Prevalence and Risk Factors of Germline Pathogenic Variants in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The genetic attribution for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been reported as 5%-10%. However, the incidence of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in Korean PDAC patients has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we studied to identify the risk factors and prevalence of PV for future treatment strategies in PDAC. @*Materials and Methods@#Total of 300 (155 male) patients with a median age of 65 years (range, 33 to 90 years) were enrolled in National Cancer Center in Korea. Cancer predisposition genes, clinicopathologic characteristics, and family history of cancer were analyzed. @*Results@#PVs were detected in 20 patients (6.7%, median age 65) in ATM (n=7, 31.8%), BRCA1 (n=3, 13.6%), BRCA2 (n=3), and RAD51D (n=3). Each one patient showed TP53, PALB2, PMS2, RAD50, MSH3, and SPINK1 PV. Among them, two likely PVs were in ATM and RAD51D, respectively. Family history of various types of cancer including pancreatic cancer (n=4) were found in 12 patients. Three patients with ATM PVs and a patient with three germline PVs (BRCA2, MSH3, and RAD51D) had first-degree relatives with pancreatic cancer. Familial pancreatic cancer history and PVs detection had a significant association (4/20, 20% vs. 16/264, 5.7%; p=0.035). @*Conclusion@#Our study demonstrated that germline PVs in ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, and RAD51D are most frequent in Korean PDAC patients and it is comparable to those of different ethnic groups. Although this study did not show guidelines for germline predisposition gene testing in patients with PDAC in Korea, it would be emphasized the need for germline testing for all PDAC patients.

Efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose in iron deficiency anemia patients scheduled for pancreaticoduodenectomy

Purpose@#Perioperative transfusion is reported to be an independent risk factor not only for postoperative complications but also for early recurrence of periampullary carcinoma after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in reducing the need for perioperative transfusion in iron deficiency anemia patients scheduled for PD. @*Methods@#Twenty-two male patients (hemoglobin [Hb] 7 to <13 g/dL) and 18 female patients (Hb 7 to <12 g/dL) were enrolled in the study group and administered FCM 1–3 weeks before PD. The perioperative transfusion rate was the primary endpoint; morbidity, length of postoperative hospital stay, change in hematological parameters after FCM injection, and adverse effects of FCM were also investigated. @*Results@#The perioperative transfusion rate of the study group was 22.5% (9 of 40). Hb level was significantly higher on the day of the operation compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Levels of Hb, transferrin saturation, and ferritin were higher at the follow-up compared to baseline (P = 0.008, P = 0.033, and P < 0.001, respectively). @*Conclusions@#FCM administration was associated with a reduced need for perioperative transfusion and can safely stabilize hematological parameters.

First Course of treatment and Prognosis of Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer in Korea from 2006 to 2017 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Hospital-based clinical studies have limitations in holistic assessment of cancer treatment and prognosis, as they omit out-of-hospital patients including elderly individuals. This study aimed to investigate trends in initial treatment and corresponding prognosis of patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC) in Korea. @*Materials and Methods@#The Korea Central Cancer Registry data of patients with EPC from 2006 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. We defined the first course of treatment (FT) as the cancer-directed treatment administered within four months after cancer diagnosis according to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. @*Results@#Among 62,209 patients with EPC, localized and regional (LR) SEER stage; patients over 70 years old; and ductal adenocarcinoma excluding cystic or mucinous (DAC) accounted for 40.6%, 50.1%, and 95.9%, respectively. “No active treatment” (NT, 46.5%) was the most frequent, followed by non-surgical FT (28.7%) and surgical FT (22.0%). Among 25,198 patients with LR EPC, surgical FT increased (35.9% to 46.3%) and NT decreased (45.0% to 29.5%) from 2006 to 2017. The rate of surgical FT was inversely related to age (55.1% [< 70 years], 37.3% [70-79 years], 10.9% [≥ 80 years]). Five-year relative survival rates of LR DAC were higher after surgical FT than after NT in localized (46.1% vs. 12.9%) and regional stage (23.6% vs. 4.9%) from 2012 to 2017. @*Conclusion@#Less than half of overall patients with LR EPC underwent surgical FT, and this proportion decreased significantly in elderly individuals. Clinicians should focus attention on elderly patients with EPC to provide appropriate medical advice.

