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Anastomosis Quirúrgica , Endosonografía , Humanos , Endosonografía/métodos , Constricción Patológica/cirugía , Constricción Patológica/etiología , Anastomosis Quirúrgica/efectos adversos , Anastomosis Quirúrgica/métodos , Ultrasonografía Intervencional , Masculino , Yeyunostomía/métodos , Yeyuno/cirugía , Femenino , Colestasis/cirugía , Colestasis/etiología , Colestasis/diagnóstico por imagen , Persona de Mediana Edad , AncianoRESUMEN
A 10-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography showed an intra-gastric mass containing multiple small air bubbles. Ultrasound showed a well-circumscribed large oval mass with a broad acoustic shadow. Endoscopy revealed a huge trichobezoar with many movable hairs, being judged by the cause of acute pancreatitis. Due to the parents' strong preference not to leave any surgical scars on their daughter, the patient underwent endoscopic treatment. The trichobezoar grasped with a snare was too large to pass through the esophageal-gastric junction. In addition, the outer layer of the trichobezoar was too hard to be cut with conventional endoscopic devices but was successfully cut with a FlushKnife. The content of the trichobezoar was much softer than its hard surface but needed appropriate counter-traction to be torn off the tissue. Two alligator forceps via a dual-channel multi-bending scope were able to give sufficient counter-traction to the inner tissue of the trichobezoar, successfully removing the trichobezoar through piece-by-piece tearing off. All the endoscopic procedures took seven hours for the complete trichobezoar removal. The total weight of the dissected mass was 180 g. The girl resumed eating on the next day and was discharged on the third day. Physicians should note that a medical team with full endoscopic expertise can remove huge trichobezoars using a FlushKnife, a dual-channel multi-bending scope, and two alligator forcepses.
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A 69-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was referred to our hospital due to liver enzyme abnormalities. Four years after anti-HCV therapy, the patient with sustained virologic response and no clinical symptoms developed an oval hepatic mass with mixed high and low internal echoes near the portal vein on ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver lesion showed a slightly hypo intense pattern on T1-weighted images, a hyper intense pattern both on T2- and diffusion-weighted images, a slight rim enhancement pattern with no intra-lesional enhancement up to the late phase, and a very low intense pattern on hepatobiliary phase images. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET / CT) showed no areas of avid radiotracer uptake in the liver. No tumor markers showed abnormally high values. All these images and laboratory findings led us to the assessment of the liver lesion as a non-neoplastic disorder. However, due to the patient's strong preference to get both definitive diagnosis and cure of the lesion, the patient underwent laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. Pathological study showed 2 necrotic areas surrounded by multiple lymph follicles, epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, collagen fibers, and plasma cells, leading to the diagnosis of focal coagulative necrosis of the liver (FCNL). Physicians should note that FCNL can occur without any symptoms and can be diagnosed at least as a non-neoplastic disorder with combined MRI and PET/CT analysis.
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Cryofibrinogen-associated glomerulonephritis (CryoFiGN) is rare, and its diagnosis is difficult while treatment is not established. We herein report an elderly woman with CryoFiGN who experienced recurrent purpura and nephritic features that subsequently progressed to nephrotic syndrome and required hemodialysis during the 18-month clinical course. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, which led to the discontinuation of hemodialysis. The diagnosis of CryoFiGN was based on the clinical presentation, characteristic glomerular deposits, and results of laser microdissection and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of the glomeruli. This case highlights the potential utility of corticosteroids as a treatment option for patients with CryoFiGN, even after hemodialysis.
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Solid-solution-type Au-Pt alloy nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared from the nanoclusters of each metal using the polymer-conjugated fusion growth method. The elemental mapping analysis showed that the mixing state of the elements in the NPs drastically changed in the narrow reaction-temperature range from 100 °C to 180 °C. For their various mixing states, the 5d-states of Au and Pt atoms in the alloy NPs were investigated on the basis of the white line intensities of X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). Then, the 5d-states of Au and Pt atoms in a model crystalline ordered alloy structures were investigated on the basis of the theoretically calculated XANES spectra using density functional theory (DFT) in the whole composition range. The DFT calculation showed that the changes in the absorption spectra near the Pt and Au edges are caused by the change in the occupation of the Pt 5d-states and the orbital hybridisation of the Au 5d-states with the 5d-states of neighbouring Pt atoms around an Au atom, respectively.
