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Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have anti-tumor effects, are currently approved for treatment of several kinds of advanced malignancies. However, with their increasing use, a variety of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in administered patients have been reported. We herein report a rare case of the simultaneous onset of acute pancreatitis and colitis as irAEs during nivolumab treatment given to a patient with renal cell carcinoma, who then shown marked improvement with corticosteroid therapy.

Background/Aims The gastric acid pocket has an important role in gastroesophageal reflux disease development. In this study, we utilized a novel 8-channel pH monitoring system with sensor intervals of 1 cm on the vertical axis for evaluation of postprandial gastric acid pocket in healthy Japanese adults, as well as the effects of vonoprazan and rabeprazole. Methods Twelve healthy volunteers without Helicobacter pylori infection were enrolled. A catheter was inserted transnasally and positioned under X-ray guidance, then postprandial acid pocket formation was monitored over time in a sitting position. Thereafter, acid pocket changes were assessed following administration of vonoprazan (20 mg) or rabeprazole (20 mg). Results The gastric acid pocket was successfully measured by use of the present system in 10 cases, while failure occurred in 2 because of inappropriate catheter positioning. Observed acid pockets were visualized with a mean length of 2.2 ± 0.4 channels on the top layer of food contents approximately 20 minutes after finishing a meal. There were some variations for lasting time of the acid pocket. Complete elimination within 3 hours after administration of vonoprazan was noted in all cases. Likewise, following administration of rabeprazole, the acid pocket was eliminated in 7 cases, while acidity was reduced though the pocket remained observable in 3. Conclusions Gastric acid pocket observations were possible using our novel vertical 8-channel sensor catheter. The present findings showed that vonoprazan strongly suppressed acid secretion within a short period, suggesting its effectiveness for gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:370-376)

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) develop in the digestive tract, mainly in the stomach, small intestine, colon, or esophagus. However, primary tumors with the same pathologic features as GISTs have been reported to occur outside of the digestive tract and are called extragastrointestinal stromal tumor (EGIST). We herein report a rare case of EGIST arising from the greater omentum in a patient with abdominal pain caused by intraperitoneal bleeding from the tumor.

Subjective symptoms associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), such as dysphagia, are not specific, thus the endoscopic identification of suggestive EoE findings is quite important for facilitating endoscopic biopsy sampling. However, poor inter-observer agreement among endoscopists regarding diagnosis has become a complicated issue, especially with inexperienced practitioners. Therefore, we constructed a computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) system using a convolutional neural network (CNN) and evaluated its performance as a diagnostic utility. A CNN-based CAD system was developed based on ResNet50 architecture. The CNN was trained using a total of 1192 characteristic endoscopic images of 108 patients histologically proven to be in an active phase of EoE (≥15 eosinophils per high power field) as well as 1192 normal esophagus images. To evaluate diagnostic accuracy, an independent test set of 756 endoscopic images from 35 patients with EoE and 96 subjects with a normal esophagus was examined with the constructed CNN. The CNN correctly diagnosed EoE in 94.7% using a diagnosis per image analysis, with an overall sensitivity of 90.8% and specificity of 96.6%. For each case, the CNN correctly diagnosed 37 of 39 EoE cases with overall sensitivity and specificity of 94.9% and 99.0%, respectively. These findings indicate the usefulness of CNN for diagnosing EoE, especially for aiding inexperienced endoscopists during medical check-up screening.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) of esophagus, primarily occurring in cervical esophagus, is usually asymptomatic. A healthy woman (mid-40s) with postprandial heartburn was diagnosed with middle esophageal HGM and esophageal ulcers by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Using 8-channel pH monitoring, a sensor near the HGM area detected postprandial acid phase (pH 3-4), while areas adjacent to the proximal and distal sensors were neutral, suggesting acid secretion from the HGM. A biopsy showed fundic gland tissue expressing H

We herein report two cases of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) initially diagnosed as eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) based solely on endoscopic biopsy results. One year after the EGE diagnosis, one patient presented with multiple purpura, and skin biopsy findings resulted in a change of the diagnosis to EGPA. In another patient, multiple skin and colonic ulcerations emerged eight years after the diagnosis of EGE, at which time histological examinations of endoscopic biopsy specimens revealed vasculitis, and the diagnosis was changed to EGPA. Physicians should be aware of the possible existence of EGPA in cases diagnosed as EGE.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an endoscopically identifiable premalignant condition for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). To diagnose BE precisely, careful inspection of the anatomic landmarks, including the esophagogastric junction and the squamocolumnar junction is important. The distal end of the palisade vessels and the proximal end of the gastric folds are used as the landmark of the esophagogastric junction in endoscopic diagnosis, with the latter solely used internationally, except in some Asian countries, including Japan. In addition, the diagnostic criteria adopted internationally for BE are inconsistent, particularly between Japan and Western countries. Recently updated guidelines in Western countries have included length criteria, with a 1-cm threshold of columnar epithelium by endoscopic observation and/or histologic confirmation of the presence of specialized intestinal metaplasia. Since BE is endoscopically diagnosed at any length without histologic assessment in Japan, the reported prevalence of short-segment BE is very high in Japan compared with that in Western countries. Although guidelines on screening exist for BE, the current strategies based on the presence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease with multiple risk factors may miss the opportunity for early detection of EAC. Indeed, up to 40% of patients with EAC have no history of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. To discuss BE on the same footing worldwide, standardization of diagnostic criteria, screening indication, and establishment of effective techniques for detecting dysplastic lesions are eagerly awaited. Japanese guidelines for BE should be revised regarding the length criteria, including the minimum length and long-segment BE, in line with the recently updated Western guidelines.

