Duodenal polyps are a rare finding in patients presenting for gastroscopy, being found in 0.3-4.6% of cases. The majority of patients are asymptomatic. The most common lesions necessitating removal are duodenal adenomas which should be differentiated from other mucosal lesions such as ectopic gastric mucosa, and submucosal lesions such as carcinoids and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). Adenomas can occur sporadically or as part of a polyposis syndrome. Both groups carry malignant potential but this is higher in patients with a polyposis syndrome. The majority of sporadic duodenal adenomas are flat or sessile and occur in the second part of the duodenum. Historically duodenal adenomas have been managed by radical surgery, which carried significant mortality and morbidity, or more conservative local surgical excision which resulted in high local recurrence rates. There is growing evidence for the use of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) techniques for treatment of sporadic nonampullary duodenal adenomas, with good outcomes and low complication rates. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) carries greater risk of complications and should be reserved for experts in this technique. Patients with sporadic duodenal adenomas carry an increased risk of colonic neoplasia and should be offered colonoscopy. The impact of endoscopic resection on the course of polyposis syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) needs further study.

Sporadic duodenal polyps are uncommon, being found in up to 5% of patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. They are often discovered incidentally and are usually asymptomatic. The histological subtype of polyps cannot always be determined on endoscopic appearance alone, and biopsy is advocated. The need for further imaging, endoscopic procedures, surgical resection, and surveillance is determined by the histological features, neoplastic potential and associated symptoms. This review describes the different subtypes of sporadic duodenal polyp: adenomas, hamartomas, gastric metaplasia, inflammatory fibroids, lipomas, leiomyomas, carcinoids, stromal tumors, solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyps, lymphomas, and other rare benign and malignant lesions. It describes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, investigation, management options, and screening and surveillance strategies for each, based on current evidence.

Cystic Brunner's gland hamartoma in the duodenum is exceedingly rare, although microscopic examination may sometimes reveal a Brunner's gland hamartoma containing dilated ducts in the duodenum. We present a case of large cystic Brunner's gland hamartoma in the duodenum with a long stalk, which is described in light of multidetector-row computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and a modified small bowel series, together with pathologic correlation and differential diagnosis.

Over the past decade, the application of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents for various cardiovascular and hematologic conditions has become more widespread. Optimal management of these agents during the periendoscopic period requires consideration, but limited prospective data mean that guidelines have largely relied on expert opinion. Elective procedures should be delayed in patients on temporary anticoagulation therapy (e.g. those with deep vein thrombosis). For procedures considered to have a low risk of bleeding (e.g. diagnostic endoscopy and colonoscopy without polypectomy) there is no need to discontinue or adjust anticoagulation. For procedures with a higher risk of bleeding (e.g. polypectomy and biliary sphincterotomy) an individual approach is required. This approach might include stopping oral anticoagulant therapy with or without the administration of unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin for the preprocedure and postprocedure periods, during which the patient's international normalized ratio is in the subtherapeutic range.

BACKGROUND There is a 60- to 80-fold increased risk of small-bowel adenocarcinoma in patients with celiac disease. While the adenoma-carcinoma sequence appears to operate in the small bowel as in the large bowel, the risk of duodenal adenomas in celiac patients is unknown. METHODS The records of 381 patients (245 F, 136 M) with biopsy-proven celiac disease were reviewed to determine the prevalence of duodenal adenoma found during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We conducted an extensive literature review to find data for estimates of the prevalence of duodenal adenoma in a comparable general population; we used data from a study at another New York City medical center of 7346 EGDs conducted between 1976 and 1982 (Ghazi et al., 1984). We estimated the relative risk, expressed as a standard morbidity ratio (SMR), by calculating the observed to expected (O/E) ratio. RESULTS Duodenal adenomas were found in 3 celiac patients (0.78%), with 24 adenomas (0.33%) in the reference population, giving an SMR of 2.39 (95% CI 0.67-8.48). CONCLUSION We did not find a significantly increased risk of duodenal adenoma in celiac patients compared to a non-celiac endoscoped population. Thus, despite the previously described elevated risk of small-bowel adenocarcinoma in these patients, routine endoscopic examination of the duodenum may not be adequate for screening.

