Clinicopathologic factors predicting lymph node metastasis in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC), but it is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Recently, endoscopic resection for SESCC has been indicated for patients with a low risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Therefore, to successfully treat SESCC with endoscopic resection, it is very important to identify patients with a low risk for LNM. The objective of this study was to investigate clinicopathologic factors that predict LNM in patients who underwent esophagectomy for SESCC. METHODS: The study included 104 patients with SESCC from three university hospitals in Pusan, Korea. Clinicopathologic factors were evaluated to identify independent factors predicting LNM by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the depth of tumor invasion and lymphovascular invasion had significant influences on LNM (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Gross type, tumor size, and tumor differentiation were not predictive for LNM. In multivariate analysis, the depth of tumor invasion and lymphovascular invasion were significantly associated with LNM in patients with SESCC (OR 9.04, p=0.049; OR 11.61, p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The depth of tumor invasion and lymphovascular invasion were independent predictors of LNM in patients with SESCC. Therefore, endoscopic resection could be performed in patients with SESCC that is limited to the mucosa, without lymphovascular invasion.

Clinical differences in Clostridium difficile infection based on age: a multicenter study.

Advancing age is a well-known risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). However, age-specific clinical differences in CDI are uncertain. A retrospective comparative analysis was performed based on age in 1367 patients with CDI in Korea. Most clinical features were similar in the two age groups studied, however malignancy was more common in the older group (age ≥ 65 y) (p < 0.001), while chemotherapy and transplantation were more common in the younger group (age < 65 y) (p < 0.001). Endoscopic examinations were more commonly performed in the older group (p = 0.010), which had a high positive predictive value (88.3%). More patients recovered from CDI without specific antibiotic treatment in the younger group than in the older group (p < 0.001). Although advancing age is an important risk factor for CDI, the clinical features of younger patients are similar to those of the older patient population.

Hyaluronic acid solution injection for upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding after failed conventional endoscopic therapy.

Hyaluronic acid solution injection can be an additional endoscopic modality for controlling bleeding in difficult cases when other techniques have failed. We evaluated 12 cases in which we used hyaluronic acid solution injection for stopping bleeding. Immediately following hyaluronic acid solution injection, bleeding was controlled in 11 out of 12 cases. There was no clinical evidence of renewed bleeding in 11 cases during follow up.Hyaluronic acid solution injection can be a simple and efficient additional method for controlling upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding after failed endoscopic therapy.

Causes of missed synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasms with endoscopic submucosal dissection: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Unlike surgery, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) removes gastric epithelial neoplasms within a tight margin, leaving most normal tissue around the neoplasm intact, thus resulting in a high risk for missed synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasms (mSGENs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and risk factors of mSGENs (mSGENs) compared to simultaneously identified SGENs (siSGENs) in patients who underwent ESD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors have retrospectively examined 312 SGENs from 275 patients treated with ESD at three hospitals in Korea between January 2004 and May 2011. The incidence and clinicopathological features of SGENs, mSGENs, and siSGENs were investigated. Any second epithelial neoplasm found within 1 year of the first ESD procedure was defined as an mSGEN and any neoplasm detected simultaneously with the first neoplasm was defined as a siSGEN. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ESD patients with SGENs was 9.1% (275 of 3018 patients). Of the SGENs, 45.2% were siSGENs and 54.8% were mSGENs. Independent risk factors for mSGENs were adenoma as the first gastric lesion (Exp (B) = 2.154, 95% CI: 1.282-3.262) and duration of endoscopic examination before the first ESD (Exp (B) = 1.074, 95% CI: 1.001-1.141). The results suggest that 33% of mSGENs could have been identified during the endoscopic examination prior to ESD. CONCLUSION: Additional effort needs to be expended in identifying siSGENs, particularly prior to ESD for less serious adenomas. This should include sufficient time for endoscopic examination, prior to ESD, to ensure a thorough examination for siSGENs.

Missed synchronous gastric neoplasm with endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasm: experience in our hospital.

