A case of peripancreatic plexiform schwannoma

Background

Plexiform schwannoma is one of the least common variants of schwannoma, accounting for only 5% of all schwannoma cases. It generally occurs in the skin and subcutaneous tissues and is uncommon in deep soft tissue or viscera. We present an extremely rare case of plexiform schwannoma arising from the peripancreatic plexus.

Case presentation

A 29-year-old man presented with hyperglycemia detected during a medical checkup. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes based on the clinical findings and laboratory tests. During the diagnostic process for diabetes, a 2.5 cm mass was incidentally detected in the pancreas by abdominal ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a mass that was gradually enhanced at the body and tail of the pancreas. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed low signal intensity of the mass on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed no abnormal findings in the main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a lobulated, low-echoic mass with a clear boundary. EUS-guided fine needle biopsy was performed, and spindle-shaped cells that were diffusely immunopositive for S-100 and negative for c-kit and desmin were detected, resulting in a diagnosis of a neurogenic tumor arising from the pancreas or the peripancreatic nerve plexus. The patient underwent laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. Although the tumor was connected to the splenic plexus, the splenic artery could be divided along its adventitial plane. Macroscopic findings of the excised tumor consisted of multiple yellowish-white nodules, and its histopathological features were consistent with plexiform schwannoma. There was no pancreatic tissue on the dorsal surface of the tumor, which suggested that the tumor arose from the peripancreatic nerve plexus.

Conclusions

The findings documented herein can aid in the differential diagnosis of peripancreatic schwannoma and in planning appropriate treatment.

A multicenter prospective registration study on laparoscopic pancreatectomy in Japan: report on the assessment of 1,429 patients

BACKGROUND

Prospective studies are needed to understand the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic pancreatectomy. The aim of the present study was to describe laparoscopic pancreatectomy currently undertaken in Japan, using a prospective registration system.

METHODS

Patient characteristics and planned operations were registered preoperatively, and then the performed operation and outcomes were reported using an online system. Collected data were also compared between institutions based on their level of experience. This study was registered with UMIN000022836.

RESULTS

Available data were obtained from 1,429 patients at 100 Japanese institutions, including 1,197 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies (LDPs) and 232 laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomies (LPDs). The rates of completion for planned operations were 92% for LDP and 91% for LPD. Postoperative complication rates after LDP and LPD were 17% and 30%, and 90-day mortality rates were 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. Shorter operation time, less blood loss, and lower incidence of pancreatic fistula were observed in institutions experienced in LDP. A higher rate of pure laparoscopic procedure and shorter operation time were noted in institutions experienced with LPD.

CONCLUSION

LDPs and LPDs are performed safely in Japan, especially in experienced institutions. Our data could support the next challenges in the field of laparoscopic pancreatectomy.

[A Case Report of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Resected with the Preoperative Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Jejunum]

A 61-year-old man was examined for cervical pain and CT showed a 9 cm tumor to the third part of the duodenum and proximal jejunum. CT /MRI showed that the tumor was separated from the pancreas body. We scheduled a laparoscopic partial resection of the intestine with a suspected diagnosis of GIST of the intestine. The tumor was adhered to both the proximal jejunum and uncinate process of the pancreas. Therefore, we converted to an open surgery and resected part of the pancreas, duodenum, and proximal jejunum including the tumor. Histopathological examination showed the tumor capsule included the tissue of the pancreas and that the border between the intestine and the tumor was clear, suggesting that the origin of the tumor was the pancreas. We diagnosed the patient as having a grade 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor based on the tumor growth pattern and immunohistochemistry findings. We examined the preoperative CT images retrospectively and found that the tumor had adhered to the uncinate process of the pancreas, which extends over the left side of the superior mesenteric artery. When GIST close to the proximal jejunum is suspected, the possibility of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor should be considered.

[A Case of Epithelioid Sarcoma of the Sigmoid Mesocolon]

A 73-year-old man visited our hospital with the chief complaints of anorexia and weight loss. Computed tomography showed a 5 cm tumor(diameter)in the sigmoid mesocolon. We performed laparoscopic Hartmann operation; however, because of sacral invasion of tumor, curative surgery was difficult. Therefore, the tumor was excised together with the sigmoid colon. Histopathological examination of the tumor confirmed the diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma. Postoperatively, the patient received heavy-particle radiotherapy at another facility as treatment for the residual tumor. The size of the residual tumor decreased 6 months after the surgery. Up until 1 year after surgery, the patient's condition has remained stable without any disease progression. Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft-tissue tumor and often leads to a poor prognosis. We present a case of epithelioid sarcoma occurring in the sigmoid mesocolon.

[Surgical Dissection for an Abdominal Para-Aortic Lymph Node Recurrence after Curative Resection for Early Gastric Cancer - Report of a Case]

A 72-year-old man underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer at antrum in July 2015. The histopathological examination revealed an adenocarcinoma invading the deep submucosal layer(SM2)with lymphatic invasion, consistent with the diagnosis of non-curative resection. Additional surgery was recommended, and he underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in August 2015. The histopathological examination of resected specimen revealed there were no lymph node metastases, and postoperative diagnosis was Stage I A. However, 8 months after the surgery, abdominal enhanced computed tomography(CT)revealed an enlargement of para-aortic lymph node. Positron emission tomography-CT showed high accumulation at the enlarged lymph node. A para-aortic lymph node metastasis was suspected, and laparoscopic lymph node dissection was performed in July 2016. The histopathological examination revealed lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. He was given systematic chemotherapy using S-1 plus cisplatin after the surgery, and has been followed-up without recurrences for 21 months after the first operation. Although recurrence of the para-aortic lymph nodes was assumed as part of a systemic metastasis, some population certainly benefit from multidisciplinary treatment including surgical approach.

[A Case of Recurrent Colorectal Cancer with Bilateral Ovarian Metastases That Were Reduced with Regorafenib Therapy]

A 63-year-old woman had recurrences of metastatic rectal cancer in the lung, peritoneum, and ovary. Regorafenib was administered at 160mg/day as third-line chemotherapy. The patient developed Grade(Gr)3 hand-foot syndrome(HFS) and Gr 2 rash, but the abdominal distension and pain were relieved by the 1st course. Analgesics could be reduced and regorafenib was administrated at reduced dosage. The patient received keishi-bukuryo-gan(EK-25)and sai-rei-tou(TJ-114) for HFS. At the beginning of therapy, ovarian metastases were not reduced and showed poor contrast enhancement on CT. Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and tumor markers were increased. During the 4th course of therapy, ovarian metastases tended to shrink and serum levels of LDH and tumor markers were decreased. Ovarian metastases showed a partial response(PR)after the 6th course. Lung metastases showed a progressive disease during the 2nd course, but a PR after the 3rd course, and were not apparent after the 6th course. Reduction of metastases was maintained at 16 months after the start of therapy, and HFS was assessed at Gr 2 or lower. Physical, laboratory, and imaging findings should be carefully evaluated prior to long-term administration of regorafenib.

