• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7831-7836
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to assess the general knowledge of CRC in individuals living in Rasht, Iran, using a population-based cross-sectional telephone survey. Materials and Methods: A total of 1557 participants between 18 and 80 years of age were interviewed using random sampling from the telephone directory. Knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention of CRC was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results: The mean knowledge level of the 1,557 respondents (average age 46 y) was $13.5{\pm}4.29$ (maximum possible score = 26), and 46.4% (722/1,557) of the subjects achieved grades lower than the mean score. The mean scores for knowledge of symptoms and risk factors were $3.97{\pm}1.83$ (range: 0-7) and $5.17{\pm}1.65$ (range: 0-9), respectively. Older age, higher education, and employment were significantly associated with better scores for recognition of risk factors and warning symptoms. The majority of subjects correctly identified weight loss (70.2%; 1,093/1,557) and rectal bleeding (63.3%; 986/1,557) as symptoms of CRC, and that smoking (85.9%; 1,337/1,557) and a low-fiber diet (73.4%; 1,143/1,557) were risk factors. Approximately half of the subjects noted increasing age, genetic background and fried food as other risk factors. A considerable number (54.8%; 853/1,557) identified colonoscopy as a screening method for detecting CRC in asymptomatic patients. However, a third of the subjects in the target group for screening (${\geq}50y$) were not interested in undergoing screening, primarily due to a lack of symptoms. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the knowledge of CRC is poor among the public, and therefore greater attempts should be made to increase awareness. Public education emphasizing the risk factors and symptoms of CRC, as well as the importance of regular screening regardless of the presence of symptoms, may help to reduce CRC morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

Most of the cholesterol is synthesized by liver in the body while about one of third is taken via dietary. The main functions of cholesterol is to protect membranes in cell surface, avoid the arterial bleeding by hypertension, and prolong the life of erythrocytes, and so on. However, overload of cholesterol leads to arteriosclerosis associated with leading death cause. Lack of physical activity, emotional and environmental stress, and low intake of protein or vitamin E induce the unbalance between HDL- and LDL-cholesterol so become a basis of ischemic disorders in heart, brain and elsewhere in the body. So far, four major classes of medications for hyperlipidemia are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid, and fibric acids. The statins can lower LDL and levels triglyceride, but may induce myopathy and an elevation of liver enzyme levels. The bile acid sequestrants lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels with no effect on triglyceride levels but side effects of gastrointestinal (GI) distress, constipation, and a decrease in the absorption of other drugs. Nicotinic acid and fibric acids lower LDL and triglyceride levels with showing flushing, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, GI distress, and hepatotoxicity dyspepsia, gallstones, myopathy, and unexplained noncardiac death as adverse effects. Above western drugs lower cholesterol by 15 to 30% while all have notable adverse effects. In traditional medicine, hyperlipidemia is regarded as retention of phlegm and fluid disease. Etiology and pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia is basically based on Spleen-Deficiency and Phlegm-Stagnation, accumulation and stasis of -heat, and Qi & blood stagnation induced by Phlegm-damp, water-dampness, and blood stasis. Thereby, strengthening Spleen and dissolving Phlegm, clearing away heat and diuresis, and supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation are commonly used therapeutic methods for hyperlipidemia. The traditional herbal medicine, have been used for patients with CVA, hypertension or hyperlipidemia in Oriental hospital or Oriental clinic. The lock and key theory is used to develop most of western medicine, however many diseases are caused by mixed factors in body-complex system. We expect that Oriental pharmacological theory could be newborn as a novel drug showing high advantage of blood levels of lipidsand QOL of performance without side effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1259-1267
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• 2019

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report the effect of Korean medicine treatments on an elderly patient with acute hematochezia and anemia Case presentation: An 81-year-old female with chronic multifocal middle cerebral artery infarction had symptoms of acute hematochezia and anemia. Method: The patient was treated with Korean medicine therapy. Results: Treatment with Korean medicine, including herbal medicine, significantly improved the patient's symptoms. After treatment, her hematochezia was improved and the results of a complete blood count (CBC) also improved. No side effects were observed during treatment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment can be considered an effective treatment for acute hematochezia and anemia in an elderly patient.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.466-472
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• 2002

