A practical approach for small bowel bleeding

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the most common conditions among patients visiting emergency departments in Korea. GI bleeding is divided into upper and lower GI bleeding, according to the bleeding site. GI bleeding is also divided into overt and occult GI bleeding based on bleeding characteristics. In addition, obscure GI bleeding refers to recurrent or persistent GI bleeding from a source that cannot be identified after esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. The small intestine is the largest part of the alimentary tract. It extends from the pylorus to the cecum. The small intestine is difficult to access owing to its long length. Moreover, it is not fixed to the abdominal cavity. When hemorrhage occurs in the small intestine, the source cannot be found in many cases because of the characteristics of the small intestine. In practice, small-intestinal bleeding accounts for most of the obscure GI bleeding. Therefore, in this review, we introduce and describe systemic approaches and examination methods, including video capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy, that can be performed in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding in clinical practice.

Diode Laser—Can It Replace the Electrical Current Used in Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection? (with Video)

Background/Aims@#A new medical fiber-guided diode laser system (FDLS) is expected to offer high-precision cutting with simultaneous hemostasis. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the 1,940-nm FDLS to perform endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal model. @*Methods@#In this prospective animal pilot study, gastric and colorectal ESD using the FDLS was performed in ex vivo and in vivo porcine models. The completeness of en bloc resection, the procedure time, intraprocedural bleeding, histological injuries to the muscularis propria (MP) layer, and perforation were assessed. @*Results@#The en bloc resection and perforation rates in the ex vivo study were 100% (10/10) and 10% (1/10), respectively; those in the in vivo study were 100% (4/4) and 0% for gastric ESD and 100% (4/4) and 25% (1/4) for rectal ESD, respectively. Deep MP layer injuries tended to occur more frequently in the rectal than in the gastric ESD cases, and no intraprocedural bleeding occurred in either group. @*Conclusions@#The 1,940-nm FDLS was capable of yielding high en bloc resection rates without intraprocedural bleeding during gastric and colorectal ESD in animal models.

Diode Laser—Can It Replace the Electrical Current Used in Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection? (with Video)

Background/Aims@#A new medical fiber-guided diode laser system (FDLS) is expected to offer high-precision cutting with simultaneous hemostasis. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the 1,940-nm FDLS to perform endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal model. @*Methods@#In this prospective animal pilot study, gastric and colorectal ESD using the FDLS was performed in ex vivo and in vivo porcine models. The completeness of en bloc resection, the procedure time, intraprocedural bleeding, histological injuries to the muscularis propria (MP) layer, and perforation were assessed. @*Results@#The en bloc resection and perforation rates in the ex vivo study were 100% (10/10) and 10% (1/10), respectively; those in the in vivo study were 100% (4/4) and 0% for gastric ESD and 100% (4/4) and 25% (1/4) for rectal ESD, respectively. Deep MP layer injuries tended to occur more frequently in the rectal than in the gastric ESD cases, and no intraprocedural bleeding occurred in either group. @*Conclusions@#The 1,940-nm FDLS was capable of yielding high en bloc resection rates without intraprocedural bleeding during gastric and colorectal ESD in animal models.

Current and Future Use of Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy can be a diagnostic option for patients with esophageal diseases who cannot tolerate esophagogastroduodenoscopy.Functional modifications of the capsule allow for thorough examination of the esophagus. Esophageal capsule endoscopy has so farfailed to show sufficient performance to justify the replacement of traditional endoscopy for the diagnosis of esophageal diseasesbecause the esophagus has a short transit time and common pathologies appear near the esophagogastric junction. However,technological improvements are being introduced to overcome the limitations of capsule endoscopy, which is expected to become agood alternative to conventional endoscopy.

Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia Diagnosed by Chylous Ascites / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Hybrid Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery with Sentinel Lymph Node Navigation for Deep Early Gastric Cancer in the Fundic Region

For patients refusing surgical treatment for deep early gastric cancer, hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with sentinel lymph node navigation is a potential treatment option, particularly when the anatomic location of the cancer has low probability of lymph node metastasis. We report a case of deep early gastric cancer of the fundus beyond the endoscopic submucosal dissection indication that was treated by hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with sentinel lymph node navigation. In a conventional approach, a total gastrectomy would have been needed; however, the patient refused surgical intervention. In this case, since the patient showed no positivity of the sentinel lymph node on intraoperative navigation, laparoscopic basin lymph node dissection was not performed. Hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery might be considered for specific regions such as the safety zone where lymph node metastases are less likely to occur.

Reappraisal of Pneumoperitoneum After Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pneumoperitoneum is recognized as a benign and self-limiting finding after the insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, while complicated pneumoperitoneum is rarely reported. The aim of this study was to reappraise pneumoperitoneum following PEG. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 193 patients who underwent PEG from May 2008 to May 2014. All patients had a follow-up upright chest or simple abdominal radiograph after PEG. Pneumoperitoneum was quantified by measuring the height of the air column under the diaphragm and graded as small (4 cm). Clinically significant signs were defined as fever, abdominal tenderness or leukocytosis occurring after PEG insertion. RESULTS: Of the 193 study patients, 9 (4.6%) had a pneumoperitoneum visualized by radiographic imaging, graded as small in 5 patients, moderate in 2 patients and large in 2 patients. Clinically significant signs were observed in 5 (55.5%) patients with fever reported in 4 patients, abdominal tenderness in 4 patients and leukocytosis in 4 patients. The time to resolution of free air was 2-18 days. Two patients (22.2%) with moderate or large pneumoperitoneum after PEG died from either pneumonia or septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course of pneumoperitoneum after PEG is not always benign and self-limiting. These findings suggest that clinicians should not neglect a moderate or large pneumoperitoneum, particularly in patients who have an altered mental status or received antibiotics, since peritoneal irritation cannot be observed under these circumstances.

Diagnosis of Achalasia

Achalasia is a rare primary motor disorder of the esophagus. Achalasia is characterized by insufficient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and loss of esophageal peristalsis. The patients present with symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation and chest pain. The diagnostic tools of achalasia include esophageal manometry, esophagogram, and endoscopy. Esophageal manometry is the gold standard however endoscopy and esophagogram plays complementary roles for diagnosis of achalasia. Endoscopy is essential to rule out pseudoachalasia and mechanical obstruction before diagnosis of achalasia. Esophagogram is recommended to assess esophageal emptying and gastroesophageal junction morphology in those with equivocal esophageal manometry findings.

A Case Report of Primary Duodenal Tuberculosis Mimicking a Malignant Tumor

Tuberculosis remains a serious infectious disease with primary features of pulmonary manifestation in Korea. However, duodenal tuberculosis is rare in gastrointestinal cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of primary duodenal tuberculosis mistaken as a malignant tumor and diagnosed with QuantiFERON-TB GOLD (Cellestis Ltd.) in an immunocompetent male patient.

Constipation Misperception Is Associated With Gender, Marital Status, Treatment Utilization and Constipation Symptoms Experienced

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is essential that clinicians have an understanding of patients' perceptions of constipation as well as constipation misperception (CM), which can be defined as failure to recognize the six constipation symptoms (infrequency, straining, hard stool, incomplete evacuation, anorectal obstruction or manual maneuver). The aims of our study were to identify the prevalence of CM and its association with demographics and clinical features. METHODS: This nationwide survey included 625 self-reported constipated subjects (431 females; mean age, 41.2 years) among random participants in the National Health Screening Program. The prevalence of CM for each constipation symptom was estimated, and the participants were classified into nil (0), low (1-2), mid (3-4) and high (5-6) level CM subgroups according to the number of misperceived symptoms. RESULTS: The highest rate of CM was observed for manual maneuver (48.3%), followed by anorectal obstruction (38.4%), stool infrequency (34.6%), incomplete evacuation (32.2%), hard stool (27.2%) and straining (25.4%). Among the nil (n = 153), low (n = 242), mid (n = 144) and high level (n = 86) subgroups, there were significant differences in the proportions of males (18.3%, 34.3%, 39.6% and 30.2%; P = 0.001, respectively), never-married status (25.7%, 38.2%, 36.8% and 45.9%; P = 0.030, respectively) and those who did not receive treatment for constipation (41.8%, 47.5%, 58.3% and 66.3%; P < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant linear trend of increasing degree of CM with decreasing symptoms experienced (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CM is significantly associated with gender, marital status, treatment utilization and the range of constipation symptoms experienced.

