Successful resolution of gastric perforation caused by a severe complication of pancreatic walled-off necrosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Pancreatic walled-off necrosis(WON)rarely causes critical gastric necrosis and perforation,which may develop when pancreatic WON squashes against the stomach.The Atlanta 2012 guidelines were introduced for acute pancreatitis and its related clinical entities.However,there are few reported cases describing the clinical course and resolution of pancreatic WON.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 45-year-old man who presented to the urgent emergency department with gastric perforation caused by a severe complication of pancreatic WON on computed tomography.The patient underwent an emergency distal pancreatectomy,splenectomy,and gastric wedge resection.Postoperative findings showed re-perforation of the gastric wall at a previously resected margin.Furthermore,endoscopic examination revealed an ulcerative area with a defect in the fundus.After diagnostic endoscopy,endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure was performed,and continuous suction was transferred over all tissues in contact with the sponge surface.The patient recovered without any further complications and was discharged in good condition at postoperative week 8.No recurrence occurred during the 6-mo follow-up period.CONCLUSION When managing a patient with serious gastric perforation complicated by pancreatic WON,a multidisciplinary treatment approach should be considered.

Right trisegmentectomy with thoracoabdominal approach after transarterial embolization for giant hepatic hemangioma

Hepatic hemangiomas need to be treated surgically in cases where they are accompanied with symptoms, have a risk of rupture, or are hardly distinguishable from malignancy. The present authors conducted embolization of the right hepatic artery one day before an operation for a huge hemangioma accompanied with symptoms and confirmed a decrease in its size. The authors performed a right trisegmentectomy through a J-shape incision, using a thoracoabdominal approach, and safely removed a giant hemangioma of 32.0 cm × 26.5 cm × 8.0 cm in size and 2300 g in weight. Even for inexperienced surgeons, a J-shape incision with a thoracoabdominal approach is considered a safe and useful method when right-side hepatectomy is required for a large mass in the right liver.

Comparative analysis of radiofrequency ablation and resection for resectable colorectal liver metastases

AIM:To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation(RFA)for resectable colorectal liver metastases(CRLM)compared with that of resection.METHODS:Between June 2004 and June 2009,we retrospectively analyzed 29 patients with resectable CRLMs;17 patients underwent RFA,and 12 underwent hepatic resection.All of the patients were informed about the treatment modalities and were allowed to choose either of them.RFA including an intraoperative approach was performed by a radiologist;otherwise,hepatic resection was performed by a surgeon.Comparative analysis of the two groups was performed,including comparisons of gender,age,and clinical outcomes,such as primary tumor stage and survival rates.RESULTS:The mean tumor size was significantly larger in the resection group(3.59 cm vs 2.02 cm,P<0.01),and the 5-year overall survival(OS)rate for all patients was 44.7%.There was no difference in the 5-year OS rates between the RFA and resection groups(37.8%vs66.7%).Univariate analysis indicated significantly lower5-year OS rates for patients with a tumor size>3cm.The 5-year disease-free survival(DFS)rates were17.6%and 22.2%in the RFA and resection groups,respectively(P=0.119).Univariate analysis revealed that in cases of male gender,age>65 years,T stage<Ⅳ,absence of lymphatic metastasis,and tumor size>3 cm,RFA resulted in significantly inferior 5-year DFS rates compared with surgical resection.CONCLUSION:Surgical resection revealed superior outcomes in the treatment of resectable CRLMs,particularly in cases with a hepatic tumor size>3 cm.

Comparison of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel and FOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel(GA)and modified FOLFIRINOX(FFX)have been widely used as standard first-line treatment in pancreatic cancer.However,it is unclear which regimen is more efficacious.AIM To evaluate a retrospective analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of FFX and GA as first-line chemotherapeutic regimens in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed and compared outcomes in 101 patients who presented with pancreatic cancer and were treated with either GA(n=54)or FFX(n=47).Moreover,we performed subgroup analysis based on the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG)performance status.RESULTS There were no significant differences between two groups in baseline characteristics,except for the ECOG performance status.The median progression-free survival(PFS)(6.43 mo vs 4.90 mo,P=0.058)was comparable between two groups;however,median overall survival(OS)(10.17 mo vs 6.93 mo,P=0.008)was longer in patients who received GA regimen.In patients with ECOG 0(PFS:8.93 mo vs 5.43 mo,P=0.002;OS:16.10 mo vs 6.97 mo,P=0.000)and those with NLR<3(PFS:8.10 mo vs 6.57 mo,P=0.008;OS:12.87 mo vs 9.93 mo,P=0.002),GA regimen showed higher efficacy.CONCLUSION GA regimen may be recommended to the patients with NLR<3 or ECOG 0 status although GA and FFX showed comparable efficacy outcomes in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Polysplenia syndrome with preduodenal portal vein detected in adults

Polysplenia syndrome, defined as the presence of multiple spleens of almost equal volume, is a rare condition involving congenital anomalies in multiple organ systems. We report this anomaly in a 41-year-old female who underwent a left lateral sectionectomy due to recurrent cholangitis and impacted left lateral duct stones. Polysplenia syndrome with preduodenal vein was diagnosed preoperatively by computed to-mography (CT) and surgery was done safely. Although the polysplenia syndrome with preduodenal portal vein (PDPV) in adult is rarely encountered, surgeons need to understand the course of the portal vein and exercise caution in approaching the biliary tract.

Multimodal treatments of right gastroepiploic arterial leiomyosarcoma with hepatic metastasis:A case report and review of the literature

Leiomyosarcoma of an artery is very rare, and cases with hepatic metastasis are even rarer. We describe a case of a 70-year-old man who after follow up due to rectal cancer, presented with an intra-abdominal hypervascular mass and a hepatic mass. After surgical resection, it was diagnosed as a leiomyosarcoma of the right gastroepiploic artery with hepatic metastasis. Multiple metastases had recurred at the liver. He has survived more than 53 mo through multimodal treatments(three surgical resections, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, chemotherapies, and targeted therapy). Multimodal treatments, including active surgical resection, may behelpful in the treatment of aggressive diseases such as arterial leiomyosarcoma with metastasis.

Endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 of obscure origin

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) in patients with elevated carbohydrate antigen(CA) 19-9 levels of obscure origin.METHODS:Patients who had visited Pusan National University Hospital because of elevated serum CA 19-9 levels,between January 2007 and December 2009,were retrospectively enrolled.EUS had been performed on all subjects,in addition to routine blood tests,endoscopy,abdominal computed tomography(CT) and other clinical exams,which had not revealed any abnormal findings suggestive of the origin of the elevated CA 19-9 levels.RESULTS:Of the 17 patients,gallbladder sludge was detected in 16 patients(94.1%) and common bile duct sludge was observed in 3 patients(17.6%).After the administration of ursodeoxycholic acid to 12 of the patients with gallbladder sludge,CA 19-9 levels normalized in 6 of the patients after a median of 4.5 mo.CONCLUSION:EUS is a useful diagnostic method for patients with elevated CA 19-9 levels of obscure origin,even if the reason for abnormal levels of this serum marker cannot be determined through prior examinations,including abdominal CT.

First-line chemotherapy in very elderly patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer:Gemcitabine monotherapy vs combination chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Combination chemotherapy(gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel and FOLFIRINOX)is widely used as the standard first-line treatment for pancreatic cancer.Considering the severe toxicities of combination chemotherapy,gemcitabine monotherapy(G mono)could be used as a first-line treatment in very elderly patients or those with a low Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status.However,reports on the efficacy of G mono in patients older than 75 years are limited.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of G mono and combination chemotherapy by comparing their clinical outcomes in very elderly patients with pancreatic cancer.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 104 older patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent chemotherapy with G mono(n=45)or combination therapy(n=59)as a first-line treatment between 2011 and 2019.All patients were histologically diagnosed with ductal adenocarcinoma.Primary outcomes were progression-free survival and overall survival.We also analyzed subgroups according to age[65-74 years(elderly)and≥75 years(very elderly)].Propensity score matching was performed to compare the outcomes between the two chemotherapy groups.RESULTS The baseline characteristics were significantly different between the two chemotherapy groups,especially regarding age,ratio of multiple metastases,tumor burden,and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status.After propensity score matching,the baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the chemotherapy groups in elderly and very elderly patients.In the elderly patients,the median progression-free survival(62 d vs 206 d,P=0.000)and overall survival(102 d vs 302 d,P=0.000)were longer in the combination chemotherapy group.However,in the very elderly patients,the median progression-free survival(147 d and 174 d,respectively,P=0.796)and overall survival(227 d and 211 d,respectively,P=0.739)were comparable between the G mono and combination chemotherapy groups.Adverse events occurred more frequently in the combination chemotherapy group than in the G mono group,especially thromboembolism(G mono vs nab-paclitaxel vs FOLFIRINOX;8.9%vs 5.9%vs 28%,P=0.041),neutropenia(40.0%vs 76.5%vs 84.0%,P=0.000),and neuropathy(0%vs 61.8%vs 28.0%,P=0.006).CONCLUSION In elderly patients,combination therapy is more effective than G mono.However,G mono is superior for the management of metastatic pancreatic cancer in very elderly patients.

Complete resection of large-cell neuroendocrine and hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver: A case report

BACKGROUND Combined tumors comprising large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma have been rarely reported in the literature.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 73-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis B suspected to have a malignant hepatic mass(segment 3;size,4.5 cm)and lymph node metastasis based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Despite being Child-Pugh class A,esophageal varices were present.She underwent left lateral sectionectomy and lymph node dissection.Pathological examination revealed a collision tumor consisting of large-cell neuroendocrine(90%)and hepatocellular(10%)carcinomas.The combined carcinoma had metastasized to one of the three lymph nodes excised.The patient recovered without any postoperative complications and was discharged in good condition on postoperative day 13.Adjuvant chemotherapy was not performed.No recurrence occurred during a follow-up period of 24 mo.CONCLUSION To improve the therapeutic management of combined tumors in the liver,it is necessary to discuss each clinical experience and consider an appropriate method for the preoperative diagnosis and treatment.

起源于肝外胆管的小细胞神经内分泌癌:病例报告

Introduction Neuroendocrine tumors(NETs)are neoplasms with variable malignant potential that may arise from neuroendocrine cells.The gastrointestinal tract is a common site for primary NETs and annually 1.3 for every 100,000 persons are newly detected[1,2].Although gastrointestinal NETs are common in the small bowel,appendix,rectum,and stomach,those that arise from the extra-hepatic bile duct are extremely rare(0.1%–0.4%)[3-5].