Clinical efficacy of Gamma Knife® combined with transarterial chemoembolization and immunotherapy in the treatment of primary liver cancer

BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Gamma Knife®combined with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)and immunotherapy in the treatment of primary liver cancer.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Gamma Knife®combined with TACE and immune-targeted therapy in the treatment of primary liver cancer.METHODS Clinical data from 51 patients with primary liver cancer admitted to our hospital between May 2018 and October 2022 were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent Gamma Knife®treatment combined with TACE and immunotherapy.The clinical efficacy,changes in liver function,overall survival(OS),and progression-free survival(PFS)of patients with different treatment responses were evaluated,and adverse reactions were recorded.RESULTS The last follow-up for this study was conducted on October 31,2023.Clinical evaluation of the 51 patients with primary liver cancer revealed a partial response(PR)in 27 patients,accounting for 52.94%(27/51);stable disease(SD)in 16 patients,accounting for 31.37%(16/51);and progressive disease(PD)in 8 patients,accounting for 15.69%(8/51).The objective response rate was 52.94%,and the disease control rate was 84.31%.Alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,lactate dehydrogenase,and alpha-fetoprotein isoform levels decreased after treatment compared with pretreatment(all P=0.000).The median OS was 26 months[95%confidence interval(95%CI):19.946-32.054]in the PR group and 19 months(95%CI:14.156-23.125)in the SD+PD group,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.015).The median PFS was 20 months(95%CI:18.441-34.559)in the PR group and 12 months(95%CI:8.745-13.425)in the SD+PD group,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.002).Common adverse reactions during treatment included nausea and vomiting(39.22%),thrombocytopenia(27.45%),and leukopenia(25.49%),with no treatment-related deaths reported.CONCLUSION Gamma Knife®combined with TACE and immune-targeted therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of primary liver cancer and has a good effect on improving the clinical benefit rate and liver function of patients.

Emerging molecules,tools,technology,and future of surgical knife in gastroenterology

The 21^(st) century has started with several innovations in the medical sciences,with wide applications in health care management.This development has taken in the field of medicines(newer drugs/molecules),various tools and technology which has completely changed the patient management including abdominal surgery.Surgery for abdominal diseases has moved from maximally invasive to minimally invasive(laparoscopic and robotic)surgery.Some of the newer medicines have its impact on need for surgical intervention.This article focuses on the development of these emerging molecules,tools,and technology and their impact on present surgical form and its future effects on the surgical intervention in gastroenterological diseases.

CyberKnife系统技术评估和临床应用评价

介绍了Cyber Knife系统作为最新型的立体定向放射治疗设备之一的独有优势,同时提出了临床上其仍然存有一定局限性且有待被重新认识。最后对Cyber Knife系统的技术特点及临床应用情况进行了评估和总结,指出不断拓展治疗空间、提升引导图像中组织解剖信息是Cyber Knife系统未来发展的方向。

金标伪影对CyberKnife射野剂量学影响的计算与测量

目的:分析植入的金标在CT扫描时产生的金属伪影对Cyber Knife射野的剂量学影响。方法:用CT模拟机对固体水进行扫描以获取金标不同深度位置的CT图像,在计划系统中,分别制作以电离室收集极为等中心的单射野照射计划,并将相应计划移植到指定金标伪影密度覆盖值的CT图像并执行计划进行测量。结果:金标的植入对等中心剂量的影响在0.5%左右,而伪影对剂量及相同深度离轴点处吸收剂量影响达3%,并随金标植入深度的增加而降低;给伪影指定密度覆盖值后,其对剂量的影响可降低至1%;金标伪影使得金标后方的百分深度剂量(percentage depth dose,PDD)有明显跌落区,伪影密度值的覆盖可以减少对PDD的影响;金标对偏心比(off-center ratio,OCR)的影响较小,但使OCR曲线相对稍加平坦。结论:通过伪影覆盖可有效降低金标伪影对剂量的影响。