Benign duodenal neoplasms (BDNs) are uncommon, and their optimal management remains undefined. We analyzed all cases of BDN treated at our institution during a 10-year period (January 1990 through January 2000). Data are expressed as median (range). Sixty-two patients were treated for BDNs. The results of histologic examination of their lesions were as follows: 36 adenomas, eight Brunner's gland tumors, 10 inflammatory polyps, two hamartomas, and six others. Forty-seven patients were treated nonoperatively, and 15 patients underwent surgery. Lesion characteristics leading to surgical intervention included large polyp diameter and submucosal penetration detected on endoscopic ultrasound imaging. There were no treatment-related deaths. Major morbidity occurred in 2% of patients who underwent endoscopic resection and in 33% of patients who underwent surgery (P = 0.002). Among patients treated for adenomas, seven (19.4%) had a recurrence at a median of 12 (4 to 48) months. Most BDNs can be managed with minimal morbidity using endoscopic techniques. Systematic follow-up of patients treated for adenomas is required.

AIMS To determine whether an adequate histological diagnosis of gastric polyps can be attained on the basis of forceps biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a prospective multicentre study, 194 patients with 222 endoscopically removable gastric polyps (>or=5 mm) underwent forceps biopsy and complete polypectomy. Patients with fundic gland polyps and polyposis syndrome were not included. Specimens were evaluated by primary and reference pathologists, and the complication rate of gastric polypectomy was also determined. RESULTS Of the 222 polyps, histological examination of the polypectomy specimens revealed tumour-like lesions in 77%(10% focal foveolar hyperplasia, 59% hyperplastic polyps, 4% inflammatory fibroid polyps, 4% other polyps) and neoplasia in 19%(10% tubular adenoma, 2% tubulovillous adenoma, 1% high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 6% adenocarcinoma). When biopsy results were compared, complete agreement was found in 124 cases (55.8%) and, in an additional 77 cases (34.7%), the clinically important differentiation between tumour-like lesions and neoplasia was possible. However, relevant differences were found by the reference pathologist in six cases (2.7%), the most common reason being failure of biopsy to reveal foci of carcinoma in hyperplastic polyps. Bleeding was observed after polypectomy in 16 patients (7.2%), in 15 of whom it was managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS We recommend complete removal by an experienced endoscopist of all epithelial gastric polyps larger than 5 mm after thorough individualised risk-benefit analysis.

Gastric polyps are clinically important lesions that are frequently encountered in routine pathology (2-3% of all gastroscopies). Polyps may occur sporadically or in polyposis syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP), Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis, Cowden's disease and Cronkhite-Canada syndrome. In biopsy specimens taken during routine gastroscopic examinations, it is almost always possible to differentiate between neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps and to type polyps. In this review, we focus on the morphological spectrum of gastric polyps in an attempt to assist the pathologist and the gastroenterologist in recognising the lesion and in treating patients with gastric polyps, respectively. Further, we propose that the World Health Organization (WHO) classification should be modified to include the following categories: non-neoplastic polyps (WHO: tumour-like lesion), hamartomatous polyps/polyps of polyposis syndromes (WHO: tumour-like lesion), heterotopic tissue polyps (WHO: tumour-like lesion), neoplastic polyps (WHO: epithelial, non-epithelial and endocrine tumours) and reactive polypoid lesions.

The flexible colonoscope has notable advantages over rigid instruments and can be offered as an alternative and (probably) preferable method for non-surgical reduction of colonic volvulus. When operative intervention is called for because of repeated bouts of sigmoid volvulus, colonoscopy offers a means of preoperative deflation of the twisted loop, allowing time to prepare the bowel and correct systemic disturbances such as electrolyte imbalance. The first successful management of a case of recurrent sigmoid volvulus using fiberoptic flexible colonoscope is presented. It is suggested that the fiberoptic colonoscope may have similar application for instances of volvulus occurring more proximal than in the sigmoid colon. Sigmoid volvulus in children even though rare might also be amenable to correction by colonoscopy.

