Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Using a Protease-Specific Probe for the Detection of Colon Tumors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Early tumor detection is crucial for the prevention of colon cancer. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging using a target-activatable probe may permit earlier disease detection. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in tumorigenesis and tumor growth. The aim of this study was to determine whether NIRF imaging using an MMP-activatable probe can detect colon tumors at early stages. METHODS: We utilized two murine colon cancer models: a sporadic colon cancer model induced by azoxymethane (AOM), and a colitis-associated cancer model induced by a combination of AOM and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Colonic lesions were analyzed by histologic examination, Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and NIRF imaging using an MMP-activatable probe. RESULTS: Multiple variable-sized tumors developed in both models and progressed from adenomas to adenocarcinomas over time. At the early stage of the AOM/DSS model, diffuse inflammation was observed within the tumors. MMP expression increased progressively through normal, inflammation, adenoma, and adenocarcionoma stages. NIRF signal intensities were strongly correlated with each tumor stage from adenoma to adenocarcinoma. NIRF imaging also distinguished tumors from inflamed mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: NIRF imaging using a protease-activatable probe may be a useful tool for early tumor detection. This approach could translate to improve the endoscopic detection of colon tumors, especially in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The Changes in Prevalence and the Related Factors of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Korean Health Check-up Subjects during 8 Years / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in prevalence and the related factors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Korean health check-up subjects during the period of 8 years. METHODS: Among 89,231 subjects who visited the Health Promotion Centers of Severance hospital or Chung-Ang University hospital from Jan. 1998 through Dec. 2005, a total of 10,553 subjects who received esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and H. pylori test were enrolled. H. pylori infection was assessed by histologic examination. Changes of the prevalence of H. pylori infection during 8 years, and infection-related factors such as demographic characteristics, body mass index, ABO blood types, endoscopic findings (presence of peptic ulcer diseases), educational level, economic status, smoking habits, and alcohol intake in year 2005 were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of 10,553 subjects (7,329 men, 3,224 women) was 49.7+/-10.4 years (range from 17 to 92 years). The prevalence of H. pylori infection at the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth year were 64.7%, 58.1%, 54.2%, 50.4%, 48.9%, 49.5%, 39.6%, and 40.0%, respectively, and these serial decreases in prevalence over 8 years were statistically significant (p<0.001). Regardless of sex, age or EGD findings, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly decreased. In the analysis of the H. pylori infection-related factors in 2005, only age and EGD findings (peptic ulcer diseases) were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly decreased during 8-year period in Korean health check-up subjects. Age and peptic ulcer diseases were the two significant factors related to H. pylori infection in Korea.

Response to Biofeedback Therapy for Patients with Rectal Hyposensitivity

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Rectal hyposensitivity (RH) has been treated with conventional biofeedback therapy (BFT), whereas the effectiveness and long term results of this therapy are not known. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of BFT for patients with RH by conducting a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. METHODS: From June 2004 to March 2007, we enrolled those RH patients who underwent BFT. BFT was performed two or three times every week. Six months after BFT, the clinical response was evaluated by subjective and objective parameters. RESULTS: A total of 82 RH patients underwent BFT. Fifty three patients finished BFT and the other 29 patients dropped out during BFT. Thirty six patients (67.9%) showed responsiveness (R) to BFT and 17 (31.5%) showed non-responsiveness (NR). The characteristics between the two groups showed no difference, except for the "desire to defecate" volume (116.1+/-25.2 in the R group vs. 140.0+/-43.9 in the NR group, p value <0.05) and the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) (15.6+/-0.5 in the R group R vs. 27.6+/-18.2 in the NR group, p value <0.05). The R group showed a shorter colon transit time compared to NR group. At six months after BFT, a total of 20 patients were interviewed; 15 patients answered that they still had responsiveness (75%). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with RH showed a similar BFT response to that of the constipated patients. However, the patients with a more hyposensitive rectum and a longer colonic transit showed NR to BFT, suggesting RH is an important factor in BFT responsiveness.

