Relevance of ineffective esophageal motility and hyperactive acid sensitization in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.

Background And Aim: Esophageal motor abnormalities including ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) and visceral hypersensitivity have been frequently observed in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. The aim of this study was to observe the incidences of hypersensitivity to acid infusion and motor abnormalities in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) compared with erosive esophagitis.

Methods: We performed upper GI endoscopy, an acid perfusion test and esophageal manometry on 113 NERD patients and 37 erosive esophagitis patients.

Endoscopic Ultrasonograpic Findings of Benign Mediastinal and Abdominal Lymphadenopathy Confirmed by EUS-guided Fine Needle Aspiration.

Background/aims: Distinguishing benign and malignant lymph nodes by the findings of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is still controversial. We tried to evaluate EUS findings of benign mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenopathy (BLAP) confirmed by EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA).

Methods: A total of 37 patients with enlarged mediastinal or abdominal lymph nodes (diameter >/=1 cm) were enrolled and EUS-FNA was performed.

Effectiveness of sodium alginate as a submucosal injection material for endoscopic mucosal resection in animal.

Background/aims: Although various solutions are being tested for submucosal injection during endoscopic resection, ideal solution has not been established yet. We performed an animal study to evaluate the possibility of sodium alginate as an ideal submucosal injection solution for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).

Methods: To compare the lesion-lifting properties of different solutions, injection was done to the submucosal layer of porcine stomach.

[Long-term results of endoscopic histoacryl (N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) injection for treatment of gastric varices--a 10-year experience].

Background/aims: Gastric variceal bleeding is an infrequent but serious complication of portal hypertension. Endoscopic injection of Histoacryl (N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) has been approved as an effective treatment for gastric variceal bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of the endoscopic injection of Histoacryl for the treatment of gastric varices.

[The expression of p53, p16, cyclin D1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal dysplasia].

Backgrounds/aims: p53 is known to play a central role in sensing and signaling for the growth arrest and apoptosis in cells with DNA damage. Mutation of p53 is a frequent event in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). p16 protein binds to cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibiting the ability of CDK4 to interact with cyclin D1, and stimulates the passage through the G1 phase of cell cycle.

Abdominal pain accompanied by weight loss may increase the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy: a Korean multicenter study.

Objective: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is approved for the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and its use has increased in the assessment of patients with various small-bowel disorders. The yield of CE for indications of disorders other than GI bleeding is not yet well described. The aim of the present study was to determine in which subgroup of patients with unexplained abdominal pain, CE would be a helpful evaluation tool.

[The relationship between ineffective esophageal motility and gastro-esophageal reflux disease].

Background/aims: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is a distinct manometric entity characterized by a hypocontractile esophagus. Recently, IEM replaced the nonspecific esophageal motility disorder (NEMD), and its associations with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and respiratory symptoms are well known. We evaluated the relationship of IEM with GERD, and the diagnostic value of IEM for GERD.

Usefulness of three-dimensional, multidetector row CT (virtual gastroscopy and multiplanar reconstruction) in the evaluation of gastric cancer: a comparison with conventional endoscopy, EUS, and histopathology.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the role of three-dimensional multidetector row CT for detection, precise localization, and staging of gastric cancer by comparison with conventional endoscopy, EUS, and histopathology.

Methods: Sixty-three patients with gastric cancer (31 early stage, 32 advanced) were evaluated by EGD with biopsies, EUS, and three-dimensional multidetector row CT between January 2003 to August 2003. Three-dimensional multidetector row CT findings were analyzed by a single radiologist blinded to the endoscopic findings.

A spontaneously ruptured gastric stromal tumor with cystic degeneration presenting as hemoperitoneum: a case report.

We report a case of a 38-yr-old man with a spontaneously ruptured gastric stromal tumor presenting as hemoperitoneum in outpatient clinic. He visited our hospital with generalized abdominal pain after abdominal CT scan for the evaluation of the asymptomatic palpable abdominal mass. Repeated abdominal CT scan showed a size decrement of cystic mass compared with the previous abdominal CT scan, and newly developed fluid collection in the left paracolic gutter.