Prognostic role of the length of tumour-vein contact at the portal-superior mesenteric vein in patients having surgery for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The length of tumour-vein contact between the portal-superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) and pancreatic head cancer, and its relationship to prognosis in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery, remains controversial. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with pancreatic head cancer who were eligible for pancreatoduodenectomy between October 2002 and December 2016 were analysed. The PV/SMV contact was assessed retrospectively on CT. Using the minimum P value approach based on overall survival after surgery, the optimal cut-off value for tumour-vein contact length was identified. RESULTS: Among 491 patients included, 462 underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer. PV/SMV contact with the tumour was detected on preoperative CT in 248 patients (53·7 per cent). Overall survival of patients with PV/SMV contact exceeding 20 mm was significantly worse than that of patients with a contact length of 20 mm or less (median survival time (MST) 23·3 versus 39·3 months; P = 0·012). Multivariable analysis identified PV/SMV contact longer than 20 mm as an independent predictor of poor survival, whereas PV/SMV contact greater than 180° was not a predictive factor. Among patients with a PV/SMV contact length exceeding 20 mm on pretreatment CT, those receiving neoadjuvant therapy had significantly better overall survival than patients who had upfront surgery (MST not reached versus 21·6 months; P = 0·002). CONCLUSION: The length of PV/SMV contact predicts survival, and may be used to suggest a role for neoadjuvant therapy to improve prognosis.

ANTECEDENTES: El valor pronóstico de la longitud del contacto del tumor de la cabeza pancreática con las venas porta y mesentérica superior (portal-superior mesenteric vein, PV/SMV) en los pacientes sometidos a cirugía pancreática sigue siendo un tema controvertido. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron los pacientes diagnosticados de un cáncer de la cabeza pancreática a los que se realizó una duodenopancreatectomía cefálica entre octubre de 2002 y diciembre de 2016. El contacto tumoral con la PV/SMV se evaluó de forma retrospectiva mediante tomografía computarizada (TC). Se identificó el valor de corte óptimo para la longitud del contacto tumoral con la PV/SMV, utilizando el valor mínimo de la P basado en la supervivencia global (overall survival, OS) después de la cirugía. RESULTADOS: De 491 pacientes incluidos, en 462 pacientes se realizó una duodenopancreatectomía cefálica por cáncer de la cabeza de páncreas. En la TC preoperatoria, se detectó contacto tumoral con la PV/SMV en 248 (53,7%) pacientes. La OS de los pacientes en los que el contacto del tumor con la PV/SMV fue > 20 mm fue significativamente peor que en aquellos cuyo contacto fue ≤ 20 mm (mediana de supervivencia (median survival time, MST) 23,3 versus 39,3 meses; P = 0,012). En un análisis multivariado se identificó el contacto tumoral-PV/SMV > 20 mm como un factor independiente predictor de mala supervivencia, pero el contacto tumor-PV/SMV > 180° no fue un factor pronóstico. En los pacientes en los que el contacto tumor-PV/SMV fue > 20 mm en el TC preoperatorio, la OS en aquellos que recibieron tratamiento neoadyuvante fue significativamente mejor en comparación con los pacientes tratados directamente con cirugía (MST, no alcanzada versus 21,6 meses, P = 0,002). Conclusión La longitud del contacto tumoral con la PV/SMV predice la supervivencia, por lo cual dicha longitud podría jugar un papel en la indicación de tratamiento neoadyuvante para mejorar el pronóstico.

