Decreased S100B expression in chronic liver diseases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic innervation in liver diseases is not fully understood. We here evaluated S100B expression as a marker of hepatic nerves in patients with various chronic liver diseases, topographically and semi-quantitatively. METHODS: Liver specimens were obtained from 70 subjects (three controls, and 32 chronic hepatitis B, 14 chronic hepatitis C, 14 liver cirrhosis, and seven hepatocellular carcinoma patients). The hepatic nerve density was calculated based on immunohistochemical staining of S100B protein in the portal tracts and hepatic lobules. S100B mRNA levels were semi-quantitatively assessed as the S100B/glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA ratio. RESULTS: The densities of the hepatic nerves in portal tracts of chronic liver diseases were not significantly different from those of normal controls but the hepatic nerve densities in lobular areas of liver cirrhosis were significantly decreased (p = 0.025). Compared to the control, the S100B/GAPDH mRNA ratio was significantly decreased in chronic liver diseases (p = 0.006) and most decreased in chronic hepatitis C patients (p = 0.023). In chronic liver diseases, The S100B/GAPDH mRNA ratio tended to decrease as the fibrosis score > 0 (p = 0.453) but the overall correlation between the S100B/GAPDH mRNA ratio and fibrosis score was not statistically significant (r = 0.061, p = 0.657). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic innervation is decreased in cirrhotic regenerating nodules compared to the control group and seems to decrease in early stages of fibrosis progression. Further studies are needed to clarify the association between changes of hepatic innervation and chronic liver disease progression.

A case of obstructive jaundice caused by tuberculous lymphadenitis: A literature review

Obstructive jaundice caused by tuberculous lymphadenitis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis (TB), with 15 cases having been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of obstructive jaundice caused by pericholedochal tuberculous lymphadenitis in a 30-year-old man. The patient's initial serum total bilirubin level was 21.1 mg/dL. Abdominal computed tomography revealed narrowing of the bile duct by a conglomerated soft-tissue mass involving the main portal vein. Abrupt obstruction of the common bile duct was observed on cholangiography. Pathologic analysis of a ultrasonography-guided biopsy sample revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation, and an endoscopic examination revealed esophageal varices and active duodenal ulceration, the pathology of which was chronic noncaseating granulomatous inflammation. Hepaticojejunostomy was performed and pathologic analysis of the conglomerated soft-tissue mass revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseation of the lymph nodes. Tuberculous lymphadenitis should be considered in patients presenting with obstructive jaundice in an endemic area.

Unusual Complication of Crohn's Disease: Portal Hypertension Related with Rapid Progression of Portal Vein and Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis / 대한내과학회지

Thromboembolic events are rare among systemic complications of inflammatory bowel disease; however, they are a significant cause of mortality when they occur. Several reports have considered thromboembolic events in patients with ulcerative colitis presenting with venous or arterial thromboembolism, such as cerebral thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, portal vein thrombosis, or mesenteric vein thrombosis. However, increased coagulability related to Crohn's disease is extremely rare compared with that of ulcerative colitis. We report a case of a 42-year-old man with complicated portal hypertension that occurred due to extensive portal vein and mesenteric vein thrombosis. He had a monozygotic twin brother who was also in remission with Crohn's disease. The patient showed protein C and protein S deficiencies; however, he recovered with early anticoagulation therapy.

A Case of Eosinophilic Pancreatitis Combined with Annular Pancreas / 대한내과학회지

Eosinophilic pancreatitis is a rare disorder that frequently accompanies peripheral eosinophilia and/or eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Eosinophilic pancreatitis can mimic a pancreatic neoplasm by forming a pancreatic mass with focal pancreatic eosinophilic infiltration. Because eosinophilic pancreatitis responds well to steroid treatment, it is important to distinguish eosinophilic pancreatitis from pancreatic neoplasm. Thus, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) should be considered in patients with a pancreatic mass accompanied by peripheral eosinophilia and/or eosinophilic gastroenteritis. We describe a case of eosinophilic pancreatitis with annular pancreas that was diagnosed by FNAB. This is the first reported case of eosinophilic pancreatitis with annular pancreas diagnosed by FNAB.