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A 71-year-old man with slight fever and dull abdominal pain was referred to our hospital. He had been receiving methotrexate (MTX) to treat his rheumatoid arthritis for more than 6 years but stopped taking MTX after admission due to the rapid aggravation of his liver function. Computed tomography (CT) showed multiple liver lesions with late enhancement, highly suggesting them to be cholangiocarcinomas. Tumor marker levels were normal except for a slightly elevated PIVKA-II level, i.e., 45 mAU/mL (range 0-40 mAU/mL). We did a biopsy to the largest lesion and endoscopic biliary drainage to make a definitive diagnosis of the hepatic lesions and treat jaundice, respectively. Pathological study showed round, polygonal, and spindle-shaped epithelial atypical cells growing in a sarcomatoid fashion. Atypical cells were positive for CD31, CD34, vimentin, and TFE3, and some of them had intracellular vacuoles, leading to the diagnosis of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) of the liver. The patient got well 4 weeks after the endoscopic biliary drainage. CTs showed marked regression of the EHE lesions 3 months after biliary drainage and complete regression in 12 months. The patient further developed Hodgkin lymphoma in the para-aortic lymph nodes 23 months after the biliary drainage and is now under chemotherapy for the malignant lymphoma. We, however, have not detected any EHE lesions in the liver or distant organs for at least 16 months after the confirmation of complete regression of the EHE lesions. Oncologists should note the spontaneous regression of the EHE and investigate the correlation between MTX cessation and EHE regression.
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BACKGROUND: The rehospitalization rate in hypertensive emergency is high, indicating the necessity for optimizing its long-term management. The role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade in this disorder remains uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis involving 20 admitted patients who received aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor (DRI), for the management of hypertensive emergency associated with elevated plasma renin activity (PRA). We analyzed the changes in blood pressure (BP), kidney function, and RAS activity in the subacute and chronic phases. RESULTS: The use of DRI was associated with a marked reduction in PRA (median, from 25.0 to 1.2 ng/mL/hr) and serum aldosterone levels (from 404 to 130 pg/mL) during the index admission. BP also decreased from 226/143 to 142/80 mmHg. A comparison of clinical characteristics according to the renal function indicated that dialysis-dependent patients had higher aldosterone levels than non-dialysis-dependent patients at admission, despite comparable BP levels. After a median follow-up of 567 days in non-dialysis-dependent patients with DRI, median eGFR levels were significantly increased from 14.3 to 23.1 mL/min/1.73 m2. PRA levels were consistently suppressed at 0.8 ng/mL/hr. We found a significant correlation between the degree of PRA suppression and changes in eGFR (r = -0.58), indicating that the effective blockade of RAS is associated with the preservation of eGFR in the study subjects. CONCLUSIONS: DRI can successfully suppress PRA in patients with high-renin hypertensive emergency in both subacute and chronic phases. An efficient RAS blockade is associated with preserved renal function in these patients.
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We report the case of a 65-year-old woman whose colonoscopy revealed a soft submucosal tumor approximately 7 cm in diameter in the ascending colon with an overlying flat lesion. The tumor was diagnosed as a lipoma with an overlying adenoma. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed. Pathological examination revealed that the epithelium was a low-grade tubulovillous adenoma, while the submucosal yellow tumor was a lipoma. ESD appears to be a safe and effective treatment for colorectal lipomas overlying lipomas with colorectal adenomas.
