanosis coli or normal colonic mucosa. These results clearly demonstrate that routine biopsies of the rectum and colon are useful in patients with abdominal symptoms, particularly diarrhea, and normal endoscopy.

Incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in northwestern France. Preliminary results in region Nord-Pas-de-Calais

A prospective study in the region Nord-Pas-de-Calais between 1 February and 15 November 1988 identified 166 cases of Crohn's disease, 116 of ulcerative colitis, and 31 of proctitis. The incidence of ulcerative colitis was 2.96 cases/10(5)/year and of Crohn's disease, 4.23/10(5)/year.

Thyroid carcinoma in two sisters with familial polyposis of the colon. Case reports and review of the literature

Multicentric thyroid papillary carcinomas were present in two sisters with familial polyposis of the colon; in one the tumor was found at age 29 and in the other at 26 years of age, respectively 13 and 5 years after colectomy. This association is not fortuitous and should lead to regular examination of thyroid gland in patients with familial polyposis or in Gardner's syndrome patients. It might even be wise to search for adenomas of the colon in young patients with thyroid carcinoma.

[Natural history of glandulocystic fundic polyposis in Gardner's syndrome]

The authors report 3 cases of fundic gland polyposis associated with Gardner's syndrome. Control endoscopies revealed fundic gland polyposis disappearance 14, 14, and 7 years respectively after discovery, and colectomy performed at ages 29, 30, and 32, respectively. This regression, described in autonomous fundic gland polyposis, is poorly documented in Gardner's syndrome. This phenomenon is not related to colectomy. However no explanation is currently available, and further studies are necessary to determine the factors related to the natural history of fundic gland polyposis in familial adenomatosis coli/Gardner's syndrome.

Hepatic subcapsular biloma. An unusual complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Development of an intraabdominal bile collection (biloma) usually occurs secondary to traumatic or iatrogenic injury including abdominal surgery, percutaneous catheter drainage, and transhepatic cholangiogram. We present a case of hepatic subcapsular biloma following endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and identified by ultrasound and computed tomodensitometry examinations. A percutaneous drainage procedure allowed a subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to be performed that documented the location and extent of the bile leak and led to resolution of the biloma.

[Acute pancreatitis caused by papillary adenoma of the distal common bile duct. Treatment by endoscopic excision]

We report the case of a 66 year-old man who developed acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The usual etiologies of acute pancreatitis were easily excluded. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a 10 mm diameter filling defect in the distal common bile duct. After endoscopic sphincterotomy, a polypoid tumour which appeared to arise from the common bile duct was delivered through the wound. Diathermic resection of the tumor was performed. Microscopic examination disclosed papillary adenoma, without histologic signs of malignancy. Follow-up was favorable.

[Histomorphometric study of the gastric mucosa in portal hypertension]

Histologic features of the gastric (antral and fundic) mucosa in 14 patients with portal hypertension due to alcoholic cirrhosis and a mosaic pattern of the fundic mucosa at endoscopic examination have been compared with those of the gastric mucosa in 14 control subjects. We attempted to correlate endoscopic and histologic aspects using a semiquantitative morphometric study in which the height of the mucosa, the number per mm2 and the diameter of vascular sections of the interglandular chorion, and the number per mm2 of large (greater than or equal to 20 micron) vascular sections of the superficial chorion were measured. For all parameters, the mean values were higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls, but significant differences were found only in the antral mucosa (height of the mucosa and number of large vascular sections in the superficial chorion). These results confirm the frequency and the importance of vascular abnormalities of the gastric mucosa in patients with portal hypertension, but do not explain, at least with the methodology used, the mosaic pattern of the fundic mucosa disclosed in most cirrhotic patients.

[Gardner's syndrome and epidermoid cyst of the thymus]

The hitherto undescribed association of Gardner's syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis coli, abdominal fibromas, osteoma, dental abnormality, cystic fundic gland polyposis) with a thymic epidermoid cyst in a 38 year old woman is reported. Thymic cyst was discovered on a routine chest roentgenogram, and diagnosis, suspected by CT findings, was established by histological examination of surgical material. The authors suggest that this association is not fortuitous.

Portal hypertensive gastric mucosa: an endoscopic study

The endoscopic features of the gastric mucosa in patients with cirrhosis have not been systematically investigated. In these patients, we observed an endoscopic aspect, consisting of multiple small erythematous areas, outlined by a subtle yellowish network (resembling a mosaic), mainly located in the proximal part of the stomach. We tested the value of this sign by comparing two groups: 100 patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, and 300 control patients without signs of liver disease or portal hypertension. This endoscopic pattern was observed in 94 of the patients with cirrhosis, whereas oesophageal varices were seen in 78 only. In contrast, only one patient of the control group had this aspect. Moreover, this sign was also found in seven of eight patients with non cirrhotic portal hypertension, but was seen neither in 100 patients with chronic alcoholism but without liver disease, nor in 10 cirrhotic patients with end-to-side portacaval shunts. These endoscopic changes might be because of mucosal and/or submucosal oedema and congestion highlighting the normal areae gastricae pattern and related to raised portal pressure. We conclude that the mosaic pattern of the gastric mucosa is a sensible and specific sign for diagnosis of portal hypertension, whatever the cause.

