Submucosal Saline-Epinephrine Injection in Colonoscopic Polypectomy: What is the Proper Application? / 대한소화기내시경학회지

No abstract available.

Recent Trends in the Eradication Rates of Second-Line Quadruple 14 Therapy for Helicobacter Pylori and the Clinical Factors that Potentially Affect the Treatment Outcome / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of second-line quadruple therapy for treating patients with Helicobacter Pylori, and these patients were treated at our hospitals for September, 2003 through April, 2008 in Seongnam, Korea. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three patients who failed to respond to the initial PPI-based triple therapy received quadruple therapy, whcih consisted of PPI, bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole. The patients were divided into two groups. One group was treated for 7 days and the other group was treated for 14 days. Four to six weeks after completing the schedule, a 13C-urea breath test was performed to detect the presence of H. pylori. RESULTS: The overall intention-to-treat and per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 75.2% and 81.1%, respectively. The PP eradication rates for the years 2003~2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007~2008 were 76.5%, 82.5%, 91.3% and 75%, respectively. There was no significant difference of the eradication rates according to gender, age and the duration of treatment. Yet the eradication rate of the chronic gastritis group (66.7%) was significantly lower than that of the peptic ulcer group (84.7%) (p=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: There was no definite downward trend for the eradication rates of second-line quadruple therapy during the 6 year study period. However, the eradication rate in the recent 2 years guaranteed only a 75% cure rate and the quadruple therapy was less effective for the patients with chronic gastritis. Therefore, a novel, more potent novel second-line regimen may be needed for the eradication of H. pylori.

Clinical Features of Re-infection of Helicobacter pylori after Successful Eradication / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS:Studies on re-infection of Helicobacter pylori are limited. This study was designed to determine if there are clinical features of H. pylori re- infection related to gastroduodenal diseases or histological findings. METHODS: From a population of patients that were treated for H. pylori eradication from May 2003 to September 2007, 129 subjects were enrolled. Regimens were PPI-based triple or quadruple agents and follow-up methods were UBT, CLO or histology. RESULTS: A total of 29 subjects experienced a recurrence (within one year, 17 subjects; between one and two years, eight subjects; more than two years, four subjects). Recurrence periods were 2 to 32 months, and the mean period was 12.62+/-8.40 months. Among 29 subjects, eight subjects had chronic atrophic gastritis, 14 subjects had a peptic ulcer, five subjects had stomach cancer and two subjects had a MALT lymphoma; there were no statistical differences of the odds ratio between matched diseases. By use of the Updated Sydney System, neither H. pylori colonization density nor neutrophil infiltration nor monocyte infiltration grade in histology was associated with recurrence or re-infection. CONCLUSIONS: Neither histological findings nor gastroduodenal diseases was associated with H. pylori re-infection. The re-infection rate in this study was approximately 6.2%. This rate was slightly higher than rates reported in other recent studies in Korea.