Despite radical surgery and multi-agent chemotherapy, less than one third of patients with recurrent or metastatic osteosarcoma (OS) survive. The limited efficacy of current therapeutic approaches to target tumor-initiating cells (TICs) may explain this dismal outcome. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of modified T cells expressing a human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)-specific chimeric antigen receptor in the OS TIC compartment of human established cell lines. Using the sarcosphere formation assay, we found that OS TICs were resistant to increasing methotrexate concentrations. In contrast, HER2-specific T cells decreased markedly sarcosphere formation capacity and the ability to generate bone tumors in immunodeficient mice after orthotopic transplantation. In vivo, administration of HER2-specific T cells significantly reduced TICs in bulky tumors as judged by decreased sarcosphere forming efficiency in OS cells isolated from explanted tumors. We demonstrate that HER2-specific T cells target drug resistant TICs in established OS cell lines, suggesting that incorporating immunotherapy into current treatment strategies for OS has the potential to improve outcomes.

Using the miniature swine large animal model we have attempted to determine the relationship between tolerance and the presence of donor cells in the bone marrow, thymus and lineages of peripheral blood in a series of hematopoietic cell transplant recipients receiving delayed donor allografts without immunosuppression. Twenty-two animals receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation and a delayed organ allograft were analyzed. Assays for presence of donor CFUs in bone marrow (by PCR), thymic chimerism (by FACS and PCR/Southern Blot), peripheral blood chimerism (by FACS), and in vitro responsiveness to donor MHC were performed. Presence of donor BM CFUs, thymic chimerism and multilineage peripheral blood chimerism at the time of organ transplantation all correlated precisely with subsequent allograft tolerance (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.005 respectively). These parameters were therefore accurate predictors (Positive Predictive Value (PPV)= 100% in all) of tolerance. In vitro assays of responsiveness were also highly associated (p < 0.002, p < 0.002 respectively), but were not as accurate predictors of subsequent organ tolerance (CML PPV = 80%). Engraftment, as indicated by the presence of donor derived CFU in the bone marrow, detectable thymic chimerism and multilineage peripheral blood chimerism are reliable predictors of subsequent donor allograft acceptance in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

Using the miniature swine large animal model we have attempted to determine the relationship between tolerance and the presence of donor cells in the bone marrow, thymus and lineages of peripheral blood in a series of hematopoietic cell transplant recipients receiving delayed donor allografts without immunosuppression. Twenty-two animals receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation and a delayed organ allograft were analyzed. Assays for presence of donor CFUs in bone marrow (by PCR), thymic chimerism (by FACS and PCR/Southern Blot), peripheral blood chimerism (by FACS), and in vitro responsiveness to donor MHC were performed. Presence of donor BM CFUs, thymic chimerism and multilineage peripheral blood chimerism at the time of organ transplantation all correlated precisely with subsequent allograft tolerance (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.005 respectively). These parameters were therefore accurate predictors (Positive Predictive Value (PPV)= 100% in all) of tolerance. In vitro assays of responsiveness were also highly associated (p < 0.002, p < 0.002 respectively), but were not as accurate predictors of subsequent organ tolerance (CML PPV = 80%). Engraftment, as indicated by the presence of donor derived CFU in the bone marrow, detectable thymic chimerism and multilineage peripheral blood chimerism are reliable predictors of subsequent donor allograft acceptance in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

It was shown that the aqueous solubility of acetaminophen in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) increased. The solubility at 25 degrees C increased from 14.3 m mL(-1) in the absence of PVP, to 19.7 mg m(-1) in the presence of 4% w/v PVP, and to 26.7mg mL(-1) in the presence of 8% w/v PVP. Dialysis studies indicated that there is a potential of binding between PVP and acetaminophen in their aqueous solutions. Dialysis studies also revealed that the nature of interaction between PVP and acetaminophen is physical and reversible, and there was no strong binding between PVP and acetaminophen in their solutions. Infrared spectroscopy of acetaminophen/PVP solid dispersion indicated that the mechanism of interaction between PVP and acetaminophen is via hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the increase in solubility of acetaminophen in the presence of PVP is probably attributed to its ability to form a water-soluble complex with PVP.

