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Background/Aims This study aimed to identify the demographic and clinical factors associated with positive breath-test results and to assess the relationship between hydrogen and methane production in patients with suspected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods The demographic and clinical factors of 268 patients with suspected IBS, who had undergone a lactulose breath test, were analyzed. Results Of 268 patients included in this study, 143 (53.4%) were females. The median age and BMI of the patients was 58.0 years (range, 18.0-80.0 years) and 22.5 kg/m2 (range, 14.4-34.3 kg/m2), respectively. A weak positive correlation was observed between the BMI and baseline hydrogen level (rho=0.134, p=0.031). Women were significantly more likely to show a ≥20 ppm increase in hydrogen within 90 min (early hydrogen increase, p=0.049), a ≥10 ppm increase in methane within 90 min (early methane increase, p=0.001), and a ≥10 ppm increase in methane between 90 min and 180 min (late methane increase, p=0.002) compared to men. The baseline hydrogen level was related to the baseline methane level (rho=0.592, p

We report herein a case of intestinal amyloidosis with grave prognosis that caused intractable diarrhea and intestinal pseudo-obstruction, alternately in spite of intensive conservative treatment. A 44-year-old woman was admitted for fever, diarrhea, and crampy abdominal pain which had been continuned during 6 months. Abdomen CT scan showed edematous wall thickening of the small bowel and right colon, and colonoscopic biopsy revealed amyloid deposition in the mucosa. Monoclonal light chains in serum and/or urine were not detected and highly elevated serum amyloid A was shown. In spite of intensive treatment including oral prednisolone and colchicine, diarrhea and intestinal pseudo-obstruction developed alternately, general status rapidly got worsened and died after two months.

Acute hepatitis A was recently significant increased among women with gestational age in Korea. However, the clinical course and gestational complications have not been fully elucidated in pregnant patients with acute hepatitis A. We evaluated the clinical impact of acute HAV infection in pregnancy.Twelve pregnant women out of 85 female patients with acute hepatitis A during 6 years were retrospectively reviewed.The median age of the pregnant group was 26.5 years old. The number of patient with acute hepatitis A were 5 cases in the 1st trimester, 3 cases in the 2nd and 4 cases in the 3rd. 4 cases had significant gestational complications. One case experienced the abortion in 1st trimester and one fetal distress was noted in 3rd trimester. The latter case was delivered of a low birth weight infant (2,390 g) caused by premature rupture of membrane in 36 weeks of gestational age. Other two cases experienced premature contraction and they had been required tocolytic treatment. But, all mothers featured full recovery from HAV infection. Except one aborted fetus and one premature birth, Newborn babies were not affected by maternal hepatitis A.Acute HAV infection during pregnancy may be associated with the risk of gestational complications. HAV serology and vaccination for women with gestation age should be considered at high prevalence area of acute hepatitis A.

Heparin and/or insulin stimulate lipoprotein lipase and are known to decrease serum triglyceride level. However, their efficacy in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis in nondiabetic patients is not well documented. We report a case of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis in 43-year-old nondiabetic woman in whom treatment with insulin was accompanied by reduction in serum triglyceride level and the resolution of pancreatitis. She presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and biochemical evidence of acute pancreatitis. Her medical history was unremarkable. There was no history of alcohol consumption, and biliary imaging was not remarkable. Subsequent laboratory investigation revealed marked hypertriglyceridemia (1,951 mg/dL), impaired fasting glucose, and normal HbAlc level. The Ransons score and APATCH II score were 1 and 4. Abdominal CT showed diffuse enlargement of pancreas, peripancreatic fat infiltration, and multiple fluid collections around the pancreas. We treated the patient with the infusion of 5% dextrose and 1.5 unit/hr regular insulin to reduce serum triglyceride level. The level of serum triglyceride was decreased to 305 mg/dL on day 5. During the remainder of hospitalization, her clinical symptoms and laboratory values gradually improved.

Background/Aims: It has been reported that patients with gastric cancer may be at increased risk of synchronous or metachronous colorectal cancer. However, the incidence of colorectal adenoma in patients with gastric adenoma has not been discussed earlier. The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of colorectal adenoma and to evaluate the necessity of colonoscopic surveillance in patients with gastric adenoma. Methods: We performed colonoscopy in 221 patients with gastric adenoma between January 2002 and June 2008. As a control group, 387 consecutive patients without gastric adenoma on gastroscopy who underwent colonoscopy were included. We retrospectively examined the endoscopic and colonoscopic findings as well as the clinicopathologic features. Results: Colorectal adenoma were diagnosed in 57.5% (127/221) of the gastric adenoma group and 38.0% (147/387) of the control group (p＜0.001). Univariate analysis demonstrated that gender, age, past history of diabetes, and past history of gastric adenoma were associated with the risk of colorectal adenoma. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that gender (male, aOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.61-3.31), age (≥50 years, aOR 2.47, 95% CI 1.53-4.01), past history of diabetes (aOR 2.35, 95% CI 1.32-4.20), and presence of gastric adenoma (aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.13-2.36) appeared to be independent risk factors for colorectal adenoma. Conclusions: The risk of colorectal adenoma increases significantly in patients with gastric adenoma. We suggest that colonoscopic surveillance may be necessary in patients with gastric adenoma. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2009;54:220-226)

While endoscopic resection could be considered as the best choice for the treatment of small rectal carcinoid, the colonoscopic biopsies performed at the time of detection may lead to scar and ulcer formation and cause unpredicted difficulty in the endoscopic resection. This study was evaluated to analyze the relationship between the post-biopsy scar and the limitation of submucosal elevation for the endoscopic resection of rectal carcinoids.Twenty two cases of rectal carcinoid which received prior biopsies before the endoscopic resection were retrospectively compared with 20 non-biopsied cases. All two groups were treated by endoscopic resection from January 2000 to December 2007. There was no difference in the clinical characteristics and endoscopic findings such as size and location between the two groups.The limited submucosal elevation was experienced in 17 cases (77%) in the biopsy group, significantly more frequent than 9 cases (45%) in the non-biopsy group (p=0.03). The colonoscopic findings which contribute to difficult submucosal elevation were the depressive scar formation after biopsy, the size less than 5 mm in the biopsy group, active ulcer formation after biopsy. Regarding the resection method, endoscopic submucosal dissection was frequently adopted (23% vs. 5%) in the biopsy group. The frequency of endoscopic piecemeal resection in biopsy group was higher than non-biopsy group (23% vs 10%), and all cases were subsequently resected by other endoscopic methods.The post-biopsy scar can interfere with successful submucosal elevation for endoscopic resection of rectal carcinoids. The number of forceps biopsy should be minimized in the diagnostic colonoscopy when endoscopic resection is planned rectal carcinoids.

We present a case of intrapancreatic accessory splenic infarction in a 28-year-old woman. It was discovered during a workup for an acute right epigastric pain. Computed tomography imaging of abdomen demonstrated a hemorrhagic high attenuation with enhancing solid portion in the tail of pancreas. The clinical and radiological differential diagnosis included pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasm, pancreatic endocrine neoplasm, solid pseudopapillary tumor, ductal adenocarcinoma, and metastasis. A distal pancreatectomy was completed. The microscopic examination revealed heterotopic splenic tissue with infarction and her abdominal pain disappeared. In this case report, we first describe a symptomatic accessory splenic infarction which presented as a hemorrhagic mass in the tail of pancreas mimicking pancreatic neoplasm.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a relatively rare condition in which gas is found as a linear or cystic form in the submucosa or subserosa of bowel wall. PCI is usually found incidentally on an imaging study. Treatment is usually conservative including oxygen and antibiotics therapy. So far, etiology and pathogenesis of PCI remain uncertain. PCI is associated with various medical conditions including various pulmonary diseases, connective tissue diseases, and endoscopic procedures. However, there are only few reports on lactulose causing PCI in patients with cirrhosis. Oral lactulose or enema is one of the main treatment modalities in hepatic encephalopathy. Here, we report a case of PCI which was found during the treatment with lactulose therapy in a patient with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.

Management of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction presents a significant challenge. Recently, self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has emerged as an effective, safe, and less invasive alternative for the treatment of malignant intestinal obstruction. Accordingly, we reviewed our experience in SEMS insertion with hemoclip placement.Between June 2004 and December 2005, a total of 40 SEMS were tried to place in 38 patients with malignant intestinal obstruction. Two stents were placed again due to recurrent obstruction and delayed stent migration after initial stent placement. We analyzed the technical and clinical success rates and complications.Total stent placement was successful in 38/40 (95%). In 2 cases, stent placement was failed due to complete obstruction. Twenty-eight stents for palliation of malignant intestinal stenosis, 9 stents for one-staged operation for malignant colonic obstruction, and 1 stent for management of tracheoesophageal fistula were placed. Stent migration occurred in 6/38 (15.8%). Early stent migration rate was significantly lower in the clipping group (0/19, 0%) than in the non-clipping group (5/19, 26.3%, p=0.04). Recurrent obstruction occurred in 2/38 (6.1%) due to tumor ingrowth and in 1/38 (2.6%) due to hard food materials.Application of the clips reduce early stent migration in patients with malignant gastrointestinal obstruction.

