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33 Background: Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia are sequential consequences of chronic H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection is a well-known risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma of stomach. Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma development. The relationship between gastric MALT lymphoma and atrophic gastritis-intestinal metaplasia has not been on the spot of interest. We investigated the clinical characteristics of gastric MALT lymphoma and co-presence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. Methods: Study was conducted by review of electronic medical record of patients who were diagnosed with gastric MALT lymphoma at an academic institute, the Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea, from January 2001 to March 2018. Results: A total of 51 subjects were enrolled consecutively during the study period and analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 57.5-year-old. The male to female ratio was 1.04 (26/25). On histologic examination, background atrophic gastritis was accompanied in 64.7% (33/51). Serum pepsinogen I, II and gastrin level, as serological marker for atrophy, were evaluated in 21 subjects. Thirteen out of 21 (61.9%) were compatible with serological atrophic gastritis (pepsinogen I / II ratio of less than three or pepsinogen I < 70 ng/mL). Conclusions: Prevalence of background mucosal atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was around 60% in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma. This is comparable to that of general population and lower than that of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Even though age can be a confounding factor, this result suggests different carcinogenic pathway of gastric MALT lymphoma from adenocarcinoma.

Background/Aims Ciprofloxacin is considered to be a safe and effective treatment for acute infectious colitis. However, this drug may cause drug-induced pancreatitis, albeit rarely. Methods From March 2007 to February 2012, we studied 227 patients who were hospitalized for infectious colitis at St. Mary's Hospital. All of the patients received ciprofloxacin therapy for the treatment of infectious colitis. We observed a few cases of rare adverse events, including ciprofloxacin-induced acute pancreatitis diagnosed based on the Naranjo algorithm. Results During ciprofloxacin therapy, seven of 227 patients (3.1%) developed rare pancreatitis as defined by the Naranjo algorithm; pancreatic enzyme activity was sporadically elevated with ciprofloxacin use. After ciprofloxacin administration, the average interval until the development of pancreatitis was 5.5 days (range, 4 to 7 days). On abdominal computed tomography, pancreatic swelling and homogenous enhancement was noted in three of seven patients. Complicating acute pancreatitis was gradually but completely resolved after cessation of ciprofloxacin administration. The mean recovery time was 11.3 days (range, 8 to 15 days). Conclusions We observed that ciprofloxacin-induced pancreatitis may occur with an incidence of approximately 3%. Ciprofloxacin-induced pancreatitis presents a short latency, suggesting an idiosyncratic hypersensitivity reaction. Practitioners should be aware that drug-induced pancreatitis can occur during ciprofloxacin therapy.

†‡ § † ‡ § Background/Aims: To investigate the gastroprotective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPEs) against nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to the normal control, indomethacin, low-dose GSPE, high-dose GSPE and misoprostol groups. All groups except the normal control group received pretreatment drugs for 6 consecutive days. On the 5th and 6th day, indomethacin was administered orally to all groups except for normal control group. The microscopic features of injury were analyzed. The levels of gastric mucosal glutathione, gastric mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and proinflammatory cytokines were investigated. Results: The total areas of ulceration in the GSPE and misoprostol groups were significantly decreased compared with the indomethacin group (p

Background and Aim Delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage is a rare but serious complication. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage. Methods This was a retrospective case-control study of patients who developed delayed hematochezia after receiving colonoscopic polypectomy. The control patients underwent uneventful polypectomy and were selected at a 4:1 ratio. Results Of the 7447 lesions examined from the 3253 patients who received colonoscopic polypectomy, 53 lesions (0.7%) of 42 patients (1.3%) developed delayed hemorrhage, and 168 patients were selected as controls. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, a polyp larger than 10 mm (odds ratio [OR] 2.355, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.225–4.528, P = 0.010), a pedunculated polyp (OR 3.473, 95% CI 1.576–7.657, P = 0.002), and a polyp located in the right hemi-colon (OR 2.690, 95% CI 1.465–4.940, P = 0.001) were significant risk factors for delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage. The presence of comorbidities did not increase the risk of delayed hemorrhage. Conclusion Polyp size (large), shape (pedunculated), and location (right hemi-colon) represented substantial risk factors for the development of delayed hemorrhage after colonoscopic polypectomy.

Background. The decline ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) eradication rates with standard triple therapy resulted in a search for novel therapies for first-line therapy ofH. pyloriinfection.Aim. The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of concomitant therapy with sequential therapy as the first-line therapy ofH. pylorieradication.Methods. We reviewed medical records of patients who were confirmed to haveH. pyloriinfection and received eradication treatment from September 2012 to March 2015. The concomitant group was treated with rabeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole for 7 days. The sequential group was treated with rabeprazole and amoxicillin for 5 days and then rabeprazole, clarithromycin, and metronidazole for an additional 5 days. Six weeks after the treatment period, patients in both groups underwent 13C-Urea breath test (UBT) to confirmH. pylorieradication.Results. The eradication rate was 90.3% in the concomitant group and 85.5% in the sequential group. However, the eradication rates between the two groups showed no statistical difference (P=0.343).Conclusion. No statistical difference was found in eradication rates between the two groups. However, in areas where antibiotic resistance is high, concomitant therapy may be more effective than sequential therapy forH. pylorieradication.

