Satohiro Matsumoto

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for duodenal tumors: a single-center experience.

The indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for duodenal tumors have not yet been established. We reviewed our experience of ESD performed for duodenal tumors. We analyzed the data of a total of 13 patients with 14 duodenal lesions (excluding papillary lesions) comprising 2 early cancers, 5 adenomas, and 7 neuroendocrine tumors, who were treated by ESD between 2005 and 2011. The mean tumor diameter was 12.7 ± 14.8 mm. En bloc resection was achieved in 85.7% of the cases. The procedure time was 89.1 ± 64.6 minutes. Intraoperative perforation occurred in three cases. The mean length of postoperative hospitalization was 8.4 ± 2.4 days. Because ESD for duodenal lesions was associated with a higher incidence of perforation than ESD for lesions in other locations (stomach, esophagus, and colon) reported previously, its use for duodenal lesions should be considered with caution.

Selection of appropriate endoscopic therapies for duodenal tumors: An open-label study, single-center experience

AIM To determine an appropriate compartmentalization of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for duodenal tumors. METHODS Forty-six duodenal lesions (excluding papillary lesions) from 44 patients with duodenal tumors treated endoscopically between 2005 and 2013 were divided into the ESD and EMR groups for retrospective comparison and analysis. RESULTS The mean age was 65 ± 9 years (35-79 years). There were 24 lesions from men and 22 from women. The lesions consisted of 6 early cancers, 31 adenomas and 9 neuroendocrine tumors. Lesion location was the duodenal bulb in 15 cases and the descending part of the duodenum in 31 cases. The most common macroscopic morphology was elevated type in 21 cases (45.6%). Mean tumor diameter was 11.9 ± 9.7 mm (3-60 mm). Treatment procedure was ESD (15 cases) vs EMR (31 cases). The examined parameters in the ESD vs EMR groups were as follows: mean tumor diameter, 12.9 ± 14.3 mm (3-60 mm) vs 11.4 ± 6.7 mm (4-25 mm); en bloc resection rate, 86.7% vs 83.9%; complete resection rate, 86.7% vs 74.2%; procedure time, 86.5 ± 63.1 min (15-217 min) vs 13.2 ± 17.0 min (2-89 min) (P < 0.0001); intraprocedural perforation, 3 cases vs none (P = 0.0300); delayed perforation, none in either group; postprocedural bleeding, 1 case vs none; mean postoperative length of hospitalization, 8.2 ± 2.9 d (5-16 d) vs 6.1 ± 2.0 d (2-12 d) (P = 0.0067); recurrence, none vs 1 case (occurring at 7 mo postoperatively). CONCLUSION ESD was associated with a longer procedure time and a higher incidence of intraprocedural perforation; EMR was associated with a lower rate of complete resection.

What are the factors that affect hospitalization and surgery for aggravation of ulcerative colitis

Objective We investigated factors that may affect hospitalization and surgery in patients presenting with aggravation of ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and methods This study included 222 UC patients who had visited our hospital regularly since 2000 (127 men, 95 women; mean age at onset, 34±16 years). We divided the patients into groups according to whether or not they were hospitalized for aggravation of UC (hospitalized group, n=75; nonhospitalized group, n=147), compared the clinical features and clinical courses between the two groups, and also analyzed the cumulative rates of surgery. Then, only the 75 patients of the hospitalized group were divided into two groups for a subanalysis (colectomy group, n=25; noncolectomy group, n=50). Results In the hospitalized group, the rates of use of steroids and thiopurine immunomodulators were significantly higher, and the rates of concurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and surgery for UC aggravation were also significantly higher. Multivariate analysis identified CMV infection [odds ratio (OR), 8.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.91–35.33; P=0.0047] and steroid use (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.30–14.93; P=0.0170) as risk factors for hospitalization because of UC aggravation. Moreover, the cumulative rate of surgery was significantly higher in the hospitalized group (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis as part of the subanalysis identified the use of thiopurine immunomodulators as a factor for avoidance of surgery (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.08–0.67; P=0.0072). Conclusion Concurrent CMV infection was associated with an eight-fold increase in the risk of hospitalization for UC aggravation. In contrast, maintenance therapy with thiopurine immunomodulators reduced the risk of surgery by 80%.

