BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric variceal bleeding is a severe complication of cirrhosis, and it has a high mortality rate. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection therapy for patients suffering with gastric variceal bleeding. METHODS: A total of 86 patients diagnosed with gastric variceal bleeding underwent endoscopic n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl(R)) injection therapy at our department between April, 2002 and July, 2005, with a mean follow-up period of 44 weeks (range: 2 to 136 weeks). The initial hemostasis rate and the rebleeding rate of endoscopic sclerotherapy were analyzed. Also, the cumulative survival rate was analyzed according to the status of hepatocellular carcinoma and hyponatremia, the MELD score, the Child-Pugh score and the amount of injected Histoacryl(R). RESULTS: The initial hemostasis rate of Histoacryl(R) injection therapy was 93% and the 1 month rebleeding rate was 16.1%. The total number of session for treating the initial hemostasis was 1.2+/-0.4 and the total volume of Histoacryl(R) was 2.7+/-1.2 mL. The cumulative rebleeding-free rates for the patients treated by the Histoacryl(R) injection method at 1 month, 12 months and 34 months period were 95.1%, 83.2% and 74%, respectively. The cumulative survival rates were 78.3% at 1 month, 61.9% at 12 months and 54.6% at 34 months, respectively. No thromboembolic phenomenon occurred. According to the Cox's proportional hazards analysis, only the MELD score (<15) was an independent predicting factor for survival of the patients with gastric variceal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sclerotherapy using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate was a safe and effective hemostatic method for patients with gastric variceal bleeding. Also, the MELD score (<15) contributed to predicting survival of the patients with gastric variceal bleeding.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Enbucrilate/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/*therapy ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/mortality/*therapy ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Sclerotherapy ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

Bacillus species are aerobic, gram-positive, spore forming rods, and they are usually found in the surrounding environment. If they are isolated in the clinical specimen, they are generally considered as contaminants rather than a true pathogen. Infection with Bacillus licheniformis is usually associated with the immunocompromised state, trauma, an indwelling intravenous catheter or an intravenous drug abuser. This infection is easily controlled by removal of the catheter and surgical debridement of the local infected tissue as well as an appropriate antimicrobial therapy. We reported here on a case of Bacillus licheniformis bacteremia associated with a bronchoscopic procedure in an immune competent patient.
Bacillus* ; Bacteremia* ; Bronchoscopy* ; Catheters ; Debridement ; Drug Users ; Humans ; Spores

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Because detection and removal of colonic adenoma provided an opportunity to prevent colorectal cancer, advanced adenoma (>10 mm, villous or high grade dysplasia) should be the major target of screening. In this study, we assessed the diagnostic sensitivity of one- or two-time immunochemical fecal occult blood test (i-FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy and their combination in patients with advanced adenoma or non-advanced adenoma. MEHTODS: From January to October 2002, we performed colonoscopy with i-FOBT using latex agglutination method in 879 individuals. Among these, we diagnosed 234 polyps in 93 patients with advanced adenoma and 179 polyps in 109 patients with non-advanced adenoma. After the diagnosis of adenoma, second i-FOBT was done before polypectomy. Based on these data, we evaluated the diagnostic sensitivities of i-FOBT, flexible sigmoidoscopy and their combination for patients with advanced adenoma or non-advanced adenoma. RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivity of one- or two-time i-FOBT, flexible sigmoidoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy with two-time i-FOBT in patients with advanced adenoma vs.non-advanced adenoma were 17.2% vs. 18.3%, 28.0% vs. 29.4%, 70.1% vs. 66.1% and 81.7% vs. 78.0%. Although repeated application of i-FOBT enhanced diagnostic sensitivity for colon adenoma, this test or combination with flexible sigmoidoscopy did not differentiate advanced adenoma from non-advanced adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although it fails to detect one fifth of colon adenoma, combined two-time i-FOBT testing with flexible sigmoidoscopy is an effective and feasible screening modality for advanced colon adenoma.
Adenoma* ; Agglutination ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Latex ; Mass Screening ; Occult Blood ; Polyps ; Sigmoidoscopy*

We report an uncommon case of pyogenic hepatic abscess with hepatobronchial fistula. A 59 year-old male was admitted because of purulent sputum and cough. Ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography showed an abscess on the superior segment of right hepatic lobe. Diagnostic and therapeutic percutaneous trans-hepatic abscessography disclosed hepatobronchial fistula. Liver abscess with hepatobronchial fistula was managed with percutaneous abscess drainage and antibiotics. The abscess was resolved and he is being on the follow-up with symptom free status.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cough ; Drainage ; Fistula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sputum ; Ultrasonography

