Clinical factors influencing liver stiffness as measured by transient elastography (Fibroscan(R)) in patients with chronic liver disease / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transient elastography as performed using the Fibroscan(R) is a useful noninvasive method for evaluating hepatic fibrosis. However, recent studies have found that liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values are inappropriately elevated in acute hepatitis or in the acute flare state of chronic hepatitis, suggesting that the LSM value obtained by the Fibroscan(R) is not a reliable marker for fibrosis. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical factors influencing the LSM value obtained using transient elastography as performed using the Fibroscan(R) in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: A total of 298 patients who were followed in Kungpook National University Hospital from November 2007 to May 2008 due to previously established liver cirrhosis or chronic liver disease were investigated using the Fibroscan(R), laboratory test, ultrasound, and/or abdominal computed tomography. RESULTS: The 298 patients were aged 47.8+/-12.9 years (mean+/-SD). The cut-off value for a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis was 12.5 kPa (as used in previous studies). Thirty-six patients (15%) and 202 patients (85%) with chronic liver disease without clinical manifestation of cirrhosis had LSMs of >12.5 kPa and <12.5 kPa, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that LSM values were unusually increased in patients with chronic liver disease who were older (P=0.007) or who had increased gamma gultamyltranspetidase (GGT) (P=0.022), decreased albumin (P=0.015), or increased total bilirubin (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that age, GGT, and albumin are clinical factors influencing LSM values. This reinforces the need to interpret LSM values in the context of a defined diagnosis, biochemical data, radiologic examination, and other clinical findings.

Charcoal-induced anthracosis of the terminal ileum / 대한내과학회지

Anthracosis is a very common disease of the bronchus, while anthracosis of the gastrointestinal tract is extremely rare. Only a few cases of anthracosis of the esophagus have been reported and no cases of anthracosis of the terminal ileum are known, except one patient in Korea who was described as having melanosis ilei. A black pigmented lesion was detected in the terminal ileum on colonoscopic examination of a 51-year-old woman. Histological examination revealed a pigmented lesion beneath the mucosal epithelial layer and lymphoid follicular hyperplasia. The lesion consisted of an aggregation of histiocytes containing abundant tiny black pigments. She has taken oral charcoal for 7 years. We diagnosed anthracosis of the terminal ileum caused by oral charcoal and report a case of charcoal-induced anthracosis of the terminal ileum.

The trend in the eradication rates of first- and second-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in Daegu and Kyungpook provinces: a single center experience for the most recent 9 years / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The reported prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori infection has been increasing. However, recent trends in the eradication rates of H. pylori using first-line triple regimens are rarely reported. Therefore, we determined the trend in the H. pylori eradication rates in a single center for the most recent 9 years in Daegu and Kyungpook provinces, Korea. METHODS: From January 1999 through December 2007, the eradication rates in 615 H. pylori-positive patients who received one-week triple regimens were evaluated retrospectively according to year and ulcer location. RESULTS: The overall H. pylori eradication rate was 81.6%. The eradication rate from the years 1999 to 2007 was 76.3, 78.3, 82.8, 88.5, 77.8, 91.7, 84.8, 75.4, and 83.7%, respectively, based on the per-protocol analysis. No definite evidence of a decreasing tendency of the eradication rate was seen over the 9 years (p=0.760). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the eradication rate according to ulcer location. CONCLUSIONS: There is no decreasing trend in the H. pylori eradication rate over the past 9 years in Daegu and Kyungpook provinces. However, the eradication rates are not satisfactory, and further investigation is needed to develop more effective regimens.

Actinomycosis of the intrahepatic bile duct concomitant with intrahepatic duct stones / 대한내과학회지

Actinomycosis is a chronic, suppurative, granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces species, a filamentous, Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium and a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract characterized by sulfur granule formation. Primary bile duct actinomycosis is very rare in Korea and the pathogenesis of this infection is poorly understood. We report a case of actinomycosis of the intrahepatic bile duct, concomitant with common bile duct and intrahepatic duct stones presenting as intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain without fever as the chief complaint in a 50-year-old woman. The radiologic findings revealed multiple intrahepatic duct and common bile duct stones. On performing a left lobectomy of the liver and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, marked dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct and many brown pigment stones in the intrahepatic duct and common bile duct were observed. Primary bile duct actinomycosis was confirmed by identifying sulfur granules with neutrophilic infiltration in the intrahepatic duct.