Efficacy of endoscopic screening in an isolated island: A case–control study

Although endoscopic screening has become more common in recent years, its efficacy in reducing the mortality from gastric cancer has not yet been demonstrated. We carried out a case–control study to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic screening in Kamigoto town, Kamigoto Island. The case group consisted of 13 patients who died of gastric cancer between 2000 and 2008, and ten controls per patient, ie. a total of 130 controls, were extracted as the control group. To clarify the relationship between participation in endoscopic screening and gastric cancer mortality, the odds ratio of death from gastric cancer in participants vs. nonparticipants of screening was calculated. The odds ratio of death from gastric cancer in participants of endoscopic screening vs. nonparticipants was 0.206 (95 % CI, 0.044–0.965; p = 0.0449). Participation in endoscopic screening within the previous 5 years decreased the risk of death from gastric cancer by 79 %. Implementation of endoscopic screening was associated with a significant reduction in mortality from gastric cancer in the small island town.

Future directions of duodenal endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic therapies for lesions of the duodenum are technically more difficult than those for lesions of the other parts of the gastrointestinal tract due to the anatomical features of the duodenum, and the incidence rate of complications such as perforation and bleeding is also higher. These aforementioned trends were especially noticeable for the case of duodenal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The indication for ESD of duodenal tumors should be determined by assessment of the histopathology, macroscopic morphology, and diameter of the tumors. The three types of candidate lesions for endoscopic therapy are adenoma, carcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. For applying endoscopic therapies to duodenal lesions, accurate preoperative histopathological diagnosis is necessary. The most important technical issue in duodenal ESD is the submucosal dissection process. In duodenal ESD, a short needle-type knife is suitable for the mucosal incision and submucosal dissection processes, and the Small-caliber-tip Transparent hood is an important tool. After endoscopic therapies, the wound should be closed by clipping in order to prevent complications such as secondary hemorrhage and delayed perforation. At present, the criteria for selection between ESD and EMR vary among institutions. The indications for ESD should be carefully considered. Duodenal ESD should have limitations, such as the need for its being performed by experts with abundant experience in performing the procedure.

Cicatricial stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection of esophageal cancer effectively treated with a temporary self-expandable metal stent

Post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) cicatricial stenosis has become a clinical issue. In many cases, endoscopic esophageal dilation is performed in patients with post-ESD cicatricial stenosis. On the other hand, a number of recent studies have reported that stent placement is useful for the treatment of benign esophageal stenosis. 1 Here we report a case of cicatricial stenosis that failed to respond to conventional esophageal bougie dilation but was successfully dilated with a temporary self-expandable metal stent (SEMS).

Risk factors for postoperative bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients under antithrombotics

AIM To evaluate the risk factors for postoperative bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) based on the latest guidelines. METHODS A total of 262 gastric neoplasms were treated by ESD at our center during a 2-year period from October 2012. We analyzed the data of these cases retrospectively to identify the risk factors for post-ESD bleeding. RESULTS Of the 48 (18.3%) cases on antithrombotic treatment, 10 were still receiving antiplatelet drugs perioperatively, 13 were on heparin replacement after oral anticoagulant withdrawal, and the antithrombotic therapy was discontinued perioperatively in 25 cases. Postoperative bleeding occurred in 23 cases (8.8%). The postoperative bleeding rate in the heparin replacement group was 61.5%, significantly higher than that in the non-antithrombotic therapy group (6.1%). Univariate analysis identified history of antithrombotic drug use, heparin replacement, hemodialysis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, elevated prothrombin time-international normalized ratio, and low hemoglobin level on admission as risk factors for post ESD bleeding. Multivariate analysis identified only heparin replacement (OR = 13.7, 95%CI: 1.2-151.3, P = 0.0329) as a significant risk factor for post-ESD bleeding. CONCLUSION Continued administration of antiplatelet agents, based on the guidelines, was not a risk factor for postoperative bleeding after gastric ESD; however, heparin replacement, which is recommended after withdrawal of oral anticoagulants, was identified as a significant risk factor.

