Liver metastases 2 years after resection of a very-low-risk duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors, but are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The risk classification of GISTs is based on the tumor size, mitotic index, tumor site, and presence of tumor rupture. Recurrence in the very-low-risk group is extremely rare. We herein report a case of liver metastases 2 years after resection of a very-low-risk duodenal GIST. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old woman presented to the hospital for evaluation of melena. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed bleeding from the exposed blood vessels at the top of a submucosal tumor approximately 20 mm in size located in the second (descending) part of the duodenum, and the bleeding was controlled with electrocoagulation. A GIST was suspected, and the patient underwent wedge resection of the duodenum. The resected specimen contained a 16- × 12-mm (< 20-mm) white submucosal tumor composed of spindle cells with a mitotic count of 4 per 50 high-power fields, and a histologically negative margin was achieved. Immunochemical analysis revealed positive tumor staining for c-kit protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin and negative staining for CD34, desmin, and S-100 protein. Therefore, the tumor was diagnosed as a very-low-risk duodenal GIST based on the Fletcher classification and modified Fletcher classification (Joensuu classification). The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 11. At the follow-up visit 2 years postoperatively, contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed liver tumors in S8 and S6 measuring 26 × 24 and 10 × 10 mm, respectively. Both lesions showed peripheral dominant hyperenhancement with hypoenhancement inside, indicating tissue degeneration within the tumors. These imaging findings closely resembled those of the duodenal GIST. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with liver metastases of GIST 2 years postoperatively. She was subsequently started on treatment with 400 mg of imatinib. At the time of this writing (2 months after diagnosis), the patient was clinically well and asymptomatic and was continuing imatinib therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of very-low-risk GISTs is extremely rare. Even a small GIST with low mitotic activity can never be considered completely benign, and long-term follow-up is necessary.

Sarcopenia discriminates poor prognosis in elderly patients following emergency surgery for perforation panperitonitis.

AIM: Sarcopenia has been reported as a prognostic predictor in various conditions; however, it has not been examined in patients with perforation panperitonitis. METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive patients with perforation panperitonitis who underwent emergency surgery from 2008 to 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured as the cross-sectional area (cm2) of skeletal muscle in the L3 region on computed tomography images normalized for height (cm2/m2). Sarcopenia was defined as an SMI of ≤43.75 and ≤41.10 cm2/m2 in men and women, respectively. The impact of sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes was investigated. RESULTS: Sarcopenia was present in 50 (48.5%) patients. Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIb) and in-hospital mortality were more frequently observed in patients with than without sarcopenia (28.0% vs 9.4%, P = .015) (20.0% vs 5.7%, P = .029) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age, sarcopenia, and renal dysfunction were independent risk factors for severe complications and in-hospital mortality. The optimal cut-off levels of age and SMI for predicting these were ≥79 years and SMI <38 cm2/m2, respectively. Among the patients aged ≥79 years, those with SMI <38 cm2/m2 had a severe complication rate of 71% and an in-hospital mortality rate of 57%, whereas the rate of those with SMI ≥38 cm2/m2 was 22% (P = .011) and 11% (P = .008), respectively. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is a predictive factor of severe complications and in-hospital mortality following emergency surgery for perforation panperitonitis, especially in elderly patients. Estimation of sarcopenia may identify patients eligible or not eligible for emergency surgery among elderly patients.

Pediatric plexiform fibromyxoma: A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Plexiform fibromyxoma (PF) is a rare gastric mesenchymal tumor, with approximately 80 cases reported to date. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, the most common primary mesenchymal tumor of the stomach, shows different biological and clinical characteristics between adult and pediatric patients. OBJECTIVES: This systematic literature review was conducted to elucidate the pathological and clinical features of pediatric PF compared to adult PF. METHODS: MEDLINE (1948 to March 2018) and EMBASE (1947 to March 2018) were searched, and all English articles that reported clinical data on PF patients were identified. Two authors independently reviewed the articles and extracted data to assess immunohistochemistry, sex, chief complaint, tumor size, tumor-related mortality, and tumor recurrence and metastasis. RESULTS: A total of 41 reports with 80 PF patients (of whom 70 were adult PF and 10 were pediatric PF patients) confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical findings were included. Of a total of 80 tumors, 62 (78%) were located in the gastric antrum, 42 (65%) presented with ulceration, and 48 (74%) were resected by partial gastrectomy. Median tumor size of the resected specimen was larger in pediatric PF than in adult PF cases (5.3 cm vs 4.0 cm, P = .036). However, there was no difference between pediatric and adult PFs in immunohistochemical expression, sex predominance, chief complaint, tumor-related mortality, and tumor recurrence and metastasis during the follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: Other than increased tumor growth in pediatric PFs, PF is a single disease entity with similar pathological features and benign clinical behavior regardless of onset age.

