A Rare Fatal Bile Peritonitis after Malposition of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided 5-Fr Naso-Gallbladder Drainage.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided gallbladder (GB) drainage has recently emerged as a more feasible treatment than percutaneous transhepatic GB drainage for acute cholecystitis. In EUS-guided cholecystostomies in patients with distended GBs without pericholecystic inflammation or prominent wall thickening, a needle puncture with tract dilatation is often difficult. Guidewires may slip during the insertion of thin and flexible drainage catheters, which can also cause the body portion of the catheter to be unexpectedly situated and prolonged between the GB and intestines because the non-inflamed distended GB is fluctuant. Upon fluoroscopic examination during the procedure, the position of the abnormally coiled catheter may appear to be correct in patients with a distended stomach. We experienced such an adverse event with fatal bile peritonitis in a patient with GB distension suggestive of malignant bile duct stricture. Fatal bile peritonitis then occurred. Therefore, the endoscopist should confirm the indications for cholecystostomy and determine whether a distended GB is a secondary change or acute cholecystitis.

Risk Factors for Asymptomatic Colon Diverticulosis.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The etiology of colon diverticulosis is related to a range of genetic, biological, and environmental factors, but the risk factors for asymptomatic diverticulosis of the colon are unclear. This study examined the risk factors for asymptomatic colon diverticulosis. METHODS: This retrospective study included examinees who underwent a colonoscopy for screening at the health check-up center of SAM Hospital between January 2016 and December 2016. The examinees with colon diverticulosis found by colonoscopy were compared with those without diverticulosis. The comparison factors were age, gender, alcohol consumption, smoking status, medical history, lipid profile, body mass index, visceral fat area, waist-hip ratio, and severity of a fatty liver. RESULTS: This study included 937 examinees and the overall prevalence of diverticulosis was 8.1% (76/937). Fatty liver was found in 69.7% (53/76) in cases of colon diverticulosis and 50.3% (433/861) in the control group (p=0.001). The average waist-hip ratio was 0.92±0.051 in colon diverticulosis and 0.90±0.052 in the control group (p=0.052). Multivariate analysis revealed the waist-hip ratio (OR=1.035, 95% CI 1.000-1.070, p=0.043), moderate fatty liver (OR=2.238, 95% CI 1.026-4.882, p=0.043), and severe fatty liver (OR=5.519, 95% CI 1.236-21.803, p=0.025) to be associated with an increased risk of asymptomatic colon diverticulosis. CONCLUSIONS: The waist-hip ratio, moderate fatty liver, and severe fatty liver are risk factors for asymptomatic colon diverticulosis. Central obesity, which can be estimated by the waist-hip ratio, and fatty liver might affect the pathogenesis of asymptomatic colon diverticulosis.

Tranexamic Acid-Induced Acute Renal Cortical Necrosis in Post-Endoscopic Papillectomy Bleeding.

Acute renal failure can be the result of acute renal cortical necrosis (RCN), which commonly occurs from complications occurring during pregnancy. RCN is rarely caused by medications, although tranexamic acid, which is used in patients with acute bleeding for its antifibrinolytic effects, reportedly causes acute RCN in rare cases. An 82-year-old woman experienced gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic papillectomy of an ampullary adenoma. The bleeding was controlled with tranexamic acid administration; however, 4 days later, her urine volume decreased and she developed pulmonary edema and dyspnea. Serum creatinine levels increased from 0.8 to 3.9 mg/dL and dialysis was performed. Abdominal pelvic computed tomography with contrast enhancement revealed bilateral RCN with no renal cortex enhancement. Renal dysfunction and oliguria persisted and hemodialysis was continued. Clinicians must be aware that acute RCN can occur after tranexamic acid administration to control bleeding.

Delayed Severe Hemobilia after Endoscopic Biliary Plastic Stent Insertion.

