The advantage of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of Spigelian hernia: A report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The usefulness of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of Spigelian hernias and the appropriate insufflation pressure remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 involved an 81-year-old woman presented with a right abdominal protrusion. CT scan demonstrated a defect in the abdominal wall at the lateral edge of the right rectus abdominis muscle. We diagnosed as Spigelian hernia and performed laparoscopic hernia repair. The insufflation pressure was set at 10 cm H 2 O, and the IPOM method was selected as the repair method. Case 2 involved a 74-year-old male presented with a right abdominal painful bulging. Strangulation was released and CT scan demonstrated a defect in the abdominal wall at the lateral edge of the right rectus abdominis muscle. We diagnosed as Spigelian hernia and performed laparoscopic hernia repair. The insufflation pressure was set at 10 cmH 2 O, and the repair was performed by the hybrid method. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: In both cases, the positions of the hernia portals marked preoperatively based on the tender areas and confirmed laparoscopically were not accurate. Although Spigelian hernia is a rare disease and various laparoscopic techniques have been reported in recent years, laparoscopic surgery is very useful to obtain an accurate diagnosis and to observe the abdominal wall from inside the abdominal cavity under insufflation, and it is better to decide the repair method according to the situation of each case and institution. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery is important for accurate diagnosis in surgery of Spiegel's hernia, and insufflation pressure of 10 cmH2O was sufficient.

Necrotizing soft tissue infection of the thigh associated with retroperitoneal abscess in a patient with locally advanced ascending colon cancer: A case report.

Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) is a rare but rapidly progressing soft-tissue infection. Few reports of NSTI caused by colon cancer have been published. We present a rare case of NSTI of the thigh associated the retroperitoneal spread of ascending colon cancer. A 64-year-old man had noticed right hip pain since 3 months before admission, he felt pain in the right thigh which was reddening, and he had difficulty in walking. He was referred to Yokosuka general hospital Uwamachi. Anterolateral aspect of his right thigh was reddening and swelling. The patient was diagnosed with a psoas abscess and a NSTI of the right thigh caused by penetration of ascending colon tumor. The patient underwent debridement of severely necrotized tissue in the right thigh, diverting ileostomy and subsequently a right hemicolectomy with reversal of the ileostomy were performed. He was discharged 70 days after the first surgery. Colon cancer can be a cause of retroperitoneal abscess accompanied by NSTI of the thigh. Two-stage surgery was an efficient option in this patient with NSTI of the thigh associated with locally advanced ascending colon cancer.

Successful treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis as a complication of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Although gastrointestinal involvement in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis is uncommon, it is associated with mild to severe life-threatening complications. We present a case of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis that was treated successfully with hyperbaric oxygen. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old Japanese man with a 3-year history of granulomatosis with polyangiitis consulted our hospital with a complaint of severe back pain. Computed tomography showed a large amount of gas located in his bowel wall and mesentery. He underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy, which led to a diagnosis of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis without intestinal perforation or necrosis. He consequently underwent 13 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and was discharged from our hospital without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Several previous reports have supported the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen for treating pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. The present case, however, is the first in which pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen. We therefore suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be a candidate treatment for pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Toxic shock syndrome caused by suture abscess with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with late onset after Caesarean section.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening multisystem disease known to develop in the early postoperative period after various surgery. We report a rare case in which a patient who underwent Caesarean section developed TSS caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the 39th postoperative day. She was treated with debridement because of the possible diagnosis of necrotizing soft tissue infections. Culture test from the resected specimen was positive for MRSA. She was diagnosed with TSS caused by suture abscess and was treated with intensive care including antimicrobials. After a good postoperative course, she was discharged on the 30th postoperative day. TSS occurring 4 weeks after operation is extremely rare, but late-onset of suture abscess is known to occur. We should becognizant of development with TSS beyond early postoperative period.

Laparoscopic resection of sigmoid colon cancer with intestinal malrotation: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal malrotation is a congenital abnormality which occurs due to a failure of the normal 270° rotation of the midgut. The non-rotation type is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging studies. Intestinal malrotation accompanied by colon cancer is extremely rare. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 53-year-old male presented with postprandial abdominal discomfort. Colonoscopy showed a 14mm polyp in the sigmoid colon and endoscopic polypectomy was performed. Pathological evaluation revealed an adenocarcinoma invading the submucosa more than 1000µm with positive vertical and horizontal margins. A contrast enhanced computed tomography scan showed an anatomic variant of the ileocolic and inferior mesenteric arteries originating from a common channel branching from the abdominal aorta. Laparoscopic sigmoid colon resection was performed. The patient did well post operatively. DISCUSSION: The usual trocar placement for laparoscopic left side colectomy was used, and we found no difficulties intraoperatively. To secure safe ligation, the divisions of the common channel branching from the abdominal aorta were exposed as in a usual D3 dissection, and the inferior mesenteric artery was ligated after confirmation of the bifurcation of the ileocolic and inferior mesenteric artery. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic resection of a sigmoid colon cancer with intestinal malrotation. It was performed without difficulty using the usual trocar placement, with appropriate attention to the variant in vascular anatomy.

Ascending colon cancer associated with deposited ova of Schistosoma japonicum in non-endemic area.

Some reports suggest the positive correlation between Schistosoma japonicum infection and colorectal cancer, however the sufficient evidence that supports a causal relationship between them has not been established. Japan used be an endemic area of S. japonicum infection for 40 years ago. But now all of Japan is a non-endemic area of S. japonicum infection. We report a case of ascending colon cancer associated with deposited ova of S. japonicum in non-endemic area.

Edwardsiella tarda bacteremia with metastatic gastric cancer.

Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) is a rare human pathogen; however, the overall mortality of bacteremia is reported to be up to 50%. Here, we describe a case of cholangitis with E. tarda bacteremia who had a pancreatoduodenectomy for a locally advanced gastric cancer. He was successfully treated using a cefmetazole, a second generation cephalosporin for 14 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report about E. tarda bacteremia after biliary reconstruction.

Flare-Up Diverticulitis in the Terminal Ileum in Short Interval after Conservative Therapy: Report of a Case.

Diverticulitis in the terminal ileum is uncommon. Past reports suggested that conservative therapy may be feasible to treat terminal ileum diverticulitis without perforation; however, there is no consensus on the therapeutic strategy for small bowel diverticulitis. We present a 37-year-old man who was referred to our hospital for sudden onset of abdominal pain and nausea. He was diagnosed with diverticulitis in the terminal ileum by computed tomography (CT). Tazobactam/piperacillin hydrate (18 g/day) was administered. The antibiotic treatment was maintained for 7 days, and the symptoms disappeared after the treatment. Thirty-eight days after antibiotic therapy, he noticed severe abdominal pain again. He was diagnosed with diverticulitis in terminal ileum which was flare-up of inflammation. He was given antibiotic therapy again. Nine days after antibiotic therapy, laparoscopy assisted right hemicolectomy and resection of 20 cm of terminal ileum were performed. Histopathology report confirmed multiple ileal diverticulitis. He was discharged from our hospital 12 days after the surgery. Colonoscopy was performed two months after the surgery and it revealed no finding suggesting inflammatory bowel disease. Surgical treatment should be taken into account as a potential treatment option to manage the diverticulitis in the terminal ileum even though it is not perforated.

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia associated with ogilvie syndrome.

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is one type of acute mesenteric ischemia. Colonic pseudoobstruction, known as Ogilvie syndrome, is a disorder defined by colonic distension in the absence of mechanical obstruction. A relationship between these diseases has not yet been reported, based on a review of the literature. We report a patient with NOMI secondary to Ogilvie syndrome. An 82-year-old woman reported three days of intermittent abdominal pain. Plain computed tomography scan showed colonic obstruction at the rectosigmoid colon. Colonoscopy was performed that showed a large amount of stool and no evidence of tumor or other physical causes of obstruction. We diagnosed the patient with Ogilvie syndrome and continued nonoperative management. On the third hospital day, she complained of abdominal distension. A repeat CT scan showed pneumatosis intestinalis in the small bowel and ascending colon, with portal venous gas. Emergency laparotomy was performed with diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia. Intraoperatively, there were multiple skip ischemic lesions in the small intestine and cecum. We resected the ischemic bowel and performed a distal jejunostomy. Her residual small bowel measured just 20 cm in length. Postoperatively, her general status gradually improved. She was discharged with total parenteral nutrition and a small amount of enteral nutrition.

Duodenal fistula associated with a peri-appendiceal abscess: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Retroperitoneal abscess is an unusual presentation of perforated appendicitis. A fistula between the duodenum and an abscess resulting from appendicitis has not been previously reported. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 53-year-old Japanese man with a past medical history of hypertension and iron deficiency anemia presented with a 10-day history of fever and right lower abdominal pain, and was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal abscess secondary to perforated appendicitis. He was then treated with piperacillin and tazobactam after undergoing ultrasound-guided drainage, after which his overall condition improved. Due to iron deficiency anemia, we performed further evaluation for gastrointestinal bleeding and esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed an elevated lesion with granulomatous tissue in the duodenum, without an associated ulcer. At 10 days after abscess drainage, duodenography with contrast showed continuity between the abscess cavity and the duodenum. At 74 days after drainage, we performed laparoscopic appendectomy. Pathological examination showed granulomatous tissue inside the appendix with an inflammatory background and fecaliths infiltrated by macrophages. DISCUSSION: Perforated appendicitis has various presentations and many unusual fistulae have been reported, however, a fistula between a peri-appendiceal abscess and the duodenum has not yet been reported. A retroperitoneal abscess around the duodenum and appendix should be checked to differentiate it from Valentino's syndrome. CONCLUSION: We present the rare complication of a duodenal fistula during the treatment of perforated appendicitis. The possibility of fistula formation should be considered in patients with complicated appendicitis.

A case of sporadic intestinal cryptosporidiosis diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy.

