Clinical outcomes after surgical decompression of median arcuate ligament syndrome-An observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Median arcuate ligament syndrome is caused by compression and stenosis of the celiac artery. Incision of the median arcuate ligament improves persistent abdominal symptoms. The study aimed at evaluating the outcomes in patients who underwent median arcuate ligament syndrome decompression using a self-report questionnaire. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome who underwent decompression surgery between April 2021 and February 2023. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Ten patients were included in the study. Laparotomy and laparoscopic surgeries were performed in seven and three patients, respectively. The median operation time was 147 minutes. The median hospitalization period after the operation was seven days. The degrees of celiac artery stenosis before and after surgery were compared and the per cent diameter stenosis did not significantly improve; five of 10 patients (50%) had > 50% stenosis in the celiac artery after the operation. Compared to the baseline, the scores of upper gastrointestinal symptoms significantly improved during the six months' period (p < 0.001). Additionally, we evaluated the influence of post-operative per cent diameter stenosis and divided the patients into two groups (≥ 50% vs, < 50%). The scores of upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in both groups improved significantly from baseline. However, the symptomatic improvement at six months in the post-operative per cent diameter stenosis < 50% group was significantly greater than that in the ≥ 50% group (p = 0.016). The scores of lower gastrointestinal symptoms did not change significantly during the six-month period. CONCLUSION: Decompression surgery for median arcuate ligament syndrome could improve upper gastrointestinal symptoms regardless of the post-operative per cent diameter stenosis.

Clinical and Diagnostic Utility of Genomic Profiling for Digestive Cancers: Real-World Evidence from Japan.

The usefulness of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in the Japanese healthcare insurance system remains underexplored. Therefore, this large-scale study aimed to determine the usefulness of CGP in diagnosing digestive cancers. Patients with various cancer types recruited between March 2020 and October 2022 underwent the FoundationOne® CDx assay at the Keio PleSSision Group (19 hospitals in Japan). A scoring system was developed to identify potentially actionable genomic alterations of biological significance and actionable genomic alterations. The detection rates for potentially actionable genomic alterations, actionable genomic alterations, and alterations equivalent to companion diagnosis (CDx), as well as the signaling pathways associated with these alterations in each digestive cancer, were analyzed. Among the 1587 patients, 547 had digestive cancer. The detection rates of potentially actionable genomic alterations, actionable genomic alterations, and alterations equivalent to CDx were 99.5%, 62.5%, and 11.5%, respectively. APC, KRAS, and CDKN2A alterations were frequently observed in colorectal, pancreatic, and biliary cancers, respectively. Most digestive cancers, except esophageal cancer, were adenocarcinomas. Thus, the classification flowchart for digestive adenocarcinomas proposed in this study may facilitate precise diagnosis. CGP has clinical and diagnostic utility in digestive cancers.

[BRCA2 Mutation Profile in a Proband with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer-Two Germline Pathogenic Variants Aligned in the Cis Position].

We report the first Japanese case of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer(HBOC)carrying 2 germline pathogenic variants (GPVs)in the BRCA2 gene. Genetic testing of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes was performed in a young woman with HBOC and 2 GPVs were identified in the BRCA2 gene. Since simultaneous GPVs in both parental alleles(ie, trans)in the BRCA2 gene is diagnostic of Fanconi anemia, which is characterized by bone marrow dysfunction and susceptibility to malignancy, we genetically tested her relatives. The same variants were revealed, and both variants were located in the cis position. For patients with multiple GPVs in the BRCA2 gene, we should consider genetic testing of the relatives to confirm whether the variants are located in the cis or trans position under appropriate genetic counseling.

