Total Colonic Decompression After Colonoscopy Decreases Postcolonoscopy Abdominal Pain: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

GOALS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether total colonic decompression after colonoscopy decreased postcolonoscopy abdominal pain. BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain that occurs after a colonoscopy may cause significant discomfort in some patients, and residual bowel gas is thought to be a key contributor to this abdominal pain. STUDY: Asymptomatic 300 patients who underwent colonoscopy under sedation were randomized to either the decompression group or the control group. Initial colonoscopic procedure was performed uniformly in both the groups. After the colonoscopy examination was completed, the colonoscope was reinserted into the cecum, and the intraluminal air was aspirated during withdrawal in the decompression group. Abdominal pain was assessed before discharge and 24 to 48 hours after colonoscopy using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar with regard to clinical, demographic, and procedural factors. Among 288 patients, the incidence of abdominal pain (VAS≥1) after colonoscopy was 38 (26.6%) of 143 patients in the decompression group and 95 (65.5%) of 145 patients in the control group (VAS 0.68±1.35 vs. 2.14±2.15, P<0.001). There was an 86.1% reduction rate of abdominal pain by colonic decompression, based on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.139 [95% confidence interval, 0.077-0.250], P<0.001). Furthermore, independent factors for abdominal pain included female gender and total duration of procedure >800 seconds. There were no reinsertion-related complications in the decompression group. CONCLUSION: Total colonic decompression after colonoscopy has a beneficial effect and can reduce postcolonoscopy abdominal pain without additional complications.

The experience of transumbilical endoscopic appendectomies.

Minimally invasive surgery is being widely accepted in various fields of surgery. Although several appendectomy techniques have been reported but, there is no standardization. We report here the experiences of transumbilical endoscopic appendectomy in humans. Between July 2008 and September 2010, ten patients with appendicitis successfully underwent transumbilical endoscopic appendectomies. There were 7 cases of suppurative, 2 cases of gangrenous and 1 case of perforated in operative findings. The ages of the patients were 13-56 years (mean age, 32.7 ± 15.4 years). Under general anesthesia, a 15-mm port was inserted through the umbilicus and then a two-channel endoscope was inserted in the peritoneal cavity. After appendix identification, counter-traction of the appendix with a direct abdominal wall puncture using a straight round needle prolene was performed to achieve good visualization of the operative field. Tissue dissection was performed using an endoscopic needle knife. Tissue grasping and resected appendix retrieval were done with endoscopic forceps. The average operation time was 79.5 ± 23.6 minutes (range, 45 to 110 minutes). No procedures were converted to laparoscopic or open appendectomy. Hospital stay was 4-6 days. All patients completely recovered without complications. As it is highly maneuverable, we believe transumbilical endoscopic appendectomy can be a feasible method. And, as surgeons want to proceed from laparoscopic surgery to natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, this procedure could be a triable method.

Worldwide experiences of endoscopic submucosal dissection: not just Eastern acrobatics.

The high incidence of gastric cancer has led to the initiation of cancer screening programs. As a result, the number of early gastric cancer cases has increased and consequentially, the cancer mortality rate has decreased. Moreover, the development of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment has been introduced for these early lesions. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is now recognized as one of the preferred treatment modalities for premalignant gastrointestinal epithelial lesions and early gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis. We review the results of ESD including experiences in Japan and Korea, as well as western countries.

[Histopathologic analysis of adenoma and adenoma-related lesions of the gallbladder].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to determine the malignant potential of gallbladder adenoma for progression to carcinoma, we evaluated the histopathologic features of adenoma and adenoma-related lesions on cholecystectomized specimens. METHODS: Among 1,847 cholecystectomized specimens, 63 specimens from 26 benign adenomas, 9 carcinomas in situ (CIS), and 28 invasive carcinomas were selected. A pathologist reviewed all specimens and selected benign adenomas, CIS in the adenoma, and adenoma residue in invasive carcinomas. Adenomas and adenoma-related lesions were classified according to morphology (tubular, tubulopapillary, and papillary) and the consisting epithelium (biliary, pyloric metaplasia, and intestinal metaplasia). The age and the size of the benign adenomas and carcinomas in the adenoma were also compared. RESULTS: Adenoma and adenoma-related lesions were found in 34 out (1.8%) of all resected gallbladder. Among 9 CIS and 28 invasive carcinomas, adenoma-related lesions were detected in 7 and 1 case, respectively. All eight carcinomas arising in the adenoma were well-differentiated solitary tumors. The diameters of the carcinomas in the adenoma were, on average, larger than that of the benign adenomas (1.8 cm vs. 0.9 cm, p=0.01). The patients with carcinomas in the adenoma were, on average, older than those with benign adenomas, although the difference was insignificant (57 years vs. 47 years, p=0.09). The morphology and consisting epithelium did not differ between the benign adenomas and carcinomas in the adenoma. The malignant transformation occurred in 23.5% of adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder adenoma is a rare disease, although malignant transformation occurs frequently. Adenoma is a precancerous lesion and the adenoma-carcinoma sequence is one of the gallbladder cancer carcinogenesis.

