Clinical Implications of Endoscopically Suspected Eosinophilic Esophagitis / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to determine the concordance rate and clinical predictors of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in patients with endoscopically suspected eosinophilic esophagitis (ESEoE) findings. METHODS: From June 2006 to December 2009 in Gangnam Severance Hospital, we prospectively enrolled the patients of "endoscopically suspected eosinophilic esophagitis (ESEoE)", and then we retrospectively reviewed and analyzed clinical features and endoscopic findings. RESULTS: We found 17 patients of ESEoE, and 5 of them were finally confirmed as an EoE by histology (diagnostic concordance rate 29.4%). We added two more patients previously diagnosed as EoE and compared patients of EoE+ (n=7) with EoE- (n=12). Mean age was 56.0 (range 36-70) and 51.0 (range 36-68) years old, respectively. In EoE+ group, there were 5 males and 2 females and 6 males and 6 females in EoE- group. The symptoms of EoE+ patients were dysphagia (n=5), food impaction (n=3), foreign body sensation in esophagus (n=2), chest pain (n=1), and heartburn (n=1). EoE- patients complained food impaction (n=5), heartburn (n=4), chest pain (n=2), foreign body sensation in esophagus (n=2), and dysphagia (n=1). The endoscopic findings of EoE+ patients were furrows (n=6), rings (n=5), exudates or nodules (n=3), and friability (n=1). EoE- patients showed rings (n=10) and furrows(n=7). Univariative analysis showed that 'a symptom of dysphagia', 'presence of exudates or nodules', 'more than 2 suggestive endoscopic findings' were significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In ESEoE, diagnostic concordance rate was 29.4%. In addition, 'symptom of dysphagia', 'exudates or nodules', '> or =2 endoscopic findings' are more suggestive of EoE in ESEoE patients.

Magnet Compression Anastomosis for Bilioenteric Anastomotic Stricture after Removal of a Choledochal Cyst: A Case Report / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Magnet compression anastomosis is a nonsurgical method that uses two magnets to treat bilio-biliary and bilio-enteric anastomotic strictures after a living donor transplantation. The compression pressure of the two magnets induces ischemic necrosis at the anastomostic stricture and creates a fistula at the stricture site. A choledochal cyst is an uncommon congenital anomaly characterized by dilatation of the biliary tree and can cause obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, biliary stones, and cholangiocelluar carcinoma. Treatment for choledochal cyst is essentially surgical including total excision of the cyst with hepaticoenterostomy, but there can be complications such as postoperative intrahepatic stones and recurrent cholangitis due to a stricture at the site of the anastomosis. Endoscopic and fluoroscopy-guided radiologic interventions can be applied to resolve the anastomotic stricture, and re-operation is possible as the method of last resort. We report here a first case, trial magnet compression anastomosis in Korea of a bilioenteric anastomotic stricture after excision of a choledochal cyst and hepaticojejunostomy.

A Case of Transient Hyperkalemia and Hyperaldosteronism secondary to Hydronephrosis / 대한내과학회지

Renal tubular dysfunctions have been observed in hydronephrosis, resulting in metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia and excessive free water diuresis. These findings are occasionally found in infant and children. Batle et al. first reported distal tubular acidosis associated with low potassium excretion resulting from aldosterone resistance in adults with obstructive uropathy. We have experienced a case of transient hyperkalemia and hyperaldosteronism secondary to hydronephrosis in 63-year-old female patient. The causes of hyperkalemia were examined under the impression of secondary adrenal insufficiency due to corticosteroid abuse or hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism due to diabetic nephropathy. But it proved to be resulted from hyperaldosteronism due to hydronephrosis. The hyperkalemia resulting from hyperaldosteronism is rare in adults. It may result from aldosterone resistance at distal nephron due to obstructive uropathy or the defect of distal nephron in hydrogen and potassium secretion in the distal nephron rather than from aldosterone deficiency. After she underwent percutaneous nephrostomy, serum potassium was maintained within normal range. She performed total cystectomy with ureterocutaneostomy in purpose for treatment of bladder cancer. So we report this case with a review of literature.

A Case of Liver Infarction after a Histoacryl R Injection for Duodenal Ulcer Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Injection of the tissue adhesive Histoacryl (N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, enbucrilate) has been more effective than conventional sclerosants in the treatment of active upper G-I bleeding. Histoacryl is an effective sclerosant that is polymerized immediately after contact with blood, and has been used for the treatment of bleeding gastric and esophageal varices. We present here a case of infarction of the caudate lobe that developed after an injection of a Histoacryl -Lipiodol mixture for the hemostasis of duodenal ulcer bleeding.

A Case of intracranial hemorrhage with polyradiculoneuropathy in Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Clinical criteria have been established for idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES): persistent eosinophilia of 1500 eosinophils/mm3 for at least 6 months or death even within 6 months with signs and symptoms of HES; no evidence for parasitic, allergic, or other recognized causes of eosinophilia despite careful evaluation; and signs and symptoms of organ system involvement or dysfunction, such as congestive heart failure, hepatosplenomegaly, central nerveous system disease. Because cerebral hemorrhage in HES has not been reported yet in Korea, we report a case of hypereosinophilic syndrome with peripheral blood eosinophilia, with biopsies of skin and duodenum showing diffuse eosinophilic infiltration, and multiple organ dysfunction in a 49 year old man died of cerebral hemorrhage three months after the occurrence of the disease.