Copper deficiency anemia due to zinc supplementation in a chronic hemodialysis patient.

Zinc deficiency causes dysgeusia and dermatitis as well as anemia. As approximately half of dialysis patients have zinc deficiency, zinc supplementation should be considered in case of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)-hyporesponsive anemia. We report a case of a chronic dialysis patient with copper deficiency anemia caused by standard-dose zinc supplementation. The patient was a 70-year-old woman who had received maintenance hemodialysis for 8 years due to diabetic nephropathy. She had been treated with weekly administration of darbepoetin 30 µg for renal anemia, which resulted in Hb 12 to 14 g/dL. She had no dysgeusia. When zinc deficiency (44 µg/dL) had been identified 4 months earlier, 50 mg daily zinc acetate hydrate (Nobelzin®), which is the standard dose, was started. Unexpectedly, her anemia progressed slowly with macrocytosis together with granulocytopenia. Her platelet count did not decrease at that time. Laboratory tests revealed a marked decrease of serum copper (< 4 µg/dL) and ceruloplasmin (< 2 mg/dL), although serum zinc was within the normal limit (125 µg/dL). We discontinued zinc acetate and started copper supplementation including cocoa for 1 month. Her anemia and granulocytopenia were dramatically restored coincident with the increase in both serum copper and ceruloplasmin. Copper supplementation also improved her iron status as assessed by transferrin saturation and ferritin. Clinicians should monitor both zinc and copper status in anemic dialysis patients during zinc supplementation, as both are important to drive normal hematopoiesis.

A novel method of anvil placement of circular stapler for esophagojejunostomy in laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: results of consecutive 200 cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is still a demanding operation because of technical difficulties, especially of intracorporeal esophago-jejunal anastomosis. METHODS: We introduced a newly designed method of anvil placement of circular stapling devices (CS) for laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy (EJS). A small incision was made on the anterior wall of the stomach, from which the anvil was inserted into the stomach and proceeded to the thoracic esophagus. Then, the abdominal esophagus was transected by a linear stapler, and the anvil into the esophagus was drawn back to the esophageal stump by pulling out the cotton tape pre-attached to the anvil. Intracorporeal EJS by Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed by CS inserted into the abdominal cavity from the umbilical wound. RESULTS: A total of consecutive 200 gastric cancer patients underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy using this method. There was no operative mortality. Anastomotic complications occurred in 12 cases (6.0%): 9 cases of stenosis (4.5%) and 3 cases of bleedings (1.5%). Anastomotic leakage was not observed. As for non-anastomotic complications, there occurred 2 pulmonary complications (1.0%), 3 pancreatic leakages (1.5%), and 8 bowel obstructions due to internal hernia (4.0%). With a median follow-up period of 47.1 months, 5-year overall survival for assessable patients (n = 193) was 60.3% (95% CI 52.6-67.2). The total rate of peritoneal recurrence was 9.8%. CONCLUSION: Our new method of anvil placement for laparoscopic EJS with CS is safe and feasible with favorable survival outcomes. It eliminates the need for suturing, and will promote the clinical application of laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. CLINICAL TRIALS: UMIN000046119.

Re-do laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy for anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy in gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: Anastomotic stenosis of esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy has a substantial impact on the postoperative quality of life of the patient. If conservative treatment doesn't work, surgical intervention should be considered. However, redoing esophagojejunostomy is an extremely demanding procedure. Especially in the case where the primary surgery was performed laparoscopically, it is an unmet problem to maintain minimal invasiveness in re-do surgery. METHODS: We report 3 cases of re-do esophagojejunostomy laparoscopically performed for anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy in gastric cancer, in whom endoscopic balloon dilation did not work. RESULTS: Each patient underwent a re-do esophagojejunostomy laparoscopically. The mean operation time was 293 min, and the mean blood loss was 56 ml. There was no anastomosis-related complication, and they were discharged from hospital on 11-16 postoperative days. At the time of discharge, oral food intake was 100% in each patient. One year after the operation, follow-up endoscopic exams showed no anastomotic stenosis. CONCLUSION: Re-do laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy for anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy was safely and successfully performed. It brings patients minimal invasiveness continuously from the initial surgery. Re-do laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy could be one of the options for anastomotic stenosis resistant to conservative treatment.

Intrahepatic bile duct rupture associated with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis presenting hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor.

A 67-year-old man with a low-grade fever was found to have a 25-mm diameter tumor of the left hepatic umbilical portion. The tumor was accompanied by occlusion of the left portal vein. Positron emission tomography using fluorodeoxyglucose showed that the tumor had abnormally high metabolic activity. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the left hepatic duct segmental narrowing. There was a mild elevation in serum IgG4 (206 mg/dL). Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was suspected. Instead of planned hepatectomy, the patient was forced to undergo emergency surgery for biliary panperitonitis caused by intrahepatic bile duct rupture. Intraoperative ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic tumor-like thickened Glissonean sheath and needle biopsy was performed. Histologic examination confirmed fibrous tissue with IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration without neoplastic proliferation. He was diagnosed with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) presenting hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor. After his general condition improved, he underwent left hepatectomy. Macroscopic findings showed extreme fibrosis of the Glissonean sheath of the umbilical portion, and diffuse granular lesion aggregated in the left lateral segment. Microscopic examination confirmed chronic cholangitis and dense portal fibrosis in the umbilical portion and diffuse xanthogranulomatous inflammation. This is the first case report of spontaneous rupture of the intrahepatic bile duct in patient with IgG4-SC.

