Primary and metastasizing malignant carcinoma of the liv er represent a challenge to both the diagnostician and the therapist. For this reason, it appears a worthwhile task to review the current status of knowledge about the treatment of primary and metastasizing tumors of the liver. The ques tion is whether modem diagnostic methods and new thera peutic concepts can help to improve the prospects of treat ment. Of particular interest is the role played by therapeu tic procedures directly involving the liver. Thus, it is equally important to discuss the pathophysiological and pharmacological bases for a modem therapy concept as it is to consider diagnostic issues and possible definitions of stages of progression. Therapeutic concepts comprise sys temic therapy and organ-related therapeutic methods, in cluding surgical resection, changes in the blood supply, re gional selective chemotherapy, and other localized or regional, highly specialized forms of therapy. This survey of the various possibilities in the field is meant too to stimulate further scientific research, given that methods of treatment are as yet by no means stan dardized, but are still in the stage of clinical research, where experimental models can find an application. The only well-established operative procedure is surgery on the isolated liver tumor. In this area, specialized techniques and various intraoperative procedures are discussed. There is a wealth of information available on all the top ics covered."

The development and the widespread clinical application of various di agnostic imaging modalities, such as diagnostic ultrasonography, X-ray computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, have been beyond all expectation. In particular, ultrasonography and X-ray computed tomography have be come major diagnostic tools for diseases of the liver, the biliary tract, and the pancreas. They often have virtually replaced other conventional imag ing modalities including invasive angiography and percutaneous trans he patic cholangiography. One modality may complement or conflict with another or other modalities. Each modality should be carefully selected with due regard for its diagnostic efficacy. In this book, the first section contains nine chapters dealing with current techniques of each diagnostic modality applicable to the liver, the biliary tract, and the pancreas. The second section deals with diseases of the liver, the biliary tract, and the pancreas and takes the form of case presentation with discussion of the significance of diagnostic imagings and diagnostic procedure. Preparation of the manuscript was made possible by the help of Dr. S. Fujita, who prepared the photographs, and Mrs. Sobajima, who typed the original manuscript. Dr. S. Miura and Miss Y. Shimizu under took the labor of translating our manuscript from Japanese into English. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all these persons, as well as to the contributors to this book, and also to the publishers, Shujunsha, Japan and Springer-Verlag.

Technical improvements over the past twenty years have made endos copy the procedure of choice for examination of the hollow organs of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The development of electro surgical techniques, laser technology, injection therapy, and a wide variety of other modalities now allow the endoscopist to treat many problems that in the past required open surgery. The simultaneous development of transcutaneous abdominal sonography has had an equally dramatic impact on the practice of gastrointestinal and geni tourinary surgery. The marriage of these proven technologies, known as endoscopic sonography, provides an exciting new modality that promises to further revolutionize the diagnosis and management of many intraabdominal diseases. Endoscopic sonography opens new frontiers by overcoming the primary limitations of its parent technologies. Fiberoptic endoscopy is limited by the inability to see beyond the luminal surface, this is particularly important when considering neoplastic disease because depth of wall invasion is a key factor in determining treatment. The limiting factor in transcutaneous sonography is the distance between the transducer and the target organ. With endoscopic sonography, the transducer is placed in close proximity to the target organ. This allows the use of high frequency waves (greater than 5 MHz), which provide better tissue resolution and eliminates the image distortion caused by overlying structures.

Helieobaeter pylori has recently been recognized as a new genus according to specific taxonomic criteria; the "popular" name Campylobaeter pylori has been corrected by scientific progress. Following the discovery of the spiral microorgan ism in gastric mucosa by Marshall and Warren in 1982, it took only a few years for H. pylori to become established as a factor in the pathogenesis of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Interest in different aspects of H. pylori has grown continuously and has attracted scientists from various medical and biological disciplines such as gastroenterology, microbiology, pathology, immunology, and pharmacology. Indeed H. pylori provides an excellent model for interdisciplinary interaction and cooperation. To promote this concept of interdisciplinary research and exchange of knowledge, a European Campylobacter (Helicobacter) Pylori Study Group was founded in 1987 in Copenhagen. The second meeting of this expanding group was held from October 12-14,1989 in Ulm, FRG. The fact that more than 500 participants attended the conference and that 187 original contributions from all five continents were presented clearly confirmed that H. pylori has "scientifically infected" the whole world. Our understanding of the microbiological and pathogenetic aspects of H. pylori is continuously being challenged as new results follow swifthy from different research areas. This book includes an update and progress report on the various aspects of H. pylori presented and discussed in special workshops held during the meeting in Ulm.

