Hereditary polyposis syndromes remain a challenging disease entity:Old dilemmas and new insights

In this editorial we present an overview and insights of the management of hereditary polyposis syndromes.The primary focus was on familial adenomatous polyposis,juvenile polyposis syndrome and Peutz-Jegher syndrome.Genetic testing has become increasingly available and is easier than ever to integrate into clinical practice.Furthermore,several genes have been added to the expanding list of genes associated with hereditary polyposis syndromes,allowing for precise diagnostics and tailored follow-up.Endoscopic evaluation of patients with hereditary polyposis syndromes is paramount in the surveillance strategies.Current endoscopic procedures include both diagnostic procedures and surveillance as well as therapeutic interventions.Recommendations for endoscopic procedures in the upper and lower gastrointestinal canal were described.Surgery is still a key component in the management of patients with hereditary polyposis syndromes.The increased cancer risk in these patients often render prophylactic procedures or intended curative procedures in the case of cancer development.Surgical interventions in the upper and lower gastrointestinal canal were described with relevant considerations.Development of chemopreventive medications is ongoing.Few drugs have been investigated,including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.It has been demonstrated that cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors may lower the number of polyps.Other medications are currently under investigation,but none have,to date,consistently been able to prevent development of disease.

Polyposis found on index colonoscopy in a 56-year-old female-BMPR1A variant in juvenile polyposis syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Juvenile polyposis syndrome(JPS)is a rare hereditary polyposis disease frequently associated with an autosomal-dominant variant of the SMAD4 or BMPR1A gene.It often manifests with symptoms in children and adolescents and is infrequently diagnosed in asymptomatic adults.Establishing the diagnosis is important as patients with JPS have a high risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer and require genetic counselling and close routine follow-up.CASE SUMMARY We report on the case of a 56-year-old female diagnosed with JPS after genetic testing revealed a rare variant of the BMPR1A gene BMPR1A c.1409T>C(p.Met470Thr).She was initially referred for colonoscopy by her general practitioner after testing positive on a screening faecal immunochemical test and subsequently found to have polyposis throughout the entire colorectum on her index screening colonoscopy.The patient was asymptomatic with a normal physical examination and no related medical or family history.Blood tests revealed only mild iron deficiency without anemia.To date,there has only been one other reported case of JPS with the same genetic variant.Subsequent colonoscopies were organised for complete polyp clearance and the patient was returned for surveillance follow-up.CONCLUSION JPS patients can present with no prior symptoms or family history.Genetic testing plays an important diagnostic role guiding management.

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome with esophagus involvement and sixyear follow-up:A case report

BACKGROUND Cronkhite-Canada syndrome(CCS)is a rare,noninherited disease characterized by gastrointestinal polyposis with diarrhea and ectodermal abnormalities.CCS polyps are distributed through the whole digestive tract,and they are common in the stomach and colon but very uncommon in the esophagus.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of a 63-year-old man with skin hyperpigmentation accompanied by diarrhea,alopecia,and loss of his fingernails.Laboratory data indicated anemia,hypoalbuminemia,hypocalcemia,hypokalemia,and positive fecal occult blood.Endoscopy showed numerous polyps scattered throughout the digestive tract,including the esophagus.He was treated with nutritional support and glucocorticoids with remission of his symptoms.CONCLUSION Comprehensive treatment led by hormonal therapy can result in partial or full remission of clinical symptoms.Treatment should be individualized for each patient according to their therapy response.Surveillance endoscopy is necessary for assessing mucosal disease activity and detecting malignant transformation.

Sustained remission of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome after corticosteroid and mesalazine treatment: A case report

BACKGROUND Cronkhite-Canada syndrome(CCS)is a rare disease of unknown etiology.The optimal treatment for CCS remains unknown.Treatment with corticosteroids is considered the mainstay treatment because of its high efficacy,but the therapeutic strategy for steroid-resistant CCS is not yet established.CASE SUMMARY This is the case of an 81-year-old woman who was diagnosed with CCS.Given her severe diarrhea,nausea,vomiting,and hypoproteinemia,hormone therapy(40 mg/d)was administered,and the symptoms improved within 1 wk.After 3 mo,the patient had no obvious symptoms.The polyps were significantly reduced on review gastroscopy and colonoscopy,thus hormone reduction gradually began.The hormone level was maintained at 10 mg/d after 6 mo.Despite the age of the patient and the side effects of hormones,the patient had no obvious discomfort.However,hormone drugs were discontinued,and mesalazine was administered orally at 3 g/d.The patient's symptoms continued to improve after a follow-up of 5 years.CONCLUSION Corticosteroids and mesalazine are potential treatment options for CCS.

