Results of Screening Colonoscopy in Asymptomatic Average-risk Koreans at a Community-based Secondary Hospital / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopy has emerged as the dominant colorectal cancer screening strategy, yet the data on the results of performing screening colonoscopy in asymptomatic average risk Koreans is limited. The aim of this study is to determine the results of screening colonoscopy at a community-based single center in Korea. METHODS: A total of 13,743 individuals (5,935 males and 7,808 females, age: 50.6+/-11.8 years) who underwent screening colonoscopy at a community based hospital from April 2006 to March 2008 were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 13,743 subjects, neoplasia, advanced neoplasia and early colon cancer were detected in 3,270 subjects (23.8%), 315 subjects (2.3%) and 60 subjects (0.5%), respectively. The prevalence of neoplasia and advanced neoplasia increased with age (p<0.001), and this was higher among males as compared to that of females (p<0.001). Of the 3,666 subjects with neoplasia, 1,440 subjects (38.3%) had multiple neoplasia. Old age and male gender were associated with multiple neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic average-risk Koreans at a community based hospital is comparable with that in a health care setting or university hospitals. Old age and male gender are associated with a higher risk of colorectal neoplasia and having multiple neoplasia.

Usefulness of the serum Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody test during routine check-up / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The serum Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody test has been widely used by primary care physicians for over two decades. We assessed its usefulness as a screening strategy for organic gastrointestinal disease in routine check-up. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10,080 subjects who received a routine check up at the Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from January 2004 to April 2005. All subjects underwent the H. pylori IgG antibody test and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or a barium contrast study. RESULTS: The overall seropositive rate for H. pylori detection was 61.0% (6,150/10,180). The 13C-urea breath test (UBT) was performed in 340 subjects. The H. pylori antibody test showed 55% accuracy in comparison to the standard 13C-UBT. The number of patients with peptic ulcer in the seropositive group was 475 (7.7%) compared to only 168 patients (4.3%) in the seronegative group (p<0.001). Stomach cancer was observed in eight (0.1%) and two (0.1%) patients in the seropositive and seronegative groups, respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios for the H. pylori IgG antibody test for peptic ulcer were 1.22 and 0.66, respectively, compared to 1.31 and 0.26 for stomach cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In view of its low accuracy and likelihood ratios, we do not recommend the H. pylori antibody test as a diagnostic tool for H. pylori infection or as a screening strategy for organic gastrointestinal disease during routine check-ups.

The Significance of Fecal Occult Blood Testing to Screen for Colon Cancer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) as a colon cancer screening tool in a tertiary hospital setting. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent routine check-ups at Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital Health Promotion Center from January 2004 to April 2005. All the subjects were encouraged to submit stool for a FOBT, while performing a double contrast barium enema (DCBE) was optional for those who wanted colon examination. Colonoscopy was performed if the FOBT or DCBE results were abnormal or if the patients had bowel symptoms. RESULTS: The FOBT was performed in 8,198 of 10,182 patients (80.5%) who underwent routine check-ups. The overall positive rate of FOBT was 149 of 8,198 (1.8%) and this increased with age (p<0.05). Colonoscopy and/or DCBE was performed in 33 of 149 patients (22.1%) in the FOBT positive group. Colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed 2 (6.1%) and 7 (21.2%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT positive group, whereas colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed in 3 (0.5%) and 102 (15.7%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT negative group. The sensitivity and specificity of the FOBT for colon cancer was 40% and 95.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although it had low sensitivity, the FOBT was a useful screening tool for detecting colon cancer in a tertiary hospital setting.

