Outcome of conservative percutaneous cholecystostomy in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis and risk factors leading to surgery.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the treatment of choice for acute cholecystitis. However, the morbidity and mortality rates are high in elderly patients or in those with co-morbidities at the time of surgery. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is a safe treatment for acute inflammation of the gall bladder. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PC for acute cholecystitis and investigate the post-PC factors leading to subsequent LC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent PC between August 2006 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical course, outcomes, and prognosis. We evaluated patient age, the presence of co-morbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, duration of drainage of the PC tube, performance of LC, conversion rate, hospital stay, recurrence, and 30-day mortality. We compared these characteristics in two study groups: 31 were treated with only conservative PC (group I) and 62 with PC followed by elective LC (group II). RESULTS: Patients in group I were older than those in group II (80.38 ± 10.05 vs. 70.50 ± 11.81 years, p < 0.001). More group I patients had an ASA score of III or IV (deemed high risk for surgery) compared to group II patients (80.6 %, n = 25 vs. 37.0 %, n = 23, p = 0.0012). Age, ASA score, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) were significantly correlated when analyzing factors used to decide surgery (R (2) = 0.15, p < 0.001; R (2) = 0.21, p < 0.001; R (2) = 0.05, p = 0.05, respectively). Two patients in group I died within 30 days. Six patients (19.3 %) in group I experienced recurrent cholecystitis after PC tube removal. CONCLUSIONS: PC is a safe and effective therapeutic option in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis, or for preoperative management. The decisive risk factors for surgery after PC were age, ASA score, and CVA.

Predictive Factors for Endoscopic Visibility and Strategies for Pre-endoscopic Prokinetics Use in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Although current guideline recommends selective use of pre-endoscopic prokinetics to increase diagnostic yield in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) patients, no data to guide the use of these drugs are available. AIMS: We aimed to investigate predictive factors for endoscopic visibility and develop simple and useful strategies for pre-endoscopic prokinetics use in UGIB patients. METHODS: A total of 220 consecutive patients who underwent upper endoscopy for suspicious UGIB were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to either a training or a validation set at a 2:1 ratio. Significant parameters on univariate analysis were subsequently tested by a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. RESULTS: Time to endoscopy and nasogastric aspirate findings were independently related to endoscopic visibility. The CART analysis generated algorithms proposed sequential use of time to endoscopy (≤5.2 vs. >5.2 h) and nasogastric aspirate findings (red blood or coffee rounds vs. clear aspirate) for predicting endoscopic visibility. Prediction of unacceptable visibility in the validation set produced sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 75.8, 67.5, 65.8, and 77.1 %, respectively. Accurate prediction for visibility was identified in 52 of 73 patients (71.2 %). CONCLUSIONS: Time to endoscopy and nasogastric aspirate findings were independently related to endoscopic visibility in patients with UGIB. A decision-tree model incorporating these two variables may be useful for selecting UGIB patients who benefit from pre-endoscopic prokinetics use.

Clinicopathological risk factors of early carcinoma in colorectal neoplasias according to Japanese and Western criteria.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are discrepancies in the classification of early carcinoma in colorectal neoplasia between Japanese and Western criteria. However, no studies have investigated the clinicopathological risk factors associated with early carcinoma according to these criteria. METHODOLOGY: We compared the clinicopathological risk factors of early carcinoma with those of dysplasia, and used multivariate analysis to elucidate the independent risk factors associated with early carcinoma. Lesions with severe cytologic or architectural changes confined to the mucosa are classified as carcinoma in Japanese criteria and as high grade dysplasia (HGD) in Western criteria. RESULTS: Pathologically, 625 total patients were diagnosed with low grade dysplasia (n=321), HGD (n=244), intramucosal carcinoma (n=35) or submucosal carcinoma (n=25). In multivariate analysis, age, large lesion size, and non-polypoid appearance were associated with carcinoma in Japanese criteria; however, only large lesion size was associated with carcinoma in Western criteria. The clinicopathological characteristics of intramucosal carcinoma were similar to those of submucosal carcinoma rather than HGD. CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathological characteristics for early carcinoma were not identical between Japanese and Western criteria. Japanese criteria classifying intramucosal carcinoma as carcinoma rather than HGD may be supported by our findings.

