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Query: UMLS:C0000737 (abdominal pain)
 31,184 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Given its anatomical location the small intestine is the section of the digestive tract most inaccessible to objective clinical and instrumental examination. For this reason, traditional investigation methods provide inadequate data. In the barium meal X-ray, images are superimposed and the barium excessively fragmented due to the tortuosity and length of the intestinal loop. Access problems limit the value of endoscopy. The indications to angiography are fairly restrictive. Ultrasound and CT scans provide no conclusive evidence in this area. The so-called Small Bowel Enema technique based on the direct infusion of an opaque contrast medium after duodenal intubation remains the only way to obtain images with a satisfactory diagnostic value and should be the method of choice in examinations of the small intestine. Introduced in the twenties, the value of the technique was long questioned, mainly because it was difficult to perform correctly and it is only quite recently that several decisive technological innovations have made it highly reliable. The present paper describes its use on a series of patients with suspected pathologies of the small intestine requiring surgical treatment. The aim is to specify the correct indications to this technique as well as its limitations with a view to promoting its appropriate use in routine practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study covers 42 small bowel enemas performed on 29 male and 13 female patients aged 12-85 years. Indications to the enema included chronic abdominal pain in 28.5%, chronic diarrhea in 21.4%, pain+diarrhea in 14%, subocclusion in 16.5%, faecal blood in 11.9%, abdominal pain+diarrhea+intestinal haemorrhage in 4.7%, anaemia in 2.4%. We adopted the Sellink technique involving intubation with a French 14 Bilbao-Dotter probe and the infusion of 200-350 cc barium sulphate in a 90%-70% P/V concentration at a speed of 100 ml/min, followed by the infusion of 1000-1500 cc 0.5-1% methylcellulose in a 50-50 mixture with water for double contrast purposes. Mean duration of procedure 35-40 mins. RESULTS. We found lesions of the small intestine in 18 cases or 45% (true positives) and no alterations in 18 or 42.8% (true negatives). In 3 cases (7%) the examination was inconclusive. One false positive and one false negative complete the series, making a diagnostic accuracy of 89.1%. In 23.8% of the total series the diagnosis of Crohn's disease was confirmed; cancerous lesions were found in 11.9% and adhesions following earlier surgery in 9.7%. Surgery confirmed this diagnosis in 10 cases (5 tumours, 3 stenoses caused by adhesion fragments, 2 Crohn's disease) and disproved it in one case. Biopsy was used, for objective confirmation in 5 cases (2 Crohn's disease, 3 negatives). In the other cases reliance was placed on clinical course and the patients' response to treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. Examination of our results reveals that in most clinical cases the small bowel enema was used to confirm suspected Crohn's disease (31 cases out of 42) and with a very high degree of diagnostic accuracy (96.7%). In line with data in the literature we decided to base the indication to this examination on certain primary symptoms such as chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the faeces, whether in isolation or in combination. On this rather general basis the diagnosis of Crohn's disease concerned only 23.8% of the cases studied, an incidence that rose dramatically in the few cases in which the indications were made more specific. We therefore conclude that the adoption of more restrictive criteria will improve the cost-benefit ratio for this test. Another major pathology in which small bowel enema possesses a high diagnostic value is partial obstruction of the small intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:[The diagnostic significance of the small bowel enema in lesions of the small intestine requiring surgery]. 797 36

An accidental spill of phenol (100%) into the Nakdong river with subsequent contamination of the tap water for about two million consumers in Teagu city of Korea occurred in March 1991. A historical cohort study of 6,913 individuals was undertaken to determine association with illness. Population subjects were divided into two groups of exposed and unexposed. Exposed subjects were reported to have significantly more phenol associated symptoms than those in a nearby unexposed area (39.6% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.01). Especially, in the related symptoms, highly significant differences were noted in the number of subjects reporting gastrointestinal illness such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. During the accident, study subjects who experienced peculiar taste or odor in the tap water were significantly more in the exposed areas (92% vs. 34.3%).
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PMID:Illness associated with contamination of drinking water supplies with phenol. 799 88

Gastrointestinal and liver disorders are often observed in high performance athletes, especially those training for the increasingly popular endurance sports including the marathon and the triathlon. The disorders often start with stress before competition or training, followed by dehydration during the event. Insufficient training is an aggravating factor as are certain environmental factors including hot climate, irregular terrain and high altitude. Athletes may also consume non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, for example after a minor bone lesion or joint sprain, in an attempt to maintain their highest level of performance. Gastric signs include epigastric pain known to be caused by ischaemic gastritis resulting from decreased splanchnic flow and increased vasoconstriction in the gastric mucosa. Gastrooesophageal reflux results from modifications in sphincter tone and gastric emptying. Drinking hyperosmolar liquids also plays a role. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, melena and uncommonly ischaemic colitis are the main signs of colic disorders. Mesenteric ischaemia may occur due to lowered splanchnic blood supply (by as much as 80% in some cases). Mechanical trauma is another mechanism; in marathon runners the "caecal slap syndrome" is a repeated microtrauma of the caecum against a hypertrophied muscular wall. Waterborne infectious agents may also lead to colic lesions. Exertion heat stroke is an emergency situation which can cause multiple organ damage and usually occurs after long intense exercise, often, but not always in a hot environment. Uncompensated thermogenesis and excessive loss of water by perspiration leads to central hyperthermia and ischaemic hepatic necrosis. Fatal liver failure has been observed. More or less severe symptoms of gastrointestinal or hepatic disorders are observed in 30% of high performance athletes and the incidence may reach 40% in those who have trained insufficiently. Such disorders lead to reduced performance in 10% of these athletes.
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PMID:[Hepato-digestive disorders in athletic practice]. 802 25

The project described here was conducted to study the prevalence of various parasites in elementary school children in northern Jordan. A single stool specimen was collected from each of 1,000 students in the 6- to 14-year-old age group. A questionnaire covering demographic information, health status, and other relevant information was filled out by one of the parents of each student. Fresh stool specimens were processed by using wet mount preparations, formalin-ether, and Sheather's sugar flotation techniques. Permanently stained slides were prepared by acid-fast, Giemsa, and trichrome staining. Cryptosporidium species was found in 40 specimens (4%); however, only 15 specimens had Cryptosporidium species alone, and these 15 specimens were from symptomatic children with diarrheic stools. The symptoms reported most often were abdominal pain, cramps, malaise, nausea, and headache. The number of cases of infection was higher in villages, where contact with animals was evident and where contaminated drinking water could have been a major source of the infections.
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PMID:Prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in elementary school children. 802 7

In a prospective case controlled study, we evaluated the adverse effects of long-term fluoride ingestion on the gastrointestinal tract. Ten patients with otosclerosis who were receiving sodium fluoride 30 mg/day for a period of 3-12 months, and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included. They were all evaluated clinically and subjected to a real time ultrasound examination, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and biopsies from the gastric antrum and duodenum. The biopsies were subjected to a rapid urease test as well as light and electron microscopic examinations. Ionic fluoride was estimated in the serum, urine, and drinking water using an ION 85 Ion Analyzer. Seven subjects (70%) ingesting fluoride had abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea. Petechiae, erosions, and erythema were seen on endoscopy in all the subjects, but not in the controls. Histological examination of the gastric antral biopsy showed chronic atrophic gastritis in all the subjects but in only one (10%) healthy volunteer. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed "cracked-clay" appearance, scanty microvilli, surface abrasions, and desquamated epithelium in the subjects ingesting fluoride, but not in the controls. We conclude that long-term fluoride ingestion is associated with a high incidence of dyspeptic symptoms as well as histological and electron microscopic abnormalities.
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PMID:Toxic effects of chronic fluoride ingestion on the upper gastrointestinal tract. 803 13

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a novel water-soluble, semisynthetic derivative of camptothecin, with inhibitory effects on mammalian DNA topoisomerase I, high cytotoxic activity in vitro and anticancer activity in animal models. Fifty-nine patients, with cancer refractory to conventional therapy, were entered in this phase I study, using a weekly schedule administration. A total of 304 weekly doses were administered at dose levels ranging from 50 to 145 mg/m2 (30-90 min i.v. infusion). Leukoneutropenia and diarrhea were the dose-limiting toxicities and appeared to be dose related, reversible and noncumulative. However, interpatient variability of toxic effects was substantial. Prolongation of the infusion time from 30 min to 90 min appeared to decrease the diarrhea. Other toxicities included moderate emesis, asthenia, alopecia, abdominal pain, and anemia. CPT-11 plasma disposition was bi- or triphasic with a terminal half-life of 9.3 h. CPT-11 area under the plasma concentration versus time curves increased linearly with dose (r = 0.47, P < 0.01). The active metabolite area under the plasma concentration versus time curve correlated significantly with that of CPT-11, but not with that of CPT-11 dose. Both CPT-11 and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin areas under the plasma concentration versus time curve correlated significantly with leukoneutropenia and diarrhea. One partial and 4 minor responses were observed at dose levels of 130 and 145 mg/m2. Using this weekly schedule, recommended doses for phase II studies are 100 mg/m2 in high risk patients and 115 mg/m2 in others.
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PMID:Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of the camptothecin derivative irinotecan, administered on a weekly schedule in cancer patients. 804 82

A prospective study of 65 patients with perforated typhoid enteritis managed operatively over a 3 year period at a university hospital is presented. There were 45 males and 20 females with ages ranging from 5 to 15 years. Presenting symptoms were fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and either diarrhoea or constipation. All the patients were subjected to surgery and 56 (86%) underwent two-layer bowel closure after freshening of ulcer margins. The overall mortality rate in this study was 20% and was adversely influenced by the increasing duration of perforation, presence of shock and faecal peritonitis. Early surgery after prompt and adequate resuscitation is life saving. However, prevention of typhoid fever by providing safe drinking water and better sanitary conditions appears to offer the best chance of decreasing the high rates of mortality and morbidity of this deadly disease.
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PMID:Perforated typhoid enteritis in children. 814 12

