• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2022

Background/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastric tumors in the mid-to-upper stomach is a technically challenging procedure. This study compared the therapeutic outcomes and adverse events of ESD of tumors in the mid-to-upper stomach performed under general anesthesia (GA) or monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Methods: Between 2012 and 2018, 674 patients underwent ESD for gastric tumors in the midbody, high body, fundus, or cardia (100 patients received GA; 574 received MAC). The outcomes of the propensity score (PS)-matched (1:1) patients receiving either GA or MAC were analyzed. Results: The PS matching identified 94 patients who received GA and 94 patients who received MAC. Both groups showed high rates of en bloc resection (GA, 95.7%; MAC, 97.9%; p=0.68) and complete resection (GA, 81.9%; MAC, 84.0%; p=0.14). There were no significant differences between the rates of adverse events (GA, 16.0%; MAC, 8.5%; p=0.18) in the anesthetic groups. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the method of anesthesia did not affect the rates of complete resection or adverse events. Conclusions: ESD of tumors in the mid-to-upper stomach at our high-volume center had good outcomes, regardless of the method of anesthesia. Our results demonstrate no differences between the efficacies and safety of ESD performed under MAC and GA.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.434-442
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• 2022

Background/Aims: Covered self-expandable metallic stents (CMSs) are widely used for malignant distal biliary obstructions (MDBOs) caused by pancreatic carcinoma. This study compared the efficacy and safety of the laser-cut-type and braided-type CMSs. Methods: To palliate MDBOs caused by pancreatic carcinoma, the laser-cut-type CMSs was used from April 2014 to March 2017, and the braided-type CMSs was used from April 2017 to March 2019. The tested self-expandable metallic stents were equipped with different anti-migration systems. Results: In total, 47 patients received CMSs for MDBOs (24 laser-cut type, 23 braided-type). The time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO) was significantly longer in the braided-type CMSs (p=0.0008), and the median time to stent dysfunction or patient death was 141 and 265 days in the laser-cut-type CMSs and braided-type CMSs, respectively (p=0.0023). Stent migration was the major cause of stent dysfunction in both groups, which occurred in 37.5% of the laser-cut-type CMSs and 13.0% of the braided-type CMSs. There were no differences in the survival duration between the groups. Conclusions: The TRBO was significantly longer for the braided-type CMSs with an anti-migration system than for the laser-cut-type. Stent migration tended to be less frequent with the braided-type CMSs than with the laser-cut-type CMSs.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.446-453
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• 2024

With increasing global life expectancy, the significance of geriatric assessment parameters has increased. Sarcopenia is a crucial assessment parameter and is defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Sarcopenia is widely acknowledged as a risk factor for postoperative complications in diverse advanced malignancies and has a detrimental effect on the long-term prognosis. While most studies have primarily concentrated on the correlation between sarcopenia and advanced cancer, more recent investigations have focused on the relationship between sarcopenia and early-stage cancer. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which is less invasive than surgical intervention, is extensively employed in the management of early-stage cancer, although it is associated with complications such as bleeding and perforation. In recent years, several reports have revealed the adverse consequences of sarcopenia in patients with early-stage cancer undergoing ESD. This literature review briefly summarizes the recent studies on the association between sarcopenia and ESD.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.508-514
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• 2024

Background/Aims: This study aimed to examine the synergistic effect of independent risk factors on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 1,273 patients with native papillae who underwent ERCP for bile duct stones in Japan. Independent PEP risk factors were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Significant risk factors for PEP in the multivariate analysis were included in the final analysis to examine the synergistic effect of independent risk factors for PEP. Results: PEP occurred in 45 of 1,273 patients (3.5%). Three factors including difficult cannulation ≥10 minutes, pancreatic injection, and normal serum bilirubin level were included in the final analysis. The incidences of PEP in patients with zero, one, two, and three factors were 0.5% (2/388), 1.9% (9/465), 6.0% (17/285), and 12.6% (17/135), respectively. With increasing risk factors for PEP, the incidence of PEP significantly increased (1 factor vs. 2 factors, p=0.006; 2 factors vs. 3 factors, p=0.033). Conclusions: As the number of risk factors for PEP increases, the risk of PEP may not be additive; however, it may multiply. Thus, aggressive prophylaxis for PEP is strongly recommended in patients with multiple risk factors.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.439-447
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• 2024

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection, prevalent in more than half of the global population, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The effectiveness of early diagnosis and treatment in preventing gastric cancer highlights the need for improved diagnostic methods. This study aimed to develop a simple scoring system based on endoscopic findings to predict H. pylori infection. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,007 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Asan Medical Center from January 2019 to December 2021. Exclusion criteria included prior H. pylori treatment, gastric surgery, or gastric malignancies. Diagnostic techniques included rapid urease and ¹³C-urea breath tests, H. pylori culture, and assessment of endoscopic features following the Kyoto gastritis classification. A new scoring system based on endoscopic findings including regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC), nodularity, and diffuse or spotty redness was developed for predicting H. pylori infection, utilizing logistic regression analysis in the development set. Results: The scoring system demonstrated high predictive accuracy for H. pylori infection in the validation set. Scores of 2 and 3 were associated with 96% and 99% infection risk, respectively. Additionally, there was a higher prevalence of diffuse redness and sticky mucus in cases where the initial H. pylori eradication treatment failed. Conclusions: Our scoring system showed potential for improving diagnostic accuracy in H. pylori infection. H. pylori testing should be considered upon spotty redness, diffuse redness, nodularity, and RAC absence on endoscopic findings as determined by the predictive scoring system.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in children with Henoch-Sch$\"{o}$nlein purpura (HSP). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic records of children with HSP who had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Gil Hospital and underwent upper GI endoscopy between January 2002 and June 2009. Patients were classified into the following two groups for statistical analysis: duodenal involvement (+) and duodenal involvement (-). Results: Fifty-one children with HSP underwent upper GI endoscopy; the mean age was 7.2${\pm}$2.9 years. The upper GI endoscopy showed abnormalities of the duodenum in 38 cases (74.5%), 22 of which had duodenal ulcers. Among the biopsy specimens obtained from the duodenum of 37 cases, 13 cases (35.1%) had leukocytoclastic vasculitis, neutrophil debri, and/or extravasation of RBCs. Steroid use was more frequent in the duodenal involvement (+) group (86.8%) than the duodenal involvement (-) group (53.8%; p=0.02). The mean length of hospitalization was 13.9${\pm}$8.43 days in the duodenal involvement (+) group and 8.1${\pm}$4.62 days in the duodenal involvement (-) group (p=0.003). The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the duodenal involvement (-) group than the duodenal involvement (+) group (p=0.027), whereas none of the other study parameters, such as the age of onset, renal involvement, and steroid use, led to significantly higher or lower recurrence rates. Conclusion: These results suggest that duodenal involvement can influence the clinical course and prognosis of HSP in children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3931-3936
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• 2013

Background: Iran is a country with very high incidences of stomach cancer, especially in Northern parts. Here we assessed prognostic value of serum screening biomarkers among people >50 years old for early detection of precancerous lesions in a hot spot for gastric carcinoma in Guilan Province, North Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted on 1,390 residents of Lashtenasha city with the mean age (SD) of 61.8 (9.02) years old (50.8% females) to assess the association of gastrin and the pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio with premalignant gastric lesions. Blood samples were taken for CBC, blood group, and serologic exams (PGI, PGII, and gastrin 17) from each subject. Expert gastroenterologists performed upper GI endoscopy and ROC curves were generated to determine appropriate cutoff points. Results: Mean values of PGI, PGII, PGI/PGII and gastrin were significantly different between patients with and without atrophy or metaplasia (P<0.05). To diagnose atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, a significantly higher AUC was observed for the PGI/PGII ratio (70 and 72%, respectively) compared to the PGI (56, 55%), PGII (63, 64%) and gastrin (59, 61%) (all p<0.001). Conclusions: Biomarker tests such as the PGI/II ratio can be used in the screening and diagnosis of subjects at high gastric cancer risk in our region.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this survey was to analyze the choice of sedative drugs and their side effects during pediatric endoscopic sedation in Korea. We also evaluated doctors, caretakers and patient satisfaction with the procedures. Methods: Between June 2006 and July 2006, a 16-item survey regarding current sedation practices, during one month, was mailed to 28 hospitals in Korea. The results of the survey responses were then analyzed. Results: Endoscopy performed under conscious sedation was reported in 89.0% of the responders and endoscopy under general anesthesia in 0.9% of 465 endoscopic procedures. Endoscopy under conscious sedation was performed in 89.1% for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (GFS) and 88.1% for lower GFS. Midazolam was used for conscious sedation during the endoscopy in 84.5% of cases and propofol was used in two cases (0.5%). In addition, a bezodiazepine/opioid combination was used iin 84.6% (44 cases) for lower GFS. Patients were monitored with pulse oxymetry, EKG (91.4%) as well as automatic BP (5.1%). Transient hypoxia was the only side effect noted and was treated with supplemental oxygen (4.6%). Flumazenil was used in 2.71% of cases. The choice of sedation was made by the endoscopist (84%). The satisfaction rate for endoscopists was 68%, and for the patients and caretakers was 84% (as reported by the endoscopists). Conclusion: Midazolam was used only for the upper GFS and benzodiazepine/opioid combination was used for the lower GFS in Korea. The rate of satisfaction was relatively high and there were no significant side effects noted during the endoscopy under conscious sedation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2018

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can be presented with various clinical manifestations and different levels of severity when infected. Infectious mononucleosis, which is most commonly caused by EBV infection in children and adolescents, is a clinical syndrome characterized by fatigue, malaise, fever, sore throat, and generalized lymphadenopathy. But rarely, patients with infectious mononucleosis may present with gastrointestinal symptoms and complicated by gastritis, splenic infarction, and splenic rupture. We encountered a 16-year-old girl who presented with fever, fatigue, and epigastric pain. Splenic infarction and EBV-associated gastritis were diagnosed by using esophagogastroduodenoscopy and abdominal computed tomography. Endoscopy revealed a generalized hyperemic nodular lesion in the stomach, and the biopsy findings were chronic gastritis with erosion and positive in situ hybridization for EBV. As splenic infarction and acute gastritis are rare in infectious mononucleosis and are prone to be overlooked, we must consider these complications when an infectious mononucleosis patient presents with gastrointestinal symptom.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4497-4502
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• 2015

Background: Due to the increase in morbidity and mortality rate, cancer has become an alarming threat to the human population worldwide. Since cancer is a progressive disorder, timely diagnosis would be helpful to prevent/stop cancer from progressing to severe stage. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, most of the time, tumors are diagnosed with endoscopy and biopsy; therefore rare studies exist regarding the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GIT) carcinomas based on tumor markers, especially CEA. Objectives: This study made a comparative analysis of CEA in admitted hospitalized stomach and colon cancer patients diagnosed as GIT with biopsy. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 66 cases were included. The level of CEA was determined in the blood of these patients using ELISA technique. Results: Out of 66 patients, the level of CEA was high in 59.1% of the total, 60.7% in colon cancer patients and 57.9 % in stomach cancer patients. Moreover, the incidence of colorectal and stomach cancer was greater in males as compared to females. Patients were more of the age group of 40-60 and the level of CEA was comparatively higher in patients (51.5%) with histology which was moderately differentiated, than patients with well differentiated and poorly differentiated tumor histology. Conclusions: CEA level was high in more than 50% of the total patients. Moreover, CEA exhibited higher sensitivity for colon than stomach cancer.