Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma with Multilocular Cysts.

In this study, we describe a 60-year-old man with a giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with multilocular cysts. He was admitted to our hospital because of a 5-month history of abdominal distention. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a giant lobulated cystic mass occupying the retroperitoneal space that contained partially solid fat components. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated that this complex mass exhibited a low signal intensity on a T1-weighted image, whereas it exhibited a high and focally intermediate signal intensity on a T2-weighted image. This patient was diagnosed with a mucinous type of retroperitoneal sarcoma, which was then resected. During surgery, the tumor was isolated from the retroperitoneum and other organs, but the detachment was required only because of fixation around the left external iliac artery. The histological diagnosis was a well-differentiated liposarcoma with multilocular cysts that contained old bloody, serous, and mucinous fluids, which are a rare phenomenon in liposarcoma. This case indicates that retroperitoneal liposarcoma should also be considered as a differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal cystic mass.

Paget's disease derived in situ from reserve cell hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) of the esophagus is a rare tumor, with most cases originating from invasive adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Pure esophageal Paget's disease, in which no underlying invasive carcinoma component is present, is extremely rare. In this report, we describe a case of EMPD of the esophagogastric junction with no evidence of invasive carcinoma. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old Japanese woman with a 2-week history of abdominal distension presented to our hospital for assessment. Endoscopic examination revealed a mild elevated granular lesion, with a slightly depressed irregular mucosa, in the distal esophagus, with EMPD confirmed by biopsy. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection was performed, with Paget cells observed on microscopic examination in the lower part of the esophageal epithelium. Only a few Paget cells stained positively for PAS/Alcian blue. Immunohistochemically, negative staining for CK5 and p63 were identified in the Paget cells, with positive staining for CK7. Furthermore, an intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma, with squamous metaplasia and reserve cell hyperplasia, was observed in the gastric mucosa of the esophagogastric junction, adjacent to the Paget cells. CONCLUSIONS: EMPD of the esophagus is a rare disease. We report a case of EMPD that was probably derived from a gastric squamous cell carcinoma, with squamous cell metaplasia and reserve cell hyperplasia, in the esophagogastric junction, which, to our knowledge, is the first report of this type of EMPD in the clinical literature.

Poorly cohesive adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case report.

A 47-year-old Japanese male was submitted to pancreaticoduodenectomy for an ampullary cancer. Pathologically, the ampullary cancer was poorly cohesive adenocarcinoma without tubular structure. Moreover, locoregional lymph nodes were swollen with hypervascularity, plasmacytes infiltration, and hemorrhage. Our case seems to be different from usual poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Evaluation of abdominal circumference and salivary amylase activities after unsedated colonoscopy using carbon dioxide and air insufflations.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare abdominal distention and stress in unsedated colonoscopy using carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and air insufflations. METHODS: Two hundred and five patients underwent colonoscopic examinations without sedation using either CO2 or air insufflation. Abdominal circumference and salivary amylase (sAMY) activities before and 0 and 15 min after colonoscopy were measured by a nurse who was blinded to the grouping of the patients. RESULTS: In all, 102 and 103 patients were randomly recruited in the CO2 and air insufflation groups, respectively. sAMY activities before and 0 and 15 min after colonoscopy were not significantly different between the two groups. Abdominal circumference measured immediately and 15 min after colonoscopy was significantly smaller in CO2 insufflation group than in the air insufflation group (81.2 cm vs 84.0 cm, and 79.7 cm vs 83.6 cm, respectively; P <0.05). The increasing ratio of abdominal circumference immediately after colonoscopy was not significantly different between the two groups; however, the ratio at 15 min after colonoscopy using CO2 insufflation was significantly lower than that in the air insufflation group (1.007 vs 1.028, P <0.001). CONCLUSION: sAMY activities after unsedated colonoscopy using CO2 insufflation were not improved; however, CO2 insufflation decreases abdominal circumference after colonoscopy compared with air insufflation.

A case of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach with focal intestinal metaplasia and hypergastrinemia.