Clinical Features of Negative Hematuria in Urolithiasis Patients in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical features of urolithiasis-patients; specifically negative hematuriapatients (NHP) versus positive hematuria patients (PHP) in an emergency department (ED). METHODS: Patients with urolithiasis who had visited an ED over the past two years were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients analyzed through both urinalysis and computed tomography were included (1005 patients). NHP was present in 125(12.4%) of these patients. The clinical features of NHP and PHP were assessed in regard to several factors: sex, age, onset to ED visit time, associated symptoms, costovertebral angle tenderness (CVAT), stone size, stone location, length of stay in the ED, repeated drug rate, admission rate, and revisit rate within 72 hours. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sex, age, onset to ED visit time, associated symptom, CVAT, and stone size between NHP and PHP. However, in NHP there was a slight dominance in renal and ureterovesical junction (UVJ) according to stone location. Compared with PHP, NHP increased the length of stay in the ED (150.0+/-52.3 min vs. 132.7+/-48.6 min; p=0.001), repeated drug rate (80% vs. 69.4%; p=0.015) and admission rate (12.8% vs. 6.4%; p=0.015). There was no significant difference in revisit rate within 72 hours between NHP and PHP (8.3% vs. 4.7%; p=0.161). CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional PHP, NHP increased the length of stay in an ED, increased the repeated drug rate, and was associated with a high admission rate in an ED setting.

Clinical Features of Negative Hematuria in Urolithiasis Patients in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical features of urolithiasis-patients; specifically negative hematuriapatients (NHP) versus positive hematuria patients (PHP) in an emergency department (ED). METHODS: Patients with urolithiasis who had visited an ED over the past two years were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients analyzed through both urinalysis and computed tomography were included (1005 patients). NHP was present in 125(12.4%) of these patients. The clinical features of NHP and PHP were assessed in regard to several factors: sex, age, onset to ED visit time, associated symptoms, costovertebral angle tenderness (CVAT), stone size, stone location, length of stay in the ED, repeated drug rate, admission rate, and revisit rate within 72 hours. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sex, age, onset to ED visit time, associated symptom, CVAT, and stone size between NHP and PHP. However, in NHP there was a slight dominance in renal and ureterovesical junction (UVJ) according to stone location. Compared with PHP, NHP increased the length of stay in the ED (150.0+/-52.3 min vs. 132.7+/-48.6 min; p=0.001), repeated drug rate (80% vs. 69.4%; p=0.015) and admission rate (12.8% vs. 6.4%; p=0.015). There was no significant difference in revisit rate within 72 hours between NHP and PHP (8.3% vs. 4.7%; p=0.161). CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional PHP, NHP increased the length of stay in an ED, increased the repeated drug rate, and was associated with a high admission rate in an ED setting.

Duodenal Diverticulitis Due to Impacted Foreign Body: Enteroscopic Diagnosis and Treatment

Duodenal diverticulitis is a rare complication of the duodenal diverticulum. Its rarity is due to the relatively large diameter of the duodenum, which makes the intraluminal flow of sterile liquid duodenal contents fluent. Additionally, nonspecific signs and symptoms of duodenal diverticulitis make it very difficult to diagnose properly. We describe a patient presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, and leukocytosis, with diverticulitis of the third portion of the duodenum caused by the impaction of a foreign body, who was diagnosed and treated with enteroscopy.