Laparoscopic Left Hepatectomy for Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma Controlled After Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Although spontaneous tumour rupture is a life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), staged hepatectomy for HCC controlled after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) could provide a better prognosis. Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has been accepted worldwide and has been expanded from minor resection to anatomical major resection. We herein report the first case of pure laparoscopic left hepatectomy for ruptured HCC controlled after TAE. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old man was transferred to our Institute because of abdominal pain and decreased consciousness. Ruptured HCC in segment IV and massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage were diagnosed. Emergency TAE was performed, achieving haemostasis. Reduction of intra-abdominal haemorrhage was confirmed at the 3-month follow-up, and no intrahepatic metastasis or peritoneal dissemination was present. Therefore, we performed elective laparoscopic left hepatectomy for the remaining HCC 110 days after TAE. Although dense adhesion was found in the upper right peritoneal cavity and greater omentum enveloping the remaining haemorrhage on the underside of the liver, there was no disseminated involvement in the peritoneal cavity. The operative time was 194 minutes, and intraoperative blood loss was 100 g. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 6. CONCLUSION: Major LLR may be an option for staged hepatectomy in patients with ruptured HCC controlled after TAE.

Therapeutic Strategy for Incarcerated Obturator Hernia Using Preoperative Manual Reduction and Laparoscopic Repair.

BACKGROUND: Obturator hernia (OH) is a rare but serious disease associated with high morbidity and mortality due to advanced patient age and comorbidities. This study evaluated the feasibility of a laparoscopic approach to OH. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 32 patients (median age 84 years; 31 women) with OH treated between 2003 and 2016. RESULTS: Five patients with incidental OH underwent total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. Of 27 patients with incarcerated OH, 18 patients underwent laparotomy, 13 of which required bowel resection, and the remaining 9 patients underwent preoperative ultrasound-guided manual OH reduction. Of 6 patients with successful OH release, 3 and 2 patients underwent TEP and transabdominal preperitoneal repair, respectively, and 1 patient declined the operation. Three patients with failure underwent laparoscopic exploration and conversion to open operation for bowel resection. Comparing the open and laparoscopic groups, the median operation times were 67.5 minutes vs 124 minutes, respectively (p = 0.004); median postoperative stay was 19 vs 11 days, respectively (p = 0.028); and Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher complications tended to be lower (28% vs 8%, respectively; p = 0.359). Even in patients without bowel resection, the median postoperative stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group compared with the open group (7.5 vs 15 days, respectively; p = 0.032). During a mean follow-up of 24.5 months, the 3-year recurrence rate for OH was 25% for non-mesh repair and 0% for mesh repair (p = 0.335). Three- and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 83% and 71%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic operations after ultrasound-guided manual reduction can be an alternative to emergent laparotomy in select OH patients.

Comparison of the prognostic values of preoperative inflammation-based parameters in patients with breast cancer.

Peripheral blood-derived inflammation-based markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are indicators of prognosis in various malignant tumors. The present study aimed to identify the inflammation-based parameters that are most suitable for predicting outcomes in patients with breast cancer. Two hundred ninety-six patients who underwent surgery for localized breast cancer were reviewed retrospectively. The association between clinicopathological factors and inflammation-based parameters were investigated. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent prognostic indicators associated with disease-free survival (DFS). The NLR level correlated significantly with tumor size (P<0.05). The PLR level correlated with the expression of estrogen receptor and lymph node involvement (P<0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that lower CRP and PLR values as well as tumor size, lymph node involvement, and nuclear grade were significantly associated with superior DFS (CRP: P<0.01; PLR, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and nuclear grade: P<0.05). On multivariate analysis, CRP (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-7.88, P<0.05), PLR (HR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.07-6.36, P<0.05) and nuclear grade (HR: 3.066, 95% CI: 1.26-7.49, P<0.05) were significant prognostic indicators of DFS in patients with breast cancer. Neither LMR nor NLR significantly predicted DFS. Both preoperative CRP and PLR values were independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with breast carcinoma; these were superior to other inflammation-based scores in terms of prognostic ability.

