Toshio Imada

Contrast-enhanced sonography of pancreatic carcinoma: correlations with pathological findings

BackgroundWe examined contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonographic findings of pancreatic carcinoma in relation to the pathological findings in resected specimens to evaluate correlations between observations made by this modality and the pathological findings.MethodsThe pathological findings of surgical specimens obtained from 16 patients were examined in relation to the contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography findings. Lesion vascularity was examined by contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography from 20 to 50u2009s after the injection of Levovist (Schering, Berlin, Germany) (early phase), and lesion enhancement was also monitored at approximately 90u2009s after injection (delayed phase).ResultsContrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography showed positive enhancement in 12 of the 16 lesions (peripheral tumor region alone, n = 9; entire tumor, n = 3), while the other 4 lesions showed no contrast enhancement in any region. Twelve enhanced regions (9 peripheral tumor region and 3 entire tumor regions) detected by contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography showed: (1) mild fibrosis with inflammation, in 10 regions (83%); (2) the presence of both carcinoma cells and residual acinar cells in 8 (67%); and (3) presence of relatively large arteries in 2 (17%). In contrast, 13 non-enhanced regions (4 entire tumor regions and 9 central regions) showed: (1) severe fibrosis in 10 regions (77%); (2) necrosis in 7 (54%); and (3) mucin in 4 (31%).ConclusionsContrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonographic findings of pancreatic carcinoma are influenced by interstitial histological features associated with tumor growth.

Osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of the pancreas.

Abstract.u2002A rare case of osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of the pancreas is reported. A 45-year-old woman presented with upper abdominal pain and weight loss. Examination revealed a tumor in the tail of pancreas, and distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. Pathological findings showed the tumor was composed of two cell types: atypical mononuclear round cells and abundant osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells with central nucleoli. Immunohistochemical study showed that the atypical cells were strongly reactive for vimentin and negative for CD68, while the giant cells were immunoreactive for CD68, but negative for vimentin. The tumor was diagnosed as osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of the pancreas. We report this case and review 31 cases previously described in the literature.

Longterm control of advanced and recurrent gastric cancer (ARGC) by S-1

BackgroundAn oral tegafur compound, S-1 (TS-1®), was developed to potentiate antitumor activity and to reduce gastrointestinal toxicities for patients with gastric cancer. It has achieved a high response rate against advanced and recurrent gastric cancer (ARGC) in Japan; however, the efficacy and adverse reactions of longterm administration of S-1 remain to be elucidated.MethodsSixty-nine patients with ARGC treated with S-1 were studied; 58 patients had measurable lesions, while 11 patients did not. S-1 was orally administered at doses of between 40 and 60u2009mg/body twice daily for 28 days, followed by 14 days rest, as one course.ResultsThe overall response rate was 38% (complete response [CR], 2/58; partial response [PR], 20/58; stable disease [SD], 9/58; progressive disease [PD] 23/58). Response rate by target organ was 40% for the primary lesion, 45% for lymph node metastasis, 38% for peritoneal metastasis, and 25% for liver metastasis. When S-1 was administered as second-line chemotherapy (n = 25), the response rate was 36%. Of the 69 patients, 14 received S-1 for more than a year. The median survival time (MST) after S-1 administration in these 14 patients, including 3 patients with stable disease, was 918 days (range, 536 to 1107 days). There were no grade 3 to 4 toxicities in these 14 patients receiving longterm therapy with S-1.ConclusionS-1 therapy was performed with a high response rate, irrespective of the target organ or the presence of prior chemotherapy. Longterm administration of S-1 may benefit patients with ARGC, providing prolonged disease control with acceptable toxicities.

Route from the paraaortic lymphatic system to the tracheobronchial lymph nodes evidenced on lymphangiogram in a patient with gastric cancer

Lung metastasis from gastric or colonic cancer, without liver metastasis, is seldom seen. However, its metastatic pathway has not been delineated on imaging. We present and discuss such a lymphatic route in a patient with gastric cancer. The appearance of the mediastinum on a lymphangiogram is discussed. To the best of our knowledge, the lymphangiographic demonstration of the route from the paraaortic lymphatics to the tracheobronchial lymph nodes has been not reported. Lymphatics running from the paraaortic to the tracheobronchial lymph nodes through the diaphragm may play an important part in direct metastasizing to lung or tracheobronchial lymph nodes in certain patients.

