[The impact of direct-acting antiviral therapy on the diagnosis of hepatitis-C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma].

Since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based combination therapies in September 2014 for patients with chronic hepatitis-C (CH-C), numerous patients have been diagnosed with hepatitis-C virus (HCV)-associated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) during the screening performed prior to DAA therapy. The present study was conducted on the antiviral therapy for CH-C in two phases:i) the interferon (IFN) phase between January 2011 and August 2014 and ii) the DAA phase between September 2014 and September 2016. During the DAA phase, HCCs were detected in eight patients who were referred to our hospital for anti-HCV therapy. In contrast, HCCs were detected in only two patients during the IFN phase. The number of patients with newly detected HCC in the DAA phase (20.5%) who were referred for the anti-HCV therapy was significantly higher than that in the IFN phase (1.7%). Owing to the high efficacy and safety of the DAA therapy, the number of patients referred to our hospital for anti-HCV therapy increased from 40.5 persons/year in the IFN phase to 80.3 persons/year in the DAA phase. The average ages of patients in the DAA and IFN phases were 68 and 61 years, respectively. The increase in the number of patients with newly detected HCC referred for the anti-HCV therapy in the DAA phase could be attributed to the increase in the number of referred patients for anti-HCV therapy and the aging of these patients in the DAA phase. All the eight patients with newly detected HCC who were referred for anti-HCV therapy in the DAA phase received curative treatments. The median age, rate of liver cirrhosis, and median tumor size of the patients were 69 years, 13%, and 16mm. Therefore, the findings of this study indicate that DAA therapies not only eradicate HCV infection but also contribute to the early diagnosis of HCC by encouraging the HCV-infected patients to visit hospitals and by promoting active network between hepatologists and family physicians.

Retroperitoneal Perforation Caused by Migration of a Pancreatic Spontaneous Dislodgement Stent into Periampullary Diverticula.

An 85-year-old woman underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for obstructive jaundice. Selective bile duct cannulation was unsuccessful because of periampullary diverticula (PAD). A pancreatic spontaneous dislodgement stent (PSDS) (5F diameter, 3 cm, straight type) was inserted to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis. Three days after ERCP, she complained of abdominal pain, and computed tomography revealed retroperitoneal perforation because of PSDS migration to the PAD. If the papillary orifice is observed at the diverticular rim or in the diverticula, a pigtailed PSDS on the duodenal side or flanged stent on the pancreatic ductal side should be inserted in order to prevent this rare adverse event.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Complicated with Reactive Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign cause of self-limiting subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis. KFD is rarely complicated with reactive hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and the clinical features of the simultaneous occurrence of these conditions are uncertain. A 30-year-old Japanese man with a persistent fever and sore throat presented to our hospital for treatment. Laboratory analysis showed bicytopenia, and radiological studies showed systemic lymphadenopathy accompanied by splenomegaly. A bone marrow examination showed hemophagocytic macrophages, suggesting HLH. Malignant lymphoma was suspected as a possible underlying disease, but the histology of the lymph nodes led to a final diagnosis of KFD and treatment with prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day), resulting in clinical improvement. This case highlighted the importance and difficulty of differentiating KFD from malignant lymphoma as an underlying condition of HLH. The literature review showed that patients with HLH-associated KFD may have higher serum ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase levels compared to typical KFD cases. Definite diagnosis based on pathological examination is essential for a better understanding of this rare disease. The presence of systemic lymphadenopathy does not exclude the possibility of KFD. This case serves to remind physicians that KFD is a potential etiology of HLH.

[A case of HER2-positive and AFP-producing gastric cancer successfully treated by trastuzumab/docetaxel/S-1 combination therapy].

A 74-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of abdominal distension. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed advanced gastric cancer and early gastric cancer. HER2-positive and AFP-producing gastric cancer with peritonitis carcinomatosa showing no indication for operation was diagnosed by histopathological and radiological examinations. He was treated with trastuzumab, docetaxel, and S-1 combination chemotherapy. At the end of the second course of therapy, the primary lesion was remarkably decreased in size and was associated with a significant decrease in serum AFP level. No serious adverse events occurred except for grade 3-4 leukopenia and neutropenia. We carried out eight courses of chemotherapy. Trastuzumab, docetaxel, and S-1 combination chemotherapy promise to be one of the effective treatments for HER2-positive and AFP-producing gastric cancer that have no indication for radical cure excision.