The Sasaki-W anastomosis for recurrent Crohn's disease stenosis after the Kono-S anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative recurrence is frequently encountered in the management of patients with Crohn's disease and is most often found at the anastomotic site. A novel technique, the Sasaki-W anastomosis, is an antimesenteric cutback end-to-end isoperistaltic anastomosis. We report a patient with Crohn's disease who underwent partial intestinal resection for postoperative anastomotic stenosis, reconstructed with the Sasaki-W anastomosis, after initial intestinal resection reconstructed with a Kono-S anastomosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old male was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and treated with mesalamine and adalimumab, and he underwent ileocecal resection using the Kono-S anastomosis at the time of diagnosis. He was treated with infliximab without any symptoms or recurrence for 7 years. He was admitted presenting with upper abdominal pain. Physical examination showed mild tenderness and distension in the upper abdomen. Laboratory data showed no remarkable findings. Computed tomography scan showed wall thickening in the ileum with proximal dilation and fluid retention. Non-operative management with antibiotics and fasting did not improve the symptoms within 7 days. Ten days after admission, ileocecal resection reconstructed with the Sasaki-W anastomosis was performed. At operation, there was a 15-cm intestinal stenosis at the site of the previous Kono-S anastomosis. The transverse colon and ileum were reconstructed with the Sasaki-W anastomosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 17 days postoperatively. The patient had no obstructive symptoms and no findings consistent with bowel obstruction were observed on computed tomography scan one year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The Sasaki-W anastomosis is a viable option for intestinal reconstruction in patients with postoperative recurrence after a Kono-S anastomosis.

Prospective analysis of the expression status of FGFR2 and HER2 in colorectal and gastric cancer populations: DS-Screen Study.

PURPOSE: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) proteins are both molecular targets for cancer therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression status of FGFR2 and HER2 in patients with gastric cancer (GC) or colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Archived tumor tissue samples from patients with histologically-confirmed GC or CRC suitable for chemotherapy were analyzed for FGFR2 and HER2 expression using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (HER2 in CRC only). RESULTS: A total of 176 GC patients and 389 CRC patients were enrolled. Among patients with GC, 25.6% were FGFR2-positive and 26.1% were HER2-positive. Among patients with CRC, 2.9% were FGFR2-positive and 16.2% were HER2-positive. No clear relationship was found between FGFR2 and HER2 status in either GC or CRC. In GC, FGFR2 and HER2 statuses did not differ between different primary cancer locations, whereas there were some differences between histological types. Based on FGFR2- and/or HER2-positive status, 117 patients were identified as potentially suitable for inclusion in clinical trials of therapeutic agents targeting the relevant protein (GC = 45, CRC = 72; FGFR = 56, HER2 = 62), of whom 7 were eventually enrolled into such clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated the prevalence of FGFR2 and HER2 in GC and CRC in the Japanese population. The screening performed in this study could be useful for identifying eligible patients for future clinical trials of agents targeting these proteins. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registration Japic CTI No.: JapicCTI-163380.  https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: jp/cti-user/trial/ShowDirect.jsp?directLink=RNlzx1PPCuT.PrVNPxPRwA .

Molecular detection and clinicopathological characteristics of advanced/recurrent biliary tract carcinomas harboring the FGFR2 rearrangements: a prospective observational study (PRELUDE Study).

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) rearrangement is expected to be a novel therapeutic target in advanced/recurrent biliary tract cancer (BTC). However, efficient detection and the exact frequency of FGFR2 rearrangements among patients with advanced/recurrent BTC have not been determined, and the clinical characteristics of FGFR2 rearrangement-positive patients have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to determine the frequency of FGFR2 rearrangement-positive patients among those with advanced/recurrent BTC and elucidate their clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tumor samples from formalin-fixed surgical or biopsy specimens of patients with advanced/recurrent BTC were analyzed for positivity of FGFR2 rearrangement by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). RNA sequencing was performed on samples from all FISH-positive and part of FISH-negative patients. RESULTS: A total of 445 patients were enrolled. FISH was performed on 423 patients (272 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), 83 patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PCC), and 68 patients with other BTC). Twenty-one patients with ICC and four patients with PCC were diagnosed as FGFR2-FISH positive. Twenty-three of the 25 FISH-positive patients (20 ICC and 3 PCC) were recognized as FGFR2 rearrangement positive by targeted RNA sequencing. Younger age (≤ 65 years; p = 0.018) and HCV Ab- and/or HBs Ag-positivity (p = 0.037) were significantly associated with the presence of FGFR2 rearrangement (logistic regression). CONCLUSIONS: FGFR2 rearrangement was identified in ICC and PCC patients, and was associated with younger age and history of hepatitis viral infection.

TAS-118 (S-1 plus leucovorin) versus S-1 in patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced pancreatic cancer: a randomised, open-label, phase 3 study (GRAPE trial).

