Drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction three months after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination: A case report and review of literature.

Background: A 70-year-old man with hepatitis C virus-related recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma was admitted for further diagnosis of a 1 cm iso-hyperechoic nodule in segment (S) 5.

Case Summary: Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) revealed the nodule in S5 with a defect at the hepatobiliary phase, hyperintensity on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and hypointensity on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed hypervascularity at the early phase, and delayed contrast-enhancement was observed at the late phase.

Distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to Meckel's cave and cranial nerves: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Metastasis occurs as a late event in the natural history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and most patients die of liver failure attributed to the tumor supplanting the liver. Conversely, the brain is a less common metastatic site.

Case Summary: We describe a rare case of hepatitis C virus-related multiple HCC metastasizing to the cavernous sinus, Meckel's cave, and the petrous bone involving multiple cranial nerves in an 82-year-old woman.

Factors associated with residual gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in patients receiving proton pump inhibitor maintenance therapy.

Aim: To elucidate the factors associated with residual gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in patients receiving proton pump inhibitor (PPI) maintenance therapy in clinical practice.

Methods: The study included 39 GERD patients receiving maintenance PPI therapy. Residual symptoms were assessed using the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS).

Significance of liver biopsy for the evaluation of methotrexate-induced liver damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

It is well recognized that long-term administration of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can induce liver fibrosis via a steatohepatitis-like inflammatory process. Several non-invasive tests have been investigated as alternatives to liver biopsy, which is, however, still recognized as a final diagnostic modality to detect the MTX-induced liver damage. To clarify whether there is a significant discrepancy between clinical estimations and pathologic findings of this hepatic condition, we performed a following comparative study.

Mutational diversity of NS5A and NS3 during triple therapy (telaprevir, pegylated-interferon-α 2b and ribavirin) for genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C: The Kobe Hepatitis Therapeutic Group.

Telaprevir, a non-structural (NS)3/4A protease inhibitor, is a direct-acting antiviral drug that inhibits viral replication. Triple therapy with telaprevir, pegylated interferon, and ribavirin is a standard therapeutic regimen for patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and a high viral load. Several factors, including mutations in the NS5A gene, are important predictors of the efficacy of interferon therapy.

Quantification of pregenomic RNA and covalently closed circular DNA in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is generated from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and plays important roles in viral genome amplification and replication. Hepatic pgRNA and cccDNA expression levels indicate viral persistence and replication activity. This study was aimed to measure hepatic pgRNA and cccDNA expression levels in various states of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

MUC2 expression and prevalence of high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma in mixed-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Background/objectives: Morphological types and mucin protein expressions classify intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Main duct (MD)-IPMN mostly consists of intestinal type (I-type), which expresses MUC2. Branch duct (BD)-IPMN mostly consists of gastric type (G-type), which does not express MUC2.

What is the most adapted indication of prophylactic pancreatic duct stent within the high-risk group of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis? Using the propensity score analysis.

Background: Conducting randomized controlled trial (RCT) for each of the risk factors associated with prophylactic pancreatic duct stent (PPDS) for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is difficult owing to the volume of cases and ethical considerations. In this study, we tried to reveal the degree of preventive effects of PPDS for each individual risk factor within the high-risk group of PEP using the propensity score analysis.

Methods: The clinical data of 1131 ERCP practices performed at Kobe University Hospital from April 2006 to February 2009 were collected prospectively.

Adherence to the preventive strategies for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug- or low-dose aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injuries.

As the aging of the population advances, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or low-dose aspirin (LDA) is increasing. Their use is accompanied by a risk of serious complications, such as hemorrhage or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, gastroprotective strategies upon the prescription of NSAIDs/LDA are outlined in several guidelines or recommendations.

[A case of groove pancreatitis associated with duodenal ulcer].

We describe a 69-year-old man with a history of multiple gastroduodenal ulcers, presenting with the onset of obstructive jaundice. Abdominal CT, MRI and EUS demonstrated a sheet-like mass in the pancreaticoduodenal groove. EUS-FNA did not reveal malignancy.

[Three cases of recurrent bile duct cancer diagnosed and treated by double-balloon endoscopy].

Local recurrences often develop after the resection of bile duct cancer. Imaging modalities do not have sufficient sensitivity or specificity to enable the definite diagnosis of recurrent bile duct cancer, and it may be difficult to decide when to start chemotherapeutic treatment. It is difficult to obtain specimens by conventional endoscopy after Roux-Y biliary reconstruction.

A case of lymphoepithelial cyst of pancreas with unique "cheerios-like" appearance in EUS.

Lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of the pancreas is a rare benign lesion, which is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We describe a case of a 60-year-old male, incidentally diagnosed as having LEC of the pancreas, which was managed by laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Most of the reported cases of LEC were asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally.