Serous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: a multinational study of 2622 patients under the auspices of the International Association of Pancreatology and European Pancreatic Club (European Study Group on Cystic Tumors of the Pancreas)

OBJECTIVES

Serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) is a cystic neoplasm of the pancreas whose natural history is poorly known. The purpose of the study was to attempt to describe the natural history of SCN, including the specific mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective multinational study including SCN diagnosed between 1990 and 2014.

RESULTS

2622 patients were included. Seventy-four per cent were women, and median age at diagnosis was 58 years (16-99). Patients presented with non-specific abdominal pain (27%), pancreaticobiliary symptoms (9%), diabetes mellitus (5%), other symptoms (4%) and/or were asymptomatic (61%). Fifty-two per cent of patients were operated on during the first year after diagnosis (median size: 40 mm (2-200)), 9% had resection beyond 1 year of follow-up (3 years (1-20), size at diagnosis: 25 mm (4-140)) and 39% had no surgery (3.6 years (1-23), 25.5 mm (1-200)). Surgical indications were (not exclusive) uncertain diagnosis (60%), symptoms (23%), size increase (12%), large size (6%) and adjacent organ compression (5%). In patients followed beyond 1 year (n=1271), size increased in 37% (growth rate: 4 mm/year), was stable in 57% and decreased in 6%. Three serous cystadenocarcinomas were recorded. Postoperative mortality was 0.6% (n=10), and SCN's related mortality was 0.1% (n=1).

CONCLUSIONS

After a 3-year follow-up, clinical relevant symptoms occurred in a very small proportion of patients and size slowly increased in less than half. Surgical treatment should be proposed only for diagnosis remaining uncertain after complete workup, significant and related symptoms or exceptionally when exists concern with malignancy. This study supports an initial conservative management in the majority of patients with SCN.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

IRB 00006477.

Proposed preoperative risk factors for early recurrence in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after surgical resection: A multi-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Although surgical resection remains the only chance for cure in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), postoperative early recurrence (ER) is frequently encountered. The purpose of this study is to determine the preoperative predictive factors for ER after upfront surgical resection.

METHODS

Between 2001 and 2012, 968 patients who underwent upfront surgery with R0 or R1 resection for PDAC at seven high-volume centers in Japan were retrospectively reviewed. ER was defined as relapse within 6 months after surgery. Study analysis stratified by resectable (R) and borderline resectable (BR) PDACs was conducted according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

RESULTS

ER occurred in 239 patients (25%) with a median survival time (MST) of 8.8 months. Modified Glasgow prognostic score = 2 (odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-3.95; P = 0.044), preoperative CA19-9 ≥300 U/ml (OR 1.94, 1.29-2.90; P = 0.003), and tumor size ≥30 mm (OR 1.72, 1.16-2.56; P = 0.006), were identified as preoperative independent predictive risk factors for ER in patients with R-PDAC. In the R-PDAC patients, MST was 35.5, 26.3, and 15.9 months in patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 risk factors, respectively. There were significant differences in overall survival between the three groups (P < 0.001). No preoperative risk factors were identified in BR-PDAC patients with a high rate of ER (39%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high-risk subset for ER even in patients with R-PDAC and a simple risk scoring system is useful for prediction of ER.

[Successful Multimodal Treatment for Aggressive Extrahepatic Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma - A Case Report]

A 38-year-old man underwent right hepatectomy for a huge hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in the right hepatic lobe. Four months later, recurrent and metastatic disease were observed in the remnant liver and right lung, respectively. We performed a hepatectomy for the recurrent lesion because transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was not effective. After surgery, we initiated sorafenib treatment for the lung metastases. One year later, the lung metastases worsened and metastases were observed in the mediastinal lymph nodes, and both metastatic lesions were resected. Seven months later, para-aortic lymph nodal metastasis was observed and dissected. Three months later, metastasis to the supraclavicular lymph node was observed. We performed particle radiation therapy and a complete response was achieved. One year later, metastases in both lungs were observed and resected. Despite continued sorafenib administration throughout the clinical course, a metastasis to the left adrenal gland was observed. This lesion was extirpated because no other recurrent lesions were detected. At 4 years and 6 months after the first operation, no other recurrences have occurred. Currently, sorafenib is the initial drug of choice for HCC with extrahepatic metastases. It is possible to improve the prognosis of patients with HCC and extrahepatic metastases by applying surgical treatment during the course of sorafenib administration.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network Resectability Status for Pancreatic Carcinoma Predicts Overall Survival

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of preoperative resectability status, as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), from the viewpoint of overall survival.

METHODS

A total of consecutive 704 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with upfront surgery at seven Japanese hospitals between 2001 and 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. According to the NCCN definition of preoperative resectability status, tumors were divided into resectable tumors without vascular contact (R group), resectable tumors with portal or superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) contact of ≦180° (R-PV group), borderline resectable(BR) tumors with PV/SMV contact of >180° (BR-PV group), and BR tumors with arterial contact (BR-A group). The relationship between the NCCN definition of preoperative resectability status and overall survival was analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 704 patients, 389, 114, 145, and 56 were classified into the R group, the R-PV group, the BR-PV group, and the BR-A group, respectively. Overall survival of the BR-PV and BR-A groups was significantly worse than that of the R group and R-PV groups (P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in overall survival between the R group and the R-PV group (P = 0.310). Multivariate analysis revealed that PV/SMV contact of >180° (P = 0.008) and arterial contact (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival.

CONCLUSION

From the viewpoint of overall survival, the NCCN definition of preoperative resectability status was valid.

Postoperative Serum Albumin Level is a Marker of Incomplete Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is recommended as a standard treatment after curative resection in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA). Although patients who failed to complete AC had significantly worse survival compared with those who completed AC for cancers in various organs, the effects of complete AC on survival in patients with PA have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of complete AC on PA patient survival and to identify independent risk factors for incomplete AC.

