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Adam Slivka

Publications and source records attributed to Adam Slivka.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Virtual colonoscopy.

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Colonography, Computed Tomographic↗

Limited contribution of the SPINK1 N34S mutation to the risk and severity of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis: a report from the United States.

Mutations in the SPINK1 gene (e.g. N34S) have been reported in patients with idiopathic, familial, tropical, and alcoholic pancreatitis. The prevalence of SPINK1 N34S differs between different patient populations, and its contribution to the risk and the severity of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis has not been defined in the United States. Mutational analysis of the exon 3 was performed in 32 patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, 39 patients with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis or recurrent acute pancreatitis, and 190 previously studied healthy controls. The course of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis with and without N34S was compared in age of onset- and sex-matched patients. All SPINK1 gene sequence variations were heterozygous. SPINK1 N34S was present in 3/190 (1.6%) and P55S was found in 2/190 (1.1%) of controls. In alcoholics, the N34S mutation was identified in 2/32 patients (6.3%, P > 0.05). In nonalcoholics, N34S and P55S were identified in 6/39 patients (15.4%, P < 0.005, N34S N = 4, P55S N = 1, N34S/P55S N = 1). The clinical course of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis was similar between patients with and without the N34S mutation. The N34S mutation is uncommon in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis in the United States; its prevalence is similar to other countries and appears not to alter the onset or the severity of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

Adult↗

Secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance pancreaticogram to assess pancreatic duct outflow obstruction in evaluation of idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis: a pilot study.

Magnetic resonance pancreatography is a new modality to visualize the pancreatic duct. Prolonged dilation of the pancreatic duct following secretin administration may suggest obstruction at the level of the pancreatic duct orifice. We describe 10 patients with idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis who underwent secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance pancreatography with subsequent endoscopic retrograde pancreatogram with or without manometry. All patients had complete visualization of the main pancreatic duct and no evidence of chronic duct disease. Two patients had pancreas divisum. Three had prolonged dilation of the pancreatic duct on secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance pancreatography and evidence of pancreatic duct outflow obstruction. Four additional patients with pancreatic duct outflow obstruction had normal secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance pancreatography. In conclusion, secretin stimulated magnetic resonance pancreatography provides high quality pancreatic duct images and has high specificity but low sensitivity for diagnosing pancreatic duct outflow obstruction using manometric/clinical criteria.

Acute Disease↗

Hepatobiliary disease in inflammatory bowel disease.

Many hepatobiliary diseases are seen in IBD. PSC is the most common, occurring in 7.5% of patients with UC. The cause of PSC is not well understood, but PSC seems to be associated with genetic susceptibility, sharing some immunologic abnormalities with UC. A characteristic cholangiogram in a patient with abnormal liver function tests usually establishes the diagnosis. Liver biopsy is not essential but can help make the diagnosis of small duct PSC in patients with a normal cholangiogram. There are no medications that treat PSC effectively. Endoscopic dilation of dominant strictures reduces the frequency of cholangitis and may improve survival. OLT remains the only proven treatment of advanced PSC. Cholangiocarcinoma is a feared complication of PSC that is difficult to diagnose. Cholelithiasis, PBC, portal vein thrombosis, and hepatic abscess are hepatobiliary disorders that occur less frequently in IBD patients.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗

Detecting cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive cholestatic liver disease associated with cholangiocarcinoma. Brush cytology and serum tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 [CA19-9]) have been used to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma, but there are few data comparing their effectiveness. METHODS: The effectiveness of brush cytology, carcinoembryonic antigen, and CA19-9 for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was retrospectively studied by review of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Receiver operator curves were used to identify cutoff points for carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9. RESULTS: Of 692 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis screened, adequate follow-up was obtained in 333, 44 (13%) of whom had a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. Three hundred eighteen brush cytology specimens were obtained in 151 patients; serum carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9 levels were obtained in 144 and 55 patients, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity of brush cytology were, respectively, 46.4% (95% CI [27.5, 64.5]) and 100% (95% CI [97.2, 100]). A carcinoembryonic antigen >5.2 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 68.0% (95% CI [47.5, 83.9]) and specificity of 81.5% (95% CI [73.9, 87.7]). A CA19-9 >180 U/mL had a sensitivity of 66.7% (95% CI [34.9, 87.7]) and specificity of 97.7% (95% CI [88.2, 99.9]). In the subset of patients in which all 3 tests were obtained, (n = 45, cholangiocarcinoma = 8) the combination of an abnormal carcinoembryonic antigen or CA19-9 had the highest sensitivity: 100% (95% CI [65.1, 100.0]) with a specificity of 78.4% (95% CI [63.1, 89.7]). The combination of a positive brush cytology or an abnormal CA19-9 had a sensitivity and specificity of, respectively, 87.5% (95% CI [50.0, 99.4]) and 97.3% (95% CI [86.2, 99.9]). CONCLUSIONS: Screening patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis for cholangiocarcinoma with CA19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen is reasonable, but the ideal intervals at which to obtain these tests and the cost-effectiveness require further study.