A Case of Eosinophilic Pancreatitis Combined with Annular Pancreas / 대한내과학회지

Eosinophilic pancreatitis is a rare disorder that frequently accompanies peripheral eosinophilia and/or eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Eosinophilic pancreatitis can mimic a pancreatic neoplasm by forming a pancreatic mass with focal pancreatic eosinophilic infiltration. Because eosinophilic pancreatitis responds well to steroid treatment, it is important to distinguish eosinophilic pancreatitis from pancreatic neoplasm. Thus, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) should be considered in patients with a pancreatic mass accompanied by peripheral eosinophilia and/or eosinophilic gastroenteritis. We describe a case of eosinophilic pancreatitis with annular pancreas that was diagnosed by FNAB. This is the first reported case of eosinophilic pancreatitis with annular pancreas diagnosed by FNAB.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcome of Colonic Diverticulitis in Young Patients / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The clinical course and the most appropriate management of colonic diverticulitis in young patients are currently unresolved. This retrospective study was designed to compare young patients (40 years) regarding clinical characteristics of acute colonic diverticulitis and to determine whether differences exist in treatment outcome. METHODS: Three-hundred sixty eight patients presenting with acute colonic diverticulitis from March 2001 through April 2011 at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The differences in clinical characteristics, treatment modality and recurrence between each group were analyzed. RESULTS: Two-hundred and six patients were aged 40 years or younger and 162 patients were older than 40 years. The older group was diagnosed more frequently with severe diverticulitis. Surgical treatment was significantly more frequent in the older group than in the younger group (15.4% vs. 4.4%, p<0.001). No significant difference was found in treatment modality between the two groups in patients with recurrence. The difference in recurrence between groups was not statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, left colonic diverticulitis was significantly associated with severe diverticulitis (OR, 14.651; 95% CI, 4.829-44.457) and emergency surgery (OR, 13.745; 95% CI, 4.390-43.031). CONCLUSIONS: When patients with colonic diverticulitis are treated conservatively, young age is no longer an independent risk factor for subsequent poor outcome. Diverticulitis in young patients does not have a particularly aggressive or fulminant course. Therefore, we recommend that diverticulitis management should be based on the severity and location of the disease, and not on the age of the patient.

The Clinical Meaning of Benign Colon Uptake in 18F-FDG PET: Comparison with Colonoscopic Findings

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Benign colon 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake is frequently observed in asymptomatic individuals. Aims of this study were to investigate the benign colon uptake by whole body FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) in asymptomatic adults and to correlate those results with colonoscopic and histologic findings. METHODS: Among 3,540 subjects who had undergone FDG-PET, 43 subjects who were diagnosed to have benign colon uptake in FDG-PET and underwent colonoscopy were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects were classified as diffuse or focal groups based on their FDG uptake patterns. PET results were analyzed together with colonoscopic and histologic findings. RESULTS: Forty-three subjects showed benign colon uptake in FDG-PET; 28 of them were shown as the diffuse group, while other 15 subjects were classified as the focal group. Five subjects among those showed diffuse uptake were diagnosed as adenoma. Seven among 15 subjects who showed focal uptake were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma (n=2), adenoma (n=3), or non-neoplastic polyp (n=2). Positive predictive values were 25% in the diffuse group and 47% in the focal group. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that patients showing benign FDG uptake in the colon should be further evaluated by colonoscopy, especially for patients with focal FDG uptake.

Usefulness of Real-time Measurement of Colonoscopy Withdrawal Time during Fellow Training / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Attempts to increase colonoscopy withdrawal time have been the topic of several recent publications. We assessed whether the real-time measurement of withdrawal time affected the withdrawal time and polyp detection rate. METHODS: Real-time colonoscopy withdrawal time was measured in 197 subjects in a study group and 184 subjects comprised a control group without real-time measurements. Colonoscopies were performed by four endoscopy specialists and three fellows during their first year of training. Withdrawal time, clinical features, bowel preparation, and polyp detection rates were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences in age, gender, bowel preparation, or polyp history were found in the two groups. Withdrawal time was significantly higher in the study group than that in the control group when a fellow performed the withdrawal. However, polyp detection rate did not significantly increase in the study group, regardless of physician. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time measurement of colonoscopy withdrawal time did not increase polyp detection rate, but the withdrawal time was significantly higher when a fellow performed the withdrawal phase than when a specialist performed withdrawal. Therefore, the real-time measurement of colonoscopy withdrawal time seems to be a useful tool for fellow training.

