Hypertriglyceridemia is a Risk Factor for Fever in Early Acute Non-biliary Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#Fever is a common symptom of acute pancreatitis (AP). This study examined the factors associated with fever due to pancreatic inflammation in the early stages of non-biliary AP. @*Methods@#This study analyzed the AP database from Kangwon National University Hospital from January 2018 until April 2021 and identified patients who developed fever within 1 week of hospitalization. Patients with gallstone pancreatitis, pseudocyst, walled-off necrosis, chronic pancreatitis, bacteremia, and other site infections were excluded. The febrile group was compared with the afebrile group. @*Results@#One hundred and fifty-two patients were analyzed, and fever was diagnosed in 79 patients (52.0%). Based on multivariate analysis, fever was positively correlated with hypertriglyceridemia-induced AP (OR 16.8, 95% CI 4.0-70.7, p<0.01) and computed tomography severity index (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.6, p<0.01). Recurrent AP was negatively associated with fever (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8, p=0.01). Fever was more frequent in patients with higher initial serum triglyceride (TG) levels than those with lower levels (TG <200 mg/dL; 35.1%, 200≤TG<500 mg/dL; 42.3%, TG ≥500 mg/dL; 88.6%, p<0.01). @*Conclusions@#Hypertriglyceridemia and CT severity index are associated with fever in early non-biliary AP.

Prostate Cancer Presenting with Pruritus and Cholestasis / 대한소화기학회지

Jaundice is a rare symptom of the paraneoplastic syndrome associated with prostate cancer. We report a case of metastatic prostate cancer that presented as jaundice. There was an absence of biliary obstruction and hepatic metastasis; therefore, the paraneoplastic syndrome was suggested as the etiology of cholestasis. Jaundice improved with the treatment of prostate cancer. In the literature, interleukin-6 has been suggested to be associated with paraneoplastic syndrome.

Prostate Cancer Presenting with Pruritus and Cholestasis / 대한소화기학회지

Jaundice is a rare symptom of the paraneoplastic syndrome associated with prostate cancer. We report a case of metastatic prostate cancer that presented as jaundice. There was an absence of biliary obstruction and hepatic metastasis; therefore, the paraneoplastic syndrome was suggested as the etiology of cholestasis. Jaundice improved with the treatment of prostate cancer. In the literature, interleukin-6 has been suggested to be associated with paraneoplastic syndrome.

Association between interstitial cells of Cajal and anti-vinculin antibody in human stomach

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are known as the pacemaker cells of gastrointestinal tract, and it has been reported that acute gastroenteritis induces intestinal dysmotility through antibody to vinculin, a cytoskeletal protein in gut, resulting in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, so that anti-vinculin antibody can be used as a biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome. This study aimed to determine correlation between serum anti-vinculin antibody and ICC density in human stomach. Gastric specimens from 45 patients with gastric cancer who received gastric surgery at Kangwon National University Hospital from 2013 to 2017 were used. ICC in inner circular muscle, and myenteric plexus were counted. Corresponding patient's blood samples were used to determine the amount of anti-vinculin antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Analysis was done to determine correlation between anti-vinculin antibody and ICC numbers. Patients with elevated anti-vinculin antibody titer (above median value) had significantly lower number of ICC in inner circular muscle (71.0 vs. 240.5, p = 0.047), and myenteric plexus (12.0 vs. 68.5, p < 0.01) compared to patients with lower anti-vinculin antibody titer. Level of serum anti-vinculin antibody correlated significantly with density of ICC in myenteric plexus (r = −0.379, p = 0.01; Spearman correlation). Increased level of circulating anti-vinculin antibody was significantly correlated with decreased density of ICC in myenteric plexus of human stomach.

Association between interstitial cells of Cajal and anti-vinculin antibody in human stomach

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are known as the pacemaker cells of gastrointestinal tract, and it has been reported that acute gastroenteritis induces intestinal dysmotility through antibody to vinculin, a cytoskeletal protein in gut, resulting in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, so that anti-vinculin antibody can be used as a biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome. This study aimed to determine correlation between serum anti-vinculin antibody and ICC density in human stomach. Gastric specimens from 45 patients with gastric cancer who received gastric surgery at Kangwon National University Hospital from 2013 to 2017 were used. ICC in inner circular muscle, and myenteric plexus were counted. Corresponding patient's blood samples were used to determine the amount of anti-vinculin antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Analysis was done to determine correlation between anti-vinculin antibody and ICC numbers. Patients with elevated anti-vinculin antibody titer (above median value) had significantly lower number of ICC in inner circular muscle (71.0 vs. 240.5, p = 0.047), and myenteric plexus (12.0 vs. 68.5, p < 0.01) compared to patients with lower anti-vinculin antibody titer. Level of serum anti-vinculin antibody correlated significantly with density of ICC in myenteric plexus (r = −0.379, p = 0.01; Spearman correlation). Increased level of circulating anti-vinculin antibody was significantly correlated with decreased density of ICC in myenteric plexus of human stomach.