Trend Analysis and Prediction of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Korea

Background@#This study aimed to analyze the current trends and predict the epidemiologic features of hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) cancers according to the Korea Central Cancer Registry to provide insights into health policy. @*Methods@#Incidence data from 1999 to 2017 and mortality data from 2002 to 2018 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database and Statistics Korea, respectively. The future incidence rate from 2018 to 2040 and mortality rate from 2019 to 2040 of each HBP cancer were predicted using an age-period-cohort model. All analyses, including incidence and mortality, were stratified by sex. @*Results@#From 1999 to 2017, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of HBP cancers per 100,000 population had changed (liver, 25.8 to 13.5; gallbladder [GB], 2.9 to 2.6;bile ducts, 5.1 to 5.9; ampulla of Vater [AoV], 0.9 to 0.9; and pancreatic, 5.6 to 7.3). The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) per 100,000 population from 2002 to 2018 of each cancer had declined, excluding pancreatic cancer (5.5 to 5.6). The predicted ASIR of pancreatic cancer per 100,000 population from 2018 to 2040 increased (7.5 to 8.2), but that of other cancers decreased. Furthermore, the predicted ASMR per 100,000 population from 2019 to 2040 decreased in all types of cancers: liver (6.5 to 3.2), GB (1.4 to 0.9), bile ducts (4.3 to 2.9), AoV (0.3 to 0.2), and pancreas (5.4 to 4.7). However, in terms of sex, the predicted ASMR of pancreatic cancer per 100,000 population in females increased (3.8 to 4.9). @*Conclusion@#The annual incidence and mortality cases of HBP cancers are generally predicted to increase. Especially, pancreatic cancer has an increasing incidence and will be the leading cause of cancer-related death among HBP cancers.

Nutritional Therapy Related Complications in Hospitalized Adult Patients: A Korean Multicenter Trial

PURPOSE: Nutritional therapy (NT), such as enteral nutrition (EN) or parenteral nutrition (PN), is essential for the malnourished patients. Although the complications related to NT has been well described, multicenter data on symptoms in the patients with receiving NT during hospitalization are still lacking. METHODS: Nutrition support team (NST) consultations, on which NT-related complications were described, were collected retrospectively for one year. The inclusion criteria were patients who were (1) older than 18 years, (2) hospitalized, and (3) receiving EN or PN at the time of NST consultation. The patients' demographics (age, sex, body mass index [BMI]), type of NT and type of complication were collected. To compare the severity of each complication, the intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital stay, and type of discharge were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 14,600 NT-related complications were collected from 13,418 cases from 27 hospitals in Korea. The mean age and BMI were 65.4 years and 21.8 kg/m2. The complications according to the type of NT, calorie deficiency (32.4%, n=1,229) and diarrhea (21.6%, n=820) were most common in EN. Similarly, calorie deficiency (56.8%, n=4,030) and GI problem except for diarrhea (8.6%, n=611) were most common in PN. Regarding the clinical outcomes, 18.7% (n=2,158) finally expired, 58.1% (n=7,027) were admitted to ICU, and the mean hospital days after NT-related complication were 31.3 days. Volume overload (odds ratio [OR]=3.48) and renal abnormality (OR=2.50) were closely associated with hospital death; hyperammonemia (OR=3.09) and renal abnormality (OR=2.77) were associated with ICU admission; “micronutrient and vitamin deficiency” (geometric mean [GM]=2.23) and volume overload (GM=1.61) were associated with a longer hospital stay. CONCLUSION: NT may induce or be associated with several complications, and some of them may seriously affect the patient's outcome. NST personnel in each hospital should be aware of each problem during nutritional support.

