KIR3DL1-HLA-Bw4 combination and IL28B polymorphism predict response to Peg-IFN and ribavirin with and without telaprevir in chronic hepatitis C.

Natural killer cells play a key role in the immune control of viral infections. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate natural killer cell activation and inhibition through the recognition of their cognate HLA class I ligands. We assessed the predictive factors of a sustained virological response (SVR) in 200 Japanese patients with chronic genotype 1b hepatitis C who were treated with telaprevir (TVR), pegylated-interferon-α2b (PEG-IFN), and ribavirin (RBV) triple therapy (92 patients) or PEG-IFN/RBV therapy alone (108 patients). Sixteen KIR genotypes, HLA-A, -B and -C ligands, and an interleukin (IL) 28B polymorphism (rs8099917) were analyzed. We observed that triple therapy, white blood cell count, hemoglobin value, hepatitis C viral load, a rapid virological response (RVR), IL28B TT genotype, and KIR3DL1-HLA-Bw4 genotype were associated with an SVR. In multivariate regression analysis, we identified an RVR (P < 0.000001; odds ratio [OR] = 20.95), the IL28B TT genotype (P = 0.00014; OR = 5.53), and KIR3DL1-HLA-Bw4 (P = 0.004, OR = 3.42) as significant independent predictive factors of an SVR. In conclusion, IL28B and KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4 are independent predictors of an SVR in Japanese patients infected with genotype 1b HCV receiving TVR/PEG-IFN/RBV or PEG-IFN/RBV therapy.

Chronological changes in the ultrasonic findings of gallbladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: a case report and review.

The present case involves a gallbladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (GBMRCC). During 11 months of ultrasound follow-up examinations, the mass, covered with a highly echoic surface layer, exhibited the following changes: the wide base became constricted, the tumor surface became irregular, and the mass increased in diameter. A histopathological examination confirmed that the tumor cells were mainly present in the subepithelial layer, the gallbladder epithelium had ruptured, and necrotic debris covered the tumor surface. The highly echoic surface layer observed on the latest ultrasound images corresponded to the necrotic debris. These findings suggested that GBMRCCs initially develop in the subepithelial layer and then undergo expansive intraluminal growth. They subsequently cause the epithelium to rupture, resulting in necrotic debris appearing on the tumor surface.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade stone removal in a patient with pancreatic stones and anastomotic stricture after end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy.

Pancreaticoenteric anastomotic stricture can occur as a late complication of pancreatic head resection and is difficult to manage. The surgically altered anatomies of patients that have undergone pancreatic head resection make it difficult to perform pancreatic duct drainage using conventional endoscopes, and it is especially difficult to endoscopically identify stenotic pancreaticojejunal anastomoses. A 40-year-old woman was referred to our department for the treatment of symptomatic multiple pancreatic stones and anastomotic stricture after end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreaticogastrostomy was performed in an attempt to avoid re-surgery. At 18 days after the initial procedure, a guidewire was successfully placed in the jejunum through the anastomotic stricture. The anastomotic stricture was dilated using a dilation balloon, and all of the stones were pushed into the jejunum using a retrieval balloon. No complications were experienced during the procedure. At 22 months after the stone removal, the main pancreatic duct displayed a decreased diameter, and no stone recurrence was detected.

Impact of changing our cannulation method on the incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis after pancreatic guidewire placement.

AIM: To clarify whether the incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) after pancreatic guidewire placement (PGW) can be reduced by using a different cannulation method. METHODS: Between April 2001 and October 2009, PGW was performed in 142 patients with native papilla to overcome difficult biliary cannulation. Our cannulation method for ERCP was changed from contrast injection (CI) using a single-lumen catheter (April 2001-May 2008) to wire-guided cannulation (WGC) using a double-lumen catheter (June 2008-October 2009). The CI protocol was also changed during the study period: in the first period it was used for routine pancreatography for detecting small pancreatic cancer (April 2001-November 2002), whereas in the second period it was not (December 2002-May 2008). In PGW with CI using a single-lumen catheter, the contrast medium in the catheter lumen was injected into the pancreatic duct. The success rate of biliary cannulation, the incidence of PEP according to the cannulation method, and the impact of CI using a single-lumen catheter on PEP in comparison with WGC using a double-lumen catheter were investigated. RESULTS: CI with routine pancreatography, CI without routine pancreatography, and WGC were performed in 27 patients, 77 patients and 38 patients, respectively. Routine pancreatography did not contribute to the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in our study period. In CI without routine pancreatography and WGC, diagnostic pancreatography was performed in 17 patients and no patients, respectively. The success rate of biliary cannulation by PGW alone was 69%, and the final success rate was increased to 80.3% by the addition of consecutive maneuvers or a second ERCP. PEP occurred in 22 patients (15.5%), and the severity was mild in all cases. When analyzed according to cannulation method, the incidence of PEP was 37.0% (10/27) in the patients who underwent CI with routine pancreatography, 14.3% (11/77) in those who underwent CI without routine pancreatography, and 2.6% (1/38) in those who underwent WGC. In all patients who underwent CI using a single-lumen catheter, the incidence of PEP was 20% (21/104), which was significantly higher than that in WGC using a double-lumen catheter. In univariate and multivariate analysis, CI using a single-lumen catheter showed a high, statistically significant, odds ratio for PEP after PGW. CONCLUSION: The practice of a cannulation method involving the use of a double-lumen catheter minimizes the CI dose administered to the pancreatic duct and reduces the incidence of PEP after PGW.