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater diagnosed after surgical treatment for Lemmel's syndrome.

Lemmel's syndrome encompasses a range of conditions in which a juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum exerts mechanical and functional effects on the common bile and pancreatic ducts, leading to jaundice and pancreatitis. In this report, we describe a very rare case of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater that was detected during postoperative follow-up in a patient who had undergone choledochojejunostomy following a diagnosis of Lemmel's syndrome. We present our clinical and pathological experiences with the diagnosis and treatment of this case as well as a review of the present literature concerning Lemmel's syndrome.

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck extending in the retroperitoneal space: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rarely encountered entity. We report a case underwent laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) treatment for a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck extending in the extraperitoneal space mainly. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 37-year-old woman complained of painless and reducible swelling in her left groin, and referred to our hospital for surgical management against left inguinal hernia with the incarcerated ovary. Ultrasonography and MR images revealed a cystic mass in the retroperitoneal space, and we diagnosed as an unusual type of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. The patient was scheduled for laparoscopic treatment. Laparoscopic findings on pneumoperitoneum showed an extraperitoneal cystic tumor with no contact with the left ovary. The fascia and peritoneum of the port site were closed, and then an extraperitoneal space was created. The cystic tumor with the round ligament of the uterus was dissected and resected by the TEP technique. The extended deep inguinal ring was repaired with polypropylene mesh. Postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck in the adult female is a rare condition. The accurate diagnosis of an inguinal hydrocele in a female is seldom made. Laparoscopic examination provides surgeons with information of inguinal swelling accompanied with retroperitoneal cyst, and consecutive treatment by laparoscopic technique, especially TEP, is useful in regard to minimal damage of the peritoneum. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic diagnosis and TEP treatment offers a useful alternative in selected patients with hydrocele of the canal of Nuck.

[Successful laparoscopic repair of delayed traumatic abdominal wall hernia].

The occurrence of traumatic abdominal wall hernia secondary to blunt trauma is uncommon, and laparoscopic repair of such hernias is very rare. A 53-year-old man, who had sustained injuries to his right thigh and right abdomen 8 months previously, visited a hospital because of a bulge in the right lateral abdomen. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a rupture in the lateral abdominal muscle and herniation of the cecum into the subcutaneous space. Accordingly, delayed traumatic abdominal wall hernia was diagnosed, which was successfully repaired laparoscopically. Thus, a laparoscopic tension-free mesh repair was safely and effectively performed for delayed traumatic abdominal wall hernia.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the remnant stomach: report of a case.

We herein report a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma that developed in a remnant stomach. A 76-year-old male with a history of distal gastrectomy for a duodenal ulcer 28 years earlier underwent investigation for a tumor in the remnant stomach. An endoscopic survey showed a round elevated tumor measuring 6 cm in diameter, and a biopsy specimen suggested carcinosarcoma. A total gastrectomy of the remnant stomach was performed, and the excised tumor was identified to be a malignant neoplasm consisting of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. A diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma was made since the epithelial markers were positive even in the mesenchymal elements of the tumor. To our knowledge, only 4 cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the stomach have been reported in the English literature so far.

Graft-versus-host disease following living donor liver transplantation.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the most common and well-known cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Sporadic cases have been reported after cadaveric donor liver transplantation with usually fatal outcomes, however, the actual incidence and the characteristics of GVHD after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remain unknown. We herein report a person who developed fatal GVHD following LDLT and discuss the applicability of an HLA-homozygous donor to an HLA-haploidentical recipient. A 48-year-old male underwent LDLT for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The donor was his 20-year-old son whose pretransplant HLA typing was homozygous at all loci. GVHD occurred 35 days after LDLT and was characterized by fever, diarrhea, maculopapular rash, and leukopenia, which led to the development of fatal pneumonia. We identified 4 cases of GVHD after LDLT in Japan and 1 in the United States, all associated with the use of an HLA-homozygous donor. The use of an HLA homozygous donor which results in a complete 1-way donor-recipient HLA match carries an extremely high risk of developing GVHD after LDLT. Therefore, it is possible that LDLT should be ruled out for such donors. A pretransplant work-up of the HLA type in both the donors and recipients is therefore imperative before determining the indications for LDLT.

