Fasciola hepatica infection may result in biliary obstruction with or without cholangitis in the chronic biliary phase. Because clinical symptoms and signs of F. hepatica are similar to other biliary diseases that cause bile duct obstruction, such as stones or bile duct malignancies, that are, in fact, more common, this condition may not be suspected and diagnosis may be overlooked and delayed. Patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasonography for the evaluation of bile duct obstruction may be incidentally detected with the worm, and diagnosis can be confirmed by extraction of the leaf-like trematode from the bile duct. Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) can provide high-resolution cross-sectional images of the bile duct, and is useful in evaluating indeterminate biliary diseases. We present a case of biliary fascioliasis that was diagnosed using IDUS and managed endoscopically in a patient with acute cholangitis.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis* ; Cholestasis ; Diagnosis ; Endosonography ; Fasciola hepatica ; Fascioliasis* ; Humans ; Ranunculaceae ; Ultrasonography*

When patients present with malignant cologastric fistulas, the tumor stage is often advanced and management is only palliative. We report the case of a 75-year-old man with a symptomatic cologastric fistula arising from an advanced tumor in the transverse colon, previously stented owing to malignant obstruction. An 8-cm-long covered self-expanding metal stent (COMVI enteral colonic stent; Taewoong Medical) was placed inside the primary stent, which sealed the fistula and completely alleviated the symptoms. Considering the successful outcome, we propose that insertion of a covered stent be considered in the palliative management of patients with malignant cologastric fistulas.
Aged ; Colon ; Colon, Transverse ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Stents*

Colonic perforation may occur as a complication of diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy. The risk factors for perforation after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) include an inexperienced endoscopist, a large tumor size, and submucosal fibrosis. The mechanisms of perforation include unintended endoscopic resection/dissection and severe thermal injury. Here, we report a case of colon perforation that occurred after ESD with snaring of a laterally spreading tumor. The perforation was completely unexpected because there were no colorectal ESD-associated risk factors for perforation, deep dissection, or severe coagulation injury in our patient.
Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; SNARE Proteins*

Pneumoperitoneum caused by acute gastric dilatation (AGD) is a very rare complication. We report a case of pneumoperitoneum and acute pulmonary edema caused by AGD in a patient with Parkinson's disease. A 78-year-old woman presented with pneumonia and AGD. We inserted a nasogastric tube and administered empirical antibiotics. We performed an endoscopy, and perforation or necrosis of the stomach and pyloric stenosis were not observed. Thirty-six hours after admission, the patient suddenly developed dyspnea and shock, and eventually died. We suspected the cause of death was pneumoperitoneum and acute pulmonary edema caused by AGD during the conservative treatment period. Immunocompromised patients with chronic illness require close observation even if they do not show any symptoms suggestive of complications. Even if the initial endoscopic or abdominal radiologic findings do not show gastric necrosis or perforation, follow-up with endoscopy is essential to recognize complications of AGD early.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cause of Death ; Chronic Disease ; Dyspnea ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Dilatation* ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Necrosis ; Parkinson Disease ; Pneumonia ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Pyloric Stenosis ; Shock ; Stomach

A 50-year-old woman had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placed after surgery for pharyngeal cancer. After 21 months, the PEG tube was removed due to improvement of per-oral ingestion. She had taken prednisolone for 31 years for systemic lupus erythematosus. The post-PEG fistula did not close spontaneously. The cause of the fistula was slow wound healing and gastrostomy site inflammation due to long-term steroid therapy. We were able to close the fistula with an over-the-scope clipping (OTSC) system. This case suggests that OTSC is useful for closing persistent post-PEG fistulas in patients receiving long-term prednisolone therapy.
Eating ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Fistula* ; Gastrostomy* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Middle Aged ; Pharyngeal Neoplasms ; Prednisolone ; Steroids ; Wound Healing