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), consisting of a catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and the Ku70 and Ku86 proteins, participates in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). We assessed its expression immunohistochemically in normal human colon tissue, colon adenomas, colon carcinomas, and normal tissue distant from carcinomas. Normal colonocytes expressed all DNA-PK proteins. Compared with the expression in normal tissue [176.62 +/- 18.56 (the intensity of expression x the percentage of cells expressing this protein), mean + SE], the expression of Ku70 was significantly reduced in adenomas (36.62 +/- 11.09; P < 0.001) and carcinomas (85.68 +/- 15.76; P < 0.01), as was the expression of Ku86 [(113.10 +/- 10.22 versus 41.66 +/- 14.71 in adenomas (P < 0.01) or versus 85.68 +/- 15.76 in carcinomas (P < 0.05)]. The expression of DNA-PKcs was not significantly changed. The marked underexpression of Ku70 and Ku86 starting at the adenoma stage may be crucial to the development of colon cancer.

Two physiologically distinct types of muscles, the direct and indirect flight muscles, develop from myoblasts associated with the Drosophila wing disc. We show that the direct flight muscles are specified by the expression of Apterous, a Lim homeodomain protein, in groups of myoblasts. This suggests a mechanism of cell-fate specification by labelling groups of fusion competent myoblasts, in contrast to mechanisms in the embryo, where muscle cell fate is specified by single founder myoblasts. In addition, Apterous is expressed in the developing adult epidermal muscle attachment sites. Here, it functions to regulate the expression of stripe, a gene that is an important element of early patterning of muscle fibres, from the epidermis. Our results, which may have broad implications, suggest novel mechanisms of muscle patterning in the adult, in contrast to embryonic myogenesis.

In the field of cutaneous mycoses, some are cosmopolitan and others keep a geographical territory of predilection. Such a fact is bound to the fungus identity and natural biotope, and to the overall quality of public health in the region under consideration. Some of the tropical mycoses of cutaneous origin remain superficial in extension. Others are semi invasive or are even at risk of systemic dissemination.

1-4% of patients who undergo gastric biopsy have gastric polyps. These lesions may be true epithelial polyps, heterotopias, lymphoid tissue, or stromal lesions. Hyperplastic polyps, which arise in patients with underlying gastritis, and fundic-gland polyps, which are associated with PPI therapy, are the most common gastric polyps; however, prevalence varies widely relative to the local prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and use of PPI therapy. Some polyps have characteristic topography, size, and endoscopic appearance. Approximately 20% of biopsy specimens identified endoscopically as polyps have no definite pathological diagnosis. Evaluation of the phenotype of the gastric mucosa that surrounds a lesion will provide significant information crucial to the evaluation, diagnosis and management of a patient. The presence of a gastric adenoma should prompt the search for a coexistent carcinoma. The endoscopic characteristics, histopathology, pathogenesis, and management recommendations of polyps and common polypoid lesions in the stomach are discussed in this Review.

BACKGROUND: Gastric polyps are small gastric lesions, asymptomatic in most cases and are generally discovered inadvertently during upper digestive endoscopy. AIM: To retrospectively review the characteristics and frequency of gastric polyps, derived from the gastric mucosal epithelium in a large series of endoscopies. METHODS: One hundred and fifty three patients in a series of 26,000 consecutive upper digestive endoscopies done over a 5-year period, being that each patient had only one examination were analyzed and their histological and Yamada classification, as well as their location, size, histopathological findings and treatment studied. All patients had at least one gastric polyp, as confirmed by histological examination. RESULTS: The polyps were classified as hyperplastic, adenomatous and fundic gland polyps. The most of them measure less than 1 cm (hyperplastic polyps - 60,5%; adenomatous polyps - 73,6%; fundic gland polyps - 72%). Hyperplastic polyps were the most frequent and accounted for 71.3% of the cases, whereas fundic gland polyps accounted for 16.3% and adenomatous polyps for 12.4%. Hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps were primarily single, whereas fundic gland polyps tended to be multiple. A carcinoma was detected in one hyperplastic polyp (0.9%) and in two adenomatous polyps (10.5%). High grade dysplastic foci were found in four adenomatous polyps (21%). CONCLUSIONS: The digestive endoscopy is the safest and efficient method for the diagnosis of the gastric polyps, that in most of the patients does not show characteristic symptoms. The histopathological definition is not possible to the endoscopic glance being needed the pathologist's aid, once the conduct to be adopted will depend on the result of the biopsy.

