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J C Espinós

Publications and source records attributed to J C Espinós.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Spectrum of gluten-sensitive enteropathy in first-degree relatives of patients with coeliac disease: clinical relevance of lymphocytic enteritis.

BACKGROUND: Limited data on a short series of patients suggest that lymphocytic enteritis (classically considered as latent coeliac disease) may produce symptoms of malabsorption, although the true prevalence of this situation is unknown. Serological markers of coeliac disease are of little diagnostic value in identifying these patients. AIMS: To evaluate the usefulness of human leucocyte antigen-DQ2 genotyping followed by duodenal biopsy for the detection of gluten-sensitive enteropathy in first-degree relatives of patients with coeliac disease and to assess the clinical relevance of lymphocytic enteritis diagnosed with this screening strategy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 221 first-degree relatives of 82 DQ2+ patients with coeliac disease were consecutively included. Duodenal biopsy (for histological examination and tissue transglutaminase antibody assay in culture supernatant) was carried out on all DQ2+ relatives. Clinical features, biochemical parameters and bone mineral density were recorded. RESULTS: 130 relatives (58.8%) were DQ2+, showing the following histological stages: 64 (49.2%) Marsh 0; 32 (24.6%) Marsh I; 1 (0.8%) Marsh II; 13 (10.0%) Marsh III; 15.4% refused the biopsy. 49 relatives showed gluten sensitive enteropathy, 46 with histological abnormalities and 3 with Marsh 0 but positive tissue transglutaminase antibody in culture supernatant. Only 17 of 221 relatives had positive serological markers. Differences in the diagnostic yield between the proposed strategy and serology were significant (22.2% v 7.2%, p<0.001). Relatives with Marsh I and Marsh II-III were more often symptomatic (56.3% and 53.8%, respectively) than relatives with normal mucosa (21.1%; p = 0.002). Marsh I relatives had more severe abdominal pain (p = 0.006), severe distension (p = 0.047) and anaemia (p = 0.038) than those with Marsh 0. The prevalence of abnormal bone mineral density was similar in relatives with Marsh I (37%) and Marsh III (44.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The high number of symptomatic patients with lymphocytic enteritis (Marsh I) supports the need for a strategy based on human leucocyte antigen-DQ2 genotyping followed by duodenal biopsy in relatives of patients with coeliac disease and modifies the current concept that villous atrophy is required to prescribe a gluten-free diet.

Adolescent↗

Endoscopic staging of low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has already proven useful in the assessment of submucosal lesions, and the staging of gastrointestinal cancer, particularly gastric MALT-type lymphoma. The goal of this paper was EUS staging. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 24 patients (10 females, 14 males) with a median age of 56 years and possibly gastric MALT lymphoma (25 cases) were studied using videoendoscopy, biopsies, and echoendoscopy with 7.5- and 20-MHz radial EUS, and also with 12- and 20-MHz miniprobes (MPs). Nineteen patients were definitely evaluated (7 females, 12 males) as having 20 MALT-type lymphomas, as five patients were post-hoc disregarded when an invasive, high-grade gastric lymphoma (3c) or plasmocytoma (2c) was subsequently demonstrated. Of these 19 patients, all had T1 lesions except for two with T2 lesions; one patient had a gastroduodenal T1 lymphoma. Echographic findings with MPs were compared to EUS (gold standard) and histology both before and after eradication. Then, patients were followed up every 1-3-6 months using videoendoscopy and MPs. RESULTS: Echoendoscopy correctly identified T stages in 90% of cases. MPs identified T stages in 88% of cases, and N stages in 33% of cases, with results being slightly inferior to those obtained with conventional EUS (91 vs. 45%); they were consequently used for follow-up. After eradication, all but two patients are in complete remission and have been followed every 1-3-6 months using MPs without echographic abnormalities, except for a patient who relapsed.

Adolescent↗

Our cumulative experience with transendoscopic miniprobes.

