[Repeated Pericardial Effusion Leading to the Diagnosis of Synovial Sarcoma:Report of a Case].

The patient is a 76-year-old man. His chief complaint of chest pain led to a diagnosis of pericardial effusion of unknown cause, and pericardial drainage was performed. On the 30th day, chest pain appeared again. Echocardiography revealed a pericardial fluid reaccumulation and a substantial mass in the pericardial space. Surgical drainage was performed to find the cause. A hematoma/mass was present on the epicardium. The pericardial sac was filled with hematoma. The hematoma was removed, but part of the mass infiltrated close to the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, and removal of that part was abandoned. The intrapericardial hematoma and epicardium were submitted to pathology leading to the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma. The patient was discharged home 14 days after surgery.

Prognostic factors for spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: a multicenter case-control study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the optimal treatment for spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH). The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with SSEH. METHODS: In 62 patients with SSEH, several patient-related parameters were analyzed as candidate factors associated with Frankel grade before treatment or at the last follow-up. These parameters were compared between patients with and without surgery. In addition, multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors significantly associated with Frankel's grade before treatment or at the last follow-up. RESULTS: There were significant differences in age, location of the hematoma, and Frankel grade before treatment and at the last follow-up between surgical and nonsurgical cases in all patients, but there were no significant differences in any of these parameters when comparing patients with pre-treatment Frankel grade C. The location of the hematoma was significantly associated with the severity of paralysis before treatment. In surgical cases, the time from onset to surgery and the location of the hematoma was significantly associated with the prognosis. When the time from onset to surgery was evaluated using the criteria of 12, 24, and 48 h, 24 and 48 h had a significant impact on the prognosis. In the analysis of nonsurgical cases, only the vertical size of the hematoma was significantly associated with prognosis. CONCLUSION: The time from onset to surgery and the location of the hematoma were prognostic factors in surgical cases, while the vertical size of the hematoma was a prognostic factor in nonsurgical cases.

Long-term outcome of targeted therapy for low back pain in elderly degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

PURPOSE: Treatment of low back pain (LBP) associated with elderly degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) remains controversial. We have developed percutaneous intervertebral-vacuum polymethylmethacrylate injection (PIPI) targeting to the intervertebral vacuum as a minimally invasive surgery. The present study compared the long-term clinical outcomes of PIPI to that of nonoperative treatment. METHODS: Patients with de novo DLS, aged ≥ 65 years, who had LBP with visual analog scale (VAS) of ≥ 50 for ≥ 6 months with intervertebral vacuum on computed tomography and bone marrow edema (BME) on magnetic resonance imaging were included. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using VAS and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline, 1, 6, 12, 24 months, and at the final follow-up. The course of BME was also evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients underwent PIPI and 61 received nonoperative treatment. The mean follow-up duration after PIPI and nonoperative treatment was 63.7 ± 32.4 and 43.9 ± 20.9 months, respectively. VAS and ODI after PIPI were significantly improved compared to post-nonoperative treatment. BME decreased substantially in the PIPI group and it was significantly correlated with VAS and ODI improvement. Following PIPI, LBP recurred in 28 patients (35%). LBP recurrence was identified at the same level of PIPI in 10 patients, at the adjacent level of PIPI in 11 patients, and at the non-adjacent level of PIPI in seven patients. Eighteen patients underwent additional PIPIs, and both VAS and ODI were significantly improved after additional PIPIs. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow lesions of the endplate are strongly associated with the presence of LBP. PIPI can be considered as an effective, safe and repeatable treatment for LBP in elderly DLS patients.

