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Treatment of acute nontoxic megacolon during colonoscopy: tube placement versus simple decompression.

The study compares the efficacy of colonoscopic decompression versus decompression and tube placement in the treatment of Ogilvie's syndrome. Nine patients were treated with a single colonoscopic decompression which resulted in four recurrences. In contrast, there were no recurrences observed in 11 patients who underwent decompression and subsequent tube placement (p less than 0.05). There was no morbidity observed from either decompression or tube placement. Tube placement added less than 10 min of additional procedure time to the colonoscopy. The tube utilized in this study was an enteroclysis tube with sideholes cut in the distal 20 cm. The tube was easily inserted over a Teflon-coated flexible guide wire inserted through the colonoscope into the cecum following decompression. This study demonstrates that colonoscopic decompression followed by tube placement is the preferred treatment modality for acute nontoxic megacolon.

Acute Disease↗

Addition of enemas to oral lavage preparation for colonoscopy is not necessary.

To evaluate whether the addition of enemas to oral electrolyte lavage is helpful for colonoscopic preparation, we conducted a prospective, randomized, observer-blinded trial to compare oral lavage plus enemas with oral lavage alone. The quality of preparation, mucosal visualization, and the volume of retained colonic fluid did not differ between the two groups. Twenty-two percent of the patients in the group who received oral lavage plus enemas compared with 12% of the patients in the group that only received oral lavage stated that they would refuse to repeat the preparation for future colonoscopic examination. Seventeen percent of the patients in the group that received oral lavage plus enemas demonstrated anorectal trauma or inflammation compared with only 5% in the group that received oral lavage alone (p = 0.09). These results indicate that the addition of enemas to oral lavage preparation for colonoscopic evaluation cannot be routinely recommended. However, enemas may be considered on an individual basis in the occasional patient unable to consume the complete oral lavage or in whom residual stool is found during colonoscopic evaluation after oral lavage preparation.

Colonoscopy↗

Endoscopic resection of large pedunculated colorectal polyps using a detachable snare.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopic resection of pedunculated polyps with heads 1 cm or greater in diameter is difficult because of the risk of bleeding. To minimize this complication, we used a detachable snare that allowed endoscopic ligation of the stalk of a large pedunculated polyp and evaluated its safety and effectiveness in comparison with conventional endoscopic snare polypectomy. METHODS: Patients with pedunculated polyps with heads 1 cm or greater in diameter were randomly assigned to colonoscopic polypectomy with (N = 47) or without (N = 42) a detachable snare. Arterial pumping bleeding immediately after colonoscopic polypectomy or hematochezia resulting in a 10% or greater drop in hematocrit was defined as "bleeding." RESULTS: No bleeding occurred during or after polypectomy with a detachable snare, but bleeding occurred significantly more frequently (five patients, 12%) without a snare. Moreover, the use of a detachable snare reduced the duration of hospitalization after polypectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopic polypectomy with a detachable snare may be safer than conventional polypectomy without a detachable snare for resection of large, pedunculated polyps.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

Effect of magnetic endoscope imaging on colonoscopy performance: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy can be technically challenging because of unpredictable colonoscope looping. Without imaging, straightening the colonoscope is sometimes difficult since the endoscopist has to guess where the tip is. Magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI), a new non-radiographical technique for picturing the colonoscope shaft in real time, could facilitate loop straightening and thus improve performance. METHODS: We assessed trainees and endoscopists with much experience of routine outpatient colonoscopy. In group 1, trainees examined 113 consecutive patients. MEI views were recorded in all examinations, but procedures were randomised to be done by two trainees, either with the endoscopist and endoscopy assistants viewing the imager display (n=58), or without the imager view (n=55). In group 2, two skilled endoscopists were randomised (as with group 1) to undertake consecutive examinations (n=183) either with (n=92) or without (n=91) the MEI view. MEI views of all procedures were analysed retrospectively. FINDINGS: In both groups, intubation times were shorter (median 11.8 min [4.3-31.5] vs 15.3 min [4-67] [group 1]; 8.0 min [2.6-40.8] vs 9.3 min [2.5-52.6] [group 2]) and number of attempts at straightening the colonoscope fewer (median 5 [0-20] vs 12 [0-57] [group 1]; 7 [0-55] vs 10 [0-80] [group 2]), when the endoscopist was able to see the imager view. In group 1, colonoscopy completion rates were also higher (100% [58] vs 89% [49]) and duration of looping was reduced (median 3 min [0-18.8] vs 5.4 min [0-44.5]) when the imager could be seen. Abdominal hand pressure was more effective when the endoscopist and endoscopy assistant could see the imager view. INTERPRETATION: MEI significantly improves performance of colonoscopy, particularly when used by trainees, or by experts in technically difficult cases; loops were straightened or controlled effectively, resulting in quick intubation times and high completion rates.