INTRODUCTION: Transendoscopic miniprobes (TEMPs) have nowadays precise indications, but may become a diagnostic alternative to both radial and sectorial endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the near future. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 1996 to July 2004 we carried out 620 examinations using TEMPs (124 during the last 12 months in 2003, with currently a mean of 11 examinations/month). Twenty explorations were performed with radial, 12.5 MHz (20 mm penetration), 6.2 F (2 mm diameter), 950 mm or 2000 mm Microvasive Endosound probes. Twenty explorations were performed using a 12 MHz (29 mm mean penetration) or 20 MHz (18 mm penetration) Olympus UM-2R/3R, or with a 12 MHz UM-DP12-25R or 20 MHz UM-DP20-25 R DPR-fitted Olympus probe, 2.5 mm in diameter and 2050 mm in length. A 20 MHz, 2.2 mm, wire-guided G20-29R was used for intraductal studies. In all, 580 examinations were carried out with both radial and linear, 12 MHz (240 E) or 20 MHz (60 E) Fuji probes, 2.6 mm in diameter and 1900 mm in length; and with a 7.5 MHz, 2.6 mm radial balloon microprobe with the well-known "preload" system that we have been using during the 1999-2004 period (280 E). Here we used a 3.2 mm working channel, whereas a 2.8 mm working channel was used with the remaining TEMPs. RESULTS: Twenty GI-tract examinations were performed with one Microvasive probe, which broke down when attempting its passage through the papilla. Currently we use a 20 MHz, 2.2 mm Olympus G20-29R guided microprobe for intraductal studies. We performed 100 gut examinations using one single Fuji TEMP (12 or 7.5 MHz). Organs explored included: esophagus and stomach, 60%; rectum and colon, 30%; other (duodenum, papilla, bile ducts), 10%. INDICATIONS: cancer staging, 35%; submucosal lesions, 30%; other, 35% (including 20% of esophageal non-tumoral conditions). COMPLICATIONS: aspiration, perforation, and mortality, 0%. Morbidity, 10%, at the expense of abdominal pain as induced by endoscopy itself. All strictures were successfully passed, except for one malignant stenosis in the rectum. CONCLUSIONS: During a 93-month period (1996-2004) we performed 620 explorations with TEMPs, with a current average of 11 examinations/month. TEMP durability is around 100 gut explorations. The esophagus and stomach were examined in 60% of cases. Primary indications included gut cancer staging and submucosal lesions (65%). Perforation and mortality rates amounted to 0%.

Endosonography↗

Emergency laparoscopic treatment for acute massive bleeding of an esophageal ulcer.

Laparoscopic fundoplication is now considered the treatment of choice for the management of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications. The laparoscopic approach achieves the same good results as open surgery in elective surgery for GERD; it also has all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Today, laparoscopy plays also a significant role in a great variety of emergency abdominal situations and acute abdominal pain. A 30-year-old man was admitted to our center due to an upper gastrointestinal bleed caused by a esophageal ulcer over a Barrett's esophagus located in lower third of the esophagus. Two therapeutic esophagogastroscopies were done in 24 h, but urgent surgical intervention was indicated because of recurrent transfusion-demanding bleeding. A combined laparoscopic-endoscopic approach was followed. Surgery began with a complete hiatal dissection, including the distal third of the esophagus, diaphragmatic crus, and wide retrogastric window. Intraoperative flexible esophagoscopy revealed an active ulcer bleeding on the right anterior quadrant in the lower esophagus. Two transfixive stitches were applied through the wall of the esophagus at the site indicated by the light of the flexible endoscope, and complete hemostasis was achieved. Finally, employing the anterior wall of the fundus, a short Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication was performed. The operating time was 140 min. There were no complications and there has been no recurrence of the bleeding.

Adult↗

Accuracy of an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in stool specimens in the diagnosis of infection and posttreatment check-up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of a newly developed enzyme immunoassay for Helicobacter pylori-specific antigen detection in stools (HpSA) compared to other standardized diagnostic techniques such as histology (H), rapid urease test (RUT) and 13C-urea breath test (UBT) to diagnose H. pylori infection and to evaluate its usefulness in determining H. pylori status after treatment. METHODS: One hundred eighty-eight patients referred to our department for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included. H. pylori infection was confirmed in all patients by HpSA test in stools, RUT, UBT, and H. Patients were defined as positive for H. pylori if RUT and UBT or H were positive. A total of 142 symptomatic patients received eradication treatment and were reassessed 6 wk after therapy; for 70 of these patients, stool samples were also collected at 24 h and 6 months after finishing eradication treatment. In the posttreatment follow-up, UBT was used as gold standard. RESULTS: The sensitivity of HpSA test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection using a cut-off value of 0.130 was 89.5% and its specificity 77.8%. This specificity was lower than that obtained with UBT, H, and RUT. In the early follow-up the sensitivity of HpSA test was null. At 6 weeks and at 6 months post-treatment its sensitivity was 70.4% and 50% and its specificity was 81.6% and 79.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The HpSA stool test, using a cut-off value of 0.130, may be useful for the primary diagnosis of H. pylori infection, with sensitivity similar to that obtained with other standard tests, but with less specificity. HpSA test is not useful for early monitoring of treatment efficacy. At 6 wk and at 6 months posttreatment, HpSA test lacks accuracy as compared to UBT for evaluating the outcome of the eradication treatment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Randomized clinical trial comparing two one-week triple-therapy regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulcer healing.

OBJECTIVE: One-week triple therapy has been shown to be effective in Helicobacter pylori eradication and duodenal ulcer healing. However, the optimal therapeutic combination has not yet been identified. Bismuth-containing regimens have the advantage of requiring only one antibiotic. It has been suggested that high doses of omeprazole improve the bactericidal efficacy of antimicrobial regimens against H. pylori. We evaluated the efficacy of two 1-wk triple-therapy regimens for H. pylori eradication and duodenal ulcer healing. METHODS: On an intention-to-treat basis, 182 patients with H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcer were randomized. Group OCB patients (n = 91) were given omeprazole 40 mg b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d., and colloidal bismuth subcitrate 120 mg q.i.d. for 7 days. Group OCA patients (n = 91) were treated with omeprazole and clarithromycin at the same doses plus amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., also for 7 days. Endoscopies were performed at entry and at 4 wk after the end of treatment. The presence of H. pylori was assessed by urease test, histology, Gram stain, and culture. No patient received follow-up treatment. RESULTS: H. pylori eradication rates achieved in the OCB and OCA groups were similar whether by intention-to-treat (82.4% vs 88.9% ;p = 0.21) or per protocol analysis (83.3% vs 89.9%; p = 0.19). Duodenal ulcer healing rates also were the same for OCB and OCA in intention-to treat (91.2% vs 91.1%) and per protocol analysis (92.2% vs 92.1%), respectively (p = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of H. pylori eradication and duodenal ulcer healing were obtained with both short-treatment regimens, which were safe and well-tolerated. Colloidal bismuth subcitrate seems to be a good alternative to amoxicillin in the triple-therapy combination with omeprazole and clarithromycin. The omeprazole dose does not seem to play a major role in H. pylori eradication in these therapeutic combinations.

Adult↗

[The value of endoscopic ultrasonography in the study of submucosal tumors of the digestive tract].

Twenty-one consecutive patients with 24 possible submucosal lesions of the digestive tract were studied. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) differentiated between 17 true positive submucosal tumors and 3 true negative extrinsic compressions. False positives were interpreted in 3 cases and in one patient no lesion was echoendoscopically observed (false negative). The sensitivity was 94%, the specificity 50% and the positive and negative predictive values were 82% and 75%, respectively. In conclusion, EUS may be the method of choice for the study of submucosal tumors since it allows visualization of the five layers of the wall of the digestive tract in which a tumor may originate, determination of its sonographic features, depth and exact size, in addition to the invasion of neighboring organs. Moreover, EUS may aid in collecting material for cytology and microscopy by fine needle aspiration puncture (FNAP) by EUS.

Adult↗

[The endoscopic treatment of postcholecystectomy biliary leakage].

Although there is a decrease in the total number of complications observed on performance of laparoscopy cholecystectomy (LC) there does appear to be an increase in biliary tract lesions. Seven cases of postcholecystectomy biliary leakage treated with endoscopic methods are presented. These cases include 4 patients with leakage from the cystic canal stump and 3 with leakage from the common bile duct. In 5 cases the biliary tract lesion occurred following LC, 1 after conventional cholecystectomy and in 1 reconverted LP. CPRE identified the site of the leakage in the 7 patients and in 2 residual choledocholithiasis. In 5 cases treatment consisted in endoscopic papillotomy and placement of biliary endoprosthesis while only papillotomy was performed in 2 patients. In one of these cases CPRE was repeated and the sphincterotomy widened due to persistence of the leakage at 5 days, with the same finally closing at 15 days of the second CPRE. Closure of the biliary leakage was obtained in the other 6 cases in less than 72 hours post-CPRE. No complications secondary to the technique were observed. It was concluded that CPRE together with endoscopic papillotomy and placement of biliary prostheses is an effective and safe treatment for postcholecystectomy biliary leakages of the common bile duct or cystic duct.

Aged↗

Impact of colloidal bismuth subnitrate in the eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori infection-associated duodenal ulcer using a short treatment regimen with omeprazole and clarithromycin: a randomized study.

