The effect of probiotics supplementation in postoperative cancer patients: a prospective pilot study

Purpose@#Microbiota manipulation through selected probiotics may be a promising tool to prevent cancer development as well as onset, to improve clinical efficacy for cancer treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate change in microbiota composition after-probiotics supplementation and assessed the efficacy of probiotics in improving quality of life (QOL) in postoperative cancer patients. @*Methods@#Stool samples were collected from 30 cancer patients from February to October 2020 before (group I) and after (group II) 8 weeks of probiotics supplementation. We performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to evaluate differences in gut microbiota between groups by comparing gut microbiota diversity, overall composition, and taxonomic signature abundance. The health-related QOL was evaluated through the EORTC Quality of life Questionnaire Core 30 questionnaire. @*Results@#Statistically significant differences were noted in group II; increase of Shannon and Simpson index (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001), decrease of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria at the phylum level (P = 0.032 and P = 0.014, retrospectively), increased of beneficial bacteria such as Weissella (0.096% vs. 0.361%, P < 0.004), Lactococcus (0.023% vs. 0.16%, P < 0.001), and Catenibacterium (0.0% vs. 0.005%, P < 0.042) at the genus level. There was a significant improvement in sleep disturbance (P = 0.039) in group II. @*Conclusion@#Gut microbiota in cancer patients can be manipulated by specific probiotic strains, result in an altered microbiota. Microbiota modulation by probiotics can be considered as part of a supplement that helps to increase gut microbiota diversity and improve QOL in cancer patients after surgery.

Significant elevation in serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 levels with torsion of the hydrosalpinx in a postmenopausal woman

Isolated torsion of the fallopian tube in postmenopausal women is rare. In this case report, we detail the case of a 53-year-old patient who presented with adenomyosis and a left hydrosalpinx with high levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9. The isolated torsion of the left hydrosalpinx was observed during the operation. The serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9 were reduced from 129.62 and 348 to 58.2 and 12.41 U/mL, respectively, after total laparoscopic hysterectomy with salpingectomy. On radiologic evaluation, there were no other factors that may have influenced the increase in serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9 in this patient, which were reduced after operation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of association between perioperative changes in CA 19-9 levels and isolated torsion of the fallopian tube.

A Case of Steroid Resistant Minimal Change Disease Associated with Portal Vein Thrombosis Treated by Combined Immunosuppressive Agents / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Minimal change disease (MCD) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome and relatively well responds with steroid treatment. However, nearly half of patients with MCD experience recurrence of nephrotic syndrome. Thromboembolic events including renal vein thrombosis may occur in patients with MCD, but portal vein thrombosis rarely occurs. We experienced a case of frequent relapse/steroid dependent MCD with nephrotic syndrome progressed to steroid resistance associated with portal vein thrombosis. This patient showed complete remission of MCD and resolution of portal vein thrombosis after treatment with corticosteroid, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and anticoagulant.

Reversible Atrioventricular Block after Electrical Injury / 대한내과학회지

Here, we report a case of electrical injury-induced reversible advanced second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. A 28-year-old male visited the emergency department for palpitations 3 days after receiving an electrical injury from 220 volt alternating current. The initial electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus rhythm and first-degree AV block with a prolonged PR interval of 400 ms. There was no structural heart disease or electrolyte imbalance. Follow up ECGs acquired 4-6 days after the electrical injury showed intermittent AV block with a prolonged PR interval of 400-460 ms. Exercise treadmill and atropine provocation tests performed 6 days after electrical injury induced advanced second-degree AV block. His bundle electrogram showed intermittent AH block in a Wenckebach pattern with a prolonged AH interval of 220-360 ms and a normal HV interval. Episodes of AV block decreased remarkably 4 weeks after the electrical injury, and the prolonged PR interval returned to 220 ms after 5 months.

Cardiac Arrest due to Recurrent Ventricular Fibrillation Triggered by Unifocal Ventricular Premature Complexes in a Silent Myocardial Infarction / 대한중환자의학회지

A 51-year-old male patient was referred for a sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, he was conscious and had no chest pain complaints. There was no abnormality in initial electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations. However, episodes of recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF) were documented on rhythm monitoring. Each VF episode was triggered by an isolated monomorphic ventricular premature complex (VPC). Suspecting idiopathic VF, emergency radiofrequency catheter ablation was planned for the VPCs. However, when coronary angiography was performed to exclude silent ischemia, the results showed a total occlusion of the right coronary artery posterolateral branch, which is thought to supply the left ventricular inferior and septal wall. After successful reperfusion, VF episodes and the triggering VPCs disappeared. We are documenting this case to emphasize the potential for silent myocardial infarction to cause out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest even in a patient without any symptom or sign of acute coronary syndrome.

