Somatostatin adjunctive therapy for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal rebleeding after endoscopic therapy

AIM:To evaluate the effect of pantoprazole with a somatostatin adjunct in patients with acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(NVUGIB).METHODS:We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective database in a tertiary care university hospital.From October 2006 to October 2008,we enrolled 101 patients with NVUGIB that had a high-risk stigma on endoscopy.Within 24 h of hospital admission,all patients underwent endoscopic therapy.After successful endoscopic hemostasis,all patients received an 80-mg bolus of pantoprazole followed by continuous intravenous infusion(8 mg/h for 72 h).The somatostatin adjunct group(n=49)also received a 250-μg bolus of somatostatin,followed by continuous infusion (250μg/h for 72 h).Early rebleeding rates,disappearance of endoscopic stigma and risk factors associated with early rebleeding were examined.RESULTS:Early rebleeding rates were not significantly different between treatment groups(12.2%vs 14.3%,P=0.766).Disappearance of endoscopic stigma on the second endoscopy was not significantly different between treatment groups(94.2%vs 95.9%,P=0.696).Multivariate analysis showed that the complete Rockall score was a significant risk factor for early rebleeding(P =0.044,OR:9.080,95%CI:1.062-77.595).CONCLUSION:The adjunctive use of somatostatin was not superior to pantoprazole monotherapy after successful endoscopic hemostasis in patients with NVUGIB.

Limited endoscopic sphincterotomy plus large balloon dilation for choledocholithiasis with periampullary diverticula

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of limited endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) plus large balloon dilation (LBD) for removing choledocholithiasis in patients with periampullary diverticula (PAD). METHODS: A total of 139 patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones were treated with LBD (10-20 mm balloon diameter) after limited EST. Of this total, 73 patients had PAD and 66 patients did not have PAD (controls). The results of stone removal and complications were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the PAD and the control groups in overall successful stone removal (94.5% vs 93.9%), stone removal in first session (69.9% vs 81.8%), mechanical lithotripsy (12.3% vs 13.6%), and complications (11.0% vs 7.6%). Clinical outcomes were also similar between the types of PAD, but the rate of stone removal in first session and the number of sessions were significantly lower and more frequent, respectively, in type B PAD (papilla located near the diverticulum) than controls [23/38 (60.5%) vs 54/66 (81.8%), P = 0.021; and 1 (1-2) vs 1 (1-3), P = 0.037, respectively] and the frequency of pancreatitis was significantly higher in type A PAD (papilla located inside or in the margin of the diverticulum) than in controls (16.1% vs 3.0%, P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Limited EST plus LBD was an effective and safe procedure for removing choledocholithiasis in patients with PAD. However, some types of PAD should be managed with caution.

Self-expandable metallic stents for palliation of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer

AIM: To ascertain clinical outcome and complications of self-expandable metal stents for endoscopic palliation of patients with malignant obstruction of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed throughout August 2000 to June 2005 of 53 patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer. All patients had symptomatic obstruction including nausea, vomiting, and decreased oral intake. All received self-expandable metallic stents. RESULTS: Stent implantation was successful in all 53 (100%) patients. Relief of obstructive symptoms was achieved in 43 (81.1%) patients. No immediate stent-related complications were noted. Seventeen patients had recurrent obstruction (tumor ingrowth in 14 patients, tumor overgrowth in 1 patient, and partial distal stent migration in 2 patients). The mean survival was 145 d. Median stent patency time was 187 d. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stents is a safe and effective treatment for the palliation of patients with inoperable malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of biliopancreatic disorders:Correlation with conventional magnetic resonance imaging

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging(DWI)is a well established method for the evaluation of intracranial diseases,such as acute stroke.DWI for extracranial application is more difficult due to physiological motion artifacts and the heterogeneous composition of the organs.However,thanks to the newer technical development of DWI,DWI has become increasingly used over the past few years in extracranial organs including the abdomen and pelvis.Most previous studies of DWI have been limited to the evaluation of diffuse parenchymal abnormalities and focal lesions in abdominal organs,whereas there are few studies about DWI for the evaluation of the biliopancreatic tract.Although further studies are needed to determine its performance in evaluating bile duct,gallbladder and pancreas diseases,DWI has potential in the assessment of the functional information on the biliopancreatic tract concerning the status of tissue cellularity,because increased cellularity is associated with impeded diffusion,as indicated by a reduction in the apparent diffusion coefficient.The detection of malignant lesions and their differentiation from benign tumor-like lesions in the biliopancreatic tract could be improved using DWI in conjunction with findings obtained with conventional magnetic resonance cholagiopancreatography.Additionally,DWI can be useful for the assessment of the biliopancreatic tract in patients with renal impairment because contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance scans should be avoided in these patients.

