Erratum: A Case of Green Urine after Ingestion of Herbicides

In this article, Table 1's data was given incorrectly. Metodopramide should be corrected as Metoclopramide.

A Single Institution's Experience of Ten Pediatric Patients with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: ERCP is being used increasingly as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for children with pancreaticobiliary disorders. Differences between thirteen pediatric ERCPs and adult ERCPs were reviewed with respect to their indications, method of anesthesia, choice of endoscope and complications. METHODS: The medical records of 13 ERCPs for 10 children (age: 23 months to 14 years) done between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: ERCP was indicated for gallstone pancreatitis (6), choledocholithiasis (3), and unexplained pain (1). The method of anesthesia was intravenous sedation with a single agent or a combination of midazolam, propofol or ketamine. The quality of sedation was satisfactory in 10 cases and unsatisfactory in three cases. These 3 cases were less than 8 years old and sedated with a combination of midazolam and propofol. Selective biliary cannulation was successful in 92.3% (12/13) of attempts. Therapeutic ERCP included sphincterotomy (4), endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (3), and both (5). Complications occurred in 7.7% of attempts (1/13; 1 duodenal perforation) which was successfully managed by surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric ERCP is a feasible and useful technique. Special caution is needed, however, because of differences with adult ERCP in terms of the effectiveness of intravenous sedation, complications, and size of the gastrointestinal tract.

Cap-assisted ERCP in Surgically Altered Anatomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a difficult procedure to perform on patients who have undergone a Billroth II gastrectomy, Whipple's operation or Roux-en-Y gastrobypass surgery. Our study was designed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of cap-assisted ERCP for beginner endoscopists in cases of surgically altered anatomy. METHODS: From April 2008 to March 2010, 16 patients with biliary diseases and who had previously undergone abdominal surgery such as Billroth II gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y operation were analyzed. A single endoscopist performed all the procedures using a cap-assisted gastroscope, after ERCP training. RESULTS: Cap-assisted ERCP was attempted in 24 sessions of 16 patients. Afferent loop intubation and selective bile duct cannulation was successfully achieved in 19 sessions (79.1%). Among the patients who had undergone a Billroth II gastrectomy, 19 out of 20 sessions were successfully conducted. Only 4 patients who had undergone a previous Roux-en-Y operation failed afferent loop intubation. Duodenal free wall perforation developed in one case. There were no cases of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic cap-assisted ERCP was useful in patients who had previously undergone a Billroth II gastrectomy and this may be helpful for inexperienced endoscopists.

A Case of Tubular Adenoma of the Common Hepatic Duct Accompanied with Gallbladder Carcinoma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Biliary adenoma is rarely found in the biliary tract, and there are currently few reported cases of tubular adenoma. Biliary adenoma most often occurs on the duodenal ampulla and the next most common site is on the common bile duct. Because the clinical signs, symptoms and the laboratory findings of these lesions may be similar to malignant biliary diseases, it is difficult to differentiate benign biliary adenoma from malignancy. Therefore, the diagnosis of these tumors tends to be delayed and physicians usually make the pathologic confirmation after a surgical operation. We experienced a case of the simultaneous occurrence of tubular adenoma of the common hepatic duct and gallbladder carcinoma, and all this was diagnosed and treated with common hepatic duct resection and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy operation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of biliary tubular adenoma accompanied with gallbladder carcinoma arising from tubulovillous adenoma.

A Case of Successful Endoscopic Treatment for Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis Due to Pancreas Divisum with Santorinicele Masquerading as Drug Induced Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

There are various causes of acute pancreatitis, and accurately determining the etiology is pivotal for selecting appropriate management. Other hidden causes, such as congenital anomaly, should be considered in patients with recurrent abdominal pain or unexplained recurrent pancreatitis. A santorinicele is a focal cystic dilatation of the terminal dorsal pancreatic duct, and this is usually associated with pancreas divisum and it is a risk factor for acute pancreatitis due to the accompanying relative stenosis of the minor papilla. We present here the case of a patient who was treated for acute pancreatitis that was presumably was caused by either Rifampin or Brucellosis, and the patient recovered with conservative management. However, we eventually diagnosed pancreas divisum with santorinicele by performing MRCP and ERCP after the pancreatitis had relapsed. We report here on a case of successful endoscopic treatment for pancreas divisum with santorinicele as a cause of recurrent pancreatitis, and this was initially confused with drug or infection related pancreatitis.