Changes in Indications and Diagnostic Rates of Capsule Endoscopy in a Single Center / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate changes with time in indications for capsule endoscopy examinations (CEs) and diagnostic rates. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 425 CEs (417 patients), which were done for several different indications between March 2003 and May 2009. Indications, bowel cleansing, complete CEs, and diagnostic rates were compared between the first half (2003~2005) and the second half (2006~2009) of the study period. RESULTS: Overt bleeding and occult bleeding, respectively, accounted for 31% and 5.8% in the first half; and 45.4% and 12.4% in the second half. The differences were significant (p<0.05). Other indications were significantly decreased in the second half compared to the first half (29.6% and 7.7% respectively). Bowel cleansing was considered "adequate" in 48% in the first half vs. 61.6% in the second half (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in complete CE rates. There was a significant difference in diagnostic rates between the first half and the second half (23.8% and 43.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative experience and knowledge with CEs has led to an increased number of CEs for obscure bleeding and a decreased number of CEs for other indications in which the role of CEs was unclear. Improved diagnostic rates of CEs were accompanied by these changes in CEs indications.

Comparison of the Cut Direction between Gross Finding, Streoscopic Finding, and Pathologic Mapping of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Specimen / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The correct pathologic review is very important after endoscopic submucosal dissection. The cut direction of specimen should be the right angle of the closest area between the lesion and the lateral margin for the correct pathologic review. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance of the gross finding and stereoscopic finding compared to the pathologic mapping in the setting of the cut direction. METHODS: Between December 2008 and May 2009, the objects were 48 specimens in 46 patients who were diagnosed with early gastric cancer and high grade adenoma after endoscopic submucosal dissection. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and observed by the stereoscopy and analyzed by the image analysis system. The cut direction was divided by an angle of 45 degree based on the oral side of the specimen, and the cut directions of the gross finding, the stereoscopic finding, and the pathologic finding were compared. RESULTS: The concordance of the gross finding in the setting of the cut direction was 68% (33/48), and the kappa value was 0.626, and the concordance of the stereoscopic finding in the setting of the cut direction was 87% (33/48), and the kappa value was 0.874. The accuracy of the gross finding was significantly lower than that of the stereoscopic finding in the setting of the cut direction (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopist needs the careful observation and close attention in the setting of the cut direction of the specimen by gross finding, and stereoscopic analysis may be a useful tool for decision of the cut direction.

Diagnostic Agreement between Capsule Endoscopy and Double-balloon Enteroscopy of Small Bowel Disease / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the diagnostic agreement between capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in patients with suspected small bowel disease. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed and compared the diagnostic yield and the diagnostic agreement between CE and DBE, in patients who initially underwent CE followed by DBE at a single tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Thirty patients (17 males, mean age 45+/-17) underwent both CE and DBE. Total small bowel examination was possible in 80% (24/30) with CE, and 20% (6/30) with DBE. Diagnostic yield was 56.7% (17/30) with CE, and 73.3% (22/30) with DBE. Overall diagnostic yield was 93.3% (28/30) after both examinations. The overall degree of concordance between CE and DBE for lesion description was a moderate agreement, with a calculated kappa index of 0.48 (95% CI 0.44~0.52, p<0.05). Both CE and DBE detected identical lesions relevant to the clinical presentation in 56.6% (17/30) of cases. A total of 36.7% (11/30) of cases changed diagnosis because different lesions were detected by each method. CONCLUSIONS: The overall degree of concordance between CE and DBE showed moderate agreement. Additional DBE examinations can improve the diagnostic yield of small bowel lesions in patients with no relevant findings or failed detection on CE, who are, however, clinically suspicious.