Although tacrolimus (TAC) has remarkable effects in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients when given as remission induction therapy, some can develop renal dysfunction during TAC administration, resulting in withdrawal, though related details remain poorly understood. This study was conducted to determine the impact of oral TAC on renal function for remission induction therapy in UC patients. Fifty-five patients (10 elderly, 45 non-elderly) with UC and treated with oral TAC at our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Although a high clinical response to TAC was seen in both elderly and non-elderly, a decline in eGFR was noted in nearly all patients regardless of age, with a maximum change of -34.4% from the baseline value at week 11. Furthermore, eGFR decline recovered quickly after TAC discontinuation, though did not return to the baseline at two years following cessation. The rate of eGFR change at week 12 was significantly associated with patient age (

Aim Nodular gastritis has been demonstrated to be strongly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The present retrospective study was performed to elucidate factors related to a negative serum antibody test result in adults with nodular gastritis. Materials and methods We investigated 116 H. pylori-positive subjects endoscopically diagnosed with nodular gastritis and subjected to a serum anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody test. The degree of gastric mucosal atrophy and the presence of spotty redness in the gastric body and fornix were carefully determined by observations of endoscopic images. Results Of the 116 investigated subjects, 108 were positive and 8 negative in serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody test results. The degree of gastric mucosal atrophy was mild in seven among eight seronegative cases. The levels of pepsinogen II in serum in patients with negative antibody test findings were significantly lower as compared to those found positive, while the pepsinogen I/II ratio tended to be higher in subjects shown negative by the test. Only 1 of 69 with spotty redness was negative in serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody testing, while 7 of 47 without spotty redness were negative. Multiple logistic regression analysis of subjects with a negative test result revealed that the absence of spotty redness shown by endoscopy was a significant risk factor. Conclusion The absence of spotty redness, which may reflect the degree of gastric body inflammation, is a significant factor indicating increased risk for a negative serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody test result in subjects with nodular gastritis.

Objective Esophageal mucosal breaks are considered to occur circumferentially in locations with high exposure to acid. In the present study, we investigated the circumferential localization of esophageal mucosal breaks based on their distance from the esophagogastric junction. Methods The vertical and circumferential localization of 625 esophageal longitudinal mucosal breaks was examined in 398 patients with mild reflux esophagitis. Results The number of mucosal breaks in which the distal end was located 0-1 cm from the esophagogastric junction was 454, while those in which the distal end was located 1-2, 2-3, and ＞3 cm from the junction were 125, 28, and 18, respectively. There was a marked difference in the circumferential distribution among the groups defined by distance from that junction. Esophageal mucosal breaks whose distal end were located 0-1 cm from the esophagogastric junction were mainly found on the right anterior wall of the esophagus, while those located 1-2 cm from the junction were mainly found on the right wall, and those located 2-3 and ＞3 cm from the junction were mainly found on the posterior wall. Conclusion Esophageal mucosal breaks occurring relatively near the esophagogastric junction mainly exist on the right anterior wall, whereas those farther from that junction tend to exist on the posterior wall of the esophagus. The circumferential location of esophageal mucosa highly exposed to refluxed gastric contents changes based on the distance from the esophagogastric junction.

