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Endoscopy 07/2004; 36(6):576. · 5.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: It is still difficult to visualize changes in the small intestine. Wireless capsule enteroscopy is a new method that promises to provide new insights into the small intestine. In a prospective study, the diagnostic yield of wireless enteroscopy was therefore compared with computed tomography (CT) enteroclysis.
Twenty-two patients with suspected small-bowel pathology underwent CT enteroclysis and wireless capsule enteroscopy examinations, conducted by two independent blinded investigators. The results of the two investigations (diagnoses and the number, extent, and location of lesions detected) were compared by a third investigator.
The patients included in the study had obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 8), Crohn's disease (n = 8), unexplained diarrhea (n = 5), or suspected carcinoid tumor (n = 1). Pathological lesions were detected using capsule enteroscopy in 13 patients (59 %) and using CT enteroclysis in eight (36 %; P = 0.12). In seven patients (one case each of colonic Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, Meckel's diverticulum, carcinoid tumor, mesothelioma, colonic polyps, and irritable bowel syndrome), no pathological changes were found in the small intestine using either method. The diagnosis was established by wireless capsule enteroscopy in four patients with obscure bleeding, whereas CT enteroclysis was positive in only one patient ( P = 0.1). Crohn's disease was found in two patients with unexplained diarrhea. Small-bowel lesions were identified in six patients with known Crohn's disease using capsule enteroscopy or CT enteroclysis. The only side effect of wireless capsule enteroscopy observed was abdominal pain in one patient with Crohn's disease. There were no serious side effects with CT enteroclysis.
Wireless capsule enteroscopy detects more small-bowel lesions than CT enteroclysis in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and Crohn's disease.
Endoscopy 01/2004; 35(12):1009-14. · 5.21 Impact Factor
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M Ortner
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ABSTRACT: Biliary tract cancers are rare malignancies usually characterized by slow growth and a low propensity for metastasis. Despite the relatively localized nature of these cancers, the only therapeutic measure with curative potential to date is surgical intervention. Because symptoms occur late, the diagnosis is rarely made at an early stage, and therefore only about half of the patients can have curative surgery. Patients with advanced disease face a dismal prognosis because palliative treatment options are limited. This review outlines recent advances in treatment of biliary cancer. Encouraging results from prospective, single-arm phase II trials of photodynamic therapy in nonresectable cholangiocarcinoma suggest considerable promise for this new palliative treatment modality. However, the apparent benefit of photodynamic therapy on survival, jaundice, and quality of life must be confirmed in a randomized multicenter trial.
Current Gastroenterology Reports 05/2001; 3(2):154-9.
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ABSTRACT: Traumatic rupture of the gallbladder is a very rare event associated with high mortality. Since clinical symptoms are nonspecific, diagnosis is difficult. We present an alcoholic with biliary ascites after traumatic perforation of the gallbladder. Initially, he was misdiagnosed to have ascites caused by liver cirrhosis. This case demonstrates, that the combination of patients history, clinical investigation and ultrasound allows the diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the gallbladder.
Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie 04/2001; 39(3):213-8. · 0.90 Impact Factor
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M Ortner
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ABSTRACT: The prognosis of nonresectable cholangiocarcinoma is dismal, and in Bismuth type III and IV tumors relief of jaundice is seldom achieved, despite successful endoprosthesis insertion. Therefore, we evaluated additional photodynamic therapy in patients who failed to respond to endoprostheses insertion. All patients showed good clinical results in regard to jaundice, quality of life; and survival time (median, 439 days). Before initiating a randomized multicenter trial we wanted to evaluate these preliminary results in a greater number of patients. Twenty-one patients underwent photodynamic therapy in addition to endoscopic drainage. The hematoporphyrin derivative Photofrin was infused intravenously (2 mg/kg body weight), and intraluminal photoactivation was performed 2 days later. Bilirubin decreased from a mean level of 201.26 +/- 189.25 micromol/l after stenting alone to 68.87 +/- 78.27 micromol/l (P = 0.0051), and the Karnofsky index improved from 49.04% +/- 28.79% to 72.85 +/- 19.01 (P = 0.003). Thirteen patients have died and 8 patients are still alive, with a follow-up period of 82-739 days. The 6-month survival time is 95%. Similar results were obtained by another group, with 75% overall (stage M1 and M0) survival after 6 months and beyond 80% for stage M0. Other authors treated 7 patients and saw a remarkable reduction of bile duct stenosis and bilirubin decrease in all patients.
Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 02/2001; 8(2):137-9. · 1.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Caroli's disease is characterized by dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Cholangitis, liver cirrhosis and development of a cholangiocarcinoma are possible complications. For optimal therapy, a correct diagnosis of the extent of the disease is mandatory. The present report demonstrates that the combination of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and ultrasound may lead to a more reliable diagnosis of the extent of Caroli's disease. It is therefore essential to perform ultrasound in all these patients.
Ultraschall in der Medizin 11/2000; 21(5):223-5. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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M Ortner
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 10/2000; 142(36):33-4.
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ABSTRACT: Increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8, has been demonstrated in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric mucosal inflammation. IL-12, a newly characterized cytokine, is thought to be a key mediator in host responses to bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in cytokine patterns between H. pylori-positive and -negative gastritis and normal mucosa. Secretion of IL-12, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 was measured in 176 patients with chronic gastritis in whole biopsy cultures. Gastritis was graded for chronic inflammation or acute inflammatory activity, respectively, according to the Sydney system. Biopsies with similar scores were matched for analysis from H. pylori-infected and non-infected patients. Secretion of IL-12 was significantly increased in H. pylori-associated gastritis in comparison with H. pylori-negative gastritis (P < 0.0001). In contrast, secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 correlated with the degree of inflammation but was not different between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients. Moreover, IL-10 secretion was found to be higher in H. pylori-positive than in H. pylori-negative patients. IL-12 may play a specific role in H. pylori-associated gastric disease, whereas production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 does not seem to be restricted to H. pylori-induced inflammation. The contra-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 may be a contributor to the chronicity of H. pylori-associated gastritis by impairing clearance of the pathogen.
Clinical & Experimental Immunology 09/1999; 117(2):316-23. · 3.36 Impact Factor
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Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie 01/1998; 36(1):111-3. · 0.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In Crohn's disease, inflammation is presumably sustained by an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, in particular tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin 1 beta (IL 1 beta). TNF alpha can induce a host of cellular effector events resulting in perpetuation of the inflammatory process. In vivo studies with anti-TNF alpha antibody treatment have led to impressive clinical results.
To investigate whether treatment with the TNF alpha inhibitor oxpentifylline results in clinical improvement in corticosteroid dependent chronic active Crohn's disease.
Sixteen Crohn's disease patients received oxpentifylline 400 mg four times a day in a four week open label study.
Blockade of TNF alpha production in 16 patients with corticosteroid dependent Crohn's disease did not improve the clinical disease activity (CDAI mean (SEM) 188.75 (5.65) versus 185.13 (10.87) or the endoscopic degree of inflammation (CDEIS 14.9 (2.87) versus 14.8 (2.27) or laboratory parameters.
In this study, use of the TNF alpha inhibitor oxpentifylline does not improve inflammation in Crohn's disease. This finding suggests that there may be more key mediators than only TNF alpha in the inflammatory process in Crohn's disease.
Gut 05/1997; 40(4):470-4. · 10.11 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We report here on two cases of double airway and esophageal stenting in patients with multiple esophagotracheal fistulas and stenoses of the airways and esophagus due to squamous-cell carcinoma. Dumon stents and a Strecker device were used for tracheobronchial stenting. Covered Gianturco Z-stents were implanted into the esophagus. In one case, extrinsic compression of the trachea and tumor progression required recanalization by Nd:YAG laser. Clinical improvement led to discharge of the patients within two weeks after the procedure. The results show that simultaneous implantation of stents in the central airways and covered Gianturco Z-stents in the esophagus is an effective therapeutic strategy in patients with tracheal and esophageal obstructions and esophagorespiratory fistulas. Further systematic studies evaluating double stenting are warranted.
Endoscopy 06/1996; 28(4):381-5. · 5.21 Impact Factor