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is an uncommon disease entity that usually has grave prognosis. It is generally associated with bowel necrosis, and has been reported in a wide variety of conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, intestinal ischemia, or infarction. We experienced two cases of HPVG associated with acute pancreatitis. HPVG was found in patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis and concurrent bowel ischemia. Despite aggressive resuscitation with fluids and broad spectrum antibiotics, each patient developed multiorgan failure, and died within few days. Acute pancreatitis is a potential cause of severe intraabdominal systemic catastrophe. Moreover, HPVG is associated with bowel ischemia in the setting of acute pancreatitis which could lead to rapid aggravation of symptom and complicated clinical course. Therefore, vigilant and aggressive management should be warranted in such condition.

Epigenetic silencing of DNA repair genes, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), hMLH1 and hMSH3, by promoter hypermethylation have been observed in various cancers. However, the relationship between hypermethylation of DNA mismatch repair genes and microsatellite instability (MSI) has not been studied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with cirrhosis.We investigated the methylation pattern of CpG islands of 3 genes using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and MSI in 40 patients with paired hepatocellular carcinoma and associated cirrhosis.hMSH3 and MGMT were the most methylated genes in both cirrhosis (70% and 68%, respectively) and HCC (75% and 73%, respectively). The methylation of hMLH1 was rarely found in both cirrhosis (8%) and HCC (5%). Gene promoters methylated in cirrhosis were also methylated in HCC with the exception of 9 cases found to be methylated either in cirrhosis or HCC. Of 40 cases of HCC associated with cirrhosis, three had MSI-positive phenotype in which two were MSI-low and one was MSI-high. One MSI-positive phenotype was present both in cirrhosis and in HCC, while two were only in HCC. There was no significant correlation between aberrant DNA methylation of mismatch repair genes and MSI status in HCC associated with cirrhosis. Immunohistochemical expressions of hMLH1, MGMT, and hMSH3 proteins were present in 16 (40%), 6 (15%), and 11 (28%) of 40 cases of HCC respectively. There was no significant correlaton between the aberrant DNA methylation of mismatch repair genes and clinical characteristics such as histological differentiation, postoperative recurrence and mortality.The methylation of MGMT and hMSH3 among DNA repair genes are frequent, but those of hMLH1 and MSI is very rare in both cirrhosis and HCC. There is no significant correlation between the methylation of DNA repair genes and clinical characteristics of HCC.

The acid suppressive effect of omeprazole (OMP) is influenced by the metabolic capacity of gastric acid suppression, which is dependent on CYP2C19 polymorphism. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of CYP2C19 polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on the intragastric acid suppression of OMP.Thirty one patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease were treated with a daily oral dose of 20 mg OMP for 28 days. Patients were genotyped for CYP2C19 polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and classified into three groups: homogenous extensive metabolizers (Ho-EMs), heterogenous extensive metabolizers (Ht-EMs) and poor metabolizer (PMs). H. pylori infection status were assessed before OMP treatment. Intragastric pH was monitored over twenty four-hours before (day 0) and after (day 29) the treatment with OMP.Twenty four-hour intragastric mean pH in the PMs group was significantly higher than those in Ho-EMs and Ht-EMs (5.3+/-1.3 vs. 2.8+/-0.6, 3.6+/-1.4) (p0.005). Twenty four-hour intragastric mean pH after the administration of OMP in the H. pylori positive group was significantly higher than the H. pylori negative group (4.7+/-1.4 vs. 3.2+/-1.4) (p0.001). There was no significant difference in acid suppressive activity of OMP between H. pylori positive and negative group according to CYP2C19 polymorphism.The acid suppressive effect of OMP on intragastric pH is dependent on CYP2C19 polymorphism and the H. pylori-infected status in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. H. pylori infection may play a role in enhancing the acid suppressive potential of OMP.

The development and introduction into clinical practice of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have influenced the management of acid-peptic disorders dramatically. PPIs inhibit the gastric hydrogen/potassium adenosine triphosphatase selectively and irreversibly which is the final step in acid secretion. PPIs are currently the most effective form of therapy in acid-peptic diseases. All PPIs are potent, effective and generally safe, but little different in equivalent doses. PPIs undergo hepatic metabolism by cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. Polymorphism of CYP2C19 influences the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of PPIs. Doses and dosing schemes of PPIs based on CYP2C19 genotype status is expected to increase the efficacy in clinical outcome. The major indication of PPIs are acid-related diseases such as peptic ulcers and their complications, gastroesophageal reflux diseases, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and eradication of Helicobacter pylori with antibiotics and dyspepsia. The potency and cost-effectiveness of PPIs have extended their clinical uses. However, their widespread and long-term use may limit the therapeutic benefit between efficacy and clinical problems such as acid rebound hypersecretion, enhanced oxyntic gastritis, problems with carcinoids in rodents and long-term concern for gastric cancer development. Further studies are needed to minimize the side effects and to maximize the therapeutic effects of PPIs.

Although the initial rate of hemostasis achieved by endoscopic treatment for acute non- variceal gastrointestinal bleeding (NVGIB) is high, recurrent or persistent bleeding occurs in 10% to 25% of the patients. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients with acute upper and lower NVGIB who could not be managed by endoscopic treatment.A retrospective analysis of the clinical data was done in 43 patients (M/F: 26/17, mean age: 60 years) whom underwent angiography or TAE for acute upper and lower NVGIB between January 1998 and December 2003. Among 43 patients, 18 had upper NVGIB, 19 had lower NVGIB, and 6 had obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Demographic characteristics and outcome parameters including the rates of hemostasis, in-hospital death, and complications were analyzed.Thirty-four patients underwent TAE while 9 patients underwent angiography. TAE was used as the first line treatment in 17 patients and as the second line treatment in others. Hemostasis was achieved in 29 of 34 patients (85.3%) by TAE. According to the site of bleeding, hemostasis was achieved in 14 of 17 patients (82.4%) with upper NVGIB and in 15 of 17 patients (88.2%) with lower NVGIB. There was no significant angiography or TAE-related complications such as bowel ischemia or infarction except a hematoma on the angiography site in one patient.TAE is effective and safe in patients with acute upper or lower NVGIB who cannot be managed by endoscopic treatment.

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) is a recently clarified tumor suppressor gene located in 10q23.3. Alterations of this gene are associated with tumor progression and unfavorable outcome in various human cancers. Recently, PTEN has a possible role in angiogenesis by modulating angiogenic factor including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of PTEN and VEGF status for angiogenesis in human gastric cancer.We conducted an immunohistochemical investigation of PTEN and VEGF expression in 90 cases of paraffin section obtained from gastric cancer patients undergone surgical treatment.Negative expression of PTEN and positive expression of VEGF in gastric cancer tissues, were demonstrated in 40.0% and 77.8% of cases, respectively. However, no significant correlation was found between PTEN, VEGF expression and various clinicopathological parameters. PTEN expression did not correlate significantly with VEGF expression (p=0.301). High microvessel density (MVD) was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and poor survival (p=0.014, 0.011, respectively). The mean MVD value of PTEN negative tumors was 90.4+/-43.0 and significantly higher than that of PTEN positive tumors (p=0.028). The mean MVD value of VEGF positive tumors was 86.4+/-6.7 and significantly higher than that of VEGF negative tumors (p=0.002). The mean MVD value of PTEN negative and VEGF positive tumors was 98.0+/-42.2, and significantly higher than those of the others.These results suggest that loss of PTEN expression may play a critical role in tumor progression and metastasis by stimulating tumor angiogenesis in human gastric cancer.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKI) including p21, p27, and p57 of the kinase inhibitor protein (KIP) family are negative regulators of cell cycle progression and potentially act as tumor suppressor. Tumor behavior and growth are influenced by the extent of tumor cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of KIP family CDKI in gastric cancer tissue, and to examine the relationship between these expression and various clinicopathological parameters including tumor cell proliferation.We conducted an immunohistochemical analysis of p21, p27, and p57 expression in 109 gastric cancer tissues. Tumor cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemistry with antibody against Ki-67.Negative expression of p21, p27, and p57 was demonstrated in 45.9%, 65.1%, and 57.8% of cancer tissues, respectively. Negative expression of p21 correlated with larger tumor size, poor differentiation, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage (p=0.048, 0.041, 0.001, 0.005, and 0.001 respectively). Negative expression of p21 correlated with poor survival (p=0.037). Tumors with negative p21 expression had higher Ki-67 expression than those with positive p21 expression (p=0.024). No significant correlation could be observed between status of p27 and p57 expression and various clinicopathological parameters including survival and tumor cell proliferation.These results suggest that negative expression of p21 may play an important role in carcinogenesis by stimulating tumor cell proliferation, and may help in predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Brunner's gland adenoma is a rare benign tumor of the duodenum. Although several cases of successful endoscopic polypectomy have been reported, the studies on the safety and usefulness of endoscopic polypectomy are extremely rare. Therefore, we report the results of 10 cases of Brunner's gland adenoma treated by endoscopic polypectomy.Between November 1998 and January 2003, 10 cases of Brunner's gland adenoma were diagnosed. The mean age of the cases (6 male, 4 female) was 60.4 years. They were located in the bulb (9) and the second portion (1) of the duodenum. All cases were diagnosed and removed by endoscopic polypectomy.The size of the tumor ranged from 1.0 to 3.5 cm in diameter. Pedunculated polyps were found in three cases. In other seven cases, semipedunculated polyps were observed and, three of them were presented as submucosal tumor. All cases had no malignant foci. There was no complication such as bleeding, perforation, and pancreatitis after endoscopic polypectomy. During follow-up period (range 1~39 months) after endoscopic polypectomy, there was no complication and recurrence of the lesions.Endoscopic polypectomy was a safe and useful method for the treatment of duodenal Brunner's gland adenoma without complication and recurrence.