PURPOSE Endoscopic treatment of sessile and semipedunculated polyps remains controversial. Residual tissue remains frequently after endoscopic snare polypectomy. The aim of the study was to assess the outcome and safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the management of gastric and colorectal polyp remnants after polypectomy, and to search for clinical parameters useful in predicting the efficacy of this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective study comprised 18 patients with gastric polyps and 29 with colonic polyps found in upper and lower GI endoscopy. Overall 22 gastric polyps and 58 colonic polyps have been detected. All those polyps were removed at colonoscopy with the diathermic snare and the polyp remnants were destroyed with APC using Argon Beamer source (Erbe, Germany). Follow-up endoscopies have been performed 1, 3 and 6 months after the treatment completion. RESULTS Pathologic examination revealed 10 hyperplastic polyps and 12 tubular adenomas of the stomach. Effective destruction of polyp remnants was achieved in 20 (90.9%) gastric polyps in 16 (88.9%) patients. Significant positive correlation was demonstrated between the power output, APC sessions number and polyp location in the prepyloric part, its size and adenomatous content. Among colonic polyps there were: 17 hyperplastic, 26 tubular, 8 tubulo-villous, 4 villous adenomas and 3 inflammatory pseudopolyps. Effective destruction of remnant polyp tissue was obtained in 56 (96.4%) polyps in 27 (93.1%) patients. A significant positive correlation between the power output and the size, distal location and villous texture of the polyp has been demonstrated. No complications other than mild abdominal distention have been encountered. CONCLUSIONS APC is an effective and safe method in the management of polyp remnants in the stomach and colon. The application of higher electric power and numerous APC sessions are necessary to remove residues of large gastric polyps located in the prepyloric part and of with adenomatous content. In the case of colonic polyps the application of higher electric power should be recommended in case of large-sized lesions, located in rectum and of villous texture.

