Hepatic and Splenic Infarction and Bowel Ischemia Following Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) is a well-established intervention to palliate malignant pain. We report a patient who developed hepatic and splenic infarction and bowel ischemia following EUS-CPN. A 69-year-old man with known lung cancer and pancreatic metastasis was transferred for debilitating, significant epigastric pain for several months. The patient underwent EUS-CPN to palliate the pain. After the procedure, the patient complained continuously of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting; hematemesis and hematochezia were newly developed. Abdominal computed tomography revealed infarction of the liver and spleen and ischemia of the stomach and proximal small bowel. On esophagogastroduodenoscopy, hemorrhagic gastroduodenitis, and multiple gastric ulcers were noted without active bleeding. The patient expired on postoperative day 27 despite the best supportive care.

Advanced Neoplasm Detection and Its Associated Factors in Colonoscopic Surveillance of Endoscopically Resected Early Colorectal Cancer / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Early colon cancer can be effectively diagnosed and treated by colonoscopy, and surveillance colonoscopy is necessary to detect precursor lesions or new early colon cancer. We analyzed the surveillance results of patients with endoscopically resected early colon cancer to evaluate the detection rate of advanced neoplasia and its associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, from May 2003 to December 2011. Patients who underwent endoscopic resection for early colon cancer, showed mucosal and submucosal invasion on histopathologic examination, and received surveillance colonoscopy at least once were enrolled in the current study. Patients who underwent operation and those who were lost during surveillance period were excluded. RESULTS: Among a total of 305 patients diagnosed with early colon cancer, 211 patients met our inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 15 (7.1%) advanced neoplasias were detected at first colonoscopy. One hundred ninety-eight patients (93.8%) underwent surveillance colonoscopy within one year and 14 (7.0%) advanced neoplasias were detected in this group of patients. When patients with and without advanced neoplasia at first surveillance colonoscopy performed within one year were compared, inadequate bowel preparation (OR, 18.237; 95% CI, 3.741-88.895; p<0.001) and three or more colon polyps (OR, 9.479; 95% CI, 1.103-81.452; p=0.040) were significant risk factors for detecting advanced neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high detection rate of advanced neoplasia at first surveillance colonoscopy in patients with endoscopically resected early colon cancer, surveillance interval should be within one year, especially when the bowel preparation has been inadequate and three or more colon polyps have been detected.

Herpes Simplex Virus Duodenitis Accompanying Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a recognized cause of gastrointestinal infection in immunodeficient patients. Although a few cases of HSV gastritis and colitis in immunocompromised patients have been reported, there are no reports of HSV duodenitis in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). A 74-year-old female was admitted with general weakness and refractory epigastric pain. She had been diagnosed with CD three years ago. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed diffuse edematous and whitish mucosa with multiple erosions in the duodenum. Considering the possibility of viral co-infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunohistochemical staining, PCR, and cultures of duodenal biopsies were performed, all of which were negative with the exception of the isolation of HSV in culture. After administration of intravenous acyclovir for 1 week, follow-up EGD showed almost complete resolution of the lesions and the patient's symptoms improved. In CD patients with refractory gastrointestinal symptoms, HSV, as well as CMV, should be considered as a possible cause of infection, so that the diagnosis of viral infection is not delayed and the appropriate antiviral treatment can be initiated.

Analysis of Colonoscopy Quality in Clinical Practices of Korea: Cohort Study of Patients Referred to Tertiary Hospital after Colonoscopy Examinations