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis using a 22-gauge Franseen needle: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Detailed histological evaluation is important in the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). However, it remains challenging to obtain adequate tissue from the pancreas. Recently, several reports have suggested the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using the new "core" needles for acquiring pancreatic tissue. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of EUS-FNB for diagnosing AIP with one such needle, a 22-gauge Franseen needle. METHODS: Patients who met the imaging diagnostic criteria for AIP based on the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC) were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent EUS-FNB with a 22-gauge Franseen needle. Histological findings were evaluated based on the ICDC, and the detection rates of level 1 and level 1 or 2 histology were calculated. RESULTS: 56 patients from 11 different institutions were enrolled in the final analysis (55 suspected to have type 1 AIP and one with type 2 AIP). Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, obliterative phlebitis, storiform fibrosis, and > 10 IgG4-positive cells per high-power field were detected in 55 (100 %), 24 (43.6 %), 40 (72.7 %), and 36 (65.5 %) of the 55 patients, respectively. The detection rates of level 1 and level 1 or 2 histology for AIP were 58.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 44.1 % - 71.3 %) and 92.7 % (95 %CI 82.4 % - 98.0 %), respectively, which were apparently higher than our historical results (7.9 % [95 %CI 1.7 % - 21.4 %] and 62.2 % [95 %CI 46.5 % - 76.2 %], respectively) using a conventional needle. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNB with a 22-gauge Franseen needle demonstrated favorable detection rates which would be clinically beneficial for the histological diagnosis of AIP.

[A case of cholinergic crisis with persistent watery diarrhea].

The patient was a 79-year-old man who visited our hospital with the chief complaint of persistent watery diarrhea. This symptom and his general condition aggravated during the planning of colonoscopy, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Large-volume fluid replacement, vasopressor administration, and artificial respiration management were performed;however, circulatory dynamics did not improve. Based on his medication history, he was diagnosed with distigmine bromide-induced cholinergic crisis. Atropine sulfate was administered, and his symptoms reduced. On colonoscopy, there were no abnormal findings other than adenoma, and the patient was discharged while in remission.

Randomized Phase II Study of Consecutive-Day versus Alternate-Day Treatment with S-1 as Second-Line Chemotherapy in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alternate-day administration of S-1 as second-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer in a multicenter, randomized, phase II study. METHODS: Patients with histologically proven, unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with chemotherapy not including S-1 as first-line therapy were randomly assigned to receive either daily or alternate-day treatment with S-1. The primary end point was overall survival (OS), and the secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure (TTF), response rate, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were enrolled, of which 75 were included in the final analysis. The median OS was 4.5 months in the daily group and 4.4 months in the alternate-day group (HR 1.178; 95% CI 0.741-1.875), with no significance in PFS and TTF. The response rate was 2.8% in the daily group and 0% in the alternate-day group. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred with significantly higher incidence in the daily group (47.2 vs. 25.6%, p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: As a second-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer, although the efficacy in both groups was comparable and we can expect fewer toxicities with alternate-day administration of S-1, the noninferiority of alternate-day treatment to daily treatment with S-1 was not verified.

Long-term follow-up of Fontan completion in adults and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The Fontan procedure is rarely performed in adults and adolescents in the present era. We review our results with the Fontan procedure in adolescents and young adults. METHODS: Between 1974 and 2010, 79 consecutive patients underwent the Fontan procedure at an age ≥ 15 years (mean age at Fontan operation, 20.3 years ± 4.5 years). Forty-five patients underwent atriopulmonary connection, 11 underwent the Bjork procedure, and 23 underwent total cavopulmonary connection. RESULTS: Ten hospital deaths (HDs) and/or early Fontan takedowns (TDs) occurred. The median follow-up period was 18.2 years (range, 0.6-37.6 years). The estimated freedom from death or TD rates was 79.7% at 5 years, 77.0% at 10 years, 73.9% at 15 years, and 63.9% at 20 years. Age was not a predictor of HD and/or TD. Freedom from death or TD after 1998 was 69.1% at 5 years, 69.1% at 10 years, and 69.1% at 15 years, and before 1997 was 82.3% at 5 years, 79.0% at 10 years, 75.5% at 15 years, and 65.1% at 20 years; there were no significant differences between the two groups. In 19 late-death patients, nine (47.4%) experienced sudden death. Among these patients, five had known arrhythmias before sudden death. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who were ≥15 years old, the surgical results of the Fontan operation were acceptable. Approximately half of the late deaths were sudden deaths, mainly occurring 10-20 years postoperatively.

