Background/Aims: H2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) have been used to treat gastritis by inhibiting gastric acid. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more potent acid suppressants than H2RA.However, the efficacy and safety of low-dose PPI for treating gastritis remain unclear. The aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose PPI for treating gastritis. Methods: A double-blind, noninferiority, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial randomly assigned 476 patients with endoscopic erosive gastritis to a group using esomeprazole 10 mg (DW1903) daily and a group using famotidine 20 mg (DW1903R1) daily for 2 weeks. The full-analysis set included 319 patients (DW1903, n=159; DW1903R1, n=160) and the per-protocol set included 298 patients (DW1903, n=147; DW1903R1, n=151). The primary endpoint (erosion improvement rate) and secondary endpoint (erosion and edema cure rates, improvement rates of hemorrhage, erythema, and symptoms) were assessed after the treatment. Adverse events were compared. Results: According to the full-analysis set, the erosion improvement rates in the DW1903 and DW1903R1 groups were 59.8% and 58.8%, respectively. According to the per-protocol analysis, the erosion improvement rates in the DW1903 and DW1903R1 groups were 61.9% and 59.6%, respectively. Secondary endpoints were not significantly different between two groups except that the hemorrhagic improvement rate was higher in DW1903 with statistical tendency. The number of adverse events were not statistically different. Conclusions DW1903 of a low-dose PPI was not inferior to DW1903R1 of H2RA. Thus, lowdose PPI can be a novel option for treating gastritis (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05163756).

Tillaux fractures, a rare type corresponding to Salter–Harris type 3, are observed in approximately 3% of pediatric ankle fractures. They are known to occur primarily via a supination–external rotation mechanism. Maisonneuve fractures, on the other hand, are proximal fibula fractures involving injury on syndesmosis, deltoid ligament, or medial malleolus fracture, occurring via a pronation-external rotation mechanism. These two types of fractures occur through different mechanisms of injury. In this study, a nine-year-old female pediatric patient presented to the outpatient department with ankle pain following a fall from a trampoline and was diagnosed with concurrent Tillaux-like fracture and Maisonneuve fractures. Surgical treatment was performed, resulting in successful recovery.

Background and Objectives: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lateral neck lymph node metastasis is known as a major risk factor for tumor recurrence after surgical treatment. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for loco-regional recurrence in patients with PTC with lateral neck lymph node metastasis, which has a high risk of recurrence.Subjects and Method This study involved 319 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, central lymph node (LN) and lateral LN dissection due to PTC. The patients’ demographics and pathological factors, including lymph node metastasis were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate, multivariate and C-index with variable selection analyses were performed to identify factors associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: A mean follow-up of 101 months, 35 (10.9%) patients had a loco-regional recurrence. In multivariate analysis according to loco-regional recurrence, patients with a primary tumor of more than 4 cm, multifocality, vascular invasion, and bilateral lateral cervical metastasis were associated with worse RFS. In the variable selection analysis, lateral lymph node metastasis ratio was also statistically significant. Conclusion PTC with lateral neck lymph node metastasis included tumors larger than 4 cm. Multifocality, vascular invasion, high lateral lymph node metastasis ratio and bilateral neck lymph node metastasis are predictive factors of loco-regional recurrence, and these risk factors should be carefully followed-up after surgery.

Background/Aims: The eradication success rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection with a first-line standard triple therapy (STT) has been decreasing in Korea. However, treatment outcomes of H. pylori infection in Yeongdong, Gangwon Province have been scarcely reported. This study aimed to investigate the treatment outcomes of H. pylori infection in a single tertiary care hospital with regional characteristics. Materials and Methods: From July 2018 to June 2019, a total of 592 patients who underwent STT consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for 7 to 14 days as a first-line H. pylori eradication therapy were included. Demographic data and treatment outcomes were retrospectively reviewed using medical records. Results: The median age of 592 patients was 58 years (range 23 to 86) and 329 patients (55.6%) were men. The indication for eradication therapy included chronic atrophic gastritis (57.9%), peptic ulcer disease (19.6%), and gastric neoplasm after endoscopic resection (5.9%). Most patients (92.2%) received a 7-day course of STT. Eradication rate of STT was 64.0% (379/592). Rescue therapy was performed in 146 patients, and the final eradication rate reached 85.6% (507/592). Conclusions Eradication rate of STT in Yeongdong area of Gangwon Province was unsatisfactory, warranting the consideration of a first-line eradication regimen other than STT.

Purpose: Postoperative adhesions after thyroidectomy adversely affect patients’ quality of life. This study assessed the anti-adhesive effect and safety of thermosensitive sol-gel agents for patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Methods: A double-blind parallel-group randomized clinical trial involving patients aged 20–70 years undergoing thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules was conducted. From August 2017 to April 2020, 90 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 45, thermosensitive sol-gel agent applied to the surgical site) and control (n = 45, no treatment) groups in a 1:1 ratio. All patients were assessed using a questionnaire for swallowing difficulty, wrinkle problems, and inflammation at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after thyroid surgery. For reoperated patients, the degree of adhesion was evaluated according to the adhesion-evaluation score system (range, 0–4). Results: During the follow-up period of 6.50 ± 1.38 months, the swallowing difficulty, wrinkle problem, and inflammation were improved in both groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the control and experimental groups related to swallowing difficulty, wrinkle problems, and inflammation. Two patients in the control group and 1 in the experimental group who underwent reoperation had an adhesion-evaluation score of 3 points. There were no adverse effects or allergic reactions. Conclusion A thermosensitive sol-gel agent can be safely used as an anti-adhesive barrier. However, this study did not reveal its efficacy for postoperative adhesions. A more objective and systematic study is required in the future.

Background/Aims: Sepsis-3 criteria and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) have been advocated to be used in defining sepsis in the general population. We aimed to compare the Sepsis-3 criteria and Chronic Liver Failure-SOFA (CLIF-SOFA) scores as predictors of in-hospital mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for infections. Methods: A total of 1,622 cirrhosis patients admitted at the ED for infections were assessed retrospectively. We analyzed their demographic, laboratory, and microbiological data upon diagnosis of the infection. The primary endpoint was inhospital mortality rate. The predictive performances of baseline CLIF-SOFA, Sepsis-3, and qSOFA scores for in-hospital mortality were evaluated. Results: The CLIF-SOFA score proved to be significantly better in predicting in-hospital mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–0.82) than the Sepsis-3 (AUROC, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.72–0.77, P<0.001) and qSOFA (AUROC, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.64–0.70; P<0.001) score. The CLIF-SOFA, CLIF-C-AD scores, Sepsis-3 criteria, septic shock, and qSOFA positivity were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.24; 95% CI, 1.19–1.28; aHR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.09–1.17; aHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15–1.24; aHR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.42–2.48; aHR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.55–2.72; respectively; all P<0.001). For CLIF-SOFA scores ≥6, in-hospital mortality was >10%; this is the cutoff point for the definition of sepsis. Conclusions Among cirrhosis patients presenting with infections at the ED, CLIF-SOFA scores showed a better predictive performance for mortality than both Sepsis-3 criteria and qSOFA scores, and can be a useful tool of risk stratification in cirrhotic patients requiring timely intervention for infection.

Purpose: The proximal fifth metatarsal fracture is one of the most common foot fractures. However, few studies have evaluated the associated injuries in patients with a proximal fifth metatarsal fracture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of foot and ankle joint injuries associated with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures and compare the incidence of these injuries based on the injury mechanisms and location of the fracture. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 157 patients with a proximal fifth metatarsal fracture who underwent surgery from January 2014 to August 2021. Their medical records and radiology images were reviewed to classify and analyze the associated injuries. The proximal fifth metatarsal fractures were classified using Lawrence and Botte's classification. Injury mechanisms were divided into direct and indirect injuries. The incidence of injuries was statistically analyzed according to the injury mechanism and classification. Results: Of the 157 patients with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures, 81 (51.6%) were diagnosed with foot and ankle joint injuries. The incidence of foot injuries was 65.4%, that of ankle joint injuries was 19.8%, and of both foot and ankle joint injuries was 14.8%. In patients with direct injuries, the incidence of foot and ankle joint injuries was 82.5% and that of indirect injuries was 41.0%. Statistical differences were observed between the incidence of direct and indirect injuries (p<0.001). The incidence of injuries, according to Lawrence and Botte’s classification, was 54.9% (Zone I), 41.2% (Zone II), and 50.0% (Zone III) respectively. However, there were no statistically significant variations in the locations of the proximal fifth metatarsal fractures (p=0.051). Conclusion In this study, the incidence of foot and ankle joint injuries associated with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures was found to be high. Therefore, a careful physical examination and appropriate radiological evaluation are recommended for patients with such fractures.

An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) can occur in many parts of the human body, but a primary ABC of the talus is extremely rare. ABCs are benign, but aggressively growing tumors that usually occur in the first two decades of life. Patients mainly complain of pain, limited movement of the involved joint or a palpable mass. Pain may worsen suddenly because of pathological fractures. If not treated properly, ABC has a risk of local recurrence, followed by the destruction of the joint and a significant functional deficit. While the complete removal of the bone tumor is essential, it is also important to treat the resultant bone defect after removal. The talus has an important part to play in weight-bearing. Therefore, an appropriate bone graft is required for large bone defects that occur after an ABC removal from the talus. We report a primary ABC of the talus in a 28-year-old male that was treated by curettage and a bone pillar pattern graft of autologous tricortical iliac crest bone. The patient had an excellent functional outcome with early weight-bearing, and there was no recurrence at 16 months of follow-up.

Echinococcosis occurs mainly in areas with heavy livestock farming, such as Central Asia, America, and Australia. Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) infection causes echinococcosis in intermediate hosts, such as sheep, cattle, goats, camels, and horses. Numerous cases of echinococcosis occur in Uzbekistan as stock farming is a primary industry. Epidemiological and genetic studies of E. granulosus s.l. are very important for mitigating its impact on public health and the economy; however, there are no such studies on E. granulosus s.l. in Uzbekistan. In the present study, to determine which genotypes exist and are transmitted, we isolated Echinococcus sp. from definitive hosts (one isolate each from jackal and dog) and intermediate hosts (52 isolates from humans and 6 isolates from sheep) in Uzbekistan and analyzed the isolates by sequencing 2 mitochondrial DNA components (cox1 and nad1). The results showed that all of isolates except one belonged to the E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) G1 and G3 genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis based on cox1 sequences showed that 42 isolates from humans, 6 isolates from sheep, and one isolate from jackal were the G1 genotype, whereas the remaining 8 isolates from human and the one isolate from dog were the G3 genotype. These results suggest that the G1 and G3 genotypes of E. granulosus s.s. are predominant in Uzbekistan, and both wild animals and domestic animals are important for maintaining their life cycle. Only one isolate from human sample was confirmed to be E. eqiinus (G4 genotype), which is known to be for the first time.