Purpose : The diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum is difficult and delayed because it presents with various clinical symptoms. We evaluated clinical, imaging and pathologic findings of Meckel's diverticulum to facilitate detection of Meckel's diverticulum in children. Methods : Review of clinical, imaging, surgical and pathological findings in 10 children aged 7 days to 14 years with Meckel's diverticulum during an 8-year period, 1993-2001, at Ewha Womans University Hospital was undertaken. Results : The male to female ratio was 2.3 : 1. The chief complaint was painless lower gastrointestinal( GI) bleeding; others were abdominal pain, abdominal distention and vomiting, in order of frequency. The diagonsis before surgery were Meckel's diverticulum in 5 patients, non-reducible intussusception in 3 patients and intestinal obstruction in 2 patients. The diverticulum was located between 35 cm to 70 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The length of the diverticulum ranged from 4 cm to 12 cm and 80% of it was within 5 cm. A Meckel scan($^{99m}Tc-pertechnetate$ scintigraphy) after cimetidine administration was done in 6 cases. All 5 cases that presented with lower GI bleeding had ectopic gastric mucosa confirmed on pathology. Out of 5 cases of ectopic gastric mucosa, only 4 cases were positive on the Meckel's scan. Conclusion : In cases of unexplained GI bleeding, obstruction, or inflammation diagnostic workup should be carried out to rule out Meckel's diverticulum. Laparoscopy, high resolution ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen may be indicated in the assessment of pediatric patient with lower GI bleeding, especially in patients with suspected bleeding from Meckel's diverticulum showing negative Meckel's scan.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2013

Purpose: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) has various clinical manifestations, and diagnosis or selectection of proper diagnostic tools is not easy. This study was conducted in order to assess the clinical differences of MD diagnosed by scintigraphic and non-scintigraphic methods and to find the proper diagnostic tools. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review ofthe clinical, surgical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of 34 children with symptomatic MD, who were admitted to Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Inha University Hospital, and The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital between January 2000 and December 2012. The patients were evaluated according to scintigraphic (12 cases; group 1) and non-scintigraphic (22 cases; group 2) diagnosis. Results: The male to female ratio was 7.5: 1. The most frequent chief complaint was lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in group 1 and nonspecific abdominal pain in group 2, respectively. The most frequent pre-operative diagnosis was MD in both groups. Red blood cell (RBC) index was significantly lower in group 1. MD was located at 7 cm to 85 cm from the ileocecal valve. Four patients in group 1 had ectopic gastric tissues causing lower GI bleeding. The most frequent treatment modality was diverticulectomy in group 1 and ileal resection in group 2, respectively. Conclusion: To diagnose MD might be delayed unless proper diagnostic tools are considered. It is important to understand indications of scintigraphic and non-scintigraphic methods according to clinical and hematologic features of MD. Scintigraphy would be weighed in patients with anemia as well as GI symptoms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1803-1806
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• 2014

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was originally developed for en bloc resection of large, flat gastrointestinal lesions. Compared with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), ESD is considered to be more time consuming and have more complications for treatment of early esophageal carcinoma, such as bleeding, stenosis and perforation. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ESD and EMR for such lesions. We searched databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Science Citation Index updated to 2013 for related trials. In the meta-analysis, the main outcome measurements were the en bloc resection rate, the histologically resection rate and the local recurrence rate. We also compared the operation time and the incidences of procedure-related complications. Five trials were identified, and a total of 710 patients and 795 lesions were included. The en bloc and histologically complete resection rates were higher in the ESD group compared with the EMR group (odds ratio (OR) 27.3; 95% CI, 11.5-64.8; OR 18.4; 95% CI, 8.82-38.59). The local recurrence rate was lower in the ESD group (OR 0.13, 95 % CI 0.04-0.43). The meta-analysis also showed ESD was more time consuming, but did not increase the complication rate (P=0.76). The results implied that compared with EMR, ESD showed better en bloc and histologically resection rates, and lower local recurrence, without increasing the incidence of procedure-related complications in the treatment of early esophageal carcinoma.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of our study was to establish a safe and convenient diagnostic method for acute gastrointestinal (GI) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in children by determining the sensitivity and negative predictive values of upper and lower endoscopic biopsies for children suspected of GI GVHD. Methods: Patients suspected of GI GVHD who received endoscopic evaluation within 100 days after stem cell transplantation and endoscopies between January 2012 and March 2014 in Seoul National University Children's Hospital were included in our study. Results: Fifteen patients with a total of 20 endoscopic procedures were included in our study. Sensitivity at the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were 22.2%, 30.0%, and 80.0%, respectively. Negative predictive values at the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were 22.2%, 30.0%, and 60.0%, respectively. Overall sensitivity and negative predictive values of upper endoscopic biopsy for GVHD were 77.8% and 50.0%, respectively. Overall sensitivity and negative predictive values of lower endoscopic biopsy for GVHD were 88.9% and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: We recommend flexible sigmoidoscopy as a safe and accurate diagnostic tool for GVHD, similar to other studies reported previously. However, if there is no evidence of GVHD on sigmoidoscopy with high index of suspicion of GI bleeding, full colonoscopy and upper endoscopy should be considered.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2006

