Maximal diameter of liver abscess independently predicts prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with prolonged hospital stay and in-hospital mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with pyogenic liver abscess who were admitted between 2005 and 2018 at three tertiary hospitals in Jeonbuk province, South Korea. Prolonged hospital stay was defined as a duration of hospital admission of more than 21 days. RESULTS: A total of 648 patients (406 men and 242 women) diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled in the study. The mean maximal diameter of the liver abscess was 5.4 ± 2.6 cm, and 74.9% of the lesions were single. The three groups were divided according to the maximal diameter of the abscess. Laboratory parameters indicated a more severe inflammatory state and higher incidence of complications and extrahepatic manifestations with increasing abscess size. Rates of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) insertion, multiple PCD drainage, and salvage procedures as well as duration of drainage were also higher in the large liver abscess group. Of note, the duration of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in the large hepatic abscess group. A multivariate analysis revealed that underlying diabetes mellitus, hypoalbuminemia, high baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin levels, and large maximal abscess diameter were independent factors associated with prolonged hospital stay. Regarding in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury at admission and maximal diameter of the abscess were independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: A large maximal diameter of the liver abscess at admission indicated prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis. More aggressive treatment strategies with careful monitoring are warranted in patients with large liver abscesses.

Case of Esophageal Actinomycosis Occurred after Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Subepithelial Tumor.

Esophageal actinomycosis is a rare, chronic granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces species. Endoscopy and biopsy are essential for making a diagnosis. This paper reports a case of esophageal actinomycosis that developed after an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for a subepithelial tumor (SET). A 74-year-old male patient had a 3 cm flat, smooth elevation in the esophagus without symptoms. The SET was partially resected, and histology revealed "nonspecific degenerated mesenchymal tissue". Three months later, the patient exhibited a persistently large ulceration at the EMR site, and a biopsy revealed actinomycosis. CT of the chest and abdomen revealed no abnormal findings. Ampicillin treatment was administered for six months, and the ulceration on the esophageal SET improved.

The efficacy of newly proposed gastric open peroral endoscopic myotomy (GO-POEM) in preventing post-endoscopic submucosal dissection stenosis: A comparison with non-GO-POEM group.

Extensive endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric adenoma or early cancer can lead to post-ESD stenosis. This may cause a decrease in quality of life and an increase in medical issues. Therefore, this study examined the safety and effectiveness of gastric open peroral endoscopic myotomy (GO-POEM) in preventing stenosis following ESD. A retrospective investigation was carried out on 31 patients who underwent gastric ESD for > 75% of the lumen in the antrum or pylorus at the Presbyterian Medical Center in Korea between December 2004 and October 2022. The patients were divided into GO-POEM (n = 11) and non-GO-POEM groups (n = 20). The average age of the 31 patients was 73.23 years, and 18 were male. There were no differences in age, sex, location, gross findings, or procedure time between the 2 groups. In the GO-POEM group, only 1 patient (9 %) developed stenosis, compared to 11 patients (55 %) in the control group (P = .02). Multivariate analysis showed that the GO-POEM group had a significantly lower risk of post-ESD stenosis (P < .05). Stenosis symptoms resolved with a single endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in 1 patient in the GO-POEM group. In contrast, 5 of 11 patients with stenosis in the non-GO-POEM group required a median of 2 EBD sessions (range, 1-8). GO-POEM may be an effective and reliable method for preventing stenosis post extensive gastric ESD. Further investigations are necessary to establish its efficacy and safety.

Underestimation of endoscopic size in large gastric epithelial neoplasms.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective method for resecting gastric adenomas and adenocarcinomas. A significant discrepancy was observed between endoscopic and pathological sizes in samples obtained from patients undergoing ESD. This study elucidates the factors affecting size discrepancy after formalin fixation. METHODS: The records of 64 patients with 69 lesions were analyzed, including 50 adenomas and 19 adenocarcinomas. Data on location, gross shape, histology, and size after fixation in formalin were collected. RESULTS: The mean size of the resected specimen appeared to decrease after formalin fixation (37.5 mm prefixation vs. 35.8 mm postfixation, p<0.05). The mean long axis diameter of the lesions was 20.3±7.9 mm prefixation and 13.4±7.9 mm postfixation. Size differences in lesions smaller than 20 mm were significantly greater than those in lesions larger than 20 mm (7.6±5.6 mm vs. 2.5±5.8 mm, p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, a tumor size of ≥20 mm was found to be an independent factor affecting size postformalin fixation (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic size of lesions before ESD may be underestimated in tumors larger than 20 mm in size. Therefore, increased attention must be paid during ESD to avoid instances of incomplete resection.

Endoscopic Ultrasonography-guided Gastrojejunostomy for Patients with Gastric Outlet Obstruction and Pyloric Metal Stent Dysfunction.