Combination Therapy Using Multi-biliary Endoprostheses and Oral Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Difficult, Large and Multiple Bile Duct Stones / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Large common bile duct (CBD) stones accompanied by risk factors can be difficult to extract using conventional techniques. This study investigates the efficacy of combination therapy using multiple double pigtail stents and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). METHODS: A total of 895 patients underwent the attempted removal of CBD stones. Multiple double pigtail stents (7 Fr or 10 Fr) were inserted into the CBD over a guidewire. The stents remained in place until endoscopic removal during a second attempt. All patients received oral UDCA (600 mg/day) during the follow-up. RESULTS: In 21 patients (2.34%), complete clearance was not achieved by the conventional method. Large, multiple stones, the presence of periampullary diverticulum, stricture of the distal CBD, and severe cardiopulmonary disease were observed as limiting factors for the successful removal of CBD stones. Complete endoscopic clearance was achieved in 12 patients (57.1%), and there was a statistically significant reduction in stone size (mean 4.60+/-2.45 mm, p=0.002). The mean duration of stenting and administration of medicine was 73.9 days. There was no immediate complication related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that combination therapy using pigtail stents and UDCA may be an easy and effective method for removal of difficult CBD stones.

Two Cases of Pseudomelanosis Duodeni Associated with Systemic Diseases and Oral Iron Supplementation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Pseudomelanosis duodeni is a rare benign condition that manifests endoscopically as diffuse, small brownish-black spots in the duodenal mucosa, and the histochemical findings show an accumulation of hemosiderin pigment in the duodenal villi's lamina propria. This condition produces no specific symptoms, and it may be reversible. The cause and natural history of the pigmentation have not been clarified, although it is associated with a variety of systemic illnesses and medications. We describe two cases of pseudomelanosis duodeni and the patients had histories of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic renal insufficiency and specific medications. We also review the relevant medical literature on this rare condition.

A Case of Green Urine after Ingestion of Herbicides

The development of discolored urine may have many possible causes. Here we present the case of a 76-year-old woman who was admitted after ingesting the inorganic herbicides, mefenacet and imazosulfuron. Her urine color changed to green almost immediately. Since the patient had no specific medication or medical history we considered that the most likely cause of the change in urine color was the ingestion of the herbicides. Spectrophotometric analysis of the urine was conducted and a peak was observed in the green area of the wavelength spectrum. These findings show that mefenacet and imazosulfuron should be considered in the differential diagnosis of green discolored urine.

Carotid ultrasonography in patients with coronary artery disease / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) or the presence of carotid plaque has been reported to be related to coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated the relationship of the parameters of carotid ultrasonography (US) with the severity of the CAD. METHODS: From November, 2005 to November, 2006, the patients who underwent both coronary angiography and carotid US were enrolled in our study. The severity of CAD was defined by the number of diseased major coronary arteries with a percent diameter stenosis over 50. Four groups including Group 0, which has normal coronary arteries, were compared. The average and maximal IMT and the presence of plaque were used as the parameters of carotid US. RESULTS: The total number of patients was 90. Men had a greater severity of CAD (p=0.001). The average carotid IMTs were increased with the severity of CAD (Group 0, 0.67+/-0.11 mm; Group 1, 0.66+/-0.13 mm; Group 2, 0.68+/-0.08 mm; Group 3, 0.78+/-0.10 mm; p=0.001). The maximal carotid IMTs were also increased (Group 0, 0.88+/-0.16 mm; Group 1, 0.85+/-0.20 mm; Group 2, 0.89+/-0.13 mm; Group 3, 1.06+/-0.17 mm; p=0.000). Carotid plaques were also more frequently present with the increased severity of CAD (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Increased carotid IMT and the presence of carotid plaque were related to the severity of CAD. Carotid ultrasonography is useful for evaluating the severity of CAD.

Two Cases of the Endoscopic Treatment of Type I Mirizzi Syndrome / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Mirizzi syndrome is commonly defined as a common hepatic duct obstruction caused by extrinsic compression from an impacted stone in the cystic duct. Mirizzi syndrome has traditionally been treated surgically. However, there are several case reports and small series describing endoscopic and percutaneous alternatives to open surgery. We encountered two cases of type I Mirizzi syndrome that was successfully treated endoscopically. We report these cases with a review of the relevant literature.