A 76-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of melena. However, no remarkable findings of rupture were shown by enhanced CT scan and angiography. On the 9th day of admission, he fell into a state of shock because of sudden massive bloody intestinal discharge. Colonofiberscopic findings revealed a primary arterio-enteric fistula. Therefore, an emergency operation was undertaken. Following aneurysmectomy, colostomy was performed in the descending colon. Right axillo-femoral artery bypass was finally performed as an extra-anatomical bypass to secure the right leg blood flow.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although multiple treatment options exist for the management of sigmoid colon volvulus, no study has examined the factors associated with successful endoscopic detorsion. This study aimed to examine the clinical course of patients with sigmoid colon volvulus and to identify factors related to successful endoscopic detorsion. METHODS: This study included 30 cases (21 patients) of sigmoid volvulus from among 545 cases of intestinal obstruction at a single center. We retrospectively examined the clinical course and the factors associated with the possibility of endoscopic detorsion of sigmoid colon volvulus. RESULTS: The rate of laxative use among the study participants was 76.2%; the rate of comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders was 61.9%; and 57.1% of patients had a history of open abdominal surgery. All patients were initially treated with endoscopic detorsion, and this procedure had a 61.9% success rate. The recurrence rate after detorsion was as high as 46.2%, but detorsion during revision endoscopy was possible in all cases. Statistical analysis revealed that the absence of abdominal tenderness (P=0.027), the use of laxatives (P=0.027), and a history of open abdominal surgery (P=0.032) were factors predictive of successful endoscopic detorsion. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study are consistent with previous reports with respect to the success rate of endoscopic detorsion, the subsequent recurrence rate, and the proportion of patients requiring surgical treatment. In addition, we identified the absence of abdominal tenderness, the use of laxatives, and history of open abdominal surgery as factors predicting successful endoscopic detorsion of sigmoid colon volvulus.
Colon, Sigmoid* ; Colonoscopy ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestinal Volvulus* ; Laxatives ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sigmoidoscopy

There is no doubt that telecommunication saves a great deal of time and expense when exchanging information, and recent technological advances have increased its popularity in business and educational applications. Telemedicine is a rapidly developing application of clinical medicine in which medical information is transferred via the Internet or another communication network for the purpose of consultations, and sometimes also for remote medical procedures or examinations. A telemedicine system can also be applied to medical education. Many doctors and medical students could benefit from telementoring and tele-education based on videoconferencing systems. However, telemedicine in general has not yet become popular in clinical practice or medical education. In our university, we have used a telemedicine system to educate doctors and medical students since 2003. Since our first telemedical conference with Kyushu University Hospital on February 12, 2003 when we have regularly performed telemedical conferences. Here we introduce a general methodology for telemedicine, our experiences of medical conferencing using telemedicine, and future possible directions.
Clinical Medicine ; Commerce ; Congresses as Topic ; Education, Medical ; Humans ; Internet ; Referral and Consultation ; Students, Medical ; Telecommunications ; Telemedicine ; Videoconferencing

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Telemedicine is a convenient and efficient tool for remote education in various fields. The telemedicine system can also be used to educate doctors and medical students. The aim of our study was to establish the effectiveness of the telemedical system for use in a live endoscopic multichannel demonstration conference and to test the effectiveness and usefulness of a multicenter-based live endoscopic demonstration through live, interactive, high resolution video transmission using advanced networks and the digital video transport system (DVTS). METHODS: This study is a prospective multicenter pilot study. A live demonstration of an endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using advanced network technology was performed. RESULTS: The DVTS successfully transmitted uncompressed, high-resolution, digital lectures with endoscopy video during a multichannel endoscopic live demonstration of ESD and ERCP over multiple advanced networks. The overall satisfaction rating when the endoscopic lecture demonstration was performed by combining DVTS was generally good. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that a multicenter-based live endoscopic demonstration is a very effective conferencing method when using advanced networks and DVTS.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; International Educational Exchange ; Internet ; Lectures ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Students, Medical ; Telemedicine

Background/Aims: Endoscopic activity confirmed by enteroscopy is associated with poor clinical outcome in Crohn’s disease (CD). We investigated which of the existing biomarkers best reflects endoscopic activity in CD patients including the small bowel, and whether their combined use can improve accuracy. Methods: One hundred and four consecutive patients with ileal and ileocolonic type CD who underwent balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) from October 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled, with clinical and laboratory data prospectively collected and analyzed. Results: Hemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein, leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG), fecal calprotectin, and fecal hemoglobin all showed significant difference in those with ulcers found on BAE. LRG and fecal calprotectin showed the highest areas under the curve (0.841 and 0.853) for detecting ulcers. LRG showed a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 80% at a cutoff value of 13 μg/mL, whereas fecal calprotectin showed a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 67% at a cutoff value of 151 μg/g. Dual positivity for LRG and fecal calprotectin, as well as LRG and fecal hemoglobin, both predicted ulcers with an improved specificity of 92% and 100%. A positive LRG or fecal calprotectin/hemoglobin showed an improved sensitivity of 96% and 91%. Positivity for LRG and either of the fecal biomarkers was associated with increased risk of hospitalization, surgery, and relapse. Conclusions The biomarkers LRG, fecal calprotectin, and fecal hemoglobin can serve as noninvasive and accurate tools for assessing activity in CD patients confirmed by BAE, especially when used in combination.