Most of ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously, but some of them (about 20%) need endoscopic or surgical removal. The aims of this study were to characterize the clinical features associated with foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract and to determine the clinical factors for their successful removal by endoscopic techniques.We analyzed retrospectively 209 cases of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract at Chonnam National University Hospital between May 1998 and May 2003.Foreign bodies were found in 97.1% (203/209) of the cases during endoscopic procedure. The types were chiefly fish bones (21.2%), coins (14.8%), meats (11.3%), and bezoars (8.9%). The locations were upper esophagus (49.8%), stomach (26.6%), lower esophagus (11.3%), and mid-esophagus (7.4%). Endoscopic removal was successful in 93.1% (189/203) of the cases, and surgical removal was successful in 8/203 (3.9%) of the cases. Age (p=0.015) and short duration of impaction (p=0.015) were the independent factors to predict the successful removal of the foreign bodies by endoscopic techniques.Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract is an effective and safe procedure. Foreign bodies are more successfully removed by endoscopic techniques in children or in cases of short duration of impaction.

Brunner's gland hamartomas are rare tumors of duodenum, they are often discovered incidentally during esophagogastroduodenoscopy or upper gastrointestinal series. These tumors arise mainly in the duodenal bulb and can present with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and intestinal obstruction. Most of Brunner's gland hamartomas are located within the range of the standard esophagogastroduodenoscope. However, they are rarely located below the third portion of duodenum. As well known, the small intestine, including the 4th portion of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, is relatively inaccessible with routine endoscopy. Thus, the diagnosis of Brunner's gland hamartoma in these area can be delayed up to several months after onset of symptoms. We report a case of Brunner's gland hamartoma which was located in the fourth portion of the duodenum and presented as obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Radiologic, surgical, and pathologic appearances are presented.

Though endoscopic therapies such as variceal ligation and sclerotherapy has been performed, bleeding from the large esophageal and gastric varices still poses significant risk of death. Decrease of portal pressure by TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) or surgical shunt was indicated as cause of failure of endoscopic therapies. Treatment of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate has been especially effective for gastric variceal bleeding, but comparison with other treatments had not been reported yet. In this study, the effect of cyanoacrylate injection therapy was cross-examined with the result of TIPS in acute esophagogastric variceal bleedings.From April 1995 to June 2002, endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection therapy (43 cases) and TIPS (63 cases) were performed in our hospital. Each group was analysed regarding their clinical results including initial hemostasis rate, rebleeding rate, survival duration, mortality and morbidity.Initial hemostasis rate was 95.3% in cyanoacrylate group and 92.1% in TIPS group. Cumulative probability of rebleeding was not different between two groups. Overall complication rates associated with the procedure were 50.8% in TIPS group and 9.3% in cyanoacrylate group. There was no significant difference between two groups in their survival rates.Cyanoacrylate injection therapy was relatively safe, and has comparable results with TIPS for uncontrollable and severe esophagogastric variceal bleedings.

Arterial pseudoaneurysm is rare but potentially a catastrophic complication of pancreatitis because it can cause massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Since surgical treatment of arterial pseudoaneurysm has a high mortality, percutaneous angiographic embolization of bleeding artery has recently been advocated as the alternative therapy. Acute hemorrhage into the peritoneal cavity or pseudocyst complicating chronic pancreatitis was frequently reported. However, multiple pseudoaneurysmal hemorrhage without pseudocyst complicating acute pancreatitis are extremely rare. Here, we present a case of multiple pseudoaneurysmal hemorrhage secondary to acute pancreatitis, which were managed successfully by percutaneous angiographic embolization.