Does cooling Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes aid insertion? An evidence based approach.

Objective: To survey current clinical practice concerning the use of Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tubes and to determine whether cooling the tubes alters their stiffness.

Methods: A telephone questionnaire was conducted of gastroenterology registrars and ITU departments in the North Thames region. The current clinical practice for insertion of SB tubes and the basis for this practice were determined in each case.

What proportion of dyspeptic patients having H. pylori breath test subsequently undergo endoscopy?

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) testing in young patients with uncomplicated dyspepsia has been recommended. A test and treat strategy for dyspeptics positive for HP is recommended by the European H. pylori Study Group and the American Gastroenterology Association.

Gastric dysrhythmias occur in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease complicated by food regurgitation but not in uncomplicated reflux.

Aim: To investigate gastric pacemaker activity in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease using the electrogastrogram.

Patients: Forty patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (20 with acid reflux, 20 with the additional symptom of food regurgitation) and 30 asymptomatic controls.

Methods: Patients were studied using an electrogastrogram, oesophageal manometry, and 24 hour ambulatory oesophageal pH analysis.

Abnormalities of the electrogastrogram in functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Objective: Cutaneous electrogastrography records gastric electrical activity and detects gastric arrhythmias. Abnormalities of the electrogastrogram have been described in a variety of disorders, but their specificity and their prevalence in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders has not been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the specificity of electrogastrography as well as the prevalence and pattern of abnormalities in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome.

The effect of cisapride on dyspepsia symptoms and the electrogastrogram in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Background: The electrogastrogram (EGG), which records gastric myoelectrical activity, is abnormal in one-third of adult patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD).

Aim: To observe the effects of cisapride on EGG in adults with NUD.

Methods: Twenty-seven NUD patients who had undergone a pre- and post-prandial EGG were entered into an open study.