Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Diagnosis of Pancreatic and Peripancreatic Lesions: A Single Center Experience in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been introduced and its use has been increasing in Korea, there have not been many reports about its performance. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of EUS-FNA without on-site cytopathologist in establishing the diagnosis of solid pancreatic and peripancreatic masses from a single institution in Korea. METHODS: Medical records of 139 patients who underwent EUS-FNA for pancreatic and peripancreatic solid mass in the year 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. By comparing cytopathologic diagnosis of FNA with final diagnosis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were determined, and factors influencing the accuracy as well as complications were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty out of 139 cases had final diagnosis of malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA were 82%, 89%, and 83%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 46%, respectively. As for factors influencing the accuracy of FNA, lesion size was marginally significant (p-value 0.08) by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA performed without on-site cytopathologist was found to be accurate and safe, and thus EUS-FNA should be a part of the standard management algorithm for pancreatic and peripancreatic mass.

Complete remission of high grade gastric MALT lymphoma after Helicobacter pylori eradication: a case report / 대한내과학회지

Low grade MALT lymphoma of stomach is associated with H. pylori infection in more than 90% of cases, and eradication of H. pylori leads to regression of the low grade MALT lymphoma in 60~90% of cases. On the contrary, high grade MALT lymphoma is thought to be independent from H. pylori for growth and usually is thought to require antitumor chemotherapy. However, there have been recent reports of high grade MALT lymphoma regressing after H. pylori eradication. We experienced and are reporting a case of high grade MALT lymphoma arising in the background of low grade MALT lymphoma that showed complete regression after H. pylori eradication.

What's the Clinical Implications of the Overactive Gallbladder? / 대한소화관운동학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: At present, the gallbladder dysfunction implies a disorder of decreased gallbladder contractility. Other motor disorder such as overactive gallbladder which shows excessive contraction cannot be excluded in the motility disorder of gallbladder. Thus, this study was done to define the diagnostic criteria and to develop the techniques to induce the excessive contraction of gallbladder. METHODS: CCK-op at 20 ng/kg by slow continuous infusion for 30minutes, that is known as most physiologic method for gallbladder contraction, was given for assessment of gallbladder emptying in 12 normal volunteers. Also, rapid bolus injection of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-op) at 20 ng/kg or 40 ng/kg was performed to induce the excessive contraction of gallbladder. Gallbladder contractility was represented as the ejection fraction (GBEF) measured by cholecystokinin-cholescintigraphy. RESULTS: 1. With a slow continuous infusion of CCK-op, the mean GBEF was 78.2+/-5.6% (mean+/-SD). 2. With a rapid bolus injection of CCK-op, GBEF showed variable results (10-86%) among subjects who had normal gallbladder. 3. Based on the results obtained by slow continuous infusion of CCK-op in normal volunteers, overactive gallbladder was defined when GBEF approached more than 70% within 15minutes after bolus injection of CCK-op. The overactive gallbladder was noted in 6 (50%) subjects who received rapid bolus injection of CCK-op (40 ng/kg). 4. Abdominal pain developed only in high-dose (40 ng/kg) bolus injection group (6/12, 50%), concomitantly with increased bowel movements, irrespective of excessive gallbladder contractility. CONCLUSION: Excessive gallbladder contraction had no clinical significance in the experimentally induced clinical model.