Efficacy and safety of tazobactam/ceftolozane in combination with metronidazole for intraabdominal infection in a hepato-biliary-pancreatic field in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: This single-center study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tazobactam/ceftolozane (TAZ/CTLZ) in combination with metronidazole for intraabdominal infection in a hepato-biliary-pancreatic field in clinical practice. METHODS: This study included 50 patients, including 35 with intraabdominal abscess or peritonitis, 5 with liver abscess, 4 with cholecystitis, and 6 with cholangitis with sepsis. Of the 50 patients, 29 received TAZ/CTLZ and metronidazole after a prior antibacterial therapy failure, including tazobactam/piperacillin, cefmetazole, and levofloxacin. Source control was performed in 36 patients. RESULTS: The clinical response could be evaluated in 49 patients. The clinical cure rate at end-of-therapy was 91.8% (45 of 49 patients) and that at test-of-cure was 89.6% (43 of 48 patients). Of 5 patients in whom clinical response at test-of-cure was a failure, 1 developed infectious disease during chemoradiotherapy for recurrent cancer and 4 after liver resection or pancreatoduodenectomy. Three of the 4 patients were associated with pancreatic juice leakage. Isolated pathogens were eradicated or presumably eradicated in 27 of 31 (87.1%) patients in whom microbiological response at test-of-cure could be evaluated. The response rate for AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae was 87.5%. Nausea was observed in two patients. Aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities were increased in 3 of the 50 (6.0%) patients. The activities improved after the antibiotic discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study demonstrated that TAZ/CTLZ in combination with metronidazole has a favorable effect without major drug-related adverse events for intraabdominal infection in the hepato-biliary-pancreatic field in clinical practice although the efficacy of TAZ/CTLZ may decrease in compromised patients.

[A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer-Recurrence of Skin Metastasis Nine Years after Surgery and Rectal Stenosis Due to Peritoneal Dissemination Ten Years Later].

A 70-year-old man previously underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in 2010 and pathological diagnoses were pT4a, pN3, M0, pStage ⅢC. The postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was interrupted due to nausea, but the patient had no apparent recurrence within 5 years after gastrectomy. In 2019, a swelling appeared from the left inguinal region to the scrotum, and MRI scan showed subcutaneous edematous changes in the same region. Biopsy showed adenocarcinoma and we diagnosed a recurrence of gastric cancer with skin metastasis. In November 2020, the patient complained of defecation disorder, and CT scan showed a circumferential wall thickening with contrast effect in the rectum. Although colonoscopy revealed rectal stenosis, biopsy specimen showed no malignant findings. We suspected rectal stenosis due to peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer and performed a colostomy. Intraoperative findings showed that the rectal wall was remarkably thickened with serosal erythema. Adenocarcinoma cells were found from the cytology of ascites. The patient was treated with nab-paclitaxel plus ramucirumab, then treated with nivolumab after failure of first-line therapy.

[A Case of Robot Assisted Low Anterior Resection for a Patient with Persistent Descending Mesocolon].

Persistent descending mesocolon(PDM)is caused by absence of fusion of the descending colon to the retroperitoneum. A 67-year-old man with bloody stools was diagnosed with rectal cancer on colonoscopy. A computed tomography showed a medial displacement of his descending colon. The preoperative clinical diagnosis was rectal cancer with PDM, and robot assisted low anterior resection was performed. We found that the left-sided colon was shifted to the midline and adhered the cecum and the mesentery of small intestine. Robot assisted surgery enables surgery with the precise adhesiotomy in a stable field. PDM is a relatively rare anatomic abnormality. Character of PDM is adhesion between the left-sided colon and other organs and radially branch from the inferior mesenteric artery. It is important to understand the anatomical characteristics of PDM and to improve on existing surgical procedures to ensure safe robot assisted surgery these patients.

[Hemorrhage of Peritoneal Dissemination of the Ascending Colon Cancer Successfully Controlled by Palliative Radiotherapy-A Case Report].