Cardiac Arrest due to Recurrent Ventricular Fibrillation Triggered by Unifocal Ventricular Premature Complexes in a Silent Myocardial Infarction / 대한구급학회지

A 51-year-old male patient was referred for a sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, he was conscious and had no chest pain complaints. There was no abnormality in initial electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations. However, episodes of recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF) were documented on rhythm monitoring. Each VF episode was triggered by an isolated monomorphic ventricular premature complex (VPC). Suspecting idiopathic VF, emergency radiofrequency catheter ablation was planned for the VPCs. However, when coronary angiography was performed to exclude silent ischemia, the results showed a total occlusion of the right coronary artery posterolateral branch, which is thought to supply the left ventricular inferior and septal wall. After successful reperfusion, VF episodes and the triggering VPCs disappeared. We are documenting this case to emphasize the potential for silent myocardial infarction to cause out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest even in a patient without any symptom or sign of acute coronary syndrome.

Air Embolism in the Left Ventricle after the Removal of a Central Venous Catheter / 대한구급학회지

Air embolism is a rare, potentially critical complication that can induce death. Central venous catheterization, which is commonly used for critically ill patients, is a possible cause of air embolism. We experienced a severe air embolism with abnormal air in left ventricle after CVC removal in a patient who was treated for eosinophilic pneumonia. Although the neurologic symptoms were severe, the patient was successfully treated with immediate hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the neurologic deficit was minimal.

Clinical Course of Childhood Onset Pseudoprecocious Puberty due to Autonomous Ovarian Cyst / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE: There are few reports about the natural history of patients with pseudoprecocious puberty due to autonomous ovarian cyst. We reviewed the clinical course of 7 patients who had autonomous ovarian cysts and signs of precocious puberty. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 7 children, aged 2.8 to 7.9 years, who were diagnosed with pseudoprecocious puberty due to autonomous ovarian cysts from November 2005 to May 2011. The follow-up durations ranged from 0.5 to 6.3 years. RESULTS: Four out of 7 patients showed elevated serum estrogen levels and all revealed prepubertal response of gonadotropin to GnRH stimulation at diagnosis. The size of the cysts was from 1.7 to 4.6 cm on pelvic ultrasound examination. After 1 to 3 months, the ovarian cysts disappeared in all patients. Three of the girls developed relapsing signs of precocious puberty (vaginal bleeding and breast budding). Two of them showed an increase in growth velocity and bone age due to recurrent ovarian cysts, and one of them was converted to true precocious puberty. CONCLUSION: In our cases, all patients with autonomous ovarian cysts resolved spontaneously. However, some showed frequent recurrence of ovarian cysts, and needed a longer follow up because of the possibility of conversion to true precocious puberty and signs of McCune-Albright syndrome.

Factors Influencing Recurrent Wheezing in Infants: The Relationship between Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections and the Development of Recurrent Wheezing / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: This study investigated factors affecting recurrent wheezing in infants, focusing on whether or not respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in children <3 years of age induce recurrent wheezing later in life. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were children <3 years of age who were hospitalized for an RSV infection from January 2006 to December 2009. We evaluated lateral flow immunochromatography (RSV Respi-Strip test). Subjects with at least three episodes of physician-verified wheezing were defined as recurrent wheezers. A group of 79 children hospitalized with RSV infections were compared with a matched control group. The following data were collected: age, gender, admission duration, gestational age, obesity, history of atopic dermatitis, parental history of allergic diseases, exposure to passive smoking, exposure to indoor animals, and daycare attendance. RESULTS: Rates of obesity and exposure to passive smoking were significantly higher in the RSV group than those in the control group. The frequency of recurrent wheezing in the RSV group (39.2%) was higher than that in the control group (10.1%). Compared to the control group, recurrent wheezing occurred 5.76 times more often in the RSV group, 2.49 times more often in males, and 2.41 times often in patients with a parental history of allergic diseases. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that RSV infection is significantly associated with recurrent wheezing, and that the risk is higher in male children and in children with a parental history of allergic diseases.

Effects of Family Environment and Parenting Behavior on Glycemic Control and Depressive Symptoms in Children with Type 1 Diabetes / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the influence of family environment, parenting behavior, and psychological characteristics on metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We performed a statistical survey among Korean children (adolescents; age, 11-17 years) undergoing treatment for type 1 DM for more than a year and the parents of these children. We obtained the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; children's depression inventory (CDI) scores; family affection, partnership, growth, adaptation, resolve (APGAR) scores; parenting behavior inventory (PBI) scores; and scores of the Korean version of family environment scale (FES-K) for these families. The results of the survey were collected and analyzed using statistical methods. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant evidence of a positive relationship between HbA1c levels and depressive symptoms (r=0.43, P=0.001). However, there was no relationship between HbA1c levels and family APGAR scores. FES-cohesion scale (beta=-0.422, P=0.005), achievement orientation scale (beta=-0.323, P=0.013), and control scale (beta=0.356, P=0.009)-were significant predictors of HbA1c levels. In the family APGAR index, low CDI score (P=0.001) were indicative of a highly functional family. Furthermore, the family APGAR scale showed a statistically significant association with the reasoning and affection subscales of the PBI scale and inverse association with the inconsistency subscale of the PBI scale. Multiple-regression analysis of the data revealed that the monitoring (beta=-0.325, P=0.045) and reasoning (beta=-0.507, P=0.011) variables of the paternal and maternal PBI scale, respectively, were significant predictors of a child's depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Improvements in family environment and parenting behavior may help improve metabolic control and reduce depressive symptoms in children with type 1 DM.