Obstructive jaundice caused by a portal cavernoma.

A 69-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of acute cholangitis with biliary obstruction. The cause of obstruction was either compression by a portal cavernoma or cavernous transformation. Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) and abdominal ultrasonography (US) revealed a portal cavernoma around the common bile duct. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) demonstrated characteristic short, smooth narrowing of the bile duct. Endoscopic US and intraductal US demonstrated collateral vessels around the bile duct and were helpful for ruling out a neoplastic lesion. Thus, a combination of imaging modalities was useful for diagnosing this hepatobiliary complication, portal biliopathy.

Mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas with huge mural hematoma.

A 60-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a cystic mass in the pancreatic body that extended to the tail. Transabdominal ultrasonography demonstrated an oval cystic mass 24 cm in diameter, filled with debris. On the cyst wall there was a wide-based, smooth-surfaced, heterogeneous high-echoic protrusion that was 5 cm in diameter. On CT the protrusion showed internal enhancement. Endoscopic pancreatography showed no intraductal mucin or communication with the cyst. A distal pancreatectomy was performed under the diagnosis of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Grossly there was a brownish, hemispherical protrusion into the thin monolocular cyst. The cut surface of the protrusion showed a peripheral yellow-brownish area and an internal wine-colored area. Histopathologically the cyst wall consisted of tall columnar cells without atypical nuclei, ovarian-type stroma beneath the epithelium, and fibrotic tissue with abundant capillary vessels, suggestive of a mucinous cystadenoma. The protrusion was composed of peripheral organized hematoma without a covering epithelium, and internal hemorrhage and many capillary vessels, with no evidence of tumor cell necrosis. These histopathological findings appear to be similar to those of chronic expanding hematoma. The formation of a huge mural hematoma in a mucinous cystic neoplasm can occur as a repair process after the breaking of intrawall vessels.

Growth process of small pancreatic carcinoma: a case report with imaging observation for 22 months.

This report describes serial observations of the growth process of a small invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the pancreas from imaging studies. Histopathological studies showed IDC with macroscopic retention cysts proximal to an intraductal papillary-mucinous adenoma with mild atypia of the branch duct type in the pancreatic body, with no relation between the two lesions. IDC was demonstrated as an extremely low-echoic mass resembling a cyst with an unclear margin on the initial endoscopic ultrasonography. We misinterpreted the low-echoic mass as a benign intraductal mucinous-papillary neoplasm (IPMN) based on findings of other imaging studies, and the patient was followed-up. The mass increased from 7 mm to 13 mm in diameter over 22 mo, and remained smaller than 10 mm in diameter for about 420 d. The tumor volume doubling time was 252 d. The Ki67 labeling index was 15.9%, similar to that described in previous reports. Hence, IDC may grow slowly while remaining small.

Intraductal carcinoma with complex fusion of tubular glands without macroscopic mucus in main pancreatic duct: dilemma in classification.

An 84-year-old man, who was being followed up after lobectomy for lung carcinoma, was referred for evaluation of a dilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) from the body to the tail. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated a low-echo mass occupying the MPD from the body to the tail. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed an occlusion of the MPD in the body, and brush cytology indicated malignant cells. Distal pancreatectomy was performed. Grossly, a white-yellow, irregular-shaped solid mass without macroscopic mucus filled the lumen of the MPD. Histologically, the mass consisted of a complex fusion of tubular glands with atypical nuclei, which did not have intracellular mucus and oncocytic cytoplasm. The tumor mass showed abrupt transition to the normal epithelium. Immunohistochemically the tumor cells were partially positive for mucin 1 (MUC1) and MUC6, and negative for MUC2, MUC5AC, and lipase. Unfortunately the patient died of brain metastasis from lung carcinoma 15 months later. A review of reported cases of intraductal tubular tumors of the pancreas showed that the present case involved characteristics and immunohistochemical staining pattern similar to those of intraductal tubular carcinoma, although it might not be described as a typical intraductal tubular carcinoma under the existing Japanese rules.