Precision CT­guided marking with India ink and microcoils for laparoscopic resection of a lateral lymph node recurrence of rectal cancer: A case report.

Although rarely used in laparoscopic surgery, computed tomography (CT)-guided marking is useful for targeting small lesions. The present study describes the performance of laparoscopic resection with preoperative CT-guided marking for lateral lymph node recurrence of rectal cancer. A 48-year-old man underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection for rectal cancer (postoperative diagnosis, stage IIIb). Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was then administered. Solitary lymph node recurrence was observed in the left lateral region after 6 months. Systemic chemotherapy reduced the size of the metastatic lymph nodes; however, 3.5 years after the surgery, the diameter increased by 10 mm, and laparoscopic resection was thus planned. Because the target lesion was small and located deep in the pelvis, preoperative CT-guided marking was performed with India ink injection and embolization microcoil implantation. The markers were clearly identified and the lesion was successfully resected with adequate margins. The approach described in the present study is thus considered potentially useful for the detection of small lesions.

[Ascending colon cancer with submucosal tumor-like morphology arising near ileal valve lipohyperplasia:a case report].

An 89-year-old man was diagnosed with a submucosal tumor suspected to be a lipoma and was followed up for 6 years. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of increased tumor size and morphological changes despite negative bioptic findings. The lesion was diagnosed as an advanced adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon (cT3N0M0, cStage IIa). Laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. Pathological diagnosis of a surgically resected specimen revealed adenocarcinoma with lipohyperplasia (pT3N2aM0, pStage IIIb). Reports of colon cancer accompanied by colonic lipomas or lipohyperplasia are limited. This case showed an interesting submucosal tumor-like morphology because the cancer developed at the base of the lipohyperplasia and grew and spread below it.

A rare case of inflammatory myofibroblast tumor of the stomach successfully treated by inverted laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery.

BACKGROUND: An Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare intermediate malignancy characterized by myofibroblast proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration. Various organs are the primary sites of origin. However, primary tumors originating in the stomach tend to be extremely rare, making the diagnosis difficult. Herein, we present a case of IMT originating in the stomach that was effectively managed using inverted laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS). CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital because of a submucosal tumor that was discovered during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The diameter of the tumor was approximately 20 mm. A KIT-negative gastrointestinal stromal tumor was suspected based on the biopsy findings. Therefore, partial resection of the stomach was performed using inverted laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery. Histopathological examination revealed collagen fiber proliferation from the submucosal layer to the muscular layer, accompanied by infiltration of spindle-shaped cells, lymphocytes, and numerous inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemistry results were positive for SMA and negative for CD34, desmin, and c-kit. IgG4-positive cells were observed with an IgG4/IgG ratio > 50%, and specific nuclei were positive for ALK. Therefore, IMT was diagnosed. This condition may be difficult to diagnose both before and after surgery because of its rarity and submucosal tumor-like morphology. CONCLUSION: When a submucosal tumor originating in the stomach is observed, IMT should be considered. Partial resection of the stomach with LECS and immunohistochemical diagnosis may be useful.

Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer with a coexisting Retzius shunt and inferior mesenteric arteriovenous malformation: A case report.

A coexisting short-circuit from the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) to the inferior vena cava, known as a Retzius shunt, and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the inferior mesentery are extremely rare conditions. We encountered a case of rectal cancer with coexisting Retzius shunt and inferior mesenteric AVM successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery. Contrast computed tomography (CT) in a 62-year-old man with rectal cancer showed multiple dilated veins at the mesenterium of the descending sigmoid colon. These dilated veins were connected between the IMV and the left renal vein. A diagnosis of Retzius shunt was made, and laparoscopic low anterior resection with lymph node dissection was performed. A pathological examination of the colonic mesenterium revealed AVM communicating with the dilated IMV and Retzius shunt. The preoperative evaluation of aberrant vessels by three-dimensional CT is particularly useful for patients with vascular malformations to ensure safe laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic Training for Gastrointestinal Surgery Using Japanese Traditional Papercraft Origami.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to show the experience and results of laparoscopic training using origami, a Japanese traditional papercraft, and to discuss its usefulness in gastrointestinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A laparoscopic training dry box was used. An origami paper crane was folded using laparoscopic instruments. The time to complete the origami crane was measured. RESULTS: Two trainees participated in this study; the total number of origami cranes folded by these trainees was 2000 and 700, respectively. The learning curve gradually improved. According to our experience, this training strengthened mental faculties and was associated with the improvement of hand-eye and left-right coordination, reduction of tremor, acquisition of delicate technique, the ability to distinguish subtle differences in color, ability to respond to trouble. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic training for gastrointestinal surgery using origami may have the potential to improve the technical skills in laparoscopic surgery.

