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Biomedical subjects

R Kiesslich

Publications and source records attributed to R Kiesslich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Minimal change esophagitis: prospective comparison of endoscopic and histological markers between patients with non-erosive reflux disease and normal controls using magnifying endoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: More than half the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) show no endoscopic abnormality or minimal change esophagitis (non-erosive reflux disease, NERD). We investigated the value of endoscopic and histological markers for the prediction of NERD before and after treatment with 20 mg esomeprazole. METHODS: Between July and October 2002, consecutive patients presenting for upper endoscopy were stratified into GERD and non-reflux patients (control group) with the help of a questionnaire. The endoscopist was blind to the presence of reflux symptoms. Using magnifying endoscopes minimal change esophagitis was defined by the presence of vascular injection or vascular spots above the Z-line, villous mucosal surface and islands of squamous cell epithelium below the Z-line. Targeted and random biopsies were taken below and above the Z-line. Patients with endoscopically visible classical signs of esophagitis (Los Angeles A-D) or histologically proven Barrett's esophagus were not further investigated in the study (drop out). The esophageal specimens were histologically evaluated for erosions, infiltration with leukocytes, hyperplasia of basal cells and length of papillae. Patients with NERD were treated with 20 mg esomeprazole/day for 4 weeks and reevaluated by endoscopy as described before. RESULTS: 39 patients with heartburn and 39 patients without reflux symptoms (controls) were finally included in the analysis (per protocol). Patients with NERD significantly (p = 0.005) more often showed endoscopic signs of minimal change esophagitis (27/39) than the control group (8/39). An increased length of papillae (14/39 versus 2/39; p = 0.005) and basal cell hyperplasia (17/39 versus 4/39; p = 0.009) were significantly more common in the heartburn group. After treatment with esomeprazole, no significant endoscopic or histological differences between the NERD and control group could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal change esophagitis can be seen with high resolution magnifying endoscopy. By combining endoscopic and histological markers NERD can be predicted with a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 74%. Treatment with esomeprazole for 4 weeks reverses the slight alterations to normal.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗
PubMed2003

Methylation status of p14ARF and p16INK4a as detected in pancreatic secretions.

The clinical management of pancreatic disease is often hampered by a lack of tissue diagnosis. Endoscopic pancreatography offers the opportunity to investigate exfoliated cells. However, the significance of mere cytological investigation is compromised by an insufficient sensitivity. The evaluation of the molecular background of carcinogenesis hopefully is capable of providing more sensitive diagnostic markers. The p16INK4a-/retinoblastoma tumour-suppressive pathway has been shown to be involved in the development of near to all pancreatic neoplasms. p14ARF is another tumour suppressor located in the immediate neighbourhood of p16INK4a. Promoter methylation has been demonstrated to be a major inactivating mechanism of both genes. We sought to further evaluate the role of the gene locus INK4a methylation status in the endoscopic differentiation of chronic inflammatory and neoplastic pancreatic disease. Pancreatic fluid specimens of 61 patients with either pancreatic carcinoma (PCA: 39), chronic pancreatitis (CP: 16) or a normal pancreatogram (NAD: 6) were retrieved. In order to detect methylation of either the p14ARF or the p16INK4a promoter a methylation-specific PCR protocol was applied. While 19 out of 39 patients with PCA showed p16 promoter methylation (49%), none of the 16 patients with CP revealed p16 promoter methylation. p14ARF methylation was found in a lower percentage of PCA specimens and in none of the samples of patients with CP. These results suggest a specific significance of INK4a for the development of malignant pancreatic disease. Our data further indicate a potential role for INK4a methylation as a diagnostic marker in the endoscopic differentiation of benign and malignant pancreatic disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

[Ceftriaxone versus Levofloxacin for antibiotic therapy in patients with acute cholangitis].

