Endoscopic Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Gastric Schwannoma Distinguished from Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric schwannoma (GS), a rare neurogenic mesenchymal tumor, is usually benign, slow-growing, and asymptomatic. However, GS is often misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) on endoscopic and radiological examinations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate EUS characteristics of GS distinguished from GIST. METHODS: A total of 119 gastric subepithelial lesions, including 31 GSs and 88 GISTs, who were histologically identified and underwent EUS, were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the EUS characteristics, including location, size, gross morphology, mucosal lesion, layer of origin, border, echogenic pattern, marginal halo, and presence of an internal echoic lesion by retrospective review of the medical records. RESULTS: GS patients comprised nine males and 22 females, indicating female predominance. In the gross morphology according to Yamada's classification, type I was predominant in GS and type III was predominant in GIST. In location, GSs were predominantly located in the gastric body and GISTs were predominantly located in the cardia or fundus. The frequency of 4th layer origin and isoechogenicity as compared to the echogenicity of proper muscle layer was significantly more common in GS than GIST. Although not statistically significant, marginal halo was more frequent in GS than GIST. The presence of an internal echoic lesion was significantly more common in GIST than GS. CONCLUSIONS: The EUS characteristics, including tumor location, gross morphology, layer of origin, echogenicity in comparison with the normal muscle layer, and presence of an internal echoic lesion may be useful in distinguishing between GS and GIST.

Coexistence of Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is an uncommon benign disease that is misdiagnosed as malignancy or inflammatory bowel disease because of similarities in clinical and endoscopic manifestations. Furthermore, SRUS with ulcerative colitis (UC) is extremely rare. To date, two cases have been reported in the medical literature. We report an additional case of SRUS with UC that was misdiagnosed as rectal cancer. A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy showed a well-demarcated, shallow, ulcerative lesion with polypoidal growth involving the entire circumference of the rectal lumen. Findings from imaging studies, including abdominal computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT resembled those of rectal cancer. Surgical resection was performed because clinical symptoms persisted despite medical treatment and because occult rectal cancer could not be ruled out. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed fibromuscular obliteration of the lamina propria and crypt abscesses, characteristics compatible with SRUS and UC.

Acute Obstructive Cholangitis Complicated by Tumor Migration after Transarterial Chemoembolization: A Case Report and Literature Review / 대한소화기학회지

Intraductal tumor invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered rare. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is effective for tumor thrombus of HCC in the bile duct. However, a few cases of obstructive jaundice caused by migration of a tumor fragment after TACE have recently been reported. The aim of this study was to identify factors that affect tumor migration after TACE. At this writing, a review of the medical literature disclosed seven reported cases of biliary obstruction caused by migration of a necrotic tumor cast after TACE. We, herein, report on an additional case of acute obstructive cholangitis complicated by migration of a necrotic tumor cast after TACE for intrabile duct invasion of HCC, in a 71-year-old man. The tumor cast in the common bile duct was removed successfully using a basket during ERCP and was pathologically confirmed to be a completely necrotic fragment of HCC. The patient's symptoms showed dramatic improvement. In summary, physicians should be aware of acute obstructive cholangitis complicated by tumor migration in a patient undergoing TACE. We suggest that an intrabile duct invasion would be a major predisposing factor of tumor migration after TACE and drainage procedures such as ERCP or percutaneous transbiliary drainage could be effective treatment modalities in these patients.

The Need for Second-Look Endoscopy to Prevent Delayed Bleeding after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Neoplasms: A Prospective Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many authors recommend performing a second-look endoscopy (SLE) to reduce the frequency of delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric neoplasms, but these recommendations have been made despite a lack of reliable evidence supporting the effectiveness of SLE. METHODS: From January 2012 to May 2013, we investigated 441 gastric neoplasms treated by ESD to assess the risk factors for delayed bleeding. Delayed bleeding occurred in four of these lesions within 1 postoperation day. Therefore, we enrolled the patients with the remaining 437 lesions to determine the utility of SLE performed on the morning of postoperative day 2. All lesions were randomly assigned to SLE (220 lesions) groups or non-SLE (217 lesions) groups. RESULTS: Delayed bleeding occurred in 18 lesions (4.1%). A large tumor size (>20 mm) was the only independent risk factor for delayed bleeding (p=0.007). The chance of delayed bleeding was not significantly different between the patients receiving a SLE (eight cases) and those patients not receiving a SLE (six cases, p=0.787). Furthermore, SLE for lesions with a large tumor size did not significantly decrease delayed bleeding (p=0.670). CONCLUSIONS: SLE had little or no influence on the prevention of delayed bleeding, irrespective of the risk factors.