Adult↗

Risk factors for complications after performance of ERCP.

BACKGROUND: ERCP has become widely available for the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant pancreaticobiliary diseases. In this prospective study, the overall complication rate and risk factors for diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP were identified. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on patient characteristics and endoscopic techniques from 1223 ERCPs performed at a single referral center and entered into a database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for ERCP-associated complications. RESULTS: Of 1223 ERCPs performed, 554 (45.3%) were diagnostic and 667 (54.7%) therapeutic. The overall complication rate was 11.2%. Post-ERCP pancreatitis was the most common (7.2%) and in 93% of cases was self-limiting, requiring only conservative treatment. Bleeding occurred in 10 patients (0.8%) and was related to a therapeutic procedure in all cases. Nine patients had cholangitis develop, most cases being secondary to incomplete drainage. There was one perforation (0.08%). All other complications totaled 1.5%. Variables derived from cannulation technique associated with an increased risk for post-ERCP pancreatitis were precut access papillotomy (20%), multiple cannulation attempts (14.9%), sphincterotome use to achieve cannulation (13.1%), pancreatic duct manipulation (13%), multiple pancreatic injections (12.3%), guidewire use to achieve cannulation (10.2%), and the extent of pancreatic duct opacification (10%). Patient characteristics associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis were sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (21.7%) documented by manometry, previous ERCP-related pancreatitis (19%), and recurrent pancreatitis (16.2%). Pain during the procedure was an important indicator of an increased risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (27%). Independent risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis were identified as a history of recurrent pancreatitis, previous ERCP-related pancreatitis, multiple cannulation attempts, pancreatic brush cytology, and pain during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent ERCP-related complication was pancreatitis, which was mild in the majority of patients. The frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis was similar for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Bleeding was rare and mostly associated with sphincterotomy. Other complications such as cholangitis and perforation were rare. Specific patient- and technique-related characteristics that can increase the risk of post-ERCP complications were identified.

Adolescent↗

Pancreas Divisum.

We offer endoscopic therapy for pancreas divisum only in patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis, based on studies delineated in this article, which results in response rates of 80% and 50% respectively. We do not offer endoscopic therapy for patients with chronic abdominal pain in the absence of morphologic abnormalities in the pancreatic duct or parenchyma or normal laboratory study results. It has been our experience that the success rate for endoscopic cannulation and therapy directed at the minor papilla in patients with symptomatic pancreas divisum is improved when the procedure is performed with primary intent to treat in patients who have a pre-existing diagnosis of pancreas divisum, as opposed to patients who undergo diagnostic ERCP for idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis and are diagnosed with pancreas divisum during the procedure. We cannulate the minor papilla with ultratapered 3-F catheters and 0.018-in soft wires. It is our opinion that minor papilla sphincterotomy offers advantages over chronic stent therapy in treating patients with pancreas divisum. Although both techniques have proven efficacy, chronic stenting requires repeated procedures and results in a high incidence of stent-induced chronic duct changes, both of which can be avoided by performing a minor papillotomy. We use an ultratapered papillotome with a 20-mm monofilament cutting wire and typically use blended current. The papillotomy is extended to ablate the mucosal mound of the minor papilla typically in a 2-o'clock direction for a distance between 4 and 8 mm, depending on the patient's anatomy. Following minor papillotomy, we place temporary 5-F pancreatic duct stents to reduce the incidence of postprocedural pancreatitis, which has been demonstrated in pancreatic duct sphincterotomy of the major papilla. These stents usually migrate out after 24 to 72 hours following the procedure. We offer surgical sphincteroplasty to patients in whom minor papillotomy cannot be performed or whose disease relapses after successful endoscopic therapy.

Journal Article↗