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Acute idiopathic fatty liver of pregnancy was observed in a 34-year-old patient. Mother and child survived this complication which has happened in only 10% of the 69 histologically verified cases. On the basis of coagulation studies it may be assumed that consumption coagulopathy had been present initially. This could be pathogenetically relevant in the development of fatty liver of pregnancy.

In 61 patients with end-stage renal disease the results of 89 consecutive Duplex examinations of the arteriovenous fistulas used for haemodialysis were evaluated. The examinations were performed because of various problems concerning the vascular access or before the first puncture. Using 7.5 and 10.0 MHz probes (pulsed Doppler 3.0 and 4.5 MHz) the morphology and the function of the fistulas were evaluated. In 35 cases the results were normal, in a further 27 cases minor anomalies were seen without influencing the function. Complete thrombosis was observed in 7, partial thrombosis and severe stenosis in 4 cases each. Large aneurysms were documented in 6 examinations and in the remaining 6 the fistulas had not matured sufficiently within 4 weeks. The ultrasound results correlated well with consecutive angiography or surgery. The mean flow in normal fistulas was 514 +/- 223 ml/min. It was higher in PTFE shunts (614 +/- 242 ml/min) than in Cimino-Brescia fistulas (464 +/- 199 ml/min). Complications were observed more often in the PTFE group (63.9% vs. 58.5%). We think that Duplex sonography offers an accurate, non-invasive way to evaluate the morphology and the function of arteriovenous fistulas of patients on haemodialysis. This should therefore be performed as the first imaging method whenever problems concerning the fistula occur.

72 percutaneous diagnostic renal biopsies were performed on 53 recipients of renal allografts from cadavers with deterioration of the graft function. 40 patients received cyclosporine (CsA) and 13 Azathioprin with steroids (conventional immunosuppression). All biopsies were carried out under sonographic control. The echo patterns of the grafts were evaluated prior to the procedure. In 63 cases (87.5%) enough material could be obtained for histologic examination. The sonographic diagnoses were compared with histological results. In the sonographic detection of allograft rejection sensitivity was 80.85%, and specificity 56.25%. Grafts with symptoms of CsA-nephrotoxicity did not seem to produce a characteristic sonographic echo pattern. Macrohaematuria occurred after 9 biopsies (12.5%). A graft loss was not observed; in one case a temporary percutaneous nephrostomy had to be carried out. We conclude that sonography alone is not sufficient to diagnose parenchymatous changes in the graft. To obtain satisfactory long-term results biopsy is necessary. Under sonographic guidance the risk of percutaneous biopsy is minimal.

SUMMARY Background: Pantoprazole is a new substituted benzimidazole that blocks the H+/K+-ATPase in the gastric mucosa and thus inhibits acid secretion. Methods: Efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole (40 mg at breakfast) and ranitidine (300 mg at bedtime) in the treatment of uncomplicated acute duodenal ulcer were compared in a double-blind, randomized multicentre trial. Results: Of 202 outpatients who entered the study, 185 terminated the treatment without violation of the protocol. After 2 weeks of treatment, healing rates (protocol correct) with pantoprazole and ranitidine were 81 and 53%, respectively (P > 0.001), the corresponding results after 4 weeks were 97 and 83% (P > 0.01). Pantoprazole was more effective with respect to symptom relief. Both treatments were well tolerated. Conclusion: Pantoprazole 40 mg at breakfast is superior to ranitidine 300 mg at bedtime in the short-term treatment of acute, uncomplicated duodenal ulcer.

Background Aminosalicylates are used as standard treatment for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. As yet, there is no other existing alternative with proven efficacy. In light of the hypothesis that the intestinal environment may contribute to the pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis, a trial was conducted to test the effects of probiotic treatment with an oral preparation of non-pathogenic E. coli. Methods A total of 120 patients with inactive ulcerative colitis were included in a double-blind, double-dummy study comparing mesalazine 500 mg t.d.s. to an oral preparation of viable E. coli strain Nissle (Serotype 06: K5: H1) for 12 weeks with regard to their efficacy in preventing a relapse of the disease. Study objectives were to assess the equivalence of the clinical activity index (CAI) under the two treatment modalities and to compare relapse rates, relapse-free times and global assessment. Results The start and end scores of the CAI demonstrated no significant difference (P=0.12) between the two treatment groups. Relapse rates were 11.3% under mesalazine and 16.0% under E. coli Nissle 1917 (N.S.). Life table analysis showed a relapse-free time of 103±4 days for mesalazine and 106±5 days for E. coli Nissle 1917 (N.S.). Global assessment was similar for both groups. Tolerability to the treatment was excellent and did not differ. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions From the results of this preliminary study, probiotic treatment appears to offer another option for maintenance therapy of ulcerative colitis. Additional support is provided for the hypothesis of a pathophysiological role for the intestinal environment in ulcerative colitis.

Aim: To study the effect of prokinetic treatment with cisapride in patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Patients and methods: Ninety-six patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either cisapride 5 mg three times daily or placebo three times daily for a period of 12 weeks. The dosage could be doubled after 4 weeks. Presence of the target symptoms abdominal pain, constipation and abdominal bloating was an obligatory criterion for inclusion in the study. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, 31%, 56% and 27% of the cisapride treated patients were found to be without the three target symptoms (P