High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed based on changes in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography findings:A case report

BACKGROUND High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia(PanIN)exhibits no mass and is not detected by any examination modalities.However,it can be diagnosed by pancreatic juice cytology from indirect findings.Most previous cases were diagnosed based on findings of a focal stricture of the main pancreatic duct(MPD)and caudal MPD dilatation and subsequent pancreatic juice cytology using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).We experienced a case of high-grade PanIN with an unclear MPD over a 20-mm range,but without caudal MPD dilatation on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP).CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old female patient underwent computed tomography for a follow-up of uterine cancer post-excision,which revealed pancreatic cysts.MRCP revealed an unclear MPD of the pancreatic body at a 20-mm length without caudal MPD dilatation.Thus,course observation was performed.After 24 mo,MRCP revealed an increased caudal MPD caliber and a larger pancreatic cyst.We performed ERCP and detected atypical cells suspected of adenocarcinoma by serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytology examination.We performed a distal pancreatectomy and obtained a histopathological diagnosis of high-grade PanIN.Pancreatic parenchyma invasion was not observed,and curative resection was achieved.CONCLUSION High-grade Pan-IN may cause MPD narrowing in a long range without caudal MPD dilatation.

Population-based X-ray gastric cancer screening in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan

BACKGROUND X-ray gastric cancer(GC)screening has been shown to decrease mortality.Population-based X-ray GC screening has been performed in Hiroshima Prefe-cture,Japan,since 1983 but time trends and the efficacy of the method over 39 years have not been assessed.METHODS This was a population-based retrospective study.The data were derived from aggregated data of the Hiroshima Regional Health Medical Promotion Organization,including the number and rate of participants and those requiring esophagogastroduodenoscopies(EGDs),the number and rate of participants diagnosed as having GC,and the positive predictive value of the abnormal findings detected by X-ray and confirmed by EGDs.The number and rate of esophageal cancers were also collected.Further,the cost of detecting one GC was evaluated.RESULTS The number of participants has decreased during the last four decades,from 39925 in 1983 to 12923 in 2021.The rate of those requiring EGDs decreased significantly in recent years(P<0.001).The number of participants diagnosed as having GC has also declined,from 76 to 10 cases.However,the rate of cases diagnosed as GC among the participants remained around 0.1%.The positive predictive value increased significantly in recent years except during 1983-1991.The number and rate of accidentally detected esophageal cancers have risen recently,from 0%in 2008 to 0.02%in 2021,one-fifth of the diagnosis rate of GC.One GC diagnosis costs approximately 4200000 Japanese Yen(30000 United States Dollars)for the X-ray screenings and EGDs.CONCLUSION X-ray GC screening in Hiroshima has been efficient,but one challenge is the cost.Esophageal cancers may also need to be considered because they have gradually increased in recent years.

Clinical significance of type V_I pit pattern subclassification in determining the depth of invasion of colorectal neoplasms

AIM: To clarify whether subclassification of the type VI pit pattern on the basis of magnifying colonoscopy findings is useful in determining the type and depth of invasion of colorectal neoplasms.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 272 colorectal neoplasms (117 dysplasias and 155 submucosal invasive carcinomas; 228 patients) with a type V pit pattern [type VI, n = 202; type VN, n = 70 (Kudo and Tsuruta classification system)]. We divided lesions with a type VI pit pattern into two subclasses, mildly irregular lesions and severely irregular lesions, according to the prominent and detailed magnifying colonoscopy findings. We examined the relation between these two subclasses and histology/invasion depth.RESULTS: One hundred and four lesions (51.5%) were judged to be mildly irregular, and 98 lesions (48.5%) were judged to be severely irregular. Ninety-seven (93.3%) mildly irregular lesions showed dysplasias or submucosal invasion of less than 1000 μm (SM < 1000 μm). Fifty-five (56.1%) severely irregular lesions showed submucosal invasion equal to or deeper than 1000 μm (SM ≥ 1000 μm). Mild irregularity was found significantly more often in dysplasias or lesions with SM < 1000 μm than in lesions with SM ≥ 1000 μm (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Subclassification of the type VI pit pattern is useful for identifying dysplasias or lesions with SM < 1000 μm.

Immunohistochemical molecular markers as predictors of curability of endoscopically resected submucosal colorectal cancer

AIM: To clarify the usefulness of immunohistochemical molecular markers in predicting lymph node metastasis of submucosal colorectal cancer. METHODS: We examined microvessel density, lymphatic vessel density, the Ki-67 labeling index, expression of MUC1 and Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in tumor cells, and expression of cathepsin D in stromal cells at the invasive front by immunostaining of samples resected from 214 patients with submucosal colorectal cancer. Pathologic features were assessed on hematoxylin-eosin- stained samples. We evaluated the relations between clinicopathologic/immunohistochemical features and lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Lesions of the superficial type, with an unfavorable histologic grade, budding, lymphatic involvement, high microvessel density (≥ 40), high lymphatic vessel density (≥ 9), high Ki-67 labeling index (≥ 42), and positivity of MUC1, cathepsin D, and MMP-7 showed a significantly high incidence of lymph node metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that high microvessel density, unfavorable histologic grade, cathepsin D positivity, high lymphatic vessel density, superficial type, budding, and MUC1 positivity were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis.A combined examination with four independent immunohistochemical markers (microvessel density, cathepsin D, lymphatic vessel density, and MUC1) revealed that all lesions that were negative for all markers or positive for only one marker were negative for lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Analysis of a combination of immuno- histochemical molecular markers in endoscopically resected specimens of submucosal colorectal cancer allows prediction of curability regardless of the pathologic features visible of hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections.