Pancreatitis, Panniculitis, and Polyarthritis Syndrome Simulating Cellulitis and Gouty Arthritis / 대한소화기학회지

Pancreatitis, panniculitis, and polyarthritis (PPP) syndrome is a rare but critical disease with a high mortality rate. The diagnostic dilemma of PPP syndrome is the fact that symptoms occur unexpectedly. A 48-year-old man presented with fever and painful swelling of the left foot that was initially mistaken for cellulitis and gouty arthritis. The diagnosis of PPP syndrome was made based on the abdominal CT findings and elevated pancreatic enzyme levels, lobular panniculitis with ghost cells on a skin biopsy, and polyarthritis on a bone scan. The pancreatitis and panniculitis disappeared spontaneously over time, but the polyarthritis followed its own course despite the use of anti-inflammatory agents. In addition to this case, 30 cases of PPP syndrome in the English literature were reviewed. Most of the patients had initial symptoms other than abdominal pain, leading to misdiagnosis. About one-third of them were finally diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor, of which pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma was the most dominant. They showed a mortality rate of 32.3%, associated mainly with the pancreatic malignancy. Therefore, PPP syndrome should be considered when cutaneous or osteoarticular manifestations occur in patients with pancreatitis. Active investigation and continued observations are needed for patients suspected of PPP syndrome.

Colonic Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Hidden in Actinomycosis / 대한소화기학회지

Actinomycosis can mask malignant diseases. This paper reports a case of colonic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which was misdiagnosed as abdominal actinomycosis. A 76-year-old woman presented with right flank pain and weight loss. Abdominal CT and colonoscopy revealed a huge ascending colon mass. Despite the initial impression of a malignancy, a colonoscopic biopsy revealed no malignant cells, but sulfur granules and a filamentous organism suggesting actinomycosis. Intravenous penicillin G was administered under the impression of abdominal actinomycosis but her condition deteriorated rapidly. Follow up CT showed markedly increased colon mass and new multiple nodular lesions around the ascending colon. Sono-guided percutaneous biopsy of the nodular lesion was performed. The pathological result was DLBCL. The patient was scheduled to undergo chemotherapy but the patient expired due to cancer progression. The diagnosis of gastrointestinal infiltrating tumors is often difficult because a superficial biopsy usually does not provide a confirmative diagnosis. This case highlights the difficulty in making a correct diagnosis of lymphoma due to the concomitant actinomycosis. Malignant conditions must be considered in cases of actinomycosis with no response to antimicrobial therapy.

Ceftriaxone-induced Acute Pancreatitis in an Adult / 대한췌담도학회지

Ceftriaxone is commonly used for the treatment of bacterial infection. But it may precipitate in bile causing biliary sludge, pseudolithiasis and gallstone especially in children. We report a case of ceftriaxone-induced acute pancreatitis in an old woman. An 83-year-old woman was admitted for treatment of renal stone. She had received intravenous ceftriaxone for 11 days. After percutaneous nephrolithotomy, she was discharged. After 12 days, she visited the emergency department due to epigastric pain. Laboratory finding was suggestive of gallstone pancreatitis and abdominal computed tomography revealed gallbladder stone, which was absent previously. After conservative care, she received cholecystectomy and discharged without sequelae.

Pancreatitis, Panniculitis, and Polyarthritis Syndrome Simulating Cellulitis and Gouty Arthritis / 대한소화기학회지

Pancreatitis, panniculitis, and polyarthritis (PPP) syndrome is a rare but critical disease with a high mortality rate. The diagnostic dilemma of PPP syndrome is the fact that symptoms occur unexpectedly. A 48-year-old man presented with fever and painful swelling of the left foot that was initially mistaken for cellulitis and gouty arthritis. The diagnosis of PPP syndrome was made based on the abdominal CT findings and elevated pancreatic enzyme levels, lobular panniculitis with ghost cells on a skin biopsy, and polyarthritis on a bone scan. The pancreatitis and panniculitis disappeared spontaneously over time, but the polyarthritis followed its own course despite the use of anti-inflammatory agents. In addition to this case, 30 cases of PPP syndrome in the English literature were reviewed. Most of the patients had initial symptoms other than abdominal pain, leading to misdiagnosis. About one-third of them were finally diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor, of which pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma was the most dominant. They showed a mortality rate of 32.3%, associated mainly with the pancreatic malignancy. Therefore, PPP syndrome should be considered when cutaneous or osteoarticular manifestations occur in patients with pancreatitis. Active investigation and continued observations are needed for patients suspected of PPP syndrome.