Current status of familial gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes

Because of the rarity of familial gastrointestinal cancerpredisposing syndromes,their exploration in literature is not extensive.In this review,an update of the clinicopathological and molecular criteria of gastrointestinal familial polyposis syndromes with potential malignant transformation is performed.In addition,a guide for screening and surveillance was synthesized and a distribution of gene mutations according to the specific syndromes and geographic distribution was included.The following inherited polyposes syndromes were analyzed: familial adenomatous polyposis,the hamartomatous familial polyposes(Juvenile polyposis,Peutz-Jeghers syndrome,Cowden syndrome,BannayanRiley-Ruvalcaba syndrome,hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome,Gorlin syndrome,Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome,neurofibromatosis type Ⅰand multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2B),Li-Fraumeni syndrome,and MUTYHassociated adenomatous polyposis.For proper medical care,subspecialization of gastroenterologists,pathologists,and genticists in the field of familial diseases should be introduced in the medical curriculum.

Juvenile polyposis syndrome

Juvenile polyposis syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by multiple distinct juvenile polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and an increased risk of colorectal cancer.The cumulative life-time risk of colorectal cancer is 39% and the relative risk is 34.Juvenile polyps have a distinctive histology characterized by an abundance of edematous lamina propria with inflammatory cells and cystically dilated glands lined by cuboidal to columnar epithelium with reactive changes.Clinically,juvenile polyposis syndrome is defined by the presence of 5 or more juvenile polyps in the colorectum,juvenile polyps throughout the gastrointestinal tract or any number of juvenile polyps and a positive family history of juvenile polyposis.In about 50%-60% of patients diagnosed with juvenile polyposis syndrome a germline mutation in the SMAD4 or BMPR1A gene is found.Both genes play a role in the BMP/TGF-beta signalling pathway.It has been suggested that cancer in juvenile polyposis may develop through the socalled "landscaper mechanism" where an abnormal stromal environment leads to neoplastic transformation of the adjacent epithelium and in the end invasive carcinoma.Recognition of this rare disorder is important for patients and their families with regard to treatment,follow-up and screening of at risk individuals.Each clinician confronted with the diagnosis of a juvenile polyp should therefore consider the possibility of juvenile polyposis syndrome.In addition,juvenile polyposis syndrome provides a unique model to study colorectal cancer pathogenesis in general and gives insight in the molecular genetic basis of cancer.This review discusses clinical manifestations,genetics,pathogenesis and management of juvenile polyposis syndrome.

Diagnosis and treatment of Gardner syndrome with gastric polyposis: A case report and review of the literature

Gardner syndrome (GS) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by the presence of colonic polyposis, osteoma and soft tissue tumors. It is regarded as a clinical subgroup of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and may present at any age from 2 mo to 70 years with a variety of symptoms, either colonic or extracolonic. We present a case of a 23-year-old female patient with GS who presented with gastric polyposis and was successively treated with restorative proctocolectomy in combination with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (RPC/ IPAA), ileostomy, ileostomy closure operation, snare polypectomy during 8 mo. After operation, the patient took oral traditional Chinese medicine pills made of Fructus mume and Bombyx batryticatu for about 6 mo. The innutrition and anaemia of this patient were gradually improved. Gastroscopy showed that the remnant gastric polypi gradually decreased and finally disappeared 19 mo after the first operation. The patient had 2-3 times of solid stool per day at the time we wrote this paper.

Colorectal cancer risk in hamartomatous polyposis syndromes

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world, and approximately 5% of them develop in a context of inherited mutations leading to some form of familial colon cancer syndromes. Recognition and characterization of these patients have contributed to elucidate the genetic basis of CRC. Polyposis Syndromes may be categorized by the predominant histological structure found within the polyps. The aim of the present paper is to review the most important clinical features of the Hamartomatous Polyposis Syndromes, a rare group of genetic disorders formed by the peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenil polyposis syndrome and PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome(Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalacaba and Cowden Syndromes). A literature search was performed in order to retrieve the most recent and important papers(articles, reviews, clinical cases and clinical guidelines) regarding the studied subject. We searched for terms such as "hamartomatous polyposis syndromes", "Peutz-Jeghers syndrome", "juvenile polyposis syndrome", "juvenile polyp", and "PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome"(Cowden syndrome, Bananyan-Riley-Ruvalcaba). The present article reports the wide spectrum of disease severity and extraintestinal manifestations, with a special focus on their potential to develop colorectal and other neoplasia. In the literature, the reported colorectal cancer risk for Juvenile Polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers and PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndromes are 39%-68%, 39%-57% and 18%, respectively. A review regarding cancer surveillance recommendations is also presented.

Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review of Gastrointestinal Polyposis Syndrome

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare, non-inherited polyposis syndrome, characterized by diffuse gastrointestinal (GI) hamartomatous polyposis with unique dermatologic changes including alopecia, skin hyperpigmentation, and nail dystrophy. Patients can typically present with diarrhea, weight loss, protein-losing enteropathy, and nutritional deficiency. However, it can demonstrate diverse other clinical features, usually with poor prognosis. Currently, there are no specific diagnostic criteria established yet. The etiology of CCS is still obscure, but an autoimmune process has been suggested. Here we present an 81-year-old Caucasian female who had clinical presentations, physical exam, imaging, endoscopy and pathology findings that were all consistent with the diagnosis of CCS. We also include a detailed literature review of the other gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes (hamartomatous, adenomatous, hyperplastic and inflammatory polyposis). A high index of suspicion and recognition of the characteristic clinical, endoscopic as well as histopathological findings of CCS, as well as different gastrointestinal polyposis conditions, can help clinicians with more timely and correct diagnosis.

A case of Cowden syndrome diagnosed from multiple gastric polyposis

Cowden syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by multiple hamartomas in a variety of tissues and this is associated with germline mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) gene, which is the tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 10q23.3. It is characterized by multiple hamartomatous neoplasms of the skin, oral mucosa, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bones, central nervous system, eyes, and genitourinary tract. Cowden syndrome does not have increased risk of GI malignancy; however, it has an increased risk of breast, thyroid and endometrial cancer development. Herethe authors report a rare case of Cowden syndrome incidentally diagnosed from multiple gastric polyposis. A 29-year-old woman presented with multiple gastric polyps. The laboratory results were normal except for mild anemia, with a hemoglobin level of 11.9 g/dL. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed multiple gastric, duodenal polyps and esophageal acanthosis. Colonoscopy revealed possible hamartomatous polyps in the rectum. Under the suspicion of Cowden syndrome, sonography of the thyroid and breasts was carried out, which revealed multiple thyroid masses. Subsequent fine-needle aspiration biopsy revealed the presence of clusters of follicular epithelial cells, and due to the possibility of malignancy, the patient underwent total thyroidectomy. The pathology was reported as invasive follicular carcinoma. A gene study by direct sequencing showed the presence of a PTEN mutation (c.633C > A /p.Cys211*).

Clinical predictors for sessile serrated polyposis syndrome:A case control study

AIM To compared individuals with serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) to those with sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) and adenomas in the setting of endoscopists with high adenoma detection rates at a secondary and tertiary academic centre.METHODS Retrospectively we collated the clinical,endoscopic and histological features of all patients with SPS at St Vincent's public and private hospital in the last 3 years.Patients were identified by searching through 2 pathology databases.Variables explored included smoking status,symptoms,and family history of concurrent colorectal cancer,number and location of polyps.Patients with SPS were matched to two cohorts (1) patients with SSA not meeting World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for SPS over 3 years; and (2) patients with exclusively adenomas.The control cases were also matched according to gender and endoscopist.Adenoma detection rates ranged from 25% to 40%.RESULTS Forty patients with SPS were identified and matched with 40 patients in each control group.In total 15452 colonoscopies were performed over the study period which amounts to a prevalence of 1: 384 patients (0.26%) with SPS.Fourteen patients (35%) required more than 1 year to accumulate enough polyps to reach WHO criteria for SPS.The diagnosis of SPS was largely incidental and 5% SPS patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer over 3 years.The chance of detecting a meta-synchronous adenoma was similar in those with SPS(42%) and those with SSA(55%),P = 0.49.The majority of patients(75%) meeting criteria for SPS were women.The mean age of those with SPS (45 years) was significantly lower than both cohorts with SSA(57 years) and adenomas(63 years),P = 0.01.On univariate analysis cigarette exposure,firstdegree family history of colorectal cancer and a high BMI weren't significantly more associated with SPS compared to patients with SSA or patients with adenomas.However,patients with SPS (97%) and patients with SSAs not meeting SPS criteria(98%) were significantly more likely to be Caucasian compared to patients with adenomas (79%),P = 0.01.CONCLUSION The prevalence of SPS in our study was 0.26%.The vast majority of patients diagnosed with SPS were women.As a group,they were significantly younger compared to patients with SSA not meeting WHO criteria and patients with adenomatous polyps by more than a decade.Patients with SPS were no more likely to have a first degree relative with colorectal cancer or smoking history than the other two groups.Patients with serrated polyps were more likely to be Caucasian than patients with adenomas.