BACKGROUND: In our previous randomised phase 2 study for patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced pancreatic cancer, S-1 plus leucovorin improved progression-free survival compared with S-1 alone. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of TAS-118 (S-1 plus leucovorin) versus S-1 in overall survival (OS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomised, open-label, phase 3 study was conducted at 58 centres in Japan and Korea. Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that progressed during first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy or recurred during or after post-operative gemcitabine-based adjuvant treatment were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either S-1 (40-60 mg, twice daily for 4 weeks in a 6-week cycle) or TAS-118 (S-1 40-60 mg plus leucovorin 25 mg, twice daily for 1 week in a 2-week cycle). The primary end-point was OS. RESULTS: A total of 603 patients were randomised, and 300 and 301 patients received TAS-118 and S-1, respectively. There was no difference in OS between groups (median OS for TAS-118 versus S-1, 7.6 months versus 7.9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82-1.16]; P = 0.756). Progression-free survival was significantly longer with TAS-118 than S-1 (median, 3.9 months versus 2.8 months; HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.95]; P = 0.009). There were interactions between Japan and Korea (P = 0.004) and between unresectable and recurrent disease (P = 0.025) in OS. Incidence, profile and severity of adverse events were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: TAS-118 did not improve OS in patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced pancreatic cancer compared to S-1. Further studies are needed to find patients who have benefit from adding leucovorin to S-1.

Impact of UGT1A1 genetic polymorphism on toxicity in unresectable pancreatic cancer patients undergoing FOLFIRINOX.

Studies have indicated an association between UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-1A1 (UGT1A1) genetic polymorphisms and irinotecan-induced toxicity. We undertook this study to investigate the association between UGT1A1 genetic polymorphisms and toxicity in patients treated with the FOLFIRINOX (comprising oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin) chemotherapy regimen in the JASPAC 06 study. Patients screened for UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28, and treated with either the original FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 , irinotecan 180 mg/m2 , leucovorin 200 mg/m2 , bolus 5-fluorouracil [5-FU] 400 mg/m2 , and continuous 5-FU 2400 mg/m2 ) or a modified FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 , irinotecan 150 mg/m2 , leucovorin 200 mg/m2 , and continuous 5-FU 2400 mg/m2 ) as first-line chemotherapy were included. Of 199 patients eligible for this analysis, 79 patients were treated with the original FOLFIRINOX regimen and 120 patients were treated with the modified FOLFIRINOX regimen. In the original FOLFIRINOX group, 54 were UGT1A1 WT, and 25 were UGT1A1 heterozygous type (-/*6, 12 patients; -/*28, 13 patients). In the modified FOLFIRINOX group, 64 were UGT1A1 WT and 56 were UGT1A1 heterozygous type (-/*6, 33 patients; -/*28, 23 patients). In the original FOLFIRINOX group, the incidence of diarrhea was significantly higher among patients with UGT1A1 heterozygous type than among those with UGT1A1 WT and the incidence of leukopenia and diarrhea was significantly higher among patients with UGT1A1 -/*6 than among those with UGT1A1 -/*28. Patients with UGT1A1 heterozygous type, especially those with UGT1A1 -/*6, tended to show a higher incidence rate of severe adverse events, but this was not statistically significant. However, for patients who received the modified FOLFIRINOX, there was no difference in the frequency of adverse events due to UGT1A1 status. In conclusion, patients with heterozygous UGT1A1 polymorphisms treated with the original FOLFIRINOX regimen experienced severe toxicity more frequently than patients with WT UGT1A1.

