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In oesophageal cancer, PDT is used both as a curative and a palliative procedure. The rationale for a curative use is based on the results of experimental studies providing evidence of a complete destruction of 2-5 cm long tumours in more than half of the cases. In humans, this curative efficacy of PDT has been assessed by several open studies in high-risk surgical patients. The largest study enrolled 123 patients and demonstrated that PDT effectively destroyed small, flat or sessile oesophageal tumours as shown by an 87% complete response rate at 6 months. PDT efficacy was not different between adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Other studies, with smaller numbers of patients, have confirmed in about 50% of the cases the efficacy of PDT as a curative treatment for small oesophageal carcinomas. Some trials have compared the symptomatic effect of PDT with Nd:YAG laser or oesophageal prothesis on dysphagia in patients with inoperable, large, oesophageal cancer. In the largest study, a multicentre open trial concerning 236 patients, tumour response at 1 month was significantly higher in the PDT group than in the Nd:YAG group. Improvement of dysphagia was similar in both groups and observed in about 55% of the patients. This study also showed that PDT could technically be an easier procedure than conventional thermal laser for the treatment of upper oesophageal tumour or tumours > 10 cm in length. In advanced carcinomas, another trial has demonstrated the debulking efficacy of PDT in obstructive tumours when Nd:YAG cannot be used safely. Along with cutaneous photosensitization, the most common side-effect of PDT treatment is oesophageal stenosis, requiring repeated endoscopic dilatations. One study (Hochain et al., 1993) has pointed out that there is the risk of perforation by extensive necrosis in patients previously treated by radiotherapy in whom PDT is not otherwise contraindicated. PDT appears to be a possible and promising effective treatment in patients, mainly with small oesophageal tumours, that pose a high surgical risk. PDT is simple to perform. This, combined with its apparent safety and efficacy, means that agreement about its place in treating oesophageal cancer should be determined urgently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the history of pain complaints of women presenting rectovaginal and rectal endometriosis to show that rectovaginal locations may progress to a rectal involvement of the disease., Design: Retrospective comparative study., Setting: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Rouen, France., Patient(s): Thirty-two patients with rectovaginal endometriosis and 16 patients with rectal involvement., Intervention(s): Standardized questionnaires recording the clinical history of painful deep endometriosis up to diagnosis., Main Outcome Measure(s): Length of time from onset of pain to diagnosis, types of pain, disability related to the pain, and number of physicians consulted before the diagnosis was made., Result(s): Women with rectal endometriosis had an earlier onset of dysmenorrhoea. The age of dysmenorrhoea and the length of time between the onset of the first pain to the first time that the endometriosis was suspected were significantly increased in women with rectal endometriosis. Pain during defecation was more frequent in patients with rectal endometriosis. Women consulted an average of three physicians before the endometriosis diagnosis was suggested. A nongynecologist physician made the diagnosis of rectovaginal and rectal endometriosis in respectively 26% and 31% of cases., Conclusion(s): Rectal endometriosis is associated with an earlier onset and a longer history of painful symptoms until the diagnosis was made when compared with rectovaginal endometriosis locations. These observations support the hypothesis that rectovaginal location may be an intermediate stage of rectal endometriosis.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of endorectal ultrasound examination to ascertain the deepest rectal layer involved in rectal endometriosis., Design: Retrospective study., Setting: Department of obstetrics and gynecology at a university hospital in France., Patient(s): Women presenting with rectal endometriosis who had undergone rectal resection during a 22-month period., Intervention(s): Endorectal ultrasonography., Main Outcome Measure(s): The predicted rectal infiltration depth by using endorectal examination was compared with histological findings. The level of agreement was evaluated by using the coefficients of concordance kappa and weighted kappa., Result(s): Sixteen women were included in the study. Rectal resection was segmental in 14 cases and was limited in 2 cases. The agreement between 2 examinations was considered good in 9 cases (56%). Endorectal ultrasound overestimated the depth of infiltration in 5 cases and underestimated it in 2 cases. The coefficients of concordance kappa (95% confidence interval) and weighted kappa (95% confidence interval) were, respectively, 0.17 (0-0.34) and 0.22 (0.04-0.4), corresponding to poor concordance between the endorectal ultrasonography and histological examination., Conclusion(s): Accuracy in the prediction of rectal-layer involvement in endorectal ultrasonography appears to be limited. This information should not be considered sufficient when selecting the type of rectal-resection procedure.

