No abstract available.
Churg-Strauss Syndrome* ; Cyclophosphamide*

In the initial genetic studies about pancreatitis in Korea, gene mutations were thought to be rare. However, the recent findings of PRSS1, SPINK1, and CFTR mutations in patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis or inherited cases of chronic pancreatitis are much more common than originally predicted. Therefore, it is important to identify underlying genetic background in idiopathic chronic pancreatitis to avoid progression and development of complications. In addition, concentrated and strict follow-up must be given to the patients because of very high risk of pancreatic cancer. However, it is also true that studies about genetics in pancreatitis were not enough to compare with Western studies. Accordingly, further large scale studies are necessary to find other unknown possible genes that could be related to the chronic and hereditary pancreatitis.
Genetics* ; Humans ; Korea ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Pancreatitis* ; Pancreatitis, Chronic

Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PV-IVH)is one of the most important neurologic lesion of the low birth weight infants. Serial neurosonographic exeaminations were performed in 113 low birth weight infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Presbyterian Medical Center from November 1, 1990to July 31, 1991. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The incidence of PV-IVH in the study was 54% 2) According to Papile's grading system of PV-IVH, grade I was 32.8%, grade II was 45.9%, grade IIIwas 11.5% and grade IV was 9.8%. 3) The onset of PV-IVH was within the first 7 days of life in 82%. 4) Poor activity, apnea, bradycardia and hypotension were statistically significant clinical findings associated with PV-IVH(P<0.05). 5) The risk factors associated with PV-IVH were gestational age, birth weight, hyaling membrane disease, patent ductus arteriosus and artifical ventilation. 6) The mortality of PV-IVH was 0% for grade I, 10.7% for grade II,42.9% for grade III and 83.3% for gradeIV.
Apnea ; Birth Weight ; Bradycardia ; Diagnosis* ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Membranes ; Mortality ; Protestantism ; Risk Factors ; Ventilation

Cholangiocarcinoma is a devastating cancer originating from the epithelial cell lining of the bile duct, whose prognosis is poor due to suboptimal response to therapy despite the fact that the incidence is increasing. Hence surgery still remains the only curative treatment option for cholangiocarcinoma. Recent investigations into the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms in biliary carcinogenesis and tumor growth, may illuminate new therapeutic modalities and suggest some new serum and bile markers that could be useful for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in cholangiocarcinoma and the role of new tumor makers for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.
Bile ; Bile Ducts ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Epithelial Cells ; Incidence ; Prognosis ; Biomarkers, Tumor

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. Despite the availability of newer and better antineoplastic combinations, the 5-year survival rate for all stages of pancreatic cancer remains only 6%. Palliative care represents an important aspect of care in patient with pancreatic cancer. Thus, optimal palliation of symptoms to maximize remaining quality of life is of primary importance to most patients. This review discusses highlights the most significant problems faced when caring for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Common problems include pain, pancreatic insufficiency, anorexia-cachexia and depression. To provide optimal and meaningful supportive care for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer is complex and requires ongoing close monitoring of the physical and emotional aspects of the patient. Prompt management of the many symptoms and problems associated with pancreatic cancer is essential to minimize distress and improve quality of life for patients with this fatal disease. Recognizing end-of-life concerns and patient preferences during the dying process helps clinicians find ways to alleviate suffering for patients and families.
Depression ; Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Patient Preference ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate

The Education Board of Korean Society of Gastroenterology (KSG) has three missions: 1) to meet the needs of KSG members, 2) to provide educational opportunities for future members (fellows), and 3) to train world-class experts using latest knowledge. To achieve these objectives, the ‘Education Board’: 1) updates guidelines and provides academic information to KSG members, 2) provides quality education and training for gastroenterology fellows, and 3) offers opportunities to young gastroenterologists to participate in overseas training programs, such as the American Gastroenterology Association, Clinical Observation and Research Education program.
Education ; Fellowships and Scholarships ; Gastroenterology ; Religious Missions

EUS currently plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases. In addition, EUS-guided sampling has been applied to pancreaticobiliary lesions for the accurate diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary lesions. Many new instruments and studies for EUS-guided sampling are being developed and attempted. This review introduces and summarizes the key recommendations made in the recent guideline for EUS-guided sampling developed by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Biliary Tract ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Pancreas ; Ultrasonography

