Endoscopic and Percutaneous Biliary Interventions after Liver Transplantation: Nationwide Data in Korea

Background/Aims@#Biliary complications including biliary strictures and bile leaks are the most common complications that occur after liver transplantation (LT). Endoscopic treatment with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) is considered the first-line treatment, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) can serve as an alternative or rescue therapy.However, nationwide clinical data on the frequency of ERC and PTC following LT have not yet been investigated. @*Methods@#Using the nationwide claims database, we investigated patients who underwent LT between 2012 and 2014 in Korea and followed them until 2015. We analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of patients and biliary procedures, including ERC and PTC implemented after LT. @*Results@#A total of 3,481 patients underwent LT during the 3-year study period. Among them, 3.0% of patients underwent biliary intervention postoperatively during the same hospitalization period, and 21.4% of patients received biliary intervention later on after initially being discharged from the hospital following LT. A total of 16.9% and 12.1% of patients underwent ERC and PTC after LT, respectively. The median period from LT to the first biliary intervention was 7.8 months (interquartile range, 3.5 to 14.6 months), and these patients underwent an average of 3.2±2.8 biliary procedures during the follow-up period. Patients undergoing living donor LT were more than twice as likely to undergo biliary procedures as those undergoing deceased donor LT (25.5% vs 12.1%). @*Conclusions@#Approximately one-fourth of patients in Korea who underwent LT subsequently underwent ERC or PTC. Compared with deceased donor LT patients, those undergoing living donor LT underwent more biliary interventions and were more difficult to treat.

Trends and Characteristics of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Nationwide Database Study in Korea / 대한췌담도학회지

Background@#/Aim: Endoscopic retrograde choangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been established as an effective tool for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, after the evolution for more than 4 decades, nationwide data on current trends and characteristic is not well known. Therefore, we conducted an analysis of nationwide database to determine the number and status of ERCP performed in Korea. @*Methods@#We used the nationwide claims database, Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment between 2012 and 2015. We investigated the frequencies and characteristics of ERCP procedure performed as well as demographics of the patients. @*Results@#A total of 158,038 ERCP procedures were performed in 114,757 patients during study period. The number of total ERCPs increased every year, and especially the rate of therapeutic ERCPs is on the increased trend. About two-thirds of ERCPs (63.3%) were performed in high-scaled hospitals. In 2015, the proportion of elderly patients over 80 years old increased compared to that in 2011, from 14.3% to 17.2%. @*Conclusions@#The annual number of ERCPs performed is increasing in Korea. With increasing ERCP for therapeutic purposes or for older patients, more attention should be paid to safety for patients.

Trends and Characteristics of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Nationwide Database Study in Korea / 대한췌담도학회지

Background@#/Aim: Endoscopic retrograde choangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been established as an effective tool for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, after the evolution for more than 4 decades, nationwide data on current trends and characteristic is not well known. Therefore, we conducted an analysis of nationwide database to determine the number and status of ERCP performed in Korea. @*Methods@#We used the nationwide claims database, Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment between 2012 and 2015. We investigated the frequencies and characteristics of ERCP procedure performed as well as demographics of the patients. @*Results@#A total of 158,038 ERCP procedures were performed in 114,757 patients during study period. The number of total ERCPs increased every year, and especially the rate of therapeutic ERCPs is on the increased trend. About two-thirds of ERCPs (63.3%) were performed in high-scaled hospitals. In 2015, the proportion of elderly patients over 80 years old increased compared to that in 2011, from 14.3% to 17.2%. @*Conclusions@#The annual number of ERCPs performed is increasing in Korea. With increasing ERCP for therapeutic purposes or for older patients, more attention should be paid to safety for patients.

