• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.100-106
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has become an essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool. EUS was introduced in 2013 in Indonesia and is considered relatively new. This study aimed to describe the current role of interventional EUS at our hospital as a part of the Indonesian tertiary health center experience. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent interventional EUS (n=94) at our center between January 2015 and December 2020. Patient characteristics, technical success, clinical success, and adverse events associated with each type of interventional EUS procedure were evaluated. Results: Altogether, 94 interventional EUS procedures were performed at our center between 2015 and 2020 including 75 cases of EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD), 14 cases of EUS-guided pancreatic fluid drainage, and 5 cases of EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis. The technical and clinical success rates of EUS-BD were 98.6% and 52%, respectively. The technical success rate was 100% for both EUS-guided pancreatic fluid drainage and EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis. The adverse event rates were 10.6% and 7.1% for EUS-BD and EUS-guided pancreatic fluid drainage, respectively. Conclusions: EUS is an effective and safe tool for the treatment of gastrointestinal and biliary diseases. It has a low rate of adverse events, even in developing countries.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.164-172
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• 2021

Purpose: The use of Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in pediatric patients is not as common as in adults. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of EUS in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary disease in childhood. Methods: Between December 2016 and January 2018, the findings of patients who underwent EUS were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of the 41 patients included in the study 25 were girls (61.0%), mean age was 12.2±4.2 years. EUS was performed for biliary colic in 21 (51.2%), for recurrent pancreatitis in 12 (29.2%), for cholecystitis/cholangitis in 5 (12.2%), and for acute pancreatitis in 3 (7.4%) patients. EUS had a significant clinical effect in the decision of treatment and follow-up of 6/21 biliary colic cases, in diagnosis and follow-up of 6/12 recurrent pancreatitis cases, in decision-making and monitoring of invasive procedures (ERCP/surgery) of 3/5 acute cholecystitis/cholangitis and 2/3 of acute pancreatitis cases as well as in follow-up of the other cases. The effectiveness of EUS in determining direct treatment and invasive intervention was 43.9%. None of the patients had complications related to the EUS procedure. Conclusion: Although current guidelines show that EUS can be used in pediatric patients, this is limited to a few published studies. In this study, it is shown that EUS is a safe method for the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of common pancreatobiliary pathologies in childhood.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.24
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• pp.79-96
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• 2005