Since the beginnings of diagnostic ultrasound in the 1950s, each decade has seen significant advances in this technology. Commer cialization of ultrasound occurred during the 1960s with the introduction of many of the clinical uses that are in existence today. The 1970s showed the most dramatic changes with the commercial introduction of gray-scale and real-time ultrasound. In the 1980s many new advances were introduced, including color Doppler, as well as a wide variety of endoluminal approaches, including endorectal, endovaginal and transesophageal. The decade of the 1990s promises even more significant advances with further transducer miniaturization, three-dimensional ultra sound, and the introduction of a variety of ultrasound contrast agents. With such rapid changes occurring, it becomes important to disseminate knowledge in as rapid a fashion as possible, thus it was quite appropriate that a meeting such as this be held to provide an in-depth review of the many new areas of ultrasound imaging that show promise for the future. Emphasis was on the new uses of ultrasound in gastrointestinal diseases. Many of these advances will, of course, also have applications in many other areas of the body. It is hoped that those in attendance will acquire a much broader understanding of where ultrasound is now and where it is headed in the not too distant future.

The intestine, particularly the small bowel, represents a large surface (in the adult 2 human approximately 200m ) through which the body is exposed to its environment. A vigorous substrate exchange takes place across this large surface: nutrients and xenobiotics are absorbed from the lumen into the bloodstream or the lymph, and simultaneously, the same types of substrate pass back into the lumen. The luminal surface of the intestine is lined with a "leaky" epithelium, thus the passage of the substrates, in either direction, proceeds via both transcellular and intercellular routes. Simple and carrier-mediated diffusion, active transport, pinocytosis, phagocytosis and persorption are all involved in this passage across the intestinal wall. The term "intestinal permeation" refers to the process of passage of various substances across the gut wall, either from the lumen into the blood or lymph, or in the opposite direction. "Permeability" is the condition of the gut which governs the rate of this complex two-way passage. The pharmacologist's interest in the problem of intestinal permeation is twofold: on the one hand, this process determines thebioavailability of drugs and contributes significantly to the pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics of xeno biotics; on the other hand, the pharmacodynamic effects of many drugs are manifested in a significant alteration of the physiological process of intestinal permeation.

Major advances have been made in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis, the disease that still affects more than 50 percent of the population in the highly industrialized countries. This volume covers the most recent advances in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. It represents a necessary update because molecular mechanisms of atherogenesis have been discovered in the past few years and their molecular mechanisms of action identified. Extensively treated are the molecular mechanisms of disease etiology of arteriosclerosis in relation to the major risk factor "hyperlipidemia," rationale for more effective treatment of this disease by dietary means, the treatment of associated or causing diseases, and the treatment using hypolipidemic drugs.

Bei der Entstehung von Magengeschw}ren ist in den letzten Jahren die Bedeutung einer Ausl|sung durch Campylobacter pylori bekannt geworden. Neue systematische Untersuchungen f}hrten zu einer Namens{nderung: Helicobacter. Der Band gibt eine Obersicht }ber den derzeitigen Wissensstand.

There have been many advances in the field of gastrointestinal pa thology which are of considerable clinical significance during the 13 years since the last publication of a volume of Current Topics in Pathology devoted to this subject. Many have arisen from the app lication of new techniques of histochemistry, immunocytochemi stry, quantitative morphometry and molecular and cell biology to gastrointestinal diseases, but some, notably the recognition of the association of Campylobaeter pylori with the commonest type of chronic gastritis, have been achieved using such long established 'routine' histological procedures that one wonders how their signifi cance had escaped recognition for so long. The topics covered in this volume have been selected because they present advances of relevance to the diagnostic clinical pathologist. However, they re present the personal selection of the editor, and are in no way exhaustive. Many other examples of progress in our understanding of the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases have been omit ted, either because of the confines of space or because they have been well reviewed recently in other publications. Most of the workload of the practising gastrointestinal patholo gist involves the diagnosis and assessment either of inflammation or of neoplasia in the alimentary tract, and this is reflected in the topics presented in this book."

During the 7th International Bile Acid meeting held in Cortina d'Ampezzo., Italy, during March 1982, there were two important Workshops dealing with recent advances in two areas of bile acid metabolism - Serum Bile Acids i, n Health and Disease and The Pathophysiology of the Enterohepatic Circulation. These Workshops complemented the broad range of topics in bile acid metabolism which were presented formally as part of a Postgraduate Course. The proceedings of these formal presentations have already been pub lished by MTP Press under the title Bile Acids in Gastroenterology but in view of the exciting, important, new information which emerged during both Workshops, the organisers of the meeting felt that it would be valuable to record and edit the proceedings of the Work shops, which form the basis of this volume. The advent of new techniques for measurement of total and indi vidual bile acids in serum now means that accurate and reliable 7 PREFACE measurements of bile acids in peripheral circulation are available to all. This has resulted in a veritable explosion of information in the serum bile acid field and, therefore, the appearance of a critical evalu ation of the technical and basic scientific and clinical aspects of measuring serum bile acids is indeed timely."

Diagnostic ultrasound is changing dramatically because of the development of a variety of high resolution real-time scanning instruments. Until recently the standard instrument was the articulated arm contact scanner. Real-time scanners were viewed as adjunct instruments for specific and limited pur poses. The roles are reversing with real-time instruments more frequently accepted as the primary diagnostic tool and the contact scanner becoming the ancillary instrument for use mainly for viewing a large field that cannot be scanned with real-time instruments. Two recent editorials stated that real-time instruments were used as the sole diagnostic instrument for between 80% [Cooperberg (2)] and 98% [Bartrum and Crow (1)] of their abdominal examinations. This book introduces the reader to the field of real-time scanning in the abdomen. It presupposes an understanding of basic physical concepts of ultrasound, the appearance of both normal and pathologic conditions as produced by static articulated arm contact scanning, and a familiarity with the techniques of contact scanning. It is designed to acquaint the reader with the spectrum of real-time instrumentation, provide a basic understanding of the physics of ultrasound as related to these instruments, emphasize the special skills required in the use of this equipment, and describe applications of real-time scanning for various parts of the abdomen. While numerous illustrations of both normal and pathologic anatomy are shown, the book is an all-inclusive study of abdominal pathology as demonstrated by real-time imaging.

For a long time, approximately since Oberlin and Guerin described the multifocal origin of pancreatic cancers and precancerous pancreatic lesions, no important study dealing with the entire subject of pancreatic cancer has been published in France and probably in the international literature. For some decades the knowl- edge acquired 40years or more ago was not improved appreciably, though the fre- quency ofthe disease started to increase in occidental countries. This has recently changed, and the progress ofthe medical sciences has spread to the pancreas. Although the surgical or medical prognosis of the most frequent form of pancreatic cancer, exocrine adenocarcinoma, remains very bad, recent studies have shown the multiplicityofits pathological forms, some being less severe so that curative surgery is possible. New experimental models, particularly in the hamster, and the use of carcinogenic drugs allow experimental studies on lesions similar to those in man. Oncologic immunology is still at its beginnings but shows promise for diagnosis and treatment. Though modem techniques of imaging - sonography, aspirative cytology, CT scan, endoscopic catheterism, arteriography, and maybe in the future nuclear magnetic resonance - have not yet significantly in- fluenced prognosis,they have made the diagnosis easierand more precocious. Yet in a diseasethat diffuses so rapidly to deep lymph nodes, it has not been proved whether early diagnosis can improve prognosis.

This is the fifth symposium on Experimental and Clinical Hepatology to be convened by the organisers, and, in common with the previous four, reflects the importance placed upon continuing discussion by clinical investigators as well as basic physiological and pharmacological researchers. Previous meetings which were held at the Surgical Department of the Philipps University in Marburg were dedicated to problems of direct clinical application, such as haemodynamics of portal hypertension, surgical approach to hepatic tumours, liver regeneration and temporary hepatic support. Clinical investigation was a subject which frequently came under discussion and some of these investigations have since lead to direct improvements in clinical therapy and many patients have benefited as a result. This time, the convocation was called to the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover where remarkable advances in clinical liver trans plantation have been the most striking event in clinical hepatology. The concensus of the meeting was that while significant clinical progress has been made, a variety of basic problems remained unsolved which will require further investigation. Special attention has, therefore, been given to topics such as acute liver damage, particu larly within the transplanted liver, to chronic active hepatitis and its spontaneous prognosis, to isolated hepatocytes and their effect on functional support of the liver, to mechanisms of liver circulation which may be altered completely within the transplant and to liver perfusion which is still considered unsatisfactory for subsequent transplantation."

Over a decade has elapsed since the last volume in this series was published. At that time we considered that we had comprehensively covered all aspects relating to bile acid chemistry and physiology. However, major strides have been made in our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of bile acids, due largely to the great advances which have taken place in analytical technology. As a result, the need to document these advances was felt acutely, and therefore this volume is devoted to methodologies in bile acid analysis and their applications. This volume includes twelve chapters written by prominent scientists in the field of bile acid research. The initial chapter discusses techniques of extraction and isolation of bile acids from biological fluids. It is followed by descriptions of physical methods of analysis and discussions of the way these techniques have been applied in the field of bile acid research. Of practical value is the inclusion of a comprehensive list of spectra obtained for refer ences by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry . These chapters are followed by reviews of biological methods of immuno assay and bioluminescence. Specific applications of these techniques are then addressed in contributions relating to bile acid analysis of tissue, serum, urine, and feces. With this integrated approach we have attempted to provide a volume which represents a comprehensive review of the analytical field of bile acids, while also serving as a useful reference book for those workers involved in bile acid analysis."

