Endoscopic features aiding the diagnosis of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma / 영남의대학술지

The incidence of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is increasing worldwide, but the diagnosis is difficult. Most patients are asymptomatic or complain of nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. As the endoscopic features of gastric MALT lymphoma are variable and nonspecific, the possibility of this condition may be overlooked during esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and it remain undiagnosed. Therefore, this condition needs to be considered when an abnormal mucosa is observed during this procedure. Biopsy performed during endoscopy is the primary diagnostic test, but false negative results are possible; large numbers of samples should be collected from both normal and abnormal mucosae. Endoscopic ultrasonography is useful to assess the depth of invasion and to predict the treatment response. After treatment, follow-up tests are required every 3 months until complete remission is achieved, and annually thereafter. Early diagnosis of gastric MALT lymphoma is difficult, and its diagnosis and follow-up require wide experience and competent endoscopic technique.

Clinical Efficacy of Radiotherapy in Helicobacter pylori Negative or Unresponsive to Eradication Therapy Primary Gastric Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an effective treatment in gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma associated with H. pylori infection. However, the treatment strategy in gastric MALT lymphoma patients who are H. pylori-negative or unresponsive to H. pylori eradication therapy remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the clinical efficacy of treatments other than H. pylori eradication therapy in these groups of patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center study based on the medical records of patients diagnosed with gastric MALT lymphoma at Yeungnam University Medical Center between January 2005 and December 2016. Patients were treated with H. pylori eradication therapy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy according to their H. pylori infection status and stage of gastric MALT lymphoma. RESULTS: Of the 68 eligible patients, 50 were enrolled in the study. Of the 42 patients with H. pylori-positive gastric MALT lymphoma, 36 (81.7%) were treated with H. pylori eradication therapy as primary treatment and 25 (69.4%) achieved a complete response (CR). Patients without a CR after H. pylori eradication therapy (n=11, 30.6%) received radiotherapy as a secondary treatment. Two patients with H. pylori-positive gastric MALT lymphoma and eight with H. pylori-negative gastric MALT lymphoma received radiotherapy as the primary treatment. CR was achieved in all 21 patients treated with radiotherapy as primary or secondary treatment. The 5-year progression-free survival rate after radiotherapy was 92.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy may be a worthwhile treatment option in patients with H. pylori-negative MALT lymphoma or H. pylori-positive MALT lymphoma that is not responsive to H. pylori eradication therapy.

Endoscopic features aiding the diagnosis of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma / 영남의대학술지

The incidence of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is increasing worldwide, but the diagnosis is difficult. Most patients are asymptomatic or complain of nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. As the endoscopic features of gastric MALT lymphoma are variable and nonspecific, the possibility of this condition may be overlooked during esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and it remain undiagnosed. Therefore, this condition needs to be considered when an abnormal mucosa is observed during this procedure. Biopsy performed during endoscopy is the primary diagnostic test, but false negative results are possible; large numbers of samples should be collected from both normal and abnormal mucosae. Endoscopic ultrasonography is useful to assess the depth of invasion and to predict the treatment response. After treatment, follow-up tests are required every 3 months until complete remission is achieved, and annually thereafter. Early diagnosis of gastric MALT lymphoma is difficult, and its diagnosis and follow-up require wide experience and competent endoscopic technique.

Response: Predicting Mortality of Critically Ill Patients by Blood Glucose Levels (Diabetes Metab J 2013;37:385-90)

No abstract available.

Incarcerated umbilical hernia with small bowel obstruction in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient / 영남의대학술지

Patients treated with peritoneal dialysis have increased intra-abdominal pressure and a high prevalence of abdominal wall complications. Hernias can lead to significant morbidity in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Hernias are clinically important because of the risk of incarceration, strangulation and subsequent bowel obstruction, rupture, and peritonitis. In this paper, a case of incarcerated umbilical hernia with small bowel obstruction in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patient is reported. The small bowel obstruction improved after herniorrhaphy, and the peritoneal dialysis was resumed 2 weeks after the herniorrhaphy. The patient had been undergoing CAPD without technical failure until the 2 months follow-up after the herniorrhaphy. This case shows that early detection of incarcerated umbilical hernia and herniorrhaphy can prevent resection of a strangulated small bowel so that it can remain on CAPD without post-operative technical failure. Umbilical hernias should be carefully observed and intestinal obstruction should be considered when a CAPD patient with an umbilical hernia has abdominal pain.

