Availability of Flexible Sigmoidoscopy for Outpatients, Inpatients,and Mass Screening at a Proctologic Clinic

PURPOSE: The clinical guidelines and rationale published by the American Gastroenterological Association in 1997 recommended that it is not necessary to screen patients in the average risk group who are below the age of 50. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both the effectiveness of flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) as a diagnostic and screening tool and the utility of screening at an age earlier than 50 years. METHODS: From Jan. to Dec. 1997, FS was used in 8964 cases. These cases were divided into three groups: Group A, 1336 outpatients; Group B, 5308 cases involving a hemorrhoidal operation; and Group C, 2320 cases of mass screening. RESULTS: The mean age was lower in Group B (42.4 11.5) than in Group A (47.0 14.5) and Group C (46.1 10.7). The incidences of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and nonspecific proctocolitis in Group A were significantly higher than they were in Groups B and C, and the FS findings in Groups B and C were similiar. The locations of the polyps, cancer, IBD, and nonspecific proctocolitis were below the left colon in 91.9% cases involving an abnormal finding. Also, the locations of polyps and IBD determined by using FS and by using colonoscopy (CS) were not very different. About two-thirds of the carcinomas found by using FS in all three groups were located in the upper rectum and the sigmoid. In Group B, the FS findings did not depend on whether or not an enema had been administered. Also, the total incidence of cancer in patients less than forty years of age was nearly the same as the incidence of cancer in Group B and the incidence of cancer in Group C. CONCLUSIONS:The risk of cancer for patients in the average risk group who are under 50 years of age should not be underestimated. FS is effective not only for the diagnosis of colorectal disease but also as an initial screening technique for patients below forty years of age.

Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Detecting and treating early colorectal cancers are most important for preventing advanced colorectal cancers which are difficult to manage. However, there is still a lack of data and guidelines in Korea about early colorectal cancers, especially when endoscopy is concerned. This study was undertaken in an effort to gather information in this area. METHODS: We experienced 107 early colorectal cancers from 1995 to 1998. We analyzed them with special reference to endoscopic characteristics and treatment. Ninty-six cases were followed for an average of 17 months. RESULTS: Ninty-four (87.9%) of the early colorectal cancers were detected during the last two years of the study. The male-to-female ratio was 2.1 to 1. The most common age group was the 7th decade. The rectum and the sigmoid colon were involved in 85% of the early cancers. Lesions smaller than 20 mm accounted for 54.2% of the early cancers and ones smaller than 10 mm 15%. There were no malignancies in flat-elevated lesions smaller than 10 mm; to the contrary, there was a 66.7% malignancy rate in depressed lesions. Malignancy developed in LSTs (Laterally spreading tumors) larger than 20 mm. Regarding configuration, protruded-type tumors accounted for 80.4% of the lesions, depressed-type tumors 5.6%, and LSTs 4.7%. The most common endoscopic characteristic of early colorectal cancer was redness. White spots, hardness, easy bleeding upon touch, and nodules were recognized in more than 20% of the tumors; depression and erosion were noticed in more than 10%. An expanded figure, convergence of mucosal folds, a whitish patch, and ulceration were useful in some cases. The submucosal cancer rate was 30.2% in protruded-type lesions and 66.7% in depressed-type ones. The overall adenoma-association rate was 93%. All lesions without an adenomatous component were submucosal cancers. The overall endoscopic resection rate was 87.9%. Among them, those who needed additional surgical resection accounted for 13.8% (13/94). Three recurrences were recognized. Those three were all early rectal cancers associated with villous tumors and were larger than 20 mm. All recurrences were treated endoscopically. There was one case of bleeding within 1 day after endoscopic resection. That was associated with a 20-mm, pedunculated lesion in the ascending colon and was treated using a detachable snare. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to recognize the endoscopic characteristics of early colorectal cancers, especially those of depressed lesions and LSTs. Those characteristics are also useful in selecting appropriate candidates for endoscopic resection.

A Case of Perianal Adenocarcinoma Developing in Chronic Tuberculous Anal Fistula

Mucinous adenocarcinomas of the anal region constitute only 2% of anal cancer and adenocarcinoma developing in a chronic tuberculous anal fistula is extremely rare. In most cases, its origin is difficult to ascertain because the primary sites have already been destroyed before any diagnosis of malignancy is made. We experienced a case of perianal adcnocarcinoma developing in chronic tuberculous anal fistula, which was treated by abdominoperineal resection with preoperative chemo-irradiation. We reported a case and reviewed the related literatures.

Clinical and Endoscopic Analysis of Juvenile Polyps / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to review cases of juvenile polyps with respect to clinical and endoscopic features. METHODS: Of the 544 cases of colonoseopic polypectomies performed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 1997, 14 cases(2.6%) involved juvenile poiyps. Those 14 cases were analyzed with special consideration given to colonoscopic aspects. RESULTS: The most common age groups were the fifth and the sixth decades, comprising 50%. There were two children below 10 years of age. Males were predominant in the ratio of 1.3:1. Rectal bleeding was the most common symptom, and 4 cases were asymptomatic. Mediumsized(6~10 mm) polyps were the most common, 7 eases(50%), and large(> 1 cm) polyps were the next most common, 5 cases(35.7%). The first predilection of site was the rectum, 8 cases(57.1%); the second was the sigmoid colon with 5 cases(35.7%). Grossly, pedunculated polyps were the largest in number, accountieg for 64.3% of the cases; the others were all subpedunculated. In 9 cases(64.3%), the preoperative macroscopic diagnoses were consistent with the final diagnoses; in the other cases, the polyps were initially diagnosed as being adenomatous. Adenomatous and inflammatory polyps were associated with 3 cases, who were all men. White spots were noticed around the polyp base in 4 cases (28.6%); the clinical significance of those should be investigated further. All 14 patients underwent polypectomy by endoscopic snare resection without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy should be the main tool for diagnosis and treatment of juvenile polyps. Juveoile polyps should be taken into account in cases of rectal bleeding and need to be differentiated from adenomatous polyps. Endoscopic polypectomy is an adequate procedure for the treatment of a solitary juvenile paiyp.

New Technique for Treatment of Hemorrhoids by Using Bipolar

Hemorrhoids are the most common problem in anorectal disease, presenting bleeding and prolapse. The definitive treatmant for severe hemorrhoids is surgery, but for milder cases, it is difficult to recommend a hemonhoidectomy. Some patients, especially relatively young and active males, don't want to be admitted, and they ask for ambulatory surgery. For that reason, we have developed a modified bipolar probe which can be simply and conveniently applied and which produces as good a result as that produced by a radical hemouhoidectomy. We restrospectively analyzed the cases of 341 patients who had received a BHC(bipolar homo-coagulation) between July 1994 and December 1995 and who had been followed up for at least six months. The results are as follows: 1) 309 cases(90.6%) were Grade II, and 32 cases(9.4%) were Grade III hemorrhoids. The chief complaint was bleeding in 179 cases(52.5%) and prolapse in 148 cases(43.4%). 2) Evaluation of the BHC procedure was based on patient satisfaction. About threefourths of the patients were very satisfied, and 59 patients(17.3%) were somewhat satisfied. Grade III patients were relatively more satisfied than others, regardless of the number of piles managed by BHC, and patients whose symptom was bleeding were significantly more satisfied, in general, than those with prolapse. Only 26 patients(7.6%) were dissatisfied. 3) No postoperative discomfort was observed in 153 cases(44.9%). However, post-operalive pain and bleeding were present in 92 and 50 cases, respectively. 4) Complications were observed in a total of 26 cases(7.6%). Skin tags were the most frequently observed complication(13 cases), followed by secondary bleeding which was managed by sutures(6 cases). 5) Three patients experienced recurrent hemorrhoids. Two were treated by using a radical hemorrhoidectomy, and one by using a second BHC. Based on these five results, we consider BHC to be a very useful technique for treating Grade II and early Grade III hemorrhoids by outpatient surgery and to be a time-saving procedure for treating accessory piles after main pile extirpation. Furthermore, early detection of hemorrhoids along with their early management by BHC will reduce the need for more radical surgery at some later time.

