• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2023

Purpose: Total colonoscopy is recommended if colorectal polyps are clinically suspected. This study aimed to investigate the performance status of pediatric colonoscopic polypectomy in Korea. Methods: We surveyed pediatric endoscopic specialists who perform colonoscopic polypectomy in Korea using a questionnaire of 13 questions on pediatric colonoscopic polypectomy performance status. Results: The survey was conducted at 45 institutions, and 32 specialists (71.1%) responded. Among the respondents, 31.2% (10/32) said colonoscopy was performed in all age groups, while 12.5% (4/32) said sigmoidoscopy was performed in all age groups. Meanwhile, 56.2% (18/32) said that sigmoidoscopy was performed in young children, while colonoscopy was performed in older children. Among them, 38.9% (7/18) believe that 4-6 years were young, and 44.5% (8/18) believe that 7-9 years were young. Regarding surveillance examinations, 21.9% (7/32) said they would perform a surveillance colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy in the future if less than five juvenile polyps were found in the colon. Meanwhile, if less than five adenomatous polyps were found in the colon, 93.8% (30/32) said they would perform surveillance colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy in the future. Conclusion: More than half of the pediatric endoscopic specialists in Korea choose between a colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy depending on the patient's age, contrary to the generally accepted recommendation of total colonoscopy if colorectal polyps are suspected in children and adolescents. In this survey, most pediatric endoscopists used the age range of 4-9 years as the reference age.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of our study was to establish a safe and convenient diagnostic method for acute gastrointestinal (GI) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in children by determining the sensitivity and negative predictive values of upper and lower endoscopic biopsies for children suspected of GI GVHD. Methods: Patients suspected of GI GVHD who received endoscopic evaluation within 100 days after stem cell transplantation and endoscopies between January 2012 and March 2014 in Seoul National University Children's Hospital were included in our study. Results: Fifteen patients with a total of 20 endoscopic procedures were included in our study. Sensitivity at the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were 22.2%, 30.0%, and 80.0%, respectively. Negative predictive values at the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were 22.2%, 30.0%, and 60.0%, respectively. Overall sensitivity and negative predictive values of upper endoscopic biopsy for GVHD were 77.8% and 50.0%, respectively. Overall sensitivity and negative predictive values of lower endoscopic biopsy for GVHD were 88.9% and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: We recommend flexible sigmoidoscopy as a safe and accurate diagnostic tool for GVHD, similar to other studies reported previously. However, if there is no evidence of GVHD on sigmoidoscopy with high index of suspicion of GI bleeding, full colonoscopy and upper endoscopy should be considered.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2024

Malignant melanomas, which are rarely found in the Asian population, are malignant tumors or melanocytes that manifest in the skin mucosa. Malignant melanomas of the anorectum are very rare and account for approximately 1% of all malignant melanomas in the Asian population. Here, we present a rare case presenting a malignant melanoma of the anorectum. An 85-year-old woman visited the hospital with bloody stools and an anal mass. Sigmoidoscopy revealed a black mass protruding from the anus, and the scope was able to penetrate the anorectal mass. Close-up endoscopy revealed black moles of different sizes scattered across the rectal mucosa. PET-CT indicated multiple FDG uptakes in the liver, indicating multiple metastases. Pathologic examination led to the detection of malignant melanocytes with dark brown deposits. The patient's immunohistochemical markers were positive for melanin-A antibodies and HMB-45, indicating a malignant melanoma. As there was no evidence of malignant melanomas on the skin, the patient was diagnosed with primary malignant anorectal melanoma with liver metastases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5023-5029
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• 2013

Background: To evaluate knowledge about screening tests and tests without proven screening value in a Greek Breast Unit population undergoing benign vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB). Materials and Methods: This study included 81 patients. Three knowledge-oriented items (recommended or not, screening frequency, age of onset) were assessed. Regarding screening tests two levels of knowledge were evaluated: i). crude knowledge (CK), i.e. knowledge that the test is recommended and ii). advanced knowledge (AK), i.e. correct response to all three knowledge-oriented items. Solely CK was evaluated for tests without proven screening value. Risk factors for lack of knowledge were assessed with multivariate logistic regression. A second questionnaire was administered 18 months after VABB to assess its impact on the performance of tests. Results: Concerning screening tests considerable lack of AK was noted (mammogram, 60.5%; Pap smear, 59.3%; fecal occult blood testing, 93.8%; sigmoidoscopy, 95.1%). Similarly lack of CK was documented regarding tests without proven screening value (breast self-examination, 92.6%; breast MRI, 60.5%; abdominal ultrasound, 71.6%; barium meal, 48.1%; urine analysis, 90.1%; chest X-Ray, 69.1%; electrocardiogram, 74.1%; cardiac ultrasound, 75.3%). Risk factors for lack of AK were: place of residence (mammogram), age (Pap smear), personal income (sigmoidoscopy); risk factors for lack of CK included number of offspring (breast MRI, chest X-Ray), BMI (abdominal ultrasound), marital status (urine analysis), current smoking status (electrocardiogram). VABB's only effect was improvement in mammogram rates. Conclusions: A considerable lack of knowledge concerning screening tests and misperceptions regarding those without proven value was documented.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.182-186
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• 2008

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that affects the large bowel. Its etiology remains controversial. However, an infectious or immunologic origin is considered the primary cause. The onset of UC is typically slow and insidious, but some patients may present acutely with symptoms mimicking infectious colitis. We report a case of ulcerative colitis mimicking acute hemorrhagic colitis at initial presentation. A 60-year-old man was referred to Yeungnam University Hospital for bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Sigmoidoscopy revealed mildly edematous mucosa in the rectum and hyperemic mucosa with petechiae in the sigmoid colon. The patient was treated with antibiotics for several days, and his symptoms improved. However, after one month, his bloody diarrhea relapsed. Follow-up sigmoidoscopy revealed mucosal friability in the rectum and sigmoid colon. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and his symptoms were improved with mesalazine and a steroid enema.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 1992

An imported case of rectal hookworm infection was diagnosed by stool examination and recovery of adult worms from the rectal mucosa by sigmoidoscopy. The chief complaints of a patient were diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss for about 1 month after returning from his travel abroad to the Southeast Asia. Leukocytosis ($16, 750/{\mu}\ell$) and peripheral eosinophilia (33.7%) were noticed without anemia. Typical hookworm eggs were detected by stool examination, and 3 worms were collected by sigmoidoscopy from rectal mucosa of this patient. Those worms were confirmed as adult worms of Ancylostoma duodenale(♂:1, ♀: 2) based on their morphological characteristics. The symptoms were relieved after treatment with anthelmintics. This case was considered as one of the imported parasitic infections in Korea, and a rare case of hookworm infection on human rectal mucosa.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.514-518
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• 2013

The etiology of small and fresh rectal bleeding in neonates who are not sick is usually unknown; the only known cause is food protein-induced proctocolitis (FPIPC). It has been recently reported that FPIPC is a rare cause of rectal bleeding in newborns, and most cases have been proved to be due to idiopathic neonatal transient colitis. A recommended strategy for diagnosing suspected FPIPC in neonates is as follows. During the early stage, the etiology of small and fresh rectal bleeding in an otherwise healthy newborn need not be studied through extensive investigations. In patients showing continued bleeding even after 4 days, sigmoidoscopy and rectal mucosal biopsy may be performed. Even if mucosal histological findings indicate a diagnosis of FPIPC, further oral food elimination and challenge tests must be performed sequentially to confirm FPIPC. Food elimination and challenge tests should be included in the diagnostic criteria of FPIPC.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent diseases in modern society, constituting a serious threat to global health. Currently, routine clinical screening and early removal of precancerous polyps are the most successful methods for reducing CRC incidence and mortality. However, the high cost and invasive detection of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy limited the CRC-screening participation and prevention. The emergence of biosensors provides an inexpensive, sensitive, less invasive tool for detecting CRC disease biomarkers. This review highlights some of recent efforts made on developing biosensors with electrochemical and optical techniques targeting CRC specific protein biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis, potential applications, and future perspectives.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.276-285
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• 2008

