Cholangitis Secondary to Food Material Impaction in the Common Bile Duct through a Choledochoduodenal Fistula

Biliary-enteric communications caused by duodenal ulcers are uncommon, and choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF) is by far the most common type. Usually in this situation, food material does not enter the common bile duct because the duodenal lumen is intact. Here, we report a case in which cholangitis occurred due to food materials impacted through a CDF. Duodenal obstruction secondary to duodenal ulcer prevented food passage into the duodenum in this case. Surgical management was recommended; however, the patient refused surgery because of poor general condition. Consequently, the patient expired with sepsis secondary to ascending cholangitis.

Clinical Significance of Fecal Lactoferrin and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction in Patients with Acute Diarrhea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The diagnostic yield of fecal leukocyte and stool cultures is unsatisfactory in patients with acute diarrhea. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of the fecal lactoferrin test and fecal multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients with acute diarrhea. METHODS: Clinical parameters and laboratory findings, including fecal leukocytes, fecal lactoferrin, stool cultures and stool multiplex PCR for bacteria and viruses, were evaluated prospectively for patients who were hospitalized due to acute diarrhea. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were included (male, 23; median age, 42.5 years). Fecal leukocytes and fecal lactoferrin were positive in 33 (61.1%) and 14 (25.4%) patients, respectively. Among the 31 patients who were available for fecal pathogen evaluation, fecal multiplex PCR detected bacterial pathogens in 21 patients, whereas conventional stool cultures were positive in only one patient (67.7% vs 3.2%, p=0.000). Positive fecal lactoferrin was associated with presence of moderate to severe dehydration and detection of bacterial pathogens by multiplex PCR (21.4% vs 2.5%, p=0.049; 100% vs 56.5%, p=0.032, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fecal lactoferrin is a useful marker for more severe dehydration and bacterial etiology in patients with acute diarrhea. Fecal multiplex PCR can detect more causative organisms than conventional stool cultures in patients with acute diarrhea.

Crohn's Disease Initially Accompanied by Deep Vein Thrombosis and Ulnar Neuropathy without Metronidazole Exposure

Extraintestinal manifestations are not uncommon in Crohn's disease, and a thromboembolic event is a disastrous potential complication. Deep vein thrombosis is the most common manifestation of a thromboembolic event and typically occurs in association with active inflammatory disease. Peripheral neuropathy in Crohn's disease has rarely been reported and is considered an adverse effect of metronidazole therapy. Here, we describe a patient who was initially diagnosed with Crohn's disease complicated with deep vein thrombosis and ulnar neuropathy without metronidazole exposure. The simultaneous occurrence of these complications in the early stage of Crohn's disease has never been reported in the English literature.

Is Abdominal Computed Tomography Mandatory in Long-term Follow-up of Early Gastric Cancer after Successful Endoscopic Resection?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to verify the necessity of follow-up abdominal CT after curative resection of early gastric cancer (EGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed in three institutes of the Catholic University of Korea (Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital). Inclusion criteria were as follows; patients who underwent curative endoscopic resection of EGC from 2003 to 2006; curative resection and recurrence was confirmed histopathologically; abdominal CT was performed at the time of endoscopic resection and 5 years after the treatment. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty three patients were reviewed and 36 patients were compatible with the inclusion criteria. Additional endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed in 8 patients due to metachronous recurrence during the follow up period; surgery was performed in 2 patients due to other intra-abdominal organ malignancy; no specific events occurred in 26 patients. All the recurrences were found on gastroscopy and not on abdominal CT. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up abdominal CT after curative endoscopic resection of EGC has limited value to find metachronous recurrence. However, it can detect other intra-abdominal malignancies.

Is Abdominal Computed Tomography Mandatory in Long-term Follow-up of Early Gastric Cancer after Successful Endoscopic Resection?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to verify the necessity of follow-up abdominal CT after curative resection of early gastric cancer (EGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed in three institutes of the Catholic University of Korea (Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital). Inclusion criteria were as follows; patients who underwent curative endoscopic resection of EGC from 2003 to 2006; curative resection and recurrence was confirmed histopathologically; abdominal CT was performed at the time of endoscopic resection and 5 years after the treatment. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty three patients were reviewed and 36 patients were compatible with the inclusion criteria. Additional endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed in 8 patients due to metachronous recurrence during the follow up period; surgery was performed in 2 patients due to other intra-abdominal organ malignancy; no specific events occurred in 26 patients. All the recurrences were found on gastroscopy and not on abdominal CT. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up abdominal CT after curative endoscopic resection of EGC has limited value to find metachronous recurrence. However, it can detect other intra-abdominal malignancies.

