Prospective evaluation of transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy: feasibility and study on performance and tolerance

BACKGROUND

With a pediatric endoscope, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) can be performed via a nasal route in adults. To evaluate this new procedure, we conducted a randomized comparative study of the feasibility of diagnostic transnasal EGD and assessed the factors influencing its quality and tolerance (endoscope diameter or route).

METHODS

Transnasal EGD was attempted in 100 patients to assess its feasibility. For the analysis of quality and tolerance, 150 patients were randomized as follows into 3 groups according to the route of examinations: (1) oral route with 9.8 mm diameter standard videoendoscope; (2) oral route with 6.0 mm diameter pediatric videoendoscope; (3) transnasal route with 6.0 mm diameter pediatric videoendoscope. The operator assessed the quality of examination by standard scores. Patients quantified pain intensity, nausea, and choking sensation.

RESULTS

Transnasal EGD was feasible in 82% of patients. The quality of the examination was significantly lower with pediatric endoscope. No difference was noted concerning pain intensity, but nausea and choking sensation were significantly reduced when the nasal route was used.

CONCLUSIONS

Transnasal EGD is feasible in the routine practice of diagnostic EGD. The nasal route, and not endoscope diameter (6.0 mm vs 9.8 mm diameter), is the determining factor that explains increased patient tolerance during transnasal EGD. Technical improvements in pediatric videoendoscopes are required.

Five-year survival after transhiatal resection of esophageal carcinoid tumor with a lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND

Carcinoid tumors of the esophagus are rare. Most reported cases have had a poor prognosis. The authors report the case of a 64-year-old man with a 4-cm carcinoid tumor of the lower esophagus.

METHODS

Following endoscopic resection of an argyrophilic, nonargentaffin, carcinoid tumor of the lower esophagus, endosonography showed residual tumor, suggestive of a metastatic lymph node. The findings were confirmed at transhiatal esophagectomy.

RESULTS

No recurrence has been observed along the current 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymph node metastasis does not rule out the possibility of prolonged survival in esophageal carcinoids. Endosonography is strongly advisable for preoperative evaluation.

Mutagens, N-nitroso compounds and their precursors in gastric juice from patients with and without precancerous lesions of the stomach

This study examined whether elevated risk of gastric cancer is associated with high levels of total N-nitroso compounds (NOC), their precursors and nitrosation-dependent genotoxins in gastric juice (GJ). An improved method for quantifying total NOC was used and genotoxicity was assayed in E. coli. Results from patients (n = 210) with or without precancerous lesions of the stomach and living in three areas with up to 8-fold variations in gastric cancer risk (U.K., France, Colombia) were compared. The level of nitrite (range < 1-472 mumol/l) was found to increase with the pH of GJ from the three countries and was dependent on country of collection. The levels of NOC (range: < or = 0.01-8.0 mumol/l) in GJ were not affected by stomach histology and country of collection. NOC levels increased linearly with nitrite concentrations, but the slope of the regression line was greater for acidic GJ (pH < or = 4). These data together suggest that chemical nitrosation contributes at least as much as other nitrosation pathways to the intragastric formation of NOC. Acid-catalysed nitrosation of GJ in vitro increased the NOC concentration (range: 7-1332 mumol/l) up to several 1000-fold but this increase was not predictive of gastric cancer risk either by country or by stomach histology. After acid-catalysed nitrosation, direct genotoxicity (SOS-inducing potency) was significantly higher in GJ with original pH > 4 and highest in samples from Colombia. The results (a) provide no support that intragastric total NOC levels are elevated in subjects with precancerous stomach lesions or living in a high risk area for stomach cancer; (b) confirm that a high nitrite level and elevated pH in GJ are strongly associated, the level of nitrite being associated with precancerous stomach conditions only in Colombia; (c) reveal the presence of precursor compounds in GJ, that after nitrosation yield direct mutagens that probably contain NOC and other substances. As their concentrations were significantly higher in achlorhydric subjects and highest in Colombian patients, these data together provide support for a role of intragastrically formed nitrite-derived direct mutagens in gastric cancer aetiology.