Among neuroendocrine neoplasms, mixed exocrine and endocrine characteristics with at least 30% of each component are classified into mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC), according to the 2010 World Health Organization classification. We experienced a rare case of MANEC of the stomach with focal intestinal metaplasia and hypergastrinemia. A 76-year-old Japanese male was diagnosed as having gastric adenocarcinoma and underwent total gastrectomy. The pathologic diagnosis was MANEC of the stomach accompanied by unusual mucosal atrophy without Helicobacter pylori infection, the characteristics of which were different from both type A and type B atrophic gastritis. The patient has a history of long-term use of a proton pump inhibitor. Additional serum chemistry examination using preoperatively obtained plasma from the patient revealed hypergastrinemia. The mechanism of gastric MANEC carcinogenesis is still unclear, but that might be correlated with unusual intestinal metaplasia and hypergastrinemia in this case.

Intrahepatic biliary dilatation caused by a small simple hepatic cyst: report of a case.

Biliary obstruction caused by small simple cysts is very rare. We present a case of biliary dilatation caused by a simple cyst with a 4-cm diameter. The patient was a 75-year-old woman referred to our hospital for evaluation of a cystic tumor associated with peripheral biliary duct dilatation in the left segment of the liver. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed that the cyst probably communicated with the intrahepatic bile duct. Malignant tumors, including intrahepatic papillary neoplasms of the bile duct, could not be ruled out; therefore, we performed surgery with the patient's consent. Histopathologic examination of the resected liver showed that the cystic lesion was a simple cyst. The finding that even small simple cysts can obstruct the biliary tract is important for the management of cystic lesions of the liver.

Recurrent, spontaneous esophageal ruptures associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: report of a case.

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a spontaneous esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) and was successfully treated. Eight years after the first incident, he was readmitted with a recurrent rupture. Recurrence of Boerhaave syndrome is extremely rare, with only 7 cases reported in the English literature. During treatment, the patient was also diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Although APS is known to cause a variety of symptoms due to vascular thrombosis, recurrence of Boerhaave syndrome, coincident with APS, has never been reported. The pathogenesis of Boerhaave syndrome has not been clearly determined. This report serves to increase awareness of the risk of APS, which results in an increased risk of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus.

Mechanism of gastrointestinal abnormal motor activity induced by cisplatin in conscious dogs.

AIM: To investigate whether 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin; 5-HT) is involved in mediating abnormal motor activity in dogs after cisplatin administration. METHODS: After the dogs had been given a 2-wk recovery period, all of them were administered cisplatin, and the motor activity was recorded using strain gauge force transducers. Blood and intestinal fluid samples were collected to measure 5-HT for 24 h. To determine whether 5-HT in plasma or that in intestinal fluids is more closely related to abnormal motor activity we injected 5-HT into the bloodstream and the intestinal tract of the dogs. RESULTS: Cisplatin given intravenously produced abnormal motor activity that lasted up to 5 h. From 3 to 4 h after cisplatin administration, normal intact dogs exhibited retropropagation of motor activity accompanied by emesis. The concentration of 5-HT in plasma reached the peak at 4 h, and that in intestinal fluids reached the peak at 3 h. In normal intact dogs with resection of the vagus nerve that were administered kytril, cisplatin given intravenously did not produce abnormal motor activity. Intestinal serotonin administration did not produce abnormal motor activity, but intravenous serotonin administration did. CONCLUSION: After the intravenous administration of cisplatin, abnormal motor activity was produced in the involved vagus nerve and in the involved serotonergic neurons via another pathway. This study was the first to determine the relationship between 5-HT and emesis-induced motor activity.

Mucosal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with intramural gastric metastasis invading liver and pancreas: a case report.