OBJECTIVE To determine various features of colorectal polyps and to evaluate the safety of colonoscopic polypectomy. DESIGN Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from January 1987 to January 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study was based on data analysis of 393 patients who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy at our institution during 17 years from January 1987 to January 2004. Presenting complaints of patients were noted. Polyps were evaluated in terms of size, site, number and histopathology. RESULTS Among 393 patients, 268 were male and 125 female. Presenting complaints were bleeding per rectum in 339 patients, diarrhea with blood in 34 and without blood in 6 patients, and lower abdominal pain in 12 patients. Two patients were being investigated for iron deficiency anemia. Two hundred and sixty-four patients had juvenile polyps, 39 had adenomatous polyps, 39 hyperplastic polyps, 39 inflammatory polyps, 3 malignant polyps and 2 patients had familial polyposis. Histopathological reports were not available in 7 patients. Size of the polyps ranged from 0.3 cm to 3.0 cm. Left colon was involved in 353 patients, transverse colon in 15, right colon in 8 patients and diffuse involvement of colon found in 17 patients. Bleeding following polypectomy occurred in 2% of the patients. No other procedure related complication occurred. CONCLUSION Juvenile polyps were the commonest variety of polyps in our study. Colonoscopic polypectomy has very low complication rate.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an inherited gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyposis disorder. Small-bowel intussusception and bleeding are the most common complications, and malignancy may also occur. Survey of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly of the small bowel, is difficult and current recommendations for management syndrome are ambiguous. We evaluated the feasibility of capsule endoscopy for identifying phenotypic expression of small-bowel polyps in patients with full-blown PJS and a previous diagnosis of gastrointestinal polyposis, and in symptomatic kindred of PJS patients with no previous diagnosis of gastrointestinal polyposis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two groups were studied: group A consisted of 14 patients with gastrointestinal polyposis, eight of whom had undergone previous small-intestine surgery; group B consisted of six symptomatic first-degree relatives of PJS patients; these patients had previous negative gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations. RESULTS: Numerous polyps were detected in all patients in group A. Most polyps were sessile, but the larger polyps tended to be pedunculated. Polyp density was highest in the jejunum (greater than in the ileum and duodenum). Seven patients had at least one large polyp (> 11 mm) and five of these patients subsequently underwent enteroscopy, which revealed that capsule endoscopy had correctly identified all the patients with large polyps, but had missed 20 % of the total number of large polyps in these patients. No polyps were detected by capsule endoscopy in group B patients, despite the excellent visualization of the small intestine. In all patients, the capsules were expelled within 24 hours, without complications, and the procedure was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy is an effective and well-tolerated method for evaluating small-bowel pathology in patients with PJS.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is characterized by multiple gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps, mucocutaneous melanin deposition, and increased risk of cancer, mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. We examined mutations of the LKB1, beta-catenin, APC, K-ras, and p53 genes in 27 gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps from 10 patients in nine PJS families. Of these hamartomatous polyps, one intestinal polyp had an adenomatous lesion, and one gastric polyp contained adenomatous and carcinomatous lesions. Germ-line mutations of the LKB1 gene were detected in six PJS families. Somatic mutations of the LKB1 gene were found in 5 polyps, whereas loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the LKB1 locus at 19p was seen in 14 other polyps. In adenomatous lesions microdissected from hamartomatous polyps, both beta-catenin mutation and 19p LOH were detected. Furthermore, a carcinomatous lesion in a gastric hamartomatous polyp was found to contain a mutation of the p53 gene and LOH at the p53 locus in addition to LOH at the LKB1 locus and a beta-catenin mutation. K-ras mutations were detected in a few polyps, whereas no APC mutation or 5q LOH was detected in hamartomatous polyps. These results suggest that gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps in PJS patients develop through inactivation of the LKB1 gene by germ-line mutation plus somatic mutation or LOH of the unaffected LKB1 allele, and that additional mutations of the beta-catenin gene and p53 gene convert hamartomatous polyps into adenomatous and carcinomatous lesions.

Juvenile Polyposis is a syndrome with gastrointestinal polyps and increased cancer risk. The commonest form of this syndrome is inherited as autosomal dominant trait and presents as Familial Juvenile Polyposis Coli. Another variant involves mainly the stomach and another is generalized throughout the gastrointestinal tract. We present the case of two brothers with polyposis coli complicated by colonic cancer. The polyps were of juvenile, adenomatous and mixed types. The two patients after a decade of colonic endoscopic polypectomies presented gastric involvement by polyps and needed multiple endoscopic gastric resections. One brother underwent total gastrectomy. This stomach showed diffuse polyposis of hyperplastic and fundic gland types within an unexpected background of foveolar and glandular hypertrophic gastropathy. The patients at present are followed up with endoscopic procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Histopathological and clinical data strongly suggest that Helicobacter pylori is the cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulceration. However, little has been written about the potential causal relation of H. pylori infection to hyperplastic and adenomatous gastric polyps. We therefore carried out a prospective study to determine the effect of eradicating H. pylori infection on the course of hyperplastic and adenomatous gastric polyps. METHODS: From November 1996 to December 1997, 6700 patients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at the two centres in Zagreb, Croatia, were candidates for participation in the study. Hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps were diagnosed on a basis of at least three histological samples taken from the polyp. In seven patients endoscopy had to be repeated because forceps biopsy sampling either provided inadequate tissue for correct histological diagnosis, or accurate characterization of gastric polyp histology was not possible. Upon completion of all endoscopic examinations before and after treatment, biopsy samples were taken from the antrum (two) and the body of the stomach (two) so that gastritis could be graded and classified, and the presence of H. pylori sought by histology. Two other samples were taken from the antrum for a rapid urease test. Follow-up examinations were performed by using endoscopy. Control endoscopy was performed at least 4 weeks after the treatment of H. pylori infection had been completed, and then every 3-4 months. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 17 months, with a median of 14 months. The treatment of H. pylori infection consisted of a 1-week course of either omeprazole (20 mg twice daily) or pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily), and a 1-week course of amoxicillin 2g twice daily) and metronidazole (400 mg three times daily), and clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily). Eradication of H. pylori infection was assessed by repeated histology and rapid urease test. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (nine women, 12 men; median age 52 years) with histologically proven hyperplastic gastric polyps, and seven patients (two women, five men; median age, 67 years) with adenomatous gastric polyps were included in the study. Among 21 patients with hyperplastic gastric polyps, 16 patients (76%) were positive for H. pylori infection. Only two patients (29%) with adenomatous gastric polyps were positive for the infection. Complete eradication of H. pylori was initially achieved in all patients positive for H. pylori. Total regression of the gastric polyps was observed only among the patients with hyperplastic gastric polyps in whom H. pylori had been eradicated. Complete regression of the hyperplastic gastric polyps was observed in seven of the 16 evaluable patients (44%; 95% CI, 19-68%) after H. pylori eradication. The endoscopic snare polypectomy was carried out in nine patients with hyperplastic polyps and two patients with adenomatous gastric polyps in whom regression of the polyps was not observed after H. pylori eradication, as well as in five patients with hyperplastic and four with adenomatous gastric polyps who were negative for H. pylori. Exploratory laparotomy and gastrotomy with polyps excision were carried out in one patient with multiple adenomatous gastric polyps. In only one patient who was not positive for H. pylori recurrence of hyperplastic gastric polyp was recorded during follow-up, and no re-infection with H. pylori has been detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the development of hyperplastic gastric polyps may be directly related to chronic active gastritis and concomitant H. pylori infection. Cure of H. pylori infection associated with hyperplastic gastric polyps resulted in complete polyp regression in more than 40% of patients. Therefore, for patients with hyperplastic gastric polyps and concurrent H. pylori infection an antibiotic treatment designed to eradicate H. pylori appears to be recommended before further therapeutic options are consi

