Haemobilia in a previously stented hilar cholangiocarcinoma: successful haemostasis after the insertion of fcSEMS

Haemobilia describes blood loss from the biliary tract and classically presents as Quincke's triad: upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. We discuss the case of a 70-year-old male with a previously stented Bismuth 1 hilar cholangiocarcinoma who presented with haematemesis. He had a similar presentation a month ago where a forward viewing gastroscope identified fresh and altered blood in the distal stomach but no clear source of bleeding. During this admission, a side-viewing duodenoscope identified bleeding from the periampullary region, which was managed by inserting a fully covered self-expanding metal stent (fcSEMS) within his pre-existing uncovered SEMS to tamponade the haemorrhage. This case highlights the importance of using a side-viewing duodenoscope for patients with UGIB on a background of a stented cholangiocarcinoma and inserting a fcSEMS within an uncovered SEMS is feasible and effective in managing these patients.

The effect of antirheumatic drugs on interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity and IL-1 and IL-1 inhibitor production by human monocytes

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is an important mediator of immune regulation, inflammation and joint destruction in arthritis. The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of a number of representative antirheumatic agents on the activity of IL-1 and the production of both IL-1 and IL-1 inhibitor by human monocytes. IL-1 activity and production were measured by its effect on the proliferation of murine thymocytes; IL-1 inhibitor production was assayed by inhibition of IL-1 mediated thymocyte proliferation. Dexamethasone (10-100 nM) inhibited IL-1 production and IL-1 mediated thymocyte proliferation. High concentrations of indomethacin, aspirin, and 12 other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) inhibited IL-1 activity, or production or both. Methotrexate inhibited IL-1 activity without affecting IL-1 production. D-penicillamine inhibited IL-1 activity and tended to inhibit IL-1 production. Gold compounds inhibited IL-1 activity, but only auranofin inhibited IL-1 production. Acetaminophen in high concentrations (1 mg/ml) inhibited IL-1 activity and production. Colchicine inhibited IL-1 activity but not IL-1 production. No drug tested induced, by itself, the production of IL-1 inhibitor or enhanced the production of IL-1 inhibitor.

[Gastroesophageal 99mTc scintigraphy in gastroesophageal reflux]

The aim of this study was to compare gastroesophageal 99mTc scintiscanning (GES), the pH reflux test (TRA) and esophageal manometry in the assessment of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). GES was performed after oral intake of sulfur colloid labeled with 99m technetium and 300 ml of water. Calculation of an index of reflux gave a semi-quantitative assessment of the GER. Sixty patients with symptoms of GER (typical in 51 cases, atypical in 9 cases) had the three tests. A GES was also performed in 17 normal volunteers and in 12 patients of the series after fundoplication. The diagnostic specificity of GES was 1.0 in GER. GES was less frequently positive than the pH reflux test in GER (68.6 p. 100 versus 80.4 p. 100) but the difference was not significant. These two tests were more sensitive than manometry. The index of reflux was higher in patients than in control subjects (p less than 0.0005) and returned to normal values after fundoplication. A correlation between the index of reflux and the stage of pH-reflux test was observed. It is suggested that GES can be used in the initial assessment of GER as an alternative to TRA and performed repeatedly during the follow-up of patients treated surgically.

[Completed calibrated fundoplication]

Complete fundoplication at present is the most effective surgical treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux. However, it has a number of side-effects, including post-operative dysphagia, inability to eructate and painful gastric distension. Fifty-five patients were operated upon using a technique which comprises wide gastric release and fabrication of a tension-free valve around a 50F probe introduced through the mouth. After 1 year, 94% of patients were free of reflux and 22% had mild dysphagia. After 3 years, the proportion of reflux-free patients still was 94%; 12% suffered from mild dysphagia and 6% had problems with eructation. Thus, calibration of the oesophagus with a 50F probe reduces the side-effects of complete fundoplication while remaining effective against gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Transient pulmonary impairment during attacks of Crohn's disease

Lung function was studied in 10 patients with Crohn's disease during and after an attack of the disease. Pulmonary volumes and lung transfer factor were not impaired but functional residual capacity was greater during the attack than during remission; it was also greater than in normal subjects. FRC values and disease activity decreased concomitantly during remission as well as finger clubbing. The etiology of this impairment was unknown.