Distribution of Splenic Arterial Flow and Segmental Spleen Volume for Partial Splenic Arterial Embolization.

INTRODUCTION: The spleen is a lymphatic organ that manages immune surveillance of the blood, produces blood cells, and helps filter the blood, remove old blood cells, and fight infection. The normal splenic weight is approximately 65-265 g. This study evaluated spleen volume and segmental volume. METHODS: 121 patients who underwent enhanced CT at our center were analyzed. The spleen was divided into upper, middle, and lower segments according to arterial flow area, and the volume of each segment was measured. Patients were classified into two groups as those with and without liver cirrhosis, and differences in the distribution of the segments in these groups was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean upper, middle, and lower spleen segmental volume ratios were 35.4%, 37.0%, and 27.6%, respectively. In the liver cirrhosis group, the segmental splenic volume ratios for the upper, middle, and lower segments were 34.5%, 38.5%, and 28.0%, respectively, indicating that these ratios remain similar regardless of liver cirrhosis status. CONCLUSION: The present findings on segmental spleen volume are useful for estimating infarction volume in cases of partial splenic arterial embolization.

Evaluation of splenic infarction ratio and platelet increase ratio after partial splenic artery embolization.

OBJECTIVE: The spleen is part of the lymphatic system and is one of the least understood organs of the human body. It is involved in the production of blood cells and helps filter the blood, remove old blood cells, and fight infection. Partial splenic artery embolization (PSE) is widely used to treat pancytopenia and portal hypertension. The efficacy of PSE for improving thrombocytopenia has been well demonstrated. In this study, we evaluated the splenic infarction ratio and platelet increase ratio after PSE. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients underwent PSE from January 2014 to August 2022. We retrospectively evaluated the splenic infarction volume and ratio after PSE and analyzed the relationship between the splenic infarction ratio and platelet increase ratio after PSE. RESULTS: The platelet increase ratio was correlated with the splenic infarction ratio after PSE. The cutoff value for the splenic infarction ratio with a two-fold platelet increase was 63.0%. CONCLUSION: We suggest performance of PSE in patients with a splenic infarction ratio of 63% to double the expected platelet count.

Causes and Management of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography-Related Perforation: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is essential for diagnosing and treating biliopancreatic disease. Because ERCP-related perforation can result in death, therapeutic decisions are important. The aim of this study was to determine the cause of ERCP-related perforation and suggest appropriate management. METHODS: Between January 1999 and August 2022, 7,896 ERCPs were performed in our hospital. We experienced 15 cases (0.18%) of ERCP-related perforation and conducted a retrospective review. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients, 6 were female and 9 were male, and the mean age was 77.1 years. According to Stapfer's classification, the 15 cases of ERCP-related perforation comprised 3 type I (duodenum), 3 type II (periampullary), 9 type III (distal bile duct or pancreatic duct), and no type IV cases. Fourteen of 15 (92.6%) were diagnosed during ERCP. The main cause of perforation was scope-induced damage, endoscopic sphincterotomy, and instrumentation penetration in type I, II, and III cases, respectively. Four patients with severe abdominal pain and extraluminal fluid collection underwent emergency surgery for repair and drainage. One type III patient with distal bile duct cancer underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy on day 6. Three type III patients with only retroperitoneal gas on computed tomography (CT) performed immediately after ERCP had no symptoms and needed no additional treatment. Seven of the 15 patents were treated by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (n=5) or CT-guided drainage (n=2). There were no deaths, and all patients were discharged after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important in managing ERCP-related perforation.

Two synchronous pseudoaneurysms after bile duct resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma.

Pseudoaneurysm is a potentially life-threatening complication after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery. Although various measures have been taken to prevent the formation of postoperative pseudoaneurysms, completely avoiding complications can be difficult. An 83-year-old man underwent bile duct resection and systematic regional lymphadenectomies for distal cholangiocarcinoma. Polyethylene glycolic acid mesh with fibrin glue was applied to the pancreas around the distal stump and detached artery to prevent leakage of pancreatic juice and reinforce the arterial wall. Screening contrast-enhanced computed tomography on the 7th postoperative day indicated no pseudoaneurysm. The patient was discharged on the 20th postoperative day after an uneventful course. However, 4 days later, the patient visited the emergency outpatient department with a complaint of fever. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed an abscess formation and a pseudoaneurysm around it. Emergency celiac arteriography revealed two pseudoaneurysms at the left hepatic artery and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery; they were successfully treated with transcatheter arterial embolization using microcoils and covered stent placement. The patient was discharged 9 days after interventional radiology treatment. At the 14 months postoperative follow-up, the patient had no recurrence or stent obstruction. Multiple synchronous pseudoaneurysms are rare; accurately identifying the site by angiography and selecting appropriate treatment for each site is important.