Purpose: The proper diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is difficult and delayed because of the variety of clinical manifestations. We reviewed clinical characteristics of symptomatic MD to facilitate early detection. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical manifestations, diagnostic tools, histopathological findings, and operative findings in 58 patients with symptomatic MD. Results: The male to female ratio was 2.8 : 1. The most common symptom of MD was bleeding. Others symptoms included: vomiting, abdominal pain, irritability, abdominal distension and fever in the order of frequency. The clinical manifestations of symptomatic MD were lower gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, perforation, diverticulitis and hemoperitoneum, in the order of frequency. The causes of intestinal obstruction were intussusception, internal hernia, band, volvulus, invagination, in the order of frequency. Seventy five percent of patient with MD were diagnosed prior to 5 years of age. The most frequently used diagnostic tool was the Meckel's scan. The diverticulum was located 2 cm to 120 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The length of the diverticulum ranged from 1 cm to 10 cm and 94% were less than 5 cm. The most common ectopic tissue found in the MD was gastric mucosa. Ileal resection was more frequently performed than diverticulectomy. Conclusion: In cases of unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction and repeated intussusception, the meckel's scan, ultrasound and computed tomography shoud be considered to rule out MD, and if clinically necessary, an exploratory laparotomy when needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.324-328
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• 1998

Esophageal hemangioma is an extremely rare benign tumor that causes dysphagia and massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Although certain abnormalities seen on a barium swallow esophagography or at endoscopy may suggest an esophageal hemangioma, a contrast CT and radionuclide angiography using a blood-pool radiopharmaceutical can characterize the intense vascularity of the tumor. We experienced the ase of a 7$\times$7$\times$3.5 cm in size giant cavernous hemangioma of the lower 1/3 of esophagus in a 40 year old man. A mural cavernous hemangioma was diagnosed with a barium swallowed esophagogaphy, endoscopy, and a contrast CT. It was treated successfully by transthoracic esophagectomy including the tumor and esophagogastrostomy.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.364-374
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) using a 19-gauge needle is an efficient sampling method for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. This study compared 19-gauge conventional and Franseen needles for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy and classification of malignant lymphoma (ML). Methods: Patient characteristics, number of needle passes, puncture route, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of cytology/histology for lymphadenopathy were analyzed in patients diagnosed with lymphadenopathy by EUS-FNA using conventional or Franseen needles. Results: Between 2012 and 2022, 146 patients met the inclusion criteria (conventional [n=70] and Franseen [n=76]). The median number of needle passes was significantly lower in the conventional group than in the Franseen group (3 [1-6] vs. 4 [1-6], p=0.023). There were no significant differences in cytological/ histological diagnoses between the two groups. For ML, the immunohistochemical evaluation rate, sensitivity of flow cytometry, and cytogenetic assessment were not significantly different in either group. Bleeding as adverse events (AEs) were observed in three patients in the Franseen group. Conclusions: Both the 19-gauge conventional and Franseen needles showed high accuracy in lymphadenopathy and ML classification. Considering sufficient tissue collection and the avoidance of AEs, the use of 19-gauge conventional needles seems to be a good option for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy.