[Obstructive jaundice due to biliary cast syndrome followed by orthotopic liver transplantation].

Biliary complication occurs in 6-34% of all liver transplant patients. Although bile leaks and strictures are relatively common, other biliary complications such as T-tube leak, choledocholithiasis, and biliary cast syndrome can also be observed. The biliary cast syndrome describes the presence of casts causing obstruction with its resultant sequelae of biliary infection, hepatocyte damage secondary to bile stasis and ductal damage, all contributing to cholangiopathy.

[A case of optic neuritis associated with Crohn's disease].

In Crohn's disease, neurologic complications such as cerebrovascular accident, headache, peripheral neuropathy have been reported sporadically. The pathogenesis of these neurologic complications is still unknown and controversial. We experienced a 22-year-old man, with Crohn's disease accompanied by optic neuritis.

A population-based study on bowel habits in a Korean community: prevalence of functional constipation and self-reported constipation.

Most studies of bowel habits have been conducted in Western countries. This study was conducted to estimate the epidemiology of constipation and the discrepancy between self-reported constipation and bowel habits in Koreans. Telephone interviews regarding bowel habits were conducted with a total of 1029 individuals in Korea, 15 years of age or older.

[Macro-aspartate aminotransferase in a patient with chronic hepatitis C].

Macroenzymes are normal enzymes complexed with an immunoglobulin (usually IgG, rarely IgA or IgM). A number of macroenzymes have been reported in the literature. Among them, macro-AST has been detected in diseases such as acute and chronic hepatitis, various malignancies and autoimmune diseases, but usually not associated with any specific disease.

[A case of acute cholecystitis secondary to hemobilia after percutaneous liver biopsy].

Percutaneous liver biopsy is well established for the diagnosis and follow-up of many liver diseases. Although it is rather safe, major complications, such as bleeding into the peritoneal or thoracic cavity, hemobilia, enteric perforation and intrahepatic hematoma, have been reported related to the procedure. Recently, incidence of such major complications has been decreased since the introduction of ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy.

Acute pancreatitis due to hypertriglyceridemia: report of 2 cases.

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a rare but well known cause of acute pancreatitis (AP), which can be a life- threatening complication if the degree of HTG is severe enough. It might be primary in origin or secondary to alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, or drugs. A serum triglyceride (TG) level of more than 1,000 to 2,000 mg/dL in patients with type I, IV, or V hyperlipidemia (Fredrickson's classification) is the identifiable risk factor.

[A clinical study of pyogenic liver abscess at two different local hospitals].

Background/aims: Despite the improvement of personal and social hygiene, pyogenic liver abscess is still a common disease. We compared the incidence, infection route, underlying disease and major complications between two different local hospitals.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of 100 patients with pyogenic liver abscess who were treated at Seoul and Guri Hanyang University Hospital from 1999 to 2003.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in irritable bowel syndrome.

Extraintestinal symptoms are often found in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recent studies suggest that IBS is associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. But it is still arguable that the bronchial hyperresponsiveness is associated with IBS patients.

[A case of nodular regenerative hyperplasia of liver that mimicked primary biliary cirrhosis].

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of the liver is a rare disease that is characterized by multiple regenerative nodules in the hepatic parenchyma without fibrosis. The exact pathogenesis of NRH has not been established, but it's been suggested that obliteration of portal veins may initiate the nodular transformation. It is also known that this disease is associated with autoimmune disease, myeloproliferative disease, lymphoproliferative disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, and some chemotherapy agents.

Analysis of CYP2E1 polymorphism for the determination of genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer in Koreans.

Background: Interindividual genetic differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens are among the most important host factors in human cancer. The present study was undertaken to reveal the association between the polymorphism of CYP2E1 (CYP2E1/PstI and CYP2E1/DraI) with genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer development in Koreans.

Methods: In the present study, 120 gastric cancer patients and 145 controls with no history of tumors were analyzed.

[A case of fulminant hepatic failure in Wilson's disease combined with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a chance of developing liver involvement in their lifetime. The main cause of liver involvement in SLE patients is previous treatment with hepatotoxic drugs or hepatotropic viral hepatitis. Wilson's disease is a hereditary disorder and is usually diagnosed in patients presenting either neuropsychiatric disorders or manifestations related to chronic liver disease.

[HBV DNA levels, aminotransferase and histological activity in young male patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B].

Background/aims: A significant correlation between HBV DNA and liver damage was found in precore mutant strains but there was no significant association between viral replication and liver damage in HBeAg positive patients. Laboratory tests are often requested to predict hepatitis activity (grade) and fibrosis (stage) in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B. We assessed ALT, AST, and HBV-branched DNA to find which is the best for predicting hepatitis activity and fibrosis.