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We describe an ultrasonographic "common channel" sign as the characteristic sonographic feature of malignant distal common bile duct (CBD) obstruction. Of 24 patients with obstructive jaundice due to distal CBD obstruction (pancreatic carcinoma 8, periampullary cancer 5, choledocholethiasis 10, CBD stricture due to pancreatitis 1) in whom the final diagnosis was proven at laparotomy, ultrasonography revealed 11 patients to have a thin-walled distended gallbladder continuous with a dilated CBD, which was termed the "common channel" sign. In all 11 patients, the cause of obstruction of the lower end of CBD proved to be malignant (pancreatic carcinoma 6, periampullary 5). In contrast, only 2 of the other 13 patients with obstructive jaundice with distal CBD obstruction, but without the "common channel" sign, had a malignant lesion at the lower end of CBD. The positive and the negative predictive values of the common channel sign were 100% and 85%, respectively. Thus, the ultrasonographic common channel sign is a reliable and characteristic feature of distal CBD obstruction due to malignant pathology.

Between 1982 and 1987, 43 patients with variceal bleeding due to extrahepatic portal obstruction were treated by repeated endoscopic injection sclerotherapy using 1% polidocanol intravariceally. This decreased rebleeding, as evidenced by a decrease in bleeding risk factor (BRF), mean transfusion requirement, and mean number of transfusions per patient per month of follow-up. Differences between pre- and postsclerotherapy parameters were significant (p less than 0.001). The varices were eradicated in 86% of patients. The mean sclerotherapy sessions required were 7.68 +/- 2.39 (SD). Complications were infrequent. Forty-three patients were followed from 5 to 68 months: cumulative survival was 97.7% and varices recurred in 16%. Sclerotherapy avoided a second operation in 21 postsurgical patients. Sclerotherapy for managing variceal bleeding due to extrahepatic portal obstruction is a reasonable alternative to surgery.

Sixty patients with variceal bleeding due to noncirrhotic portal fibrosis were treated by repeated endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. During each session, the varices were injected with a mean volume of 14.4 ml of 1% polidocanol intravariceally. This decreased rebleeding, as evidenced by a reduction in mean bleeding risk factor and transfusion requirement. Difference between pre- and post-sclerotherapy parameters were significant (p less than 0.001). Variceal obliteration was achieved in 53 (88%) patients. The mean sclerotherapy sessions required for eradication were 8.43 (SD = 2.41). Minor complications related to the procedure occurred in 12% of patients. Cumulative survival for 5 yr was 86%. Survival was significantly related to Child's status, being 97.5% for Child's A and 64% for Child's B patients. Recurrence of varices occurred in 15% of patients after a mean interval of 19 months. We conclude that endoscopic sclerotherapy is an effective method of treatment for variceal bleeding due to non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis, and is a reasonable alternative to surgery.

Fasting plasma samples from 29 patients of cirrhosis were analysed for cholesterol and triglycerides and their lipo-protein fractions. The patients included 11 alcoholic cirrhotics consuming over 130 g/day of absolute ethanol and 18 non-alcoholic cirrhotics. The difference in lipid values between the two patient groups was not significant except that VLDL cholesterol was raised in alcoholic cirrhotics (P less than 0.05). However, in comparison to normal healthy controls, the values were significantly altered. The dietary intake, in the two groups showed no difference, except that non-alcoholic cirrhotics consumed more animal proteins. Low intake of exogenous fat and reduced synthesis of endogenous cholesterol in cirrhotic patients seemed to influence the total lipid values.

The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US) was evaluated in delineating the site and cause of biliary obstruction in 59 patients of surgical obstructive jaundice (SOJ). A final analysis of the ultrasonographic data was carried out in 42 patients on whom laparotomy or endoscopic papillotomy with removal of common bile duct stones, confirmed the diagnosis. Evaluation of the role of second investigation following ultrasound in 28 patients (side-viewing endoscopy in 13, ERCP in 12 and PTC in 3) was also done to determine whether they provide any additional information over ultrasonography in delineating the exact level and etiology of biliary obstruction. US was done by the clinician who interpreted the findings in conjunction with the clinical profile of the patient. US correctly diagnosed SOJ in all 42 patients. In 26 of the 28 patients with distal CBD block (specificity 87.5%; sensitivity 100%) and in 14 out of 16 patients with proximal CBD block (specificity 100%; sensitivity 87.5%) US provided and accurate diagnosis of the site of obstruction. US was correct in diagnosing a malignant etiology in 26 out of 27 malignant cases whereas it accurately indentified the benign nature of biliary obstruction in 14 of the 15 patients of SOJ due to benign obstruction (specificity and sensitivity range 93.3% to 96.3%). A second investigation could correctly change the etiology and site of biliary obstruction in only 5 patients (17.9%) whereas in the remaining 23 patients (82.1%) it did not add any additional information over the US findings. Six out of fifteen patients (40%) who underwent cholangiography had cholangitis and in one severe septicemia led to death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)