The Clinical Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasonography and White Light Imaging in Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

PURPOSE: Gastric mucosal neoplastic lesions should have characteristic endoscopic features for successful endoscopic submucosal dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the 1,010 endoscopic submucosal dissection, we enrolled 62 patients that had the procedure cancelled. Retrospectively, whether the reasons for cancelling the endoscopic submucosal dissection were consistent with the indications for an endoscopic submucosal dissection were assessed by analyzing the clinical outcomes of the patients that had the surgery. RESULTS: The cases were divided into two groups; the under-diagnosed group (30 cases; unable to perform an endoscopic submucosal dissection) and the over-diagnosed group (32 cases; unnecessary to perform an endoscopic submucosal dissection), according to the second endoscopic findings, compared with the index conventional white light image. There were six cases in the under-diagnosed group with advanced gastric cancer on the second conventional white light image endoscopy, 17 cases with submucosal invasion on endoscopic ultrasonography findings, 5 cases with a size greater than 3 cm and ulcer, 1 case with diffuse infiltrative endoscopic features, and 1 case with lymph node involvement on computed tomography. A total of 25 patients underwent a gastrectomy to remove a gastric adenocarcinoma. The overall accuracy of the decision to cancel the endoscopic submucosal dissection was 40% (10/25) in the subgroup that had the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of the decision to cancel the endoscopic submucosal dissection, after conventional white light image and endoscopic ultrasonography, was low in this study. Other diagnostic options are needed to arrive at an accurate decision on whether to perform a gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

A Case of Biliary Cast Syndrome after Cadaveric Liver Transplantation / 대한소화기학회지

We experienced one fatal case of biliary cast syndrome after cadaveric liver transplantation involving both intrahepatic ducts. A 58-year-old man underwent cadaveric liver transplantation because of hepatitis B virus related liver cirrhosis and concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma. Five weeks after the liver transplantation, postoperative course was complicated by development of acute cholangitis. Subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed diffuse intrahepatic bile duct strictures without filling defects. Percutaneous liver biopsy, which was done to exclude rejection, revealed biliary cast. Successful endoscopic removal was precluded due to its diffuse involvement. Because of the deterioration of patient's condition by refractory biliary obstruction and cholangitis, retransplantation from cadaveric donor was performed. Debridement of the biliary tree after graft removal yielded a near-complete cast of the intrahepatic ductal system. Biliary cast syndrome should be suspected when jaundice or cholangitis is associated with dilated ducts on abdominal imaging studies in cadaveric liver transplantation recipients. Initial therapeutic options include removal of biliary cast after endoscopic or percutaneous cholangiography. Although endoscopic retrieval of biliary cast by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography could be employed as a first-line management, other modalities such as endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, percutaneous transhepatic drainage, or retransplantation should be considered when complete removal is not feasible and the condition of the recipient deteriorates.

A Case of McCune-Albright Syndrome with Associated Multiple Endocrinopathies

McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is a rare disorder that develops from an activating mutation in the Gs gene. It is characterized by an association with Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, and precocious puberty, Caf-au-lait pigmentation, and other endocrinopathies that result from the hyperactivity of a variety of endocrine glands. Recently we encountered a patient with MAS with fibrous dysplasia, skin pigmentation, acromegaly, hyperprolactinemia and a thyroid nodule. A 23-year-old male presented for an evaluation of a change in his facial structures. Fibrous dysplasia was diagnosed by a bone biopsy and radiographic studies. The GH level increased paradoxically after an oral glucose load. The plasma prolactin, IGF-1 and alkaline phosphatase were high. Thyroid ultrasonography revealed multiple nodules. The brain MRI demonstrated a mass in the left pituitary gland. Genetic analysis identified a change from Arg (CGT) at codon 201 to Cys (TGT).

A Case of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome with Secondary Amenorrhea / 대한내분비학회지

Alcohol ingestion during pregnancy can be damaging to embryonic and fetal development. A specific pattern of malformation, identified as Fetal alcohol syndrome, has been documented in 1~2 of every 1,000 live infant births Fetal alcohol syndrome is characterized by growth deficiency, facial abnormalities, cardiac defects, minor joint and limb abnormalities, as well as central nervous system dysfunction, including microcephaly, mental retardation and abnormal neurobehavioral development. However, there are few reports of fetal alcohol syndrome associated with hormonal abnormality or amenorrhea. Recently, a case of secondary amenorrhea, which developed in a 19-year-old woman with fetal alcohol syndrome, was experienced at our institute, but the exact cause of the amenorrhea was difficulty to find. Herein, this case is reported, with a review of the literature.