Relationship between clinical symptoms of osteoporotic vertebral fracture with intravertebral cleft and radiographic findings.

BACKGROUND: With aging of the population, the numbers of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft have been increasing. However, the details of clinical symptoms of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between clinical symptoms of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft and radiographic findings. METHODS: Two hundred seventeen patients with single-level osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft were examined. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using Numerical Rating Scale for back pain and the Oswestry Disability Index for physical disability. The presence of delayed neurologic deficit was also detected. Radiography and computed tomography were used to measure local kyphotic angle and vertebral instability and to detect the presence of posterior wall fracture of the vertebral body. Correlations between clinical symptoms of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft and radiographic findings were investigated. RESULTS: Mean Numerical Rating Scale and Oswestry Disability Index were 7.4 and 58.0%, respectively. Delayed neurologic deficit occurred in 41 patients (19%). The mean local kyphotic angle, vertebral instability, and rate of posterior wall fracture of the vertebral body were 19.4°, 7.3°, and 91%, respectively. Numerical Rating Scale and Oswestry Disability Index were statistically correlated with vertebral instability but not with local kyphotic angle and presence of posterior wall fracture. In the patients with delayed neurologic deficit, vertebral instability was significantly higher and posterior wall fractures were significantly more frequent than in the patients without delayed neurologic deficit. Local kyphotic angle was not correlated with delayed neurologic deficit. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral instability is a factor causing symptoms of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft. In addition, vertebral instability may be the predominant cause of delayed neurologic deficit. To manage osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft and delayed neurologic deficit efficiently, it may be important to control vertebral instability of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Surgical repair of a truncus arteriosus with unilateral absence of the right proximal pulmonary artery.

The unilateral absence of a proximal pulmonary artery (UAPPA) is rare and is most frequently accompanied by cardiovascular anomalies such as tetralogy of Fallot or septal defects. We report a patient with truncus arteriosus with UAPPA in which we performed a two-stage surgical repair. During the first palliative operation, a right modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was constructed to develop the hypoplastic right pulmonary artery. At 10 months, the patient underwent patch closure of a ventricular septal defect with integration of both pulmonary arteries, and reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract using a conduit. Four years postoperatively, he continues to do well.

Peripancreatic vascular involvements of autoimmune pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although peripancreatic vascular lesions are occasionally encountered in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), there are few reports focusing on these involvements. We aimed to investigate the peripancreatic vascular involvements associated with AIP. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 54 AIP patients who met the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for AIP between July 2003 and October 2010. All of the 54 patients were subjected to multiphasic multidetector computed tomography, and the prevalence, location and prognosis of peripancreatic vascular involvements were investigated. RESULTS: Of the 54 AIP patients, 24 (44.4%) exhibited involvements in the form of peripancreatic vascular lesions (stenoses of the splenic vein in 22 and of the superior mesenteric-portal vein in 13, development of perigastric collateral circulation in 18, gastric varices with a red color sign in one and thrombosis inside the portal vein in one). Diffuse-type AIP was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of vascular involvements compared with focal-type AIP (P = 0.033). A total of 14 out of 16 patients who underwent corticosteroid treatment showed improvement in vascular lesions. One case followed up without corticosteroid treatment and presenting an obstruction of the splenic vein exhibited involvements in the form of an infarction and hemorrhagic cysts of the spleen and ultimately underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune pancreatitis patients show a high prevalence of peripancreatic vascular involvements. Thus, patients with vascular involvements are suitable candidates for steroid therapy with evaluation of its potential merits and demerits, even if they are asymptomatic.

