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Gallbladder (GB) cancer is asymptomatic in nature, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. The lymph node status is the strongest predictor of long-term survival for patients with GB cancer, and a complete removal of regional lymph nodes is important for patients undergoing radical resection of GB cancer. Unfortunately, lymph node metastases are common in the early stages of GB cancer. However, there have only been a few cases describing the symptoms or complications of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with GB cancer. Although hemoperitoneum caused by metastatic lymph nodes can occur with several cancers, it is very rare. To the best of our knowledge, hemoperitoneum from spontaneous ruptures of metastatic lymph nodes with GB cancer has not yet been reported. Herein, we describe such a case in a patient newly diagnosed with GB cancer.

Obesity is an important health problem in the world and related to many critical diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Obesity leads to fat infiltration of multiple organs and infiltrated adipose tissue produces many cytokines resulting in the dysfunction of organs such as the gallbladder. In the biliary diseases, obesity and overweight have been known as a major risk factor for gallstones. According to current studies, obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and metabolic syndrome are related to various gallbladder diseases including gallbladder stones, cholecystitis, gallbladder polyps, and gallbladder cancers. We reviewed further literature on the obesity and gallbladder diseases, in aspects of epidemiology, mechanism, pathology and prevention.

Backgrounds/aims: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype affects clinical outcomes of HCV infection, in terms of the response to antiviral therapy and progression of chronic liver diseases, and shows geographic differences in distribution. The aim of this study was to elucidate the HCV genotypes in patients with chronic HCV infection in Jeju, which is an island off the Korean peninsula., Methods: The study population consisted of 162 patients with anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA. HCV genotypes were determined using genotype specific primers., Results: HCV genotype 2a predominated (62.3%), followed by genotype 1b (34.0%) and 2b (3.7%). The prevalence of genotypes differed significantly with age, with HCV genotypes 1 and 2 being more frequent in older and younger subjects (P=0.035), respectively. HCV-RNA levels were higher in patients with genotype 1 than in those with genotype 2 (P=0.001). HCV genotype was not significantly related to sex, clinical diagnosis and potential risk factors., Conclusions: HCV genotype 2a is most common in Jeju, followed by genotype 1b. Our results suggest that the distribution of the HCV genotype differs between regions in Korea.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome has been defined as perihepatitis accompanying pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. In the acute phase, patients usually complain of severe right upper quadrant pain of sudden onset. The pain is sharp, pleuritic and most intense at the level of the right lower rib margin and thus it is frequently confused with acute cholecystitis or pleurisy. Definitive diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome needs invasive procedures such as laparoscopy or laparotomy, but considering that Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is a benign condition that can be cured by oral administration of appropriate antibiotics, noninvasive diagnosis is desirable. Recently, we have experienced two cases of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in acute phase accompanied with sharp and pleuritic right upper quadrant pain. In one case, pelvic inflammatory disease was not definite, so at first we mistook it for acute cholecystitis and reactivation of chronic hepatitis B. In the other case, Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome followed the preceding, typical pelvic inflammatory disease. Both cases were diagnosed noninvasively and treated successfully by oral administration of antibiotics.

Background/aims: Oxidative stress may contribute to gastric epithelial damage and mutagenesis caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori induces recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells, which produces reactive oxygen species. H. pylori extract directly induces the synthesis of reactive oxygen species in gastric epithelial cells and causes DNA damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the levels of glutathione (GSH) and H. pylori density, histological findings, endoscopic findings, clinical variables, and virulence factors., Methods: Gastric biopsy specimens were obtained from 73 consecutive patients. The 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) reaction was used to determine GSH levels., Results: The infection rate of H. pylori was 68.5%. The GSH level was not related to age, sex, alcohol intake, and endoscopic findings. The GSH level was lower in patients infected with H. pylori. GSH levels were not correlated significantly with the grades of neutrophil, intestinal metaplasia, and atrophy. However, the GSH levels were significantly correlated with H. pylori density (r=-0.296, p=0.01) and monocyte grade (r=-0.257, p=0.02). The GSH levels were not related to CagA, VacA, and UreA., Conclusions: This study suggests that H. pylori causes oxidative stresses which deplete GSH in gastric mucosa of patients infected with H. pylori.