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Biomedical subjects

C S Shim

Publications and source records attributed to C S Shim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fixation of a modified covered esophageal stent: its clinical usefulness for preventing stent migration.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Membrane-covered self-expandable metal stents are effective in preventing tumor ingrowth and stent obstruction in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer, but migration of stents continues to be a major problem. We therefore constructed a modified covered self-expandable esophageal metal stent capable of being fixed using a silk thread. The stent was studied prospectively to define its palliative characteristics and whether it is effective in preventing migration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Modified covered self-expandable metal stents were placed in 17 patients with malignant gastric cardiac cancer involving the esophagogastric junction, 41 patients with esophageal cancer, and three patients with tracheoesophageal fistulas. Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations were carried out at regular intervals. RESULTS: Placement of the stent was successful in all patients, with good symptomatic relief and no serious stent-related complications such as esophageal perforation or hemorrhage. Acute stent placement problems, such as incomplete expansion or acute angulation of the stent, were noted in four patients. However, during a mean follow-up period of 7.5 months (range 1 to 17 months), there was no stent migration. CONCLUSIONS: Modified covered self-expandable esophageal metal stents of this type would be very effective in preventing stent migration, especially in patients with malignant gastric cardiac cancer extending to the lower esophagus, those with short-segment esophageal cancer, and those with tracheoesophageal fistulas.

Adult↗

The role of percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation in percutaneous choledochoscopic lithotomy.

BACKGROUND: When choledochoscopic lithotomy with basket and electrohydraulic lithotripsy is used to remove intrahepatic duct stones, fragments or small stones usually remain in the bile duct that are too small to be captured with a basket. METHODS: An attempt was made to remove stone fragments in 16 patients with intrahepatic duct stones by antegrade balloon dilation of the sphincter of Oddi with a conventional balloon catheter. After balloon dilation, remnant stones and sludge were pushed through the papilla with the choledochoscope. RESULTS: Bile duct stones were completely removed in 12 of 16 patients (75%); stones were removed in 1 session. There was no clinical evidence of procedure-related pancreatitis or fatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation of the sphincter of Oddi and clearance of remnant bile duct stones and stone fragments with the tip of choledochoscope is simple and effective in patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotomy.

Catheterization↗

What is the best method to diagnose Helicobacter infection in bleeding peptic ulcers?: a prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been debated which diagnostic test should be preferred for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in patients with peptic ulcer diseases. Several limitations are reported in bleeding peptic ulcers because of intragastric blood and possibility of changed numbers of organisms by medication. This study was designed to find out the best method for diagnosis of HP infection, in aspect of deciding the times of detection and the specific tests in bleeding peptic ulcers. METHODS: We prospectively examined histology, rapid urease test (CLO test), urea breath test (13C-UBT) and serology in HP diagnostics in 32 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers to detect HP infection. Each test was performed two times (four methods at first 24 hours and former three methods at 7th day after initial therapeutic endoscopy). We evaluated the sensitivity of each test, compared the two-times results and evaluated the effect of these tests to an outcome of endoscopic hemostasis. RESULTS: Diagnostic sensitivities of histology, CLO test, 13C-UBT and serology are 75%, 67.8%, 100% and 100% at first endoscopy, and 71.4%, 78.5%, 89.3% at 7th day endoscopy, respectively. Histologic study and CLO test had diagnostic limitation at emergent first endoscopy contrary to UBT (p < 0.01). Histologic study, CLO test and UBT have limitations at 7th day endoscopy. Only 3 patients (9.4%) rebled with subsequent complete endoscopic hemostasis and all diagnostic tests at initial endoscopy did not influence the outcome of hemostasis. CONCLUSION: First day histologic and CLO tests are inadequate methods in detecting HP infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. 7-day histologic, CLO test and UBT have a low sensitivity. First-day UBT can be a standard test to diagnose HP infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Clinical validation of the Helikit: a 13C urea breath test used for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical performance of the Helikit, a 13C urea breath test, in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: A total of 205 participants were assessed in Canada and Korea for H. pylori infection status by endoscopy, or a combination of IgG ELISA and CLO test, as well as by the Helikit. The Helikit contains 75 mg of 13C urea as well as citric acid, flavor enhancers and stabilizers in a single plastic cup. The powder is dissolved in 75 mL of water for oral administration. No extra mixing or dilution steps are required. RESULTS: Using the biopsy-derived data as the gold standard the Helikit displayed a clinical sensitivity of 93.5% (95% confidence interval 88.5 to 98.5%) and a clinical specificity of 97.3% (94.3 to 100%). An overall diagnostic efficiency of 95.6% (92.8 to 98.4%) was obtained. No statistically significant difference in the performance characteristics was found between Korea and Canada. No significant adverse events were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The Helikit offers an easy, safe and accurate approach to the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Adult↗

Mini-detachable snare ligation for the treatment of esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND: We manufactured and studied the usefulness of a newly designed mini-detachable snare in the treatment of esophageal varices. The use of a multiple rubber band ligator, although generally effective and well tolerated, has certain limitations, including high cost, reduced visual field, and inadvertent band release. METHODS: We performed a prospective randomized controlled trial of the use of mini-detachable snare ligation vs. multiple band ligation in patients with recent or active esophageal variceal bleeding. The outcomes assessed were immediate hemostasis and rates of recurrent bleeding, eradication, and recurrence. RESULTS: From March 1997 to October 1998, 103 patients were entered into this trial; 46 underwent mini-detachable snare ligations and 57 multiple band ligations. Among patients with active bleeding, hemostasis was achieved in 6 of 7 (86%) in the mini-detachable snare ligation group and 11 of 13 (85%) in multiple band ligation group. Recurrent bleeding after initial treatment occurred in 2 of 46 (5.5%) in the mini-detachable snare ligation group and 3 of 57 (5.3%) in the multiple band ligation group. Esophageal varices were eradicated or reduced to grade I in 4.8 +/- 2.1 and 4.5 +/- 1.9 sessions in the mini-detachable snare ligation group and multiple band ligation group, respectively. The recurrence rate was 5 of 46 (11%) and 6 of 57 (11%) in the mini-detachable snare ligation group and multiple band ligation group during a follow-up period of 6 and 16 months, respectively. No serious complication occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: The mini-detachable snare is a new device that provides safe and effective treatment for esophageal varices that is comparable to multiple band ligation.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiological study on Korean gallstone disease: a nationwide cooperative study.

To clarify the epidemiological characteristics of gallstone disease in Korea and to evaluate the chronological changes in gallstone disease, the authors performed this first prospective nationwide cooperative study. The subjects were 1263 gallstone patients who were admitted at 19 hospitals in Korea from February to July 1997. Questionnaires were recorded on 1263 patients and gallstones were harvested from 1133 patients. The proportion of patients with gallbladder (GB), common bile duct (CBD), and intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones among total gallstone patients was 64.0%, 21.9%, and 14.1%, respectively. GB stones were categorized as cholesterol (58.1%), black pigment (25.2%), and brown pigment (12.1%) stones. CBD stones were classified as brown pigment (76.1%), cholesterol (18.4%), and black pigment (3.5%) stones. IHD stones were classified as brown pigment (61.4%) and mixed (35.6%) stones. Intrahepatic mixed stones had mean cholesterol and bilirubin contents of 63.4 +/- 20.8% and 23.1 +/- 9.9%, respectively. In contrast, IHD brown pigment stones had mean cholesterol and bilirubin contents of 35.1 +/- 20.5% and 39.6 +/- 17.4%, respectively. Our study showed that the type and composition of gallstones in Korea was somewhat different compared with those in the West. This study also demonstrated that there have been chronological changes in the type and composition of gallstones when compared with previous domestic data. Another nationwide cooperative study may be needed to elucidate and confirm the changing pattern of gallstone disease.

Adolescent↗

Diversity of core promoter mutations in immune clearance phase of chronic HBV infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transcription of HBV (hepatitis B virus) pre-core and pre-genomic mRNAs is controlled by core promoter. Therefore, mutations in the core promoter region might change the activity of liver diseases through an altered transcriptional level of the mRNA. The present study was carried out to determine the diversity of HBV core promoter sequences in chronic HBV carriers. METHODS: DNA sequences in the core promoter region were determined after cloning the PCR product. Two groups of chronic HBV carriers with HBeAg, including five cases of asymptomatic carriers (ASCs, 21 clones) and eight with chronic hepatitis (CH, 50 clones) were studied. RESULTS: Mutations in the core promoter were found in three out of the ASCs (11 clones), and in all eight cases in the CH group (48 clones). While mutations at nucleotide 1762 (A-->T) and 1764(G-->A) were not found in ASC, mutations at the same positions were found in all the cases of CH group (40 clones) (P=0.003). Diverse patterns of mutations in the core promoter were observed in each patient in the CH group. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to determine whether the diversity of HBV core promoter mutations has clinical significance such as the seroconversion of HBeAg to anti-HBe.

Adult↗

Preliminary results of a new covered biliary metal stent for malignant biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The biliary stents in current use have a tendency to be blocked, so we designed a self-expandable metal stent covered with polyurethane to overcome the risk of tumor ingrowth of uncovered self-expandable metal stents. To evaluate the success and the effectiveness of the new membrane-covered self-expandable metal stent (covered modified Gianturco biliary stent), we studied patients with biliary obstruction caused by biliopancreatic carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 47 patients with malignant biliary obstruction to receive either a newly developed self-expandable metal stent covered with polyurethane (21 cases) or an uncovered metal stent (Strecker stent or Wallstent, 26 cases) by the endoscopic transpapillary route. RESULTS: The success rate of stent insertion and drainage effect of stent showed no statistical difference in patients with a new membrane-covered self-expandable metal stent compared with those with an uncovered metal stent (90.4% vs. 88.5%, P > 0.05; and 100% vs. 95.6%, P > 0.05, respectively). The median patency of the stent was slightly prolonged in patients with a membrane-covered self-expandable metal stent, but there was no statistical difference between two groups (267 vs. 233 days, P > 0.05). The rate of early complication related to stent insertion showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the follow-up period, stent occlusion due to tumor ingrowth occurred in two patients (10.5%) in the membrane-covered, self-expandable stent group, compared with six patients (26.1%) in the uncovered metal stent group. The membrane-covered metal stent was removed successfully and a polyethylene stent was reinserted in one patient who had developed tumor overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: A new, membrane-covered, self-expandable metal stent has a tendency towards better long-term patency than the uncovered metal stent, and it can effectively prevent tumor ingrowth into the stent. Also it is possible to remove an occluded membrane-covered stent. However, a case-controlled study, including a larger patient number, and long-term follow-up are needed.

Aged↗