Association of hyper-LDL cholesterolemia with increased risk of colorectal adenoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies on the association between dyslipidemia and the presence of colorectal adenoma showed conflicting results, and were limited due to small sample sizes, inconsistent definitions of dyslipidemia, or a lack of data on full lipid profiles. The aim of this study was to determine the association between colorectal adenomas and dyslipidemia according to the definition by the National Cholesterol Education Program- Adult Treatment Panel III. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study in subjects who underwent screening colonoscopy and blood tests for full lipid profiles. Serum dyslipidemia profiles were compared between the adenoma group and the control group, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of the presence of colorectal adenomas. RESULTS: Patients with hyper-LDL cholesterolemia were more frequently included in the adenoma group than the control group (46.7% vs. 32.1%, respectively, p=0.023), and hyper-LDL cholesterolemia (OR = 1.954, 95% CI=0.981-3.893, p=0.057) showed a statistical trend for the positive association with the presence of colorectal adenomas by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, proximal colorectal adenomas were more prevalent in the hyper-LDL cholesterolemia group than in the normal LDL cholesterolemia group (p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Hyper-LDL cholesterolemia was associated with the presence of colorectal adenomas, especially in the proximal colon.

Osteoporosis is associated with the risk of colorectal adenoma in women.

BACKGROUND: Recently, it was reported that postmenopausal women with lower bone mineral density have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. An association between lower bone mineral density and colorectal cancer suggests that colorectal adenoma, which is a precursor of colorectal cancer, may also be associated with lower bone mineral density. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between colorectal adenoma and osteoporosis. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study between January 2007 and May 2011. Women older than 50 years of age who underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for bone mineral density and screening colonoscopy at Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital in Korea during a routine health checkup were eligible for this study. We performed multivariate analysis adjusted for age, family history of colorectal cancer, alcohol consumption, current smoking, regular aspirin use, exercise, menopause, and postmenopausal hormone use to identify independent predictors for the presence of colorectal adenoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measured was the prevalence of colorectal adenoma according to the bone mineral density level. RESULTS: A total of 992 women older than 50 years were assigned to an osteoporosis group (n = 231) or a control group (n = 231) after menopause matching. In univariate analysis, the proportion of colorectal adenoma was significantly higher in the osteoporosis group than in the control group (29.9% vs 20.8%, p = 0.025). Furthermore, osteoporosis (OR = 1.592, 95% CI = 1.004-2.524, p = 0.048) was found to be an independent risk factor for the presence of colorectal adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma in women older than 50 years.

Use of a low cut-off value for the fecal immunochemical test enables better detection of proximal neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: The advantage of the quantitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is the flexibility to set the positivity threshold. However, the diagnostic success of the FIT has not been compared for standard and low cut-off thresholds. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic success of FIT for standard and low cut-off thresholds. METHODS: In 2009 and 2010 a standard cut-off threshold (20 µg Hb/g feces) was used as positivity criterion for the FIT; in 2012 a low cut-off (10 µg Hb/g feces) was used. Diagnostic success was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the total of 14,289 participants, 195 (1.4 %) had positive FIT results. Positivity of the FIT was significantly higher in the low cut-off group than in the standard cut-off group (1.8 vs. 1.0 %, p = 0.000). Although detection of advanced neoplasia lesions was comparable, proximal neoplasia was more frequently detected in the low cut-off group (33.3 vs. 20.9 %, p = 0.016). With the low cut-off threshold, 39 (0.7 %) participants were also classified as having positive results, and 18 (46.2 %) of these had colorectal neoplasias. The number of positive results from the FIT was increased by 54.9 %, and detection of advanced neoplasia was increased by 60 % with the low cut-off threshold compared with the standard cut-off. CONCLUSIONS: A low cut-off threshold for the FIT resulted in better detection of proximal neoplasia in population-based screening. These results indicate the cut-off threshold for positive FIT should be properly chosen and adjusted in colorectal cancer screening.