Use of accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography to evaluate tumor vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia and other hepatic tumors

PurposeTo evaluate the usefulness of accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography for examining tumor vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia and other hepatic lesions.MethodsAfter injecting a galactose-palmitic acid contrast agent, we used conventional contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography to scan 8 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions, 21 hepatocellular carcinomas, 2 cholangiocellular carcinomas, 12 hepatic metastases, 17 hemangiomas, and 2 angiomyolipomas. We then accumulated and superimposed consecutive conventional images (accumulation images) and compared them with corresponding conventional images to evaluate serial images of hepatic tumor vessels.ResultsSerial tumor vessel findings obtained from accumulation images were superior to those obtained from conventional images in 51 (77%) of the 66 various hepatic lesions examined. Evidence of the spoke-wheel artery pattern in 2 of the 8 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions was equivocal in the conventional images, but accumulation images clearly depicted serial images of spoke-wheel arteries, clearly indicating a diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia. Accumulation images allowed the diagnosis of two additional focal nodular hyperplasia lesions that had not been correctly diagnosed as focal nodular hyperplasia from conventional images.ConclusionAccumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography are useful in evaluating hepatic tumor vessels, especially spoke-wheel arteries, which specifically indicate focal nodular hyperplasia.

Technique and assessment of sentinel lymph node biopsy usefulness in laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy

BackgroundRecently, some studies have suggested that sentinel node biopsy also can be applied to gastric cancer. The authors apply sentinel lymph node biopsy in laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy to perform it as safe limited surgery. Limited surgery is a procedure in which the extent of lesion resection and lymph node dissection is reduced. The authors demonstrate that intraoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis is useful in this respect.MethodsThe study was conducted with 38 patients (29 men and 9 women) who had a preoperative diagnosis of T1 tumor invasion. The patients had a mean age of 66.2 years. Patent blue (1%) was injected submucosally into four or five different sites around the primary tumor at 1 ml per site. Blue-stained lymphatics and lymph nodes could be seen by turning over the greater omentum and the lesser omentum extraperitoneally. If blue nodes were found, biopsy was performed.ResultsThe mean number of blue nodes dissected was 2.5 ± 1.9. Intraoperative identification and biopsy of blue nodes could be performed for 35 (92.1%) of the 38 patients. Of the 35 patients in whom blue nodes were identified, 4 (9.7%) had metastases in blue nodes confirmed by intraoperative frozen-section diagnosis. Intraoperative frozen-section diagnosis was negative for blue node metastasis in 31 patients. Postoperative permanent section diagnosis also showed no evidence of lymph node metastasis in these 31 patients (100% accuracy, 0% false-negative rates).ConclusionsThe reported method allows observation of blue-stained lymphatics up to 2 h after patent blue injection. Sentinel node biopsy was performed in laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy, making it technically equivalent to open gastrectomy. Sentinel node biopsy can serve as a method to determine the appropriate use of laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy for management of T1 gastric cancer.

Primary malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumor of the common bile duct

Primary malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumors of the common bile duct are extremely rare. To our knowledge, the published literature contains no previous case report of this disease. Here we report on a 58-year-old Japanese woman with a primary malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumor of the common bile duct, which was completely resected. A hypoechoic mass was identified in the hepatic hilus, using ultrasonography and computed tomography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed a smooth stricture and deviation of the common bile duct. Laparotomy exposed a firm mass around the common bile duct that had not invaded the surrounding tissues. Partial resection of the common bile duct and cholecystectomy were performed as the treatment of choice. The final histopathological diagnosis was malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumor arising from the wall of the common bile duct.

Spleen-Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy Combined with Distal Gastrectomy for Distal Pancreatic Lesion and Gastric Cancer: Report of a Case

Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with conservation of the splenic artery and vein was recently devised as a feasible operation. We report the case of a patient who underwent spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with conservation of the splenic artery and vein, combined with distal gastrectomy, for gastric cancer and a distal pancreatic lesion. Thus, unnecessary total gastrectomy was avoided. The operative blood loss and operative time were 630u2009ml and 465u2009min, respectively. The patients postoperative course was complicated by a minor pancreatic fistula, which required daily irrigation and drainage, but she recovered and was discharged from hospital. This case report demonstrates that spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with conservation of the splenic artery and vein combined with distal gastrectomy can be performable synchronously and is a feasible alternative to avoid unnecessary total gastrectomy.

Platelet Activation in Patients After Splenectomy with Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVEnWe investigated change in platelet activation using flow cytometry in patients before and after splenectomy with total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.nnnMETHODSnSix patients who underwent splenectomy for lymphadenectomy with total gastrectomy for gastric cancer were the subjects in this study. In the patients, platelet count and platelet activation were evaluated before the operation, 1 week after the operation, and 1 month after the operation. Expression of CD62P (P-selectin) was analysed as a marker of platelet activation using flow cytometry.nnnRESULTSnAlthough platelet count significantly increased 1 week after the operation, the platelet count 1 month after the operation did not increase significantly. Expression of CD62P (P-selectin) significantly decreased at 1 week and 1 month after the operation, compared with the level before the operation. No postoperative complications occurred in any patient.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn the present study, platelet activation did not progress after the operation. The results mean that the risk of thrombosis after splenectomy does not increase.