Newly developed uncovered stents are designed to have varied radial force and high conformability to improve clinical outcome and safety. This study aimed to determine and compare the clinical outcome and safety of the Taewoong D-type uncovered stent and the Boston Scientific Wallfex stent.Patients with acute malignant colonic obstruction were treated with a colonic stent. For the purpose of palliation, patients were randomly allocated. For the purpose of bridging, the type of stent was determined by the discretion of the individual doctors. Technical and clinical success and complication occurrence were measured as primary outcomes.From 12 university hospitals, 123 patients with malignant colonic obstruction were enrolled. Of these 123 patients, 58 were treated with colonic stents for palliative purposes. The technical and clinical success rate was 100 % for both stents in the palliative group. Perforation occurred for one patient (3.6 %) in the Wallflex stent group (n = 28) on day 5 and for no patients in the D-type stent group (n = 30). Two cases of migration occurred: one with the Wallflex stent and one with the D-type stent. Stent restenosis occurred for one patient with the Wallflex stent. Preoperative bridging stents were placed in 65 patients. The median time to surgery was 10 days. The technical success rate was 93.4 %, and clinical success was achieved for 86.2 % of the patients. Perforation occurred for five patients: four with the Wallflex stent and one with the D-type stent. The efficacy and safety of the two stents did not differ statistically.The D-type colonic uncovered stent and the Wallflex colonic uncovered stent are effective and safe for both palliative and preoperative bridging therapy used to treat acute malignant colonic obstruction.

Recently, the risk of colonic perforation has been increasing with the increased frequency of advanced therapeutic endoscopy. However, guidelines for the management of colon perforations after colonoscopy have not been established. This study aimed to evaluate the indications for nonsurgical management. This study was conducted as a case–control study with 22 patients who were managed for colorectal perforations after colonoscopy from June 2004 to July 2009. Colonoscopy was performed in 12 patients (54.4%) for diagnostic purposes and 10 (45.5%) for therapeutic reasons. The most common site of perforation was the sigmoid colon (77.3%). Five patients underwent nonsurgical treatment, and 17 patients received surgical treatment. The duration of hospital stay did not differ significantly between the two groups. Abdominal pain and fever were significantly more commonly encountered in the surgical management group ( P = 0.043 and 0.011, respectively). All of the patients who were suitable for nonsurgical treatment were diagnosed within 24 hours and received bowel preparation before the colonoscopy. The nonsurgical treatment of colonic perforation after colonoscopy could be feasible in afebrile patients with less severe abdominal pain. Moreover, cases that were diagnosed within 24 hours and received bowel preparation before colonoscopy were associated with better outcomes.

Gastrointestinal melanosis is observed most frequently in the colon it also can develop in the ileum, duodenum and esophagus very rarely. Melanosis ilei was thought that causative materials such as aluminum, magnesium, silicate, titanium and other compounds entered the body through the ingestion of agents. We experienced a case of melanosis in the terminal ileum that a 65-year-old female patient ingested 10 g edible charcoal everyday for 3 years to address symptoms of chronic abdominal pain. In Korea, edible charcoal has been considered to be an effective folk remedy for patients with diarrhea or chronic abdominal pain. In our case, a follow up colonoscopy was performed 3.5 years after the termination of the ingestion of edible charcoal, at which point pigmentation was faded color intensity. In conclusion, it is thought that melanosis ilei is a rare disease by ingestion of causative materials and is discontinuous, local and reversible disease.

A 57-year-old man was admitted to another hospital for hematemesis due to heavy drinking. A Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was inserted and the patient was transferred to our hospital. The patient's ensuing movements inadvertently caused an esophageal rupture 2.5 cm in size. Since the patient's condition was stable, treatment via endoscopic repair using metallic clips was chosen over emergency surgery. Two hemoclips were fixed at the ends of the ruptured area; by employing an endoscopic detachable snare, the ruptured area was carefully repaired with 10 metallic clips. As a result, the esophageal rupture could be successfully repaired by endoscopic procedure rather than performing surgery.

The indolent and favorable clinical course of extranodal B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type (MALT lymphoma) of stomach is well known. For both physician and patient, one of the most fearful parts for gastric MALT lymphoma must be the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB) rather than the disease itself. Guidelines from authorities still does not reach to a concurrence on the role of BMAB in the initial staging work-up of gastric MALT lymphoma (Table 1).1–3 National Comprehensive Cancer Network and European Gastro-Intestinal Lymphoma Study state BMAB “useful in selected cases,”1,2 however, European Society for Medical Oncology do “should-be done.”3 The article “Limited role of BMAB in the initial staging work-up of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in Korea” by Min et al.4 is timely and provides practical information which is compatible with Korean physician’s experiences.

An 84 yr-old male with a history of nausea and vomiting for 3 weeks was admitted to our hospital. Esopahgogastroduodenoscopy showed the diffuse infiltrative type of gastric cancer encircling from the cardia to the lower body. On abdominal computerized tomography, the gastric wall was diffusely thickened with overlying mucosal enhancement without lymph node involvement. Histologic examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. So surgical resection was planned. However, patient refused all medical care, and then he was discharged. He lived without any medical support and then he revisited our hospital and showed relieved symptoms on the follow-up exam. On esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the gastric mucosa of the body looked normal without any dysplastic change. Abdominal CT revealed a decreased thickening of the gastric wall of the body. The histology from the endoscopic forceps biopsy showed no evidence of malignancy. The patient is alive without any sign of tumor recurrence after 14 months.