Prediabetes is associated with a high-risk colorectal adenoma.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. However, association between prediabetes and colorectal adenoma has not been reported. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between prediabetes and the presence of colorectal adenomas. METHODS: Consecutive prediabetic subjects who underwent screening colonoscopy were enrolled at Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong, Seoul, Korea, between June 2006 and May 2012. Non-prediabetic subjects were separately pooled from the database of the Center for Health Promotion between January 2012 and May 2012. Prediabetes was defined according to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association. The prevalence of colorectal adenomas and their characteristics were compared between prediabetic and non-prediabetic groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of colorectal adenoma was higher in prediabetic subjects than in non-prediabetic subjects (39.6 vs. 30.6 %, respectively, p = 0.019). Prediabetic subjects had more multiple and high-risk adenomas than the control group in non-matched analysis (p = 0.000, respectively). In age-matched analysis, the prevalence of multiple and high-risk adenomas were significantly higher in a prediabetic group than those in a control group (44.4 vs. 28.4 %, p = 0.034; 51.9 vs. 34.6 %, p = 0.026, respectively). Furthermore, prediabetes (odds ratio = 2.198; 95 % confidence interval = 1.042-4.637; p = 0.039) was found to be an independent risk factor for a high-risk adenoma by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of multiple and high-risk colorectal adenomas is significantly higher in the prediabetic subjects than those in the control group. Furthermore, prediabetes was found to be an independent risk factor for a high-risk colorectal adenoma.

A novel animal model for studying pancreatic regeneration by employing photochemical reaction.

PURPOSE: We present photochemical-induced pancreatic necrosis (PIPN) as a novel induction method for studying pancreatic regeneration in an animal model. METHODS: Photosensitive Rose Bengal was injected through the femoral vein in rats, followed by illumination of the surface of the pancreas with a cool halogen light for a period of 20 min. At 3, 6, and 24 h, and 7, 10, 14, and 20 days, experimental animals were sacrificed; all the animals received intravenous injection with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) 1 h prior to sacrifice. RESULTS: At 3-6 h of induction of PIPN, pancreatic necrosis was superficially observed in the illuminated field. At 24 h, there was a slight increase in the depth and width of the lesion along with appearance of vascular congestion and thrombosis in the lesion. On days 7-10, the area of illumination was totally replaced by necrotic pancreatic tissue, inflammatory cell infiltrates, and newly appearing cellular components, including mesenchymal and epithelial cells, which formed tubular complexes. On day 14, clusters of tubular complexes intermingled with acinar cells, which were proven as newly formed acinar tissue by BrdU staining. On day 20, all the lesions had returned to a normal state of pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential of PIPN as a valuable method for production of an animal model for studying healing processes or regeneration of pancreatic tissue after injury.

First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients are likely to show advanced colorectal neoplasia despite a negative fecal immunochemical test.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is an integral component of most colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs. However, little is known about clinical risk factors associated with advanced colorectal neoplasia (CRN) despite negative FIT results. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical predictors of advanced CRN despite negative FIT results. METHODS: We performed FITs for asymptomatic subjects ≥50 years from January 2009 to December 2010. Patients who underwent colonoscopy for a medical check-up, despite a negative FIT result, were included to evaluate the clinical predictors of advanced CRN based on colonoscopy. RESULTS: During the study period, 373 subjects underwent screening colonoscopy despite their negative FIT results. Among those 373 subjects, 356 (95.4%) did not show any advanced CRNs; however, 17 (4.6%) subjects showed advanced CRNs on their colonoscopies despite negative FIT results. Being a first-degree relative of a CRC patient was significantly associated with advanced CRNs in univariate analysis (p = 0.031). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, being a first-degree relative of a CRC patient was a significant predictor of advanced CRNs despite negative FIT results (OR 7.33; 95% CI, 0.53-35.08; p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: First-degree relatives of CRC patients are likely to show advanced CRNs despite a negative FIT.

Performance of the fecal immunochemical test is not decreased by high ambient temperature in the rapid return system.

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin concentration of fecal immunochemical test may be decreased at high ambient temperature, and fecal samples in FIT may be exposed to high ambient temperature. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine whether a high ambient temperature on the day of screening may decrease the performance of FITs in population-based screening. METHODS: We performed FITs for asymptomatic participants aged 50 years or older. Fecal hemoglobin concentration, the probability of a positive FIT and a detection rate of colorectal neoplasms were compared between low (<10.0 °C) and high (≥25.0 °C) temperature groups. RESULTS: The FIT results for 8,316 participants were analyzed. The mean log(10) Hb concentration in the low temperature group was significantly higher than those in the high temperature group (0.36 vs. 0.25 ng/ml, p = 0.000). Regression analysis showed that an increase in temperature of 1 °C reduced the probability of a positive FIT by 3.1 %. However, we found no differences between the two groups in the FIT positive rate and detection rate of colorectal neoplasms. In multivariate analysis, high ambient temperature was not a significant risk factor for either the positive FIT result or the detection of colorectal neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS: Potential instability of fecal hemoglobin at high ambient temperatures should be considered; however, its influence on performance of FIT may be attenuated by the short exposure time of fecal samples to high ambient temperature (i.e., rapid return system).