A Case of Giant Brunner's Gland Hamartoma Presenting as Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Brunner's gland hamartoma is also called Brunner's gland adenoma and Brunner's gland hyperplasia of Brunneroma, and it is a rare tumor of the duodenum. This tumor is caused by a benign proliferation of Brunner's glands, and the disease is normally present on the duodenum. These tumors arise mainly in the duodenal bulb and only rarely in the jejunum and proximal ileum. The clinical manifestations are nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints such as bloating or epigastric pain, and the tumor often gives rise to melena or obstruction. We report here on a case of a giant Brunner's gland hamartoma in a 48 year-old woman, and it was treated by endoscopic polypectomy. We also include a review of the related literatures.

Two Cases of Rectal Dieulafoy's Lesion Treated Sucessfully with Hemoclip / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Dieulafoy's lesion is a rare cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. It is usually identified within the proximal stomach but has been reported in the esophagus, duodenum, small intestine, colon and rectum. Surgery was originally the treatment of choice for this lesion. However, recently, most case can be treated using endoscopic techniques including an injection of a sclerosing agent, clipping, band ligation, heater probe, and bipolar coagulation. We report 2 cases of a rectal Dieulafoy's lesion that were treated sucessfully by endoscopic clipping without complications.

A Case of Colonic Intussusception Caused by Cystic Lymphangioma of the Colon / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Lymphangioma is a benign tumor that is commonly found in children. Many lymphangiomas are congenital malfor- mations of the lymphatic system and they are considered to be lymphatic hamartomas. Lymphangiomas usually occur in the head, neck and axillary region, and they rarely occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Cystic lymphangioma is a rare cause of colonic submucosal masses. Lymphangioma of the colon has recently been diagnosed more frequently by performing colonoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography. However, only a few cases of colonic intussusception due to lymphangioma have been reported in the literature. We experienced a case of intussusception that was caused by cystic lymphangioma of the colon, and we report here on the findings.

The Clinical Efficacy of Percutaneous Bilateral Internal Drainage in Advanced Hilar Malignancy by T-Configured Dual Stent Placement: Comparison with Unilateral Endoscopic Stent Placement / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic or percutaneous internal drainage is a well-established palliative treatment for unresectable biliary tumors. Previous studies dealing with the unilateral versus bilateral liver lobe drainage have reported inconsistent results. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of bilateral drainage with a newly designed T configured dual stent (T-stent) placement. METHODS: From 2001 to 2004, 46 hilar malignancies, which were not suitable for endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) on MR cholangiography were treated with the percutaneous placement of two self-expandable metallic endoprostheses in a T configuration through a single transhepatic access. The outcomes were examined retrospectively. The hilar malignancies, which were drain ed by unilateral ERBD were also reviewed. RESULTS: The 46 hilar malignancies drained by a T stent included a cholangiocarcinoma (n=36), gallbladder cancer (n=6), and metastatic cancer (n=4). Procedure related cholangitis occurred in 3 out of 46 patients (6.5%). The mean survival and stent patency times were 256 and 194 days, respectively. The 34 hilar malignancies drained by unilateral ERBD included cholangiocarcinoma (n=29), gallbladder cancer (n=3), and pancreatic cancer (n=2). Procedure related cholangitis occurred in 7 out of 34 patients (20.6%). The mean survival and stent patency times were 292 and 186 days, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the cholangitis frequency, survival and stent patency between the two groups. The frequency of cholangitis, mean survival and patency time in Klatskin tumors, which were drained by the T-stent (n=36) and ERBD (n=29), were compared. There were no significant differences in survival and stent patency time. CONCLUSIONS: T-configured dual stent placement can be used effectively in advanced biliary hilar malignancies. It can be used as a safe palliative drainage method in advanced hilar tumors, which are not suitable for ERBD.

A case of transient cortical blindness following coronary angiography / 대한내과학회지

Transient cortical blindness is a known but rare complication occurring in 0.3~1% of patients undergoing cerebral or vertebral angiography. It is an extremely rare complication following cardiac catheterizaton and coronary arteriography. Cortical blindness is characterized by complete loss of visual perception and optokinetic nystagmus with preservation of ocular motility, pupillary responses, and normal fundoscopic examination. It has been suggested that its occurrence is due to an adverse reaction to the contrast agent, which causes an osmotic disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Patients outcome appears to be generally favorable with return of vision within 24-48 hr. We report a case of 48 year-old male patient with transient bilateral cortical blindness after coronary angiography.

A Case of Common Bile Duct Stone Developed due to a Surgical Clip as a Nidus: An Experience of Successful Management by Endoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

Surgical clips can migrate into the biliary tract and act as a nidus for stone formation. We report a case of common bile duct stone developed due to a surgical clip in a 48-year-old man. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram revealed a common bile duct stone a with metallic clip in it. He had laparoscopic cholecystectomy 10 years ago. The stone was removed endoscopically. The use of resorbable clips during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended to avoid this type of complication.