Eosinophilic funiculitis initially diagnosed as irreducible inguinal hernia: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Most groin masses are first suspected to be groin hernias. More than 80% of bulging groin lesions are reportedly diagnosed as hernias by ultrasonography. Establishment of the correct diagnosis of hernia among all differential diagnoses is not easy. We herein describe a very rare case of groin eosinophilic funiculitis that presented as an irreducible groin hernia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old man presented to our hospital with suspicion of a right groin hernia. He had a 1-week history of a painful right groin tumor. The tumor was about 4 cm without skin redness or warmth, irreducible even in the supine position, and associated with mild tenderness. Enhanced computed tomography showed that the mass seemed to be connected to the intra-abdominal structures. With time, the patient's pain did not increase, the inflammatory response did not worsen, and no ischemic signs were observed by enhanced computed tomography. Therefore, we diagnosed the tumor as an irreducible but not incarcerated hernia and performed elective surgery. Intraoperative examination revealed no hernia sac, and a 4-×3-cm tumor was observed around the spermatic cord. A malignant tumor was not completely ruled out. High orchiectomy was performed after consultation with the urologists. Pathological examination of the tumor showed no malignant features, and the final diagnosis was eosinophilic funiculitis with massive inflammatory changes and eosinophil invasion. CONCLUSION: Eosinophilic funiculitis is very rare; only three cases have been reported to date. We should always consider unusual causes of groin masses during a surgical approach to hernia-like lesions.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination effectively treated with fourth-line chemotherapy of S-1 alone].

The patient was a 42-year-old female diagnosed with unresectable highly advanced gastric cancer complicated by peritoneal dissemination. We performed systemic chemotherapy with MTX+5-FU as the first-line treatment, which stabilized the disease. Since the patient initially wished a radical resection, we tried chemotherapy with weekly PTX as a second-line treatment. Her therapeutic response remained between a partial response and a stable disease for about five months, followed, however, by progressive disease. The result of the third-line treatment with CPT-11+CDDP was again a progressive disease, so we switched her regimen to single-agent S-1 as a fourth-line treatment. The ascites disappeared three months after the change in regimen. As of March 2006, the patient had survived for 17 months since diagnosis (8 months since the ongoing S-1 therapy started) and the disease is currently stabilized, and preserving a favorable performance status. However, in June 2006, the patient died of pneumonia 20 months after the diagnosis.

[Retrospective study of irinotecan plus fluorouracil and l-leucovorin chemotherapy for advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer].

Ten cases of advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan plus fluorouracil and l-leucovorin systemic chemotherapy (CPT-11/5-FU/l-LV) were investigated. The 10 patients consisted of 7 males and 3 females with a mean age of 64.3 years. We diagnosed adenocarcinoma of the colon in 2 patients and of the rectum in 8 patients. Five patients had liver and lung metastases, 1 had lymph node metastases, 1 had bone marrow metastases and 3 had recurrence in a pelvic lesion. All patients underwent 3-week chemotherapy regimen (CPT-11 50 mg/m2/week + 5-FU 400 mg/m2/week + l-LV 20 mg/m2/week). Five patients received this regimen as a first-line chemotherapy and the other patients as a second-line chemotherapy after 5-FU/l-LV chemotherapy. The effect was CR or PR in all patients receiving the regimen as a first-line chemotherapy. The progression free survival time was 6.8 months and mean survival time was 10.0 months in the first-line patients. Otherwise, all second-line patients had PD. The suppression of white blood cells (grade 1 or 2) was seen in 4 patients. All patients were able to receive the systemic chemotherapy in the outpatient setting. CPT-11/5-FU/l-LV chemotherapy appears to be an effective first-line chemotherapy for advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer.