Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Staritz

Publications and source records attributed to M Staritz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Investigation of the effect of duodenoscopy on sphincter of Oddi manometry.

To investigate whether endoscopy affects sphincter of Oddi (SO) manometry, three patients who had undergone previous cholecystectomy and had a T-tube in situ for drainage were studied. Manometry was performed using a perfused triple lumen manometry catheter (diameter 1.7 mm), which was advanced into the SO lumen through the T-tube. SO motility, baseline pressure, common bile duct pressure and duodenal pressure were monitored before and during endoscopy while the tip of the endoscope was in the mouth, esophagus (upper third, precardial), stomach and duodenum. Endoscopy and even a moderate insufflation of air necessary to pass the pylorus and inspect the papilla of Vater did not affect the parameters mentioned. Thus, ERCP manometry is a reliable method for evaluation of SO motility which is not affected by endoscopy. Duodenal pressure is a stable parameter and suitable for serving as reference pressure.

Adult↗

Electromagnetically generated extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and adjuvant combined oral litholysis for therapy of symptomatic gallbladder stones.

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate effectivity, problems and adverse effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using a newly developed electromagnetic biliary lithotriptor (Lithostar Plus, Siemens, Erlangen, FRG) for the treatment of selected patients presenting with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. In addition to generally accepted criteria for the selection of patients, gallbladder contractility was established and pigment stones were excluded by computed tomography (CT). 80 out of 486 patients (63 females, 17 males, mean age 36, range 17-76 years) were selected for ESWL using a standardized diagnostic program. 62 out of 80 patients participating in the study had solitary concrements (diameter 23.3 +/- 6.4 mm) while in 18 patients 2 or 3 stones (diameter below 10 mm) were observed. Stone fragmentation was achieved after an average of 1.35 treatment sessions (range 1-3) in 78 (97.5%) patients. No clinically relevant adverse effects were observed. Immediately after ESWL, ultrasound revealed misleading results with regard to stone fragmentation. 98.7% of patients (n = 77) were seen for follow-up investigations 3, 6 and 9 months after ESWL, and 82% at 12 months. A total of 40 (53%) patients became free of stones. Subgroup analysis showed that 68% of the patients were free of stones (stone diameter 10-20 mm), 54% (20-30 mm) and 33% (multiple stones), respectively. We therefore conclude that ESWL should be restricted to highly selected patients presenting with small (10-20 mm) solitary concrements.

Administration, Oral↗

[Computerized tomography differentiation of pigment and cholesterol bile duct calculi].

Successful oral litholytic and other non-operative therapies of gallstones require exact determination of the stone components. Since computed tomography (CT) provides highly sensitive measurement of density, we performed a study to evaluate whether CT measurement of stone density allows to predict the composition of radiolucent gallstones. 28 patients presenting with 29 radiolucent gallbladder (n = 17) or common bile duct stones (n = 12) were included. Prior to operative or endoscopic therapy the attenuation values (Hounsfield Units/HU) were assessed in vivo by CT under standardised conditions (Somatom II; 125 KV; 130 mAs). After surgical or endoscopic stone removal the concrements were dehydrated, homogenised and then analysed by infrared spectroscopy. 18 cholesterol and 11 pigment stones could be identified. The attenuation values (Hounsfield Units) of cholesterol stones amounting to 28-98 HU (48.7 +/- 4.4 HU) differed significantly (p less than 0.001) from pigment stones (90-120 HU/105.5 +/- 2.8 HU). We conclude that computed tomography provides exact discrimination between cholesterol and pigment stones in vivo. Since only cholesterol stones can be dissolved by cheno/ursodeoxycholic acid we recommend to measure the radiodensity of gallstones by CT prior to any litholytic therapy.

Bile Pigments↗

[Esophageal varices: is bleeding predictable?].

