Efficacy and Safety of Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients with Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer.

Background/aims: The incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) is gradually increasing among elderly individuals, but there are insufficient clinical data on elderly individuals. To determine the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy, we compared the. the outcomes of elderly patients with unresectable PC.

Efficacy and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment in Koreans with chronic hepatitis C: A retrospective study.

Background And Study Aims: The introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has dramatically improved chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment. The pangenotype DAA therapy glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) was recently recommended for treating CHC in Korea. Unfortunately, given its recent introduction, little real-world data from a Korean population exists.

Prevalence, risk factors, and short-term outcomes of postparacentesis acute kidney injury using revised criteria of the international club of ascites.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) can become complicated after paracentesis due to extrarenal fluid loss and inadequate blood flow to the kidneys. The objective of this study was to explore the incidence and clinical implications of postparacentesis AKI.A retrospective cohort of 137 liver cirrhosis patients (mean age: 61.

Combination treatment with sofosbuvir and ribavirin for patients diagnosed with hepatitis C genotype 2: A real-world, single-center study.

Background And Study Aims: The demand for treatments for viral hepatitis using direct antiviral agents (DAAs) has increased; however, few real-world clinical studies are available. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir combined with ribavirin for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 2 (GT2).

Patients And Methods: A total of 106 consecutive CHC GT2 patients treated with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin between May 2016 and August 2018 (median age: 52.

Comparison of ICC patients with hepatitis B infection to those with no major risk factors for HCC.

Background: There has been renewed interest in HBV-associated ICC, because it could share a common carcinogenesis disease process with HCC. We investigated whether there is a difference in clinical outcome between ICC patients with HBV infection and those without any major risk factors for HCC.

Methods: A total of 253 curatively resected, surgically diagnosed ICC patients were analyzed and divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of major risk factors for HCC: an HBV group (n = 45) and a non-HCC-risk (NHR) group (n = 208).

Child-Pugh, MELD, MELD-Na, and ALBI scores: which liver function models best predicts prognosis for HCC patient with ascites?

Objective: It remains controversial whether certain treatments should apply to HCC patients with ascites due to concerns about worsening liver function. The objective of the present study is to compare the prognostic performance of 4 liver function models currently in use for HCC patients with ascites.

Methods: A total of 437 treatment-naïve, newly diagnosed HCC patients were analyzed.

Efficacy and safety of compound tri-metal stent placement for malignant perihilar biliary obstruction.

Background: Despite many attempts to improve the patency rate of biliary stents in patients with inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinomas, the longevity of these stents has not been satisfactory. The purpose of the present study is to report technical outcomes and clinical efficacy of the placement of compound tri-metal stent in patients with malignant perihilar biliary obstruction.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed of the medical records of 26 consecutive patients with inoperable malignant perihilar biliary obstruction who underwent compound tri-metal stent placement through a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tube from January 2012 to April 2017.

Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Mixed-Type T1a Gastric Cancer Based on Lauren's Classification.

Background: Recent studies have reported that mixed-type (MT) gastric cancer, as per Lauren's classification, exhibits aggressive behavior. However, the behavior of early gastric cancer is unclear. In this study, we addressed the influence of mucosa-confined MT gastric cancer, according to Lauren's classification, on lymph node metastasis (LNM) and long-term outcomes.

Effect of oral antiviral treatment on long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral antiviral treatment on the prognosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency (RF) ablation.

Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2010, 228 patients without a history of antiviral treatment were treated with RF ablation for a single HBV-related HCC. We divided the patients into two groups, patients who received (n=125) or did not receive antiviral treatment (n=103), based on whether oral antiviral treatment was administered after RF ablation.

Prevalence of colorectal adenomas in asymptomatic young adults: a window to early intervention?

Objective: The prevalence of colorectal adenoma is increasing in the average-risk population. However, little research is available on colorectal adenoma in young adults under age 40. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of colorectal adenoma in 20- to 39-year-old adults.

Comparison of enhancement and image quality: different iodine concentrations for liver on 128-slice multidetector computed tomography in the same chronic liver disease patients.

Background/aims: The objective of this study was to compare the degree of hepatic enhancement and image quality using contrast media of different iodine concentrations with the same iodine dose.

Methods: From July 2011 to June 2013, 50 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent baseline and follow-up 128-slice multidetector computed tomography(MDCT) using contrast media with 350 mg I/mL (group A) and 400 mg I/mL (group B) iodine concentrations were included in this prospective study. The patients were randomly allocated to one of two protocols: 350 mg I/mL initially and then 400 mg I/mL; and 400 mg I/mL initially and then 350 mg I/mL.

Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels in Korean men.

