Successful Resection of Locally Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Ampulla of Vater after Treatment with Imatinib / 대한소화기학회지

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract arising from Cajal's cells, expressing CD 117. The standard treatment for primary GIST is complete surgical resection. Imatinib mesylate, a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is effective against locally advanced and metastatic GIST. There are several reports of the effect of preoperative imatinib in patients with unresectable and locally advanced primary GIST. We report a case of unresectable primary GIST of the ampulla of Vater, which we were able to completely resect after treatment with a dosage of imatinib 400 mg daily for 5 months. Twelve months later, the patient was treated with imatinib and doing well with no evidence of recurrence.

A Case of Primary Duodenal Adenocarcinoma Treated by Endoscopic Mucosal Resection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Primary nonampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare disease. In the past, almost all duodenal adenocarcinomas were detected at an advanced stage. Yet recently, an increased number of case reports of early duodenal adenocarcinoma has coincided with the advances in the field of endoscopy, and there has also been an increased number of case reports of duodenal adenocarcinoma treated by endoscopic mucosal resection. We report here on a case of primary nonampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma that was treated by endoscopic mucosal resection, and there has been no recurrence for over 3 years, as assessed by endoscopic examination.

Three Cases of Appendicitis Diagnosed by Colonoscopy in Patients with Atypical Presentations / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The diagnostic considerations are broad for patients who clinically present with obscure abdominal pain. Acute appendicitis can be diagnosed according to the clinical signs and symptoms, yet this can often be extremely challenging. Difficulties particularly arise when the presentation is atypical. Investigations that may help include laboratory tests, non-invasive imaging and laparoscopy. We experienced 3 cases of acute appendicitis that were diagnosed by colonoscopy. The colonoscopy revealed a bulging of the appendix into the cecal lumen. The mucosa was erythematous and edematous with pus draining from the appendiceal orifice. These findings were suggestive of appendicitis, which was confirmed after surgical appendectomy. In our experience, making the colonoscopic diagnosis of appendicitis might be helpful for patients with atypical symptoms, but colonoscopy should not be used for the diagnosis in the beginning if appendicitis is initially suspected.

Metastatic Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Combined with Gastric Adenocarcinoma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A 67 year-old man was admitted due to findings that were suspicious for malignancy on gastroscopy at a primary clinic. We also performed gastroscopy and this showed the presence of a 3 cm sized nodular elevated lesion at the angle of the stomach. A biopsy demonstrated the presence of adenocarcinoma of the stomach. A distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was performed and the microscopic features of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the stomach and also metastatic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of lymph nodes of an unknown primary origin. Although double primary gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric neuroendocrine tumor with regional lymph node metastasis has been seldom reported, a double primary carcinoma of gastric adenocarcinoma and metastatic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of lymph nodes has seldom been reported. We report on this unusual case along with a review of the relevant medical literature.

A case of probable endotipsitis after transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt / 대한내과학회지

Transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure that inserts an expandable metallic stent into the liver parenchyme by transjugular catheterization. During the past decade, TIPS has been accepted as an alternative to the surgical shunt procedure for controlling the complications of portal hypertension and has become more widely performed. Complications of TIPS include encephalopathy, bleeding, deterioration of liver function and infection. Although periprocedual sepsis has been known since the early days of TIPS stenting, infection by the TIPS device itself has only recently been recognized because of its rare occurrence. The definition of endotipsitis makes it possible to classify it into two groups: definite and probable infection. We report a case of probable endotipsitis with relapsing bacteremia after TIPS for uncontrolled varix bleeding. If relapsing bacteremia without any other clearly attributable source occurs in a patient with TIPS, the possibility of endotipsitis is considered.

Vancomycin-related Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis in a Patient with Cervical Cancer

LABD is an autoimmune subepidermal bullous disease which is characterized by linear deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) in the basement membrane. The definite pathogenesis of LABD is still unknown. Some cases of LABD have been associated with drugs. Vancomycin is the most commonly implicated drug. Although LABD is a relatively rare adverse reaction of vancomycin, it is important for clinicians to be aware of this reaction because the use of vancomycin is increasing along with the increase in the incidence of MRSA infections.

Vancomycin-related Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis in a Patient with Cervical Cancer

LABD is an autoimmune subepidermal bullous disease which is characterized by linear deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) in the basement membrane. The definite pathogenesis of LABD is still unknown. Some cases of LABD have been associated with drugs. Vancomycin is the most commonly implicated drug. Although LABD is a relatively rare adverse reaction of vancomycin, it is important for clinicians to be aware of this reaction because the use of vancomycin is increasing along with the increase in the incidence of MRSA infections.

Endoscopically Exposed Coil after Embolization for Bleeding Duodenal Ulcer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopy has been the method of choice for the initial diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. However, in the case of difficult localization or endoscopic failure, angiographic or surgical alternative may be recommended. The role of angiography has been emphasized recently to control upper GI bleeding. We experienced a case with deep ulcer displaying exposed vessel along the duodenal bulb, which imposed serious rebleeding risk. Although, active bleeding was controlled by the epinephrine injections in that patient, rebleeding risk was still high. So the patient underwent emergency angiography with embolization of the pancreaticoduodenal artery and gastroduodenal artery using multiple microcoils. Follow-up endoscopic examinations showed a coil protruding into the lumen from the ulcer bed, and the exposed coil at the ulcer base was completely by the regenerated epithelium three months later. Here in, we describe the rare case of a endodcopically exposed coil after embolization for bleeding duodenal ulcer which is the first case ever reported in Korea.

A Case of Broncho-esophageal Fistula Treated by Histoacryl(R) Injection Therapy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Broncho-esophageal fistula is a disease of varying etiologies. Spontaneous fistula occurs as a result of malignancy, radiotherapy or inflammatory disease. The majority of fistulas are caused by iatrogenic causes. Treatment of fistula usually consists of surgery and conservative management. Recently, it has been reported that broncho-esophageal fistula can be treated endoscopically using tissue adhesive agent such as Histoacryl(R) and fibrin glue. We report a case of broncho-esophageal fistula as a complication of tuberculosis that was successfully treated by radiological Histoacryl(R) injection therapy with a review of literatures.