Impact of Patient Age on the Postoperative Survival in Pancreatic Head Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Some reports have stated that pancreatoduodenectomy for elderly patients have comparable morbidity and mortality to that of young patients. However, the long-term outcomes of these patients have not been fully evaluated, especially for pancreatic head cancer. METHODS: A total of 227 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer between 2007 and 2014 were included. They were stratified according to age: young (<70 years), elderly (70 to <80 years), and very elderly (≥80 years). The short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in terms of morbidity among the three groups. The median disease-free survival times were 15 months in the young, 11 months in the elderly, and 7 months in the very elderly. The disease-free survival of the young patients was significantly better than that in both the elderly and the very elderly (p = 0.012 and p = 0.016). The median overall survival times were 30 months in the young, 20 months in the elderly, and 14 months in the very elderly. The overall survival of the young patients was significantly better than that in both the elderly and the very elderly (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001). The difference was marginal between the elderly and the very elderly (p = 0.053). Multivariate analysis revealed that lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), age ≥80 years (p = 0.013), lack of adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.003), blood transfusion (p = 0.015), and CA 19-9 ≥300 U/ml (p = 0.040) were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age influenced the survival after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.

Indications for major hepatectomy and combined procedures for advanced gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of major hepatectomy for advanced gallbladder cancer is currently unclear. METHODS: Patients who underwent resection for stage II, III or IV gallbladder cancer were enrolled. The surgical outcomes of patients who underwent major hepatectomy were compared with those of patients treated with minor hepatectomy and those with unresectable gallbladder cancer. The clinical impact of major hepatectomy and combined advanced procedures such as portal vein resection or pancreatoduodenectomy for advanced gallbladder cancer were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients were enrolled; 29 patients underwent major and 67 had minor hepatectomy. The overall morbidity rate was higher in the major hepatectomy group (55 versus 27 per cent; P = 0·022). There were no deaths after major hepatectomy. Overall survival was better in the major hepatectomy group than in the group of 15 patients with unresectable disease (median survival 17·7 versus 11·4 months; P = 0·003). In a subgroup analysis of the major hepatectomy group, liver metastasis (P = 0·038) and hepatic arterial invasion (P = 0·017) were independently associated with overall survival. Overall survival in patients with liver metastasis (P = 0·572) or hepatic arterial invasion (P = 0·776) was comparable with that in the unresectable group. However, overall survival among patients with lymph node metastasis (P = 0·062) or following portal vein resection (P = 0·054) or pancreatoduodenectomy (P = 0·011) was better than in the unresectable group. CONCLUSION: Major hepatectomy combined with portal vein resection or pancreatoduodenectomy, if necessary, may be considered in the treatment of advanced gallbladder cancer, especially in selected patients without liver metastasis or hepatic arterial invasion.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as an indicator of the malignant behaviour of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The preoperative serum neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is still unclear what the NLR reflects precisely. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the NLR and TNM stage, and the role of NLR as a prognostic factor after liver resection for HCC. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent liver resection as initial treatment for HCC. The best cut-off value of serum NLR was determined, and overall survival was compared among patients grouped according to TNM stage (I, II and III). RESULTS: The best cut-off value for NLR was 2·8. A high preoperative NLR was more frequently associated with poor overall survival than a low preoperative NLR after resection for TNM stage I tumours (5-year survival 45·0 versus 76·4 per cent, P < 0·001), but not stage II (P = 0·283) or stage III (P = 0·155) tumours. Among patients with TNM stage I disease, the proportion of patients with extrahepatic recurrence was greater in the group with a high preoperative NLR than in the low-NLR group (P = 0·006). In multivariable analysis, preoperative NLR was the strongest independent prognostic risk factor for overall survival in TNM stage I (hazard ratio 2·69, 95 per cent c.i. 1·57 to 4·59; P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative NLR was an important prognostic factor for TNM stage I HCC after liver resection with curative intent. These results suggest that the NLR may reflect the malignant potential of HCC.

