[A case of postoperative recurrent gastric cancer resembling esophageal achalasia diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration].

A 74 year-old man underwent subtotal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in 2000. The histological type of the cancer was signet-ring cell carcinoma, and the clinical stage was stage II (T2, N1, M0). In June 2008 the patient was referred to our hospital complaining of dysphagia. Esophageal endoscopy revealed a circular stenosis with covered with normal mucosa between the lower esophagus and the esophago-gastric junction. Histologically, samples obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) revealed signet-ring cell carcinoma. Our experience suggests that EUS-FNA was useful for the histological diagnosis of recurrence of gastric cancer.

Endoscopic approach through the minor papilla for the management of pancreatic diseases.

AIM: To clarify the efficacy and safety of an endoscopic approach through the minor papilla for the management of pancreatic diseases. METHODS: This study included 44 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed in 34 patients using a minor papilla approach between April 2007 and March 2012. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical profiles of the patients, the endoscopic interventions, short-term outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Of 44 ERCPs, 26 were diagnostic ERCP, and 18 were therapeutic ERCP. The most common cause of difficult access to the main pancreatic duct through the major papilla was pancreas divisum followed by distortion of Wirsung's duct. The overall success rate of minor papilla cannulation was 80% (35/44), which was significantly improved by wire-guided cannulation (P = 0.04). Endoscopic minor papillotomy (EMP) was performed in 17 of 34 patients (50%) using a needle-knife (13/17) or a pull-type papillotome (4/17). EMP with pancreatic stent placement, which was the main therapeutic option for patients with chronic pancreatitis, recurrent acute pancreatitis, and pancreatic pseudocyst, resulted in short-term clinical improvement in 83% of patients. Mild post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred as an early complication in 2 cases (4.5%). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic minor papilla approach is technically feasible, safe, and effective when the procedure is performed in a high-volume referral center by experienced endoscopists.