Synchronized early gastric cancer occurred in a patient with serrated polyposis syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Serrated polyposis syndrome(SPS)is a relatively rare disease that is characterized by multiple serrated lesions/polyps.Very little is known regarding the extracolonic cancers associated with SPS.The genetic basis of the process remains unknown.CASE SUMMARY A 67-year-old male patient initially presented with belching and abdominal distension for a year as well as diarrhea for over 2 mo.The patient underwent colonoscopy and was diagnosed with serrated polyposis syndrome.Half a year later,a gastroscopy was performed during the postoperative re-examination to screen for other lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.An elevated lesion was detected in the anterior wall of the gastric antrum.Curative en bloc resection of the lesion was achieved via endoscopic submucosal dissection.The pathological result was high-grade dysplasia with focal intramucosal carcinoma.Exome sequencing was performed for the patient and five gastric cancer-associated variants(methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,metaxin 1,coiled-coil domain containing 6,glutamate ionotropic receptor delta type subunit 1,and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1)were identified.CONCLUSION This paper reports a case that presented with both SPS and early gastric cancer.Genetic mutations that were potentially responsible for this condition were sought by exome sequencing.

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome polyps infiltrated with IgG4-positive plasma cells

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome(CCS) is a rare but serious protein-losing enteropathy, but little is known about the mechanism. Further more, misdiagnosis is common due to non-familiarity of its clinical manifestation. A 40-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of diarrhea and hypogeusia associated with weight loss for 4 mo. On physical examination, skin pigmentation, dystrophic nail changes and alopecia were noted. He had no alike family history. Laboratory results revealed low levels of serum albumin(30.1 g/L, range: 35.0-55.0 g/L), serum potassium(2.61 mmol/L, range: 3.5-5.5 mmol/L) and blood glucose(2.6 mmol/L, range: 3.9-6.1 mmol/L). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated to 17 mm/h(range: 0-15 mm/h). X-ray of chest and mandible was normal. The endoscopic examination showed multiple sessile polyps in the stomach, small bowel and colorectum. Histopathologic examination of biopsies obtained from those polyps showed hyperplastic change, cystic dilatation and distortion of glands with inflammatory infiltration, eosinophilic predominance and stromal edema. Immune staining for IgG 4 plasma cells was positive in polyps of stomach and colon. The patient was diagnosed of CCS and treated with steroid, he had a good response to steroid. Both histologic findings and treatment response to steroid suggested an autoimmune mechanism underling CCS.

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome associated with myelodysplastic syndrome

We report a case of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome(CCS)associated with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS).A 54-year-old woman,diagnosed as MDS the prior year after evaluation of anemia,visited our hospital with the chief complaint of epigastric discomfort.She also had dysgeusia,alopecia,atrophic nail change,and pigmentation of the palm,all of which began several months ago.Blood tests revealed severe hypoalbuminemia.Colonoscopy(CS)showed numerous,dense,red polyps throughout the colon and rectum.Biopsy specimens showed stromal edema,infi ltration of lymphocytes,and cystic dilatation of the crypt.Her clinical manifestations and histology were consistent with CCS.We prescribed corticosteroids,which dramatically improved her physical findings,laboratory data,and endoscopic fi ndings.This is the first report of CCS in a patient with MDS.

Gardner's syndrome:Genetic testing and colonoscopy are indicated in adolescents and young adults with cranial osteomas:A case report

We present a case of a 25-year-old female with diagnosed familial adenomatous polyposis and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen with negative family history. The suspicion of Gardner's syndrome was raised because extirpation of an osteoma of the left temporo-occipital region was made 10 years ago. Restorative procto-colectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis was made but histology delineated adenocarcinoma of the rectum (Dukes C stage). We conclude that cranial osteomas often precede gastrointestinal manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis or Gardner's syndrome and such patients should be evaluated with genetic testing followed by colonoscopy if results are positive to prevent the development of colorectal carcinoma. If the diagnosis is positive all family members should be evaluated for familial adenomatous polyposis.

