Colonoscopic features and malignant potential of sessile serrated adenomas: comparison with other serrated lesions and conventional adenomas

AIM

Sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) have been proposed as precursors of colorectal cancer. The aims of this investigation were to compare the endoscopic findings of SSA/Ps with those of other serrated lesions and to compare the histological findings of SSA/Ps with those of conventional adenomas.

METHOD

We retrospectively reviewed colonoscopy records at our institution from 1984 to 2013 and identified cases of endoscopically or surgically resected conventional adenomas and serrated lesions, including SSA/Ps, hyperplastic polyps (HPs) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs). The colonoscopic findings of SSA/Ps were compared with those of the other two serrated lesions and histological findings were compared among all groups of lesions.

RESULTS

There were 79 HPs in 68 patients, 77 SSA/Ps in 63 patients, 167 TSAs in 145 patients and 6324 conventional adenomas in 4129 patients. The inverted type and flat-elevated type were more frequent among SSA/Ps than among the other two types of serrated lesions. Magnifying colonoscopy revealed that a round and open pit pattern, expanded crypt openings and varicose microvascular vessels were more frequently observed among SSA/Ps than among the other types. The incidence of high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma among SSA/Ps (13.0%) was significantly higher than that among HPs (0%, P < 0.001) and equivalent to that among conventional adenomas (12.3%).

CONCLUSION

SSA/Ps have colonoscopic features distinct from those of HPs and TSAs. The malignant potential of SSA/Ps seems to be equal to that of conventional adenomas.

Accuracy of radiographic assessment for the diagnosis of invasion depth in small invasive colorectal cancer

Radiographic findings of 113 submucosally invasive colorectal cancers (CRCs) <or=20 mm were investigated by two observers to examine whether barium radiography is predictive of the invasion depth in small colorectal cancer. Smooth surface, central barium fleck, fold convergency and eccentric rigidity were chosen as the radiographic determinants. Predictive values of the determinants for deep submucosal invasion were compared between 45 CRCs <or=10 mm and 68 CRCs >10 mm. 47 CRCs had invaded the submucosa superficially while 66 CRCs had invaded deeply. The concordance rate in the assessment of radiology was 90.3% in smooth surface, 92.9% in central barium fleck, 90.3% in fold convergency and 79.6% in eccentric rigidity. Positive predictive value of central barium fleck for deep submucosal invasion was significantly higher in CRCs>10 mm than in those <or=10 mm (0.86 vs. 0.64, p=0.034). In contrast, negative predictive values of smooth surface (0.89 vs. 0.34, p<0.00001), central barium fleck (0.87 vs. 0.38, p=0.0002), fold convergency (0.64 vs. 0.33, p=0.0023) and eccentric rigidity (0.79 vs. 0.48, p=0.023) were significantly higher in CRCs <or=10 mm than in those >10 mm. These findings suggest that barium radiography is a procedure which can give useful information in prediction of invasion depth in CRCs <or=10 mm in size.

Clinical and endoscopic features of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced colonic ulcerations

OBJECTIVE

Clinical and endoscopic features of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced colonic ulcerations have not been fully investigated.

METHODS

During a 3-yr period from April 1996 to March 1999, 6076 subjects underwent total colonoscopy at our institutions. Among them, the diagnosis of NSAID-induced colonic ulceration was made by their clinical and colonoscopic findings. All patients diagnosed as having this disease underwent upper endoscopy and follow-up colonoscopy. Clinical features, serial changes in colonoscopic findings, and upper GI lesions were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the subjects, 14 patients were diagnosed as having NSAID-induced ulcerations. Seven patients were complicated by renal failure. Three patients had gastric ulcers concurrently. Eleven patients had colonic lesions in the ileocecal region. In 13 of 14 patients, initial colonoscopy demonstrated sharply demarcated, semilunar or circumferential ulcers without stricture formation. After discontinuance of NSAIDs, improvement of the ulcers without stricture or inflammatory polyps could be confirmed 3-10 wk later. In one patient with diaphragm-like stricture, follow-up colonoscopy performed 2 yr later demonstrated resolution of circumferential ulcer.

CONCLUSIONS

NSAID-induced colonic ulceration may occur more frequently than previously recognized. Frank ulcerations, rather than stricture formation, seem to be the typical colonoscopic signs of NSAID-induced colonic ulceration.

A clinicopathologic study of primary small intestine lymphoma: prognostic significance of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-derived lymphoma

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether the presence of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma has prognostic implications for patients with primary small intestine lymphoma.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic features of 80 patients with primary small intestine lymphoma were examined retrospectively in relation to the presence of MALT lymphoma. Survival was compared univariately and multivariately among the groups divided by clinicopathologic findings.

