Characteristics of lymph node (No.5 and No.6) metastasis and significance of lymph node dissection in Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (AEG): No.5 and No.6 lymph node metastases of AEG and clearance.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the characteristics, related risk factors, and prognosis of lymph node metastasis (Number [No.] 5 and No.6) in the group of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG). METHODS: The patients with Siewert II AEG who underwent total gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection from September 2015 to December 2018 in Lanzhou University Second Hospital were enrolled in this study. The pathological features of the postoperative specimens were analyzed (sex, age, maximum diameter, location, depth of invasion, degree of differentiation, neurological and vascular invasion, etc), and the lymph node metastasis rate of No.5, No.6 groups were calculated. The analysis was performed by IBM SPSS statistical software. The risk factors associated with lymph node metastasis in No.5 and No.6 groups were analyzed. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-M method, and survival rate was estimated, Log-rank test was used for comparison, and the difference was statistically significant at P < .05. RESULTS: There were 142 cases of Siewert type II AEG with the positive rate of No.5 lymph nodes being 10.81% (8/74), and the positive rate of No.6 lymph nodes was 8.33% (11/132). No.5 and No.6 lymph nodes metastasis were not associated with gender, age, tumor maximum diameter, location (cardiac left/cardiac right) (P > .05), and were associated with invasion depth, differentiation degree, nerve and vascular invasion (P < .05). In the No.5 lymph node-positive group, the 3-year Overall Survival (OS) was 25.0%, and the No.5 lymph node-negative group had a 5-year OS of 57.8%, which was statistically different (P < .05). The 3-year OS was 18.2% in No.6 node-positive group and 53.8% in No.6 node-negative group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSION: For Siewert type II AEG, the lymph node metastasis rate was higher in No.5 and No.6 groups when the tumor invaded all layers of gastric wall and was poorly differentiated complicated with vascular nerve invasion, and the lymph node metastasis rate was lower at 3 years, which may be more appropriate for total gastrectomy +D2 lymph node dissection.

Laparoscopic Approach of the Obstruction of the Lower Third of the Esophagus in Children.

Objective: To review the diagnostic methodology in pediatric patients with obstruction of the lower third of the esophagus as well as minimally invasive therapeutic options. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study carried out reviewing records of children with esophageal obstruction diagnostic, from 2000 to 2018. They were divided into Group I stenosis secondary to reflux; Group II achalasia; and Group III embryonic remnants. Results: Thirty-three patients. Group I: 7; esophageal barium swallow irregular stenosis of the distal third and endoscopy irregular stenosis in 7. Treated with laparoscopic fundoplication 2, Collis Nissen 5. Group II: 22 patients, age X = 11.55 years. All with dysphagia and symmetrical stenosis of esophagogastric junction. Fifteen underwent manometry and all underwent intraoperative endoscopy. All had laparoscopic myotomy, with 2 perforations and no conversions, 2 patients had subsequent dysphagia to solids, and they did not need esophageal dilatation. Group III: 4 patients, stenosis was above esophagogastric junction. On endoscopy, inflammation was present in all 3 with irregular esophagogastric junction and difficulty passing endoscope. Three patients underwent laparoscopic resection and anastomosis. One patient leaked and developed a fistula. One patient has not been operated upon as yet. Conclusions: In those patients, the best surgical option depends upon the diagnosis. Esophageal barium studies and endoscopy allow discerning among them.

Esophagogastric Junction Distensibility on Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Topography Predicts Treatment Response in Achalasia-Anatomy Matters!

INTRODUCTION: To compare the utility of the distensibility index (DI) on functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) topography to other esophagogastric junction (EGJ) metrics in assessing treatment response in achalasia in the context of esophageal anatomy. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 79 patients (at ages 17-81 years; 47% female patients) with achalasia during follow-up after pneumatic dilation, Heller myotomy, or per-oral endoscopic myotomy with timed barium esophagram, high-resolution impedance manometry, and FLIP. Anatomic deformities were identified based on consensus expert opinion. Patients were classified based on anatomy and EGJ opening to determine the association with radiographic outcome and Eckardt score (ES). RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (34.1%) had an anatomic deformity-10 pseudodiverticula at myotomy, 7 epiphrenic diverticula, 5 sigmoid, and 5 sinktrap. A 5-minute column area of >5 cm was best associated with an ES of >3, with a sensitivity of 84% (P = 0.0013). Area under the curve for EGJ metrics in association with retention was as follows: DI, 0.90; maximal EGJ diameter, 0.76; integrated relaxation pressure, 0.64; and basal esophagogastric junction pressure, 0.53. Only FLIP metrics were associated with retention given normal anatomy (DI 2.4 vs 5.2 mm/mm Hg and maximal EGJ diameter 13.1 vs 16.6 mm in patients with and without retention, respectively; P values < 0.0001 and 0.002). Using a DI cutoff of <2.8 as abnormal, 40 of 45 patients with retention (P = 0.0001) and 23 of 25 patients with an ES of >3 (P = 0.02) had a low DI and/or anatomic deformity. With normal anatomy, 21 of 22 patients with retention had a low or borderline low DI. DISCUSSION: The FLIP DI is most useful metric for assessing the effect of achalasia treatment on EGJ opening. However, abnormal anatomy is an important mediator of outcome and treatment success will be modulated by anatomic defects that impede bolus emptying.

