A Case of Brunner's Gland Adenoma Causing a Ball-valve Obstruction: Endoscopic Treatment with a Simple Method of Endoclip-assisted Direct Resection with Using an IT-knife / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Brunner's gland adenoma is a rare benign tumor that is usually asymptomatic and it the result of a benign proliferation of the Brunner's glands of the duodenum. In symptomatic patients, the common clinical presentation is gastrointestinal bleeding and obstructive symptoms. A 48-year-old man presented with abdominal discomfort and vomiting. The endoscopic examination revealed a large pedunculated polypoid mass arising in the bulb and it was prolapsing through the pylorus into the antrum, and this all resulted in a ball-valve obstruction. After endoclips were applied at the peduncle of the mass, this polyp was simply and successfully cut with using an IT-knife without bleeding or perforation. We report here on a case of Brunner's gland adenoma that caused a ball-valve obstruction, and the tumor was removed by a simple and easy method with using endoclips and an IT-knife.

Prevalence of occult HBV infection in alcholic and non-alcoholic subjects lacking the hepatitis B surface antigen / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic alcoholism are major risk factors for chronic liver disease in Korea. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of occult HBV infection in 198 non-alcoholic (group I) and 85 chronic alcoholic subjects (group II), none of whom showed the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Among chronic alcoholics, 25 patients showed cirrhosis. Using serum samples stored at -70 degrees C, liver enzymes, anti-Hbs, and IgG anti-HBc were measured via EIA and serum HBV DNA was quantified via real time PCR. RESULTS: IgG anti-HBc seropositivity, an indicator of past infection, was higher in group II (64.7%) than in group I (43.4%; p<0.01). Eleven of 283 patients (3.2%) were seropositive for HBV DNA, indicating occult infection, but this value did not differ between groups (group I: 3.5%, 7/198; group II: 4.7%, 4/85; p=0.64). In group II, HBV DNA seropositivity was higher in cirrhotic patients (12%, 3/25) than in non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease (1.7%, 1/60; p=0.074). CONCLUSIONS: Past HBV infection was more prevalent in alcoholics than non-alcoholics, but the prevalence of occult HBV infection did not differ between groups. However, alcoholics with cirrhosis tended to show a higher prevalence of occult HBV infection.

A Case of Vasculitis in Chronic Hepatitis C Patient Treated with Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a and Ribavirin / 대한간학회지

There has been an increase in the number of patients treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin due to the better antiviral efficacy. The main serious adverse events of PEG-IFN plus ribavirin combination therapy are bone marrow suppression and hemolytic anemia. However, there are few reports of vasculitis occurring during PEG-IFN therapy. We describe a patient who developed vasculitis during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with PEG-IFN and ribavirin.

Tuberculous Meningitis in a Patient with Crohn's Disease, Which was Treated with Infliximab / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Clinical trials of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor have demonstrated significant efficacy in those patients with Crohn's disease that is not responsive to other anti-inflammatory drug. Infliximab is a human-murine chimeric monoclonal antibody with a high binding affinity and specificity for TNF-alpha. Yet therapy with infliximab is associated with an increased risk of opportunistic infection, and especially tuberculosis. Here we reported on a case of tuberculous meningitis in 26-year-old man, and he was treated with infliximab for uncontrolled and fistulous Crohn's disease. We also include a review of the literature.

Clinical Features of Pseudoaneurysms Complicating Pancreatitis: Single Center Experience and Review of Korean Literature / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pseudoaneurysm is a life-threatening complication of chronic or acute pancreatitis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical features of pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 7 patients diagnosed as pseudoaneurysms with chronic pancreatitis in Korea University Guro and Anam Hospital from January 1995 to March 2006 and analyzed their demographics, clinical courses and outcomes. RESULTS: All patients were men and mean age was 54.6 years (range, 43-67 years). All the cases occurred in the setting of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis complicated by pseudocyst. Abdominal pain was the unique initial clinical symptom in 5 cases, hematemesis in 1 case, and simultaneous abdominal pain with hematemesis in 1 case. Bleeding into pseudocyst developed in 5 cases, flowing into duodenum through pancreatic duct in 1 case and rupture into the descending colon in 1 case. Mean duration between onset of symptom and diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm was 7.8 days (range, 1-23 days). Six cases were diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography disclosing characteristic finding of focal high density area in the pseudocyst. Pulsed doppler abdominal sonography was performed before computed tomography in 3 cases and results were negative in 2 cases. Transcatheter arterial embolizations were initially performed in 6 cases, and there was no recurrent bleeding except one case of splenic infarction. Distal pancreatectomy was initially performed in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoaneurysms complicating chronic pancreatitis shows various clinical features. Transcatheter arterial embolization can be recommended as a primary therapeutic modality.

A Case of Zenker's Diverticulum Treated by Argon Plasma Coagulation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Zenker's diverticulum occurs mainly in elderly patients with typical symptoms including dysphagia, regurgitation, chronic cough, aspiration, and weight loss. A diagnosis is easily established on upper endoscopy or barium studies. The treatment is surgery or endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy. Endoscopic procedures include staple assisted diverticulostomy, CO2 laser, transparent oblique-endhood attached endoscopic diverticulostomy, and argon plasma coagulation. Minimally invasive endoscopic treatments are associated with a shorter operating time, shorter postoperative hospital stay, quicker resumption of oral intake, and fewer overall complications. Argon plasma coagulation can be performed in any regular endoscopy unit and is less invasive, economical, faster, and well-tolerated. In particular, older patients in a poor general condition, at high surgical risk or with contraindications to general anesthesia can be treated with argon plasma coagulation.

