Tumours in the Small Bowel

Small bowel tumours are rare and originate from a wide variety of benign and malignant entities. Adenocarcinomas are the most frequent primary malignant small bowel tumours. Submucosal tumours like gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) or neuroendocrine tumours (NET) may show a central umbilication, pathologic vessels, bridging folds or an ulceration of the overlying mucosa. These signs help to differentiate them from harmless bulges caused by impression from outside, e.g. from other intestinal loops. Sarcomas of the small bowel are rare neoplasias with mesenchymal origin, sometimes presenting as protruding masses. Benign tumours like lipoma, fibrolipoma, fibroma, myoma, and heterotopias typically present as submucosal masses. They cannot be differentiated endoscopically from those with malignant potential as GIST or NET. Neuroendocrine carcinomas may present with diffuse infiltration, which may resemble other malignant tumours. The endoscopic appearance of small bowel lymphomas has a great variation from mass lesions to diffuse infiltrative changes. Melanoma metastases are the most frequent metastases to the small bowel. They may be hard to distinguish from other tumours when originating from an amelanotic melanoma. Keywords: Small bowel tumours, GIST, NET, Melanoma, Lymphoma, Sarcoma, Vide

Biliary stent occlusion--a problem solved with self-expanding metal stents? European Wallstent Study Group

The main limitation in the endoscopic palliation of malignant biliary obstruction is due to stent blockage. One of the factors thought to be of importance is the diameter of the endoprosthesis. In this paper, we report the results of a multicenter European study with a one cm diameter self-expanding metal stent (Wallstent) in 103 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Insertion of the stent following guidewire positioning was successful in 97.1% of the patients without any cases of de novo cholangitis developing after the endoscopic procedure. The median follow-up for the entire group was 145 days. In all but 3 patients, the stent expanded to more than 80% of its maximum diameter. Two patients had ongoing cholangitis after stent insertion. Long-term complications manifested by late cholangitis, were seen in 18% of the cases after a median interval of 125 days. The occlusion rate by biliary sludge was 5% after a median time period of 175 days which is substantially less than the 21% occlusion rate reported for polyethylene stents. In conclusion, our results show that the Wallstent can be easily placed in distal and mid-CBD strictures after guidewire passage, with most of the patients having a- good drainage effect. The occlusion rate by biliary sludge is significantly less than for conventional polyethylene stents, but the occlusion by tumor ingrowth is substantial. A disadvantage is the high cost of the Wallstent. Further randomized trials will be required to determine the cost-benefit ratio for the use of this sten

Outcome and clinical course of EHEC O104 infection in hospitalized patients: A prospective single center study

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>Shiga-toxin producing O157:H7 Entero Haemorrhagic E. coli [STEC/EHEC] are the most common cause of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome [HUS] related to infectious haemorrhagic colitis. Nearly all recommendations on long term treatment of EHEC infections refer to this strain. The 2011 outbreak in Northern Europe was the first of this dimension to be caused by the serotype O104:H4. We report on the 3.5 year follow up of 61 patients diagnosed with symptomatic EHEC O104:H4 infection in spring 2011.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Patients with EHEC O104 infection were followed in a monocentric, prospective observational study at four time points: 4, 12, 24 and 36 months. These data include the patients’ histories, clinical findings, and complications.</p><p>Results</p><p>Sixty-one patients suffering from EHEC O104:H4 associated enterocolitis participated in the study at the time of hospital discharge. The mean age of patients was 43 ± 2 years, 37 females and 24 males. 48 patients participated in follow up 1 [FU 1], 34 patients in follow up 2 [FU 2], 23 patients in follow up 3 [FU 3] and 18 patients in follow up 4 [FU 4]. Out of 61 patients discharged from the hospital and included in the study, 54 [84%] were examined at least at one additional follow up. Serum creatinine decreased significantly between discharge and FU 1 from 1.3 ± 0.1 mg/dl to 0.7 ± 0.1 mg/dl [p = 0.0045]. From FU 1 until FU 4, no further change in creatinine levels could be observed. The patients need of antihypertensive medications decreased significantly [p = 0.0005] between discharge and FU 1 after four months. From FU 1 until FU 3, 24 months later, no further significant change in antihypertensive treatment was observed.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our findings suggest that patients free of pathological findings at time of discharge do not need a specific follow up. Patients with persistent health problems at hospital discharge should be clinically monitored over four months to evaluate chronic organ damage. Progressive or new emerging renal damage could not be observed over time in any patient.</p></div

Trend of serum eGFR.

<p>Patients that suffered from EHEC infection with or without HUS, at the time of their hospital discharge. FU 1 (4 month, n = 48), FU 2 (12 month, n = 34), FU 3 (24 month, n = 23) and FU 4 (42 month, n = 18) (mean ± SD).</p

Trend of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

<p>Patients that suffered from EHEC infection with or without HUS, at the time of their hospital discharge. FU 1 (4 month, n = 48), FU 2 (12 month, n = 34), FU 3 (24 month, n = 23) and FU 4 (42 month, n = 18) (mean ± SD).</p

Trend of serum creatinine, urine albumin and antihypertensive drugs.

<p>Patient case of severe renal impairment at the time of hospital discharge. FU 1 (4 month, n = 48), FU 2 (12 month, n = 34), FU 3 (24 month, n = 23) and FU 4 (42 month, n = 18).</p