Background and Aim: Revaprazan is a novel acid pump antagonist. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of revaprazan on gastric acid secretion in healthy male subjects. Methods: In a double-blind, three-way cross-over study, 30 healthy male volunteers were randomized to 100, 150 or 200 mg of oral revaprazan daily for 7 days. Serum gastrin concentration was measured, and 24-h intragastric pH was recorded at baseline and on days 1 and 7 of each administration period. Serial blood samples were processed for pharmacokinetics. Results: Median intragastric pH over 24 h and mean percentage time that pH was > 4 increased in a dose-dependent manner and were significantly higher on days 1 and 7 compared with baseline in all groups (P

Background and Aim: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has proven to be highly effective at detecting small bowel lesions in a variety of clinical conditions, but studies concerning the practical impact of CE on small bowel tumors are still scarce, especially in the Asian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of CE in the field of small bowel tumors. Methods: CE records consecutively pooled from the beginning of use of CE in Korea, October 2001 until April 2008, in 14 centers throughout Korea were reviewed. Clinical information and CE video images of small bowel tumors were analyzed. Results: A total of 1332 cases undergoing CE were reviewed with all clinical indications. Small bowel tumors were diagnosed with CE in 57 (4.3%) of 1332 patients. The tumors were malignant in 33 cases, and included three adenocarcinomas, eight lymphomas, 20 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and two metastatic cancers. The most frequent indications for CE in malignant tumors were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, followed by abdominal pain and weight loss. Thirty of 57 tumors were identified exclusively by CE (diagnostic impact = 30/57), and they were smaller in size (mean, range: 14.3 mm, 2–35 mm) compared to the other tumors detected in radiological studies (48.7 mm, 10–110 mm). Seven patients underwent surgical resection (therapeutic impact = 7/57). Conclusion: CE effectively identifies small bowel tumors that are undetectable by conventional radiological studies (diagnostic impact = 52.6%) and can critically change the therapeutic course (therapeutic impact = 12.3%).

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a novel investigation for the diagnosis of small-bowel disease but its interpretation is highly subjective. We studied the inter-observer agreement and accuracy of the interpretation of CE findings based on capsule endoscopy structured terminology (CEST).Fifty-six CE video clips were collected from eight university hospitals in South Korea and were independently reviewed by 13 gastroenterology experts and 10 trainees. All investigators recorded their findings based on CEST. To determine the accuracy of individual viewers, we defined the 'gold standard' as a joint review by four experts.The 56 CE video clips included five normal cases, 19 cases of protruding lesions, 21 cases of depressed lesions, three cases of flat lesions, one case of abnormal mucosa, six cases with blood in the lumen, and one case of stenotic lumen. The overall mean accuracies for the experts and trainees were 74.3% +/- 22.6% and 61.7% +/- 25.4%, respectively. The overall accuracy for the trainee group was significantly lower than that for the expert group (P0.001), especially in normal, tumor, venous structure, and ulcer cases. The accuracies of the two groups varied with the CE findings. The accuracies were higher in cases with more prominent intraluminal changes (e.g. active small-bowel bleeding, ulcer, tumor, stenotic lumen). In contrast, subtle mucosal lesions, such as erosion, angioectasia, and diverticulum, had lower accuracies. The mean kappa values for the experts and trainees were 0.61 (range 0.39-0.97) and 0.46 (range 0.17-0.66), respectively.Our results showed that there was substantial agreement between experts and moderate agreement between trainees. In order to achieve higher accuracies and better inter-observer agreement, we need not only more experience with CE but also consensus regarding CEST terminology.

Lymphangioma of the esophagus is a rare submucosal benign tumor. A 49-year-old man was referred because of a foreign body sensation in the esophagus. In endoscopy, a 10.0×1.0-cm longitudinal, translucent, whitish yellow mass covered with normal esophageal mucosa was found in the lower esophagus. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a heterogeneous, mainly hypoechoic, well-circum-scribed lesion located in the third layer. Incisional biopsy was performed, and histologic findings showed multiple dilated lymphatic vessels, consistent with lymphangioma. After 3 months of proton pump inhibitor treatment, the symptom was relieved and the patient is currently asymptomatic and under surveillance.

BACKGROUND AND AIM An endoscopic forceps biopsy (EFB) carries the risk of missing the neoplastic foci within a polyp as only a small portion of the lesion is sampled using this technique. Accordingly, the histological examination of specimens obtained by an EFB is of limited accuracy and patient management based on the histological findings is controversial. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the diagnostic concordance between an EFB and resected tissues of gastric and colon polyps. METHODS Between January 2006 and October 2007, 1312 gastrointestinal polyps from 896 patients were resected in our hospital. Patients with polyps of epithelial origin of at least 8 mm in diameter and not associated with polyposis syndromes were included in the study. Polyps of nonepithelial origin were excluded. One thousand two hundred and sixty-four polyps of epithelial origin [gastric polyps (n=268) and colon polyps (n=996)] obtained from 813 patients met the inclusion criteria. All patients underwent an EFB and resection of the polyp by endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. RESULTS Multiple polyps existed in 31.6% of the patients. The pathological diagnoses of resected gastric polyps were as follows: adenomas with low-grade dysplasia, 46 (17.2%); adenomas with high-grade dysplasia, 42 (15.7%); hyperplastic polyps, 126 (47.0%); chronic inflammatory polyps, 29 (10.8%); and adenocarcinomas, 25 (9.3%). The discrepancy rate between an EFB and the pathology of the resected gastric polyps was 39.2% (the Kendall's tau-b and the kappa coefficient for agreement between the EFB and resected specimens of gastric polyps were 0.577 and 0.472, respectively; P value