We report an uncommon case of pyogenic hepatic abscess with hepatobronchial fistula. A 59 year-old male was admitted because of purulent sputum and cough. Ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography showed an abscess on the superior segment of right hepatic lobe. Diagnostic and therapeutic percutaneous trans-hepatic abscessography disclosed hepatobronchial fistula. Liver abscess with hepatobronchial fistula was managed with percutaneous abscess drainage and antibiotics. The abscess was resolved and he is being on the follow-up with symptom free status.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cough ; Drainage ; Fistula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sputum ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the majority of patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome (MWS) have a benign course, MWS patients with recurrent bleeding have an unfavorable outcome and require intensive care. Therefore, this study was carried out to identify the risk factors for recurrent bleeding in MWS patients. METHODS: The medical records of patients with MWS between January 1999 and December 2003, were reviewed retrospectively. Demographics, initial clinical and laboratory parameters, and endoscopic findings of the patients with and without recurrent bleeding were compared and the potential risk factors predicting recurrent bleeding in MWS were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and fifty-nine patients (22 women, 137 men, mean age 48.1 years old) were enrolled in the study. Recurrent bleeding was observed in 17 patients (10.7%). Those patients with recurrent bleeding showed higher frequency for the presence of shock at initial manifestation, combined liver cirrhosis and endoscopic findings of active bleeding, lower hemoglobin level and platelet count, higher amount of transfusions and epinephrine-mixed fluid injections, and longer hospital stay than those patients without recurrent bleeding. Significant risk factors predicting the recurrent bleeding in MWS were the presence of shock at initial manifestation (OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.07-14.90) and the evidence of active bleeding on endoscopic examination (OR 9.89, 95% CI 1.88-51.98) on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive care with close monitoring is required for the patients with shock on initial manifestation or with evidence of active bleeding on endoscopic examinations since these are independent risk factors predicting the recurrent bleeding in MWS patients.
Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mallory-Weiss Syndrome/*complications/pathology/therapy ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Hyperdynamic circulation due to reduced peripheral vascular resistance and increased cardiac output, and the development of portal hypertension are the hemodynamic changes observed in patients with liver cirrhosis. Such hemodynamic abnormalities appear in patients with late stage liver cirrhosis. Therefore, hemodynamic indices, which represent hyperdynamic circulation and portal hypertension, are significant for the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the hemodynamic indices associated with the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: A total of 103 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis between December 1999 and June 2003, with a mean follow-up period of 73 weeks, ranging from 7 to 168 weeks, were recruited. Using Child-Pugh classification, the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) were measured. The indices of Doppler ultrasonography, including the portal and splenic venous flows, and the resistance of the hepatic, splenic, and renal arteries were also measured using the arterial pulsatility index (PI). The prognostic values of these indices were determined by their comparison with the patient survivals. RESULTS: Significant hemodynamic indices for a bad prognosis were high HVPG (> or=15 mmHg) and renal arterial PI (> or=1.14) (p< 0.05). A Child-Pugh score > or=10 was important for a poor prognosis (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Severe portal hypertension (HVPG> or=15 mmHg) and high renal arterial resistance (PI> or=1.14) were valuable hemodynamic indices for the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, it was concluded that the measurement of these hemodynamic indices, in addition to the Child-Pugh classification, is helpful in the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis.
Female ; *Hemodynamic Processes ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*mortality/*physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

Ascaris lumbricoides is the most common intestinal parasite in less-developed countries as well as in areas with poor sanitation. Highly motile mature worms may enter the ampulla of Vater and migrate to the bile or pancreatic ducts causing cholangitis, biliary stones, cholecystitis, pancreatitis and a liver abscess. The incidence of pancreatitis due to biliary ascariasis is relatively common in endemic areas, but only a few cases have been reported in Korea since 1990. A 68-year-old woman was admitted with a sudden onset of epigastric pain. She was diagnosed with acute pancreatits due to ascaris based on computed tomography, the ampulla-impacted state of the worm and an elevated serum amylase level. The patient recovered without complications after the ascaris had been extracted using grasp forceps during endoscopy. The patient also received antihelminthic therapy. We report this case with a review of the relevant literatures.
Aged ; Ampulla of Vater ; Amylases ; Ascariasis ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Ascaris* ; Bile ; Cholangitis ; Cholecystitis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Developing Countries ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Liver Abscess ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis* ; Parasites ; Sanitation ; Surgical Instruments

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Doppler ultrasongraphy is used to evaluate hemodynamic alternations in patients with liver cirrhosis. Purpose of this study was to determine the interequipment variability of Doppler indices in portal and splenic vein in cirrhosis. METHODS: Blood velocity, diameter, flow and congestive index in portal and splenic vein were measured by Doppler ultrasonography in 30 patients with cirrhosis using two different machines. RESULTS: Portal venous velocities measured by HDI-5000 and SSD-5000 were 8.72+/-3.69 cm/sec, 12.21+/-2.84 cm/sec, respectively which showed significant difference (P<0.001). Measured portal blood flows and congestive indices also had significant difference between HDI-5000 and SSD-5000 (P<0.01). Splenic venous velocity by HDI-5000 was 8.55+/-2.71 cm/sec, which was lower than that of 12.32+/-3.11 cm/sec by SSD-5000 (P<0.001). Splenic blood flows measured by HDI-5000 and SSD-5000 were 390.73+/-260.98 mL/min, 595.01+/-346.53 mL/min, respectively, showing significant difference (P=0.015). However, no differences were in the diameters of portal and splenic vein between HDI-5000 and SSD-5000. CONCLUSION: Doppler indices in portal and splenic vein showed significant interequipment variability. Therefore, in liver cirrhosis, hemodynamic investigations using different Doppler ultrasonographic machines is inappropriate.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/*ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler/*instrumentation

Malnutrition in patients with liver disease is common. Consequently, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may be needed for the correction of malnutrition. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is rarely performed in patients with liver cirrhosis because of the presence of varices and coagulation abnormalities. However, if careful insertion technique along with thorough clinical assessment is undertaken, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may be successfully performed in patients with liver cirrhosis. Here, we report successful application of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in a patient with liver cirrhosis accompanied by both gastric and esophageal varices.
Aged ; *Endoscopy ; *Enteral Nutrition ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/*complications ; Gastrostomy/*methods ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/*therapy ; Male