Usefulness and Cost-effectiveness of Colorectal Stent Followed by Curative Resection for Left-sided Malignant Colorectal Obstruction / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of preoperative stent insertion for treating left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction. METHODS: Patients with left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction were included in this study. The stent group (ST, n=24) included those patients who were treated with preoperative stent insertion followed by curative surgical resection. The clinical course and management cost of the ST group was compared to those of the emergency operation group (EO, n=22). RESULTS: The patients' age (60.6+/-3.1 yrs vs. 62.1+/-3.2 yrs, p=0.74) and the male to female ratio (12:12 vs. 15:7, p=0.25) were not different between the ST and EO groups. The distribution of the postoperative pathologic stages was also not different. All the patients in the ST group underwent only one surgical operation, while 6 patients (27.3%) in the EO group underwent 2 or more surgeries (p<0.01). The mean hospital stay in the ST group was 22.0+/-0.8 days compared to 26.3+/-2.4 days in the EO group (p=0.09). Postoperative care in the intensive care unit was necessary for one patient (4.2%) in the ST group, while 7 patients (31.8%) in EO group needed postoperative care (p=0.02). Postoperative complications developed in one patient in the ST group, while 6 patients in the EO experienced postoperative complications (p=0.04). The mean total cost per patient was 7,974,236 won for the ST group while this was 9,271,630 won for the EO group (p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Preopreative stent insertion for treating left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction is more cost-effective than an emergency operation.

Acute Cytomegalovirus Proctocolitis Presenting with Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis usually affects immunosuppressed patients. However, CMV colitis may also affect patients with a debilitation caused by a severe illness or affect patients that have a specific physiological status (old age, pregnancy). Clinically, patients with CMV colitis most commonly present with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis of CMV colitis usually requires a biopsy of mucosal tissue. The characteristic finding on biopsy reveals CMV inclusion bodies. CMV colitis can be successfully treated with ganciclovir. We report two cases of CMV proctocolitis in elderly patients with chronic diseases that presented with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to multiple rectal ulcerations. A pathological examination showed CMV inclusion bodies. CMV colitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with massive rectal ulcer bleeding when other causes fail to explain the course of the disease.

Acute Cytomegalovirus Proctocolitis Presenting with Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis usually affects immunosuppressed patients. However, CMV colitis may also affect patients with a debilitation caused by a severe illness or affect patients that have a specific physiological status (old age, pregnancy). Clinically, patients with CMV colitis most commonly present with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis of CMV colitis usually requires a biopsy of mucosal tissue. The characteristic finding on biopsy reveals CMV inclusion bodies. CMV colitis can be successfully treated with ganciclovir. We report two cases of CMV proctocolitis in elderly patients with chronic diseases that presented with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to multiple rectal ulcerations. A pathological examination showed CMV inclusion bodies. CMV colitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with massive rectal ulcer bleeding when other causes fail to explain the course of the disease.

A Case Of Portal Vein Thrombosis Associated With Antiphospholipid Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Portal vein thrombosis is an uncommon cause for presinusodal portal hypertension. Several predisposing conditions are known to exist in the background of portal vein thrombosis including infection, malignancies, and coagulation disorders. Recently, there has been growing interest and recognition of antiphospholipid syndrome in association with acquired hypercoagulable state. This syndrome consists of thrombosis of veins or arteries, frequent fetal loss, and association of lupus anticoagulant or anti-Cardiolipin antibodies. We report the case of a 29-year-old male diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome.

A Case of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with Mutation in MENIN Gene / 대한내분비학회지

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN 1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited syndrome, characterized by the combined occurrence of tumors of the parathyroid glands, endocrine pancreas, and anterior pituitary gland. The MENIN gene, which is a kind of tumor suppressor gene, is located at the chromosomal locus 11q13. It consists of one untranslated exon and nine exons encoding the menin protein. We report a case of a 22-yearss-old woman with MEN type 1, who was proven to have a mutation in the MENIN gene. The patient was admitted because of repeated hypoglycemia. The fasting plasma glucose level was 32mg/dL. Seventy two hours fasting test showed an the insulin/glucose ratio as 0.33. Endoscopic ultrasonography detected multiple masses on the pancreas. The arterial -stimulated venous sampling(ASVS) with calcium showed sudden step up of insulin at the head and tail portions of the pancreas. The sellar MRI showed a pituitary mass that produced prolactin. Instead of a pathologic diagnosis from operational specimen, the genetic analysis revealed a mutation in the MENIN 1 gene(exon 2, 200~201insAGCCC).