INTRODUCTION: For the therapy of acute cholangitis complete biliary drainage and antibiotic therapy is needed. The aim of the current study was to compare intravenous therapy of acute cholangitis with Ceftriaxone or Levofloxacin in a prospective and randomized fashion. METHODS: Patients with biliary obstruction and clinical signs of infection received in addition to 1.5 g Metronidazole either 500 mg Levofloxacin/die or 2 g Ceftriaxone/die. Early on during ERCP, bile was aspirated via the cannulation catheter and cultured for bacteria under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of the respective antibiotics were determinate for each isolate. The clinical course was followed for at least 6 days with clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: 60 patients with clinical signs of acute cholangitis were randomised. In 40 patients (66 %) biliary colonization with bacteria could be identified. In all bacterial species Levofloxacin showed significantly lower rates of in-vitro resistance as compared to Ceftriaxone. However, the percentage of patients with a clinical cure or significant improvement was the same in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical effect of Levofloxacin and Ceftriaxone in patients with acute cholangitis showed no significant differences. Because of improved in-vitro efficiency, a calculated therapy with Levofloxacin might be advantageous.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Value of chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy in the evaluation of duodenal abnormalities: a prospective, randomized comparison.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic staining methods are increasingly being used to evaluate lesions in the esophagus and colon. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy for the evaluation of mucosal lesions in the duodenum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients were randomly assigned to undergo conventional endoscopy without staining (group A) or intravital staining of the duodenal mucosa with indigo carmine and evaluation with a conventional video endoscope (group B) or a magnification endoscope (group C). Visible lesions were characterized before and after staining, and biopsies were taken for histological assessment. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients was examined. Chromoendoscopy detected significantly more lesions in the duodenal bulb (98 vs. 28; P = 0.0042) in more patients (29 vs. 15; P = 0.0025) compared with conventional endoscopy (group A). After mucosal staining, there was no difference between video endoscopy and magnification endoscopy with regard to the number or extent of the lesions identified. Significantly more targeted biopsies were possible after intravital staining. The most commonly identified lesions on targeted biopsies included (staining/control groups): gastric metaplasia (14/3), hyperplastic Brunner's glands (6/3), inflammatory changes (7/6), villous atrophy (1/3), adenoma (1/0). CONCLUSIONS: Intravital staining of the duodenum with indigo carmine may be useful for detecting mucosal abnormalities, delineating their extent, and allowing targeted biopsies. Magnification endoscopy, when used in addition to chromoendoscopy, does not appear to further increase the diagnostic yield for detecting duodenal abnormalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Chromoendoscopy with indigocarmine improves the detection of adenomatous and nonadenomatous lesions in the colon.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Depressed early cancers and flat adenomas have a high potential for malignancy with possible infiltrating growth, despite the small size of the lesion. Japanese investigators have shown that early diagnosis and classification of these lesions is possible with the help of chromoendoscopy. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the usefulness of chromoendoscopy during routine colonoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During routine colonoscopy, vital staining with indigocarmine solution (0.4 %, 1 - 10 ml) was performed on all visible lesions in 100 consecutive patients without visible inflammatory changes. If findings on macroscopic examination were unremarkable, the sigmoid colon and rectum were stained with indigocarmine over a defined segment (0 - 30 cm ab ano) and inspected for lesions visible only after staining. Each lesion was classified with regard to type (polypoid, flat, or depressed), position and size. The staining pattern was classified according to the pit pattern classification. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients had 105 visible lesions (89 polypoid, 14 flat and two depressed). The mean size of the lesions was 1.4 cm. Among the 48 patients with mucosa of normal appearance, 27 showed 178 lesions after staining (176 flat, two depressed) with a mean size of 3 mm. On histological investigation, 210 lesions showed hyperplastic or inflammatory changes, 67 were adenomas and six were cancers. Use of the pit pattern system to classify lesions (adenomatous, pit patterns III-V; nonadenomatous, pit patterns I-II) was possible, with a sensitivity of 92 % and a specificity of 93 %. Lesions with pit patterns III - V showed higher rates of dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Chromoendoscopy allows easy detection of mucosal lesions in the colon and facilitates visualization of the margins of flat lesions. This technique unmasks multiple mucosal lesions which are not identified by routine video colonoscopy. The pit pattern seen after staining allows differentiation between hyperplastic and adenomatous lesions which may have consequences with regard to the endoscopic interventions needed.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2001

[Interventional ERCP in patients with cholestasis. Degree of biliary bacterial colonization and antibiotic resistance].