EUS currently plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases. In addition, EUS-guided sampling has been applied to pancreaticobiliary lesions for the accurate diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary lesions. Many new instruments and studies for EUS-guided sampling are being developed and attempted. This review introduces and summarizes the key recommendations made in the recent guideline for EUS-guided sampling developed by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Biliary Tract ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Pancreas ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) is one of the most widely used therapeutic procedures in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. However, acute closure and late restenosis remain a major limitation of PTCA despite extensive efforts to prevent. Coronary artery stents have been proposed as a treatment modality for acute closure and restenosis. We evaluated the initial success rate, complications, the restenosis rate, and the clinical outcomes after coronary artery stenting. METHODS: We implanted 56 stents(Palmaz-Schatz(PS) stent : 38 ; #3.0-14, #3.5-7, #4.0-17, Gianturco-Roubin(GR) stent : 18 ; #2.5-4, #3.0-10, #3.5-1, #4.0-3) in 51 patients(male : 40, mean age : 58+/-1 year). The clinical characteristics of the subjects were unstable angina in 26(51%), stable angina in 2, and myocardial infarction in 23(45%) patients(acute : 18). Follow-up angiography was done at a mean duration of 5.4 month(1-12) after coronary stenting for 34 lesions(61%) of 30 patients. RESULTS: 1) The indications of stenting(n=56) were De novo in 33(59%), bailout procedure in 15(27%), suboptimal result after PTCA in 6, and restenosis after PTCA in 2 stents. The location of lesions were LAD in 24, RCA in 27, and circumflex artery in 5 lesions. Angiographic morphologic characteristics were type B in 38(BI : 3, B2 : 35) and type C in 18 lesions. 2) The angiographic and clinical success rate was 96%(54/56) and 94%(52/56). There were no significant difference in stent modality, lesion site and morphology, and indication of stent. 3) Procedural complications were 1 acute closure which was recanalized by emergency coronary artery bypass graft(CABG), 1 death with subacute closure, 2 dissection, and 5 hemorrhages requiring transfusion. 4) The overall restenosis rate was 26%(9/34). The restenosis rate was reduced significantly in PS stent[PS : 9%(2/22) vs GR : 58%(7/12), P < 0.05], > or =3.5mm of stent size[> or =3.5mm : 6%(1/18) vs 3.5mm : 50%(8/16), p < 0305], and high pressure ballooning group(poststenting adjunct balloon dilation pressure > 12atm) [High pressure(+) : 7%(1/14) vs High pressure(-) : 40%(8/20), p<0.05]. 5) The restenosis sites were managed with re-PTCA in 4, elective CABG in 1, and medical follow-up in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: Coronary stenting is an effective and safe procedure for the management of coronary artery disease. The PS stent and GR stent are considered as a safe means for bail-out, and the PS stent can reduces the restenosis rate especially.
Angina, Stable ; Angina, Unstable ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stents*

BACKGROUND: The endothelium is an important regulator of vascular tone via release of relaxing and constricting substances. The regulatory effect of the endothelium has been shown to be impaired in atherosclerotic arteries in human and animal models of hypertension. But there are some debates on extent and developing time of endothelium dysfunction in patients with hypertension, and the determining factors for endothelium dysfunction also were not defined. The objects of this study are to determine whether endothelial function is impaired in coronary and peripheral arteries, and to investigate the predicting factors for endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: The study patients comprised 14 patients with essential hypertension(M : 7, Mean age : 50+/-2 year) and 6 normal control (M :2, Mean age : 45+/-4 year). We assessed the vasomotor response to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin by change of arterial diameter during the infusion of acetylcholine, from 10(-9M) to 10(-6M) in coronary artery and 7.5, 15, and 25ug/min in left superficial femoral artery, and on intracoronary injection of 200ug nitroglycerin after acetylcholine infusion. RESULTS: 1) There were no significant differences in sex, age, body mass index and ventricular mass index, except systolic(174+/-5 vs 118+/-7mmHg, p<0.001) and distolic blood pressure(106+/-5 vs 75+/-5mmHg,p<0.001) between patients with hypertension and normal control. 2) There were no significant differences in laboratory date of total cholesterol, HDL-cho-lesterol, lipoprotein(a), microaluminuria and von-Willebrand Factor but Fibrinogen level was raised significantly in patients with hypertension than normal control(299+/-26 vs 192+/-23ng/dl, p=0.04). 3) The vasoconstrictor response to acetylcholine, 10-8 to 10-6 M concentration, at proximal, mid, and distal left anterior descending coronary artery were increased significantly in hypertensive patients than normal control(p<0.05). At rest superficial femoral artery, the vasodilator response to acetylcholine, only 25ug/min, was decreased in patients with hypertension(p<0.05). There was no signficant difference in the vasodilator response to nitroglycerin at coronary artery between two groups but in superficial femoral artery, the vasodilator response to nitroglycerin was decreased significantly in hypertensive patients(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that endothelium dependent vascular relaxation is impaired in both coronary and superificial femoral artery and it remained to be investigated the predicting factors for endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension.
Acetylcholine ; Arteries ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Vessels ; Endothelium ; Femoral Artery ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Models, Animal ; Nitroglycerin ; Relaxation