Multi-Center Study on Gender Difference in Resectability and Pathologic Prognosis of Gallbladder Cancer / 대한췌담도학회지

Background@#/Aim: In gallbladder cancer (GBC), gender differences in incidence and mortality rates have been reported with geographic variation. However, there is little known about sex-related difference in GBC prognosis. This study compares prognostic factors according to gender for GBC. @*Methods@#We searched clinicopathological factors in all stages of 952 GBC patients from seven medical centers in Korea. A total of 927 patients were enrolled and surgery with curative resection was performed in 499 patients. @*Results@#Carbohydrate antigen (≥37 U/mL) was a significant prognostic factor in both females and males (odd ratio [OR], 4.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.13-5.89; p2; an independent predictor of poor prognosis via multivariate analysis (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.05; p=0.005, OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08; p=0.002). Body mass index (BMI) also showed gender difference, and lower BMI (≤25 kg/m2) was the significant good indicator of multivariate analysis for lymph node metastasis in female patients (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.77; p=0.005) but, the significant poor indicator of univariate analysis for advanced T-stage in male (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.40-5.54; p=0.003). @*Conclusions@#These results suggest that there is a possibility of gender difference in GBC prognosis. Age and high BMI were poor prognostic factors for curative resection for female GBC patients.

Delayed Hemobilia Caused by Penetration of Biliary Plastic Stent into Portal Vein / 대한췌담도학회지

Biliary stent migration is one of the late complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Most of the biliary stent migration is asymptomatic and successfully managed by stent removal. A 66-year-old man with unresectable pancreatic cancer, common bile duct obstruction, and duodenal third portion obstruction underwent endoscopic plastic biliary stent placement and duodenal uncovered metallic stent placement in two separate sessions. After 3 weeks from the duodenal stenting, he presented with hematemesis. Urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging showed hemobilia. The patient recovered with conservative managements. Cross-sectional imagings done 2 months later demonstrated the penetration of the biliary stent into portal vein. Here, we present a case of delayed hemobilia caused by penetration of biliary plastic stent into the portal vein.

Can More Aggressive Treatment Improve Prognosis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma? A Direct Comparison of the Hong Kong Liver Cancer and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Algorithms

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In addition to the globally endorsed Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, other algorithms or staging systems have been developed, including the Hong Kong Liver Cancer (HKLC) staging system. This study aimed to validate the HKLC staging system relative to the BCLC staging system for predicting survival for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in Korea. METHODS: From 2004 to 2013, 2,571 patients newly diagnosed with HCC were consecutively enrolled at three Korea University medical centers. RESULTS: Both staging systems differentiated survival well (p < 0.001). However, 1-year and 3-year survival were predicted better using the HKLC system than the BCLC system (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.869 vs 0.856 for 1 year, p=0.002; 0.841 vs 0.827 for 3 years, p=0.010). In hypothetical survival curves, the HKLC system exhibited better median overall survival than the BCLC system (33.1 months vs 19.2 months). In evaluations of prognosis according to either BCLC or HKLC treatment guidelines, risk of death was reduced in the group following only HKLC guidelines compared with the group following only BCLC guidelines (hazard ratio, 0.601; 95% confidence interval, 0.443 to 0.816; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although both staging systems predicted and discriminated HCC prognoses well, the HKLC system showed more encouraging survival benefits than the BCLC system.

Foods Inducing Typical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several specific foods are known to precipitate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and GERD patients are usually advised to avoid such foods. However, foods consumed daily are quite variable according to regions, cultures, etc. This study was done to elucidate the food items which induce typical GERD symptoms in Korean patients. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six Korean patients with weekly typical GERD symptoms were asked to mark all food items that induced typical GERD symptoms from a list containing 152 typical foods consumed daily in Korea. All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy followed by 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring. The definition of “GERD” was if either of the 2 studies revealed evidence of GERD, and “possible GERD” if both studies were negative. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six cases (51 GERD and 75 possible GERD) were enrolled. In 19 (37.3%) of 51 GERD cases and in 17 (22.7%) of 75 possible GERD cases, foods inducing typical GERD symptoms were identified. In the GERD group (n = 19), frequent symptom-inducers were hot spicy stews, rice cakes, ramen noodles, fried foods, and topokki. In the possible GERD group (n = 17), frequent symptom-inducers were hot spicy stews, fried foods, doughnuts, breads, ramen noodles, coffee, pizza, topokki, rice cakes, champon noodles, and hotdogs. CONCLUSIONS: In one-third of GERD patients, foods inducing typical symptoms were identified. Hot spicy stews, rice cakes, ramen noodles, fried foods, and topokki were the foods frequently inducing typical symptoms in Korea. The list of foods frequently inducing typical GERD symptoms needs to be modified based on their own local experiences.