Lymphocytic gastritis versus varioliform gastritis. A historical series revisited

A historical series of varioliform gastritis published in 1978 by Lambert et al. (Digestion 1978; 17: 159-167) was revisited by two pathologists. The histological preparations from 35 patients were reread and interpreted in the light of endoscopic data found in the files. The results demonstrate a strict correlation between clinical diffuse varioliform gastritis and a recently recognized histopathological entity--lymphocytic gastritis, which is characterized by intense lymphocytic infiltration of the surface and foveolar epithelium. The rare discrepancies occur in Crohn's disease and in varioliform gastritis limited to part of the stomach, mostly the antrum.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma following Heller myotomy for achalasia

We describe a patient who developed an esophageal adenocarcinoma 25 years after esophagomyotomy for achalasia. The tumor arose in a Barrett's esophagus, suggesting gastroesophageal acid reflux following the Heller procedure.

Adenocarcinoma in columnar-lined Barrett's esophagus. Analysis of 13 esophagectomies

From 1977 to 1982, 13 patients with adenocarcinoma arising in the distal esophagus lined by columnar epithelium underwent esophagectomy with detailed analysis of the pathologic specimen. In three patients, microinvasive carcinoma was detected before dysplasia occurred. In five patients, the ectopic mucosa was discontinuous, prolonged cranially by islands of columnar epithelium scattered in the squamous mucosa. Variable degrees of dysplasia were found in the columnar epithelium in seven specimens in areas of intestinal metaplasia. In four patients with high-grade dysplasia, several foci of intramucosal carcinoma were identified. They were scattered over the whole length of the ectopic mucosa. These data strongly suggest that adenocarcinoma develops from dysplasia, the real premalignant lesion. Careful periodic screening must be carried out in patients identified as having Barrett's esophagus. Dysplasia may be detected and located by endoscopy with dye spraying with directed biopsies. Patients with high-grade dysplasia should undergo esophagectomy with resection of the whole ectopic mucosa because they are at high risk for development of carcinoma.

Evidence for anaphylactic reactions in peptic ulcer and varioliform gastritis

The theory of an allergic participation in the pathogenesis of gastric erosions occurring in varioliform gastritis and in peptic ulcer was tested in humans. Biopsies were obtained from the edges of gastric and duodenal ulcers and from the erosion edges of varioliform gastritis as well as from surrounding duodenal, antral and fundic mucosae. Intracellular immunofluorescence staining was used to identify mucosal plasma cells. The lesion edges were characterized by a marked increase of IgE cells. These features justify new therapeutic orientations.

Randomised placebo-controlled double-blind trial of two dosages of sodium cromoglycate in treatment of varioliform gastritis: comparison with cimetidine

Eighteen patients with diffuse varioliform gastritis were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sodium cromoglycate, 200 mg a day, and sodium cromoglycate, 400 mg a day, for 28 days. An additional six patients were treated with cimetidine 1 g daily for 28 days. The improvement in terms of patient's subjective assessment, endoscopic assessment, and immunohistochemical measurements of IgE cells in the mucosa was significantly greater in patients given sodium cromoglycate than that in those given cimetidine or placebo. The results provide evidence that type 1 hypersensitivity plays some part in the pathogenesis of varioliform gastritis. It is, therefore, important to differentiate this condition from other types of gastritis, as treatment with sodium cromoglycate appears to be affective.

[Superficial gastric cancer. Results of surgery in 30 cases (author's transl)]