1. 연구배경과 문제제기 - 보험시장의 환경변화 : 보험업법 개정, 방카슈랑스 도입, 고(高)보장성 생존급부(CI, LTC)상품의 등장, 통신판매 전문보험회사의 설립 허용 - 현행 언더라이팅 시스템의 문제점 : 위험난이도와 판매 채널별 특성이 고려되지 않고 언더라이터에 전건 배정 되어 업무의 효율성이 낮음 - 보험시장의 환경변화에 맞는 EUS(Expert Underwriting System) 도입으로 언더라이팅의 효율성을 증대하고자함 2. 국내/외 생보사 언더라이팅 시스템 현황 비교 및 개선방안 - 국내 언더라이팅 시스템 현황 : 청약서 입력/스캔 후 진단 및 적부 유무(有無)에 따라 자동으로 언더라이터에게 심사가 배정됨 - 미국 언더라이팅 시스템 현황 : EUS에 의한 1차 전산승낙여부 결정 후(後)언더라이터에게 심사가 배정됨 - 위험난이도의 고저(高低)와 관계없이 언더라이터에 배정되는 심사시스템의 문제점을 극복하고 체계적인 위험평가를 위해 EUS도입이 필요함 3. EUS 선행요건 - 고객정보의 확보 - 국내 생보사의 고객정보 수집원 : 청약서, 모집인 보고서, 건강진단서,적부조사, 보험사고정보조회시스템 (ICPS), 고액보험 및 상해보험 중복가입자에 대한 정보 교환제도 - 북미 생보사의 고객정보 수집원 : 청약서, 모집인 보고서, 의사소견서 및 진료기록서, 건강검진, 적부조사, 정보교환제도( 북미보험사간 의료정보 공유-MIB) - 정확한 고객정보의 확보방안 : 법률/제도의 정비, 청약서 질문 내용의 세분화, 의료정보교환제도의 구축 4. EUS 개요 및 현황 - EUS의 정의: 고객의 정보를 입력하여 청약부터 보험증권 발행 단계까지 One-Stop 서비스를 제공하는 것으로 언더라이터가 청약서를 가지고 언더라이팅 하는 것과 동일한 업무를 할 수 있는 전문가 시스템 - EUS의 장점: (1) 비용절감 및 인력의 효율적 활용 (2) 업무별 시스템화 되는 조직속성에 적합함. (3) 언더라이팅 정책이 경영 환경 변화에 대처하는데 신속함 - 국외 EUS 현황 (예: Cologne Re) 및 사례연구 5. 위험분류 및 EUS 개요현황 (언더라이팅 시스템 도입) - 위험관리 선행요건으로 위험요소별 분류가 체계적으로 수립되어야 함. - 데이터웨어하우스 (의사결정을 목적으로 설계된 조회와 분석이 가능한 통합된 정보저장소) 시스템 사용 - EUS 도입을 통한 언더라이팅 프로세스: 데이터마이닝 과정을 통해 "자동승낙, 언더라이터에게 심사배정, 적부의뢰, 진단의뢰, 텔레 언더라이터, 보완지시"등이 결정됨. 6. 판매채널별 EUS 활용방안 - 대면채널: 효용성 높은 정보제공과 정확한 위험분석이 가능한 시스템으로 고(高)보장, 고(高)위험 상품에 대해 언더라이터가 집중 심사 할 수 있게 함. - 방카슈랑스: 3S(간결, 신속, 서비스)의 특성에 맞는 전과정 무인자동심사시스템 - 비대면채널: 판매상품과 타겟시장을 명확히 한 후 도덕적 위험과 재무적 위험에 대한 평가시스템 및 의사결정 시스템을 도입 7. 결론 - EUS 도입의 기대효과 (1) 심사기일의 단축으로 고객만족 실현 (2) 체계적 과학적 리스크 관리로 위험률차익 증대에 기여 (3) 업무효율의 증대와 언더라이터의 역량강화 (4) CRM 활용증대와 모바일 청약시스템 구축의 근간 - EUS 도입시 경제적 법률적 제도적 문제 극복과 생보 업계 공동의 관심과 노력이 필요함 - EUS를 활용하여 종합적.체계적 리스크 관리가 가능한 금융회사로의 경쟁력 향상에 기여함.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Immune checkpoint blockade has recently been reported to be effective in treating microsatellite instability (MSI)-high tumors. Therefore, sufficient sampling of histological specimens is necessary in cases of unresectable pancreatic cancer (UR-PC). This multicenter study investigated the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using a Franseen needle for MSI evaluation in patients with UR-PC. Methods: A total of 89 patients with UR-PC who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or EUS-FNB using 22-G needles at three hospitals in Japan (2018-2021) were enrolled. Fifty-six of these patients (FNB 23 and FNA 33) were followed up or evaluated for MSI. Patient characteristics, UR-PC data, and procedural outcomes were compared between patients who underwent EUS-FNB and those who underwent EUS-FNA. Results: No significant difference in terms of sufficient tissue acquisition for histology was observed between patients who underwent EUS-FNB and those who underwent EUS-FNA. MSI evaluation was possible significantly more with tissue samples obtained using EUS-FNB than with tissue samples obtained using EUS-FNA (82.6% [19/23] vs. 45.5% [15/33], respectively; p<0.01). In the multivariate analysis, EUS-FNB was the only significant factor influencing the possibility of MSI evaluation. Conclusions: EUS-FNB using a Franseen needle is desirable for ensuring sufficient tissue acquisition for MSI evaluation.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2011

Purpose: As the proportion of early gastric cancer (EGC) has recently been increased, minimally invasive treatment is currently accepted as main therapy for EGC. Accurate preoperative staging is very important in determining treatment options. To know the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), we compared the depth of invasion of the tumor with preoperative EUS and postoperative pathologic findings. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 152 patients who underwent EUS before laparoscopic gastrectomy. The preoperative EUS results were compared with the pathological findings. Results: The overall proportion of coincidence for depth of invasion between EUS and pathologic results was 41.4%. Univariate analysis showed that the rate of corrected prediction of EUS for tumor depth significantly decreased for the lesions more than 3cm in diameter (P=0.033), and those with a depressed morphology (P=0.035). In multivariate analysis, the depressed type (P=0.029, OR=2.873) and upper lesion (P=0.035, OR=2.151) was the significantly independent factors influencing the inaccurate prediction of EUS for tumor depth. Conclusions: When we decide the treatment modality considering the clinical depth of invasion by EUS, the possibility of discordance with pathologic results should be considered for the lesions located in the upper third of the stomach and with a depressed morphology.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.367-374
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) using oblique-view EUS in patients with a surgically altered anatomy (SAA) of the upper gastrointestinal tract is limited because of difficult scope insertion due to the disturbed anatomy. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of forward-view (FV)-EUS in performing FNA in patients with a SAA. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 32 patients with a SAA of the upper gastrointestinal tract who visited Aichi Cancer Center Hospital in Nagoya, Japan, between January 2014 and December 2020. We performed upper gastrointestinal EUS-FNA using FV-EUS combined with fluoroscopic imaging to confirm tumor recurrence or to make a decision before chemotherapy or after a failure of diagnosis by radiology. Results: We successfully performed EUS-FNA in all studied patients (100% technical success), with the specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of 100%, 87.5%, and 87.8%, respectively, with no complications. Conclusions: EUS-FNA using FV-EUS combined with fluoroscopic imaging is an effective and safe technique for tissue acquisition in patients with a SAA.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2022

