Narrow-band imaging versus Lugol chromoendoscopy for esophageal squamous cell cancer screening in normal endoscopic practice: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is as sensitive as Lugol chromoendoscopy to detect esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) but its specificity, which appears higher than that of Lugol chromoendoscopy in expert centers, remains to be established in general practice. This study aimed to prove the superiority of NBI specificity over Lugol chromoendoscopy in the detection of esophageal SCC and high grade dysplasia (HGD) in current general practice (including tertiary care centers, local hospitals, and private clinics).

Methods: This prospective randomized multicenter trial included consecutive patients with previous or current SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract who were scheduled for gastroscopy.

Can roxithromycin and betamethasone induce acute pancreatitis? A case report.

Context: Acute pancreatitis has been reported in a few cases treated with macrolides or glucocorticoids.

Case Report: We report the case of a 58 year old patient who, after 2 days of treatment with roxithromycin and betamethasone, manifested acute pancreatitis. Other causes of the disease were ruled out.

Alcoholic cirrhosis and cobalamin metabolism.

The cobalamin status of 27 patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis and 20 control subjects was analyzed. Plasma cobalamin (p < 0.005), total corrinoids (p < 0.

Crohn's disease and vitamin B12 metabolism.

The concentrations of vitamin B12, its analogs, and the haptocorrin and transcobalamin carriers in 21 patients suffering from Crohn's disease and a group of controls (20 adults) were measured. There were no significant differences in the mean values for vitamin B12, total corrinoids (vitamin B12 + analogs), or vitamin B12 or total corrinoids bound to haptocorrin or transcobalamin of the Crohn's and control patients. There was a significant increase in the binding capacity of transcobalamin in the Crohn's patients compared to the controls (P < 0.

[Agenesis of the right lobe of the liver and portal hypertension].

A case of agenesis of the right lobe of the liver associated with portal hypertension is reported. This uncommon feature was diagnosed by computed tomography which excluded secondary liver atrophy due to cirrhosis or tumour. The main pathophysiological hypothesis for agenesis and portal hypertension, exceptionally associated, is arrest of hepatic development during foetal life.

[Hepatitis induced by alpidem (Ananxyl). Four cases, one of them fatal].

Acute hepatitis related to psychotropic drugs has been rarely reported with anxiolytic treatments. Alpidem (Ananxyl) is a new imidazopyridine derivative with anxiolytic properties which was launched in October 1991. Several cases of acute hepatitis, some severe, were described with this drug and its liver toxicity was questioned.