Interventional ERCP in patients with cholestasis. Degree of biliary bacterial colonization and antibiotic resistance. Biliary obstruction together with bacterial colonization of the bile duct may lead to development of acute cholangitis. The aim of our prospective study was to investigate the presence and degree of biliary bacterial colonization by means of bile aspiration during ERCP in patients with biliary obstruction. Furthermore, we evaluated antibiotic therapy regimens, which would cover the bacterial species obtained by ERCP and subsequent culture in each patient. In addition, analysis of risk factors was performed that would predispose to the development of cholangitis.80 patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of biliary obstruction underwent ERCP with initial aspiration of bile via the cannulation catheter. This material was used to culture aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and determine the colony count/ml bile, followed by identification of each species and antibiotic resistance testing. The minimal inhibitory concentration for Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Piperacillin, Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Imipenem, Gentamycin und Metronidazole was determined. Immediately after the ERCP or if the body temperature (after ERCP) rose to > 38 degrees C blood cultures were obtained. In 45 (56 %) patients biliary colonization with bacteria could be identified (56 %). In 20 patients a single isolate was cultured, in 25 cases mixed infection was present. A total of 83 species were isolated. The most common bacteria were E. coli, Enterococcus and Klebsiella. 9.6 % of all isolates were obligatory anaerobes. In 9 of 80 patients bloodcultures tested positive for bacterial growth (rate of bacteremia: 11.3 %). 10 patients had acute cholangitis clinically before ERCP, 13 patients developed signs of infection after ERCP. Statistically significant factors contributing to the risk of infection were age of the patient, the clinical condition of the patient before ERCP and the biliary colony count. Patients with development of infection after ERCP showed a significantly higher incidence of bacterial colonization of the biliary tree and a higher colony count. In all bacterial species Imipenem (4.5 %) or Levofloxacin (2.2 %) exhibited the lowest rate of in-vitro resistance. Based on these data, the implementation of Levofloxacin in combination with anaerobic coverage is advantageous as a calculated therapy for patients with acute cholangitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Screening for specialized columnar epithelium with methylene blue: chromoendoscopy in patients with Barrett's esophagus and a normal control group.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's esophagus is characterized by the presence of specialized columnar epithelium (SCE) in the distal esophagus and is a precursor for dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Methylene blue is used to selectively stain this type of epithelium within the columnar lined distal esophagus (CLE). The goal of our prospective study was to investigate the staining pattern with methylene blue in patients with visible CLE and a control group with macroscopically normal gastroesophageal junction. METHODS: Chromoendoscopy of the distal esophagus with 1% methylene blue was performed on a total of 73 patients (51 with visible CLE, 22 normal control subjects). Biopsies were targeted toward stained or macroscopically abnormal mucosal areas. Unstained CLE was sampled by obtaining 4-quadrant biopsy specimens at 2 cm intervals. RESULTS: The targeted biopsy of stained areas provided histologic proof of SCE with a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 61%. The detection of SCE increased with this method in patients with visible CLE (75%), but SCE was also prevalent in the control group (73%). Areas that by their appearance raised a suspicion for dysplasia and adenocarcinoma were already endoscopically apparent in 3 of 4 cases before methylene blue staining and showed different staining patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Methylene blue staining increases the rate of detection of SCE, both in patients with visible CLE and with normal gastroesophageal junction. For detection of dysplastic or malignant areas it is important to look for visible mucosal changes.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Improved sedation in diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP: propofol is an alternative to midazolam.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Adequate sedation of the patient is required for diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The anesthetic propofol, with its shorter half-life, affording better control, offers an alternative to the benzodiazepine midazolam. The aim of this randomized, controlled, unblinded study was to compare prospectively the quality of sedation under propofol and midazolam in patients undergoing ERCP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients were randomized to sedation with propofol alone (n = 40) or midazolam alone (n = 40). Blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation were measured. Midazolam was given by the endoscopist and titrated to the patients' response during ERCP, to a maximum dose of 15 mg per patient. In the propofol group an anesthetist was present to administer the propofol and to observe the patient. Standardized testing procedures (Steward score, Trieger test) were used to determine the length of postendoscopy recovery time. Efficacy of sedation was assessed by investigators and patients, using scoring systems. RESULTS: Complete ERCP and adequate sedation was possible in 80% of patients (32 out of 40) with midazolam, and in 97.5% of patients (39 out of 40) with propofol (P<0.01). The average propofol induction dose was 1.24 mg/kg body weight, with maintenance requiring a mean dose of 9 mg/kg body weight per hour, or the equivalent of 354 mg in total. The average dose of midazolam administered was 0.12 mg/kg body weight; the total dose averaged 8 mg. Recovery time in the propofol patients was significantly shorter (P<0.01). The investigators (P<0.01) and the patients (P<0.05) both judged the quality of sedation to be better in the propofol group. There were no differences in blood pressure, pulse, or oxygen saturation between the two groups. One patient in the propofol group (79 years old) suffered a protracted apneic phase accompanied by hypotension that was managed by manual ventilation and drug therapy, and led to no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol proves to be an excellent sedative for ERCP and shows a shorter recovery time than midazolam. Because of the narrow therapeutic window, we recommend close patient monitoring.

