Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate monotherapy for nucleos(t)ide analogue-naive and nucleos(t)ide analogue-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study investigated the antiviral effects of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-naive and NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS: CHB patients treated with TDF monotherapy (300 mg/day) for > or =12 weeks between December 2012 and July 2014 at a single center were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical, biochemical, and virological parameters were assessed every 12 weeks. RESULTS: In total, 136 patients (median age 49 years, 96 males, 94 HBeAg positive, and 51 with liver cirrhosis) were included. Sixty-two patients were nucleos(t)ide (NA)-naive, and 74 patients had prior NA therapy (NA-exp group), and 31 patients in the NA-exp group had lamivudine (LAM)-resistance (LAM-R group). The baseline serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level was 4.9+/-2.3 log IU/mL (mean+/-SD), and was higher in the NA-naive group than in the NA-exp and LAM-R groups (5.9+/-2.0 log IU/mL vs 3.9+/-2.0 log IU/mL vs 4.2+/-1.7 log IU/mL, P<0.01). The complete virological response (CVR) rate at week 48 in the NA-naive group (71.4%) did not differ significantly from those in the NA-exp (71.3%) and LAM-R (66.1%) groups. In multivariate analysis, baseline serum HBV DNA was the only predictive factor for a CVR at week 48 (hazard ratio, 0.809; 95% confidence interval, 0.729-0.898), while the CVR rate did not differ with the NA experience. CONCLUSIONS: TDF monotherapy was effective for CHB treatment irrespective of prior NA treatment or LAM resistance. Baseline serum HBV DNA was the independent predictive factor for a CVR.

Difference in Adenoma Detection Rates according to Colonoscopic Withdrawal Times and the Level of Expertise / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adequate screening colonoscopy in the general population decreases the mortality associated with colorectal cancer through detection and removal of adenomatous polyps. Prolonged colonoscopic withdrawal times (>6 min) are reportedly beneficial for adenoma detection rates (ADRs). However, the quality of the endoscopist compared with colonoscopic withdrawal times is not known. The aims of this study were to investigate the difference in ADRs between trainees and experienced examiners. METHODS: A total of 967 consecutive patients who underwent screening colonoscopy in a single University hospital from June 2010 to November 2011 were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Colonoscopy was performed by four experienced staff and seven gastroenterology fellows. RESULTS: Seven gastroenterology fellows performed 633 colonoscopies and four experienced staff performed 334 colonoscopies. The overall detection rates of colorectal adenoma were 31.5% with ADRs of fellows and staff of 29.4% and 35.6%, respectively (p=0.047). Fellows also showed lower advanced ADRs (5.7% vs. 9.9%, p=0.016), and fellows had longer mean withdrawal times than staff (12.4+/-4.9 min vs. 8.2+/-4.1 min, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed significantly increased ADRs and advanced ADRs for staff compared with fellows (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.70-3.43; adjusted OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.47-4.45, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ADRs were significantly lower when colonoscopy was performed by trainees, although withdrawal times were longer than those of staff. Our results demonstrated that the quality of colonoscopy, as measured by ADRs, may be improved by experienced examiners.

Osteochondroma of the Rib Mimicking a Mediastinal Mass: Unexpected Menifestation in Hereditary Multiple Exostoses / 영남의대학술지

Osteochondroma is a common bone tumor but a rare tumor in the rib. It is often asymptomatic and observed incidentally. This is a case report of a 49-year-old woman with an osteochondroma mimicking a mediastinal mass in hereditary multiple exostoses. The chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scans revealed the bony density feature of the mass. Surgical excision confirmed that the lesion was an osteochondroma.

A Case of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis / 결핵및호흡기질환

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the presence of calcific concentrations in the alveolar spaces. The radiographic appearance is pathognomonic. Plain chest radiographs show a white lung or sandstorm lung consisting of fine sand like microcalcifications diffusely scattered throughout both lungs with a higher density at the lung bases. We now report the case of a 67-year-old male whose diagnosis was based on characteristic findings on a chest X-ray and a high-resolution computed tomography scan.