• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.284-287
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• 2018

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutation of one of two genes, TSC1 (encoding hamartin, 9q34) and TSC2 (encoding tuberin, 16p13). It invades the central nervous system and various parts of the body, causing various symptoms. Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated disease that has not been clearly elucidated. It is thought to be caused by an excessive immune response of the body to bacteria that normally exist in the digestive tract with genetic factors. No cases have been reported in which both of the above-mentioned diseases occurred simultaneously. We report a case of CD in a patient with TSC. A 12-year-old boy was brought to our hospital because of abdominal pain. Skin lesions were observed in the TSC. Fundus examination revealed a hamartoma in the right retina. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a subendothelial giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA). On the basis of these findings, he was diagnosed as having TSC. Blood test results showed increased levels of inflammatory markers. On abdominal ultrasonography, his colon walls were observed to be thickened with increased vascularity of the proximal ascending colon, ileocecal valve, and terminal ileum. Colonoscopy revealed discontinuous ulcerations and inflammations of the ileum, IC valve, and cecum, similar to those found in CD. Everolimus was administered orally for the SEGA but was discontinued frequently owing to the exacerbation of CD. The possibility of CD should be kept in mind in patients with TSC considering to undergo treatment for SEGA.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2014

Dabigatran is the first oral direct thrombin inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Because dabigatran is excreted mainly by the kidneys, serum levels of dabigatran can be elevated to a supratherapeutic range in patients with renal failure, predisposing to emergent bleeding. We describe the case of a 66-year-old man taking dabigatran 150 mg twice daily for atrial fibrillation and cerebral infarction who presented with hematochezia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Laboratory evaluation showed a hemoglobin level of 6.3 g/dL, platelets of $138,000/mm^3$, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 10 s, and an international normalized ratio (INR) of 8.17. Colonoscopy showed a bleeding anal fissure. Hemostasis was provided by hemoclips and packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were transfused. Since then, there was no further hematochezia, however, bleeding including oral mucosal bleeding, hematuria, and intravenous site bleeding persisted. At presentation, his serum creatinine was 4.96 mg/dL (baseline creatinine, 0.9 mg/dL). Dabigatran toxicity secondary to acute kidney injury was presumed. Because acute kidney injury of unknown cause was progressing after admission, he was treated with hemodialysis. Fresh frozen plasma transfusion was provided with hemodialysis. At 15 days from admission, there was no further bleeding, and laboratory values, including hemoglobin, partial thromboplastin time, and prothrombin time were normalized. He was discharged without bleeding. After 2 months, he undergoes dialysis three times per week and no recurrence of bleeding has been observed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2022

Purpose: Colonoscopy is considered the most reliable method for the diagnosis of juvenile polyps. However, colonoscopic screening is an invasive and expensive procedure. Fecal calprotectin (FCP), a marker of intestinal inflammation, has been shown to be elevated in patients with polyps. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate FCP as a screening biomarker for the diagnosis of juvenile polyps. Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at the Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. For children with polyps, colonoscopic polypectomy and histopathology were performed. FCP levels were analyzed before and 4 weeks after polypectomy in all patients. Information was recorded in a datasheet and analyzed using the computer-based program SPSS. Results: The age of the children was between 2.5 and 12 years. Approximately 93% of the polyps were found in the rectosigmoid region. Children with juvenile polyps had elevated levels of FCP before polypectomy that subsequently normalized after polypectomy. The mean FCP levels before and after polypectomy were 277±247 ㎍/g (range, 80-1,000 ㎍/g) and 48.57±38.23 ㎍/g (range, 29-140 ㎍/g) (p<0.001), respectively. The FCP levels were significantly higher in patients with multiple polyps than in those with single polyps. Moreover, mean FCP levels in patients with single and multiple polyps were 207.6±172.4 ㎍/g and 515.4±320.5 ㎍/g (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Colonic juvenile polyps were found to be associated with elevated levels of FCP that normalized after polypectomy. Therefore, FCP may be recommended as a noninvasive screening biomarker for diagnosis of colonic juvenile polyps.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.69-72
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• 2018

