Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the small bowel complicated by torsion: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors that originate from the gastrointestinal tract wall. Approximately 20-30 % of GISTs originate from the small intestine. GISTs of the small intestine generally present with a palpable mass, distention, and abdominal pain and may exhibit acute abdomen at the onset. Herein, we describe a rare case of a pedunculated GIST of the small intestine complicated by torsion. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 69-year-old woman presented with lower abdominal pain. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a 73 × 62 × 57-mm3 tumor in the pelvic cavity with enhanced margins and reduced contrast. It was presumed that the tumor had caused hemorrhagic infarction. Emergency laparotomy was performed, and the pedunculated tumor was found to be twisted 360° clockwise at the pedicle with hemorrhage and necrosis due to torsion. We performed partial resection of the small intestine including the tumor. Histopathological examination revealed tightly arranged spindle-shaped cells with hemorrhage, congestion, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining showed positivity for CD34, CD117, and DOG1. CONCLUSIONS: Torsion of a pedunculated small intestine GIST, although very rare, requires emergency surgery and should be recognized as a cause of acute abdomen in patients with GIST. Immediate surgery is mandatory if torsion of a small intestinal GIST is suspected because the GIST or intestine may become necrotic owing to hemorrhagic infarction.

Primary spindle cell tumor originating from the liver that was difficult to diagnose.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with spindle cell tumor accounts for 1.8% of all HCCs, but spindle cell tumors that do not show an obvious conventional HCC are extremely rare. In this report, we describe a case of resection of a primary spindle cell tumor of the liver that was difficult to diagnose. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old man presented with fever and right chest pain. He was suspected of a giant primary diaphragmatic tumor of extrahepatic origin by imaging studies. The preoperative differential diagnosis included benign masses such as myxoid sarcoma and schwannoma, and we planned a diaphragmatic resection. Intraoperatively, however, dissection of the tumor from the liver was not possible, requiring an extended right posterior segmentectomy with combined resection of the diaphragm. The patient had a good postoperative course and 1 year has passed since the surgery with no recurrence. The pathology showed that the mass was located just below the hepatic capsule/parenchymal region and was adherent to the diaphragm, but there was no continuity. The morphology suggested a low-grade mesenchymal tumor such as a solitary fibrous tumor and perivascular epithelioid cell tumor, but immunostaining was negative, making the diagnosis difficult. Although some areas of high proliferative activity were observed, finally, the diagnosis of primary spindle cell tumor of the liver with smooth muscle differentiation was made based on the positive results of muscle markers such as αSMA, desmin, and h-caldesmon. CONCLUSIONS: Spindle cell tumor arising from the liver is so rare that preoperative and pathological diagnosis is often difficult to reach. Although further studies are needed to elucidate and better understand this uncommon clinical entity, we consider that complete resection is necessary for the above case, which may contribute to long-term survival.

Laparoscopic abdominal perineal rectal resection for rectal cancer with a horseshoe kidney using preoperative 3D-CT angiography: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A horseshoe kidney is a congenital malformation involving the fusion of the bilateral kidneys and is often accompanied by anomalies of the ureteropelvic and vascular systems. When performing resection of colorectal cancer in a patient with horseshoe kidney, damage to the ureter or excessive renal arteries should be avoided. To achieve this purpose, comprehensive preoperative anatomical assessments and surgical planning are important. Here, we report a case of a laparoscopic abdominal perineal rectal resection for lower rectal cancer with a horseshoe kidney. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old woman presented with bloody stool and was diagnosed with advanced lower rectal cancer, immediately above the rectal dentate line, without metastasis. A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a horseshoe kidney, while a three-dimensional CT (3D-CT) angiography revealed aberrant excess renal artery from the aorta to the renal isthmus. The left ureter ran in front of the isthmus of the horseshoe kidney and presented calculus formation. Laparoscopic abdominal perineal rectal resection was performed with D3 lymph node dissection. During the operation, we mobilized the sigmoid colon mesentery via a medial approach and preserved the left ureter, the left gonadal vessels, and the hypogastric nerve plexus in the retroperitoneum in front of the horseshoe kidney. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of rectal cancer surgery in a patient with a horseshoe kidney. We discuss the anatomical peculiarities of a horseshoe kidney, such as excess renal arteries, inferior vena cava, ureter, gonadal vessels, and nerves, that should be preserved according to the literature. We suggest that preoperative 3D-CT angiography is both useful for revealing the relationship between the vascular system and a horseshoe kidney and helpful when performing laparoscopic surgery for a left-sided colon and rectal cancer to avoid intraoperative injury.

[Diagnosis of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver and difficulty in its differentiation from a malignant tumor: a case report].

A 79-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. Imaging findings suggested hepatocellular carcinoma although the serum levels of tumor markers were within the normal range. Thus, we performed hepatectomy of S5 and components separation. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver. In reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver, a preoperative diagnosis of a malignant tumor was made followed by a definitive diagnosis after resection. Hence, it is imperative to consider reactive lymphoid hyperplasia as a type of liver tumor that is distinct from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Solitary metastasis to a superior mediastinal lymph node after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal lymph node metastases occasionally occur in patients of advanced gastric cancer of the cardia with esophageal invasion, but they rarely occur in patients with gastric cancer of other sites. This report describes a case of a solitary metastasis to t a superior mediastinal lymph node after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer of the antrum. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old man underwent curative distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer of the antrum (pT2pN2M0, stage IIB). Postoperatively, he underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 (100 mg/day). Although the serum levels of his tumor markers increased after surgery, computed tomography scans did not detect evidence of early recurrence in the superior mediastinum. However, a 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan showed accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose in the upper mediastinum with no evidence of recurrence elsewhere. Therefore, a solitary superior mediastinal lymph node was suspected to have a metastatic lesion derived from the gastric cancer. The patient underwent tumor resection right mini-thoracotomy two years and three months following gastrectomy. A pathological examination demonstrated moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, confirming that it was a metastatic adenocarcinoma from the gastric cancer. The patient developed recurrences in the superior mediastinum and several right costa six months following the second surgery. He was treated with chemotherapy, but he died 18 months after the second operation. CONCLUSION: We present a rare case of a solitary metastasis to a superior mediastinal lymph node after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. An FDG-PET scan is useful for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. Metastasis to the superior mediastinal lymph nodes from gastric cancer in sites other than the cardia suggests systemic expansion of gastric cancer, and therefore, even a solitary metastasis may be related to a poor prognosis.

Curative resection by splenectomy for solitary splenic metastasis from early gastric cancer: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Solitary metastasis of a malignancy to the spleen is rare, particularly for gastric cancer. Only a few case reports have documented isolated splenic metastasis from early gastric cancer. We describe a case of splenic metastasis from early gastric cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old man underwent a distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. It infiltrated the submucosa with pathological nodal involvement (pT1bN2M0, stage IIB). One year after the gastrectomy, an abdominal computed tomography scan showed a low-density lesion, 17 mm in diameter, at the upper pole of the spleen. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed focal accumulation of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose in the spleen without extrasplenic tumor dissemination or metastasis. We diagnosed splenic metastasis of gastric cancer, and performed a splenectomy. Histological examination confirmed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (solid type) that was consistent with the features of the primary gastric cancer. The splenic tumor was pathologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed as a metastasis from the gastric carcinoma. More than 18 months after the splenectomy, the patient has had no evidence of recurrent gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: When solitary metastasis to the spleen is suspected during the postoperative follow-up of a patient with gastric cancer, a splenectomy is a potentially effective treatment.

Gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma resulting in a spontaneous gastric perforation: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma (GHAC) is an atypical form of gastric cancer (GC) that has similar tissue morphology to hepatocellular carcinoma and frequently produces alpha-fetoprotein. We present an exceedingly rare case of GHAC resulting in a spontaneous gastric perforation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old man presented at our institution complaining of abdominal and back pain. A computed tomography scan revealed a spontaneous gastric perforation with a solitary liver tumor and lymph node swelling. Following a diagnosis of advanced-stage GC with a gastric perforation, perforative peritonitis, multiple lymph node metastases, and a solitary metastasis of the lateral segment of the liver, the patient underwent distal gastrectomy. Histopathology of the resected specimen revealed that the tumor cells were arranged in a hepatoid pattern. On immunohistochemical staining, the tumor cells were positive for alpha-fetoprotein and Sal-like protein 4. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with GHAC. Hepatic resection of the solitary liver metastasis was performed. However, recurrence occurred and the patient achieved complete response following tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil-based chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: GHAC is a highly malignant histological subtype of GC. We reported on an extremely rare case of GHAC resulting in a spontaneous gastric perforation and reviewed the literature, including epidemiological data, treatment regimens, and the association between GHAC and alpha-fetoprotein-producing GC.

[A case of advanced signet ring cell carcinoma of the appendix that responded to S-1 and docetaxel].

A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after testing positive in a fecal occult blood test. He was subsequently diagnosed with advanced signet ring cell carcinoma of the appendix with disseminated peritoneal disease and ascites. Weekly chemotherapy with S-1 was commenced, and after three courses, the tumor shrunk in size and the ascites decreased. Two more courses were administered;however, disease progression was noted because of increasing ascites. The chemotherapy regimen was changed to weekly docetaxel, and after two courses, further tumor shrinkage and a decrease in ascites were noted. The disease course of this patient suggests that S-1 and docetaxel were effective against signet ring cell carcinoma of the appendix. Here we report this case and discuss the relevant literature.

[A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction with bulky no.7-metastatic node successfully treatedby chemoradiation followed by surgery].

The patient was a 59-year-old man showing an ulcerative tumor. He had squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed by biopsy specimens, found in the esophagogastric junction by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Abdominal CT showed a No.7 nodeswelling( 40mm in diameter), and the metastatic tumor directly invaded the pancreas(cStage IVa). We scheduled surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy, because it was difficult to remove the metastatic node completely. Two courses of chemotherapy consisting of 5-FU and CDDP were performed, and 2 Gy/day-irradiation(total amount of 40 Gy)was performed over 20 days. After chemoradiation, the tumor changed to a superficially depressed lesion, and the metastatic huge node was shrunk. Thirty-five days after chemoradiation, transhiatal a lower esophagectomy with proximal gastrectomy was performed. Histopathologic findings after surgery showed no cancer remnant in the primary site and the node(pCR). Three years later, the patient is well without recurrence. Although there was no evidence of preoperative chemoradiation limited in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction, surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy may be an effective treatment in advanced cases, such as the present one.