Patients with thrombocytopenia caused by various neoplastic and primary bone marrow diseases are susceptible to major hemorrhage. There are few reports addressing the incidence and outcome of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with aplastic anemia characterized by long-standing thrombocytopenia. We sought to retrospectively determine the incidence, etiology, clinical outcomes, and risk factors associated with overt GI bleeding in patients with aplastic anemia. We analyzed the medical records of 508 patients with aplastic anemia after excluding patients below 15 years of age or those who underwent stem cell transplantation between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2007. A total of 32 patients developed overt GI bleeding during this period. We evaluated the site, etiology, outcomes, and major risk factors in these patients who developed GI bleeding episodes. The incidence of GI bleeding was 6.3% (32 of 508 patients) in adult patients with aplastic anemia. The incidence increased to 12.6% (28 of 222 patients) in patients with severe disease. One patient died from massive GI bleeding. Bleeding sites included the esophagus (two patients, 6.3%), stomach (five, 16.3%), duodenum (two, 6.3%), small intestine (five, 15.6%), large intestine (seven, 21.6%), and unknown site (11, 34.4%). Lower GI bleeds mainly caused by neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC) and solitary ulcer developed more frequently than upper GI bleeds. The major risk factors for GI bleeding included old age (P = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) = 1.039), severe aplastic anemia (P < 0.001, OR = 11.934), non-response to therapy (P = 0.001, OR = 5.652), and major bleeding history in another organ (P < 0.001, OR = 6.677). Overt GI bleeding in patients with aplastic anemia more frequently develops in the lower tract than in the upper tract. The risk of GI bleeding is higher in patients with the following risk factors: older age, severe disease, poor response to treatment, and major bleeding history in another organ.

Objective The incidence of colorectal cancer throughout the Republic of Korea has been rising over the last 25 years. The change in incidence is supposed to be due to the westernized life style. We evaluated the anatomical distribution of colorectal cancer and the properties of synchronous adenomatous polyps in the Korean population which were known to be different from those in Western countries. Materials and Methods From January 1997 to December 2006, 896 cases of colorectal cancer were reviewed retrospectively. Results A total of 25.1% were proximally located cancer with a modest female predominance (odds ratio 1.5). Synchronous adenomatous lesions were accompanied in 31.9% of all colorectal cancer cases. In the distal colorectal cancer patients, 18.8% had proximally located synchronous adenomas. In those with proximal colon cancer, only 20.5% of patients had distally located adenomas. The likelihood of a proximal colon cancer without distal sentinel lesions was higher in females (odds ratio 3.0). Conclusion There has been a steep rise in the incidence of colorectal cancer in Korea and distal colon cancer is more prevalent than in Western countries. However, as over 20% of proximal colon cancers can exist without distal colonic synchronous or sentinel lesions, a total colonoscopic examination should be considered first in surveillance.

Background and study aims Although capsule endoscopy has become a central diagnostic tool for small-bowel evaluation, retention of a capsule remains a major concern. This study attempted to investigate the incidence and clinical outcomes of capsule retention, and to determine the factors predictive of spontaneous capsule passage after retention. Patients and methods Through a nationwide multicenter survey, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 1291 patients who had a capsule endoscopy between February 2002 and July 2006 in Korea. Clinical and procedural characteristics and postprocedural outcomes were analyzed for the cases with capsule retention. Results Capsule retention occurred in 2.5 % of total cases (32/1291). The major diseases accompanying capsule retention were Crohn's disease, malignant tumors, and tuberculous enterocolitis, in decreasing order. In 11 of the 32 patients (34.4 %), early surgical or endoscopic interventions were instituted for diagnosis or treatment of diseases before retention symptoms developed. The remaining 21 (65.6 %) patients initially received medical treatments. Of these, 10 (31.3 %) ultimately underwent surgical intervention due to the development of symptoms of intestinal obstruction or medical treatment failure. The other 11 (34.4 %) eventually passed the capsule. The presence of a larger lumen diameter (greater than two-thirds of the capsule diameter) at the stricture site was associated with spontaneous passage. Conclusions Our large-scale study suggests that retention occurs infrequently during capsule endoscopy. Moreover, a retained capsule might indicate the best intervention for the offending pathology, or it may spontaneously pass in the long run, particularly in patients with less small bowel stricture.

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative granulomatous infectious disease caused by actinomyces species that is characterized by formation of characteristic clumps called as sulfur granules. Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare disease and is often difficult to diagnose before operation. Abdominal actinomycosis infiltrating into the abdominal wall and adhering to the colon is even rarer. Most abdominal actinomycosis develops after operation, trauma or inflammatory bowel disease, and is also considered as an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patient with underlying malignancy, diabetes mellitus, human immunodeficiency virus infection, etc. Actinomycosis is diagnosed based on histologic demonstration of sulfur granules in surgically resected specimen or pus, and treatment consists of long-term penicillin based antibiotics therapy with or without surgical resection. Herein, we report an unusual case of abdominal wall actinomycosis which developed in a patient after acupuncture and presented as abdominal wall mass that was first mistaken for abdominal wall invasion of diverticulum perforation.

Adequate luminal distension is essential for improving adenoma detection during colonoscope withdrawal. A few crossover studies have reported that dynamic position changes maximize luminal distension and increase adenoma detection rates (ADR). We designed a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group trial to verify the effect of dynamic position changes on colonic adenoma detection.This study was conducted at the six hospitals of the Catholic University of Korea. Patients aged 45-80 years who underwent a colonoscopy for the first time were included. In the position change group, the position changes during colonoscope withdrawal were as follows: cecum, ascending colon, and hepatic flexure: left lateral position; transverse colon: supine position; splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum: right lateral position. In the control group, the examinations were performed entirely in the left lateral position during colonoscope withdrawal. The primary outcome measure was the ADR, which was defined as the proportion of patients with ≥1 adenoma.A total of 1,072 patients were randomized into the position change group (536 patients) or the control group (536 patients). The ADR was higher in the position change group than in the control group (42.4 vs. 33.0%, P=0.002). More adenomas were detected per subject in the position change group (0.90 vs. 0.67, P=0.01). Increases in the number of adenomas were observed in examinations of the transverse colon (0.22 vs. 0.13, P=0.016) and the left colon (0.37 vs. 0.27, P=0.045). A significant increase in the ADR was observed for endoscopists with a relatively low detection rate. For endoscopists with a high detection rate, non-significant changes in the ADR were observed.Dynamic position changes during colonoscope withdrawal increased the ADR.

Background/Aims: M2 pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) is an enzyme that is produced in undifferentiated and proliferating tissues. This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of the immunochromatographic M2 pyruvate kinase (iM2-PK) for the screening of colorectal cancer (CRC) and premalignant lesions. Methods: Healthy volunteers and patients with colorectal neoplasia were enrolled in six academic hospitals in the capital province of Korea. The iM2-PK value was compared with the immunochromatographic fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) and fecal tumor M2-PK enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: A total of 323 subjects were enrolled. The sensitivity of iM2-PK for CRC was 92.8%, which was superior to iFOBT (47.5%, p

교신저자: 정대영, 150-713, 서울시 영등포구 63로 10, 가톨릭대학교 여의도성모병원 내과 Correspondence to: Dae Young Cheung, Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, 10 63-ro, Yeoungdeungpo-gu, Seoul 150-713, Korea. Tel: +82-2-3779-1519, Fax: +82-2-3779-1331, E-mail: adagio@catholic.ac.kr Financial support: None. Conflict of interest: None. 증례: 54세 남자가 2주 전부터 발생한 상복부 통증 및 가슴 쓰림 증상으로 내원하였다. 환자는 6개월 전 십이지장 궤양을 진단받고 치료를 받은 적이 있었으나, 이후 특별한 증상은 없 었고 약물 투약도 하지 않았다. 복부 통증과 함께 오심과 구토 증상이 하루 2-3회 정도 발생하였고, 소량의 검은 혈괴가 동 반되는 양상을 보였다. 내원 당시 백혈구 12,070/mm, 헤모 글로빈 12.4 g/dL, 혈소판 496,000/mm였다. 일반 혈액화학 검사에서는 특이 소견이 관찰되지 않았다. 입원 후 시행한 위 내시경 검사에서 위-식도 접합부에서 식도 내강 전체가 이환 된 환상 형태의 궤양이 관찰되었으며, 이 궤양은 중부 식도까 지(앞니에서 22 cm 부위) 확장된 것이 관찰되었다(Fig. 1). 궤 양의 기저부는 검붉은 발적성 반점이 다수 관찰되었으며 다량 의 혼탁한 삼출물에 덮여있었다. 심한 역류성 식도염의 형태 로서 Los Angeles 분류로는 D등급에 해당하는 병변이었다. 십이지장 이부에서 약 0.5-1.5 cm 정도의 다양한 크기를 보이 는 원형 혹은 타원형의 작은 궤양들이 20개 이상 관찰되었다. 다발성 그리고 재발성 궤양의 원인 감별을 위한 검사 결과, 헬리코박터 감염 여부는 음성이었으며 혈청 가스트린 치는 91.41 pg/mL (참고치: 0-108 pg/mL)로 정상 범위 안에 있었 다. 환자는 입원 후 양성자 펌프 억제제(lansoprazole 15 mg, 1일 2회)와 함께 sucralfate (15 mL/포, 1일 3회), arginic acid (15 mL/포, 1일 3회)를 투여되었다. 투약 다음 날부터 복부 통증은 호전되었으며 3일 후 식사가 가능해서 퇴원하였다. 퇴 원 1개월 후 시행된 추적 내시경 검사는 이전에 관찰되던 식 도-위 접합부의 환상형 궤양은 거의 치유된 상태로, 국소적인 미란과 함께 주변의 재생성 상피 생성 및 점막 유약성을 보였 다(Fig. 2). 원위부 식도에서 협착이 관찰되었으나 내시경의 통과는 큰 저항 없이 가능하였다. 십이지장 궤양은 모두 완전 한 회복을 보였다. 퇴원 후 환자는 프로톤 펌프 억제제 유지 치료(rabeprazole 10 mg, 1일 2회)를 시행하고 있었으며, 7개 월째 다시 추적 내시경을 시행하였다(Fig. 3). 식도-위 접합부 에서 혼탁한 Z-선과 함께 5 mm 이하의 점막 균열이 관찰되 는 Los Angeles 분류 A등급의 역류성 식도염의 소견을 보였 다. 환자는 특별한 증상 호소 없이 일상 생활이 가능한 상태였 다.