The Effect of Aspirin Alone or Aspirin Plus Additional Antiplatelets Therapy on Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease has led to an increase in the frequency of upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage due to the use of antiplatelet agents. This study examined the clinical characteristics of patients with upper GI hemorrhage who were administered aspirin alone or a combination treatment of antiplatelet agents. METHODS: A 656 patients who underwent drug-eluting coronary stenting at Ewha Mokdong Hospital in 2008 were divided into three groups according to the antiplatetlet agents used after the intervention; groups of aspirin alone, aspirin plus clopidogrel, and aspirin, and clopidogrel plus another antiplatelet agent, respectively. Patients admitted with GI hemorrhage in the same period without a medication history of antiplatelet or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used as the control hemorrhage group. The medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: Significant GI symptoms were observed in 21.1% of total patients, of whom 48.2% had ulcers. The upper GI hemorrhage rate was 3.8%. There was no significant difference in the hemorrhage rate between three groups. Compared to the control hemorrhage group, the endoscopic variables of the antiplatelet-related hemorrhage group were not significantly different. However, the Helicobacter pylori infection rate was lower, the admission period was longer, and the mortality rate was higher in the antiplatelet-related hemorrhage group (p<0.05, respectively). There was no direct association between restarting or discontinuance of antiplatelets after the hemorrhage event and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Adding other antiplatelet agents to aspirin did not increase the hemorrhage rate. However, active diagnostic and therapeutic efforts are recommended in patients with GI symptoms during antiplatelet therapy.

Recurred Cryptogenic Liver Abscess Secondary to Colon Cancer in a Non-diabetic Man / 이화의대지

The causes of pyogenic liver abscess has been known as biliary tract disease or intrabadominal infection but the large proportions of the patients has no apparent underlying disorders. Recently colonic mucosal lesions were reported in patients with cryptogenic liver abscess and it has been suggested that colonic mucosal break may play a role in developing liver abscess in otherwise healthy patients. We experienced a patient of severe recurrent liver abscess complicated with endophthalmitis only 3 months after successful treatment of initial cryptogenic liver abscess and a polypoid colon cancer was discovered by chance. It seems prudent to proceed colonoscopic examination in patients with cryptogenic liver abscess especially when it is recurrent.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several clinical risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in the patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been suggested. However, its prevalence and pathophysiology in Korean population have not been fully studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for low BMD in Korean IBD patient. METHODS: BMD of the lumbar spine and femur was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 30 patients with IBD. Biochemical parameters of bone metabolism, such as serum calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, and deoxypyridinoline were measured. The associations between low BMD and clinical parameters such as disease duration, disease activity, drug history, body mass index (BMI), and others were evaluated retrospectively using medical records. RESULTS: Low BMD at the lumbar spine or femur was observed in 63.3% of the patients, and there was no significant difference between the patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Clinical and biochemical parameters were irrelevant to BMD. In the patients without glucocorticoid treatment prior to BMD measurement, already 50.0% of patients had low BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Low BMD is a common feature in Korean IBD patients, even those who do not use glucocorticoid. The multiple factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of low BMD. Therefore, BMD should be examined in all IBD patients, irrespective of glucocorticoid treatment.

Factors favoring survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer occurs predominantly in the elderly, and whether to operate on these patients is a dilemma. This study compared clinical parameters and evaluated factors favoring survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer according to the treatment modality. METHODS: The study evaluated 213 patients who were older than 75 years and diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1995 and 2005. Survival rate and clinical parameters were compared between the surgical and conservative treatment groups. Demographics, underlying conditions, and cancer and treatment-related factors were evaluated for survival using multivariate analysis in the conservatively treated patients and separately in the surgery group. RESULTS: The surgery group consisted of 143 (67.1%) patients and the conservative group consisted of 70 (32.9%) patients. Fewer patients had a high ASA class in the surgery group than in the conservative group (p<0.05). The survival rate in the surgery group was higher than in the conservative group (p<0.05) even when compared for the same cancer stage, ASA class, and age (p<0.05). In the surgery group, the absence of history of diabetes mellitus, lower cancer stage, elective surgery, and curative surgery all favored survival (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year survival rate in the surgery group was higher than that in the conservative group. Surgery is recommended for elderly patients with colorectal cancer who are in good physical shape and have a lower stage, a resectable tumor, and a non-emergency condition

