Comparison of clinical efficacies and safeties of lumen-apposing metal stent and conventional-type metal stent-assisted EUS-guided pancreatic wall-off necrosis drainage: a real-life experience in a tertiary hospital.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic wall-off necrosis (WON) with transmural stent is regarded as firstline therapy. We aimed at comparing its efficacy and safety with using fully covered self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) and lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on all consecutive patients with pancreatic WONs who underwent EUS-guided drainage by either FCSEMS or LAMS.

Comparison of clinical efficacy and renal safety of telbivudine and entecavir in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Objective: Limited data is available on the clinical outcomes of telbivudine (LdT) and entecavir (ETV) in pre-emptive antiviral chemoprophylaxis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and renal safety of LdT and ETV in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who received cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Methods: Altogether 290 treatment-naïve CHB patients undergoing intense chemotherapy were enrolled to receive daily 600 mg of LdT or 0.

Comparison of efficacy and renal safety of telbivudine and entecavir in treatment-naive elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Data comparing the clinical outcomes of telbivudine (LdT) and entecavir (ETV) in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B are limited.

Goals: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy and renal safety of LdT and ETV in treatment-naive elderly (≥ 60 years) patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: A total of 33 patients treated with LdT were consecutively enrolled in the study.

Gender-related differences in clinical course of crohn?s disease in an Asian population: a retrospective cohort review.

Context: Data from Asian populations about gender-related differences in Crohn's disease are few. Objectives This study was to analyze the clinical characteristics between women and men affected by Crohn's disease.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study to analyze consecutive Crohn's disease patients from Jan 2000 to Dec 2012.

Role of C-reactive protein in response-guided therapy of pyogenic liver abscess.

Background: Protocols for antibiotic treatment of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) are usually based on clinicians' own experience without any validation. Our study was to evaluate the clinical implication of C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting treatment outcome and adequacy of antibiotic therapy of PLA.

Patients And Methods: Patients with PLA in whom white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and CRP were checked regularly during the clinical course were included.

Age-related differences in the clinical course of Crohns disease in an Asian population: a retrospective cohort review.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with young and adult onset Crohns disease. Among 79 consecutive Crohns disease patients (11 (13.92%) with onset =16 years old), young onset Crohns disease was significantly associated with fever (36.

Spontaneous abdominopelvic abscess as an initial manifestation of Crohn's disease: a retrospective cohort review.

Objective: The study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of abdominopelvic (AP) abscess in patients with and without newly diagnosed Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: We investigated 91 consecutive patients with AP abscess (14 newly diagnosed with CD) from January 2001 to December 2010. The clinical, radiological, microbiological and pathological features and patients' outcomes were evaluated.

Older age as a poor prognostic sign in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

Background: Previous studies have focused on the role of age as a prognostic factor in pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and results have been controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of PLA in elderly (age ≥65 years) and non-elderly patients in order to identify any differences so that an early diagnosis can be made and appropriate therapeutic measures can be instituted promptly.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with PLA.

A middle-aged lady with a pyogenic liver abscess caused by Clostridium perfringens.

The pyogenic liver abscess caused by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a rare, but rapidly fatal infection. It is usually associated with malignancy and immunosuppression.

Intestinal tuberculosis complicated with perforation during anti-tuberculous treatment in a 13-year-old girl with defective mitogen-induced IL-12 production.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine which is secreted by activated phagocytes and dendritic cells and promotes cell-mediated immunity to intracellular pathogens, by inducing type 1 helper T cell (TH1) responses and interferon- γ (IFN- γ) production. Defects in the IL-12 may cause selective susceptibility to intracellular pathogens, such as mycobacteria. We herein report on a 13-year-old girl with defective mitogen-induced IL-12 production, who developed intestinal tuberculosis with wide dissemination involving the lung and urinary tract.

Is there any difference in pyogenic liver abscess caused by Streptococcus milleri and Klebsiella spp?: retrospective analysis over a 10-year period in a regional hospital.

Background/purpose: To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with Streptococcus milleri (SM) and Klebsiella spp. associated pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with PLA due to SM and Klebsiella spp.

Is hepatic neoplasm-related pyogenic liver abscess a distinct clinical entity?

Aim: To compare the clinical characteristics of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in patients with and without hepatic neoplasm (HN).

Methods: Authors performed a retrospective analysis involving patients with PLA. The demographic, clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings, management and outcome of patients with and without HN were studied.

Clinical characteristics of concurrent and sequentially presented lupus-related protein-losing enteropathy: what are their differences?

Our objective was to compare patients with concurrent and sequentially presented systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Patients with history of SLE admitted for PLE were selected and their clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and imaging characteristics, treatment and outcome were analyzed. From 2001 to 2010, 21 and 27 patients had concurrent and sequentially presented SLE-related PLE, respectively, and their clinical characteristics were comparable except the following: the concurrent group had more pleural effusion (P < 0.

A gentleman with an unusual cause of hypoalbuminemia.

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a rare syndrome of gastrointestinal protein loss that may complicate a variety of diseases. The primary causes can be divided into erosive gastrointestinal disorders, nonerosive gastrointestinal disorders, and disorders involving increased central venous pressure or mesenteric lymphatic obstruction. Herein, we report on a 65-year-old man with PLE caused by invasive gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Protein-losing enteropathy associated with or without systemic autoimmune disease: what are the differences?

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) associated with or without systemic autoimmune (SA) diseases.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with PLE were selected, and their clinical characteristics, laboratory, endoscopic and imaging characteristics, treatment, and outcome were analyzed.

Results: From 2001 to 2010, 74 patients (60 patients with SA disease) with a female predominance were diagnosed with PLE.

A gentleman with anemia and cholestasis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare cause of cholestasis caused by progressive inflammation and fibrosis of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts leading to multifocal ductal strictures. Herein, we report a case of primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease. The concomitant diagnosis of these two diseases is not typical.

Diagnostic challenges of tuberculosis peritonitis in patients with and without end-stage renal failure.

Background: Information about diagnostic features of tuberculosis (TB) peritonitis among patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF), compared with those without ESRF, is limited. Here, we review our experience with TB peritonitis in patients with and without ESRF over a period of 11 years, with special reference to the clinical features of and diagnostic tools for TB peritonitis.

Methods: The records of all patients with TB peritonitis who were seen at United Christian Hospital (Hong Kong) from 1996 through 2006 were reviewed.