• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1058-1066
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• 1998

Background: Actinomycotic infection is uncommon and primary actinomycosis of the lung and chest wall has been less frequently reported. This disease may present as chronic debilitating illness with radiologic manifestation simulating lung tumor, pulmonary infiltrating lesion, or chronic suppuration. Diagnosis of choice was not definded yet and role of bronchoscopy on diagnosis was not described yet. Methods: From 1989 to 1998, we experienced 17 cases of thoracic actinomycosis. We have reviewed the case notes of 17 patients with thoracic actinomycosis. The mean age at presentation was $53{\pm}13$ years, 11 were male. Results: Cough, hemoptysis, sputum production, chest pain and weight loss were the commonest symptoms. The mean delay between presentation and diagnosis was $6.6{\pm}7.8$ months. There were six patients who presented with a clinical picture of a suppurative lesion and eleven patients were suspected of having primary lung tumor initially. In no cases was made an accurate diagnosis at the time of hospital admission. Associated diseases were emphysema (1 case), bronchiectasis (2 cases) and tuberculosis (2 cases). Bronchoscopic findings were mucosal swelling and stenosis(n=4), mucosal swelling, stenosis and necrotic covering (n=2), mass (n=3), mass and necrotic covering (n=1) and normal(n=6). Radiologic findings were mass lesion(n=8), pneumonitis(n=3), atelectasis(n=3), pleural effusion(n=2), and normal(n=3). Final diagnosis was based on percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy (n=3), bronchoscopic biopsy specimens (n=9), mediastinoscopic biopsy (n=1) and histologic examination of resected tissue in the remaining patients(n=4) who received surgical excision. Among 17 patients, 13 were treated medically and the other 4 received surgical intervention followed by antibiotic treatment. Regarding the surgically treated patients, suspected malignancy is the most common indication for operation. However. both medically and surgically treated patients achieved good clinical results. Conclusion: Thoracic actinomycosis is rare. but should still be considered in the differential diagnosis of a chrinic, localized pulmonary lesion. Thoracic actinomycosis may co-exist with pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer. If the lesion is located in the central of the lung. the bronchoscopy is recommanded for the diagnosis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2000

Background: There arc two theories in the development of colon cancer. One is the adenoma-carcinoma sequence theory and the other is the de novo cancer theory. Western countries believe in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence theory, however there are many recent reports from, Japan about cancers developing from small adenomas. Methods: The present study analyzed 408 polyps from 508 cases that were taken by colonoscopic polypectomy at the Department of internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital. Results: The percentage of patients who had a polyp was 41.3% (210 cases out of 526 cases), and the peak incidence was noted in patients in their 50s and 60s, There was no difference between the sexes, but we noted significant increase in the incidence of polyps in patients over the age of thirty. We found 395 polyps below 1cm and 13 polyps above 1cm. Among 408 polyps, 5 cases were cancerous polyps and 3 cases showed polyp size of less than 1cm each. The first case was a polyp of 0.4cm in size with elevated mucosa at the ascending colon. The second was 0.5cm in size with round elevation and hyperemic mucosa in the rectum. The third was 0.6cm in size with tubular elevation at the hepatic flexure. Conclusions: Colon polyp is a common disease in Koreans, Even small polyps can have cancer tissue, which should be removed if discovered during colonoscopy. We believe that not all colon cancer originates in the manner described by the adenoma-carcinoma sequence theory. However further studies with a larger sample population arc needed to determine the exact role of colon polyps in the development of colon cancer.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2004

