Bleeding after Endoscopic Resection in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Dialysis: A Multicenter Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background/Aims@#Frequent bleeding after endoscopic resection (ER) has been reported in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed to evaluate the association and clinical significance of bleeding with ER in ESRD patients on dialysis. @*Methods@#Between February 2008 and December 2018, 7,571 patients, including 47 ESRD patients on dialysis who underwent ER for gastric neoplasia, were enrolled. A total of 47 ESRDpatients on dialysis were propensity score-matched 1:10 to 470 non-ESRD patients, to adjust for between-group differences in variables such as age, sex, comorbidities, anticoagulation use, tumor characteristics, and ER method. Matching was performed using an optimal matching algorithm. For the matched data, clustered comparisons were performed using the generalized estimating equation method. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Frequency and outcomes of post-ER bleeding were evaluated. @*Results@#Bleeding was more frequent in the ESRD with dialysis group than in the non-ESRD group. ESRD with dialysis conferred a significant risk of post-ER bleeding (odds ratio, 6.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.7–13.6; p<0.0001). All post-ER bleeding events were controlled using endoscopic hemostasis except in 1 non-ESRD case that needed surgery. @*Conclusions@#ESRD with dialysis confers a bleeding risk after ER. However, all bleeding events could be managed endoscopically without sequelae. Concern about bleeding should not stop endoscopists from performing ER in ESRD patients on dialysis.

Prescription of Antibiotics for Adults with Acute Infectious Diarrhea in Korea: A Population-based Study

BACKGROUND@#Acute infectious diarrhea (AID) is a commonly observed condition globally. Several studies recommend against the use of empiric antibiotic therapy for AID, except in some cases of travelers' diarrhea. However, many physicians prescribe antimicrobial agents for AID. We aimed to determine the rate of antibiotic use and the associated prescription patterns among adults with AID.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#This population-based, retrospective epidemiological study was performed using Korean National Health Insurance claims data from 2016 to 2017. The study population comprised adults (age ≥18 years) who had visited clinics with AID-related complaints. Exclusion criteria were the presence of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other non-infectious forms of colitis. Patients who underwent surgery during admission were also excluded.@*RESULTS@#The study population comprised 1,613,057 adult patients with AID (767,606 [47.6%] men). Young patients (age 18 – 39 years) accounted for 870,239 (54.0%) of the study population. Overall, 752,536 (46.7%) cases received antibiotic prescriptions. The rate of antibiotic administration tended to be higher among elderly patients (age ≥65 years) than among younger patients (49.5% vs. 46.4%, P <0.001). The antibiotics most frequently prescribed in both monotherapy and combination regimens were fluoroquinolones (29.8%), rifaximin (26.8%), second-generation cephalosporins (9.2%), third-generation cephalosporins (7.3%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (5.5%), and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors (5.3%). Patients who visited tertiary care hospitals had lower rates of antibiotic therapy (n = 14,131, 41.8%) than did those visiting private clinics (n = 532,951, 47.1%). In total, 56,275 (62.3%) admitted patients received antibiotic therapy, whereas outpatients had lower rates of antibiotic prescription (n = 694,204, 46.0%).@*CONCLUSION@#This study revealed differences between the antibiotics used to treat AID in Korea and those recommended by the guidelines for AID treatment. Multifaceted efforts are necessary to strengthen physicians' adherence to published guidelines.

Guideline for the Antibiotic Use in Acute Gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis is common infectious disease in community in adults. This work represents an update of ‘Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal infections’ that was developed domestically in 2010. The recommendation of this guideline was developed regarding the following; epidemiological factors, test for diagnosis, the indications of empirical antibiotics, and modification of antibiotics after confirming pathogen. Ultimately, it is expected to decrease antibiotic misuse and prevent antibiotic resistance.

A huge mass causing colonic obstruction at the hepatic flexure

No abstract available.