This paper focuses on new technologies that are practically useful for telemedicine. Three representative systems are introduced: a Digital Video Transport System (DVTS), an H.323 compatible videoconferencing system, and Vidyo. Based on some of our experiences, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, and point out technologies that are especially targeted at doctors and technicians, so that those interested in using similar technologies can make appropriate choices and achieve their own goals depending on their specific conditions.
Humans ; Internet ; Remote Consultation/*instrumentation ; Software ; Telemedicine/*instrumentation/*trends ; Videoconferencing/*instrumentation

Background/Aims: The efficacy and safety of tofacitinib for the treatment of refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) has been demonstrated in clinical trials. Although, a series of reports with real-world evidence of its short-term efficacy and safety profiles have already been published, reports of long-term real-world data have been limited. We aimed to show our 3-year evidence on the clinical use of tofacitinib for the treatment of UC, focusing on its efficacy and safety profiles. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients who started tofacitinib for active refractory UC at our hospital. The primary outcome was the retention rate until 156 weeks after initiating tofacitinib. The secondary outcomes were short-term efficacy at 4, 8, and 12 weeks; long-term efficacy at 52, 104, and 156 weeks; prognostic factors related to the cumulative retention rate; loss of response; and safety profile, including adverse events. Results: Forty-six patients who were able to be monitored for up to 156 weeks after tofacitinib initiation, were enrolled in this study. Continuation of tofacitinib was possible until 156 weeks in 54.3%, with > 50% response rates and > 40% remission rates. Among patients in whom response or remission was achieved and tofacitinib was deescalated after 8 weeks of induction treatment, 54.3% experienced relapse but were successfully rescued by and retained on reinduction treatment, except for 1 patient. No serious AEs were observed in the study. Conclusions Tofacitinib is effective and safe as long-term treatment in a refractory cohort of UC patients in real-world clinical practice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Telemedicine has opened the door to a wide range of learning experience to the doctors and students working and studying at various remote locations. However, there are limitations to this technology, such as the lack of any approved international standards of ethics. The aim of our study was to establish a telemedical education system using the Digital Video Transfer System (DVTS) on the high-speed network. METHODS: The Asia Pacific Information Infrastructure (APII) link was used to connect Korea with Japan, and the Korea Advanced Research Network (KOREN) was used to connect Busan with Seoul. Teleconferencing and video streaming between Hanyang University Hospital in Seoul and Kyushu University Hospital in Japan were realized using DVTS over the Ipv4 network. RESULTS: Four endoscopic surgeries and two endoscopic procedures were successfully transmitted between Seoul and Kyushu, while concomitant teleconferences were taking place between the two cities throughout the operations. An adequate bandwidth of 60 Mbps was kept for two-line transmissions. The quality of transmitted video image showed no frame loss with a rate of 30 images per second. The sound was also clear, and the time delay was less than 0.3 sec. CONCLUSIONS: We have established an international medical network with high-quality video transmission over Internet medium and this was easy to perform, reliable and economical.
Asia ; Busan ; Education ; Education, Medical ; Ethics ; Humans ; Internet ; Japan ; Korea ; Learning ; Rivers ; Seoul ; Telecommunications ; Telemedicine

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The growth of technology based on internet protocol has affected on the informatics and automatic controls of medical fields. The aim of this study was to establish the telemedical educational system by developing the high quality image transfer using the DVTS (digital video transmission system) on the high-speed internet network. METHODS: Using telemedicine, we were able to send surgical images not only to domestic areas but also to international area. Moreover, we could discuss the condition of surgical procedures in the operation room and seminar room. The Korean-Japan cable network (KJCN) was structured in the submarine between Busan and Fukuoka. On the other hand, the Korea advanced research network (KOREN) was used to connect between Busan and Seoul. To link the image between the Hanyang University Hospital in Seoul and Kyushu University Hospital in Japan, we started teleconference system and recorded image-streaming system with DVTS on the circumstance with IPv4 network. RESULTS: Two operative cases were transmitted successfully. We could keep enough bandwidth of 60 Mbps for two-line transmission. The quality of transmitted moving image had no frame loss with the rate 30 per second. The sound was also clear and the time delay was less than 0.3 sec. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has demonstrated the feasibility of domestic and international telemedicine. We have established an international medical network with high-quality video transmission over internet protocol. It is easy to perform, reliable, and also economical. Thus, it will be a promising tool in remote medicine for worldwide telemedical communication in the future.
Computer Communication Networks ; English Abstract ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Surgery/education ; Telecommunications ; *Telemedicine ; Video Recording