METHODS

Medical records of 236 consecutive PA patients who planned to undergo surgical resection with curative intent between January 2000 and September 2012 at Kobe University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, the complete AC (n = 75) and the incomplete AC (n = 30) groups due to adverse events were compared.

RESULTS

Patient survival was significantly better in the complete AC group than in the incomplete AC group (median survival time 48.9 vs. 17.9 months; 5-year survival rate 42.7 vs. 17.1 %; p < 0.0001). Preoperative white blood cell count and postoperative serum albumin level were identified as independent risk factors for incomplete AC. By receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cutoff value of postoperative serum albumin level was 3.1 mg/dL.

CONCLUSIONS

PA patients who completed AC had significantly better survival than those who failed to complete AC. Postoperative serum albumin level is a marker for failure to complete AC. Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether perioperative nutritional intervention could increase AC completion rate and improve prognosis in PA patients.

Evaluation of glucose metabolism after distal pancreatectomy according to the donor criteria of the living donor pancreas transplantation guidelines proposed by the Japanese Pancreas and Islet Transplantation Association

BACKGROUND

Living donor pancreas transplantation (LDPT) reduces the number of deaths of diabetic patients on dialysis and of candidates on the waiting lists and helps to overcome the organ shortage. Stringent criteria must be applied to minimize the risk of metabolic complications for living donors. The Japanese Pancreas and Islet Transplantation Association (JPITA) proposed LDPT guidelines in 2010. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated glucose metabolism of the patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy (DP) according to the donor criteria of the LDPT guidelines proposed by the JPITA.

METHODS

Fifty-two nondiabetic patients who underwent DP were divided into 2 groups according to the donor criteria: indication group (IG, n = 14) who had age ≤ 65, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) < 5.9%, and body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2). The other patients were placed in the no indication group (NG, n = 38). Clinical data and percent resected volume (PRV) of each pancreas as determined by multi-detector row computed tomography volumetry were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median 12 months), 14 patients (27%) developed new-onset diabetes within a median onset time of 10 months (range 3-24 months) postoperatively. No patient in the IG developed new-onset diabetes. On the other hand, 37% of the patients in the NG developed new-onset diabetes. There were significant between-group differences in changes in preoperative serum fasting glucose and HbA1c levels, whereas there were no significant between-group differences in preoperative serum albumin or body weight. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative HbA1c (odds ratio 51.6, P = .002) and PRV (odds ratio 2.07, P = .033) as independent risk factors for new-onset diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Living donor criteria in the LDPT guidelines proposed by the JPITA are appropriate for prevention of glucose metabolic complications in donors. Further long-term follow-up studies of living donors' metabolic function are needed to clarify the safety of the donor.

Functioning pancreas graft with thromboses of splenic and superior mesenteric arteries after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: a case report

Graft thrombosis is the most common cause of early graft loss after pancreas transplantation. The grafted pancreas is difficult to salvage after complete thrombosis, especially arterial thrombosis, and graft pancreatectomy is required. We describe a patient presenting with a functioning pancreas graft with thromboses of the splenic artery (SA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK). A 37-year-old woman with a 20-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus underwent SPK. The pancreaticoduodenal graft was implanted in the right iliac fossa with enteric drainage. A Carrel patch was anastomosed to the recipient's right common iliac artery, and the graft gastroduodenal artery was anastomosed to the common hepatic artery using an arterial I-graft. The donor portal vein was anastomosed to the recipient's inferior vena cava. Four days after surgery, graft thromboses were detected by Doppler ultrasound without increases in the serum amylase and blood glucose levels. Contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed thromboses in the SA, splenic vein and SMA. Selective angiography showed that blood flow was interrupted in the SA and SMA. However, pancreatic graft perfusion was maintained by the I-graft in the head of the pancreas and the transverse pancreatic artery in the body and tail of the pancreas. We performed percutaneous direct thrombolysis and adjuvant thrombolytic therapy. However, we had to stop the thrombolytic therapy because of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Thereafter, the postoperative course was uneventful and the pancreas graft was functioning with a fasting blood glucose level of 75 mg/dL, HbA1c of 5.1%, and serum C-peptide level of 1.9 ng/mL at 30 months post-transplantation.

[A case of resection of a metastatic liver tumor that recurred after particle beam therapy]

Recently, the indications for particle beam therapy have been expanded to include metastatic liver tumors. However, its adverse effects on the treated liver are unclear, and the possibility of local recurrence after treatment should not be ignored. A 65-year-old man with advanced rectal carcinoma underwent low anterior resection. Resectable metastatic liver tumors were detected after adjuvant chemotherapy; however, he opted to undergo particle beam therapy. Nine months after treatment, a local recurrence was detected around the treated area, and central bisegmentectomy of the liver was performed as a salvage operation. The operation was technically complicated owing to severe adhesions and inflammatory changes in the liver parenchyma around the treated area. Pathological examination revealed advanced liver fibrosis at the treated area, in contrast with normal parenchyma in the untreated area. Although the procedure requires advanced surgical techniques, salvage surgery is a feasible option for recurrent liver tumors after particle beam therapy.

[Hassab's operation for left-sided portal hypertension after pancreatoduodenectomy]

Here, we report a case of Hassab's operation for left-sided portal hypertension after pancreatoduodenectomy. A 69-year old man underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer in 2006 in which the splenic vein was ligated near the portal vein and then divided. The patient suffered repeated episodes of anemia between 2010 and 2013. However, we could not identify the bleeding site at that time. In 2011, local recurrence was detected. Disease progression occurred despite chemotherapy treatment, which was then discontinued. The left-sided portal hypertension gradually progressed, and the collateral vessels became dilated. In 2014, he was examined in our department for gastrointestinal bleeding. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed bleeding from gastric varices. Gastrointestinal bleeding ceased after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy ( EIS) was performed; however, the bleeding recurred. Balloon retrograde transvenous occlusion (BRTO) could not be performed because blood flow was not detected within the gastro-renal shunt. An emergency surgery was performed. Surgical splenectomy and devascularization (Hassab's operation) were performed. After surgery, the gastric body varices and gastrointestinal anastomosis disappeared and the bleeding did not occur. He is currently receiving outpatient treatment.

[Re-resection for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma]

INTRODUCTION

The benefits of re-resection for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) are unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated the comparative efficacy of different treatment schema for recurrent IHC following curative resection.

