       Document 3023
 DOCN  M94A3023
 TI    AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma and incidence of gastrointestinal
       involvement--how efficient is endoscopy.
 DT    9412
 AU    Liess H; Zoller WG; Bogner J; Powitz F; Zietz C; Goebel FD; Medizinische
       Poliklinik, University of Munich, Germany.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):171 (abstract no. PB0112). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369552
 AB    OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal involvement of AIDS-associated Kaposi
       Sarcoma (KS) may be of major prognostic as well as therapeutic
       relevance. Therefore the incidence of gastrointestinal involvement was
       retrospectively analysed using data from autopsies performed in an
       unselected group of patients (pts.) with AIDS. METHODS/PATIENTS: 306
       (286 male, 20 female) pts. who died from AIDS were investigated. They
       had all been treated at the Medizinische Poliklinik (Period of
       registration: Jan. 1st 1984-May 1st 1993). 257 pts. belonged to the high
       risk group of homo/bisexuals. 23 pts. had used i.v. drugs, 26 pts. had
       no apparent risk for HIV-infection. All findings assessed intra vitam as
       well as autopsy findings were analysed. RESULTS: Investigation of the
       gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was performed in 228 (74,5%) pts.. This
       revealed pathological findings (intra vitam or post-mortem) in 145
       (63,6%) of these cases. 50 (21,9%) of these were KS. An autopsy was
       performed in a total of 76 (24,8%) pts.. In 50 (46,3%) of 108 pts.
       diagnosed with cutaneous KS endoscopy and autopsy together could show
       GIT involvement. In 39 pts. Kaposi lesions were found intra vitam. In 11
       pts. visceral-abdominal involvement was found at time of autopsy. Of
       these 9 pts. had not had an endoscopy. 2 pts. showed an involvement of
       the spleen or liver exclusively. All pts. with possibly visible lesions
       were correctly diagnosed if endoscopy was performed. CONCLUSIONS:
       Endoscopy detected GIT involvement of KS in almost all patients. Due to
       high incidence and the potential therapeutic consequences (local versus
       systemic) we conclude that endoscopy should be performed in all pts.
       diagnosed with cutaneous AIDS-associated KS.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY/  TRANSMISSION
       *Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal  Female  Gastrointestinal
       Neoplasms/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY  Gastrointestinal System/PATHOLOGY  Human
       Male  Neoplasms, Second Primary/DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY  Retrospective
       Studies  Risk Factors  Sarcoma, Kaposi's/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY  Skin
       Neoplasms/DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