Nonsurgical Biliary Drainage is a survey of the current status of the endoscopic and percutaneous transhepatic approaches. The editors - internationally recognized leaders in gastroenterology - have gathered together articles which discuss both the principles and methodology of these techniques as well as their results and limitations. With the wealth of authoritative information it contains, this book will also help lay the groundwork for future advances in the field.

Bile acids occupy a central position in in the absorption, excretion and metab olism of lipids within the body. Our understanding of their unique properties has illuminated many biochemical and biophysical processes. Animals have evolved a unique system of preserving these important detergent-like molecules within the body and reusing them many times - the enterohepatic circulation. Disorders of the enterohepatic circulation contribute to a correspondingly wide range of diseases, and recent developments have centred in particular on cholesterol gallstone disease and bile acid diarrhoea. Successful manage ment of these diseases is increasingly based on an understanding of the physicochemical and biochemical properties of bile acids, and of their pathophysiological role in disease. Professor Alan Hofmann starts this book with an overview of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. The first section then discusses biliary lipid synthesis, transport and secretion by the liver and the solubilisation of cholesterol in the bile. The next section applies this knowledge to the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones. Separate chapters focus on defects in biliary lipid secretion, in cholesterol solubilisation and in gallbladder motility. The succeeding sections then review posssible approaches to gallstone prevention, and assess recent developments in non-surgical forms oftreatment. Two exciting new therapies that receive particular attention are contact dissolution therapy with methyl tert-butyl ether and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Further sections turn to the absorptive functions of bile acids in health."

For the fourth English edition, this highly popular book has been thoroughly revised and updated to include such new sections as endoscopic digestive US and abnormalities related to AIDS. It is the only work available covering the diagnostic US of the whole abdomen, and its superb treatment of elementary symptoms enables beginners to become familiar with more complicated features. After an extensive technical introduction, the book covers the sonoanatomy and ultrasonic symptomatology of the diseases of the digestive system and the abdominal vessels. Numerous tips on avoiding pitfalls, as well as indications for other procedures, and backed by some 1000 illustrations, this is well on its way to becoming a standard text for practitioners and clinicians in the field.

by Dr. Jan. J. Smulewicz Ultrasound imaging has reached a stage of sophistication where by diagnostic information can be gained without discomfort to the patient and with complete absence of morbidity and mortality. The procedure is quick, safe, noninvasive and in many instances can supersede and obviate more time-consuming procedures requiring catheterization, injection of a contrast material, and radiographic imaging. In obstetrical problems the danger of ionizing radiation to the fetus is eliminated. In debilitated and very ill patients this simple and painless method becomes the procedure of choice. Unique features of ultrasound equipment allow for pinpoint local ization oflesions and direct visual guidance of percutaneous puncture techniques for aspiration and biopsy. The accuracy of ultrasound guided punctures and the absence of side effects make this modality far superior to percutaneous invasive techniques performed with other imaging systems. Renal cyst puncture and amniocentesis are but two of the procedures in which ultrasonic guidance is the method of choice. v Dr. Hassani has throughly explained and carefully explored the wide variety of exam inations available with ultrasound. The large volume of material and the clear interpre- tion makes this book of great interest to all of the medical profession. In addition to the existing methods available for diagnostic in terpretations, this method of noninvasive diagnosis should find its way into every hospital or center where good medical care is provided. JanJ. Smulewicz, M.D."

The Italian Group for the Study of Liver Cirrhosis began its activity in 1980 on the basis of recognition and financial support from the Italian Ministry of the University, Scientific Research and Technology, having been chosen from several other scientific programs. The group is now called the National Group for the Study of Liver Cirrhosis and Viral Hepatitis and includes more than 40 centers throughout the nation under the auspices of the universities. The primary Imtlatlve of the group, to combine experimental and clinical approaches in the study of liver pathophysiology, remains unchanged. Annual meetings in January provide the possibility of comparing experimental and clinical results in the spirit of mutual comprehension and criticism. After 15 years and 6 volumes (published biannually), the actual improvement of Italian research in liver pathophysiology is evident. In fact, in order to let other researchers know what has been achieved we chose to publish the 7th volume, in spite of the economic difficulties at hand. We have gathered specific experiences of all the centers included in the national program. Each group was required to present an update in its own field of research, rather than specific or recently obtained results, which could have been reported only in relationship with other data already published by others. Like the 6th edition in our series, this volume affirms the specific competence of all the participants and summarizes the most important updates in liver pathophysiology.

