Clinical Predictors Associated with the Severity of Colonic Diverticulitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonic diverticular diseases are increasing in Korea due to aging of the population and westernization of people's lifestyle. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical predictors associated with the severity of colonic diverticulitis in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 107 patients who were hospitalized with diverticulitis and underwent abdominopelvic computerized tomography at Dankook University Hospital between March 2002 and August 2011. The severity of colonic diverticulitis was evaluated by using Modified Hinchey classification, stage 0 to stage Ia were classified as mild group and stage Ib to stage IV were classified as severe group. Patients??records were assessed for age, sex, underlying diseases, history of diverticulitis, associated symptoms, location of diverticulitis, white blood cells, and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1.6:1 with the mean age of 43.1 years. Eighty-three patients (77.6%) were in the mild group and 24 patients (22.4%) were in the severe group. In multivariated analysis, the clinical predictors associated with the severity of colonic diverticulitis were left location (odds ratio [OR], 7.268; P=0.030), duration of symptoms (> or =3 days; OR, 4.174; P=0.022), and elevated CRP (> or =5 mg/dL; OR, 4.576; P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Left location, duration of symptom, and elevated CRP were the meaningful predictors for severity of colonic diverticulitis. When confronting with patients with these risk factors, we should keep in mind about the possibility of severe diverticulitis.

Spargana in a Weasel, Mustela sibirica manchurica, and a Wild Boar, Sus scrofa, from Gangwon-do, Korea

To know the status of sparganum (plerocercoid of Spirometra erinacei) infection in the Korean wild life, several species of wild animals were captured in Gangwon-do and examined for their status of infection with spargana. From February to December 2011, a total of 62 wild boars, 5 badgers, 1 weasel, 1 Siberian chipmunk, and 53 wild rodents were captured, and their whole muscles were examined with naked eyes for the presence of spargana worms. From the weasel and 1 wild boar, a total of 5 spargana specimens were extracted. The weasel was for the first time recorded as an intermediate or paratenic/transport host of S. erinacei in Korea, and both the weasel (Mustela sibirica manchurica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) were added to the list of wild animals carrying spargana.

A Case of Yersinia enterocolitica Enterocolitis Accompanied by Colonic Adhesion after Surgery for Uterine Myoma in an Adult Patient / 대한내과학회지

Yersinia enterocolitica infection in adults in Korea is reported rarely. Therefore, the possibility of Yersinia infection as a cause of abdominal pain may be overlooked. Because its clinical features are similar to those of acute appendicitis or other diseases that require operations, Yersinia enterocolitis should be diagnosed before surgery. We recently experienced a case of Y. enterocolitica enterocolitis accompanied by postoperative colonic adhesion. A 39-year-old female patient with a 5-year history of asymptomatic uterine myoma underwent transabdominal hysterectomy due to abdominal pain. However, the pain worsened. On CT, diffuse swelling of the right colon and adhesion of the sigmoid colon with luminal narrowing were found. Colonoscopy showed multiple aphthous ulcers with mucosal hyperemia from the cecum to the sigmoid colon. Multiplex PCR with stool specimens, a hemagglutination test for Y. enterocolitica O:3, and tissue culture were positive for Y. enterocolitica. After fluids and antibiotic therapy, her symptoms were relieved.

Common Bile Duct Obstruction Caused by Tumor Thrombus after Trans-arterial Chemoembolization in a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The jaundice in hepatocellular carcinoma patient can be found when the tumor progresses or hepatic function deteriorates. Rarely, it can be occurred when the bile duct is obstructed. The main reason of obstructive jaundice in hepatocellular carcinoma is bile duct invasion of tumor, tumor thrombus, blood clot of hemobilia and direct bile compression by tumor or metastatic lymph node. Although the tumor thrombi among them is difficult to think, prompt diagnosis and treatment should be done because the symptom and prognosis can be improved by removal of the tumor thrombus. We experienced a case of hepatocellular carcinoma patient associated with obstructive jaundice caused by tumor thrombus after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). The tumor thrombus was removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and confirmed as degenerated hepatocellular carcinoma cell.

A Study on Viral Hepatitis Markers and Abnormal Liver Function Test in Adults Living in Northwest Area of Chungnam / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We studied the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B, C and abnormality on liver function among the population in northwest area of Chungnam. METHODS: We have reviewed 40,112 adults who had received medical examination at health promotion center in Dankook university hospital. We studied them retrospectively about HBsAg, HBsAb, anti-HCV, and liver function test (LFT). RESULTS: Among the study subjects, 22,936 men and 17,176 women were involved. The overall seroprevalence of HBsAg was 4.2%. The prevalence in men (4.5%) was higher than that of women (3.7%) (p<0.001). The seroprevalence of HBsAg in their age was 5.1% in the 5th decade, 4.2% in the 2nd decade, 4.1% in the 4th decade, and 4.1% in the 6th decade. The overall seroprevalence of HBsAb was 65.1%. The overall seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 0.7%. After we reexamined them with HCV RNA or RIBA (Recombinant Immunoblot Assay), the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C was 0.09%. The LFT abnormality in total subjects was 11.4%. The LFT abnormality of chronic hepatitis B and C subjects was 21.72% and 63.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C was lower than that of previous studies. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in the 2nd decade was still high.

