[Diagnostic value of a simple scoring system for the diagnosis and treatment of non-emergency small bowel obstruction].

In order to improve the diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategy for small bowel obstruction, we developed a non-emergency small bowel obstruction scoring system (0-4). We performed a retrospective analysis on 94 patients diagnosed with mechanical small bowel obstruction at our hospital. Anterior adhesion, small bowel feces sign, scoring system, and the usefulness of small bowel feces subtypes were examined. When the non-emergency small bowel obstruction scores 3-4, 99% were non-emergency obstructions, with the exclusion of strangulated small bowel obstruction. On the contrary, when the non-emergency small bowel obstruction scores 0-1, 47.5% were strangulated small bowel obstruction. As the effectiveness of withholding food and fluids (NPO) or short tube is high (about 70%) when small bowel feces are dry, placing a long tube may not be needed.

[A retrospective study of the clinical characteristics and treatment of 93 adult patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis].

We performed a retrospective analysis on three patients diagnosed with EGE (eosinophilic gastroenteritis) at our hospital and 90 cases obtained from a case database. The cases' genders, ages, peripheral eosinophils, ascites, endoscopic findings, biopsy findings, diagnostic scores, and rates of glucocorticoid use were evaluated. The gender ratio was 40 males to 53 females, and the median age was 50. 78.5% of cases had peripheral eosinophilia. The prevalence of allergic diseases was 31.2%, and the incidence of ascites was 34.4%. 83.9% of endoscopic findings were positive, and 92.5% of biopsies were positive. The total rate of glucocorticoid use was 77.4%. When both score <5 and age <33 conditions were met, the rate of glucocorticoid use was approximately 30%, meaning it was possible to avoid glucocorticoid use.

[A case of gastric cancer with posterior mediastinal lymph node metastasis responding to combination therapy of Paclitaxel and S-1].

The patient was a 73-year-old man who was hospitalized with advanced gastric cancer. Computer tomography showed multiple liver and mediastinum lymph node metastases. Therefore, he was diagnosed as unresectable gastric cancer(Stage IV). We attempted low-dose combination therapy of CDDP and S-1, but it was ineffective against advance gastric cancer. We decided to change the chemotherapy, using combination therapy of paclitaxel and S-1. In the regimen, paclitaxel (60 mg/m/2) was administered on day 1, day 8, and day 15. S-1 (80 mg/m2) was administered 4 weeks with a 2-week rest. After the 2 courses, computer tomography showed reduction of the liver metastasis and disappeared of the lymph node metastases. Therefore, he could undergo total gastrectomy and radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases. He continued this combination therapy one year after the operation. The cancer has not recurred thus far. When combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel and S-1 was effective against Stage IV gastric cancer, we suggested that radical surgery is possible for those cases.

Prone Position Is Useful in Thoracoscopic Enucleation of Esophageal Leiomyoma.

A 36-year-old man was admitted to our institute due to the diagnosis of esophageal submucosal tumor detected by a periodical upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination without any complaint. Thoracoscopic enucleation of the lesion with the preoperative clinical diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma was performed under general anesthesia in the prone position. After immunohistochemical examination, the pathological diagnosis was leiomyoma. There was no remarkable event during the postoperative hospital stay, and the patient was discharged on the 12th day after surgery. This case report suggests that the prone position might be superior to the left lateral decubitus position in thoracoscopic enucleation of esophageal leiomyoma.