Co-development of autoimmune hepatitis and Sjögren's syndrome triggered by the administration of herbal medicines.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been reported in association with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Drug-induced AIH has been rarely reported. A rare case of the co-development of AIH and SS in a 53-year-old woman after the consumption of herbal medicines is described.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage with placement of a fully covered metal stent for malignant biliary obstruction.

Aim: To determine the utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) with a fully covered self-expandable metal stent for managing malignant biliary stricture.

Methods: We collected data from 13 patients who presented with malignant biliary obstruction and underwent EUS-BD with a nitinol fully covered self-expandable metal stent when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) fails. EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CD) and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HG) was performed in 9 patients and 4 patients, respectively.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on the Development of Reflux Esophagitis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms: A Nationwide Multi-Center Prospective Study.

Background/aims: A two-year, prospective, nationwide multicenter study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the development of reflux esophagitis (RE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in the Korean population.

Methods: In total, 1,489 subjects without RE were enrolled at the outpatient clinics of 12 tertiary hospitals nationwide, and 452 subjects underwent follow-up (F/U) for 2 years to evaluate the development of RE and GERD symptoms.

Results: RE was found in 33 subjects (7.

2',4',6'-Tris(methoxymethoxy) chalcone (TMMC) attenuates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease involving acinar cell injury and rapid production and release of inflammatory cytokines, which play a dominant role in local pancreatic inflammation and systemic complications. 2',4',6'-Tris (methoxymethoxy) chalcone (TMMC), a synthetic chalcone derivative, displays potent anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether TMMC might affect the severity of AP and pancreatitis-associated lung injury in mice.

Can a small endoscopic sphincterotomy plus a large-balloon dilation reduce the use of mechanical lithotripsy in patients with large bile duct stones?

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is technically difficult in the patients with large extrahepaic bile duct stones. Small endoscopic sphincterotomy combined with large-balloon dilation (ESLBD) currently seems to be a promising alternative for patients with difficult bile duct stones that cannot be extracted by EST. This study compared the therapeutic benefits and complication rates of ESLBD with those of EST alone.

Association of serum alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase levels within the reference range with metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background/aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently been found to be a novel component of metabolic syndrome (MS), which is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and ⟨-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels are suggested to affect liver fat accumulation and insulin resistance. We assessed the associations of serum ALT and GGT concentrations within the reference ranges with MS and NAFLD.

What are the risk factors for acute suppurative cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones?

Background/aims: Acute suppurative cholangitis (ASC), a severe form of acute cholangitis, is a life-threatening condition that must be treated with appropriate and timely management. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that predispose patients to ASC.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 181 patients (100 men, 81 women; age, 70.

Nardostachys jatamansi protects against cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: Nardostachys jatamansi belonging to the family Valerianaceae has been used as a remedy for stomach and skin ailments in Korea. The effect of N. jatamansi on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been defined.

Gardenia jasminoides protects against cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

Aim: To investigate the effect of Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in mice.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice weighing 18-20 g were divided into three groups. (1) Normal saline-treated group, (2) treatment with GJ at a dose of 0.

Cerebral and pulmonary embolisms after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A cerebral lipiodol embolism is an extremely rare complication of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. We present a case of cerebral lipiodol embolism that occurred after the third arterial chemoembolization, report the clinical and radiological findings, and review the medical literature.

Clinical usefulness of transpapillary removal of common bile duct stones by frequency doubled double pulse Nd:YAG laser.

Aim: To study the efficacy and the safety of laser lithotripsy without direct visual control by using a balloon catheter in patients with bile duct stones that could not be extracted by standard technique.

Methods: The seventeen patients (7 male and 10 female; mean age 67.8 years) with difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones were not amenable for conventional endoscopic maneuvers such as sphincterotomy and mechanical lithotripsy were included in this study.

Case of pseudomembranous necrotizing tracheobronchial aspergillosis in an immunocompetent host.

A 44-year-old Korean male died of rapidly progressive respiratory failure and refractory hypoxemia in 8 days after being admitted with a fever and dyspnea. The patient was diagnosed with pseudomembranous necrotizing tracheobronchial aspergillosis by fibroptic bronchoscopy and it was not related to an invasion of the pulmonary parenchyma. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents a patient with pseudomembranous necrotizing tracheobronchial aspergillosis that developed in an immunocompetent host, rapidly resulting in airway obstruction with acute respiratory failure and refractory hypoxemia without an invasion of the pulmonary parenchyma.

The degrees of hepatocyte cytoplasmic expression of hepatitis B core antigen correlate with histologic activity of liver disease in the young patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Subcellular localizaton of HBcAg have been found to be related to the activity of liver disease and HBV replication. The aim of this study was to determine whether the degree of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte nucleus and cytoplasm reflects the level of viral replication and histological activity in chronic HBV infection. A total of 102 patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis B were included.

[A case of congenital hepatic fibrosis presented with symptom of acute cholangitis].

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomal recessive disease, presenting principally in children or young adults with portal hypertension, and infrequently associated with cholangitis. It is associated with renal malformation and Caroli's disease. The diagnosis of CHF is usually confirmed by its typical histological features.

[A case of spontaneous biloma complicated with choledocholithiasis and chronic cholecystitis].

A biloma is an encapsulated bile collection outside the biliary tree. Most cases of biloma are caused by iatrogenic injury or trauma. Intrahepatic rupture of the biliary tree due to nontraumatic cause is a rare event.