Mucinous adenocarcinoma occurs in 1.6-25.4% of patients with colorectal cancer. We report a case of a 27-year-old man with negative findings on initial colonoscopic biopsy, but finally diagnosed with mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon. After undergoing an abdominal CT due to persistent abdominal pain, he was transferred to our hospital. The abdominal CT showed a diffuse and irregular wall thickening in the distal transverse colon. Due to the edema and stenosis of colonic wall, it was difficult to insert the colonoscope into the proximal region; a biopsy revealed chronic colitis with lymphofollicular hyperplasia. Transverse colectomy and lymph node dissection were performed. The diagnosis was mucinous adenocarcinoma of approximately 20×4.5 cm. Compared to adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma is found in a younger population with an advanced stage and is less responsive to palliative chemotherapy. Therefore, recalcitrant abdominal pain even in young people warrants early detection through appropriate examinations such as abdominal CT and colonoscopy.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Purpose: Lymphonodular hyperplasia of the colon (LNHC) is a rare finding in children and its significance as a pathologic finding is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of LNHC by analyzing clinical and histopathologic findings in children with LNHC. Methods: We analyzed data from 38 patients who were confirmed to have LNHC by colonoscopy. We checked age, birth history, past history, family history, and clinical symptoms. A hematologic exam, stool exam, and image studies were performed and biopsy specimens were examined by a pathologist. All patients were asked to have short- and long-term follow-up. Results: The mean age of the patients was 12.5${\pm}$14.4 months. All patients presented with complaints of bloody stool. They appeared healthy and the hematologic findings were within a normal range, with the exception of one case. There was no other identified source of bleeding. On histologic exam, 36 patients (94.7%) had lymphoid follicles and 34 patients (84.5%) fulfilled the criteria of allergic colitis. Regardless of diet modification and presence of residual symptom, there was no recurrence of bloody stool through long-term follow-up in all patients. Conclusion: LNHC is more common in infants who are affected by allergic colitis, but it can appear even after infancy. LNHC should be regarded as the etiology when there are any other causes of rectal bleeding, especially in healthy children. We suggest that LNHC has a benign course regardless of diet modification and it might not require excessive concerns.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2003

Objectives: Many researches have been done to compare psychopathology of functional gastrointestinal disorder and inflammatory bowel disease which involves structural change. Recently, many studies focused on the topic of alexithymia. The results from these studies were questionable for lack of valid measures of alexithymia and valid diagnostic criteria of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, we tried to overcome these two problems and to assess alexithymia, personality characteristics, and other psychopathology. Methods: The subjects consisted of ulcerative colitis group(N=28) who were diagnosed by colonoscopy and biopsy, irritable bowel syndrome group(N=27) who were diagnosed by Rome II criteria and normal control group(N=22). All patients were diagnosed at outpatient department of Kyungpook National University Hospital. All these groups completed three psychological tests, including MMPI, Rorschach test, and well validated TAS-20K(The Korean Version of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale). Results: Twenty-five percent of the ulcerative colitis group and 22% of the irritable bowel syndrome group scored in the alexithymia range, compared with 0% of the normal group. In Rorschach test, irritable bowel syndrome group showed high levels of weighted Sum C and EA. Most of clinical scales of MMPI were higher in two gastrointestinal groups than the normal control group. And two gastrointestinal groups showed low ego strength level, but there was no statistical significant difference between them. Conclusion: Two gastrointestinal groups showed high rate of alexithymia, other psychopathological profiles, and low ego strength but there was no significant difference between two groups.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.44-65
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• 2003

Purpose : To conduct nationwide surgery on the principles In radiotherapy for rectal center, and develop the framework of a database of Korean Patterns of Care Study. Materials and Methods : A consensus committee was established to develop a tool for measuring the Patterns in radiotherapy Protocols for rectal cancer. The Panel was composed of radiation oncologists from 18 hospitals in Seoul Wetropolltan area. The committee developed a survey format to analyze radiation oncologist's treatment principles for rectal cancer. The survey items developed for measuring the treatment principles were composed of 1) 8 eliglblllty criteria, 2) 20 Items for staging work-ups and prognostic factors, 3) 7 Items for principles of combined surgery and chemotherapy, 4) 9 patient set-ups, 5) 19 determining radiation fields, 6) S radiotherapy treatment pians, 7) 4 physicalilaboratory examination to monitor a patient's condition during treatment, and 8) 10 follow-up evaluations. These items were sent to radiation oncoioglsts In charge of gastrolntestlnal malignancies in all hospitals (48 hospitals) In Korea to which 30 replies were received (63$\%$). Results : Most of the surrey Items were replied to without no major between the repliers, but with the fellowing items only 50$\%$ of repliers were in agreement : 1) Indications of preoperative radiation, 2) use of endorectal ultrasound, CT scan, and bone scan for staging work-ups, 3) principles of combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy, 4) use of contrast material for small bowel delineation during simulation, 5) determination of field margins, and 6) use of CEA and colonoscopy for follow-up evaluations. Conclusions : The Items where considerable disaggrement was shown among the radiation oncologists seemed to make no serious difference In the treatment outcome, but a practical and reasonable consensus should be reached by the committee, with logical processes of agreement. These Items can be used for a basic database for the Patterns of Care Study, which will survey the practical radiotherapy Patterns for rectal cancer in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1089-1094
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• 2003

Purpose : Polyethylene glycol(PEG) with electrolytes has been used for intestinal clearance for colonoscopy and operations in children. But its efficacy and safety for disimpaction in children with chronic functional constipation has been studied little. Methods : This study enrolled 26 patients with chronic functional constipation(11 children had failed to disimpaction by conventional management at OPD) who were admitted to the Eul-Ji Hospital between May 2000 and July 2003. PEG with electrolytes was administered per oral and/or rectal enema. We observed the effects for disimpaction by measuring the frequency and consistency of stools, and by simple abdominal X-ray. We evaluated the safety by measuring serum electrolytes and osmolarity in three hours after PEG with electrolytes administration, and by observation of the clinical status of the patients. The protocol of PEG with electrolytes was a dose of 60-80 mL/kg within three hours per oral and/or of 15-25 mL/kg by rectal enema. Results : In all patients, simple abdominal X-ray films showed improvements of fecal impaction. Consistency and frequency of stool were improved in all patients except one. As for side effects, diarrhea developed in three patients(11.5% of all patients). Headaches developed in one patient(3.8% of all patients) but it improved without treatment. Serum electrolytes was checked in 16 patients after PEG with electrolytes management and mild hypernatremia(146 mmol/L) was checked in one patient. Serum osmolarity was checked in 11 patients after PEG with electrolytes management and was normal in all patients. Conclusion : PEG with electrolytes was effective and safe for disimpaction in children with chronic functional constipation, including patients who had failed in disimpaction by conventional management.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2005

Purpose: Eosinophilic colitis is a disease characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, peripheral eosinophilia, eosinophilic infiltration of the colonic wall. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease is not clear and it is considered to be idiopathic. This study aimed to ascertain the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of eosinophilic colitis in early infancy. Methods: We reviewed 6 infants retrospectively, presented with bloody stool in early infancy, who were diagnosed with eosinophilic colitis in Pusan National University Hospital between August 2002 and February 2004. Results: Five males and one female were included. The mean age when bloody stool was identified was $79.2{\pm}56.1$ days (10~145 days). All but one infant with atopic dermatitis did not have other allergic diseases. Nobody had a family history of allergic disease. No specific dietary history in infants and their mothers related to food allergy was identified. Peripheral eosinophilia (total WBC count $11,763{\pm}3,498/mm^3$, eosinophils $17.0{\pm}4.3%$, absolute eosinophil count $2,044{\pm}996/mm^3$) was observed in all infants. Colonoscopy in six infants revealed diffuse erythema, congestion and granulation pattern of mucosa in the rectosigmoid colon. Histopathologic findings of colononic biopsies showed chronic inflammation with severe eosinophilic infiltration in the mucosa. Two infants were treated with hydrolyzed casein-based formula and four infants with prednisolone. Gastrointestinal symptoms and peripheral eosinophilia resolved completely with prednisolone and partially with a hydrolyzed casein-based formula. Relapse was not observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that there is no evidence of a definite relationship between eosinophilic colitis and food-allergic disorders. Clinical course and prognosis of infantile form of eosinophilic colitis is very favorable and treatment with prednisone was effective.

• 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.