Adolescent↗

Endoscopic treatment of colorectal polyps and early cancer.

To analyze the efficacy and outcome of colonoscopic resection for colorectal neoplastic lesions, we retrospectively reviewed 338 colorectal lesions from 232 patients regarding the clinical profiles, colonoscopic findings, histological findings, complications, and outcome. Morphologically, these lesions were classified into three categories: pedunculated (n = 140), sessile (n = 176); and flat (n = 22). Histological findings of lesions included adenoma (n = 248), carcinoma in situ (n = 17), submucosal carcinoma (n = 2), hyperplastic polyp (n = 57), and inflammatory polyp (n = 14). Neoplastic lesions are generally larger than nonneoplastic lesions (chi2 test, P < 0.05). The incidence of carcinoma was 5.6% of 338 resected lesions. The rate of cancer or high-grade dysplasia in flat polyps was greater than in pedunculated and sessile polyps (13.6 vs 4.54 vs 5.71%; P < 0.05). There were no perforations or deaths after colonoscopic treatment, and only mild bleeding occured in two patients. To date, 19 patients with early colorectal cancer were treated successfully by endoscopy with no recurrence or metastasis. To reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer, colonoscopic resection is a simple and safe procedure for removing neoplastic lesions. Detailed histological examinations are essential to decide the indications of surgery.

Adult↗

Prediction of the clinical course of Behçet's colitis according to macroscopic classification by colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The lesions in Behçet's colitis show aphthoid or punched-out ulceration, but the macroscopic types of lesion found have not been defined. To predict the clinical outcome in patients with Behçet's colitis according to the colonoscopic findings, we classified the characteristic colonic ulcers, evaluated the efficacy of medical treatment on colonoscopic lesions, and calculated the operation rates and recurrence rates relative to the macroscopic types. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records and colonoscopic photographs of 50 patients with Behçet's colitis were reviewed. The colonic lesions were examined by colonoscopy in patients with Behçet's disease and gastrointestinal symptoms. The colonoscopic findings were categorized into three types of ulceration: volcano-like, geographic, and aphthous. The efficacy of medical treatment was assessed by follow-up colonoscopy or double-contrast barium enema four to eight weeks after treatment, and recurrence of the lesions was evaluated during the follow-up periods. Cumulative surgery rates were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The macroscopic classification of colonic ulcers identified 25 of 50 patients (50%) with volcano-type lesions, 11 (22%) with the geographic type, and 14 (28%) with the aphthous type. The rates of complete remission after medical treatment and surgery, respectively, were six of 25 (24%) and 13 of 25 (52%) with volcano-type ulcerations; eight of 11 (73%) and one of 11 (9%) with the geographic type; and nine of 14 (64%) and two of 14 (14%) with the aphthous type. The endoscopic and clinical recurrence rates were nine of 19 (47%) in volcano-type ulcerations, one of nine (11%) in the geographic type, and one of 11 (9%) in the aphthous type. CONCLUSION: Volcano-type ulcerations in Behçet's colitis showed a less favorable response to medical treatment, a more frequent requirement for surgery, and more frequent recurrences than the geographic and aphthous types of ulcerations.

