Atsushi Nakachi

Granular cell tumor of the rectum: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract: A 47-year-old Japanese woman with a 5-year history of alcoholism was admitted to the Ryukyu University Hospital for the treatment of the alcoholism. For evaluation of observed changes in her bowel habits, she underwent colonoscopy, which revealed seven small polyps spread throughout the entire large intestine. Six of the polyps were in the colon; one was an adenoma and five were hyperplastic polyps. The remaining polyp, in the rectum, was an 8-mm submucosal tumor. Pathological analysis of a biopsy of the lesion in the rectum indicated a possible diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) demonstrated a submucosal hypoechoic nodule, involving the mucosa and the muscularis propria. Subsequently, the patient underwent a radical low anterior resection of rectum. The lesion was a submucosal tumor with ulceration. The tumor consisted of granular tumor cells which were positive for S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, and periodic acid schiff (PAS) stain, but negative for desmin and vimentin. Granular cell tumor is rare in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, such tumors can be misinterpreted to indicate a possible malignancy on either a biopsy or EUS.

Microsatellite instability in patients with gastric remnant cancer

Background. About 2% of patients who undergo partial distal gastrectomy for gastroduodenal diseases develop gastric remnant cancer 10 to 30 years after the gastrectomy. It is important in clinical practice to determine a molecular marker to identify patients susceptible to gastric remnant cancer. Methods. We investigated nine gastric remnant cancers (from nine individuals who had gastrectomies for primary gastric cancer or gastroduodenal ulcer) for microsatellite instability (MSI) at six loci, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A control group of ten patients with sporadic gastric cancers in the upper third of the stomach was also similarly analyzed. Results. MSI was demonstrated in eight of nine cancers from the individuals who had had primary gastric cancer or gastroduodenal ulcer (88.9%) compared with two of ten cancers from the individuals with sporadic gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach (20%). Conclusion. These results suggest that one or more MSI is associated with remnant gastric cancer after gastrectomy.

Fundic adenomyomatosis bulged with the subserosal excessive fat of the gallbladder mimicking polypoid carcinoma: A case report with unusual imaging and morphological features

This report describes a 41-year-old female who presented with adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder mimicking polypoid carcinoma, on the diagnostic imaging findings and revealing unusual histologic features for such a localized adenomyomatosis. The mass was located on the gallbladder liver-side wall at the fundus and papillary hyperechoic growth showed no clear ultrasonographic features of adenomyomatosis. The patient underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a tentative diagnosis of superficial polypoid carcinoma. Histologically, the tumor bulged due to subserosal excessive fat tissue.

A rare case of achalasia coexistent with sigmoid megacolon and associated with epilepsy

A case of achalasia coexistent with sigmoid megacolon in a 38-year-old man with known epilepsy is described. The patient was referred to the Ryukyu University Hospital with a 4-year history of dysphagia and heartburn and a 1-year history of abnormal bowel movement. On admission, upper gastrointestinal (GI) series demonstrated a dilated, tortuous thoracic esophagus with a flask-type configuration. Barium enema studies showed a dilated sigmoid colon from the rectosigmoid junction to the descending colon. Myotomy (modified Jekler-Lhotkas procedure) for achalasia and simple sigmoidectomy for sigmoid megacolon were carried out. The biopsied wall of the narrowed esophageal segment at operation showed decreased numbers of ganglion cells in Auerbachs plexus and atrophy of the muscle fibers. The resected dilated sigmoid colon revealed degeneration and markedly decreased numbers of ganglion cells in Auerbachs and Meissners plexuses. The patients postoperative course was uneventful and he has been doing well since surgery.The present case is very interesting and to our knowledge, such a case is rare in the literature. We believe that the abnormalities of the ganglion cells may be due to the same etiologic factor as the sigmoid megacolon. The association of the two pathologic processes is discussed, together with a brief review of the literature.

Pedunculated exogastric leiomyosarcoma:: Case report and brief literature review

A case report and review of the literature on pedunculated exogastric leiomyosarcomas are presented. Although about one-fourth of the stromal tumors (common leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas) of the stomach grow in an exogastric configuration, pedunculated exogastric leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare. At present there is no evidence of intraperitoneal seeding from exogastric leiomyosarcomas. Consequently, a local resection with an adequate margin is sufficient when no invasion to the adjacent structures, is observed.

Barrett's adenocarcinoma associated with acquired eventration of the diaphragm.

Abstract:We report a rare case of Barretts adenocarcinoma asso-ciated with acquired eventration of the diaphragm in a 71-year-old woman. She initially developed dysphagia and epigastric discomfort in May, 1997. On July 9, she was referred to our Department of Surgery at the Ryukyus University Hospital for thorough examination and treatment. Esophageal adenocarcinoma and eventration of the diaphragm were revealed by exhaustive examinations, including chest X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, and proximal gastrectomy with reconstruction of jejunal interposition was performed, on August 8. Histologically, the tumor revealed that the adenocarcinoma arose from short-segment Barretts esophagus (SSBE). It thus appears that eventration of the diaphragm may induce SSBE and Barretts adenocarcinoma. We therefore recommend that periodic examinations of the esophagus and stomach be performed in patients with eventration of the diaphragm. Barretts adenocarcinoma associated with acquired eventration of the diaphragm is reported. Patients with eventration of the diaphragm should undergo periodic examinations of the esophagus and stomach.

Colonic metastasis from breast carcinoma: a case report

BackgroundColonic metastasis from breast carcinoma is very rare. Here, we report a case of colonic metastasis from breast carcinoma.Case presentationThe patient was a 51-year-old woman. She had upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, repeatedly. We performed abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) to investigate these symptoms. The CT scan revealed a tumor in the ascending colon with contrast enhancement and showed an expanded small intestine. For further investigation of this tumor, we performed whole positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). The PET-CT scan revealed fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the ascending colon, mesentery, left breast, and left axillary region. Analysis of biopsy samples obtained during colonoscopy revealed signet ring cell-like carcinoma. Moreover, biopsy of the breast tumor revealed invasive lobular carcinoma. Therefore, the preoperative diagnosis was colonic metastasis from breast carcinoma. Open ileocecal resection was performed. The final diagnosis was multiple metastatic breast carcinomas, and the TNM classification was T2N1M1 Stage IV.ConclusionsWe presented a rare case of colonic metastasis from breast carcinoma. PET-CT may be useful in the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. When analysis of biopsy samples obtained during colonoscopy reveals signet ring cell-like carcinoma, the possibility of breast cancer as the primary tumor should be considered.

Neuroendocrine tumor of the small intestine diagnosed with trans-abdominal ultrasonography: A case report

Highlights • Tumors of the small intestine are rare.• We report a case of neuroendocrine tumor of the small intestine.• Ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis of small-intestine neuroendocrine tumor.