Mirizzi's syndrome must be ruled out in the differential diagnosis of any patients with obstructive jaundice.

Background/aims: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare benign complication of long-standing cholelithiasis and neither diagnostic modality nor clinical feature has a 100% sensitivity and specificity. The objective of our study was to call attention to the importance of this rare syndrome with its miscellaneous treatments.

Methodology: Between January 1992 and June 1997, a total of 8 (4 females and 4 males) patients, who were operated and diagnosed as Mirizzi syndrome, were retrospectively evaluated.

High dose octreotide in the management of acute pancreatitis.

Background/aims: Controversial results are present in clinical studies on the effect of octreotide in the treatment of patients with acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of octreotide in biochemical, physiological and radiological prognostic criteria of acute pancreatitis at the end of 48 hours.

Methodology: Between January 1995 and August 1997, we conducted a prospective controlled clinical study.