Clinical, Radiological and Pathological Exploration of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia of Liver Reported in Korea / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is mandatory to be differentiated from other hepatic tumorous conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma and adenoma. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical, radiological and pathological features of FNH cases reported in Korea. METHODS: We have searched the journals from the web site "http://koreamed.org" using keywords "focal nodular hyperplasia" and "liver" - total of 38 cases of FNH, 37 cases from 17 published articles and one case from our experience confirmed histologically, were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty eight cases were diagnosed between gestational age of 36 weeks and 67 years. Seventeen female patients (45%) had no history of taking oral contraceptives. Twenty cases (52.6%) experienced clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain and palpable mass. Computed tomography revealed contrast-enhancement in 34 nodules (85%) and typical central stellate scar in 9 (22.5%) of 40 nodules. Magnetic resonance imaging showed T1 weighted low signal in 18 (60%) and T2 weighted high signal in 22 (73.3%) of 30 nodules. Six (60%) of 10 cases showed hypervascular staining on hepatic angiography. Among 38 cases, 32 (84.2%) cases had single nodule and their mean size was 3.9 cm (0.5-16 cm). Pathologically, fibrous septa, proliferation of bile ductules and arterial wall thickening were seen in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: Of all the FNH cases reported in Korea, there were some differences in clinical aspects of sex ratio, accompanying clinical symptoms, and relationship with oral contraceptives, compared with previous reports. Further prospective studies are needed by means of nation-wide clinical survey and analysis.

Down-regulation of survivin in growth inhibition of hepatoma cells induced by a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors reportedly inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via caspase-dependent or caspase-independent apoptosis, which is due to COX-2 being associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. Survivin is highly expressed in most human cancers, but the mechanism regulating survivin expression remains unclear. We investigated the regulatory expression of survivin in selective-COX-2-inhibitor-induced growth inhibition of hepatoma cells. METHODS: After treatment with NS-398 (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) at various concentrations (10, 50, 100, 150, and 200 micrometer), the growth inhibition of Hep3B hepatoma cells was assessed by an MTT cell-viability assay, DNA fragmentation gel analysis, and flow cytometry. The expression of survivin transcript was analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions. RESULTS: NS-398 inhibited the growth of hepatoma cells by an amount dependent on the concentration and the time since treatment. Apoptotic DNA ladder and flow-cytometry shifting to the sub-G1 phase were revealed in NS-398-induced growth inhibition of hepatoma cells. NS-398 suppressed the expression of the survivin gene in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Survivin was down-regulated in the growth inhibition of hepatoma cells induced by a selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. These results suggest the therapeutic inhibition of COX-2 via suppression of survivin in HCC.

Comparison of Clinicopathologic Findings between Colorectal Adenoma with High Grade Dysplasia and Colorectal Carcinoma with Mucosal Invasion / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The precancerous lesion of colorectal cancer is adenoma. Adenoma with high grade dysplasia has been known as the lesion having high malignant potentials. The cancer with invasion to mucosa is limted to the mucosa, and it is difficult to pathologically differentiate the adenoma with high grade dysplasia. METHODS: Fifty three adenomas with high grade dysplasia (type I group) and 40 cancers with invasion to mucosa (type II group) for 4 years, were analyzed for the colonoscopic findings and pathological findings before and after EMR. RESULTS: Mean ages were 57.0 years old for type I group and 60.4 for type II group. Chief complaint for colonoscopy was rectal bleeding (21.0%) for type I group, and rectal bleeding (35.0%) for type II group. Mean sizes of the lesions were 1.18 cm for type I group, and 1.71 cm for type II group. Locations of the lesion were rectum 43.4%, sigmoid colon 32.1%, proximal colon 24.5% for type I group, and rectum 45.7%, sigmoid colon 42.9%, proximal colon 11.4% for type II group. Shapes of the lesions were Is 46.9%, Ip 30.6%, Isp 18.4%, LST 4.1% for type I group, and Isp 34.2%, Ip 31.6%, Is 18.4%, LST 5%, IIa depression 5%, Is+IIc 5% for type II group. Methods for therapy were EMR 60.4%, operation 1.9%, electrocoagulation 11.3%, observation 26.4% for type I group, and EMR 85.0%, operation 15.0% for type II group. Pathological agreement before and after EMR was 57.1% for type I group and 31.3% for type II group. CONCLUSIONS: Type II group had more rectal bleeding, larger, more Isp type, more EMR therapy, more pathological disagreement ratio before and after EMR, than type I group.