Optimised empiric triple and concomitant therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in clinical practice: the OPTRICON study

BACKGROUND

Empiric triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori should be abandoned when clarithromycin resistance rate is >15-20%. Optimisation of triple therapy (high-dose acid suppression and 14-day duration) can increase eradication rates by 10%.

AIM

To compare the efficacy and safety of optimised triple (OPT-TRI) and nonbismuth quadruple concomitant (OPT-CON) therapies.

METHODS

Prospective multicentre study in 16 Spanish centres using triple therapy in clinical practice. In a 3-month two-phase fashion, the first 402 patients received an OPT-TRI therapy [esomeprazole (40 mg b.d.), amoxicillin (1 g b.d) and clarithromycin (500 mg b.d) for 14 days] and the last 375 patients an OPT-CON treatment [OPT-TRI therapy plus metronidazole (500 mg b.d)].

RESULTS

Seven-hundred seventy-seven consecutive patients were included (402 OPT-TRI, 375 OPT-CON). The OPT-CON therapy achieved significantly higher eradication rates in the per-protocol [82.3% (95% CI = 78-86%) vs. 93.8% (91-96%), P < 0.001] and intention-to-treat analysis [81.3% (78-86%) vs. 90.4% (87-93%), P < 0.001]. Adverse events (97% mild/moderate) were significantly more common with OPT-CON therapy (39% vs. 47%, P = 0.016), but full compliance with therapy was similar between groups (94% vs. 92%, P = 0.4). OPT-CON therapy was the only significant predictor of successful eradication (odds ratio, 2.24; 95% CI: 1.48-3.51, P < 0.001). The rate of participating centres achieving cure rates ≥ 90% favoured OPT-CON therapy (OPT-TRI 25% vs. OPT-CON 62%).

CONCLUSIONS

Empiric OPT-CON therapy achieved significantly higher cure rates (>90%) compared to OPT-TRI therapy. Addition of metronidazole to OPT-TRI therapy increased eradication rates by 10%, resulting in more mild adverse effects, but without impairing compliance with therapy.

Transcatheter intracavitary fibrinolysis of loculated pleural effusions: experience in 102 patients

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of intrapleural urokinase instillation through small-caliber catheters for the treatment of loculate and/or septate effusions.

METHODS

We inserted small-caliber catheters (8.2 Fr) in 102 patients with septate and/or loculate pleural effusions using ultrasonographic guidance. Urokinase (100,000 IU/2 hr, 3 times a day) was instilled through the catheter until the effusion resolved and D-dimer levels were <500 ng/ml. Patients were enrolled regardless of the etiology of the pleural effusion provided there were no contraindications for the use of urokinase. D-dimer levels were determined before and after treatment. Follow-up was performed by chest radiograph and sonography at 1 day, 7 days, and every 30 days thereafter for 6 months.

RESULTS

Successful catheter placement was achieved in all cases. The mean time catheters stayed in place was 5.7 days and the mean dose of drug instilled was 690,000 IU. Pleural effusion drainage was complete at the first assessment in all patients. Failure of the treatment, with recurrent effusion at 30 days, occurred in six patients (5.8%). Complete resolution without sequelae was observed in 19 patients (19.6%). In 75 cases (73.5%) resolution was partial, with pleural thickening (>2 mm). Two patients died from unrelated causes within 30 days after catheter placement. Complications were seen in 13 patients (12.74%): hydropneumothorax, nine cases (8.82%); infection of the puncture point, three cases (2.94%); and adverse reaction, one case (0.98%). No further treatment was required.

CONCLUSION

The use of intrapleural fibrinolytic agents delivered through small-caliber catheters for the treatment of loculate and/or septate pleural effusion is a simple, effective, minimally invasive and inexpensive procedure that can prevent sequelae and shorten drainage time.

[Right upper lobar mass of the lung caused by subclavian artery aneurysm]

Subclavian artery aneurysm is a rare condition. The main causes are degenerative disease and, less often, trauma. We report the case of a sawmill worker with a large mass in the upper right lobe found in a routine X-ray. Imaging studies revealed the aneurysm to be 12.2 x 13.1 cm, partially thrombosed and located in the right subclavian artery. Our experience suggests that this cause of lung mass should be considered early in the diagnostic process, before undertaking invasive diagnostic (puncture-biopsy) or therapeutic procedures that might place the patient at risk.

[Drainage of loculated and/or multiloculated pleural effusions using a small caliber catheter and urokinase (pleuro-fibrinolysis)]

The main causes of pleural fluid drainage failure are known to be the formation of fibrin septa, increased viscosity in pleural fluid and inappropriate placement of chest tubes. Reports also tell us that such problems can be solved by using ultrasound as a guide for tube placement and by infusing intrapleural fibrinolytic agents to prevent the formation of septa and reduce the viscosity of pleural fluid. To assess our experience, the role and efficacy of administering intercavitary urokinase (UK) through a small caliber catheter (SCC) implanted with ultrasound guidance as part of the treatment for pleural effusions (PE) that are multiloculated and/or loculated. Fifty multiloculated and/or loculated PE were drained through a pig-tail type SCC between 8.2 and 10 F caliber inserted with ultrasound guidance. The criteria for prescribing the procedure were as follows: PE of any etiology with ultrasound confirmation of fibrin septa and/or multiloculation and absence of contraindication off UK administration. UK was given at a dose of 100,000 i.u. every two hours until disappearance of PE. Before and after treatment the levels of D-dimer were measured in order to monitor pleural fibrinolytic activity. The SCC was properly placed in all patients. UK administration was 366,000 i.u. and time the SCC were in place was 4.7 days. All PEs were initially drained completely. We examined the patients 30 days later, finding that PE had recurred in 2 (4%), resolution was complete and without sequelae in 8 (16%), nearly complete but with slight pleural thickening in 32 (64%) and partial with pleural opacities larger than 2 mm in 8 (16%). Use of SCC and UK (pleural fibrinolysis) is a moderately invasive procedure that is effective and well tolerated and that shortens drainage time, prevents sequelae and is relatively inexpensive for the treatment of PE with fibrin septation and/or multiloculation.

[The long-term clinical and imaging follow-up of inferior vena cava filters. A cross-sectional study]

We carried out a cross-sectional study to assess morphological findings and incidence of complications in 77 inferior vena cava filters (IVC) implanted in 75 patients between April 1990 and January 1994. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 61 months (mean, 38.5 months) and was carried out by telephone interview, clinical examination, X-rays of the ilium/vena cavum and, in some cases, by Doppler sonogram and computed tomography. Findings revealed IVC thrombosis in 38% of patients, edema in the lower extremities in 63.4%, angling > 15 degrees in 8 patients, defective opening in 4, fibrosis of the vena cava with stenosis in 2 and perforation of the IVC in 3. Although our study shows that the incidence of IVC thrombosis after implantation of filters is higher than suspected, its clinical importance is slight.

[Bilateral angiomyolipomas of the kidney in Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis]

We report on a 25-year-old patient diagnosed as having Bourneville tuberous sclerosis with a giant angiomyolipoma 16 X 12 cm. in diameter, and two small angiomyolipomas in the left kidney, multiple asymptomatic angiomas in the right kidney and two 1 cm. diameter angiomas in the liver. The presenting features were intense left-sided abdominal pain of sudden onset, frank hematuria, acute anemic syndrome, nausea and vomiting. Patient work up included x-ray of chest, abdomen, and skull, bilateral renal arteriography and ultrasound were diagnostic of Bourneville tuberous sclerosis with multiple bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. The hematologic and hemodynamic compromise and the almost completely absent intact parenchyma in her left kidney did not permit a conservative surgical procedure and the patient was submitted to a left nephrectomy. The patient had the following characteristic features of Bourneville's disease: epilepsy, intracranial calcifications on CT, sebaceous adenomas on face, fibromas under nails of left hand and foot, bony lesions in the form osteosclerosis and chylous pleural effusion. Her intelligence level was normal and no optic nerve phakomas were observed. The literature on angiomyolipoma and Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis is reviewed. The importance of using ultrasound and CT in combination to diagnose and follow up renal angiomyolipomas is highlighted. Treatment of angiomyolipomas must be based on two parameters: symptoms and size. Symptomatic angiomyolipomas warrant angiographic work up and selective arterial embolization or the most conservative surgical procedure possible (enucleation, partial nephrectomy). Asymptomatic angiomyolipomas warrant CT and/or ultrasound examination every 6 or 12 months depending on size.

[Werner's syndrome. Clinical and radiologic manifestations. Apropos of 2 new cases]

In this work we present two cases of Werner's Syndrome. Its typical manifestations, the clinical and radiological aspects and diagnostic criteria are mainly commented.