Major hepatectomy with combined vascular resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy with vascular resection (VR) for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) is a challenging procedure. However, only a few reports on this procedure have been published and its clinical significance has not been fully evaluated. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgical resection for PHCC from 2002-2017 were studied. The surgical outcomes of VR and non-VR groups were compared. RESULTS: Some 238 patients were included. VR was performed in 85 patients. The resected vessels were hepatic artery alone (31 patients), portal vein alone (37 patients) or both (17 patients). The morbidity rates were almost the same in the VR (49.4 per cent) and non-VR (43.8 per cent) groups (P = 0.404). The mortality rates of VR (3.5 per cent) and non-VR (3.3 per cent) were also comparable (P > 0.999). The median survival time (MST) was 45 months in the non-VR group and 36 months in VR group (P = 0.124). Among patients in whom tumour involvement was suspected on preoperative imaging and whose carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) value was 37 U/ml or less, MST in the VR group was significantly longer than that in the non-VR group (50 versus 34 months, P = 0.017). In contrast, when the CA19-9 value was greater than 37 U/ml, MST of the VR and non-VR groups was comparable (28 versus 29 months, P = 0.520). CONCLUSION: Hepatectomy with VR for PHCC can be performed in a highly specialized hepatobiliary centre with equivalent short- and long-term outcomes to hepatectomy without VR.

Utility of remnant liver volume for predicting posthepatectomy liver failure after hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection is associated with a high risk of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). However, the utility of the remnant liver volume (RLV) in cholangiocarcinoma has not been studied intensively. METHODS: Patients who underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection between 2002 and 2018 were reviewed. The RLV was divided by body surface area (BSA) to normalize individual physical differences. Risk factors for clinically relevant PHLF were evaluated with special reference to the RLV/BSA. RESULTS: A total of 289 patients were included. The optimal cut-off value for RLV/BSA was determined to be 300 ml/m2. Thirty-two patients (11.1 per cent) developed PHLF. PHLF was more frequent in patients with an RLV/BSA below 300 ml/m2 than in those with a value of 300 ml/m2 or greater: 19 of 87 (22 per cent) versus 13 of 202 (6.4 per cent) (P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, RLV/BSA below 300 ml/m2 (P = 0.013), future liver remnant plasma clearance rate of indocyanine green less than 0.075 (P = 0.031), and serum albumin level below 3.5 g/dl (P = 0.015) were identified as independent risk factors for PHLF. Based on these risk factors, patients were classified into three subgroups with low (no factors), moderate (1-2 factors), and high (3 factors) risk of PHLF, with PHLF rates of 1.8, 14.8 and 63 per cent respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An RLV/BSA of 300 ml/m2 is a simple predictor of PHLF in patients undergoing hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection.

The tumor diameter cut-off for predicting microscopic intrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients without treatment history differs from that of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with a treatment history.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intrahepatic metastasis (IM) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs via vascular invasion; the tumor diameter that affects the risk of micro intra-hepatic metastasis (MIM) should be larger than that which affects the risk of micro vessel invasion (MVI). The aim of the present study was to determine the optimum tumor diameter cut-off value for predicting the presence of MIM in HCC patients without treatment history and HCC patients with a treatment history and to compare these diameters between cases of MVI and MIM. METHODS: This retrospective study included 621 patients without macroscopic vessel invasion or intrahepatic metastasis on preoperative imaging who underwent hepatectomy. The cut-off tumor diameter for predicting the presence of MIM was determined by a receiver operating characteristic curves analysis. RESULTS: The optimum cut-off value for predicting the presence of MIM in HCC patients without treatment history was 43 mm. In contrast, the optimum cut-off value for predicting the presence of MIM in HCC patients with a treatment history was 20 mm. Among 46 HCC patients with MIM without treatment history, there were 20 patients with MIM without MVI who were considered to have potential multi-centric (MC) tumors rather than IM. The cumulative overall survival rates in patients with MIM without MVI (potential MC) was significantly better than that in patients with both MIM and MVI (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The tumor diameter cut-off value for predicting MIM differed between HCC patients without treatment history and with a treatment history and slightly smaller than those for predicting MVI beyond our expectation.