Purpose: Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura (HSP) is a small-vessel vasculitic disease that most often affects the skin. Abdominal symptoms precede the typical purpuric rash of HSP in 14~36%. It is a challenge to diagnose HSP in the absence of a rash, because there are no biologic tests that can identify HSP with certainty, so we tried to find out the characteristic features of HSP gastroenteropathy without purpura before diagnosis. Methods: This study included 82 children with HSP who had been admitted or visited outward of the Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital from 1995 to 2000. The cases that the onset of purpura preceded or coincided that of abdominal pain were defined as purpura-positive group. The cases that the onset of abdominal pain preceded purpura more than 1 week and purpura was not presented till diagnosed as HSP gastroenteropathy were defined as purpura-negative group. We compared and analyzed the clinical features of the two groups by reviewing the medical records retrospectively. To ensure the diagnosis of HSP gastroenteropathy, we conducted upper GI series, abdominal ultrasonogram, abdominal CT, endoscopy and/or skin biopsy. Results: The number of cases of purpura-positive group and purpura-negative group were 72 and 10, respectively. There is no difference between two groups in the incidence of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. Children with HSP gastroenteropathy had characteristic erosive or ulcerative lesions in the stomach or duodenum on esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or mural thickening of the small bowel on abdominal ultrasonogram, CT or upper GI series. Skin biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis in 3 of them, although biopsy specimen was taken from any areas of normal- appearing skin. In purpura-negative group, 9 patients improved by steroid therapy. Conclusion: In purpura-negative group, there is no diagnostic feature on the laboratory findings and clinical features. Therefore, to diagnose HSP gastroenteropathy in patients with abdominal pain in the absence of the characteristic rash, careful observation of clinical features and laboratory data, and prompt application of available diagnostic tools such as gastrointestinal endoscopy, radiologic study and skin biopsy are recommended. Early use of corticosteroid may reduce the suffering in these patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 2006

Crohn disease (CD) is rare, but the incidence of CD has been increasing over the past ten years. We found two cases of CD, associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), for the first time in children. In the first patient, MDS was diagnosed at three years of age and CD developed later at eight years of age. The patient presented with recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools and failure to thrive. Colonoscopy revealed cobble stone like mucosa and mass like lesions with superficial ulceration and inflammatory exudates, observed from the cecum to ascending colon. Ileo-cecal biopsy samples showed ulcers with skipped areas and lymphoid infiltrations. The patient was started on treatment with mesalazine and deflazacort, and symptoms remitted. In the second patient, MDS was diagnosed at nine years of age and CD developed at 13 years of age. This patient has recurrent hematochezia, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. Colonoscopy revealed a large, deep indurative ulceration on the cecal side of the ileo-cecal valve. Ileocecectomy was done, and histology revealed ulceration with transmural inflammation and lymphoid aggregates. Symptoms improved after ileocecectomy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.238-245
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• 2009

Purpose: Treatment strategies for early gastric carcinoma (EGC) should be based on achieving a complete cure, but clear indications for limited surgery have not been established. We investigated surgical outcomes for early gastric cancer to determine the optimal? treatment strategy for EGC. Materials and Methods: Subjects included 881 patients who underwent curative surgery for EGC between 1986 and 2003. Retrospective uni & multi-variate analysis for prognostic factors, factors affecting lymph node metastasis, and risk factors for cancer recurrence were analyzed. Results: In multivariate survival analyses, age, operation method, macroscopic appearance and lymph node stage proved to be independent prognostic factors. Lymph node metastasis, depth of tumor invasion, tumor size, lymphatic and venous invasion were also significant risk factors in multivariate analyses. In multivariate analyses for cancer recurrence, depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis proved to be significant risk factors. Conclusion: Appropriate surgical treatment with lymph node dissection is necessary for EGC patients with risk factors for lymph node metastasis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.1 s.19
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• pp.85-90
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• 1986

This study was conducted in July-August, 1984, to define the causes of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in rural population and to provide data for the management of such patients. A household survey was conducted to identify all the residents of Youngchun and Sungiu counties in Kyungpook province who were over 20 years of age, had chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms for over the last 6 months, never had medical examination for the symptoms, and volunteered to participate in the gastroscopic examination. Gastroscopy was done for 106 males and 108 females. Gastric ulcer was found in 16.8% of all the examinees, duodenal ulcer in 15.4%, gastritis in 14.0%, and gastric cancer in 3.7%. No lesion was found by gastroscopy in 52.3%. Gastric ulcer more common in male(26.4%) than in female(7.4%) (p<0.01) and the same was true for duodenal ulcer(20.8% of male, 10.2% of female). Gastric cancer was found in 7.5% of the male while none of the female had gastric cancer. A higher proportion of the female (68.5%) showed normal finding in the gastroscopy than the male(35.9%) (p<0.01). No significant association was found between the upper gastrointestinal symptoms and the gastroscopic findings. The higher prevalence rate of gastric ulcer than that of duodenal ulcer in this study which is the reverse of the study findings of urban area in Korea and western countries may be related in part with the dietary habit and social environment of the rural population. Although early diagnosis is the most important for the treatment of gastric cancer, many of the people with chronic upper gastrointestinal complaints defer the diagnosis and treatment. It is may be due to lack of the knowledge of diseases and the health care attitude of the rural people. A national program for the health education and mass screening for the gastric cancer should be developed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.9 s.266
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• pp.718-721
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• 2006

We describe the case of primary pulmonary paraganglioma in a 37-year-old woman who presented recurrent, severe cough. Computed tomography revealed a lobulated inhomogeneous enhanced mass with endobronchial protruding lesion suspected to be lung neoplasm, located in the upper lobe of the left lung. Bronchoscopic biopsy showed chronic inflammation with granulation tissue which was not in accord with the radiologic findings. Subsequently, a left lower sleeve lobectomy was peformed. Histological analysis of the resected tumor proved to be compatible with pulmonary paraganglioma. Primary pulmonary paragangliomas are very uncommon tumors. So we report this case with literature review.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.444-447
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• 2004

A 59 year-old male diagnosed as unstable angina underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery using in situ left internal mammary and right gastroepiploic artery grafts. During harvesting the right gastroepiploic artery, there was no abnormal finding in intraabdominal organs including stomach and liver. He was discharged at the 3rd postoperative day without complication. In case of using in situ right gastroepiploic artery, we recommend gastrofberscopic study at regular follow-up, The patient underwent the gastrofiberscopic study at postoperative 3rd month and diagnosed as advanced gastric cancer on the posterior wall of gastric fundus. At 5th postoperative month, total gastrectomy without intraoperative injury of the right gastroepiploic artery was performed at the department of general surgery. He was discharged at the 9th postoperative day. Follow-up coronary angiography performed at the 1st postoperative year demonstrated patent grafts including right gastroepiploic artery.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2002

Purpose: Foreign body swallowing is common in children. Most of foreign bodies passed upper esophagus are removed spontaneously. But recently, therapeutic endoscopy in children is widely used. In this study, we reviewed gastric foreign bodies regarding types, location, interval from swallowing, complications, and treatment or method of removal. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 96 cases with foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract at Department of Pediatrics in Gyeongsang National University Hospital (GNUH) from Feb 1987 to Feb 2002. Results: The peak age of patients (male=60, female=36) with foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract was 2 to 5 years of age. Sixty two patients (64.5%) were asymptomatic. The location of foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract were detected by simple X-ray in eighty one patients (86.0%), barium study (1 case), and gastroduodenoscopy in 37 cases. The most common location was stomach (63.5%). The most common foreign body was coin (41.7%). In thirty seven cases (38.5%), foreign bodies were removed with flexible gastroduodenoscopy. Fifty four patients (56.3%) visited GNUH in 24 hours after swallowing foreign bodies. The long interval (over 24 hours) of swallowing of foreign bodies is related with high frequency of endoscopic removal. Conclusion: The flexible gastroduodenoscopy was effective in diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies. Further studies for indication and validity of endoscopic removal of foreign bodies in upper gastrointestinal tract are needed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2006

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of capsule endoscopy (CE) for the diagnosis of small bowel diseases. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 66 patients (mean age: 52.1 years, male/female: 39/27), who underwent CE at Yeungnam University Hospital from August 2003 to March 2006. Results: Suspicious gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding presenting as anemia or history of gross bleeding was the most common reason to perform CE (71.2%). Other indications included GI symptoms (21.2%) such as abdominal pain/discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and others (7.6%). In studies performed for GI bleeding (n=47), ulcer/erosion was the most common finding (n=22, 46.8%) followed by tumor (n=5, 10.6%), angiodysplasia (n=3, 6.4%), polyp (n=3, 6.4%), active bleeding (n=1, 2.1 %), ulcer with stenosis (n=1, 2.1%), and normal findings (n=12, 25.5%). Of these, a bleeding focus was detected in 32 cases (68.1%) undergoing CE studies. Among 14 patients with GI symptoms, only two patients had typical findings related with symptoms. Surgical resection was performed in five cases with tumor. Of these, four were diagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor and the other one was a lymphangioma. There were no complications associated with the CE procedure. Conclusion: Capsule endoscopy is a safe, noninvasive diagnostic tool for small bowel diseases and may be useful for the diagnosis of small bowel hemorrhage including obscure bleeding. However, further studies are needed to confirm its utility for abdominal symptoms other than hemorrhage because of the low diagnostic yield.