Pathological Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of Argon Plasma Coagulation in Gastric Low-Grade Dysplasia.

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC.

Association of Survival with Radiologic-Pathologic Discordance in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Nationwide Cohort Study Based on the Primary Liver Cancer Registry in Korea.

Background/aims: No studies have investigated the effects of radiologic-pathologic discordance on the outcomes of patients who have undergone resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we investigated the effects of these discrepancies on the outcomes of such patients.

Methods: This study included patients diagnosed with HCC on magnetic resonance imaging who underwent resection, including 1,790 from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (nationwide cohort) and 185 from Chungnam National University Hospital (hospital cohorts).

Quality Indicators of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Korea.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure that requires significant experiences and skills and has various procedure-related complications, some of which can be severe and even result in the death of patients. Expanding ERCP availability has the advantage of increasing accessibility for patients. However, ERCP poses a substantial risk if performed without proper quality management.

Risk Factors for a Narrow Safety Margin after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer.

Introduction: A narrow safety margin (NSM) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-recognized risk factor for local recurrence in early gastric cancer (EGC). However, only a few studies have investigated the risk factors for the development of NSM.

Methods: The medical records and pathologic specimens of patients with EGC who underwent ESD from January 2020 to December 2020 at a single tertiary hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) were reviewed.

Prognostic Value of Erythroblastic Leukemia Viral Oncogene Homolog 2 and Neuregulin 4 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Although the roles of erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2), neuregulin 4 (NRG4), and mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG6) in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other malignancies have been previously investigated, the prognostic value of their serum levels in HCC remains undetermined. In the present study, correlations between serum levels and tumor characteristics, overall survival, and tumor recurrence were analyzed. Furthermore, the prognostic potential of the serum levels of these biomarkers was evaluated relative to that of alpha-fetoprotein.

Outcomes of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation versus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Few studies have compared the therapeutic outcomes in patients with HCC who underwent laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) versus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this study compared the recurrence and survival outcomes of the two RFA methods in patients with HCC.

Methods: Recurrence and overall survival outcomes were evaluated in 307 patients who underwent LRFA (n = 151) or PRFA (n = 156) as a treatment method for de novo HCC.

Catecholamine crisis after endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy: A case report.

Rationale: The function and use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) has developed in recent years, particularly in distinguishing malignant from benign masses. It is a generally safe method that can be completed without any uncommon complications. Here, although no complications from EUS-FNB were noted, we report about an unexpected catecholamine crisis that occurred after EUS-FNB.

Current Practice Patterns of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Sampling for Pancreatic Solid Mass in Korea: Outcomes of a National Survey.

Background/aims: Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) are widely used for tissue acquisition of pancreatic solid mass, the optimal strategy of this procedure has not been established yet. The aim of this nationwide study was to investigate the current practice patterns of EUS-FNA/FNB for pancreatic solid mass in Korea.

Methods: The Policy-Quality Management of the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) developed a questionnaire containing 22 questions.

Typhoid fever presenting with gastric ulcer bleeding.

Background: Enteric fever is a systemic disease caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi or Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi, characterized by high fever and abdominal pain. Most patients with enteric fever improve within a few days after antibiotic treatment. However, some patients do not recover as easily and develop fatal life-threatening complications, including intestinal hemorrhage.

Validation and modification of existing mortality prediction models for lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a retrospective study.

Background: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) often subsides without medical intervention; however, in some cases, the bleeding does not stop and the patient's condition worsens. Therefore, predicting severe LGIB in advance can aid treatment. This study aimed to evaluate variables related to mortality from LGIB and propose a scoring system.

Gemcitabine plus Nab-paclitaxel as a second-line treatment following FOLFIRINOX failure in advanced pancreatic cancer: a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) as second-line chemotherapy following first-line FOLFIRINOX treatment failure in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods: This was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 trial done at three tertiary centers in South Korea from May 2018 to December 2019. Eligible patients were aged 20 years or older, had histologically confirmed advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and disease progression after receiving first-line FOLFIRINOX.

Effect of Diminutive Adenoma with High-Grade Dysplasia on Surveillance Colonoscopy Interval.

Background: Colonoscopy surveillance guidelines set the surveillance schedule based on polyp characteristics. Polyps with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) require 3 years of follow-up regardless of size. However, it is unclear whether patients with diminutive polyps (≤5 mm) with HGD have a higher risk.

A National Survey on the Environment and Basic Techniques of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Korea.

Background/aims: The work environment in which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is conducted has influence on its efficacy and safety. We aimed to assess the current status of ERCP work environments and to investigate the trends associated with the basic techniques of ERCP in Korea.

Methods: The work environment and information on the basic techniques of ERCP were acquired by the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) through a national survey in 2019.

Subepithelial spread of early gastric cancer is common and extends more than expected.

Backgrounds: The clinical significance of subepithelial (SE) spread from early gastric cancer (EGC) is poorly understood. Thus, we evaluated the proportion and extent of SE spread from EGC, as well as related risk factors.

Methods: We reviewed medical records and pathological specimens from patients with EGC who underwent surgery or endoscopic resection between January 2016 and December 2016 at Chungnam National University Hospital.

Development and Validation of a Risk Scoring Model for Early Prediction of Severe Colon Ischemia.

Background: Colon ischemia (CI) is injury to the intestines secondary to insufficient blood flow. Its clinical severity can range from mild to life-threatening.

Aims: To investigate predictive risk factors for CI and propose a scoring model for severe outcomes.

Comparison of conventional and modified endoscopic mucosal resection methods for the treatment of rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

Background/aim: Small rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) confined to the submucosa are endoscopically resectable. Because most rectal NETs are submucosal tumors, conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (cEMR) may not result in a complete resection. This study investigated whether modified EMRs, namely endoscopic submucosal resection with ligation (ESMR-L), EMR with precutting (EMR-P), and strip biopsy are superior to cEMR for achieving histologically complete resection (HCR) of rectal NETs.

Current trends in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms in Korea: a national survey.

Background/aims: The study aimed to investigate the current practice patterns in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms in Korea.

Methods: An electronic survey was systematically distributed by email to members of the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association from December 2019 to February 2020.

Results: In total, 115 (110 gastroenterologists, five surgeons) completed the survey, 72.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease in the stomach presenting as a gastric subepithelial tumor: Case report.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibroinflammatory disorder characterized by specific pathologic findings and often, but not in all cases, elevated serum IgG4 concentration. Although it can virtually involve every organ system, cases involving the gastrointestinal tract and especially gastric mass lesions have rarely been reported.

Patient Concerns: A 45-year-old man, who was incidentally discovered asymptomatic subepithelial tumor (SET), by endoscopy, on the greater curvature of the upper gastric body, was referred to our hospital for further evaluation.

Self-expandable metal stent of esophagogastric junction versus pyloric area obstruction in advanced gastric cancer patients: Retrospective, comparative, single-center study.

Upper gastrointestinal stenting is a palliative treatment for relieving symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dietary intake in patients with obstruction due to inoperable advanced stomach cancer. Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) implantation for malignant obstruction has recently become more effective, safer, and less expensive than operative modality. It also has better short-term outcomes, particularly a shorter hospital stay and a more rapid return to oral intake, than surgical treatment.

The incidence and risk factors of sessile serrated adenomas in left side colon cancer patients after curative surgery.

Sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs) are precursors of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there are limited data on detection rates of this premalignant lesion during colonoscopy surveillance in patients with a history of left side colonic resection for cancer. We aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of SSAs in post-left side colectomy patients.

Intestinal Perforation as a Paradoxical Reaction to Antitubercular Therapy: A Case Report.

Paradoxical reactions to tuberculosis (TB) treatment are characterized by an initial improvement of the clinical symptoms followed by clinical or radiological deterioration of existing tuberculous lesions, or by development of new lesions. Intestinal perforation in gastrointestinal TB can occur as a paradoxical reaction to antitubercular therapy. A 55-year-old man visited the outpatient department with lower abdominal pain and weight loss.