Nationwide Multicenter Observational Study of FOLFIRINOX Chemotherapy in 399 Patients With Unresectable or Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin) is the standard therapy worldwide for unresectable pancreatic cancer; however, clinical data for Japanese patients are limited. Therefore, the observational study of FOLFIRINOX for patients with pancreatic cancer was conducted. METHODS: The study included 399 patients with unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancer, from 27 institutions in Japan, treated with FOLFIRINOX and surveyed until December 2015. RESULTS: The median age was 63 years; in most patients, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 1 or lower. The initial dose was reduced in 270 patients (68%). The main grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia (64%), anorexia (14%), and febrile neutropenia (13%). Fatal adverse events occurred in 5 patients, 4 of whom did not satisfy the main inclusion criteria of a previous Japanese phase II FOLFIRINOX study. The median overall survival and progression-free survival times were 10.8, and 4.5 months, respectively. The objective response rate was 21%, and the disease control rate was 61%. The median overall survival times were 11.1, 18.5, and 4.9 months in chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic, locally advanced, and recurrent disease, respectively. CONCLUSION: When carefully managed, FOLFIRINOX is acceptably safe and efficacious in Japanese patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Subgroup analyses of the safety and efficacy of ramucirumab in Japanese and Western patients in RAINBOW: a randomized clinical trial in second-line treatment of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel versus placebo plus paclitaxel in patients previously treated for advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in Japanese and Western subgroups from the RAINBOW trial. METHODS: Patients received ramucirumab at 8 mg/kg or placebo (days 1 and 15) plus paclitaxel at 80 mg/m(2) (days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle). End points were compared between treatment arms within Japanese (N = 140) and Western (N = 398) populations. RESULTS: The incidence of adverse events of grade 3 or higher was higher for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in both populations (Japanese population, 83.8 % vs 52.1 %; Western population, 79.1 % vs 61.9 %). Neutropenia was the commonest adverse event of grade 3 or higher, with a higher incidence for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel (Japanese population, 66.2 % vs 25.4 %; Western population, 32.1 % vs 14.7 %). The incidence of febrile neutropenia was low and was similar between treatment arms in both populations. The overall survival hazard ratio was 0.88 (95 % confidence interval, 0.60-1.28) in the Japanese population and 0.73 (95 % confidence interval, 0.58-0.91) in the Western population. The progression-free survival hazard ratio was 0.50 (95 % confidence interval, 0.35-0.73) in the Japanese population and 0.63 (95 % confidence interval, 0.51-0.79) in the Western population. The objective response rate was higher for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in both populations (Japanese population, 41.2 % vs 19.4 %; Western population, 26.8 % vs 13.0 %), as was the 6-month survival rate (Japanese population, 94.1 % vs 71.4 %; Western population, 66.0 % vs 49.0 %). CONCLUSIONS: Safety profiles of the ramucirumab plus paclitaxel arm were similar between populations, though there was a higher incidence of neutropenia in Japanese patients. Progression-free survival and objective response rate improvements were observed for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in both populations. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01170663.

Ultrasound-guided vs endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

AIM: To clarify the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC). METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic PC between February 2006 and September 2011 were selected for this retrospective study. FNA biopsy for pancreatic tumors had been performed percutaneously under extracorporeal ultrasound guidance until October 2009; then, beginning in November 2009, EUS-FNA has been performed. We reviewed the complete medical records of all patients who met the selection criteria for the following data: sex, age, location and size of the targeted tumor, histological and/or cytological findings, details of puncture procedures, time from day of puncture until day of definitive diagnosis, and details of severe adverse events. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients who met the selection criteria, 46 had a percutaneous biopsy (Group A) and 75 had an EUS-FNA biopsy (Group B). Adequate cytological specimens were obtained in 42 Group A patients (91.3%) and all 75 Group B patients (P = 0.0192), and histological specimens were obtained in 41 Group A patients (89.1%) and 65 Group B patients (86.7%). Diagnosis of malignancy by cytology was positive in 33 Group A patients (78.6%) and 72 Group B patients (94.6%) (P = 0.0079). Malignancy by both cytology and pathology was found in 43 Group A (93.5%) and 73 Group B (97.3%) patients. The mean period from the puncture until the cytological diagnosis in Group B was 1.7 d, which was significantly shorter than that in Group A (4.1 d) (P < 0.0001). Severe adverse events were experienced in two Group A patients (4.3%) and in one Group B patient (1.3%). CONCLUSION: EUS-FNA, as well as percutaneous needle aspiration, is an effective modality to obtain cytopathological confirmation in patients with advanced PC.

Clinical outcome of biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice caused by colorectal and gastric cancers.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the prognostic factors for patients with obstructive jaundice due to advanced colorectal and gastric cancers who had undergone percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. METHODS: Baseline variables and clinical outcomes were evaluated for 92 consecutive patients treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. RESULTS: Of the 92 patients, 32 (35%) had colorectal cancer and the remaining 60 (65%) had gastric cancer. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was successfully achieved in 74 (80%) patients, and 39 of them could receive subsequent chemotherapy. The median survival after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was 273 days in the 39 patients who had undergone successful percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and subsequent chemotherapy, 65 days in 35 patients who had undergone successful percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage but who had not received subsequent chemotherapy and 34 days in the remaining 18 patients who had undergone unsuccessful percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (P < 0.001). Multiple liver metastases and hepatic hilar bile duct stricture were independently associated with unsuccessful percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Poor performance status, multiple liver metastases, presence of ascites, multiple prior chemotherapy administrations, undifferentiated type histology and high serum CA19-9 level were independently associated with a poor prognosis. A prognostic index calculated based on the number of these six factors was used to classify the patients into a good-risk group (index ≤2) (n = 56) and a poor-risk group (index ≥3) (n = 36). The median survival time and 2-month survival rate for the two groups were 163 and 44 days, respectively, and 85.7 and 33.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As regards the introduction of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with obstructive jaundice due to colorectal and gastric cancers, careful patient selection might be necessary. A prognostic model seems to be useful for making decisions as to whether percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is indicated for particular patients.