Multidisciplinary and Multisociety Practice Guideline on Reprocessing Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes and Endoscopic Accessories

The area of endoscopic application has been continuously expanded since its introduction in the last century and the frequency of its use also increased stiffly in the last decades. Because gastrointestinal endoscopy is naturally exposed to diseased internal organs and contact with pathogenic materials, endoscopy mediated infection or disease transmission becomes a major concern in this field. Gastrointestinal endoscopy is not for single use and the proper reprocessing process is a critical factor for safe and reliable endoscopy procedures. What needed in these circumstances is a practical guideline for reprocessing the endoscope and its accessories which is feasible in the real clinical field to guarantee acceptable prevention of pathogen transmission. This guideline contains principles and instructions of the reprocessing procedure according to the step by step. And it newly includes general information and updated knowledge about endoscopy-mediated infection and disinfection. Multiple societies and working groups participated to revise; Korean Association for the Study of the Liver, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research, the Korean Society of Gastroenterology, Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases, Korean Pancreatobiliary Association, the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Nurses and Associates and Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Through this cooperation, we enhanced communication and established a better concordance. We still need more researches in this field and fill up the unproven area. And our guidelines will be renewed accordingly.

Meeting Report and Special Issue Preface: The 54th Seminar of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

No abstract available.

Secondary adrenal insufficiency caused by sorafenib administration in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma / 영남의대학술지

Sorafenib (Nexavar) has been regarded as a treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with side effects that include hand-foot skin reaction, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, hypertension, nausea, anorexia, weight loss, and alopecia. Thyroid disorder, such as endocrine side effect, has also been reported. However no case involving adrenal insufficiency has been reported. Here, we report a case of adrenal insufficiency which occurred after taking sorafenib in a patient with HCC. A 56-year-old man visited our hospital due to right upper quadrant abdominal pain and he was diagnosed as multiple disseminated and unresectable HCCs with portal vein invasion; therefore transarterial chemoembolization was performed and sorafenib administration was started. Two months later, he was admitted to the hospital complaining of severe fatigue. The laboratory results showed cortisol of <0.2µ g/dL and adrenocorticotropic hormone of <1.00 pg/mL. The patient had no history of taking steroids or herbal medications. Secondary adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed and prednisolone 10 mg per day was started immediately; as a result, fatigue remarkably improved. This may be the first report indicating a possible association between sorafenib and adrenal insufficiency and it implies that the possibility of adrenal insufficiency should be considered in patients taking sorafenib who complain of severe fatigue.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Presenting as a Gingival Mass / 대한소화기학회지

Oral metastatic tumor, which is uncommon and represents less than 1% of malignant oral neoplasms, usually arises from a primary mucosal or cutaneous cancer located in the head and neck regions. Metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to the oral cavity, especially to gingiva, is extremely rare. A 50-year-old man, who was a chronic alcoholic and hepatitis B virus carrier, presented with abdominal distension and weight loss for the past 3 months. Three-phased contrast-enhanced abdominal CT revealed numerous conglomerated masses in the liver, suggesting huge HCCs arising in the background of liver cirrhosis with a large amount of ascites. He complained of recurrent profuse bleeding from the left upper gingival mass. A facial CT revealed an oral cavity mass destructing the left maxillary alveolar process and hard palate, which was diagnosed as metastatic HCC by an incisional biopsy. Herein, we report a case of metastatic HCC to the gingiva.

Cytology Specimen Management, Triage and Standardized Reporting of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies of the Pancreas

The recent advances in pancreas cytology specimen sampling methods have enabled a specific cytologic diagnosis in most cases. Proper triage and processing of the cytologic specimen is pivotal in making a diagnosis due to the need for ancillary testing in addition to cytological evaluation, which is especially true in the diagnosis of pancreatic cysts. Newly proposed terminology for pancreaticobiliary cytology offers a standardized language for reporting that aims to improve communication among patient caregivers and provide for increased flexibility in patient management. This review focuses on these updates in pancreas cytology for the optimal evaluation of solid and cystic lesions of the pancreas.