RESULTS

Among 46 patients, 26 underwent R0 resection, while 20 underwent R1 resection. There were 13 cases of recurrence in R1 patients (65%), and 19 in R0 patients (61%). Recurrent IHC cases were divided into 3 groups based on the treatment received after recurrence: re-resection (n=5), chemotherapy (n=13), and best supportive care (BSC) (n=8). Survival times were evaluated for each group; median survival times (MSTs) after recurrence were 26, 14, and 4 months for the re-resection, chemotherapy, and BSC groups, respectively (p=0.030). Next, we examined the patients who only had intrahepatic recurrence; MSTs after recurrence for re-resection, chemotherapy, and BSC groups were 26, 14, and 5 months, respectively (p=0.0018).

CONCLUSION

In recurrent IHC, survival time improves with re-resection or chemotherapy, when compared to BSC. In patients with intrahepatic recurrence only, re-resection is especially effective in prolonging survival.

[Long-term survival in a patient receiving multidisciplinary therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with left iliac bone metastasis]

The patient was a 79-year-old man diagnosed with a single 9.3-cm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the medial segment of the liver, and left iliac bone metastasis. Initially, the patient was treated with a hepatic arterial infusion of low-dose FP (cisplatin/5-fluorouracil) at another hospital. Here, the patient received particle therapy for the left iliac bone metastasis at a total dose of 52.8 Gy in 4 fractions. Subsequently, he underwent medial segmentectomy of the liver to treat the primary HCC. Eleven months later, the first intrahepatic recurrence occurred, and the tumor was treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A second intrahepatic recurrence was detected 39 months later, which was also treated with percutaneous RFA. The patient remains well, with no evidence of tumor recurrence.

[A case of adjuvant surgery for a patient with initially unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) with a favorable response to S-1 chemotherapy]

A 67-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of epigastric discomfort. A 29-mm hypovascular tumor was detected in the head of the pancreas by abdominal computed tomography imaging. As the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was also involved, we diagnosed the tumor as unresectable pancreatic cancer. With S-1 chemotherapy, a radiological partial response was seen. After 4 courses of chemotherapy, a subtotal-stomach-preserving-pancreatoduodenectomy with dissection of the nerve plexus surrounding the SMA was performed. Although the tissue surrounding the SMA was hard, invasion of the SMA was not detected. Microscopic investigation revealed a few moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma cells in the fibrous tissue and the nerve fibers of pancreas. No cancer cells were found at the edges of the surgical specimen. The patient underwent R0 resection and a pathological evaluation showed Grade III tumor according to the Evans classification. After surgery, S-1 was interrupted because of diarrhea and local recurrence appeared 4 months postoperatively. For improving the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancers, surgical intervention is often performed in patients with initially unresectable pancreatic cancers who have "long-term" favorable responses to chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. However, because of the possibility of relatively good prognosis with nonsurgical treatment for such patients and also the demerits of surgical stress, it is important to carefully consider the adjuvant surgery option.

[Long-term survivor of unresectable bile duct cancer complicated with sclerosing cholangitis treated with chemotherapy]

A 70-year-old woman was admitted to a near by hospital with complaints of epigastric pain and fever. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed stenosis of the hilar bile duct and multiple stenoses in the intrahepatic bile duct; bile cytological analysis indicated adenocarcinoma. The levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) were within normal limits. It was very difficult to evaluate the extent of tumor invasion; therefore, we concluded that the tumor was unresectable. The patient underwent systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine. After 5 years, she developed obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. The patient underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD), with 3 incidents of cholangitis recurrence. Although systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine was performed for a long time, she died 6 years after the initiation of chemotherapy. Gemcitabine was administered 140 times in total, with a total dose of 203.744 g.

Short- and long-term results of modified Frey's procedure in patients with chronic pancreatitis: a retrospective Japanese single-center study

BACKGROUND

The study aim was to determine the short- and long-term results of surgical drainage procedure for chronic pancreatitis at a single center in Japan.

METHODS

The records of 28 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent surgery at Kobe University Hospital between June 1999 and April 2013. Long-term follow-up was performed in all patients for a median period of 77 months.

RESULTS

The 26 men (93%) and 2 women (7%) had a mean age of 47 years. The etiology of pancreatitis was chronic alcohol abuse in 24 patients (86%). The major indication for surgery was persistent symptoms (97%). Modified Frey's procedure in 21 patients, lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) in 6 patients, LPJ and distal pancreatectomy in one patient, were performed. There was no postoperative mortality. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 6 patients (21%). The percentage of pain-free patients after surgery was 97%, and further acute exacerbation was prevented in 97%. Two patients (6%) required subsequent surgery for infectious pancreatic cyst and intraabdominal abscess. Of the patients that completed follow-up, 13 (46%) had diabetes mellitus, including 5 patients (19%) with new-onset diabetes, and 6 patients (19%) developed pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Modified Frey's procedure is safe, feasible, and effective to manage chronic pancreatitis. The technique prevents further exacerbations and maintains appropriate pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function.

Perioperative management for pancreatoduodenectomy following severe acute pancreatitis in patients with periampullary cancer: our experience with six consecutive cases

PURPOSE

We rarely have an opportunity to perform pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) following the onset of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) for patients with periampullary cancer. The perioperative risks and optimal timing of subsequent PD have, therefore, remained unclear.

METHODS

Between January 2006 and December 2012, we performed PD in six patients with SAP. We reviewed these six cases, and compared the perioperative risks of morbidity and mortality with those of 81 concurrent PD patients matched for primary cancer without preoperative SAP.

RESULTS

The six patients were classified as having SAP based on the Japanese criteria developed in 2008. The SAP in five patients was caused by ERCP procedures. The median interval from SAP onset to the operation was 111 days. The rate of Grade B/C postoperative pancreatic fistula formation in the SAP patients was significantly higher than that of the 81 control patients (83 vs. 26 %, P < 0.001). In addition, the median postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the six SAP patients relative to that of the control patients (40 vs. 30 days, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

An interval of at least 3 months after surgery may be needed to decrease the inflammation of the peripancreas region after SAP. Therefore, unnecessary and low-yield ERCP procedures should be avoided in these patients.