AIM: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely accepted as a less invasive treatment for early gastric cancer and adenoma, but research on missed synchronous gastric neoplasm (SGN) with ESD has been limited. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the incidence and characteristics of missed SGN during follow-up endoscopy in patients who have undergone ESD. METHOD: We investigated the clinicopathological features of 602 patients and gastric neoplasms treated by ESD from January 2005 through July 2009 at our institution. We defined any second neoplasm found within 1 year after ESD as a missed SGN. RESULTS: Out of 602 patients, 12 (2.0%) had missed SGN. Among the 12 missed SGN, seven (58.3%) cases were carcinomas. All cases of missed synchronous gastric cancer (SGC) were exclusively discovered in the posterior wall of the stomach (7 of 7 cases, 100%, P = 0.016). Missed SGN were more frequently observed when the primary gastric neoplasm was adenoma (4.0% vs 1.0%; OR = 4.114; 95% CI = 1.224-13.831). Furthermore, the risk of missed SGC increased 12-fold in the primary gastric adenoma group compared to the primary gastric carcinoma group (2.9% vs 0.24%; OR = 12.308; 95% CI = 1.472-102.939). CONCLUSION: Endoscopists need to make an effort to find SGN, especially when they carry out ESD for an adenoma, which is a less serious lesion. The important blind spot in screening endoscopic examination before ESD is the posterior wall of the upper third and middle third of the stomach.

Endoscopic hole and clipping technique: a novel technique for closing the wide orifice of a postoperative fistula.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic clipping for closing a fistula created by surgery is often difficult because of the combination of a wide orifice and fibrosis. Creating holes for prongs of a clip may constitute a new endoscopic clipping technique for closing the wide orifice of a fistula. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of performing the endoscopic hole and clipping technique (EHCT). DESIGN: Experimental pilot study. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral center. PATIENT: This study involved 1 patient who underwent EHCT. INTERVENTIONS: EHCT was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Technical success and procedural complications of EHCT. RESULTS: Immediately after the procedure, drainage decreased dramatically and finally decreased to 0 mL/d. There was no evidence of a leak on fluoroscopic examination, and upon 4-month follow-up, we found that no symptoms had developed in the patient. LIMITATIONS: Single-patient pilot study. CONCLUSIONS: EHCT is very simple and efficient. EHCT can be applied as a means of closing the orifice of a postoperative fistula that is not easily managed by simple endoscopic clipping.

Risk factors for incomplete resection and complications in endoscopic mucosal resection for lateral spreading tumors.

AIM: Lateral spreading tumors (LST) are relatively large flat lesions with diameters exceeding 10 mm in length. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a commonly used technique for removing LST. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for incomplete resection and complications of EMR for LST. METHOD: Between January 2004 and December 2010, 497 patients who underwent EMR for LST were retrospectively reviewed. Risk factors for endoscopic and histopathological complete resection, complications, and clinical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: Risks for incomplete resection by piecemeal resection and en bloc resection of a lesion ≥ 30 mm were higher than for en bloc resection of a lesion <30 mm (OR=2.688, CI 1.036-6.993; OR=4.982, CI 1.894-13.101). Risks of post-EMR bleeding for piecemeal resection and en bloc resection for a lesion ≥ 40 mm were higher than for en bloc resection of a lesion <40 mm (OR=15.231, CI 1.816-127.744; OR=43.043, CI 4.306-430.314). CONCLUSION: We found risk factors of EMR for LST and tentatively suggest a protocol for EMR adapted to the size of LST and resection methods. (i) Following piecemeal resection and en bloc resection for LST ≥ 40 mm, hospitalize patients for 36 h and note risk for incomplete resection and delayed bleeding. (ii) After en bloc resection for 40 mm>LST ≥ 30 mm, hospitalize patients for 12 h and note risk for incomplete resection. (iii) Following en bloc resection for LST<30 mm, hospitalize the patient for 12 h and expect complete resection.

Efficacy of endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device for removing small rectal carcinoid tumor compared with endoscopic mucosal resection: analysis of 100 cases.