Colonic Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Hidden in Actinomycosis / 대한소화기학회지

Actinomycosis can mask malignant diseases. This paper reports a case of colonic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which was misdiagnosed as abdominal actinomycosis. A 76-year-old woman presented with right flank pain and weight loss. Abdominal CT and colonoscopy revealed a huge ascending colon mass. Despite the initial impression of a malignancy, a colonoscopic biopsy revealed no malignant cells, but sulfur granules and a filamentous organism suggesting actinomycosis. Intravenous penicillin G was administered under the impression of abdominal actinomycosis but her condition deteriorated rapidly. Follow up CT showed markedly increased colon mass and new multiple nodular lesions around the ascending colon. Sono-guided percutaneous biopsy of the nodular lesion was performed. The pathological result was DLBCL. The patient was scheduled to undergo chemotherapy but the patient expired due to cancer progression. The diagnosis of gastrointestinal infiltrating tumors is often difficult because a superficial biopsy usually does not provide a confirmative diagnosis. This case highlights the difficulty in making a correct diagnosis of lymphoma due to the concomitant actinomycosis. Malignant conditions must be considered in cases of actinomycosis with no response to antimicrobial therapy.

Pancreatic Metastasis from Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix / 대한소화기학회지

Pancreatic metastasis from cervical cancer is extremely rare. We report a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas from uterine cervical cancer. A 70-year-old woman was referred because of a pancreatic mass detected by CT. She had been diagnosed with uterine cervical adenocarcinoma 20 months previously. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy, CT showed no evidence of the cervical mass, and follow-up showed no evidence of recurrence. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the pancreatic mass resulted in a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma from uterine cervix.

Ischemic Necrosis Caused by Retroanastomotic Hernia after Subtotal Gastrectomy / 대한소화기학회지

After gastrojejunostomy, a small space can occur between the jejunum at the anastomosis site, the transverse mesocolon, and retroperitoneum, which may cause an intestinal hernia. This report presents a rare case of intestinal ischemic necrosis caused by retroanastomotic hernia after subtotal gastrectomy. A 56-year-old male was admitted to Kangwon National University Hospital with melena, abdominal pain, and nausea. His only relevant medical history was gastrectomy due to stomach cancer. Endoscopic findings revealed subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth-II reconstruction and a bluish edematous mucosal change with necrotic tissue in afferent and efferent loops including the anastomosis site. Abdominopelvic CT showed strangulation of proximal small bowel loops due to mesenteric torsion and thickening of the wall of the gastric remnant. Emergency laparotomy was performed. Surgical findings revealed the internal hernia through the defect behind the anastomosis site with strangulation of the jejunum between 20 cm below the Treitz ligament and the proximal ileum. Roux-en-Y anastomosis was performed, and he was discharged without complication. Retroanastomotic hernia, also called Petersen's space hernia, is a rare complication after gastric surgery, cannot be easily recognized, and leads to strangulation.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Presenting as Acute Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

We report a case of acute pancreatitis secondary to pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. A 46-year old man presented with upper abdominal pain. The serum amylase and lipase were elevated. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a 1.7 cm sized mass at the pancreas body with a dilatation of the upstream pancreatic duct and mild infiltrations of peripancreatic fat. An endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy was performed for the pancreatic mass, but only necrotic tissue was observed on the pathologic examination. A chest and neck CT scan revealed anterior mediastinal, paratracheal, and cervical lymph node enlargement, which were indicative of metastasis. An ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy was performed for the enlarged neck lymph node, and pathologic examination revealed a metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive staining for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD 56, indicative of a neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Praziquantel Treatment of Eosinophilic Gastritis Suspected to Be Due to Cerebral Sparganosis / 대한내과학회지

Eosinophilic gastritis is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract, which is associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The possible etiologies of secondary eosinophilic gastritis, including drug reactions, parasitic infestation, and malignancy, must be evaluated. Herein we report the case of a 65-year-old North Korean defector who presented with nausea and vomiting for 1 year. Secondary (reactive) eosinophilic gastritis caused by cerebral sparganosis was suspected after a workup that included brain magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid tapping, and gastric mucosal biopsy. The patient showed dramatic clinical improvement with high-dose praziquantel treatment. Even though secondary (reactive) eosinophilic gastritis caused by parasites is very rare, this case shows the importance of considering parasitic infection in eosinophilic gastritis.

Acute Cholecystitis Associated with Gallbladder Metastasis of Gastric Cancer / 대한췌담도학회지

Gastric cancer mainly spreads to the liver, peritoneum, and lymph nodes and rarely metastasizes to the gallbladder. The prognosis of gastric cancer with metastasis to the gallbladder is reported to be very poor, and presentation with cholecystitis is a prognostic factor. Herein, we present a case of gastric cancer with metastasis to the gallbladder, accompanied by acute cholecystitis.