Clinical characteristics and the risk factors for rebleeding in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bleeding is a serious complication of peptic ulcer. Although endoscopic therapy is effective for achieving hemostasis of active bleeding, rebleeding occurs in 10~30% of these patients. Recently, treatment with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) after hemostasis has decreased the rate of rebleeding. In this study, we analyzed risk factors of peptic ulcer rebleeding and we evaluated whether the rebleeding rate could be different depending on the PPI treatment method. METHODS: From March 2003 through February 2006, 639 patients visited the emergency room (ER) due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Among them, 191 patients were diagnosed to have peptic ulcer by endoscopy, and they were retrospectively analyzed for their clinical, laboratory and endoscopic findings. The PPI treatment method was categorized into the IV bolus group, the 8 mg/hr continuous infusion group and the others group. RESULTS: Emergency endoscopy was performed within 24 hours in 86.9% of the patients with bleeding peptic ulcer. Rebleeding occurred in 9 cases (4.7%) within 7 days after hemostasis. On the basis of univariate analysis, shock on ER arrival (p=0.013) and over 5 units of packed red cells (PRCs) transfusion (p=0.016) were significant risk factors for rebleeding, yet the PPI treatment method did not affect the rate of rebleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The rebleeding rate of peptic ulcer in our study was 4.7%, and this was lower than the previous reports, and the rebleeding rate in our report may have been caused by the early hemostatic therapy together with intravenous infusion of PPI. These approaches are necessary as soon as the patients are stabilized, and especially for the group of patients who are at a high risk for rebleeding, such as those who experience shock at the ER and those who need over 5 units of PRC transfusion.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Bismuth Containing PPI-based Quadruple Therapy with PPI-based Triple Therapy Only as First-line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In recent years, increasing antimicrobial resistance has resulted in falling eradication rates with standard therapies. To overcome the falling eradication rates, rescue therapy have been suggested to be used. However, there is no surveillance of using bismuth-based regimen as first line Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in Korea. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of bismuth containing PPI-based quadruple therapy as a first line treatment. METHODS: From August 2007 through February 2008, 191 patients with Helicobacter pylori positive peptic ulcer disease (PUD) or chronic gastritis (CG) who received first line therapy for 7 days were retrospectively evaluated. 39, 37, 53, 62 patients received PAC (pantoprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg bid), L-PAC (pantoprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 750 mg, clarithromycin 250 mg bid), PACB (PAC plus bismuth 300 mg bid), L-PACB (L-PAC plus bismuth 300 mg bid). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in eradication rates between bismuth containing and non- containing group. However, in PUD, the eradication rate of PACB (95.2%) is somewhat higher than that of PAC (86.2%) without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In PUD, Future study designed with a double-blind controlled large scale might reveal that PPI-based standard quadruple therapy containing a bismuth is superior to the standard triple therapy.

Clinical Factors That Potentially Affect the Treatment Outcome of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy with using a Standard Triple Regimen in Peptic Ulcer Patients / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication has an approximately 20% treatment failure rate. The aim of this study is to examine the clinical factors that influence eradication of H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcers. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 597 endoscopy-proven peptic ulcer and H. pylori-positive patients who were treated at our hospital between July 2004 and March 2007. The eradication rate and the effect of age, gender, smoking, alcohol drinking, activity and the location of ulcer and the kind of PPIs were examined. RESULTS: 597 patients were treated with one-week triple therapy (PPI, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg all twice daily). The overall eradication rate was 80.2%. Eradication was significantly more successful in the patients with an age under 60, and in patients over 60 and who had a duodenal ulcer (83.2% vs 73.2%, respectively, p=0.005) or a gastric ulcer (82.5% vs 73.6%, respectively, p=0.041). There was no statistically significant difference according to gender, smoking, alcohol, the activity of the ulcer and the kind of PPIs. CONCLUSIONS: An age over 60 and gastric ulcer were associated with a lower H. pylori eradication rate in patients with peptic ulcers. Therefore, H. pylori eradication in old age patients and in patients with gastric ulcer should be managed differently and the treatment duration should be extended or a new treatment regime developed to overcome the lower eradication rate.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Reflux Esophagitis after a Subtotal Gastrectomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of reflux esophagitis in patients after a subtotal gastrectomy and to determine risk factors for reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Among 225 patients who underwent a subtotal gastrectomy from June 2003 to December 2004 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 201 patients who received follow-up for more than six months and underwent at least one endoscpoic examination were retrospectively reviewed. We used the Los Angeles (LA) classification system and included a minimal change for reflux esophagitis. RESULTS: There were 173 patients who underwent a Billroth I procedure and 28 patients who underwent a Billroth II procedure. The cumulative incidence of reflux esophagitis was 40.8%. A patient age > or =65 years (p=0.04), a follow-up duration > or =40 months (p=0.03), bile reflux gastritis (p or =4 (p=0.012), bile reflux gastritis (p=0.002) and postoperative obesity (p=0.038) were risk factors for a minimal change. A patient age > or =65 years (p=0.04), a follow-up duration > or =40 months (p=0.03) and Helicobacter pylori eradication before surgery (p<0.01) were independent risk factors for LA grade A/B reflux esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: Bile reflux gastritis is a risk factor for the development of reflux esophagitis after a subtotal gastrectomy. Preoperative helicobacter eradication is also associated with reflux esophagitis, except for a minimal change, but further studies are needed.

