Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration with liquid-based cytology preparation in the diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma in the pancreas.

Pancreatic metastasis is extremely rare, particularly from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Studies on the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with liquid-based cytology (LBC) in the diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma in the pancreas have been rarely conducted. We report herein a case of pancreatic metastasis from SCLC diagnosed using EUS-FNA with LBC (ThinPrep).

Brain corticotropin-releasing factor signaling: Involvement in acute stress-induced visceral analgesia in male rats.

Background: Water avoidance stress (WAS) induces a naloxone-independent visceral analgesia in male rats under non-invasive conditions of monitoring. The objective of the study was to examine the role of brain CRF signaling in acute stress-induced visceral analgesia (SIVA).

Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically implanted with an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula.

Type 2 Autoimmune Pancreatitis with Crohn's Disease.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a distinct subtype of pancreatitis, which is classified into type 1 and 2 based on the clinicopathological features. According to the international consensus diagnostic criteria, pancreas resection or core biopsy specimens are recommended to make an accurate histological evaluation. However, the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) for histological evaluation has also been reported.

Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer syndrome: Comparison with non-hemorrhagic rectal ulcer lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) and to elucidate its predictive factors.

Methods: The medical records of patients with AHRU were retrospectively reviewed. Their baseline clinical characteristics were compared with those of patients with non-AHRU lower gastrointestinal bleeding to identify predictive factors for AHRU.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma mimicking pancreatic cancer: A case report and literature review.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma may account for more than 80% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Occasionally, other rare tumors such as lymphoma, metastatic tumor, and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm can be considered in the differential diagnosis. We report the case of an 82-year-old man with a pancreatic solid mass.

The Usefulness of Argon Plasma Coagulation Compared with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection to Treat Gastric Adenoma.

Background/aims: To date, the best therapeutic modality for gastric adenoma, especially low-grade adenoma, has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in treating gastric adenoma compared with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

Methods: We included 210 patients with gastric adenoma, who underwent treatment with either APC (97 patients) or ESD (113 patients).

Obstructive ileus caused by phlebosclerotic colitis.

A 57-year-old man with chronic kidney disease and a history of using numerous herbal medications visited Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital for abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal radiograph showed diffuse small bowel distension containing multiple air-fluid levels and extensive calcifications along the colon. Computed tomography showed colon wall thickening with diffuse calcification along the colonic mesenteric vein and colonic wall.

Acute pancreatitis associated with pegylated interferon-alpha-2a therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Combination therapy of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin (RBV) is a current standard treatment for chronic HCV infection in Korea, which has considerable adverse effects. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of PEG-IFN-α administration.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate monotherapy for nucleos(t)ide analogue-naïve and nucleos(t)ide analogue-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background/aims: This study investigated the antiviral effects of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-naive and NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods: CHB patients treated with TDF monotherapy (300 mg/day) for ≥12 weeks between December 2012 and July 2014 at a single center were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical, biochemical, and virological parameters were assessed every 12 weeks.

Long-term virological outcome in chronic hepatitis B patients with a partial virological response to entecavir.

Background/aims: The clinical outcome of patients with a partial virological response (PVR) to entecavir (ETV), in particular nucloes(t)ide analogue (NA)-experienced patients, has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess long-term outcomes in NA-naive and NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients with a PVR to ETV.

Methods: Chronic hepatitis B patients treated with ETV (0.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare the survival in elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with curative modalities (radiofrequency ablation (RFA), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEIT) and surgery) to those treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and supportive care.

Methodology: Medical records of patients with HCC older than 75 years who had visited a single tertiary medical center from January 2000 to December 2011 were reviewed (n = 58). Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for mortality with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models.

Difference in adenoma detection rates according to colonoscopic withdrawal times and the level of expertise.

Background/aims: Adequate screening colonoscopy in the general population decreases the mortality associated with colorectal cancer through detection and removal of adenomatous polyps. Prolonged colonoscopic withdrawal times (>6 min) are reportedly beneficial for adenoma detection rates (ADRs). However, the quality of the endoscopist compared with colonoscopic withdrawal times is not known.

[A case of small cell neuroendocrine tumor occurring at hilar bile duct].

Neuroendocrine tumors of the extrahepatic biliary tree are extremely rare malignancies accounting for 0.2-2.0% of all gastro-intestinal carcinoid tumors.

Window period of anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin M antibodies in diagnosing acute hepatitis A.

