Comparative Study of Nebulizer Output and Particle Size for Standardization of Inhalation Provocation Test / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: It is very important to compare the particle size and total output from inhalation devices for standardization of bronchial provocation test. METHODS: Total output (mass output, salt output) from 4 nebulizer/compressor combination (LC plus/Pari-boy, Long life/Pari-boy, Pulmoaid/Pulmoaid, DeVilbiss/DeVilbiss) which were charged with 2 mL of 0.9% normal saline was measured. Aerosol particle size was measured directly using laser diffraction by Marvern Master Sizer and by evaluating Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD). RESULTS: The LC plus nebulizer had the highest output rate and delivered the largest particles. The Maximal output rates of the 3 nebulizer/compressor combination was half that LC plus /Pari-boy combination. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that it might be different in mass output and particle size by inhalation devices. These differences can influence to the results of bronchial provocation test such as FEV1. We emphasizes that it is necessary to standardize the total output and particle size from each inhalation devices to perform and interpretate the results of bronchial provocation test.

Lactose intolerance in lactase - deficient subjects and patients with inflammatory bowel disease after drinking common doses of milk / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To define whether lactase-deficient subjects are intolerable to even a pack of milk(200ml) and whether milk intolerance in the patients with IBD is only due to lactose malabsorption, we performed this study. METHODS: We evaluated 32 healthy adults and 12 patients with active stage of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) who had not received antibiotics therapy within the previous 3 weeks. Thirty-two healthy adults underwent H2-breath test with 200, 400, 600 and 800ml of milk at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th day of study, respectively. We measured their end-expiratory hydrogen concentrations and asked them to record the gastrointestinal symptoms. Twelve patients with IBD were tested only with 200ml of milk. Lactose malabsorption was defined as the increase of 20ppm over basal H2 concentration and lactose intolerance as having two or more of the following symptoms; abdominal pain, diarrhea, borborygmus and flatus. RESULTS: The prevalence of lactase deficiency was 72%(23 of 32 subjects) at 800ml of milk(lactose 40g). Among the lactase-deficient subjects, lactose intolerance at 200ml of milk(lactose 10g) was noticed only in 13%(3 of 23 subjects). In the patients with active stage of IBD, the frequency of milk intolerance at 200ml of milk was 50%(6 of 12 subjects), which was higher than in the healthy adults(9%). But the prevalence of lactose malabsorber in the patients with IBD at 200ml of milk(17%) was not higher than in the healthy adults(16%). CONCLUSION: Most of lactase-deficient subjects(87%) can ingest one pack of milk without lactose intolerance. The increased prevalence of lactose intolerance in the patients with IBD at 200ml of milk is not originated from lactose malabsorption, but probably from incomplete colonic compensation salvage.

Endoscopic Alkaline Reflux Gasitritis and Esophagitis in Gastroresected Patients: Clinical significance and difference according to the types of surgery / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The reflux alkaline gastritis and esophagitis are important late complications after gastric surgery. Endoscopy is primary diagnostic tool for them. But, the clinical significance of gastritis and esophagitis diagnosed by endoscopy is not well known. We evaluated the correlation between the alkaline reflux gastritis and esophagitis and their symptoms and we also examined their prevalence according to types of surgery. METHODS: The 111 gastroresected patients who had had upper endoscopy by one endoscopist were evaluated. We reviewed all their medical records, and interviewed 54 patients by telephone to evaluate symptoms. RESULTS: Endoscopic reflux alkaline gastritis was observed in 38 patients(45%) with Billroth-II gastrectomy and in 4 patients(33%) with Bil]roth-I gastrectomy. But, there was no symptomatic difference between group with and without endoscopic reflux gastritis. Moreover, none of them had typical reflux gastritis symptom complex including billous vomiting. In all patients with total gastrectomy and loop esophagojejunostomy, endoscopic reflux esophagitis was observed. But, there was no case af endoscopic reflux esophagitis in the patients with total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis. There was significant symptomatic correlation between group with and without endoscopic reflux esophagitis. T'he incidence of reflux esophagitis had no difference between Billroth-II gastrectomy and Billroth-I gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic alkaline reflux gastritis had poor symptematic correlation. In the case of total gastrectomy, for the prevention of reflux esophagitis, Roux-en-Y anastomosis is better than loop esophagojejunostomy.