Comparison of the Eradication Rates of One-week Low-dose Triple Therapy with Standard-dose Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We can expect to reduce costs and decrease adverse events by using low-dose triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. However, the efficacy of low-dose triple therapy for Koreans is questionable. In this study, we compared the efficacy of low-dose triple therapy with standard-dose triple therapy. METHODS: We enrolled 480 patients who were diagnosed as suffering with H. pylori infection via endoscopy with biopsy or CLO testing. Thirty patients were excluded due to malignancy or having undergone previous antibiotics medication. Two hundred and eighty patients received standard-dose triple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg b.d, amoxicillin 1,000 mg b.d., and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d.), and 170 patients received low-dose triple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg b.d., amoxicillin 750 mg b.d., and clarithromycin 250 mg b.d.). Eradication was evaluated 4~6 weeks after administering the medication. RESULTS: The H. pylori eradication rate was 77.9% in the standard-dose group, and 74.7% in the low-dose group. There was no significant difference in the H. pylori eradication rate between the two groups (p=0.444). The adverse events were significantly more frequent in the standard-dose group. One patient each in both groups discontinued medication because of an adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of low-dose therapy is similar to standard-dose therapy, and the adverse events are less frequent with low-dose therapy. This suggests that low-dose therapy would be preferred when considering the cost- benefit and low rate of adverse drug events.

Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer in Elderly Patients in Comparision with Younger Patients / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Considering the increasing age of the general population and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), this study examined the characteristics of CRC in the aged, by comparing the clinical, endoscopic and histologic findings of CRC of younger and old patients. METHODS: The records of 232 patients diagnosed with CRC from March 2003 to September 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. Two cohorts based on age, under and over 65 years, were compared for the patient and tumor characteristics. RESULTS: The bowel habit change was significant (p=0.018) and there was a high prevalence of hematochezia in the older patients. The rate of cancer detection via a routine checkup was higher in the younger patients (p=0.015). The incidence of right colon cancer increased with age, and substantially higher in females. More older patients had Dukes stage C disease (p=0.007), while more younger patients had stage D (p=0.022). The incidence of metastasis was high in those with right colon cancer (p=0.009), and significantly higher in female. In females, high-risk tumor such as mucinous or signet-ring was more common in the older patients. The older patients had significantly low CEA levels in the advanced stage. Synchronous CRC was more common in the older patients (8.1% vs. 3.4%) and was located within the adjacent segment. CONCLUSIONS: CRC must be considered when older patients present with changes in their bowel habits or hematochezia. The right colon must be examined closely in older patients, particularly in females. A metastasis should be checked in right colon cancer, particularly in females. In older patients, advanced disease should be considered even in those with a low CEA level, and synchronous CRC must be searched for in the same or adjacent segment to that of the primary cancer.