Adult↗

Patient pain during colonoscopy: an analysis using real-time magnetic endoscope imaging.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Colonoscopy is generally perceived as being a painful procedure. Contributory factors are: stretching of the colonic wall and mesenteric attachments from looping of the instrument shaft, overinsufflation, the degree of torque or force applied to the colonoscope shaft, and patient pain threshold. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of pain episodes experienced during diagnostic colonoscopy and the corresponding colonoscope configuration, utilizing real-time magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive outpatients undergoing colonoscopy were studied. Patients with previous colonic resections were excluded. Procedures were commenced with antispasmodics only, and patient sedation was self-administered whenever significant discomfort was experienced, using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) syringe pump. All "demands" were correlated with the MEI record, which was subsequently analysed. RESULTS: A total of 650 demands were recorded in 102 patients. Seventy-seven percent of all demands occurred with the colonoscope tip in the sigmoid colon, 7 % in the descending colon, 6 % at the splenic flexure, 5 % in the transverse colon, and 4 % in the proximal colon. Ninety percent of all pain episodes coincided with either looping (79 %) or straightening of the colonoscope shaft (11 %); presumed overinsufflation being an infrequent cause of pain (9 %). Of the loops encountered during colonoscopy, the N-sigmoid spiral loop was associated with the majority of pain episodes (56 %). Looping was both more frequent ( P = 0.0002) and less well tolerated in women than in men ( P = 0.0140). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to document pain at colonoscopy accurately. Looping, particularly in the variable anatomy of the sigmoid colon, is the major cause of pain, especially in women. Use of MEI may improve pain control by facilitating the straightening of loops within the sigmoid colon, and by enabling the endoscopist to target patient analgesia.

Analgesics↗

Use of a disposable sheath system for flexible sigmoidoscopy in decentralized colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: To prevent transmission of infectious agents and to reduce instrument reprocessing time, the use of disposable sheath systems instead of conventionally reprocessed endoscopes has been promoted for flexible sigmoidoscopy. This trial primarily investigated the feasibility of a disposable sheath system for flexible sigmoidoscopy in decentralized colorectal cancer screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an ongoing colorectal cancer screening trial, 226 consecutive participants were randomly allocated to have their flexible sigmoidoscopy performed with either a fiberoptic sigmoidoscope covered with a disposable sheath ("EndoSheath group") or a conventional video colonoscope ("standard colonoscope group"). All examinations were performed at a temporary screening center. The patients' experience was documented using a questionnaire. The feasibility of running temporary screening units was evaluated. RESULTS: Examinations beyond the 60-cm level were excluded. Thus, 113 patients (examined with the disposable instrument) and 87 (standard instrument) were eligible for analysis. When the sheathed system was used, all the devices needed could be satisfactorily transported. A screening center could be set up within a few hours. No differences were observed in patient discomfort. Fewer patients with polyps were observed in the EndoSheath group (48 [42%]), compared with 55 (63%) in the standard colonoscope group; P = 0.005). No significant differences were observed for polyps larger than 5 mm (14 [12%] in the EndoSheath group, 13 [15%] in the standard colonoscope group; P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Using the disposable system, decentralized colorectal cancer screening was easily established. However, fewer polyps were found, possibly due to the fiberoptic nature of the instrument. Sheathed video instruments are desirable and may increase the diagnostic yield.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