Characteristics and Management of Laterally Spreading Tumors / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many endoscopists in Korea lack an understanding of laterally spreading, or creeping tumors(LSTs) which characteristically grow laterally, as opposed to other polypoid lesions, and which show superficially elevated lesions. An LST is similar in color to the adjacent normal mucosa, so it is difficult to recognize, but it can be detected by chromoscopy. When it grows to over 2-3 cm in its largest diameter, it can have malignant foci. It is important not to overlook the lesion and to remove it in a timely manner. METHODS: The authors experienced 9 cases of LSTs from Jan. 1996 to Jan. 1997. We reviewed those 9 cases clinically, endoscopically, and pathologically, and tried to establish the diagnostic and therapeutic key points. RESULTS: The most common age group was the fifth decade. The male-to-female ratio was 5:4. Four cases were asymptomatic, and lower abdominal pain and rectal bleeding were seen in 2 cases respectively. The rectum and the sigmoid colon were the most commonly involved sites showing 88.9% (8/9). Granular-type(nodule-aggregating-type) LSTs were seen in 4 cases and nongranular types(non-noodule-aggregating type) in 5 cases. 66.7%(6/9) were larger than 2 cm in the largest diameter. A tubular adenoma was seen in each of 5 cases; among them, 1 case had cellular atypia and another case revealed a submucosal(sm) carcinoma. Two granular types with large nodules had mucosal carcinomas. The sm carcinoma was a nongranular type. Endoscopically, redness was observed in 66.7%(6/9) of the cases and depression in 33.3%(3/9). The sm carcinoma had both redness and depression. Three cases underwent endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection(EPMR) and the other 3 cases underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). A low anterior resection was performed on one patient; there was no lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of LSTs are important in their diagnosis and management. Nongranular-type LSTs are not uncommon, despite the difficulty in recognizing them by endoscopy. Pathologically, LSTs, in general, are tubular or tubulovillous adenomas. When they are over 2 cm in their largest diameter, they are likely to have malignancies. Giant nodule, redness and depression are important features indicating malignancy, especially an sm carcinoma. An EPMR or an EMR is the main treatment option, but depending on the depth of invasion, surgical resection may need to be considered.

Changes of Bone Meneral Density of the Distraction Gap and Adjacent Parent Bone in Callotasis of the Cnanine Tibia / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The purpose of this study are to delineate the temporal and spatial changes of bone mineralization at the distraction gap and adjacent parent bone, and to investigate the effect of microaxial dynamization on regenerate bone healing and on development of regional osteopenia at the adjacent parent bone, during callotasis. Sixteen Korean adult mongrel dogs underwent bilateral tibial lengthening by callotasis. To the right hindlimbs, no dynamization was applied and served as control group (group I, and axial elastic dynamization was conffered to the left hindlimbs (group II). Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured by dual X-ray absorptionmetry(DXA) at immediate post-operative day, post-operative 12 day, 22 day, 36 day, 50 day, 65 day, and 85 day. Quantitative computed tomogram(Q-CT) was also taken after sacrifice to analyze temporal changes of mineralization pattern in the distraction gap. The following results were obtained; 1. In both group I and II, the BMD was lowest at the interzone in the distraction gap and increased linearly toward the corticotomy surface. This pattern did not change with time until the consolidation of the distraction gap, but the difference of BMD between the interzone and adjacent parent bone decreased with progress of consolidation. 2. During the distraction period, BMD increased progressively at the distraction gap and adjacent parent bone in both group I and II. During consolidation period, although BMD of the distraction gap still increased progressively, that of the adjacent parent bone decreased progressively in group I; the more distant from the corticotomy surface, the more decreased the relative BMD. in group II, the decrease in BMD of the adjacent parent bone was less than that in group I which was statistically significant in mid-consolidation period. In conclusion, the new bone in the distraction gap during callotasis appeared to form in bilateral direction with linear gradient from interzone toward corticotomy surface. Dynamization during callotasis not only stimulated regenerate bone healing in the distraction gap, but also prevented the occurrence of transient regional osteopenia at the distant part of the adjacent bone during midconsolidation period.