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Background/Aims@#Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) are widely used for tissue acquisition of pancreatic solid mass, the optimal strategy of this procedure has not been established yet. The aim of this nationwide study was to investigate the current practice patterns of EUS-FNA/FNB for pancreatic solid mass in Korea. @*Methods@#The Policy-Quality Management of the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) developed a questionnaire containing 22 questions. An electronic survey consisting of the questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to members registered to the KPBA. @*Results@#A total of 101 respondents completed the survey. Eighty respondents (79.2%) performed preoperative EUS-FNA/FNB for operable pancreatic solid mass. Acquire needles (60.4%) were used the most, followed by ProCore needles (47.5%). In terms of need size, most respondents (>80%) preferred 22-gauge needles regardless of the location of the mass. Negative suction with a 10-mL syringe (71.3%) as sampling technique was followed by stylet slow-pull (41.6%). More than three needle passes for EUS-FNA/FNB was performed by most respondents (>80%). The frequency of requiring repeated procedure was significantly higher in respondents with a low individual volume (<5 per month, p=0.001). Prophylactic antibiotics were routinely used in 39 respondents (38.6%); rapid on-site pathologic evaluation was used in 6.1%. @*Conclusions@#According to this survey, practices of EUS-FNA/FNB for pancreatic solid mass varied substantially, some of which differed considerably from the recommendations present in existing guidelines. These results suggest that the development of evidence-based quality guidelines fitting Korean clinical practice is needed to establish the optimal strategy for this procedure.
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Background/Aims@#Although a management fee for hospitalist service was established in Korea, the number of hospitalists required for the system to run remains outmatched. @*Methods@#In January 2020 and February 2022, before and after the establishment of the hospitalist fee system respectively, cross-sectional online surveys were conducted among internal medicine board-certified hospitalists. @*Results@#There were 59 and 64 respondents in the 2020 and 2022 surveys, respectively. The percentage of respondents who cited financial benefits as a motive for becoming a hospitalist was higher in the 2022 survey than in the 2020 survey (34.4% vs. 10.2%; p = 0.001). The annual salary of respondents was also higher in the 2022 survey than in the 2020 survey (mean, 182.9 vs. 163.0 million in South Korean Won; p = 0.006). A total of 81.3% of the respondents were willing to continue a hospitalist career in the 2022 survey. In multivariate regression analysis, the possibility of being appointed as a professor was found to be an independent predictive factor of continuing a hospitalist career (odds ratio, 4.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–14.75; p = 0.037). @*Conclusions@#Since the establishment of the hospitalist fee system, monetary compensation has improved for hospitalists. The possibility of being appointed as a professor could predict long-term work as hospitalists.
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Background/Aims@#This study aimed to investigate the patterns of preferred endoscopic procedure types and techniques for managing difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones in South Korea. @*Methods@#The Committee of Policy and Quality Management of Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) conducted a survey containing 19 questions. Both paper and online surveys were carried out; with the paper survey being conducted during the 2019 Annual Congress of KPBA and the online survey being conducted through Google Forms from April 2020 to February 2021. @*Results@#The response rate was approximately 41.3% (86/208). Sixty-two (73.0%) worked at tertiary hospitals or academic medical centers, and 60 (69.7%) had more than 5 years of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography experience. The preferred size criteria for large CBD stones were 15 mm (40.6%), 20 mm (31.3%), and 30 mm (4.6%). For managing of large CBD stones, endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation after endoscopic sphincterotomy was the most preferred technique (74.4%). When performing procedures in those with bleeding diathesis, 64 (74.4%) respondents favored endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) alone or EPBD with small endoscopic sphincterotomy. Fifty-five respondents (63.9%) preferred the doubleguidewire technique when faced with difficult bile duct cannulation in patients with periampullary diverticulum. In surgically altered anatomies, cap-fitted forward viewing endoscopy (76.7%) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (48.8%) were the preferred techniques for Billroth-II anastomosis and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis, respectively. @*Conclusions@#Most respondents showed unifying trends for the management of difficult CBD stones. The current practice patterns could be used as basic data for clinical quality improvements in the management of difficult CBD stones.
