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Biomedical subjects

P Fockens

Publications and source records attributed to P Fockens.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Biliary stent occlusion--a problem solved with self-expanding metal stents? European Wallstent Study Group.

The main limitation in the endoscopic palliation of malignant biliary obstruction is due to stent blockage. One of the factors thought to be of importance is the diameter of the endoprosthesis. In this paper, we report the results of a multicenter European study with a one cm diameter self-expanding metal stent (Wallstent) in 103 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Insertion of the stent following guidewire positioning was successful in 97.1% of the patients without any cases of de novo cholangitis developing after the endoscopic procedure. The median follow-up for the entire group was 145 days. In all but 3 patients, the stent expanded to more than 80% of its maximum diameter. Two patients had ongoing cholangitis after stent insertion. Long-term complications manifested by late cholangitis, were seen in 18% of the cases after a median interval of 125 days. The occlusion rate by biliary sludge was 5% after a median time period of 175 days which is substantially less than the 21% occlusion rate reported for polyethylene stents. In conclusion, our results show that the Wallstent can be easily placed in distal and mid-CBD strictures after guidewire passage, with most of the patients having a- good drainage effect. The occlusion rate by biliary sludge is significantly less than for conventional polyethylene stents, but the occlusion by tumor ingrowth is substantial. A disadvantage is the high cost of the Wallstent. Further randomized trials will be required to determine the cost-benefit ratio for the use of this stent.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Early recurrence of obstructive jaundice after placement of a self-expanding metal endoprosthesis.

Self-expanding metal endoprostheses have ben used in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice for a few years. We report on a patient with obstructive jaundice due to a metastasis of a squamous cell lung cancer into the pancreatic head who received an expandable metal endoprosthesis and suffered recurrent jaundice and cholangitis after 38 days. On repeat ERCP, a very narrow stenosis was seen in the stent lumen caused by tumor ingrowth through the mesh. Intraluminal biopsies showed squamous cell carcinoma. A 10 Fr plastic endoprosthesis was inserted through the self-expanding stent with good drainage. On the basis of this experience, we feel that when faced with a patient with obstructive jaundice due to metastatic disease from a rapidly progressive carcinoma, the use of the currently available self-expanding metal endoprosthesis should be discouraged until the results of prospective studies with large numbers of patients have proven its superiority over the plastic endoprostheses. Meanwhile, modifications to prevent tumor ingrowth through the mesh of the stent are under investigation.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1992

Endoscopic ultrasonography.

Endoscopic ultrasonography (ES) enables accurate imaging of the layering structures of the gastrointestinal tract. The equipment is still evolving but has already reached a high degree of sophistication. The most relevant clinical indications are the analysis of submucosal tumors, the imaging of intestinal vascular anomalies, and, especially, the staging of gastrointestinal and biliopancreatic malignancy and the monitoring of the therapeutic efficacy of surgery, Nd:Yag laser photodestruction, and radiotherapy.

Digestive System↗
PubMed1990

[Splenectomy as therapy for esophageal varices in a myeloproliferative syndrome].

We describe the history of a man aged 73 with a myeloproliferative syndrome and massive splenomegaly, who was admitted with bleeding oesophageal varices. After sclerotherapy and other conservative measures had failed to stop the bleeding, splenectomy was performed. Liver biopsy obtained at the time of splenectomy showed extramedullary haematopoiesis and no signs of cirrhosis. Six weeks after the operation no varices were present any more. Studies of the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in splenomegaly of different causes show the importance of the increased splenic blood flow as one of the main contributory causes to this specific type of portal hypertension. Therefore this type of portal hypertension can probably be cured by splenectomy, as we saw in our patient and as has been described in several case reports.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Proctitis.

An overview is given of the various aspects of idiopathic proctitis. Special emphasis is given on the diagnostic possibilities especially the endoscopic appearances. The list of other inflammatory conditions to be considered in the differential diagnosis is long and includes especially infectious disorders, Crohn's disease, post-radiation abnormalities, caustic damage and ischaemic damage. The mainstay of therapy is topical application of measalazine and corticosteroids. In general measalazine appears to be equally effective as corticosteroids.

Aminosalicylic Acids↗
PubMed1989

Endoscopic placement of expandable metal stents for biliary strictures--a preliminary report on experience with 33 patients.

The main problem with palliative treatment of extrahepatic cholestasis with an endoscopic biliary endoprosthesis is clogging. One of the factors thought to be of importance is the diameter of the stent. In order to avoid being limited by the size of the instrumentation channel of the endoscope, expandable stents have been developed. In this article we report on our preliminary clinical experience with an endoscopically placed expandable metal stent ("Wallstent") in 33 patients with extrahepatic bile duct stenoses. When fully expanded, the stent has a diameter of 30 F and a length of 6.7 cm. It was possible to successfully place a stent in every patient. Clinical improvement was achieved in all patients except one. Two patients underwent elective surgery, while one died of renal failure. Another died of septic shock after 5 weeks, but no autopsy was performed. In conclusion, our initial experience with this stent shows that at least in the short term biliary drainage was excellent, with no complications of pancreatitis or hemorrhage. Longer follow-up than our 4 weeks is necessary to establish the position of this stent in comparison with the conventional endoprosthesis in the management of obstructive jaundice.

Aged↗