Influence of Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 Gene Polymorphism at Codon 10 on the Development of Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Carriers

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a key cytokine producing extracellular matrix. We evaluated the effect of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism at codon 10 on the development of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. One hundred seventy eight patients with chronic hepatitis (CH, n=57) or liver cirrhosis (LC, n=121), who had HBsAg and were over 50 yr old, were enrolled. The genotypes were determined by single strand conformation polymorphism. There were no significant differences in age and sex ratio between CH and LC groups. HBeAg positivity and detection rate of HBV DNA were higher in LC than in CH groups (P=0.055 and P=0.003, respectively). There were three types of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism at codon 10: proline homozygous (P/P), proline/leucine heterozygous (P/L), and leucine homozygous (L/L) genotype. In CH group, the proportions of P/P, P/L, and L/L genotype were 32%, 51%, and 17%, respectively. In LC group, the proportions of those genotypes were 20%, 47%, and 33%, respectively. The L/L genotype was presented more frequently in LC than in CH groups (P=0.017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirms that detectable HBV DNA (odds ratio [OR]: 3.037, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.504-6.133, P=0.002) and L/L genotype (OR: 3.408, 95% CI: 1.279-9.085, P=0.014) are risk factors for cirrhosis.

A Comparison of Patient Acceptance and Preferences Between CT Colonography and Conventional Colonoscopy in Colorectal Cancer Screening

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in developed countries, is curable when diagnosed at an early stage. However, for better screening, both a test that patients will tolerate and diagnostic accuracy are required. We compared patient experiences and preferences between computed tomographic (CT) colonography and conventional colonoscopy (CC) under conscious sedation. METHODS: Patients referred to the gastrointestinal clinic for CC were enrolled to also undergo CT colonography prior to CC. After each procedure, patients completed a questionnaire in which variables, such as abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and loss of dignity, were assessed using a 7-point Likert scale, with the highest score representing the worst experience. To verify response stability, a telephone questionnaire followed within 24 h after each procedure. Patients were then asked about their preference for CT colonography or CC. RESULTS: Data were collected from 51 patients who fulfilled all requirements, including CT colonography, CC, the two questionnaires after each procedure, and a follow-up questionnaire. Severity of abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and a loss of dignity were reported to be higher in CT colonography than in CC (p<0.01). In addition, the preference for CC was significantly higher than that for CT colonography (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although CT colonography is a safe and noninvasive screening test for colorectal cancer, further study is required to increase patient acceptance.

Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Cirrhosis

With recent progress in treatment modalities, mortality from upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding has decreased appreciably. The aim of this study was to establish how UGI bleeds are managed in Korean patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate treatment outcomes. A total of 479 episodes of acute UGI bleeding in 464 patients with cirrhosis were included during a six-month period at nine tertiary medical centers. Treatment outcomes were assessed by failure to control bleeding, rebleeding and mortality. The source of bleeding was esophagogastric varices in 77.7% of patients, nonvariceal lesions in 15.9%, and undefined in 6.5%. For control of bleeding, endoscopic and pharmacologic treatments were used in 74.7% and 81.9% of patients, respectively. Variceal ligation was a major technique for endoscopic treatment (90%), and terlipressin and somatostatin were the main pharmacologic agents used (96.4%). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 86.8% of cases, but rebleeding occurred in 3.8% and 16.8% of cases within five days and six weeks of hemorrhage, respectively. Five-day and six-week mortality were 11.3% and 25.9%, respectively. Survival of patients with variceal bleeding seems to be remarkably improved than previous reports, which may suggest the advances in hemostatic methods for control of variceal hemorrhage..

A Comparative Cross-sectional Study of the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Caused by Hepatitis B Virus, Alcohol, or Combination of Hepatitis B Virus and Alcohol / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alcohol may be a cocarcinogen in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. We investigated the effect of alcohol on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhosis (LC) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: All patients with LC or HCC associated with HBV or alcohol, admitted between March 2001 and June 2005, were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to the etiology of LC: Alcohol (AL), HBV, or HBV+alcohol (HBV+AL). Age and laboratory data at the enrollment of study were analyzed. The logistic regression coefficiency for the prevalence of HCC was calculated by using variables such as age, gender, serologic markers, and etiology of LC. RESULTS: In LC patients (n=342), the proportions of AL, HBV, and HBV+AL groups were 44%, 39%, and 17%, respectively. The proportions of HCC in AL, HBV and HBV+AL groups were 17%, 55%, and 76%, respectively. Age at the diagnosis of HCC was younger in HBV+AL than in AL group (p=0.036). In logistic regression analysis for the risk factor of HCC, odds ratio of age was 1.056 (p<0.001). Odds ratios of HBV and HBV+AL group comparing AL were 8.449 (p<0.001) and 17.609 (p<0.001), respectively. Therefore, old age and chronic alcohol intake in patients with HBsAg were the risk factors of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic alcohol intake may be an additive factor for the development of HCC in patient with LC caused by HBV. However, a prospective cohort study is needed to confirm these findings.

Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding from a Traction Type of Diverticulum in the Midesophagus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The common sites of esophageal diverticula are the pharyngoesophageal junction, midesophagus and epiphrenic. The pathophysiological mechanisms of acquired esophageal diverticula are traction and pulsion forces. Traction diverticula of the midesophagus are usually asymptomatic, and found incidentally on an esophagogastroduodenoscopy or barium contrast esophagogram. Midesophageal traction diverticula are caused by inflammatory processes between the external wall of the esophagus and the adjacent structure. Pneumonia, bronchoesophageal fistula and gastrointestinal bleeding can occur due to an extension of inflammatory process into the lung or blood vessels. There are a few reports of midesophageal diverticular bleeding. We present a case of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a traction diverticulum of the midesophagus that was successfully managed by endoscopic treatment.

A Case of Surgical Treatment of Tuberculous Cholangitis and Lymphadenitis with Obstructive Jaundice due to Progressive Stricture of Bile Duct / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Obstructive jaundice is most commonly attributed to a malignancy or stones affecting the common bile duct. Biliary tuberculosis and lymphadenitis around the periportal area have also been implicated but cases are quite rare. A 24 year old man presented with jaundice and abdominal pain for 3 days. Abdominal CT and ERCP revealed a stricture of the extrahepatic bile duct with multiple enlarged lymph nodes showing necrotic foci located at the periportal area. The colonoscopic biopsy showed evidence of M. tuberculosis. The patient was treated with ERBD insertion and oral anti-tuberculosis therapy. However, the abdominal pain recurred and there was progressive stenosis of the common bile duct. A bile duct resection with choledochojejunostomy was subsequently performed. Frozen sections revealed granulomatous inflammation with caseation necrosis, which was consistent with tuberculosis. We report a case of tuberculous cholangitis and lymphadenitis with obstructive jaundice that was managed surgically due to the progressive stricture of the bile duct.

CA Case of Non-traumatic Hemobilia due to Pseudoaneurysm of the Hepatic Artery / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Hemobilia is a cause of obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Most cases have an iatrogenic or traumatic origin but cases of hemobilia with non-traumatic causes are rare. The non-traumatic causes of hemobilia are inflammation, gallstones, neoplasm and vascular lesions. Currently, various therapeutic options are available for hemobilia, and transarterial embolization is now the first line of intervention used to stop the bleeding of hemobilia, which shows a high success rate of approximately 80% to 100% with a lower morbidity and mortality rate than with surgery. We report a rare case of non-traumatic hemobilia caused by a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery that was successfully treated with transarterial embolization.

A Case of Gangliocytic Paraganglioma of the Ampulla of Vater Presenting as Jaundice / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is a rare and benign gastrointestinal tumor that usually arises in the second portion of the duodenum. Histogenesis of this tumor is yet unclear. It is incidentally found during radiographic examinations or during endoscopy looking for the cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, which usually manifests as mucosal ulcerations. To our knowledge, there was only one case of duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma presenting with melena in Korea. We experienced a case of gangliocytic paraganglioma arising from the ampulla of Vater, presenting as obstructive jaundice, which was subsequently removed surgically. Thus, we report this case with a review of literatures.

A Case of Idiopathic Duodenal Intramural Hematoma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Duodenal intramural hematoma is mostly caused by blunt abdominal trauma. Spontaneous duodenal intramural hematoma has been reported in the literature in patients with over-anticoagulation and coagulation disorders. The presentation of patients can vary from mild and vague abdominal pain to intestinal tract obstruction and an acute abdomen. The diagnosis is evident by gastroduodenal endoscopy, EUS and abdominal CT scan. We report a case of spontaneous duodenal intramural hematoma without the history of abdominal trauma and coagulation disorders in 54-year-old male patient. After conservative treatment, the patient was discharged without any complications.

Definitive Treatment of Infected Pancreatic Fluid Collection by Endoscopic Transmural Drainage / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent experience with endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts prompted the use of a similar technique for the primary treatment of infected pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) such as pancreatic abscess and infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN). The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic transmural drainage for the primary treatment of infected PFC complicating acute pancreatitis. METHODS: In 11 patients, a total of 13 infected PFC (11 pancreatic abscesses and 2 IPNs) compressing the stomach, duodenum, or both were drained endoscopically by means of an endoscopic fistulization followed by stent (s) placement alone or additional nasopancreatic catheter insertion. Complete resolution of PFC was defined as the absence of symptoms and no residual collection on the follow-up computed tomography. RESULTS: Complete resolution was achieved in 12 infected PFC (92%) (10 pancreatic abscesses and 2 IPNs) after stent placement for a mean duration of 31 days. For IPN and 2 pancreatic abscess, insertion of a nasopancreatic catheter was required to irrigate thick pus or necrotic debris. There was 1 case of bleeding (8%) but no mortality. CONCULSIONS: Endoscopic transmural drainage is an effective therapy with minimal morbidity for infected pancreatic fluid collection compressing the gut lumen and is a valuable alternative to surgical drainage.