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Background/Aims@#The study aimed to investigate the current practice patterns in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms in Korea. @*Methods@#An electronic survey was systematically distributed by email to members of the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association from December 2019 to February 2020. @*Results@#In total, 115 (110 gastroenterologists, five surgeons) completed the survey, 72.2% of whom worked in a tertiary/academic medical center. Most (65.2%) followed the 2012/2017 International Association of Pancreatology guidelines for the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms. A gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was the most common first-line diagnostic modality (42.1%), but a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan was preferred as a subsequent surveillance tool (58.3%). Seventy- four percent of respondents routinely performed endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for pancreatic cystic neoplasms with suspicious mural nodules. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (94.8%) and cystic fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (95.7%) were used for cystic fluid analysis. Most (94%) typically recommended surgery in patients with high-risk stigmata, but 18.3% also considered proceeding with surgery in patients with worrisome features. Most (96.5%) would continue surveillance of pancreatic cystic neoplasms for more than 5 years. @*Conclusions@#According to this survey, there was variability in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms among the respondents. These results suggest that the development of evidence-based guidelines for pancreatic cystic neoplasms that fit the Korean practice is needed to create an optimal approach to the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms.
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Lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH) is a type of benign vascular tumor. It arises from vascular endothelial cells and contains capillaries arranged in a lobular pattern. In the head and neck, the most common presenting location of LCH is the lips, and presentation in the larynx is very rare. LCH might not be distinct from granuloma in macroscopic views. We report a 71-year-old female with LCH of the larynx that was totally resected via laryngeal microsurgery with a CO2 laser and briefly review the literature.
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Background/Aims@#The work environment in which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is conducted has influence on its efficacy and safety. We aimed to assess the current status of ERCP work environments and to investigate the trends associated with the basic techniques of ERCP in Korea. @*Methods@#The work environment and information on the basic techniques of ERCP were acquired by the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) through a national survey in 2019. The survey was performed at the KPBA conference in 2019. The contents of survey comprised of the current environment of ERCP, preparation before ERCP, and the preferred basic techniques used in ERCP. @*Results@#Completed questionnaires were returned from 84 KPBA members. The mean ERCP volume per year was approximately 500. About 60% (50/84) reported that they worked with a dedicated ERCP team with experienced nurses. Two-thirds (57/84, 68%) answered that they had a fluoroscopy room used solely for ERCP procedures. All respondents intravenously hydrated the patient to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis (84/84, 100%). The preferred procedural sedations were balanced propofol sedation (50%) and midazolam-only sedation (47%). Wire-guided cannulation was most commonly used for selective cannulation (81%). Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage was preferred over endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (60% vs 22%). The initial method of ampullary intervention was endoscopic sphincterotomy in 60%. @*Conclusions@#Data from the survey involving a large number of Korean ERCP doctors revealed considerable variabilities with regard to the work environment and basic techniques of ERCP in Korea. The study provides information regarding the current trends of ERCP that can be used to establish ERCP standards in Korea.
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Hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder, but intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma is extremely rare. We report a on a case of hyperparathyroidism caused by intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma. This case is important in that it affects an effective test for the diagnosis of intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma, and shows the decision of the treatment process and the results.
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Hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder, but intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma is extremely rare. We report a on a case of hyperparathyroidism caused by intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma. This case is important in that it affects an effective test for the diagnosis of intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma, and shows the decision of the treatment process and the results.
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Most cases of gastric subepithelial lesions follow a good clinical course; however, some lesions progress to malignant tumors, and treatment of tumors with a high risk of malignancy is essential. Surgical excision has been the primary treatment for tumors originating from the propria muscle layer, but it has the disadvantages of being invasive and causing postoperative functional abnormalities. With the development of endoscopic techniques and instruments, the role of endoscopic resection, which is a less invasive method for the removal of gastric subepithelial lesions, has been attracting attention. We performed an endoscopic full-thickness resection for 8 patients with gastric subepithelial lesions originating from the muscularis propria. No fatal complications occurred. Our findings suggest the need to develop various devices for resection and closure and to accumulate further experience through additional studies to prevent complications and specimen loss.
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Nasal vestibular stenosis is an uncommon cause of nasal obstruction. There are various causes of the narrowing of vestibule, including previous trauma, surgery, infection, and iatrogenic injury. The disease is characterized by circumferential scar retraction in inlet of nasal cavities which are caused by secondary proliferation of granulation and fibrous tissue. A number of studies were reported on the surgical correction of vestibular stenosis, but no single technique had been widely accepted due to a wide spectrum treatment methods owing to the various causes of disease and deformities of the related anatomy. Here we suggest a new surgical technique for correcting a case of vestibular stenosis caused by trauma.