A 59-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of a 1-month history of dysphagia. Endoscopic examination revealed a superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and a giant gastric tumor. Computed tomography showed that the gastric tumor was directly invading the liver and pancreas. Because of the risk of the gastric tumor causing obstruction and bleeding, we performed a subtotal esophagectomy, proximal gastrectomy, left lateral segmentectomy of liver, and pancreatosplenectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. Final pathological findings were superficial esophageal carcinoma penetrating the muscularis mucosae with an intramural gastric metastasis directly invading the liver and pancreas. The patient received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, yet died 8 months postoperatively of complications of local recurrence. Early-stage esophageal carcinoma with intramural gastric metastasis is very rare. To our knowledge, this is the first case of mucosal esophageal carcinoma with intramural gastric metastasis directly invading other organs.

Evaluation of Pharyngeal Function between No Bolus and Bolus Propofol Induced Sedation for Advanced Upper Endoscopy.

This study aimed to assess pharyngeal function between no bolus and bolus propofol induced sedation during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. A retrospective study was conducted involving consecutive gastric cancer patients. Patients in the no bolus group received a 3 mg/kg/h maintenance dose of propofol after the initiation of sedation without bolus injection. All patients in the bolus group received the same maintenance dose of propofol with bolus 0.5 mg/kg propofol injection. Pharyngeal functions were evaluated endoscopically for the first 5 min following the initial administration of propofol. Fourteen patients received no bolus propofol induction and 13 received bolus propofol induction. Motionless vocal cords were observed in 2 patients (14%) in the no bolus group and 3 (23%) in the bolus group. Trachea cartilage was not observed in the no bolus group but was apparent in 6 patients (46%) in the bolus group (P < 0.01). Scope stimulated pharyngeal reflex was observed in 11 patients (79%) in the no bolus group and in 3 (23%) in the bolus group (P < 0.01). Propofol induced sedation without bolus administration preserves pharyngeal function and may constitute a safer sedation method than with bolus.

A case of very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with carcinoid tumor in the ascending colon.

Malignant tumors with mixed glandular and neuroendocrine characteristics with at least 30% of each component are classified as mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) by the World Health Organization 2010 classification. We report here a case of very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma accompanied by carcinoid tumor, categorized as MANEC. A 41-year-old Japanese man was clinically diagnosed with ascending colon cancer and underwent right hemicolectomy. Using an immunohistologic technique, the pathologic diagnosis was very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma accompanied by carcinoid tumor and marked eosinophil infiltration, which was categorized as MANEC. By immunohistochemical analysis, tumor cells of the carcinoid component exhibited very low proliferation activity. Our case was thought to be MANEC without high malignant potential. MANEC as per the World Health Organization 2010 classification seems to include tumors with diverse grades of malignancy, and it might need to have subclassifications according to the malignancy potential of the tumor cells.

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma with leiomyosarcomatous differentiation.

We herein describe a 60-year-old Japanese man with a giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma undergoing leiomyosarcomatous differentiation. He was admitted to our hospital because of a 5-month history of dysphagia and abdominal distention. Abdominal computed tomography showed a giant tumor that occupied the entire retroperitoneal space. The majority of the mass was lipomatous and low density; both a heterogenous and solid mass were also present. A giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma was diagnosed, and tumor resection was performed. At surgery, the tumor was mostly isolated from the retroperitoneum and other organs. Histopathologically, the tumor comprised well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcoma with heterologous differentiation of the leiomyosarcomatous components, which is a rare phenomenon in liposarcoma. The patient was alive 3 years after the first treatment, although he has had 3 local recurrences (approximately one recurrence yearly) and has been treated by repeated resection and radiotherapy.

Elevated C-reactive protein is associated with the tumor depth of invasion but not with disease recurrence in stage II and III colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We previously demonstrated that elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level is associated with depth of tumor invasion in operable colorectal cancer. There is also increasing evidence to show that raised CRP concentration is associated with poor survival in patients with colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between preoperative CRP concentrations and short-term disease recurrence in cases with stage II and III colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: Of the 224 cases with resected colorectal cancer, 55 patients with TNM stage II and 50 with stage III were analyzed in this study. The clinical features were reviewed according to the CRP level, and statistical analysis was performed. In cases with stage II and III, 11 and 6 of which had elevated serum CRP (>=10mg/L), respectively. Recurrence-free interval was defined as the interval from surgery to the time disease recurrence was diagnosed. Among the cases with stage II and III colorectal cancer, 4 and 10 had recurrent disease. RESULTS: Among various clinicopathological characteristics, depth of tumor invasion was independently associated with preoperative elevation of CRP in stage II and III colorectal cancer in multivariate subgroup analysis. However, recurrence-free interval by Kaplan-Meier curves did not differ significantly among patients with preoperative CRP concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that elevated serum CRP level is associated with depth of tumor, but not with recurrent disease in stage II and III colorectal cancer.

