The effect of different patient education methods on quality of bowel cleanliness in outpatients receiving colonoscopy examination.

Aims: To investigate the effectiveness of an educational film intervention on the quality of bowel cleanliness of outpatients receiving colonoscopy examinations and also to understand the related factors affecting bowel cleanliness.

Method: This is a quasi-experimental design. One hundred four patients in the experimental group and 114 patients in the control group are the participants in this study.

Impact of metabolic syndrome components on incident stroke subtypes: a Chinese cohort study.

Limited evidence is available on the risk differences in the development of stroke subtypes in relation to particular clustering patterns of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. A follow-up study of a Chinese cohort involving 10,292 individuals was performed to assess the roles of cluster patterns of the MetS components in the prediction of incident stroke subtypes. During follow-up, there were 161 incident cases of ischemic strokes and 41 incident cases of hemorrhagic strokes.

Endosonography for suspected obstructive jaundice with no definite pathology on ultrasonography.

Background/purpose: Ultrasonography (US) cannot demonstrate all the etiologies of biliary tract dilatation in patients with jaundice. Thus, we evaluated the etiologic yield of endosonography (EUS) for suspected obstructive jaundice when no definite pathology was found on US. Additionally, we sought to identify the predictors of the most common etiologies.

For biliary dilatation, a negative endosonography needs additional image studies in weight loss suggesting malignancy.

Background And Aim: Biliary dilatation frequently raises concerns about the possibility of pancreatobiliary diseases. This study assessed the etiologic yield of endosonography (EUS) in this situation.

Methods: A retrospective review was completed with 163 consecutive patients who had undergone EUS for a dilated common bile duct (CBD) without definite pathology on ultrasonography.

Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery calcification.

Background: Both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are closely related to many metabolic disorders. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) is a reliable noninvasive method in demonstrating coronary plaque. However, the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and NAFLD remains controversial.

Reappraisal of endosonography of ampullary tumors: correlation with transabdominal sonography, CT, and MRI.

Purpose: To reappraise the accuracy of transabdominal sonography (US), CT, MRI, and endosonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and staging of ampullary tumors.

Method: We reviewed the medical records and the images of 41 consecutive patients with ampullary tumors. Tumor detection rate and accuracy of TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) staging of malignant tumors were determined.

Risk factors affecting adverse outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients aged 70 years and older.

Background: The elderly segment of the population in Taiwan is increasing rapidly. According to the latest information from the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Executive Yuan, Taiwan, 1,553,367 civilians of the total population of 22,879,510 (6.8%) are seventy years old and older in 2007.

The accuracy of sonography in predicting steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

The accuracy and clinical significance of sonography (US) in demonstrating fatty liver and hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are rarely reported. US had sensitivity 71.1%, specificity 72.

Prevalence and etiology of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase level in an adult population in Taiwan.

Background: The prevalence and etiologies of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have geographic variations and they are rarely reported in Taiwan. Through a population-based screening study, the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population of Taiwan were assessed.

Methods: A cross-sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3260 Chinese adults (age >or=18 years) undergoing ultrasonography (US), blood tests, and interviews with a structured questionnaire.

The attitudes, concerns, gloving practices and knowledge of nurses in a Taiwanese hospital regarding AIDS and HIV.

Many studies have documented nurses' attitudes and concerns regarding AIDS/HIV, but little is known about Taiwanese nurses. We documented attitudes, concerns, gloving practices and practical AIDS/HIV knowledge of 1090 nurses from one metropolitan hospital in Changhua City, Taiwan. The response rate was 80.

Panendoscopic finding of perforated peptic ulcer (PPU).

Background/aims: The purpose of this research was to investigate whether endoscopy can identify specific signs in the area of the lesion in patients with undiagnosed perforated peptic ulcer.

Methodology: From February 1990 to September 1999, a total of 435 cases of perforated peptic ulcer were diagnosed after surgery at Changhua Show Chwan Memorial Hospital. Among them, 30 patients had received endoscopic examination before surgery and were diagnosed with perforated peptic ulcer during surgery.

Enhanced color flows in hepatic tumors.

Background/aims: The study was to utilize both color Doppler sonography and power Doppler sonography to analyze the enhancement characteristics of hepatic tumors known to have a clinical or histologically confirmed diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, hemangioma, or focal nodular hyperplasia.

Methodology: Twenty-two hepatocellular carcinomas, 6 hemangiomas, and 2 focal nodular hyperplasias were observed with color Doppler sonography and power Doppler sonography before and after contrast agent (Levovist) administration. Color Doppler sonography and power Doppler sonography were used to detect the intratumoral vasculature and their sensitivity would be evaluated.

Preoperative staging of gastric cancer by endoscopic ultrasound: the prognostic usefulness of ascites detected by endoscopic ultrasound.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is the standard modality in local preoperative staging of gastric cancers and is reputedly able to detect ascites. However, the association between ascites detected by EUS and local tumor staging, peritoneal carcinomatosis, or survival after surgery is not well documented.

Goals: To assess the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of EUS in the preoperative staging and detection of ascites in gastric cancers.

The accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, computed tomography, and transabdominal ultrasound in the detection and staging of primary ampullary tumors.

Background/aims: To compare the accuracy between EUS (endoscopic ultrasound), ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), CT (computed tomography), and transabdominal US (ultrasound) in the detection and staging of primary ampullary tumors. We will also try to discuss the influence of endobiliary stent on EUS in staging ampullary tumors.

Methodology: Twenty-one patients with ampullary tumors were evaluated by EUS, ERCP, CT, and US before operation.

The features of perforated peptic ulcers in conventional computed tomography.

Background/aims: CT is not usually of priority to evaluate the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, especially perforated peptic ulcer. However CT might be employed when the presentation is atypical. The study was to summarize the imaging features of perforated peptic ulcer in conventional CT and assess its ability of detecting perforated peptic ulcer.

Role of upright chest radiography and ultrasonography in demonstrating free air of perforated peptic ulcers.

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the value of upright chest radiography and ultrasonography in demonstrating free air of perforated peptic ulcers. METHOLOGY: Eighty-four patients with perforated peptic ulcers receiving both upright chest radiography and ultrasonography before laparotomy. The sensitivity of each modality in demonstrating free air was correlated.

Preoperative evaluation of periampullary tumors by endoscopic sonography, transabdominal sonography, and computed tomography.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the sensitivity of endoscopic sonography (EUS), transabdominal sonography (US), and CT in the detection of, local staging of, and prediction of vascular involvement by or distant metastasis from periampullary tumors.

Methods: Seventy-four consecutive patients with presumed periampullary tumors were evaluated by EUS, US, and CT during a 3.25-year period.