Sphincter of Oddi manometry using guide-wire-type manometer is feasible for examination of sphincter of Oddi motility.

Background: Sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) is recognized as the standard diagnostic modality for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). However, SOM is not commonly performed because of its technical difficulty and the high incidence of post-procedural pancreatitis. To diminish post-procedural pancreatitis, we tried to develop a new method of SOM.

Lifestyle factors associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Japanese population.

Background: We aimed to clarify the lifestyle factors associated with erosive esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) in a Japanese population.

Methods: Among 886 subjects who underwent health screening, we selected, according to their scores on the FSSG (frequency scale for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease; GERD) questionnaire and the findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 138 subjects with erosive esophagitis (EE), 148 subjects with NERD (absence of esophagitis, FSSG score ≥8, and acid reflux-related symptoms score ≥4), and 565 control subjects (absence of esophagitis and FSSG score ≤7). We compared clinical characteristics and various lifestyle factors in these three groups.

A case of lipomatous pseudohypertrophy of the pancreas diagnosed by EUS-FNA.

We report the case of a 56-year-old female with lipomatous hypertrophy of the pancreas. Abdominal CT and MRI showed fatty replacement over the entire pancreas. The pancreatic parenchyma was completely absent.

Rabeprazole reduces the recurrence risk of peptic ulcers associated with low-dose aspirin in patients with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease: a prospective randomized active-controlled trial.

Background: Patients using low-dose aspirin (LDA) have an increased risk of gastroduodenal mucosal lesions and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. We aimed to clarify the efficacy of rabeprazole for preventing peptic ulcer, esophagitis, and gastrointestinal symptoms associated with LDA.

Methods: Patients with a history of peptic ulcers who were receiving LDA for cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease were randomly assigned to receive rabeprazole at 10 mg daily, rabeprazole at 20 mg daily, or gefarnate (a cytoprotective anti-ulcer agent) at 50 mg twice daily.

Metabolomic analysis to discover candidate therapeutic agents against acute pancreatitis.

Novel and effective drugs against acute pancreatitis are required. Therefore, we examined the changes in the metabolite levels in the serum and pancreatic tissue of mice with cerulein- and arginine-induced pancreatitis using gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (GC/MS) and investigated whether these alterations affected the severity of acute pancreatitis. In the cerulein-induced pancreatitis model, 93 and 129 metabolites were detected in the serum and pancreatic tissue, respectively.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasm in patients with co-morbidities categorized according to the ASA Physical Status Classification.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has come to be widely performed for reduced invasiveness; however, its safety in patients with co-morbidities is not fully examined. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gastric ESD with co-morbidities categorized according to ASA Physical Status Classification.

Methods: Two hundred and forty patients of ASA 1 (no co-morbidities), 268 of ASA 2 (mild), and 19 of ASA 3 (severe) were treated by ESD for gastric neoplasms.

Sphincter of Oddi disorder: what is the clinical issue?

Sphincter of Oddi disorder (SOD) is a functional disorder of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and is pathophysiologically equivalent to functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) of the digestive tract. SOD is important as a cause of biliary pain of unknown origin and idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis; however, the concept of SOD has not generally spread in the same way as FGID. SOD is diagnosed using ROME III criteria which were revised in 2006 to reduce the number of unnecessary and potentially risky procedures.

Successful Endoscopic Dilation Treatment of Small Intestinal Stricture Occurring during Chemotherapy for Malignant Lymphoma.

We report a stricture occurring during chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma that was successfully treated by endoscopic balloon dilation. The patient was diagnosed with stage IV malignant lymphoma by esophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomography scans. She complained of nausea and vomiting after undergoing the second cycle of chemotherapy.

Efficacy and safety of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin and high- and low-dose clarithromycin in Japanese patients: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre study.

Objective: Seven-day administration of omeprazole 40 mg/day + amoxicillin 1500 mg/day + clarithromycin 800 mg/day is currently approved in Japan for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. We investigated the efficacy and safety of an omeprazole-based triple therapy regimen in combination with amoxicillin and low-dose clarithromycin in Japanese patients.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either the low-dose group (omeprazole 40 mg/day + amoxicillin 1500 mg/day + clarithromycin 400 mg/day) or the high-dose group (omeprazole 40 mg/day + amoxicillin 1500 mg/day + clarithromycin 800 mg/day).

"Proton-pump inhibitor-first" strategy versus "step-up" strategy for the acute treatment of reflux esophagitis: a cost-effectiveness analysis in Japan.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition, and acid-suppressing agents are the mainstays of treatment. For the acute medical management of GERD, two different strategies can be proposed: either the most effective therapy, i.e.