The risk of postpolypectomy bleeding during colonoscopy in patients with early liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopists are often hesitant to perform endoscopic polypectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) because of the risk for postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB). However, little is known about the risk of PPB in these patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with early LC who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy at a single center between September 2006 and May 2011. We investigated the incidence of immediate PPB (IPPB) and delayed PPB (DPPB) in these patients. In addition, we investigated which LC-related and polyp-related factors were associated with IPPB. RESULTS: Thirty patients with LC were included in our study, and 29 (96.7 %) of them were classified in Child-Pugh class A or B. The mean prothrombin time was 1.27 ± 0.23, and the mean platelet count was 136.77 ± 106.49 × 10(3)/L. A total of 66 polyps in 30 patients were removed. In terms of IPPB, only 2 (3.03 %) of the 66 removed polyps presented with mild oozing and were controlled by hemostatic procedures using hemoclips. DPPB did not occur in any of the patients in the IPPB or the non-IPPB group. Although the IPPB polyp group was too small to detect statistical significance, the IPPB polyps were larger than the non-IPPB polyps (22.5 ± 10.61 vs. 7.22 ± 3.01 mm), and the gross morphology of both IPPB polyps was the pedunculated type. However, LC-related variables such as platelet counts and Child-Pugh scores did not significantly differ between the IPPB and non-IPPB groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with early LC, the risk of postpolypectomy bleeding was acceptably low and there was no case with DPPB. Therefore, polypectomy can be performed with caution. IPPB was associated with the size and the gross morphology of the polyps. However, LC-related variables in patients with early LC did not impact IPPB.

Efficacy of entecavir and adefovir combination therapy for patients with lamivudine- and entecavir-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who develop resistance to both lamivudine (LMV) and entecavir (ETV) after sequential monotherapy of LMV and ETV remains little known. METHODS: We evaluated the efficacy of entecavir (ETV) plus adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) combination therapy for patients with resistance to LMV and ETV. We reviewed the medical records of 12 patients, and treated all 12 patients with ETV plus ADV combination therapy for at least 18 months. Quantitative hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, serologic markers, and hepatic panel values were monitored at baseline and 3-month intervals thereafter for 18 months. RESULTS: The baseline mean serum HBV DNA level was 7.26 ± 1.11 log(10) copies/ml. The mean reductions in serum HBV DNA levels from baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months were -1.98 ± 1.03, -2.87 ± 1.02, -3.32 ± 1.10, -3.92 ± 1.30, -4.36 ± 1.22, and -4.57 ± 1.18 log(10) copies/ml, respectively. Complete virological response (HBV DNA of <2 log(10) copies/ml) at 6, 12, and 18 months was observed in 1 (8.3%), 4 (33.3%), and 6 (50.0%) patients, respectively. The 2 patients with baseline HBV DNA of <6 log(10) copies/ml achieved complete virological response at 18 months, while 4 of 10 patients with baseline HBV DNA of ≥6 log(10) copies/ml achieved complete virological response at 18 months. None of the 12 patients experienced virological breakthrough during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ETV plus ADV combination therapy effectively reduced serum HBV DNA levels in patients with CHB who developed resistance to both LMV and ETV. Additional long-term studies are needed to assess the effect of long-term treatment with these drugs.

