• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.512-522
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• 2023

Purpose: Dental floss clip (DFC) traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely performed owing to its simplicity. This study aimed to clarify the appropriate indications for the DFC traction method in early gastric cancer when ESD is performed by less-experienced endoscopists. Methods and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,014 consecutive patients who had undergone gastric ESD performed by less-experienced endoscopists between January 2015 and December 2020. Gastric ESD was performed without DFC in all cases before December 2017 [DFC (-) group, 376 cases], and ESD was performed with DFC in all cases after January 2018 [DFC (+) group, 436 cases]. The procedure time and rates of en bloc resection, complete resection, and adverse events of the groups were compared. Results: The procedure time did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. However, when comparing lesions >20 mm, the procedure time in the DFC (+) group was significantly shorter than that in the DFC (-) group (95±46 vs. 75±31, P<0.01). The procedure time for lesions located in the greater curvature of the upper or middle stomach and lesions >20 mm located in the lesser curvature side of the stomach in the DFC (+) group was significantly shorter than that in the DFC (-) group. Conclusions: The indications for DFC during gastric ESD by less-experienced endoscopists include lesions located in the greater curvature of the upper or middle stomach, and lesions >20 mm located in the lesser curvature of the stomach.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Multiple white and flat elevated lesions (MWFL) that develop from the gastric corpus to the fornix may be strongly associated with oral antacid intake. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between the occurrence of MWFL and oral proton pump inhibitor (PPI) intake and clarify the endoscopic and clinicopathological characteristics of MWFL. Methods: The study included 163 patients. The history of oral drug intake was collected, and serum gastrin levels and anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G antibody titers were measured. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. The primary study endpoint was the association between MWFL and oral PPI intake. Results: In the univariate analyses, MWFL were observed in 35 (49.3%) of 71 patients who received oral PPIs and 10 (10.9%) of 92 patients who did not receive oral PPIs. The occurrence of MWFL was significantly higher among patients who received PPIs than in those who did not (p<0.001). Moreover, the occurrence of MWFL was significantly higher in patients with hypergastrinemia (p=0.005). In the multivariate analyses, oral PPI intake was the only significant independent factor associated with the presence of MWFL (p=0.001; odds ratio, 5.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.06-16.2). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that oral PPI intake is associated with the presence of MWFL (UMINCTR 000030144).

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.141-157
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• 2024

Antithrombotic agents, including antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, are widely used in Korea because of the increasing incidence of cardiocerebrovascular disease and the aging population. The management of patients using antithrombotic agents during endoscopic procedures is an important clinical challenge. The clinical practice guidelines for this issue, developed by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, were published in 2020. However, new evidence on the use of dual antiplatelet therapy and direct anticoagulant management has emerged, and revised guidelines have been issued in the United States and Europe. Accordingly, the previous guidelines were revised. Cardiologists were part of the group that developed the guideline, and the recommendations went through a consensus-reaching process among international experts. This guideline presents 14 recommendations made based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and was reviewed by multidisciplinary experts. These guidelines provide useful information that can assist endoscopists in the management of patients receiving antithrombotic agents who require diagnostic and elective therapeutic endoscopy. It will be revised as necessary to cover changes in technology, evidence, or other aspects of clinical practice.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.80-84
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• 1999

Dieulafoy's disease, a vascular anomaly mainly in the upper stomach, is a rare but potentially life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Pathogenesis is still controversial, but the most accepted theory is that a persistent caliber vessel in the submucosa is exposed by a small mucosal erosion leading to massive bleeding. The bleeding site is usually within 6 cm of the esophagogastric junction in the cardia or fundus of the stomach. The treatment of choice is therapeutic endoscopy or surgery. The age of patients reported is mainly between 50 and 70 years, and patients of pediatric age are extremely rare. We are reporting a 5-year-old male patient who had Dieulafoy's disease which was diagnosed by emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Endoscopic finding was a nodular lesion with an adherent clot on the lessor curvature of the stomach 2 cm below the esophagogastric junction. Epinephrine and $Beriplast^{(R)}$ was injected in the lesion. On the second day after endoscopic sclerotherapy, the patient had recurred massive hematemesis and accompanying shock. So we performed gastrotomy and ligation. After the operation, he showed an improved general condition and was discharged at the 12th hospital day.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2009

Purpose: Though caustic injury of the upper digestive tract can lead to severe sequelae, there are few clinical studies on this subject. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical characteristics, the endoscopic findings and the risk factors of the upper digestive lesions in patient with caustic ingestion injury. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 137 patients who ingested caustic materials and who visited to our emergency room from January, 2000 to June, 2009. Results: The most common ingested agent was sodium hypochlorite (44.5%), followed by acetic acid (19.7%), hydrochloric acid (11.7%) and lye (8.0%). Ingestion for suicidal attempt (62.0%) was more frequent than accidental ingestion (30.7%). Grade IIa injury was the most frequent finding on endoscopy of the esophagus and Grade 1 injury was the most frequent finding on endoscopy of the stomach. For the late sequelae, there were 9 cases (6.6%) of esophageal stricture and 2 cases (1.5%) of gastric outlet obstruction. The initial signs and symptoms did not correlate with the development of stricture, but leukocytosis, and grade III injury were related to the risk of developing stricture. Conclusion: Caustic injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract is frequently observed on early endoscopy and it can cause significant late sequelae such as stricture. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate these patients with regular follow up endoscopic examinations for the management of late sequelae.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.401-407
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• 2022