Proanthocyanidin (grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts, GSPEs) is an antioxidant and scavenges free radicals. Excessive oxidative stress and free radical production are major components in the pathogenesis of NSAID-induced small intestinal injury. We investigated the effect of GSPEs on indomethacin-induced intestinal mucosal injury in the rat. Rats were allocated into four groups: the null control group, the indomethacin control group, the low-dose GSPEs group, and the high-dose GSPEs group. GSPEs were administered for 4 days. Then indomethacin and GSPEs were coadministered for the following 2 days by oral route. The dose of indomethacin was 200 mg/Kg. The doses of GSPEs were 100 mg/Kg for low-dose group and 300 mg/Kg for high-dose group. Luminal bleeding was solely observed in one of 5 rats from indomethacin control group. The number of ulcer count was reduced to 0.1 ± 0.3 per rat in GSPEs treated group compared to 1.4 ± 0.5 per rat in indomethacin control group. Submucosal inflammatory cell infiltration was also reduced to 50% in GSPEs treated group. The tissue level of prostaglandin E2was not affected by GSPEs treatment. GSPEs attenuated the indomethacin-induced small intestinal injury irrespective of the tissue PGE2depletion and glutathione consumption.

Small rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can be treated with endoscopic resection. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been accepted as a reliable technique, but it is difficult. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of precut and endoscopic mucosal resection (CSI-EMR) for rectal NETs compared to ESD. Patients with rectal NETs were enrolled consecutively. ESD or CSI-EMR was performed at operator’s discretion. Histological and clinical outcomes were measured and compared between the two treatment modalities. Thirty-three patients were enrolled in the study. Seventeen NETs were treated by the ESD method and 16 were treated by CSI-EMR. Both groups had similar mean tumor diameters (ESD 7.53 ± 1.94 vs. CSI-EMR 6.63 ± 1.99 mm; p = 0.197). En bloc resection was achieved in 100 % of ESD group and 87.5 % of CSI-EMR group. Lateral margin involvement occurred in one patient in ESD group and two in CSI-EMR group. The histologically complete resection rate was 88.2 % (15 of 17) in the ESD group and 81.2 % (13 of 16) in CSI-EMR group (p = 0.592). One case of perforation occurred in both groups. Delayed bleeding did not occur. None of the measured outcomes were different between the two groups. Operating time was significant shorter in CSI-EMR group than in ESD group (9.69 vs. 20.12 min, respectively; p value = 0.004). CSI-EMR results in reliable clinical outcomes for small rectal NETs comparable to those of ESD. CSI-EMR is technically feasible and more time saving.

Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) is a rare, localized, nonneoplastic lesion originating from the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Microscopically, these lesions are made up of a complex network of variable-size blood vessels and diffuse inflammatory cells contained in the edematous stroma. They are most often found in the stomach, followed by the small intestine, and rarely in the esophagus or the large intestine. We report a case of sigmoid colonic IFP presenting bloody stool treated with endoscopic resection.

Objective To assess changes over time in imaging findings retrospectively by multidetector CT (MDCT) with two-dimensional (2D) multiplanar reconstruction and three-dimensional (3D) CT gastrography (CTG), after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), and to correlate 3D CT images with endoscopic appearance. Materials and methods In this retrospective study, a total of 84 patients underwent ESD and were followed up with MDCT. Fifteen patients underwent CT twice, and 3 patients underwent CT 3 times. A total of 105 CTs were included in this study and 43 CTs contained 3D CTGs. Two radiologists in consensus interpreted CT images for lesion detectability, presence and characteristics of ulcer, focal wall thickening, perigastric fat infiltration, and overlying enhancing layer in 2D images. The presence of ulcer or subtle mucosal nodularity, ulcer mound, and fold convergence were analysed in 3D CT images. We also assessed the time interval between ESD and CT and analysed the temporal evolution of CT findings. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of 3D CTG were assessed regarding endoscopic features as the gold standard. Results The mean interval between ESD and follow up CT was 76.9 days (median, 62; range, 2–223). No tumour recurrence in any lesion was found on follow-up endoscopic biopsy and also lymph node or distant metastasis was not observed on CT exams in the follow-up period. The lesion detectability in a total of 105 post-ESD 2D CT images was 42.0% (44/105), and 93.2% (41/44) of the detected lesions were visualizable 2 months after ESD. Focal wall thickening was observed during the entire follow-up period in all patients. Perigastric fat infiltration was observed in 4 lesions within 1 week of ESD. Overlying enhancing layer appeared in 27 lesions without temporal evolution. On a total of 43 post-ESD 3D CTG, lesion detectability was 76.7% (33/43), and lesions could be visualized for a longer period than by 2D CT images (223 days versus 99 days). Three-dimensional imaging features revealed ulcer, ulcer mound, and fold convergence. Ulcer mounds disappeared first (median, 12.5 days; range, 2–14 days after ESD), ulcers appeared up to 4 months after ESD (median, 14 days; range, 2–174 days after ESD) and fold convergence continued to the end of the study (median, 74 days; range, 2–223 days after ESD). We found that sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of 3D CTG were 70.0%, 92.9%, 83.3% for ulcer, 28.6%, 100%, 71.4% for ulcer mound, and 71.4%, 100%, 75% for fold convergence regarding endoscopy, respectively. Conclusion On follow-up 2D or 3D CT images after ESD, early findings were of perigastric fat infiltration, ulcer, and surrounding oedema. Focal wall thickening and fold convergence continued to be observed late in the study. The overlying enhancing layer did not show temporal evolution.