A transcatheter arterial chemotherapy using a novel lipophilic platinum derivative (miriplatin) for patients with small and multiple hepatocellular carcinomas.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Miriplatin is a platinum complex developed to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through administration into the hepatic artery as a sustained-release formulation suspended in lipiodol. A single-institute pilot study was conducted to investigate the antitumor efficacy of miriplatin infusion therapy for small and multiple HCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Small HCCs sized 2 cm or less, judged to be inadequate for curative treatment, were indicated for transcatheter arterial miriplatin infusion therapy. We prospectively investigated the course of patients treated with miriplatin between March 2010 and September 2010. Efficacy was evaluated by computed tomography at 4-8 weeks and the overall evaluation was carried out more than 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: The study included 14 patients, of whom 13 were evaluable for efficacy. Of the 13 patients, one (8%) showed a complete response and three (23%) showed a partial response, with an overall response rate of 31%. Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity including thrombocytopenia was not seen. Increases to grade 3/4 in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were observed for nonhematological toxicity. Irreversible deleterious changes in hepatic function were not seen. CONCLUSION: Miriplatin infusion therapy showed safe and moderate effects on small HCCs. However, transarterial chemoembolization as a standard therapy cannot be replaced. We await the results of an ongoing study of transarterial chemoembolization with miriplatin.

Outcomes and tolerability of systemic chemotherapy for pancreatic or biliary cancer patients aged 75 years or older.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of pancreatic or biliary tract cancer is increasing in our aging population, but little is known of treatment outcomes in elderly patients with pancreatic or biliary tract cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with pancreatic or biliary tract cancer who received chemotherapy in our institute between September 2007 and August 2009 were retrospectively reviewed to compare treatment outcomes between the elderly (aged 75 years or older) and the younger patients. Data were collected of patient backgrounds, adverse events and dose intensity within the first two cycles and overall survival time. RESULTS: Of the 102 who met the inclusion criteria, 19 were elderly who were introduced to full dose chemotherapy. Medication for their comorbidities was required in 15 (79%) of the 19 elderly patients and in 27 (33%) of 83 younger patients. The frequencies of haematological adverse events of grades 3 or 4 were 42% and 39%, and those of non-haematological adverse events were 21% and 16%, for the elderly and younger, respectively. Similar dose intensities were delivered to the elderly and younger. Also, similar proportions of elderly and younger received dose reductions. There was no difference in overall survival between the elderly and the younger. CONCLUSION: No clear difference in treatment outcomes was seen between the elderly and the younger patients who received gemcitabine alone. Gemcitabine chemotherapy appears to be safe and the same treatment effect was seen even in older patients with pancreatic or biliary tract cancer.

Portal hemodynamics and clinical outcomes of patients with gastric varices after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

BACKGROUND: Long-term hemodynamic effects and clinical outcomes after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical results and effects on portal hemodynamics after B-RTO for the treatment of gastric varices with spontaneous gastrorenal shunt. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with cirrhosis and gastric varices treated by B-RTO were evaluated. The cumulative survival rate was calculated, portal blood flow was measured by Doppler ultrasonography, and liver function was estimated on the basis of Child-Pugh classification before and 1 year after B-RTO. RESULTS: Gastric varices disappeared or decreased markedly in size in all patients. Overall cumulative survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 90.48, 71.11 and 53.71%, respectively. Portal blood flow increased significantly from 681.9 +/- 294.9 to 837.0 +/- 279.1 ml/min (P = 0.0125) after B-RTO. Child-Pugh score was not significantly changed (P = 0.755) after obliteration, but serum albumin was elevated significantly from 3.49 +/- 0.49 to 3.75 +/- 0.53 g/dl (P = 0.0459). The ascites score was significantly increased (P = 0.0455) after B-RTO, but all cases of ascites could be controlled with medication. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration is a safe and effective treatment for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt. Portal blood flow and serum albumin parameters are increased, and liver function is unchanged after B-RTO.