Hemobilia is a rare gastrointestinal bleeding, usually caused by injury to the bile duct. Hemobilia after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is generally self-limiting and patients will spontaneously recover, but some severe and fatal hemorrhages have been reported. ERCP-related bowel or bile duct perforation should be managed promptly, according to the type of injury and the status of the patient. We recently experienced a case of late-onset severe hemobilia in which the patient recovered after endoscopic biliary stent insertion. The problem was attributable to ERCP-related bile duct perforation during stone removal, approximately 5 weeks prior to the hemorrhagic episode. The removal of the stent was performed 10 days before the onset of hemobilia. The bleeding was successfully treated by two sessions of transarterial coil embolization.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct with gastric and duodenal fistulas.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the bile duct is still rare and not yet understood despite of its increased incidence and similar clinicopathologic characteristics compared with IPMN of the pancreas. The fistula formation into other organs can occur in IPMN, especially the pancreatic type. To our knowledge, only two cases of IPMN of the bile duct with a choledochoduodenal fistula were reported and we have recently experienced a case of IPMN of the bile duct penetrating into two neighboring organs of the stomach and duodenum presenting with abdominal pain and jaundice. Endoscopy showed thick mucin extruding from two openings of the fistulas. Endoscopic suction of thick mucin using direct peroral cholangioscopy with ultra-slim endoscope through choledochoduodenal fistula was very difficult and ineffective because of very thick mucin and next endoscopic suction through the stent after prior insertion of biliary metal stent into choledochogastric fistula also failed. Pathologic specimen obtained from the proximal portion of the choledochogastric fistula near left intrahepatic bile duct through the metal stent showed a low grade adenoma. The patient declined the surgical treatment due to her old age and her abdominal pain with jaundice was improved after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with the irrigation of N-acetylcysteine three times daily for 10 d.

Endoscopic treatment of duodenal fistula after incomplete closure of ERCP-related duodenal perforation.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an important diagnostic and therapeutic modality for various pancreatic and biliary diseases. The most common ERCP-induced complication is pancreatitis, whereas hemorrhage, cholangitis, and perforation occur less frequently. Early recognition and prompt treatment of these complications may minimize the morbidity and mortality. One of the most serious complications is perforation. Although the incidence of duodenal perforation after ERCP has decreased to < 1.0%, severe cases still require prolonged hospitalization and urgent surgical intervention, potentially leading to permanent disability or mortality. Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for perforations of the luminal organs of the gastrointestinal tract. However, evidence from case reports and case series support a beneficial role of endoscopic clipping in the closure of these defects. Duodenal fistulas are usually a result of sphincterotomies, perforated duodenal ulcers, or gastrectomy. Other causative factors include Crohn's disease, trauma, pancreatitis, and cancer. The majority of duodenal fistulas heal with nonoperative management. Those that fail to heal are best treated with gastrojejunostomy. Recently proposed endoscopic approaches for managing gastrointestinal leaks caused by fistulas include fibrin glue injection and positioning of endoclips. Our patient developed a secondary persistent duodenal fistula as a result of previous incomplete closure of duodenal perforation with hemoclips and an endoloop. The fistula was successfully repaired by additional clipping and fibrin glue injection.

A case of malignant granular cell tumor in the sigmoid colon.

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is an uncommon, usually benign neoplasm; however, a malignant potential has been described. Malignant GCT is an extremely rare neoplasm showing rapid growth and invasion into adjacent muscles, lymph nodes, or vessels, or even distant metastasis. We recently experienced a case of a histologically benign or atypical but clinically malignant GCT, with invasion of the lymph nodes and vessels in the sigmoid colon, diagnosed by segmental colon resection with lymph node dissection. We also performed a review of relevant medical literature.

A case of large fibrovascular polyp of the stomach.

A fibrovascular polyp is a rare benign disease of the upper digestive tract and is usually located in the esophagus. To our knowledge, this is the first case of gastric fibrovascular polyp presenting with melena reported in the English literature. The polyp was well visualized on endoscopy and removed with laparoscopic wedge resection. Histology confirmed fibrovascular polyp of the stomach.

[The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus and the comparison of Barrett's esophagus with cardiac intestinal metaplasia in the health screening at a secondary care hospital].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and its association with reflux esophagitis (RE) and peptic ulcer disease detected by free charge endoscopy which was covered by the National Health Insurance at a secondary care hospital, and to compare the results of the biopsy of BE with that of cardiac intestinal metaplasia (CIM). METHODS: A total of 4,002 patients underwent endoscopy from March 2010 to December 2012. BE was diagnosed if there was histologically proven specialized intestinal metaplasia, and CIM was diagnosed if intestinal metaplasia was accompanied with chronic gastritis. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty four patients underwent endoscopic biopsy, and the prevalence of BE was 1.0% (42/4,002). The mean age and the proportion of males in BE were significantly higher than those of the rest of study population, and BE had slight tendency related to RE than the rest of study population. CIM was observed in 34 patients and BE and CIM showed similar results, regarding age, sex and association with RE. The mean length of endoscopic Barrett's mucosa of BE group was 9.2±5.1 mm, and it was similar to that of CIM. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of BE in the secondary care hospital was not low, and old age and male sex were significantly associated with BE. Because BE was observed in about 10% of biopsied patients and CIM was observed in a similar percentage with BE, the precise targeted biopsy is warranted and the biopsy method should be reestablished through the large prospective study of multiple secondary care hospitals.

Effects of sphingolipid synthesis inhibition on cholesterol gallstone formation in C57BL/6J mice.