An 81-year-old man underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer. The postoperative diagnosis was tub1>tub2, pT4apN1bM0, pStage Ⅲb, ascending colon cancer. At 1 year 4 months after operation, abdominal CT showed dissemination around anastomosis. The patient has been treated with first-line systematic chemotherapy(capecitabine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab). Epigastralgia and grade 4 anemia were observed at 5 years 7 months after initiation of chemotherapy when he was treated with second-line chemotherapy(capecitabine, irinotecan and bevacizumab). As abdominal CT showed that the dissemination progressed rapidly in size 30 mm to 100 mm, we diagnosed tumor bleeding in the dissemination. Palliative radiotherapy(30 Gy/10 Fr)for the dissemination was performed. Hemostasis and tumor shrinkage were achieved, and epigastralgia improved after receiving the radiation therapy. The patient discharged our hospital on 31 days form admission. We believe that palliative radiotherapy is effective to recurrent colon cancer with tumor bleeding.

[A Case of Intra-Abdominal Desmoid Tumors Occuring Four Years after Open Radical Prostatectomy].

Desmoid tumor is one kind of fibromatosis, and much occurs the abdominal wall and outside the abdominal wall. Intra- abdominal desmoid tumor is rare at about 8%. We experienced a case of intra-abdominal desmoid tumors occurring 4 years after open radical prostatectomy with some literature review. A 72-year-old man had undergone open radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Four years after that resection, multiple intra-abdominal tumors measuring 56 mm in maximum diameter was identified on follow-up computed tomography, and he was referred to our department for management. We performed laparotomy and investigation of the biopsy. Immunohistochemistry of the resected specimen indicated the tumor cells were positive for vimentin and ß-catenin, and the diagnosis was desmoid. We performed partial resection of the small intestine and ileocecal resection. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on the 12th postoperative day. He has shown no sign of recurrence in the 4 months follow-up since surgery. In the past, an operation was the best treatment for intra-abdominal desmoid tumor. But it is reported that watchful waiting is also possible by the case which has no symptom and dysfunction in NCCN guidelines 2019. Further research is needed.

[Hyperammonemia with Disturbance of Consciousness during 5-FU plus Nedaplatin Therapy for Esophageal Cancer-A Case Report].

Hyperammonemia is a rare adverse event of 5-FU. Here, we report a case of hyperammonemia with disturbance of consciousness during 5-FU plus nedaplatin therapy for esophageal cancer and present a literature review. A 69-year-old man was diagnosed with cT2N2M0, cStage Ⅲ esophageal cancer. He was administered with DCF therapy as the first-line neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After the first course, he showed renal dysfunction. Therefore, as the second-line neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he was administered with 5-FU plus nedaplatin. He vomited on treatment day 5 and suddenly presented with disturbance of consciousness on treatment day 6. Blood tests showed hyperammonemia(114 µg/dL). He was treated with rehydration and branched-chain amino acid solutions, resulting in a gradual improvement of symptoms. Hyperammonemia has been reported in patients with colorectal cancer but rarely in patients with esophageal cancer. A case of hyperammonemia during the 5-FU plus nedaplatin therapy has never been reported in Japan. We should be aware that 5-FU may cause hyperammonemia and resultant disturbance of consciousness during chemotherapy with 5-FU.

[A Case of Obstructing Rectal Cancer with Obstructive Colitis Resected after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy to Avoid Anastomotic Leakage].

A 61-year-old male was referred to our department after decompression of the transanal ileus tube due to a rectal cancer obstruction. Colonoscopy revealed a circumferential type 2 tumor, 4 cm from the anal verge. The tumor was diagnosed as rectal cancer tub1-2, Group 5 on biopsy analysis. Longitudinal ulcers descending to the sigmoid colon were present and obstructive colitis was suspected. Enhanced computed tomography showed wall thickness in the Ra, Rb rectum and swelling of the mesorectum lymph node, but distant metastases were not identified. We diagnosed the patient with Ra, Rb rectal cancer cT4aN1aM0, cStage Ⅲb. Because of the risk of anastomotic leakage with obstructive colitis, we planned neoadjuvant chemotherapy(SOX therapy)after laparoscopic transverse colostomy. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, colonoscopy revealed improvements in the obstructive colitis. The tumor was reduced in size and the chemotherapy appeared effective. We performed laparoscopic rectal super low anterior resection with resection of the D3 lymph node. Histopathological examination revealed tub1, ypT3, ypN0, and the chemotherapeutic outcome was rated as Grade 1a. The final diagnosis was Ra, Rb rectal cancer with ypT3ypN0M0, ypStage Ⅱa.

