Icteric type hepatocellular carcinoma: revisited 20 years later.

Icteric type hepatocellular carcinoma is rare, and a poor prognosis has been demonstrated in the past. We performed this study to re-evaluate prognosis since the availability of modern diagnostic modalities. Of 3921 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in our hospital, 9 patients who presented with tumor fragments in common bile duct and had a patent portal vein were submitted for analysis. Cholangiocarcinoma was suspected in 7 patients before the study was completed, and icteric type hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in all 9 patients after serial studies that included serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, computed tomography, angiography, and histology. The prognosis was better in the 4 resectable patients (survival time 16, 31, 33, and 63 months, respectively), and was extremely poor for the 5 patients who received palliative treatment only (mean survival time, 4.5 months). Because of the apparently discrepant outcomes, this specific type of hepatocellular carcinoma should be kept in mind in areas where hepatocellular carcinomas are prevalent, and the suspected cases should be thoroughly investigated, because prognosis may be improved when resection is done at an earlier stage.

Effective reduction of Helicobacter pylori infection after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy by mechanical washing of the endoscope.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the frequency of endoscopic transmission of Helicobacter pylori and the efficiency of disinfection in different washing methods of endoscopes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IgG antibodies to H. pylori in patients prospectively followed who underwent first endoscopic examination at the National Taiwan University Hospital from 1982 to 1993 were measured. A total of 132 subjects who were negative for H. pylori IgG antibody test before examination and who were with negative endoscopic findings were enrolled. Among the 132 seronegative patients, 60 were examined before June 1989 when manual washing was adopted for endoscope cleaning and 72 received examination after mechanical washing were routinely used in our endoscopy unit. RESULTS: During a follow-up period of 6 months or more, 5 patients in the manual washing group sero-converted while none in the mechanical washing group seroconverted (5/60 vs 0/72. p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the risk of endoscopic transmission of H. pylori is substantial and mechanical washing is efficient in preventing this iatrogenic spread.

Hepatic lymphangioma--a case report.

A patient presented with a huge, pedunculated abdominal cystic lymphangioma arising from the quadrate lobe of the liver near the round ligament. Microscopically, dilated hepatic ducts with scant liver tissue could be recognized in the main cyst. A review of the literature reveals no previous report of a lymphangioma arising in this manner or from this area.

Results of surgery for vesicoureteral reflux in children: 6 years' experience in an Asian country.

From January 1990 to December 1995, a total of 181 patients underwent reimplantation of 318 ureters for primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR); 87.8% received bilateral reimplantation. Surgical indications included breakthrough infection (35%), high-grade (> or = IV) reflux (33%), or both (29%). The operative success rate was 99.4% at 3 months postoperatively and 100% ultimately. The complications included: contralateral sequential reflux in 3.9%, postoperative bladder diverticula in 1.1%, postoperative urinary infection in 1.1%, residual reflux in 0.3%, postoperative vesicoureteral stenosis in 0.3%, and slippage of the drainage tube in 0.3% of cases. Two patients had renal failure due to VUR that was proven by renal biopsy (one 4-year-old and one 8-year-old). The incidence of associated anomalies was higher than in the normal population. The average number of hospital admission days was 7.9 (3-63). After 1992, no ureteral stent was left in postoperatively. All patients received prophylactic antibiotics for 3 months postoperatively until the VUR disappeared. The surgical results were satisfactory in this series.

The stage I yolk sac tumor of testis in children younger than 2 years, chemotherapy or not?

Yolk sac tumor is the most frequent germ cell tumor of testis in children. For stage I yolk sac tumor of testis in children younger than 2 years, high inguinal orchiectomy alone has been the standard treatment, with a cure rate of at least 75%. Here, we compare the treatment results of receiving chemotherapy or no chemotherapy after orchiectomy, to analyze the role of chemotherapy. From February 1987 to January 1997, 22 children younger than 2 years, with stage I yolk sac tumor of testis, were included in the study. All patients had high inguinal orchiectomy without retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Initial diagnostic imaging studies included computed tomographic scan of abdomen, chest radiography, and long bone survey. Clinical stage I was defined as a tumor completely resected with no evidence of local regional lymph node involvement or distant metastases. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was assessed at diagnosis. After orchiectomy, diagnosis, and staging, patients were stratified into two treatment groups, with or without chemotherapy, according to the decision of the parents. Ten children received chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin (PVB, modified "Einhorn regimen") for 12 weeks. The remaining 12 patients were followed up according to a "wait and see" policy. Determination of AFP was performed monthly during the first postoperative year, every other month during the second year, every 3 months during the third year, every 6 months during the fourth year, and yearly until the fifth postoperative year at least. The duration of follow-up ranged from 3 months to 119 months (median, 53 months). The Kaplan-Meier plot estimated an overall survival rate of 91.6% at 7 years after diagnosis. Among the 12 patients without chemotherapy, 2 children had relapses at 4 and 6 months after diagnosis, respectively. One was cured with PVB chemotherapy. The other patient died with refractory lung metastasis, in spite of intensive multimodality salvage therapy. The Kaplan-Meier plot showed a survival rate of 80% at 7 years and a relapse-free survival rate of 81.8% at 5 years after diagnosis. All children receiving chemotherapy were alive and free from relapse. There was no significant treatment-related toxicity. Our results may suggest that PVB chemotherapy after orchiectomy is an affective and safe regimen for stage I yolk sac tumor of testis in children younger than 2 years. Instead of four courses of PVB as used here, two or three courses could be enough. To elucidate the necessity for chemotherapy and to determine the number of courses of PVB needed (if chemotherapy is given), a randomized study of more cases is warranted.