Surgical Diseases of the Spleen written and edited by internationally renowned scientists will be a masterpiece for any institution. It provides an updated multidisciplinary review of diseases of the spleen. Experts in the field have customed their chapters to further ease the readers understanding offering all the information needed to progress in this area. Different sections on basic concepts, specific splenic diseases and operative techniques cover new aspects in immunology, infectious, traumatic and neoplastic conditions.

The advances in science and medicine we are now experiencing are unprec edented and exciting. Life expectancy is prolonged, and quality of life is much improved. We learn of fabulous new discoveries made at the bench or the bedside every week. Many diseases have been totally eliminated, others can be significantly improved by new therapeutic formulations. Much of the success can be attributed to a better understanding of disease processes and the specific targeting of new and more effective medications. As is the case in many areas of successful human endeavour, there can be a downside. In the case of drugs and chemicals it is their adverse effects which are of concern. Of course, every effort is made to devise medications that are safe, and the need to elucidate and understand mechanisms are crucial, yet adverse effects remain a problem. They can be unpredictable and diverse. Drugs have been shown to induce virtually the whole gamut of human liver pathology from acute fulminant hepatitis to chronic active hepatitis to cirrho sis and even malignancy. Hence the possibility of adverse drug effects must be considered in the differential diagnosis of many patients with liver disease. This is well recognized and is very important; indeed, removal of the offending agent can often lead to reversal of the adverse effect. This is an area of hepatology where we can really make a difference."

The purpose of this series of volumes is to present a comprehensive view of the complications that result from the use of acceptable diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Individual volumes will deal with iatrogenic complications involving (1) the alimentary system, (2) the urinary system, (3) the respiratory and cardiac systems, (4) the skeletal system and (5) the pediatric patient. The term iatrogenic, derived from two Greek words, means physician-induced. Originally, it applied only to psychiatric disorders generated in the patient by autosuggestion, based on misinterpretation of the doctor's attitude and com ments. As clinically used, it now pertains to the inadvertent side-effects and com plications created in the course of diagnosis and treatment. The classic categories of disease have included: (1) congenital and developmental, (2) traumatic, (3) infectious and inflammatory, (4) metabolic, (5) neoplastic, and (6) degenerative. To these must be added, however, iatrogenic disorders-a major, although gen erally unacknowledged, source of illness. While great advances in medical care in both diagnosis and therapy have been accomplished in the past few decades, many are at times associated with certain side-effects and risks which may result in distress equal to or greater than the basic condition. Iatrogenic complications, which may be referred to as "diseases of medical progress," have become a new dimension in the causation of human disease."

The secretion of bioactive products by tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic system results in the development of watery diarrhea that can lead to death in a very short period if not brought under control. Even if the consequences are less dramatic, the patients' ability to lead a normal daily life is seriously impaired, and they may become severely depressed. SandostatinR alleviates the condition by inhibiting peptide release, and its long duration of action makes it an effective and rational adjunct to therapy at all stages. Last year a consensus Round Table Meeting was held in Scottsdale, Arizona, to discuss the optimal use of SandostatinR in this indication. These guidelines offer the results of clinical research and the dosage recommendations arising from them, together with a critical summary of the points of view presented.

Dr. Dobranowski and his associates are to be highly commended for this excellent manual. I am not aware of a similar text covering the subject. Although all of us perform gastrointestinal studies in a differ ent manner, this text provides an excellent overview. The reader will discover that the text is especially well written and focuses on the important issues relating to GI contrast studies. Because Dr. Steven son's group performs endoscopic procedures, they are included in the manual. These authors are recognized scholars and leaders in gastrointesti nal radiology. Thus, it is easy to understand why the manual is so well done. I am particularly impressed with the emphasis placed on the patient-radiologist relationship before, during, and after completion of a study. All of us who teach gastrointestinal radiology are concerned about the decline in the number of gastrointestinal contrast studies. We are not sure how we can continue to teach our residents the proper tech niques and maintain high-quality teaching programs in gastrointesti nal radiology. A manual of this type is thus timely and appropriate. The manual will be a valuable addition to the library of all radiologists. It will be particularly useful for residents who are learning how to per form GI contrast studies."

Vaccines have historically been considered to be the most cost-effective method for preventing communicable diseases. It was a vaccine that en abled global eradication of the dreaded disease smallpo. ."