A Case of Primary Small Bowel Melanoma Diagnosed by Single-Balloon Enteroscopy

Although metastasis from cutaneous malignant melanoma to the small intestine is not uncommon, primary small bowel melanoma (SBM) is extremely rare. This case report describes a rare case of primary SBM, diagnosed by single-balloon enteroscopy. A 74-year-old man presented with recurrent melena. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were unremarkable. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed an ileal mass with ileo-ileal intussusception. Subsequent single-balloon enteroscopy identified an ileal tumor, which was histologically diagnosed as melanoma. Extensive clinical examination did not reveal any primary cutaneous lesions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of primary SBM in South Korea.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Refractory and Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection: A Case Series of Nine Patients / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective therapy for refractory and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Despite its excellent efficacy and recent widespread use, FMT has not been widely used in South Korea thus far. We describe our experience with FMT to treat refractory/recurrent CDI. METHODS: We conducted a chart review of patients who underwent FMT for refractory/recurrent CDI at Inha University Hospital, between March 2014 and June 2016. The demographic information, treatment data, and adverse events were reviewed. FMT was administered via colonoscopy and/or duodenoscopy. All stool donors were rigorously screened to prevent infectious disease transmission. RESULTS: FMT was performed in nine patients with refractory/recurrent CDI. All patients were dramatically cured. Bowel movement was normalized within one week after FMT. There were no procedure-related adverse events, except aspiration pneumonia in one patient. During the follow-up period (mean 11.4 months), recurrence of CDI was observed in one patient at one month after FMT due to antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: FMT is a safe, well-tolerated and highly effective treatment for refractory/recurrent CDI. Although there are many barriers to using FMT, we expect that FMT will be widely used to treat refractory/recurrent CDI in South Korea.

The Prevalence and Clinical Features of Non-responsive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease to Practical Proton Pump Inhibitor Dose in Korea: A Multicenter Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea, there are no available multicenter data concerning the prevalence of or diagnostic approaches for non-responsive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which does not respond to practical dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in Korea. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and the symptom pattern of non-responsive GERD. METHODS: A total of 12 hospitals who were members of a Korean GERD research group joined this study. We used the composite score (CS) as a reflux symptom scale which is a standardized questionnaire based on the frequency and severity of typical symptoms of GERD. We defined "non-responsive GERD" as follows: a subject with the erosive reflux disease (ERD) whose CS was not decreased by at least 50% after standard-dose PPIs for 8 weeks or a subject with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) whose CS was not decreased by at least 50% after half-dose PPIs for 4 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 234 subjects were analyzed. Among them, 87 and 147 were confirmed to have ERD and NERD, respectively. The prevalence of non-responsive GERD was 26.9% (63/234). The rates of non-responsive GERD were not different between the ERD and NERD groups (25.3% vs. 27.9%, respectively, p=0.664). There were no differences between the non-responsive GERD and responsive GERD groups for sex (p=0.659), age (p=0.134), or BMI (p=0.209). However, the initial CS for epigastric pain and fullness were higher in the non-responsive GERD group (p=0.044, p=0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this multicenter Korean study showed that the rate of non-responsive GERD was substantially high up to 26%. In addition, the patients with the non-responsive GERD frequently showed dyspeptic symptoms such as epigastric pain and fullness.

Refractory pseudomembranous colitis that was treated successfully with colonoscopic fecal microbial transplantation

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is a nosocomial and opportunistic infection caused by Clostridium difficile. PMC is related to the use of antibiotics leading to intestinal dysbiosis and an overgrowth of C. difficile. Metronidazole or vancomycin is considered to be the standard therapy for the management of PMC. However, PMC has a 15%-30% recurrence rate and can be refractory to standard treatments, resulting in morbidity and mortality. Here we describe a patient who experienced refractory PMC who was treated with fecal microbiota transplantation. A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with consistent abdominal pain and diarrhea, which had been present for 5 months. She was diagnosed with PMC by colonoscopy and tested positive for C. difficile toxin. Even though she took metronidazole for 10 days, followed by vancomycin for 4 weeks, her symptoms did not improve. Because of her recurrent and refractory symptoms, we decided to perform fecal microbiota transplantation. Fifty grams of fresh feces from a donor were obtained on the day of the procedure, mixed with 500 mL of normal saline, and then filtered. The filtered solution was administered to the patient's colon using a colonoscope. After the procedure, her symptoms rapidly improved and a follow-up colonoscopy showed that the PMC had resolved without recurrence.

A Case of Cytomegalovirus-associated Giant Gastric Ulcer in a Patient Who Healed by Discontinuing Immunosuppressive Therapy

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is not a rare infection and is frequently observed in immuoncompromised patients. CMV infection is usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent patients however it can be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of CMV gastric ulcer is not easy because of the absence of characteristic endoscopic features and the difficulty in the identification of infection by routine histologic examinations. We experienced a case of CMV-associated giant gastric ulcer in a patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy. She was a 45-year-old woman with dermatomyositis and had received steroid therapy to control her disease. Epigastric pain developed during therapy and upper endoscopy revealed a gastric ulcer. Despite proton pump inhibitor therapy, her epigastric pain aggravated and follow-up endoscopy revealed a huge gastric ulcer approximately 10 cm in diameter. Histologic findings showed intracellular inclusion bodies after immunostaining which confirmed CMV-associated gastric ulcer. Steroid therapy was discontinued and she received proton pump inhibitors without antiviral agents. Her symptoms improved and follow-up endoscopy revealed successful healing of the CMV-associated gastric ulcer. If an unusual gastric ulcer develops in the immunocompromised patients, CMV gastric ulcer should be suspected and examination for inclusion bodies using CMV immunostaining should be considered.

Twenty-Second versus Sixty-Second Dilation Duration in Endoscopic Papillary Balloon Dilation for the Treatment of Small Common Bile Duct Stones: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) has been advocated as an alternative therapy to endoscopic sphincterotomy for the treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, there is no established consensus on the optimal balloon dilation duration (BDD). We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications between the 20- and 60-second EPBD groups. METHODS: A total of 228 patients with small CBD stones (< or =12 mm) were randomly assigned to undergo EPBD with a 20- or 60-second duration at six institutions. We evaluated baseline patient characteristics, endoscopic data, clinical outcomes, and procedure-related complications. In addition, we analyzed risk factors for postprocedural pancreatitis. RESULTS: CBD stones were removed successfully in 107 of 109 patients (98.1%) in the 20-second group and in 112 of 119 patients (94.1%) in the 60-second group (p=0.146). Post-ERCP pancreatitis developed in seven patients (6.4%) in the 20-second group and nine patients (7.5%) in the 60-second group (p=0.408). In multivariate analysis, contrast dye injection into the pancreatic duct is a significant risk factor for post-EPBD pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the data showing that there were no significant differences in safety and efficacy between the two BDD groups, 20 seconds of BDD may be adequate for treatment of small CBD stones with EPBD.

Delayed Flumazenil Injection after Endoscopic Sedation Increases Patient Satisfaction Compared with Immediate Flumazenil Injection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Flumazenil was administered after the completion of endoscopy under sedation to reduce recovery time and increase patient safety. We evaluated patient satisfaction after endoscopy under sedation according to the timing of a postprocedural flumazenil injection. METHODS: In total, 200 subjects undergoing concurrent colonoscopy and upper endoscopy while sedated with midazolam and meperidine were enrolled in our investigation. We randomly administered 0.3 mg of flumazenil either immediately or 15 minutes after the endoscopic procedure. A postprocedural questionnaire and next day telephone interview were conducted to assess patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Flumazenil injection timing did not affect the time spent in the recovery room when comparing the two groups of patients. However, the subjects in the 15 minutes injection group were more satisfied with undergoing endoscopy under sedation than the patients in the immediate injection group according to the postprocedural survey (p=0.019). However, no difference in overall satisfaction, memory, or willingness to undergo a future endoscopy was observed between the two groups when the telephone survey was conducted on the following day. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a delayed flumazenil injection after endoscopic sedation increased patient satisfaction without prolonging recovery time, even though the benefit of the delayed flumazenil injection did not persist into the following day.