A Case of Brunner's Gland Hamartoma with Severe Anemia and Intussusception / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Brunner's gland hamartomas are rare duodenal tumors with characteristic pathologic featmes. The usual clinical presentation is nonspecific symptoms, obstructive symptoms, or intestinal bleeding. The majority of these tumors are less than 3 cm in diameter. In cases of larger size, the manifestations are usually intestinal obstruction or intestinal bleeding. The cases with massive gastrointestinal bleeding and severe anemia, requiring transfusion are rare. The diagnosis is made by radiologic studies and gastroduodenoscopy. The treatment of Brunner's gland hamartomas should be conservative, since they are not premalignant, However, the lesions originate in the submucosa, so the confimative diagnosis usually cannot be made by endoscopie biopey. For definitive diagnosis and relief of symptoms, the lesions must be removed surgically or endoscopically. Endoscopic excision is indicated if the tumar is pedunculated. We recently experienced a case of Brunner's gland hamartoma of about 5.5 cm in diameter with intestinal bleeding, requiring transfusion and intussusception. Preoperative diagnosis was submucosal tumor, such as lymphoma, with duodeno-duodenal intussusception. After surgical removal, the resected specimen showed the histologic features of Bruaner's gland hamartoma.

A Case of TTS Balloon Dilation of Colonic Crohn's Stricture / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Chronic idiopathic inflamatory bowel disease, espcaially Crohn's disease, is frequently complicated with low gastrointestinal stricture. Besides medical treatment of active inflammation, there is no specific, conservative approach to this complication, Repetitive surgery with extensive resections, leading to short bowel syndrome, is often necessary. Balloons have been used for a variety of gastrointestinal stenoses including esophageal, small intestinal, and colonic stricture. Balloon dilation offers many theoretical advantages (safety, and patient comfort) over dilation with bougies. Especially, the availability of large diameter balloon dilators, which pass through the biopsy channel of standard endoscopes (through-the scope balloon or TTS balloon), has promised efficient direct-vision dilatation of strictures without the need of guide wires or fluoroscope. We report a case of colonic Crohn's stricture dilated successfully using TTS balloon catheter.

A Case of Collagenous Colitis Following the Prolonged Use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) / 대한내과학회지

Collagenous colitis is characterized clinically by chronic watery diarrhea and pathologically by increased subepithelial collagen deposition associated with an inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria. Its etiology is still unclear, although a variety of associated diseases such as rheumatic syndromes, scleroderma, and thyroid diseases have been reported. We report a case of collagenous colitis following the prolonged use of NSAIDs. A 72-year-old woman who has taken NSAIDs for many years due to some dermatologic problems was admitted to the hospital because of chronic watery diarrhea and colicky abdominal pain of 3 months duration. There was no abnormal physical finding except cachectic appearance due to weight loss of 10kg during 3 months. Stool examination for ova and parasites and fat was negative, and stool culture for bacterial pathogens was negative. In complete blood count, there were relative eosinophila and mild anemia. Total serum protein and albumin was low, and thyroid function, RA factor, FANA were all normal. Results of upper and lower gastrointestinal contrast radiographs were normal. Sigmoidoscopy revealed normal colonic mucosa but she had a thick subepithelial collagenous deposit and chronic inflammation in lamina propria on colonic biopsy. Based on the above findings, she was diagnosed as collagenous colitis. Diarrhea improved after withdrawing NSAIDs and the treatment with oral prednisolone. In the post-treatment biopsy, the thickness of the collagen hand was diminished. Collagenous colitis is now recognized as one of the common causes of chronic diarrhea of obscure origin and NSAIDs may play an etiological role in some patient with collagenous colitis.