A 52-year-old woman with a gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by pyloric cancer underwent pyloric endoscopic self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion. She presented with abdominal distension 40 days later. The SEMS was dysfunctional, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy (EUS-GJ) was performed using an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube. A 16 mm×31 mm Niti-S ™ HOT SPAXUS™ (TaeWoong Medical, Gimpo, Korea) was inserted successfully between the stomach and the adjacent jejunum. After the procedure, the patient had a good oral intake for more than seven months. GOO is a mechanical obstructive condition caused by various benign and malignant conditions. Traditionally, surgical GJ and SEMS insertion have been used to treat GOOs. EUS-GJ is a feasible treatment option for patients with GOO and a pyloric metal stent dysfunction.

Safety and efficacy of prophylactic gastric open peroral endoscopic myotomy for prevention of post-ESD stenosis: A case series (with video).

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic resection of over 3/4 of the lumen of the antrum or pylorus is a known risk factor for post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) stenosis. Local or systemic steroids may reduce the risk of stenosis, but their overall role in stenosis prevention remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic gastric open peroral endoscopic myotomy (GO-POEM) in preventing post-ESD stenosis. METHODS: Ten patients who underwent GO-POEM during or immediately after ESD in the Presbyterian Medical Center between June 2017 and November 2020 were included. All patients underwent excision of over 3/4 of the lumen of the antrum or pylorus. GO-POEM was performed without submucosal tunneling. RESULTS: Well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, tubulovillous adenoma with high-grade dysplasia, and tubular adenoma with low-grade dysplasia were diagnosed in three, one, and six patients, respectively. GO-POEM was performed successfully in all the 10 patients. Stenosis could not be evaluated in one patient, whereas one of the remaining nine patients developed post-ESD stenosis. GO-POEM decreased the risk of post-ESD stenosis in the other eight patients. Two patients presented with intraprocedural bleeding, both of whom were managed endoscopically successfully. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic GO-POEM may be a novel, effective and safe treatment modality for preventing post-ESD stenosis in the stomach. Well-designed, multicenter studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm our results.

[Cannulation of the Portal Vein during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in a Patient with Choledocholithiasis].

Cannulation of the portal vein is a rare complication of ERCP. This paper reports a case of portal vein catheterization during ERCP in a patient with choledocholithiasis. A 62-year-old man was admitted to the Presbyterian Medical Center with right upper quadrant pain and jaundice. ERCP was performed under the suspicion of obstructive jaundice caused by a radiolucent stone. Bile duct cannulation using a pull-type papillotome was attempted, but it failed. After needle-knife fistulotomy, wire-guided cannulation was performed successfully, and 10 mL contrast was injected. On the other hand, the fluoroscopy image showed that the contrast medium disappeared very quickly. Pure blood was collected when the catheter was aspirated to identify the bile reflux, indicating possible cannulation of the portal vein. The procedure was terminated immediately and abdominal computed tomography showed air in the portal vein. One day after, a follow-up CT scan showed no air in the portal vein. The patient underwent repeated ERCP, and the common bile duct was cannulated. In most cases, isolated portal vein cannulation does not result in severe morbidity. However, it is important to aware of this rare complication so that no further invasive procedure is performed on the patient.

Novel Endoscopic Stent for Anastomotic Leaks after Total Gastrectomy Using an Anchoring Thread and Fully Covering Thick Membrane: Prevention of Embedding and Migration.

PURPOSE: The endoscopic management of a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has been suggested for the primary treatment of patients with anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy. Embedded stents due to tissue ingrowth and migration are the main obstacles in endoscopic stent management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effectiveness and safety of endoscopic management were evaluated for anastomotic leaks when using a benign fully covered SEMS with an anchoring thread and thick silicone covering the membrane to prevent stent embedding and migration. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 14 consecutive patients with gastric cancer and anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy treated from January 2009 to December 2016. RESULTS: The technical success rate of endoscopic stent replacement was 100%, and the rate of complete leaks closure was 85.7% (n=12). The mean size of leaks was 13.1 mm (range, 3-30 mm). The time interval from operation to stent replacement was 10.7 days (range, 3-35 days) and the interval from stent replacement to extraction was 32.3 days (range, 18-49 days). The complication rate was 14.1%, and included a single jejunal ulcer and delayed stricture at the site of leakage. No embedded stent or migration occurred. Two patients died due to progression of pneumonia and septic shock 2 weeks after stent replacement. CONCLUSIONS: A benign fully covered SEMS with an anchoring thread and thick membrane is an effective and safe stent in patients with anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy. The novelty of this stent is that it provides complete prevention of stent migration and embedding, compared with conventional fully covered SEMS.