UNLABELLED: Recent trials have shown that duodenal ulcers treated by H2-blockers heal faster if Helicobacter pylori is eradicated concurrently. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of a short treatment regimen in H. pylori eradication and ulcer healing and to assess the impact of colloidal bismuth subnitrate (CBS) in H. pylori eradication rate. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcer were randomized in two short treatment groups. Group A patients (31) were given omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. x 8 days. Clarithromycin (500 mg, b.i.d.) and CBS (120 mg, q.i.d.) were added 24 h after starting omeprazole and were given for 7 days. Group B patients (30) were treated as group A patients but without CBS. Endoscopies were performed at entry and 4 wk after the end of treatment. Presence of H. pylori was assessed at each endoscopy by urease test, and biopsy specimens were examined for histological evidence of gastritis and by Gram stain and culture for H. pylori infection. No patient received follow-up treatment. RESULTS: H. pylori eradication rates were achieved in 25/31 (80.6%) group A patients and in 15/30 (50%) in group B patients (p = 0.012). Duodenal ulcer healing was documented in 30/31 (96.8%) patients in group A and in 25/30 (83%) patients in group B. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of CBS to the double therapy with omeprazole and clarithromycin substantially improves the eradication rate of H. pylori. Short therapy with omeprazole 20 mg/b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg/b.i.d., and CBS 120 mg/q.i.d. is a safe, well tolerated combination that achieves a 80.6% eradication rate of H. pylori and duodenal ulcer healing rates as good as those achieved by omeprazole 20 mg/d when given for 4 wk.

Antacids↗

[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: study on 35 patients].

BACKGROUND: A review of the technique, indications, complications and follow up of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was performed. METHODS: Thirty-five patients in whom a PEG had been placed according to the Ponsky technique from 1991 to 1993 were analyzed 27 of whom had neurologic disease, 6 tumoral diseases and 2 other causes. RESULTS: PEG was carried out in 33 patients with no incidences while the technique could not be performed in 2 since the point could not be identified by transillumination in the gastric wall. No immediate complications were observed. Seven minor early complications were presented as wound infection with the cannula being withdrawn in only one case due to persistence of the infection. Five late complications were reported: 1 severe (gastrocholic fistula) and 4 minor (2 cannula obstructions, 1 displacement and 1 infection). Evolution was followed in 31 patients with the cannula being withdrawn in 4 (2 because of complications and in the other 2 on initiation of oral diet). The cannula was substituted at 120 and 360 days in 2 patients. Sixteen patients died, 5 during the first 30 days due to the primary disease, with only one case (aspirative pneumonia) being related to the PEG. The PEG continues functioning in 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for feeding is a simple technique which may be carried out in most patients with scarce severe complications, allowing a good nutritional state and improving the quality of life of patients requiring prolonged enteral feeding.

Adult↗

Prediction of therapeutic failure in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer treated with endoscopic injection.

Endoscopic injection therapy was performed in a consecutive series of 233 patients admitted for a bleeding peptic ulcer with active arterial hemorrhage or a nonbleeding visible vessel disclosed at emergency endoscopy. Further bleeding occurred in 57 cases (24.5%). The present study was conducted to evaluate whether any clinical or endoscopic features could identify the patients at high risk of therapeutic failure. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that failure was significantly related to: (1) the ulcer location on the posterior wall (P = 0.004) or superior wall (P = 0.003) of the duodenal bulb, (2) the ulcer size (P = 0.011), and (3) the existence of associated diseases (P = 0.012). The validity of the prediction rule based on these factors was evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic curves and was confirmed and prospectively validated in an independent sample of 81 patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer treated by endoscopic injection. We conclude that once the initial control of bleeding has been achieved by injection therapy, the present prediction rule can be used to identify candidates for alternative treatment.

Duodenal Ulcer↗

Endoscopic injection therapy of bleeding ulcer: a prospective and randomized comparison of adrenaline alone or with polidocanol.

In a prospective randomized trial involving 63 patients with bleeding peptic ulcer, we assessed whether the addition of 1% polidocanol improved the results achieved by 1/10(4) adrenaline alone for injection therapy. The inclusion criterion was the presence of active arterial bleeding or a nonbleeding visible vessel at emergency endoscopy. Thirty patients were treated with 1/10(4) adrenaline (group A) and 33 with adrenaline plus 1% polidocanol (group B). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 97% of cases in both groups and permanent hemostasis in 87% patients in group A and in 76% in group B (p = NS). Mortality was 6% in group A and 3% in group B. There were no differences between the two groups regarding requirements for emergency surgery, the number of transfusions, or the length of hospital stay. One patient in group B had a perforation. No other relevant complications were noted. In conclusion, combined therapy does not improve the results achieved with adrenaline alone.