Background: The diagnosis of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is made on the basis of the presence of anti-HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in patients with clinical features of acute hepatitis. Some patients show a negative serology at initial presentation, which may complicate the diagnosis of hepatitis A (HA). The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of HA patients with an initially negative anti-HAV IgM test result.

Risk factors of cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with low body mass index or without metabolic syndrome.

Background/aims: Many patients are diagnosed with cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without metabolic syndrome (MS). We investigated the risk factors for cryptogenic HCC in patients with a low body mass index (BMI) or without MS.

Methods: Thirty-six patients were diagnosed with cryptogenic HCC over a 10-year period at a tertiary research hospital.

Involvement of GLTSCR2 in the DNA Damage Response.

The cellular DNA damage response (DDR) ensures genomic stability and protects against genotoxic stresses. Conversely, defects in the DDR contribute to genome instability, with the resulting accumulated genetic changes capable of inducing neoplastic transformation. Thus, DDR is central to both the mechanism of oncogenesis and cancer therapy.

[A case of autoimmune hepatitis following acute hepatitis A].

The pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is unclear, but viral infections have been proposed as a potential trigger in patients with genetic predisposition. We report a case of AIH following acute hepatitis A (AHA). A 57-year-old woman presented with fatigue and pitting edema for last 3 months.

[A case of psoriasis induced by infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease].

Infliximab, the monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor, is indicated for refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Infliximab treatment has adverse events including infusion reactions, opportunistic infections, and the potential for the event such as reactivation of latent tuberculosis. Cutaneous adverse reactions of TNF-α agents include skin rash, urticaria, pruritus, lupus-like eruption, and injection site reactions.

Renal Dysfunction Induced by Bacterial Infection other than Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients with Cirrhosis: Incidence and Risk Factor.

Background/aims: Deterioration of renal function in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a predictor for in-hospital mortality; however, the clinical significance of renal dysfunction during bacterial infection other than SBP is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of renal dysfunction due to bacterial infections other than SBP in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Retrospective data from inpatients with bacterial infections other than SBP were analyzed.

Colonic mucosal necrosis following administration of calcium polystryrene sulfonate (Kalimate) in a uremic patient.

Colonic necrosis is known as a rare complication following the administration of Kayexalate (sodium polystryrene sulfonate) in sorbitol. We report a rare case of colonic mucosal necrosis following Kalimate (calcium polystryrene sulfonate), an analogue of Kayexalate without sorbitol in a 34-yr-old man. He had a history of hypertension and uremia.

[Efficacy of 48-week clevudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B].

Background/aims: Clevudine is a nucleoside analogue that exhibits potent and sustained antiviral effects as a 24-week therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study evaluated the efficacy and viral resistance of a 48-week course of clevudine treatment for CHB.

Methods: Data on patients with CHB and detectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA who were treated with clevudine for 48 weeks or longer were collected retrospectively for this study.

The association between the serum sodium level and the severity of complications in liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Dilutional hyponatremia associated with liver cirrhosis is caused by impaired free water clearance. Several studies have shown that serum sodium levels correlate with survival in cirrhotic patients. Little is known, however, regarding the relationship between the degree of dilutional hyponatremia and development of cirrhotic complications.

[Microbiologic study of the bile culture and antimicrobial susceptibility in patients with biliary tract infection].

Background/aims: Bacterial infection of biliary tract may cause severe inflammatory response or sepsis. An immediate bile culture and appropriate antibiotic administration are important to control the biliary tract infection. The objective of the study was to identify organisms in bile and the features of antibiotic susceptibility in patients with biliary tract infection.

[A case of terminal ileal ulcer of Henoch-Schönlein purpura treated with high dose steroid].

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (H-S purpura) is a systemic small-vessel vasculitis involving skin, joint, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney. It is characterized by the classic tetrad of abdominal pain, arthralgia, typical rash, and renal involvement. All of these clinical findings can occur in any order and at any time over several days to weeks.

[Usefulness of DeltaMELD/month for prediction of the mortality in the first episode of variceal bleeding patients with liver cirrhosis: comparison with CTP, MELD score and DeltaCTP/month].

Background And Aims: There are many models for predicting prognosis of liver cirrhosis including Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP), the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and its changes over time (DeltaCTP and DeltaMELD/month). We investigated the ability of these models to predict the mortality of liver cirrhosis patients with the first episode of variceal bleeding and which model can be usefully applied in practice.

Methods: Seventy-one liver cirrhosis patients hospitalized for the first episode of esophageal variceal bleeding were retrospectively analyzed.