Background and study aims: The clinical impact of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) remains undetermined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical impact of VCE in patients with OGIB using a nationwide registry. Patients and methods: Data from 305 patients who underwent VCE for OGIB from 13 hospitals in Korea between January 2006 and March 2009 were analyzed. Prospectively collected VCE registry data were reviewed, and follow-up data were collected by chart review and telephone interviews with patients. Multivariate regression analyses using hazard ratios (HR) were performed to determine risk factors for rebleeding. Results: Significant findings were detected in 157 patients (51.5 %). After VCE, interventional treatment was performed in 36 patients (11.8 %). The overall rebleeding rate was 19.0 % during a mean (± SD) follow-up of 38.7 ± 26.4 months. Rebleeding rate did not differ by positive VCE results or application of interventional treatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that angiodysplasia (HR 1.82; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.04 – 3.20; P = 0.037) and duration of OGIB > 3 months (HR 1.64; 95 %CI 1.10 – 2.46; P = 0.016) were independent prognostic factors associated with rebleeding. In a subgroup analysis of patients taking anticoagulants, patients who discontinued drugs after VCE showed a lower rebleeding rate than those who did not discontinue this therapy (P = 0.019). Conclusions: VCE did not have a significant impact on the long-term outcome of patients with OGIB. Patients with angiodysplasia on VCE or OGIB > 3 months need to be closely followed even after interventional treatment. In patients who are taking anticoagulants, discontinuation of drugs is necessary in order to lower the risk of rebleeding.

Metronidazole and other 5-nitroimidazoles (5-NI) are among the most effective antimicrobials available against many important anaerobic pathogens, but evolving resistance is threatening their long-term clinical utility. The common 5-NIs were developed decades ago, yet little 5-NI drug development has since taken place, leaving the true potential of this important drug class unexplored. Here we report on a unique approach to the modular synthesis of diversified 5-NIs for broad exploration of their antimicrobial potential. Many of the more than 650 synthesized compounds, carrying structurally diverse functional groups, have vastly improved activity against a range of microbes, including the pathogenic protozoa Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis, and the bacterial pathogens Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile, and Bacteroides fragilis. Furthermore, they can overcome different forms of drug resistance, and are active and nontoxic in animal infection models. These findings provide impetus to the development of structurally diverse, next-generation 5-NI drugs as agents in the antimicrobial armamentarium, thus ensuring their future viability as primary therapeutic agents against many clinically important infections.

We analyzed the characteristics of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors and examined the outcomes and safety of modalities in rectal neuroendocrine tumors.Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 91 patients with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors were retrospectively reviewed in terms of the characteristics of tumors.Sixty-six patients had rectal neuroendocrine tumors and underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR, n = 29), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD, n = 23), or transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM, n = 14). The complete resection rate was higher in the ESD group (82.7%) and in the TEM group (100%) compared to the EMR group (65.5%) (P0.046). The complication rate was higher in the ESD group (47.8%) than in the EMR group (18.5%) (P = 0.003). No local tumor recurrence was observed in all patients, regardless of the procedure, during the median follow-up period of 21.5 ± 13.5 months.ESD achieved a higher complete resection rate than EMR and comparable to TEM. Tumor recurrence was not observed in the endoscopic resection and TEM groups, regardless of the completeness of resection. Small neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract can be managed reliably with both endoscopic resection and TEM.

Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) is a rare tumor consisting of spindle cells which express cytokeratin. Despite recent advances in immunohistochemical and genetic studies, precise histogenesis of SpCC is still controversial and this tumor had been referred to with a wide range of names (in the past): carcinosarcoma, pseudosarcoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma, pseudosarcomatous carcinoma, and collision tumor. Recently, the authors experienced an extremely rare case of SpCC arising from the stomach. A 64-year-old male presented with unintended weight loss and hematochezia. Endoscopic examination revealed a fistulous tract between the stomach and the transverse colon which was made by direct invasion of SpCC of the stomach to the colon. Histologically, the tumor was positive for both vimentin and cytokeratin but negative for CD117, CD34, actin, and desmin. Herein, we report a case of SpCC arising from the stomach that formed a fistulous tract with the colon which was diagnosed during evaluation of hematochezia and weight loss.

