Repeated pneumatic dilations as long-term maintenance therapy for esophageal achalasia.

Introduction: In esophageal achalasia, pneumatic dilations (PD) provide short-term and long-term remission rates of 60-90% and 40-50%, respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of repeated PD as long-term maintenance therapy.

Patients And Methods: From 1992 to 2004, 150 patients with esophageal achalasia treated by PD were included in this retrospective study (78 males, mean age 57 +/- 20 yr).

Efficacy of intravenous cyclosporin in moderately severe ulcerative colitis refractory to steroids.

Objective: The efficacy of intravenous cyclosporin (CSA) in acute severe ulcerative colitis (UC) is well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate its efficacy in moderately severe colitis refractory to steroids.

Methods: Twenty-six patients (17 men, mean age 41 +/- 14 yr) with UC refractory to steroids treated with CSA were included in this study.