Hepatic siderosis in extrahepatic portal vein obstruction. Role of spontaneous portosystemic shunting?

We report on the observation of a 26-year-old woman with portal vein obstruction, diagnosed at the age of 3, and liver iron overload. Celiac and superior mesenteric angiography showed large and multiple venous collaterals between the portal and caval systems. Liver biopsy demonstrated, on Perl's staining, an important hemosiderin deposition, confirmed by an increased hepatic iron concentration (15.6 mumol/100 mg dry weight). No other histologic abnormality was found. This report suggests that large spontaneous portosystemic shunting may stimulate hepatic iron deposition in an otherwise normal liver. This mechanism could, at least in part, explain the significant hepatic siderosis observed in some cirrhotic patients.

Polymeric dyes: useful nonabsorbable reference markers for intestinal perfusion studies in animals

The properties of two polymeric dyes were examined to determine their suitability as nonabsorbable reference markers for intestinal perfusion studies. The first dye was a violet anthroquinone dye, R-478, named polyporphyre; the second was a blue anthroquinone dye, R-411, named polycyanine. The dyes could be determined spectrophotometrically over a concentration range of 0.03-5 microM (1-200 micrograms/mL) and had no appreciable osmotic effect. They were light stable and their absorption spectra did not change in solution over a pH range of 1-11. The dyes had a molecular weight of approximately 40,000 by gel permeation chromatography; they did not appear to have hydrophobic binding sites because they did not bind added dihydroxy bile acid or fatty acid anions. Determination of the dyes was not influenced by the presence of bilirubin when the latter was present at concentrations reported to occur in small intestinal content during digestion. The dyes did not interfere with an endpoint enzymatic determination of bile acids. The dyes caused little quenching of 3H- or 14C-radioactivity in a toluene-based liquid scintillation cocktail. Dyes were easily removed from aqueous solution by passage over a large-pore anion exchange column or by a BaCl2:ZnSO4 protein precipitation procedure. When tested in a rat jejunal perfusion model, changes in dye concentration evoked by hypotonic or hypertonic perfusates were identical to those of polyethylene glycol 4000, a commonly used reference marker. The dyes did not influence the rate of glucose absorption and did not bind to mucus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mucosal bridges of the upper esophagus after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease

A 47-yr-old man presented with dysphagia 4 yr after mediastinal radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. X-ray series, fiberoptic endoscopy, and computerized transverse tomography showed mucosal bridges in the upper esophagus. Histologically, these bridges were constituted from normal epithelium overlying a chronic inflammatory lamina propria, without evidence of Hodgkin's disease recurrence or of squamous cell carcinoma. Swallowing was improved by endoscopic electrocoagulation and Eder-Puestow dilatations. Several arguments favor the hypothesis that these mucosal bridges were the late sequelae of radiation esophagitis.

Autovagotomy by esophageal carcinoma. An unusual cause of gastric retention without outlet obstruction

A case of gastric retention without outlet obstruction in a 44-year-old patient with esophageal carcinoma is reported. Radiological (and particularly C.T.) examinations support the opinion that the gastric motility disorders were due to the autovagotomy secondary to malignant involvement of the intrathoracic vagus nerve.

Portal vein thrombosis and fatal pulmonary thromboembolism associated with oral contraceptive treatment

We report a 33-year-old woman who took oral contraceptives for 8 years, and who developed gastrointestinal bleeding from esophageal varices. Celiac and mesenteric angiography demonstrated a portal vein thrombosis. Because of several episodes of dyspnea, a pulmonary angiogram was also performed, and showed partial or complete obstruction of both inferior pulmonary arteries with "pruning" of lower lobes. Despite immediate anticoagulant therapy, the patient died suddenly some days later. We believe that oral contraceptive treatment could have induced thromboembolic disease both in portal and pulmonary circulations in this patient.

Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia and chronic liver disease. Report of a case and review of the literature

Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia was observed on the back of the left hand and wrist in a 19-year old man with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. Moreover, abnormalities of the elastic fibers of the skin were found. Examination of the liver biopsy showed extensive portal fibrosis with many dilated blood vessels. No usual cause of juvenile cirrhosis was detected. In the comment, the authors suggest that unilateral nevoid telangiectasia and liver disease could be manifestations of a disease involving skin and liver vessels, as in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Liver abscess complicating Yersinia pseudotuberculosis ileitis

The occurrence of solitary liver abscess is described in a young farmer with subacute terminal ileitis mimicking Crohn's disease. Serologic tests showed high titers of antibodies for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Treatment with troleandomycin was successful. This case report suggests that: (a) Yersinia infection must be systematically searched for in all forms of subacute ileitis; (b) a classically benign Yersinia ileitis may be complicated by liver abscess; (c) antibiotic therapy must be undertaken in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis subacute ileitis to avoid severe infectious complications.