The Eradication Rate of Helicobacter pylori on the Remnant Stomach after Curative Resection for Gastric Cancer and the Influence of Eradication / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are few reports on the rate of H. pylori eradication and the influence of this eradication in the remnant stomach after a curative resection for a gastric carcinoma. METHODS: The medical records of patients who had undergone curative gastrectomy for carcinoma between May, 2003 and June, 2006 were reviewed to evaluate the serial H. pylori status. The eradication regimen was a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) based triple therapy (PPI, amoxicillin, clarithromycin). After eradication, the histological changes were reviewed based on the updated Sidney system. In addition, a CLO test and urea breath test were used for the evaluation. RESULTS: Eighty five patients were found to be positive for a H. pylori infection after the curative gastrectomy. Fifty two patients received eradication therapy and the other 33 patients did not. The eradication rate in patients who received therapy was 82.7% and spontaneous resolution rate in the patients who did not receive therapy was 78.8% (p=0.654). After eradication, the remnant stomach showed a significant decrease in the inflammation and activity scores. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication rate of H. pylori by PPI based triple therapy in the remnant stomach is similar to that in a non-surgical stomach. The decrease in the inflammation and activity score suggests that the eradication may prevent H. pylori related carcinogenesis. However, the high spontaneous negative conversion rate (78.8%) in the remnant stomach after gastrectomy will require further study.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasonography for the Preoperative Staging of Gastric Cancer: the Risk of Overstaging and Understaging / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The preoperative staging of gastric cancer facilitates the planning of therapy. Preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography is a useful procedure for the staging of gastric cancer, but sometimes there can be problems with overstaging and understaging. METHODS: Endoscopic ultrasonography was performed preoperatively on 171 patients with gastric cancer. The results of endoscopic ultrasonography were compared with the postoperative histological staging. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography for the determination of the T stage was 65.5%, the overall accuracy was 74.4%, 51.7% and 38.9% for determining the T1, T2 and T3 staging, respectively. Endoscopic ultrasonography had an accuracy of 67.3% for determining the absence of lymph node metastasis. In univariate analysis, the diagnostic accuracy was lower for infiltrative type and gastric cancer with microinvasion significantly. Multivariate analysis showed overstaging occurred for gastric cancers with concomitant ulcer, inflammation or submucosal fibrosis (p=0.004) and that understaging occurred for gastric cancers with infiltrative type or microinvasion (p=0.029, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic tool for most gastric cancers with some exceptions due to the overstaging and understaging. Gastric cancers with concomitant ulcer, inflammation or submucosal fibrosis may contribute to overstaging. By contrast, gastric cancers with infiltrative type or microinvasion may result in understaging.

Clinical Usefulness of Fecal Occult Blood Test as a Screening Method for Asymptomatic Patients with Colon Polyps / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Detection of asymptomatic benign colon polyp is increasing because colonoscopy is widely used as a screening and diagnostic method. Fecal occult blood test is usually performed for the selection of patients requiring colonoscopy as well as mass screening for colon cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of fecal occult blood test performed prior to colonoscopy as a screening method of benign colon polyps. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of patients with polyps were evaluated according to the fecal occult blood test results in patients who underwent one-day fecal occult blood test and colonoscopic polypectomies from May 2003 to October 2004, retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 942 colonoscopic polypectomies in 288 patients were evaluated. Fecal occult blood tests were positive only in 32 patients (11.1%). In univariate analysis, there was a significant difference in polyp size (p=0.02) and location (p=0.03) according to the presence of positive fecal occult blood tests. In addition, age of the patient (p=0.046), polyp size (mean, p=0.04; largest, p<0.01) and the number of polyps (p=0.045) were significantly different. However, in multivariate analysis, only polyp size larger than 20 mm was significantly related with positive fecal occult blood test with estimated odds ratio of 4.71. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal occult blood test has limitations as a screening test in asymptomatic patients with colon polyps, except for colon polyps larger than 20 mm in size.

Clinical spectrum and risk factors of erosive and non-erosive GERD in health check-up subjects / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was prospectively performed to evaluate the clinical spectrum and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in health check-up subjects. METHODS: A prospective survey was performed for 752 subjects, aged 18-79 years, who visited the health promotion center. The subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire, and the risk of GERD was calculated by logistic regression analysis with regard to several variables, including smoking, alcohol, exercise, body mass index, fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG). Non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) was defined as the presence of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation for at least once per week. RESULTS: 752 subjects were classified into three groups: 65 erosive reflux disease (ERD) subjects (8.6%), 66 NERD subjects (8.8%) and 621 control group subjects (82.6%). For the 65 ERD subjects, typical reflux symptoms were found in 19 (29.2%), less frequent reflux or atypical symptoms were found in 38 (58.5%) and no symptoms were found in 8 (12.3%). A Los Angeles grade A score was noted in 48 subjects (73.8%), a B score was noted in 11 (17.0%), and a C score was noted in 6 (9.2%). There was no correlation between the grade of reflux esophagitis and the severity of symptoms. The positive rate of H. pylori IgG in the ERD was 36.4%, and this was significantly lower than the rates for the NERD (60%) and control groups (65.3%); this resulted in the odds ratio of ERD in the absence of H. pylori infection to be 5.079 (95% CI: 1.907-13.530). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of GERD in health check-up subjects was 17.4%. There was no correlation between the grade of ERD and the severity of the reflux symptoms. The relative risk of GERD in Koreans was significantly low in the H. pylori IgG positive subjects.