Risk of colon cancer in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer patients as predicted by fuzzy modeling:Influence of smoking

瞄准：为了调查一个模糊逻辑模型是否能预言肤色，表面的癌症(CRC ) 风险由在世袭 non-polyposis 肤色吸表面的癌症(HNPCC ) 病人产生了。方法：从 Creighton 大学世袭癌症研究所登记的 340 个 HNPCC 失配修理(MMR ) 变化搬运人为当模特儿被选择。年龄依赖者曲线被产生阐明开发 CRC 的概率上的在基因变化(hMLH1 或 hMSH2 ) 之间的联合效果，性，和吸烟地位。结果：在男 hMSH2 变化搬运人的吸烟显著地增加的 CRC 风险(P 【 0.05 ) 。hMLH1 变化为男性相对 hMSH2 变化搬运人扩充了 CRC 风险(P 【 0.05 ) 。男性们非为 hMLH1 比女性有 CRC 的显著地更高的风险吸烟者(P 【 0.05 ) ， hMLH1 吸烟者(P 【 0.1 ) 并且 hMSH2 吸烟者(P 【 0.1 ) 。以在在男性的 hMSH2 的一种剂量依赖者方式的吸烟支持的 CRC (P 【 0.05 ) 。有 hMSH2 变化的女性和与 hMLH1 组一起的两性仅仅在广泛的吸烟历史以后表明了吸烟效果(P 【 0.05 ) 。结论：由在 HNPCC 病人吸烟的 CRC 提升依赖于基因变化，性和年龄。这些数据证明模糊建模可以启用临床的风险分数的明确的表达，从而允许 CRC 预防策略的 individualization。

Hereditary gastrointestinal polyposis: Diagnosis, genetic test and risk assessment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer deaths, with over 1 million new cases estimated every year. Familial adenomatous polyposis, MUTYH-associated polyposis and hamartomatous polyposis are inherited syndromes that account for 2%-5% of all colon cancer. The mutated genes responsible for the vast majority of these disorders, are now known (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, APC, MYH, LKB1, SMAD4, BMPR1A, and PTEN) and specific mutations have been identified. Molecular caracterization of inherited CRCs allows pre-symptomatic diagnosis identifying at-risk individuals and improving cancer surveillance. Adenomatous polyposis includes familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated FAP (AFAP), and MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP). Hamartomatous polyposis comprises Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and “PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome” (PHTS). MAP is an autosomal recessive condition, while all other disorders are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Differential dyagnosis could be very difficult between syndromes because of their phenotypic variability. Attenuated FAP, MAP and Lynch syndrome could be all associated with fewer numbers of adenomas (3-10 polyps), nevertheless, each syndrome has distinct cancer risks, characteristic clinical features, and separate genetic etiologies. Thus, differential diagnosis is essential for correct management of the specific disease. In our laboratory we set up a methodology for genetic tests of the colorectal polyposis syndrome. In these reviews we summarize the literature data and our experience about diagnosis, genetic tests and cancer risk assesment associated with colorectal polyposis. According to literature data, in our experience, there is a portion of analyzing patients that remain without identified mutation, after molecular screening of the specific gene involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Since the sensibility of used techniques, such as DHPLC, MLPA and sequencing, is now very high, we suggest that a different approach to molecular diagnosis of polyposis syndromes is necessary. In our laboratory, we are now planning to set up analysis of a larger pannel of genes that could be involved in colorectal poliposis syndromes, using a next generation sequencing techniques. In our opinion, a better characterization of molecular basis of the polyposis syndromes will allow a more efficient cancer prevention.