Reduction of gastric cancer mortality by endoscopic and radiographic screening in an isolated island: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic and radiographic screening for gastric cancer. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. SETTING Community in an isolated island. PARTICIPANTS The study involved 186 patients (131 men, 55 women) diagnosed with gastric cancer between 2000 and 2005. INTERVENTIONS Endoscopic and radiographic screening. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS The odds ratio of death from gastric cancer in participants versus non-participants of screening, the cumulative survival rate of the gastric cancer patients. RESULTS The odds ratio of death from gastric cancer in the participants versus non-participants of screening was 0.091 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.027-0.308; P < 0.0001). The cumulative survival rate of the gastric cancer patients in the screening group was higher than that in the non-screening group (P < 0.0001). In the endoscopic screening district, the odds ratio of death from gastric cancer among the participants versus non-participants of endoscopic screening was 0.117 (95% CI 0.013-1.056; P = 0.0525), while in the radiographic screening district, it was 0.086 (95% CI 0.020-0.376; P < 0.0001). The cumulative survival rates were higher in both the screening groups as compared with the non-screening group (endoscopy, P = 0.0302; radiography, P = 0.0012). CONCLUSION The results suggest that both radiographic and endoscopic screening may prevent gastric cancer deaths.

Case of acute pancreatitis associated with Campylobacter enteritis

A 25-year-old man was admitted with the chief complaints of right flank pain, watery diarrhea, and fever. Blood tests revealed high levels of inflammatory markers, and infectious enteritis was diagnosed. A stool culture obtained on admission revealed no growth of any significant pathogens. Conservative therapy was undertaken with fasting and fluid replacement. On day 2 of admission, the fever resolved, the frequency of defecation reduced, the right flank pain began to subside, and the white blood cell count started to decrease. On hospital day 4, the frequency of diarrhea decreased to approximately 5 times per day, and the right flank pain resolved. However, the patient developed epigastric pain and increased blood levels of the pancreatic enzymes. Abdominal computed tomography revealed mild pancreatic enlargement. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed, and conservative therapy with fasting and fluid replacement was continued. A day later, the blood levels of the pancreatic enzymes peaked out. On hospital day 7, the patient passed stools with fresh blood, and Campylobacter jejuni/coli was detected by culture. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy performed on hospital day 8 revealed diffuse aphthae extending from the terminal ileum to the entire colon. Based on the findings, pancreatitis associated with Campylobacter enteritis was diagnosed. In the present case, a possible mechanism of onset of pancreatitis was invasion of the pancreatic duct by Campylobacter and the host immune responses to Campylobacter.

Familial Mediterranean fever in which Crohn's disease was suspected: a case report.

BackgroundFamilial Mediterranean fever is a hereditary autoinflammatory disease, mainly characterized by periodic fever and serositis. The level of awareness about familial Mediterranean fever is far from sufficient, and it is assumed that there may be many patients with this disease who are under observation without an accurate diagnosis.Case presentationA 30-year-old Japanese man presented to us with a few years’ history of recurrent episodes of fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea. He often visited a hospital when the attacks occurred; however, acute enteritis was diagnosed each time, and the symptoms resolved spontaneously within a few days. When he noticed a shortening of the interval between the attacks, he visited the hospital again. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy performed at this hospital revealed no significant abnormal findings. He was then referred to our hospital under the suspicion of a small intestinal disease. Abdominal computed tomography revealed wall thickening and increased density of the mesenteric adipose tissue in the jejunum, which led us to suspect Crohn’s disease. Oral double-balloon enteroscopy was performed; because this revealed only mild mucosal edema in the jejunum, Crohn’s disease was considered to be highly improbable. Based on the patient’s clinical course, we suspected familial Mediterranean fever. As the Livneh criteria for familial Mediterranean fever were satisfied, the patient was started on oral colchicine for the purpose of diagnostic treatment. A definitive diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever was then made based on the detection of a mutation of the Mediterranean fever gene. A marked reduction in the frequency of attacks was observed in response to colchicine treatment.ConclusionsAlthough Crohn’s disease may be considered first in the differential diagnosis of young patients presenting with periodic fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, the possibility of familial Mediterranean fever should also be borne in mind.