CyberKnife等中心及非等中心立体定向治疗计划质量及效率评价

目的探讨并评价Cyber Knife(CK)系统利用等中心和非等中心两种计划模式立体定向治疗计划(SRT)的剂量学特性及差异。方法将18例肿瘤患者分为A、B两组:A为小体积组即肿瘤大小在3 cm以下;B为大体积组即肿瘤大小在3 cm以上。每组9例患者计划分别给予同一处方剂量条件40 Gy/5F。在相同的条件下,分别以等中心和非等中心两种布野方式立体定向治疗技术设计相应的计划,通过其靶区适形指数(CI)、非均匀指数(HI)、梯度指数(GI)和危及器官等剂量学参数,分析评估SRT计划优化质量及实施效率,从而实现评价两种治疗模式的剂量学差异。结果等中心组计划执行的平均治疗时间(P=0.002)及机器MUs(P<0.001)明显优于非等中心组;CI均值(A:P=0.027;B:P=0.007)和GI均值(A:P<0.001;B:P<0.001)分别小于非等中心组;HI均值则略高于非等中心组(A:P=0.029;B:P<0.001);A组平均剂量归一值(P=0.011)等中心组优于非等中心组,而B组(P=0.012)等中心组低于非等中心组。结论等中心治疗模式在治疗时间、MU数及GI上均优于非等中心,在CI和HI上略低于非等中心模式。小体积肿瘤可考虑等中心治疗模式,而大体积肿瘤则宜用非等中心治疗模式;但仍需更多的临床病例给予研究。

超声引导下针刀松解黄韧带对兔退变腰椎间盘整合素α5、β1表达的影响

背景:针刀松解黄韧带可有效改善腰椎退行性患者的症状,超声引导可增加针刀松解的精准性,但针刀松解黄韧带后对退变椎间盘的具体影响及可能的机制尚待明确。目的:探讨超声引导下针刀松解黄韧带对兔腰椎间盘退变的作用。方法:取24只新西兰兔,采用随机数字表法分为对照组(n=6)与造模组(n=18)。造模组采用横断L5/6、L6/7节段棘上、棘间韧带并保持站立姿势对腰椎施加轴向载荷的方式建立兔腰椎间盘退变模型,造模成功后再随机分为模型组、超声针刀组、假针刀组,每组6只,超声针刀组在超声引导下使用针刀松解L7/S1右侧黄韧带,假针刀组针刀入路同超声针刀组,但不松解黄韧带,1次/周,共4次。针刀干预后30 d,利用MRI观察L7/S1椎间盘髓核信号强度变化,苏木精-伊红染色观察L7/S1椎间盘形态变化,免疫组化染色检测L7/S1椎间盘髓核内Ⅰ,Ⅱ型胶原表达,RT-PCR、Western Blot检测L7/S1椎间盘中整合素α5、β1、p38、核因子κB的表达。结果与结论:①MRI成像显示,模型组兔椎间盘髓核呈灰-黑色,髓核灰度值明显低于对照组(P<0.01);超声针刀组兔椎间盘髓核亮度较模型组升高,髓核灰度值高于模型组(P<0.01);②苏木精-伊红染色显示,模型组髓核形状不规则,髓核细胞数量减少,细胞外基质被压缩,纤维环破裂,终板结构与边界不清,软骨细胞排列紊乱;与模型组相比,超声针刀组髓核细胞数量增多,纤维环破裂情况有改善,软骨终板细胞排列较为规则;③免疫组化染色显示,与对照组比较,模型组髓核内Ⅰ型胶原阳性表达增加(P<0.01),Ⅱ型胶原阳性表达减少(P<0.01);与模型组比较,超声针刀组髓核内Ⅰ型胶原阳性表达减少(P<0.01),Ⅱ型胶原阳性表达增加(P<0.01);④RT-PCR、Western Blot检测显示,与对照组比较,模型组兔椎间盘中整合素α5、整合素β1、p38、核因子κB的mRNA与蛋白表达均升高(P<0.01);与模型组比较,超声针刀组兔椎间盘中整合素α5、整合素β1、p38、核因子κB的mRNA与蛋白表达均降低(P<0.01);⑤结果表明,超声引导下针刀松解黄韧带可改善兔腰椎间盘退变程度,该作用与通过调控整合素α5、β1表达、抑制p38和核因子κB表达有关。