The Efficacy of Short-term Administration of Revaprazan on Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms: Comparison with Half Dose Esomeprazole, a Pilot Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Revaprazan, an acid pump antagonist, is a kind of gastric acid suppressant and is prescribed for the treatment of peptic ulcers and gastritis. However, the efficacy of revaprazan on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms has not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of revaprazan on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who complained of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms without any specific diseases except gastritis on esophagogastroduodenoscopy were included in this study. Patients were randomized to receive revaprazan 200 mg or esomeprazole 20 mg for 2 weeks. Symptoms were assessed by using the frequency score questionnaire before and after treatment. RESULTS: Fifteen patients received revaprazan and 19 patients received esomeprazole. The changes of the symptom frequency score before and after treatment were 7.0 in revaprazan group and 8.6 in esomeprazole group (P=0.778). CONCLUSIONS: Revaprazan is not inferior to esomeprazole in therapeutic efficacy for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and is a safe and useful therapeutic agent to reduce the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.

The Effect of Co-Administration of Rebamipide on the Expression of Serum Gastrin in Long-term Proton Pump Inhibitor Users: A Prospective Pilot Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In one animal study, co-administration of rebamipide with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) could suppress hypergastrinemia but there have been no such reports on humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether rebamipide could prevent hypergastrinemia in long-term PPI users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with reflux esophagitis endoscopically were enrolled in this study. In the control group, lansoprazole 30 mg was administered for 8 weeks and in the rebamipide group, lansoprazole 30 mg with rebamipide 300 mg was administered for 8 weeks. Serum gastrin level was checked before and after administration of the drugs. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled in this study. The control group included 17 patients and the rebamipide group included 13 patients. The gastrin level was elevated in the control group (28.4 pg/mL) compared to the rebamipide group (38.5 pg/mL). However, the gastrin level was decreased in 3 patients in the rebamipide group (23.1%) compared to 2 patients in the control group (11.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Not all patients who are taking PPIs develop hypergastrinemia. Co-administration of rebamipide with PPI does not affect the serum gastrin level.

Effect of Acid Pump Antagonist (Revaprazan, Revanex(R)) on Result of 13C Urea Breath Test in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Associated Peptic Ulcer Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Revaprazan (Revanex(R)) is a novel proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that has a somewhat different effect on proton pump compared with the other PPI's, also (called as 'acid pump antagonist'). We aimed to examine the false negative rate of 13C-urea breath test (UBT) in the patients with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated peptic ulcer disease who were treated with revaprazan and evaluate the anti-urease activity of revaprazan. METHODS: Total 55 patients were enrolled in this study. They received EGD examination between January 2009 and December 2009 and diagnosed histologically as H. pylori associated peptic ulcer disease. All patients took revaprazan only. Three patients were excluded because of underlying chronic disease and inappropriate breath sampling. The remaining 52 patients had UBT at 0, 2 and 4 weeks of revaprazan use. After 2 weeks of the cessation of revaprazan, they had the fourth UBT. RESULTS: At 2 and 4 weeks, the false negative rates of UBT were 5.8% and 23.1%, respectively (p=0.05). After 2 weeks of the cessation, the cases of the false negative result were five. Four out of five patients had prolonged negative results on two or three successive tests, and baseline 13C difference value did not predict the false negative results. CONCLUSIONS: False negative results of UBT were common and increased with prolonged use of acid pump antagonist. As PPI, it had also anti-urease activity and most patients (47/52, 90.4%) reverted to positive results by 2 weeks after the cessation of taking the medication.

Efficacy of Levofloxacin and Rifaximin based Quadruple Therapy in Helicobacter pylori Associated Gastroduodenal Disease: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of levofloxacin and rifaximin based quadruple regimen as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection. A prospectively randomized, double-blinded, parallel group, comparative study was performed. Three hundred consecutive H. pylori positive patients were randomized to receive: omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin (OAC); omeprazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin (OAL); and omeprazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, rifaximin (OAL-R). The eradication rates in the intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses were: OAC, 77.8% and 85.6%; OAL, 65.3% and 73.6%; and OAL-R, 74.5% and 80.2%. The eradication rate achieved with OAC was higher than with OAL on the ITT (P = 0.05) and PP analysis (P = 0.04). OAL-R regimen was not inferior to OAC. The frequency of moderate to severe adverse effects was significantly higher in OAC treatment group. Especially, diarrhea was most common complaint, and there was a significantly low rate of moderate to severe diarrhea with the rifaximin containing regimen. In conclusion, the levofloxacin and rifaximin based regimen comes up to the standard triple therapy, but has a limited efficacy in a Korean cohort. The rifaximin containing regimen has a very high safety profile for H. pylori eradication therapy.

