• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2005

Background/Aim : Common bile duct (CBD) stones may cause jaundice, cholangitis, or pancreatitis. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) may be needed whenever endoscopic procedure are failed to extract common bile duct stones. The aim of this study is to provide the standard for patient's best choice on ESWL for treatment of CBD stones resistant to endoscopic extraction. Materials and Methods : Fourty-six patients failed in endoscopic stone extraction including mechanical lithotripsy were treated by ESWL. In all patients, endoscopic sphincterotomy and nasobiliary drainage tube was done before ESWL using the ultrasonography for stone localization with a spark-gap type lithotriptor. Patients were sedated with an intravenous injection of 50 mg of Demerol. None were treated under general anesthesia. Results : Overall complete clearance rate of CBD stone was 89.1% (41/46). In 82.6% of the patients, the stones were extracted endoscopically after ESWL, and spontaneous passage was observed in 6.5%. In the clearance rate after ESWL, there were no noticeable differences with regard to number (single: 82.8%, two or three: 100%, more than three: 100%) and size of the stone (less than 33mm: 92.9%, 33 mm or larger: 83.3%), whereas there were significant differences with regard to the ratio of sum of long-axis length of the all stones to sum of long-axis length of the CBD excluding stone (1:2.4, 1:2.1) and diameter of the largest stone to diameter of CBD excluding stone (1:0.9, 1:0.4) for patients with complete clearance compared with those without. Conclusion : We propose that stones without the fragments are travelable sufficient space in CBD or extractable sufficient diameter of CBD regardless of stone size and number should be treated by other technique to prevent time and cost consuming, such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopylithotomy.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.36-42
• /
• 2013

Background/Aims: Gemcitabine is regarded as a reference regimen for advanced pancreatic cancer and shows relatively safe toxicity profiles compared with other cytotoxic agents. However, many oncologists are appeared to be still reluctant to treat elderly pancreatic cancer patients with cytotoxic chemotherapy because of predicted low response rate and potential adverse events. Methods: All patients who were received gemcitabine based chemotherapy between 2007 and 2010 were identified and clinical, laboratory, radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups based on their ages: less than 65, and equal or more than 65 years old. Gemcitabine, at a dose of 1,000 mg per square meter of body surface area, was administered by intravenously over 30 minutes weekly for 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest, alone or along with other chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin, capecitabine and erlotinib. Results: A total of 61 patients were identified and all patients were not eligible to receive operation because of advanced stage at diagnosis. Twenty three patients (37.7%) were equal or more than 65 year of age. Mean age was 56 years old and 71 years old in each group. Laboratory data including CA 19-9 were not significantly different. More gemcitabine monotherapy was delivered (56.5% vs. 26.3%, p=0.029) and less second or third line therapy was adminis- tered (17.4% vs. 50.0%, p=0.014) in elderly group. Cholangitis occurred and stent placement were performed similarly in both groups. Conclusion: Gemcitabine based chemotherapy can be administered safely to elderly pancreatic cancer patients and comparable response rate and progression free survival can be expected as young patients.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.143-155
• /
• 2002

A survey on biliary atresia was made among 26 members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. The members were required to complete a questionnaire and a case registration form for each patient during the twentyone-year period of 1980-2000. Three hundred and eighty patients were registered from 18 institutions. The average number of patients per surgeon was one to two every year. The male to female ratio was 1:1.3. The age of patients on diagnosis with biliary atresia was on average $65.4{\pm} 36.2$ days old. The national distribution was 32.8% in Seoul, 25.3% in Gyoungki-Do, 21.6% in Gyoungsang-Do, 9.27% in Choongchung-Do, etc. in order. The most common clinical presentation was jaundice (98.4%) and change of stool color (86.2%) was second. Two hundred eighty (74.7%) of 375 patients were operated by 80 days of age. Three hundred thirty six (9 1.9%) of 366 patients were operated on by the original Kasai procedure, and 305 (84.3%) of 362 patients were observed by bile-drainage postoperatively. The overall postoperative complication rate was 18.5% and the overall postoperative mortality rate was 6.8%. The associated anomalies were observed in 72 cases (22.5%). One hundred ninty five (64.7%) of 302 patients have been alive in follow-up and 49 (25.1%) have survived over 5 years without problem after operation. Ascending cholangitis, varices and ascites affected survival significantly, and the important long-term prognostic factor was the occurrence of complications.