Effect of real-time magnetic endoscope imaging on the teaching and acquisition of colonoscopy skills: results from a single trainee.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Most trainees have little concept of the loops that occur during colonoscopy, and have difficulty in appreciating the combination of withdrawal and torquing manoeuvres that are essential to achieving complete colonoscopy. Real-time magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI) allows visualization of shaft looping, and so makes intuitive the manoeuvres necessary to straighten the colonoscope shaft. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive routine colonoscopies were performed by a single trainee (with previous experience of 15 colonoscopies). Procedures were randomly assigned to be carried out either with the trainee viewing the MEI display, or without the MEI view, which was recorded throughout all examinations. RESULTS: In total, 71 procedures were performed. To assess the trend for learning, procedures were analysed in blocks of 24 consecutive examinations (periods 1 to 3). In the first 24 procedures (period 1), the number of attempts at straightening the colonoscope and duration of looping were significantly less, and the intubation time was shorter, for examinations performed with the MEI view. In periods 2 to 3, there was a continued trend towards improved performance, but without a significant difference between procedures performed with or without MEI. CONCLUSIONS: During training, real-time colonoscope imaging using MEI appears to enhance the endoscopist's appreciation of looping and improves the learning of the manoeuvres required to straighten the colonoscope shaft. A prospective, multicentre study assessing a larger number of trainees is needed to clarify these findings.

Adult↗

Pressure dye-spray: a simple and reliable method for differentiating adenomas from hyperplastic polyps in the colon.

BACKGROUND: Based on 10 years of experience with chromoendoscopy, our hypothesis was that colonic adenomas can be differentiated from hyperplastic polyps by use of a high-pressure spray-jet of dye (pressure dye-spray). To test the accuracy of pressure dye-spray, classification of colonic polyps as adenomas and hyperplastic polyps by pressure dye-spray and ordinary colonoscopic findings (shape, size, and color surface appearance) were compared. METHODS: Pressure dye-spray chromoendoscopy was performed by using 0.035% indigo carmine, a spray-type cannula, and a water pump. Polyps were first classified as adenomas or hyperplastic polyps by ordinary colonoscopic findings. One or more pressure dye-spray bursts were then focused on the polyp from a distance of 1 to 2 cm. Polyps were classified as adenomas only if oozing of blood was evident; otherwise, they were classified as hyperplastic polyps. A histologic diagnosis was obtained for all polyps, and the results of ordinary colonoscopic findings and pressure dye-spray were compared. RESULTS: This study examined 1468 polyps (1201 adenomas, 267 hyperplastic polyps; mean diameter 4 mm). The sensitivities for polyp differentiation with pressure dye-spray and ordinary colonoscopic findings were, respectively, 97.9% and 73.4% (p < 0.0001); specificities were, respectively, 96.6% and 92.1% (p = 0.077). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure dye-spray was found to be a reliable technique for differentiation between adenomas and hyperplastic polyps.

Adenoma↗

Minute findings by magnifying colonoscopy are useful for the evaluation of ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy has an important role in the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. However, colonoscopic findings are inadequate for the prediction of relapse without histologic examination. In this study, the role of magnifying colonoscopy in ulcerative colitis was evaluated. METHODS: One hundred sixteen magnifying colonoscopy observations were made in 61 patients with ulcerative colitis between January 1994 and October 1998. A simple classification of magnifying colonoscopic findings into 5 categories was devised as follows: regularly arranged crypt openings, villous-like, minute defects of epithelium, small yellowish spots, and coral reef-like appearance. The colonoscopic findings by classification were compared with histopathologic findings, and the usefulness of the classification for predicting relapse was prospectively analyzed in 18 patients. RESULTS: Compared with grade as determined by conventional colonoscopy, there was a better correlation between the classification of findings by magnifying colonoscopy and histopathologic findings (r(2) = 0.665, 0.807, respectively). Of 18 patients studied prospectively, 7 of 9 with minute defects of epithelium relapsed within 6 months, and the cumulative nonrelapsing rate was significantly lower in patients with minute defects of epithelium compared with those without minute defects of epithelium (p = 0.0059). Moreover, minute defects of epithelium was found to be a significant independent predictive factor for relapse (multivariate analysis, Cox proportional hazards model; p = 0.0203). CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed classification of magnifying colonoscopic findings in patients with ulcerative colitis is useful for the evaluation of disease activity and for the prediction of periods of remission.