Early use of needle-knife fistulotomy is safe in situations where difficult biliary cannulation is expected.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Difficult cannulation is a well known risk for post-ERCP pancreatitis. This study evaluated the outcomes of needle-knife fistulotomy (NKF) used prior to being faced with difficult biliary cannulation. METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the purpose of biliary endotherapy between January 2007 and December 2008 were eligible for this study; 218 patients were recruited. Biliary cannulation was performed only by a standard catheter or a pull type papillotome, without wire-guided assistance in all patients. If selective cannulation was not achieved within five cannulation attempts, NKF was performed, and the results were compared with the easy cannulation group that succeeded biliary cannulation within five attempts. RESULTS: Needle-knife fistulotomy (NKF) was performed in 72 (33.0%) of the 218 patients. The total success rate of the ERCP was 98.2% (214/218), and for the NKF group the success rate was 94.4% (68/72). The rate of complications in patients with NKF did not increase compared to patients in the easy cannulation group (P > 0.05): 4.2% (3/72) versus 3.4% (5/146) for acute pancreatitis, 6.9% (5/72) versus 6.8% (10/146) for bleeding, and 1.4% (1/72) versus 0% (0/146) for perforation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the use of NKF for biliary cannulation might be safe and effective. Therefore, in experienced hands, early use of NKF might be recommended.

Feasibility of forward-viewing upper endoscopy for detection of the major duodenal papilla.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of forward-viewing upper endoscopy for detection of the major duodenal papilla (MDP) as an indicator of the descending duodenum. METHODS: A total of 338 patients were prospectively enrolled. Upper endoscopy was first performed by a routine method for all patients, and a subsequent straightening endoscopic technique, straightening the loop by withdrawal of the scope, was performed if the MDP was not identified during the routine method. RESULTS: Findings of MDP observation using the upper endoscope could be categorized into five types: Type I, whole area of the papilla; Type II, upper part of the papilla, including the orifice; Type III, upper part of the papilla without the orifice; Type IV, lower part of the papilla, including the orifice; Type V, no part of the papilla was found. Upper endoscopy by a routine method detected the MDP in whole or in part in 194 patients (57.4%). Among 144 patients whose MDP could not be detected by use of a routine method, the MDP was identified by a subsequent straightening endoscopic technique in 108 patients (75.0%). Overall rate of observation of the MDP during full upper endoscopy was 89.3% (302/338). Type I is the most frequent (n = 185, 54.7%), followed by Type IV (n = 73, 21.6%), Type II (n = 23, 6.8%), and Type III (n = 21, 6.2%), in that order. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the value of forward-viewing endoscopy in observation of the MDP. Use of a straightening endoscopic technique, in particular, increases in the rate of detection of the MDP.

Flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) is useful to discriminate among non-neoplastic lesion, adenoma, and cancer of stomach.

BACKGROUND: Studies regarding the discrimination of non-neoplastic lesion, adenoma, and cancer of the stomach using magnifying endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement system (FIME) in each different channel of that system have not yet been reported. AIMS: To ascertain the usefulness of FIME discriminating among the three kinds of gastric lesions. METHODS: When finding a lesion to be a possible neoplasm using conventional endoscopy, the examiner discriminated among the three kinds of gastric lesions by observing the pit pattern on the lesion using magnifying endoscopy with white light (WLME) and then recorded the image. The procedure was repeated three more times with FIME with channel 0, 2, and 4. The four recorded images per lesion were then given to four raters for discriminating among the three kinds of gastric lesions. RESULTS: The proportion of agreement and the degree of agreement between endoscopic and pathological diagnosis (AEP) by WLME were 0.85 and 0.76, respectively, and those by FIME were 0.91 and 0.86, respectively. All AEPs from discriminations with FIME was higher than that with WLME. AEPs from the discriminations with FIME with channel 4 were higher than those with FIME with channel 0 or 2. The degree of interobserver agreement among the results of the four raters was 0.42 for WLME and 0.50-0.59 for FIME with each of the three different channels. CONCLUSIONS: FICE is useful in discriminating among non-neoplastic lesions, adenoma, and cancer of the stomach, and channel 4 of the FICE is better than channel 0 and 2 for the discriminations.

Obstructive jaundice caused by Clonorchiasis-associated duodenal papillitis: a case report.

