BACKGROUND/AIMS:: While the occurrence of multiple whitish flat elevated lesions (MWFL) was first reported in 2007, no studies on MWFL have been published to date. The present retrospective observational study aimed to clarify the endoscopic findings and clinicopathological features of MWFL. METHODS:: Subjects were consecutive patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as part of routine screening between April 2014 and March 2015. The conventional white-light, non-magnifying and magnifying narrow-band images were reviewed. Clinical features were compared between patients with and without MWFL. RESULTS:: The conventional endoscopic findings of MWFL include multiple whitish, flat, and slightly elevated lesions of various sizes, mainly located in the gastric body and fundus. Narrow-band imaging enhanced the contrast of MWFL and background mucosa, and magnifying narrow-band imaging depicted a uniformly long, narrow, and elliptical marginal crypt epithelium with an unclear microvascular pattern. Histopathological findings revealed hyperplastic changes of the foveolar epithelium, and parietal cell protrusions and oxyntic gland dilatations were observed in the fundic glands, without any intestinal metaplasia. The rate of acid-reducing drug use was significantly higher in patients with MWFL than in those without (100% [13/13] vs. 53.7% [88/164], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:: The present study indicated a relationship between the presence and endoscopic features of MWFL and history of acidreducing drug use.
Dilatation ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Metaplasia ; Mucous Membrane ; Observational Study ; Polyps* ; Rabeprazole ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach*

Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to elucidate the histological structure of the absent microsurface patterns (MSPs) that were visualized by magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (M-NBI). Methods: The study included consecutive gastric epithelial neoplasias for which M-NBI findings and histological findings could be compared on a one-to-one basis. The lesions were classified as absent MSPs and present MSPs based on the findings obtained using M-NBI. Of the histopathological findings for each lesion that corresponded to M-NBI findings, crypt opening densities, crypt lengths, crypt opening diameters, intercrypt distances, and crypt angles were measured and compared. Results: Thirty-six lesions were included in the analysis; of these, 17 lesions exhibited absent MSP and 19 lesions exhibited present MSP. Comparing the histological measurements for absent MSPs vs. present MSPs, median crypt opening density was 0.9 crypt openings/mm vs. 4.8 crypt openings/mm (p<0.001), respectively. The median crypt length, median crypt opening diameter, median intercrypt distance, and median crypt angle were 80.0 μm vs. 160 μm (p<0.001), 40.0 μm vs. 44.2 μm (p=0.09), 572.5 μm vs. 166.7 μm (p<0.001), and 21.6 degrees vs. 15.5 degrees (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusions Histological findings showed that lesions exhibiting absent MSPs had lower crypt opening density, shorter crypt length, greater intercrypt distance, and larger crypt angle.

Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to elucidate the histological structure of the absent microsurface patterns (MSPs) that were visualized by magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (M-NBI). Methods: The study included consecutive gastric epithelial neoplasias for which M-NBI findings and histological findings could be compared on a one-to-one basis. The lesions were classified as absent MSPs and present MSPs based on the findings obtained using M-NBI. Of the histopathological findings for each lesion that corresponded to M-NBI findings, crypt opening densities, crypt lengths, crypt opening diameters, intercrypt distances, and crypt angles were measured and compared. Results: Thirty-six lesions were included in the analysis; of these, 17 lesions exhibited absent MSP and 19 lesions exhibited present MSP. Comparing the histological measurements for absent MSPs vs. present MSPs, median crypt opening density was 0.9 crypt openings/mm vs. 4.8 crypt openings/mm (p<0.001), respectively. The median crypt length, median crypt opening diameter, median intercrypt distance, and median crypt angle were 80.0 μm vs. 160 μm (p<0.001), 40.0 μm vs. 44.2 μm (p=0.09), 572.5 μm vs. 166.7 μm (p<0.001), and 21.6 degrees vs. 15.5 degrees (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusions Histological findings showed that lesions exhibiting absent MSPs had lower crypt opening density, shorter crypt length, greater intercrypt distance, and larger crypt angle.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonic diverticular hemorrhage (DH) was a rare disease until the 1990s, and its incidence has increased rapidly since 2000 in Japan. In recent years, colonic DH has been the most frequent cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). Nearly all cases of DH are mild, with the bleeding often stopping spontaneously. Some cases, however, require surgery or arterial embolization. In this study, using a cohort at Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, we investigated factors associated with severe colonic DH. METHODS: Among patients with LGIB who underwent colonoscopy at our hospital between 1995 and 2013, DH was identified in 273 patients. Among them, 62 patients (22.7%) were defined as having severe colonic DH according to recurrence of bleeding in a short period, and/or the necessity of transfusion, arterial embolization, or surgery. We then evaluated risk factors for severe DH among DH patients in this retrospective cohort. RESULTS: Among the 273 patients with DH, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (odds ratio [OR], 2.801; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.164–6.742), Charlson Risk Index (CRI) ≥2 (OR, 3.336; 95% CI, 1.154–7.353), right-sided colonic DH (OR, 3.873; 95% CI, 1.554–9.653), and symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion (such as light-headedness, dizziness, or syncope) (OR, 2.926; 95% CI, 1.310–6.535) showed an increased risk of severe DH even after controlling for other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Severe DH occurred in 23% of DH patients, and NSAID use, CRI ≥2, right-sided colonic DH, and symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion are suggested to be predictors of severe DH.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Cohort Studies ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Dizziness ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Japan ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*