Hemangioma Diagnosed by Gadoxetate Disodium-Enhanced MRI in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C

A hemangioma is the most common benign hepatic tumor. Many hepatic hemangioma tend to be found incidentally, but should be differentiated from malignant tumors, especially in patients with a high risk for malignancy. We presented a 52-year-old woman who diagnosed as hepatic hemangioma. The patient was a chronic alcohol abuser and diagnosed as a hepatic C virus carrier for the first time. Contrast enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a 4cm sized hepatic mass involving both segment 5 and 6. Abdominal CT finding suggested hepatic hemangioma, but could not rule out the malignancy. Because the patient had risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma, abdominal ultrasonography (US) was performed for further evaluation. But abdominal US also showed atypical finding. For the confirmative diagnosis, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging using gadoxetate disodium (primovist(R), Bayer HealthCare, Berlin, Germany) which is the innovative liver cell-specific contrast medium was done, and the patient was diagnosed as hepatic hemangioma.

Risk Factors for Delayed Post-Polypectomy Bleeding

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Among the many complications that can occur following therapeutic endoscopy, bleeding is the most serious, which occurs in 1.0-6.1% of all colonoscopic polypectomies. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors of delayed post-polypectomy bleeding (PPB). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy between January 2003 and December 2012. We compared patients who experienced delayed PPB with those who did not. The control-to-patient ratio was 3:1. The clinical data analyzed included polyp size, number, location, and shape, patient' body mass index (BMI), preventive hemostasis, and endoscopist experience. RESULTS: Of 1,745 patients undergoing colonoscopic polypectomy, 21 (1.2%) experienced significant delayed PPB. We selected 63 age- and sex-matched controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that polyps >10 mm (odds ratio [OR], 2.605; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.035-4.528; P=0.049), a pedunculated polyp (OR, 3.517; 95% CI, 1.428-7.176; P=0.045), a polyp located in the right hemicolon (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.291-5.761; P=0.013), and a high BMI (OR, 3.681; 95% CI, 1.876-8.613; P=0.013) were significantly associated with delayed PPB. CONCLUSIONS: Although delayed PPB is a rare event, more caution is needed during colonoscopic polypectomies performed in patients with high BMI or large polyps, pedunculated polyps, or polyps located in the right hemicolon.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Local Therapy of Pancreatic Tumors / 대한소화기학회지

The development of curvilinear EUS has enabled EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of intra-abdominal mass lesions. With the introduction of interventional EUS, this technology has undergone several modifications in order to be applied to clinical medicine. One of the potential uses of interventional EUS is the EUS-guided local therapy of pancreatic tumors. Various treatment modalities such as fine-needle injection, radiofrequency ablation, photodynamic therapy, laser ablation, and brachytherapy have been tried under EUS guidance. Some of these modalities are being applied clinically. These methods for EUS-guided local therapy of pancreatic tumors will be reviewed in this article.

CT Findings of Gallbladder Metastases: Emphasis on Differences According to Primary Tumors

OBJECTIVE: To describe computed tomography (CT) features of metastatic gallbladder (GB) tumors (MGTs) from various primary tumors and to determine whether there are differential imaging features of MGTs according to different primary tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients who had pathologically confirmed MGTs and underwent CT were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical findings including presenting symptoms, type of surgery, and interval between primary and metastatic tumors were recorded. Histologic features of primary tumor and MGTs including depth of invasion were also reviewed. Imaging findings were analyzed for the location and morphology of MGTs, pattern and degree of enhancement, depth of invasion, presence of intact overlying mucosa, and concordance between imaging features of primary and metastatic tumors. Significant differences between the histologies of MGTs and imaging features were determined. RESULTS: The most common primary tumor metastasized to the GB was gastric cancer (n = 8), followed by renal cell carcinoma (n = 4) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 3). All MGTs (n = 21) manifested as infiltrative wall thickenings (n = 15) or as polypoid lesions (n = 6) on CT, similar to the features of primary GB cancers. There were significant differences in the morphology of MGTs, enhancement pattern, enhancement degree, and depth of invasion according to the histology of primary tumors (p < 0.05). Metastatic adenocarcinomas of the GB manifested as infiltrative and persistently enhancing wall thickenings, while non-adenocarcinomatous metastases usually manifested as polypoid lesions with early wash-in and wash-out. CONCLUSION: Although CT findings of MGTs are similar to those of primary GB cancer, they are significantly different between the various histologies of primary tumors.

Prognostic Significance of Ki-67 Expression in Patients Undergoing Surgical Resection for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Assessment of malignant potential in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is still problematic. The maximum tumor diameter and the mitotic index are generally used as an index of malignancy of GISTs. The Ki-67 labeling index has recently been used as an index of cell growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of Ki-67 in GIST. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 32 patients with GIST who underwent surgical resection at Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital. We analyzed their Ki-67 expression, histologic finding, and prognosis. RESULTS: According to the tumor size and mitotic count, 4 patients were classified as very low risk, 9 patients as low risk, 14 patients as intermediate risk and 5 patients as high risk. The average Ki-67 index was 5.56+/-4.48%. The median follow-up duration was 35.72+/-29.04 months, and local/distant recurrences were observed in 6 (18.7%) patients. The overall cumulative disease free survival rates in patients with Ki-67 index 5% were at 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years were 82.1%, 70.3%, and 46.9%, respectively. There was significant relationship between elevated Ki-67 and disease free survival rate (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that Ki-67 index >5% confers a higher risk of relapse in patients with GIST. Future work should focus on standardization of Ki-67 assessment and specification of its role in making treatment decisions.

A Case of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Following Argon Plasma Coagulation for Angiodysplasias in the Colon / 대한소화기학회지

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the most common infection in liver cirrhosis patients, and is not a result of surgery or intra abdominal infection. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an endoscopic procedure used with a high-frequency electrical current for control of bleeding from gastrointestinal vascular ectasias including angiodysplasia and gastric antral vascular ectasia. This procedure is known to be safe because it uses a noncontact method. Therefore, tissue injury is minimal and up to two to three millimeters. However, we experienced a case of SBP occurring immediately after performance of APC for control of severe bleeding from angiodysplasia in the colon in a patient with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Endoscopic Papillectomy for Benign Ampullary Neoplasms: How Can Treatment Outcome Be Predicted?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic papillectomy is increasingly performed with curative intent for benign papillary tumors. This study was performed to identify factors that predict the presence of malignancy and affect endoscopic success. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who received an endoscopic papillectomy for papillary adenoma from 2006 to 2009. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients received endoscopic papillectomy. The pathologic results after papillectomy revealed adenocarcinoma in five patients (12%), and the risk of malignancy was high in cases of large lesions, preprocedural pathology of high-grade dysplasia or high serum alkaline phosphatase. Endoscopic success was observed in 37 patients (86%) at the end of follow-up (mean duration, 10.4+/-9.6 months). The factor significantly affecting success was a complete resection at the initial papillectomy (p=0.007). Two patients experienced recurrence 10 and 32 months after the complete resection, but both achieved endoscopic success with repeated endoscopic treatment. Six patients with endoscopic failure received surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic papillectomy is a safe and effective method for the curative resection of benign papillary tumors, especially when complete resection is achieved at the initial papillectomy. Follow-up with surveillance should be performed for at least 3 years because of the possible recurrence of tumors during these periods.

A Case of Common Bile Duct Cancer That Completely Responded to Combination Chemotherapy of Gemcitabine and TS-1

Common bile duct (CBD) cancer is a relatively rare malignancy that arises from the biliary epithelium and is associated with a poor prognosis. Here, we report a case of advanced metastatic CBD cancer successfully treated by chemotherapy with gemcitabine combined with S-1 (tegafur+gimeracil+oteracil). A 65-year-old male presented with pyogenic liver abscess. After antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage, follow-up computed tomography (CT) showed an enhanced nodule in the CBD. Biopsy was performed at the CBD via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which showed adenocarcinoma. Additional CT and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple small nodules in the right hepatic lobe, which were confirmed as metastatic adenocarcinoma by sono-guided liver biopsy. The patient underwent combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and S-1. After nine courses of chemotherapy, the hepatic lesion disappeared radiologically. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and no residual tumor was found in the resected specimen. Three weeks after the operation, the patient was discharged with no complications. Through 3 months of follow-up, no sign of recurrence was observed on CT scan. Gemcitabine combined with S-1 may be a highly effective treatment for advanced cholangiocarcinoma.

