We report a rare case of gastric cancer presenting with a gastrocolic fistula during ramucirumab and paclitaxel combination therapy that was successfully managed with colonic stenting. A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of melena. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a large ulcerated tumor in the lower stomach, judged by laparoscopy as unresectable (sT4bN1M0). After four cycles of first-line chemotherapy with S-1 plus oxaliplatin, the patient showed disease progression, and second-line therapy with ramucirumab and paclitaxel was started. At the end of the third cycle, the patient had gastric antral stenosis, which necessitated the placement of a gastroduodenal stent. When the patient complained of diarrhea 10 days later, esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a fistula between the greater curvature of the stomach and the transverse colon. The fistula was covered by double colonic stenting, with a covered metal stent placed within an uncovered metal stent, after which leakage from the stomach to the colon stopped.

Objective：To assess the risk for hyperkalemia caused by treatment with angiotensin Ⅱ Type 1 receptor blockers （ARB） in clinical practice with Japanese medical database.Design：A cohort study in patients treated with ARB alone and those treated with calcium channel blockers （CCB） alone as control.Methods：The Diagnosis Procedure Combination （DPC） database provided by Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd. was used to identify patients who received a diagnosis of hypertension (ICD-10 codes, I10 to I15) and were treated with ARB or CCB from April 2008 to June 2017. A logistic regression model was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios （OR） and their 95％ confidence intervals （CI） in these patients. The outcome in the logistic model was hyperkalemia （serum potassium≧5.5 mEq/L） and the covariates were sex, age, renal insufficiency, hepatic insufficiency, and baseline serum potassium levels. And, subgroup analysis was also performed in patients with and without renal insufficiency.Results：The incidence of hyperkalemia （per 1000 person-years） with ARB was 39.4 and that with CCB was 32.6. And, median periods from the index date to the date of occurrence of hyperkalemia for both exposure and control groups were 36 days （Min-Max：12-85） and 51.5 days（Min-Max：8-88）respectively. However, treatment with ARB was not associated with occurrence of hyperkalemia （OR 1.26, 95％CI： 0.58-2.75). The risk for hyperkalemia among those with renal insufficiency was higher （OR 3.31, 95％CI： 1.39-7.88）and as baseline serum potassium increased, the risk increased as well （OR 9.20, 95％CI： 3.52-24.10). And, the subgroup analysis also showed that rare occurrence of hyperkalemia by ARB and elevation risk for hyperkalemia by baseline serum potassium.Conclusion：The clinical data showed rare occurrence of hyperkalemia caused by ARB, indicating that renal insufficiency and baseline serum potassium levels affected the onset of the disease in clinical practice. Previous studies also reported the effects of renal insufficiency and other factors on the onset of hyperkalemia. ARB should be prescribed carefully in patients with these factors, as is conventionally done.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to identify the predictive factors for inaccurate endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes without rapid on-site cytopathological evaluation. METHODS: Eighty-three consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNA for abdominal or mediastinal lymph nodes from January 2008 to June 2017 were included from a prospectively maintained EUS-FNA database and retrospectively reviewed. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA for the detection of neoplastic diseases were calculated. Candidate factors for inaccurate diagnosis (lymph node size and location, needle type, puncture route, number of passes, and causative disease) were evaluated by comparison between accurately diagnosed cases and others. RESULTS: The final diagnosis of the punctured lymph node was classified as neoplastic (65 cases: a metastatic lymph node, malignant lymphoma, or Crow-Fukase syndrome) or non-neoplastic (18 cases: a reactive node or amyloidosis). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83%, 94%, and 86%, respectively. On multivariate analyses, small size of the lymph node was the sole predictive factor for inaccurate EUS-FNA diagnosis with a significant difference (odds ratios, 19.8; 95% confidence intervals, 3.15–124; p=0.0015). CONCLUSIONS: The lymph node size of <16 mm was the only independent factor associated with inaccurate EUS-FNA diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnosis ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Endosonography ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma ; Multivariate Analysis ; Needles ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to examine the diagnostic ability of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for major vascular invasion in pancreatic cancer and to evaluate the relationship between EUS findings and pathological distance. METHODS: In total, 57 consecutive patients who underwent EUS for pancreatic cancer before surgery were retrospectively reviewed. EUS image findings were divided into four types according to the relationship between the tumor and major vessel (types 1 and 2: invasion, types 3 and 4: non-invasion). We also compared the EUS findings and pathologically measured distances between the tumors and evaluated vessels. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS diagnosis for vascular invasion were 89%, 92%, and 91%, respectively, in the veins and 83%, 94%, and 93%, respectively, in the arteries. The pathologically evaluated distances of cases with type 2 EUS findings were significantly shorter than those of cases with type 3 EUS findings in both the major veins (median [interquartile range], 96 [0–742] µm vs. 2,833 [1,076–5,694] µm, p=0.012) and arteries (623 [0–854] µm vs. 3,097 [1,396–6,000] µm, p=0.0061). All cases with a distance of ≥1,000 µm between the tumors and main vessels were correctly diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Tumors at a distance ≥1,000 µm from the main vessels were correctly diagnosed by EUS.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Endosonography ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Veins