Comparison of the Eradication Rates of Quadruple Therapy between Non-ulcer Dyspepsia and Peptic Ulcer Disease as a Second-line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Initial PPI-based triple therapy for a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is less effective in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) than in those with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). However, there are no reports of the effects of second-line treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the difference in the eradication rates of second-line quadruple therapy between NUD and PUD patients. METHODS: Between June 2003 and September 2005, patients who failed to respond to the initial PPI-based triple therapy, received seven days bismuth-based quadruple therapy as a second-line treatment. Four to six weeks after completing the schedule, a 13C-urea breath test was performed to detect H. pylori. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients received second-line quadruple therapy. Of these, 43 patients had NUD and 44 patients had PUD (19 with gastric ulcers, 23 with duodenal ulcers, 2 with both ulcers). The eradication rates were 76.7% (33/43) and 90.9% (40/44) in the NUD and PUD groups, respectively. The eradication rates in the NUD group were significantly lower than those in the PUD group (p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The seven days bismuth-based second-line quadruple therapy for H. pylori infection appears to be less effective in patients with NUD than in those with PUD. Therefore, an extension of the treatment duration for quadruple therapy or a more potent regimen may be needed as a second-line therapy for NUD patients.

Submucosal Saline-Epinephrine Injection in Colonoscopic Polypectomy: What is the Proper Application? / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Indications for submucosal saline-epinephrine injection (SSEI) for prevention of postpolypectomy bleeding, in the colon, is variable among endoscopists. The aim of this study was to determine the proper indication for SSEI. METHODS: Clinical data of 1,745 polypectomies was evaluated. Postpolypectomy bleeding after snare polypectomy were evaluated in 1,039 polypectomies. Subgroup analysis was performed in 4 subgroups by size (8 mm) and gross morphology (pedunculated or sessile), also. RESULTS: Submucosal saline-epinephrine injection was used in 679 snare polypectomies. The size of polyps was 9.5+/-4.3 mm. Distribution of polyps showed left side shift in the colon. Sessile polyps (79.4%) and benign adenoma (75.3%) were predominant. Twenty seven episodes (2.6%) of bleeding occurred after snare polypectomy. Rectal polyp, malignant polyp and procedure without SSEI increased bleeding after snare polypectomy with odds ratio 4.71, 10.48 and 3.44, respectively. However, SSEI significantly reduced the bleeding only in patients who had >8 mm sized sessile polyps with odds ratio 16.41 regardless of location and histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: SSEI should be performed in colonoscopic snare polypectomy for >8 mm sized sessile polyps, and might be performed in others for prevention of bleeding at the discretion of the clinician.

Association Between Polymorphisms of Ethanol-Metabolizing Enzymes and Susceptibility to Alcoholic Cirrhosis in a Korean Male Population

Alcohol is oxidized to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and cytochrome P-4502E1 (CYP2E1), and then to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Polymorphisms of these ethanol-metabolizing enzymes may be associated with inter-individual difference in alcohol metabolism and susceptibility to alcoholic liver disease. We determined genotype and allele frequencies of ALDH2, CYP2E1, ADH2, and ADH3 in male Korean patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (n=56), alcoholics without evidence of liver disease (n=52), and nondrinkers (n=64) by using PCR or PCR-directed mutagenesis followed by restriction enzyme digestion. The prevalences of heterozygous ALDH2*1/*2 plus homozygous ALDH2*2/*2 in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (7.1%) and alcoholics without evidence of liver disease (3.8%) were significantly lower than that in nondrinkers (45.3%). The c2 allele frequencies of the CYP2E1 in alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholics without evidence of liver disease, and nondrinkers were 0.21, 0.20, and 0.20, respectively. Allele frequencies of ADH2*2 in the three groups were 0.78, 0.74, and 0.77 and those of ADH3*1 were 0.94, 0.98, and 0.95. Therefore, we confirmed the observation that the ALDH2*2 gene protects against the development of alcoholism. However, the development of cirrhosis in Korean alcoholic patients was not associated with polymorphisms of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes.

Implications of Serum Levels of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Chronic Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Angiogenesis occurs in response to tissue damage, and is of vital importance for tumor growth and metastasis. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are potent angiogenic factors, and have been suggested to be useful diagnostic markers in certain hypervascular tumors. However, little is known of serum bFGF and VEGF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We attempted to measure serum bFGF and VEGF in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) and HCC to assess their pathogenetic role and usability as tumor markers. METHODS: Serum bFGF and VEGF were measured in 8 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 15 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), and 49 patients with HCC. bFGF was measured in 33, and VEGF was measured in 50, healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Serum bFGF was 3.8+/-1.9, 2.0+/-1.4, 4.2+/-6.0, 17.4+/-30.0 pg/mL in normal control, CH, LC, HCC, respectively. The serum bFGF level was significantly increased in patients with HCC when compared with normal control or patients with CLD. No difference, however, was observed in serum VEGF levels among the four groups. The serum levels of bFGF and VEGF were not significantly different in patients with HCC according to tumor type, size and stage. Serum bFGF showed good sensitivity (90%), specificity (87%), and positive predictive value (94%) in differentiating patients with HCC from those with CLD at the cut-off value of 4.6 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: bFGF might play a role in the growth of HCC and its serum level might be used as a tumor marker. On the other hand, serum VEGF does not seem to be an adequate tumor marker.

Supraumbilical Skin Rash as a Rare Complication of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a therapeutic option for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Supraumbilical skin rash is a rare complication of TACE caused by patent hepatic falciform artery. We report herein two cases of supraumbilical skin rash developed after TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma, with discussion on the pathogenesis, prophylaxis, and treatment.

Clinical Characteristics of Female Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma has been universally lower in female than in male. The aims of our study are to define whether there are any difference between female and male patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of clinical characteristics and results of treatment. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of medical history, physical findings, laboratory results, etiological factors, characteristics of tumor, and therapeutic results were performed in 80 female patients with hepatocellular carcinoma compared to 160 male patients. RESULTS: Asymptomatic presentation and family history of liver disease were found more frequently in female patients than in male patients. A history of smoking and alcohol drinking were found less frequently in female patients than in male patients. The detection rate of spider angioma was significantly lower in female patients than in male patients. There was no difference in laboratory results, characteristics of tumor, and therapeutic results between female and male patients. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental factors such as smoking and alcohol drinking could contribute the sexual difference of hepatocarcinogenesis. However, clinical characteristics at the time of diagnosis and therapeutic results were not significantly different between female and male patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Necessity and Safety of Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology for Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a useful method for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aims of our study are to assess diagnostic accuracy of FNA, to define proper indications of FNA for diagnosis of HCC, and to evaluate the complications of FNA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To assess diagnostic accuracy we compared the results of preoperative FNA with postoperative pathology in 38 resected cases with primary liver cancer. To define proper indications and complications of FNA, we prospectively followed 138 patients received FNA for their liver tumors which were suspicious of primary liver tumor. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FNA were 100%, 97%, 100% and 66% respectively. All patients with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level over 1000 ng/ml were having HCC on FNA result. Among 36 patients with AFP level ranged 15-1000 ng/ml and hypervascular mass on angiography, 96% were having HCC. Among 50 patients with normal AFP level and hypervascular mass on angiography, 92% were having HCC. The major complications after FNA such as hemoperitoneum, pneumothorax, and iatrogenic arterioportal shunt developed in 2%, 2%, and 7% of subjects, respectively. We did not find any case of needle-tract seeding of cancer during a mean 4.7 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although the FNA is an accurate method for diagnosis of HCC, FNA was usually not indicated for patients with serum AFP level over 1000 ng/ml or patients with hypervascular mass on angiography when they were suspected of having primary liver cancer. Major complications were hemoperitoneum, pneumothorax and iatrogenic arterioportal shunt. Iatrogenic arterioportal shunt may influence the efficacy of subsequent transcatheter arterial embolization.