A case of amicrobial pustulosis of the folds in a patient with Sjogren's disease / 대한내과학회지

Amicrobial pustulosis of the folds (APF) is a rare pustular eruption, which predominantly involves the cutaneous folds, including the external auditory canals, scalp, and palms. It occurs in patients with a wide spectrum of autoimmune abnormalities. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the autoimmune disorder observed most commonly in patients with APF. The etiology of APF is unclear, but all reported cases have involved women of reproductive age when the eruptions first occurred. This report describes a 34-year-old woman who presented with an acute pustular rash. Her medical history was unremarkable, except for transitory dry eyes, dry mouth, and polyarthralgia for 1 year. Coalescing pustular lesions arising on erythematous skin, forming crusted and eroded plaques, were observed, which predominantly affected the anterior chest, mainly the cutaneous folds. The periorificial regions were also involved, including the nasal alae, mouth angles, and external auditory canals. Our patient had the characteristic clinical and histopathological features of APF, in association with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). In conclusion, we present a patient having APF associated with pSS.

Huge Infected Thrombus of Right Atrium Related to Hemodialysis Catheter / 대한신장학회지

There has been an increase in the use of central venous catheters for temporary hemodialysis. Infected thrombus of right atrium is a rare but life-threatening complication of the central venous catheterization. A 35-year-old female hemodialysis patient was admitted with fever and dyspnea. She had been inserted tunneled hemodialysis catheter 2 months before. Blood cultures revealed methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Chest CT showed multi-focal pneumonia and 4 cm sized huge thrombus in the right atrium. Echocardiography demonstrated same thrombus attached to the catheter tip in the right atrium. The catheter could not be removed because of high risk of pulmonary thromboembolism. Despite intravenous vancomycin treatment, the patient died from esophageal varix bleeding.

Successful Angioplasty of Arteriovenous Graft Obstruction Using Gadolinium chelate in a Patient with Iodine Hypersensitivity / 대한신장학회지

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) using iodine contrast dye has been used as the definitive method of choice for treating hemodialysis vascular access dysfunction. Occasionally, iodine material can not be used in the hemodialysis patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions or the predialysis patients with premature access awaiting hemodialysis treatment. Gadolinium chelates have been reported as an alternative contrast agent for angiography or angioplasty in such patients. Here we report a case of successful angioplasty of arteriovenous graft obstruction using gadolinium chelate (gadopentetate dimeglumine) in a patient with repetitive iodine hypersensitivity reactions.

The Incidence and Clinical Course of Acute Renal Failure in Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Although acute renal failure (ARF) commonly develops in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), the impact of ARF on disease severity is rarely reported in Korea. This study was performed to compare the clinical findings, morbidity and mortality between SAP patients with and without ARF. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 102 patients with SAP between january 2001 and June 2008 in 3 hospitals. We investigated the incidence and clinical course of ARF in SAP patients. Then, we compared morbidity and mortality between the patients with ARF and normal renal function (NRF). RESULTS: Of the total 102 SAP patients, ARF was observed in 39 patients (38.2%). The peak serum creatinine level in ARF patients was 4.5+/-2.3 mg/dL. Eight of the 39 ARF patients (20.5%) received hemodialysis and ten patients (25.6%) died. When compared to NRF patiens, ARF patients (n=39) had higher incidence of dyspnea (17.9% vs 3.2%, p=0.011), loss of consciousness (17.9% vs 1.6%, p=0.003), and APACHE II scores more than 8 (92.3% vs 0%, p<0.001). The ARF group had also higher incidences of sepsis (35.9% vs 7.9%, p<0.001), multiorgan failure (15.4% vs 0%, p=0.001), respiratory failure (28.2% vs 4.7%, p=0.001) and mortality (25.6% vs 3.2%, p=0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, and high LDH as independent risk factors of ARF in SAP patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ARF was high (38.2%) and ARF patients showed higher morbidity and mortality, compared to NRF patients. We suggest that early management of ARF should be performed for reducing the mortality in SAP patients.

A Case of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma with Underlying Schistosomiasis

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma is a rare form of primary liver cancer showing features of both hepatocellular and biliary epithelial differentiation. We report here on a case with collision tumor, which apparently was the coincidental occurrence of both hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma underlying schistosomiasis. A 39-year-old-Philippine female was transferred to our hospital for evaluation of a liver mass that was found on ultrasonography at a local hospital. HBsAg and Anti-HCV were negative and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was normal. The tumor mass was histologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by sono-guided biopsy before the operation. Partial lobectomy was performed and we histologically identified the concurrent occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, (a "collision type carcinoma").