• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 1998

Objective : The sensation of dysphagia, heartburn, globus hystericus, and functional dyspepsia are common symptoms of the functional upper gut disorders. This study was designed to investigate quantity of perceived stress, depression, and anxiety in the patients with functional upper gut symptoms whose esopahgeal manometry(EM) and gatroesophageal reflux (GERT) test were normal. Methods : A total of 38 patients who complained of the symptoms had been tested with 24-hour ambulatory EM and conventional GERT in our gastrointestinal clinic. Thirty patients whose tests had been normal(patients group) were assessed with Symptom Checklist-90-Revision(SCL-90-R), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), and Spielberger Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) and compared with 30 patients(control group) without functional upper gut symtpoms in the hepatobiliary clinic. The two groups were also assessed by quantity of perceived stress during the last year through self-report. Results: 1) These patients tended to be predominently female, older, and possessed a lower education than control group. 79% of 38 patients who had been tested were normal. 2) Compared to the control group, the patients had significantly higher mean scores on four subscales(somatization, depression, anxiety, and positive symptom distress index). 3) The patient group had significantly more perceived stress than the control group. 4) The patients group had significantly higher levels of depression than the control gorup, but there was not any significant difference in the STAI. 5) There were significant positive correlations between the BDI score and the STAI-trait, the STAI-stait and the STAI-trait, the quantity of perceived stress and the STAI-trait. Conlusion : The patients with functional upper gut symptoms displayed more, psychological distress, sornatization, anxiety, and deperssion. Among them, patients had higer depression than control group. Functional upper gut symtoms could be more appropriately viewed as somatic symptoms of depression. These findings suggest that such patients need to have psychiatric intervention and treatment.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2001

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of intestinal ultrasonography (US) and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the early diagnosis of Henoch-Sch$\"{o}$nlein purpura (HSP) with the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms preceding the emergence of the skin lesion. Methods: The clinical, intestinal US and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic records of 85 patients (88 cases) with GI symptoms relating to HSP presenting between January 1999 and April 2001 were reviewed. Results: 1) GI symptoms were observed in 52 cases (59%) and skin, joint, renal and scrotal manifestations were observed in 88 (100%), 64 (73%), 15 (17%), 3 cases (3%) respectively. 2) Out of 52 cases with GI symptoms, abdominal pain was observed in all cases (100%). Positive stool occult blood, nausea and vomiting, abdominal tenderness, melena or tarry stool, diarrhea, hematemesis, rebound tenderness and rigidity were observed in 28 (50%), 17 (33%), 17 (33%), 12 (23%), 6 (12%), 4 (8%), 1 (2%) and 1 case (2%) respectively in order of frequency. 3) Intestinal US examination was performed in 27 cases with HSP and GI symptoms (52 cases). Out of 27 sonographic examinations 22 showed abnormal findings. Thickening of the duodeno-jejunal wall was observed in 16 cases (73%). Free peritoneal fluid, enlarged mesenteric lymph node, ileus and abnormal gall bladder were seen in 8 (36%), 8 (36%), 4 (18%) and 1 case (5%) respectively. In three cases of HSP without GI symptoms, those changes were absent. 4) In all of five cases with HSP and GI symptoms, endoscopic study showed mucosal edema and multiple hemorrhagic erosions especially at the second portion of the duodenum. Biopsy specimens from the duodenum of 2 cases out of 5 endoscopic examinations showed acute inflammatory infiltrates in the mucosa with hemorrhage. 5) Both intestinal US and endoscopic studies were performed in 4 cases with HSP and GI symptoms simultaneously. Out of 4 those cases, 3 cases showed the thickened duodeno-jejunal wall on the intestinal US, which suggested erosive hemorrhagic duodenitis by endoscopic findings. Conclusion: The typical but nonpathognomonic intestinal US findings including the thickening of the duodeno-jejunal wall and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings including hemorrhagicerosive duodenitis, in children with GI symptoms, should be considered a manifestation of HSP, even in the absence of skin lesion.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of spinal-Z, derived from Peganum harmala seeds and Dracocephalum Kotschyi Boiss leaves, in patients with esophageal and stomach adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: Sixty-one patients with malignancies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were randomly assigned to one of two groups (treatment or control) in a double-blind fashion. Six capsules of Spinal-Z were prescribed to the patients with the regimen of 600 mg/m2/day, and placebo to the control group, for six months. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, duration of cancer, type of cancer and family history of cancer. There were significant differences in abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation and vomiting between the two groups, following spinal-Z therapy. Evaluation of drug side effects showed no difference in cough or other respiratory symptoms, itching, headache or dizziness between the two groups, both before and after treatment. Conclusion: This study indicates that Spinal-Z is safe and efficacious in the management of patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.162-165
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• 2016

Barium sulfate is an inert material used as a radiographic contrast medium during upper gastrointestinal contrast studies for evaluation of patients with dysphagia. Oral barium aspiration is an uncommon but well-reported complication of this procedure. While barium aspiration of small amounts may not cause any symptoms, massive barium aspiration can be life-threatening, particularly in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. In this case report, we describe an elderly patient with multiple comorbidities who presented with thyrotoxicosis and dysphagia, and then died after massive barium aspiration. Despite administration of intensive medical care with ventilator support and therapeutic bronchoalveolar lavage to remove the aspirated barium, the patient died of multiple organ failure 9 days after barium aspiration. Clinicians should pay attention to elderly patients with predisposing factors for aspiration in whom upper gastrointestinal barium contrast studies are indicated, and should consider other diagnostic tools for evaluation of dysphagia in this population.

• 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.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.42-51
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report a case of iron deficiency anemia in a child with repetitive bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, and summarize review of a western literature. Methods A 13-year-old patient, who were suffering from iron deficiency anemia from repetitive bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, was administered by Ikwiseungyang-tang gamibang (益胃升陽湯加味方) and Samchulgeonbitang (蔘出健脾湯). After several tests, we realized that an iron deficiency anemia was related to Helicobacter pylori. Results By herb medication, the patient's symptoms were alleviated. Conclusions Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the reasons of refractory iron-deficiency anemia which is unresponsiveness to oral iron therapy. We report the findings of herb medication along with summarization of a western literature.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.162-165
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• 1999

Background and Objectives: Multiple primary tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract are not unusual. We examined head and neck cancer patients to discover the presence of second primary cancer in their upper gastrointestinal tract, using esophagogastroscopy. Materials and Methods: Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract was performed on 51 patients whose head and neck cancers were treated at department of therapeutic radiology from August 1996 to April 1999. Two of all patients had been studied by barium swallowing study. In 51 patients, twenty-four had a primary tumor in the larynx, 8 in the oropharynx, 6 in the nasopharynx, 6 in the oral cavity, 6 in the hypopharynx, and 1 in the nasal cavity. Endoscopically pathologic lesions were biopsied. In control group, endoscopy was performed on 1097 patients who didn't complain any symptoms. Results: Endoscopy showed early malignant lesions in 4 cases(7.7%). Histology of esophageal cancers showed squamous cell carcinoma. Malignant lesions of stomach in 2 cases were histologically identified as adenocarcinoma. Two esophageal cancers occurred in patients whose primary lesions had oropharynx and hypopharynx. Two cases of gastric cancer were also accompanied by oropharynx and hypopharynx. The incidence of second primary cancer was 2 in oropharynx and 2 in hypopharynx. In all cases, second primary cancers were found simultaneously. In control group, 9(0.8%) of 1097 patients were confirmed as early esophageal and gastric cancers. Conclusion: The majority of esophageal and gastric cancer detected by endoscopy were early stage in both head and neck cancer and control group. The incidence of esophageal and gastric cancer of head and neck cancer patients was 10 times as high as that of control group. Although followup period was short, all second primary cancers were detected simultaneously. We would recommend that endoscopic evaluation be included in the workup and followup of all patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2003

Vomiting in pediatric patient is frequently encountered problem in emergency room or outpatient clinic. In differential diagnosis, age of the patient or accompanying symptoms should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is very important because surgical treatment is necessary in some of the conditions. Imaging diagnosis of conservative modality such as upper gastrointestinal series or colon study is still important radiological examination in the initial differential diagnosis, but recently ultrasonography offers accurate diagnosis in many situations. The cause of vomiting in pediatric are diverse according to the age group :neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, or hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in neonates : gastroesophageal reflux, viral enteritis, or intussusception in infant: midgut volvulus, appendicitis, metabolic disorders, or increased intracranial pressure also an be the cause. knowledge of radiological findings of normal gastrointestinal tract is important to recognize abnormalities. A discussion of radiological findings in variable surgical conditions to present as vomiting in pediatric patients is offered.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the gastroduodenal pathology and Helicobacter pylori infection in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods: One hundred and seven pediatric patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms were undergone endoscopy at the Gyeongsang National University Hospital from June 1990 to April 1991. Histopathologic examination was done by H & E staining of gastric antral biopsy specimen and gastritis was defined according to the Sydney System. Tissue H. pylori status was evaluated with the urease test using Christensen's urea broth and H & E or Warthin-Starry silver staining of gastric antral biopsy specimen. IgG Immunoblotting were also performed to detect specific anti-H. pylori antibody in these patients. Results: The reasons for endoscopy were recurrent abdominal pain, acute abdominal pain, sallow face, hunger pain, and frequent nausea. Variable degrees of gastric mucosal hyperemia were found in most of the patients. Gastric hemorrhagic spots, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, duodenal erosion, and hemorrhagic duodenitis were rare endoscopic findings. Histologic chronic gastritis was found in 88% of 107 patients. Histologic chronic duodenitis was observed in all 99 patients whose tissue were available. Gastric tissue H. pylori was positive in 57% of 107 patients by one of the ureasetest, H & E staining and Warthin-Starry silver staining. However, gastric tissue H. pylori detection rate was lower in the younger age groups. Anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were detectable in 96% of 107 patients. Conclusion: Chronic gastroduodenitis and anti-H. pylori IgG antibody were ubiquitous in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.236-241
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• 2020

The authors report a case of a 78-year-old female with a history of gastric surgery 35 years ago. She was initially misdiagnosed as gastric cancer bleeding and underwent an emergency laparotomy under the diagnosis of jejunogastric intussusception (JGI), 23 hours after the onset of symptoms. We also reviewed 116 JGI case reports and analyzed clinical features and outcomes. Compared to the past, diagnosis of JGI is easier with diagnostic examinations such as an endoscopy, computed tomography, and the upper gastrointestinal series. And a good prognosis can be expected with proper fluid resuscitation and surgical reduction, even if the symptoms persist more than 48 hours.