[A Case of Disseminated Carcinomatosis of the Bone Marrow with Carcinoma of the Rectum Diagnosed by Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation].

A 77-year-old man with rectal cancer was admitted to our hospital. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection of rectum with D3 dissection was performed. The pathological diagnosis was poorly differentiated carcinoma, pT3, N1a, M0, pStage Ⅲa. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not performed. Fifteen months after operation, his chief complaint was fatigue. Thrombocytopenia and elevation of tumor maker was detected by blood test and disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)was suspected. He was admitted to our hospital and we started anti DIC therapy immediately. Bone scintigraphy revealed multiple bone metastases, then we diagnosed disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow. He died 10 days after hospitalization. Disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow with colon cancer is rare and prognosis is very poor. It is important to diagnose and start treatment as early as possible.

[Effective Palliative Radiation for Hemostasis of Recurrent Colon Cancer in the Lymph Node with Gastric Wall Invasion].

A 76-year-old man underwent laparoscopic left hemicolectomy D3(pStage Ⅱb)for sigmoid colon cancer in 2015. Later, partial transverse colectomy D2(pStage Ⅱb)was performed because transverse cancer was also detected. Recurrent peritoneal dissemination was found in 2018. In 2019, hematemesis/black stool, as well as prominent anemia(Hb 3.1 g/dL)and bleeding from recurrent gastric wall invasion of the lymph nodes on the lesser curvature side of the stomach, was observed. Although hemostasis was performed endoscopically, palliative irradiation(30 Gy in 10 fractions)was performed to control bleeding because the risk of rebleeding was high. After irradiation, endoscopy showed that the ulcer in the infiltrated area of the gastric wall had a tendency to improve. No bleeding or progression of anemia was observed, and oral intake became possible. However, the patient's general condition deteriorated, and he died 80 days after palliative irradiation. For palliative radiation therapy, alleviation of pain owing to bone metastasis, as well as alleviation of the narrowed airway and esophagus, is known. Palliative radiation therapy has recently been performed for symptom relief and prognosis extension against tumor bleeding. Palliative radiation therapy for controlling bleeding has limited hemostatic effect compared with surgical resection, and it takes some time before hemostasis is achieved, but it is less invasive and less adverse event and may be an effective treatment option.

[A Case of Metachronous Metastasis to the Pancreas from Ascending Colon Cancer after Subtotal Stomach-Preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy(SSPPD)].

A67 -year-old man was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer and multiple liver metastases and underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy(D3 lymphadenectomy). Pathological examination indicated tubular adenocarcinoma(tub1, pT4apN2H2M1[HEP], pStage Ⅳ). After chemotherapy, he underwent hepatectomy. One year and 9 months after the first operation, obstructive jaundice appeared. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a tumor 2 cm in size in the head of the pancreas. After several detailed examinations, he was diagnosed with pancreatic metastasis of ascending colon cancer. After partial resection of the left lung metastasis, pancreaticoduodenectomy(SSPPD-Ⅱ A-1, D1 lymphadenectomy)and low anterior resection(LAR)for early rectal cancer were performed. The tumor was positive for CDX2(+), resulting in a diagnosis of pancreatic metastasis. There has been no indication of recurrence 8 months after the pancreatic surgery. Resectable pancreatic metastasis from colon cancer is rare, and there are no clear indications for resection. Some cases of long-term survival have been reported; however, further studies are needed in order to establish a consensus.

[A Case in Which pCR Was Obtained by S-1 plus Oxaliplatin Therapy Administered as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer].

A 78-year-old man presented with anemia, with a hemoglobin level of 6.7 g/dL, during follow-up for angina pectoris and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed type 2 advanced gastric cancer(por), and abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed multiple lymph node metastases. He was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer, cStage Ⅲ(cT3N1M0). He received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 3 courses of SOX(80mg/m / 2/day of S-1 on days 1-14 and 7 days of rest, and 100mg/m2 of oxaliplatin on day 1). Grade 1 thrombocytopenia was observed, but it resolved without any other major side effects. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a marked reduction in the primary lesion, and abdominal CT showed a significant reduction in the metastatic lymph node. We performed laparoscopic distal gastrectomy(D2+No. 14v)for advanced gastric cancer ycT1N(+)M0, ycStage ⅡA. Histological assessment revealed no evidence of residual tumor cells in the primary tumor or lymph nodes, and the histologic response was classified as Grade 3, pathological complete response(pCR). We report a case in which pCR was obtained by SOX therapy administered as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.