Diagnosis of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) is sometimes difficult with conventional endoscopy or tissue sampling with standard biopsy, so non-invasive imaging modalities such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and computed tomography are used to evaluate the characteristics of SETs features (size, location, originating layer, echogenicity, shape). However imaging modalities alone is not able to distinguish among all types of SETs, so histology is the gold standard for obtaining the final diagnosis. For tissue sampling, mucosal cutting biopsy and mucosal incision-assisted biopsy and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration or biopsy (EUS-FNA or EUS-FNB) is commonly recommended. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are used for resection of SETs involving the mucosal and superficial submucosal layers, could not treat adequately and safely the SETs involving the deep mucosa and muscularis propria. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) and endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is used as a therapeutic option for the treatment of SETs with the development of reliable endoscopic closure techniques and tools.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2024

Pancreatic cancer is a highly fatal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of < 10%. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a useful noninvasive tool for differential diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy and treatment decision-making. However, the performance of EUS is suboptimal, and its accuracy for differentiating pancreatic malignancy has increased interest in the application of artificial intelligence (AI). Recent studies have reported that EUS-based AI models can facilitate early and more accurate diagnosis than other preexisting methods. This article provides a review of the literature on EUS-based AI studies of pancreatic malignancies.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2023

Advanced malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) with inaccessible papilla poses a significant challenge to endoscopists, as drainage of multiple liver segments may be warranted. Transpapillary drainage may not be feasible in patients with surgically altered anatomy, duodenal stenosis, prior duodenal self-expanding metal stent, and after initial transpapillary drainage, but require re-intervention for draining separated liver segments. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) and percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage are the feasible options in this scenario. The major advantages of EUS-BD over percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage include a reduction in patient discomfort and internal drainage away from the tumor, thus reducing the possibility of tissue or tumor ingrowth. With innovations, EUS-BD is helpful not only for bilateral communicating MHBO but also for non-communicating systems with bridging hilar stents or isolated right intra-hepatic duct drainage by hepatico-duodenostomy. EUS-guided multi-stent drainage with specially designed cannulas and guidewires has become a reality. A combined approach with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for re-intervention, interventional radiology, and intraductal tumor ablative therapies has been reported. Stent migration and bile leakage can be minimized with proper stent selection and technique, and stent blocks can be managed with EUS-guided interventions in a majority of cases. Future comparative studies are required to establish the role of EUS-guided interventions in MHBO as rescue or primary therapy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.182-185
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• 2003

Purpose: Preoperative staging of gastric cancer is crucial because the treatment modality and the prognosis depend upon the stage of gastric cancer. Current treatment modalities for early gastric cancer have focused on the quality of life. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and abdominal computed tomography (CT) are commonly used diagnostic tools to evaluate the invasiveness (T stage) of the primary tumor. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the sensitivity and the specificity of preoperative EUS and CT in comparison with postoperative pathology. Materials and Methods: From October 2001 to October 2002, EUS and abdominal CT were performed simultaneously on 75 patients who underwent radical gastric surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer. Through analyzing the clinical T stage and the pathologic T stage, We evaluated the diagnostic sensitivities and specificities of endoscopic ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography. Results: The male-to-female sex ratio was 1 : 0.6 (males: 47, females: 28). The mean age was 55.4 years in males (range: $28\~81$) and 54.4 years in females (range: $23\∼77$). The clinical T stage based on EUS included 22 T1mm, 7 T1sm, 22 T2, and 24 T3. The clinical T stage based on CT included 20 Tx, 23 T2, and 32 T3. The permanent pathologic report confirmed 23 T1mm, 10 T1sm, 17 T2, 24 T3, and 1 T4. The sensitivity and specificity of EUS were $84.2\%\;and\;94.7\%$, respectively. However, the sensitivity and specificity of abdominal CT were $53.3\%\;and\;77.0\%$, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that EUS is a very useful diagnostic tool for evaluating the T stage of gastric cancer because EUS has higher specificity than abdominal CT. Therefore, EUS may have a significant role as a preoperative diagnostic modality in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery.