Gallbladder aspiration for acute cholecystitis in average-surgical-risk patients.

We conducted a retrospective case note review to assess whether or not gallbladder aspiration can be applied as a temporary measure for the treatment of acute cholecystitis in average-surgical-risk patients. Gallbladder aspiration was performed in 79 consecutive average-surgical-risk patients with acute cholecystitis, who had no indications of emergent surgery and who complained of severe colicky pain. Elective surgery became possible in 92% of patients by gallbladder aspiration. The percentage reached 97 when percutaneous cholecystostomy was added (four patients). Emergent surgery was needed in one patient suffering bile leakage following gallbladder aspiration. Colicky pain was controlled soon after the procedure in most cases. Neither major complications nor mortalities were observed in the following surgical therapies. It is suggested that gallbladder aspiration might be applied as a temporary measure for acute cholecystitis in average-surgical-risk patients, although early surgery should remain the primary choice of therapy in such patients.

Long-term observation after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt in two patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Two patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS) and followed for 22 and 58 months thereafter. HCC was well controlled by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Hepatic failure or metastasis, especially in the lung, was not observed in the long-term observation. TIPS seems to be useful even in patients with HCC, provided HCC is controlled.

Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene during allograft rejection following rat liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is believed to play a role in hepatic allograft rejection. However, the specific cellular population responsible for TNF-alpha production during hepatic allograft rejection is not known. Circulating monocyte-macrophage cells are the primary systemic sources of TNF-alpha. In the liver, Kupffer cells are the main producers of TNF-alpha. In this study, we determined which cells are involved in TNF-alpha production during allograft rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS: In situ hybridization was used to identify cells with TNF-alpha mRNA in the liver. Immunohistochemical staining with ED2 and ED3 was used to differentiate between cellular types (Kupffer cells versus infiltrating monocytes). To detect DNA fragmentation in liver cells, TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was done. Studies were performed in the rat liver transplant model using rejecting (ACI to LEW) and non-rejecting (ACI to ACI) donor/recipient combinations. RESULTS: In the control group, cells with TNF-alpha mRNA were rarely observed. In the rejection group, TNF-alpha mRNA was observed in mononuclear cells that were mainly within the vessels of the portal region and occasionally in the sinusoids. The cells with the signals for TNF-alpha mRNA were ED2-negative and ED3-positive. DNA fragmentation was observed in hepatocytes as well as infiltrating mononuclear cells. CONCLUSIONS: The main producer of TNF-alpha may be infiltrating mononuclear cells such as monocyte-macrophage cells rather than Kupffer cells during allograft rejection after liver transplantation. Circulating monocyte-macrophages may play a role in the control of allograft rejection.

[New combination therapy with FTM [5-FU, pirarubicin (THP) and MMC] for treatment of inoperable advanced gastric cancer].

Clinical usefulness of a new combination FTM therapy consisting of 5-FU, Pirarubicin (THP) and MMC for the treatment of advanced gastric cancers was investigated. 5-FU, THP or MMC was administered at a dose of 600 mg/m2 on day 1, 8, 22 and 29, 30 mg/m2 on days 1 and 22, and 10 mg/m2 on day one only of each course, respectively. Eighteen patients with inoperable advanced gastric cancer were treated with FTM. All drugs were investigated by intravenously by one shot. The tumor response rate was 50% [9 of 18 showed PR]. The survival rate was higher in responders than in nonresponders (18.1% vs 11.1%) (p < 0.05). Side effects in the gastrointestinal tract were minimal. Cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were not detected, but myelosuppression was prominent in most cases. G-CSF was given in sixteen patients (88%), and platelet transfusion was performed in two patients (11%). New combination FTM therapy is an effective treatment regimen even for advanced inoperable gastric cancer.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases showing marked response to new combination chemotherapy using 5-FU, THP and MMC (FTM)].

A 67-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases was treated by a new combination chemotherapy using 5-FU, THP and MMC (FTM). After the first course of FTM, both abnormal liver function and the elevated level of serum CA 19-9 were restored. After the second course of FTM, the primary lesion became a small ulcer around cardia. A partial response was recognized both in the primary lesion and in the liver metastases. No serious side effect was observed except for leukocytopenia, which was controlled by G-CSFS. This new combination chemotherapy (FTM) was suggested to be useful even for far advanced gastric cancer.