BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) tract disorder that has heterogeneous clinical presentations such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal distension. It is known that several mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of IBS. Probiotics may target one or more pathophysiologic pathways in IBS and may improve the symptoms of IBS. However, the results of studies about probiotics on IBS are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics on GI symptoms and intestinal gas volume changes in patients with IBS. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly allocated to be treated with medilac DS(R) (Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus faecium) (n=20) or placebo (n=20) in a double-blind, prospective manner. The change in intestinal gas volume and symptom scores after 4-week treatment were evaluated for the efficacy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in bloating, frequency of gas expulsion, frequency of defecation, and hardness of stool before and after the treatment. However, the severity of abdominal pain and the frequency of abdominal pain decreased significantly in medilac DS(R)group (2.4+/-1.3 cm/day -> 1.6+/-1.6 cm/day, 1.7+/-1.3/day -> 1.0+/-1.0/day) (p=0.044, p=0.038), but not in placebo group (2.1+/-2.0 cm/day -> 1.8+/-2.1 cm/day, 1.3+/-1.2/day -> 1.4+/-1.9/day). In both groups, intestinal gas volume at baseline, after 2-week treatment, and after 4-week treatment did not show significant change. Medilac DS(R)was well tolerated without adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Medilac DS(R)is a safe and useful probiotic agent for the treatment of abdominal pain in patients with IBS.
Abdominal Pain/etiology/therapy ; Adult ; Bacillus subtilis ; Double-Blind Method ; Enterococcus faecium ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Probiotics/*therapeutic use

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) tract disorder that has heterogeneous clinical presentations such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal distension. It is known that several mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of IBS. Probiotics may target one or more pathophysiologic pathways in IBS and may improve the symptoms of IBS. However, the results of studies about probiotics on IBS are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics on GI symptoms and intestinal gas volume changes in patients with IBS. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly allocated to be treated with medilac DS(R) (Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus faecium) (n=20) or placebo (n=20) in a double-blind, prospective manner. The change in intestinal gas volume and symptom scores after 4-week treatment were evaluated for the efficacy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in bloating, frequency of gas expulsion, frequency of defecation, and hardness of stool before and after the treatment. However, the severity of abdominal pain and the frequency of abdominal pain decreased significantly in medilac DS(R)group (2.4+/-1.3 cm/day -> 1.6+/-1.6 cm/day, 1.7+/-1.3/day -> 1.0+/-1.0/day) (p=0.044, p=0.038), but not in placebo group (2.1+/-2.0 cm/day -> 1.8+/-2.1 cm/day, 1.3+/-1.2/day -> 1.4+/-1.9/day). In both groups, intestinal gas volume at baseline, after 2-week treatment, and after 4-week treatment did not show significant change. Medilac DS(R)was well tolerated without adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Medilac DS(R)is a safe and useful probiotic agent for the treatment of abdominal pain in patients with IBS.
Abdominal Pain/etiology/therapy ; Adult ; Bacillus subtilis ; Double-Blind Method ; Enterococcus faecium ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Probiotics/*therapeutic use

Pneumatosis coli (PC) is a rare disease that is characterized by multiple, varying-sized cysts at the mucosa or submucosa in the colon and sigmoid colon. About 85% of PC is associated in other gastrointestinal, pulmonary and connective diseases. Ischemic colitis is rarely associated with PC. The symptoms of PC are not specific, and the patients with this malady present with hematochezia, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms associated with their underlying diseases. Colonoscopy and computed tomography are recommended for making the diagnosis. The underlying diseases should be treated and oxygen therapy, intra-venous antibiotics and/or surgical treatment can be used. The prognosis is generally good, but volvulus, intussusception, intestinal obstruction, bleeding and perforation can occur in 3% of these patients. We experienced two patients who initially presented with hematochezia and they were found to have PC and ischemic colitis according to the colonoscopy exams; these are the first such reported cases in Korea. Both patients were treated conservatively with low-dose oxygen therapy and intra-venous metronidazole. We report here on 2 cases of PC associated with ischemic colitis, and we review the relevant literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Colitis, Ischemic ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Colonoscopy ; Diarrhea ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestinal Volvulus ; Intussusception ; Korea ; Metronidazole ; Mucous Membrane ; Oxygen ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases

Biliary adenoma of the common bile duct is a rare disease found in biliary tract encounterd in biliary mass lesion, and it is difficult to differentiate from their malignant counterparts. Symptoms and signs of these tumors can mimic choleliathiasis and malignant tumors. Therefore, this tumor is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. In addition, there has been no reported case of a tubular adenoma of the common bile duct in Korea, until recently. We experienced a case of tubular adenoma of the common bile duct, which was diagnosed and partially resected by percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy. The patient was a 84-year-old male who showed abnormal liver function test. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a dilated common bile duct, and a soft tissue was observed on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. This was initially thought as a stone, but it became partially detachable from the common bile duct during an endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopic basket removal. The mass lesion was partially resected by a percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic snare. This resected tissue was confirmed as a tubular adenoma.
Adenoma* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiography ; Common Bile Duct* ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; SNARE Proteins ; Ultrasonography