Radiographic Factors for Adjacent Vertebral Fractures and Cement Loosening Following Balloon Kyphoplasty in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures.

Introduction: Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a minimally invasive surgical approach for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF). Some risks have been reported after treatment with BKP; therefore, it is necessary to determine when BKP does not work. Thus, in this study, we aim to clarify the radiographic predictors of secondary vertebral fractures and cement loosening after BKP for OVF. Methods: This study enrolled patients with single-level OVF at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2) who underwent BKP for the first time between January 2011 and March 2014. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Radiographic assessments were performed preoperatively and within 1 year after BKP using plain radiography and computed tomography. Results: The 85 patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent BKP. The average age of participants (21 men, 64 women) was 77.8 years (range, 57-92 years). Postoperative VAS and ODI scores were all significantly better than preoperative scores. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-cement leakage was observed in 18 patients (21.2%) but was asymptomatic in all cases. Secondary vertebral fractures were detected in 20 patients (23.5%), including adjacent levels in 15 patients (17.6%) and non-adjacent levels in 5 patients (5.9%). Rostral bridging osteophyte formation was found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of adjacent vertebral fractures (odds ratio 12.746; p=0.010). PMMA-cement loosening was observed in three patients (3.5%). A high prevalence (100%) of bridging osteophytes, vacuum clefts, and spinous process fractures was observed in patients with PMMA-cement loosening. PMMA-cement loosening was found in 3 out of 10 patients with all three of these factors. Conclusions: Rostral bridging osteophyte formation was determined to be a risk factor for both adjacent vertebral fractures and PMMA-cement loosening.Level of Evidence: 3.

Percutaneous Intervertebral-Vacuum Polymethylmethacrylate Injection for Foraminal Stenosis with Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous intervertebral-vacuum polymethylmethacrylate injection (PIPI) is a minimally invasive procedure for low back pain in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). Patients with DLS often have radiculopathy as a result of foraminal stenosis in addition to low back pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of PIPI for foraminal stenosis with radiculopathy in elderly patients with DLS. METHODS: We included patients with de novo DLS aged 65 years or older who underwent PIPI. The presence of an intervertebral vacuum on computed tomography and bone marrow edema on magnetic resonance imaging was required for inclusion. The intersegmental radiologic parameters on plain radiographs and computed tomography and the extent of bone marrow edema on magnetic resonance imaging were measured. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: We enrolled 40 patients with DLS who underwent PIPI. There were 16 men and 24 women, and the mean age was 79.0 ± 6.3 years. The mean foraminal height and extent of bone marrow edema showed a significant increase and reduction, respectively, after PIPI (P < 0.05). VAS score for radiculopathy and ODI significantly improved after PIPI (P < 0.01). The minimum clinically important differences in VAS score for radiculopathy and ODI at the final follow-up were 73.9% and 63.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PIPI is a minimally invasive procedure not only for low back pain but also for radiculopathy in elderly patients with DLS. It leads to intervertebral stabilization and indirect decompression of the foramen.

Estimating the Haemodynamic Streamline Vena Contracta as the Effective Orifice Area Measured from Reconstructed Multislice Phase-contrast MR Images for Patients with Moderately Accelerated Aortic Stenosis.

