Association of Intensive Endoscopic Screening Burden With Gastric Cancer Detection.

Importance: The rapidly increasing number of gastric cancer examinations performed over a short period might influence screening performance. Accessing the association between calendar month and gastric cancer detection rates might improve policy and guide institutional support.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the increased number of examinations over a certain period and gastric cancer detection rates among a large population included in the Korean National Cancer Screening Program (KNCSP).

Impact of previous metronidazole exposure on metronidazole-based second-line quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background/aims: The negative effects on the eradication success of Helicobacter pylori infection after previous exposure to macrolides, including clarithromycin on clarithromycin-based first-line therapy have been demonstrated. However, whether this is true for metronidazole-based second-line quadruple therapy remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between past administration of metronidazole and the failure of metronidazole-based second-line quadruple therapy in patients with H.

Cyclic Change of Sphincter of Oddi Motility and Its Relationship with Small Bowel Migrating Motor Complex in Humans.

Background: Several animal and human studies have reported that sphincter of Oddi (SO) motility shows cyclical changes during the fasting state. However, to date, the relationship between the SO motility and the migrating motor complex (MMC) of the small bowel (SB) remains unclear in humans.

Aims: We observed SO motility over a long study period and evaluated its relationship with the MMC of the SB in humans using percutaneous long-term manometry.

Laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection for gastric subepithelial tumors originated from the muscularis propria layer: a pilot study with literature review.

Objective: Laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (LAEFTR) has been suggested as an alternative to laparoscopic wedge resection in the treatment of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs). It is expected to minimize the resection of the tissue surrounding the tumors and maintain the function of the remnant stomach. Here, we performed a prospective pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (LAEFTR) for patients with gastric SETs.

A Case of Amyloidosis Presenting as Chronic Cholecystitis, Misdiagnosed as Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Amyloidosis is a rare disease defined by extracellular deposits of amorphous fibrillar proteins, derived from aggregations of misfolded proteins. Localization of amyloidosis in the gallbladder is uncommon; only eight cases have been reported. We describe a case of amyloidosis diagnosed by cholecystectomy, which possibly also affected the liver and kidney.

The relationship between the failure to eradicate Helicobacter pylori and previous antibiotics use.

Background: The previous use of antibiotics is known to correlate positively with antibiotic resistance; whether this is also the case in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection is unclear.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the previous use of antibiotics and the failure of eradication therapy in H. pylori infection.

Wire-guided cannulation over a pancreatic stent versus double guidewire technique in patients with difficult biliary cannulation.

Background: In cases of difficult bile duct cannulation, the use of wire-guided cannulation over a pancreatic stent (WGC-PS) or the double guidewire technique (DGT) may facilitate biliary cannulation. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of WGC-PS and DGT in patients with difficult biliary cannulation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) performed between July 2009 and November 2014 at a single tertiary referral center.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling of solid pancreatic masses: 22-gauge aspiration versus 25-gauge biopsy needles.

Background: Biopsy needles have recently been developed to obtain both cytological and histological specimens during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). We conducted this study to compare 22-gauge (G) fine needle aspiration (FNA) needles, which have been the most frequently used, and new 25G fine needle biopsy (FNB) needles for EUS-guided sampling of solid pancreatic masses.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all EUS-guided sampling performed between June 2010 and October 2013.

Partially covered versus uncovered self-expandable nitinol stents with anti-migration properties for the palliation of malignant distal biliary obstruction: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are increasingly used as alternatives to uncovered SEMSs for the palliation of inoperable malignant distal biliary obstruction to counteract tumor ingrowth. We aimed to compare the outcomes of partially covered and uncovered SEMSs with identical mesh structures and anti-migration properties, such as low axial force and flared ends.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and three patients who were diagnosed with inoperable malignant distal biliary obstruction between January 2006 and August 2013 were randomly assigned to either the partially covered (n = 51) or uncovered (n = 52) SEMS group.

Non-neoplastic pathology results after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric epithelial dysplasia or early gastric cancer.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopists sometimes face paradoxical cases in which the endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) specimen reveals a non-neoplastic pathology result. The aims of the study were to determine the reasons for such results, and to compare the endoscopic characteristics of non-neoplastic and conventional neoplastic pathology groups after ESD.

Patients And Methods: A total of 1186 gastric ESDs performed between February 2005 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed.

Technical skills and training of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for new beginners.

The incidence of gastric cancer remains high in South Korea. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, i.e.

Colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma identified by chromoendoscopy.

Colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas are a rare occurrence and the definitive treatment has not been established. Solitary or multiple, elevated or polypoid lesions are the usual appearances of MALT lymphoma in the large intestine and sometimes the surface may reveal abnormal vascularity. Herein, we report a case of MALT lymphoma and review the relevant literature.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of sodium phosphate tablets and polyethylene glycol solution for bowel cleansing in healthy Korean adults.

Purpose: Bowel cleansing is generally regarded as time-consuming and unpleasant among patients. Patients commonly state that bowel preparation provokes more discomfort than the actual colonoscopic examination. The purpose of this study was to compare two regimens of sodium phosphate (NaP) tablets versus polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution for bowel preparation in healthy Korean adults.

Ectopic sebaceous glands in the oesophagus: a case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Most ectopic sebaceous glands have been reported in the tissues of ectodermal origin. However, there are relatively a few reports of ectopic sebaceous glands in the oesophagus, an organ of endodermal origin.

Case Presentation: We report the case of an asymptomatic 54-year-old man with ectopic oesophageal sebaceous glands.

[Factors affecting initial virologic response and emergence of resistant mutants after adefovir treatment in lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B patients].

Background/aims: Adefovir dipivoxil (adefovir) effectively inhibits both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. The development of adefovir resistance is both delayed and infrequent compared with lamivudine resistance. The aim of this study was to characterize the serologic, biochemical, and virologic response to adefovir, and to explore the factors affecting initial virologic response (IVR, defined as a decrease in serum HBV below 4 log10copies/mL after 6 month of treatment) and adefovir resistance in lamivudine resistant HBV-infected patients.

[Association of interleukin-12 gene polymorphism with persistence of hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma].

Background/aims: Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) may result in various conditions. Natural course of HBV infection is influenced by various host immune factors and cytokines play a crucial role in host immune defense. This study was undertaken to investigate the association between HBV persistence and development of hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin (IL)-12A.

[Liver stiffness measurement for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis].

Background And Aims: FibroScan is a new medical device that noninvasively measures liver stiffness. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the liver stiffness measurement by FibroScan for making the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods: We studied 103 patients with chronic viral hepatitis B or C and they underwent FibroScan and liver biopsy between October 2005 and August 2006.