Adolescent↗

Assessment of predictors of response to neostigmine for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Acute colonic pseudoobstruction (ACPO) most commonly develops after surgery, with narcotic administration, or in association with severe illness. Most cases resolve with conservative management. Colonoscopic decompression may be required in patients failing to respond to conservative treatment. Neostigmine has been proposed as an effective treatment for ACPO as an alternative to colonoscopic decompression. We sought to identify factors associated with spontaneous resolution of ACPO and to identify variables associated with a response to i.v. administration of neostigmine for the treatment of ACPO. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of Mayo Clinic's diagnostic index revealed all patients who developed ACPO between July, 1999 and September, 2001 at the Mayo Clinic Medical Center. We separately analyzed those patients who did not resolve ACPO with conservative management and to whom i.v. neostigmine was administered. Patient records were abstracted for demographic data, etiology of ACPO, management, and response to treatment. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients were identified with ACPO between July, 1999 and September, 2001; 117 patients (77%) had spontaneous resolution of symptoms. Of the 34 "nonresolvers," 18 patients received neostigmine, whereas 16 did not receive neostigmine. Of those 16 patients, 11 required colonoscopic decompression, two underwent surgery, and three died of underlying illness. "Spontaneous resolvers" were less likely to be taking narcotics (59% vs 74%, p = 0.08). Of the 16 nonresolvers who did not receive neostigmine, only one had a contraindication to neostigmine use. Of the 18 patients that who received neostigmine, 16 patients (89%) had prompt evacuation (<30 min) of flatus or stool. Sustained clinical response to neostigmine was noted in 11 of 18 (61%); the remaining seven patients (39%) required colonoscopic decompression or surgery for recurrent or persistent colonic dilation. Neostigmine-responders were more likely to be older (mean age, 76 yr vs 54 yr, p = 0.03), than nonresponders. Preneostigmine cecal diameter did not differ significantly between responders (median, 12 cm) and nonresponders (median, 13 cm), p = 0.9. Median time to resolution of ACPO in spontaneous resolvers was 4 days compared to 2 days in patients responding to neostigmine; p = 0.038. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with ACPO respond to conservative treatment. Female gender and older age are associated with a response to neostigmine in those patients who do not respond to conservative management. Neostigmine appears to be under-used in patients with ACPO who do not have a true contraindication to its use.

Acute Disease↗

Cancer surveillance in longstanding ulcerative colitis: endoscopic appearances help predict cancer risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The risk of colorectal cancer is increased in ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients with UC have diverse colonoscopic appearances. Determining colonoscopic markers for cancer risk could allow patient risk stratification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following on from an earlier study which demonstrated a correlation between inflammation severity and neoplasia risk, a case control study was performed to look for colonoscopic markers of colorectal neoplasia risk in UC. Each patient with neoplasia detected between 1988 and 2002 was matched with two non-dysplastic colitic controls. Data were collected on post-inflammatory polyps, scarring, strictures, backwash ileitis, a shortened, tubular, or featureless colon, severe inflammation, and normal looking surveillance colonoscopies. RESULTS: Cases (n = 68) and controls (n = 136) were well matched. On univariate analysis, cases were significantly more likely to have post-inflammatory polyps (odds ratio (OR) 2.14 (95% confidence interval 1.24-3.70)), strictures (OR 4.22; 1.08-15.54), shortened colons (OR 10.0; 1.17-85.6), tubular colons (OR 2.03; 1.00-4.08), or segments of severe inflammation (OR 3.38; 1.41-10.13), and less likely to have had a macroscopically normal looking colonoscopy (OR 0.40; 0.21-0.74). After multivariate analysis, a macroscopically normal looking colonoscopy (OR 0.38; 0.19-0.73), post-inflammatory polyps (2.29; 1.28-4.11), and strictures (4.62; 1.03-20.8) remained significant. The five year risk of colorectal cancer following a normal looking colonoscopy was no different from that of matched general population controls. CONCLUSIONS: Macroscopic colonoscopic features help predict neoplasia risk in UC. Features of previous/ongoing inflammation signify an increased risk. A macroscopically normal looking colonoscopy returns the cancer risk to that of the general population: it should be possible to reduce surveillance frequency to five years in this cohort.

Adolescent↗

Feature extraction for the analysis of colon status from the endoscopic images.

BACKGROUND: Extracting features from the colonoscopic images is essential for getting the features, which characterizes the properties of the colon. The features are employed in the computer-assisted diagnosis of colonoscopic images to assist the physician in detecting the colon status. METHODS: Endoscopic images contain rich texture and color information. Novel schemes are developed to extract new texture features from the texture spectra in the chromatic and achromatic domains, and color features for a selected region of interest from each color component histogram of the colonoscopic images. These features are reduced in size using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and are evaluated using Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN). RESULTS: Features extracted from endoscopic images were tested to classify the colon status as either normal or abnormal. The classification results obtained show the features' capability for classifying the colon's status. The average classification accuracy, which is using hybrid of the texture and color features with PCA (tau = 1%), is 97.72%. It is higher than the average classification accuracy using only texture (96.96%, tau = 1%) or color (90.52%, tau = 1%) features. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, novel methods for extracting new texture- and color-based features from the colonoscopic images to classify the colon status have been proposed. A new approach using PCA in conjunction with BPNN for evaluating the features has also been proposed. The preliminary test results support the feasibility of the proposed method.

Colon↗

Polymorphic reticulosis with colonic lesion--a case report.

A 38-year-old man was admitted with a high fever, sore throat, and right upper quadrant pain. Nine months before his admission, he had undergone right hemicolectomy under the impression of intestinal lymphoma. But there had been no evidence of lymphoma on microscopic examination. Under the postoperative diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, corticosteroid therapy was tried without response. On the follow-up colonoscopic examination, an ovoid ulcer, with convergence of the surrounding mucosal folds at the descending colon and an irregularly shaped ulcer at the ileocolic anastomotic site, were found. The colonoscopic diagnosis was Behcet's colitis. After pathologic slides of biopsy and surgical specimens obtained from the palatine tonsil and colon were reviewed, the diagnosis of polymorphic reticulosis was made. The patient received anticancer chemotherapy, including cyclophophamide and glucocorticosteroid. To date, colonic involvement of polymorphic reticulosis has not been reported. Because of the similarity of the colonoscopic findings to those of Behcet's colitis, polymorphic reticulosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. We assume that this is the first case of polymorphic reticulosis involving the colon with characteristic colonoscopic findings.

