Spontaneous resolution of myopic foveoschisis and a macular hole with retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this report was to describe a case of myopic foveoschisis and a macular hole with retinal detachment that resolved spontaneously. OBSERVATIONS: A 62-year-old woman with bilateral blurred vision was referred to our department. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.4 bilaterally; the standard equivalent refractive error was -17.0 diopters in the right eye and -18.75 diopters in the left eye. The axial length was 31.4 mm and 31.2 mm, respectively. After cataract surgery was performed, the BCVA of the right and left eye was 0.6 and 1.0, respectively. Four years later, slight macular traction, foveoschisis, and the macular hole had progressed in the left eye and the BCVA had decreased to 0.7. However, the macular hole had closed, the foveoschisis had resolved, and retinal detachment had mostly resolved three weeks later. The BCVA improved to 0.8. The macular hole did not reoccur and retinal detachment resolved completely after six more months. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: This case demonstrated that myopic foveoschisis and a macular hole with retinal detachment could improve spontaneously. It is necessary to decide carefully whether surgery is required or whether the patient should be observed.

Neuropilin-2 expression in breast cancer: correlation with lymph node metastasis, poor prognosis, and regulation of CXCR4 expression.

BACKGROUND: Neuropilin-2 (Nrp2) is a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), which is a well-known lymphangiogenic factor and plays an important role in lymph node metastasis of various human cancers, including breast cancer. Recently, Nrp2 was shown to play a role in cancer by promoting tumor cell metastasis. CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) also promotes tumor metastasis. In the previous studies, we demonstrated that VEGF-C and cytoplasmic CXCR4 expressions were correlated with poorer patient prognosis (BMC Cancer 2008,8:340; Breast Cancer Res Treat 2005, 91:125-132). METHODS: The relationship between Nrp2 expression and lymph node metastasis, VEGF-C expression, CXCR4 expression, and other established clinicopathological variables (these data were cited in our previous papers), including prognosis, was analyzed in human breast cancer. Effects of neutralizing anti-Nrp2 antibody on CXCR4 expression and chemotaxis were assessed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. RESULTS: Nrp2 expression was observed in 53.1% (60 of 113) of the invasive breast carcinomas. Nrp2 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, VEGF-C expression, and cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression. Survival curves determined by the Kaplan-Meier method showed that Nrp2 expression was associated with reduced overall survival. In multivariate analysis, Nrp2 expression emerged as a significant independent predictor for overall survival. Neutralizing anti-Nrp2 antibody blocks cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression and CXCR4-induced migration in MDA-MB-231 cells. CONCLUSION: Nrp2 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis, VEGF-C expression, and cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression. Nrp2 expression may serve as a significant prognostic factor for long-term survival in breast cancer. Our data also showed a role for Nrp2 in regulating cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression in vitro.

Totally laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy: a simple and safe technique for intracorporeal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Current techniques of laparoscopic colectomy require an abdominal incision for extraction of the specimen. Although this incision is smaller than that for open laparotomy incision, it may reduce the advantages of laparoscopic surgery. In totally laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy, intracorporeal anastomosis is technically difficult. A safe and simple technique for circularly stapled intracorporeal anastomosis is described. METHODS: After mobilization of the colon and division of the mesentery, a semicircumferential colotomy is made at the anterior colonic wall just proximal to the transection site. The anvil of a circular stapling device, secured with a Prolene suture, is introduced via the colotomy. The suture is advanced anteriorly so that the center rod of the circular stapling device penetrates the colonic wall. The colon is staple-transected at this point to secure the anvil on the proximal colon. A grasping forceps is brought through the rectum, and the specimen is extracted through the colotomy made at the distal staple line. After the colotomy is reclosed with a linear stapler, anastomosis is established using a hemidouble stapling technique. RESULTS: Totally laparoscopic sigmoid colectomies were performed for 16 patients with colon cancers. All the patients were treated laparoscopically without any complications. The average operation time was 180 min. Although one patient experienced wound infection, no major complications occurred. There was no mortality in this series. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure of totally intracorporeal anastomosis combined with transanal extraction of the specimen can be performed easily, enabling surgeons to achieve minimal invasiveness comparable with that of hybrid natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).

[An autopsied case of giant small cell carcinoma of the pancreas].