AIM: Conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of carcinoid tumors is often associated with involvement of the resection margin, which necessitates further intervention. Endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L) is a novel technique for the removal of carcinoid tumors. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical usefulness of endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device with that of EMR for the complete resection of rectal carcinoid tumors. METHODS: Between January 2001 and October 2010, a total of 100 patients with 100 rectal carcinoid tumors that were estimated to be 10 mm or less in diameter and that were resected either using ESMR-L or EMR were recruited for this study. The complete resection rate and complications associated with these two procedures were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-five out of 100 lesions were resected using ESMR-L, and 55 lesions were resected using EMR. Histopathologically, all tumors were free from lymphovascular and perineural invasion. The overall ESMR-L complete resection rate was higher than that of EMR (93.3% vs 65.5%, respectively, P = 0.001). Furthermore, the location of the tumors had no influence on the complete resection rate when ESMR-L was carried out, in contrast to the results of EMR. The procedure-related variables of procedure time and complication rate were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: ESMR-L is a significantly superior modality to EMR for the complete removal of small rectal carcinoid tumors that are 10 mm or less in diameter.

[The difference of clinicopathologic features according to leptin expression in colorectal adenoma].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal adenoma and cancer are known to be associated with obesity. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone that plays a crucial role in obesity has been suggested as a growth factor in colon cancer. However, the association between adenoma and leptin remains controversial. We evaluated the leptin expression in human colorectal adenoma and its correlation to clinicopathologic factors. METHODS: Leptin expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 91 samples of colorectal adenoma larger than 5 mm, which were removed by endoscopic polypectomy. All patients underwent colonoscopy for cancer screening at Seoul Paik Hospital from 2007 to 2008 and we only included the patients less than 50 years of age. Leptin expression and its relationship with clinicopathologic features were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty samples were available for the interpretation of leptin expression and showed positive in 42 (52.5%) cases and negative in 38 (47.5%) cases. As body mass index (BMI) increased based on World Health Organization (WHO) classification the positivity of leptin expression also increased (ptrend=0.02). In leptin positive group, the correlation of leptin expression with adenoma size and histological showed positive tendency without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin expression of colorectal adenoma was associated with BMI. The question of whether leptin contributes to colorectal adenoma development is unresolved and will require additional studies.

[The usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis without common bile duct dilatation].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the most accurate modality in diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. However, it carries some complications. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is less invasive than ERCP and used for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. Recent studies showed that a usefulness of EUS for the diagnosis of small choledocholithiasis without common bile duct (CBD) dilatation. For such a reason, ERCP is being replaced by EUS in the diagnosis of bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of EUS for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis without CBD dilatation. METHODS: A total of 66 patients with suspected choledocholithiasis without CBD dilatation were enrolled. EUS were performed in all cases within 48 hours after computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonography (US). Final diagnosis was obtained by ERCP or clinical course (minimum 6 months follow-up). We analyzed the accuracy of US, CT, and EUS, respectively. RESULTS: CT and US were performed in 51 and 15 cases, respectively. CBD stones were detected in 23 (35%) patients by ERCP. EUS showed 100% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 92% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value for identifying CBD stones. CT or US showed 26%, 93%, 67%, and 70%, respectively. There were no EUS-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: EUS was more effective than CT or US and as accurate as ERCP for the diagnosis of small choledocholithiasis without CBD dilatation. Thus, EUS may help to avoid unnecessary diagnostic ERCP and its complication.

Chronic Non-granulomatous ulcerative jejunoileitis assessed by wireless capsule endoscopy.

Chronic non-granulomatous jejunoileitis is a rare disease characterized by malabsorption, abdominal pain, and diarrhea that causes shallow ulcers in the small bowel. The etiology of chronic non-granulomatous jejunolieitis remains unknown. A 69-year-old man complained of abdominal pain and lower extremity edema. A 99m-Tc albumin scan showed increased radioactivity at the left upper quadrant, suggesting protein-losing enteropathy. A small bowel follow-through did not disclose any lesions. Wireless capsule endoscopy revealed several small bowel ulcers and strictures. A jejunoileal segmentectomy with end-to-end anastomosis was performed, and the histologic examination revealed non-granulomatous ulcers with focal villous atrophy. Ruling out all other possible diagnoses, we diagnosed our patient with chronic non-granulomatous ulcerative jejunoileitis. Postoperatively, the patient's abdominal pain and lower extremity edema improved, and the serum albumin normalized. This is the first case of chronic non-granulomatous ulcerative jejunoileitis localized by wireless capsule endoscopy and treated successfully with segment resection.

