The efficacy of combined transarterial chemoembolization and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein thrombosis.

Background/aims: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy with TAE and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for HCC with main portal vein thrombosis (MPVT).

Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients who had an unresectable HCC with MPVT and underwent combined TAE and 3D-CRT. Treatment responses for the main tumor and the MPVT were assessed.

Evaluation of esophageal varices on liver computed tomography: receiver operating characteristic analyses of the performance of radiologists and endoscopists.

Background And Aim: Recent liver multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) always covers the distal esophagus with an excellent image quality. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of faculty abdominal radiologists with those of radiology residents and endoscopists for the detection of esophageal varices and high-risk esophageal varices on liver MDCT.

Methods: A total of 104 cirrhotic patients that had undergone liver MDCT 4 weeks or less before an upper endoscopy were evaluated.

[Antiviral efficacy of lamivudine/adefovir combination therapy in chronic hepatitis b patients with resistance to lamivudine and adefovir consecutively].

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to elucidate the antiviral efficacy of lamivudine (LMV)-adefovir (ADV) combination therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients who showed resistance to LMV and ADV consecutively.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed in eighteen patients with chronic hepatitis B who developed virologic breakthroughs during LMV-ADV sequential mono-therapy and treated with LMV-ADV combination therapy.

Results: The median duration of follow up was 17 months (range, 6-27) after the start of LMV-ADV combination therapy.

Comparison of scoring systems for the prediction of outcomes in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a prospective study.

The authors aimed to compare the clinical utility of five scoring systems for the prediction of rebleeding and death in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). A total of 239 consecutive patients who had undergone endoscopy due to nonvariceal UGIB were prospectively investigated on the basis of five scoring systems (Forrest classification, Rockall scoring system, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre Predict Index, Blatchford scoring system, and Baylor college scoring system). Thirty-five patients (14.

Procedure-related musculoskeletal symptoms in gastrointestinal endoscopists in Korea.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in gastrointestinal endoscopists in Korea.

Methods: A survey of musculoskeletal symptoms, using a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted on 55 endoscopists practicing in general hospitals or health promotion centers.

Results: Forty-nine (89.

[Changes in the profiles of causative agents and antibiotic resistance rate for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: an analysis of cultured microorganisms in recent 12 years].

Backgrounds/aims: The causative agents for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and antibiotic resistance rate vary according to the regions and time. This study evaluated the recent changes in the profiles of microorganisms and antibiotic resistance rate for the choice of effective antibiotics in treating SBP.

Methods: The clinical records of 1,018 episodes of SBP from November, 1994 to December, 2005, were analyzed retrospectively.

[A case of benign schwannoma in the porta hepatis].

Schwannomas or neurilemmomas are uncommon tumors arising from schwann cells of neural sheath, which most frequently affect the extremities, trunk, head and neck area. Moreover, benign schwannoma in the porta hepatis is extremely rare. Approximately, 2 cases of benign schwannoma in the porta hepatis have been reported in the literatures.