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic option in patients with a superficial esophageal cancer. Recently, PDT was shown to be effective as a salvage therapy for a local recurrence after chemoradiotherapy (CRT)., Aim: To compare retrospectively the results and the complications rate of PDT between consecutive patients treated in primary intent for a superficial esophageal cancer versus patients treated by PDT for a local recurrence after CRT., Methods: Between 1999 and 2007 in a single center, 40 consecutive patients were treated by PDT for a superficial esophageal cancer, 25 (group 1) in primary intent and 15 (group 2) for a local recurrence after CRT. Two days after intravenous (IV) Photofrin (2 mg/kg), the phototherapy was performed with a dye laser. The treatment response and severe complications, defined as perforation and stricture requiring endoscopic dilation, were compared between the two groups., Results: The patient and tumor characteristics were not different between the two groups. In group 1, 19 out of 25 patients (76%) were successfully treated versus 8 out of 15 patients (53%) in group 2 (P= 0.17). Severe complications occurred more frequently in patients with a prior CRT (8%vs 46.7%, P= 0.008) and included two perforations and five strictures requiring endoscopic dilation, while only two strictures occurred in group 1. A prior CRT was an independent risk factor of severe complications (odds ratio [OR] 8.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]1.22-43.0)., Conclusions: Severe complications were significantly more frequent in patients treated after a prior CRT. PDT as a salvage therapy in patients with a local recurrence after CRT for esophageal cancer tended to be less efficient than in first-line treatment.

Objective: To present the principles of laparoscopic treatment for rectal endometriosis and to discuss possible postoperative outcomes., Material and Methods: Our series included women managed for rectal endometriosis during consecutive 20 months in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen--France. Patient's characteristics, symptoms, imaging examination results, surgical treatment and postoperative outcomes were all evaluated retrospectively., Results: Sixteen patients presenting with rectal endometriosis were managed surgically, (mean age was 35.9 +/- 6.5 years). All women presented at least one severe painful symptom which was typical of a digestive involvement in 12 cases. MRI results suggested a rectal involvement in 14 cases, and endorectal ultrasound examination clearly showed rectal wall infiltration in all patients. The gynaecological stage of surgical treatment was carried out laparoscopically in 13 cases, and the digestive surgical stage in 7 cases. Two limited and 14 segmental rectal resections were performed. Transitory stoma was carried out in 9 women. The length of the surgical procedure depended on the number of endometriosis localizations with a median value of 6 h 30 min. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 women: 2 anastomosis stenosis, 1 anastomosis fistula, 1 abscess of the parietal wall and 1 bladder atonia. Complains of pain were completely or significantly improved in all cases., Conclusion: Surgical treatment for rectal endometriosis may be carried out laparoscopically. It should be reserved for women presenting with severe painful condition and may contribute to significant improvement. However, the balance of benefit and risks must also be assessed on a case to case basis prior to any decision for or against surgical treatment.

Aim: To test the impact of information brochures and informed consent forms in patients undergoing digestive endoscopy procedures., Method: All patients undergoing digestive endoscopy procedures during a two-month period were given information about the procedure to be performed by delivery of an information form produced by the French Endoscopy and Gastroenterology Societies. The patients were then asked to sign an inform consent form. A questionnaire about the informed consent form and the consent experience was given to all patients after the endoscopic procedure., Results: The questionnaire was completed by 108 consecutive patients. The informed consent form was completely read by 96.3% and understood by 95%. Sixteen percent asked for complementary information, all about complications. Twenty percent were distressed by the explanations. Receiving written information was surprising for 22.2% of the patients, and distressing for 18.5% mainly when endoscopy was planned without general anesthesia (P=0.01 versus general anesthesia). Obtaining informed consent was qualified as a normal procedure for 47.2%, but distressing for 19.4%. It was considered by 41.1% as a way for doctors to be discharged from their obligations., Conclusion: The informed consent forms written by scientific societies are easy to understand. One third of the patients were distressed or surprised to be given oral or written information. To sign a written consent form before an endoscopy procedure is considered to be a means of discharging practitioners from their responsibilities for 30% of the patients.

Background: A prospective 1-year study was conducted to assess the frequency, clinical spectrum, histologic description, and follow-up of acute esophageal necrosis unrelated to ingestion of caustic or corrosive agents., Methods: The diagnosis of acute esophageal necrosis was based on a diffusely black esophagus at endoscopy and typical histologic features of diffuse mucosal and submucosal necrosis. Ingestion of caustic and corrosive agents was excluded in all patients. Medical history, associated diseases, and clinical symptoms were recorded for each patient. Nutritional status was evaluated based on clinical and biochemical parameters. Treatment included short-term parenteral nutrition and intravenous administration of a pump proton inhibitor. A second endoscopy was performed when possible at 2 weeks after presentation to assess regression of acute esophageal necrosis., Results: Among 3900 patients who underwent EGD, 8 (0.2%) with acute esophageal necrosis were identified. Nutritional status was poor for 6 patients. Complete resolution of acute esophageal necrosis without further recurrence was observed in 4. No esophageal strictures appeared during follow-up. Four patients died, but no death was directly related to acute esophageal necrosis., Conclusion: Acute esophageal necrosis is not as infrequent an endoscopic finding as has been reported. Acute esophageal necrosis appears to be associated with poor general health status and is not a purely local phenomenon.