BRIEF ARTICLE New reduced volume preparation regimen in colon capsule endoscopy

AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed bowel preparation method for colon capsule endoscopy.METHODS:A pilot,multicenter,randomized controlled trial compared our proposed "reduced volume method"(group A) with the "conventional volume method"(group B) preparation regimens.Group A did not drink polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage solution(PEGELS) the day before the capsule procedure,while group B drank 2 L.During the procedure day,groups A and B drank 2 L and 1 L of PEG-ELS,respectively,and swallowed the colon capsule(PillCam COLON capsule).Two hours later the first booster of 100 g magnesium citrate mixed with 900 mL water was administered to both groups,and the second booster was administered six hours post capsule ingestion as long as the capsule had not been excreted by that time.Capsule videos were reviewed for grading of cleansing level,RESULTS:Sixty-four subjects were enrolled,with results from 60 analyzed.Groups A and B included 31 and 29 subjects,respectively.Twenty-nine(94%) subjects in group A and 25(86%) subjects in group B had adequate bowel preparation(ns).Twenty-two(71%) of the 31 subjects in group A excreted the capsule within its battery life compared to 16(55%) of the 29 subjects in group B(ns).Of the remaining 22 subjects whose capsules were not excreted within the battery life,all of the capsules reached the left side colon before they stopped functioning.A single adverse event was reported in one subject who had mild symptoms of nausea and vomiting one hour after starting to drink PEG-ELS,due to ingesting the PEG-ELS faster than recommended.CONCLUSION:Our proposed reduced volume bowel preparation method for colon capsule without PEG-ELS during the days before the procedure was as effective as the conventional volume method.

Outcome of patients who have undergone total enteroscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM:To assess the diagnostic success and outcome among patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding who underwent total enteroscopy with double-balloon endoscopy.METHODS:Total enteroscopy was attempted in 156 patients between August 2003 and June 2008 at Hiroshima University Hospital and achieved in 75 (48.1%).It is assessed whether sources of bleeding were identified,treatment methods,complications,and 1-year outcomes (including re-bleeding) after treatment,and we compared re-bleeding rates among patients.RESULTS:The source of small bowel bleeding was identified in 36 (48.0%) of the 75 total enteroscopy patients;the source was outside the small bowel in 11 patients (14.7%) and not identified in 28 patients (37.3%).Sixty-one of the 75 patients were followed up for more than 1 year (27.2 ± 13.3 mo).Four (6.6%) of these patients showed signs of re-bleeding during the first year,but bleeding did not recur after treatment.Although statistical significance was not reached,a marked difference was found in the re-bleeding rate between patients in whom total enteroscopy findings were positive (8.6%,3/35) and negative (3.8%,1/26) (3/35 vs 1/26,P=0.63).CONCLUSION:A good outcome can be expected for patients who undergo total enteroscopy and receive proper treatment for the source of bleeding in the small bowel.

Clinicopathological features of minute pharyngeal lesions diagnosed by narrow-band imaging endoscopy and biopsy

AIM:To evaluate the utility of magnified narrow-band imaging(NBI) endoscopy for diagnosing and treating minute pharyngeal neoplasia.METHODS:Magnified NBI gastrointestinal examinations were performed by the first author.A magnification hood was attached to the tip of the endoscope for quick focusing.Most of the examinations were performed under sedation.Magnified NBI examinations were performed for all of the pharyngeal lesions that had noticeable brownish areas under unmagnified NBI observation,and an intrapapillary capillary loop(IPCL) classification was made.A total of 93 consecutive pharyngeal lesions were diagnosed as IPCL type Ⅳ and were suspected to represent dysplasia.Sixty-two lesions of approximately 1 mm in diameter were biopsied in the clinic,and 17 lesions with larger diameters were resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) at the Hiroshima University Hospital.In addition to the histological diagnoses,the lesion diameters were microscopically measured in 45 of the 62 biopsies.Thirtyfour of the 62 biopsied patients received endoscopic follow up.RESULTS:Minute pharyngeal lesions were diagnosed in 93 of approximately 3000 patients receiving magnified NBI examinations at the clinic.Of the 93 patients with IPCL type Ⅳ lesions,80 were men,and 13 were women.Fifty-six were drinkers,and 57 were smokers.Two had esophageal cancer.Twenty-one lesions were located on the posterior hypopharyngeal wall,and 72 lesions were located on the posterior oropharyngeal wall.All 93 lesions were flat and showed similar findings in the magnified and unmagnified NBI examinations.Although almost all of the IPCL type Ⅳ lesions showed faint redness when examined under white light,it was difficult to diagnose the lesions using only this technique because the contrast was weaker than that achieved in the NBI examinations.Of the 93 lesions,only 3 had diameters greater than 2.1 mm.Sixty-two lesions of approximately 1 mm were biopsied in the clinic,whereas 17 larger lesions were treated by ESD at the Hiroshima University Hospital.Of the 79 pharyngeal lesions that were biopsied or resected by ESD,5 were histologically diagnosed as high-grade dysplasia,39 were diagnosed as low-grade dysplasia,and 39 were determined to be non-dysplastic lesions.There were no cancerous lesions.Histologically,abnormal cell size variations and increased nuclear size were observed in all of the high-grade dysplasia lesions,while the incidence of these findings in the low-grade dysplasia lesions was low.Of the 62 biopsied lesions,45 were microscopically measurable.The measured diameters ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 mm.The dysplasia ratios increased with the diameters.A follow-up endoscopic examination of the 34 biopsied patients found the rate of complete resection by biopsy to be 79%.The largest lesion in which complete resection was expected was a low-grade dysplasia of 1.9 mm in diameter.CONCLUSION:Minute pharyngeal lesions suspected to be dysplasia that are identified by NBI magnifying endoscopy should be biopsied to determine the diagnosis and further treatment.