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), part of the spectrum of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID), share pathogenic similarities. We examined differences regarding clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes between EoE and EGE cases. Methods: Two-hundred fifteen EGID patients, including 181 with EoE and 34 with EGE, diagnosed at Shimane University Hospital between February 2011 and March 2019 were enrolled. Information regarding clinical parameters and treatment outcomes was reviewed. Results: EoE showed significant male predominance (82.3%) as compared with EGE (50.0%) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with EoE were significantly older and had a higher body mass index (24.8 ± 4.0 vs. 22.2 ± 4.3, p < 0.05). Over 90% of the EoE patients were initially given proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment, of whom 73.2% showed clinical and histological remission. Vonoprazan, a more potent acid inhibitor than PPI, was effective in two-thirds of the nonresponsive EoE patients initially treated with a PPI. In contrast, oral glucocorticoid administration was mainly given to patients with EGE (58.8%). Of 13 EGE patients treated with a food-elimination diet, responsible foods were successfully identified in 9, with 7 controlled in a state of remission without glucocorticoid therapy. Conclusions: We found different clinical characteristics and treatment strategies in the present EoE and EGE cases. Most of the EoE patients responded to and were maintained by acid suppressive therapy, using PPI or vonoprazan. For EGE patients, glucocorticoid administration was mainly used though food-elimination diet therapy also showed beneficial effects.

Objective: Quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC) patients often have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms and we recently showed that the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in UC patients in clini...

Over the past two decades, the incidence and prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have risen rapidly, especially in Western countries, with cases in Japan also showing a gradual increase in recent years. However, similarities and differences regarding the characteristics of EoE between Western countries and Japan remain to be clearly elucidated. The current clinical guidelines for diagnosis include symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and dense eosinophilic infiltration in the esophageal epithelium. Most affected patients in Japan are diagnosed incidentally during a medical health check-up and asymptomatic cases with typical endoscopic findings suggestive of EoE are frequently encountered. Clinical characteristics of EoE in Japanese are similar to those seen in Western populations. The predominant symptom is dysphagia, with food impaction extremely rare in Japanese cases. Linear furrows are the most frequently reported characteristic endoscopic finding, while an esophageal stricture or narrow caliber is rarely observed. Treatment strategies for EoE include drugs, dietary restrictions, and endoscopic dilation when the disease is advanced with stricture formation. Although single therapy using a proton-pump inhibitor has been shown to achieve symptomatic and histological response in the majority of patients in Japan, no prospective randomized control studies that evaluated drug or elimination diet therapy have been presented. Overall, EoE has similar clinical characteristics between Japanese and Western populations, while disease severity seems to be milder in Japan. Additional studies are necessary to determine genetic factors, natural history of the disease, and treatment efficacy of drugs and elimination diet as compared to Western populations.

Objective To clarify the influence of the degree of gastric mucosal atrophy on the serum lipid levels before and after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods The subjects were individuals who underwent an annual detailed medical checkup. Serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody detection and upper endoscopic examinations were performed in all subjects. Gastric mucosal atrophy was evaluated by the classification of Kimura and Takemoto. The serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), LDLC/HDLC ratio, and triglycerides were compared among the different degrees of gastric mucosal atrophy in H. pylori-positive subjects. In addition, changes in those serum lipid levels during a two-year period were compared among H. pylori post-eradication cases that showed different degrees of gastric mucosal atrophy prior to eradication. Results In subjects with higher degrees of gastric mucosal atrophy, the serum levels of total cholesterol, LDLC, and triglycerides were elevated. Furthermore, the LDLC/HDLC ratio in subjects with moderate and severe grades of gastric mucosal atrophy was significantly higher than in subjects with mild atrophy. In subjects with higher degrees of gastric mucosal atrophy, the serum level of LDLC and the LDLC/HDLC ratio were decreased following eradication of H. pylori. Conclusion Lipid metabolism is influenced by the degree of gastric mucosal atrophy present before the eradication of H. pylori, and the favorable effects of such eradication are significant in patients with higher degrees of atrophy.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is frequently found on the right-anterior wall of the distal esophagus in short-segment Barrett’s esophagus (SSBE) patients. However, the endoscopic characteristics of EAC in cases with long-segment BE (LSBE) and squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the lower esophagus remain to be fully evaluated. Here, we determined the circumferential distribution and clinical characteristics of esophageal cancer occurring in the lower esophagus based on histological subtype. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 150 patients with esophageal cancer (ESCC, n = 100; EAC, n = 50) diagnosed at our hospital or a related facility between January 2002 and June 2017, including information regarding endoscopic findings, etiology, and clinical parameters. Of the 100 patients with ESCC, 28 lesions were located in the lower esophagus, though characteristic circumferential distribution was not seen regardless of location. Those showed a greater frequency of smoking and drinking habit and gastric mucosal atrophy as compared to patients with EAC. Consistent with the previous reports, EAC in SSBE (n = 41) was frequently located on the right-anterior wall. Likewise, EAC at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) in LSBE was frequently located on the right-anterior wall, while EAC distant from the EGJ showed no characteristic circumferential distribution. Our results showed no circumferential predilection for ESCC in the lower esophagus, suggesting that development of this type of lesion may be less affected by gastroesophageal reflux. In addition, EAC at the EGJ was frequently found on the right-anterior wall irrespective of BE length.

