Juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula risk development and recurrence of biliary stone

We assessed whether the presence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula (JPDD) risks biliary stone disease and recurrence. In total, 695 patients who underwent ERCP were divided into two groups: biliary stone disease (group I, n = 523) and non-stone biliary diseases (group II, n = 172). Additionally, for a control group (group III), 80 age-matched healthy subjects underwent side-view duodenoscopy. In group I, rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis, cannulation failure, and disease recurrence in two-year follow up were compared according to the presence of JPDD. In results, the incidence of JPDD in group I (42.4%) was significantly higher than in group II (16.3%) and III (18.8%). The frequencies of JPDD were increased with age in all groups, and reached statistical significance in group I. In group I, rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis were significantly higher in patients with JPDD (18.5%) compared to JPDD negative (12.6%). The cannulation failure rate was also higher in patients with JPDD (9.9%) compared to JPDD negative (5.3%). Recurrence rate was higher in patients with JPDD (25.3%) compared to JPDD negative (9.2%). In conclusion, JPDD develops with aging and risks biliary stone formation. JPDD also seems to be associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis, cannulation failure and biliary stone recurrence.

Left Atrial Diverticula in Patients Referred for Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Background—

The anatomic features of left atrial diverticula (LAD) are still unclear in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and morphological characteristics of LAD in patients referred for radiofrequency transcatheter ablation of AF with dual-source computed tomography.

Methods and Results—

Dual-source computed tomography images were obtained in 214 patients referred for AF catheter ablation and 214 sex- and age-matched control subjects. Images were analyzed to determine the prevalence and morphological characteristics of LAD and their relationship with adjacent pulmonary veins and left atrial appendage. In AF patients 77 (36.0%) (95% confidence interval, 29.6–42.4%) had 90 LAD, whereas in control subjects 70 (32.7%) (95% confidence interval, 26.4–39.0%) had 81 LAD ( P =0.551). In patients with AF, LAD locations were right anterosuperior (47.8%), left anterosuperior (8.9%), left lateral (32.2%), interatrial septum (4.4%), right inferior (5.6%), and posterosuperior (1.1%) walls, respectively. The mean size of LAD was 5.3±2.9×5.6±3.3 mm. The wall of the LAD was much thinner than that of adjacent left atrium (0.89±0.46 versus 2.39±0.83 mm). Most LAD were located close to a pulmonary vein or atrial appendage ostium, with a mean distance of 8.7–13.1 mm.

Conclusions—

LAD are common, with a prevalence of 36.0% in patients with AF, which is not statistically greater than that in patients without AF. Thin-walled LAD are more commonly located on the superior anterior wall of left atrium and close to common ablation sites.

Diet and risk of diverticular disease in Oxford cohort of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC): prospective study of British vegetarians and non-vegetarians

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations of a vegetarian diet and dietary fibre intake with risk of diverticular disease.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

The EPIC-Oxford study, a cohort of mainly health conscious participants recruited from around the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

47,033 men and women living in England or Scotland of whom 15,459 (33%) reported consuming a vegetarian diet.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Diet group was assessed at baseline; intake of dietary fibre was estimated from a 130 item validated food frequency questionnaire. Cases of diverticular disease were identified through linkage with hospital records and death certificates. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the risk of diverticular disease by diet group and fifths of intake of dietary fibre were estimated with multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up time of 11.6 years, there were 812 cases of diverticular disease (806 admissions to hospital and six deaths). After adjustment for confounding variables, vegetarians had a 31% lower risk (relative risk 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.86) of diverticular disease compared with meat eaters. The cumulative probability of admission to hospital or death from diverticular disease between the ages of 50 and 70 for meat eaters was 4.4% compared with 3.0% for vegetarians. There was also an inverse association with dietary fibre intake; participants in the highest fifth (≥25.5 g/day for women and ≥26.1 g/day for men) had a 41% lower risk (0.59, 0.46 to 0.78; P<0.001 trend) compared with those in the lowest fifth (<14 g/day for both women and men). After mutual adjustment, both a vegetarian diet and a higher intake of fibre were significantly associated with a lower risk of diverticular disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Consuming a vegetarian diet and a high intake of dietary fibre were both associated with a lower risk of admission to hospital or death from diverticular disease.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction and calyceal diverticulum in a child with Turner syndrome and horseshoe kidney

Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is considered to be a routine procedure in many pediatric surgical centers. UPJ obstruction is known to be associated with horseshoe kidney and several reports on successful laparoscopic repair in such cases exist. The case of a 9-month-old girl with Turner syndrome is reported. A horseshoe kidney with grade 4 hydronephrosis on the left side was diagnosed by ultrasound during the neonatal period. MAG3 diuretic renography and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging nephrography revealed a differential renal function of 31% and 69% on the left and right side, respectively. No drainage from the left renal pelvis could be demonstrated. Laparoscopy showed a combined UPJ obstruction and a calyceal diverticulum with a narrow infundibulum of the upper pole calices on the left side of the horseshoe kidney. Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and an additional infundibulopelvic anastomosis was performed. No intraoperative complications occurred. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful. Unobstructed drainage and stable differential renal function on the left side could be demonstrated on MAG3 diuretic renography 6 weeks postoperatively. In conclusion, laparoscopic repair of complex malformations of the upper urinary tract is feasible and leads to good functional outcome in selected cases.

Complicated jejunal diverticula as surgical emergency: experience at a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Diverticula of small intestine are rare. Jejunal diverticula can be single or multiple. Diverticula in the jejunum tend to be large and multiple. Clinically they may be asymptomatic or may give rise to symptoms like pain, flatulence and borborygmi, may produce malabsorption syndrome or may present in emergency with different acute pathologies like perforation, haemorrhage, obstruction, enterolith formation and inflammation. The Objective was to see the pattern of complications in jejunal diverticula presenting as a surgical emergency.

METHODS

This descriptive study was conducted at Surgical Units of the 3 tertiary care Hospitals of Peshawar, for 7 years from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008. Study included all patients presenting to and admitted in Surgical Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar with complicated jejunal diverticula during the above mentioned period. Name, age, sex, other relevant data, history and examination findings and results of investigation were recorded. Uncomplicated jejuna diverticula were excluded from study. The operative findings and the type of complication were recorded.

RESULTS

Ten patients were admitted during 7 years of study. Out of all patients 9 were male and 1 was female. Eight out of 10 patients presented with perforation of diverticula while 1 patient had severe inflammation of diverticulum causing pain, ileus and acute abdomen. One patient had acute pain due to adhesion formation.

CONCLUSION

It is seen that complicated jejunal diverticulae are quite rare and the most common complication is perforation. Inflammation and adhesion are other complications with which jejunal diverticula presented during this study.

Juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula early and late clinical and therapeutical implications

The aim of this paper is to identify the early and late implications of JPDD for biliary pathology, as well as for endoscopic therapy and classical surgery dealing mainly with lithiasis. This paper is based on a retrospective study comprising a number of 675 ERCP performed on 601 patients between 1997-2007, out of which 399 cases were followed by therapeutic measures. A total of 79 procedures were performed on 65 cases with JPDD. The main criteria were: gender, age, indications regarding the performance of ERCP+/-ES, complications that occurred while carrying out these procedures. In all the cases examined (601) the percentage of JPDD reported was of 10.81%. The rate of complications in the sphincterotomized patients without JPDD was 5.75% and the rate in the sphincterotomized patients with JPDD was 14.89%. In conclusion, the paper discusses the clinical and therapeutic implications of JPDD in biliary pathology. It has been found that JPDD is an important etiological cause for the late diseases occurring after cholelithiasis surgery. JPDD also leads to immediate therapeutic implications such as: difficult cannulation and high incidence of ERCP+/-ES complications.

[Diverticular disease--the rules of management]

Diverticular disease it is one from the most common disease, and the number of young people with this illness is increasing last time. It is connected with our life style: without physical activity and low-fiber diet. Main symptoms of diverticular disease can be mild (like: abdominal pain, flatulence, constipations or diarrhea) but can also be connected with serious complications (like perforation or bleeding). The aim of this article was assigning the rules of diagnostics and treatment both mild and severe causes of this illness. Methods of prevention were also presented.

[Diverticulosis of the colon end its complications under the mask of emergency surgical abdomen--10 years experience]

OBJECTIVES

estimating the prevalence of colonic diverticulosis and its complications studied at the clinic for 10-years period as well as the approaches for its operative treatment and analysis of the subsequent results. CASES AND APPROACHES: During the period 1998-2008 56 patients were hospitalized (31 women and 25 men) at the Surgical department of the University hospital "Alexandrovska". They had different forms of colonic diverticulosis. The average age of the patients was 66.7. The retrospective analysis divides the patients into three clinical groups: 1st group--peritonitis and pericolic abscess caused by diverticulosis--present in 49 patients. 2nd group--chronic non-specific inflammatory infiltrate and fistula--present in 5 patients. 3rd group--severe haemorrhage and anaemic syndrome--present in 2 patients

RESULTS

Mortality-rate is 12.5% (7 patients). 10 patients with complications were registered--5 with suppuration of the surgical wound and 5 with pneumonia and pleural effusion.

CONCLUSION

Colonic diverticulosis is a disease of great surgical interest because of its complicated forms requiring conventional or surgical treatment. Various forms of peritonitis which are part of the emergency surgical abdomen domain are relatively frequent complication of the gastrointestinal (in particular of the colon) diverticulosis. They are difficult to diagnose in the pre-operative period and its not easy to take a decision about the particular operative approach. All that is related with the relatively high morbidity and mortality.

Body mass index and diverticular disease: a 28-year follow-up study in men

PURPOSE

Diverticular disease increased steadily concomitant with elevated rates of overweight and obesity during the 20th century. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether overweight and obesity in midlife predict future diverticular disease in men.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of a general population of men living in Göteborg, Sweden. A community-based sample of 7,494 men, investigated when aged 47 to 55 years, were followed from baseline in 1970 to 1973 for a maximum of 28 years. Hospitalization with a discharge diagnosis of diverticular disease according to the Swedish hospital discharge register was measured.

RESULTS

Totally, 112 men (1.5 percent) were hospitalized with diverticular disease. A relationship between body mass index and diverticular disease was demonstrated; men with a body mass index between 20 and 22.5 kg/m2 had the lowest risk. After adjustment for covariates, the risk increased linearly in men who had a body mass index of 22.5 to 25 (multiple-adjusted hazard ratio, 2.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.9-6; 25-27.5 (hazard ratio, 3 (1.2-7.6)), 27.5-30 (hazard ratio 3.2, (1.2-8.6)), and 30 or greater (hazard ratio 4.4, (1.6-12.3)) kg/m2 (P for linear trend = 0.004). Men with a body mass index of < or =20 kg/m2 had a nonsignificantly elevated risk (hazard ratio, 3 (0.7-12.5)). Smoking (hazard ratio, 1.6 (1.1-2.3) and diastolic blood pressure (hazard ratio, 1.02 (1.01-1.04) per mmHg) also were independently related to risk of diverticular disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large community-based sample of middle-aged men, overweight and obesity were strongly linked to future severe diverticular disease leading to hospitalization.

Ventricular Diverticula on Cardiac CT: More Common Than Previously Thought

OBJECTIVE

We describe the findings of contrast-enhanced gated cardiac CT in 15 patients with 23 incidentally noted cardiac ventricular diverticula.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac diverticula most commonly occur in the left ventricle but have been reported to occur in all chambers of the heart. Despite reports of their rare occurrence, cardiac ventricular diverticula are fairly common findings in patients undergoing cardiac MDCT angiography.

Relationship between intraduodenal peri-ampullary diverticulum and biliary disease in 178 patients undergoing ERCP

BACKGROUND

The presence of intraduodenal peri-ampullary diverticulum is often observed during upper digestive tract barium meal studies and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A few papers in China and overseas reported that the diverticulum had something to do with the incidence of cholelithiasis. This study was undertaken to further test this notion and ascertain the relationship between intraduodenal peri-ampullary diverticulum and biliary disease, especially the formation of bile duct pigment stones.

METHODS

A total of 178 patients who had undergone ERCP or endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) were studied retrospectively. They were divided into 6 groups according to the category of biliary disease, and the incidence rates of intraduodenal peri-ampullary diverticulum were calculated.