The Significance of Fecal Occult Blood Testing to Screen for Colon Cancer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) as a colon cancer screening tool in a tertiary hospital setting. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent routine check-ups at Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital Health Promotion Center from January 2004 to April 2005. All the subjects were encouraged to submit stool for a FOBT, while performing a double contrast barium enema (DCBE) was optional for those who wanted colon examination. Colonoscopy was performed if the FOBT or DCBE results were abnormal or if the patients had bowel symptoms. RESULTS: The FOBT was performed in 8,198 of 10,182 patients (80.5%) who underwent routine check-ups. The overall positive rate of FOBT was 149 of 8,198 (1.8%) and this increased with age (p<0.05). Colonoscopy and/or DCBE was performed in 33 of 149 patients (22.1%) in the FOBT positive group. Colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed 2 (6.1%) and 7 (21.2%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT positive group, whereas colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed in 3 (0.5%) and 102 (15.7%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT negative group. The sensitivity and specificity of the FOBT for colon cancer was 40% and 95.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although it had low sensitivity, the FOBT was a useful screening tool for detecting colon cancer in a tertiary hospital setting.

Relationship between Pepsinogen I/II Ratio and Age or Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases in Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative Subjects / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although previous reports suggested that pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio was the index of gastric atrophy, PG I/II ratio was also related to other factors such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, various gastrointestinal diseases, and aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum PG I/II ratio and age or upper gastro-intestinal diseases according to H. pylori infection status. METHODS: A total of 529 individuals (307 male; mean age, 57.2 years) were divided into 4 groups (94 gastric ulcers, 35 duodenal ulcers, 105 reflux esophagitis, and 295 atrophic gastritis) according to endoscopic diagnosis. H. pylori infection was determined by H. pylori IgG antibody (ELISA) and PG was measured by latex immunoassay. RESULTS: H. pylori infected patients showed markedly increased serum PG II levels (24.0+/-14.7 ng/mL vs. 13.8+/-16.6 ng/mL, p<0.001) and low PG I/II ratio (3.9+/-2.0 vs. 6.0+/-2.5, p<0.001) than non-infected subjects. In H. pylori infected patients, mean PG I/II ratios in the gastric ulcer and atrophic gastritis group were significantly lower than those of the duodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis group (p<0.001, ANOVA, Turkey's multiples comparison test). The mean ratio of open type atrophic gastritis was lower than that of close type atrophic gastritis (3.0+/-1.4 vs. 3.8+/-1.7, p<0.005). PG I/II ratio gradually decreased with age in H. pylori-infected patients with atrophic gastritis (R(2)=0.9, p=0.005, linear regression analysis). CONCLUSION: Serum PG I/II ratio reflects H. pylori infection and gastric atrophy. In the presence of H. pylori infection, gastric atrophy progresses with age.

Relationship between Pepsinogen I/II Ratio and Age or Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases in Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative Subjects / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although previous reports suggested that pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio was the index of gastric atrophy, PG I/II ratio was also related to other factors such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, various gastrointestinal diseases, and aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum PG I/II ratio and age or upper gastro-intestinal diseases according to H. pylori infection status. METHODS: A total of 529 individuals (307 male; mean age, 57.2 years) were divided into 4 groups (94 gastric ulcers, 35 duodenal ulcers, 105 reflux esophagitis, and 295 atrophic gastritis) according to endoscopic diagnosis. H. pylori infection was determined by H. pylori IgG antibody (ELISA) and PG was measured by latex immunoassay. RESULTS: H. pylori infected patients showed markedly increased serum PG II levels (24.0+/-14.7 ng/mL vs. 13.8+/-16.6 ng/mL, p<0.001) and low PG I/II ratio (3.9+/-2.0 vs. 6.0+/-2.5, p<0.001) than non-infected subjects. In H. pylori infected patients, mean PG I/II ratios in the gastric ulcer and atrophic gastritis group were significantly lower than those of the duodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis group (p<0.001, ANOVA, Turkey's multiples comparison test). The mean ratio of open type atrophic gastritis was lower than that of close type atrophic gastritis (3.0+/-1.4 vs. 3.8+/-1.7, p<0.005). PG I/II ratio gradually decreased with age in H. pylori-infected patients with atrophic gastritis (R(2)=0.9, p=0.005, linear regression analysis). CONCLUSION: Serum PG I/II ratio reflects H. pylori infection and gastric atrophy. In the presence of H. pylori infection, gastric atrophy progresses with age.