小针刀联合经颅磁刺激治疗脑梗死后遗症期上肢痉挛的疗效观察

目的:研究小针刀联合经颅磁刺激(Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.TMS)在改善脑梗死后遗症期患者上肢痉挛症状中的临床疗效。方法:选取2021年6月~2023年6月在本院就诊的80例脑梗死后遗症期上肢轻至中度痉挛患者,随机将其分为小针刀组(n=26)、TMS组(n=27)、联合组(n=27)。所有患者在常规康复训练基础上,小针刀组进行小针刀治疗,TMS组进行经颅磁治疗,联合组进行联合治疗。治疗前后评估患者的Fugl-Meyer量表分数、临床痉挛指数分数,运动诱发电位,和静息运动阈值。结果:三组患者治疗后Fugl-Meyer评分均提高,临床痉挛指数评分均下降(P<0.01),其中联合治疗组的FuglMeyer评分高于单一治疗组,临床痉挛指数评分低于单一治疗组(P<0.01):三组患者治疗后运动诱发电位潜伏期均缩短,波幅增高(P<0.01),其中联合治疗组的运动诱发电位潜伏期短于单一治疗组,波幅高于单一治疗组(P<0.01):三组患者治疗后静息运动阈值均下降(P<0.01),其中联合治疗组的静息运动阈值低于单一治疗组(P<0.01)。结论:小针刀联合经颅磁刺激治疗能有效缓解脑梗死后上肢功能痉挛患者的上肢痉挛、中枢神经系统功能及大脑皮层兴奋性,疗效优于单一治疗方法。

基于CyberKnife脊柱追踪系统的胸椎转移瘤放疗摆位误差分析

目的:基于Xsight脊柱追踪系统对胸椎转移瘤治疗前摆位及治疗中体位稳定性进行定量分析,以期为临床应用提供参考。方法:选择10例行射波刀(Cyber Knife,CK)治疗的胸椎转移瘤患者,采用真空垫行体位固定,应用Xsight脊柱追踪系统进行追踪治疗,并在首次治疗后做等中心十字线标记用于后续治疗的摆位参考;治疗过程中每隔60 s采集一次正交图像,并参考数字重建图像(digital reconstructedly radiograph,DRR)行配准校正且记录其误差,分析治疗分次内体位稳定性以及治疗照射误差。结果:患者治疗前分次间左右(X)、头脚(Y)、垂直(Z)3个方向的线性摆位误差(系统误差±随机误差)分别为(1.66±3.48)、(0.12±5.88)、(0.08±3.54)mm,推算其常规外放边界分别为7.5、5.0、3.1 mm;分次内平移误差均小于0.9 mm,旋转误差均小于0.8°;CK治疗过程中X、Y、Z 3个方向的治疗照射误差分别为0.34、0.31、0.25 mm。结论:CK治疗中运用首分次等中心标记法实现了对常规治疗等中心摆位的误差分析,为胸椎转移瘤临床常规治疗提供了参考;同时,由于患者体位变化引起的照射误差较小,实现了对靶区照射的高度准确性。

射波刀Cyberknife治疗无法手术切除原发性肝内胆管细胞癌疗效观察

目的观察立体定向放射治疗(SBRT)对无法手术切除原发性肝内胆管细胞癌(ICC)的疗效及不良反应。方法对28例原发性ICC患者行射波刀SBRT,给予总剂量为45 Gy(36~54 Gy),分割3~5次,处方剂量线范围为70%~92%。按照RECIST1.1标准进行实体瘤近期疗效评价,采用Kaplanmeier方法分析生存率及疾病控制率,Cox方法进行多因素分析评价影响预后的因素,美国放射肿瘤学协作组(RTOG 2.0)标准进行放射反应评级。结果 28例患者中,完全缓解(CR)3例(10.7%),部分缓解(PR)10例(35.7%),无变化(SD)12例(42.9%),进展(PD)3例(10.7%),疾病有效率(CR+PR)为46.4%,疾病控制率(CR+PR+SD)为89.3%。治疗后随访3~42月,中位随访时间为16月,1、2年生存率分别为57.1%、32.1%,28例患者的中位生存期15月(95%CI:7.22~22.78)。所有患者对治疗耐受良好,不良反应轻微,治疗不良反应主要局限于1~2级,未出现大于3级的不良反应。多因素分析显示肿瘤直径较大、淋巴结转移、临床分期较晚可能导致较差的预后(P<0.01)。结论对于无法手术切除的原发性ICC,射波刀SBRT疗效显著,安全性好,值得进一步临床推广。

