We held an interest group session at the 16th Annual Conference of the Japanese Primary Care Association to share best practices for diagnostic excellence in primary care. In addition to physicians, pharmacists and a medical clerk participated in the session. Participants provided examples of good practices for patient engagement and interprofessional collaboration during group discussion, which included themes such as "sharing diagnostic information," "safety netting to address diagnostic uncertainty," and "feedback about diagnostic errors."

Background/Aims: Thromboprophylaxis is recommended for hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Western countries, although it is selectively administered to high-risk patients in East Asia. A central venous catheter (CVC) is commonly placed in patients with IBD. Although CVC placement is considered a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), the degree of increased risk in patients with IBD is uncertain. This study aimed to identify the risk of VTE with CVC placement in hospitalized Japanese patients with IBD without thromboprophylaxis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease who were admitted for disease flares at Keio University Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. Patients who already had thrombosis or were administered any antithrombotic treatment on admission were excluded. VTE development during the hospitalization was surveyed, and VTE risk associated with CVC indwelling was estimated using propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses. Results: Altogether, 497 hospitalized patients with IBD (ulcerative colitis, 327; Crohn’s disease, 170) were enrolled. VTE developed in 9.30% (12/129) of catheterized patients and in 0.82% (3/368) of non-catheterized patients. The propensity score matching yielded 127 matched pairs of patients. The catheterized group demonstrated higher odds for VTE than the non-catheterized group (odds ratio, 13.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.68–102.70). A similar result was obtained in the inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis (odds ratio, 11.02; 95% confidence interval, 2.64–46.10). Conclusions CVC placement is a major risk factor for VTE among hospitalized Japanese patients with IBD without thromboprophylaxis.

　　Case I was a 85-year-old woman. She was referred to us as her serum CEA level was found as high as 9.2ng/ml at a clinic in her neighborhood. CT and ultrasound scans revealed a cystic tumor in the appendix area. A barium enema examination showed a tubercular lesion in the subcecal area. The surface of the lesion was flat and smooth. The vermiform appendix was not scanned with the contrast medium.　　She was diagnosed with mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. Partial cecotomy was performed. The postoperative serum CEA fell to a normal level of 4.7ng/ml.　　Case II was also a woman . The 74- year-old inpatient was being treated for high blood pressure and hyperlipemia when her serum CEA level was found elevated to 12.3ng/ml. CT and ultrasonograph examinations revealed a cystic tumor in the appendix area. A barium enema examination showed a mucocele-like tubercle in the appendix. The patient was diagnosed with mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix and partial cecotomy was performed. The CEA level was normalized postoperatively with 1.5ng/ml.　　The pathologic tests confirmed either of these two cases was mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. Immunohistochemical staining showed a CEA positive.

Endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) has become widespread in Japan because of its low invasiveness. However adequate proximal neck length is required for EVAR. Unfortunately the surgical mortality of para-renal aortic aneurysm cases has been higher than that of infrarenal aortic aneurysm cases, especially in high-risk patients. A manufacture-modified fenestrated Zenith stent graft system has already been developed, however this new device is not yet available in Japan. Furthermore this device could not be used in an emergency situation because it takes 2-3 weeks for preparation. Therefore we introduced a surgeon-modified fenestrated Zenith stent graft (fenestrated Zenith) system in December 2010 for patients with a proximal neck length of 5-10 mm. The fenestrated Zenith was not indicated if the supra-renal angle and proximal neck angle exceeded 35°. From May 2007 to February 2012, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a short neck were repaired with fenestrated Zenith in 11 high-risk patients (group Fene), and AAAs with a proximal neck length of more than 15 mm were repaired with a standard Zenith in 43 patients (group IFU). There were two ruptured AAA in the Fene group. Proximal neck length was significantly shorter in the Fene group (5.5±1.4 mm in the Fene group, 26.4±9.5 mm in the IFU group, p<0.0001) and proximal neck angle was significantly less in the Fene group (20±13° in the Fene group, 36±18° in the IFU group, p=0.008). The Zenith stentgraft system was deployed successfully in all patients. The frequency of type Ia endoleak detected by angiography after stent graft deployment and balloon attachment did not differ significantly (36% in the Fene group 26% in the IFU group, p=0.475) and the frequency of Palmaz stent requirement for type Ia endoleak which persisted after 10 min of additional balloon attachment also did not differ significantly (27% in Fene group, 9% in IFU group). All fenestrated renal arteries were shown to be patent by angiography. There was no hospital death despite 2 cases of ruptured AAA, nor were these major complications in either group. Serum creatinine levels at 1, 3, 6 and 30 days after EVAR did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. In 9 out of 11 patients, only type II endoleaks were detected and aneurysm shrinkage tended to be more in Fene group (9.9±5.7 mm in Fene group, 5.4±6.1 mm in IFU group, p=0.062) on enhanced CT 6 months after EVAR. Also all fenestrated renal arteries were patent in these 9 patients. The surgeon-modified fenestrated Zenith system seemed to be effective for AAA patients with short proximal necks, but long term follow up is mandatory.