The Cytotoxicity of Kahweol in HT-29 Human Colorectal Cancer Cells Is Mediated by Apoptosis and Suppression of Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression

Although coffee is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties, there have been few reports about the effect and mechanism of coffee compounds in colorectal cancer. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that prevent cell death. Their expression is significantly elevated in many tumors and is accompanied by increased cell proliferation, metastasis and poor response to chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of four bioactive compounds in coffee, namely, caffeine, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and kahweol, in HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Only kahweol showed significant cytotoxicity. Specifically, kahweol increased the expression of caspase-3, a pro-apoptotic factor, and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2 and phosphorylated Akt. In addition, kahweol significantly attenuated the expression of HSP70. Inhibition of HSP70 activity with triptolide increased kahweol-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, overexpression of HSP70 significantly reduced kahweol-induced cell death. Taken together, these results demonstrate that kahweol inhibits colorectal tumor cell growth by promoting apoptosis and suppressing HSP70 expression.

Expression of Heat Shock Proteins and Cytokines in Response to Ethanol Induced Damage in the Small Intestine of ICR Mice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ethanol administration causes intestinal epithelial cell damage by increasing intestinal permeability and the translocation of endotoxins from intestinal bacterial flora. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are associated with recovery and protection from cell damage. The aim of the current study was to investigate differences in the expression of HSPs in the small intestine and the biochemical changes attributable to ethanol-induced intestinal damage. METHODS: Ethanol (20%) was injected intraperitoneally (2.75 g/kg, 5.5 g/kg, 8.25 g/kg) in ICR mice and the same volume of saline was administered to controls. After 1 hour, the proximal, middle, and distal segments were taken from the small intestine and the degree of damage was analyzed. In each segment, the expression of HSPs was analyzed by western blotting. The expression of inflammatory mediators including interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and antioxidant enzyme such as glutathione-S-transferase were compared using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. RESULTS: In the control group, HSP70 increased in all segments of small intestine. Additionally, increases in the expression of HSP40 and HSP90 in the distal regions and an increase in HSP32 in the middle regions were observed. After ethanol treatment, greater histological damage was observed in the distal small intestine and significant decreases in HSPs were observed generally. Increased expression of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and COX-2 was observed in small intestinal tissues exposed to ethanol-induced damage. However, there was no significant difference in the expression of an antioxidant enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the expression of HSPs in different intestinal regions were observed. These differences may have been attributable to the distribution of intestinal bacteria.

Effect of Aspirin on Nuclear beta-Catenin Expression in Sporadic Colorectal Adenomas

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In addition to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, the chemopreventive effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the nuclear translocation of beta-catenin has been suggested in patients with familial adenoma polyposis. We investigated the effect of aspirin on the beta-catenin signaling pathway in patients with sporadic colorectal adenoma. METHODS: We selected patients diagnosed with colorectal adenoma. Patients who had been taking aspirin for more than 12 months were identified as the aspirin group, and those who did not were the non-aspirin group. Their characteristics, including size and degree of dysplasia, were compared. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted and the expression levels of nuclear beta-catenin and cyclin D1 were investigated. RESULTS: The median duration of aspirin intake was 37 months; there were no significant differences in the size, histological type, and degree of dysplasia between the two groups. Nuclear beta-catenin expression was observed in 43.2% of the patients in the aspirin group and in 18.9% of those in the non-aspirin group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in nuclear cyclin D1 staining between the aspirin (78.4%) and non-aspirin (91.9%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, nuclear beta-catenin expression in sporadic colorectal adenoma in the aspirin group was not inhibited compared with that in the non-aspirin group. Therefore, further prospective studies with a large number of patients are necessary.

Subepithelial Lesion of the Gastric Fundus Caused by an Accessory Spleen / 대한내과학회지

When a submucosal lesion is discovered at the gastric fundus by gastroscopy, it may be difficult to distinguish a gastric external compression from a true submucosal tumor (SMT). The stomach is a hollow organ centrally placed in the upper abdomen, and it is possible to have a protruding external compression at the fundus, particularly from an enlarged spleen or splenic artery. An accessory spleen or splenosis is not a very unusual finding but may rarely produce such external compression at the gastric fundus. We experienced a case of an accessory spleen mimicking a gastric SMT diagnosed through a gastroscopy after a splenectomy.

Subepithelial Lesion of the Gastric Fundus Caused by an Accessory Spleen / 대한내과학회지

When a submucosal lesion is discovered at the gastric fundus by gastroscopy, it may be difficult to distinguish a gastric external compression from a true submucosal tumor (SMT). The stomach is a hollow organ centrally placed in the upper abdomen, and it is possible to have a protruding external compression at the fundus, particularly from an enlarged spleen or splenic artery. An accessory spleen or splenosis is not a very unusual finding but may rarely produce such external compression at the gastric fundus. We experienced a case of an accessory spleen mimicking a gastric SMT diagnosed through a gastroscopy after a splenectomy.