BACKGROUND: Sphingolipids play a very important role in cell membrane formation, signal transduction and plasma lipoprotein metabolism. The first rate-limiting step in the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway is catalyzed by serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), and myriocin is a potent and specific inhibitor of SPT. We investigated the impact of SPT inhibition on cholesterol gallstone formation in C57BL/6J mice. METHODS: Three groups of eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were utilized. Each group consisted of 20 mice; group A, B, and C were fed normal chow, lithogenic diet with phosphate buffered saline, and lithogenic diet with myriocin (0.3 mg/kg), respectively, for 6 weeks. The ceramide levels in both serum and bile were assessed by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Protein expression of ERK, JNK and p38 in the extracted gallbladder were determined by Western-blot analysis. RESULTS: Myriocin treatment caused a significant decrease in the rate of cholesterol gallstone formation. The lithogenic diet mice (group B) showed the highest ceramide activities in both the serum and bile among all the tested groups and there was significant suppression of the ceramide levels in both the serum and bile of the myriocin-treated mice (group C, p < 0.05). Phosphorylation of p38 in the gallbladder was increased in the lithogenic-diet mice and the expression of phosphorylated p38 was significantly suppressed in the myriocin treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: SPT inhibition by myriocin suppressed gallstone formation and the levels of ceramide in both the serum and bile. p38 in the cellular signaling pathways might be associated with cholesterol gallstone formation.

[The relationship between hepatitis B virus infection and the incidence of pancreatic cancer: a retrospective case-control study].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An association between past history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and pancreatic cancer (PC) has recently been reported. We investigated whether HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are associated with the development of PC in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited patients with PC and sex- and, age-matched control patients with stomach cancer (SC) during the previous 5 years. Serum HBsAg and anti-HCV were examined, and data on smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, and the history of chronic pancreatitis (CP) were collected. RESULTS: A total of 506 PC and 1008 SC were enrolled, with respectively 58.1% and 97.3% of these cases being confirmed histologically. The mean age and sex ratio (male:female) were 63.5 years and 1.5:1 in the PC patients and 63.9 years and 1.5:1 in the SC patients respectively (P>0.05). The odds ratios (95% confidence interval, 95% CI) in univariate analysis were 0.90 (0.52-1.56; P=0.70) for HBsAg, 1.87 (0.87-4.01; P=0.11) for anti-HCV, 2.66 (2.04-3.48; P<0.001) for the presence of diabetes, 2.30 (1.83-2.90; P<0.001) for smoking, 1.14 (0.89-1.46; P=0.31) for alcohol intake, and 4.40 (1.66-11.66; P=0.003) for the history of CP. Independent risk factors for PC were presence of diabetes (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 2.00-3.56; P<0.001), smoking (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.93-3.21; P<0.001) and history of CP (OR, 4.60; 95% CI, 1.56-13.53; P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant association between seropositivity for HBsAg or anti-HCV and PC. Further studies are warranted to clarify the association between HBV infection and PC in regions where HBV is endemic.

[Critical reappraisal of cholecystectomy in patients with asymptomatic gallstones for early diagnosis and removal of dysplasia and cancer].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been known that chronic trauma and inflammation of gallbladder (GB) mucosa by gallstones (GS) can induce epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive cancer. This study was designed to investigate the usefulness of cholecystectomy in patients with asymptomatic GS for the early diagnosis and removal of dysplasia or cancer. METHODS: From January 2004 to July 2008, the clinical records of 703 cases with GS who underwent cholecystectomy at Korea University Guro Hospital were reviewed, and the prevalence of dysplasia and cancer was analyzed. RESULTS: In symptomatic GS (542 cases) group, low grade dysplasia was found in 4 cases (0.74%) and high grade dysplasia in 1 case (0.18%). In asymptomatic GS (161 cases) group, low grade dysplasia was found in 4 cases (2.48%) and cancer in 2 cases (1.24%) (p=0.012 vs. symptomatic cases). Dysplasias in symptomatic GS group were not associated with polyps, but dysplasias and cancers in asymptomatic GS group were associated. Patients with asymptomatic GS and polyps were analyzed according to the size of polyps. In those (12 cases) with larger polyps (> or 1 cm), low grade dysplasia was found in 2 cases and cancer in 2 cases. And in those (12 cases) with smaller polyps (<1 cm), low grade dysplasia was found in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Extending indication of prophylactic cholecystectomy in patients with asymptomatic GS without polyp to prevent GB dysplasia or cancer beyond the existing indication does not seem to be justifiable in Korea. However, further studies are needed in patients with asymptomatic GS and polyp of any size.