Background/Aims The novel prokinetic drug acotiamide is used for treatment of functional dyspepsia. It is still unclear how acotiamide has effects on esophageal motor function. Esophageal peristalsis and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) compliance has an important role for prevention of esophageal mucosal damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux, however, few studies have analyzed the effects of acotiamide on those former activities and none have investigated its effects on EGJ compliance. The aim of our research was to examine the effects of acotiamide on esophageal motility and EGJ compliance. Methods We enrolled 3 gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients as well as 9 healthy volunteers. Using high-resolution manometry, we examined esophageal motor activity parameters, including esophageal body contractions and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. While, EGJ compliance was evaluated using a functional lumen imaging probe. Following determination of baseline values for esophageal motor activities and EGJ compliance, acotiamide at a standard dose of 300 mg/day was administered for 3 days. All measurements were performed again 2 hours after the last acotiamide administration. Results In the healthy volunteers, as compared with the baseline values, acotiamide administration did not significantly change esophageal body contractions and LES pressure. And EGJ distensibility was not significantly changed (distensibility index in 40-mL distension: 3.5 ± 0.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.5 mm2/mmHg). Similarly in the GERD patients, there were no differences in either esophageal motility or EGJ compliance between before and after acotiamide administration (distensibility index in 40-mL distension: 6.2 ± 0.5 vs 6.5 ± 1.1 mm2/ mmHg). Conclusion In both healthy individuals and GERD patients, standard dose acotiamide dose does not have significant effects on esophageal motor activities or EGJ compliance. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018;24:241-247)

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic inflammatory disorder that is characterized clinically by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophil-predominant inflammation.1,2 Its prevalence has been increasing rapidly in both Western and Asian countries. In Japan, most of the cases of esophageal eosinophilia (EE) are found in an upper endoscopy examination for gastric cancer screening performed during a comprehensive health check-up.3,4 Indeed, we frequently encounter patients with asymptomatic EE showing typical endoscopic findings, such as linear furrows, as well as histologic findings compatible with EoE. However, the current clinical guidelines for EoE diagnosis include symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction, thus patients without symptoms do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria.1,2 The clinical characteristics remain to be fully elucidated,5 thus we aimed to clarify clinical features of asymptomatic EE as compared with those of EoE.

A variety of endoscopic findings are considered useful for the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, the diagnostic consistency among Japanese endoscopists for those findings has not been fully examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the inter- and intra-observer agreement for endoscopic findings suggesting EoE. Forty endoscopists, including 20 with board certification from the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES), participated in this study. Initially, they examined 50 randomized white-light endoscopic images from 30 patients with EoE and 20 without EoE. Four weeks later, the same 50 endoscopic images were re-examined in a different random order. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was calculated using kappa statistics for multiple observers. The kappa coefficient of reliability [95% confidence interval (CI)] for all 40 endoscopists for diagnosis of EoE was 0.34 (0.33–0.35), indicating poor level of inter-observer agreement, while intra-observer agreement showed a moderate value of 0.52 (0.47–0.57). Among 4 possible endoscopic findings (linear furrows, concentric rings, edema, white exudates) for EoE, acceptable levels (kappa value >0.4) of inter- and intra-observer agreement were seen only for linear furrows. When the JGES board-certified and non-certified endoscopists were compared for successful diagnosis of EoE, the value was significantly higher for the board-certified group. However, the level of inter-observer agreement remained poor level. We concluded that inter-observer agreement on the endoscopic diagnosis of EoE among Japanese endoscopists did not reach a clinically acceptable level.

Background and study aims Esophageal mucosal breaks in patients with reflux esophagitis (RE) have a unique circumferential distribution. However, the specific location of mucosal breaks during recurrence of RE remains unclear. We investigated the circumferential distribution of mucosal breaks in patients with recurrent RE and compared their location to that noted at the initial diagnosis. Patients and methods We retrospectively enrolled patients with recurrent RE with Los Angeles (LA) grade A-C who were treated at our University Hospital between July 1996 and June 2014. The circumferential distribution of esophageal mucosal breaks was evaluated at the time of the initial diagnosis and again at the time of recurrence. Information regarding clinical parameters, including proton pump inhibitor administration, presence of hiatal hernia, and mucosal atrophy, was also reviewed. Results A total of 114 patients with recurrent RE were examined during the study period, with a mean duration to recurrence after initial diagnosis of 39.4 months. The majority (72.8 %) had the same LA grade at recurrence. In addition, recurrent mucosal breaks in 96 (84.2 %) patients were observed to have occurred in the same circumferential location as at the initial diagnosis, while those in 18 (15.8 %) were observed in a different location. When recurrent lesions had a different location, the LA grade also tended to be different (P = 0.02). Conclusions We found that most patients with recurrent RE developed lesions in the same circumferential location as noted for the initial lesions. Those in different locations at recurrence were associated with a change in LA grade.

