Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) performed under ultrasound guidance is a safe, effective therapeutic modality for managing liver malignancies. Although surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), RFA has emerged as a reliable alternative. Potential complications of RFA include liver abscess, ascites, pleural effusion, skin burns, hypoxemia, pneumothorax, subcapsular hematoma, hemoperitoneum, liver failure, tumor seeding, and biliary lesions. Here, we report a rare complication after RFA for HCC: a delayed liver abscess and transverse colonic fistula. The patient was treated successfully with percutaneous abscess drainage, antibiotics, liver segmentectomy, and segmental resection of the fistula and involved colon. Due to its rarity, we report this case and review the literature.
Abscess ; Anoxia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascites ; Burns ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheter Ablation* ; Colon ; Colon, Transverse ; Drainage ; Fistula* ; Hematoma ; Hemoperitoneum ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Failure ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumothorax ; Skin ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) are severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) that also affect the internal organs with high mortality. However, there has been no previous nationwide study of SCARs in Korea. METHODS: Cases of SCARs were recruited from the nationwide Korean Pharmacovigilance Research Network database, collected from June 2009 to December 2010, by a spontaneous reporting system. We analyzed age, gender, route of administration and the causative agents. We also reviewed previously published cases of SCARs in Korea. RESULTS: In total, 100 cases of SJS (66 cases), TEN (7 cases), and DRESS (27 cases) were reported. The mean age of the patients was 54.1 +/- 19.8 years and the proportion of males to females was 1:0.88. In total, 81 drugs were reported as causative agents: SJS (61 drugs), TEN (15 drugs), and DRESS (29 drugs). The most commonly reported causative drug was allopurinol (12 cases). Allopurinol (8 cases) and levofloxacin (2 cases) were the most commonly reported causative drugs for SJS and TEN, respectively. In DRESS, allopurinol (4 cases) and vancomycin (4 cases) were the two most common causative drugs. Anti-infective drugs were the most common drug category (75 cases). Carbamazepine was the most commonly reported causative drug according to published cases in Korea. CONCLUSIONS: Allopurinol in the spontaneous reporting system and carbamazepine in the published cases were the most common single causative drugs in SCARs in Korea. Anti-infectives were the most common drug category in the spontaneous reporting system.
Allopurinol ; Carbamazepine ; Cicatrix ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* ; Eosinophilia ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Mortality ; Pharmacovigilance ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; Vancomycin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies have reported that fenofibrate therapy increases blood creatinine levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fenofibrate therapy on the renal function in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and to determine the parameters associated with changes in renal functions. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 86 hypertriglyceridemic patients (triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dL) who were divided into two groups: the fenofibrate group (n = 43), who received 160 mg of fenofibrate, and the control group (n = 43). Lipid profiles and renal function were measured at the beginning of the study and after 2 months. RESULTS: The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased in the fenofibrate group (p < 0.001), but did not change in the control group (p = 0.80). Accordingly, the decrease was more pronounced in the fenofibrate group than the control group (-18.6 +/- 8.6 vs. 0.9 +/- 9.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). Changes in serum creatinine (p < 0.001) and blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.005) levels were similar to those of eGFR. In a stepwise linear regression analysis, the percent change in creatinine was independently associated with fenofibrate therapy (r = 0.71; p < 0.001) and old age (r = 0.27; p < 0.05) in all patients. In the fenofibrate group, percent change in creatinine was associated with age (r = -0.51; p < 0.001) and smoking (r = 0.42; p < 0.005), while percent change was associated with body mass index (r = 0.31; p < 0.05) in the control group. Elevation of creatinine by 20% or more was associated with fenofibrate therapy (p < 0.001) and old age (p < 0.005) in all patients, and with old age (p < 0.001) in the fenofibrate group. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term fenofibrate therapy significantly impaired the renal function of hypertriglyceridemic patients, and this effect was more pronounced in elderly patients. This finding suggests that creatinine levels should be followed in patients receiving fenofibrate therapy.
Aged ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Body Mass Index ; Creatinine* ; Fenofibrate* ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia* ; Linear Models ; Prospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking

Fenofibrate is one of PPAR-alpha (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha) agonists. Fenofibrate decreases effectively triglyceride and increases high density lipoprotein cholesterol level through the effect on lipoprotein lipase, hepatic production and degradation of lipoproteins. Fenofibrate was recommended as the drug for hypertriglyceridemia treatment in European guideline released in 2011. But American heart association guideline in 2013 did not recommend non-statin therapy including fibrate for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. But fenofibrate is still considered as the important drug for the management of atherogenic dyslipidemia especially in patients with metabolic syndrome and diabetes to reduce the residual risk after statin therapy from the evidence of many studies. Fibrates including bezafibrate, gemfibrozil, and fenofibrate increased serum creatinine level in several studies. But the mechanism of change in renal function is not clear till now. And the reversibility of renal function with drug discontinuation is dependent on the kinds of fibrate. Fenofibrate increased serum creatinine level, decreased albuminuria and renal function was reversible with the drug discontinuation in large clinical trials. In these days renal function change with fenofibrate therapy in Korean patients with hypertriglyceridemia was investigated. Fenofibrate treatment for 2 months increased serum creatinine level significantly and old age was associated with the change of renal function in multivariate analysis. Short-term therapy significantly increased serum creatinine level even within normal range, and this change may be important in some groups especially old age.
Albuminuria ; American Heart Association ; Bezafibrate ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Creatinine ; Dyslipidemias ; Fenofibrate* ; Fibric Acids ; Gemfibrozil ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; Lipoproteins ; Multivariate Analysis ; Reference Values ; Triglycerides

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders. It is a multi-factorial disorder due to abnormal gastrointestinal motility, low-grade inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, and communication between the gut-brain axis. IBS is traditionally treated with dietary and lifestyle modifications, fiber supplementation, and psychological and pharmacological therapies. Diet therapy including the low FODMAP diet and excluding certain food constituents is often used. Antispasmodics plus stool consistency modifiers to treat the major symptoms and defecation are first-line drug treatments. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors are involved not only in modulating gut motility but in visceral sensory pathways. Drugs that act on both receptor classes appear to reduce visceral sensitivity and have inhibitory effects on motor activity in the distal intestine. 5-HT4 agonists may improve constipation-predominant IBS by normalizing bowel habits and thereby reduce abdominal pain. IBS continues to be a therapeutic challenge because of its diverse symptomatology and lack of a single pathophysiological target for drug intervention.
Abdominal Pain ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Defecation ; Diet ; Diet Therapy ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Intestines ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome* ; Korea ; Life Style ; Motor Activity ; Parasympatholytics ; Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4 ; Serotonin ; Serotonin 5-HT4 Receptor Agonists

Hyponatremia results from a relative excess of total body water compared with the sodium content. Except for primary polydipsia, vasopressin activation plays a major role in pathogenesis of water retention. Consequently, the increase of solute-free water clearance by inactivating vasopressin action would be a more reasonable therapeutic approach than the addition of sodium. The V2 vasopressin receptor is mainly localized to the collecting ducts in the kidney and causes water reabsorption via water channels. Selective V2 receptor antagonists or vaptans were recently introduced to clinical practices and may be useful for correcting dilutional hyponatremia. Clinical trials have shown that vaptans are effective in increasing the serum sodium concentration in patients with syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuresis and congestive heart failure and that they might be safe as long as patients are allowed free accesses to water. However, the indications for using vaptans need to be more refined, and the question of their long-term cost-effectiveness should be answered. In addition, the potential roles of vaptans in ameliorating the growth of cysts in polycystic kidney disease, saving diuretics in edematous disorders, and retarding the progression of chronic kidney disease are being explored.
Aquaporins ; Body Water ; Diuretics ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Kidney ; Polycystic Kidney Diseases ; Polydipsia, Psychogenic ; Receptors, Vasopressin* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Sodium ; Vasopressins ; Water

Non-Helicobacter pylori, non-NSAID peptic ulcer disease, termed idiopathic peptic ulcer disease (IPUD), is being increasingly recognized. Current data suggest that the relative proportion of patients with IPUD among those with peptic ulcers has been increasing for the past decade in both the West and East, while the prevalence of H. pylori ulcers has decreased. Potential causative or risk factors of IPUD include cigarette smoking, genetic predisposition, psychological factors, infections other than H. pylori, non-NSAID drugs or toxins, systemic inflammatory disease, and local mucosal defects. Diagnosis is made after confident exclusion of H. pylori infection by at least two different standard tests and accurate exclusion of unrecognized or surreptitious NSAID use by careful history taking and serologic assay. IPUD is characterized by higher complication and recurrence rates than other forms of peptic ulcer disease and has become a main cause of refractory ulcer disease. Maintenance therapy using proton pump inhibitors may be required at higher doses and for longer durations than in H. pylori- or NSAID-associated peptic ulcer diseases. Well-designed nationwide epidemiologic studies are required to fully elucidate this emerging condition.
Diagnosis ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Prevalence ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Psychology ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; Ulcer

Antiplatelet therapies have been widely used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, antiplatelet agents cause gastrointestinal (GI) damage and are associated with a greater risk of gastroduodenal ulcers and life-threatening ulcer complications. The first step to reduce the GI risk of antiplatelet therapy is to assess whether the patient requires continuous antiplatelet therapy. The second step is to eliminate risk factors that may place the patient at greater GI risk such as Helicobacter pylori infection, NSAID use, steroid ingestion, and smoking. Continuous aspirin therapy plus a powerful proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is the choice of treatment for antiplatelet-related peptic ulcers. The risk of cardiovascular complications and risk of gastric complication using antiplatelet agents should be evaluated individually.
Aspirin ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Eating ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Ulcer

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties and are widely used for treating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases. Notwithstanding these therapeutic efficacies, gastrointestinal toxicity is the major health problem associated with NSAID use. NSAID-related peptic ulcers are a well-known complication due to direct mucosal injury and cyclooxygenase inhibition. Risk factors for NSAID-related peptic ulcers include a prior history of peptic ulcer; age > 65 years; high-dose NSAID therapy; and concurrent use of aspirin (including low dose), corticosteroids, or anticoagulants. In addition, Helicobacter pylori infection is an independent risk factor; therefore, eradication therapy is recommended in high-risk patients using NSAIDs. Currently, misoprostol, H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and COX-2 selective inhibitors are used to prevent and treat NSAID-related peptic ulcers. Further, strategic approaches are required through appropriate NSAID use and risk factor stratification to prevent NSAID-related peptic ulcers and associated complications.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal* ; Anticoagulants ; Aspirin ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Misoprostol ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Risk Factors

Although the worldwide prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has decreased, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains prevalent due to increased usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin. In recent years, the prevalence of H. pylori infection in PUD cases and the distribution of PUD have changed in Korea. The incidence of idiopathic H. pylori-negative ulcers has increased, and research is needed to determine the cause of these idiopathic ulcers. The eradication of H. pylori infection decreases PUD recurrence, and plays a crucial role in the treatment of PUD. The H. pylori test-and-treat strategy is beneficial for patients starting NSAIDs and long-term aspirin users with a history of bleeding ulcers. Although the H. pylori eradication rate is declining steadily due to antibiotic resistance, especially to clarithromycin, current guidelines still recommend standard triple therapy, including a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, as a first-line therapy. Recently, various treatment regimens, including sequential or concomitant therapies, have been developed in an attempt to overcome the low eradication rate observed with standard triple therapy. The aim of this article is to review recent trends in H. pylori-related PUD, focusing on epidemiology and treatment strategies.
Amoxicillin ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Aspirin ; Clarithromycin ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Epidemiology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Prevalence ; Proton Pumps ; Recurrence ; Ulcer