The Efficacy of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Laparoscopic Lymph Node Dissection after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Early Gastric Cancer Laparoscopic Lymph Node Dissection after ESD in EGC / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lymph node metastasis is infrequently found in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) following surgery. Accurate evaluation of lymph node status is very important in determining the appropriate treatment for patients with EGC. The efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopic lymph node dissection after endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with EGC at high risk for lymph node metastasis was evaluated. METHODS: Among patients with EGC who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection between November 2006 and February 2009, 9 patients with undifferentiated adenocarcinoma, submucosal cancer, immunohistochemically-positive cytoplasmic staining for vascular endothelial growth factor, lymphovascular invasion, a high lymphatic microvessel density, or high microvessel density were selected. All patients underwent laparoscopic lymph node dissection for determination of lymph node status. The local IRB approved the study. RESULTS: All of the dissected lymph nodes were free of cancer cells in all of the patients. During 16 months of follow-up, no patients had evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic lymph node dissection after endoscopic submucosal dissection is useful to assess lymph node status and may help guide further treatment for patients with EGC at high risk for lymph node metastasis.

A Case of Jeujunogastric Intussusception Presented with Hematemesis after Distal Gastrectomy / 대한소화기학회지

Adult intussusception represents 5% of all cases of intussusception and accounts for only 1-5% intestinal obstructions. Intussusception is a rare complication after gastric surgery with an incidence estimated at 0.1%. Early diagnosis of the acute onset intussusception is critical because mortality rates increase abruptly with delay in surgical treatment. We present here a case of jejunogastric intussusception diagnosed by gastroscopy in a patient with a history of distal gastrectomy due to early gastric cancer who had experienced hematemesis.

A Case of Endoscopic Removal of Hypopharyngeal Papilloma under General Anesthesia with Nasotracheal Intubation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Benign tumors of the hypopharynx are uncommon and papillomas are quite rare. Papillomas grow very slowly and they are well defined, mobile and sometimes pedunculated masses. In order to minimize the patient's discomfort, many endoscopists tend to pass the scope quickly through the throat, without trying to visualize the oral and hypopharyngeal lesion. As for the treatment of hypopharyngeal lesions, cases of endoscopic treatment are rare and any guidelines have not yet been defined. We present here a case of endoscopic removal of a hypopharyngeal papilloma with the patient under general anesthesia and nasotracheal intubation.

The Role and Efficacy of Diagnostic Laparoscopy to Detect the Peritoneal Recurrence of Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Peritoneal recurrence has been reported to be the most common form of recurrence of gastric cancer. Peritoneal recurrence can generally be suggested by several types of image studies and also if there is evidence of ascites or Bloomer's rectal shelf. It can be confirmed by explorative laparotomy, but diagnostic laparoscopy is a good alternative method and laparoscopic surgery has also been widely used. We reviewed and analyzed the ability of diagnostic laparoscopy to detect peritoneal recurrence or carcinomatosis, and especially for gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review the 45 gastric cancer patients who were operated via diagnostic laparoscopy between 2004. 2. and 2009. 3. We analyzed the perioperative clinical characteristics and the accuracy of the diagnostic methods. RESULTS: The study groups included 14 patients who had confirmed gastric cancer, but they suspected to have carcinomatosis, and 31 patients who had previously underwent gastric resection, but they suspected to have recurrence. The mean operation time was 44.1+/-6.9 minutes and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.7+/-.8 days. There was one case of operation-related complication and no postoperative mortality occurred. The sensitivities for detecting peritoneal recurrence or carcinomatosis were 92.1% for diagnostic laparoscopy, 29.7% for detecting ascites and rectal shelf on the physical examination, 86.5% for abdominal computed tomography, 69.2% for PET CT and 18.8% for CEA. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic laparoscopy does not require a long operation time or a long hospital stay, and it showed a low complication rate in our study. It has high sensitivity for detecting peritoneal recurrence of gastric cancer. It can be an alternative diagnostic confirmative method and it is useful for deciding on further treatment.