Risk factor analysis for early rebleeding after endoscopic treatment for colonic diverticular bleeding with stigmata of recent hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Colonic diverticular bleeding is a common cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic hemostasis is generally selected as the first-line treatment; however, a considerable number of patients experience early rebleeding after endoscopic treatment. We investigated the risk factors for early rebleeding after endoscopic treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 142 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic treatment (endoscopic clipping or endoscopic band ligation) for colonic diverticular bleeding with stigmata of recent hemorrhage between April 2012 and April 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the statistical relationship between patient characteristics and the incidence of early rebleeding occurring within 30 days after endoscopic treatment. RESULTS: Of 142 patients, early rebleeding was detected in 34 (23.9%) patients. According to univariate analysis, platelet count of <10 × 104/µL, bleeding from the left-sided colon, and endoscopic clipping usage were associated with early rebleeding (P < 0.05). The subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis identified bleeding from the left-sided colon (odds ratio [OR], 4.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.73-10.0; P = 0.001) and endoscopic clipping usage (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.21-7.00; P = 0.017) as the independent risk factors for early rebleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding from the left-sided colon and endoscopic clipping usage were the risk factors for early rebleeding after endoscopic treatment. Using endoscopic band ligation was associated with a decreased risk for early rebleeding compared with the use of endoscopic clipping, indicating that endoscopic band ligation was a preferable endoscopic modality to prevent early recurrent bleeding.

[A Case of Type 1A Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Manifested by Oxaliplatin Administration of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in a Gastric Cancer Patient].

Herein, we report the manifestation of type 1A Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease(CMT)in a 54-year-old female gastric cancer patient caused by oxaliplatin(L-OHP)of neoadjuvant chemotherapy containing S-1 plus L-OHP(G-SOX). In this case, peripheral sensory neuropathy(PSN)appeared in both upper limbs immediately after the administration of L-OHP. Subsequently, we observed sensory neuropathy of gloves-socks type in both the upper and lower limbs and motor neuropathy in both lower limbs, which caused the patient to be unable to sit up. Physical examination revealed upside-down champagnebottle- like mild atrophy in both lower limbs and hollow feet in both legs, as well as the disappearance of deep tendon reflexes in both lower limbs. In her family history, her eldest daughter had undergone Achilles tendon elongation surgery for suspected CMT at the age of 3 years. Considering these, she was suspected to have CMT and was finally diagnosed with type 1A CMT based on genetic testing. In anti-cancer treatments that cause PSN(not just by L-OHP), possible involvement of occult peripheral nerve disease like CMT should be considered when more rapid and untypical PSN appears after the administration of anti-cancer drugs.

[Rupture of Ovarian Metastasis from Cecal Cancer during Chemotherapy - A Case Report Suggestive of Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy].

A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed with advanced cecal cancer with metastases to her right ovary, peritoneum, and liver. Ileocecal resection and right salpingo-oophorectomy were performed as cytoreduction surgery before systemic chemotherapy. The colon cancer metastasized to her left ovary during chemotherapy and grew rapidly until it ruptured spontaneously, although the other metastases sites continued to respond to treatment. Emergent left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Pathological findings confirmed ovarian metastasis from colon cancer. Ovarian metastases are less responsive to systemic chemotherapy compared to extra-ovarian metastasis and the rapid growth sometimes occurs as a related symptom. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy might be recommended in cytoreduction surgery even if the ovarian metastasis is unilateral.

Evaluation of the effects of combination therapy with branched-chain amino acid and zinc supplements on nitrogen metabolism in liver cirrhosis.

AIM: Disorders of protein metabolism in liver cirrhosis can affect prognosis or cause complications. Treatment with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and zinc supplements has been shown to be effective against abnormal nitrogen metabolism in liver cirrhosis. There are, however, few studies on the effects of combining these supplements. In this study, the effect of combining BCAA and zinc treatment in cirrhosis was investigated. METHODS: Forty patients with liver cirrhosis who had blood albumin levels of 3.5 g/dL or less and blood zinc levels of 70 mug/dL or less were randomized to receive either BCAA alone or a combination of BCAA and zinc supplements. Blood albumin, the Fischer ratio, and ammonia levels were compared over 5-6 months of treatment. RESULTS: In the combination group, the post/pre treatment change ratio in blood ammonia levels decreased significantly (0.87 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.22 +/- 0.38, P = 0.0033), and the change ratio in the Fischer ratio increased significantly (1.22 +/- 0.29 vs. 1.08 +/- 0.16, P = 0.0165) in comparison with the BCAA monotherapy group. The change ratio in blood albumin levels showed no significant difference between the groups (1.01 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.08, P = 0.4646). CONCLUSIONS: More improvement in disorders of nitrogen metabolism in liver cirrhosis occurred after administration of BCAA with zinc than after BCAA alone over 5-6 months of treatment. Further investigation is necessary to determine mechanisms of the action and longer-term clinical efficacy.

Esophageal involvement in microscopic polyangiitis: a case report and review of literature.

A 72-year-old man with cough and sputum showed esophageal wall thickening and pneumonia in chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Following endoscopy, we diagnosed reflux esophagitis and subscribed proton pump inhibitor. The esophageal lesion, however, was intractable. We diagnosed microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) because of vasculitis symptoms, cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (cANCA) in blood and no granulomatous change in the esophagus. We adopted pulse therapy of cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone; the symptoms and esophageal lesion were markedly improved. We concluded that the esophageal lesion was an aspect of MPA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of esophageal involvement in MPA.