A 58-year-old man who complained of an abdominal tumor was admitted to our hospital. Abdominal CT scan showed that a 15-cm tumor occupied the entire right upper abdomen and that there were ascites and liver metastases. A liver biopsy was performed. The liver biopsy showed a small cell carcinoma pattern, but no definitive origin of the tumor was determined. Considering the extensive peritoneal invasion and multiple liver metastases, he received 2 / courses of cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy, but his tumor became larger with concomitant abdominal pain and nausea. The patient suddenly died due to multiple organ failure caused by tumor necrosis. The autopsy revealed a pathological diagnosis of primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas.

A simple and safe method for gastrojejunostomy in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using the hemidouble-stapling technique: efficient purse-string stapling technique.

AIM: To describe a simple technique for intracorporeal circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. METHODS: After the stomach and duodenum were mobilized, gastrotomy was established in the anterior gastric wall. An anvil, which was secured with a suture needle, was inserted completely through the gastrotomy. The needle was advanced to the greater curvature of the gastric wall to enable penetration of the central rod into the gastric wall. Subsequently, the stomach was cut using a linear stapler to secure the anvil on the stomach and was sequentially transected using another linear stapler to achieve distal gastrectomy. Circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy was then performed intracorporeally using the hemidouble-stapling technique, while handling the shaft of the instrument via the umbilical incision. The jejunal stump was closed using a linear stapler. RESULTS: Gastrojejunostomies were successfully performed in 20 gastric cancer patients using this technique. None of the patients showed anastomotic leakage and/or stenosis. There were no mortalities in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrojejunostomy performed using the above-mentioned technique was safe and simple. The most important feature of the technique was the elimination of the need for purse-string suture placement, as well as the achievement of better cosmesis using the transumbilical approach.

Totally laparoscopic low anterior resection for lower rectal cancer: combination of a new technique for intracorporeal anastomosis with prolapsing technique.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopically assisted low anterior resection is difficult even for experienced surgeons because of difficulties in selecting the appropriate transection line and completing anastomosis in the narrow pelvic space. The prolapsing technique resolves these problems. We combined our new technique for intracorporeal anastomosis with this prolapsing technique and achieved a totally laparoscopic low anterior resection. METHODS: After the total mesorectal excision, a semi-circumferential colotomy is made at the anterior colonic wall just proximal to the proximal transection site. The anvil of a circular stapling device, secured with a Prolene suture, is introduced via the colotomy. The suture is advanced anteriorly so that the center rod of the anvil penetrates the colonic wall. The colon is staple-transected at this point to secure the anvil on the proximal colon. The distal rectum is everted and pulled transanally outside the body using a grasping forceps inserted from the anus. Staple-closure and transection of the distal rectum is performed under direct vision. Anastomosis is established using the double-stapling technique. RESULTS: Totally laparoscopic low anterior resections using this technique were performed for 7 patients with rectal cancer. There was no anastomotic leakage/stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our procedure can be performed easily, which enables surgeons to achieve minimal invasiveness compared with hybrid NOTES.

A simple and safe technique for esophagojejunostomy using the hemidouble stapling technique in laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy.

In laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy, esophagojejunostomy is technically difficult. We describe a safe and simple technique for circular-stapled esophagojejunostomy. After mobilization of the stomach and the esophagus, a semicircumferential esophagotomy is made at the anterior esophageal wall. An anvil of a circular stapling device, secured with a Prolene suture (Ethicon, Inc, Somerville, NJ), is introduced via the esophagotomy. The suture is advanced anteriorly so that the center rod penetrates the esophageal wall. The esophagus is staple transected at this point. The circular-stapled esophagojejunostomy is then performed using the hemidouble stapling technique. Laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomies were performed in 10 patients with gastric cancers. All patients were completed laparoscopically without any complications. The time of anvil placement was 9 minutes in median. Although a wound infection occurred in 1 patient, there were no major complications. There was no mortality in this series. Esophagojejunostomy using this technique is safe and simple. Its practical value is the elimination of the need for pursestring suture placement.

Cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression in breast cancer: induction by nitric oxide and correlation with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Lymph nodes constitute the first site of metastasis for most malignancies, and the extent of lymph node involvement is a major criterion for evaluating patient prognosis. The CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been shown to play an important role in lymph node metastasis. Nitric oxide (NO) may also contribute to induction of metastatic ability in human cancers. METHODS: CXCR4 expression was analyzed in primary human breast carcinoma with long-term follow-up. The relationship between nitrotyrosine levels (a biomarker for peroxynitrate formation from NO in vivo) and lymph node status, CXCR4 immunoreactivity, and other established clinico-pathological parameters, as well as prognosis, was analyzed. Nitrite/nitrate levels and CXCR4 expressions were assessed in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell lines after induction and/or inhibition of NO synthesis. RESULTS: CXCR4 staining was predominantly cytoplasmic; this was observed in 50%(56/113) of the tumors. Cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was significantly correlated with nitrotyrosine levels and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was associated with reduced disease-free and overall survival. In multivariate analysis, cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression emerged as a significant independent predictor for overall and disease-free survival. Cytoplasmic expression of functional CXCR4 in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cells was increased by treatment with the NO donor DETA NONOate. This increase was abolished by L-NAME, an inhibitor of NOS. CONCLUSION: Our data showed a role for NO in stimulating cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression in vitro. Formation of the biomarker nitrotyrosine was also correlated with CXCR4 expression and lymph node metastasis in vivo. In addition, cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression may serve as a significant prognostic factor for long-term survival in breast cancer.

Thyroid carcinoma with extensive tumor thrombus in the atrium.

To our knowledge, only a few cases of thyroid carcinoma with an extensive tumor thrombus in the atrium have been reported in literature. We describe a unique case of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with extensive tumor thrombus in the atrium. A 74-year-old man consulted our hospital because of thyroid carcinoma with an extensive tumor thrombus in the atrium. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2-cm tumor with extensive continuous tumor thrombus in the left jugular vein, innominate vein, superior vena cava, and atrium. The tumor was resected to reduce the risk of sudden death from tumor embolism into the pulmonary arteries. Histologically, the diagnosis was papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Thyroid carcinoma, especially papillary carcinoma, rarely develops a macroscopic tumor thrombus. Patients with an extensive tumor thrombus generally have poor prognoses and high mortality. This patient has been followed for 7 months after successful operation without recurrence.

Multiple benign metastasizing leiomyomas in the pelvic lymph nodes and biceps muscle: report of a case.

A 47-year-old woman with an earlier history of uterine leiomyoma suffered from multiple recurrent tumors in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and biceps muscle of the right upper arm. The woman with a right lower abdominal tumor was referred to our hospital. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed two round nodules with well-defined margins in the retroperitoneum in the pelvis, and echography revealed a similar nodule in the biceps of the right upper arm. A biopsy of the abdominal retroperitoneal tumor demonstrated benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML). An extirpation of the abdominal tumors was therefore performed. After the operation, false climacteric medical treatment was performed for 3 years and no recurrence has since been observed. This is the first reported case of multiple BML in the lymph nodes and muscle occurring simultaneously.

One-year results of a multicenter controlled clinical trial of triamcinolone in pars plana vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 1-year results of using triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). DESIGN: Multicenter prospective controlled clinical trial. SETTING AND STUDY POPULATION: the study population comprised 774 eyes from patients treated at eight Japanese hospitals, among which 391 eyes underwent TA-assisted PPV and 383 control eyes underwent conventional PPV. The patients were assigned to the two groups using a single-blind quasi-randomization approach within the participating clinical centers. INTERVENTION: intra-operative use of TA to aid visualization of the vitreous. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: changes of visual acuity, post-operative complications (including additional surgery), and adverse events occurring within 1 year of the operation were compared between the TA-PPV group and the conventional PPV group. RESULTS: The visual acuity improved over time, and no significant differences were found between the two groups (log-rank versus TA, P = 0.98 for improvement, P = 0.26 for deterioration). The logistic regression model also showed that the intra-operative use of TA was not a significant factor for the improvement of visual acuity [P = 0.91, odds ratio (OR) = 1.10, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.860-1.183)] after adjustments for age, gender, and diagnosis. Intra-operative TA was not a significant factor for the need for additional surgery (log-rank test P = 0.45, logistic regression test P = 0.35, OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 0.797-1.911]. No serious adverse events related to surgery were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This 1-year follow-up study of a controlled clinical trial showed that TA-assisted PPV had neither a positive nor a negative effect on visual acuity, the incidence of additional surgeries, or adverse events compared with conventional PPV.

Recurrent Ascending Colon Cancer Manifesting as Inferior Vena cava Thrombus.