Gastrectomy was performed in 30 patients with superficial gastric cancer, equivalent to 12 p. cent of cases operated upon for gastric neoplasms since 1970. Presenting signs were epigastralgia in 19 cases (in 12 cases of the ulcer type), external bleeding from the digestive tract in 4 cases, dyspeptic disorders in 2 cases, and anaemia in one patient. The lesion was asymptomatic in 4 cases, while in 3 patients it was detected by endoscopy after polypectomy or for achlorhydria. In one case the lesion was discovered completely fortuitously. Cancer was suspected by the endoscopist from gross pathological findings in 7 of the 30 cases. An adenocarcinoma was diagnosed after biopsy in 26 cases, and suspected in the remaining 4 patients. Sub-total gastrectomy was employed in 27 cases, total gastrectomy in 2 cases, and extension to a total gastrectomy in one patient. Gross pathology showed cancer of type I : 8 cases, type II (IIa : 1, IIb : 0, IIc : 10) : 11 cases, type III : 6 cases, and mixed types IIc + III : 5 cases. The submucosa was invaded 17 times, the other 13 lesions involving the mucosa only. There were no immediate postoperative deaths. Three patients were not seen again, while 7 died from secondary causes : 5 for reasons unrelated to their cancer and 2 from unknown causes. By applying strict attention to surgical procedures and precise examination of histological data it should be possible to obtain postoperative survivals comparable to those of Japanese series (80 to 90 p. cent at 5 years, 70 p. cent at 10 years).

[G2 technic : a simplified procedure of reconstitution of the angle of His, applied to the treatment of hiatus hernia and malposition of the greater tuberosity (242 cases) (author's transl)]

A simple procedure of reconstitution of the angle of His applied to the treatment of hiatus hernia and malposition of the greater tuberosity is reported. Applied to 242 cases, it presents compared with the classical procedure several advantages : easy to carry out, including no complex manoevre, it does not endanger the vagus nerve and maintains firmly the anastomosis. Radiological control and, above all, the clinical results were excellent or good in 96% of cases, suggesting that this new procedure is perfectly valid.

Aspirin and gastrointestional bleeding. Interest of plasma salicylate determination

From history-taking and from analysis of plasma salicylate levels it is shown that a link exists between aspirin and gastrointestinal bleeding in 68% of cases. Salicylate levels alone indicate that aspirin has been taken in 22% of cases. Plasma salicylate measurement and endoscopy allow a better understanding of haemorrhagic lesions due to aspirin. Aspirin is responsible especially for haemorrhage from ulcers and acute gastritis or duodenitis. Aspirin is seen to be dangerous in a moderate number of susceptible individuals: those with peptic ulcer constitution or cirrhosis.

Benign tumors of oesophagus: value of endoscopy

Endoscopic examination carried out in 20,000 patients allowed 7 benign tumors of the oesophagus to be detected. Four of them were intramural tumors corresponding to leiomyomas. Guided biopsies are not sufficient to assure an accurate diagnosis, but a mucosal lesion, particularly a carcinoma, should be ruled out. Endoscopic resection of the 3 intraluminal tumours was performed without incidents, allowing an accurate histologic diagnosis and a reasonable therapeutic approach. Endoscopic supervision is necessary in case of epithelial tumors.

Diffuse varioliform gastritis

During 8 years experience, 90 cases of diffuse varioliform gastritis were observed (0.3% of examinations). Symptoms suggest either the presence of a gastroduodenal ulcer or of a digestive carcinoma when weight loss is prevalent. The disease proceeds by subacute evolutive bouts with remissions and further relapses. At endoscopy, lesions associate large folds in the fundus and erosive mucosal bulgings disseminated in the fundus and antrum. Histological alterations correspond to a superficial hyperplasic gastritis. Cellular infiltration of the lamina propria includes increased immunocytes population with an abnormal distribution of immunoglobulin classes. An increased percentage of IgE cells characterizes the disease as compared to inflammation in atrophic gastritis. Therapy is based upon agent inhibiting mastocytes degranulation and histamine antagonists. Diffuse varioliform gastritis must be separated from antral varioliform gastritis, a lesion with a higher frequency but no symptomatic individuality.

[Immuno-reactive somatostatin in acetic extracts of duodenal, antral and fundic biopsies (author's transl)]

The concentration of immunoreactive somatostatin in acetic extracts of duodenal, antral and fundic biopsies was estimated in 11 subjects with no gastric or duodenal abnormality and 21 duodenal ulcer patients by using a specific and reproducible radioimmunoassay. Somatostatin was detected in the duodenal, antral and fundic mucosa in normal subjects. As compared to the values in the control group, the concentrations in the duodenal ulcer patients were comparable in the antrum and duodenal bulb, and significantly higher in the fundus.