Significance of Serum Leucine-rich Alpha-2 Glycoprotein as a Diagnostic Marker in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) has been utilized for adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, its efficacy in pediatric IBD remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of serum LRG for pediatric IBD with that of current inflammatory markers, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). This retrospective case-control study included pediatric patients, aged <16 years, who underwent colonoscopy and/or esophagogastroduodenoscopy between April 2017 and March 2022. All eligible patients were divided into two groups: patients with IBD, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and non-IBD controls. The optimal cut-off value of serum LRG for IBD diagnosis was determined from receiver operating characteristic analysis, and diagnostic accuracy of serum LRG was compared to serum ESR and CRP. A total of 53 patients (24 with IBD and 29 non-IBD controls) met the inclusion criteria. The cut-off value of serum LRG for IBD diagnosis was determined to be 19.5 µg/ml. At this cut-off value, serum LRG had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.80 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.88. In contrast, PPV and NPV were 0.78 and 0.70 for serum ESR and 0.82 and 0.72 for serum CRP, respectively. Serum LRG can be a potential diagnostic marker for pediatric IBD, with higher diagnostic accuracy than that of the conventional serum markers ESR and CRP.

Endosurgery workshop to improve the confidence of novice pediatric surgeons in performing laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the efficacy of a high-impact, short-term workshop in honing the laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy technical skills and self-confidence of novice pediatric surgeons, focusing on vertical needle driving and knot tying. METHODS: Lectures, hands-on sessions, pre- and post-workshop evaluations, and training using porcine models were conducted to refine basic and advanced skills. The "hepaticojejunostomy simulator" was used for comparative analysis of precision in pre- and post-workshop vertical needle driving and knot tying. Participants self-evaluated their skills and confidence on a 5-point scale. RESULTS: After the workshop, eight inexperienced pediatric surgeons demonstrated a significant improvement in hepaticojejunostomy suturing task completion rates and needle-driving precision at the jejunum and hepatic duct. However, the A-Lap Mini Endoscopic Surgery Skill Assessment System indicated no significant improvements in most assessed parameters, except for the full-layer closure score (p = 0.03). However, a significant increase in participants' confidence levels in performing laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy was observed. CONCLUSION: The workshop augmented technical proficiency and confidence in young pediatric surgeons. The combination of lectures, practical exposure, and model training is an effective educational strategy in pediatric surgical instruction.

[A Case of Pancreatic Body Cancer with Peritoneal Dissemination Followed Up for 15 Months without Recurrence].

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the gastroenterology division of our hospital due to abdominal pain and vomiting. Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT showed a tumor at the body of the pancreas and main pancreatic duct dilation. She was diagnosed with carcinoma of the body of the pancreas via EUS-FNA. There was no vascular invasion or distant metastasis on preoperative imaging. She was introduced to the Gastrointestinal Surgery division where a mesenteric nodule was found at the time of the surgery. Intraoperative frozen section confirmed the diagnosis of occult peritoneal metastases. After consulting with her family, we completed the pancreatosplenectomy. On histopathological examination, this case was TS2, tub2, pT3, mpd0, S1, RP1, PV0, A0, PL0, OO0, N0, M1(PER), CY1, PCM0, DPM0, R1, stage Ⅳ. After the operation, we treated the patient with gemcitabine(GEM)plus nab-paclitaxel for 3 months(4 courses). She then developed side effects such as anorexia and tiredness. After discussing with the patient, chemotherapy was discontinued. The patient remains alive without recurrence 19 months after the operation. Patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma have poor prognoses because they are no longer candidates for surgical therapy. We encountered a case of pancreatic body cancer with peritoneal dissemination, followed up for 15 months without recurrence.

[A Case of Synchronous Triple Cancer of the Stomach, Intrahepatic Bile Duct, and Prostate].

A 73-year-old man presented with the chief complaint of hematemesis(bloody vomiting). Upon examination, he was diagnosed as having gastric cancer with liver metastasis. He consulted our hospital for a second opinion. Gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a 50 mm early stomach cancer. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a progressive contrast-enhanced tumor in the S7 segment of the liver. FDG-PET/CT showed increased FDG uptake in the prostate. High PSA levels were also observed. He was diagnosed as having gastric cancer and prostate carcinoma. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic liver cancer were mentioned as differential diagnoses of the liver tumor. Hormonal therapy for prostate carcinoma failed to reduce the size of the liver tumor. PSA staining of the liver biopsy revealed negative results. As gastric cancer rarely metastasizes, metastatic liver cancer was unlikely. The patient was diagnosed as having intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. He underwent distal gastrectomy with hepatic posterior sectionectomy. The treatment strategy for multiple cancers depends on the primary lesion and the stage of cancer progression. Therefore, adequate evaluation is necessary before initiating treatment.

[A Case Report of a Patient Over 90 Years of Age with Liver Metastasis after Sigmoid Colectomy Controlled by a Combination Oral UFT/LV Chemotherapy Regimen].

A92 -year-old woman underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy with D3 lymphadenectomy. Histological examination confirmed a pT3(SS), pN0, pM0, pStageⅡ tumor. Abdominal CT 6 months after surgery revealed liver metastasis close to the right branch of the portal vein in the S6 region of the liver. There were no indications for transcatheter arterial embolization, radiofrequency ablation, or hepatectomy. Although she had Grade 3 neutropenia, the patient received 15 courses of oral UFT/LV. Three courses of UFT/LV plus bevacizumab were also administered. She was judged to have achieved stable disease (SD); however, Grade 4 proteinuria was observed. After she was administered 2 courses of TAS-102, we shifted to best supportive care. She died of a sigmoid cancer 32 months after UFT/LV initiation. Careful adaptation of chemotherapy can be used to control a patient's condition during certain periods, even in patients with super-advanced age.