[Prevalence of pancreatic cancer in diabetics and clinical characteristics of diabetes-associated with pancreatic cancer--comparison between diabetes with and without pancreatic cancer].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea, the prevalence of pancreatic cancer (PC) in general population has been reported as 7 in 100,000. However, that in diabetes mellitus (DM) has not been elucidated yet. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of PC among DM patients, and characterize and compare the patients with DM with and without PC. METHODS: 5,082 patients (4,890 DM without PC, 78 PC with DM, and 114 PC without DM) were enrolled from Korea University Guro Hospital during a period of 4 years between January 2004 and January 2008. RESULTS: The prevalence of PC in DM patients was 1.6% and that of DM in PC patients was 40.6%. No significant differences in the clinical characteristics except HbAIc and ALP were observed between PC patients with DM and without DM. Among 78 PC patients with DM, DM was diagnosed in 19 (29.4%) and 29 (37.1%) patients concomitantly or within 2 years prior to the diagnosis of PC, respectively. Among the cases with recent onset DM (less than 2 years duration), the disease duration of DM before the diagnosis of PC was less than 1 year in 14 patients (17.9%) and 1 to 2 years in 15 patients (19.2%). DM patients with PC were found to have significantly higher ALT, total bilirubin, and ALP levels than in DM patients without PC. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PC in DM patients was 1.6% and was higher than in the general population. Recent onset DM was frequent in PC patients (less than 2 years duration). We recommend close follow-up for at least 2 years in new-onset diabetes.

[A prospective multicenter study on the prevalence and symptoms of erosive reflux esophagitis in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Korea].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies suggest that the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (EE) is increasing in Asia. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of EE among outpatients visiting gastroenterology clinics of secondary and tertiary hospitals in Korea, and to analyze their symptoms. METHODS: From May to July 2003, outpatients undergoing their first upper gastrointestinal endoscopies after visiting gastroenterology clinics in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Korea were enrolled. Prevalence of EE was calculated from their endoscopic findings, and symptoms were analyzed from the validated symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 4,275 cases from 24 hospitals, 506 (11.8%) had EE. Among 836 cases with predominantly typical GERD symptoms, EE was diagnosed in 140 (16.7%). Among 530 cases having predominantly typical GERD symptoms with a frequency of at least twice a week or with a significant impact on their daily lives, EE was found in 104 (19.6%). The prevalence of EE was positively associated with males irrespective of age, old aged (> or =65 years) females, predominantly typical GERD symptoms at least twice a week, and the numbers of typical GERD symptoms. The severity of GERD symptoms did not affect the prevalence of EE. The most common typical and atypical GERD symptoms in cases with EE were regurgitation and epigastric soreness, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EE among outpatients visiting gastroenterology clinics in Korea was 11.8%. Independent factors associated with increased prevalence of EE were males irrespective of age, old aged (> or =65 years) females, number of typical GERD symptoms, and frequent typical GERD symptoms.

Pancreatic tuberculosis masquerading as pancreatic serous cystadenoma.

Solitary pancreatic involvement of tuberculosis is rare, especially in an immunocompetent individual, and it may be misdiagnosed as pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Pancreatic cystic neoplasms are being identified in increasing numbers, probably because of the frequent use of radiology and advances in endoscopic techniques. However, they are composed of a variety of neoplasms with a wide range of malignant potential, and it is often difficult to differentiate pancreatic tuberculosis mimicking cystic neoplasms from benign or malignant pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Non-surgical diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis is inconclusive and continues to be a challenge in many cases. If so, then laparotomy should be employed to establish the diagnosis. Therefore, pancreatic tuberculosis should be kept in mind during the differential diagnosis of solitary cystic masses in the pancreas. We report a patient who had solitary pancreatic tuberculosis masquerading as pancreatic serous cystadenoma.

[A case of allopurinol-induced granulomatous hepatitis with ductopenia and cholestasis].

Allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity syndrome is characterized by an idiosyncratic reaction involving multiple-organs, which usually begins 2 to 6 weeks after starting allopurinol. In rare cases, the adverse reactions to allopurinol are accompanied by a variety of liver injury, such as reactive hepatitis, granulomatous hepatitis, vanishing bile duct syndrome, or fulminant hepatic failure. Here we report a case with granulomatous hepatitis and ductopenia. A 69-year-old man with chronic renal failure, hyperuricemia, and previously normal liver function presented with jaundice, skin rash, and fever 2 weeks after taking allopurinol (200 mg/day). In histopathology, a liver biopsy specimen showed mild spotty necrosis of hepatocytes, marked cholestasis in parenchyma, and some granulomas in the portal area. There were vacuolar degeneration in the interlobular bile ducts and ductopenia in the portal tracts. Pathologic criteria strongly suggested the presence of allopurinol-induced granulomatous hepatitis with ductopenia and cholestasis. The patient fully recovered following the early administration of systemic corticosteroid therapy.