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BACKGROUND: Despite being an anti-obesity hepatokine, the levels of serum angiopoietin-like 6 (ANGPTL6) are elevated in various metabolic diseases. Thus, ANGPTL6 expression may reflect metabolic burden and may have compensatory roles. This study investigated the association between serum ANGPTL6 levels and new-onset metabolic syndrome. METHODS: In total, 221 participants without metabolic syndrome were randomly selected from a rural cohort in Korea. Baseline serum ANGPTL6 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anthropometric and biochemical markers were analyzed before and after follow-up examinations. RESULTS: During an average follow-up period of 2.75 (interquartile range, 0.76) years, 82 participants (37.1%) presented new-onset metabolic syndrome and had higher ANGPTL6 levels before onset than those without metabolic syndrome (48.03±18.84 ng/mL vs. 64.75±43.35 ng/mL, P=0.001). In the multivariable adjusted models, the odds ratio for the development of metabolic syndrome in the highest quartile of ANGPTL6 levels was 3.61 (95% confidence interval, 1.27 to 10.26). The use of ANGPTL6 levels in addition to the conventional components improved the prediction of new-onset metabolic syndrome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.775 vs. 0.807, P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Increased serum ANGPTL6 levels precede the development of metabolic syndrome and its components, including low high density lipoprotein, high triglyceride, and high glucose levels, which have an independent predictive value for metabolic syndrome.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Cohort Studies , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Follow-Up Studies , Glucose , Korea , Lipoproteins , Metabolic Diseases , Odds Ratio , Prospective Studies , ROC Curve , TriglyceridesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In this study, the authors classified the pediatric headache patients according to the presence of associated symptoms or signs, and the duration of headache. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of brain MRI in pediatric headache. METHODS: Total 1859 patients diagnosed with headache, migraine, other headache syndromes were recruited in the patients at the age of 4–14 years who visited Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital between 2012 and 2016. 216 patients who met the exclusion criteria were excluded. Of total 1643 patients, 304 patients had brain MRI, and the brain MRI results were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of 304 patients who had brain MRI was 9.4 years. Among the 316 brain MRI results of total 304 patients, the most common finding was normal in 58.5%, followed by incidental findings (23.4%) and pathologic findings (18.0%). The patients group with associated symptoms or signs with headache showed less normal findings, more incidental and pathologic findings than those without associated symptoms or signs. The MRI findings of two groups showed significant difference (P=0.049). The patients group with less than 3 months of headache showed less normal findings, more incidental and pathologic findings than those with more than 3 months of headache. The MRI findings of the two groups showed significant difference (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Brain MRI should be performed with careful history taking and neurologic evaluation to rule out the underlying intracranial diseases especially in case of headaches with associated symptoms or signs.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Humans , Brain , Headache Disorders , Headache , Incidental Findings , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Migraine Disorders , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
A 46-year-old woman visited our hospital presenting throat pain and globus sensation. The symptoms occurred seven days after eating raw perch and mullet. An endoscopy under sedation showed a fluke―with an approximate length of 4.8 mm and width of 1.5 mm―on the left aryepiglottic fold, with active motility on the mucosa. It was extracted from the larynx using biopsy forceps and was identified as Clinostomum complanatum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case of human infection with Clinostomum complanatum diagnosed and treated by an endoscopy in Korea. Endoscopy is a useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients at risk for parasitic infections complaining of throat pain.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Biopsy , Diagnosis , Eating , Endoscopy , Foodborne Diseases , Korea , Larynx , Mucous Membrane , Parasites , Perches , Pharynx , Sensation , Smegmamorpha , Surgical InstrumentsABSTRACT
Although microRNAs have emerged as key regulators in diverse cellular processes, the roles of microRNAs are poorly understood in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) during differentiation into specialized cell types. In this study, we used a microRNA array with 799 human microRNA probes to examine the expression profiles of microRNAs in hESCs during differentiation into endodermal and mesodermal lineages in vitro. Among the microRNAs analyzed, 7 and 20 microRNAs were enriched in the developmental process of hESCs into mesodermal and endodermal lineages, respectively. In particular, the expression levels of miR-200 family, which is known to regulate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), gradually increased in hESCs during differentiation into hepatocytes while they gradually decreased during differentiation into vascular endothelial cells. Downregulation of ZEB1, a direct target of miR-200 family, and E-CADHERIN, a target protein of ZEB1, was observed in hESCs during differentiation into endodermal and mesodermal lineages, respectively. These results indicate that miR-200 family has an important role in determining the cell fate between endodermal and mesodermal lineages from the pluripotent state.