Management of pouch related symptoms in patients who underwent ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery for adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND Adenomatous polyposis syndromes(APS)patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis(IPAA)suffer frequent symptoms with scarce signs of inflammation,distinct from ulcerative colitis patients.While the management of pouchitis in ulcerative colitis patients is well established,data regarding response to treatment modalities targeting pouch-related disorders in APS patient population is scarce.AIM To assess clinical,endoscopic and histologic response to various treatment modalities employed in the therapy of pouch related disorders.METHODS APS patients who underwent IPAA between 1987-2019 were followed every 6-12 mo and pouch-related symptoms were recorded at every visit.Lower endoscopy was performed annually,recording features of the pouch,cuff and terminal ileum.A dedicated gastrointestinal pathologist reviewed biopsies for signs and severity of inflammation.At current study,files were retrospectively reviewed for initiation and response to various treatment modalities between 2015-2019.Therapies included dietary modifications,probiotics,loperamide,antibiotics,bismuth subsalicylate,mebeverine hydrochloride,5-aminosalicylic acid compounds and topical rectal steroids.Symptoms and endoscopic and histologic signs of inflammation before and after treatment were assessed.Pouchitis disease activity index(PDAI)and its subscores was calculated.Change of variables before and after therapy was assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank test for continuous variables and using McNemar's test for categorical variables.RESULTS Thirty-three APS patients after IPAA were identified.Before treatment,16 patients(48.4%)suffered from abdominal pain and 3(9.1%)from bloody stools.Mean number of daily bowel movement was 10.3.Only 4 patients(12.1%)had a PDAI≥7.Mean baseline PDAI was 2.5±2.3.Overall,intervention was associated with symptomatic relief,mainly decreasing abdominal pain(from 48.4%to 27.2%of patients,P=0.016).Daily bowel movements decreased from a mean of 10.3 to 9.3(P=0.003).Mean overall and clinical PDAI scores decreased from 2.58 to 1.94(P=0.016)and from 1.3 to 0.87(P=0.004),respectively.Analyzing each treatment modality separately,we observed that dietary modifications decreased abdominal pain(from 41.9%of patients to 19.35%,P=0.016),daily bowel movements(from 10.5 to 9.3,P=0.003),overall PDAI(from 2.46 to 2.03,P=0.04)and clinical PDAI(1.33 to 0.86,P=0.004).Probiotics effectively decreased daily bowel movements(from 10.2 to 8.8,P=0.007),overall and clinical PDAI(from 2.9 to 2.1 and from 1.38 to 0.8,P=0.032 and 0.01,respectively).While other therapies had minimal or no effects.No significant changes in endoscopic or histologic scores were seen with any therapy.CONCLUSION APS patients benefit from dietary modifications and probiotics that improve their pouch-related symptoms but respond minimally to anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatments.These results suggest a functional rather than inflammatory disorder.

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BASIC RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT OF PEUTZ- JEGHERS SYNDROME

To improve clinical knowledge of Peutz- Jeghers syndrome. Methods. Eight patients with Peutz- Jeghers syndrome from 1984 to 1998 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed in the present study. Result. The result of this analysis showed that there were 4 patients appeared with family histories of Peutz- Jeghers syndrome. All of the included patients admitted to the hospital with various complications, and eventually received surgical interventions for these complications, among which, 6 of them had intestinal obstructions mostly (5/6) due to small bowel intussusception, and 2 of them suffered with hemafecia. Post- operative recoveries were generally satisfactory with zero mortality. Conclusion. Peutz- Jeghers syndrome is an uncommon digestive dominant hereditary disease. The diagnosis of it with history, symptoms, signs, and proper examinations usually is not difficult. Surgical interventions are necessary once complications occur.

Desmoid Tumor of the Breast as a Manifestation of Gardner’s Syndrome in an Elderly Woman: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Desmoid tumor of the breast is an extremely rare entity. Histologically, it corresponds to a benign fibroblastic proliferation of a local evolution, with a high recurrence potential. We report the first case of elderly woman presented with desmoid-tumor of the breast as a manifestation of Gardner’s syndrome. A brief literature review was provided. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who presented with five months history of painful and an exophytic mass of her left breast. She is known to have familial polyposis and had a total colectomy with Gardner’s syndrome. She had a history of osteomas of the maxilla. On clinical examination, there was an exophytic painless mass, on the upper medial quadrant of the breast. She had also lipoma in the left leg and pigmented skin lesions in legs. Her mammograms showed a suspicious stellar image. A computed tomography scan showed an ovoid lesion. Excision of the lesion was performed. Histopathology confirms a desmoid-tumor of the breast. Evolution was marked by lesion recurrence. In conclusion, desmoid tumor of the breast is rare, non-metastatic but locally aggressive. Clinical expression is often nonspecific. Treatment remains controversial;surgical excision is the treatment of choice.