RESULTS

Twenty-one cases (26%) were diagnosed as low grade B-cell lymphoma (15 marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT type, 2 mantle cell lymphoma, and 4 follicle center lymphoma), 46 cases (58%) were diagnosed as high grade B-cell lymphoma (19 secondary large cell lymphoma with a low grade MALT component, 17 diffuse large cell lymphoma without MALT features, 7 Burkitt lymphoma, and 3 lymphoblastic lymphoma), and 13 cases (16%) were diagnosed as T-cell lymphoma. A significantly better survival was noted for patients without colorectal and/or gastric involvement, diffuse infiltration under macroscopy, high grade histology, and perforation. Those patients with MALT type tumors, less advanced stage of disease, B-cell phenotype, benign lymphoid follicular hyperplasia, and radical tumor resectability appeared to have a better survival rate. Based on Cox multivariate analysis, early stage disease and MALT-derived tumors were determined to be independent prognostic factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of MALT-derived lymphoma appears to have a favorable prognosis among patients with primary small intestinal lymphoma.

A clinicopathologic study of primary small intestine lymphoma: prognostic significance of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-derived lymphoma

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether the presence of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma has prognostic implications for patients with primary small intestine lymphoma.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic features of 80 patients with primary small intestine lymphoma were examined retrospectively in relation to the presence of MALT lymphoma. Survival was compared univariately and multivariately among the groups divided by clinicopathologic findings.

RESULTS

Twenty-one cases (26%) were diagnosed as low grade B-cell lymphoma (15 marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT type, 2 mantle cell lymphoma, and 4 follicle center lymphoma), 46 cases (58%) were diagnosed as high grade B-cell lymphoma (19 secondary large cell lymphoma with a low grade MALT component, 17 diffuse large cell lymphoma without MALT features, 7 Burkitt lymphoma, and 3 lymphoblastic lymphoma), and 13 cases (16%) were diagnosed as T-cell lymphoma. A significantly better survival was noted for patients without colorectal and/or gastric involvement, diffuse infiltration under macroscopy, high grade histology, and perforation. Those patients with MALT type tumors, less advanced stage of disease, B-cell phenotype, benign lymphoid follicular hyperplasia, and radical tumor resectability appeared to have a better survival rate. Based on Cox multivariate analysis, early stage disease and MALT-derived tumors were determined to be independent prognostic factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of MALT-derived lymphoma appears to have a favorable prognosis among patients with primary small intestinal lymphoma.

Treatment of herpes simplex esophagitis in an immunocompetent patient with intravenous acyclovir: a case report and review of the literature

A 35-yr-old, immunocompetent male was admitted complaining of severe odynophagia. He was diagnosed as having herpes simplex esophagitis and was started on intravenous acyclovir 5 mg/kg every 8 h on the day of admission. His response was dramatic. Within 24 h he was virtually asymptomatic. Acyclovir therapy in immunocompetent adults with esophagitis has been described in only a handful of cases in the literature, although the therapy is well established in immunocompromised patients. We review the English literature and discuss the efficacy of the therapy. Acyclovir therapy may be beneficial in immunocompetent patients with particularly severe odynophagia.

Fractional esterification rate of cholesterol in high density lipoprotein is correlated with low density lipoprotein particle size in children

Small low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles are thought to be more atherogenic than larger LDL particles, although this association may depend on plasma triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. To help prevent coronary artery disease (CAD), it may be useful to understand risk factors during childhood and adolescence. In the present study, we evaluated low density lipoprotein particle size (LDL-size) by 2-16% gradient gel electrophoresis in 70 healthy children (30 boys and 40 girls) along with conventional lipid and lipoprotein parameters which are thought to affect LDL-size. The fractional and molar esterification rates (FER and MER) of cholesterol in plasma and HDL were also determined. As expected, plasma levels of TG, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoA-I were closely associated with LDL-sizes in both sexes (boys: r = -0.694, 0.708 and 0.701, girls: r = -0.579, 0.551 and 0.539, P < 0.001). However, a closer association was found between FER in HDL (FER(HDL)) and LDL-size (boys: r= -0.874, girls: r= -0.642, P < 0.001). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, FER(HDL) alone accounted for 76% and 41% of the variability in LDL-size in boys and girls, respectively. MER in HDL accounted for additional 4% and 19% in boys and girls, respectively. Other parameters, including plasma TG, HDL-C and apoA-I had no significant additional effects. Thus, the determination of FER(HDL) is useful to predict the particle size of LDL in children.

Recommendation for an exercise prescription to prevent coronary heart disease

Healthy male and female adults who visited the Japanese Red Cross Health Care Center were undertaken to the study of hematological examination, blood chemistry, electrocardiography and exercise loading test by bicycle ergometer. We attempted to evaluate the medical check up system for decision making of exercise prescription and useful exercise test to prevent coronary heart disease (CHD).