Background/Aims: Surgeons and endoscopists have started to use endoscopically inserted double pigtail stents (DPTs) in the management of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) leaks, including UGI anastomotic leaks. We investigated our own experiences in this patient population. Methods: From March 2017 to June 2020, 12 patients had endoscopic internal drainage of a radiologically proven anastomotic leak after UGI surgery in two tertiary UGI centers. The primary outcome measure was the time to removal of the DPTs after anastomotic healing. The secondary outcome measure was early oral feeding after DPT insertion. Results: Eight of the 12 patients (67%) required only one DPT, whereas four (33%) required two DPTs. The median duration of drainage was 42 days. Two patients required surgery due to inadequate control of sepsis. Of the remaining 10 patients, nine did not require a change in DPT before anastomotic healing. Nine patients were allowed oral fluids within the 1st week and a soft diet in the 2nd week. One patient was allowed clear oral feeds on the 8th day after DPT insertion. Conclusions: Endoscopic internal drainage is becoming an established minimally invasive technique for controlling anastomotic leak after UGI surgery. It allows for early oral nutritional feeding and minimizes discomfort from conventional external drainage.

• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.204-208
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• 2018

Spontaneous intramural hematoma is a rare complication of oral anticoagulants, and its incidence is expected to increase because of the increasing number of elderly patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy. Clinical manifestations of spontaneous intramural hematoma vary from mild abdominal pain to intestinal obstruction or acute abdomen. Early diagnosis is important because most patients can be treated successfully without surgery. The role of endoscopy in the diagnosis of intramural hematoma is not well established because almost all cases are diagnosed non-invasively with computed tomography scans. However, confirmation of the intramural hematoma through direct visualization of the involved bowel mucosa is helpful, if the imaging diagnosis is uncertain. We report a case of anticoagulant-induced spontaneous intramural hematoma, which was diagnosed using endoscopy, with relevant literature review.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.537-545
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• 2023

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder characterized by impaired lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and peristalsis of the esophageal body. With the increasing prevalence of achalasia, interest in the role of endoscopy in its diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring is also growing. The major diagnostic modalities for achalasia include high-resolution manometry, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and barium esophagography. Endoscopic assessment is important for early diagnosis to rule out diseases that mimic achalasia symptoms, such as pseudo-achalasia, esophageal cancer, esophageal webs, and eosinophilic esophagitis. The major endoscopic characteristics suggestive of achalasia include a widened esophageal lumen and food residue in the esophagus. Once diagnosed, achalasia can be treated either endoscopically or surgically. The preference for endoscopic treatment is increasing owing to its minimal invasiveness. Botulinum toxins, pneumatic balloon dilation, and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) are important endoscopic treatments. Previous studies have demonstrated excellent treatment outcomes for POEM, with >95% improvement in dysphagia, making POEM the mainstay treatment option for achalasia. Several studies have reported an increased risk of esophageal cancer in patients with achalasia. However, routine endoscopic surveillance remains controversial owing to the lack of sufficient data. Further studies on surveillance methods and duration are warranted to establish concordant guidelines for the endoscopic surveillance of achalasia.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.507-515
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• 2022

Background/Aims: Metastases of malignant melanoma (MM) are rare and associated with poor prognosis. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of gastric metastases of MM by systematically reviewing cases and case series involving patients diagnosed using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods: The PubMed and LILACS databases were searched. Reports containing individual patient data were included. Outcomes such as clinical data, endoscopic findings, treatments, and survival were analyzed. Results: A total of 88 studies with individual data from 113 patients with gastric metastases of MM were included. The primary sites of MM were the skin (62%), eyes (10%), and mucous membranes (6%). Most patients (56%) had multiple metastases in the stomach, located predominantly in the gastric body (approximately 80%). The overall survival rate at 2 years was 4%. There was a significant reduction in the survival of patients with multiple gastric metastases compared to that of patients with single metastasis (hazard ratio, 0.459; 95% confidence interval, 0.235-0.895; p=0.022). Conclusions: Gastric metastases of MM have a poor prognosis, especially in patients with multiple implants in the stomach. Additional studies are needed to verify whether ocular and mucosal melanomas are associated with a higher risk of gastric metastases than that of cutaneous melanomas.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.489-495
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• 2022

An appropriate post-polypectomy surveillance program requires the effectiveness of reducing colorectal cancer and safety. In addition, the post-polypectomy surveillance program should consider the burden of limited medical resource capacity, cost-effectiveness, and patient adherence. In this sense, a risk-stratified surveillance program based on baseline colonoscopy results is ideal. Major international guidelines for post-polypectomy surveillance, such as those from the European Union and the United States, have recommended risk-stratified surveillance programs. Both guidelines have recently been updated to better differentiate between high- and low-risk individuals. In both updated guidelines, more individuals have been downgraded to lower-risk groups that require less frequent or no surveillance. Furthermore, increased attention has been paid to the surveillance of patients who undergo serrated polyp removal. Previous guidelines in Japan did not clearly outline the risk stratification in post-polypectomy surveillance. However, the new colonoscopy screening and surveillance guidelines presented by the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society include a risk-stratified post-polectomy surveillance program. Further discussion and analysis of unresolved issues in this field, such as the optimal follow-up after the first surveillance, the upper age limit for surveillance, and the ideal method for improving adherence to surveillance guidelines, are warranted.