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is recognized to be a common cause of chronic diarrhea without failure to thrive in childhood. Several studies stressed the role of food intolerance as a major factor in the pathogenesis of IBS. The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the offending role of food in IBS and to compare the therapeutic role of oral sodium cromoglycate versus elimination diet. 153 patients (mean age 4 years) with diarrhea (> 3 stools per day for four days in a week) and abdominal pain for about 10 months were enrolled in this trial. About half of the patients had a family history positive for atopy and 70% of the cases complained of intestinal symptoms after food ingestion. In 17% of the patients Skin Prick test (SPT) resulted positive to at least one food allergen and 87% of positive reactions to SPT was provoked by common foodstuffs. 87% of patients treated with elimination diet (rice, lamb, turkey, lettuce, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, oil, tea, salt, mineral water, brown sugar) and 97% of patients treated with SCG (mean 63 mg/kg/day) for one month showed a significant improvement of intestinal symptoms. An elimination diet for several weeks can produce, beside a bad compliance (23% of patients admitted to our study didn't strictly follow diet regimen) also a nutritional deprivation. The results of this trial suggest that it's correct to investigate the role of food in children with diarrhea not due to organic diseases and diagnosed such as IBS and to use oral SCG to obtain the improvement of these symptoms.
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PMID:[Food intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome of childhood: clinical efficacy of oral sodium cromoglycate and elimination diet]. 823 12

Blastocystis hominis is now gaining acceptance as an agent of human intestinal disease. A case-control study of the cause of gastroenteritis in children less than 6 years old was conducted. A total of 500 stool specimens were examined by wet mount preparation, formalin-ether concentration, Sheather's sugar flotation technique, and permanent stains when necessary. B. hominis was found in 63 (25%) of 250 stool specimens of the cases examined; 38 (15%) of these specimens contained this parasite alone. The appearance of severe symptoms was associated with increased numbers of the parasite in the diarrheic specimens (more than five parasites per field at a magnification of x 400). The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, recurrent diarrhea, cramps, anorexia, and fatigue. Contaminated water was suspected to be the major source of infection, since several cases were associated with Giardia infection. These findings support the concept of B. hominis pathogenicity in children with gastroenteritis.
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PMID:Evidence of an epidemic of Blastocystis hominis infections in preschool children in northern Jordan. 825 70

Lipomas occur through the intestinal tract, from the hypopharynx to the rectum, the colon having the highest incidence, where lipomata are the commonest benign neoplasm after adenomata. Nevertheless they are uncommon. CASE REPORT. 1) A 68-year-old man presented as an emergency with abdominal pain associated with bowel obstruction. He had a 2 to 3 month history of intermittent right-sided abdominal pain, constipation spontaneously resolved. At laparotomy there was a mass of the transverse colon, next hepatic flexure. A right hemicolectomy was performed. The patient made an uneventful recovery. Histologic examination showed a lipoma of the submucosal plane. 2) A 65-year-old man presented as an emergency with lower abdominal pain associated with a prolapsed rectal polyp. He had 1 month history of passing fresh blood per rectum. Ap ast colonoscopy revealed a large polypoid lesion in the descending colon. Transanal examination revealed a polypoid lesion with a maximum diameter of 4 cm, acting as an intussuseptum. Transanal polypectomy was performed. At laparotomy there was an intussuseptum of the descending colon into the rectum: a left hemicolectomy was performed. Histology showed the polyp to be a submucosal lipoma. DISCUSSION. Lipomas are the most common benign nonepithelial tumors of the colon. Lipomata of the large bowel are reported as incidental findings in 0.3-0.5% of cases in large series of autopsies. In the wall of the intestine most lie in the submucosal plane, less frequently they are found in the subserosal plane. The commonest site for symptomatic solitary large bowel lipoma is the ascending colon, including the caecum, followed by the transverse colon, including both hepatic and splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. The peak incidence for lipomata of the large bowel is in fifth-sixth decade. Colonic lipomas are generally asymptomatic but occasionally patients may have intermittent crampy abdominal pain secondary to intussusception of a pedunculated lipoma or with intermittent fresh rectal bleeding. On barium enema lipomas appear circular, ovoid, well demarcated, and smooth. A barium enema showing a relatively radiolucent mass, caused by the radiolucency of fat, is suggestive of a lipoma. The water enema, with water as the contrast agent, accentuates the difference in density between a lipoma and surrounding tissues. Another characteristic feature of lipomas on barium enema is said to be their fluctuation in size and shape during the study: "squeeze sign". Lipomas of the large bowel can be seen, however, by colonoscopy. On computerized tomography scan the lipoma has a uniform appearance and density. In expert hands pedunculated and sessile lesions can be removed endoscopically, but often large bowel lipomata are treated on the basis of a presumptive malignant diagnosis with exploratory laparotomy. CONCLUSION. Colonic lipomas, although unusual, continue to present difficulties in the preoperative differentiation between malignant and benign colonic neoplasm. Two cases of colonic lipomas are reported.
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PMID:[Intestinal occlusion due to a colonic lipoma. Apropos 2 cases]. 829 Jan 48


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