We describe an unusual presentation of Clonorchis sinensis infection with obstructive jaundice due to duodenal papillitis which was relieved dramatically by endoscopic sphincterotomy. A 26-yr-old male presented with complaints of fatigue, weight loss and painless jaundice. The history was significant for frequent ingestion of raw freshwater fish. The patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for evaluation of obstructive jaundice. The duodenal papilla was markedly edematous with a bulging configuration and hyperemic changes at the orifice. Cholangiography revealed mild bile duct dilatation and irregular wall changes with multiple indentations. However, there were no biliary stricture or stones noted as the cause of obstructive jaundice. We performed an endoscopic sphincterotomy for effective bile drainage through the duodenal papilla. After the sphincterotomy, the patient's jaundice was dramatically improved. Pathology of the duodenal papilla showed eosinophilic infiltration of the mucosa. Parasitic eggs, consistent with the diagnosis of C. sinensis, were found in the bile sample.

Predictor of abnormal gallbladder ejection fraction in patients with atypical biliary pain: Histopathological point of view.

Cholescintigraphy has traditionally been used as a tool to select patients with biliary pain for elective cholecystectomy. However, atypical biliary pain presents a clinical challenge and there is no literature evaluating the factors of the gallbladder (GB) wall related to abnormal ejection fraction of cholescintigraphy in such patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate characteristics of the GB wall in patients with abnormal gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) on cholescintigraphy and atypical biliary pain. Patients who underwent cholescintigraphy for atypical biliary pain and subsequent cholecystectomy were initially recruited for this study. Medical records and pathologic findings of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Parameters that were significant on univariate analysis, including factors of GB wall and cholescintigraphy, were subsequently tested by multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors for abnormal GBEF. Abnormal or low GBEF was defined as GBEF <35%. A total of 41 adult patients were divided into a low GBEF (n = 15) and a high GBEF group (n = 26) based on the cutoff value of 35%. In univariate analysis mean muscle thickness, muscle to total layer ratio, and muscle to fibrosis layer ratio were significantly higher in the low GBEF group than in the high GBEF group. In multivariate analysis, the muscle to fibrosis layer ratio was found to be an independent risk factor for abnormal GBEF (odds ratio = 3.514, 95% confidence interval = 1.058-11.673, P = .04). The fibrosis to total layer ratio was negatively correlated with GBEF in the low GBEF group (r = -0.657, P < .01). Muscle to fibrosis layer ratio was significantly associated with decreased GBEF. The fibrosis thickness ratio also seems to play an important role in patients with decreased GBEF.

Tumoral FOXP3 expression is associated with favorable clinicopathological variables and good prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma: the tumor suppressor function of tumoral FOXP3 is related with the P21 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma.

The function and contribution of tumoral FOXP3 in gastric cancer development remain poorly understood. Thus, we studied the expression of tumoral FOXP3 and its relationship with the well-known tumor suppressor proteins P21 and P53 in gastric adenocarcinoma. The tissue microarray was constructed from 182 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma. The immunohistochemistry was performed on 4-µm tissue sections from each tissue microarray block. We found that positive tumoral FOXP3 expression was significantly correlated with a lower T category, a lower N category, a lower recurrence rate, and less lymphatic invasion. Furthermore, the survival analysis revealed that the tumoral FOXP3-positive group had significantly increased overall survival and disease-free survival rates compared with the tumoral FOXP3-negative group. Additionally, P21 expression showed a significant positive correlation with tumoral FOXP3 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that tumoral FOXP3 expression is associated with favorable clinicopathological variables and good prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma through increased expression of the tumor suppression protein P21.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in a patient with Crohn's disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism compared with the general population. The most common sites of venous thromboembolism in IBD patients are the deep veins of the legs, the pulmonary system, and portal and mesenteric veins. However, cerebral venous thrombosis is rarely associated with IBD. This report describes a case of cerebral venous thrombosis in a patient with Crohn's disease. A 17-year-old girl, diagnosed 4 years earlier with Crohn's disease, presented with headache and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with venography showed venous thrombosis in the cortical veins, superior sagittal sinus, right transverse sinus, and right internal jugular vein. The patient immediately started anticoagulation therapy with intravenous heparin infusion followed by daily oral rivaroxaban 10 mg. Follow-up imaging after 2 weeks showed resolution of the thrombosis, with recanalization of the cortical veins, superior sagittal sinus, right transverse sinus, and right internal jugular vein. She continued rivaroxaban therapy for 6 months, and remained well, without neurologic sequelae. A high level of concern for cerebral venous thrombosis may be important when treating active IBD patients, because anticoagulation treatment can prevent fatal complications.