Long-Term Outcome of Cystic Lesions in the Pancreas: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The management guidelines for cystic lesions of the pancreas (CLPs) are not yet well established. This study was performed to document the long-term clinical outcome of CLPs and provide guidelines for the management and surveillance of CLPs. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, an additional follow-up was performed in 112 patients with CLPs enrolled from 1998 to 2004 during a previous study. RESULTS: During follow-up for the median period of 72.3 months, the size of the CLPs increased in 18 patients (16.1%). Six of these patients experienced growth of their CLPs after 5 years of follow-up. Twenty-six patients underwent surgery during follow-up, and four malignant cysts were detected. The overall rate of malignant progression during follow-up was 3.6%. The presence of mural nodules or solid components was independently associated with the presence of malignant CLPs. Seven patients underwent surgery after 5 years of follow-up. The pathologic findings revealed malignancies in two patients. There was only one pancreas-related death during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of CLPs exhibit indolent behavior and are associated with a favorable prognosis. However, long-term surveillance for more than 5 years should be performed because of the potential for growth and malignant transformation in CLPs.

Clinical Features of Metastatic Tumors of the Pancreas in Korea: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features of metastatic tumors of the pancreas (MTPs) in Korea. METHODS: A total of 53 cases (31 males) of pathologically proven MTPs were collected. Clinicopathological characteristics and patient outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age at the diagnosis of the MTP was 60 years. The median interval between the diagnoses of primary malignancy and MTP was 2.2 years. Primary malignancies were renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (n=14), gastric cancer (n=11), colorectal cancer (n=5), lymphoma (n=4), non-small cell lung cancer (n=3), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n=2), melanoma (n=2), small cell lung cancer (n=2), gallbladder cancer (n=2), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1), thymic carcinoid (n=1), liposarcoma (n=1), cholangiocarcinoma (n=1), osteosarcoma (n=1), breast cancer (n=1), duodenal cancer (n=1), and ovarian cancer (n=1). The median survival after the diagnosis of MTP was 23.1 months. Multivariate analysis showed that prolonged survival was associated with RCC as the primary malignancy, the patient being asymptomatic upon the diagnosis of MTP, the absence of extrapancreatic involvement, and surgery included in the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: MTPs can occur after a prolonged period from the primary diagnosis. RCC as the primary malignancy, the patient being asymptomatic upon the diagnosis of MTP, the absence of extrapancreatic involvement, and surgery included in the treatment are associated with better prognosis.

Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma in Korea-A Single Center Experience

The aim of this study was to report a single center experience of primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) in Korea. We analyzed the clinicopathological data from four PPL patients (three male, median age 36 yr) diagnosed from 1997 to 2007 at Seoul National University Hospital. The diagnoses were: diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n=2), Ki-1 (+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n=1), and Burkitt lymphoma (n=1). Presenting symptoms and signs were: abdominal pain (n=4), pancreatitis (n=2), weight loss (n=2) and abdominal mass (n=1). No patient underwent surgery. The Ann Arbor stages of the patients were: IEA (n=1), IIEA (n=1), and IVEB (n=2). Two patients underwent treatment. The stage IEA patient underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy that resulted in a complete remission. The stage IVEB patient who underwent chemotherapy relapsed. This patient underwent subsequent peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and is alive at 30 months. Two patients (stages IVEB and IIEA) without treatment died at 0.8 and 7.0 months, respectively. For PPL patients, chemotherapy-based treatment, and addition of radiation therapy, if possible, may offer good prognosis.

Correction of Erratum / 대한소화기학회지

In the recently published paper, there was a typo in the affiliation of the author. The word Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea was incorrectly spelled as Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. We hereby publish the correct affiliation as follows: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.