Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy. The methods and effects of FCSEMS placement were retrospectively investigated following the occurrence of massive hemobilia during EBD. A total of 356 patients with CCC received multi-regimen chemotherapy. Among them, 181 patients had hilar invasion, and seven patients (3.9%) developed massive hemobilia during repeated EBD using removable stents. In all cases, the tumor encased the right hepatic artery. In six patients (85.7%), hemostasis was immediately and completely achieved by inserting one or two FC-SEMSs proximal to the hilar invasion area. Therefore, if the tumor encases the right hepatic artery, massive hemobilia is likely to occur during multi-regimen chemotherapy.Thus, prompt placement of a FC-SEMS would be an effective treatment option for massive hemobilia in patients with hilum-involving CCC.

Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy. The methods and effects of FCSEMS placement were retrospectively investigated following the occurrence of massive hemobilia during EBD. A total of 356 patients with CCC received multi-regimen chemotherapy. Among them, 181 patients had hilar invasion, and seven patients (3.9%) developed massive hemobilia during repeated EBD using removable stents. In all cases, the tumor encased the right hepatic artery. In six patients (85.7%), hemostasis was immediately and completely achieved by inserting one or two FC-SEMSs proximal to the hilar invasion area. Therefore, if the tumor encases the right hepatic artery, massive hemobilia is likely to occur during multi-regimen chemotherapy.Thus, prompt placement of a FC-SEMS would be an effective treatment option for massive hemobilia in patients with hilum-involving CCC.

Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy. The methods and effects of FCSEMS placement were retrospectively investigated following the occurrence of massive hemobilia during EBD. A total of 356 patients with CCC received multi-regimen chemotherapy. Among them, 181 patients had hilar invasion, and seven patients (3.9%) developed massive hemobilia during repeated EBD using removable stents. In all cases, the tumor encased the right hepatic artery. In six patients (85.7%), hemostasis was immediately and completely achieved by inserting one or two FC-SEMSs proximal to the hilar invasion area. Therefore, if the tumor encases the right hepatic artery, massive hemobilia is likely to occur during multi-regimen chemotherapy.Thus, prompt placement of a FC-SEMS would be an effective treatment option for massive hemobilia in patients with hilum-involving CCC.

Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy. The methods and effects of FCSEMS placement were retrospectively investigated following the occurrence of massive hemobilia during EBD. A total of 356 patients with CCC received multi-regimen chemotherapy. Among them, 181 patients had hilar invasion, and seven patients (3.9%) developed massive hemobilia during repeated EBD using removable stents. In all cases, the tumor encased the right hepatic artery. In six patients (85.7%), hemostasis was immediately and completely achieved by inserting one or two FC-SEMSs proximal to the hilar invasion area. Therefore, if the tumor encases the right hepatic artery, massive hemobilia is likely to occur during multi-regimen chemotherapy.Thus, prompt placement of a FC-SEMS would be an effective treatment option for massive hemobilia in patients with hilum-involving CCC.

Sarcomatoid transformation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is rarely found but usually has very poor prognosis due to the lack of effective approaches for early detection and its aggressive nature. We report a case of this tumor type, in a 60-year-old man who was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of screening-detected, asymptomatic hepatic lesion. Clinical diagnosis was elusive despite performance of different imaging modalities and a transcutaneous liver biopsy. Pathology of the surgically resected tumor demonstrated intrahepatic sarcomatoid cholangiocarcinoma. In our case, tumor cells expressed strong immunoreactivity to both cytokeratin-19 and vimentin. We assume the relatively good prognosis of this patient would be expected because surgery played a critical role at an early stage of the tumor.
Biopsy ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; Keratins ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver* ; Middle Aged ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Vimentin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efforts to improve biliary plastic stents (PSs) for decreasing biofilm formation and overcome short patency time have been continued. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of advanced hydrophilic coating for patency and biodurability of PS. METHODS: Using an in vitro bile flow phantom model, we compared patency between prototype PS with hydrophilic coating (PS+HC) and prototype PS without hydrophilic coating (PS-HC). We performed an analysis of the degree of luminal narrowing by microscopic examination. Using an in vivo swine bile duct dilation model made by endoscopic papillary closure and stent insertion, we evaluated biodurability of hydrophilic coating. RESULTS: In the phantom model, PS+HC showed less biofilm formation and luminal narrowing than PS-HC at 8 weeks (p<0.05). A total of 31 stents were inserted into the dilated bile duct of seven swine models, and 24 stents were successfully retrieved 8 weeks later. There was no statistical difference of stent patency between the polyethylene PS+HC and the polyurethane PS+HC. The biodurability of hydrophilic coating was sustained up to 8 weeks, when assessing the coating layer by scanning electron microscopy examination. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced hydrophilic coating technology may extend the patency of PS compared to uncoated PS.
Animals* ; Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Biofilms ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Phenobarbital ; Plastics* ; Polyethylene ; Polyurethanes ; Stents* ; Swine

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopic perforations have been managed with exploratory laparotomy, and have resulted in some morbidity and mortality. Recently, laparoscopic surgery is commonly performed for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of several management strategies for iatrogenic colonoscopic perforations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had been treated for colonoscopic perforation between January 2004 and April 2013 at CHA Bundang Medical Center in Korea. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients with colonoscopic perforation were enrolled. Twenty patients underwent conservative management with a success rate of 90%. Surgical management was performed in 23 patients including two patients who were converted to surgical management after the failure of the initial conservative management. Among 14 patients who underwent surgery at 8 hours after the perforation, there was no considerable difference in adverse outcomes between the laparotomy group and the laparoscopic surgery group. The medical costs and claim rate were 1.45 and 1.87 times greater in the exploratory laparotomy group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management of colonoscopic perforation could be an option for patients without overt symptoms of peritonitis or with a small defect size. If surgical management is required, laparoscopic surgery may be considered as the initial procedure even with a delayed diagnosis.
Colonoscopy ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Medical Records ; Methods* ; Mortality ; Peritonitis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a major risk factor that contributes to mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. There is controversy over the optimal hemoglobin (Hb) target in these patients. This study investigated the association between Hb level and mortality in a cohort of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Korea. METHODS: This study was a multicenter prospective observational study of maintenance HD patients that was performed for 5 years in western Seoul, Korea. Three hundred and sixty-two participants were enrolled. Laboratory values and mortality were accessed every 6 months. Repeated measures of laboratory values in each interval were averaged to obtain one semiannual mean value. The Hb values were divided into six groups: (1) Hb<9 g/dL; (2) 9 g/dL< or =Hb<10 g/dL; (3) 10 g/dL< or =Hb<11 g/dL; (4) 11 g/dL< or =Hb<12 g/dL; (5) 12 g/dL< or =Hb<13 g/dL; and (6) Hb> or =13 g/dL. We analyzed the odds ratio for all-cause mortality, based on the Hb group, and adjusted for demographics and various laboratory values. Statistics were performed with SAS, version 9.1 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS: Mortality odds ratios relative to the reference group (10-11 g/dL) in the fully adjusted model were 3.61 for<9 g/dL; 3.17 for 9-10 g/dL*; 4.65 for 11-12 g/dL*; 5.50 for 12-13 g/dL*; and 2.05 for> or =13 g/dL (* indicates P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, a Hb level of 10-11 g/dL was associated with the lowest mortality among the groups with Hb level<13 g/dL. Larger interventional trials are warranted to determine the optimal Hb target for Korean HD patients.
Anemia* ; Cohort Studies* ; Demography ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Observational Study ; Odds Ratio ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors ; Seoul

Arising from human curiosity in terms of the desire to look within the human body, endoscopy has undergone significant advances in modern medicine. Direct visualization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by traditional endoscopy was first introduced over 50 years ago, after which fairly rapid advancement from rigid esophagogastric scopes to flexible scopes and high definition videoscopes has occurred. In an effort towards early detection of precancerous lesions in the GI tract, several high-technology imaging scopes have been developed, including narrow band imaging, autofocus imaging, magnified endoscopy, and confocal microendoscopy. However, these modern developments have resulted in fundamental imaging technology being skewed towards red-green-blue and this technology has obscured the advantages of other endoscope techniques. In this review article, we have described the importance of image quality analysis using a survey to consider the diversity of endoscope system selection in order to better achieve diagnostic and therapeutic goals. The ultimate aims can be achieved through the adoption of modern endoscopy systems that obtain high image quality.
Endoscopes ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal* ; Endoscopy* ; Exploratory Behavior ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; History, Modern 1601- ; Human Body ; Humans ; Narrow Band Imaging

Secondary achalasia or pseudoachalasia is a rare esophageal motor abnormality, which mimics primary achalasia; it is not easily distinguishable from idiopathic achalasia by manometry, radiological examination, or endoscopy. Although the majority of reported pseudoachalasia cases are associated with neoplasms at or near the esophagogastric (EG) junction, other neoplastic processes or even chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis can lead to the development of pseudoachalasia, for example, mediastinal masses, gastrointestinal (GI) tumors of the liver and biliary tract, and non-GI malignancies. Therefore, even if a patient presents with the typical findings of achalasia, we should be alert to the possibility of other GI malignancies besides EG tumors. For instance, pancreatic cancer was found in the case reported here; only four such cases have been reported in the literature. A 47-year-old man was admitted to our center with a 3-month history of dysphagia. His endoscopic and esophageal manometric findings were compatible with primary achalasia. However, unresponsiveness to diverse conventional achalasia treatments led us to suspect secondary achalasia. An active search led to a diagnosis of pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma invading the gastric fundus and EG junction. This rare case of pseudoachalasia caused by pancreatic carcinoma emphasizes the need for suspecting GI malignancies other than EG tumors in patients refractory to conventional achalasia treatment.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biliary Tract ; Chronic Disease ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Gastric Fundus ; Humans ; Liver ; Manometry ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Processes ; Pancreatic Neoplasms*