Predictive Factors for Severe Outcomes in Ischemic Colitis.

Background/aims: Ischemic colitis includes a wide clinical spectrum ranging from mild to severe forms. This study aimed to determine the factors that are related to the occurrence of severe ischemic colitis.

Methods: This multicenter study was conducted retrospectively in Korea.

Levofloxacin, Metronidazole, and Lansoprazole Triple Therapy Compared to Quadruple Therapy as a Second-Line Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Korea.

Background/aims: Several rescue therapies have been recommended to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with a failure of first-line eradication therapy, but they still fail in more than 20% of cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin, metronidazole, and lansoprazole (LML) triple therapy relative to quadruple therapy as a second-line treatment.

Methods: In total, 113 patients who failed first-line triple therapy for H.

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.

[A case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in a male].

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome has been described as focal perihepatitis accompanying pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis. The highest incidence occurs in young, sexually active females. However, the syndrome has been reported to occur infrequently in males, according to the foreign literature.

Endoscopic removal of bile-duct stones by using a rotatable papillotome and a large-balloon dilator in patients with a Billroth II gastrectomy (with video).

Background: Endoscopic stone removal is difficult in patients with a Billroth II gastrectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of a rotatable papillotome and large-balloon dilation for removing bile-duct stones in patients with a Billroth II gastrectomy.

Design: A case series.

H pylori eradication: a randomized prospective study of triple therapy with or without ecabet sodium.

Aim: To investigate whether adding ecabet sodium to the standard triple therapy for H pylori infection improve eradication rate.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-seven H pylori-infected patients were randomly assigned to standard triple therapy (group A, n = 129) or triple therapy plus ecabet sodium (group B, n = 128). Successful eradication was defined as a negative (13)C-urea breath test 6-8 wk after completion of treatment.

Is obesity associated with gastropharyngeal reflux disease?

Aim: To examine the association between obesity and gastropharyngeal reflux disease (GPRD) as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients undergoing ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring from July 2003 to December 2006. The association between body mass index (BMI) and parameters about gastroesophageal or gastropharyngeal reflux was examined in univariate and multivariate analyses.

[Two cases of phytobezoars treated by adminsitration of Coca-Cola by oral route].

Bezoars are concretions of foreign bodies found in the gastrointestinal tract. In the past, most common method for the treatment of bezoar was surgical management. However, the current treatment methods include chemical dissolution and endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy.

[Serum ALT and HBV DNA levels in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B].

Background/aims: HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has a poor long-term prognosis. Since no precise clinically relevant HBV thresholds are known in HBeAg-negative CHB, the decision to treat is difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of serum HBV DNA and transaminase and to investigate the correlation of these values in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB.