Evaluation of percutaneous cholangiography and percutaneous biliary drainage in obstructive jaundice.

104 patients with obstructive jaundice were referred for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The effects of PTBD on postoperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated as well as the occurrence of complications. The results were compared to a group of 33 patients with malignant bile duct obstruction operated without preoperative bile drainage.

Diagnosis and treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare clinical condition. Eleven cases of SMAS treated surgically are reported after follow-up periods of 6 months to 6 years. The value of hypotonic duodenography in the diagnosis of the syndrome is emphasized.

Silent pancreatitis. Report of 4 cases of acute pancreatitis with atypical symptomatology.

Four cases are presented in which the first clinical evidence of acute pancreatitis was the development of a late complication-pleural effusion, abscess formation or jaundice. The designation "silent pancreatitis" is proposed for acute or relapsing acute pancreatitis without initial abdominal symptoms.

Ranitidine in the treatment of gastric, prepyloric and duodenal ulcer--a controlled prospective double-blind trial.

Fifty adult outpatients with endoscopically proven gastric, prepyloric or duodenal ulcers were included in a prospective, randomised double-blind trial of ranitidine (40 mg X 3 daily and 80 mg at bedtime) versus placebo. After 4 weeks the ulcers had healed in 21 of 25 patients receiving ranitidine compared with 7 of 23 in patients receiving placebo (p less than 0.001).

Persistent duodenal obstruction secondary to pancreatitis. Report of two cases.

Two male alcoholics with persistent duodenal obstruction due to relapsing acute pancreatitis are reported. Both patients were operated upon with gastrojejunostomy. One of the patients had a transient obstruction of the colon at the left flexure.