A case of bleeding gastric lipoma: US, CT and MR findings

We report a case of gastric lipoma which manifested with an episode of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Preoperative diagnosis was based on the US, CT, and MRI findings, as the results of gastrointestinal endoscopy were inconclusive. The role of current imaging methods, and particularly of MRI, is discussed.

Genetic, immunologic, and environmental heterogeneity of IDDM. Incidence and 12-mo follow-up of an Italian population

The 1-yr incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in a population of the Piedmont and Aosta Valley area of Italy was recorded. Anti-virus antibodies (e.g., Coxsackie B1-6, mumps, cytomegalovirus), islet cell antibodies (ICAs), and HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR were determined in 74 IDDM patients (38 males, 36 females) and in controls. Total IDDM incidence was 5.0/100,000, and the incidence for those less than 20 yr of age was 11.6/100,000. Anti-virus antibody frequency was not different in IDDM patients and controls. ICAs were present in 58% of IDDM patients at onset and in 30% after 12 mo, and complement-fixing ICAs were found in 39 and 17%, respectively. IDDM was significantly and positively associated with DR3/DR4 and negatively associated with DR2 and DR5. ICA frequency was significantly higher in DR3/DR4 heterozygote patients than in patients without DR3 and DR4. These results suggest that in this IDDM population viral etiology is not evident, ICAs offer only a partial pathogenetic explanation, and genetic and immunologic heterogeneity is evident.

Intrahepatic localization of the surface (HBsAg) and core (HBcAg) antigenic determinants associated with hepatitis B virus in biopsy samples from patients with liver disease

109 biopsy samples from 35 HBAg serologically positive and 74 negative patients were examined by IFL for the presence of the surface and core antigenic determinants associated with the Dane particle. In no serologically negative case was specific IFL detected. Different patterns were observed in serologically positive patients: negative in acute hepatitis, strongly positive cytoplasmic HBs fluorescence in chronic HBAg carriers with normal liver, and discrete HBsAg parenchymal and mesenchymal staining and variable HBcAg staining in chronic liver disease, with HBsAg appearing more frequently in active and HBcAg in active disease. These results are compared with recent reports in this field and the clinical significance of the intrahepatic localization of HBAg is discussed.

Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcer: a long-term double-blind randomized study in patients healed with H2-receptor antagonists

BACKGROUND

The NIH Consensus Conference in 1994 (1) concluded that all patients with peptic ulcer disease should be tested and treated for Helicobacter pylori and that further evaluation was needed for patients in remission.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated in a double blind randomization 30 patients whose duodenal ulcers had been healed with H2-receptor antagonists and who remained in remission on maintenance therapy. After ulcer healing and the presence of H. pylori had been confirmed, these patients were randomized to receive eradication therapy or placebo and were followed for a mean period of 23 months.

RESULTS

Almost all patients receiving placebo had ulcer recurrence, whereas the patients treated with antibiotics demonstrate a low recurrence rate.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest, for the first time to our knowledge, the importance of treating with antibiotics duodenal ulcer patients whose disease is in remission.

Helicobacter pylori antibodies (CagA and VacA) detection. The link between cancer and infection

BACKGROUND

Infection with different genotypes of virulent Helicobacter pylori (Hp) strain, CagA and/or VacA positive, can play a role in the development of atrophic gastritis, duodenal ulcer (DU), and gastric carcinomas (GC). This study was undertaken to investigate if patients with GC with Hp negative histological Giemsa staining had a past infection by virulent strains of Hp CagA and/or VacA positive.

METHODS

Twenty GC, (average age +/- SD) 68.14+/-9.8 years old, Hp negative to histological take part to the study. Two-control group were included: 19 Hp infected patients with DU eradicated 10 years before, 58+/-18.2 yrs. Hp negative status was determined every year with histology and follow-up after therapy was 120+/-32 months; range 96-144 months. Twenty asymptomatic children, 7+/-4.47 yrs, with Hp negative faecal test. The immunoblot assay was used to detect serum antibodies against CagA and VacA.

RESULTS

Prevalence of CagA and VacA seropositivity was 90 and 95% in GC, 84 and 84% in DU Hp negative, 25 and 5% in children Hp negative, respectively. CagA and VacA antibody positivity was not significantly different between GC and patients with DU eradicated 10 years before. A true significant positivity was found against children (''t''-Student test; p<0.0001). Statistical difference was found in age between groups p<0.03.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with GC, although Hp negative at present, could be infected by Hp before the appearance of the disease as confirmed by CagA and VacA seropositivity. These data may reinforce the idea to consider Hp as a direct carcinogenetic agent of GC.

[Helicobacter pylori in patients undergoing periodic hemodialysis]

Forty-nine haemodialyzed patients have been submitted consecutively, under informed consent, to endoscopy with multiple antral gastric mucosa biopsies for Helicobacter pylori (HP) identification, performed by urease, microscopic and cultural tests, as well as histologic examination. Patients have been considered HP negative when negative for all tests; positivity for HP has been correlated with gastritis histologically evaluated according to Whitehead; at endoscopy, blood samples for HP specific IgG, IgA, IgM have been collected; patient's life style concerning smoke, alcohol and drugs as FANS has been investigated as well. HP prevalence in our haemodialyzed patients is 38.8 per cent, similar to general population submitted to endoscopy; a statistically significant correlation between HP and gastritis and specific IgG, but no correlation between HP and age, dialysis duration, IgA, IgM, smoking, alcohol or drugs consumption has been found.

Gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia changes 8 years after Helicobacter pylori eradication. A blind, randomised study

BACKGROUND

Chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia are regarded as predisposing factors for gastric cancer associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, and their severity appears to influence gastric cancer risk. Our purpose was to determine the outcome of chronic gastritis after H. pylori eradication in a long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Fifty-four consecutive patients with duodenal ulcer and H. pylori infection were enrolled in the study. Endoscopic examination with antral and corporal biopsy was done at baseline and yearly after conventional eradication therapy (omeprazole 40 mg b.i.d., amoxocyllin 1 g b.i.d and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d.). Gastritis, atrophy, and metaplasia were graded according to the updated Sydney System.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were successfully treated; infection persisted in 14 and 16 dropped out (during the first 5 years of follow-up). Inflammation and mean neutrophil activity significantly decreased in patients in whom H. pylori was eradicated. Glandular atrophy improved in 2 and disappeared in 5/17 patients, whereas intestinal metaplasia improved in 3 and disappeared in 2/12. In the patients in whom H. pylori persisted, inflammatory infiltrate, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia had not significantly decreased during follow-up. In contrast, glandular atrophy worsened in 2 and developed in 5/7 patients. Similarly, intestinal metaplasia did not improve when present and developed in 5/13 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In a long-term follow-up, H. pylori eradication does not affect glandular atrophy, but it seems to prevent the development of precancerous lesions such as intestinal metaplasia.

Diagnostic use of endoscopic mucosal resection in ''borderline'' gastric lesions unresolved with standard biopsies

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of gastric superficial malignancies less than 20 mm in size and flat or slightly elevated without ulceration can be a definitive treatment, but its role in lesions of uncertain etiology or in which standard biopsies specimens fail to determine diagnosis is uncertain. EMR was performed in 7 patients previously diagnosed as having low grade dysplasia (Category 3 of Vienna classification) by standard biopsies on polypoid or flat gastric lesions.

METHODS

After day spraying with 0.2% indigo carmine and injection of 20 ml saline with adrenaline 1/20000, EMR of flat or sessile polyps (size between 5 to 15 mm) was performed by the Cap and Suction technique (Inoue).

RESULTS

In 3 patients a previous diagnosis of low grade dysplasia was changed into high grade dysplasia, in 1 patient adenocarcinoma was found at EMR histology. In 3 patients EMR confirmed diagnosis made with routine endoscopy biopsies and finally in 2 patients dysplasia was down-graded into intestinal metaplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

EMR may be considered in diagnostic gastric lesions with low grade dysplasia at standard biopsies (Category 3 of Vienna Classification of gastrointestinal neoplasia).

[Dieulafoy ulcer associated with acute drug-induced gastritis: a rare case]

The lesion in Dieulafoy's disease consists of an unusually large and tortuous artery in the base of an ulcer. The disease is underdiagnosed rather than truly rare and often presents with a massive and potentially fatal, usually repeated, haematemesis. The authors describe a case of Dieulafoy's disease associated with acute drug-induced gastritis whose gravity required, in the case reported, a very serious emergency treatment.

[Complicated torsion of the gallbladder. Presentation of a clinical case]

A case of gallbladder torsion complicated by sigmoid volvulus and sub-torsion of the ileus is reported because of the difficulty of diagnosis, conditioned by polymorphic symptomatology, the expression of a variety of causes and contributing causes that play an important role in the greater or less onset of dramatic symptomatology, and because of the rarity of the pathology.

Gastric carcinoma risk index, type III intestinal metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori status on antrum and body biopsies in a prospective general population study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the utility of 2 biopsies of antrum and gastric body on routinary endoscopy for the assessment of type III intestinal metaplasia (IM-3) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) status, 1750 patients (pts) (895 males and 855 females, mean age 60.2) were considered from June 1998 to June 2000.

METHODS

Specimens were graded 0 to 3 for atrophy, IM-3 and Hp status. 620 pts treated previously with antibiotics or not eligible for biopsy were excluded from initial 2360 pts.

RESULTS

IM-3 (score >0), was found in 118 pts (6.7%), 86 pts (4.9%) only in the antrum. Ten of 355 pts (2.8%) with normal endoscopy findings and 47 of 702 (6.6%) with non erosive endoscopic gastritis resulted IM-3 positive in the antrum. 709 pts (40.5%) were found positive for Hp in antrum or/and corpus. The presence of Hp and IM-3 in the antrum was not correlated (p=0.99; spearman test). A positive correlation (p=0.000) between duodenal ulcer and Hp was found when antral Hp positivity was taken into account. Gastric carcinoma risk index (GCRI) was found in 358 pts (20.4%); in this group 131 pts (36.6%) were Hp positive, 82 pts (23%) have IM-3, 184 pts (51.4%) have atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of IM-3 is low (6.7%) in routinary endoscopy. Normal endoscopy does not exclude the presence of IM-3. The biopsy is necessary to discover IM-3 in the antrum in 5.3% of pts with normal or aspecific endoscopic gastritis. Application of the GCRI might be useful to identify a group of patients carrying a higher risk for gastric carcinoma.