Eisuke Asano

Phenotypic characterization and clinical outcome in ampullary adenocarcinoma

Although various features of ampullary adenocarcinoma have been reported, the impact of genetic alterations and rare subtypes on clinical outcome remains unclear.

Beneficial effect of D-allose for isolated islet culture prior to islet transplantation

Pretransplant restoration of islets damaged during isolation remains to be solved. In this study, we examined the effect of D‐allose on islets isolated from rat pancreata prior to islet transplantation.

Factors influencing lymph node metastasis in patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Aim: In cases of ampullary carcinoma, lymph node involvement affects the selection of treatment strategies. This study aimed to identify clinicopathologic features of ampullary carcinoma with lymph node metastases. Methods: The records of 74 consecutive patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with regional lymph node dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Twenty-two patients (30%) with lymph node metastasis had significantly worse survival after resection than those without lymph node metastasis (p = 0.017). Univariate analyses revealed that preoperative biliary drainage; elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (≥36 U/ml); moderate-to-poor pathologic grade (G2/3); perineural, vascular, lymphatic, pancreas, and duodenal invasion; and T category were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis. In multivariate analysis, only pathologic grade (G2/3) remained significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio, 6.51; p = 0.035). In sub-classified analysis for T category, lymph node metastasis was found in 5 of 22 cases (22.7%) of T1 tumors. Four of five cases with lymph node metastases had a dominant G2/3 component, whereas only 2 of 17 cases without lymph node metastases had a G2/3 component in T1 tumors (p = 0.0036). Conclusions: Pathologic grade (G2/3) was significantly and independently associated with lymph node metastasis and was also a significant predictor in T1 tumor cases.

Esophageal cancer associated with a sarcoid-like reaction and systemic sarcoidosis in lymph nodes: supportive findings of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography during neoadjuvant therapy

BackgroundIn patients with esophageal cancer, differentiation between lymph node metastasis and lymphadenopathies from sarcoidosis or sarcoid-like reactions of lymph nodes is clinically important. Herein, we report two esophageal cancer cases with lymph node involvement of sarcoid-like reaction or sarcoidosis.Case presentationOne patient received chemotherapy and the other chemoradiotherapy as initial treatments. In both cases, [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) was performed before and after chemo(radio)therapy. After the treatment, FDG uptake was not detected in the primary tumor, but it was slightly reduced in the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in both cases. These non-identical responses to chemo(radio)therapy suggest the presence of sarcoid-like reaction of lymph nodes associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Curative surgical resection was performed as treatment.ConclusionsThese FDG-PET/CT findings may be helpful to distinguish between metastasis and sarcoidosis-associated lymphadenopathy in esophageal cancer.

Pure laparoscopic pancreas parenchymal dissection using CUSA for distal pancreatectomy

Abstract Although stapler dissection and closure is commonly used for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP), it is risky in patients with thick pancreatic parenchyma or titanium allergy. We performed laparoscopic pancreatic parenchymal dissection with cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) successfully in a patient with titanium allergy. Slinging the pancreas with nylon tape delineates the surgical plane. Pancreatic parenchyma was transected by CUSA in an almost bloodless field. Pancreatic duct branches and vessels were adequately exposed and dissected with a vessel sealing system. The main pancreatic duct was closed with Hem-O-lock. CUSA is an alternative to stapler dissection during LDP in select patients.

Hybrid approach to laparoscopic decapsulation combined with splenic artery balloon occlusion in a patient with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 producing splenic cysts

Carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 producing splenic cysts are relatively rare and usually occur in women and young individuals. This report describes the use of a novel splenic‐preserving surgical approach in the hybrid operating room to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Multiple gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated by laparoscopic-endoscopic cooperative surgery: A case report.

The typical treatment of choice for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is surgical resection. Here we report a case of three GIST lesions resected safely by laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS). A 78‐year‐old woman was referred to our hospital for further treatment of an enlarging gastric submucosal tumor. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed two gastric submucosal tumors. Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided fine needle aspiration was subsequently performed. The patient underwent LECS in accordance with therapeutic guidelines for GIST. Assisted by a laparoscope and using three trocars, a full‐thickness resection was performed endoscopically for the 3‐cm lesion and its nearby submucosal tumor, which was newly detected intraoperatively. The other lesion was also resected with an autosuture device under laparoscopy. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. In LECS, endoscopic observation and resection can minimize gastric deformation and preserve gastric function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of LECS performed on multiple GIST.