Interprofessional education in the workplace is necessary for effective interprofessional collaboration. Various multi-professional training programs are conducted in hospitals, but their general features are not clear. In this study, we carried out a survey of staff in S Hospital to reveal the types of multi-professional training undertaken and participation rates. The study involved interviews held with 12 staff in the hospital and a questionnaire survey of all hospital staff. From the interview, we extracted 3 types of training (on-the-job training, off-thejob training, and informal activities) and 4 core skills to be learned and/or taught. The questionnaire survey (N = 1325, response rate 56.7%) revealed the main participation rates in training as care team activities 71.2%, freshman training 65.8%, other training in the institute 60.0%, training outside the institute 47.7%, and case discussion 42.9%. Around 90% of hospital staff participated in 1 or more of these trainings. Comparison for each attribute (Chi-square test and residual analysis) revealed that participation rates were as follows: (1) higher in freshman training and lower in the other types of training, the shorter the career of the participant (p < .01); (2) higher in social workers for all trainings, higher in nurses and care workers, healthcare technicians, and therapists for freshman training, care team activities, and training in the institute, and higher in physicians at case discussion and training in the institute (p < .01); (3) higher in chronic care units for all trainings except freshman training (p < .01, p < .05); and (4) lower in non-managerial staff for all trainings except freshman training (p < .01). Thus, multi-professional training can be used as a resource for interprofessional practice and education by determining the general features of these programs and setting common goals for 2 or more trainings. A future study to reveal the characteristics of each training, including informal activities, and the associations between them is warranted.

We established the Technical Aids Support Office in our hospital to promote the introduction of and technical advice about assistive technology so as to enhance the quality of care and the functioning of patients and ensure staff safety. In this paper, we introduce two complicated cases that needed individual support. Case 1: A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The amount of assistance required had gradually increased, but the patient still hoped to use a portable toilet. Because he could barely stand up, the height of the toilet needed adjustment. An elevated seat decreased the amount of assistance required. However, raising the bottom of the portable toilet turned out to be a challenge. Case 2: Multiple limb amputee. The patient and the caregiver experienced pain and distress during transfer between bed and chair. We tried using a lift assist device, but it the hardness of the sling worsened pain at the stump. A cushion with a sliding seat was then placed between the sling and the patient to reduce friction. The shape and hardness of cushion is a future challenge to solve. Timely individual support at each stage in their care for individual patients is indispensable for the provision of technical aid support.

OBJECTIVES: Glucocorticoid (GC) treatment inhibits activation of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), which is essential for osteoblast differentiation from stem cells. As a result, GC treatment results in bone loss, GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO), elevated fracture risk, and delayed bone healing. Bisphosphonates such as alendronate (ALN) are recommended for treating or preventing GIO, and lowintensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) facilitates fracture healing and maturation of regenerated bone. Combined therapy with ALN and LIPUS may stimulate cancellous bone healing in GIO rats. Here, we examined the effect of ALN and LIPUS on cancellous bone osteotomy repair in the proximal tibia of GIO rats. METHODS: Prednisolone (10 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered for 4 weeks to induce GIO in 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats. Tibial osteotomy was then performed and daily subcutaneous injection of ALN (1-µg/kg body weight) was subsequently administered alone or in combination with LIPUS (20 min/day) for 2 or 4 weeks. RESULTS: ALN significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) at 2 and 4 weeks, and ALN + LIPUS significantly increased BMD at 4 weeks. Bone union rates were significantly increased after 2 and 4 weeks ALN and ALN + LIPUS treatment. Lastly, ALN and ALN + LIPUS significantly increased the proportion of Runx2 positive cells at 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: ALN monotherapy and combined ALN and LUPUS treatment augmented BMD and stimulated cancellous bone repair with increased Runx2 expression at the osteotomy site in GIO rats. However, the combined treatment had no additional effect on cancellous bone healing compared to ALN monotherapy.
Alendronate* ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Diphosphonates ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Infant ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoporosis ; Osteotomy* ; Prednisolone ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; Tibia* ; Transcription Factors ; Ultrasonic Waves*

STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical magnitude and learning curve of "second-generation" total en bloc spondylectomy (TES). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: In June 2010, we developed second-generation TES combined with tumor-induced cryoimmunology, which does not require autograft harvesting. METHODS: TES was performed in 63 patients between June 2010 and September 2013. Three groups of patients were evaluated: 20 undergoing surgery in the first year of development of second-generation TES (group I), 20 in the second year (group II), and 23 in the third year (group III). Patient backgrounds showed no remarkable differences. Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, and postoperative C-reactive protein and creatine phosphokinase were compared among the groups. RESULTS: Mean±standard deviation operating time was 486±130 minutes in group I, 441±85 minutes in group II, and 396±75 minutes in group III. The time was significantly shorter in group III than in group I (p<0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was 901±646 mL in group I, 433±177 mL in group II, and 411±167 mL in group III. Blood loss was significantly lower in groups II and III than in group I (p<0.01). Transfusion was not required in 20 of 23 patients in group III, and mean C-reactive protein levels on postoperative day 3 were significantly lower in this group than in group I (6.12 mg/L vs. 10.07 mg/L; p<0.05). Postoperative creatine phosphokinase levels did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: TES is associated with a significant learning curve. Thus, second-generation TES can no longer be considered highly invasive.
Autografts ; Blood Transfusion ; C-Reactive Protein ; Case-Control Studies ; Creatine Kinase ; Humans ; Learning Curve* ; Learning*

STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical magnitude and learning curve of "second-generation" total en bloc spondylectomy (TES). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: In June 2010, we developed second-generation TES combined with tumor-induced cryoimmunology, which does not require autograft harvesting. METHODS: TES was performed in 63 patients between June 2010 and September 2013. Three groups of patients were evaluated: 20 undergoing surgery in the first year of development of second-generation TES (group I), 20 in the second year (group II), and 23 in the third year (group III). Patient backgrounds showed no remarkable differences. Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, and postoperative C-reactive protein and creatine phosphokinase were compared among the groups. RESULTS: Mean±standard deviation operating time was 486±130 minutes in group I, 441±85 minutes in group II, and 396±75 minutes in group III. The time was significantly shorter in group III than in group I (p<0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was 901±646 mL in group I, 433±177 mL in group II, and 411±167 mL in group III. Blood loss was significantly lower in groups II and III than in group I (p<0.01). Transfusion was not required in 20 of 23 patients in group III, and mean C-reactive protein levels on postoperative day 3 were significantly lower in this group than in group I (6.12 mg/L vs. 10.07 mg/L; p<0.05). Postoperative creatine phosphokinase levels did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: TES is associated with a significant learning curve. Thus, second-generation TES can no longer be considered highly invasive.
Autografts ; Blood Transfusion ; C-Reactive Protein ; Case-Control Studies ; Creatine Kinase ; Humans ; Learning Curve* ; Learning*