Two Cases of Adenocarcinoma Arising from Short Segment Barrett's Esophagus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Barrett's esophagus is considered as a premalignant condition in which columnar epithelium replaces the normal esophageal squamous epithelium. The diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus is based on the endoscopic finding of columnar epithelium lining the distal esophagus and histologic confirmation of the presence of specialized intestinal metaplasia. According to the extent of the metaplastic lining from the esophagogastric junction, Barrett's esophagus has been divided into long-segment (> or =3 cm in length) and short-segment (<3 cm in length). Long-segment Barrett's esophagus can be easily identified at endoscopy, but it is difficult to separate short-segment Barrett's esophagus from intestinal metaplasia of cardia. It has been reported that Barrett's CK 7/20 pattern is an objective marker of Barrett's mucosa, and can differentiate Barrett's mucosa from gastric intestinal metaplasia. We report here two cases of adenocarcinoma of esophagus arising from short-segment Barrett's esophagus, diagnosed by endoscopic and histologic findngs, and treated by endoscopic mucosal resection.

A Case of Pseudomelanosis Duodeni / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Pseudomelanosis duodeni is a rare benign condition in which dark pigments accumulate in macrophages located in the lamina propria of the duodenal mucosa. Most reported cases had hypertension with or without chronic renal failure, and were taking antihypertensive agents and iron supplements. Therefore, it has been assumed that pseudomelanosis duodeni is associated with these medications. Our case was a 77 year-old female patient diagnosed as having hypertension, congestive heart failure, iron deficiency anemia, and depression, who had been treated with antihypertensive agents and iron supplement. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed many tiny discrete dark macules scattered throughout the first and second portions of the duodenum. Endoscopic mucosal biopsy disclosed macrophages with Prussian blue and Fontana-Masson stain positive pigments, which suggested that the nature of pigment was iron sulfide.

A Case of Invasive Aspergillosis of Skull Base in a Diabetic Patient / 감염과화학요법

Invasive aspergillosis of skull base is a rare but potentially lethal disease which complicates fungal sinusitis and requires surgical debridement, and long term antifungal therapy. However, optimal duration of antifungal therapy and standard method to monitor of clinical response are not known. A 55-year-old diabetic female patient presented with headache and otalgia 4 months after surgery for non-invasive aspergilloma of sinus. Brain MRI findings revealed bone destructions at the skull base and mastoid process. Mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were performed, and the resected specimen showed fungal hyphae invading the tissue. Amphotericin B was given for 9 weeks (a total dose of 3.3 g) with oral itraconazole, followed by itraconazole (400 mg daily) alone for another 12 weeks. Serial gallium scans, taken before treatment and at 8th and 16th weeks following therapy, showed gradual reduction in uptake of the lesions. We emphasize that non-invasive Aspergillus sinusitis may progress to invasive disease, and strong suspicion of invasiveness is mandatory, especially in immunocompromised patients including diabetes mellitus. Also, we suggest that gallium scan is useful for determining the presence and extent of the disease, and monitoring clinical response following therapy.

A Case of Invasive Aspergillosis of Skull Base in a Diabetic Patient / 감염과화학요법

Invasive aspergillosis of skull base is a rare but potentially lethal disease which complicates fungal sinusitis and requires surgical debridement, and long term antifungal therapy. However, optimal duration of antifungal therapy and standard method to monitor of clinical response are not known. A 55-year-old diabetic female patient presented with headache and otalgia 4 months after surgery for non-invasive aspergilloma of sinus. Brain MRI findings revealed bone destructions at the skull base and mastoid process. Mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were performed, and the resected specimen showed fungal hyphae invading the tissue. Amphotericin B was given for 9 weeks (a total dose of 3.3 g) with oral itraconazole, followed by itraconazole (400 mg daily) alone for another 12 weeks. Serial gallium scans, taken before treatment and at 8th and 16th weeks following therapy, showed gradual reduction in uptake of the lesions. We emphasize that non-invasive Aspergillus sinusitis may progress to invasive disease, and strong suspicion of invasiveness is mandatory, especially in immunocompromised patients including diabetes mellitus. Also, we suggest that gallium scan is useful for determining the presence and extent of the disease, and monitoring clinical response following therapy.