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe successfully treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe remains one of the most intricate locations where various treatments tend to pose problems with regard to the optimal approach. Surgical resection has been regarded as the most effective treatment; however, isolated resection of the caudate lobe is strenuous and associated with a high rate of early recurrence. Percutaneous ablation might be technically difficult or impossible to perform due to the deep location of tumors and adjacent large vessels. Treatment with drug-eluting beads (DEB) can potentially enhance the therapeutic efficacy for patients with unresectable HCC by drawing on the slower, more consistent drug delivery process. We described a case of a 62-year-old man with HCC in the caudate lobe who was successfully treated by DEB.

[A case of congenital hepatic fibrosis presented with recurrent acute cholangitis].

Acute cholangitis usually develops in congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF), accompanied by cystic dilated bile ducts. However, it can also develop in simple CHF and may lead to critical course. A 30-year old man presented with recurrent acute cholangitis without bile duct dilatation. He visited the hospital for febrile sense and abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. He had been admitted several times for hepatosplenomegaly and cholangitis since childhood and received a liver biopsy 15 years ago. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed hepatosplenomegaly and a mildly dilated bile duct without stones or biliary cysts. His condition improved after conservative treatment. However, during a two-month follow up period, the patient experienced three episodes of acute cholangitis. A liver biopsy was performed and showed periportal fibrosis and intrahepatic ductular dysplasia, characteristics of congenital hepatic fibrosis. The periportal fibrosis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were aggravated compared to 15 years ago. There was no evidence of hepatic cirrhosis. He was diagnosed with congenital hepatic fibrosis with recurrent acute cholangitis without intrahepatic duct dilatation, and conservatively treated with antibiotics.

[Clinical significance of bowel wall thickening detected with 64-slice multidetector computed tomography].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning frequently leads to the incidental discovery of bowel wall thickening. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of gastroscopy and colonoscopy in the management of patients who had incidental discovery of bowel wall thickening on MDCT. METHODS: From May 2006 to March 2008, the abdominal MDCT reports of all patients in Chungbuk National University Hospital were reviewed. Cases with any bowel thickening were selected and then patients who received gastroscopy or colonoscopy after abdominal MDCT were re-selected. RESULTS: Gastroscopy revealed abnormal findings in 22 (95.7%) out of 23 patients, and 10 patients (43.5%) had stomach cancers. Colonoscopy revealed abnormal findings in 35 (85.4%) out of 41 patients, and 12 patients (29%) had malignant tumors. In the patients who had lymph node enlargement (p<0.001), dirty fat infiltration (p=0.025), and irregular wall thickening (p<0.001) on MDCT malignancy was observed more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend gastroscopy and colonoscopy to patients who had incidentally bowel wall thickening found on MDCT, especially those with lymph node enlargement, dirty fat infiltration, and irregular wall thickening.

Metachronous bile duct cancer nine years after resection of gallbladder cancer.

We report a rare case of a 74-year-old man with metachronous gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer who underwent curative resection twice, with the operations nine years apart. At the age of 65 years, the patient underwent a cholecystectomy and resection of the liver bed for gallbladder cancer. This was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, with negative resection margins (T2N0M0, stage IB). Nine years later, during a follow-up examination, abdominal computed tomography and MRCP showed an enhanced 1.7 cm mass in the hilum that extended to the second branch of the right intrahepatic bile duct. We diagnosed this lesion as a perihilar bile duct cancer, Bismuth type IIIa, and performed bile duct excision, right hepatic lobectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The histological diagnosis was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with one regional lymph node metastasis (T1N1M0, stage IIB). Twelve months after the second operation, the patient is well, with no signs of recurrence. This case is compared with 11 other cases of metachronous biliary tract cancer published in the world medical literature.

A new technique for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: peroral traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: Compared with conventional EMR, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has a higher en bloc resection rate and complete resection rate, regardless of tumor size, in treating gastric neoplasms. However, ESD leads to more complications, such as bleeding or perforation, and, in particular, needs more procedure time than a conventional EMR. OBJECTIVE: To report a new technique for ESD, peroral traction-assisted ESD with suture material, to perform easier and more rapid procedures in treating gastric neoplasms and to report the technique's early results. DESIGN: A case series. SETTING: A tertiary medical center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients with gastric adenomas or early gastric cancers larger than 10 mm in diameter were consecutively enrolled. After marking around the periphery of the lesion, submucosal injection, followed by circumferential mucosal incision with a Flex-knife and an insulation-tipped knife, was conducted. After that, one hemostatic clip, tied by using a white silk suture, was applied at a site of the lesion suitable for oral traction. During submucosal dissection, the applied suture material was pulled to the oral side. Additional tractions were applied as needed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: En bloc resection rate, procedure time, complications. RESULTS: All lesions were resected en bloc with free lateral and vertical margins by using this technique. The mean longest lesion size and specimen size were 18.1 mm (range 11-28 mm) and 43.7 mm in diameter (range 25-64 mm), respectively. The mean procedure time was 49.6 minutes (range 28-90 minutes). There was no significant bleeding that required blood transfusion or perforation related to the procedures. LIMITATIONS: Single endoscopist, small patient number. CONCLUSION: Peroral traction-assisted ESD with suture material is useful in treating gastric neoplasms located in various regions of the stomach. It may make ESD procedures easier, faster, and safer under better direct vision of the submucosal layer.

Successful Hemostasis with Recombinant Activated Factor VII in a Patient with Massive Hepatic Subcapsular Hematoma.

Recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) is known to be effective in the management of acquired deficiencies of factor VII and platelet function defects. But recently, rFVIIa has been successfully used to treat ongoing bleeding in disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) condition. The patient reported here was suspected to be suffering from toxic hepatitis on admission. After percutaneous liver biopsy, bleeding occurred and did not stop even after right hepatic artery embolization. The patient developed a severe hemorrhage that resulted in hypovolemic shock, hemoperitoneum, and a massive subcapsular hematoma. The patient then developed DIC due to massive transfusion, as well as acute liver necrosis. The patient was given 400 mug/kg of rFVIIa. Recombinant factor VIIa was administered in an attempt to control the bleeding. This stabilized the hemoglobin levels of the patient. The patient gradually recovered in 4 months. In conclusion, this case suggests that rFVIIa can be successfully used for the hemostasis of uncontrolled bleeding in DIC.

Lafutidine versus lansoprazole in combination with clarithromycin and amoxicillin for one versus two weeks for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Korea.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lafutidine is a novel H(2)-receptor antagonist with gastroprotective activity that includes enhancement of gastric mucosal blood flow. The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of 7- or 14-day lafutidine-clarithromycin-amoxicillin therapy versus a lansoprazole-based regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication. METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-three patients with H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer disease were randomized to one of four regimens: (1) lafutidine (20 mg b.i.d.), clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d.) and amoxicillin (1000 mg b.i.d.) for 7 days (the 7LFT group) or (2) for 14 days (the 14LFT group); (3) lansoprazole (30 mg b.i.d.), clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d.), and amoxicillin (1000 mg b.i.d.) for 7 days (the 7LPZ group); or (4) for 14 days (the 14LPZ group). The eradication rates, drug compliance, and adverse effects among the four regimens were compared. RESULTS: The eradication rates by the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses in the 7LFT and 7LPZ groups were 76.5% and 81.6%, and 76.9% and 82.0% (p = .94 and .95), respectively. The eradication rates by intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses in the 14LFT and 14LPZ groups were 78.2% and 82.2%, and 80.4% and 85.9% (p = .70 and .49), respectively. The treatment duration for 7 days or 14 days did not affect the eradication rates. In addition, the adverse effect rates and discontinuation rates were similar among the four groups. Furthermore, the ulcer cure rate and symptom response rate were similar in the lafutidine and lansoprazole groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that lafutidine-clarithromycin-amoxicillin therapy was a safe and effective as lansoprazole-based triple therapy for the eradication rate of H. pylori, and could be considered as an additional treatment option.

[A case of primary small cell carcinoma arising from the common bile duct].

Small cell carcinoma is usually seen in the lung, but rarely involves the gastrointestinal tract including biliary tract. A 65 year-old man was admitted because of obstructive jaundice. A smooth-surfaced round intraluminal mass with proximal bile duct dilatation was seen in the proximal common bile duct on endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram. Under the diagnosis of bile duct cancer, pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was done. Pathology revealed a 2 cm sized small cell carcinoma in the proximal common bile duct and distal common hepatic duct. On immunohistochemical stain, the tumor cells were positive for neuroendocrine markers CD56 and synaptophysin. After surgery, the patient received 5 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin) regimen. However, the patient died of liver metastasis 12 months after the diagnosis. We report a case of extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma arising from the common bile duct.

A case of idiopathic colonic varices: a rare cause of hematochezia misconceived as tumor.

