Yutaka Handa

Bacteria closely resembling Helicobacter pylori detected immunohistologically and genetically in resected gallbladder mucosa.

A microorganism with close immunohistological and genetic resemblance toHelicobacter pylori was found in the resected gallbladder mucosa of a 41-year-old woman. The woman was admitted to hospital complaining of fever and right hypochondrial pain. Cholecystectomy was carried out under the diagnosis of gallstones and cholecystitis. A microorganism resemblingH. pylori (stained with H&E, Giemsa, and Wartin-Starry) was detected incidentally on pathological examination. The microorganism was also positive for immunohistochemical staining. An amplification reaction was seen on genetic examination by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method (urease β-genes). Our findings suggest thatH. pylori may be present in tissues other than gastric mucosa.

Endoscopy in the diagnosis of small intestinal tumors.

The importance of endoscopy in the diagnosis of small intestinal tumors was evaluated in 15 patients with small intestinal tumors treated in our hospital. Two tumors were benign, and 13 were malignant (carcinoma in 5 patients, malignant lymphoma in 5 and leiomyosarcoma in 3). The presence of lesions could be determined by X-rays before surgery, but definitive diagnoses were difficult. When preoperative endoscopy of the small intestine was possible accurate preoperative diagnoses could be made based on the endoscopic findings and biopsies taken under direct vision. Endoscopy is therefore very important for the diagnosis of small intestinal tumors. It is necessary to develop small intestinal endoscopes that are easier to insert.

Electronic Endoscopy in Endoscopic Mucosal Resection(EMR) of Gastric Cancer

The role in which electronic endoscopy plays is important in EMR. It is useful in diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer from a clinical viewpoint. EMR with use of electronic endoscopy allows better coordination between the operator and assistants, and thus improves the results further.