A Case of Pancytopenia with Hyperthyroidism / 영남의대학술지

There has been an increase in the number of reports of atypical manifestations of Graves' disease (GD), such as jaundice, anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Pancytopenia also rarely occurs in GD. In this paper, a case of pancytopenia with GD that was successfully treated with an anti-thyroid drug is reported. In this case, a 69-year-old woman showed pancytopenia with a normal peripheral blood smear, bone marrow aspiration smear and bone marrow biopsy. Her thyroid function test and thyroid scintigraphy confirmed her hyperthyroid status. Her laboratory abnormality and clinical condition improved after she was treated with an anti-thyroid drug. This is a rare case of pancytopenia associated with GD.

Predicting Mortality of Critically Ill Patients by Blood Glucose Levels

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to observe the outcome of critically ill patients in relation to blood glucose level at admission and to determine the optimal range of blood glucose at admission predicting lower hospital mortality among critically ill patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of a total 1,224 subjects (males, 798; females, 426) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010. Blood glucose levels at admission were categorized into four groups (group 1, or =300 mg/dL). RESULTS: Among 1,224 patients, 319 patients were already known diabetics, and 296 patients died in ICU. Five hundred fifty-seven subjects received insulin therapy, and 118 received oral hypoglycemic agents. The overall mortality rate was 24.2% (296 patients). The causes of death and mortality rates of diabetic patients were not different from nondiabetic subjects. The mortality curve showed J shape, and there were significant differences in mortality between the groups of blood glucose levels at admission. Group 2 had the lowest mortality rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that serum glucose levels upon admission into ICU is associated with clinical outcomes in ICU patients. Blood glucose level between 100 and 199 mg/dL at the time of ICU admission could predict lower hospital mortality among critically ill patients.

Predicting Mortality of Critically Ill Patients by Blood Glucose Levels

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to observe the outcome of critically ill patients in relation to blood glucose level at admission and to determine the optimal range of blood glucose at admission predicting lower hospital mortality among critically ill patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of a total 1,224 subjects (males, 798; females, 426) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010. Blood glucose levels at admission were categorized into four groups (group 1, or =300 mg/dL). RESULTS: Among 1,224 patients, 319 patients were already known diabetics, and 296 patients died in ICU. Five hundred fifty-seven subjects received insulin therapy, and 118 received oral hypoglycemic agents. The overall mortality rate was 24.2% (296 patients). The causes of death and mortality rates of diabetic patients were not different from nondiabetic subjects. The mortality curve showed J shape, and there were significant differences in mortality between the groups of blood glucose levels at admission. Group 2 had the lowest mortality rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that serum glucose levels upon admission into ICU is associated with clinical outcomes in ICU patients. Blood glucose level between 100 and 199 mg/dL at the time of ICU admission could predict lower hospital mortality among critically ill patients.

A Case of Gastric Lipoma with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 영남의대학술지

Gastric lipoma is a typical benign submucosal tumor that is usually asymptomatic and is generally detected incidentally when performing gastroscopy. However, depending on its size and location, an atypical gastrointestinal lipoma can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal obstruction, intussuception and life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. We report herein a case of gastric lipoma with bleeding in a 43-year-old man. The gastroscopy showed a 4x4 cm ulcero-fungating submucosal mass at the anterior wall of the gastric antrum. Laparoscopic gastric wedge resection was performed and the lesion was diagnosed as gastric lipoma.

Relative Skeletal Muscle Mass Is Associated with Development of Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Visceral adiposity is related to insulin resistance. Skeletal muscle plays a central role in insulin-mediated glucose disposal; however, little is known about the association between muscle mass and metabolic syndrome (MS). This study is to clarify the clinical role of skeletal muscle mass in development of MS. METHODS: A total of 1,042 subjects were enrolled. Subjects with prior MS and chronic diseases were excluded. After 24 months, development of MS was assessed using NCEP-ATP III criteria. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM; kg), body fat mass (BFM; kg), and visceral fat area (VFA; cm2) were obtained from bioelectrical analysis. Then, the following values were calculated as follows: percent of SMM (SMM%; %): SMM (kg)/weight (kg), skeletal muscle index (SMI; kg/m2): SMM (kg)/height (m2), skeletal muscle to body fat ratio (MFR): SMM (kg)/BFM (kg), and skeletal muscle to visceral fat ratio (SVR; kg/cm2): SMM (kg)/VFA (cm2). RESULTS: Among 838 subjects, 88 (10.5%) were newly diagnosed with MS. Development of MS increased according to increasing quintiles of BMI, SMM, VFA, and SMI, but was negatively associated with SMM%, MFR, and SVR. VFA was positively associated with high waist circumference (WC), high blood pressure (BP), dysglycemia, and high triglyceride (TG). In contrast, MFR was negatively associated with high WC, high BP, dysglycemia, and high TG. SVR was negatively associated with all components of MS. CONCLUSION: Relative SMM ratio to body composition, rather than absolute mass, may play a critical role in development of MS and could be used as a strong predictor.