Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation for the removal of bile duct stones

Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD)with endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST)has been widely used as the alternative to EST along with endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy(EML)for the removal of large or difficult bile duct stones.Furthermore,EPLBD without EST was recently introduced as its simplified alternative technique.Thus,we systematically searched PubMed,Medline,the Cochrane Library and EMBASE,and analyzed all gathered data of EPLBD with and without EST,respectively,by using a single standardized definition,reviewing relevant literatures,published between 2003and June 2013,where it was performed with largediameter balloons(12-20 mm).The outcomes,including the initial success rate,the rate of needs for EML,and the overall success rate,and adverse events were assessed in each and compared between both of two procedures:"EPLBD with EST"and"EPLBD without EST".A total of 2511 procedures from 30 published articles were included in EPLBD with EST,while a total of413 procedures from 3 published articles were included in EPLBD without EST.In the results of outcomes,the overall success rate was 96.5%in EPLBD with EST and97.2%in EPLBD without EST,showing no significant difference between both of them.The initial success rate(84.0%vs 76.2%,P<0.001)and the success rate of EPLBD without EML(83.2%vs 76.7%,P=0.001)was significantly higher,while the rate of use of EML was significantly lower(14.1%vs 21.6%,P<0.001),in EPLBD with EST.The rate of overall adverse events,pancreatitis,bleeding,perforation,other adverse events,surgery for adverse events,and fatal adverse events were 8.3%,2.4%,3.6%,0.6%,1.7%,0.2%and 0.2%in EPLBD with EST and 7.0%,3.9%,1.9%,0.5%,0.7%,0%and 0%in EPLBD without EST,respectively,showing no significant difference between both of them.In conclusion,recent accumulated results of EPLBD with or even without EST suggest that it is a safe and effective procedure for the removal of large or difficult bile duct stones without any additional risk of severe adverse events,when performed under appropriate guidelines.

Predictors of hemorrhagic manifestations in dengue:A prospective observational study from the Hadoti region of Rajasthan

Objective:To study the laboratory and clinical predictors of hemorrhagic manifestations in dengue virus-infected patients.Methods:This was a single-center hospital-based prospective observational study.200 Dengue seropositive patients were included in the study.A detailed clinical examination was done and comprehensive laboratory investigations were done.These parameters were compared between patients with and without hemorrhagic manifestations.Results:Out of the 200 patients,47(23.5%)had bleeding.64.5%Patients were males and 76.0%were under the age of 40 years.The most common presenting symptoms were fever(100.0%)followed by myalgia(77.0%),nausea and vomiting(56.0%).Leukocytosis,neutrophilia,thrombocytopenia,hyperbilirubinemia,transaminitis,decreased serum albumins,and raised D-dimer can serve as hematological,biochemical,and coagulation predictors of hemorrhagic manifestations for dengue.Conclusions:Dengue is a tropical infection with various complications.Bleeding complications are one of them.Laboratory parameters like white blood cells,platelets,bilirubin level,liver enzymes,and D-dimer can help to identify patients at risk for bleeding.Early identification and appropriate management can save a lot of resources and lives.