Genetic analysis of Japanese patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma using next-generation sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Small bowel adenocarcinomas (SBAs) are rare and there is little comprehensive data on SBA genomic alterations for Asian patients. This study aimed to profile genomic alterations of SBA in Japanese patients using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS: We examined 22 surgical resections from patients with primary SBA. SBA genomic alterations were analyzed by NGS. Mismatch repair (MMR) status was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Mucin phenotypes were classified as gastric (G), intestinal (I), gastrointestinal (GI), and null (N) types on MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6, and CD10 immunostaining. RESULTS: The most common genomic alterations found in SBA tumors were TP53 (n = 16), followed by KRAS (n = 6), APC (n = 5), PIK3CA (n = 4), CTNNB1 (n = 3), KIT (n = 2), BRAF (n = 2), CDKN2A (n = 2), and PTEN (n = 2). Deficient MMR tumors were observed in 6 out of 22 patients. Tumor mucin phenotypes included 2 in G-type, 12 in I-type, 3 in GI-type, and 5 in N-type. APC and CTNNB1 mutations were not found in G-type and GI-type tumors. KRAS mutations were found in all tumor types except for G-type tumors. TP53 mutations were found in all tumor types. Although no single gene mutation was associated with overall survival (OS), we found that KRAS mutations were associated with significant worse OS in patients with proficient MMR tumors. CONCLUSIONS: SBA genomic alterations in Japanese patients do not differ significantly from those reports in Western countries. Tumor localization, mucin phenotype, and MMR status all appear to impact SBA gene mutations.

Transileocolic endovascular treatment by a hybrid approach for severe acute portal vein thrombosis with bowel necrosis: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT) with bowel necrosis is a fatal condition with a 50%-75% mortality rate. This report describes the successful endovascular treatment (EVT) of two patients with severe PVT. CASE SUMMARY: The first patient was a 22-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain lasting 3 d. The second patient was a 48-year-old man who presented with acute abdominal pain. Following contrast-enhanced computed tomography, both patients were diagnosed with massive PVT extending to the splenic and superior mesenteric veins. Hybrid treatment (simultaneous necrotic bowel resection and EVT) was performed in a hybrid operating room (OR). EVTs, including aspiration thrombectomy, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), and continuous CDT, were performed via the ileocolic vein under laparotomy. The portal veins were patent 4 and 6 mo posttreatment in the 22-year-old and 48-year-old patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hybrid necrotic bowel resection and transileocolic EVT performed in a hybrid OR is effective and safe.

Treatment of Advanced Pancreatic Body and Tail Cancer by En Bloc Distal Pancreatectomy with Transverse Mesocolon Resection Using a Mesenteric Approach.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic body and tail cancer easily invades retroperitoneal tissue, including the transverse mesocolon. It is difficult to ensure a dissected peripancreatic margin with standard distal pancreatectomy for advanced pancreatic body and tail cancer. Thus, we developed a novel surgical procedure to ensure dissection of the peripancreatic margin. This involved performing dissection deeper than the fusion fascia of Toldt and further extensive en bloc resection of the root of the transverse mesocolon. We performed distal pancreatectomy with transverse mesocolon resection (DP-TCR) using a mesenteric approach and achieved good outcomes. METHODS: There are two main considerations for surgical procedures using a mesenteric approach: 1) dissection deeper than the fusion fascia of Toldt (securing the vertical margin) and 2) modular resection of the pancreatic body and tail, with the root of the transverse mesocolon and adjacent organs in a horizontal direction (ensuring the caudal margin). RESULTS: From 2017 to 2019, we performed DP-TCR using a mesenteric approach for six patients with advanced pancreatic body and tail cancer. Histopathological radical surgery was possible in all patients who underwent DP-TCR. No Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa or worse perioperative complications were observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that DP-TCR is useful as a radical surgery for advanced pancreatic body and tail cancer with extrapancreatic invasion.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-Labeled nanoprobe enables real-time diagnosis of pancreatic juice activation due to postoperative pancreatic fistula.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) subsequent to pancreatectomy often causes activation of pancreatic juice, resulting in serious complications. In POPF, the types of pancreatic juices found are active and inactive, and the identification of these two types of pancreatic juice greatly contributes to the development of postoperative management after pancreatectomy. This study reports favorable results of the clinical application of the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) nanoprobe that was independently developed to distinguish between the active and inactive types of pancreatic juice. METHODS: The FRET nanoprobe developed was a nanoprotein capsule. It exuded a red color when the capsule structure was maintained. When activated protease in the pancreatic juice acts on it, the capsules are reduced quantitatively and FRET is abolished, resulting in a change in color from red to green. Pancreatic juice activation can be measured by the FRET signal. A total of 117 drainage fluid samples from 16 postpancreatoduodenectomy cases were obtained and evaluated. RESULTS: The diagnosis of pancreatic juice activation was possible using the FRET signal with a cut-off value of 1.6. Pancreatic juice activation was not associated with drainage fluid amylase (AMY) levels. The results demonstrated that pancreatic juice was activated when drainage fluid was infected. CONCLUSION: The use of a FRET nanoprobe enabled real-time detection of the presence or absence of pancreatic juice activation in pancreatic fistula after pancreatic surgery. There was an adequate correlation between infection and pancreatic juice activation regardless of drain AMY levels.

Serum procalcitonin concentration within 2 days postoperatively accurately predicts outcome after liver resection.