Objective: Bone mineral density has been reported to negatively associate with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Osteocalcin, a bone formation marker and metabolic regulator, has been previously evaluated as the mediator between bone mineral density and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Herein, we aimed to investigate the correlations of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels in Korean men.

Serum exosomal microRNAs as novel biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recent studies have shown that circulating microRNAs are a potential biomarker in various types of malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using serum exosomal microRNAs as novel serological biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We measured the serum exosomal microRNAs and serum circulating microRNAs in patients with CHB (n=20), liver cirrhosis (LC) (n=20) and HCC (n=20).

Scrub typhus associated hepatic dysfunction and abdominal CT findings.

Objective: This retrospective study investigated abnormal hepatic dysfunction and abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings in scrub typhus.

Methods: Three hundred forty nine adult patients were diagnosed with scrub typhus. Ninety four underwent abdominal CT.

A Comparison of Preoperative Biliary Drainage Methods for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Endoscopic versus Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage.

Background/aims: Controversy remains over the optimal approach to preoperative biliary drainage in patients with resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. We compared the clinical outcomes of endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) with those of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients undergoing preoperative biliary drainage for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods: A total of 106 consecutive patients who underwent biliary drainage before surgical treatment were divided into two groups the PTBD group (n=62) and the EBD group (n=44).

Association of erectile dysfunction with depression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and its association with depression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods: This single center cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2013 through January 2014. All outpatients with chronic viral hepatitis in our liver clinic between 18 and 80 years of age were considered eligible for this study.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine with on-demand midazolam versus midazolam alone for procedural sedation during endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric tumor.

Objective: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is commonly performed as a treatment for gastric neoplasms. However, sedation with midazolam (MDZ) often does not reach satisfactory sedation levels during the procedure and the drug may suppress respiration and blood pressure. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine (DEX) with on-demand MDZ (the DEX group) in comparison with MDZ alone (the MDZ group) as a sedative during ESD of gastric neoplasms.

Clinical features in liver cirrhosis patients who have experienced ischemic stroke.

Background/aims: The actual incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with liver cirrhosis remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features of patients with liver cirrhosis who have experienced ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of 23 ischemic stroke cases who were also diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, over a 10 year period from January 2001 to December 2010.

United Rapid Urease Test Is Superior than Separate Test in Detecting Helicobacter pylori at the Gastric Antrum and Body Specimens.

Background/aims: The rapid urease test (RUT) is an invasive method to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection, which relies on the acquisition and examination of gastric antrum and body tissues. We determined and compared the efficacy of RUT when the tissues were examined separately or after being combined.

Methods: Two hundred and fourteen patients were included and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy from July 2008 to June 2010.

Risk factors for residual cancer and lymph node metastasis after noncurative endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancer.

Background: Endoscopic resection could be a curative treatment for early colorectal cancer without the possibility of lymph node metastasis. However, if the resection margin is positive, and there is a risk of lymph node metastasis, additional surgery should be performed.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of patients who underwent additional surgery to determine risk factors associated with residual tumor and lymph node metastasis.

Treatment outcomes according to endoscopic treatment modalities for rectal carcinoid tumors.

Background: Despite a growing understanding of the clinical effectiveness of endoscopic treatment for small rectal carcinoid tumors, there is still controversy concerning the best endoscopic treatment for resecting rectal carcinoid tumors easily and effectively.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L) with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for rectal carcinoid tumors. In addition, a conventional snare-based endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was included in the study and compared with both ESMR-L and ESD.

A comparison of bilateral stenting methods for malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Background/aims: Despite common use of stent-instent methods for endoscopic bilateral metal stenting in malignant hilar obstruction, the longevity of these stents and clinical outcomes of patients who receive them are less well known than for the side-by-side method. We aimed to compare treatment outcomes according to bilateral stenting method.

Methodology: A total of 41 patients were divided into two groups: a bilateral side-by-side metal stenting group (side-by-side group, n=19) and a bilateral stent-in-stent metal stenting group (stent-in-stent group, n=22).

Impact of previous gastric or colonic resection on polyethylene glycol bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Introduction: Adequate bowel preparation is essential for successful completion of colonoscopy. This study examines whether previous bowel resection affects the quality of bowel preparation.

Methods: This study prospectively included patients who had gastric or colonic resection (bowel resection group, n = 92) and a control group (n = 92).

[A single institution's experience of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography in the eldery patients: outcomes, safety and complications].

Background/aims: As the population ages, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) is being used increasingly as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for elderly patients with pancreatobiliary disease. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes, safety and complications associated with ERCP performed in the elderly patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of 596 patients who were 50 years of age or older and underwent ERCP from January 2005 to September 2010.