[Endoscopic dilatation of caustic esophageal strictures].

Objective: To evaluate the results of endoscopic dilatation in caustic esophageal strictures and to analyze the factors associated with a favorable response.

Patients And Method: We performed a retrospective study of 33 patients who underwent dilatation with Savary bougie between 1989 and 2001. Response to initial dilatation and outcome during follow-up were analyzed.

[Early-onset acute toxic hepatitis induced by intravenous amiodarone administration].

Amiodarone is a widely used and effective long-term antiarrhythmic drug but with known adverse effects. Prolonged oral administration of this drug has been implicated in numerous hepatic lesions, ranging from isolated, asymptomatic transaminase elevation to fulminant, fatal liver failure. Few cases of acute hepatotoxicity due to intravenous administration have been reported.

[Doxycycline-induced esophageal ulcer].

We present the case of a 25-year-old woman who presented an esophageal ulcer due to doxycycline. We show the endoscopic image of the lesion and analyse the incidence, pathogenic mechanisms, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of doxycycline-induced esophageal lesions.

[Role of early colonoscopy in severe acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding].

Background: Severe acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (SALGIB) accounts for 15% of cases of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB). The incidence increases with age and comorbidity. Identification of the origin of bleeding may be difficult.

[Resident physician training in the digestive system. The point of view of the residents].

Aim: To evaluate various aspects of current training of Spanish residents in gastroenterology.

Method: An anonymous postal questionnaire was sent to fourth-year resident physicians in Spanish hospitals with accredited gastroenterology residency programs.

Results: Forty residents in the fourth year (53% offered positions), four from the second year and one from the first year (20 men, 25 women) answered the survey.

[Efficacy of fecal detection of Helicobacter pylori with the HpSA technique in patients with upper digestive hemorrhage].

Background: The rapid urease test is the most commonly used test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. However, some studies have suggested that results of this test are frequently false negative when blood is present. An effective new enzyme immunoassay for determining H.

[Reversible hypertransaminasemia after diet therapy].

An increase in transaminases may be due to multiple causes. We present a case of reversible hypertransaminasemia following specific dietary therapy. The various potential aetiopathogenies are reviewed to explain the raising of transaminase levels and the improvement in analytical results after the institution of this dietary treatment.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of the endoscopic treatment in volvulus of the colon].

Volvulus of the colon mainly affects the elderly and early surgery, with high morbidity and mortality, is often required. The efficacy of endoscopic devolvulization as an alternative is evaluated herein. From January 1993 to April 1999, 25 patients diagnosed with volvulus of the colon were retrospectively reviewed.

[Clinical approach to portal hypertension].

Portal Hypertension is one of the most common and severe complication arising from hepatic cirrhosis natural history. Its development conditions the patient prognosis, and its diagnosis and correct evaluation contribute to the correct management of the patient. New techniques for the measurement of portal pressure gradient allow the study and follow-up of patients with esophageal and gastric varices and with risk of hemorrhage, analyzing the efficacy of the treatment applied in a reliable and secure way.

[Study of 13 cases of anisakiasis in the province of Cordoba].

Anisakiasis, or anisakidosis, is a parasitic zoonosis due to the infestation by nematodes of the Anisakidae family, mainly by Anisakis simplex. Notwithstanding its world wide distribution, in our country its appearance is quite recent (1991) with only 19 cases previously reported. We refer 13 cases diagnosed in different hospitals in the province of Córdoba, Spain, from September 1994 to July 1998 which represents the biggest series described in Spain so far.

[Endoscopic drainage with polyethylene endoprosthesis of malignant obstructive jaundice].

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of endoscopic drainage of malignant obstructive jaundice with plastic endoprosthesis as well as to identify possible factors related with occlusion.

Patients And Methods: One-hundred and forty patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were retrospectively evaluated. The site of obstruction was proximal in 35 patients (25.

[The predictive factors of a good response to the transfusion of erythrocyte concentrates in patients with controlled digestive hemorrhage].

Introduction: Not all patients respond the same to the transfusion of erythrocyte concentrates (EC) after achieving the control of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to analyze the predictive factors of good response to EC transfusion in patients with controlled gastrointestinal hemorrhage and determine the stability of transfusion performance.

Patients And Methods: A prospective study was carried out in 61 patients with controlled gastrointestinal bleeding.

Iron-deficiency anemia due to chronic gastrointestinal bleeding.

Aims: chronic gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in the general population. The objectives of this study were to determine the most frequent gastrointestinal lesions in IDA, the frequency and localization of potentially bleeding lesions, the value of the clinical history in diagnosis, the value of fecal occult blood testing, and the most appropriate diagnostic procedure for these patients.

Methods: we prospectively studied 80 patients older than 40 years with IDA, using upper gastrointestinal tract (GI) endoscopy and colonoscopy, beginning with the former (group A) or the latter (group B) depending on the clinical findings.

[Prospective and randomized study on the usefulness of octreotide in the prevention of complications after cephalic duodeno-pancreatectomy].

Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the role of the somatostatin analogue Octreotide as postoperative prophylaxis in the prevention of pancreatic fistula following Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods: A prospective and randomized study has been completed in 34 patients undergoing PD. Sixteen patients were randomly assigned to receive Octreotide 0.

[Evaluation of body fluid compartments and their relationship with water-electrolyte changes in obstructive jaundice].

Background: The alteration of the mechanisms of water and sodium preservation may be an important factor in the development of acute postoperative renal failure in obstructive jaundice (OJ). Experimental OJ has been associated with a depletion of the extracellular volume and alteration of the mechanisms of regulation of hydrosaline metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of the body volumes and the regulating hormones of hydrosaline metabolism in human OJ.

Endoscopic polypectomy in the treatment of colonic adenomas containing adenocarcinoma.

Fifty-seven adenomas containing adenocarcinoma were removed endoscopically from the colons of 56 patients (36 males and 20 females) with a mean age of 64.5 years. The 13 polyps containing carcinoma in situ were satisfactorily treated by endoscopic resection.