Adult↗

Characteristics and therapeutic efficacy of sulfasalazine in patients with mildly and moderately active ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To investigate the characteristics and short-term efficacy of sulfasalazine (SASP) in patients with mildly and moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-eight patients with mildly and moderately active UC were recruited, 106 patients in 1993-1995, and 122 patients in 2000-2002, they were assigned as the 1990s group (n = 106) and the 2000s group (n = 122), prospectively. The general characteristics, clinical manifestations, colonoscopic and histological data were compared between the two groups. The short-term efficacy and safety of SASP 3 g per d were evaluated. RESULTS: Between 2000s and 1990s groups, the gender ratio of men to women was 1:1.18 and 1:1.04, 57.4% and 50.9% of the patients were between 30 and 49 years old. The gender ratio and age of UC patients were not significantly different. The total course of 50.0% and 37.1% of UC patients was less than 1 year (P<0.05), 10.6% and 31.2% of the cases had a duration of more than 5 years (P<0.05) in 2000s and 1990s groups, respectively. The most common clinical type was first episode in 2000s group and chronic relapse in 1990s group. The patients showed a higher frequency of abdominal pain and tenderness in 1990s group than in 2000s group. Erosions were found in 84.4% and 67.9% of patients in 2000s and 1990s groups (P<0.05). Rough and granular mucosa (67.9% vs 43.4%, P<0.05) and polyps (47.2% vs 32.8%, P<0.05) were identified in 1990s group more than in 2000s group. There were no significant differences in clinical, colonoscopic and histological classifications. After SASP (1 g thrice per d) treatment for 6 wk, the clinical, colonoscopic and histological remission rates were 71.8%, 21.8% and 16.4%, respectively. In 79 patients with clinical remission, 58.2% and 67.1% remained grade 1 in colonoscopic and histological findings, respectively. The overall effects in first episode type (complete remission in 10, 18.9%, partial remission in 28, 52.8%, and improvement in 9, 17.0%) were better than in chronic relapse type (complete remission in 3, 7.5%; partial remission in 16, 40.0%; and improvement in 15, 37.5%) and chronic persistent type (complete remission in 1, 5.9%; partial remission in 6, 35.3%; and improvement in 6, 35.3%) respectively (P<0.05). In 110 patients treated with SASP, 18 patients (16.4%) had adverse reactions. Except for two cases of urticaria and one case of WBC decrease, none of the patients had to stop the treatment because of severe adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Patients with mildly and moderately active UC in 2000s group had a shorter disease course, milder clinical manifestations, more first episode type and higher frequency of acute mucosal lesions in colonoscopy than in 1990s group. The patients in 1990s group had higher proportion of chronic relapse type and chronic mucosal change in colonoscopy than in 2000s group. The short-term efficacy of SASP could be mainly remission of clinical manifestations. But more than half of the patients still had light inflammation in colonoscopy and histology. The overall effects of SASP in first episode type were better than those in other types. SASP was a safe and effective drug to treat mildly and moderately active UC.

Adolescent↗

Morphologic progression in depressed-type colorectal cancers.

To clarify the morphologic progression pattern of colorectal cancers of the depressed-type, we correlated colonoscopic appearance of 65 such tumors with depth of invasion. The assessed colonoscopic findings included expansile appearance, depth of surface depression, irregularity of the base of the depression and mucosal folds converging toward the tumor. Colonoscopic findings of submucosal cancers and cancers with invasion of the muscularis propria were retrospectively reviewed. We found progression of these cancers to be associated with deeper depression, greater expansion, and more irregularity of shape as invasion progressed and mucosal folds increasingly converged toward the tumor. Colonoscopic findings (including expansile appearance, depth of surface depression, irregularity of the depression, and mucosal fold convergence toward the tumor) correlate with morphologic progression in depressed-type colorectal cancers.

Aged↗

Value of predictive genetic testing in management of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of predictive genetic testing on colonoscopic surveillance in an extended family with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). SETTING: Familial Bowel Cancer Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria. SUBJECTS: 96 people registered with the Service who were apparently unaffected members of an extended family that met the classic Amsterdam criteria for HNPCC and carried an MLH1 gene mutation (IVS9 + 3insT). INTERVENTION: Predictive genetic testing was offered in a cascade manner to at-risk family members; mutation-positive individuals were advised to have annual colonoscopic surveillance, while mutation-negative individuals were withdrawn from surveillance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Previous compliance with recommended colonoscopic surveillance; uptake and results of genetic testing; expected effect of genetic test results on number of colonoscopies over five years. RESULTS: 22 of the 96 family members (23%) were not complying with recommended surveillance. Of 48 individuals offered predictive genetic testing, 41 (85%) responded and 39 (81%) underwent testing. Seven of the 39 (18%) were positive for the family-specific mutation, and 32 (82%) were negative. The 39 tested individuals and 37 of their descendants who were registered with the screening program had undergone 70 colonoscopies in the five years before genetic testing. In the five years after testing, only 37 surveillance colonoscopies were planned (annual or two-yearly colonoscopies for the six mutation-positive individuals and five-yearly colonoscopies for four mutation-negative individuals with previously identified adenoma), an almost 50% reduction in colonoscopies. CONCLUSION: Predictive genetic testing in HNPCC families allows many individuals to be withdrawn from regular colonoscopic surveillance. It may therefore reduce costs, as well as have emotional benefits for many individuals.

Adult↗