Use of steatotic graft in living-donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The degree of fatty infiltration in hepatic grafts is known to be an important risk factor for primary graft nonfunction in cadaveric liver transplantation. However, the effect of hepatic steatosis in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has not yet been well defined. In this study, we evaluated the impact that the degree of hepatic graft steatosis has on the outcome of LDLT. METHODS: Sixty consecutive donors and recipients who underwent LDLT between October 1996 and August 2001 at Kyushu University Hospital were the subjects of this study. The pathologic findings of the prereperfusion biopsy of the graft were classified into the following three groups according to the degree of macrovesicular steatosis: None (n=23), 0% steatosis; Mild (n=23), 0% to 20% steatosis; and Moderate (n=6), 20% to 50% steatosis. Liver function tests including total bilirubin (at postoperative day [POD] 7), the peak alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and prothrombin time (at POD 3), and both patient and graft survival were compared among the groups. Furthermore, we also compared the donor parameters including the peak ALT and total bilirubin (at POD 3) and the operative time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay after surgery. RESULTS: The 1-year patient and graft survival were comparable among the groups. The peak ALT was significantly higher in the Moderate group (606+/-641 IU/L) than in the None (290+/-190 IU/L) and Mild (376+/-296 IU/L) groups. Total bilirubin (POD 7) and prothrombin time (POD 3) were comparable among the groups. The donor parameters were comparable among the groups except for the fact that the donor body weight of the Mild and Moderate groups were significantly heavier (P<0.0001) than that of the None group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the use of a fatty liver graft up to the moderate level can be justified in LDLT, even though ischemia-reperfusion injury tends to be severe in such grafts.

Feasibility of duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in left-lobe adult-living-donor liver transplantation.

A Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (CDJ) has been the sole method of choice for the reconstruction of the bile duct in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using left-lobe grafts. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of duct-to-duct (DD) biliary reconstruction in adult-to-adult LDLT using left-lobe grafts. Between October 1996 and October 2001, 46 adult-to-adult LDLTs using the left lobe were performed at our institution. The DD biliary reconstruction (hepaticocholedochostomy) over a T-tube was performed for seven of the last nine recipients (DD group, n=7), whereas the conventional Roux-en-Y CDJ was used for the remaining cases (CDJ group, n=39). The technical problems and the incidence of biliary complications were compared between the groups. Bile leakage developed in only 1 of 7 (14%) in the DD group (leakage from a T-tube exit site), whereas it occurred in 8 of 39 (20%) in the CDJ group. Up to now, no patients from the DD group developed anastomotic stricture, whereas twelve (30.7%) patients from the CDJ group did. Other complications included bleeding from the Roux-en-Y jejunojejunostomy (n=1) and anastomotic occlusion caused by an internal stent (n=1), and both complications were associated with CDJ. In conclusion, DD anastomosis is a simple and viable option for biliary reconstruction in left-lobe LDLTs. A long-term follow-up, especially regarding the incidence of biliary stricture, is thus warranted in such patients.

Characteristics of liver grafts in living-donor adult liver transplantation: comparison between right- and left-lobe grafts.