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In this study, the effects of the degree of thermal denaturation of whey protein (WP) added to milk on the dissociation of κ-casein from casein micelles were investigated, since they are related to the strength of acid milk gel and its factors. Acid milk gels were prepared by heating thermally denatured WP isolate (WPI) and undenatured milk mixtures and treating them with glucono-δ-lactone as a coagulant. The strength of these gels was negatively correlated with the WPI denaturation degree and strongly positively correlated with the extent of κ-casein dissociation from casein micelles. This behavior was ascribed to the fact that α-lactalbumin (α-La) and ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) contained in WPI denatured after heating and engaged in disulfide bond formation with each other. With an increase in the degree of denaturation and disulfide bond formation, the bonding between ß-lactoglobulin and κ-casein was suppressed to decrease the amount of κ-casein-WPI complexes. When ß-Lg forms SS bonds with α-La, the number of highly reactive, free SH groups decreases, which complicates the formation of SS bridges between ß-Lg and κ-casein. Thus, the denaturation degree of WPI largely determined the degree of κ-casein dissociation from casein micelles and, consequently, the strength of acid milk gels. Adding WP to milk increases the strength of acid milk gel, and it can be controlled by changing the degree of thermal denaturation of the WP. Furthermore, it was clarified for the first time that the dissociation of κ-casein from casein micelles influences this effect. Further studies are needed to elucidate the structural features of κ-casein-dissociated micelles.
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PURPOSE: We aimed to histologically evaluate the influence of bone materials used during guided bone regeneration (GBR) on subsequent peri-implantitis in an experimental ligature-induced peri-implantitis model in beagle dogs. METHODS: Bilateral mandibular premolars (PM2-4) were extracted from six beagle dogs. After 3 months, standardized bone defects (3 mm [mesio-distal width] × 2 mm [bucco-lingual width] × 3 mm [depth]) were created in the experimental group, with simultaneous dental implant placement at the center of the defects. The defects were randomly filled with either autograft (AG) or deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and covered with a collagen membrane. In the control group, implant fixtures were placed without creating an intrabony defect. After 3 months, a healing abutment was placed. Four weeks later, a 3-0 silk thread was ligated around the implants to induce peri-implantitis. After 4 weeks, the specimens were dissected and histologically examined. RESULTS: There were no clinical findings of inflammation until silk thread ligation. Four weeks after the onset of peri-implantitis, gingival redness and swelling were seen with mild resorption of the peri-implant bone on dental radiographs. There were no significant differences between the AG, DBBM, and control groups for the following parameters: bone-to-implant contact, distance from the implant shoulder to the base of the bone defect, area of bone defect, and area of new bone. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that peri-implant tissues after GBR using AG and DBBM underwent the same degree of bone resorption by peri-implantitis as the no defect group.
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Implantes Dentales , Periimplantitis , Animales , Regeneración Ósea , Bovinos , Implantes Dentales/efectos adversos , Perros , Inflamación , Periimplantitis/patología , SedaRESUMEN
A young woman with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) requiring hemodialysis showed repeated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with spatiotemporal multiple lesions over a period of two months. The first PRES episode with confusion and the second PRES episode with vertigo and nausea were caused by MPA, hypertension and renal failure. These symptoms were improved by the reinforcement of MPA treatment and blood pressure management. The third PRES episode with nausea, headache, seizure and visual changes was induced by rituximab infusion and hypertension. The PRES was improved with blood pressure and convulsant management. These conditions are challenging to diagnose and treat.