A Case of Pheochromocytoma Presented with Cardiogenic Shock / 대한내분비학회지

A pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine secreting tumor, which is often overlooked when cardiovascular complications, such as acute heart failure, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, and dilated cardiomyopathy, presented as the initial clinical manifestations. Failure to identify a pheochromocytoma in these situations may be fatal. We report the case of 32-year-old female, who presented with cardiogenic shock. Echocardiography revealed severe global hypokinesia of the dilated left ventricle, with the exception of the apex. Computed tomography of the aorta showed a well-enhanced left adrenal mass, 3.5cm in diameter. A 24 hour urine collection study for catecholamines and a 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG) scan were suggestive of the diagnosis of a single adrenal pheochromocytoma. The patient stabilized after shock management, and recovered with intensive medical treatment. Follow-up echocardiography revealed normalized cardiac function and chamber dimensions. Thereafter, the adrenal mass was successfully removed using laparaoscopic surgery, without complications

A Case of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting with Bilateral Pleural Effusions & Recurrent Bilateral Pneumothoraces / 결핵및호흡기질환

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a disorder characterized by prolonged eosinophilia without an identifiable cause and eosinophil related tissue damage in multiple organs including heart, lung, skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and the nervous systems. Pulmonary involvement occurs in about 40% of HES cases, but pleural effusion due to pleuritis and bilateral pneumothoraces are very rare manifestations. We report a case of hypereosinophilic syndrome presented with bilateral pleural effusions and recurrent bilateral pneumothoraces in a 44 year-old male with brief review of the literature.

A Case of Hypercalcemia Associated with Hepatic Tuberculosis / 대한내분비학회지

In this report, a 70-year-old female patient was detected with laboratory findings of hypercalcemia. The most common causes of hypercalcemia are primary hyperparathyroidism and malignant disease. Her laboratory tests did not show any evidence for neither primary hyperparathyroidism nor malignant diseases. Thus, granulomatous disease was suspected as the cause of the hypercalcemia. Liver MRI (magnetic resonance image) was performed on the subject, which suggested the presence of hepatic tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. Because the chest x-ray did not show a definite tuberculous lesion, we performed a laparoscopic liver biopsy for a final diagnosis. Findings from the biopsy specimen showed typical tuberculosis. After treatment with tuberculosis medication, hypercalcemia of the subject was resolved. Hypercalcemia is a well recognized as a possible complication of active pulmonary tuberculosis. But one should consider hepatic tuberculosis without pulmonary tuberculosis as a cause of hypercalcemia.

Multiple Cavitary Pulmonary Metastases from Cholangiocarcinoma / 결핵

Because a cavitary pulmonary metastasis is rare, it may not be readily identified. However, various types of cancers can metastasize to the lung in the form of cavities. We report a case of a multiple cavitary metastases to the lung from a cholangiocarcinoma in a 60-year-old man. He complained of generalized weakness and a poor oral intake for 2 months. The plain chest radiography and the chest computed tomography showed multiple small thick-walled cavities and nodules the both lungs. A bronchoscopic examination revealed a focal irregularly elevated surface of the mucosa at the orifice of the superior segment of the right lower lobe and the biopsy demonstrated an infiltrative metastatic adenocarcinoma. The abdomen-pelvis computed tomography showed an ill-marginated and irregularly low-dense area in the right lobe of the liver and a diffuse dilatation of the peripheral intrahepatic bile ducts. The esophagogastroscopy and colonoscopy showed no abnormal findings. It was concluded that the cholangiocarcinoma of the liver metastasized to the lung in the form of cavities. Thereafter, the patient underwent six cycles of the systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin, and the follow-up imaging studies showed a partial response.