Iodized oil uptake assessment with cone-beam CT in chemoembolization of small hepatocellular carcinomas

AIM:To evaluate the utility of assessing iodized oil uptake with cone-beam computed tomography(CT)in transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)for small he-patocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Cone-beam CT provided by a biplane flat-panel detector angiography suite was performed on eighteen patients(sixteen men and two women;41-76 years;mean age,58.9 years)directly after TACE for small HCC(26 nodules under 30 mm;mean diam-eter,11.9 mm;range,5-28 mm).The pre-procedural locations of the tumors were evaluated using tripha-sic multi-detector row helical computed tomography(MDCT).The tumor locations on MDCT and the iodized oil uptake by the tumors were analyzed on cone-beam CT and on spot image directly after the procedures.RESULTS:All lesions on preprocedural MDCT were de-tected using iodized oil uptake in the lesions on cone-beam CT(sensitivity 100%,26/26).Spot image depictediodized oil uptake in 22 of the lesions(sensitivity 85%).The degree of iodized oil uptake was overestimated(9%,2/22)or underestimated(14%,3/22)on spot image in f ive nodules compared with that of cone-beam CT.CONCLUSION:Cone-beam CT is a useful and conve-nient tool for assessing the iodized oil uptake of small hepatic tumors(< 3 cm)directly after TACE.

Efficacy of cap-assisted colonoscopy according to lesion location and endoscopist training level

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of cap-assisted colonoscopy(CAC) for detection of colorectal polyps and adenomas according to the lesion location and endoscopist training level.METHODS: Patients 20 years or older, who underwent their first screening colonoscopy in a single tertiary center from May 2011 to December 2012 were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent either CAC or standard colonoscopy(SC), and all of the procedures were performed by 11 endoscopists(8 trainees and 3 experts). All procedures were performed with highdefinition colonoscopes and narrow band imaging. The eight trainees had experiences of performing 150 to 500 colonoscopies, and the three experts had experiences of performing more than 3000 colonoscopies. A 4-mmlong transparent cap was attached to the end of a colonoscope in the CAC group. We retrospectively evaluated the number of polyps and adenomas, polyp detection rate(PDR), and the number of adenomas and adenoma detection rate(ADR) according to the lesion location and endoscopist training level between CAC and SC. We also evaluated the number of polyps and adenomas according to their size between CAC and SC.RESULTS: Overall, PDR and ADR using CAC were significantly higher than those using SC for both whole colon(48.5% vs 40.7%, P = 0.012; 35.7% vs 28.3%, P = 0.012) and right-side colon(35.3% vs 26.6%, P = 0.002; 27.0% vs 16.9%, P < 0.001). The number of polyps and adenomas per patient using CAC was significantly higher than that using SC for both the whole colon(1.07 ± 1.59 vs 0.82 ± 1.31, P = 0.008; 0.72 ± 1.32 vs 0.50 ± 1.01, P = 0.003) and right-side colon(0.66 ± 1.18 vs 0.41 ± 0.83, P < 0.001; 0.46 ± 0.97 vs 0.25 ± 0.67, P < 0.001). In the trainee group, the PDR and ADR using CAC were significantly higher than those using SC for both the whole colon(46.7% vs 39.7%, P = 0.040; 33.9% vs 26.0%, P =0.012) and right-side colon(34.2% vs 26.5%, P = 0.015; 25.3% vs 15.9%, P = 0.001). In the expert group, the PDR and ADR using CAC were significantly higher than those using SC only for the right-side colon(42.1% vs 27.0%, P =0.035; 36.8% vs 21.0%, P = 0.020).CONCLUSION: CAC is more effective than SC for detection of colorectal polyps and adenomas, especially when performed by trainees and when the lesions are located in the right-side colon.

Is endoscopic ultrasonography essential for endoscopic resection of small rectal neuroendocrine tumors?