Clinical and laboratory features of Japanese patients with scleroderma and telangiectasia.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by sclerotic changes of the skin and internal organs. Telangiectasia is a frequent complication of patients with SSc. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalance of telangiectasia in patients with SSc and investigate the clinical and laboratory features of patients with SSc and telangiectasia. METHODS: In total, 211 patients with SSc who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SSc of the American College of Rheumatology were examined by laboratory and clinical methods. The average of disease duration time was 7.4 years. RESULTS: Telangiectasia was found in 119 of the 211 patients (56%) with SSc. The prevalence of oesophageal involvement, decreased diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), heart involvement, calcinosis, shortening of the sublingual frenulum, or pitting scars was significantly greater in patients with telangiectasia than in those without telangiectasia. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the presence of telangiectasia may be a marker of oesophageal involvement, decreased DLCO, and heart involvement.

EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy for palliative biliary drainage in patients with malignant biliary obstruction: results of long-term follow-up.

Five patients with obstructive jaundice caused by malignant periampullary biliary stenosis underwent EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) from the first portion of the duodenum using a convex echoendoscope and a needle knife. All the steps of the procedure including passage dilatation and the plastic stent placement were performed through the accessory channel of the echoendoscope over the guide wire. Stent insertion was technically successful in all five patients. The procedure was also clinically effective in relieving jaundice in all cases. One patient developed pneumoperitoneum, which resolved with conservative management. Stent exchange was successful in seven of eight attempts in patients with stent occlusion. One failure was due to tumor invasion to the choledochoduodenal fistula. Stent patency was maintained in the remaining patients throughout their survival period. The average stent patency was 211.8 days. EUS-CDS from the first portion of the duodenum appears to be feasible and safe in cases of obstructive jaundice caused by distal bile duct obstruction.

Propensity score-matched comparison of non-anatomical resection and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with up to three tumours, each measuring up to 3 cm in diameter.

BACKGROUND: Non-anatomical liver resection (NAR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are treatment options for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim was to compare the outcomes of NAR and RFA for HCC in patients with three or fewer tumour nodules, each measuring not more than 3 cm in maximum diameter. METHODS: Eligible patients undergoing NAR or RFA with curative intent between September 2002 and December 2014 were identified. A propensity score-matching analysis was performed to reduce bias, and outcomes in these patients were analysed. RESULTS: From a total of 199 patients, 1:1 propensity score matching identified 70 matched pairs. Patients having NAR had a longer hospital stay (median 10 days versus 4 days for those who had RFA; P < 0·001) and a higher morbidity rate (24 versus 10 per cent respectively; P = 0·042). Patients who had NAR had slightly better recurrence-free survival but this failed to reach statistical significance in univariable analysis (P = 0·064). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups (P = 0·475). RFA was identified as an independent risk factor for recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio (HR) 1·57; P = 0·041) in multivariable analysis. Local recurrence was significantly more common in patients receiving RFA (23 versus 1 per cent; P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: RFA was an independent risk factor for shorter recurrence-free survival, with a significantly higher local recurrence rate than NAR. Despite these differences, overall survival was not affected.

Clinical significance of serum matrix metalloproteinase-13 levels in patients with localized scleroderma.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical significance of serum matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) levels in patients with localized scleroderma (LSc). METHODS: Serum MMP-13 levels were determined by using a peptide substrate cleavage assay in 10 patients with generalized morphea, 10 with linear scleroderma, 10 with morphea, and 10 normal controls. RESULTS: The serum MMP-13 levels in patients with LSc were lower than those in normal controls, but there was no significant difference (64.9 +/- 19.9 versus 73.2 +/- 11.5, p = 0.058). Serum MMP-13 levels in patients with generalized morphea were significantly lower than those in normal controls (54.0 +/- 18.7 versus 73.2 +/- 11.5 ng/ml; p < 0.01). Serum levels of MMP-13 were comparable among normal controls, the patients with linear scleroderma, and those with morphea. The prevalence of muscle involvement was significantly greater in the LSc patients with decreased MMP-13 levels compared with those with normal MMP-13 levels (50% versus 8%, p < 0.05). Serum MMP-13 levels were significantly inversely correlated with the number of linear lesions (r = 0.366, p < 0.05) and the number of involved body areas (r = 0.552, p < 0.005) in patients with LSc, while there was no significant correlation between serum MMP-13 levels and the number of plaque lesions. Furthermore, there was significant inverse correlation between serum MMP-13 levels and the number of involved body areas in patients with generalized morphea (r = 0.631, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The serum MMP-13 levels may reflect the disease severity in patients with LSc, especially generalized morphea, the severest form of this disorder.