Risk factors and management for pyloric stenosis occurred after endoscopic submucosal dissection adjacent to pylorus.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely accepted as a curative treatment for gastric neoplasm. Pyloric stenosis is a chronic complication that can be caused by ESD. The aim of this study is to clarify the risk factors and management for pyloric stenosis. From January 2004 to January 2014, a total of 126 patients who underwent ESD adjacent to pylorus were reviewed retrospectively. Pyloric mucosal defect was defined as when any resection margin of ESD was involved in the pyloric ring. Pyloric stenosis was defined as when a conventional endoscope could not be passed to the duodenum. Among the 126 patients, pyloric stenosis was identified in 9. In a univariate analysis, pyloric stenosis was more common in older patients (P < 0.05) and in lesions with resections over 75% of the pyloric ring circumference (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, the factor that was associated with pyloric stenosis was the extent of the pyloric ring dissection (P < 0.001). Four of the 9 patients with pyloric stenosis had mild dyspepsia, and the others had gastric outlet obstruction symptoms. The 5 symptomatic patients underwent endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), and the frequency of EBD was 1 to 8 times. The asymptomatic patients were treated conservatively. The incidence of pyloric stenosis was higher in lesions with resections over 75% of the pyloric ring circumference. Although EBD was an effective treatment for pyloric stenosis, conservative management was also helpful in patients who had mild symptoms.

[A case of cryptococcal meningitis mimicking hepatic encephalopathy in a patient with liver cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis C].

Cryptococcus neoformans, an encapsulated fungus, is an important opportunistic pathogen that can cause meningitis in im-munocompromised patients. Since patients with cryptococcemia have high mortality, it is essential to make an early diagnosis and promptly initiate antifungal therapy. However, it is often very difficult to differentiate between cryptococcal meningitis and hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis, and there is delay in making the diagnosis. Therefore, these patients have a particularly grave prognosis and consequently many patients die before culture results become available. In one study, starting antifungal therapy within 48 hours of the blood culture was associated with improved survival, but patients with liver cirrhosis were significantly less likely to receive antifungal therapy within 48 hours compared to those without liver cirrhosis. Recently, the authors experience a case of a 68-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis who presented with fever and a drowsy mental status. She had a previous history of having been admitted for infection-associated hepatic encephlopathy. Cryptococcal meningitis and cryptococcemia were diagnosed by spinal puncture and culture of cerebrospinal fluid. In spite of adequate treatment, the patient developed multi-system organ failure and eventually expired. Herein, we report a case of cryptococcal meningitis mimicking hepatic encephalopathy in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

Clinical features and risk factors for severe complications among patients with acute hepatitis A virus infection in the Jeonbuk Province of Korea.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The frequency of symptomatic acute HAV infections in adulthood are increasing in Korea. This study analyzes the clinical severity in patients with acute HAV infection and investigates risk factors associated with three severe complications: prolonged cholestasis, acute kidney injury, and acute liver failure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 726 patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2010 at three tertiary hospitals in Jeonbuk Province, Republic of Korea with acute HAV infection. RESULTS: In the group of 726 patients, the mean age was 30.3 years, 426 (58.6%) were male, and 34 (4.7%) were HBsAg positive. Severe complications from acute HAV infection occurred as follows: prolonged cholestasis in 33 (4.6%), acute kidney injury in 17 (2.3%), and acute liver failure in 16 (2.2%). Through multivariate analysis, age ≥40 years (OR 2.63, p=0.024) and peak PT (INR) ≥1.5 (OR 5.81, p=0.035) were found to be significant risk factors for prolonged cholestasis. Age ≥40 years (OR 5.24, p=0.002) and female gender (OR 3.11, p=0.036) were significant risk factors for acute kidney injury. Age ≥40 years (OR 6.91, p=0.002), HBsAg positivity (OR 5.02, p=0.049), and peak total bilirubin (OR 1.11, p=0.001) were significant risk factors for acute liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥40 years, female gender, HBsAg positivity, peak PT (INR) ≥1.5, and peak total bilirubin were significant risk factors for severe complications in acute HAV infections.

Clinicopathological characteristics of synchronous and metachronous gastric neoplasms after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for gastric neoplasms. However, the development of synchronous or metachronous gastric lesions after endoscopic resection has become a major problem. We investigated the characteristics of multiple gastric neoplasms in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) or gastric adenoma after ESD. METHODS: In total, 512 patients with EGC or gastric adenoma who had undergone ESD between January 2008 and December 2011 participated in this study. The incidence of and factors associated with synchronous and metachronous gastric tumors were investigated in this retrospective study. RESULTS: In total, 66 patients (12.9%) had synchronous lesions, and 13 patients (2.5%) had metachronous lesions. Older (> 65 years) subjects had an increased risk of multiple gastric neoplasms (p = 0.012). About two-thirds of the multiple lesions were similar in macroscopic and histological type to the primary lesions. The median interval from the initial lesions to the diagnosis of metachronous lesions was 31 months. The annual incidence rate of metachronous lesions was approximately 3%. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend careful follow-up in patients of advanced age (> 65 years) after initial ESD because multiple lesions could be detected in the remnant stomach. Annual surveillance might aid in the detection of metachronous lesions. Large-scale, multicenter, and longer prospective studies of appropriate surveillance programs are needed.