Colonic varices are a very rare cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Fewer than 100 cases of colonic varices, and 30 cases of idiopathic colonic varices (ICV) have been reported in the English literature. Among these 30 cases of ICV, 19 cases were diagnosed by angiography, and 7 operated cases were diagnosed later as ileocecal vein deficit, hemangioma, and idiopathic in 1, 1, 5 cases, respectively. We report the case of a 24-year-old man who suffered from multiple episodes of hematochezia of varying degree at the age of 11 years. He had severe anemia with hemoglobin of 21 g/L. On colonoscopy, tortuously dilated submucosal vein and friable ulceration covered with dark necrotic tissues especially at the rectosigmoid region were seen from the rectum up to the distal descending colon. It initially appeared to be carcinoma with varices. Mesenteric angiographic study suggested a colonic hemangioma. Low anterior resection was done due to medically intractable and recurrent hematochezia. Other bowel and mesenteric vascular structures appeared normal. Microscopic examination revealed normal colonic mucosa with dilated veins throughout the submucosa and serosa without representing new vessel growth. Taken all of these findings together, the patient was diagnosed as ICV. His postoperative course was uneventful.

[Clinical experience of 48 acute toxic hepatitis patients].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although many individual cases of toxic hepatitis have been reported in Korea, there are few comprehensive systematic studies on acute toxic hepatitis. The first aim of this study is to investigate the frequency and clinical characteristics of acute toxic hepatitis patients. The second aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of steroid therapy for immunoallergic idiosyncrasy. METHODS: Between March 1998 and March 2004 forty eight patients were included in this study. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Acute toxic hepatitis was diagnosed by score of more than 3 in RUCAM criteria. All the patients were tested for hepatitis A, B and C. Other tests included antibodies to CMV and EBV, ANA, AMA and SMA. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of the patients were female and the mean age of the patients was 47. Twenty cases of acute toxic hepatitis (42%) were related to prescribed medications. The other causes were herbs (35%) and traditional therapeutic preparations (23%). Common symptoms were jaundice (35%), fatigue (10%), fever (9%) and abdominal pain (9%). The biochemical pattern of hepatotoxicity was divided into three groups: hepatocellular (81%), mixed (13%), and cholestatic types (6%). Three patients who have prolonged and severe jaundice were classified into immunoallergic idiosyncrasy based upon clinical and histologic findings. Prednisolone was prescribed in all three cases whose bilirubin levels had been higher than 15 mg/dL for at least 7 days. Jaundice and the laboratory findings rapidly improved within 8 days since the treatment began. CONCLUSIONS: In a demographic point of view, most patients of acute toxic hepatitis were middle aged women. Jaundice was the most commonly observed symptom. Prescribed drugs were the most common cause of acute toxic hepatitis. Although most cases of toxic hepatitis will recover with supportive care after cessation of the causative agent, steroid treatment may be helpful for the patients with severe jaundice patients who have immunoallergic idiosyncrasy.

[Clinical features of patients with choledocholithiasis showing high levels of aminotransferases].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to determine the clinical features of patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones with high serum levels of AST or ALT. METHODS: A retrospective review of 93 patients with CBD stones was done. Clinical characteristics, diameters of CBD, and prior diagnosis before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were assessed between two groups (group 1 with serum AST or ALT levels > or =400 IU/L and group 2 with AST and ALT < or =100 IU/L). RESULTS: Nineteen patients in group 1 and 17 patients in group 2 were enrolled. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain in both groups. Patients in group 1 was about 14 years younger than group 2 (p=0.003). The duration of symptoms in group 1 and group 2 were 4.1 and 36.8 days, respectively (p=0.005). The diameter of CBD was smaller in group 1 (11.4 mm) than in group 2 (16.3 mm) (p=0.001). Most patients were diagnosed as CBD stones by abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography before ERCP, except two patients in group 1 who were diagnosed as hepatitis initially. All of the patients were recovered by stone removal through ERCP and antibiotics treatment. There were inverse correlations between the diameter of CBD and AST or ALT levels (r=-0.517, p=0.002 and r=-0.504, p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CBD stones with high levels of AST or ALT are frequently observed in younger patients with shorter duration of symptoms and a smaller diameter of CBD. ERCP seems to be a valuable method in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

[A case of leiomyoma in the common bile duct].

Leiomyomas, originating in the bile duct, are very rare, and only few cases have been reported in the literature. We experienced a case of leiomyoma of the distal common bile duct, mimicking bile duct cancer. A 39-year-old woman presented with intermittent jaundice and general weakness for three months. Clinical profiles showed obstructive jaundice, and the abdominal computed tomography and cholangiography revealed diffuse bile duct dilatation with distal common bile duct stricture. A pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed and the pathologic specimen disclosed leiomyoma of the common bile duct accompanying severe fibrosis. This is the first case of leiomyoma in the bile duct reported in Korea.