超声引导针刀松解椎间孔内口对兔软骨终板基质稳态的影响

背景:软骨终板基质稳态与椎间盘退变关系密切,针刀松解椎间孔内口后壁黄韧带可改善腰椎间盘退变患者的症状,其作用机制是否与调控软骨终板基质稳态有关尚待明确。目的:探讨超声引导下针刀松解兔L_(7)/S_(1)椎间孔内口对软骨终板基质稳态的影响。方法:24只雄性新西兰兔随机分为对照组6只、造模组18只,采用横断棘上棘间韧带后间歇性站立的方式进行腰椎间盘退变造模,时间为12周。造模后将造模组随机分为模型组、针刀组、假针刀组,每组6只。针刀组在超声引导下针刀松解兔L_(7)/S_(1)右侧椎间孔内口后壁黄韧带,假针刀组针刀只抵达椎间孔内口后壁黄韧带表面,共干预4次,每次间隔1周;对照组、模型组兔不做干预。干预结束30 d后,MRI观察椎间盘退变情况;苏木精-伊红染色、番红O固绿染色观察L_(7)/S_(1)椎间盘软骨终板、髓核、纤维环形态并评分;免疫组化检测L_(7)/S_(1)椎间盘髓核、软骨终板Ⅱ型胶原、蛋白聚糖、基质金属蛋白酶13表达。结果与结论:①MRI显示,L_(7)/S_(1)髓核相对灰度值模型组明显低于对照组(P<0.01),针刀组高于模型组和假针刀组(P<0.05);②苏木精-伊红染色及番红O固绿染色显示,模型组髓核、纤维环退变明显,软骨终板变薄,与骨性终板交界处钙化明显,针刀组软骨终板形态及髓核退变较模型组改善;模型组、针刀组、假针刀组形态学评分明显高于对照组(P<0.01);针刀组评分明显低于模型组和假针刀组(P<0.01);③免疫组化显示,与对照组比较,模型组和假针刀组髓核、软骨终板中Ⅱ型胶原、蛋白聚糖表达明显降低(P<0.01),基质金属蛋白酶13表达明显升高(P<0.01);与模型组、假针刀组比较,针刀组髓核、软骨终板Ⅱ型胶原、蛋白聚糖表达升高(P<0.05),基质金属蛋白酶13表达明显降低(P<0.01);④结论:针刀松解椎间孔内口可调节兔软骨终板基质稳态,改善椎间盘退变。

基于经筋理论探讨针刀恢刺法治疗紧张型头痛伴帽状腱膜挛缩的应用

紧张型头痛是临床最常见的慢性头痛之一,主要表现为双侧轻中度压迫样或紧箍样头痛,发病多与生活中应激事件相关,其病因病理与肌筋膜激痛点有着密切联系。但当前临床研究主要以其伴随的情绪障碍症状为主,较少涉及局部腱膜组织病理改变方向。在临床实践中,发现部分明显筋结点的患者亦伴发有帽状腱膜挛缩症状。在经筋学说中“结筋病灶点”理论指导下,松解百会次、目窗次、率谷次等穴位,并结合局部筋结治疗点治疗,达到了舒筋解结、祛邪通痹的良好疗效。现基于经筋理论探讨其理论机制,为紧张性头痛的治疗提供新思路。

自拟补气益肾活血方联合小针刀治疗早中期股骨头坏死患者的临床疗效

目的探索自拟补气益肾活血方联合小针刀治疗早中期股骨头坏死(ONFH)患者的临床疗效。方法选取郑州中医骨伤病医院2022年1月至2024年1月收治的早中期ONFH患者为研究对象,共120例,随机数字表分为松解术组和联合组。松解术组60例行基于经筋理论下小针刀治疗,联合组60例增加自拟补气益肾活血方,12周后,对比两组髋关节镇痛疗效、髋关节活动度、血管舒缩因子表达水平、不良反应。结果两组治疗12周后视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分较治疗前降低,联合组低于松解术组(P<0.05);两组治疗前Harris髋关节功能评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);联合组治疗12周后Harris髋关节功能评分优于松解术组(P<0.05)。两组治疗12周后髋关节各活动方向的活动度水平较治疗前升高,联合组高于松解术组(P<0.05)。两组治疗1周后组胺(HIS)、内皮素(ET-1)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)水平较治疗前降低,联合组低于松解术组;一氧化氮(NO)水平较治疗前升高,联合组高于松解术组(P<0.05)。经Fisher确切概率法检验,联合组不良反应发生率5.00%(3/60)与松解术组8.33%(5/60)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论早中期ONFH患者应用自拟补气益肾活血方联合小针刀治疗,可改善其血管舒缩因子表达,调节髋关节活动度,提高髋关节镇痛疗效,安全性良好。

