Endoscopic Findings of Upper Gastrointestinal Involvement in Primary Vasculitis.

Background/aims: Gastrointestinal involvement in vasculitis may result in life-threatening complications. However, its variable clinical presentations and endoscopic features, and the rarity of the disease, often result in delayed diagnosis.

Methods: Clinical characteristics, endoscopic features, and histopathological findings were reviewed from medical records.

Clinical Outcomes of Postoperative Upper Gastrointestinal Leakage According to Treatment Modality.

Background & Aim: We evaluated the clinical outcomes according to treatment modality for gastrointestinal anastomotic leakage.

Methods: Of the 19,207 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer from March 2000 to April 2013, we retrospectively analyzed the 133 cases who developed anastomotic leakage. These patients were treated using endoscopic management, surgery, or conservative management (endoscopic treatment was introduced in 2009).

Use of Endoscopic Ultrasound to Evaluate Large Gastric Folds: Features Predictive of Malignancy.

The aim of this study was to investigate with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) the features of the gastric wall that can be used to predict malignant disease in patients with large gastric folds. We retrospectively reviewed the EUS findings of 65 patients (26 with benign and 39 with malignant disease) with large gastric folds on endoscopy and EUS and analyzed the predictors of malignant disease (e.g.

Risk factors and correlations of immediate, early delayed, and late delayed bleeding associated with endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms.

Background: Bleeding is a major complication following endoscopic resection (ER) of gastric mucosal lesions. We aimed to determine the risk factors for post-ER bleeding and their correlations according to the time elapsed since the procedure.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 670 lesions in 610 patients who underwent ER between March 2009 and December 2010.

Delayed Bleeding Rate According to the Forrest Classification in Second-Look Endoscopy After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Background And Aim: Forrest classification is a valid tool to predict rebleeding rate in peptic ulcer, not in post-endoscopic resection ulcer. We evaluated the delayed bleeding rate in Forrest classification II and III lesions when they were not treated in second-look endoscopy.

Methods: Between July 2011 and February 2012, 706 lesions in 656 consecutive patients who underwent second-look endoscopy performed on the second day after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were prospectively investigated.

Risk factors of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric neuroendocrine tumor with normal serum gastrin level.

Background/aims: Locoregional gastric carcinoids with normal serum gastrin level have been recommended radical resection regardless of tumor size or depth of invasion. However, there have been some reports which showed small sporadic gastric carcinoids could be treated with local resection. The aim of this study was to elucidate risk factors of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric carcinoids with normal serum gastrin level and determine the indications for limited resection such as endoscopic treatment.

Features of Gastric Carcinoma With Lymphoid Stroma Associated With Epstein-Barr Virus.

Background & Aims: Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) is a distinct histologic subtype of gastric cancer that is characterized by undifferentiated carcinoma mixed with prominent lymphoid infiltration. More than 80% of GCLS cases are associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, but it is unclear if the virus affects disease progression. We investigated how EBV infection affects the clinical and pathologic features of GCLS, as well as patients' outcomes.

Yields and Utility of Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided 19-Gauge Trucut Biopsy versus 22-Gauge Fine Needle Aspiration for Diagnosing Gastric Subepithelial Tumors.

Background/aims: To evaluate the yields and utility of 19-gauge (G) Trucut biopsy (TCB) versus 22 G fine needle aspiration (FNA) for diagnosing gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs).

Methods: We retrieved data for 152 patients with a gastric SET larger than 2 cm who had undergone endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided 19 G TCB (n=90) or 22 G FNA (n=62). Relevant clinical, tumor-specific, and EUS procedural information was reviewed retrospectively.

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms in the pylorus.

Background: Endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms in the pylorus is a technically difficult procedure. We investigated clinical outcomes to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms in the pylorus.

Methods: Subjects who underwent endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms in the pylorus between January 1997 and February 2012 were eligible.

Comparison of clinical outcomes associated with pull-type and introducer-type percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies.

Background/aims: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a method of providing enteral nutrition using endoscopy. The PEG techniques differ according to the insertion method, and include the pull type, push type, and introducer type. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes associated with the pull-type and introducer-type PEG insertion techniques, which included the adverse events, at our tertiary care center in Korea.

Clinical and Endoscopic Features of Metastatic Tumors in the Stomach.

Background/aims: Metastasis to the stomach is rare. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the clinical outcomes of cancers that metastasized to the stomach.

Methods: We reviewed the clinicopathological aspects of patients with gastric metastases from solid organ tumors.

Endoscopic and Oncologic Outcomes of Endoscopic Resection for Superficial Esophageal Neoplasm.