RESULTS

There were 44 patients with intraduodenal peri-ampullary diverticulum in 81 patients with primary bile duct pigment stones (54.32%), 4 in 8 patients with bile duct stones and gallbladder stones (50%), 7 in 33 patients with bile duct stones secondary to gallbladder stones (21.21%), 3 in 21 patients with inflammation and stricture of the end of the bile duct and papilla (14.29%), 1 in 22 patients with carcinoma of the end of the bile duct and papilla (4.54%), and 5 in 13 patients with post-cholecystectomy syndrome or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (38.46%).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence rate of intraduodenal peri-ampullary diverticulum in patients with primary bile duct pigment stones is higher than that in patients with bile duct stones secondary to gallbladder stones, patients with inflammation and stricture of the end of the bile duct and papilla, and patients with carcinoma of the end of the bile duct and papilla. These findings indicate that the anatomical abnormalities and malfunction of the sphincter of Oddi play an important role in the formation of bile duct pigment stones.

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Severe hematochezia is a common reason for hospitalization but the causes have changed in the last decade. Changes are in part related to the aging population, the evaluation and treatment by colonoscopists rather than surgeons or non-endoscopists, and the changes in colonoscopic practices such as piecemeal polypectomy. A careful history, physical examination, rectal examination, and nasogastric lavage may help localize the bleeding site and focus the differential diagnosis. This should be routine while resuscitating the patient. However, purging the colon for urgent colonoscopy may be the most definitive way to combine diagnosis and treatment of bleeding colonic lesions. Complete colonoscopy with intubation of the terminal ileum is recommended, and also examination of the rectum with a slotted anoscope. If those examinations are negative, a push enteroscopy is recommended for combined diagnosis and treatment. With recent advances in colonoscopic hemostasis, patients will benefit from diagnosis and treatment by experienced colonoscopists. Also, urgent colonoscopy after purge has been reported to be more cost-effective than elective colonoscopy or other strategies for diagnosis of severe hematochezia.

Physical and psychological co-morbidity in irritable bowel syndrome: a matched cohort study using the General Practice Research Database

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common problem known to have a complex relationship with psychological disorders and other physical symptoms. Little information, however, is available concerning physical and psychological comorbidity in irritable bowel syndrome patients studied over an extended period.

AIM

To evaluate physical and psychological morbidity 2 years before and during 6 years after the time of diagnosis in incident cases of irritable bowel syndrome and control subjects.

METHODS

A matched cohort study was implemented in 123 general practices using the General Practice Research Database. Irritable bowel syndrome cases (n = 1827) and controls (n = 3654) were compared for 2 years before and 6 years after diagnosis.

RESULTS

The age-standardized incidence of irritable bowel syndrome in patients over 15 years of age was 1.9 per 1,000 in men and 5.8 per 1,000 in women. From 2 years before the date of diagnosis, more irritable bowel syndrome cases (13%) than controls (5%) consulted with depression or were prescribed antidepressant drugs. Consultation and prescription rates for anxiety were also higher before diagnosis, and both anxiety and depression remained prevalent up to 6 years after diagnosis. Asthma, symptoms of urinary tract infection, gall-bladder surgery, hysterectomy and diverticular disease were recorded more frequently in irritable bowel syndrome patients, who were also more likely than controls to be referred to hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

People who are diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome experience more anxiety and depression and a range of physical problems, compared with controls; they are more likely to be referred to hospital.

[Epidemiology of gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly]

The epidemiological pattern of gastrointestinal bleed in western countries has been steadily changing over the last few years given the rising prevalence of an elderly population. In a one year prospective study at a referral hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, hospitalised patients were investigated with regards to the epidemiology of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Of 7406 hospitalisations, a total number of 224 GI bleeds were registered (53% women, mean age 71 +/- 16, 63% with relevant co morbidities). Of 197 patients with GI bleeds, 51% had upper and 37% lower gastrointestinal bleedings. 2% had concurrent upper and lower gastrointestinal bleedings and 10% remained unexplained. The following spectrum of lesions identified as bleeding sources was: 24% ulcer bleedings, 16% diverticular bleedings, 10% colitis, 10% esophagitis and 6% Mallory-Weiss lesions. The frequency of bleeds significantly increased with patient's age. In addition, diverticular bleeding in the elderly was highly associated with intake of Aspirin. The prognosis of gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly patients in this study was excellent with a bleeding associated mortality of only 3.1%.

