[The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus and the comparison of Barrett's esophagus with cardiac intestinal metaplasia in the health screening at a secondary care hospital].

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and its association with reflux esophagitis (RE) and peptic ulcer disease detected by free charge endoscopy which was covered by the National Health Insurance at a secondary care hospital, and to compare the results of the biopsy of BE with that of cardiac intestinal metaplasia (CIM).

Methods: A total of 4,002 patients underwent endoscopy from March 2010 to December 2012. BE was diagnosed if there was histologically proven specialized intestinal metaplasia, and CIM was diagnosed if intestinal metaplasia was accompanied with chronic gastritis.

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum masquerading as a pancreatic head tumor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) represents the most common kind of mesenchymal tumor that arises from the alimentary tract. GIST is currently defined as a gastrointestinal tract mesenchymal tumor showing CD117 (c-kit protein) positivity at immunohistochemistry. Throughout the whole length of the gastrointestinal tract, GIST arises most commonly from the stomach followed by the small intestine, the colorectum, and the esophagus.

Clinical significance of hepatitis B e antigen level measurement during long-term lamivudine therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with e antigen positive.

Aim: To determine the changes of quantitative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) that predicts early detection of non-response or breakthrough to long-term lamivudine (LAM) therapy.

Methods: Among HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients who failed to achieve HBeAg seroconversion within 12 mo, we retrospectively analyzed 220 patients who had received LAM more than 24 mo.

Results: The mean duration of LAM therapy was 36 (range, 24-72) mo.