Intra-ampullary Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Recurrent Pancreatitis / 대한췌담도학회지

Advances in imaging modalities have provided useful information in diagnosing ampullary lesions such as adenoma and adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) have a role in the diagnosis of unexposed intra-ampullarylesion. We report an interesting case of adenocarinoma of the ampulla of Vater presenting as idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis. A 56 years old woman was referred due to idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis for 2 years. She presented abdominal pain and upper abdominal tenderness. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) revealed minimal bile and pancreatic ductal dilatation without obstruction. Subsequent ERCP revealed a small polypoid lesion which was exposed after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Endoscopic biopsy showed papillary adenoma with low grade dysplasia. Additional endoscopic papillectomy was performed. Endoscopic biopsy done 3 months later showed papillary adenoma with high grade dysplasia. Pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was done and final pathology was well differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient was recovered well but received adjuvant chemotherapy due to metastatic lymph nodes.

Small Bowel Metastatic Cancer Observed With Double Balloon Enteroscopy in a Patient With a Past History of Multiple Cancers

Small bowel tumors are very rare and generally malignant. As a result of the anatomical location and nonspecific manifestations of small bowel tumors, they are very difficult to diagnose. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy is a relatively noninvasive method compared to surgical resection, and allows for real-time observation, tissue confirmation with biopsy, and interventional procedures. Here, we report the case of a 69-year-old woman with a small bowel metastatic carcinoma observed with double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). She had a history of multiple cancers including ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer. The antegrade DBE procedure was performed before surgery for biopsy tissue confirmation. The patient underwent small bowel resection, and the final diagnosis was the same as that determined by preoperative biopsy. The final diagnosis was metastatic small bowel cancer originating from a cancer of the breast. This is the first detailed report of the preoperative diagnosis of small intestinal metastatic breast cancer by DBE.

Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis during L-asparaginase Treatment in a Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia / 대한췌담도학회지

L-asparaginase is an important component of antileukemic therapy in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The degree of L-asparaginase toxicity is variable. Several cases of L-asparaginase related pancreatitis have been reported in the literature. However, necrotizing pancreatitis in adult has not been reported yet. Herein, we present a case of necrotizing pancreatitis caused by L-asparaginase that was complicated by pancreatic duct leakage and pseudocyst formation, but successfully treated with percutaneous drainage and octreotide treatment.

The Influence of Alcoholic Liver Disease on Serum PIVKA-II Levels in Patients without Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prothrombin induced by vitamin K deficiency or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) is a widely used diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the correlation between alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and serum PIVKA-II levels in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2,528 CLD patients without HCC. Among these patients, 76 exhibited serum high PIVKA-II levels of >125 mAU/mL (group 1). We categorized 76 control patients matched by age, sex, and the presence of liver cirrhosis from the remaining patients who were negative for serum PIVKA-II (group 2). RESULTS: Group 1 revealed increased antibiotic usage (23.7% vs 2.6%, p<0.001) and incidence of ALD (60.5% vs 14.5%, p<0.001) as well as elevated aspartate aminotransferase (52.5 IU/L vs 30.5 IU/L, p=0.025) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (67.5 IU/L vs 36.5 IU/L, p=0.005) levels compared with group 2. Further, group 1 was significantly associated with a worse Child-Pugh class than group 2. In the multivariate analysis, ALD (odds ratio [OR], 7.151; p<0.001) and antibiotic usage (OR, 5.846; p<0.001) were significantly associated with positive PIVKA-II levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that ALD and antibiotics usage may be confounding factors when interpreting high serum PIVKA-II levels in patients without HCC. Therefore, serum PIVKA-II levels in patients with ALD or in patients administered antibiotics should be interpreted with caution.

The Influence of Alcoholic Liver Disease on Serum PIVKA-II Levels in Patients without Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prothrombin induced by vitamin K deficiency or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) is a widely used diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the correlation between alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and serum PIVKA-II levels in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2,528 CLD patients without HCC. Among these patients, 76 exhibited serum high PIVKA-II levels of >125 mAU/mL (group 1). We categorized 76 control patients matched by age, sex, and the presence of liver cirrhosis from the remaining patients who were negative for serum PIVKA-II (group 2). RESULTS: Group 1 revealed increased antibiotic usage (23.7% vs 2.6%, p<0.001) and incidence of ALD (60.5% vs 14.5%, p<0.001) as well as elevated aspartate aminotransferase (52.5 IU/L vs 30.5 IU/L, p=0.025) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (67.5 IU/L vs 36.5 IU/L, p=0.005) levels compared with group 2. Further, group 1 was significantly associated with a worse Child-Pugh class than group 2. In the multivariate analysis, ALD (odds ratio [OR], 7.151; p<0.001) and antibiotic usage (OR, 5.846; p<0.001) were significantly associated with positive PIVKA-II levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that ALD and antibiotics usage may be confounding factors when interpreting high serum PIVKA-II levels in patients without HCC. Therefore, serum PIVKA-II levels in patients with ALD or in patients administered antibiotics should be interpreted with caution.

A Case of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Mimicked Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm / 대한췌담도학회지

Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas are exremely rare tumors, but recent imaging examination advances, diagnostic frequency is also increasing. However, there is difficulty of diagnosis of pancreatic serotonin producing neuroendocrine tumors, because tumors grow slowly and clinical symptoms are not significant. A 60-year-old male patient with pancreatic duct dilatation progresses gradually during the seven years without obstructing lesion in imaging studies, we suspected the mass as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. However, we diagnosed his case as neuroendocrine tumor after surgery and report here with literature review.

Acute Duodenal Ischemia and Periampullary Intramural Hematoma after an Uneventful Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in a Patient with Primary Myelofibrosis

Acute duodenal ischemia and periampullary intramural hematoma are rare complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A 77-year-old man with splenomegaly complained of abdominal pain caused by common bile duct (CBD) stone. After successful removal of the CBD stone without immediate complications, the patient developed intramural hematoma around the ampulla of Vater along with diffuse duodenal edema. The findings were compatible with acute intestinal ischemia, and further evaluation revealed that he had underlying primary myelofibrosis. Myeloproliferative diseases are known to be significantly associated with an increased risk of thrombohemorrhagic complications. Therefore, particular attention should be given to this group of patients when a high-risk procedure such as ERCP is performed.

Effects of the Temporary Placement of a Self-Expandable Metallic Stent in Benign Pyloric Stenosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) is an established palliative treatment for malignant stenosis in the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, its application to benign stenosis is expected to be beneficial because of the more gradual and sustained dilatation in the stenotic portion. We aimed in this prospective observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temporary SEMS placement in benign pyloric stenosis. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with benign stenosis of the prepylorus, pylorus, and duodenal bulb were enrolled and underwent SEMS placement. We assessed symptom improvement, defined as an increase of at least 1 degree in the gastric-outlet-obstruction scoring system after stent insertion. RESULTS: No major complications were observed during the procedures. After stent placement, early symptom improvement was achieved in 18 of 22 patients (81.8%). During the follow-up period (mean 10.2 months), the stents remained in place successfully for 6 to 8 weeks in seven patients (31.8%). Among the 15 patients (62.5%) with stent migration, seven (46.6%) showed continued symptomatic improvement without recurrence of obstructive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the symptomatic improvement, temporary SEMS placement is premature as an effective therapeutic tool for benign pyloric stenosis unless a novel stent is developed to prevent migration.

A Case of Ileal Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Accompanied by Luminal Stricture and Arterial Spurting / 대한소화기학회지

Primary small intestinal lymphoma is relatively uncommon. Small bowel tumors are difficult to diagnose, because they are usually asymptomatic in the initial phase, and they are not easily detected by traditional methods of investigating the small intestine. This case shows a successfully detected and treated gastrointestinal bleeding from rare ileal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, using double balloon endoscopy.

Incidence of Cholangiocarcinoma with or without Previous Resection of Liver for Hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with hepatolithiasis with or without previous resection of liver. METHODS: From 2002 to 2009, we retrospectively reviewed 117 patients who were diagnosed and treated for hepatolithiasis in Korea University Guro Hospital. Among the 117 patients, 55 patients who were lost during follow-up were excluded, and 62 patients were eligible for analysis. The hepatic resection group (n=25) included patients who underwent left hemihepatectomy (n=2); left lateral segmentectomy (n=10); left lobectomy (n=9); right lobectomy (n=3); or wedge resection (n=1). The nonhepatic resection group (n=37) included transhepatic cholangiographic lithotomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-treated patients. The mean follow-up period was 47 months. RESULTS: The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma while patients were followed for hepatolithiasis was 12.9% (8/62) (hepatic resection group, three cases [12%] vs nonhepatic resection group, five cases [13.5%]; p=1.000). The mean follow-up period was 53 months (47+/-11 months) until the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma according to previous liver resections. Patients with hepatolithiasis should be carefully followed up for detection of cholangiocarcinoma even after a previous liver resection.