The incidence of rectal carcinoids is rising because of the widespread use of screening colonoscopy. Rectal carcinoids detected incidentally are usually in earlier stages at diagnosis. Rectal carcinoids estimated endoscopically as < 10 mm in diameter without atypical features and confined to the submucosal layer can be removed endoscopically. Here, we review the efficacy and safety of various endoscopic treatments for small rectal carcinoid tumors, including conventional polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), cap-assisted EMR (or aspiration lumpectomy), endoscopic submucosal resection with ligating device, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and transanal endoscopic microsurgery. It is necessary to carefully choose an effective and safe primary resection method for complete histological resection.

BACKGROUND Clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori is associated with point mutations in the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. METHODS A total of 1232 patients participated and were divided into 2 control groups and 1 case group. Patients in the APC control group, which consisted of 308 randomly assigned participants, were treated with standard triple therapy, consisting of amoxicillin, rabeprazole, and clarithromycin; 308 participants in the APM control group were treated with amoxicillin, rabeprazole, and metronidazole. For the 616 participants in the case group, a test for point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene of H. pylori was conducted. A total of 218 individuals in the case group received a new tailored therapy regimen, in which amoxicillin, rabeprazole, and clarithromycin were given in the absence of a mutation, whereas clarithromycin was replaced by metronidazole if the mutation was detected. RESULTS The rate of eradication of H. pylori in the tailored group was 91.2% (176/193), which was significantly higher than that in the APC (75.9% [214/282]; P < .001) and APM (79.1% [219/277]; P < .001) control groups. CONCLUSION The rate of H. pylori eradication among patients who received tailored therapy on the basis of detection of a clarithromycin resistance mutation by polymerase chain reaction was much higher than the rate among patients who received a standard triple therapy regimen. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT0145303.

Controversy exists regarding the characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection-negative gastric cancer (HPIN-GC). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathologic features of HPIN-GC compared to H. pylori infection-positive gastric cancer (HPIP-GC) using a comprehensive analysis that included genetic and environmental factors.H. pylori infection status of 705 resectable gastric cancer patients was determined by the rapid urease test, testing for anti-H. pylori antibodies, histologic analysis and culture of gastric cancer tissue samples, and history of H. pylori eradication. HPIN-GC was defined as gastric cancer that was negative for H. pylori infection based on all five methods and that had no evidence of atrophy in histology or serology.The prevalence of HPIN-GC was 4% (28/705). No significant differences with respect to age, sex, smoking, drinking, family history of gastric cancer or obesity were observed between the two groups. HPIN-GC tumors were marginally more likely to involve the cardia (14.3% for HPIN-GC vs 5.3% for HPIP-GC, p=0.068). The Lauren classification, histology, and TNM stage did not differ according to H. pylori infection status. Microsatellite instability was not different between the two groups, but p53 overexpression in HPIN-GC was marginally higher than in HPIP-GC (56.0% for HPIN-GC vs 37.0% for HPIP-GC, p=0.055).The prevalence of HPIN-GC was extremely low, and its clinicopathologic characteristics were similar to HPIP-GC.

11 Background: Stomach CT and endoscopic ultrasonography are used for evaluating pre-operative staging of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the pre-operative CT and endoscopic ultrasonographic staging to post-operative pathologic staging. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 567 patients with gastric cancer from 2012 to 2015, and compared their pre-operative CT staging to post-operative pathologic staging. Among the 567 patients, 149 patients underwent pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonographic staging, so we compared their pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonographic staging to post-operative pathologic staging. We also investigated lymph node metastasis in 146 patients with gastric cancer invading submucosa, planning to undergo endoscopic submucosal dissection. Results: The numbers of patients diagnosed as T1, T2, T3, T41, and T4b by pre-operative CT staging were 327, 97, 93, 46, and 4, respectively. However, the numbers of patients diagnosed as T1, T2, T3, T41, and T4b by post-operative pathologic staging were 208, 153, 53, 83, 62, and 8, resulting the pre-operative CT staging to be under-estimated. Similarly, pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonographic staging was also under-estimated, as although 48, 67, 32, and 2 patients were diagnosed as T1a, T1b, T2, and T3, respectively, by the pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonographic staging, post-operative pathologic staging revealed 72, 55, 13, 7, and 2 patients. In patients with gastric cancer invading submucosa (sm), there were 56 patients with sm1 invasion, 32 patients with sm2 invasion, and 91 patients with sm3 invasion. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 7 patients with sm1 invasion, 3 patients with sm2 invasion, and 22 patients with sm3 invasion. Poorly cohesive gastric cancer was the most common pathologic diagnosis in patients with metastatic lymph node. Conclusions: Physicians should keep in mind that pre-operative stomach CT and endoscopic ultrasonographic staging can be under-estimated compared to post-operative pathologic staging. Also, patients with poorly cohesive adenocarcinoma had more lymph node metastasis than patients with differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by multiple gas-filled cysts of varying size in the wall of gastrointestinal tract. PCI may idiopathic or secondary to various disorders. The etiology and pathogenesis of PCI are unclear. Treatment is usually conservative, and includes oxygen and antibiotics therapy. Surgery is reserved for cases of suspected inconvertible intestinal obstruction or perforation. Eleven patients who were diagnosed with PI between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. We report three cases of PCI and describe causes and complications. The most important point in the treatment of PCI is to determine whether the patient needs surgery. Conservative care should be considered first if the patient is stable. If any complication is observed, such as ischemia in the intestine, surgery is needed. It is important to choose the best treatment based on prognostic factors and CT findings. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2016;67:262-266)