Aim of the Study: To estimate the number of people treated by low-dose aspirin (<330 mg daily) in France and to evaluate the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with low-dose aspirin treatment., Subjects and Methods: One thousand six hundred and two patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were included between January and June 1996 in 4 French areas. Data about patients characteristics, drugs recently used, and bleeding lesions were prospectively collected. Five hundred seventy five cases were matched for sex, age and area with control people without previous upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Low-dose aspirin intake in the population was estimated from the control group. Aspirin intake in the previous 7 days in cases and in controls was compared by logistic regression, adjusted for other gastrotoxic drugs intake., Results: Low-dose aspirin is taken by about 1.2 millions adults in France. In 1 602 patients, gastrointestinal bleeding was related to a peptic ulcer in 34%. Aspirin was associated with higher risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: OR=1.68 (1.03-2.74) with low-dose, and OR 1.42 (0.91-2.21) with higher doses., Conclusion: About 2.8% of the population is exposed to low-dose aspirin in France. This treatment seems to be associated with a high risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Aims: To describe patterns of health care management in patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and to identify factors linked to the different patterns., Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study of patients over 18 with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (inpatients excluded) among all public hospitals and private practice gastroenterologists in 4 French administrative areas (3 in Northern France and one in the South West)., Results: One thousand six hundred and two patients were included over a six-month period (1996). An endoscopic procedure was performed in 1532 patients in public (70%) or private (20.5%) hospitals, or at private office (9.5%). Hospitalization was necessary in 78.8% of the patients in university, non university public or private hospitals (38.9, 45.5 and 15.6%, respectively) with a median duration of 6.5 days. Admission was associated to old age, short delay between hemorrhage and endoscopic procedure, previous gastrointestinal bleeding, cirrhosis or cancer, bleeding from peptic ulcer or esogastric varices. Endoscopic hemostasis was performed in 21.4% of the patients, more often in university and no university public hospitals. Surgery was necessary in 4% of the patients. Death rate was 10.7%. Important geographical variations were observed concerning referral patterns. Patients' characteristics did not differ between the 4 areas. On the other hand, health care supply provided in the management of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage was different in the four French geographical areas., Conclusion: a) An initial endoscopic procedure is nearly always performed in patients with an upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in France; in 1 patient out of 10, endoscopy was performed in a private gastroenterologist office; b) hospital admission was strongly related to epidemiological and clinical criteria of severity; c) the geographical variations observed in referral patterns depend in part on health care supply; d) upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage status could be used as an indicator of the quality of health care organizations.

Introduction: This review focuses on aspirin-related gastrointestinal side-effects and the mechanism by which aspirin causes gastrointestinal damage., Current Knowledge and Key Points: Aspirin causes direct gastric damage by topical irritant effects and indirect damage via systemic inhibition of cyclooxygenase synthesis and microcirculation injury. The question of a possible synergistic relation between the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection and aspirin use on gastric damage is not resolved. The pathogenesis of small intestinal and colonic damage is less well understood; an increase in intestinal permeability and free radical synthesis are suggested. Gastric damage predominates. Gastroduodenal lesions from aspirin have been documented in endoscopy studies. The lesions occur rapidly, even for low-dose aspirin. The association of aspirin consumption with upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been well established. The main risk factors are advanced age, concomitant use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and history of ulcer. Low-dose aspirin are associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and this risk is dose-dependant. Chronic aspirin consumption can cause iron deficiency anaemia. Uncomplicated gastric ulcer (but not uncomplicated duodenal ulcer) is associated with aspirin use, with relative risk 3. Other upper gastrointestinal complications have been reported: stenosis and perforation. Aspirin can also damage other areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Oesophageal injuries (oesophagitis and stricture) have been reported. Aspirin is associated with variceal bleeding episodes in patients with cirrhosis. The adverse effects of aspirin on the small bowel are perforation, bleeding, increasing permeability. The adverse effects of aspirin on the large intestine are perforation, bleeding, collagenous colitis and anorectal stenosis with suppositories containing aspirin. Direct clinical data regarding prophylaxis with co-administration of a protective drug are not yet available for aspirin., Future Prospects and Projects: Patients should be made aware of adverse gastrointestinal effects due to aspirin. Further studies regarding prophylactic therapy of low-dose aspirin induced gastroduodenal lesions, which identify a subset of patients who may be at higher risk than the low-dose aspirin population as a whole, are warranted.