PURPOSE: In aortic stenosis (AS), the discrepancy between moderately accelerated flow and effective orifice area (EOA) continues to pose a challenge. We developed a method of measuring the vena contracta area as hemodynamic EOA using cardiac MRI focusing on AS patients with a moderately accelerated flow to solve the problem that AS severity can currently be determined only by echocardiography. METHODS: We investigated 40 patients with a peak transvalvular velocity > 3.0 m/s on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The patients were divided into highly accelerated and moderately accelerated AS groups according to whether or not the peak transvalvular velocity was ≥ 4.0 m/s. From the multislice 2D cine phase-contrast MRI data, the cross-sectional area of the vena contracta of the reconstructed streamline in the Valsalva sinus was defined as MRI-EOAs. Patient symptoms and echocardiography data, including EOA (defined as TTE-EOA), were derived from the continuity equation using TTE. RESULTS: All participants in the highly accelerated AS group (n = 19) showed a peak velocity ≥ 4.0 m/s in MRI. Eleven patients in the moderately accelerated AS group (n = 21) had a TTE-EOA < 1.00 cm2. In the moderately accelerated AS group, MRI-EOAs demonstrated a strong correlation with TTE-EOAs (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, in the highly accelerated AS group, MRI-EOAs demonstrated positivity but a moderate correlation with TTE-EOAs (r = 0.63, P = 0.004). MRI-EOAs were overestimated compared to TTE-EOAs. In terms of the moderately accelerated AS group, the best cut-off value for MRI-EOAs was < 1.23 cm2, compatible with TTE-EOAs < 1.00 cm2, with an excellent prediction of the New York Heart Association classification ≥ III (sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 76.9%). CONCLUSION: MRI-EOAs may be an alternative to conventional echocardiography for patients with moderately accelerated AS, especially those with discordant echocardiographic parameters.

Cardiac tamponade due to perforation by an Amplatzer atrial septal occluder in a patient with Marfan syndrome.

Device closure of atrial septum defect was performed using an Amplatzer septal occluder in a 48-year-old patient with Marfan syndrome. Acute tamponade due to perforation was observed 2 months after catheter intervention. Careful consideration of the indication for device closure for atrium septal defect is necessary in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Effective long-term surgical management of congenital coronary artery fistulas.

Congenital coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare anomaly involving communication between the coronary artery and any cardiac chamber. We retrospectively studied 23 patients with CAF who were surgically treated at 2 institutes over the past 38 years. All patients had continuous murmur and were diagnosed using echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Eighteen patients had no other heart anomalies, and 5 had an associated anomaly. Fifteen patients were treated using cardiopulmonary bypass via differential surgical approaches (6 patients, CAF orifice closure through cardiac chamber; 6, coronary arteriotomy for CAF orifice closure; and 3, CAF ligation). Eight patients underwent CAF ligation without cardiopulmonary bypass. CAF originated from the right coronary artery in 11 patients; the left coronary artery in 10, and both arteries in 2. Drainage occurred at the following sites: the right ventricle (10 patients), right atrium (6), left ventricle (4), left atrium (2), and pulmonary artery (1). All surgeries were performed through a median sternotomy. There were no mortalities during or after the hospital stay. Aortic root replacement was performed in 1 patient 30 years after the CAF surgery. Three of the 6 patients who underwent coronary arteriotomy for CAF orifice closure showed coronary artery occlusion at the distal coronary arteriotomy site with long-term collateral formation. Surgical management of CAF was thus effective, resulting in 100% long-term survival and closure rates. Dilated CAF-associated vessels have been normalized for the long term. CAF should be therefore considered even in asymptomatic patients because of the risk of future complications.

Mid- to long-term surgical outcomes of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate mid- to long-term morbidity and mortality after the repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections (PAPVCs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 29 consecutive patients who underwent surgery in 1991-2010 at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital. Median follow-up period: 9.9 years. Median age at operation: 7.4 years. Median body weight: 22.4 kg. Right PAPVC (n = 23), left-PAPVC (n = 5), and mixed PAPVC (n = 1) were identified. RESULTS: In the 14 patients with a right upper pulmonary vein (PV) connected to the superior vena cava (SVC) and/or cavo-atrial junction, the following were performed: single-patch diversion (n = 6), double-patch diversion (n = 4), Warden procedure (n = 1), and atrial septation with the atrial wall (n = 3). In the nine patients with a right anomalous PV connected to the right atrium (RA) and/or coronary sinus, intra-atrial rerouting was performed (n = 7) and translocation of the atrial septum (n = 2). Intra-atrial rerouting of the left upper and lower PVs to the coronary sinus (n = 1) and direct anastomosis of the left upper PV to the left atrial appendage (n = 4) were performed. Double-patch diversion and direct anastomosis of the left upper PV to the left atrial appendage was performed in a patient with mixed PAPVC. There were no post-operative deaths or reoperations, although transient sinus node dysfunction occurred (n = 2 with atrial septation and intra-atrial rerouting), while mild stenosis of the SVC occurred (n = 1 with double-patch diversion). CONCLUSIONS: The various methods which we used for PAPVC repair all appear to have reasonable outcomes, although rhythm disturbance and stenotic complications were confirmed in a few patients.

