Dysphagia aortica is a rare condition defined by difficulty in swallowing and is caused by extrinsic compression of the esophagus due to an ectatic, tortuous, or aneurysmatic atherosclerotic thoracic aorta. It is easy to miss the diagnosis if the clinician does not consider the possibility of dysphagia caused by a thoracic aortic aneurysm. We present the case of an 82-year-old man who developed dysphagia aortica associated with a large thoracic aortic aneurysm. Extrinsic compression of the esophagus caused by an enlarged thoracic aorta was seen on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, barium esophagogram, and chest computed tomography. With dietary modifications, his symptoms of dysphagia gradually improved.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Barium ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophagus ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Thorax

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular (LV) filling pressure can be estimated using echocardiographic measurements, including the ratio of transmitral early peak flow velocity to tissue Doppler mitral annular motion velocity (E/e′) during sinus rhythm. However, non-invasive echocardiographic estimation is complicated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is associated with reduced survival in patients with heart failure with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of this study was to investigate echocardiographic parameters for predicting LV filling pressure and diastolic function in chronic AF patients with preserved LVEF. METHODS: Clinical data, echocardiographic findings, and laboratory data were assessed retrospectively in 90 chronic AF patients with preserved LVEF who underwent diagnostic left-heart catheterization between January 2011 and September 2015. LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) assessment and standard echocardiographic measurements were performed. RESULTS: The E/e′ ratio was significantly correlated with LVEDP (r=0.449, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis defined the optimal cut-off for E/e′ as 13 (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 67%) to predict elevated LVEDP (>15 mm Hg). E (r=0.463, P < 0.001) and E/propagation velocity (Vp; r=0.471, P < 0.001) were also correlated with LVEDP. E >90 cm/sec predicted elevated LVEDP with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 70%. Also, an E/Vp >1.6 predicted elevated LVEDP with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 72%. CONCLUSION: E >90 cm/sec, E/e′>13 and E/Vp >1.6 were suggestive of elevated LVEDP in these patients. Therefore, E, E/e′, and E/Vp provide significant predictive value for LVEDP in chronic AF with preserved LVEF.
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stroke Volume*

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that infects a large portion of the world's population, especially in tropical climates, where the warm, moist soil offers an environment suited to the development of the larvae. In immuno-compromised hosts, receiving corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs or radiotherapy, especially in those with AIDS, large numbers of invasive strongyloides larvae can disseminate widely, which can be fatal. In Korea, several cases of strongyloides hyperinfection have been reported since 1959, and a case of strongyloides hyperinfection, accompanied with metastatic stomach cancer, was reported recently. We experienced a case of strongyloides infection, accompanied with early gastric cancer, and also suffering from bronchial asthma. The patient was treated with albendazole, 200 mg, twice-a-day for 3 days, 1 month after a radical gastric cancer operation. Thereafter, the respiratory symptoms of the patient, including asthmatic attacks, improved.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Albendazole ; Asthma ; Humans ; Korea ; Larva ; Radiotherapy ; Soil ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Strongyloides ; Strongyloides stercoralis* ; Tropical Climate

The first edition of the ‘Standardized Pathology Report for Colorectal Cancer,’ which was developed by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group (GIP) of the Korean Society of Pathologists, was published 13 years ago. Meanwhile, there have been many changes in the pathologic diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), pathologic findings included in the pathology report, and immunohistochemical and molecular pathology required for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. In order to reflect these changes, we (GIP) decided to make the second edition of the report. The purpose of this standardized pathology report is to provide a practical protocol for Korean pathologists, which could help diagnose and treat CRC patients. This report consists of “standard data elements” and “conditional data elements.” Basic pathologic findings and parts necessary for prognostication of CRC patients are classified as “standard data elements,” while other prognostic factors and factors related to adjuvant therapy are classified as “conditional data elements” so that each institution could select the contents according to the characteristics of the institution. The Korean version is also provided separately so that Korean pathologists can easily understand and use this report. We hope that this report will be helpful in the daily practice of CRC diagnosis.