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Hipertensión , Poliangitis Microscópica , Síndrome de Leucoencefalopatía Posterior , Femenino , Humanos , Hipertensión/complicaciones , Poliangitis Microscópica/complicaciones , Náusea , Síndrome de Leucoencefalopatía Posterior/diagnóstico por imagen , Síndrome de Leucoencefalopatía Posterior/etiología , Diálisis Renal/efectos adversosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the histological outcome of tunnel ß-TCP blocks grafting in extraction sockets missing the buccal bone wall, after 6 months of healing. BACKGROUND: Tunnel ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) blocks made of randomly organized tunnel-shaped ß-TCP ceramics appeared promising for alveolar ridge preservation in tooth extraction sockets missing the buccal bone, in a previous study in dogs, with a 2-month healing time. METHODS: In six beagle dogs, the maxillary first premolars were extracted and the buccal bone was surgically removed to create bone defects of 4 mm (mesio-distal) × 5 mm (apico-coronal) × 4 mm (bucco-palatal). Thus, extraction sockets missing the buccal bone plate were grated with tunnel ß-TCP blocks (test) or left empty for spontaneous healing (control). Histology/histomorphometry was performed after 6 months of healing. RESULTS: The horizontal bucco-palatal width of the alveolar ridge was significantly greater at test sites than at control sites. The amount of mineralized tissue was greater at test sites (57.8% ± 11.1%) than at control sites (28.9% ± 8.5%), while the amount of connective tissue was significantly greater at control sites (41.7% ± 6.4%) than at test sites (19.6% ± 9.2%). No significant difference was found between sites in terms of basic multicellular units and bone marrow. Residual ß-TCP at test sites was 5.8% ± 3.2%. CONCLUSION: Grafting with tunnel ß-TCP block significantly limited the resorption of the alveolar ridge at extraction sockets missing the buccal bone compared with sites left to heal spontaneously, even after 6-month follow-up.
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Pérdida de Hueso Alveolar , Aumento de la Cresta Alveolar , Fosfatos de Calcio , Alveolo Dental , Proceso Alveolar/cirugía , Animales , Perros , Extracción Dental , Alveolo Dental/cirugíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) after initiating chronic hemodialysis remain unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 11 adult patients with AAV receiving chronic hemodialysis in our hospital from 2000-2016. We collected data describing each patient's clinical findings and treatment before and after initiating hemodialysis. Patients with AAV with and without post-hemodialysis AAV relapse were compared statistically. RESULTS: The average observation period was 6.8 ± 4.1 years, and the interval between diagnosis and initiating chronic hemodialysis was 1.9 ± 2.6 years. Before initiating chronic hemodialysis, five patients (45%) experienced 12 AAV relapses, with diagnoses made serologically or symptomatically. After initiating chronic hemodialysis, four patients experienced nine relapses, with no significant difference between the number of relapses and the number of patients experiencing relapse (p = 0.067 and 0.083, respectively). For patients' entire clinical courses before initiating chronic hemodialysis, the average steroid dose was 11.6 ± 6.9 g/y. Comparing before and after initiating chronic hemodialysis, the steroid dose decreased significantly to 3.3 ± 1.4 g/y after initiating chronic hemodialysis (p = 0.0012). Two of 11 patients died of serious infections after initiating chronic hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the number of relapses tended to be lower despite a significantly different lower amount of steroid after initiating hemodialysis compared with before initiating hemodialysis, and the burn-out phenomenon specific to uremic patients was inferred. We believe that early tapering of steroids should be considered to avoid death rather than focusing only on relapse.
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Vasculitis Asociada a Anticuerpos Citoplasmáticos Antineutrófilos/terapia , Enfermedades Renales/terapia , Diálisis Renal , Esteroides/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Anciano , Vasculitis Asociada a Anticuerpos Citoplasmáticos Antineutrófilos/diagnóstico , Vasculitis Asociada a Anticuerpos Citoplasmáticos Antineutrófilos/inmunología , Vasculitis Asociada a Anticuerpos Citoplasmáticos Antineutrófilos/mortalidad , Causas de Muerte , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Enfermedades Renales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Renales/inmunología , Enfermedades Renales/mortalidad , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recurrencia , Diálisis Renal/efectos adversos , Diálisis Renal/mortalidad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Esteroides/efectos adversos , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
The histological outcomes after nonsurgical periodontal treatment with enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) remain controversial. The present study evaluated periodontal wound healing after scaling and root planing (SRP) with subgingival application of EMD for treatment of experimental periodontitis. Periodontal breakdown was induced by applying silk ligatures around mandibular third and fourth premolars of six beagle dogs until radiographic bone loss progressed to approximately half of the root length. Probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were proximally measured 2 weeks after ligature removal (baseline). Mesial and distal surfaces of the experimental teeth were subjected to SRP and randomized using a split-mouth design to subgingival application of EMD (test) or normal saline (control). PPD and CAL were re-evaluated at 11 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks for histological analyses. No significant differences were observed in PPD and CAL between both groups at baseline and at 11 weeks. Histologically, test sites exhibited a greater amount of new cementum than that did the control sites (p < 0.01). Moreover, the control sites revealed increased epithelial downgrowth compared with the test sites: (p < 0.05). On the other hand, no intergroup differences were detected in terms of bone position, connective tissue attachment, gingival recession, and planed root length. This study suggested that EMD has an increased potential to support formation of new cementum with decreased epithelial downgrowth when used as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treatment.