Comprehensive Cancer Panel Sequencing Defines Genetic Diversity and Changes in the Mutational Characteristics of Pancreatic Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Treatment

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. This study assessed the genetic diversity among patients with PDA and compared their mutational profiles before and after treatment. METHODS: Tumors and matched blood samples were obtained from 22 PDA patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The somatic mutations were analyzed with comprehensive cancer gene panel (CCP). In addition, the biopsy samples obtained at diagnosis and the surgically resected samples after treatment were compared for seven patients. The CCP provided formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample-compatible multiplexed target selection for 409 genes implicated in cancer. RESULTS: Assessments of the MLH1, MLH3, MSH2, and PMS2 genes showed that the four patients with the highest relative burdens of mutations harbored somatic mutations in at least three of these genes. Genes in the histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) family, such as KMT2D, KMT2A, and KMT2C, were frequently mutated in tumor samples. Survival was worse in patients with ARID1A gene mutations than those without ARID1A gene mutations. Mutation patterns were compared between tissue samples before and after neoadjuvant treatment in seven patients who underwent surgical resection. The allelic fraction of mutations in KRAS codon 12 was lower in the surgically resected samples than in the endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy samples of six patients. The number of mutant alleles of the histone lysine methyltransferase gene WHSC1 also decreased after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that tumor tissue from PDA patients is genetically diverse and suggest that ARID1A mutations may be a potential prognostic marker for PDA.

Repeat hepatectomy for recurred colorectal liver metastasis: is it justified?

PURPOSE: Liver resection is considered the only curative treatment modality for colorectal liver metastasis. The recurrence rate after hepatectomy is >50%. Two or more hepatectomies are applied to treat recurred metastases. We assessed the efficiency and feasibility of repeat hepatectomy and analyzed the prognostic factors after a repeat hepatectomy. METHODS: In total, 248 patients were diagnosed with recurred liver metastasis between January 2003 and May 2016. Second and third hepatectomies were performed in 70 and 7 patients, respectively. The other 171 patients did not undergo a repeat hepatectomy. Clinical features were collected from the medical records. We analyzed survival rates of the repeat hepatectomy group and the nonrepeat hepatectomy group. We also investigated factors affecting overall and disease-free survival of patients who received a repeat hepatectomy using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Median overall survival was significantly higher in the repeat hepatectomy group than in the nonrepeat group (83.0 months vs. 25.0 months, P < 0.001). The morbidity and mortality rates of repeat hepatectomy were 9.1% and 0%, respectively. Median overall and disease-free survival of the repeat hepatectomy group were 62.0 and 51.0 months, respectively. The number of recurred tumors was the only significant factor for disease-free survival (P = 0.029). None of the factors affected overall survival. CONCLUSION: Repeat hepatectomy is necessary, effective, and safe for treating recurred colorectal liver metastasis. Repeat hepatectomy can be considered in patients with fewer than three recurred metastatic tumors.

Proximal Resection Margins: More Prognostic than Distal Resection Margins in Patients Undergoing Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Resection / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Even though the therapeutic gold standard of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) resection is cancer-free resection margin (RM), surgical treatment still remains challenging. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of RM status in resected HCCA patients and identified survival prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed records of 96 HCCA patients who underwent surgery from 2001 to 2012 and analyzed the RM status and prognostic factors that affecting survival. RESULTS: Negative RM (n=31, 33%) was significantly associated with better survival vs. positive RM (n=65, 67%) (mean survival time [MST], 33 months vs. 21 months; p=0.011). Margins with histological findings of non-dysplastic epithelium, low-grade dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ were not associated with survival differences (MST, 33 months vs. 33 months vs. 30 months; p=0.452), whereas positive margins were associated with poorer survival relative to carcinoma in situ (MST, 30 months vs. 21 months; p=0.050). Among patients with R0 resection, narrow (≤ 5 mm) and wide (> 5 mm) margins were not associated with survival differences (MST, 33 months vs. 30 months; p=0.234). Although positive proximal RM was associated with poorer survival compared to negative RM (MST, 19 vs. 33; p=0.002), no survival difference was observed between positive and negative distal RMs (MST, 30 vs. 33; p=0.628). Proximal RM positivity (hazard ratio [HR], 2.688; p=0.007) and nodal involvement (HR, 3.293; p < 0.001) were independent survival prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: A clear RM, especially proximal RM status, was significant prognosticator, and proximal bile duct resection to the greatest technically feasible extent may be necessary, with careful consideration of the potential morbidity and oncologic outcomes after resection. However, an aggressive approach to obtain a negative distal RM might be controversial and should be considered carefully, depending on the patient's status.

