ABSTRACT
Owing to a large-jeopardized myocardium, left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) represents the substantial high-risk anatomical subset of obstructive coronary artery disease.For several decades, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been the “gold standard” treatment for LMCAD. Along with advances in CABG, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has also dramatically evolved over time in conjunction with advances in the stent or device technology, adjunct pharmacotherapy, accumulated experiences, and practice changes, establishing its position as a safe, reasonable treatment option for such a complex disease. Until recently, several randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and observational registries comparing PCI and CABG for LMCAD have shown comparable long-term survival with tradeoffs between early and late risk-benefit of each treatment. Despite this, there are still several unmet issues for revascularization strategy and management for LMCAD. This review article summarized updated knowledge on evolution and clinical evidence on the treatment of LMCAD, with a focus on the comparison of state-of-the-art PCI with CABG.
ABSTRACT
no abstract available.
ABSTRACT
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas often cause marked pancreatic duct dilatation and associated parenchymal atrophy. We present the case of a small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with upstream pancreatic duct dilatation and severe parenchymal atrophy. A small enhancing tumor was observed at the head of the pancreas on computed tomography (CT). Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration was negative for malignancy. We performed a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy since we could not exclude the presence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The pathological and immunohistochemical examination revealed a serotonin-positive neuroendocrine tumor, measured 1.0 x 0.5 cm. The pathological specimen was remarkable for the marked stromal fibrosis in the area of the tumor, which resulted in narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. Here, we report a rare small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, the CT image of which resembled that of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, in which the expression of serotonin and associated fibrosis might be a possible mechanism for the marked main pancreatic duct dilatation.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Atrophy , Biopsy, Fine-Needle , Dilatation , Fibrosis , Head , Neuroendocrine Tumors , Pancreas , Pancreatic Ducts , Pancreaticoduodenectomy , SerotoninABSTRACT
Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is a rare disease characterized by increased serum levels of IgG4 and dense infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells with fibrosis in the bile duct wall. IgG4-SC is frequently associated with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and typically shows an excellent response to steroid therapy. Despite recent progress in understanding the clinical presentation of IgG4-SC, its diagnosis still remains a challenge, particularly if it manifests as an isolated hilar stricture with normal serum IgG4 concentrations. In this article, we report the case of a 75-year-old man with IgG4-SC in whom it was difficult to distinguish hilar cholangiocarcinoma due to the normal serum IgG4 concentration and no accompanying AIP. He had an indolent clinical course and showed slow progression of a bile duct lesion over 6 years.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Bile Ducts , Cholangiocarcinoma , Cholangitis, Sclerosing , Constriction, Pathologic , Diagnosis , Fibrosis , Immunoglobulin G , Immunoglobulins , Pancreatitis , Plasma Cells , Rare DiseasesABSTRACT
Neuroendocrine tumors of the gallbladder are rare, and typically found incidentally after a cholecystectomy. Few data are available on adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-producing neuroendocrine tumors originating specifically from the gallbladder. We experienced the case of a patient with a gallbladder mass who presented with Cushing's syndrome, who was subsequently diagnosed as an ACTH-producing neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder. Despite being rare, hormone-producing neuroendocrine tumors should be part of the differential diagnosis in patients with Cushing's syndrome.