A Case of Esophageal Fibrovascular Polyp That Induced Asphyxia during Sleep

Esophageal fibrovascular polyps are rare, benign, submucosal tumors of the upper digestive tract that usually have an indolent course until the lesion attains a very large size. The most frequent complaints associated with these tumors include dysphagia and foreign body sensation. However, a long pedunculated polyp can regurgitate into the pharynx or oral cavity and cause asphyxia and sudden death if the larynx is occluded. We describe the case of a 51-year-old man who experienced snoring and occasional asphyxia during sleep. Upper endoscopy was performed, which indicated the presence of a pedunculated esophageal polyp that regurgitated into the vocal cords. The polyp was removed using a polypectomy snare and was confirmed to be a fibrovascular polyp based on pathologic examination findings. Three months after the excision of the polyp, the patient was found to be doing well without any further occurrence of asphyxia or sleep disturbances.

Mesocolon Laceration Following Colonoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

Colonoscopic examination is a safe procedure, however, unexpected complications can sometimes occur. Bleeding and perforation of the colon have been reported as the most common complications. Hemoperitoneum after colonoscopy is an unusual complication, but it may be catastrophic. We report on a 20-year-old man who experienced left low quadrant pain after undergoing colonoscopy. Hemoperitoneum was diagnosed using abdominal CT. A laparoscopic exploration was urgently performed, revealing a lacerated mesocolon of the descending colon. Bleeding of the injured site was controlled without complication. The patient recovered fully without signs of recurrent bleeding. This report implies that if the patient has persistent abdominal pain after undergoing colonoscopy, we should consider hemoperitoneum as one of the causes. To the best of our knowledge, no case of isolated laceration of the mesocolon of the descending colon after colonoscopy has been reported.

A Psychiatric Approach to a Patient with Excessive Belching / 신경정신의학

Belching is the audible escape of air from the esophagus into the pharynx. It is considered a disorder when the symptom is very frequent and causes significant distress to the patients. Excessive belching can be divided according to excessive supragastric and gastric belching. Gastric belching is usually physiological. In contrast, supragastric belching can be considered learned behavior. In addition, many psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, have been described in patients with supragastric belching and some patients have reported that their symptoms increased during stressful events. We report on a case of supragastric belching in a depressive patient and discuss its management through psychiatric approaches.

A Psychiatric Approach to a Patient with Excessive Belching / 신경정신의학

Belching is the audible escape of air from the esophagus into the pharynx. It is considered a disorder when the symptom is very frequent and causes significant distress to the patients. Excessive belching can be divided according to excessive supragastric and gastric belching. Gastric belching is usually physiological. In contrast, supragastric belching can be considered learned behavior. In addition, many psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, have been described in patients with supragastric belching and some patients have reported that their symptoms increased during stressful events. We report on a case of supragastric belching in a depressive patient and discuss its management through psychiatric approaches.

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Treating Achalasia in an Animal Model: A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with antireflux procedure is considered to be a standard treatment for achalasia. Recently, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was developed and performed on patients with achalasia. However, there is no report on POEM use in South Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of POEM in a porcine model. METHODS: POEM was performed on two mini pigs. We performed upper endoscopy under general anesthesia. A submucosal tunnel was created and the circular muscle layer was incised using several knives. The mucosal entry was closed using resolution clips. We performed a follow-up endoscopy and sacrificed the pigs 2 weeks after the POEM. The myotomy site was evaluated grossly and histologically. RESULTS: POEM was successfully performed on the two mini pigs. No injuries to any abdominal or mediastinal structures occurred. Two weeks after the POEM, the esophageal mucosa healed without any endoscopic evidence of complications. Necropsy revealed that the circular muscle layer was completely lost and replaced with fibrotic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: We found that POEM is a technically feasible method which can be performed on an animal model. However, to ensure safe use on patients with achalasia, further studies on technical methods and long-term follow-up examinations are required.