HYPOTHESIS: Few studies have investigated the results of research focused on living-donor adult liver transplantation. Different characteristics between right- and left-lobe grafts have not yet been clarified in living-donor adult liver transplantation. Left-lobe graft remains an important option, even in adult recipients. SETTING: A single liver transplantation center with a long history of hepatic resection. PATIENTS: Forty-five donors received left-lobe (n = 39) and right-lobe (n = 6) grafts. The clinicopathological data for the donor, graft, and recipient were compared. All left-lobe grafts were extended grafts that included the middle hepatic vein, and 24 of the 39 left-lobe grafts included the left caudate lobe. No right-lobe graft included a middle hepatic vein. RESULTS: The postoperative aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin values of the donor in the right-lobe graft group were higher, and the postoperative hospital stay was longer than in the left-lobe graft group. Graft weight in the left-lobe graft group was lighter than in the right-lobe graft group (median weight, 450 vs 675 g). The median graft weight divided by the standard liver volume in the left-lobe graft group was 41% (range, 21%-66%), compared with 52% (range, 47%-75%) in the right-lobe graft group. We found no difference in terms of the incidence of postoperative complications between groups. No difference in induced complications of small-for-size grafts such as intractable ascites and persistent hyperbilirubinemia was evident between groups. The survival rate for grafts at 18 months was 75.0% in the right-lobe graft group compared with 85.6% in the left-lobe group. In the right-lobe graft group, we found a few cases in which a marked poor-perfusion area in the anterior segment caused liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Left-lobe grafts are a feasible option for living-donor adult liver transplantation, and in the case of right-lobe grafts, hepatic venous drainage is one of the most critical problems.

Living-donor liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure in adult patients with a left-lobe graft.

BACKGROUND: Living donors are practically the only source of organs in countries where the availability of cadaveric donors is severely restricted, such as Japan. A left-lobe graft, in which one third of the liver is donated, is therefore used for adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). METHODS: Fifteen adult patients with FHF, ranging from 22 to 59 years of age, were treated with LDLT with a left-lobe graft. Preoperative encephalopathy was grade II in 2 patients, grade III in 4 patients, and grade IV in 9 patients. The graft volume (GV) ranged from 260 to 570 mL, thus corresponding to 23% to 54% of the recipients' standard liver volume (SLV). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their GV/SLV: a medium-size graft group (GV/SLV > or =30%; group M, n = 11) and a small-size graft group (GV/SLV <30%; group S, n = 4). The effects of GV/SLV on graft function and survival were compared. Postoperative neurologic complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: The donors are all doing well. Twelve (80%) of the 15 recipients are still alive, with a follow-up period of from 3 to 43 months. No statistically significant differences were observed in the postoperative serum levels of bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase, prothrombin time, or frequency of postoperative complications between the 2 groups. The graft and patient survival rates were 75% (3/4) and 75% (3/4) in group S and 73% (8/11) and 82% (9/11) in group M, respectively. All patients who survived the perioperative period recovered without any neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: The high success rate and low donor risk of LDLT may therefore justify its use for adult patients with FHF using a left-lobe graft.

Perioperative management and complications in donors related to living-donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Living-donor liver transplantation has become a legitimate alternative to cadaveric liver transplantation. However, information on the perioperative management of donors is still scarce. METHODS: Between October 1996 and May 2001, 52 consecutive living-donor liver transplantations have been performed at the authors' institution. The preoperative and postoperative management of donors, operative technique, and complications are herein described. RESULTS: All donors were discharged from the hospital alive and well, and all returned to their normal lifestyle without any significant adverse sequelae after a mean hospital stay of 13 days after the operation. Overall, 24 complications occurred, all of which could be managed conservatively, except for one case of hepatic duct stricture that required a relaparotomy. A learning curve has been observed in terms of blood loss during donor hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that our approach toward the selection and management of donors was appropriate. Because of the use of meticulous operative techniques, blood loss could also be minimized.

Hepatic artery reconstruction in living-donor liver transplantation: a review of its techniques and complications.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic arterial reconstruction is one of the most difficult procedures in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) because the artery used is generally small in diameter and has a short stalk. If hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurs, the recipient clinical course will be unstable. The introduction of microvascular hepatic arterial reconstruction has significantly decreased the incidence of HAT. METHODS: Fifty-two cases of LDLT were performed from October 1995 to May 2001 in our institution. Hepatic arterial reconstruction was performed under microscopic guidance. RESULTS: HATs were recognized in 2 cases (3.8%), both of which needed reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons who perform hepatic arterial reconstruction in LDLT should be highly trained in microvascular techniques to decrease the incidence of HAT. This commentary reviews the surgical techniques of hepatic arterial reconstruction and possible complications that may arise in a reconstructed hepatic artery.