We report an extremely rare case of recurrent ascending colon cancer manifesting as inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. A 77-year-old woman previously diagnosed with ascending colon cancer underwent right hemicolectomy with lymph node dissection. Though the tumor invaded the retroperitoneum and involved the right ovarian artery and vein, curative operation was performed. The patient took 5-FU p.o. Two and a half years later, tumor thrombus in the IVC extending into the right atrium was incidentally found and diagnosed as recurrence of colon cancer by biopsy. RF-induced hyperthermia using 5-FU and CDDP i.v. was immediately performed, but she died after 6 months because of multiple liver and pulmonary metastases. In treating colon cancers invading the retroperitoneum, it should be recalled that some cases recur as tumor thrombus in the IVC and that close follow-up is therefore necessary.

A case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy after surgery for common bile duct stones.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a rare reversible circulatory syndrome often detected in elderly patients after general surgery. We report the case of an 85-year-old woman who was admitted for obstructive jaundice and underwent ERCP and ENBD before operation. She finally underwent cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy with the diagnosis of gallbladder and common bile duct stones. In the evening just after the operation, without symptoms of cardiac failure, her ECG suddenly exhibited abnormal ST-T elevation in leads II, III, and V2-V6, though neither CPK(MB) nor troponin T was elevated. Echocardiogram demonstrated basal hyperkinesis and apical dyskinesis, suggesting TC. Conservative treatment enabled recovery, ECG was normalized in a month, and the postoperative course was satisfactory. The stress on her during treatment might have been a cause of this unique cardiomyopathy, and it should be recalled that TC is a potential complication of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination responding to S-1/CDDP neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

The patient was a 72-year-old male diagnosed with type III poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the lesser curvature by gastric fiberscopy. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed the thickness of the gastric wall and the enlarged lymph node around the stomach and laparoscopic examination revealed peritoneal dissemination. The patient received neoadjuvant combined chemotherapy with S-1 and CDDP. S-1 (100 mg/day) was orally administered for 3 weeks followed by 2 drug-free weeks as a course, and CDDP (100 mg/body) was administered by intravenous drip on day 8. After the third course, significant tumor reduction was obtained. Total gastrectomy, splenectomy and D2 nodal dissection were performed. Peritoneal dissemination disappeared, and the histological diagnosis revealed complete disappearance of cancer cells in the ascites and no metastasis in all lymph nodes. The patient has now been in good health with no recurrence for 22 months after surgery. The combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 and CDDP can be an effective treatment of choice for advanced gastric carcinoma with peritoneal dissemination.

[Liposarcoma of the spermatic cord associated with rectum cancer: a case report].

We report a case of liposarcoma of the spermatic cord associated with rectum cancer. A 78-year-old man visited our hospital with a complaint of painless left inguinal mass. He also showed constipation and bloody bowel discharge, rectum cancer was diagnosed by further evaluation. Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2 x 4 x 6 cm mass in the left spermatic cord. Left high orchiectomy for the left inguinal tumor and Hartmann's procedure for rectum cancer was performed. Histologically, the mass in the left spermatic cord was well differentiated liposarcoma and rectum cancer was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. He died from rectum cancer with no evidence of recurrence of liposarcoma of the left spermatic cord after follow up for 6 months.

Reduced incidence of intraoperative complications in a multicenter controlled clinical trial of triamcinolone in vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the benefits and potential complications of using triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, controlled clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 774 patients from 8 Japanese hospitals were enrolled, with 391 patients undergoing TA-assisted PPV and 383 control patients undergoing conventional PPV. INTERVENTION: Intraoperative use of TA to aid visualization of the vitreous. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of intraoperative complications, including retinal breaks, was evaluated. Early postoperative complications, intraocular pressure (IOP), and adverse events occurring within 3 months of the operation were also monitored. RESULTS: The incidence of both retinal breaks and intraoperative retinal detachment was significantly lower in TA-assisted PPV than in conventional PPV. Retinal breaks were seen in 34 eyes (8.7%) undergoing TA-assisted PPV compared with 54 eyes (14.1%) undergoing conventional PPV (odds ratio [OR], 0.603; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.381-0.955; P = 0.031). Retinal detachment was seen in only 3 eyes (0.8%) in which TA was used compared with 14 eyes (3.7%) in which TA was not used (OR, 0.204; 95% CI, 0.057-0.727; P = 0.014). In total, 388 eyes in the TA-assisted PPV group (99.2%) and 374 eyes in the conventional PPV group (97.6%) were followed up for 3 months after the operation. Although the mean postoperative IOPs were comparable in both groups, antiglaucoma eye drops were used more frequently by patients in the TA-assisted group than by those in the conventional PPV group (OR, 1.673; 95% CI, 1.126-2.484; P = 0.011). No serious adverse events, such as endophthalmitis or retinal degeneration, were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative use of TA reduced the incidence of retinal breaks and retinal detachments in eyes undergoing PPV. There were no serious adverse events related to the intraoperative use of TA. Although antiglaucoma eye drops were required more frequently after TA-assisted PPV than after conventional PPV, IOP was well-controlled in both groups.

[A case of stage IV advanced gastric cancer responding to TS-1/CDDP neoadjuvant chemotherapy which leads to a pathological complete response].

A 72-year-old male with advanced gastric cancer (cT3N2M0H0P0CY1, cStage IV) was treated with TS-1/CDDP as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. TS-1 (60 mg/m(2)/day) was orally administered for 3 weeks followed by 2 drug free weeks as a course, and CDDP (60 mg/m(2)) was administered by intravenous drip on day 8. After the fourth course,a significant tumor reduction was obtained. Total gastrectomy, splenectomy, and D 2 type nodal dissection were performed. The histological diagnosis revealed complete disappearance of cancer cells in the stomach and all of the lymph nodes, which is a so-called pathological complete response. The patient has now been in good health without a recurrence for 24 months after surgery. This case suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TS-1/CDDP is a potential regimen for advanced gastric cancer.

Unresectable gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases effectively treated with combined paclitaxel and doxifluridine chemotherapy.

We report a 72-year-old man who was diagnosed by gastroscopy as having a type III poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the lesser curvature, with the longest diameter being 10 cm. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple liver metastases, thickening of the gastric wall, and an enlarged paraaortic lymph node. The serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was 60 ng/ml and the carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level was 1355 U/ml. The patient received combined chemotherapy with doxifluridine (800 mg/body per day) and paclitaxel (one course comprised three weekly infusions at a dose of 70 mg/m(2) followed by 1-week rest). After the completion of three courses, the patient achieved a complete response (CR), with complete disappearance of the primary tumor, the metastatic foci in the liver, and the enlarged abdominal lymph nodes; as well, the tumor markers were normalized. Adverse effects included only mild anorexia that was limited to grade 1. He maintained a CR for 1 year and 2 months. Combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and doxifluridine can be an effective treatment for unresectable advanced gastric carcinoma.

Significance of intraoperative monitoring of arterial blood flow velocity and hepatic venous oxygen saturation for performing minimally invasive surgery in a patient with multiple calcified pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms with celiac artery occlusion.

Even for patients with multiple pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms, successful treatment with noninvasive operative procedures can be employed, if intraoperative devices are considered. A 73-year-old man, without any symptoms, was admitted to our hospital and had computed tomography (CT) scanning to examine his liver for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Selective superior mesenteric artery (SMA) angiography confirmed multiple aneurysms in the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (AIPDA), one aneurysm in the posterior inferior mesenteric artery (PIPDA), and another in the occluded celiac trunk, all with severe calcification. All of the aneurysms were thought to communicate with each other. With the celiac artery occlusion, the right hepatic artery (RHA) was revealed to be supplied by collateral arteries from the aneurysms in the AIPDA, and the left hepatic artery was shown to be supplied by collaterals from the left gastric artery. Intraoperative Doppler echography, at the time of the clamping of both IPDAs, demonstrated a marked decrease of blood velocity in all aneurysms (before clamping, >50 cm/s; after, <10 cm/s), although loss of pulsation and a marked decrease of flow in the RHA were inevitable. Therefore, each of these two IPDAs were ligated on the proximal side to the aneurysm, thus preserving the blood flow of the pancreas head fed by the PIPDA; bypass grafting from the AIPDA to the RHA, using the great saphenous vein, was done at the same time. After the creation of an anastomosis, the hepatic venous oxygen saturation (ShvO2) increased from 38% (at the time of ligation of the IPDAs) to 57% under ventilation. The patient's postoperative clinical course was uneventful. We describe and discuss our successful noninvasive operative management of multiple pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms, done while monitoring the blood flow and ShvO2, with some consideration of the literature.