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is very rare disorder that is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract in the absence of any definite causes of eosinophilia. It is associated with various clinical gastrointestinal manifestations, and depends on the involved layer and site. We report a case of eosinophilic gastritis presenting with severe necrosis. The symptoms disappeared immediately after beginning steroid treatment, and the eosinophil count decreased to the reference range. The patient showed eosinophilic gastritis characterized by necrotic change such as necrotizing gastritis. It is a unique presentation of eosinophilic gastritis. To the best of our knowledge, no case of eosinophilic gastritis characterized by necrotic change such as necrotizing gastritis has been previously reported in Korea.
Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Gastritis* ; Gastroenteritis ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Korea ; Necrosis* ; Reference Values

We report two cases of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for recurrent or residual esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) lesions after chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer. Case 1 involved a 64-year-old man who had previously undergone chemoradiotherapy for advanced ESCC and achieved a complete response (CR) for 22 months, until metachronous recurrent superficial ESCC was detected on follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We performed ESD and found no evidence of recurrence for 24 months. Case 2 involved a 59-year-old man who had previously undergone chemoradiotherapy for advanced ESCC. He responded favorably to treatment, and most of the tumor had disappeared on follow-up EGD 4 months later. However, there were two residual superficial esophageal lugol-voiding lesions. We performed ESD, and he had a CR for 32 months thereafter. ESD can be considered a viable treatment option for recurrent or residual superficial ESCC after chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence

Due to differences in prognosis and management, it is important to subclassify esophageal carcinoma. Esophageal lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported to date. Review of the literature revealed case reports describing lesions with similar histology. We present a 69-year-old man with a giant pedunculated-polypoid lesion of the esophagus shrinking the lumen. Endoscopic excision of the tumor was performed and final histopathological diagnosis was confirmed to be LELC. In contrast to a previous case with a more aggressive course and a recurrent lesion, our patient died of his disease within 8 months of diagnosis. Here we discuss the endoscopic and radiologic findings of the case and a review of the literature.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of double endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) as a new method of draining multiple bile duct obstructions. METHODS: A total of 38 patients who underwent double ENBD between January 2004 and February 2010 at the Asan Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed. We evaluated indications, laboratory results, and the clinical course. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients who underwent double ENBD, 20 (52.6%) had Klatskin tumors, 12 (31.6%) had hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 (7.9%) had strictures at the anastomotic site following liver transplantation, and 3 (7.9%) had acute cholecystitis combined with cholangitis. Double ENBD was performed to relieve multiple biliary obstruction in 21 patients (55.1%), drain contrast agent filled during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 4 (10.5%), obtain cholangiography in 4 (10.5%), drain hemobilia in 3 (7.9%), relieve Mirizzi syndrome with cholangitis in 3 (7.9%), and relieve jaundice in 3 (7.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Double ENBD may be useful in patients with multiple biliary obstructions.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cholangiography ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Cholestasis ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage* ; Hemobilia ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Klatskin's Tumor ; Liver Transplantation ; Mirizzi Syndrome ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) is an accepted method in the management of variceal bleeding; however, there is little evidence on the safety and feasibility of EBL for the closure of bowel perforation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of EBL in iatrogenic colon perforation by using a canine model. METHODS: We established an iatrogenic colon perforation model by using seven beagle dogs. Longitudinal 1.5- to 1.7-cm colon perforations were created with a needle knife and an insulated-tip knife, and the perforation was subsequently closed with EBL. During a 2-week follow-up period, the animals were carefully monitored and then euthanized for pathologic examination. RESULTS: The EBL of iatrogenic colon perforations was successful in all dogs. The mean procedure time for EBL closure with one to three bands was 191.7 seconds, and there were no immediate complications. One animal was euthanized after 3 days because of peritonitis. There were no clinical and laboratory features of sepsis or peritonitis in the remaining six animals. On necropsy, we did not find any fecal peritonitis, pericolonic abscess formation, or transmural dehiscence at the perforation site. Histopathology demonstrated inflamed granulation tissue and scar lesions replaced by fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: EBL might be a feasible and safe method for the management of iatrogenic colon perforations in an in vivo model.
Abscess ; Animals ; Cicatrix ; Colon* ; Dogs ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulation Tissue ; Ligation* ; Needles ; Peritonitis ; Sepsis