• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2006

Purpose: The proper diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is difficult and delayed because of the variety of clinical manifestations. We reviewed clinical characteristics of symptomatic MD to facilitate early detection. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical manifestations, diagnostic tools, histopathological findings, and operative findings in 58 patients with symptomatic MD. Results: The male to female ratio was 2.8 : 1. The most common symptom of MD was bleeding. Others symptoms included: vomiting, abdominal pain, irritability, abdominal distension and fever in the order of frequency. The clinical manifestations of symptomatic MD were lower gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, perforation, diverticulitis and hemoperitoneum, in the order of frequency. The causes of intestinal obstruction were intussusception, internal hernia, band, volvulus, invagination, in the order of frequency. Seventy five percent of patient with MD were diagnosed prior to 5 years of age. The most frequently used diagnostic tool was the Meckel's scan. The diverticulum was located 2 cm to 120 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The length of the diverticulum ranged from 1 cm to 10 cm and 94% were less than 5 cm. The most common ectopic tissue found in the MD was gastric mucosa. Ileal resection was more frequently performed than diverticulectomy. Conclusion: In cases of unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction and repeated intussusception, the meckel's scan, ultrasound and computed tomography shoud be considered to rule out MD, and if clinically necessary, an exploratory laparotomy when needed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2001

Purpose: The aims of this study are to investigate the effect of the eradication of H. pylori on histological change of gastric mucosa in children with H. pylori gastritis and to determine whether the histological grading by the Sydney system is valuable in predicting the effect of treatment. Methods: 1) Histological scores by the Sydney system and the endoscopic characteristics were assessed before and at least four weeks after anti-H. pylori therapy in 42 children with H. pylori gastritis. 2) In 32 children treated with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (OAC), pretreatment histological scores and endoscopic findings were compared between the eradicated and the noneradicated to evaluate their predictive value for the successful eradication. Results: 1) In the eradicated (27 cases), nodular gastritis significantly decreased from 89% to 63% (p<0.05). There was an significant improvement in the mean activity score from 2.06 before treatment to 0.24 after treatment (p<0.01). The mean inflammatory score also improved from 2.61 before treatment to 1.89 after treatment (p<0.05). Lymphoid follicles significantly decreased from 48% to 15% (p<0.05). Epithelial damage improved in all 4 cases. But in the noneradicated (15 cases), there was no significant change in the frequency of nodular gastritis, the mean activity score, the mean inflammatory score and the frequency of the lymphoid follicles. 2) In 32 children treated with OAC, there was a tendency that the higher was the pretreatment score of the bacterial density, the lower was the eradication rate of H. pylori (p=0.072). Conclusion: The loss of the polymorphonuclear cell infiltration is the most prominent histological change after successful eradication. There may be negative correlation of the grade of the bacterial density with the success rate of the anti-H. pylori therapy.