Background and Aim Linear furrows are the most frequently found endoscopic abnormality in patients with esophageal eosinophilia (EE); however, the precise endoscopic features remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we aimed to clarify the endoscopic features of EE, essential for the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), by focusing on the specific locations of linear furrows in a Japanese population. Methods We enrolled 70 cases with EE (≥15 eosinophils/high-power field) who were diagnosed at our hospital and related facilities. Information regarding endoscopic findings and clinical parameters was retrospectively reviewed. Next, the position of linear furrows in relation to esophageal longitudinal folds (ridge or valley) was evaluated in each case and compared with the position of mucosal breaks in patients with reflux esophagitis. Finally, the relationship between linear furrows and eosinophilic infiltration was evaluated. Results Of the 70 EE patients, 63 (90%) had linear furrows. Those occurred in a radial pattern and were widespread throughout the lower to upper esophagus, and exclusively found in esophageal longitudinal mucosal fold valleys, not on ridges, which was different from the position of mucosal breaks in patients with reflux esophagitis. Increased eosinophilic infiltration was significantly more frequent in linear furrows in the valleys (93%) as compared to mucosa on adjacent ridges (60%) (P

BACKGROUND/AIMS Prokinetic drugs such as metoclopramide are frequently used as second-line therapy for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, their beneficial effects remain unclear. Esophageal motor activities and compliance of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) are important for prevention of gastroesophageal reflux. Although metoclopramide has been reported to increase lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, its effects on EGJ compliance have not been evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of metoclopramide on esophageal motor activities and EGJ compliance. METHODS Nine healthy male volunteers without abdominal symptoms were enrolled. Peristaltic esophageal contractions and LES pressure were examined using high-resolution esophageal manometry, while EGJ compliance was evaluated with an endoluminal functional lumen-imaging probe. After obtaining baseline values for esophageal motor activities and EGJ compliance, metoclopramide (10 mg) was intravenously administered, then all measurements were repeated at 15 minutes after administration in each subject. RESULTS Following administration of metoclopramide, mean resting LES pressure was significantly increased as compared with the baseline (13.7 ± 9.2 vs 26.7 ± 8.8 mmHg, P < 0.05). In addition, metoclopramide significantly augmented peristaltic contractions, especially in the distal esophageal segment (P < 0.05). On the other hand, distensibility index did not change after administration (4.5 ± 0.5 vs 4.1 ± 0.5 mm(2)/mmHg), suggesting no significant effect of metoclopramide on EGJ compliance. CONCLUSIONS Metoclopramide augmented esophageal contractions without changing EGJ compliance in healthy adults.

Background/Aims Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). However, the prevalence and clinical conditions of SIBO in patients with FGID remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we examined the frequency of SIBO in patients with refractory FGID. Methods We prospectively enrolled patients with refractory FGID based on Rome III criteria. A glucose hydrogen breath test (GHBT) was performed using a gas analyzer after an overnight fast, with breath hydrogen concentration measured at baseline and every 15 minutes after administration of glucose for a total of 3 hours. A peak hydrogen value ≥ 10 ppm above the basal value between 60 and 120 minutes after administration of glucose was diagnosed as SIBO. Results A total of 38 FGID patients, including 11 with functional dyspepsia (FD), 10 with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and 17 with overlapping with FD and IBS, were enrolled. Of those, 2 (5.3%) were diagnosed with SIBO (one patient diagnosed with FD; the other with overlapping FD and IBS). Their symptoms were clearly improved and breath hydrogen levels decreased to normal following levofloxacin administration for 7 days. Conclusions Two patients initially diagnosed with FD and IBS were also diagnosed with SIBO as assessed by GHBT. Although the frequency of SIBO is low among patients with FGID, it may be important to be aware of SIBO as differential diagnosis when examining patients with refractory gastrointestinal symptoms, especially bloating, as a part of routine clinical care.

Background/Aims We recently identified recessive mutations in the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1 gene (SLCO2A1) as causative variants of chronic nonspecific multiple ulcers of the small intestine (chronic enteropathy associated with SLCO2A1, CEAS). The aim of this study was to investigate the gastroduodenal expression of the SLCO2A1 protein in patients with CEAS and Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods Immunohistochemical staining for SLCO2A1 was performed with a polyclonal antibody, HPA013742, on gastroduodenal tissues obtained by endoscopic biopsy from four patients with CEAS and 29 patients with CD. Results The expression of SLCO2A1 was observed in one of four patients (25%) with CEAS and in all 29 patients (100%) with CD (pC (exon 7) or c.940+1G>A (exon 10). The remaining one CEAS patient with positive expression of SLCO2A1 had compound heterozygous c.664G>A and c.1807C>T mutations. Conclusions Immunohistochemical staining for SLCO2A1 in gastroduodenal tissues obtained by endoscopic biopsy is considered useful for the distinction of CEAS from CD.

