[Bowel obstruction secondary to a spontaneous intramural hematoma. Report of one case].

Spontaneous intramural hematoma (IMH) is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction, generally secondary to trauma. Even rarer is the spontaneous hematoma, mainly described in anticoagulated patients. We report a 73-year-old female in anticoagulant therapy who presented with a bowel obstruction.

Percutaneous treatment of malignant bile duct strictures in patients treated unsuccessfully with ERCP.

Background: The preferred treatment of malignant distal bile duct strictures is endoscopic stent insertion. When this fails, percutaneous drainage is an alternative to surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success and complication rate of temporary percutaneous treatment.

Nasobiliary drainage for biliary leaks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: The optimal endoscopic procedure and the appropriate duration of treatment in management of patients with biliary leaks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) have not been established so far. The aim of the study is the evaluation of endoscopic drainage by endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and/or nasobiliary tube placement in treatment of biliary leaks after LC.

Material And Methods: ERCP identified a biliary fistula site after LC in 17 patients as arising from the cystic duct stump (n = 12), anomalous branch of right hepatic duct (n = 1) and common bile duct (n = 4).

Cardiac sympathovagal balance during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Background And Study Aims: Cardiopulmonary complications have been reported during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the sympathovagal response to the stretching of the common bile duct caused by contrast medium injection during ERCP.

Patients And Methods: The 16 patients included in the study were assigned to two groups according to the size of common bile duct.