Background/aims: Endoscopic resection (ER) of superficial esophageal neoplasm (SEN) is a technically difficult procedure. We investigated the clinical outcomes of ER for SEN to determine its feasibility and effectiveness.

Methods: Subjects who underwent ER for SEN at Asan Medical Center between December 1996 and December 2010 were eligible.

Endoscopic surveillance can increase the chance of resectability and endoscopic treatment in gastric cancer.

Background/aims: Little is known about the effects of periodic endoscopic screening before detection of primary gastric cancer. We compared clinical outcomes in patients who did and did not undergo endoscopy before diagnosis.

Methods: Between January 2009 and November 2011, 769 patients were referred to Asan Medical Center after diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Clinical significance of intensive endoscopic screening for synchronous esophageal neoplasm in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often develop second primary tumors in the upper aerodigestive tract. Early detection of synchronous esophageal squamous cell neoplasm (ESCN) is important because the prognosis of HNSCC can be affected by the statuses of second primary tumors.

Methods: In a prospective study, 308 patients with HNSCC were screened for synchronous ESCN between May 2010 and April 2012.

Identifying predictors of lymph node metastasis after endoscopic resection in patients with minute submucosal cancer of the stomach.

Background: The use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the treatment of minute submucosal (SM) invasive cancer that fulfills the current expanded criteria remains controversial. This study investigated the clinicopathological parameters of patients with sm1 gastric cancers to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) and evaluate the feasibility of ESD as a curative treatment.

Methods: Data from 278 patients who underwent surgical resection of sm1 gastric cancer between 2006 and 2010 were retrospectively collected, and their clinicopathological parameters were analyzed to identify predictive factors of LNM.

Endoscopic resection for synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma in early stage is a possible alternative to surgery.

Background/aims: We investigated the clinical outcomes according to the method of treatment in synchronous esophageal and gastric cancer.

Methods: Synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma were diagnosed in 79 patients between 1996 and 2010. We divided the patients into four groups according to treatment; Group 1 received surgical resection for both cancers or surgery for gastric cancer with chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer (n=27); Group 2 was treated by endoscopic resection with or without additional treatment (n=14); Group 3 received chemoradiotherapy only (n=18); and Group 4 received supportive care only (n=20).

Clinical significance of early detection of esophageal cancer in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background/aims: The efficacy of surveillance for esopha-geal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains contro-versial. Our study aimed to provide clinical data concerning the necessity of surveillance for detecting early ESCN in pa-tients with HNSCC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data from 714 patients who were pathologically confirmed as having HNSCC (n=236 oral cavity cancers, 137 oropha-ryngeal cancers, 87 hypopharyngeal cancers, and 254 la-ryngeal cancers).

Clinical outcomes associated with treatment modalities for gastrointestinal bezoars.

Background/aims: With technical and instrumental advances, the endoscopic removal of bezoars is now more common than conventional surgical removal. We investigated the clinical outcomes in a patient cohort with gastrointestinal bezoars removed using different treatment modalities.

Methods: Between June 1989 and March 2012, 93 patients with gastrointestinal bezoars underwent endoscopic or surgical procedures at the Asan Medical Center.

Pneumonia after endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasm.

Background: Pneumonia following endoscopic procedures may affect the clinical course and prolong hospital stay.

Aim: To investigate the incidence and risk factors for pneumonia after endoscopic resection (ER) for gastric neoplasm.

Methods: Subjects who underwent ER for gastric neoplasm at the Asan Medical Center from January 1997 to March 2013 were included.

Meta-analysis of first-line triple therapy for helicobacter pylori eradication in Korea: is it time to change?

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy consisting of PPI, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, is the recommended first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the eradication rate of triple therapy has declined over the past few decades. We analyzed the eradication rate and adverse events of triple therapy to evaluate current practices in Korea.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy and molecular imaging in barrett esophagus and stomach.

Detection of premalignant lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract may facilitate endoscopic treatment and improve survival. Despite technological advances in white light endoscopy, its ability to detect premalignant lesions remains limited. Early detection could be improved by using advanced endoscopic imaging techniques, such as magnification endoscopy, narrow band imaging, i-scanning, flexible spectral imaging color enhancement, autofluorescence imaging, and confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), as these techniques may increase the rate of detection of mucosal abnormalities and allow optical diagnosis.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes for gastric cancer patients aged 18-30 years.

Background: There is little known about the clinicopathological features and the predictors of survival in extremely young adult patients aged 18-30 years. The aim of this study was to identify clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes for the overall population and for a resectable subgroup of gastric cancer patients aged 18-30 years.

Methods: From January 2004 to December 2010, 207 patients aged between 18 and 30 years old were diagnosed with gastric cancer and treated at the Asan Medical Center.