[A case of metachronous pancreatic cancer that developed 4 years after initial pancreatectomy]

A 55-year-old woman underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma( PDAC) in July 2008. The final diagnosis was Stage I PDAC according to the Union for International Cancer Control( UICC) TNM classification. After the operation, adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine was administered for 6 months. The tumor marker level increased at 49 months after the operation, and 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography( PET) showed FDG accumulation in the remnant pancreas. A hypovascular tumor was revealed in the remnant pancreas on computed tomography( CT). As PDAC was diagnosed without distant metastasis, completion pancreatectomy was performed. Histopathological investigation revealed PDAC with invasion into the muscularis propria of the anastomosed jejunum and splenic plexus. The final diagnosis was T3N0M0 UICC Stage IIA metachronous PDAC. The postoperative course was uneventful. However, multiple liver metastases and local recurrence were detected on CT 2 months after resection, and the patient died 3 months after resection. Most reported cases of metachronous PDACs were diagnosed at an advanced stage despite regular follow-ups after the initial resection. Further investigation is needed to determine the adequate surveillance time and novel therapeutic strategies.

[A case involving long-term survival following bile duct cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastasis that was treated by multidisciplinary therapy]

Complete resection of advanced bile duct cancer is difficult due to the anatomical location of the tumor and invasion into other organs. Even if a complete resection is achieved, the survival rates of patients with bile duct cancer after surgery are lower as compared to those associated with other gastrointestinal tumors. Certain cases with para-aortic lymph node metastasis have a poor prognosis. In the present report, we describe a case involving long-term survival following bile duct cancer that was treated by multidisciplinary therapy (particle radiotherapy, surgical resection, chemotherapy). In the present case, we detected lymph node (LN) metastasis only in LN#16, but not in LN#13 or LN#17. We believe that particle radiotherapy, consisting of proton and carbon-ion, can be used to control the lymphatic metastasis around the pancreas head and hepatoduodenal ligament. Our findings suggest that particle radiotherapy can be a standard neoadjuvant therapy for bile duct cancer.

[Analysis of the safety and efficacy of percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion after particle therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma]

Here, we report the efficacy of dual treatment with hepatic resection and percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion (PIHP) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC). Recently, we introduced treatment with combined particle therapy and PIHP for unresectable HCC in cases of insufficient liver function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PIHP for local control in the liver after particle therapy. From 2006 to 2013, 6 patients underwent particle therapy for the main lesion and subsequent PIHP for remnant liver lesions. Their mean age was 64 years, and the mean size of the main lesion was 6.2 cm (range, 2.0-10.8 cm). All patients had liver cirrhosis. After particle therapy, PIHP was performed by hepatic arterial infusion of 100 mg/m2 of doxorubicin and 30 mg/m2 of mitomycin C. With regard to side effects, neutropenia occurred in all patients but no serious hepatobiliary injury was observed. The response rate for PIHP was 50% (partial response: 3 and stable disease: 3). The mean overall survival time was 26.9 months after particle therapy. In conclusion, even after particle therapy, PIHP is a safe treatment and is associated with a good local control rate for remnant HCCs. Further accumulation of data is needed to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment strategy in terms of prognosis.

[The role of preoperative percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion and hepatectomy in multidisciplinary treatment]

We report a case of multiple bilobar hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC) that was successfully treated with a multidisciplinary treatment including preoperative percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion and hepatectomy. The patient was a 61- year-old man who was detected as having HCC mainly in segment 4 and 8 of the liver and multiple bilobar intrahepatic metastasis during follow-up evaluation for chronic hepatitis B. Curative resection was difficult because the patient had insufficient liver function and because of the location of the tumor. Hence, we performed preoperative percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion (PIHP) to control the multiple HCC. Seven weeks after the PIHP, the tumor size had reduced, and therefore we performed an extended left hepatic lobectomy. In addition to these treatment modalities, we performed transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) 3 times owing to recurrent HCC in the right liver lobe. Considering that HCC in segment 8 can be treated with TACE, we performed partial hepatectomy. As of the last follow-up visit, the patient was alive without disease recurrence. Thus, preoperative PIHP may improve the resectability rate in patients with multiple bilobar HCC for which curative resection is difficult to perform.

[A case of initially unresectable gallbladder cancer with surgical resection after chemotherapy with gemcitabine]

A 75-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with elevated serum hepatic enzyme levels. After evaluation with imaging studies, she was diagnosed as having gallbladder cancer, which had invaded the liver and hepatic artery, with lymph node metastases. The tumor was considered unresectable, and the patient received chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM)alone. Six months later, computed tomography(CT)indicated shrinkage of the gallbladder tumor and disappearance of lymph node metastases. Surgical resection was planned. However, liver metastasis was suspected on the basis of macroscopic findings, and the patient underwent gallbladder bed resection. Pathological examination indicated that almost all of the tumor cells in the gallbladder were viable; however, there were no tumor cells in the liver nodule and lymph node. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with GEM and was alive without recurrence 17 months after tumor resection. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 80.9% of the tumor cells were positive for CD133, a cancer stem cell marker. This case illustrates a possible relationship between cancer stem cells and chemoresistance.

18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography does not aid in diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There are no accurate and reliable tools for diagnosis of early stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) or small metastatic lesions. It is also a challenge to differentiate PDA from focal mass-forming pancreatitis (FMP). There is controversy regarding the efficacy of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the diagnosis of PDA. We investigated whether FDG-PET provides information that, combined with data from other imaging techniques, can aid in decision making for patients with suspected PDA.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from 232 consecutive patients with suspected PDA at Kobe University Hospital from January 2006 through June 2012. All patients underwent a diagnostic imaging protocol that included multidetector row computed tomography, superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and FDG-PET. Based on endoscopic ultrasonography, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography analyses, 218 patients had PDA (89 underwent resection and 129 did not) and 14 patients had FMP (8 had focal mass-forming chronic pancreatitis and 6 had focal mass-forming autoimmune pancreatitis).

RESULTS

FDG-PET detected 50% of stages 0 and I, 91.9% of stage II, 100% of stage III, and 96.8% of stage IV tumors. Detection was affected significantly by tumor size (P = .024) and T stage (P = .023) in resected tumors. Multidetector row computed tomography detected significantly more liver metastases than FDG-PET. Few para-aortic lymph node or peritoneal metastases were detected by FDG-PET. FDG-PET correctly identified 11 of the 14 patients with FMP (5 of 8 with focal mass-forming chronic pancreatitis and 6 of 6 with focal mass-forming autoimmune pancreatitis).

CONCLUSIONS

FDG-PET is not effective in detecting early stage PDA and small metastases, or in differentiating PDA from FMP. Combining FDG-PET with current diagnostic techniques for PDA did not provide any decisive information, therefore it should not be included in this analysis.

Usefulness of FDG-PET in the evaluation of tumor response to proton beam therapy for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

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Background: Evaluation of tumor response to radiation therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) using conventional radiological tests is difficult due to generally small size and inflammatory or fibrotic changes of radiated tissue. Although increasing evidence has shown that 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positoron emission tomography (FDG-PET) can assess functional changes in various tumors, available data in PDA with radiation therapy is scarce. In this study, we investigated the role of FDG-PET in long-term monitoring tumor response to proton beam therapy (PBT) for PDA. Methods: Thirty-four locally advanced PDA patients with pre- and post-PBT FDG-PET data were included in this study. Local tumor responses by computed tomography (CT) and FDG-PET were defined as below: response group in CT (complete response: CR, partial response: PR, stable disease: SD, progressive disease: PD) was defined according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, but only evaluation of primary tumor; and in FDG-PET, CR was defined as disappearance of FDG uptake, PR as decrease, SD as unchange, and PD as increase, compared to pre-PBT data. We evaluated tumor response at three different time points: 0-3, 3-6, and 6-12 months after PBT. Also serum CA19-9 values were evaluated. Results: Radiation doses were 50.4-70.2 GyE and 28 (82%) patients received concomitant chemotherapy. During the follow-up period (median 19 months), a total of 90 FDG-PET tests were performed. At the first time point, SD was noted in 90% (9/10) of patients by CT, whereas CR or PR in all by FDG-PET. At the second point, 39% (7/18) of patients demonstrated PR by CT, whereas 91% CR or PR by FDG-PET. Two patients with PD by FDG-PET were diagnosed as SD by CT, while one patient with PD by CT was diagnosed as PR by FDG-PET. At the third point, four patients with PD by FDG-PET were diagnosed as PR or SD by CT. Serum CA19-9 values supported FDG-PET findings. In four of 14 patients with serial FDG-PET, the maximum effects were noted at the second point. Conclusions: Serial FDG-PET can detect changes in local tumor response to PBT for PDA earlier and more sensitively than CT. Of note, there is the risk for false positive in early post-PBT FDG-PET.

[A case of groove pancreatitis associated with duodenal ulcer]

We describe a 69-year-old man with a history of multiple gastroduodenal ulcers, presenting with the onset of obstructive jaundice. Abdominal CT, MRI and EUS demonstrated a sheet-like mass in the pancreaticoduodenal groove. EUS-FNA did not reveal malignancy. Conservative treatment did not improve his clinical condition and repeated acute pancreatitis occurred during his treatment. Thus, pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Histopathological findings showed a duodenal ulcer penetrating the pancreas and infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrosis in the pancreaticoduodenal groove. The spread of inflammation associated with the duodenal ulcer may have been one of the causes of groove pancreatitis.

Feasibility of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography for preoperative evaluation of biliary tract cancer

(18)F-Labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET), a rapidly evolving functional imaging modality, has recently been shown to be useful in the diagnosis and staging of various malignant tumors due to focal uptake of FDG-labeled glucose in malignant cell populations. However, the role of FDG-PET in the diagnosis and staging of biliary tract cancer is still controversial and has not yet been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical importance of FDG-PET in the preoperative evaluation of biliary tract cancer and retrospectively clarify the characteristics of false-negative and false-positive cases. We retrospectively analyzed data for 73 consecutive patients diagnosed with cancer of the biliary tract and were admitted to the Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery at Kobe University Hospital for treatment, from January 2007 to August 2009. Since the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma are usually relatively high, FDG-PET is considered to be a useful tool in diagnosing biliary tract cancer. FDG-PET also seems to be useful in clinical decision-making, regarding treatment strategy, including surgery. Our results showed that FDG-PET is highly sensitive in delineating the primary focus of biliary cancer and is a useful tool in preoperative examination. A disadvantage of FDG-PET is its inability to indicate small metastases and false-positive findings of inflamed gallbladder and bile duct lesions.

[Three cases of recurrent bile duct cancer diagnosed and treated by double-balloon endoscopy]

Local recurrences often develop after the resection of bile duct cancer. Imaging modalities do not have sufficient sensitivity or specificity to enable the definite diagnosis of recurrent bile duct cancer, and it may be difficult to decide when to start chemotherapeutic treatment. It is difficult to obtain specimens by conventional endoscopy after Roux-Y biliary reconstruction. The double-balloon endoscope(DBE) has 2 balloons: one at the tip of the endoscope and the other at the over- tube. The 2 balloons are inflated alternately and the endoscope can move through the small intestine in a caterpillar-like manner. DBE simplifies the approach to Roux-Y choledochojejunostomy and to obtaining a pathological specimen. Moreover, endoscopic biliary drainage and cholangiography can be performed with the DBE. Recently, the DBE has enabled systemic chemotherapy to be started after obtaining pathological evidence of malignancy, as well as biliary drainage instead of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in cases with recurrent bile duct cancers. Here, we present 3 cases of recurrent bile duct cancer diagnosed and treated by a DBE.

[Long-term survival in 2 cases with unresectable hilar bile duct cancer and sclerosing cholangitis]

Case 1: A 69-year-old man was admitted to a nearby clinic due to upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed stenosis of the hilar bile duct and dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct in both lobes of the liver. A percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tube was inserted in the right anterior segment branch, and an endoscopic naso-biliary drainage tube was inserted in the left hepatic duct. He was referred to our hospital because of suspected hilar bile duct cancer. Radiographic examination showed severe stenosis of the hepatic hilar duct and tapering of the entire intrahepatic bile duct. The extent of invasion could not be evaluated and we concluded that the tumor was unresectable. Although systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine was performed, the patient died at 37 months after the start of chemotherapy. Case 2: A 70- year-old woman was admitted to a nearby hospital due to epigastric pain and fever. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed stenosis of the hilar bile duct and a wide range of multiple stenosis in the intrahepatic bile duct. Bile cytology showed adenocarcinoma. Therefore, we decided the tumor was unresectable. Systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine was started. She is in good health 57 months after the start of chemotherapy.