Somatic Mutations from Whole Exome Sequencing Analysis of the Patients with Biliary Tract Cancer

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. To understand the genetic characteristics of BTC, we analyzed whole-exome sequencing data and identified somatic mutations in patients with BTC. Tumors and matched blood or normal samples were obtained from seven patients with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection. We discovered inactivating mutations of tumor suppressor genes, including APC, TP53, and ARID1A, in three patients. Activating mutations of KRAS and NRAS were also identified. Our analyses identified somatic mutations in Korean patients with BTC

Are you prepared for pancreas bifidum? A case report

Pancreas divisum—failure of fusion of the dorsal and ventral pancreatic ducts—is relatively well known as the most common congenital anomaly of the pancreatic duct, of with an incidence approximately 10% of all embryos. And there is a rare anomaly similar to pancreas divisum in which doubled ducts are formed. This condition is a rare developmental anomaly called pancreas bifidum or bifid pancreas or fish tail pancreas. This report describes a patient with pancreas bifidum who had 2 separated ducts within the pancreas from tail to neck but did not have a separated parenchyma. We hope that this report helps pancreatic surgeons to have knowledge of pancreas bifidum and helps them to be prepared for this anatomical variant.

Effectiveness and feasibility of concurrent chemoradiotherapy using simultaneous integrated boost-intensity modulated radiotherapy with and without induction chemotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using simultaneous integrated boost-intensity modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and May 2015, 47 LAPC patients received CRT using SIB-IMRT. Prior to SIB-IMRT, 37 patients (78.7%) received induction chemotherapy (IC-CRT group) and remaining 10 patients (21.3%) did not received induction chemotherapy (CRT group). During SIB-IMRT, all patients received concomitant chemotherapy, with gemcitabine (n = 37) and capecitabine (n = 10). RESULTS: At the time of analysis, 45 patients had died and 2 patients remained alive and the median follow-up time was 14.2 months (range, 3.3 to 51.4 months). For all patients, the median times of local progression-free survival (LPFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 18.1, 10.3, and 14.2 months, respectively. The median time of LPFS between IC-CRT and CRT groups was similar (18.1 months vs. 18.3 months, p = 0.711). IC-CRT group had a higher trend in PFS (10.9 months vs. 4.1 months, p = 0.054) and had significantly higher OS (15.4 months vs. 9.5 months, p = 0.007) than CRT group. In multivariate analysis, the use of induction chemotherapy and tumor response were significant factors associated with OS (p < 0.05, each). During SIBIMRT, toxicity of grade ≥3 was observed in 7 patients (14.9%) in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: CRT using SIB-IMRT is feasible and promising in LAPC patients.

Induction Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Followed by Simultaneous Integrated Boost–Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy with Concurrent Gemcitabine for Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: Results from a Feasibility Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study assessed the feasibility and compliance of induction chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by simultaneous integrated boost–intensity modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) with concurrent gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this trial, patients received induction chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m²) and cisplatin (25 mg/m²) on days 1, 8, and 15 of each treatment cycle. Patients were subsequently treated with gemcitabine (300 mg/m²/wk) during SIB-IMRT. The patients received total doses of 55 and 44 Gy in 22 fractions to planning target volume 1 and 2, respectively. As an ancillary study, digital polymerase chain reaction was performed to screen for the seven most common mutations in codons 12 and 13 of the KRAS oncogene of circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA). RESULTS: Forty-four patients were enrolled between 2012 and 2015. Of these, 33 (75%) completed the treatment. The most common toxicities during induction chemotherapy were grades 3 and 4 neutropenia (18.2%), grade 3 nausea (6.8%) and vomiting (6.8%). The most common toxicities during SIB-IMRT were grade 3 neutropenia (24.2%) and grade 3 anemia (12.1%). Ten patients (23%) underwent a curative resection after therapy. Median overall survival was significantly longer in patients who underwent curative resection (16.8 months vs. 11 months, p < 0.01). The median cfDNA concentration was significantly lower after treatment (108.5 ng/mL vs. 18.4 ng/mL, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by concurrent SIB-IMRT was well tolerated and active.