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal neoplasms using the stag beetle knife

AIM To determine short-and long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) using the stag beetle(SB) knife, a scissor-shaped device.METHODS Seventy consecutive patients with 96 early esophageal neoplasms, who underwent ESD using a SB knife at Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Japan, between April 2010 and August 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Clinicopathological characteristics of lesions and procedural adverse events were assessed. Therapeutic success was evaluated on the basis of en bloc, histologically complete, and curative or non-curative resection rates. Overall and tumor-specific survival, local or distant recurrence, and 3-and 5-year cumulative overall metachronous cancer rates were also assessed.RESULTS Eligible patients had dysplasia/intraepithelial neoplasia(22%) or early cancers(squamous cell carcinoma, 78%). The median procedural time was 60 min and on average, the lesions measured 24 mm in diameter, yielding 33-mm tissue defects. The en bloc resection rate was 100%, with 95% and 81% of dissections deemed histologically complete and curative, respectively. All procedures were completed without accidental incisions/perforations or delayed bleeding. During follow-up(mean, 35 ± 23 mo), no local recurrences or metastases were observed. The 3-and 5-year survival rates were 83% and 70%, respectively, with corresponding rates of 85% and 75% for curative resections and 74% and 49% for noncurative resections. The 3-and 5-year cumulative rates of metachronous cancer in the patients with curative resections were 14% and 26%, respectively.CONCLUSION ESD procedures using the SB knife are feasible, safe, and effective for treating early esophageal neoplasms, yielding favorable short-and long-term outcomes.

Clinical outcomes following salvage Gamma Knife radiosurgery for recurrent glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme(GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor with a survival prognosis of 14-16 mo for the highest functioning patients. Despite aggressive, multimodal upfront therapies, the majority of GBMs will recur in approximately six months. Salvage therapy options for recurrent GBM(r GBM) are an area of intense research. This study compares recent survival and quality of life outcomes following Gamma Knife radiosurgery(GKRS) salvage therapy. Following a Pub Med search for studies usingGKRS as salvage therapy for malignant gliomas, nine articles from 2005 to July 2013 were identified which evaluated rG BM treatment. In this review, we compare overall survival following diagnosis, overall survival following salvage treatment, progression-free survival, time to recurrence, local tumor control, and adverse radiation effects. This report discusses results for rG BM patient populations alone, not for mixed populations with other tumor histology grades. All nine studies reported median overall survival rates(from diagnosis, range:16.7-33.2 mo; from salvage, range:9-17.9 mo). Three studies identified median progression-free survival(range:4.6-14.9 mo). Two showed median time to recurrence of GBM. Two discussed local tumor control. Six studies reported adverse radiation effects(range:0%-46% of patients). The greatest survival advantages were seen in patients who received GKRS salvage along with other treatments, like resection or bevacizumab, suggesting that appropriately tailored multimodal therapy should be considered with each rG BM patient. However, there needs to be a randomized clinical trial to test GKRS for rG BM before the possibility of selection bias can be dismissed.

Wave Forces on Submerged Semi-Circular Breakwater and Similar Structures

The results of design and experiment of a submerged semi-circular breakwater at the Yangtze estuary show that the submerged structure will be unsafe when the general empirical wave force formula for semi-circular breakwater is used in design. Therefore, a new calculation method for the wave forces acting on a submerged semi-circular structure is given in this paper, in which the wave force acting on the inside circumference of semi-circular arch is included, and the phase modification coefficient in the general empirical formula is adjusted as well. The new wave force calculation method has been Verified by the results of seven related physical model tests and adopted in the design of the south esturary jetty of the first stage project of Deep Channel Improvement Project of the Yangtze River Estuary, the total jetty length being 17.5 km.

Treatment of over 20 mm gastric cancer by endoscopic submucosal dissection using an insulation-tipped diathermic knife

AIM： To evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic submucosal dissection using an insulation-tipped diathermic knife （IT-ESD） for the treatment of patients with over 20 mm early gastric cancer （EGC）. METHODS： A total of 112 patients with over 10 mm EGC were treated with IT-ESD at Sumitomo Besshi Hospital and Shikoku Cancer Center in the 5 year period from January 2002 to December 2006, including 40 patients with over 20 mm EGC. We compared patient backgrounds, the one-piece resection rate, complete resection （CR） rate, operation time, bleeding rate, perforation rate between patients with over 20 mm EGC [over 20 mm group （21-40 ram）] and the remaining patients （under 20 mm group）. RESULTS： We found no significant difference in the rate of underlying cardiopulmonary disease （over 20 mm group vs under 20 mm group, 5.0% vs 5.6%）, one- piece resection rate （95% vs 96%）, CR rate （85% vs 89%）, operation time （72.3 rain vs 66.5 rain）, bleeding rate （50 vs 4.2%）, and perforation rate （0% vs 1.4%） between the 2 groups. Three patients in each group had submucosal invasion and two in each groups underwent additional surgery. CONCLUSION： There was no significant difference in the outcome resulting from IT-ESD between the 2 groups. Our study proves that IT-ESD is a feasible treatment for patients with over 20 mm mucosal gastric cancer although the long-term outcome should be evaluated in the future.

Diffraction of plane SH waves by a semi-circular cavity in half-space

This paper presents a closed-form solution for diffraction of plane SH waves by a semi-circular cavity in half-space by using wave function expansion method. Accuracy of the solution is checked by the displacement residual and stress residual along the boundaries. Numerical results show that there are notable differences for response amplitudes between a semi-circular cavity and a whole-circular cavity in a half-space.

Anti-plane (SH) waves diffraction by an underground semi-circular cavity:analytical solution

Diffraction of a two-dimensional （2D） semi-circular cavity in a half-space under incident SH-waves is studied using the classic wave function expansion method with a new de-coupling technique. This so-called ＂improved cosine half- range expansion＂ algorithm exhibits an excellent performance in reducing displacement residual errors at two rim points of concern. The governing equations are developed in a manner that minimizes the residues of the boundary conditions. Detailed derivation and analysis procedures as well as truncation of infinite linear governing equations are presented. The semi-circular cavity model presented in this paper, due to its simple profile, is expected to be used in seismic wave propagation studies as a benchmark for examining the accuracies of various analytical or numerical methods for mixed-boundary wave propagation problems.

Treatment of gastric remnant cancer post distal gastrectomy by endoscopic submucosal dissection using an insulation-tipped diathermic knife

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic submucosal dissection using an insulation-tipped diathermic knife (IT-ESD) for the treatment of patients with gastric remnant cancer. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with early gastric cancer in the remnant stomach, who underwent distal gastrectomy due to gastric carcinoma, were treated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or ESD at Sumitomo Besshi Hospital and Shikoku Cancer Center in the 10-year period from January 1998 to December 2007, including 17 patients treated with IT-ESD. Retrospectively, patient backgrounds, the one-piece resection rate, complete resection (CR) rate, operation time, bleeding rate, and perforation rate were compared between patients treated with conventional EMR and those treated with IT-ESD. RESULTS: The CR rate (40% in the EMR group vs 82% in the IT-ESD group) was significantly higher in the IT-ESD group than in the EMR group; however, the operation time was significantly longer for the IT- ESD group (57.6 ± 31.9 min vs 21.1 ± 12.2 min). No significant differences were found in the rate of underlying cardiopulmonary disease (IT-ESD group, 12% vs EMR group, 13%), one-piece resection rate (100% vs 73%), bleeding rate (18% vs 6.7%), and perforation rate (0% vs 0%) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: IT-ESD appears to be an effective treatment for gastric remnant cancer post distal gastrectomy because of its high CR rate. It is useful for histological confirmation of successful treatment. Thelong-term outcome needs to be evaluated in the future.

Novel endoscopic management of buried bumper syndrome in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: The Olympus Hook Knife

Buried bumper syndrome(BBS) is an uncommon but serious complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. It involves the internal fixation device, or "bumper", migrating into the gastric wall and subsequent mucosal overgrowth. We described a case series of four patients with BBS treated with a novel endoscopic technique using a Hook Knife between June 2016 and February 2017. The Hook Knife is a rotating L-shaped cutting wire designed for hooking tissue and pulling it away from the gastric wall towards the lumen. The technique was successful in all four cases with no complications. Each patient was discharged on the day of treatment. The Hook Knife is a manoeuvrable, safe and effective device for endoscopic removal of buried bumpers and could avoid surgery in a high risk group of patients. To our knowledge this technique has not been described previously. We suggest that this technique should be added to the treatment algorithms for managing BBS.