Zenker's diverticulum complicating achalasia: a 'cup-and-spill' oesophagus.

A 72-year-old woman presented with long-standing gastro-oesophageal reflux, regurgitation of swallowed food and worsening cervical dysphagia. Fluoroscopic barium oesophagography revealed a posterolateral pharyngeal pouch (Zenker's diverticulum (ZD)) complicating a 'cup and spill' oesophageal deformity with a smoothly tapered segment at the gastro-oesophageal junction. CT and high-resolution manometry confirmed that the underlying abnormality was a massively dilated oesophagus with aperistalsis and pan-oesophageal pressurisation, consistent with a diagnosis of oesophageal achalasia (type II). She underwent endoscopic stapled diverticulotomy, with good symptomatic relief. We discuss the aetiology of ZD, its management and the association here with oesophageal achalasia.

Bilateral extralobar pulmonary sequestration communicating with the upper gastrointestinal system in a newborn with duodenal atresia.

We report a rare form of bilateral pulmonary sequestration (PS) that was directly connected to the gastroesophageal junction with a well-formed aberrant bronchus-like structure. An upper gastrointestinal contrast series was performed directly after birth, and a unique PS bronchogram was identified, along with duodenal atresia. The PS was successfully resected and the duodenal atresia was corrected.

Horseshoe lung in association with other foregut anomalies: what is the significance?

The authors present an unusual constellation of foregut anomalies in a newborn boy including horseshoe lung, esophageal atresia (EA) with distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), esophagobronchial fistulae, and a preduodenal pancreas. Horseshoe lung is a rare congenital anomaly in which the left and right lung bases are fused across the posterior mediastinum. The presentation is variable. The association of horseshoe lung with VACTERL anomalies and Bronchopulmonary foregut malformations is reviewed.

Extraesophageal manifestations associated with gastroesophageal reflux

Approximately 25 per cent of the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) present only extraesophageal manifestations. GERD may be defined as clinical manifestations and tissue lesions associed to gastroesophageal reflux. GERD results from excessive exposure of the mucosa to aggressors, prominently acid and pepsin, associated with diminished esophageal defense mechanisms. This review aims to characterize extraesophageal GERD symptoms. Most patients with reflux-related otolaryngologic symptoms present relatively preserved motor function and esophageal clearance, but exhibit poor upper esophageal sphincter function, which leads to a "high" (pharyngeal) symptom. Acidification in the distal esophagus is likely to activate vagovagal reflexes. These reflexes. These reflexes also induce respiratory symptoms and bronchoconstriction. Nonspecific laryngitis, granuloma, posterior comissure hypertrophy, cricoarytenoid arthritis and come cases of globus pharyngeus have been attributed to larynx and pharynx irritations produced by repeated GER episodes. Otolaryngologic patients with reflux respond better to treatment than those patients whose symptoms are typically gastrointestinal.

[Formation of a neosphincter following loss of function of the upper esophageal sphincter]. / Ausbildung eines Neosphinkters nach Funktionsverlust des oberen Osophagussphinkters (OOS).

In order to prevent aspiration following loss of function of the UOS a new sphincter may develop. This usually arises from the oblique part of the cricopharyngeus muscle and the caudal part of the thyropharyngeus muscle and it is functionally independent of the UOS. We examined 40 patients by cinematography: these included 30 patients with a Zenker's diverticulum, 8 patients following myotomy of the UOS and 2 patients with tumour infiltration of the UOS. The new sphincter could be demonstrated in 70% of patients with Zenker's diverticulum: its function depended on the size and localisation of the diverticulum. Following myotomy of the UOS the new sphincter is usually only just perceptible. In one case there was, however, marked dyskinesia, requiring further myotomy.

[Neonatal gastric obstruction]. / L'ostruzione gastrica neonatale.

Gastric outlet obstruction in newborn may be due to segmental atresia or mucosal diaphragm. The authors report two cases of pyloric obstruction and they consider the etiopathogenetic and diagnostic aspects.

Lower esophageal rings as a cause of dysphagia in progressive systemic sclerosis--coincidence or consequence?

Lower esophageal rings were found in five of 40 consecutive patients seen with progressive systemic sclerosis. Three of these five patients had diffuse skin involvement and two had the CREST variant of progressive systemic sclerosis. All of the patients with lower esophageal rings had intermittent esophageal obstruction (initially attributed to esophageal dysmotility), but so did five of seven patients with esophageal strictures without lower esophageal rings. Esophageal bougienage relieved this symptom in four of the five patients with rings in which it was performed. Persistent relief of these obstructive symptoms (6-36 months) in the patients with rings was in contrast to the recurrent dilatations that have been needed in the group of patients with peptic strictures. In contrast to esophageal aperistalsis and/or stricture formation, the lower esophageal ring, perhaps as a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux, may be a more treatable cause of dysphagia in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.