Hemorrhage of oesophageal varices is still a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. Parameters to identify patients being on risk to bleed are on demand for prophylactic therapy. Recent studies showed that bleeders present with larger varices, red color sign of the variceal wall and higher intravariceal hydrostatic pressure than patients without previous hemorrhage. Advanced liver disease (Child C) is an additional risk factor. The clinical value of the parameters appears to be decreased by a significant overlap of the findings obtained in bleeders and non-bleeders. However, patients with small varices, low variceal pressure (less than 12 mmHg) and fair condition are considered to be not on risk to bleed from varices. An additional clinical value of the parameters is provided by the potency to define patients more accurately for future clinical studies.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗

[Gallstone treatment using extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and adjuvant oral lysis: status and perspective].

Three years of clinical experience and the results of the "First International Symposium of Biliary Lithotripsy" showed that extracorporeal shock waves disintegrate cholesterol, pigment and calcified stones into fragments of 1 to 8 mm in diameter. Since spontaneous passage of fragments through the bile ducts is not possible, the therapeutic goal must be achieved with adjuvant oral lysis of the fragments. Therefore, only cholesterol stones are suitable, and a contractile gallbladder as well as a limited stone volume are prerequisites. After one year of treatment, in 45 to 80% of patients complete clearance of stone fragments from the gallbladder is observed. During this period one third of the patients experiences occasional colics. Further severe complications have not been reported.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Analysis of radiolucent gallstones by computed tomography for in vivo estimation of stone components.

Successful oral litholytic and other nonoperative therapies of gallstones require exact determination of the stone components. Since computed tomography (CT) provides highly sensitive measurement of density, we performed a study to evaluate whether CT measurement of stone density allows a prediction of the composition of radiolucent gallstones. Twenty-eight patients presenting with 29 radiolucent gallbladder (n = 17) or common bile duct stones (n = 12) were included. Prior to operative or endoscopic therapy the attenuation values (Hounsfield Units, HU) were assessed in vivo by CT under standardized conditions (Somatom II, 125 KV, 130 mAs). After surgical or endoscopic stone removal the concrements were dehydrated, homogenized and then analysed by infra-red spectroscopy. The previously measured Hounsfield units were not known to the investigator. Eighteen cholesterol and 11 pigment stones could be identified. The attenuation values (Hounsfield units) of cholesterol stones amounting to 28-98 HU (48.7 +/- 4.4 HU) differed significantly (P less than 0.001) from pigment stones (90-120 HU/105.5 +/- 2.8 HU). We conclude that computed tomography provides exact discrimination between cholesterol and non-cholesterol stones in vivo. Since only cholesterol stones can be dissolved by cheno- and ursodeoxycholic acid we recommend measurement of the radiodensity of gallstones by CT prior to any litholytic therapy. Furthermore the prediction of the stone composition facilitates the decision on extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and the selection of specific solvents for contact lysis via a nasobiliary probe.

Bilirubin↗

Electromagnetically generated extracorporeal shockwaves for fragmentation of extra-and intrahepatic bile duct stones: indications, success and problems during a 15 months clinical experience.

Electromagnetically generated extracorporeal shock waves (without waterbath) were applied after intravenous premedication with 10-15 mg diazepam and 100 mg tramadol in the treatment of 33 patients (aged 32 to 91 years) with multiple intrahepatic stones (n = 4) or huge common bile duct stones (n = 29, 18-30 mm in diameter), which could not be removed by conventional endoscopy. Stone disintegration was achieved in 70% of common bile duct stones and in all intrahepatic concrements after 800-7500 discharges, which were applied during one (n = 21), two (n = 6) or three sessions (n = 6). Apart from mild fleabite-like petechiae at the side of shock wave transmission no other side effects were observed for a total of 51 procedures. We believe electromagnetically generated shock waves are safe, easy to apply, and relatively effective in the therapy of common bile duct and intrahepatic stones.

Adult↗

Simulation of gallstone fragments by cavitation bubbles during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: physical basis and in vitro demonstration.

During extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of gallstones, sonography often shows a swirling pattern of echogenic foci shortly after the application of shock waves. This effect has been thought to represent gallstone fragments in suspension. However, evidence suggests that this finding is in part due to cavitation, a physical phenomenon associated with the formation or movement of gas bubbles in the fluid-filled gallbladder. Condoms filled with degassed water and five human bile specimens were positioned in the focus of an MPL 9000 lithotriptor (Dornier Medical Systems, Munich). A solitary nonradiopaque gallstone was then added to a bile-filled condom, and the sonographic pattern was observed before and after fragmentation. The mean clearance time of the cavitation bubbles was 4 seconds for degassed water and 22 seconds for human bile. Gallstone fragments were distinguished from cavitation bubbles by their prolonged settling time (up to 30 minutes) along the dependent gallbladder wall.

Bile↗

[Reliability of the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis].

Severe chronic pancreatitis can be easily diagnosed by means of pancreatic function tests and/or imaging procedures, whereas the mild form of the disease or its early stages are more difficult to detect and are often only retrospectively diagnosed. The reliability of imaging procedures depends mainly on the experience of the investigator, whereas the reliability of the pancreatic function tests depends on the patient's compliance. Further diagnostic procedures should be performed in accordance with the mayor symptom. If weight loss, diarrhea and/or steatorrhea dominate, indirect pancreatic function tests are required. Normal results of these tests usually exclude a pancreatogenic origin. If epigastric complaints dominate, ERCP should be performed prior to the indirect pancreatic function tests. If all findings are normal and all other upper abdominal diseases ruled out, but--due to persisting symptoms--chronic pancreatitis is still suspected, a direct function test should be performed to confirm or refute the tentative diagnosis. Chronic pancreatitis may--in its early stage--only involve the small pancreatitic ducts, not visible on ERCP examination, and indirect pancreatic function tests may show falsely normal test results.

Amylases↗

[Epidemiology and predictability of variceal hemorrhage].

Up to 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis develop esophageal variceal bleeding which is lethal in up to 30% after the first bleeding episode. Parameters suitable to identify patients being on risk to bleed from their varices are severe liver disease (Child's C), large varices with red color sign and red wall markings and high intra-variceal pressure above 12 mmHg.

Blood Pressure↗

Electromagnetic shock-wave lithotripsy of gallbladder calculi. Multicentered preliminary report on experience with 276 patients.

The Lithostar Working Group reports on the first 276 patients who underwent lithotripsy of biliary calculi by means of an electromagnetic Lithotriptor (Lithostar Plus from Siemens). Some 66% (183/276) and 27% (75/276) of the patients had solitary and two or three stones, respectively while 7% (18/276) had more than three gallbladder calculi. Calcified calculi were found in 11% of the patients. On an average the patients were treated in 1.6 (range 1.4-2.15) sessions; with the exception of one user the maximal energy (setting 9) was applied. The upper limit of shock waves per session was 1500-6000 (x = 2189 +/- 1058). 17% and 48% of the patients were free from calculi after 3 and 6 months, respectively. During the follow-up period 14% of the patients complained of severe biliary pain and 1.5% suffered from pancreatitis, which was controlled by conservative treatment. In three out of five patients with a transitory cholestatic jaundice endoscopic papillotomy was necessary. Four patients underwent an elective cholecystectomy. Considering the selection of the patients, the results obtained are comparable with those found in other studies.

Cholelithiasis↗

[Esophageal endoscopy for the assessment of risk of hemorrhage of esophageal hemorrhage].

Haemorrhage from oesophageal varices is still a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. Parameters which are suitable to identify patients being at risk to bleed are urgently required to decide which patients should be candidates for prophylactic therapy. Recent studies showed that only 18% of bleeders present with small, however 49.9% with large varices. 80% had red color sign of the variceal wall and significantly higher intravariceal hydrostatic pressure (21.9 mmHg vs 14.7 mmHg, p less than 0.001) than patients without previous haemorrhage. Advanced liver disease (Child's C) is an additional risk factor. However, the clinical value of the endoscopic parameters is limited by a significant overlap of variceal size and pressure obtained in bleeders and non-bleeders. Thus, only patients with small varices, (Grade I), low variceal pressure (below 12 mmHg), and fair condition are unlikely to develop variceal bleeding. A significant additional clinical value of the parameters is provided by the fact that they allow accurate definition of patients with portal hypertension particularly for further clinical studies.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