Pathogenesis of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease that is caused by various etiologies including gallstone, alcohol or hypertriglyceridemia. Although most cases of acute pancreatitis show self-limiting course, severe cases are still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenic mechanisms of acute pancreatitis are not fully understood. However, it is a central dogma that premature intracellular activation of trypsinogen is the earliest pathologic event. Even though it remains unknown how intracellular trypsinogen activation can be caused by such diverse etiologies, this initial insult in pancreatic acinar cells lead to local inflammatory complications and a systemic response or death. Pathophysiologic mechanisms related to the progression of acute pancreatitis include microcirculatory injury, chemoattraction of inflammatory cells, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and bacterial translocation to pancreas and systemic circulation. Recently, several interesting transgenic mice model experiments shed a light in trypsin independent mechanism of local and systemic inflammation for progression of acute pancreatitis.ope

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia diagnosed by capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopu

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare disorder characterized by dilated intestinal lymphatics and the development of protein-losing enteropathy. Patients with PIL develop hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia, and present with bilateral lower limb edema, fatigue, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Endoscopy reveals diffusely elongated, circumferential and polypoid mucosae covered with whitish enlarged villi, all of which indicate intestinal lymphangiectasia. Diagnosis is confirmed by characteristic tissue pathology, which includes dilated intestinal lymphatics with diffusely swollen mucosa and enlarged villi. The prevalence of PIL has increased since the introduction of capsule endoscopy. The etiology and prevalence of PIL remain unknown. Some studies have reported that several genes and regulatory molecules for lymphangiogenesis are related to PIL. We report the case of a patient with PIL involving the entire small bowel that was confirmed by capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy-guided tissue pathology who carried a deletion on chromosome 4q25. The relationship between this deletion on chromosome 4 and PIL remains to be investigated.ope

Prognostic factors and characteristics of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: single center experience

PURPOSE: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are a rare subgroup of tumors. For PNETs, the predictive factors for survival and prognosis are not well known. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the predictive factors for survival and disease progression in PNETs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 37 patients who were diagnosed with PNET at Severance Hospital between November 2005 and March 2010. Prognostic factors for survival and disease progression were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 50.0±15.0 years. Eight cases (21.6%) were described as functioning tumors and 29 cases (78.4%) as non-functioning tumors. In univariate analysis of clinical factors, patients with liver metastasis (p=0.002), without resection of primary tumors (p=0.002), or American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) stage III/IV (p=0.002) were more likely to demonstrate shorter overall survival (OS). Patients with bile duct or pancreatic duct invasion (p=0.031), sized-lesions larger than 20 mm (p=0.036), liver metastasis (p=0.020), distant metastasis (p=0.005), lymph node metastasis (p=0.009) or without resection of primary tumors (p=0.020) were more likely to demonstrate shorter progression-free survival (PFS). In multivariate analysis of clinical factors, bile duct or pancreatic duct invasion [p=0.010, hazard ratio (HR)=95.046] and tumor location (non-head of pancreas) (p=0.036, HR=7.381) were confirmed as independent factors for predicting shorter PFS. CONCLUSION: Patients with liver metastasis or without resection of primary tumors were more likely to demonstrate shorter OS. Patients with bile duct or pancreatic duct invasion or tumors located at body or tail of pancreas were more likely to demonstrate shorter PFS.ope

A Case of Candida Parapsilosis Infectious Arthritis in a Patient with Enteropathic Arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis

Infectious arthritis is an important medical emergency with high morbidity. The most frequent causative organism of infectious arthritis is Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida is an uncommon pathogen. Candida arthritis has been reported to occur in seriously ill or immunocompromised patients and neonates. We report the first case of C. parapsilosis arthritis in a patient with ulcerative colitis. A 52-year-old woman was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 1 year previously and took balsalazide. Pain and swelling in the right knee joint developed 6 months after diagnosis. She was diagnosed with enteropathic arthritis associated with ulcerative colitis and took methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and prednisolone for 3 months, but the symptoms did not improve. We finally diagnosed her with infectious C. parapsilosis arthritis by culturing the synovial fluid. The patient received amphotericin B for 6 weeks and underwent arthroscopic synovectomy. She finally experienced improvement of inflammation in the right knee jointope

Cholecystectomy for Prevention of Recurrence after Endoscopic Clearance of Bile Duct Stones in Korea

PURPOSE: Cholecystectomy in patients with an intact gallbladder after endoscopic removal of stones from the common bile duct (CBD) remains controversial. We conducted a case-control study to determine the risk of recurrent CBD stones and the benefit of cholecystectomy for prevention of recurrence after endoscopic removal of stones from the CBD in Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 317 patients who underwent endoscopic CBD stone extraction between 2006 and 2012 were included. Possible risk factors for the recurrence of CBD stones including previous cholecystectomy history, bile duct diameter, stone size, number of stones, stone composition, and the presence of a periampullary diverticulum were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up after CBD stone extraction was 25.4±22.0 months. A CBD diameter of 15 mm or larger [odds ratio (OR), 1.930; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.098 to 3.391; p=0.022] and the presence of a periampullary diverticulum (OR, 1.859; 95% CI, 1.014 to 3.408; p=0.045) were independent predictive factors for CBD stone recurrence. Seventeen patients (26.6%) in the recurrence group underwent elective cholecystectomy soon after endoscopic extraction of CBD stones, compared to 88 (34.8%) in the non-recurrence group; the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.212). CONCLUSION: A CBD diameter of 15 mm or larger and the presence of a periampullary diverticulum were found to be potential predictive factors for recurrence after endoscopic extraction of CBD stones. Elective cholecystectomy after clearance of CBD stones did not reduce the incidence of recurrent CBD stones in Korean patients.ope

Conventional versus Analgesia-Oriented Combination Sedation on Recovery Profiles and Satisfaction after ERCP: A Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND: The importance of providing effective analgesia during sedation for complex endoscopic procedures has been widely recognized. However, repeated administration of opioids in order to achieve sufficient analgesia may carry the risk of delayed recovery after propofol based sedation. This study was done to compare recovery profiles and the satisfaction of the endoscopists and patients between conventional balanced propofol sedation and analgesia-oriented combination sedation for patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). METHODS: Two hundred and two adult patients scheduled for ERCP were sedated by either the Conventional (initial bolus of meperidine with propofol infusion) or Combination (repeated bolus doses of fentanyl with propofol infusion) method. Recovery profiles, satisfaction levels of the endoscopists and patients, drug requirements and complications were compared between groups. RESULTS: Patients of the Combination Group required significantly less propofol compared to the Conventional Group (135.0 ± 68.8 mg vs. 165.3 ± 81.7 mg, P = 0.005). Modified Aldrete scores were not different between groups throughout the recovery period, and recovery times were also comparable between groups. Satisfaction scores were not different between the two groups in both the endoscopists and patients (P = 0.868 and 0.890, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the significant reduction in propofol dose, the non-inferiority of recovery profiles and satisfaction scores of the endoscopists and patients, analgesia oriented combination sedation may be a more safe yet effective sedative method compared to conventional balanced propofol sedation during ERCP.ope

Validation of Group B Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: Retrospective Analysis

Background/Aims: Among borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC), group B BRPC patients have findings that are suggestive but not diagnostic of metastasis. In this study, we attempted to validate whether group B could truly be categorized as a borderline resectable group. Methods: We placed the BRPC patients into group A or group B. The survival outcomes were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 53 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma was classified as either group A or B borderline resectable. In group A, 23 (60.5%) of 38 patients underwent pancreatectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy, but in group B, only five (33.3%) of 15 patients underwent pancreatectomy, mainly because of the progression of suspected distant metastasis. There was a significant difference in overall survival (OS) between group A and B patients (median OS, 21.2 months vs 10.2 months, respectively; p=0.007). Of the patients who underwent pancreatectomy, group B had a higher recurrence rate compared to group A (recurrence rate: 11 of 23 patients [47.8%] vs five of five patients [100%], respectively; p=0.033). Conclusions: This report is the first to validate the definition of BPRC. Group B had much worse outcomes, and whether group B BRPC can be categorized as BRPC together with group A is questionable.ope

Recurrent Acute Pericarditis Induced by 5-aminosalicylates in a Patient with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic chronic inflammation of the intestines. IBD treatment may require anti-inflammatory agents such as sulfasalazine or 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) and immunomodulators to control the symptoms. However, these agents have a variety of common adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, skin rash, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and infections. Moreover, rare side effects such as nephrotic syndrome, pneumonitis, and pericarditis can occur. A 21-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to acute chest pain, fever, and sweating. The patient had a history of Crohn's disease and had been taking mesalazine for 3 weeks. Chest x-ray, echocardiography, and clinical manifestations revealed that the patient had acute pericarditis. However, we did not recognize the relationship between these findings and 5-ASA at that time. Two years later, the patient took 5-ASA again, and similar symptoms occurred, which led us to confirm that he suffered from pericarditis induced by this drug. We report a case of acute recurrent pericarditis that developed after taking 5-ASA for IBD treatment with a review of the literature.ope

The Use of Health Functional Foods in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients

As an adjunct to cancer treatment, the use of health functional foods (HFFs) seems to be increasing. However, little is known for the use of HFFs among cancer patients in Korea. The aims of this study were to investigate the exposure rate of HFF use among gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients and to examine the relationship of socio-demographic and disease-related characteristics with the use of HFFs. A total of 126 patients diagnosed with GI cancer participated in the study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire. Over a half of all the patients surveyed (n = 67; 53.2%) used HFFs. Patients who were younger, had higher income, or longer duration of disease showed a trend to use HFFs more frequently, even though the tendency was not statistically significant. The most commonly used HFF was vitamin complex (n = 20; 16%), followed by red ginseng (n = 15; 12%), and sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) (n = 11; 8.8%). About 26% of all responders expressed concerns for using HFFs. The primary concern was 'going against physician's recommendations' (36.8%). About 63% of respondents expressed a desire to consult with their physicians and follow their recommendations. More basic scientific data and educational materials regarding HFFs are required for both health-care professionals and cancer patients. A larger sample and size-controlled groups representing each cancer type will continue to be recruited for participation in this survey.ope

췌장 신경내분비 종양의 예후인자 및 특징에 대한 고찰 : 단일 기관 경험

Dept. of Medicine/석사Purpose: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are a rare subgroup of tumors. For PNETs, predictive factors for survival and prognosis are not well known. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the predictive factors for survival and disease progression in PNETs. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyze 37 patients who were diagnosed as PNET at Severance Hospital between November 2005 and March 2010. Prognostic factors for survival and disease progression were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.0±15.0 years. Eight cases (21.6%) were described as functioning tumors and 29 cases (78.4%) as non-functioning tumors. In univariate analysis of clinical factors, patients with liver metastasis (p=0.002), without resection of primary tumors (p=0.002), or AJCC/UICC III/IV stage (p=0.002) were more likely to show shorter overall survival (OS). Patients with bile duct or pancreatic duct invasion (p=0.031), larger than 20mm sized-lesions (p=0.036), liver metastasis (p=0.020), distant metastasis (p=0.005), lymph node metastasis (p=0.009) or without resection of primary tumors (p=0.020) were more likely to show shorter progression-free survival (PFS). In multivariate analysis of clinical factors, bile duct or pancreatic duct invasion [p=0.010, hazard ratio (HR) =95.046], and tumor location (non-head of pancreas) (p=0.036, HR=7.381) were confirmed as independent factors to predict shorter PFS. Conclusion: Patients with liver metastasis or without resection of primary tumors were more likely to show shorter OS. Patients with bile duct or pancreatic duct invasion or tumors located at body or tail of pancreas were more likely to show shorter PFS.ope