Sporadic intestinal cryptosporidiosis is not easily diagnosed and might be overlooked. We present here a case of this disease in a 23-year-old Japanese military man with 3 days of abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, and nausea. The frequency of his diarrhea was more than 10 times per day. After his diarrheal bowel symptoms subsided, a colonoscopy was performed because inflammatory bowel disease was suspected. Although the endoscopic findings indicated non-specific ileitis, intestinal cryptosporidiosis was suspected from the histology of ileal biopsy specimens, and this was confirmed ultrastructurally. At that time, however, the patient was on active duty, and thus it was not possible to confirm this as a definitive diagnosis by an adequate stool examination for cryptosporidium. Routine practitioners should be encouraged to carefully inspect patients for this disease, supported by detailed knowledge of it and its diagnosis. If stool-examination results are negative or are not obtained at first, histological diagnosis by endoscopic biopsy could be a useful way to screen for intestinal cryptosporidiosis. Furthermore, stool or histological examination should be performed in recovered patients because the oocysts may continue to be shed for 1 to 4 weeks after the symptoms disappear. Therefore, endoscopic and histological examinations may be useful tools for the early diagnosis of intestinal cryptosporidiosis, although admittedly they are invasive procedures.

[A case of follicular lymphoma with onset of chylothorax].

We report a case of follicular lymphoma with chylothorax. A 45-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of shortness of breath and abdominal distension. Chest X-rays showed bilateral pleural effusion, and an abdominal CT scan revealed a large intraperitoneal tumor around the abdominal aorta and pancreas. Bilateral cervical and inguinal lymph nodes were swollen. Biochemical study of the pleural fluid revealed the presence of chylomicrons, and an inguinal lymph node biopsy led to a follicular lymphoma diagnosis. The patient achieved complete remission, with disappearance of pleural effusion, following 8 cycles of chemothreapy (R-CHOP). Cases of malignant lymphoma with chylothorax are rarely reported in Japan, but should be taken into account when examining cases of non-traumatic chylothorax.

Pilonidal sinus in Japan maritime self-defense force at Yokosuka.

Pilonidal sinus is known to be common among soldiers but not among Asian individuals. Few reports have discussed the occurrence of pilonidal sinus in the navy. We analyzed the incidence and etiological factors of 12 cases (11 patients, with 1 recurrence) of pilonidal sinus diagnosed between 1998 and 2004 in Japan Self-Defense Force Hospital Yokosuka. All patients were male, and all lesions were in the sacral area. The patients' average age and body mass index were 29.1 years and 27.4, respectively. The surgical procedures used were primary closures (10 cases, 83.3%) and flaps (two cases, 16.7%), and the number of postoperative hospital days averaged 11.8. Pilonidal sinus was not found to be significantly common among Japan Self-Defense Force personnel in general (7 of 11 patients with pilonidal sinus; not significant); however, it was significantly more common among the crew members of Japan Self-Defense Force ships (seven of seven patients; p < 0.05), which suggests that the on-board lifestyle contributes to the occurrence of pilonidal sinus.

[A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with bone metastasis responding to concurrent TS-1/low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) therapy and radiotherapy].

A standard treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic metastasis is not established and chemotherapy is ineffective. We experienced a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with bone metastasis that responded to concurrent TS-1/low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) therapy and radiotherapy. A 58-year-old male patient with left iliac bone metastasis after 2 hepatectomies was admitted to our hospital. The titer of serum AFP and PIVKA-II showed an extremely high levels, 12,350.5 ng/ml and 993 mAU/ml, respectively. The uptake area was found at the left iliac bone by scintigraphy with 99mTc-HMDP. Treatment with TS-1/low-dose CDDP therapy and radiotherapy (36 Gy) was started concurrently. The chemotherapy regimen comprised daily oral administration of 100 mg of TS-1 for 21 days and CDDP 10 mg/body infusion (day 1-5, 8-12). An additional 2 courses of TS-1/low-dose CDDP therapy were repeated. After that, severe pain diminished and the titer of serum showed AFP and PIVKA-II had improved to within normal ranges. The uptake at the left iliac bone was found to have decreased by scintigraphy. Adverse events were grade 1 nausea and leucopenia. TS-1/low-dose CDDP therapy seems to be applicable for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with bone metastasis.

[A case of colon carcinoma with unresectable multiple liver metastases responding to various combined chemotherapies centering on hepatic arterial infusion therapy].

We have experienced a case of colon carcinoma with unresectable multiple liver metastases responding to various combined chemotherapies centering on hepatic arterial infusion therapy. A 42-year-old female with descending colon carcinoma and synchronous unresectable multiple liver metastases underwent left hemicolectomy in September 2001. She was treated with chemotherapy centering on hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) following implantation of a reservoir in the outpatient setting. Pharmacokinetic modulating therapy (PMC), and HAI with Leucovorin/CDDP/5-FU and Levoforinate/CDDP/5-FU were conducted sequentially. Alternative HAI of 5-FU with intravenous infusion of Levoforinate and systemic irinotecan/CDDP were continued biweekly after release of the hepatic artery occlusion. Liver metastases shrunk after 6 months of treatment and were remarkably decreased in size in May 2003. Although 3 metastatic lesions existed in both lungs, good quality of life has been maintained in the 2 years following surgery.