Percutanous Ultrathin Flexible Peritoneoscopy for Detecting Peritoneal Metastasis: A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Preoperative diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis is extremely important to select the appropriate treatment strategy and predict the prognosis for patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, imaging techniques have a limited capacity for detecting peritoneal metastasis. We therefore evaluated the feasibility of percutaneous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutanous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy was performed on two mini-pigs under general anesthesia. We punctured the abdominal wall at the anti-Mcburney and umbilical regions using a 16-gauge angiocatheter. Guidewire was inserted through the angiocatheter and we then enlarged the puncture using a biliary dilation catheter and a 6- to 8-mm balloon dilator catheter. After track formation, we inserted a 4.9-mm ultrathin endoscope into the abdominal cavity. The peritoneal cavity was examined, and peritoneal and liver biopsy was performed. The puncture was closed with a single suture. After the procedure, we monitored the general condition of the pigs for 2 weeks. RESULTS: Percutaneous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy was successfully performed regardless of the puncture site location. Peritoneal and liver biopsy was also successfully executed. The mean procedure time was 20 minutes. Formation of the abdominal track was not easily accomplished with standard endoscopic equipment. Nevertheless, none of the abdominal organs were injured. The post-procedure course was uneventful. Minor scarring was observed at the incision site 2 weeks after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Percutanous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy is a relatively simple and technically feasible method. However, dedicated accessories for fascial dilation should be developed to ensure the safety of human patients undergoing this procedure.

Risk Factors for Long-term Outcomes after Initial Treatment in Hepatolithiasis

Hepatobiliary complications, such as stone recurrence, recurrent cholangitis, liver abscess, secondary biliary cirrhosis, and cholangiocarcinoma may occur after treatment for hepatolithiasis. However, few previous studies have addressed the risk factors and long-term outcomes after initial treatment. Eighty-five patients with newly diagnosed hepatolithiasis, actively treated for hepatolithiasis, constituted the cohort of this retrospective study. Patients were treated by hepatectomy or nonoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy. Long-term complications, such as recurrent cholangitis, liver abscess, secondary biliary cirrhosis, and cholangiocarcinoma, and their relationships with clinical parameters were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 57.4 months. The overall hepatobiliary complication rate after the treatment was 17.6%. Multivariate analysis of suspected risk factors showed that complications were associated with age (HR, 1.046; CI, 1.006-1.089), bile duct stricture (HR, 4.894; CI, 1.295-18.495), and residual stones (HR, 3.482; CI, 1.214-9.981). In conclusion, several long-term hepatobiliary complications occur after hepatolithiasis treatment, and regular observation is necessary in patients with concomitant biliary stricture or residual stones.

Endoscopic Classification of Intestinal Metaplasia

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is recognized as a precancerous condition for intestinal type gastric cancer. Therefore, endoscopic diagnosis of IM is valuable for patients undergoing surveillance endoscopy. However, there are no standard endoscopic findings that distinguish it from the normal mucosa. Thus, biopsy is normally required to confirm the diagnosis of IM. Recently, the development of high-resolution image technique and some advanced endoscopic technologies such as chromoendoscopy, magnifying endoscopy with narrow band image and confocal laser endomicroscopy has significantly improved the ability to observe mucosal surface and identify IM. Although chromoendoscopy is time consuming, it is a useful method for diagnosis of IM. Narrow band imaging may enhance the accuracy of endoscopic surveillance of IM and dysplasia. Confocal laser endomicroscopy could provide in the real-time identification and classification of IM. Herein, we reviewed the clinical usefulness of white light endoscopy and several new endoscopic methods for the diagnosis of gastric intestinal metaplasia. Also, we will discuss appropriate follow-up period according to IM type and extension.

A Case of Esophageal Squamous Papillomatosis

No abstract available.