Levofloxacin, Metronidazole, and Lansoprazole Triple Therapy Compared to Quadruple Therapy as a Second-Line Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several rescue therapies have been recommended to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with a failure of first-line eradication therapy, but they still fail in more than 20% of cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin, metronidazole, and lansoprazole (LML) triple therapy relative to quadruple therapy as a second-line treatment. METHODS: In total, 113 patients who failed first-line triple therapy for H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to two groups: LML for 7 days and tetracycline, bismuth subcitrate, metronidazole and lansoprazole (quadruple) for 7 days. RESULTS: According to intention-to-treat analysis, the infection was eradicated in 38 of 56 patients (67.9%) in the LML group and 48 of 57 (84.2%) in the quadruple group (p=0.042). Per-protocol analysis showed successful eradication in 38 of 52 patients (73.1%) from the LML group and 48 of 52 (92.3%) from the quadruple group (p=0.010). There were no significant differences in the adverse effects in either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: LML therapy is less effective than quadruple therapy as a second-line treatment for H. pylori infection. Therefore, quadruple therapy should be considered as the primary second-line strategy for patients experiencing a failure of first-line H. pylori therapy in Korea.

A Case of Duodenal Duplication Cyst Manifested by Duodenal Polyp

Duodenal duplication cyst is a rare anomaly, totaling only 4% to 12% of gastrointestinal duplications, and is usually encountered during infancy or in early childhood. Most are commonly located posterior to the first or second portion of the duodenum. Presenting signs and symptoms include vomiting, decreased oral intake, periumbilical tenderness, abdominal distention, obstructive jaundice, acute pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The traditional treatment of a duodenal duplication cyst has been complete surgical resection, but very few cases of endoscopic treatment have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of duodenal duplication cyst that was manifested by a duodenal polyp.

Case of Multiple Liver Lacerations Detected After Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

The liver is one of the most commonly injured organs by blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. The incidence of injuries is increasing annually as a result of the high number of traffic accidents. The mortality of this injury is almost 15% and the most common cause of death is hemorrhage. But, liver injuries during cardiopulmonary resuscitation are rare complications. These liver injuries can be managed and treated by non-operatively. We reported a case of multiple liver lacerations that was detected incidentally and was treated with non-operative management.

The Usefulness of In Vitro Interferon-gamma Assay for Differential Diagnosis between Intestinal Tuberculosis and Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is difficult to clinically and endoscopically differentiate intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) and Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of in vitro interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) assay for differential diagnosis between ITB and CD. METHODS: Sixty patients for whom differential diagnosis between ITB and CD was difficult were enrolled between January 2007 and January 2009. The INF-gamma-producing T-cell response to early secreted antigenic target 6 and culture filtrate protein 10 were measured by T-SPOT.TB blood test in vitro. We evaluated the usefulness of T-SPOT.TB blood test by comparing its results with the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Twenty and forty patients were revealed to be positive and negative in T-SPOT.TB blood test, respectively. Of the 20 patients found to be positive, 12 patients (60%) were finally diagnosed as ITB, 6 patients as CD, and 2 patients as Behcet's enterocolitis. Of the 40 patients with negative results, 38 patients (95%) were diagnosed as CD; one as Behcet's enterocolitis; one as nonspecific colitis; none as ITB. The sensitivity and specificity of T-SPOT.TB blood test for ITB were 100% and 83.3%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values of T-SPOT.TB blood test for ITB were 60.0% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When differential diagnosis between ITB and CD is difficult, T-SPOT.TB blood test may be a helpful and rapid diagnostic tool to exclude ITB. Prospective large-scaled studies are required for further evaluation of the usefulness of T-SPOT.TB blood test for differential diagnosis between ITB and CD.

A Case of Eosinophilic Esophagitis Found Incidentally during the Evaluation of a Gastric Submucosal Tumor / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Over the last several years, eosinophilic esophagitis in adults is an increasingly recognized disease in various parts of world. A 77-year-old male with a gastric submucosal tumor was referred to our department for endoscopic ultrasonography. During the examination, there was some resistance in inserting the echoendoscope into the esophagus. Detailed endoscopic examination of the esophagus showed narrow lumen and scattered whitish plaques, and biopsy of the esophagus revealed more than 20 eosinophils per high-power field. We diagnosed this case as eosinophilic esophagitis and treated successfully by topical steroid. We report a case of eosinophilic esophagitis found incidentally during endoscopic ultrasonography for a gastric submucosal tumor.

Clinical and Endoscopic Characteristics of Acute Hemorrhagic Rectal Ulcer and the Risk Factor of Rebleeding

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcers (AHRUs) are rare and have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to assess the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of AHRUs and to determine the risk factors for rebleeding after the initial management. METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent colonoscopy within 48 hours of the onset of hematochezia were consecutively enrolled between January 2004 and December 2007. The patients were divided into a rebleeding group and a non-rebleeding group according to presence of recurrent bleeding after initial management. We analyzed the clinical features, including the underlying disorder, the Karnofsky performance status (PS), the use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents, the endoscopic findings, and the methods used for hemostasis. RESULTS: All of the patients were elderly, in a bedridden status, and all had experienced the sudden onset of massive, fresh rectal bleeding without pain. The characteristics of the lesions on colonoscopy included solitary or multiple rectal ulcers, or Dieulafoy lesions located in the distal rectum. There were no differences between the two groups based on mean age, gender, use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents, PS, methods of hemostasis, and clinical outcomes. The PT (INR) and endoscopic findings (Dieulafoy types), however, differed significantly between the two groups (p=0.024 and p=0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: When massive hematochezia occurs in bedridden patients with severe comorbid illnesses, AHRUs should be considered in the differential diagnosis. It is advisable to be vigilant for rebleeding in patients with prolongation of the PT (INR) and Dieulafoy-type ulcers on colonoscopy.