Diagnostic criteria in predicting a biliary origin of acute pancreatitis in the era of endoscopic ultrasound: multicentre prospective evaluation of 213 patients.

Background: No study on bioclinical criteria predicting a biliary origin for acute pancreatitis has included endosonography as a reference examination. Re-examination of bioclinical parameters deserves consideration in the era where other causes are known (e.g.

[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen in chronic calcifying pancreatitis: report of three cases].

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is a rare complication of chronic calcifying pancreatitis. Anemia and hemorrhagic shock may not occur, making diagnosis more difficult. Favourable response to conservative treatment does not prevent the need for splenectomy, as calcifiying chronic pancreatitis may progress locally.

Serum fibrosis markers can detect large oesophageal varices with a high accuracy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the value of serum fibrosis markers for the diagnosis of oesophageal varices in alcoholic patients.

Methods: Fifty-four sets of clinical and biochemical data, including serum markers of fibrosis, obtained from 146 heavy alcohol drinkers (106 men, 40 women; mean age 49.2+/-9.

Efficacy of lanreotide 30 mg on prevention of pain relapse after oral refeeding in patients with necrotizing acute pancreatitis. A phase II prospective multicentre study.

Background: Pain relapse after oral refeeding occurs in 21% of the patients with acute pancreatitis, and in 35% of those with CT Balthazar's score > or =D [Gut 1997;40:262]. Somatostatin analogues may decrease the pain relapse rate by inhibiting exocrine pancreatic secretion. AIMS, PATIENTS AND METHODS: To assess the frequency of pain relapse in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis after treatment with one intramuscular injection of lanreotide 30 mg on the day before refeeding.

Diagnostic accuracy of a rapid urine-screening test (Multistix8SG) in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid urine-screening test (Multistix8SG) for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: Seventy-two consecutive patients (44 males, 28 females; mean age 61.6 years) with cirrhosis and ascites were included in the study.

Serum measurements of pancreatitis associated protein in active Crohn's disease with ileal location.

Background And Aims: Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) is a pancreatic stress protein also expressed in the ileum but not in the colon. Its serum concentration is increased in patients with small bowel inflammation due to untreated celiac disease. We searched to determine whether PAP could be a serum marker for ileal location of active Crohn's disease (CD).