Ultrastructural Changes in Skeletal Muscle of Infants with Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complex I Defects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of mitochondrial disease (MD) involves the disruption of cellular energy metabolism, which results from defects in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex (MRC). We investigated whether infants with MRC I defects showed ultrastructural changes in skeletal muscle. METHODS: Twelve infants were enrolled in this study. They were initially evaluated for unexplained neurodegenerative symptoms, myopathies, or other progressive multiorgan involvement, and underwent muscle biopsies when MD was suspected. Muscle tissue samples were subjected to biochemical enzyme assays and observation by transmission electron microscopy. We compared and analyzed the ultrastructure of skeletal muscle tissues obtained from patients with and without MRC I defects. RESULTS: Biochemical enzyme assays confirmed the presence of MRC I defects in 7 of the 12 patients. Larger mitochondria, lipid droplets, and fused structures between the outer mitochondrial membrane and lipid droplets were observed in the skeletal muscles of patients with MRC I defects. CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondrial functional defects in MRC I disrupt certain activities related to adenosine triphosphate synthesis that produce changes in the skeletal muscle. The ultrastructural changes observed in the infants in this study might serve as unique markers for the detection of MD.

Effect of Capecitabine plus Oxaliplatin for Advanced Adenocarcinoma of Ampulla of Vater / 대한췌담도학회지

BACKGROUND/AIM: Adenocarcinoma arising from the ampulla of Vater is a rare disease and has limited data regarding outcome of palliative chemotherapy. We investigated the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) in patients with advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma. METHODS: From October 2006 to January 2014, we retrospectively analyzed 28 patients with advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma treated by XELOX regimen at single institution. All the patients had histologically confirmed stage IV or recurrent ampullary adenocarcinoma. XELOX was administered in outpatient clinic every 3 weeks according to the following protocol: oral administration of capecitabine 750 mg/m² twice a day on days 1-14 and intravenous injection of oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² on day 1. RESULTS: With follow-up of median 24.6 months (range 4.0–78.0 months), median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.8 months (range 0.7–26.1 months), and median overall survival (OS) was 11.9 months (range 2.0–36.0 months). One patient (4%) achieved complete response and 5 patients (18%) showed partial response. There were no significant differences for PFS and OS according to response by chemotherapy. The most common grade 3 adverse events in patients were nausea and vomiting (10.7%). There was no treatment-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: XELOX regimen is well tolerated and show moderate activity against advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Loading in Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Overnight fasting before elective surgery has been the routine to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Recently, several international guidelines for preoperative fasting recommend to intake carbohydrate-containing fluids up to 2 to 3 hours before the induction of anesthesia to improve postoperative recovery. Based on the recommendations, we developed a "preoperative carbohydrate diet" provided for the preoperative patients. The purpose of this case report is to share our experience of applying preoperative carbohydrate loading prior to surgery.

Ampulla of Vater Adenomyoma with Dilatations of Biliary and Pancreatic Duct / 대한췌담도학회지

Adenomyoma is a non-neoplastic lesion that frequently occurs in the gallbladder, but it's rarely found at the ampulla of Vater. When it develops at the ampulla of Vater, it may be mistaken for a periampullary malignancy. A 64-year-old asymptomatic male patient visited to our hospital with abnormal sonogram findings. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed dilatations of common bile duct and main pancreatic duct. However, there was no definite ampullary mass. We performed endoscopic biopsies and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration. But the results were negative for malignant cells. Because we could not completely rule out malignancy, pylorus preserving pancreato-duodenectomy was performed. Histologically, hyperplastic components are intermixed with smooth muscle fibers in the subepithelial portion of ampulla of Vater. Awareness of adenomyoma of the ampulla of Vater is very important because of their clinical and endoscopic similarities to ampullary tumors.