A Case of Successful Colonoscopic Drainage of Peri-appendiceal Abscess Complicating Acute Appendicitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Traditionally, early appendectomy has been the cornerstone of therapy for acute appendicitis. However, once appendiceal perforation and abscess formation occurs, the optimal means of treatment and the timing of operation is controversial. Recently, it was reported that radiologically guided percutaneous abscess drainage and antibiotic therapy, as an initial nonoperative management, was effective and safe. Recent experience with endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts or even pancreatic abscesses prompted us to use the similar technique for the primary treatment of peri-appendiceal abscess. We report a case of peri-appendiceal abscess complicating acute appendicitis which was successfully treated by colonoscopic transmural internal drainage.

Clinical Outcome in Cases of Viral Breakthrough During Lamivudine Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Long-term lamivudine therapy can induce the emergence of lamivudine resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants. Clinically emergence of the mutant is expressed by the reappearance of disappeared HBV DNA in serum. Continued lamivudine treatment has been usually recommended in cases of viral breakthrough. However, the clinical outcome in patients with viral breakthrough is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B patients after viral breakthrough during lamivudine therapy. METHODS: A total of 74 patients with chronic hepatitis B who showed viral breakthrough after at least 6 months of lamivudine treatment were included in this study. They had positive HBeAg and HBV DNA before treatment. The median follow-up duration after breakthrough was 13 months. RESULTS: After viral breakthrough, only 8 patients (11%) maintained normal ALT levels and 66 patients (89%) showed elevation of ALT. 30 patients (41%) showed acute exacerbation of hepatitis (ALT increase over five-times upper normal limit). These acute exacerbations occurred within three months after breakthrough in 19 patients (63%). In the cases of acute exacerbation, 6 patients showed decompensated progression such as elevation of serum total bilirubin. One of them died of hepatic failure. A predictive factor for acute exacerbation was not found. HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 8 patients after viral breakthrough but their clinical course was highly variable. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hepatitis B patients who had viral breakthrough during lamivudine therapy should be followed carefully and regularly in mind of potential clinical deterioration. New strategies are needed to manage the cases of acute exacerbation after viral breakthrough.

Viral Breakthrough in HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Lamivudine Therapy / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Long-term efficacy and the rate of viral breakthrough in patients with HBeAg- negative chronic hepatitis B receiving lamivudine therapy is uncertain. This study was conducted to determine the rate of viral breakthrough according to the HBeAg status and the relation of viral breakthrough with YMDD mutants. METHODS: Two hundred and five patients with HBeAg-positive and 49 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, who had received lamivudine for at least 9 months, were included. The mean durations of the lamivudine treatment were 176 months and 155 months in HBeAg-positive and negative patients, respectively. Analysis of HBV genome for YMDD mutations was performed by restriction-fragment-length polymorphism assay and direct sequencing. RESULTS: While the cumulative rates of viral breakthrough at 12th and 24th months of the lamivudine therapy were 0% and 7% in the HBeAg-negative group, they were 12% and 39% in the HBeAg-positive group. The cumulative rate of viral breakthrough in the HBeAg-negative group was significantly lower than in the HBeAg-positive group (p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, the only significant factor related to viral breakthrough was the HBeAg status (p<0.05). The YMDD mutants were detected in all patients with viral breakthrough irrespective of HBeAg status. However, in patients without viral breakthrough, the rate of YMDD mutants was significantly higher in the HBeAg-negative group than in the HBeAg-positive group (13.3% vs 5.1%; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine is expected to be more persistently effective in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B because of a lower viral breakthrough rate than in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B in spite of the emergence of YMDD mutants.

Endoscopic Treatment of a Giant Mid-Esophageal Diverticulum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Most patients with esophageal diverticula are asymptomatic and treatment should be reserved only for the symptomatic patients. The mainstay of treatment is surgery. Recently, in cases of Zenker's diverticula, endoscopic diverticulotomy has become increasingly popular. In lower esophageal diverticula, minimally invasive surgery (i.e. laparoscopic approach) has been successful. However, treatment with flexible endoscope has not been reported yet in mid- esophageal diverticulum. We present a case with a giant symptomatic mid-esophageal diverticulum, which was successfully treated by clip and cut technique through a flexible endoscope without general anesthesia.

Endoscopically Observed Lower Esophageal Capillary Patterns

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that there are four zones of distinct venous patterns around the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ); i.e. truncal, perforating, palisade (PZ) and gastric zones. Using the distal end of PZ as a marker for GEJ, this study was done to assess the length and patterns of PZ in Koreans, and to assess the prevalence of endoscopic Barrett's esophagus (E-BE) and hiatal hernia (E-HH). METHODS: 847 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic endoscopy were included. During endoscopy, PZ, squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) and pinchcock action (PCA) were identified. Patterns were classified according to the relationships of the distal end of PZ with SCJ and PCA; A: all three at the same level, B: SCJ proximal to the other two which are at the same level, C: PCA distal to the other two which are at the same level, D: SCJ proximal to the distal end of PZ which is proximal to PCA. Cases with patterns B and D were thought to have E-BE, and those with patterns C and D to have E-HH. RESULTS: Patterns A, B, C and D were 79.2%, 12.1%, 3.8% and 4.9%, respectively. Length of PZ was 3.0+/-0.1 cm. E-BE and E-HH were found in 17.0% and 8.7%, respectively. Both E-BE and E-HH were more frequently found in males and in cases with reflux esophagitis. CONCLUSION: E-BE and E-HH are not so infrequent in Koreans as previously thought, if we use the distal end of PZ as an endoscopic marker of GEJ.