Purpose : Allergic proctocolitis is a major cause of bloody stool in early infancy. This study was aimed at ascertaining the clinical courses, sigmoidoscopic and histologic findings of allergic proctocolitis. We also analyzed the relationship between peripheral eosinophilia, the age at symptom onset, and sigmoidoscopic and histologic findings. Methods : We reviewed 25 infants retrospectively who had sigmoidoscopy and biopsy performed with a clinical diagnosis of allergic proctocolitis from April 2003 to April 2007. Results : The mean age at symptom onset was $15.2{\pm}13.2$ weeks. Fourteen infants (56.0%) were breast fed, one (4.0%) was formula fed, six (24.0%) were on combined formula, and four (16.0%) were on a weaning diet. Peripheral eosinophilia (${\geq}250/mm^3$) was seen in eighteen infants (75.0%), but total serum IgE was increased only in six (24.0%). Sigmoidoscopic findings were variable from normal (8.0%), erythema or edema (20.0%), lymphoid hyperplasia (8.0%), erosion (12.0%), hemorrhage and ulcer (4.0%) to lymphoid hyperplasia with erosion, hemorrhage, or ulcer (48.0%). Histologic findings showed focal infiltration of eosinophils in lamina propria (96.0%) and crypt epithelium (96.0%). In twenty four infants (96.0%), the number of eosinophils in mucosa was increased by a more than 60/10 high power field. There was a negative correlation between peripheral eosinophilia and the age at symptom onset. Among the twelve breast fed infants, bloody stool disappeared in ten (83.0%) with a maternal elimination diet of major food groups, but two improved spontaneously. Conclusion : Allergic proctocolitis should be considered as one of the major causes of bloody stool in healthy appearing infants. To confirm the diagnosis it is necessary to perform sigmoidoscopy and biopsy but histologic findings are more informative than sigmoidoscopic findings. Peripheral eosinophilia was prominent in the infants with an early onset of symptoms. Most infants experienced benign courses and recovered with the elimination of causative foods but did not need exclusive food restrictions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.184-189
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• 2010

Purpose : Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) occurs rarely in children, but its incidences are increasing due to frequent antibiotic use. We investigated the incidence and clinical characteristics of PMC accompanied by bacterial enteritis-like symptoms in children. Methods : Between November 2003 and July 2007 at the Department of Pediatrics, Dongsan Medical Center, we analyzed the medical records of consecutive patients who received antibiotics in the past 1 month, developed bacterial enteritis-like symptoms, and were diagnosed with PMC based on sigmoidoscopy examination and histological findings. Results : Among 22 patients who underwent sigmoidoscopy and biopsy examinations, 11 (50%) were diagnosed with PMC. These 11 patients were aged 2 months-12 years, among whom 5 patients (45.5%) were less than 1 year old. The clinical symptoms were bloody diarrhea (28.6%), abdominal pain or colic (28.6%), watery or mucoid diarrhea (23.8%), vomiting (9.5%), and fever (9.5%). The antibiotics used were penicillins (55.6%), macrolides (27.8%), cephalosporins (11.1%), and aminoglycosides (5.6%). The period of antibiotic use was 3-14 days. The interval between the initial antibiotic exposure and the onset of symptoms was 5-21 days. The results of stool examination of all patients were negative for Clostridium difficile toxin A. Patient distribution according to the degree of PMC was as follows: grade I, 18.2% (2 cases); grade II, 27.3% (3); grade III, 36.4% (4); and grade IV, 18.2% (2). PMC did not recur in any case.Conclusion : PMC is not a rare disease in children. If pediatric patients receiving antibiotics manifest symptoms like bacterial enteritis, PMC should be suspected. Endoscopy and biopsy should be applied as aggressive diagnostic approaches to detect this condition.