Anesthesia Recovery Period↗
PubMed1999

Chromoendoscopy and intravital staining techniques.

Chromoendoscopy and intravital staining techniques are synonymous methods for the endoscopic early detection of malignant changes in the intestinal tract. Endoscopic intravital staining involves the use of absorptive stains (methylene blue and Lugol's solution), contrast stains (indigo carmine) and reactive stains (Congo red). Lugol's iodine solution is used to identify superficial carcinomas in the squamous epithelium of the oesophagus. Methylene blue stains the specialized intestinal epithelium in Barrett's oesophagus and, in addition to this, is helpful in the diagnosis of dysplasia. Intravital staining with indigo carmine contributes to contrasting and accentuating changed mucosal processes. Together with Cresyl violet, contrast staining is particularly important in detecting small, early malignant changes in the colon. The use of chromoendoscopy enables a biopsy diagnosis of superficial dysplastic changes and an accurate delineation of carcinomatous areas. In conjunction with the modern video-endoscopy (high-resolution endoscopy and magnification endoscopy), vital staining forms the diagnostic foundation for the detection of early malignant changes in the gastrointestinal tract. These techniques are therefore prerequisites to local endoscopic tumour therapy (mucosectomy). Despite their increasing acceptance, these methods must prove their diagnostic merit in randomized studies.

Coloring Agents↗
PubMed1999

[Propofol for sedation in gastroscopy--a randomized comparison with midazolam].

UNLABELLED: Midazolam, a benzodiazepine with amnestic and sedative effects is the drug of choice for sedation of patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Propofol, a phenolic derivate, is a short-acting anesthetic producing a more rapid onset sedation amnesia and a shorter recovery than midazolam: In higher doses it acts as hypnotic. The aim of this study was to evaluate both drugs in a prospective randomized trial for sedation of patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). METHODS: 60 patients undergoing EGD were randomized to receive either propofol (n = 30) or midazolam (n = 30). No other analgetic or sedative drugs were used. 3 l oxygen were given routinely by nose. Blood pressure, oxygen saturation (pulse oxymetry) and heart rate was monitored continuously. The sedation quality was determined from the endoscopist and patient separately by use of a scale as either good, fair or insufficient. RESULTS: Changes of the heart rate and oxygen saturation showed no differences in both groups (> 0.05). The blood pressure decreased significant by using propofol (p < 0.01). The sedation quality was good in both groups without significant differences. The recovery time was shorter if propofol was administered (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol is an alternative drug for sedation in upper endoscopy. It showed same sedation quality as midazolam with the advantage of a short recovery time. Because of a possible decrease of the blood pressure continuous monitoring is recommended.

Adult↗