Associated expression of α2,3sialylated type 2 chain structures with lymph node metastasis in distal colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: One of the typical modifications on the surface of cancer cells is sialylation of terminal carbohydrates. The expression of several types of sialylation of glycoconjugates was investigated in colorectal cancer. METHODS: The cancer tissue specimens obtained from 65 colorectal cancer patients were stained with sialic acid-binding lectins from Maackia amurensis (MAM), Sambucus sieboldiana (SSA), Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA) and monoclonal antibodies, and compared with their clinicopathological features. RESULTS: Cancer tissue specimens from 44.6% of patients had positive staining with MAM, which recognized α2,3sialylated type 2 chain (NeuAcα2,3Galß1,4GlcNAcßR) structures, but normal colorectal mucosa showed only weak staining with MAM was observed. More lymph node metastases and lymphatic invasion were seen in patients with positive staining with MAM (P < 0.01), while not with other lectins or antibodies that recognized sialylated glycoconjugates or sialyl Lewis-related antigens. The five-year survival rate of patients with MAM-positive staining was significantly lower than that with MAM-negative staining when including T0-1 cases, but there was no difference in cases with T2-4. There was no difference in the patients' survival rates when the tissues were stained with MAA, SSA or PNA lectins. CONCLUSION: α2,3Sialylated type 2 chain structures were predominantly expressed in colorectal tissues associated with the malignant transformation, in particular, with lymphatic spread of distal colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Intragastric administration of rikkunshito stimulates upper gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying in conscious dogs.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Japanese medicine, known as Kampo medicine, consists of mixtures of several medicinal herbs widely used to treat upper gastrointestinal disorders in Japan. Rikkunshito, one of these medicines, has not been evaluated with respect to its influence on gastrointestinal motor activity. We investigated the effect of rikkunshito on upper gastrointestinal motility and plasma ghrelin concentrations in conscious dogs. METHODS: Contractile response to intragastric administration of rikkunshito was studied via surgically implanted force transducers. A powdered extract of rikkunshito (1.3, 2.7, and 4.0 g) dissolved in water was administered into the stomachs of normal and vagotomized dogs before feeding and gastric emptying was evaluated. Several inhibitors of gastrointestinal motility (atropine, hexamethonium, and ondansetron) were injected intravenously before intragastric administration of rikkunshito. Plasma acylated ghrelin levels after intragastric administration of rikkunshito were measured. RESULTS: In a fasting state, intragastric administration of rikkunshito induced phasic contractions in the duodenum and jejunum in normal dogs. Rikkunshito-induced contractions were inhibited by atropine, hexamethonium and ondansetron. In vagotomized dogs, rikkunshito induced phasic contractions, similar to normal dogs. Gastric emptying was accelerated by intragastric administration of rikkunshito in a dose-dependent manner. The plasma acylated ghrelin level 150 min after intragastric administration of 4.0 g of rikkunshito was significantly higher than the control value. CONCLUSIONS: Intragastric administration of rikkunshito stimulates gastrointestinal contractions in the interdigestive state through cholinergic neurons and 5-HT type 3 receptors. Moreover, rikkunshito increases plasma acylated ghrelin levels. Rikkunshito may alleviate gastrointestinal disorders through its prokinetic effects.

The efficacy of fondaparinux for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism after resection for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The advantages of combined pharmacological and physical methods for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after colorectal surgery have not been clearly determined. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of fondaparinux combined with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) with IPC alone for VTE prophylaxis after resection for colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: Between June 2008 and March 2010, 137 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who underwent colorectal resection in our surgical unit were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The IPC group was treated with IPC alone as controls. The fondaparinux group was treated with IPC and received subcutaneous injections of fondaparinux once daily. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fondaparinux combined with IPC with IPC alone for VTE prophylaxis. RESULTS: The demographic variables and risk factors, operating time, blood loss and length of the postoperative hospital stay were similar in the two groups. No clinically evident VTE, critical bleeding, and postoperative death occurred during the study period. No adverse reactions due to fondaparinux were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer, receiving fondaparinux and IPC thromboprophylaxis was highly effective, well tolerated and safe. The use of combined modalities for VTE prophylaxis is justified in patients at high risk of VTE.

A case of diffuse neuronal hypertrophy in acute appendicitis.

We report a case of neuronal hypertrophy associated with acute appendicitis in which significant neuronal fibers and the number of ganglion cells increased in the absence of inflammatory cells. Differential diagnosis from diffuse ganglioneuromatosis by the pathologic findings of resected specimen was difficult. A 33-year-old Japanese female visited our hospital complaining of acute abdominal pain. The patient underwent appendectomy upon the diagnosis of acute appendicitis on the day of admission. Postoperative examinations found no neoplastic lesions in other organs or inherited disorders such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2b and von Recklinghausen's disease (VRD). The pathologic diagnosis was neuronal hypertrophy of the appendix. Because the clinical outcomes of diffuse ganglioneuromatosis and neuronal hypertrophy of the gastrointestinal tract are quite different, clinical and pathologic examination should be carefully carried out for lesions in which significant proliferation of neuronal components is seen.

Ectopic Sebaceous Glands in the Esophagus: Endoscopic Findings over Three Years.

Sebaceous glands in the esophagus are rare and are of particular interest because of their as yet unknown origin. We report a case with ectopic sebaceous glands diagnosed by esophageal endoscopy and biopsy, with follow-up endoscopic examinations for 3 years. Few cases with follow-up endoscopic findings have been reported. In our case, there were no significant overall changes during 3 years of follow-up, but the lesions fluctuated over time. While taking the endoscopic findings of the present or past cases into account, we discuss the possible pathogenic mechanisms of this condition.

Central venous port system-related complications in outpatient chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The current standard chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer is the FOLFOX or the FOLFIRI regimen. Although these regimens include the continuous infusion of an anticancer agent, chemotherapy is possible by using implantable central venous port systems with a portable disposable pump in an outpatient setting. This study is an evaluation of the usefulness of implantable central venous port systems for colorectal cancer chemotherapy. METHODOLOGY: An implantable central venous port system was placed in 93 consecutive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. All patients received modified FOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab or FOLFIRI ± bevacizumab regimens via the port system. Follow-up continued for each patient until removal of the port system, death or unavailability of further information. The incidence and details of the complications were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Out of 1,246 treatments, a total of 16 incidents of port system-related complications were identified (1.28%). Incidents involved infections (n=12), catheter pinch off (n=2), fibrin sheath (n=1) and drug leakage (n=1). A port system removal was required in 14 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Implantable central venous port systems are safe and have a low long-term complication rate. We consider port systems, such as modified FOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab or FOLFIRI ± bevacizumab regimens, useful for colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Adult Intussusception Caused by Descending Colon Cancer during Chemotherapy of Stomach Cancer Recurrence.

Intussusception in adults is uncommon, and it is rare in the descending colon because of its fixation to the retroperitoneum. We herein describe a case of intussusception caused by descending colon cancer. A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of vomiting and abdominal pain. He had undergone chemotherapy for lymph node recurrence of stomach cancer for about 4 years. Computed tomography revealed a 'target mass' with a tumor in the descending colon. We diagnosed his illness as intussusception of a descending colon tumor and performed emergency laparotomy. Conservative resection was performed following anastomosis after reduction of the intussusception. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an intussusception caused by descending colon cancer incidentally diagnosed during chemotherapy for stomach cancer recurrence.