Celiac axis stenosis as a rare but critical condition treated with pancreatoduodenectomy: report of 2 cases

We describe 2 cases of patients with loss of hepatic arterial flow during surgery for pancreatic head cancer due to celiac stenosis caused by median arcuate ligament compression. The first case underwent pylorus-resecting pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer. After resection of the gastroduodenal artery, flow in the common hepatic artery disappeared, and celiac axis stenosis was identified. Interventional stent insertion was attempted, however, it failed due to the acute angle of the celiac orifice (os). This problem was resolved by arterial reconstruction. The second case underwent pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer and the same phenomenon occurred during the procedure. Interventional stent insertion was also tried; in this patient, however, it failed due to the acute angle of the celiac os. The problem was resolved by changing a femoral approach to a brachial approach, and the stent was inserted into the celiac os successfully.

Celiac axis stenosis as a rare but critical condition treated with pancreatoduodenectomy: report of 2 cases

We describe 2 cases of patients with loss of hepatic arterial flow during surgery for pancreatic head cancer due to celiac stenosis caused by median arcuate ligament compression. The first case underwent pylorus-resecting pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer. After resection of the gastroduodenal artery, flow in the common hepatic artery disappeared, and celiac axis stenosis was identified. Interventional stent insertion was attempted, however, it failed due to the acute angle of the celiac orifice (os). This problem was resolved by arterial reconstruction. The second case underwent pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer and the same phenomenon occurred during the procedure. Interventional stent insertion was also tried; in this patient, however, it failed due to the acute angle of the celiac os. The problem was resolved by changing a femoral approach to a brachial approach, and the stent was inserted into the celiac os successfully.

Prevalence of Serum IgG Antibodies to Cystic Echinococcus Antigen among Patients in an Uzbekistan Emergency Hospital

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most widespread zoonotic helminthiases, which can last an asymptomatic infection for several years. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate serum antibody prevalence of CE among asymptomatic people in Uzbekistan using ELISA. A total of 2,547 serum samples were collected, 66 from confirmed CE patients and 2,481 of patients with other diseases than CE at a hospital in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The serum samples were screened for CE specific IgG antibodies by ELISA using cystic fluid antigen obtained from sheep. The serum antibody positive rate was 89.4% (59/66) in CE and 3.6% (89/2,481) in other disease patients. The present ELISA recognized 89.4% sensitivity and 96.4% specificity. The ELISA absorbance of positive samples was distributed 0.271-0.971 for CE and 0.273-0.887 for other disease patients. The other disease patients with high absorbance over 0.3 were 50 (2.0%) who were presumed to be active CE patients. The patients in their 40s showed the highest positive rate of 5.2% (P=0.181), and women were 4.4% while men were 3.1% positive (P=0.136). The data confirmed that there are many asymptomatic patients of CE in Tashkent. It is indicated that CE is an endemic disease of public health importance in Uzbekistan.

Anatomy and Surgical Management of Ampullary Neoplasm / 대한췌담도학회지

Ampulla is a common channel where biliary and pancreatic duct join. The reason why it is called ampulla is that this area is enlarged where it penetrates the duodenal wall. As it protrudes into the duodenal lumen, it is also called papilla. Ampulla is surrounded by sphincter muscles which control the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice. Ampullary tumor includes broad spectrum of benign and malignant tumors which need different treatment options - Endoscopic papillectomy (EP), surgical ampullectomy (SA), and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). There is a consensus that benign tumors need EP and malignant tumors need PPPD. However, there are controversies regarding how to treat high-grade dysplasia (HGD), carcinoma in-situ, or T1 cancer. Surgical treatment includes SA and PPPD. The indication of SA is usually benign tumors which extend to bile duct or pancreatic duct or too big tumors to snare completely by endoscopy. Compared to EP, SA is less likely to leave remnant tumor which results in re-resection. In some limited cases of early carcinoma, SA can be attempted. Oncologically, however, SA is not recommended because there might be incomplete resection, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, or perineural invasion. As PPPD still has high morbidity, prolonged length of stay, and relatively high post-op mortality, SA can be recommended in old patients with co-morbidity that can be exacerbated after surgery. Technically important points of SA are as follows; first, resecting the whole layer of duodenum, second, re-implanting the bile duct and pancreatic duct with duodenal mucosa to keep the mucosal continuity. PPPD is a standard operation of malignant tumor because it can completely remove the tumor as well as regional lymph nodes.