Re-Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for a Residual or Locally Recurrent Gastric Lesion after Endoscopic Mucosal Resection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Re-endoscopic mucosal resection of a residual or locally recurrent gastric lesion after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is often difficult due to submucosal fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors related to the local recurrence of gastric lesions and the results of re-EMR. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 245 patients with adenoma or early gastric cancer (EGC) treated by EMR. The factors related to local recurrence after EMR were analyzed. Ten patients with local recurrences after complete resection were treated with re-EMR and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean size of the re-EMR lesions was 15.1 mm (5~30 mm). Seven patients were treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and three were treated with conventional EMR. En bloc resection was performed in eight patients (80%) and complete resection was performed in nine patients (90%). Bleeding was a complication of re-EMR in five patients (50%). There was no recurrent lesion after re-EMR in nine patients over a mean follow-up duration of 14.7 months. The local recurrence rate was significantly higher when the tumor was resected piecemeal (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Local recurrences occurred more frequently when the tumors were resected piecemeal. Re-EMR was a possible tool for the treatment of residual or locally recurrent lesions in 90% of the patients. Re-EMR may be the treatment of choice for a locally recurrent lesion after EMR according to the indication.

A Comparison of the Use of Self-Expanding Metallic Stent Insertion with Emergency Surgery as an Initial Treatment for Obstructive Colorectal Cancer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Emergency surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer is associated with a high rate of postoperative complications. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical difference between the use of elective surgery after stent insertion, and the performance of emergency surgery as an initial treatment for colorectal cancer with an intestinal obstruction. METHODS: For patients that were admitted from February 2004 to June 2006 for obstructive colorectal cancer, a retrospective analysis on the clinical outcome was performed for a group of patients that received a stent as an initial treatment (stent group) and a group of patients that received emergency surgery as an initial treatment (emergency operation group). RESULTS: Postoperative complications in the stent group included pneumonia and wound infection (9.5%). For the emergency operation group, postoperative complications included sepsis, deep vein thrombosis, wound infection, anastomosis leakage and postoperative bleeding (38.9%). The number of postoperative complications were significantly less in patients in the stent group than for patients in the emergency operation group (p=0.032). The number of a one-staged operation was significantly higher in the stent group compared with the emergency operation group (85.7% vs 55.6%; p=0.039). The number of a stoma created at least once was significantly lower in the stent group (14.3% vs 50%; p=0.017) than in the emergency operation group. CONCLUSIONS: As an initial treatment for an obstructive colorectal cancer, the use of stent insertion for primary management should be considered since it can reduce the degree of postoperative complications and the necessity for multi-staged operations.

A Case of Biliary Cast Syndrome with a Biliary Stricture and Suppurative Cholangitis after Liver Transplantation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Biliary complications after liver transplantation occur in 13~35% of patients. Biliary cast syndrome, cast formation of biliary sludge along the bile duct, can develop in 4~18% of liver transplant recipients, although the incidence rate is significantly decreasing due to the improvement of graft harvesting and preservation. It is very important that early diagnosis and effective management of biliary cast syndrome be performed when there is a bile duct stricture or dilatation associated with jaundice and cholangitis in the recipient after liver transplantation, due to the possibility of retransplantation and death of the patient from graft loss. We report a case of a biliary cast formed with suppurative cholangitis and extracted incidentally with a plastic biliary stent during an endoscopic procedure after cadaveric liver transplantation, in which the ERCP findings revealed a stricture at the anastomosis site of the common bile duct and cholangitis.

A Case of Acute Injury in the Stomach and Duodenum after Cyberknife Therapy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Therapeutic radiation therapy has developed new technologies that use a high dose of radiation with three- dimensional targeting for a few days instead of conventional radiation therapy that uses small doses of radiation for a longer period of time. A Cyberknife is an image- guided robotic system for stereotactic radiosurgery. The Cyberknife was first developed for the treatment of intracranial lesions, and recently has been used for tumors in the chest and abdomen. A Cyberknife can use a high dose of radiation for treatment of a hepatocellular carcinoma and can be employed to minimize radiation injury around the tumor. However, in a large tumor, the therapeutic efficacy is reduced and injury can occur around the organs. We report a case of acute injury in the stomach and duodenum after Cyberknife treatment of a hepatocellular carcinoma near the hepatic portal area.