Epinephrine↗

Injection therapy of bleeding peptic ulcer. A prospective, randomized trial using epinephrine and thrombin.

A prospective randomized trial involving 64 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers was performed to assess the efficacy of two modalities of injection therapy. The inclusion criterion was the presence of active bleeding or a visible vessel at emergency endoscopy. Thirty-two patients were treated with epinephrine (Group A) and 32 with epinephrine plus thrombin (Group B). Permanent hemostasis was achieved in 81.3% Group A, and 84.4% Group B patients, and therapy failures occurred in 18.6% and 15.6%, respectively. Mortality was nil in both groups. There were no differences in the requirement for emergency surgery, or in the number of transfusions in the two groups. A second elective endoscopy was performed in 49 patients between the 3rd and the 5th day after admission, proceeding to a second injection therapy if a visible vessel was still seen. There were no failures among re-injected patients. With one exception, none of the failures occurred in patients in whom a second endoscopy was done. Our results suggest that injection therapy, which is a simple technique, should be considered as the initial treatment of choice in bleeding peptic ulcer. The addition of thrombin to epinephrine does not improve the results of the method. An early second endoscopy and local therapy if a visible vessel is still present, may further improve the results.

Aged↗

[Gastric emptying in reflux esophagitis. Effect of metoclopramide and cinitapride].

The gastric emptying of solids was evaluated with radionuclide techniques in 16 patients with reflux esophagitis, demonstrated by two of the following methods: endoscopy, pathology, and/or pH measurement. The percentage of radionuclide remaining within the stomach was 80.8 +/- 17% after 45 minutes, 63.3 +/- 10% after 75 minutes, and 48.8 +/- 19% after 105 minutes, with a half time (T1/2) of gastric emptying of 103.4 +/- 6 minutes. These results showed significant differences in T1/2 with those from a control group of healthy individuals, the gastric emptying being slower in patients with esophagitis (103.4 min vs 85.3 min; p less than 0.01). Subsequently, a double blind study to assess the effect of metoclopramide and cinitapride on gastric emptying in patients with reflux esophagitis was carried out. Cinitapride accelerated the gastric emptying of solids with statistically significant differences when compared with placebo (84 min vs 104 min, p less than 0.05). In this study, metoclopramide showed a tendency to accelerate gastric emptying, although it did not achieve a significant difference with placebo.

Aged↗

Efficacy of ethanolamine and polidocanol in the eradication of esophageal varices. A prospective randomized trial.

A prospective randomized trial has been undertaken to compare the efficacy of two sclerosing agents, Ethanolamine oleate (Et) and Polidocanol (Pl), in the eradication of esophageal varices (EV). Fifty consecutive cirrhotic patients, 22 in the Et and 28 in the Pl group, were included. Clinical data were comparable in both groups. Eradication of the EV was achieved in 81% (18/22) in the Et group and 64.1% (18/28) in the Pl group (p = NS). There was a significant difference in the rate of rebleeding (4 episodes in 3 patients in the Et group and 18 episodes in 13 patients in the Pl group, p less than 0.05). No differences were noted in the number of other complications or mortality. Both sclerosants have proved useful in the eradication of EV, but Et was superior to Pl in the preventation of recurrent bleeding in the course of repeated endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS).

Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗

[Variation of C3 in ascitic fluid from cirrhotic patients subjected to intestinal sterilization or selective intestinal decontamination].

Patients with liver cirrhosis with ascites and low levels of C3 and Total Proteins in ascitic fluid show a greater predisposition to the development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The variation of C3 and Total Proteins levels in ascitic fluid in two groups of patients with liver cirrhosis was studied. Group I (n = 14) underwent intestinal sterilization (n = 7) or selective intestinal decontamination (= 7). Group II was a control. A statistically significant increase in C3 (p less than 0.01) and Total Proteins (p less than 0.015) levels in ascitic fluid in Group I patients was found. There were no changes in the control group. The incidence of side effects was higher in those patients who underwent intestinal sterilization. Our results suggest that selective intestinal decontamination may be useful as a prophylactic measure against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in those patients with liver cirrhosis at high risk of infection by increasing the bactericidal capacity of ascitic fluid.

Adult↗