Subject(s)
Humans , Humans , Cadherins , Down-Regulation , Endoderm , Endothelial Cells , Hepatocytes , Human Embryonic Stem Cells , In Vitro Techniques , Mesoderm , MicroRNAsABSTRACT
Signet ring cell carcinoma is a rare form of gallbladder cancer and has a worse prognosis. Since few cases have been reported, information regarding the behavior and prognosis of the gallbladder carcinoma is limited. About twenty four cases of gallbladder signet ring cell carcinoma have been reported so far. We present a rare case of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder. A 58-year-old male presented with epigastric pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed diffuse gallbladder wall thickening with enhancement, gallstones, and choledocholithiasis. After endoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. Pathologic examination of the resected gallbladder revealed adenocarcinoma of signet ring cell type in the epithelium. Immunohistochemical stain for cytokeratin 7 was positive for tumor cells. The final pathologic diagnosis was primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder. Lymph node metastasis was detected and he received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After one year of follow-up, bone metastasis in the lumbar spine and malignant ascites were found. The patient is being provided with palliative care.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Adenocarcinoma , Ascites , Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell , Cholangitis , Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic , Cholecystitis , Cholecystitis, Acute , Choledocholithiasis , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Epithelium , Follow-Up Studies , Gallbladder Neoplasms , Gallbladder , Gallstones , Keratin-7 , Lymph Nodes , Neoplasm Metastasis , Palliative Care , Prognosis , Radiotherapy , SpineABSTRACT
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential endoscopic technique in diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases. Although its diagnostic role is decreasing because of less invasive modalities such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasound, it is still very important in treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, there is a trend of hesitation to learn ERCP by the fellows in Korea because of following reasons; concentration of ERCP in a few high volume centers, high risk of post-procedural complications, and long training courses. In this background, the education committee of Korean Pancreatobiliary Association has prepared for ERCP educational guidelines for fellows in Korea. This guideline should be helpful to fellows who are currently under the training.
Subject(s)
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde , Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance , Diagnosis , Education , Fellowships and Scholarships , Korea , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential endoscopic technique in diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases. Although its diagnostic role is decreasing because of less invasive modalities such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasound, it is still very important in treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, there is a trend of hesitation to learn ERCP by the fellows in Korea because of following reasons; concentration of ERCP in a few high volume centers, high risk of post-procedural complications, and long training courses. In this background, the education committee of Korean Pancreatobiliary Association has prepared for ERCP educational guidelines for fellows in Korea. This guideline should be helpful to fellows who are currently under the training.
Subject(s)
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde , Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance , Diagnosis , Education , Fellowships and Scholarships , Korea , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to be a major adverse predictor in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is expected that the use of newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) would improve clinical outcomes in these patients. We evaluated the impact of CKD on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing PCI using newer-generation DES in a real-world setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 887 patients who underwent PCI with newer-generation DES and who had a history of DM or HbA1c >6.5% at the time of hospitalization were analyzed. These patients were divided into groups without CKD (n=549) and with CKD (n=338). Among survivors at discharge, a patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) including all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and revascularization was evaluated, together with a device-oriented composite outcome (DOCO) including cardiac death, target vessel-related MI, and target lesion revascularization at a follow-up period of one year. RESULTS: The incidence of POCO (5.4% vs. 14.0%, log-rank p<0.001) and DOCO (1.1% vs. 4.1%, log-rank p<0.001) was higher in patients with CKD. According to multivariate analysis, which was adjusted for baseline differences in demographic, clinical, and angiographic factors, the presence of CKD was an independent predictor of POCO (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07 to 3.12), but not of DOCO (HR 2.08, 95% CI: 0.69-6.28). CONCLUSION: In DM patients, CKD is an independent and powerful predictor of patient-related outcomes, but not of device-related outcomes in the era of newer-generation DES.
Subject(s)
Humans , Death , Diabetes Mellitus , Drug-Eluting Stents , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitalization , Incidence , Mortality , Multivariate Analysis , Myocardial Infarction , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Prognosis , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , SurvivorsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The studies on the impact of obesity on survival for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea are still insufficient. The aim of this study is to evaluate body mass index (BMI) as a prognostic factor of CRC.METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2008, a total of 1873 patients with CRC who underwent surgery at Seoul National University Hospital were included in this study. Study participants were divided into five BMI groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23–24.9 kg/m2), obese (25–29.9 kg/m2) and morbidly obese (≥30 kg/m2). Clinicopathological variables and survival data were reviewed retrospectively. Overall survival was analyzed using log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.RESULTS: Overall survivals of underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese groups were significantly different (5-year overall survivals rates: 54.4%, 73.2%, 78.6%, 77.2%, and 53.8%, respectively; P<0.001). In multivariable analysis for overall survival, BMI was an independently significant risk factor. Normal weight, overweight, and obese groups had lower hazard ratios for overall survival than underweight group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.626; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.462–0848, P=0.002; HR, 0.530, 95% CI, 0.377–0.744, P<0.001; HR, 0.511, 95% CI, 0.470–1.675, P<0.001, respectively). The hazard ratio of morbid obese group was not significantly different from that of underweight group (HR=0.887, 95% CI=0.470–1.675, P=0.712).CONCLUSION: BMI can be a prognostic factor for CRC in Korea. Underweight and morbidly obese were associated with poor overall survival. Large multicenter studies in the Korean population is needed for a definite conclusion.