We successfully treated a 22-year-old woman with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) using a multiple food-elimination diet. The patient was diagnosed with EGE based on histopathological findings and initially treated with oral prednisolone. The symptoms immediately improved, although they recurred when prednisolone was tapered to a low dose. We then treated her with a multiple food-elimination diet, including milk, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, seafood, and rice. During dietary treatment, we identified dairy products and eggs as causative foods of the symptoms, and we ceased prednisolone. Similar to eosinophilic esophagitis, an elimination diet may be effective for adult patients with EGE.

Background and study aims Characteristic endoscopic findings, such as linear furrows, rings, and whitish exudates, indicate the presence of esophageal eosinophilia (EE), though no specific findings are known to distinguish eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) from proton pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE). Here, we present a novel endoscopic finding in some EE patients possessing a linear longitudinal arrangement of whitish nodules with the appearance of the back of an Ankylosaurus dinosaur, termed Ankylosaurus back sign (ABS), and evaluations of its significance in affected patients. Patients and methods Fifty-five patients diagnosed with EE (≥ 15 eosinophils/high power field) who were treated at our hospital and shown to evaluate a PPI response were enrolled. Endoscopic findings at baseline and clinical parameters were retrospectively reviewed. Furthermore, the clinicopathological features of patients with ABS, as well as the relationship between its presence and PPI response were evaluated. Results Fifty-five patients (47 males, 8 females) with EE (17 with EoE, 38 with PPI-REE) were evaluated, of whom 50 (90.9 %) had linear furrows, the most frequently found feature, while ABS was found in 9 (16.4 %). Inter-observer agreement was substantial for ABS (κ 0.77). Interestingly, all patients with ABS had PPI-REE. Our findings revealed that the presence of ABS was closely associated with reflux esophagitis (RE) in patients with PPI-REE. Conclusions Although ABS was less frequent than typical endoscopic findings such as linear furrows in EE, this novel finding was closely associated with PPI-REE accompanied with RE. The clinical implications of ABS in patients with EE should be investigated further.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) dissection without aortic dissection is a rare condition, and its diagnosis is considered to be difficult. Intestinal infarction is a severe complication of the disease, which may require resection of the intestine. We present a case of isolated SMA dissection. A 53-year-old man experienced sudden pain in the abdomen while playing Japanese pinball and was admitted to our hospital due to acute abdominal symptoms of uncertain cause. Enhanced CT revealed a defect of the root of the SMA, while angiography and intravascular ultrasound findings showed dissection of the SMA wall. Conservative treatment was chosen at the time, while a part of the small intestine was eventually resected because of progressive ischemia. Although SMA dissection is a rare occurrence in cases with acute abdominal symptoms, awareness of the condition is important for differential diagnosis.

Background and study aims: Mallory-Weiss tears (MWTs) are not only a common cause of acute nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding but also an iatrogenic adverse event related to endoscopic procedures. However, changes in the clinical characteristics and endoscopic features of MWTs over the past decade have not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate recent trends in the etiology and endoscopic features of MWTs. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with a diagnosis of MWT at our university hospital between August 2003 and September 2013. The information regarding etiology, clinical parameters, endoscopic findings, therapeutic interventions, and outcome was reviewed. Results: A total of 190 patients with MWTs were evaluated. More than half (n = 100) of the cases occurred during endoscopic procedures; cases related to alcohol consumption were less frequent (n = 13). MWTs were most frequently located in the lesser curvature of the stomach and right lateral wall (2 – to 4-o’clock position) of the esophagus, irrespective of the cause. The condition of more than 90 % of the patients (n = 179) was improved by conservative or endoscopic treatment, whereas 11 patients (5.8 %) required blood transfusion. Risk factors for blood transfusion were a longer laceration (odds ratio [OR] 2.3) and a location extending from the esophagus to the stomach (OR 5.3). Conclusions: MWTs were frequently found on the right lateral wall (2 – to 4-o’clock position) of the esophagus aligned with the lesser curvature of the stomach, irrespective of etiology. Longer lacerations extending from the esophagus to the gastric cardia were associated with an elevated risk for bleeding and requirement for blood transfusion.