Clinical Characteristics of Primary Epiploic Appendagitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of focal abdominal pain in otherwise healthy patients. Patients with acute abdominal pain are often misdiagnosed clinically as acute appendicitis or diverticulitis. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and characteristic computed tomography (CT) findings of PEA. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records and CT images of 23 consecutive patients in Korea who presented with acute abdominal pain between January 2005 and February 2009 and had radiologic signs of PEA. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (7 females and 16 males; average age, 42+/-14 years) were diagnosed with symptomatic PEA. Abdominal pain localized to the left (8 patients [44.5%]) and right (10 patients [55.5%]) lower quadrants as the leading symptom. CT findings specific for PEA were present in all patients except one. The symptoms resolved within 1 week (mean, 3.5 days) with or without antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with localized, sharp, acute abdominal pain not associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fever or atypical laboratory values, the diagnosis of PEA should be considered and the diagnosis confirmed by CT scan.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes between Geriatric and Non-geriatric Patients in Peptic Ulcer Bleeding / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In geriatric patients with peptic ulcer, the use of NSAID and prevalence of chronic illness have been increased, but the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infected portion decreased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of geriatric patients (aged 65 or older) with peptic ulcer bleeding and compare with non-geriatric patients (less than 65 years old). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 88 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding treated with therapeutic endoscopy from January 2006 to December 2006. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of geriatric patients (n=34, 38.6%) with those of non-geriatric patients (n=54, 61.4%). RESULTS: Hypertension (52.9% vs. 24.1%), cardiovascular disease (35.3% vs. 13.0%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20.6% vs. 3.7%) were more prevalent in the geriatric group, compared with the non-geriatric group (p0.05). The amount of transfusion length of ICU stay, rebleeding rate, operation rate and mortality were not different between the two groups. The length of hospital stay in the geriatric patients was significantly longer than the non-geriatric group (12.3+/-10.6 vs. 7.2+/-5.9 days, p<0.05). In multiple regression analysis, old age was a significant risk factor for longer hospital stay (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The geriatric patients with bleeding peptic ulcer had longer hospital stay than the non-geriatric patients in our study. The important emerging etiologies such as ulcerogenic drug and associated chronic illness should be checked and treated in these patients.

A Prospective Trial Comparing 4 L-Polyethylene Glycol with 2 L-Polyethylene Glycol Plus Bisacodyl Tablets for Colon Preparation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to prospectively compare low-volume PEG plus 20 mg bisacodyl with the standard 4 L PEG with regards to the adequacy of bowel preparation, patient compliance and the side effects. METHODS: From September 2007 to January 2008, 59 patients who had previously undergone screening colonoscopy with 4 L PEG and had been diagnosed with colonic polyps were admitted for polypectomy. The colonoscopists, who were unaware of the preparation that was administered, evaluated the adequacy of the bowel cleansing. Detailed questionnaires were also used to assess patient compliance, the difficulty of bowel preparation, side effects and patient preference. RESULTS: The physician's evaluation of the colon cleansing showed better adequacy with 4 L PEG than with 2 L PEG plus bisacodyl (p<0.05). There was no difference in patient compliance between the 2 bowel preps. The patients in the 2 L PEG plus bisacodyl group tolerated the bowel preparation more easily than the patients in the 4 L PEG (81.4% vs. 15.3%, respectively). Moreover, the scores of the visual analog scale for the difficulty of bowel preparation were 5.8+/-2.3 in the 4 L PEG group and 3.2+/-1.9 in the 2 L PEG plus bisacodyl (p<0.01). The majority (89.8%) of the patients preferred 2 L PEG plus bisacodyl (p<0.001). The 2 L PEG plus bisacodyl group revealed less nausea, vomiting and sleep discomfort (p<0.05), but they had more abdominal pain (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 2 L PEG plus bisacodyl is not as effective as the standard 4 L PEG for colon cleansing. However, 2 L PEG plus bisacodyl can be used for patients who have difficulty drinking a large amount of PEG.

Endoscopic Removal of Small Bowel Bezoars using Colonoscopy through the Oral Approach / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Bezoars are accumulations of foreign materials and foods in the gastrointestinal tract and can be the cause of small bowel obstruction. A bezoar usually begins as a gastric phytobezoar that migrates to the small bowel in patients who have undergone gastric surgery and have delayed gastric emptying. We report a case of diagnosed small bowel obstruction due to the presence of a persimmon phytobezoar (diospyrobezoar) in a patient with a history of gastric surgery. Abdomen-pelvis computed tomography demonstrated the presence of an air-containing localized lesion (5x3.5 cm), a suspicious bezoar in the jejunum. The gastroduodendoscopy failed to reach to the lesion but diospyrobezoars were found in the proximal jejunum at 120 cm from the upper incisors using a colonoscope inserted using the oral approach. Most of the bezoars were fragmented by a tripod and were removed with a snare. The patient was discharged after symptomatic improvement without surgery. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Primary Esophageal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is common in the salivary glands but rare in the esophagus. Routine esophagogastroscopy performed in a 54-year-old woman as part of a medical check-up revealed a submucosal tumor (1.5x1.0 cm) at the mid-esophagus. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a lesion with mixed echogenicity in the submucosal layer. The submucosal mass was removed by incisional endoscopic enucleation, and pathological analysis revealed epithelial cells with small hyperchromatic angular nuclei in tubular and cribriform patterns. The lesion was pathologically confirmed as an ACC of the esophagus.

Emerging Need for Vaccination against Hepatitis A Virus in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease in Korea

Vaccination against hepatitis A virus (HAV) is recommended for patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), but this has been deemed unnecessary in Korea since the immunity against HAV was almost universal in adults. However, this practice has never been reevaluated with respect to the changing incidence of adult acute hepatitis A. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 278 patients with acute hepatitis A diagnosed from January 1995 to November 2005 and prospectively tested 419 consecutive CLD patients from July to December 2005 for the presence of IgG anti-HAV. The number of patients with acute hepatitis A has markedly increased recently, and the proportion of adult patients older than 30 yr has been growing from 15.2% during 1995-1999, to 28.4% during 2000-2005 (p=0.019). Among 419 CLD patients, the seroprevalences of IgG anti-HAV were 23.1% for those between 26 and 30 yr, 64% between 31 and 35 yr, and 85.0% between 36 and 40 yr. These data demonstrate that immunity against HAV is no more universal in adult and substantial proportion of adult CLD patients are now at risk of HAV infection in Korea. Therefore, further study on seeking proper strategy of active immunization against HAV is warranted in these populations.

A Case of Bleeding from Proximal Jejunal GIST Diagnosed by Colonoscopy through the Oral Approach / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gastrointestinal bleeding from small bowel lesions is uncommon but it is the most common cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding that can go undiagnosed using traditional upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Recently, various new methods, including wireless capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy have been used to detect and manage small bowel lesions. A 51-year-old man was admitted with hematochezia. The source of bleeding could not be identified using conventional upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Wireless capsule endoscopy revealed a mass-like lesion with active blood spurting in the proximal jejunum. Finally, a tumor with central ulceration was detected at the proximal jejunum using a clean colonoscope through the oral approach. This lesion was surgically resected, and the histology findings were consistent with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. We report a case of gastrointestinal bleeding from a proximal jejunal GIST diagnosed by clean colonoscopy through the oral approach with a review of the relevant literature.

A Case of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding with Ileal Ulceration in Scrub Typhus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Scrub typhus, an acute febrile illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi-induced vasculitis, is common in Korea, Asia and Pacific Islands. Endoscopic mucosal lesions or mucosal damages have rarely been reported in Scrub typhus. However, four cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, controlled by hemoclipping, in Tsutsugamushi-infected patients have been reported in Korea; although, no case of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in Scrub typhus has been reported. We experienced massive hematochezia in a 77-year-old female patient with Scrub typhus. Special studies, including upper gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal CT scan, and SMA angiography were performed, but the focus of the bleeding could not be found. An RBC scan showed suspicious small bowel bleeding, but a capsule endoscopy could not reveal the focus of the bleeding focus; however, a colonoscopy showed active bleeding at the terminal ileum, with multiple ileal ulcerations. After conservative therapy, the patient's condition was stable and the hematochezia disappeared.