Multiple gastric caner, now considered to be a sort of multiple primary cancer by Moertel's classification, is a special type of cancer in which two or more tumor lesions arise independently from the stomach. Although its incidence is rare and it has never been reported in Korea yet, the report of multiple gastric cancer is increasing with lengthened life survival and improved diagnostic method. We recently experienced two cases of triple gastric cancer, the one in 53-years-old male who had well differentiated adenocarcinoma(EGC IIb+c) on antrum, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma on cardia and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma on mid-body, and the other in 65-years-old female who had two poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma on cardia and anterior wall of low body and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (EGCIIc) on posterior wall of low body. Triple gastric cancer is rare, so we reported 2 cases of triple gastric cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Cardia ; Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

A schwannoma is a benign tumor that originates from the peripheral nerve sheath. Schwannomas occur most commonly in the head and neck region involving the brachial plexus and the spinal nerves. The lower limbs are less commonly affected. This paper presents a case of a patient with a schwannoma showing atypical localization at the digital nerve of the foot causing neurological symptoms.
Brachial Plexus ; Foot ; Head ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Neck ; Neurilemmoma* ; Peripheral Nerves ; Spinal Nerves ; Toes*

PURPOSE: Conventional laparoscopy using a two-dimensional (2D) has limited performance because of insufficient representation of the stereoscopic effect. Development of three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology has improved depth perception, shortened the execution time and reduced error number. This study was designed to identify the effects of 3D imaging on surgical performance for skilled professionals and surgical residents. METHODS: Two laparoscopic skills tasks, each with three repetitions, were performed by seven experienced laparoscopic surgeons, two minimally experienced laparoscopic surgeons, and three inexperienced surgical residents under both 2D and 3D conditions with two cadavers. Outcome measures were time for task completion and subjective assessment of performance. RESULTS: Suturing was completed by all participants and anchoring with V-Loc was performed by 10 participants. Suturing and anchoring time were significantly shorter with 3D laparoscopic in all participants (suturing time, p=0.011; anchoring time, p=0.005). Significant differences were observed between experienced and minimally experienced surgeons (suture time, p=0.021; anchoring time, p=0.018). There was no significant difference among inexperienced surgical residents, but they preferred 3D imaging over 2D. CONCLUSION: 3D laparoscopy is associated with a significantly shorter time for performance by experienced surgeons. Our results suggest that 3D laparoscopy will be helpful for surgeons conducting laparoscopic procedures.
Cadaver* ; Depth Perception ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Laparoscopy* ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Surgeons

Central venous catheterization is used to provide a large amount of fluid, total parenteral nutrition and to administer antitumor agents with few complications reported. We report an uncommon case of pleural effusion that occurred after central venous catheterization. In many cases, the mechanism for the pleural effusion after central venous catheterization occurs through an injury to the superior vena cava by the continuous mechanical force of the catheter tip, the flow of large amount of fluid and an osmotic injury to the wall of the vein. This case is somewhat different in that the central catheter was placed in an aberrant vessel resulting in the pleural effusion. A post-placement chest roentgenogram and the correct approach of catheterization are important for preventing this complication.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Catheterization ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Catheters ; Central Venous Catheters* ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Pleural Effusion* ; Thorax ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior

Somatostatinoma is a rare form of neuroendocrine tumor that was first described in 1977. Most tumors have involved the pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract involvement is rare. Somatostatinomas of the ampulla of Vater are extremely rare and present distinct clinical and pathologic differences. Pancreatic somatostatinoma has been associated with a clinical syndrome of dyspepsia, mild diabetes, cholelithiasis, steatorrhea, and hypochlorhydria, but duodenal somatostatinoma, in general, has been clinically silent. A further contrast is that duodenal carcinoid tumors, mainly gastrinoma, tended to be benign, whereas ampullary carcinoid tumors, mainly somatostatinoma, exhibited malignant behavior. Therefore, definite diagnosis is important for treatment and prognosis, and is performed by image study, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic examination. We report a case of somatostatinoma of the ampulla of Vater in a 51-year-old male. He complained of generalized abdominal pain for a few days. Gastrofiberscopically, a 1.2 cm sized bulging mass was observed on the ampulla of Vater. Radiologically, on abdomen CT, a protruding enhancing mass was revealed in the duodenum. In octreoscan, there was an abnormal focus off increased radiouptake in the infrahepatic area. He underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy. Grossly, the mass was an intraluminary protruding polypoid submucosal mass with focal ulceration in the ampulla of Vater. Histologically, it showed well-differentiated nonpleomorphic tubular cell nest and psammoma bodies. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed a neuroendocrine nature with synaptophysin immunostain and intense staining only for somatostatin.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Achlorhydria ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Cholelithiasis ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum ; Dyspepsia ; Gastrinoma ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreas ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prognosis ; Somatostatin ; Somatostatinoma* ; Steatorrhea ; Synaptophysin ; Ulcer

Esophageal fibrovascular polyps are rare, benign, submucosal tumors of the upper digestive tract that usually have an indolent course until the lesion attains a very large size. The most frequent complaints associated with these tumors include dysphagia and foreign body sensation. However, a long pedunculated polyp can regurgitate into the pharynx or oral cavity and cause asphyxia and sudden death if the larynx is occluded. We describe the case of a 51-year-old man who experienced snoring and occasional asphyxia during sleep. Upper endoscopy was performed, which indicated the presence of a pedunculated esophageal polyp that regurgitated into the vocal cords. The polyp was removed using a polypectomy snare and was confirmed to be a fibrovascular polyp based on pathologic examination findings. Three months after the excision of the polyp, the patient was found to be doing well without any further occurrence of asphyxia or sleep disturbances.
Asphyxia* ; Death, Sudden ; Deglutition Disorders ; Endoscopy ; Esophagus ; Foreign Bodies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Larynx ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Pharynx ; Polyps* ; Sensation ; SNARE Proteins ; Snoring ; Vocal Cords

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a common procedure for treatment of appendicitis. However, in some complicated cases, like periappendiceal abscess, deciding on treatment options is very challenging. Early appendectomy or interval appendectomy may be possible, but remains controversial. METHODS: We prospectively studied the advantages of interval appendectomy in 21 patients with periappendiceal abscess using a laparoscopic method versus 14 patients with immediate initial laparotomy. RESULTS: In the interval appendectomy group (INT group), in periappendiceal abscess, use of a laparoscopic method was advantageous in terms of operation time (p<0.001), less fasting time (p<0.001), and fewer postoperative complications (p=0.032). However, the total cost in the INT group was 1,686,000+/-940,000 South Korean won (KRW) compared with 1,506,000+/-322,000 KRW in the early appendectomy group (EAR group) (p=0.007) because patients in the INT group required two hospital visits. The total length of hospital stay postoperatively, was 7.31+/-2.726 days in the INT group, compared with 9.21+/-3.378 days in the EAR group (p=0.537). CONCLUSION: We recommend interval appendectomy as the preferable approach for the periappendiceal abscess, as it can result in more favorable postoperative surgical outcomes, fewer complications, and less antibiotic usage.
Abscess* ; Appendectomy* ; Appendicitis ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Ear ; Fasting ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a common procedure for treatment of appendicitis. However, in some complicated cases, like periappendiceal abscess, deciding on treatment options is very challenging. Early appendectomy or interval appendectomy may be possible, but remains controversial. METHODS: We prospectively studied the advantages of interval appendectomy in 21 patients with periappendiceal abscess using a laparoscopic method versus 14 patients with immediate initial laparotomy. RESULTS: In the interval appendectomy group (INT group), in periappendiceal abscess, use of a laparoscopic method was advantageous in terms of operation time (p<0.001), less fasting time (p<0.001), and fewer postoperative complications (p=0.032). However, the total cost in the INT group was 1,686,000+/-940,000 South Korean won (KRW) compared with 1,506,000+/-322,000 KRW in the early appendectomy group (EAR group) (p=0.007) because patients in the INT group required two hospital visits. The total length of hospital stay postoperatively, was 7.31+/-2.726 days in the INT group, compared with 9.21+/-3.378 days in the EAR group (p=0.537). CONCLUSION: We recommend interval appendectomy as the preferable approach for the periappendiceal abscess, as it can result in more favorable postoperative surgical outcomes, fewer complications, and less antibiotic usage.
Abscess* ; Appendectomy* ; Appendicitis ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Ear ; Fasting ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the seminal vesicle is an extremely rare disorder, with only two cases reported in the English literature. Here, we present imaging findings of a case of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the seminal vesicle. On transrectal ultrasonography, the mass presented as a 3.0-cm-sized heterogeneous, hypoechoic lesion in the right seminal vesicle. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass with rim-like enhancement in the right seminal vesicle. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor showed iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted images and heterogeneously intermediate-high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The tumor showed rim-like and progressive enhancement with non-enhancing portion on dynamic scanning. Diffusion restriction was observed in the mass. On fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) imaging, a high standardized uptake value (maxSUV, 23.5) by the tumor was noted exclusively in the right seminal vesicle.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Diffusion ; Electrons ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Seminal Vesicles* ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: S100 beta protein has been reported to be an early marker of brain injury. It is released from the glial cell and Schwann cell specifically after brain injury, and it,s serum concentration correlates with the severity of injury. The aim of this study was to measure the serum concentration of S100 beta protein during cardiac surgery and to reveal the correlation between cerebral oxygenation and S100 beta protein. METHODS: Eighteen patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled in this study. After induction of general anesthesia, the arterial-jugular venous oxygen difference (AjDO2), regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and lactate oxygen index (LOI) were measured. They were measured after induction (T0), during CPB (T1) and at the end of CPB (T2). Serum S100beta protein was measured at T0, T2, T3 (5 hours after CPB), and T4 (24 hours after CPB) using an immunoluminometric assay. We observed correlations between rSO2, AjDO2, LOI and the S100beta protein concentration. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of S100 beta protein were 0.18 +/- 0.20, 5.72 +/- 4.25, 1.06 +/- 1.38 and 0.58 +/- 0.44 (micro gram/L) at T0, T2, T3 and T4 respectively (normal value Anesthesia, General ; Brain Injuries ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass* ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; Neuroglia ; Oxygen ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; Staphylococcal Protein A* ; Thoracic Surgery