Background and Aim The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults is increasing in Japan as well as worldwide likely due to increasing obesity and the decreasing rate of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, data regarding the prevalence of GERD in children and adolescents in Japan are lacking. We investigated the prevalence of GERD in children, adults, and elderly living in the same community. Methods We surveyed employees of Shimane University Hospital and a related facility and their families using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ) and Izumo Scale instruments with demographic information (age, sex, body height, and body weight) and information regarding concurrent medication being taken for GERD. The presence of GERD was defined as a GerdQ score of ≥ 8. Results A total of 1859 subjects (771 males, 1088 females; 6–96 years old) were eligible for assessment. The prevalence of GERD in those under 20 years old was 4.4%, which was approximately one third of the rate in adults (11.6%). GERD prevalence was closely associated with obesity in adults, but not in subjects under 20 years old. GERD and other gastrointestinal symptoms frequently overlapped in both adults and younger subjects. Conclusion We found that the prevalence of GERD in subjects under 20 years of age was lower than that in adults and not associated with obesity. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of symptoms such as heartburn and/or regurgitation when children and adolescents seek routine clinical care.

The prevalence and incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have been rapidly increasing in Western countries. It is thought to be more common among Caucasians than other racial or ethnic groups, but epidemiological studies have not been fully evaluated in Asian populations, and its clinical manifestation is rarely documented. In this review, recent reports regarding EoE in Asian countries have been collected, and differences in the clinical features, including symptoms and endoscopic findings, between Asian and Western populations have been evaluated. In Asia, EoE is still much less prevalent than in Western countries. Baseline values for average age, male/female ratio, and personal history of allergic disease were comparable to those in Western populations. Predominant symptoms were dysphagia, and food impaction was extremely rare among Asian patients. Although the frequency of abnormal endoscopic findings varies among studies, over 90% of patients with EoE have shown abnormal findings such as linear furrow, which is the most common findings, in recent prospective studies in Asia. There are few reports regarding the treatment of EoE and no prospective studies evaluating drugs or elimination diet in patient with EoE have been reported in Asia. Overall, EoE had similar clinical characteristics in Asian populations. Because the incidence of EoE could increase in the future with the increase in allergic disorders in Asian countries, large-scale, nationwide prospective studies should be performed to more fully understand the epidemiology and pathophysiology of EoE in Asian populations.

Objective Clinically useful serum biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases are not available. This study was conducted to examine the possible value of eosinophil-related proteins as serum biomarkers. Methods The serum concentrations of 49 cytokines, chemokines, and other proteins were measured in 29 patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases and 80 controls. Results The levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-33, eotaxin-3, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), previously reported as possible biomarkers of eosinophilic esophagitis, were not significantly elevated in the serum. In contrast, the B cell-attracting chemokine (BCA)-1/chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) 13 and hemofiltrate C-C chemokine (HCC)-1/CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 14α levels were significantly elevated, while the granulocyte chemotactic protein (GCP)-2/CXCL6 levels were suppressed in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis as well as in those with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The cutaneus T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK)/CCL27, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1/CXCL12, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3β/CCL19, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) 2 levels were elevated only in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. However, there were large overlaps of data obtained from the patient and control groups, indicating that these serum biomarkers are not adequately sensitive for clinical use with presently available assay systems. Conclusion Of the 49 investigated serum proteins, none were shown to be adequately sensitive for use as biomarkers for the diagnosis or monitoring of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.

Background and Aim Multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has been reported to be a potentially useful modality for detection of the bleeding origin in patients with acute upper massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of MDCT as a routine method for detecting the origin of acute upper GI bleeding prior to urgent endoscopy. Methods Five hundred seventy-seven patients with acute upper GI bleeding (514 nonvariceal patients, 63 variceal patients) who underwent urgent upper GI endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: enhanced MDCT, unenhanced MDCT, and no MDCT before endoscopy. The diagnostic accuracy of MDCT for detection of the bleeding origin was evaluated, and the average procedure times needed to endoscopically identify the bleeding origin were compared between groups. Results Diagnostic accuracy among endoscopists was 55.3% and 14.7% for the enhanced MDCT and unenhanced MDCT groups, respectively. Among nonvariceal patients, accuracy was 50.2% in the enhanced MDCT group, which was significantly better than that in the unenhanced MDCT group (16.5%). In variceal patients, accuracy was significantly better in the enhanced MDCT group (96.4%) than in the unenhanced MDCT group (0.0%). These accuracies were similar to those achieved by expert radiologists. The average procedure time to endoscopic detection of the bleeding origin in the enhanced MDCT group was significantly faster than that in the unenhanced MDCT and no-MDCT groups. Conclusions Enhanced MDCT preceding urgent endoscopy may be an effective modality for the detection of bleeding origin in patients with acute upper GI bleeding.