Can a Diet Low in Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols (FODMAPs) Reduce the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome? / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Parathyroid Cyst Presenting as Acute Pancreatitis: Report of a Case / 전남의대학술지

We report the first case of hypercalcemia-induced acute pancreatitis caused by a functioning parathyroid cyst in a 67-year-old man. Laboratory investigation revealed increased serum amylase and lipase, increased serum ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and decreased serum phosphate, indicating pancreatitis and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed mild swelling of the pancreatic head with peri-pancreatic fat infiltration and fluid collection around the pancreatic tail. Ultrasonography and CT of the neck showed a cystic lesion at the inferior portion of the left thyroid gland, suggesting a parathyroid cyst. There was no evidence of parathyroid adenoma by 99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy. PHPT caused by a functioning parathyroid cyst was suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection of the functioning parathyroid cyst owing to his prolonged hypercalcemia. At 3 weeks after the operation, his serum levels of PTH, total calcium, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphate, amylase, and lipase were normalized. At the follow-up examinations, he has remained asymptomatic.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Inhibits the Expression of Adhesion Molecules by Blocking Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signaling in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main polyphenol in green tea and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of EGCG on the expression of adhesion molecules and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling in rat intestinal epithelial (RIE) cells. METHODS: The effect of EGCG on LPS-induced NF-kappaB signaling and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunofluorescence and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: LPS-induced expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA was inhibited by EGCG treatment in RIE cells. LPS-induced inhibitor of kappa B alpha degradation and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation were blocked by EGCG in RIE cells. EGCG blocked LPS-induced NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity in RIE cells. The pharmacological NF-kappaB inhibitor Bay11-7082 suppressed the LPS-induced expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA in RIE cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that EGCG inhibits LPS-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression by blocking NF-kappaB signaling in intestinal epithelial cells.

Parathyroid Cyst Presenting as Acute Pancreatitis: Report of a Case / 전남의대학술지

We report the first case of hypercalcemia-induced acute pancreatitis caused by a functioning parathyroid cyst in a 67-year-old man. Laboratory investigation revealed increased serum amylase and lipase, increased serum ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and decreased serum phosphate, indicating pancreatitis and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed mild swelling of the pancreatic head with peri-pancreatic fat infiltration and fluid collection around the pancreatic tail. Ultrasonography and CT of the neck showed a cystic lesion at the inferior portion of the left thyroid gland, suggesting a parathyroid cyst. There was no evidence of parathyroid adenoma by 99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy. PHPT caused by a functioning parathyroid cyst was suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection of the functioning parathyroid cyst owing to his prolonged hypercalcemia. At 3 weeks after the operation, his serum levels of PTH, total calcium, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphate, amylase, and lipase were normalized. At the follow-up examinations, he has remained asymptomatic.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Inhibits LPS-Induced NF-kappaB and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the primary catechin in green tea, has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. The aim of the current study was to characterize the impact of EGCG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced innate signaling in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) isolated from ICR mice. METHODS: The effect of EGCG on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: EGCG inhibited accumulation of LPS-induced IL-12p40, IL-6, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA in BMMs. EGCG blocked LPS-induced IkappaBalpha degradation and RelA nuclear translocation. EGCG blocked the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB. LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 was inhibited by EGCG. U0126 (an inhibitor of MEK-1/2) suppressed the LPS-induced IL-12p40, IL-6, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA accumulation in BMMs. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that EGCG may prevent LPS-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression through blocking NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways in BMMs.

AIDS-related Gastrointestinal Kaposi Sarcoma in Korea: A Case Report and Review of the Literature / 대한소화기학회지

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm, which is fairly prevalent in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Mucocutaneous and lymph node involvements are characteristic features of KS in AIDS patients. The involvement of gastrointestinal tract occurs in 40% of KS patients and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. In the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, the rate of AIDS related KS has fallen with control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viremia. However, it is still recognized as the primary AIDS-defining illness, and the proportion of AIDS diagnoses made due to KS ranged from 4.1% to 7.5%. In Korea, AIDS-related KS has been report in low rate incidence. Its gastrointestinal involvements are rarely reported. To date, five cases have been recorded in Korea. Herein, we present an additional case of gastrointestinal KS as the AIDS-defining illness and review of the Korean medical literature.

Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Centenarian Patient With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Despite an increasing prevalence and burden of disease in the elderly, little is known about the management and outcomes of acute coronary syndromes in this group. We report the case of a 101-year-old female patient with a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography showed a total occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery (RCA), and a significant stenosis in the proximal to mid left anterior descending artery (LAD). Despite a very poor initial clinical status, a percutaneous coronary intervention was successfully performed for the total occlusion in the RCA. The LAD lesion was treated with medical therapy only, on account of the age and general condition of the patient. She was discharged after recovering to a good health status, free of chest pain or dyspnea.

A Case of Biliary Ascariasis with Duodenal Stenosis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Infestation with Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the most common helminthic diseases in humans. The highly motile mature worm can cause intestinal obstructions, pancreaticobiliary diseases, appendicitis, and peritonitis. However, biliary ascariasis associated with duodenal stenosis is extremely rare. We report a case of biliary ascariasis with duodenal stenosis in a 70-year-old man. The patient was admitted to our hospital with a 2 month history of epigastric pain and vomiting. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed stenosis of the second portion of the duodenum and an impacted living round worm in the ampulla of Vater. The round worm was extracted with a snare without any complications, and the patient received albendazole treatment. A pathological examination of the stenotic portion of the biopsy specimen revealed chronic inflammation with eosinophilic infiltration throughout the mucosa. The patient remained asymptomatic at a follow-up examination. Duodenal stenosis should be considered in the complications of ascariasis, particularly in areas where this parasitic infestation is endemic.