Successful treatment with cyclosporine in a case of hemophagocytic syndrome manifesting as severe liver dysfunction.

Forms of hemophagocytic syndrome, which affects mainly children, vary from mild to very severe and often fatal. We describe an adult patient with hemophagocytic syndrome in whom severe liver dysfunction developed. The condition continued to deteriorate despite treatment with plasma exchange, high-dose gamma globulin, and corticosteroid therapy. Treatment with cyclosporine (2.3 mg/kg/day) dramatically improved the condition and normalized liver function. Cyclosporine reduced the serum levels of ferritin, interferon-tau, interleukin-6, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor. These findings suggest that hemophagocytic syndrome accompanied with severe liver dysfunction results from hypercytokinemia, and cyclosporine is useful in preventing a fatal outcome during the acute phase.

Clinical significance of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical significance of serum matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) levels in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Serum MMP-13 levels were determined by using a peptide substrate cleavage assay in 20 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), 20 with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and 10 normal controls. RESULTS: The serum MMP-13 levels in patients with dcSSc or lcSSc were significantly lower than those in normal controls (53.4 +/- 14.1 vs 73.2 +/- 11.5 ng/ml, P < 0.0005; 59.4 +/- 14.8 vs 73.2 +/- 11.5 ng/ml, P < 0.005, respectively), but there was no significant difference in the serum MMP-13 levels between patients with dcSSc and those with lcSSc. Disease duration prior to the diagnosis was significantly shorter in SSc patients with decreased serum MMP-13 levels than in those with normal levels (3.0 +/- 2.2 vs 8.6 +/- 7.6 yr, P < 0.0005). In addition, serum MMP-13 levels were moderately correlated with the duration of the disease (r = 0.451, P < 0.05). Though there was no significant difference in the frequencies of pulmonary fibrosis or reduced %DLco (diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide), the frequency of reduced %VC (vital capacity) was significantly greater in patients with decreased serum MMP-13 levels than in those with normal levels (73 vs 24%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Matrix metalloproteinase-13 may be involved in the fibrotic process of SSc, especially in the initiation of fibrosis. The serum MMP-13 levels may serve as a useful marker for the severity of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with SSc.

Indocyanine green is an ideal dye for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle tattooing of pancreatic tumors.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle tattooing (EUS-FNT) is an ideal technique for preoperative marking of lesions detected on preoperative examination. Although India ink has been used for endoscopic tattooing, there have been numerous reports of complications associated with its use. This is the first report of EUS-FNT using indocyanine green (ICG) and describes its use for preoperative marking of a tumor in a 78-year-old man with multiple pancreatic tumors. There were no complications associated with the EUS-FNT procedure and it is suggested that ICG is a more suitable dye for tattooing of pancreatic lesions than India ink, being far less frequently associated with side effects.

Familial Crohn's disease with systemic lupus erythematosus.

We describe a young Japanese woman who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease affecting the ileum, transverse colon, and rectum, as confirmed by barium studies, colonoscopy, and histopathological examination. Her father and sister also had Crohn's disease. After a 4-yr course of sulfasalazine and elemental diet therapy, she was readmitted for perianal abscess associated with the presence of pancytopenia, microhematuria with granular cast, hypocomplementemia, and high titers of autoimmune antibodies (anti-ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies). Based on these features, a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was made. Despite the rarity of such combination (Crohn's disease with SLE), patients with Crohn's disease who develop such clinical findings might need evaluation for SLE.