Necessity of Histologic Confirmation for Adequate Management in Ampullary Tumors / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Necessity of Histologic Confirmation for Adequate Management in Ampullary Tumors / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Patients Who Underwent Curative Additional Gastrectomy after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer or Adenoma / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely performed. However, procedure related-complications and the risk of tumor recurrence are limitations. We analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of patients who underwent curative additional gastrectomy (gastrectomy) after ESD. METHODS: The clinical characteristics of cases underwent gastrectomy after ESD were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Between January 2002 and August 2010, 1,512 cases underwent ESD for early gastric cancer (n=511) or adenoma (n=1,001). Thirty-two cases (2.1%) underwent gastrectomy after ESD. Thirty cases (2.0%) were EGC and 2 cases (0.1%) were adenoma. Extended indication, larger tumor size and piecemeal resection were risk factors for gastrectomy after ESD. According to the causes of gastrectomy, 13 cases underwent gastrectomy due to complications (40.6%; bleeding in 9, perforation in 4), and 19 cases based on pathological results (incomplete resection in 13, lymphatic invasion in 6). In cases with incomplete resection, the rate of residual tumor and lymph node metastasis after gastrectomy was 69.2% (75% lateral margin, 60% deep and 75% both) and 7.7%, respectively. Three (50%) of the 6 cases with lymphatic invasion had lymph node metatstasis. CONCLUSIONS: The causes of gastrectomy after ESD were the procedure-related complications, the incomplete resection and lymphatic invasion. For complete and curative ESD, endoscopists should try to minimize complications and determine the depth of invasion accurately before ESD.

A Case of Giant Inflammatory Ileal Polyp Removed by Double-Balloon Enteroscopy

Inflammatory fibroid polyps are rare benign tumors of the GI tract, that commonly present with intestinal obstruction as a result of intussusceptions in the small bowel. A 39-year old man visited our clinic with an asymptomatic polypoid mass in the distal ileum that was identified on abdominal computed tomography for postoperative surveillance after total gastrectomy due to previously diagnosed early gastric cancer. Retrograde double-balloon enteroscopy was performed to diagnose the ileal mass and a complete resection of the polyp was performed using snare for polypectomy without complications. The final histological finding was an ileal inflammatory polyp. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy is a valuable modality to diagnose and treat small bowel lesions in lieu of surgical procedures in selected cases.

Clinicopathologic Features of Cases with Negative Pathologic Results after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is accepted as a standard treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC) and gastric adenoma. Occasionally, tumorous lesion is not found and pathologic discrepancies can occur after ESD. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors affecting the negative pathologic results after ESD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data from all patients with gastric neoplasm (276 EGC and 516 gastric adenomas) who were treated with ESD during past 3 years and enrolled the patients who had negative pathologic results. RESULTS: Out of 792 patients treated with ESD, 27 patients (3.4%) were eligible for inclusion. Among the 27 patients, factors affecting the negative pathologic results were, most commonly, the focal lesion (n=13, 48.2%) which was small enough to be removed completely during pre-ESD biopsy, followed by pathologic discrepancies (n=11, 40.7%) between pathologists and lastly the operator factor (n=3, 11.1%) dissecting incorrect lesions. Of the focal lesions, the initial pathologic diagnoses were adenocarcinoma in 11 cases (84.6%). In cases with pathologic discrepancies, all the pretreatment diagnoses were adenoma with low grade dysplasia. In cases caused by operator factors, intestinal metaplasia was accompanied by elevated adenoma in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: To decrease negative pathologic results after ESD, an endoscopist should perform ESD after sufficient communication with pathologists, especially for adenoma with low grade dysplasia, and choose correct lesion, especially located at the antrum and associated with intestinal metaplasia. The possibility of total removal of small lesions even by forcep biopsy should be considered.

Lack of Radiation Protection for Endoscopists Performing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: ERCP using fluoroscopy should be practiced with an adequate radiation protection. However, the awareness of gastrointestinal endoscopists to radiation protection was considered insufficient. In Korea, a country with a rapid increase the number of ERCP procedures, there is no data about radiation protection practices for gastrointestinal endoscopists. The purpose of this study was to investigate current clinical practices and the awareness on radiation protection in ERCP performing physicians in Korea. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire regarding radiation protection practices was mailed to 100 members of Korean Pancreatobiliary Association who was porforming ERCP. The questionnaire included ERCP volume of each endoscopist, use of protection devices such as apron, thyroid shield, lead glasses and any mobile shield for scattered radiation, and whether they monitored their own radiation exposure dosage. RESULTS: All respondents wore lead aprons during ERCP. While 52.5% of endoscopists answered that they always wear thyroid guards, 26.9% rarely or never wore it. Only 14% wore lead glasses during the procedure and 69% never wore it. The preparation rates of mobile shields or lead curtains were only 14% and 24%, respectively. Only 10% of endoscopists attached an X-ray badge and 66.7% never used it. Moreover, 75% of endoscopists responded that they did not monitor their own exposure dose to radiation during ERCP. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of radiation protection of ERCP endoscopists in Korea was seemed serious. Awareness of radiation hazard should be more concerned and educated in parallel with the preparation of radiation protection equipments.