The area of endoscopic application has been continuously expanded since its introduction in the last century and the frequency of its use also increased stiffly in the last decades. Because gastrointestinal endoscopy is naturally exposed to diseased internal organs and contact with pathogenic materials, endoscopy mediated infection or disease transmission becomes a major concern in this field. Gastrointestinal endoscopy is not for single use and the proper reprocessing process is a critical factor for safe and reliable endoscopy procedures. What needed in these circumstances is a practical guideline for reprocessing the endoscope and its accessories which is feasible in the real clinical field to guarantee acceptable prevention of pathogen transmission. This guideline contains principles and instructions of the reprocessing procedure according to the step by step. And it newly includes general information and updated knowledge about endoscopy-mediated infection and disinfection. Multiple societies and working groups participated to revise; Korean Association for the Study of the Liver, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research, the Korean Society of Gastroenterology, Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases, Korean Pancreatobiliary Association, the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Nurses and Associates and Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Through this cooperation, we enhanced communication and established a better concordance. We still need more researches in this field and fill up the unproven area. And our guidelines will be renewed accordingly.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a mesenchymal tumor derived from Cajal cells originating from the myotonic plexus. The expression of tyrosine kinase (KIT) membrane receptors that are active on KIT is inhibited by the KIT inhibitor imatinib mesylate. GISTs are resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and radiation therapy is not significantly beneficial for GISTs. With the development of imatinib mesylate, approximately 81.6% of patients with advanced and metastatic GIST exhibit an effect above the stabilization response, thereby increasing the survival time. However, imatinib mesylate alone is unlikely to cure metastatic GISTs. Even with a partial or stable response, imatinib mesylate may be used for a longer time period. However, resection of grossly visible lesions should be considered for patients with a stable response during surgical treatment. In this study, we present a case of GIST with liver metastasis after imatinib mesylate treatment, which was followed up without recurrence after partial resection.
Drug Therapy ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Liver ; Membranes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND/AIMS: M2 pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) is an enzyme that is produced in undifferentiated and proliferating tissues. This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of the immunochromatographic M2 pyruvate kinase (iM2-PK) for the screening of colorectal cancer (CRC) and premalignant lesions. METHODS: Healthy volunteers and patients with colorectal neoplasia were enrolled in six academic hospitals in the capital province of Korea. The iM2-PK value was compared with the immunochromatographic fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) and fecal tumor M2-PK enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: A total of 323 subjects were enrolled. The sensitivity of iM2-PK for CRC was 92.8%, which was superior to iFOBT (47.5%, p<0.0001). For adenomatous lesions, the sensitivity of iM2-PK was 69.4%, which was also superior to iFOBT (12.1%, p<0.001). Compared with M2-PK ELISA, iM2-PK exhibited significantly enhanced sensitivity for CRC (97.5% vs 80.0%, p=0.0289). The sensitivity of iM2-PK was higher in advanced stages of CRC compared with cancers confined to the mucosa and submucosa (p<0.05). However, lymph node metastasis had no influence on the sensitivity of iM2-PK. CONCLUSIONS: The iM2-PK exhibited increased sensitivity for identifying CRC and adenomatous lesions compared with iFOBT. Given its rapid results and convenience, CRC screening using iM2-PK is promising.
Adenoma/*diagnosis ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor/*analysis ; Clinical Enzyme Tests/*instrumentation ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Feces/*enzymology ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Immunochromatography/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occult Blood ; Precancerous Conditions/diagnosis/enzymology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pyruvate Kinase/*analysis ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Republic of Korea ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Use of colorectal stents has increased dramatically over the last decades. Colorectal stents offer an alternative way to relieve fatal intestinal obstruction and can take place of emergency surgery, which associated with significant morbidity and mortality and a high incidence of stoma creation, to elective resection. Although there remain a few concerns regarding the use of stents as a bridge to surgical resection, use of self-expandable metallic stents for palliation in patients with unresectable disease has come to be generally accepted. Advantages of colorectal stents include acute restoration of luminal patency and allowance of time for proper staging and surgical optimization, and the well-known disadvantages are procedure-related complications including perforation, migration, and stent failure. General indications, procedures, and clinical outcomes as well as recent evidences regarding the use of colorectal stents will be discussed in this review.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Mortality ; Phenobarbital ; Stents*

Gastrointestinal melanosis is observed most frequently in the colon it also can develop in the ileum, duodenum and esophagus very rarely. Melanosis ilei was thought that causative materials such as aluminum, magnesium, silicate, titanium and other compounds entered the body through the ingestion of agents. We experienced a case of melanosis in the terminal ileum that a 65-year-old female patient ingested 10 g edible charcoal everyday for 3 years to address symptoms of chronic abdominal pain. In Korea, edible charcoal has been considered to be an effective folk remedy for patients with diarrhea or chronic abdominal pain. In our case, a follow up colonoscopy was performed 3.5 years after the termination of the ingestion of edible charcoal, at which point pigmentation was faded color intensity. In conclusion, it is thought that melanosis ilei is a rare disease by ingestion of causative materials and is discontinuous, local and reversible disease.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Aluminum ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Charcoal ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Diarrhea ; Duodenum ; Eating ; Esophagus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ileum ; Korea ; Magnesium ; Medicine, Traditional ; Melanosis ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pigmentation ; Rare Diseases ; Silicates ; Titanium

Marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract most commonly affects the stomach. Endoscopic findings of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma are various and heterogeneous. Lesions may appear as ulcers, erosions, or erythemas. Gastrointestinal lymphomas presenting as multiple polyps on endoscopy are rare. No case of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma manifesting as multiple polyps has been reported on the stomach, although a few cases have been reported in the colon. We present a rare case of a 77-year-old female patient diagnosed as primary gastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma presenting as multiple polyps. She was fully treated by combination chemotherapy.
Aged ; Colon ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Endoscopy ; Erythema ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Polyps ; Stomach ; Ulcer

A case of hemophagocytic syndrome associated with ulcerative colitis is very rare. A 32-year-old man visited the hospital complaining of fever and severe abdominal pain for 7 days. He was diagnosed to have ulcerative colitis 2 years ago and had been treated with sulfasalazine. Three months ago, he had abdominal pain, weight loss, and hematochezia, so prednisolone and mercaptopurine were added to the treatment. On admission, the physical examination showed splenomegaly. Peripheral blood counts revealed pancytopenia, and bone marrow aspirate smears showed many histiocytes with active hemophagocytosis. There was no evidence of viral and bacterial infections and other neoplasms, which were commonly associated with hemophagocytic syndrome. He was successfully treated with high dose steroid. We report this case along with a review of the related literatures.
6-Mercaptopurine/therapeutic use ; Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow Cells/pathology ; Colitis, Ulcerative/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Colonoscopy ; Dexamethasone/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Male ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Sulfasalazine/therapeutic use ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Over the past century, since the introduction of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), antacid, histamine H2-receptor antagonists (H2RA), proton pump inhibitors (PPI), and discovery of Helicobacter pylori infection, the paradigm of peptic ulcer disease has changed with marked decrease in morbidity and mortality. However, peptic ulcer disease still occupies a position as a major health problem with increase of aged population and NSAIDs usage. In daily general practice, the management of peptic ulcer disease is directed according to the presence of bleeding or not. For non-bleeding peptic ulcer disease, proper acid suppression and the correction of underlying causes such as Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAID use is the main stay of treatment. Though a complete understanding of pathophysiology and a perfect treatment strategy are still a challenge, this guideline aims to provide practical recommendations based on evidences or consensus of experts through in-depth literature review and expert meeting.
Antacids/toxicity ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/toxicity ; Anti-Ulcer Agents/therapeutic use ; Bismuth/therapeutic use ; Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Histamine Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer/*drug therapy ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease are increasing in Korea. However, the guidelines for the management of Crohn's disease have not been established in Korea. In the current study we determined the difference in the treatment methods between physicians in Korea for Crohn's disease. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the use of medical and surgical treatment modalities in 92 patients with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease. We compared the treatment strategies among 4 physicians at 3 different institutions. RESULTS: Prednisone, 5-aminosalicylates, antibiotics, immunomodulators, infliximab, and surgery were prescribed or preformed in 64%, 92%, 24%, 35%, 9%, and 22% of the patients, respectively. The surgical procedures included 12 bowel resections and 8 fistulectomies. The prescription rates for 5-aminosalicylates, prednisone, antibiotics, and infliximab did not differ, but of the use of immunomodulators was significantly different between physicians (p=0.012). The mean interval between diagnosis and the start of immunomodulators was 14 months, and was not different between physicians. The median dosage of immunomodulators was 50 mg per day, and was not different between physicians. CONCLUSIONS: A difference in medical treatment strategies for Crohn's disease between physicians exists in Korea. Specifically, there was a significant difference in the use of immunodulators between physicians. The development of treatment guidelines for Crohn's disease, together with efforts to decrease the inter-physician difference for treating Crohn's disease are needed.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Crohn Disease ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; Incidence ; Infliximab ; Korea ; Prednisone ; Prescriptions ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies

A 55 year-old man was admitted with epigastric pain of one-month duration. We performed an esophagogastroduodenoscopy that showed the presence of a 3 cm sized polypoid mass at the lesser curvature side of the antrum. A biopsy demonstrated the presence of a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach. A subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was performed and the microscopic features of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of a composite large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with an adenocarcinoma of the stomach. A gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma is extremely rare and a composite neuroendocrine carcinoma with an adenocarcinoma of the stomach has been rarely reported. We report a case of a gastric composite tumor with an adenocarcinoma and a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Gastrectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Stomach