BACKGROUND: Relatively high mortality and morbidity rates are reported after liver resection (LR). However, the early predictors of complications after LR are not clear. This study was performed to clarify the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) for the early prediction of complications after elective LR. METHODS: This observational study included 72 consecutive patients who underwent elective LR from December 2015 to March 2017. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with and without postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥II). The values of postoperative inflammatory markers (white blood cell [WBC] count, C-reactive protein [CRP] and PCT) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: CRP and PCT were significantly higher in patients with than without complications; however, the WBC count showed no difference within 5 days postoperatively. The maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic curves within 2 days after LR using the WBC count, CRP and PCT were 0.608, 0.697 and 0.860, respectively, PCT had the best predictive ability in the early postoperative period. The PCT level peaked within 2 days postoperatively in 61 patients (85%). The maximum PCT level within 2 days postoperatively (PCT1-2) was significantly higher in patients with than without complications (0.52 vs. 0.19 ng/mL, p<0.001). A cutoff PCT1-2 level of 0.35 ng/mL achieved 80% sensitivity and 83% specificity. In patients without complications, there was no difference in PCT1-2 even when the surgical procedure differed (p=0.935). CONCLUSIONS: PCT1-2 is an early predictive marker after LR and can be similarly used regardless of the LR procedure.

Evaluation of liquid biopsies for detection of emerging mutated genes in metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Detection of gene mutations is important for planning molecular targeted therapy. Although most gene mutations are concordant between primary colon cancers and their liver metastases, new mutations can emerge in metastases. The liquid biopsy is a newly developed, gene analytic method to detect mutations in metastatic tumors. In this prospective study, we evaluated the applicability of liquid biopsies in the detection of mutations in primary and metastatic tumors. METHODS: We included 22 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer and extracted DNA from primary colorectal tumors, metastatic liver tumors, and peripheral blood (liquid biopsy). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and digital PCR were performed to detect mutations in these three sample types. RESULTS: We found a total of 36 different mutations in samples from primary tumors, liver metastases, and liquid biopsies using NGS. Twenty-eight of these mutations were found in all three types of samples, whereas liquid biopsy did not identify four mutations that had been found in both primary tumors and liver metastases, but did identify four mutations that were found in liver tumors but not in primary tumors. The sensitivity of liquid biopsies for detecting mutations in liver metastases was 64% (23/36) using NGS and 89% (32/36, P = 0.02) using dPCR. The specificities of NGS and dPCR were 100% (23/23) and 100% (32/32), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Emerging mutations, which are not found in primary tumors, can be detected in their metastases and liquid biopsies.

Successful treatment of limy bile syndrome extending to the common bile duct by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration: A case report and literature review.

Limy bile syndrome extending to the common bile duct (CBD) is a rare condition that lacks a standardized treatment. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with laparoscopic choledocholithotomy by CBD exploration is preferred because it preserves the function of the sphincter of the Vater's papilla and allows treatment of both lesions. A 37-year-old man who was receiving entecavir for chronic hepatitis B developed right upper quadrant pain. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a calcified shadow in the gallbladder and CBD. Abdominal imaging revealed a liquid-like material identified by a calcified shadow in two phases separated by a fluid-fluid level. Abdominal and 3-D drip infusion cholangiography CT showed stones in the gallbladder and CBD with limy bile. The patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy. Intraoperatively, white-yellow-colored bile and stones were drained from the CBD. A C-tube was placed. Postoperatively, remnant stones and radiopaque materials were absent. The stones comprised of >95% calcium carbonate.

Cecal Volvulus Following Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Case Report.

Cecal volvulus is characterized by torsion of the cecum around its own mesentery. However, cecal volvulus rarely develops soon after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We report on a case of cecal volvulus that developed in a 54-year-old women 1 day after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and was successfully treated via colonoscopic decompression. The symptoms gradually improved in conjunction with recovery from postoperative ileus. Whether the incidence of volvulus has increased with the use of laparoscopic procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, has yet to be determined. Considering the current trend toward minimally invasive surgery, cecal volvulus should be considered in patients who have postoperative abdominal pain and distention.

Surgical resection of solitary metastatic liver tumor arising from lung cancer: a case series.

Resectability of hepatic metastases which have developed from lung cancer is limited and only a few reports have been published. We report two cases of a surgical resection of liver metastases arising from lung cancer. A 77-year-old male underwent a lower left lobectomy to treat a primary large cell lung carcinoma. Eight months later, abdominal computed tomography revealed a slightly enhanced heterogeneous tumor measuring 50 mm in diameter in the right liver, segment 8. We performed a hepatic anterior sectionectomy. The pathological findings were similar to those of the primary carcinoma. After six months, there was no evidence of a recurring lesion. A 65-year-old female underwent an upper right lobectomy to treat a primary adenocarcinoma. Twenty months later, abdominal computed tomography revealed a heterogeneous tumor measuring 20 mm in diameter in the right liver, segment 7. We performed a hepatic posterior sectionectomy. The pathological findings were similar to those of the primary lung carcinoma. After twenty months, the patient died from an unresectable recurrent carcinoma in the lung and brain. No recurrence was detected in the liver. We recommend that surgical resection be considered for solitary metastatic liver tumors which develop from lung cancer.