AIM: To evaluate the histopathological characteristics of colonic polyps, found during colonoscopy examination and endoscopic polypectomy, and their relation to age, tumor location, sex, histological type and degree of epithelial dysplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 1997, 2,465 total colonoscopies were performed at the Gastroenterology Department of the Virgin Macarena University Hospital in Seville. Different size polyps were found in 318 patients who had been referred because of several symptoms/by several centers. The mean age was 59.2 years in men and 61.5 years in women. RESULTS: 446 polyps were removed by endoscopic polypectomy, 32 (7.2%) were hyperplastic polyps, 402 were adenomas (90.2%) and 12 (2.6%) were adenomas with adenocarcinoma. Seventy-five percent of adenomas were located in the left colon and rectum and 25% in right colon. Hyperplastic polyps were found in left colon. Of the polyps removed, 55.1% were smaller than 1 cm, 26.5% were between 1 and 2 cm and 18.4% were between 2 and 7 cm. Histopathologic study of adenomas revealed that 17% were villous adenoma, 80% were tubular adenomas and 3% were tubulovillous adenomas. Adenocarcinomas were found in 12 (2.8%) adenomas. Of the adenomatous polyps, 87.4% had low-grade dysplasia and 12.6% high-grade dysplasia. Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between size of adenoma and degree of dysplasia (p < 0.05). Similar significant relation was found between histological type and size (p < 0.05) but there were no statistically significant differences between location, sex or age, and degree of dysplasia (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Size of colonic polyps is related to epithelial dysplasia and histological type (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between location, sex or age and degree of dysplasia.

Nine hundred and seven polyps (mean size 3.7 mm; range 2-8) from 460 patients (mean age 67 years; range 34-94) were removed with monopolar electrocoagulation forceps ('hot biopsy forceps'). Sixty-three percent of the polyps were adenomatous and 36% were hyperplastic. In this series there were 3 cancers and 1 neurofibroma. About 42% of the polyps were in the sigmoid-rectum region; the rest were evenly distributed in the remaining part of the colon. There were no complications. Specifically there were no cases of perforation or massive bleeding after removal of these polyps. Within the guidelines mentioned, hot biopsy removal of small colonic polyps is safe.