Hybrid NOTES: Combined Laparo-endoscopic Full-thickness Resection Techniques.

Advances in laparoscopic surgery and therapeutic endoscopy have allowed these minimally destructive procedures to challenge conventional surgery. Because of its theoretic advantages and technical feasibility, laparoendoscopic full-thickness resection is considered to be the most appropriate option for subepithelial tumor removal. Furthermore, combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches for treatment of neoplasia can be important maneuvers for gastric cancer resection without contamination of the peritoneal cavity if the sentinel lymph node concept is established. We are certain that the use of laparoendoscopic full-thickness resection will provide valuable experience that will allow operators to safely develop endoscopic full-thickness resection skills.

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Have an Increased Risk of Coexisting Colorectal Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) share risk factors. We aimed to investigate whether the CRN risk is increased in ESCC patients. METHODS: ESCC patients who underwent a colonoscopy within 1 year of diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were matched 13 by age, gender, and body mass index to asymptomatic controls. CRN was defined as the histological confirmation of adenoma or adenocarcinoma. Advanced CRN was defined as any of the following ≥3 adenomas, high-grade dysplasia, villous features, tumor ≥1 cm, or adenocarcinoma. The risk factors for both CRN and advanced CRN were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Sixty ESCC patients were compared with 180 controls. The ESCC group had significantly higher numbers of CRNs (odds ratio [OR], 2.311; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.265 to 4.220; p=0.006) and advanced CRNs (OR, 2.317; 95% CI, 1.185 to 4.530; p=0.013). Significant risk factors for both CRN and advanced CRN by multivariate analysis included ESCC (OR, 2.157, 95% CI, 1.106 to 4.070, p=0.024; and OR, 2.157, 95% CI, 1.045 to 4.454, p=0.038, respectively) and older age (OR, 1.068, 95% CI, 1.032 to 1.106, p<0.001; and OR, 1.065, 95% CI, 1.024 to 1.109, p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The rates of CRN and advanced CRN are significantly increased in ESCC. Colonoscopy should be considered at ESCC diagnosis.

The Prevalence and Clinical Features of Non-responsive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease to Practical Proton Pump Inhibitor Dose in Korea: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea, there are no available multicenter data concerning the prevalence of or diagnostic approaches for non-responsive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which does not respond to practical dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in Korea. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and the symptom pattern of non-responsive GERD. METHODS: A total of 12 hospitals who were members of a Korean GERD research group joined this study. We used the composite score (CS) as a reflux symptom scale which is a standardized questionnaire based on the frequency and severity of typical symptoms of GERD. We defined "non-responsive GERD" as follows: a subject with the erosive reflux disease (ERD) whose CS was not decreased by at least 50% after standard-dose PPIs for 8 weeks or a subject with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) whose CS was not decreased by at least 50% after half-dose PPIs for 4 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 234 subjects were analyzed. Among them, 87 and 147 were confirmed to have ERD and NERD, respectively. The prevalence of non-responsive GERD was 26.9% (63/234). The rates of non-responsive GERD were not different between the ERD and NERD groups (25.3% vs. 27.9%, respectively, p=0.664). There were no differences between the non-responsive GERD and responsive GERD groups for sex (p=0.659), age (p=0.134), or BMI (p=0.209). However, the initial CS for epigastric pain and fullness were higher in the non-responsive GERD group (p=0.044, p=0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this multicenter Korean study showed that the rate of non-responsive GERD was substantially high up to 26%. In addition, the patients with the non-responsive GERD frequently showed dyspeptic symptoms such as epigastric pain and fullness.

Endoscopic treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Advantages and hurdles.