Three cases of angiomyolipoma: diagnostic imaging by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

We used contrast-enhanced ultrasound using the Sonazoid microbubble contrast agent to diagnose three cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma, which is a rare benign tumor. Some characteristic findings are obtained in the early vascular phase, for example fork-like tumor vessels. However, a variety of findings are seen after the early vascular phase because of microbubbles circulating the vascular enriched tumor.

The usefulness of endoscopic transpapillary procedure in post-cholecystectomy bile duct stricture and post-cholecystectomy bile leakage.

This study was conducted to examine the usefulness of endoscopic transpapillary procedure in post-cholecystectomy bile duct stricture and postcholecystectomy bile leakage. Endoscopic transpapillary procedure was performed in 18 cases of post-cholecystectomy bile duct stricture and 6 cases of post-cholecystectomy bile leakage. In the bile duct stricture cases, the patients were assessed for the stricture by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), and then underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for tube stent insertion. The stents was replaced every 3 to 6 months, and the treatment was continued until the patients became stent-free. Successful therapy was defined as a stent-free condition without hepatic disorder. In the bile leakage cases, the leakage was located by ERC and EST was performed. Then, endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube was inserted at the proximal side of the bile leakage, and the therapeutic outcome was defined as successful if disappearance of the leakage was confirmed by cholangiography at a later date. Endoscopic transpapillary procedure was 100% successful in both post-cholecystectomy bile duct stricture cases (18/18) and post-cholecystectomy bile leakage cases (6/6). There was no accident due to the treatment. Restricture occurred in 5.5% (1/18) of the patients, but additional therapy was successful and the stent was removed. Also, there was no accident due to endoscopic transpapillary procedure. Endoscopic transpapillary procedure in postcholecystectomy bile duct stricture and postcholecystectomy bile leakage was demonstrated to be a less invasive, safe, and useful method.

Long-term prognosis of patients with endoscopically treated postoperative bile duct stricture and bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis.

AIM: To compare the outcome of endoscopic therapy for postoperative benign bile duct stricture and benign bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis, including long-term prognosis. METHODS: The subjects were 20 patients with postoperative benign bile duct stricture and 13 patients with bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis who were 2 years or more after initial therapy. The patients underwent transpapillary drainage with tube exchange every 3 to 6 months until being free from the tube. Successful therapy was defined as a stent-free condition without hepatic disorder. RESULTS: Endoscopic therapy was successful in 90% (18/20) of the patients with postoperative bile duct stricture. The stent was removed (stent free) in 100% (20/20) of the patients, but jaundice resolved in only 10% (2/20) of patients while biliary enzymes kept increasing. Restructure occurred in 5% (1/20) of the patients, but after repeat treatment the stent could be removed. In patients with bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis the therapy was successful in only 7.7% (1/13) of the patients; the stent was retained in 92.3% (12/13) of the patients during a long period. Severe acute pancreatitis occurred in 3.0% (1/33) of the patients as an accidental symptom attributable to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); however, it remitted after conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results further confirm the usefulness of endoscopic therapy for postoperative benign bile duct strictures and good long-term prognosis of the patients.

Is ERCP really necessary in case of suspected spontaneous passage of bile duct stones?

AIM: To investigate the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and the need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in cases of suspected spontaneous passage of stones into the common bile duct. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with gallbladder stones were clinically suspected of spontaneous passage of stones into the common bile duct because they presented with clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain and fever, and showed signs of inflammatory reaction and marked rise of hepatobiliary enzymes. These symptoms resolved and they showed normalized values of blood biochemical parameters after conservative treatment without evidence of stones in the common bile duct on MRCP. All these patients were subjected to ERCP within 3 d of MRCP to check for the presence of stones. RESULTS: No stones were detected by ERCP in any patient, confirming the results of MRCP. CONCLUSION: When clinical symptoms improve, blood biochemical parameters have normalized, and MRCP shows there are no stones in the common bile duct, it can be considered the stone has spontaneously passed and thus ERCP is not necessary.