Endoscopic Grading of Atrophic Gastritis is Inversely Associated with Gastroesophageal Reflux and Gastropharyngeal Reflux

BACKGROUND: Reflux esophagitis is inversely associated with the presence of atrophic gastritis, and endoscopic grading of atrophic gastritis correlates with histological evaluation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the endoscopic grade of atrophic gastritis with gastroesophageal and gastropharyngeal reflux. METHDOS: A total of 627 patients, who underwent endoscopy and ambulatory 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring, were included in this study. The grade of atrophic gastritis was endoscopically classified into 2 types with the atrophic pattern system: the closed-type (C-type) and the open-type (O-type). We compared the findings from endoscopy and ambulatory pH monitoring for these 2 types. RESULTS: The O-type was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of reflux esophagitis (p=0.001). All variables showing gastroesophageal reflux in the distal probe were significantly lower in the O-type than in the C-type (p<0.05). Similarly for the proximal probe, all variables, except the supine time of pH<4, were significantly lower in the O-type than in the C-type (p<0.05). The frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastropharyngeal reflux disease was in significantly lower in the O-type than in the C-type (p<0.001, p=0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic grading of atrophic gastritis is easy and is inversely associated with gastroesophageal and gastropharyngeal reflux.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Stenting for Acute Cholecystitis after Palliative Metallic Biliary Stenting / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Metallic biliary stenting to relieve a malignant biliary obstruction can cause a cystic duct obstruction and acute cholecystitis. Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy is often performed in patients with a limited life expectancy but can have a significant impact on the quality of life. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder stenting (PTGS) was performed across the cystic duct via the cholecystostomy tube tract to allow the removal of the cholecystostomy tube. The patient remained asymptomatic for 7 months after PTGS. In conclusion, PTGS across the cystic duct may be considered a treatment option in selected patients who develop acute cholecystitis after palliative metallic biliary stenting.

Endoscopically Removed Granular Cell Tumor of the Esophagus: A Case Report and Review of Korean Literature / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Granular cell tumor is a benign tumor, commonly found in the skin, tongue, and breast but rarely in the esophagus. A 44-year-old man was referred from the private clinic because of an esophageal lesion found on endoscopy. Esophagoscopy revealed a white-yellowish polypoid lesion covered with normal looking mucosa in the upper esophagus. It was movable within the wall by pushing with forceps. Endoscopic polypectomy after ligation with elastic "O" band was performed without complication. Histologic diagnosis of granular cell tumor was made. It was stained strongly positive for S-100 protein. Another 20 cases of esophageal granular cell tumors reported in Korean literature were reviewed.

A Case of Anterior Pituitary Agenesis in an Adult Woman / 대한내분비학회지

Dear Author, You have used abbreviations that will need to be defined in the main paper, i.e. PIT1, PROP1 and MRI. This is just for your advice. Pituitary agenesis is an uncommon cause of panhypopituitarism. It has been proposed that breech delivery, or birth trauma, is a major factor causing pituitary agenesis. Recent studies have suggested that genetic defects in the PIT1 or PROP1 gene might be involved in the pathogenesis of pituitary agenesis. In this case we report on the diagnosis of a 33-years old female patient with-growth retardation and sexual infantilism. We diagnosed anterior pituitary hormones deficiencies, with the exception of adrenocorticotropic hormone, by a combined pituitary stimulation test. We observed pituitary agenesis using sella MRI. Involvement of the PIT1 or PROP1 genes in this case remains to be determined. Here we report a case of pituitary agenesis found in an adult woman together with a brief review about this disease entity.