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Proteínas del Esmalte Dental/farmacología , Raspado Dental , Periodontitis/terapia , Aplanamiento de la Raíz , Animales , Diente Premolar , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Perros , Masculino , Mandíbula , Índice Periodontal , Distribución Aleatoria , Cicatrización de HeridasRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of bone augmentation using the "Casing Method," which enables large-scale osteogenesis, and the feasibility of using the augmented bone in dental implants. Three Beagle dogs were used. After tooth extraction, a polyethylene terephthalate case (20 mm × 5 mm × 10 mm) was placed on the buccal surface of the mandible. A mixture of hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate (volume ratio = 1:1) was infiltrated into a suspension of autologous superfine bone powder and plasma, and the resulting mixture was packed into the case. After 16 weeks, the implant was inserted into the augmented bone and the original bone. Specimens of the mandible were collected at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after implant insertion, and undecalcified sections were prepared. The integration of the implant into the surrounding bone tissue was observed histologically. Favorable bone formation was observed in the regions where bone augmentation was performed. The space between the cut bone surface and the implant was filled with newly formed bone in both the augmented and original bone regions. In addition, there was higher bone density in the augmented bone than that in the original bone at the coronal half of the implant at 16 weeks. As a result, bone-to-implant contact was significantly higher in the augmented bone region than in the original bone region. These results suggest that bone augmentation surgery using the "Casing Method" is an effective technique for expanding the application of dental implants. Anat Rec, 301:892-901, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Materiales Biocompatibles , Implantes Dentales , Mandíbula/cirugía , Oseointegración/fisiología , Animales , Perros , Osteogénesis/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Numerous studies on alveolar bone augmentation have been reported. However, it remains challenging to obtain favorable new bone, especially for onlay bone augmentation. For successful onlay bone augmentation, it is necessary to use a graft material with high bone-forming activity and wound stabilization. We performed onlay bone augmentation on the buccal surface of mandibular alveolar bone in dogs, using a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) case (Casing method). The aim of this study was to histologically examine the feasibility of Casing method for external onlay bone augmentation. Beagle dogs were selected for this study. At 12 weeks after tooth extraction, a PET case was placed on the buccal surface of mandibular alveolar bone and filled with a mixture of hydroxyapatite and ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) particles (volume ratio 1:1) impregnated with crushed autogenous bone (superfine bone powder) suspended in plasma. At 4, 8, and 16 weeks after bone graft, nondecalcified sections were histologically examined. At 4 weeks, new bone formation on the particle surfaces was observed on the original bone side of the PET case. At 16 weeks, bone formation was observed in almost all areas inside the case. The percentage of the augmented area (including new bone and particles surrounded by new bone; was significantly greater at 16 weeks (85.7% ± 6.0%) than at 4 weeks (10.5% ± 4.8%) or 8 weeks (69.6% ± 15.6%). The results of this study suggest that onlay bone augmentation using the Casing method has considerable potential to yield histologically favorable new bone formation. Anat Rec, 301:1148-1158, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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A 75-year-old female underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, revealing a widely spreading tumor occupying the anterior wall, lesser curvature, and posterior wall of the antrum and lower body. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed and resulted in more than five-sixths circumferential antral mucosal resection. One month later, she complained of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention. Endoscopy showed residual food in the stomach and deformation of the antrum with traction toward the contracted scar in the lesser curvature. The pyloric ring could not be seen from the antrum although the endoscope was able to pass easily beyond the area of deformation and the pyloric ring was intact. Despite repeated endoscopic balloon dilations, the patient's symptoms remained refractory. The problem was speculated to be not due to any potential stricture but to antrum deformation resulting from the traction force toward the healing ulcer. We hypothesized that an additional countertraction force opposite the previous ESD site might resolve the problem, and ESD of approximately 2.5 cm size was performed in the greater curvature of the antrum. Along with development of a scar, traction toward the greater curvature was added, and the pyloric ring could be observed on repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The symptoms were also gradually ameliorated. Afterwards, the endoscopic findings have now been unchanged during 7 years of follow-up.
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Adenocarcinoma/cirugía , Resección Endoscópica de la Mucosa/efectos adversos , Gastroparesia/etiología , Gastroparesia/cirugía , Antro Pilórico/cirugía , Neoplasias Gástricas/cirugía , Anciano , Cicatriz/complicaciones , Resección Endoscópica de la Mucosa/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/patología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/cirugía , Antro Pilórico/patologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: During colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), the feature of a muscle layer being pulled toward a neoplastic tumor is sometimes detected. We call this feature the muscle-retracting sign (MR sign). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the MR sign is associated with particular types of neoplastic lesions and whether it has any clinical significance for ESD sessions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 329 patients underwent ESD for 357 colorectal neoplasms. The frequency of positivity for the MR sign was evaluated in different morphologic and histopathologic types of neoplasm. The success rate of complete resection and the incidence of complications were also evaluated according to whether lesions were positive or negative for the MR sign. RESULTS: The rates of positivity for the MR sign in the various lesion types were as follows: laterally spreading tumorâ-âgranular nodular mixed type (LST-G-M), 9.6â%; laterally spreading tumorâ-âgranular homogeneous type (LST-G-H) and laterally spreading tumorâ-ânongranular type (LST-NG), 0â%; sessile type, 41.2â%. The resection rate was 100â% (329â/329) in lesions negative for the MR sign; however, it was 64.3â% (18â/28) in lesions positive for the MR sign, which was significantly lower (Pâ<â0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The MR sign was present only in some protruding lesions, and more importantly, it was associated with a high risk of incomplete tumor removal by ESD. Our data indicate that lesions positive for the MR sign lesions should be dissected with great caution; alternatively, based on the features of the individual case, a switch to surgery should be considered for the benefit of the patient.
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AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of emergency balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) for ruptured gastric varices. METHODS: Emergency BRTO was performed in 17 patients with gastric varices and gastrorenal or gastrocaval shunts within 24 h of hematemesis and/or tarry stool. The gastric varices were confirmed by endoscopy, and the gastrorenal or gastrocaval shunts were identified by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT). A 6-Fr balloon catheter (Cobra type) was inserted into the gastrorenal shunt via the right internal jugular vein, or into the gastrocaval shunt via the right femoral vein, depending on the varices drainage route. The sclerosant, 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol, was injected into the gastric varices through the catheter during balloon occlusion. In patients with incomplete thrombosis of the varices after the first BRTO, a second BRTO was performed the following day. Patients were followed up by endoscopy and CE-CT at 1 d, 1 wk, and 1, 3 and 6 mo after the procedure, and every 6 mo thereafter. RESULTS: Complete thrombosis of the gastric varices was not achieved with the first BRTO in 7/17 patients because of large gastric varices. These patients underwent a second BRTO on the next day, and additional sclerosant was injected through the catheter. Complete thrombosis which led to disappearance of the varices was achieved in 16/17 patients, while the remaining patient had incomplete thrombosis of the varices. None of the patients experienced rebleeding or recurrence of the gastric varices after a median follow-up of 1130 d (range 8-2739 d). No major complications occurred after the procedure. However, esophageal varices worsened in 5/17 patients after a mean follow-up of 8.6 mo. CONCLUSION: Emergency BRTO is an effective and safe treatment for ruptured gastric varices.