Ectopic papilla of Vater in duodenum bulb: A hospital-based study.

The major papilla of Vater can be ectopically present in the stomach, pyloric canal, duodenal bulb, and third or fourth portion of the duodenum. In this study, we determined the clinical significance of ectopic papilla of Vater by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP).A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 6133 patients receiving ERCP from 1988 to 2011.

Association Between Cholangiocarcinoma and Proton Pump Inhibitors Use: A Nested Case-Control Study.

The present study aimed to examine the odds of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in patients with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) use. : A nested case-control study design was employed using data obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 2,293 patients with confirmed diagnosis of CCA were identified and served as the CCA group.

Association of Endoscopic Sphincterotomy or Papillary Balloon Dilatation and Biliary Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) have become the main therapeutic procedures in the treatment of biliary and pancreas disease. The risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is not well investigated among post-EST/EPBD patients with benign diseases, particularly in Asia population. A retrospective nationwide cohort study using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2010) was conducted.

Comparison the efficacy of intermediate dose argon plasma coagulation versus hemoclip for upper gastrointestinal non-variceal bleeding.

Background/aims: Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) and hemoclip were used for the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers. There are wide ranges of hemostatic doses (power and flow) of APC used in previous studies. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of "intermediate dose" APC compared to hemoclips for hemostasis from bleeding peptic ulcer.

Is idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis attributed to small stones?

Idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis remains a clinical challenge. Intraductal ultrasonography in the management of idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis may be a new strategy for undetermined causes after initial diagnostic approaches, including endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). However, no definite cause after ERCP should be defined under optimal settings and with experienced technique.

Alternative percutaneous approach for endoscopic inaccessible common bile duct stones.

Background/aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy followed by stone extraction is a well-established and standard procedure for common bile duct (CBD) stones. An altered anatomy may be related to inaccessible papilla. Percutaneous transhepatic approach, surgery or alternative endoscopy is considered for inaccessible papilla.

Application of a wire-guided side-viewing duodenoscope in total esophagectomy with colonic interposition.

Therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the mainstay treatment for bile duct disease. The procedure is difficult per se, especially when a side-viewing duodenoscope is used, and when the patient has altered anatomical features, such as colonic interposition. Currently, there is no consensus on the standard approach for therapeutic ERCP in patients with total esophagectomy and colonic interposition.

Factors contributing to the failure of argon plasma coagulation hemostasis in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

Background/aims: Among endoscopic therapies, injection methods, thermal coagulation and mechanical devices are the major therapeutic modalities for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Argon plasma coagulation (APC), non-contact electrocoagulation, is a procedure which involves thermal coagulation of tissue. In this study, our aim was to clarify the factors associated with APC treatment failure in patients with non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding.

Mycoplasma pneumonia-associated acute hepatitis in an adult patient without lung infection.

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a major cause of respiratory infections in school-aged children. Most M. pneumonia infections in adults involve the respiratory tract.

The prevalence and significance of hypoalbuminemia in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background/aims: Hypoalbuminemia occurs in a variety of disease states and is associated with an increased rate of complications during hospitalization, resulting in an increased length of stay. However, there are no data about hypoalbuminemia in patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia in patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and to examine its significance in relation to severity and outcome of bleeding.

Development of a safety index of transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma to prevent acute liver damage.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most effective palliative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but may cause acute liver damage.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and ninteen patients with unresectable HCCs, undergoing TACE, were studied prospectively. A safety index to prevent acute liver damage was developed by using logistic regression.

Characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in hemodialysis patients in hepatitis B endemic area.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in Taiwan, a hepatitis B endemic area. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients receiving hemodialysis, as this patient group is at high risk for malignancy.

Methodology: From October 1991 to September 1997, thirteen patients receiving hemodialysis and diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Hemoperitoneum secondary to spontaneous rupture of metastatic epidermoid carcinoma of liver: case report and review of the literature.

Massive hemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture of liver metastasis is remarkably rare. This is of interest because ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common cause of fatal hemoperitoneum in the Far East. We describe a case of hemoperitoneum secondary to spontaneous rupture of metastatic epidermoid carcinoma of liver.

Clinical predictors of large esophagogastric varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, especially in Asia. Gastrointestinal bleeding due to esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of death in HCC patients. The aim of study was to determine whether clinical variables were predictive of the presence of large esophagogastric varices (EGV) before performing endoscopy.