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the quality of colonoscopy is considered important to improve screening efficacy, there is little evidence and few statistical reports which properly reflects the colonoscopy quality of clinical practices in Korea. We aimed to investigate the quality indicators of colonoscopy performing in clinical practice. METHODS: We analyzed the computerized photo-documentation files of patients who were transferred to tertiary academic hospital from private clinics or primary and secondary hospitals from January 2012 to October 2012. Quality indicators including cecal intubation rate, withdrawal time, bowel preparation status, colonoscopy report form were analyzed. Bowel preparation was assessed by 4 steps on the preparation scale (excellent, good, fair, poor). RESULTS: A total of 198 patients (134 male, 64 female) were enrolled and analyzed. Cecal intubation rate was 91.4% (181/198) and photo-documentation of appendiceal orifice and ileocecal valve was achieved as 84.3% (167/198) and 71.7% (142/198), relatively. Overall, 83.3% of cases were adequate bowel preparation state (excellent 52%, good 31.3%). Withdrawal time could be estimated at 94.4% (187/198) of cases and mean withdrawal time of diagonostic colonoscopy (n=165) was 8.6 minutes. However, the rate of cases which withdrawal time was more than 6 minutes was 69.7% (115/165). Total of 30 institution's colonoscopy report forms were analyzed and among nearly half enrolled institutions (46.6%, 14/30) were just recording patient's information and colonoscopic diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable portion of colonoscopy examination in the primary clinical practice has been performed with low procedure quality. We thus need careful attention to maintain the quality of colonoscopy in daily practice routines.

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Treatment of Achalasia: Initial Results of a Korean Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder. Recently, a novel endoscopic technique, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), was introduced as an alternative treatment for achalasia. We report the results and short term outcomes of POEM for patients with achalasia. METHODS: POEM was performed in 13 patients with achalasia. The procedure consisted of creating a submucosal tunnel followed by endoscopic myotomy of circular muscle bundles. The mucosal entry was closed by conventional hemostatic clips. A validated clinical symptom score (Eckardt score) and high resolution manometry were used to evaluate the outcomes. RESULTS: Both the clinical score of achalasia, as well as the resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, were significantly reduced after POEM. Mean posttreatment Eckardt score was 0.4+/-0.7, compared to 6.4+/-1.9 prior to the treatment (p=0.001). The mean pretreatment and posttreatment LES pressure was 30.3 and 15.3 mm Hg, respectively (p=0.007). Following POEM, symptomatic relief from dysphagia without reflux symptoms was observed in all patients (13/13). No serious complications related to POEM were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Based upon our initial experience, the authors believe that POEM is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment and may possibly substitute established treatments of refractory achalasia.

A Case of Acute Phosphate Nephropathy after Sodium Phosphate Preparation / 대한신장학회지

Nephrocalcinosis is described as the deposition of calcium crystals in the renal parenchyma that result from prolonged states of hypercalcemia. Recently recognized is the deposition of calcium phosphate in the renal tubular injury by using sodium phosphate cathartics commonly used for the colonic cleansing. This phenomenon was termed phosphate nephropathy. Acute renal failure secondary to phosphate nephropathy has been increasingly recognized as a complication after the administration of sodium phosphate solution for colonoscopy. We report a case of acute phosphate nephropathy following oral sodium phosphate solution to cleanse the bowel for colonoscopy. A renal biopsy showed diffuse tubular calcium deposition.

Two Cases of Acute Renal Cortical Necrosis Diagnosed by Contrast-Enhanced Computerized Tomography / 대한신장학회지

Renal cortical necrosis (RCN) is a relatively rare cause of acute renal failure. In the past, the incidence of RCN was more higher in obstetrical patients than in non-obstetric patients. But during the last 15 years, the prevalence of RCN in non-obstetric patients have overwhelmed the obstetrical patients. Renal biopsy was an only gold standard diagnostic method for RCN in the past even though it was not performed frequently because of the serious clinical circumstances and coagulopathy generally accompanied by RCN, especially during the early period. Recently, contrast-enhanced computerized tomography was found to provide very characteristic representative findings. Therefore, the importance of contrast-enhanced computerized tomography as non-invasive diagnostic procedure during the initial phase of RCN is stressed. We report two cases of RCN which we have diagnosed early by using contrast-enhanced computerized tomography and treated by hemodialysis.