[Incidence of urinary system malformations in children with the nephrotic syndrome]

The purposes of the study were a) to assess the incidence of urinary system malformations in children with the nephrotic syndrome (NS) and b) to estimate their effect on clinical course of the NS. A retrospective analysis comprised medical records of patients aged 2-18 years hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Nephrology, University Children's Hospital, Lublin. Urinary tract infections (UTI) occurred in 28% of children with the NS. Imaging evaluation revealed urinary system malformations in 21.2% of children with the NS and UTI. Urinary system malformations constituted 5.9% of all children hospitalized because of the NS. Urinary system malformations included vesico-ureteral reflux (42.8%), renal duplication (28.6%), renal agenesis (14.3%) and diverticulum of the bladder (14.3%). In 48% of children with the NS and urinary system malformations, frequent recurrences of the syndrome were observed.

Prevalence and radiologic and histologic appearance of vesicourachal diverticula in dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine prevalence and radiologic and histologic appearance of vesicourachal diverticula in dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract disease.

DESIGN

Original study.

ANIMALS

50 dogs between 4 months and 17 years old representing 22 breeds that had been euthanatized for unrelated reasons; none of the dogs had a history or clinical signs of urinary tract disease.

PROCEDURE

Retrograde positive-contrast radiography was performed, and radiographs were examined for macroscopic diverticula. Necropsy specimens from the urinary bladder vertex were examined by means of light microscopy for diverticula and signs of inflammation.

RESULTS

17 of the 50 (34%) dogs had vesicourachal diverticula, and 1 additional dog had a urachal cyst. Fifteen of the 17 diverticula were macroscopic; surface area of the diverticulum could be measured radiographically in 13 of these dogs and ranged from 1 to 90 mm2. The remaining 2 diverticula were microscopic. Sixteen diverticula were intramural and 1 was extramural. Light microscopic signs of bladder wall inflammation could be detected in 5 dogs, 4 of which had macroscopic diverticula.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that a high percentage of dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract disease may have vesicourachal [corrected] diverticula. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of vesicourethral diverticula in dogs.

[Duodenal diverticula and choledocholithiasis in own material]

The detectability of duodenal diverticula (DD), a common duodenal pathology, has been growing with the increasing availability of endoscopic examinations, and especially of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). The study is a retrospective analysis of incidence rates of DD and accompanying diseases of bile ducts, liver and pancreas detected by ERCP. We performed 8642 ERCP examinations between 1974 and 2001, which detected DD in 622 (7.2%) patients. Of these, 409 (65.8%) had choledocholithiasis, and 97 (15.6%) liver, gallbladder, bile ducts or pancreatic cancer. In the remaining 106 (17.0%) patients no pathologies requiring surgical intervention were found by radiological examination of bile ducts and pancreatic duct. In 10 (1.6%) patients with DD, caniulation of Vater papilla was not performed due to its anatomical location. Obtained results confirm relationship between DD and choledocholithiasis. It has not been established whether DD predispose to choledocholithiasis by interfering with bile duct emptying and causing bile lithogenicity, or rather that duodenal diverticula are caused by a concrement moved to duodenum by contractions of the gallbladder or sphincter of Oddi.

Overview of the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption for the dietetics professional: selected literature

Epidemiologic evidence of a protective role for fruits and vegetables in cancer prevention is substantial. The strength of this scientific base guides US national policymaking in diet and health issues and facilitates community and local programs that address national dietary goals to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Current scientific evidence also suggests a protective role for fruits and vegetables in prevention of coronary heart disease, and evidence is accumulating for a protective role in stroke. In addition, a new scientific base is emerging to support a protective role for fruits and vegetables in prevention of cataract formation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diverticulosis, and possibly, hypertension. This article provides an overview of the health benefits associated with fruit and vegetable consumption for each of these conditions, including brief discussions of underlying protective mechanisms, identifies key scientific findings regarding the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, and outlines applications of these findings for dietetics professionals. The evidence reviewed provides additional support for increased consumption of a wide variety of vegetables, in particular, dark-green leafy, cruciferous, and deep-yellow-orange ones, and a wide variety of fruits, in particular, citrus and deep-yellow-orange ones. Continued attention to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is a practical and important way to optimize nutrition to reduce disease risk and maximize good health.