[A Case of Apocrine Carcinoma of the Breast].

A 76-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with a bloody attachment on the left nipple. She had a 3 cm-sized tumor in her left breast. Mammography showed a spiculated irregular mass. Ultrasonography showed a 38 mm, low echoic mass with an irregular border. Core needle biopsy examination indicated apocrine carcinoma of the breast, ER(-), PgR(-), and HER2(-). An overall examination showed no distant metastasis. We diagnosed her with apocrine carcinoma of the breast(T2N0M0, cStageⅡA). We performed total mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. The postoperative histopathological examination revealed apocrine carcinoma without lymph node metastasis. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged 8 days after the surgery. She has not experienced any recurrence for 1 year and 7 months after the surgery.

[Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery for Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumor].

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to a suspected rectal tumor at previous doctor. Colonoscopy showed a submucosal tumor with 8mm yellowish protrusions and smooth surfaces in the rectum, 5 cm from the anal verge. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed the appearance of the internal portions of the tumor to be relatively uniform in low echoic imagery. The tumor was located in the second to third layer. Histopathological findings showed neuroendocrine tumor- G1. We performed transanal minimally invasive surgery with GelPOINT®Path. Under general anesthesia, complete fullthickness excision of the rectal lesion was performed. Primary closure was accomplished using a 3-0 braided absorbable suture. The operation duration was 24 min; blood loss was very little in this case. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged 2 days after the operation. There was no anorectal dysfunction and no local and distant recurrence during the postoperative follow-up of 1 year 3 months. Transanal minimally invasive surgery with GelPOINT®Path was an effective treatment for the safe removal of small rectal tumor indicated for local resection.

[A Case of Emergency Surgery for Intussusception Due to Cecal Cancer].

A 79-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of continuous right lower abdominal pain lasting for 1 day. There was tenderness with signs of peritoneal irritation at the right lower abdomen along with a palpable mass. With the diagnosis of intussusception of the ileocecal region by CT examination, an emergency surgery was performed under general anesthesia. By laparoscopic ileocecal resection with lymph node dissection, the ileocecal region was found invaginated into the transverse colon, although this was easily reduced by Hutchinson's procedure. The histological diagnosis of the tumor was highly differentiated adenocarcinoma in Stage Ⅲb. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient remained in good health without any recurrence during a follow-up period of 12 months. When a patient has a sign of peritoneal irritation, such as in our case, and intestinal tract necrosis and perforation by intussusception cannot be excluded, it is necessary to perform an emergency surgery.

[A Retrospective Study of Preoperative Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Resectable Rectal Cancer].

PURPOSE: To analyze chemoradiotherapy results for locally advanced rectal cancers at a single institution. METHODS: The study cohort comprised 12 patients with clinically diagnosed T3/4, NX, M0 adenocarcinomas of the rectum who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy. RESULT: Pathological complete response(pCR)were observed in 2/12(16.7%)patients and pathological downstaging in 5/12(41.7%)patients, with generally mild adverse events. CONCLUSION: Preoperative che- moradiotherapy for clinical T3/4, NX rectal cancers significantly reduces local recurrences and improves prognoses.

[A Case of Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule from Transverse Colon Cancer Effectively Treated with SOX plus Bevacizumab Chemotherapy].

A 47-year-old woman presented with a hard umbilical nodule that appeared red and was painful. A biopsy of the umbilical nodule revealed adenocarcinoma. As a result of general examinations, the patient was diagnosed with umbilical, hepatic, and ovarian metastases from transverse colon cancer. She was treated with S-1 and oxaliplatin(SOX)plus bevacizumab chemotherapy. After 4 courses of chemotherapy, CT revealed that the primary lesion and umbilical and hepatic metastases had reduced in size. We considered this to be a partial response and thus administered 4 additional courses of SOX plus bevacizumab chemotherapy. Finally, she remained well for 22 months and achieved relatively good prognosis. An umbilical metastasis from an internal malignancy is known as a Sister Mary Joseph's nodule, and it has very poor prognosis. Most studies show that the survival period from the time of diagnosis is within 1 year. However, our case suggests that novel anti-cancer drugs or molecular-targeted agents may improve survival.

[Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Malignant Lymphoma - A Case Report].

A 47-year-old man underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for malignant lymphoma. He developed acute skin graft versus host disease(GVHD)and pneumomycosis which were treated with steroids. One hundred and fifteen days later, the patient had a diagnosis of free gas images in the abdominal cavity and streakly air collections in the bowel wall from the ascending colon to the sigmoid colon in the CT scan. He was asymptomatic and his physical examination was unrevealing. We diagnosed his condition as pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis(PCI). He was managed conservatively with the high concentration oxygen administration. The CT scan performed 3 days later revealed the marked improvement of intramural gas and disappearance of free gas. We considered image in the abdominal cavity that the occurrence of PCI was related to the damage of the bowel mucosa due to long term corticosteroid administration. In patients demonstrating PCI with free air in the abdominal cavity, it is important to evaluate not only the diagnostic date based on the physical, laboratory, and imaging findings, but also their medical history. Furthermore, it is important to make a correct diagnosis to avoid unnecessary surgery.

[A Case of Recurrent Stenosis after Metallic Stenting for Esophagogastric Junction Adenocarcinoma with Peritoneal Metastases].

A 65-year-old man presented with severe strictures from the esophagogastric junction to the body of the stomach and was histopathologically diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography showed multiple peritoneal metastases. A long, covered metallic stent was placed, and chemotherapy was started. Subsequent granulation from the oral side of the stent caused stricture formation, and a covered stent was also placed. After 8 months, granulation from the oral side of the stent caused recurrent stricture formation. We again placed a metallic stent. Successful chemotherapy for stomach cancer with long-term benefit is possible with new molecularly targeted drugs. Stenting may cause adverse events such as stenosis, but can enable oral intake and is minimally invasive. This report describes a case that required multiple stent placement and reviews the relevant literature.

Impact of frailty on long-term outcomes after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: sFrailty affects short-term outcomes after liver resection in elderly patients. However, frailty's effects on long-term outcomes after liver resection in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unknown. METHODS: This prospective, single-center study included 81 independently living patients aged ≥65 years scheduled to undergo liver resection for initial HCC. Frailty was evaluated according to the Kihon Checklist, a phenotypic frailty index." We investigated and compared postoperative long-term outcomes after liver resection between patients with and without frailty. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients, 25 (30.9%) were frail. The proportion of patients with cirrhosis, high serum alpha-fetoprotein level (≥200 ng/mL), and poorly differentiated HCC was higher in the frail group than in the nonfrail group (n = 56). Among the patients with postoperative recurrence, the incidence of extrahepatic recurrence was higher in the frail group than in the nonfrail group (30.8% vs. 3.6%, P = 0.028). Moreover, the proportion of patients who underwent repeat liver resection and ablation for recurrence who met the Milan criteria tended to be lower in the frail group than in the nonfrail group. Although there was no difference in disease-free survival between the two groups, the overall survival rate in the frail group was significantly worse than that in the nonfrail group (5-year overall survival: 42.7% vs. 77.2%, P = 0.005). Results of the multivariate analysis indicated that frailty and blood loss were independent prognostic factors for postoperative survival. CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with unfavorable long-term outcomes after liver resection in elderly patients with HCC.

Occult gastric carcinoma with microsatellite instability diagnosed 10 years after excision of metastatic lymph node: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Suprapancreatic lymph node metastasis is one of the usual routes for gastric cancer. However, it is rare for the primary lesion to be found several years after resection of the suprapancreatic metastatic lymph node. This is a report of occult gastric carcinoma with microsatellite instability diagnosed 10 years after excision of a metastatic lymph node. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old female presented with suprapancreatic lymph node swelling during a medical examination. Gastroscopy revealed no malignancy. We performed an excisional biopsy via laparotomy and histologically suspected metastatic cancer of unknown origin. After nine and a half years, we detected early gastric cancer by gastroscopy and performed a distal gastrectomy. The gastric tumor was pathologically similar to the previous suprapancreatic tumor. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that both the stomach and suprapancreatic lymph node exhibited microsatellite instability, suggesting that the two lesions were of the same origin. CONCLUSIONS: This case is considered valuable because there have been no previous reports of gastric cancer with characteristics of high microsatellite instability in which the primary tumor was identified a long time after resection of metastatic lesions.