Endoscopic Argon Plasma Laser Trimming of Biliary Self Expanding Metallic Stent / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A self-expanding metal stent is an effective treatment for biliary stenosis, improving obstructive jaundice and maintaining the long term patency of the bile duct. The complications of the metal stent are a perforation, distal migration, restenosis and duodenal mucosa injury from the contralateral wall impaction or trauma. However, the metal stent is a relatively permanent device and its removal is technically challenging. We report a case of protrusion of biliary stents into the duodenal lumen of a distal common bile duct cancer patients that was managed successfully by endoscopic argon plasma laser trimming.

Acute Renal Failure and Ischemic Bowel Disease Complicated by Acute Pyelonephritis in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한신장학회잡지

Acute infection increases disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) and causes life threatening complication such as acute renal failure or ischemic bowel disease. We here report a case of acute renal failure and ischemic bowel disease complicated by acute pyelonephritis in a patient with SLE. A 19-year-old woman was admitted for high fever and right flank pain. Urine examination revealed acute pyelonephritis. Thrombocytopenia, proteinuria, positive antinuclear antibody and anti-dsDNA, false positive VDRL confirmed SLE. The pyelonephritis improved with antibiotic treatment, but oliguria and abdominal pain and ascites newly developed. Kidney biopsy and abdominal computed tomography revealed lupus nephritis type IV and ischemic bowel disease, respectively. After methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide treatment, the patient improved.

Steroid Therapy in Phenytoin Hypersensitivity Syndrome Patient

No abstract available.

A Case of Acyclovir Induced Acute Interstitial Nephritis / 대한신장학회잡지

Acyclovir is a remarkably safe drug with potent antiviral effect against herpes virus. The two most serious adverse effects are neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. We here report the case of a 64-year old woman with acyclovir induced acute interstitial nephritis. She developed non-oliguric acute renal failure following the administration of oral acyclovir(800mg five times per day) to treat herpes zoster of left 2nd and 3rd thoracic nerves. We documented a normal serum creatinine level just before exposure to the drug. On admission, serum creatinine level was 2.4 mg/dL(baseline level; 0.8mg/dL). Percutaneous renal biopsy revealed interstitial infiltration of lymphocyte and eosinophil with interstitial edema, but there was no crystal formation in the tubules or collecting ducts. After withdrawal of the acyclovir, renal function returned to normal within 1 week.

Protein Losing Enteropathy in a Patient with Henoch-Sch nlein Purpura: Successful Treatment with Steroid / 대한신장학회잡지

Although gastrointestinal manifestations are very common in patients with Henoch-Sch nlein purpura, protein losing enteropathy is a rare complication. We here report a case of protein losing enteropathy in a patient with Henoch-Sch nlein purpura. A 52-year old woman presented with lower abdominal pain, purpura and edema on lower extremity. Serum albumin was 1.9g/dL and 24 hour urine protein was 4.7g/ day. Skin and kidney biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis consistent with Henoch-Sch nlein purpura, respectively. Colonoscopy showed diffuse mucosal erosion at right colon. 99mTc-human serum albumin scintigraphy and fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin clearance confirmed protein losing enteropathy. The protein losing enteropathy improved with steroid treatment.

A Case of Oncogenic Osteomalacia Caused by Chondromyxoid Fibroma / 대한내분비학회지

Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare clinicopathological condition. The syndrome is characterized by hypophosphataemic osteomalacia with hyperphosphaturia, low plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and normal plasma calcaemia and parathyroid hormone, associated with a tumor, generally of mesenchymal origin. Complete excision of the tumour results in cure of the whole syndrome. Recently we experienced 56-year-old woman with oncogenic osteomalacia caused by a chondromyxoid fibroma of the left foot. We report this case with the review of literatures.