One of the most prominent characteristics of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is their unpredictable and variable behavior. GISTs are not classified as "benign" or "malignant" but are rather stratified by their associated clinical risk of malignancy as determined by tumor size, location, and number of mitoses identified during surgical histology. The difficulty in assessing the malignant potential and prognoses of GISTs as well as the increasing incidence of "incidental GISTs" presents challenges to gastroenterologists. Recently, endoscopic enucleation has been actively performed as both a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention for GISTs. Endoscopic enucleation has several advantages, including keeping the stomach intact after the removal of GISTs, a relatively short hospital stay, a conscious sedation procedure, relatively low cost, and fewer human resources required compared with surgery. However, a low complete resection rate and the risk of perforation could reduce the overall advantages of this procedure. Endoscopic full-thickness resection appears to achieve a very high R0 resection rate. However, this technique absolutely requires a very skilled operator. Moreover, there is a risk of peritoneal seeding due to large active perforation. Laparoscopy endoscopy collaborations have been applied for more stable and pathologically acceptable management. These collaborative procedures have produced excellent outcomes. Many procedures have been developed and attempted because they were technically possible. However, we should first consider the theoretical basis for each technique. Until the efficacy and safety of sole endoscopic access are proved, the laparoscopy endoscopy collaborative procedure appears to be an appropriate method for minimally destructive GIST surgery.

Endoscopic Raman Spectroscopy for Molecular Fingerprinting of Gastric Cancer: Principle to Implementation.

Currently, positive endoscopic biopsy is the standard criterion for gastric cancer diagnosis but is invasive, often inconsistent, and delayed although early detection and early treatment is the most important policy. Raman spectroscopy is a spectroscopic technique based on inelastic scattering of monochromatic light. Raman spectrum represents molecular composition of the interrogated volume providing a direct molecular fingerprint. Several investigations revealed that Raman spectroscopy can differentiate normal, dysplastic, and adenocarcinoma gastric tissue with high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, this technique can indentify malignant ulcer and showed the capability to analyze the carcinogenesis process. Automated on-line Raman spectral diagnostic system raised possibility to use Raman spectroscopy in clinical field. Raman spectroscopy can be applied in many fields such as guiding a target biopsy, optical biopsy in bleeding prone situation, and delineating the margin of the lesion. With wide field technology, Raman spectroscopy is expected to have specific role in our future clinical field.

Are Histrionic Personality Traits Associated with Irritability during Conscious Sedation Endoscopy?

Aim. We aimed to evaluate whether histrionic personality traits are associated with irritability during conscious sedation endoscopy (CSE). Materials and Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was planned. Irritability during CSE was classified into five grades: 0, no response; I, minimal movement; II, moderate movement; III, severe movement; IV, fighting against procedure. Patients in grades III and IV were defined as the irritable group. Participants were required to complete questionnaire sheet assessing the extent of histrionic personality traits, extraversion-introversion, and current psychological status. The present authors also collected basic sociodemographic data including alcohol use history. Results. A total of 32 irritable patients and 32 stable patients were analyzed. The histrionic personality trait score of the irritable group was higher than that of the stable group (9.5 ± 3.1 versus 6.9 ± 2.9; P = 0.001), as was the anxiety score (52.8 ± 8.6 versus 46.1 ± 9.6; P = 0.004). Heavy alcohol use was more frequently observed in the irritable group (65.6% versus 28.1%; P = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, all these three factors were independently correlated with irritability during CSE. Conclusion. This study revealed that histrionic personality traits, anxiety, and heavy alcohol use can affect irritability during CSE.

Variant achalasia, the hole of the original classification.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: High-resolution manometry (HRM) is a useful tool for classifying esophageal motility disorders. However, there remain findings that cannot be classified in clinical fields. Recently, an updated classification system was announced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether originally unclassifiable groups can now be classified according to the updated Chicago Classification system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the results of HRM studies performed from January 2008 to December 2010 on 150 consecutive patients (75 men, age 17-76) referred to the Gospel Hospital manometry laboratory for evaluation. We found originally unclassified results and re-categorized them according to the updated Chicago Classification system. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 150 patients were originally unclassified cases. Patients from the unclassified and classified groups had similar distributions of age and sex. All unclassified patients were re-diagnosed as having variant achalasia according to the updated Chicago Classification system. CONCLUSION: The updated Chicago Classification can categorize originally unclassified groups of esophageal motility disorder.