Objective Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is known to cause sleep disturbances, the relationships between other abdominal symptoms and sleep disorders have not been clarified. In the present study, we examined the relationships between daytime sleepiness and various abdominal symptoms in a non-clinical population. Methods We enrolled 2,936 subjects who visited Matsue Red Cross Hospital for an annual health check examination during a 10-month consecutive period after excluding those with organic gastrointestinal diseases. The Izumo scale abdominal symptom and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires were employed to evaluate the presence of abdominal symptoms and daytime sleepiness. Results Among the 2,936 subjects, 233 (7.9%), 254 (8.6%) and 528 (18%) had GERD-like, functional dyspepsia (FD)-like and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms, respectively. The ESS scores in the subjects with GERD-, FD- and IBS-like symptoms were significantly higher than those observed in the asymptomatic subjects. The subjects with multiple abdominal symptoms tended to have higher ESS scores than those with single symptoms. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a younger age and the presence of FD- and IBS-like symptoms to be significant influencing factors for sleep disturbances. Conclusion The presence of FD and IBS symptoms in addition to GERD symptoms exhibits a strong relationship with sleep disturbances from the viewpoint of daytime sleepiness.

Esophageal intramural pseudo-diverticulosis (EIPD) is a rare disease characterized by multiple small flask-shaped pouches in the esophageal wall, with the predominant symptom of chronic progressive or intermittent dysphagia. However, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown. We present a case of EIPD evaluated with high-resolution manometry in a 75-year-old man with food impaction after eating beef, who came to our emergency department. The patient experienced similar episodes three times previously, though the cause was unknown. Computed tomography (CT) findings revealed diffuse wall thickness in the upper intrathoracic esophagus, while esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed multiple small depressions and several white plaque patches, and a barium meal esophagogram showed characteristic multiple small outpouching areas. From these findings, we diagnosed the patient with EIPD. In addition, high-resolution manometry revealed strong contractions in the distal esophagus. We started an administration of isosorbide dinitrate, because abnormal esophageal motility may have been causative of the condition and development of pseudo-diverticulosis. Thereafter, the patient had a good clinical course without food impaction. Elevated intra-esophageal luminal pressure caused by abnormal esophageal motility seems to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of EIPD in some cases.

Esophageal eosinophilia is classified as either eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) or proton-pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), depending on the response to PPI treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological findings of EoE and PPI-REE in Japanese patients. In addition, the characteristics of these cases were compared with those of reflux esophagitis (RE) cases. Eleven patients diagnosed with EoE, 16 with PPI-REE, and 39 with RE, who were all consecutively examined from 2005 to 2015 at Shimane University Hospital, were enrolled. Clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological esophageal findings in these groups were retrospectively examined and compared. The differences in the clinical characteristics of EoE and PPI-REE were not remarkable, though patients with EoE and PPI-REE were younger, presented a higher prevalence of allergic comorbidities, and complained of symptoms of dysphagia more frequently than those with RE. The only noteworthy differences between EoE and PPI-REE were more frequent reports of asthma (36.4 vs. 2.6 %) and food allergy (27.3 vs. 0 %) by patients with EoE (P

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastroenteritis are allergic gastrointestinal diseases mainly caused by food allergens. The number of patients with EoE is rapidly increasing in both Western and Asian countries. Basic knowledge of these diseases has mainly come from studies of EoE and Th2 type allergic reactions, including IL-5, IL-13, and IL-15, thymic stromal protein, and eotaxin 3, which are considered to have important roles. For a diagnosis of EoE, endoscopic abnormalities and histological confirmation of dense eosinophile infiltration in the esophageal epithelial layer are important, in addition to identifying dysphagia symptoms. As for eosinophilic gastroenteritis, blood test findings are more useful and the role of an endoscopic examination is reduced. For both diseases, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori is lower than in healthy controls. Glucocorticoid administration is standard treatment for these diseases, while proton pump inhibitors are frequently effective for EoE.

The prevalence and incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have been rapidly increasing in Western countries. It is thought to be more common among Caucasians than other racial or ethnic groups, but epidemiological studies have not been fully evaluated in Asian populations, and its clinical manifestation is rarely documented. In this review, recent reports regarding EoE in Asian countries have been collected, and differences in the clinical features, including symptoms and endoscopic findings, between Asian and Western populations have been evaluated. In Asia, EoE is still much less prevalent than in Western countries. Baseline values for average age, male/female ratio, and personal history of allergic disease were comparable to those in Western populations. Predominant symptoms were dysphagia, and food impaction was extremely rare among Asian patients. Although the frequency of abnormal endoscopic findings varies among studies, over 90% of patients with EoE have shown abnormal findings such as linear furrow, which is the most common findings, in recent prospective studies in Asia. There are few reports regarding the treatment of EoE and no prospective studies evaluating drugs or elimination diet in patient with EoE have been reported in Asia. Overall, EoE had similar clinical characteristics in Asian populations. Because the incidence of EoE could increase in the future with the increase in allergic disorders in Asian countries, large-scale, nationwide prospective studies should be performed to more fully understand the epidemiology and pathophysiology of EoE in Asian populations.