Anti-amphiphysin-associated paraneoplastic brainstem encephalitis with esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case report / 中华神经科杂志

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are heterogeneous disorders caused by autoimmune responses of cancer, which can affect any part of the nervous system. Anti-amphiphysin antibody is one of the high-risk PNS antibodies, which is usually associated with small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. However, extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma is rare in patients with anti-amphiphysin antibody. A case of anti-amphiphysin-associated paraneoplastic brainstem encephalitis with esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma is reported. The tumor was detected by fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and pathologically confirmed by gastroscopic biopsy. The patient′s neurological symptoms were partially improved after treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin and glucocorticoids. However, the disease prognosis is closely related to the accompanying tumor.

Oncological and reproductive outcomes after fertility-sparing surgery in patients with seromucinous borderline ovarian tumor: results of a large retrospective study / 부인종양

Objective@#To evaluate the oncological and reproductive outcomes in patients with seromucinous borderline ovarian tumors (SMBOT) treated with fertility-sparing surgery (FSS). @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with SMBOT who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2019. A centralized histological review was performed and recurrence rates were compared between different surgical procedures. @*Results@#A total of 105 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 65 underwent FSS and 40 were treated with radical surgery. Fourteen patients had recurrent disease after a median follow-up time of 59.6 months (range: 22.1–256.8 months). All but one relapsed with SMBOT. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) between the 2 groups (p=0.141). Multivariate analysis showed that only bilateral involvement was associated with increased recurrence (p=0.008). In the subgroup of patients treated with conservative surgery, there was no significant difference in DFS with regard to surgical procedures (ovarian cystectomy vs. salpingo-oophorectomy, p=0.487). Of the 12 patients in the FSS group who developed recurrence, 11 underwent a second round of FSS and all remained alive with no evidence of disease at the end of follow-up. Of 20 patients desiring pregnancy, 16 patients were successful and resulted in 17 term deliveries. @*Conclusion@#FSS is feasible for young patients who wish to preserve their fertility. Patients initially treated with ovarian cystectomy may be managed by close surveillance if post-operative imaging are negative. Repeat FSS remains a valuable alternative for young patients with recurrent SMBOT after thorough communication.

Comparison of PET imaging of activated fibroblasts and 18F-FDG for diagnosis of primary hepatic tumours: a prospective pilot study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the performance of 68Ga-labelled fibroblast activating protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET and 18F-FDG PET for imaging of hepatic tumours. METHODS: We prospectively assessed 20 patients with suspected intrahepatic lesions. Tumour radiological features, pathology, or follow-up examinations were assessed as ground truth in correlation with PET scans. Semiquantitative analysis was additionally performed by measuring the standardised uptake value (SUV). Tumour-to-liver background ratios (TBR) were calculated and compared between 68Ga-FAPI PET and 18F-FDG PET. FAPI expression was assessed by immunochemistry in samples obtained from 7 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC)/intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) or granulomas. RESULTS: Primary intrahepatic tumours, including 16 HCC in 14 patients and 4 ICC in 3 patients with extrahepatic metastases, were determined by histology (n = 14) and clinical examinations (n = 3). Based on visual analysis, 17 patients presented elevated 68Ga-FAPI uptake (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 100%), while 7 patients presented 18F-FDG avid tumours (sensitivity: 58.8%, specificity: 100%). 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT identified 17 extrahepatic metastases vs. 13 in 18F-FDG PET/CT in 2 ICC patients. Three benign liver nodules in three patients showed negligible uptake in dual-PET scans. The SUVmax_HCC = 8.47 ± 4.06 and TBRmax_HCC = 7.13 ± 5.52, and SUVmax_ICC = 14.14 ± 2.20 TBRmax_ICC = 26.46 ± 4.94 in 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT were significantly higher than the 18F-FDG uptake presenting SUVmax_HCC = 4.86 ± 3.58 and TBRmax_HCC = 2.39 ± 2.21, and SUVmax_ICC = 9.19 ± 3.60 and TBRmax_ICC = 2.39 ± 2.21 (all p values < 0.05). ICC patients showed higher levels of FAPI uptake in the primary hepatic lesions compared to extrahepatic metastases, TBRmax_ICC = 15.18 ± 5.80 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: 68Ga-FAPI PET-CT has superior potential in the detection of primary hepatic malignancy compared to 18F-FDG.

Pancreatic serous microcystic neoplasm with atypical clinical and image features / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To summarize the atypical manifestations and treatment strategies of serous microcystic neoplasm of the pancreas.Methods:Review the case data of 11 cases of pancreatic serous microcystic adenoma with atypical preoperative clinical imaging findings admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2008 to October 2019, and summarize their clinical manifestations, CT/MRI features, and preoperative clinical diagnosis, surgical methods, postoperative conditions.Results:The median age of the 11 patients was 50 (46-66) years old, 7 females, and 4 males. There were 8 cases with back pain and 6 cases with weight loss. The preoperative imaging examination found that the lesion was located in the head and neck in 8 cases, with pancreaticobiliary duct dilatation in 7 cases, suspected vascular invasion in 3 cases, and pancreatic parenchymal atrophy in 2 cases, 3 cases showed rich blood supply and solid space, and 2 cases were connected to the pancreatic duct. Preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic malignant tumors accounted for 4 cases, neuroendocrine tumors in 3 cases, solid pseudopapillary tumors in 3 cases, and intraductal papillary mucinous tumors in 1 case. All patients underwent surgical treatment, 3 cases of distal pancreatectomy (2 cases of using Kimura method to protect the spleen), 3 cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy, 1 case of total pancreatectomy, 2 cases of pancreatic head resection with duodenum preservation, 2 cases of local resection. All patients had no early postoperative deaths. There were 2 cases of grade B pancreatic fistula, 2 cases of biochemical leakage, 1 case of postoperative abdominal hemorrhage, and 2 cases of delayed gastric emptying, all of which were cured after active treatment. The median postoperative hospital stay was 18 (7-63) days.Conclusions:Pancreatic serous microcystic neoplasm could be accompanied by atypical features such as pancreatic/bile duct dilation, parenchyma atrophy, or even present vessel invasion. Understanding the atypical clinic and image features would help improving differential diagnosis and treatment. For those with invasive features, surgical exploration should be recommended.