[A case of bilobar multiple hepatocellular carcinoma in which complete remission was achieved by preoperative percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion and subsequent hepatectomy]

We report a case of bilobar multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) successfully treated by preoperative percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion(PIHP) and subsequent hepatectomy. A 77-year-old man with elevated serum PIVKA-II level and hepatomas was referred to our hospital. Abdominal dynamic computed tomography and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated advanced HCCs: 11 tumors with a maximum tumor size of 4.8 cm diameter in the right lobe, and 1 tumor of 3.6 cm diameter in the left lobe. Curative resection was impossible due to insufficient liver function and due to the locations of the tumors. Therefore, we performed preoperative PIHP in order to control the multiple HCCs in the right lobe. This resulted in normalization of serum PIVKA-II level and complete necrosis of all tumors in the right lobe, as observed on dynamic computed tomography after 4 weeks of PIHP. Then, at 7 weeks after PIHP, we performed extended left lobectomy for residual tumor in the left lobe. Finally, complete remission was thought to have been achieved. The patient is alive 6 months after PIHP, without recurrence.

[A case of postoperative liver metastasis from pancreatic carcinoma treated with percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion(PIHP)]

We report a case of postoperative liver metastasis arising from pancreatic carcinoma treated with a novel procedure that we developed-percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion (PIHP). A 69-year-old man diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer(pT3, pN0, pStage III) was treated using distal pancreatectomy and adjuvant therapy with gemcitabine(GEM). Six months later, a metastasis to the medial segment of the liver was found using computer tomography(CT). The patient was treated by chemotherapy with S-1, but the liver metastasis grew, and we therefore employed PIHP as the third-line therapy, using 80 mg doxorubicin (DXR) and 62 mg mitomycin C (MMC). Six weeks after PIHP, the tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 19-9( CA19-9) had decreased from 44,469 to 4,268 U/mL, and the carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) level decreased from 28.8 to 5.4 U/mL. Although the size of the carcinoma remained the same on CT, some cells had liquefied as a result of necrosis. However, the patient died about 1 year after PIHP due to the growth of liver metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, and local recurrence, reflected by a progressively increasing level of tumor marker. In this case, PIHP seemed to be ineffective due to local recurrence and peritoneal metastasis as well as early enlargement of liver metastasis. However, the reduction in tumor marker levels and the observed tumor necrosis, suggest that PIHP is a potentially effective and promising treatment for liver metastasis arising from pancreatic carcinoma.

[A case of interstitial lung disease associated with gemcitabine treatment in a patient with locally advanced pancreatic cancer following proton beam radiotherapy]

A 69-year-old woman who had locally advanced pancreatic cancer underwent proton beam radiotherapy(67.5 GyE/25 Fr) concurrent with gemcitabine chemotherapy (GEM 800 mg/m2 day 1, 8) at Hyogo Ion Beam Medical Center, followed by GEM chemotherapy (1,000 mg/m2 day 1, 8, 15/28 day)at Kobe University Hospital. She visited our hospital because she was suffering from dyspnea 212 days after first administration of GEM. A chest computed tomography revealed that infiltrations were spreading in the bilateral lung fields. A bronchoscopy showed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. We diagnosed GEM related interstitial lung disease with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. We introduced steroid pulse therapy (methylprednisolone 1 g/day) for 3 days followed by oral prednisolone (40 mg/day), which was tapered gradually. She recovered and was discharged on the 24th day after admission.

Repeating regional acute pancreatitis in the head of the pancreas caused by intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms in the tail: report of a case

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a distinct entity characterized by papillary proliferations of mucin-producing epithelial cells with excessive mucin production and cystic dilatation of the pancreatic ducts. The clinical presentation often involves recurrent episodes of pancreatitis associated with the temporal obstruction of the main pancreatic duct caused by the hypersecretion of mucin. We herein describe a case in which the patient repeatedly experienced the occurrence of idiopathic acute pancreatitis in the head of the pancreas over a 9-year period, and who was ultimately was cured by distal pancreatectomy for IPMNs in the pancreatic tail. This case illustrates the potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of IPMNs owing to a discrepancy between the site of pancreatitis and that of the IPMN. The possible mechanisms linking acute pancreatitis with the formation of IPMNs are also reviewed.

Pancreatic volumetric assessment as a predictor of new-onset diabetes following distal pancreatectomy

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatogenic diabetes after pancreatectomy is of growing importance due to the increasing life expectancy of pancreatectomized patients. Although reduction of pancreatic volume is thought to affect glucose metabolism, a consistent relationship has yet to be determined. This study aimed to investigate functional consequences of distal pancreatectomy (DP) in preoperatively non-diabetic patients.

METHODS

This study included 61 non-diabetic patients who underwent DP. Clinical data were obtained, and the percent resected volume (PRV) of each pancreas was determined via multi-detector row computed tomography volumetry.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median 26 months), 22 patients (36 %) developed new-onset diabetes within a median onset time of 8 months (range 0.5-42 months) postoperatively. The remaining 39 patients also showed impaired glucose metabolism. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative hemoglobin A1c ≥ 5.7 % (odds ratio 15.6, p = 0.001) and PRV > 44 % (odds ratio 11.3, p = 0.004) as independent risk factors for new-onset diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Key determinants of postoperative glycemic control include preoperative functional reserve of the endocrine pancreas and the volume reduction of pancreatic parenchyma. Our findings enable reliable preoperative evaluation of the risk of postoperative diabetes and appropriate postoperative surveillance, which is helpful for early intervention in high risk patients.

A focal mass-forming autoimmune pancreatitis mimicking pancreatic cancer with obstruction of the main pancreatic duct

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare disease that closely mimics pancreatic cancer (PC) in its presentation. It is very important for clinicians to distinguish one from the other because their treatment and prognosis are vastly different. Typical radiological imaging findings, in particular observation of diffusely or segmentally narrowed main pancreatic duct (MPD) with an irregular wall by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), are essential for making the diagnosis of AIP. On the other hand, MPD obstruction is one of the most frequent features on ERCP.

CASE REPORT

We report a rare case of a patient with focal mass-forming AIP strongly suspected of being PC because of MPD obstruction on ERCP.

CONCLUSION

It was difficult to distinguish PC from AIP with current diagnostic modalities. We will continue to make an effort to distinguish between the two disorders to prevent unnecessary surgery.

[Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas associated with pregnancy: report of two cases]

Pancreatic neoplasms during pregnancy are rare. We describe two cases of mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) associated with pregnancy. A 34-year-old woman in the 26th week of pregnancy was given a diagnosis of MCN measuring 19 cm in diameter. We decided to resect it post partum in consideration of the risk of abortion. She had a healthy infant in the 40th week of pregnancy and three months later, distal pancreatectomy was performed. Pathological analysis revealed a mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas. The second case was a 36-year-old woman. She was given a diagnosis of MCN, measuring 16 cm in diameter, post partum and distal pancreatectomy was performed. Pathologically, the tumor was an invasive mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas. In this report, we did an extensive literature review and discussed the management of MCN during pregnancy with special reference to the timing of the operation and the relationship between tumor growth and sex hormones.

Utility of the new Japanese severity score and indications for special therapies in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The Japanese severity score (JSS) for acute pancreatitis was revised in 2008. As special therapies for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), continuous regional arterial infusion of protease inhibitor and antibiotics (CRAI) and enteral nutrition (EN) are now utilized in Japan. We investigated the usefulness of the new JSS and the indications for CRAI and EN based on the new JSS.

METHODS

We assessed the new JSS in 138 patients with SAP according to the previous Japanese criteria. Usefulness of the new JSS for the prediction of mortality rates was compared with conventional scoring systems by receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis. We analyzed the relationship between the new JSS and prognosis in patients with and without CRAI and EN, respectively.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients (33%) were assessed as having mild acute pancreatitis, and 93 patients (67%) were assessed as having SAP. Their mortality rates were 7 and 40%, respectively. The area under the curve for the prediction of mortality rates with the new JSS was 0.822 and was the highest among conventional scoring systems. In patients with new JSS >or= 6, the mortality rate was lower in patients with CRAI than in patients without CRAI (P = 0.129). In patients with new JSS >or= 4, the mortality rate was lower in patients with EN than in patients without EN (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

The new JSS is useful and easier to use for the prediction of prognosis compared to the conventional scoring systems. EN was effective in reducing the mortality rate in patients with a new JSS >or= 4.

Effect of oxygenated perfluorocarbon on isolated islets during transportation

BACKGROUND

Previous studies demonstrated the efficacy of the two-layer method (TLM) using oxygenated perfluorochemicals (PFC) for pancreas preservation. The current study investigated the effect of oxygenated PFC on isolated islets during transportation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Purified rat islets were stored in an airtight conical tube for 24h in RPMI culture medium at 22 degrees C or University of Wisconsin solution (UW) at 4 degrees C, either with or without oxygenated PFC. After storage, the islets were assessed for in vitro viability by static incubation (SI), FDA/PI staining, and energy status (ATP, energy charge, and ADP/ATP ratio) and for in vivo viability by a transplantation study.

RESULTS

UW at 4 degrees C and RPMI medium at 22 degrees C maintained islet quality almost equally in both in vitro and in vivo assessments. The ATP levels and energy status in the groups with PFC were significantly lower than those without PFC. The groups with PFC showed a significantly higher ADP/ATP ratio than those without PFC. In the transplantation study, blood glucose levels and AUC in the UW+PFC group were significantly higher than those in UW group.

CONCLUSIONS

UW at 4 degrees C and RPMI medium at 22 degrees C maintained islet quality equally under the conditions for islet transportation. The addition of oxygenated PFC, while advantageous for pancreas preservation, is not useful for islet transportation.

Expression of toll-like receptor 2 and 4 in intestinal mucosa in experimental severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), endotoxin/bacterial translocation (E/BT) from the gut is main cause of infection, which is contributor to high mortality. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize micro-organisms and are involved in the host defense. This study aimed to investigate the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in intestinal mucosa in SAP.

METHODOLOGY

SAP was induced by injection of 3% sodium deoxycholate into the biliopancreatic duct in rats. Terminal ileum was removed 2, 6, 12, and 18 hours after the induction. Expression of TLR2/4 was analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. NF-kappaB activation was assessed by enzyme immunoassay. E/BT was also evaluated.

RESULTS

TLR2/4 proteins were increased 2 and 6 hours, and were decreased 12 and 18 hours after the induction. Immunoreactivities for them were detected at the top of villi and crypt in control rats. They were increased 6 hours, and were diminished 12 hours after the induction. Activated NF-kappaB was increased 6 hours, and was decreased 18 hours after the induction. E/BT occurred 18 hours after the induction.

CONCLUSIONS

Intestinal immune response enhances in the early phase and suppresses in the late phase of SAP, and TLRs may be implicated in the mechanism of E/BT.

Long-term outcome of severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to evaluate the post-discharge outcome of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to clarify the prognostic factors for poor outcome.

METHODS

In 45 patients, recurrence of acute pancreatitis (AP), transition to chronic pancreatitis (CP), and development of diabetes mellitus (DM) were evaluated. Relationships of the outcome with the findings on admission and the presence/absence of alcohol intake were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 56+/-6 months. Recurrence of AP was noted in 19% of the patients. The recurrence rate was higher in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis than in those without this feature. C-reactive protein and white blood cell (WBC) count were higher in patients with recurrence of AP. Transition to CP was noted in 22% of patients. The transition rate was higher in those with alcoholic SAP than in those with biliary SAP. In patients with transition to CP, the WBC count, hematocrit, Ranson score, and Japanese severity score were higher, and base excess (BE) was lower, compared with these features in patients without this transition. Development of DM was noted in 39% of patients. Blood glucose and BE were higher in patients who developed DM than in those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of inflammation and pancreatic necrosis found on admission for SAP may be related to the recurrence of AP. Alcoholic SAP in which the disease is very severe may contribute to the transition to CP. Patients with impaired glucose tolerance readily develop DM after SAP.

Usefulness of performing a pancreaticojejunostomy with an internal stent after a pancreatoduodenectomy

PURPOSE

In pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ), the occurrence of an injury during the removal of a stented tube is sometimes related to pancreatitis or late-onset stenosis of the pancreatic duct. In this study, we compare the outcomes of a PJ with an external stent versus an internal stent in a randomized study.

METHODS

We compared the complications including pancreatic fistula, mortality, and postoperative hospital stay of 43 patients who had PJ with an external stent (group E) or PJ with an internal stent (group I) after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

RESULTS

Pancreatic fistula occurred in 8 patients (36.4%) in group E, while it only was seen in 7 patients (33.3%) in group I. Pancreatitis was recognized in 3 patients in group E, while there was no patient in whom an obstruction due to an internal stent was suspected.

CONCLUSION

Pancreaticojejunostomy with an internal stent is therefore considered to be an effective treatment alternative after PD, with an acceptable morbidity and no mortality.