An early viral response to standard interferon-alpha identifies resistance to combination therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin in patients infected by HCV genotype 1.

As combination therapy with peginterferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin has a high morbidity, identifying individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who will not respond to the treatment would be beneficial. The early responses of serum HCV RNA levels to standard interferon (IFN) and PEG-IFN were examined to determine if it was possible to identify resistance to combination therapy. One hundred thirty-one patients infected with HCV genotype 1b were enrolled. Patients were given 6 MU of standard IFN alpha-2b at least 2 weeks before initiating combination therapy. Serum HCV RNA levels were measured before, 24 hr after the administration of standard IFN, and 24 hr after the administration of PEG-IFN (at the start of the combination therapy). The association between reductions in HCV RNA levels at 24 hr after the administration of standard IFN and PEG-IFN and the outcome of combination therapy were analyzed. Reductions in HCV RNA levels were poorer in patients who did not respond than in those with a sustained virologic responses or relapses (P < 0.0001), both 24 hr after the administration of standard IFN and 24 hr after the administration of PEG-IFN. Reductions in HCV RNA levels 24 hr after the administration of standard IFN were an independent factor associated with non-response by multivariate analysis. An early reduction in viral load to a single administration of standard IFN is a useful predictor of non-response in patients with HCV genotype 1, allowing for pretreatment identification of patients who will not benefit from combination therapy.

Surgical correction of isolated unilateral absence of right pulmonary artery.

A 2-year-old girl with isolated unilateral absence of right pulmonary artery is described. Catheterization at 5 months demonstrated hypoplastic right pulmonary artery by pulmonary venous wedge angiography, and the patient underwent right Blalock-Taussig shunt and angioplasty of right pulmonary artery with autologous pericardial roll as an initial step. At 2 years, she underwent anastomosis of right pulmonary artery to main pulmonary artery with an autologous pericardial tube. Postoperative computed tomography showed a patent reconstructed right pulmonary artery.

Long-term prognosis of bile duct stones: endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation versus endoscopic sphincterotomy.

AIM: Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD), which allows preservation of papillary functions, is used as the first-line therapy in our hospital for common bile duct (CBD) stones to reduce biliary complications. In the present study, we investigated causal factors for CBD stones and compared long-term prognosis between EPBD and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). METHODS: A total of 453 EPBD and 233 EST cases treated between April 1996 and May 2007 were examined. They were categorized into four groups: group 1, gallbladder (GB) with stones was resected after CBD stones were extracted (cholecystectomy for GB with stones); group 2, GB with stones was not resected after CBD stones were extracted (no cholecystectomy for GB with stones); group 3, only CBD stones were extracted while the GB without stones was not resected (GB without stones); and group 4, CBD stones with a history of cholecystectomy (absence of GB). Then, postoperative recurrence of CBD stones was compared. To examine changes in papillary functions by EPBD, Oddi's sphincter pressure was measured before and after EPBD. RESULTS: Recurrence was observed in 31 EPBD and 40 EST cases. When recurrence rates by EPBD/EST were compared among the four treatment groups, they were lower with EPBD than with EST in all groups. Oddi's sphincter functions were preserved by 70% after EPBD. CONCLUSION: Low-pressure EPBD in combination with isosorbide dinitrate enabled preservation of papillary functions by 70%, which would improve a long-term prognosis.