AIM To evaluate the importance of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) for small(≤ 10 mm) rectal neuroendocrine tumor(NET) treatment.METHODS Patients in whom rectal NETs were diagnosed by endoscopic resection(ER) at the Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between 2008 and 2014 were included in this study. A total of 120 small rectal NETs in 118 patients were included in this study. Histologic features and clinical outcomes were analyzed, and the findings of endoscopy, EUS and histology were compared. RESULTS The size measured by endoscopy was not significantly different from that measured by EUS and histology(r = 0.914 and r = 0.727 respectively). Accuracy for the depth of invasion was 92.5% with EUS. No patients showed invasion of the muscularis propria or metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. All rectal NETswere classified as grade 1 and demonstrated an L-cell phenotype. Mean follow-up duration was 407.54 ± 374.16 d. No patients had local or distant metastasis during the follow-up periods. CONCLUSION EUS is not essential for ER in the patient with small rectal NETs because of the prominent morphology and benign behavior.

Efficacy and safety of limited endoscopic sphincterotomy before self-expandable metal stent insertion for malignant biliary obstruction

AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of limited endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) before placement of selfexpandable metal stent(SEMS).METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of 244 consecutive patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction, who underwent placement of SEMSs following limited ES from December 2008 to February 2015. The diagnosis of malignant biliary obstruction and assessment of patient eligibility for the study was established by a combination of clinical findings, laboratory investigations, imaging and pathological results. All patients were monitored in the hospital for at least 24 h following endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography(ERCP). The incidence of immediate or early post-ERCP complications such as post-ERCP pancreatitis(PEP) and bleeding related to limited ES were considered as primary outcomes. Also, characteristics and complications according to the cancer type were classified.RESULTS Among the 244 patients included, the underlying diagnosis was cholangiocarcinoma in 118 patients,pancreatic cancer in 79, and non-pancreatic or nonbiliary malignancies in the remaining 47 patients. Early post-ERCP complications occurred in 9 patients(3.7%), with PEP in 7 patients (2.9%; mild, 6; moderate, 1) and mild bleeding in 2 patients (0.8%). There was no significant association between the incidence of post-ERCP complications and the type of malignancy(cholangiocarcinoma vs pancreatic cancer vs others, P = 0.696) or the type of SEMS used (uncovered vs covered, P = 1.000). Patients who had more than one SEMS placed at the first instance were at a significantly higher risk of post-ERCP complications (one SEMS vs two SEMS, P = 0.031). No other factors were predictive of post-ERCP complications.CONCLUSION Limited ES is feasible and safe, and effectively facilitates the placement of SEMS, without any significant risk of PEP or severe bleeding.

H pylori eradication:A randomized prospective study of triple therapy with or without ecabet sodium

AIM: To investigate whether adding ecabet sodium to the standard triple therapy for H pylori infection improve eradication rate. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-seven H pylori-infected patients were randomly assigned to standard triple therapy (group A, n = 129) or triple therapy plus ecabet sodium (group B, n = 128). Successful eradication was defined as a negative 13C-urea breath test 6-8 wk after completion of treatment. RESULTS: After completion of therapy, 194/257 patients showed negative 13C-urea breath test results. According to intention-to-treat analysis, the infection was eradicated in 93/129 (72.1%) patients in group A and 101/128 (78.9%) in group B (P = 0.204). Per-protocol analysis showed successful eradication in 93/118 (78.8%) patients from group A and 101/114 (88.6%) from group B (P = 0.044). There were no significant differences in the side effects experienced by the patients in the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the addition of ecabet sodium improves the efficacy of the standard triple therapy for H pylori.

Double layered self-expanding metal stents for malignant esophageal obstruction, especially across the gastroesophageal junction

AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of double-layered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for treatment of malignant esophageal obstruction according to whether SEMS crosses the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). METHODS: Forty eight patients who underwent the SEMS insertion for malignant esophageal obstruction were enrolled. Patients were classified as GEJ group (SEMS across GEJ, 18 patients) and non-GEJ group (SEMS above GEJ, 30 patients) according to SEMS position. Double layered (outer uncovered and inner covered stent) esophageal stents were placed. RESULTS: The SEMS insertion and the clinical improvement were achieved in all patients in both groups. Stent malfunction occurred in seven patients in the GEJ group and nine patients in the non-GEJ group. Tumor overgrowth occurred in five and eight patients, respectively, food impaction occurred in one patient in each group, and stent migration occurred in one and no patient, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Reflux esophagitis occurred more frequently in the GEJ group (eight vs five patients, P = 0.036) and was controlled by proton pump inhibitor. Aspiration pneumonia occurred in zero and five patients, respectively, and tracheoesophageal fistula occurred in zero and two patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Double-layered SEMS are a feasible and effective treatment when placed across the GEJ for malignant esophageal obstruction. Double-layered SEMS provide acceptable complications, especially migration, although reflux esophagitis is more common in the GEJ group.

Associated factors for a hyperechogenic pancreas on endoscopic ultrasound

AIM: To identify the associated risk factors for hyperechogenic pancreas (HP) which may be observed on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and to assess the relationship between HP and obesity. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2007, we prospectively enrolled 524 consecutive adults who were scheduled to undergo EUS. Patients with a history of pancreatic disease or with hepatobiliary or advanced gastrointestinal cancer were excluded. Finally,284 patients were included in the analyses. We further analyzed the risk of HP according to the categories of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue in 132 patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography scans. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, age older than 60 years, obesity (body mass index > 25 kg/m 2 ), fatty liver, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were identified as risk factors associated with HP (P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, fatty liver [P = 0.008, odds ratio (OR) = 2.219], male gender (P = 0.013, OR = 2.636), age older than 60 years (P = 0.001, OR = 2.874) and hypertension (P = 0.044, OR = 2.037) were significantly associated with HP. In the subgroup analysis, VAT was a statistically significant risk factor for HP (P = 0.010, OR = 5.665, lowest quartile vs highest quartile). CONCLUSION: HP observed on EUS was associated with fatty liver, male gender, age older than 60 years, hypertension and VAT.

Advantage of endoscopic mucosal resection with a cap for rectal neuroendocrine tumors

AIM: To compare the outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection with a cap(EMR-C) with those of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) for the resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors.METHODS: One hundred and sixteen lesions in 114 patients with rectal neuroendocrine tumor(NET) resected with EMR-C or ESD were included in the study. This study was performed at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between July 2009 and August 2014. We analyzed endoscopic complete resection rate,pathologic complete resection rate,procedure time,and adverse events in the EMR-C(n = 65) and ESD(n = 51) groups. We also performed a subgroup analysis by tumor size.RESULTS: Mean tumor size was 4.62 ± 1.66 mm in the EMR-C group and 7.73 ± 3.14 mm in the ESD group(P < 0.001). Endoscopic complete resection rate was 100% in both groups. Histologic complete resection rate was significantly greater in the EMR-C group(92.3%) than in the ESD group(78.4%)(P = 0.042). Mean procedure time was significantly longer in the ESD group(14.43 ± 7.26 min) than in the EMR-C group(3.83 ± 1.17 min)(P < 0.001). Rates of histologic complete resection without complication were similar for tumor diameter ≤ 5 mm(EMR-C,96%; ESD,100%,P = 0.472) as well as in cases of 5 mm < tumor diameter ≤ 10 mm(EMR-C,80%; ESD,71.0%,P = 0.524).CONCLUSION: EMR-C may be simple,faster,and more effective than ESD in removing rectal NETs and may be preferable for resection of small rectal NETs.

Needle-knife fistulotomy vs double-guidewire technique in patients with repetitive unintentional pancreatic cannulations

AIM: To compare the success rates and adverse events of early needle-knife fistulotomy(NKF) and double-guidewire technique(DGT) in patients with repetitive unintentional pancreatic cannulations.METHODS: From a total of 1650 patients admitted for diagnostic or therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) at a single tertiary care hospital(Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea) between January2009 and December 2012, 134(8.1%) patients with unsuccessful biliary cannulation after 5 min trial of conventional methods, together with 5 or more repetitive unintentional pancreatic cannulations, were enrolled in the study. Early NKF and DGT groups were assigned 67 patients each. In the DGT group, NKF was performed for an additional 7 min if successful cannulation was not achieved.RESULTS: The success rates with early NKF andthe DGT were 79.1%(53/67) and 44.8%(30/67)(P< 0.001), respectively. The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis(PEP) was lower in the early NKF group than in the DGT group [4.5%(3/67) vs 14.9%(10/67),P = 0.041]. The mean cannulation times in the early NKF and DGT groups after assignment were 257 s and312 s(P = 0.013), respectively.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that early NKF should be considered as the first approach to selective biliary cannulation in patients with repetitive unintentional pancreatic cannulations.

Adult intussusception caused by cystic lymphangioma of the colon:A rare case report

我们经历了结肠的 cys- tic 淋巴管瘤在为血粪的主诉进入我们的医院的 32 岁女性引起的摄取的一个盒子。在 colonoscopic 考试，有有光滑的粘膜表面的梗的膀胱的质量在下降冒号被注意。腹的 ultrasonography 和计算断层摄影术作为一个领先的点与一个多有细胞的囊性瘤揭示了左冒号摄取。突现的手术被动。在组织病理学说的考试上，膀胱的联盟者扩大了含纤维的氏族内皮细胞层和 septated 衬里的空格一是在场的。病理学的诊断是冒号的膀胱的淋巴管瘤。尽管摄取由于在一个成年人的淋巴管瘤是稀罕的，它应该它是可能的诊断的被考虑。

Is obesity associated with gastropharyngeal reflux disease?

AIM: To examine the association between obesity and gastropharyngeal reflux disease (GPRD) as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients undergoing ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring from July 2003 to December 2006. The association between body mass index (BMI) and parameters about gastroesophageal or gastropharyngeal reflux was examined in univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTS: A total of 769 patients (307 men and 462 women; mean age 50.7 years) were finally enrolled. Most variables showing gastroesophageal reflux was higher in the obese patients than the patients with normal BMI. There was no difference in all the variables showing gastropharyngeal reflux according to the BMI. After adjustment for age, sex, alcohol intake and smoking, obese patients demonstrated an about 2-fold increase in risk of GERD compared with patients with normal BMI (OR, 1.9; 95 CI, 1.3-2.9), but overweight patients did not demonstrate increased risk of GERD (OR, 1.2; 95 CI, 0.8-1.7). Both obese patients and overweight patients did not demonstrated increased risk of GPRD compared with patients with normal BMI (OR, 1.1; 95 CI, 0.8-1.7; and OR, 0.9; 95 CI, 0.6-1.3, respectively).CONCLUSION: Obesity is not associated with GPRD reflux while it is associated with GERD.

Assessment of disease activity by fecal immunochemical test in ulcerative colitis

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of quantitative fecal immunochemical test(FIT) as biomarker of disease activity in ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS Between February 2013 and November 2014, a total of 82 FIT results, obtained in conjunction with colonoscopies, were retrospectivelyevaluated for 63 patients with UC. The efficacy of FIT for evaluation of disease activity was compared to colonoscopic findings. Quantitative fecal blood with automated equipment examined from collected feces. Endoscopic disease severity were assessed using the Mayo endoscopic subscore(MES) classification. The extent of disease were classified by proctitis(E1), left sided colitis(E2), and extensive colitis(E3). Clinical activity were subgrouped by remission or active.RESULTS All of 21 patients with MES 0 had negative FIT(< 7 ng/mL), but 22 patients with MES 2 or 3 had a mean FIT of > 134.89 ng/m L. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPV), negative predictive value(NPV) and accuracy of negative FIT about mucosal healing were 73.33%, 81.82%, 91.49%, 51.43% and 73.17%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of predictive value of positive FIT(cutoff value > 100 ng/mL) about active disease status were 45.45%, 93.33%, 71.43%, 82.35%and 26.83%, respectively. Among patients with clinical remission, FIT was negative in 31(81.6%) of 38 cases, with a mean fecal hemoglobin concentration of 6.12 ng/mL(range, negative to 80.9 ng/mL) for this group of patients. Among patients with clinical active disease, FIT was negative in 16(36.4%) out of 44 cases, with a mean fecal hemoglobin concentration > 167.4 ng/mL for this group of patients. FIT was positively correlated with endoscopic activity(r = 0.626, P < 0.01) and clinical activity(r = 0.496, P < 0.01). But, FIT did not correlate with the extent of disease(r =-0.047, P = 0.676)CONCLUSION Quantitative FIT can be a non-invasive and effective biomarker for evaluation of clinical and endoscopic activity in UC, but not predict the extent of disease.

Endoscopic resection using band ligation for esophageal SMT in less than 10mm

AIM:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of endoscopic resection using band ligation(EMR-B) for the diagnostic and therapeutic removal of tumors located in the esophageal subepithelial region having originated from the submucosa.METHODS:From May 2009 to September 2014,after medical chart and endoscopic ultrasonography report review,a total of 15 esophageal tumors located in the submucosal layer were resected by EMR-B.Previous symptom,location,pathology,complete resection rate,incidence of complications,incidence of minor complication,size,length of procedures time and follow up months were evaluated.To evaluate local recurrence at the resection site,periodic follow-up endoscopic examination was undertaken in all of the patients.The first endoscopic examination was performed about 6 mo after the endoscopic resection.Thereafter,the endoscopic follow up were scheduled annually.RESULTS:The mean age was 50.3 ± 9.67 years.The mean tumor size was 6.93 ± 3.15 mm and most of the lesions size was between 5-10 mm in diameter(10/15,66.6%).In all patients,endoscopic en bloc resection was achieved.In one patient,the vertical margin was involved.The mean procedural time was 8.86 ± 3.66 min.In all patients,no evidence of severe complications such as perforation or bleeding occurred.Minor complications such as chest pain(2/15,13.3%) and heartburn(3/15,13.3%) were reported but they symptoms were controlled by proton pump inhibitors,ulcermin and/or analgesics.Histologic assessments of the removed specimens revealed 10 granular cell tumors(66.6%),4 leiomyomas(16.6%) and one lipoma(6.6%).No recurrence was observed during the mean follow up period of 45 ± 3.5 mo(range:5-64 mo).CONCLUSION:EMR-B might be considered safe and effective for the diagnosis and treatment of lesions measuring less than 10 mm in diameter.

Rectal tonsil:A case report and literature review

The rectal tonsil,a reactive proliferation of lymphoidtissue located in the rectum,is rare.Histologically,benign lymphoid hyperplasia of the rectum is usuallycharacterized by large lymphoid follicles with activegerminal centers and a narrow surrounding mantlezone and marginal zone.This lesion is benign,but must be differentiated from the polypoid type of mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue lymphomas.In the current paper,we present a case of rectal tonsil in a 59-yearold woman.We describe the endoscopic ultrasound imaging findings with literature review.

Spectrum of mucin-producing neoplastic conditions of the abdomen and pelvis:Cross-sectional imaging evaluation

Various mucin-producing neoplasms originate in different abdominal and pelvic organs.Mucinous neoplasms differ from non-mucinous neoplasms because of the differences in clinical outcome and imaging appearance.Mucinous carcinoma,in which at least 50%of the tumor is composed of large pools of extracellular mucin and columns of malignant cells,is associated with a worse prognosis.Signet ring cell carcinoma is characterized by large intracytoplasmic mucin vacuoles that expand in the malignant cells with the nucleus displaced to the periphery.Its prognosis is also generally poor.In contrast,intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct and pancreas,which is characterized by proliferation of ductal epithelium and variable mucin production,has a better prognosis than other malignancies in the pancreaticobiliary tree.Imaging modalities play a critical role in differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous neoplasms.Due to high water content,mucin has a similar appearance to water on ultrasound(US) ,computed tomography(CT) ,and magnetic resonance imaging,except when thick and proteinaceous,and then it tends to be hypoechoic with fine internal echoes or have complex echogenicity on US,hyperdense on CT,and hyperintense on T1and hypointense on T2-weighted images,compared to water.Therefore,knowledge of characteristic mucin imaging features is helpful to diagnose various mucinproducing neoplastic conditions and to facilitate appropriate treatment.

Multicenter phase Ⅱ trial of modified FOLFIRINOX in gemcitabine-refractory pancreatic cancer

AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified FOLFIRINOX as a second-line treatment for gemcitabine(GEM)-refractory unresectable pancreatic cancer(PC).METHODS This study was a prospective, multicenter, one-arm, open-label, phase Ⅱ trial. Patients with unresectable PC, who showed disease progression during GEMbased chemotherapy were enrolled. All patients were administered FOLFIRINOX with reduced irinotecan and oxaliplatin(RIO; irinotecan 120 mg/m^2 and oxaliplatin 60 mg/m^2), which was set according to the phase Ⅰ study of FOLFIRINOX. The objective response rate(ORR), disease control rate(DCR), progressionfree survival(PFS), overall survival(OS), adverse events were evaluated. Additionally, changes in quality of life(QoL) were assessed using a questionnaire on QoL.RESULTS Between August 2015 and May 2016, a total of 48 patients were enrolled. The median follow-up time was 259 d with a median of 8.5 cycles. The ORR and DCR were 18.8% and 62.5%, respectively, including one patient who showed complete remission. The median PFS was 5.8 mo [95% confidence interval(CI): 3.7-7.9] and median OS was 9.0 mo(95%CI: 6.4-11.6). Neutropenia(64.6%) was the most common grade 3-4 adverse event, followed by febrile neutropenia(16.7%). Although 14.6% of patients experienced grade 3 fatigue, most non-hematologic AEs were under grade 2. In the QoL analysis, the global health status score before treatment was not different from the score at the last visit after treatment(45.43 ± 22.88 vs 48.66 ± 24.14, P = 0.548).CONCLUSION FOLFIRINOX with RIO showed acceptable toxicity and promising efficacy for GEM-refractory unresectable PC. However, this treatment requires careful observation of treatment-related hematologic toxicities.