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant tumor syndrome. Thymic carcinoid tumors in MEN1 are not common and their natural history is little known. But development of thymic carcinoid tumors is important because in 1993, they were identified as a frequent case of death. There has not been a report of case in Korea so far. We encountered a case of thymic carcinoid in MEN1. A 42 year old man was referred presenting with diabetes of 12 years duration. Abnormal findings in his blood chemistry were hypercalcemia and hyperprolactinemia. 99mTc- sestamibi scintigraphy showed parathyroid adenoma and hyperplasia. Sella MRI showed pituitary macroadenoma. Abnormal CT scan demonstrated multiple pancreas islet cell tumors, bilateral adrenal tumor and thymoma. Subtotal parathyroidectomy with thymectomy was perfomed and thymic carcinoid was confirmed. This is the first report of thymic carcinoid with MEN1 in Korea.
Adenoma, Islet Cell ; Adult ; Carcinoid Tumor* ; Chemistry ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperplasia ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1* ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia* ; Natural History ; Pancreas ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Parathyroidectomy ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Thymectomy ; Thymoma ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The extraction of large common bile duct (CBD) stones after an endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is successful in 80~90% of cases but it often requires a prolonged time and repeated trials. This study investigated the utility of a combined endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation (EPLBD) and a mid-incision of an EST (m-EST) method for the removal of large CBD stones. METHODS: Thirty patients with large CBD stones were enrolled in this study. EPLBD was carried out using the one-step inflation of a 15~18 mm diameter balloon after m-EST. RESULTS: The maximum stone diameter was 21.62+/-5.38 mm. Twelve patients had more than 4 stones, 7 patients had 2 stones, and the remainder had a single large stone. Complete ductal clearance was achieved in all patients. After the procedure, the serum amylase and/or lipase levels were elevated in 3 patients (13.3%). However, there was no episode of true pancreatitis. Minor bleeding was encountered in only one patient (3.3%), and was easily controlled by an endoscopic epinephrine injection. The procedure was carried out safely in 6 patients with periampullary diverticulum. No perforation or mortality was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Combined EPLBD and m-EST is a safe and effective method, and may be a good alternative treatment for removing large CBD stones.
Amylases ; Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Choledocholithiasis ; Common Bile Duct ; Dilatation* ; Diverticulum ; Epinephrine ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Lipase ; Mortality ; Pancreatitis ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic pancreatic ductal drainage may help alleviate the pain from chronic pancreatitis, but stricture dilatation may be technically difficult. Dilatation of high grade strictures of the pancreatic ducts with using dilating or balloon catheters may result in failure. We evaluated the efficacy of using the Soehendra stent retriever as a dilator. METHODS: Fourteen patients with pancreatic stricture had dilation performed with a Soehendra stent retriever. Each patient had sphincterotomy, guidewire placement and stent retriever dilatation. RESULTS: All procedures were successful and none of the patients had complications. Symptom relief was observed after dilation in all patients. There was no complication associated with the use of the stent retriever. None of the patients have relapsed for 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The Soehendra stent retriever is safe and effective as a dilating device for the pancreatic strictures that are resistant to conventional dilation.
Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation* ; Drainage ; Humans ; Pancreatic Ducts* ; Pancreatitis, Chronic* ; Stents*

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that is caused by spirochetes known as Leptospira; more than 20 serogroups and more than 200 serovars are known. The disease has seasonal incidence occurring in the late summer or early fall. The typical severe case of leptospirosis is known as Weil's disease; it is characterized by hepatic and renal involvement and is common in Korea. Elevated amylase can be seen when ARF is associated but true acute pancreatitis is an uncomon complication of leptospirosis and only seven cases of well documented pancreatitis have been described abroad, with there was no case report in Korea yet. We experienced a 55-year old male patient who had Weil's disease associated with acute pancreatitis which was confirmed by elevated amylase and lipase with pancreatic swelling and peripancreatic fat infiltration on abdomen CT.
Abdomen ; Amylases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leptospira ; Leptospirosis ; Lipase ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis* ; Seasons ; Spirochaetales ; Weil Disease* ; Zoonoses

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that is caused by spirochetes known as Leptospira; more than 20 serogroups and more than 200 serovars are known. The disease has seasonal incidence occurring in the late summer or early fall. The typical severe case of leptospirosis is known as Weil's disease; it is characterized by hepatic and renal involvement and is common in Korea. Elevated amylase can be seen when ARF is associated but true acute pancreatitis is an uncomon complication of leptospirosis and only seven cases of well documented pancreatitis have been described abroad, with there was no case report in Korea yet. We experienced a 55-year old male patient who had Weil's disease associated with acute pancreatitis which was confirmed by elevated amylase and lipase with pancreatic swelling and peripancreatic fat infiltration on abdomen CT.
Abdomen ; Amylases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leptospira ; Leptospirosis ; Lipase ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis* ; Seasons ; Spirochaetales ; Weil Disease* ; Zoonoses