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using stent graft (SG) for both thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms (SG therapy) rapidly became widespread in Japan because of its relatively low invasiveness. Pre- and postoperative contrast enhanced CT are mandatory in SG therapy and angiography is required during SG therapy. Therefore contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) might occur after SG therapy. In our hospital, a renal protection protocol (oral N-acetylcysteine, perioperative normal saline infusion and bicarbonate infusion during SG therapy) was introduced in June 2010. In this report, the effect of the renal protection protocol on renal function after SG therapy was evaluated. During May 2008 and March 2012, 229 patients underwent SG therapy in our hospital. Serum creatinine (CRTN) was higher than 1.5 mg/dl and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was less than 50 ml/min/1.73 m² in 26 patients. In these 26 patients, the renal protection protocol was applied in 15 patients (group P) and group P was compared with the 11 patients without renal protection protocol (group N). Also the relationship between CIN occurrence and preoperative renal function was evaluated in 192 patients who did not receive the renal protection protocol. CIN was defined as more than 25% or 0.5 mg/dl increase of CRTN based on the European Guidelines. As renal protection protocol, N-acetylcysteine (600 mg) was given 4 times every 12 h. Normal saline infusion was started on the evening of the day before surgery at the rate of 50 ml/h and was continued until 1h before surgery. Sodium bicarbonate solution (151 mEq/l) was started 1 h before surgery at the rate of 180 ml/h and the infusion rate was decreased to 60 ml/h during surgery. After surgery, 1,000 ml of normal saline was given at a rate of 60 ml/h. In group N, CRTN increased 1 and 3 days after SG therapy and returned to baseline level 6 days after SG therapy. On the other hand, CRTN was lower than baseline after SG therapy in group P. At 3 days after SG therapy, the percent change of CRTN component with baseline level was significantly lower in group P (14.5±19.1% in group N, -3.7±15.8% in group P, p=0.014). CIN occurrence tended to be more in group N (45% in group N, 7% in group P, p=0.054). Among the 192 patients without the renal protection protocol, CIN occurred in 16 patients (29.1%) out of 55 patients with preoperative CRTN≥1.0 mg/dl and eGFR≤50 ml/min/1.73 m², however CIN occurred in only 1 patient (0.7%) among 137 patients with preoperative renal function out of this range (p<0.001). Renal protection protocol seemed to be effective to prevent CIN after SG therapy. Renal protection might be useful for patients with a CRTN≧1.0 mg/dl and eGFR≦50 ml/min/1.73 m².

We report a case of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with a fenestrated stent graft for ulcer-like projection (ULP) of the proximal anastomosis after total arch replacement (TAR) for acute type A aortic dissection (DAA). A 73-year-old woman with a history of surgical resection of a left atrial myxoma in January 2009 underwent TAR for DAA in November 2011. The contrast enhanced CT (CE-CT) 72 days after TAR revealed two ULPs anterior and posterior to the proximal anastomosis. Surgical repair would be difficult because of the history of cardiac and aortic surgery, therefore TEVAR with a fenestrated stent graft was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on the 8th postoperative day. The CE-CT 3 months after TEVAR showed almost completely thrombosed ULPs. Endovascular repair with fenestrated stent graft for the proximal anastomotic ULP can be a useful and effective treatment.

In off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB), adequate exposure under stable hemodynamic condition is mandatory. We introduced left side pericardiotomy to expose the left anterior descending artery without lifting up the ventricle in 2008. With this pericardiotomy approach, the exposure of the circumflex and right coronary artery territory became easier and OPCAB with left side pericardiotomy was compared with OPCAB with midline pericardiotomy. From 2004 to 2011, 194 elective first time coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were performed in our hospital. Before 2008, 62 patients underwent OPCAB with midline pericardiotomy which constituted 61% of the CABG in that period. After 2008, the pericardium was dissected on the left side and a small pericadiotomy was made on the left side of the main pulmonary artery. This incision was then extended to the apex. With this pericardiotomy, only two patients underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (one patient with 15% left ventricle ejection fraction and one more patient who developed acute coronary syndrome during anesthesia induction). Thus 91 out of 93 patients underwent OPCAB (98%) (Group L). In Group L, old myocardial infarction and unstable angina patients were frequent. The frequency of the patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% tended to be more in Group L. The operation time was significantly shorter in Group L (Group M 305±71 min, Group L 223±54, p<0.0001) and the number of distal anastomoses number was significantly more in Group L (Group M 2.3±0.7, Group L 2.8±1.0, p<0.0001). Blood pressure during left circumflex coronary artery and right coronary artery anastomosis was significantly higher in Group L, and even continuous dopamine infusion requirement was significantly less in Group L (92% in Group M, 13% in Group L, p<0.001) among the patients with left ventricle ejection fraction less than 60%. There was only 1 hospital death in Group M. Postoperative maximum CK-MB was significantly lower in Group L (Group M 48±107 IU/l, Group L 13±16 IU/l, p=0.005) and the patients with CK-MB more than 12 IU/l was significantly frequent in Group M (Group M 73%, Group L 33%, p<0.0001). Postoperative ICU and hospital stay period was significantly shorter in Group L (ICU stay : Group M 3.4±2.3 days, Group L 2.0±1.4 days, p<0.0001, hospital stay : Group M 27±21 days, Group L 16±7 days, p<0.0001). The patency of the graft to the left anterior descending artery did not differ significantly (Group M 94%, Group L 99%), however the patencies of the grafts to left circumflex artery and right coronary artery were significantly better in Group L (left circumflex artery : Group M 75%, Group L 98%, p=0.001, right coronary artery : Group M 81%, Group L 98%, p=0.014). Left side pericardiotomy seemed to be useful because OPCAB with left side pericardiotomy yielded shorter operation time, less myocardial enzyme release, improved postoperative recovery and better patency of graft to the left circumflex and right coronary artery.

This report takes up a 65-year-old woman. Suspecting a tumorous superior fovea in the left clavicle, she consulted with our hospital’s Department of Otolaryngology. As a result of the lymph node biopsy performed at the department, she was diagnosed as having moderately differentiated tubular carcinoma. CT scanning revealed a number of swollen lymph nodes and parietal tylosis in the sigmoid colon. Endoscopy produced no abnormalities in the upper digestive tract, but an endoscopic check of the lower digestive tract revealed an all-around Type II tumor. The ailment was pathohistologically identified as tubular carcinoma. That said, the patient was diagnosed as suffering from sigmoid colon accompanying Virchow lymph node metastasis. Then, sigmoidostomy and the dissection of the D3 lymph node were performed. Pathohistological diagnosis revealed moderately differentiated tubular carcinoma, SE, N3, HO, PO, M1 (Virchow lymph node metastasis), Stage IV. Chemotherapy was postoperatively initiated with mFOLFOX6.

The results of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) for severe neck angulation with an Excluder were evaluated. We performed EVAR in 51 patients, using an Excluder, from September 2007 to September 2011. The angle between proximal neck and the aneurysm (Angle) was less than 61° in 31 patients (Group I), 61-90° in 13 patients (Group II) and more than 90° in 7 patients (Group III). In Groups I and II, the angled proximal neck was straightened with a stiff guide wire and a Trunkipsilateral device was deployed slowly (aortic modification technique). In Group III, the device modification technique was applied. In this technique, the stiff guide wire was inserted in the aortic root. The Trunkipsilateral device was bent to the contra lateral limb side and was inserted into the aorta. The stiff guide wire was pushed in with a fulcrum at the aortic valve. This procedure resulted in bending of the wire and the trunk-ipsilteral device became parallel to the proximal neck. The renal artery position was confirmed on angiographys and the main body was deployed slowly. We performed angiography after planned device deployment to evaluated Type Ia endoleak, and if it was observed, an additional procedure such as Aortic Extender or Palmaz XL stent deployment was performed and the Type Ia endoleak was evaluated during the procedure by completion angiography. The Angle change was measured by enhanced CT at 7 days and 6 month after EVAR. The Angle were 97-137° in Group III. The frequency of Type Ia endoleak after planned device deployment (35% in Group I, 55% in Group II and 17% in Group III), additional procedure for Type Ia endoleak (29% in Group I, 23% in Group II and 14% in Group III) and Type Ia endoleak by completion angiography (0% in Group I, 8% in Group II and 14% in Group III) did not differ significantly between the 3 groups. When Group I was sub divided into those with Angle less than 41° (Group Ia, 15 patients) and those with an Angle from 41 to 60° (Group Ib, 16 patients), Type Ia endoleak after planned device deployment (18% in Group Ia, 63% in Group Ib) was significantly more frequent in Group Ib and the additional procedure for Type Ia endoleak (7% in Group Ia, 50% in Group Ib) was more frequent in Group Ib. The Angle significantly decreased 7 days after EVAR and did not change thereafter in all 3 groups. EVAR with an Excluder for severe neck angulation was feasible by device modification with the bending technique. This technique might be useful for patients with an Angle of more than 41°.

  A 86-year-old woman visited us, complaining about sharp abdominal pain she had very morning when she got up. Ultrasound and computer tomography scans of the abdomen revealed notable parietal hypertrophy and swelling of the gallbladder. The old woman was diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and immediately admitted to the hospital. Her condition did not improve on conservative management. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) was performed. The bile thus aspirated was bloody, which led us to suspect necrotizing cholecystitis. Emergency cholecystectomy was done. The abdominal operation found the gallbladder wandering with a torsion of 360 degrees around the gallbladder neck as the axis and the leakage of bile in the abdominal cavity from what could be presumed to be the area where the PTGBD was placed. After the torsion was corrected, the gallbladder was surgically removed. Neither gallstones nor tumors were found in it. There were signs of hemorrhagic necrosis in the mucus membrane. The patient made good progress after the operation and was discharged on the 15th hospital day. Torsion of the gallbladder is a comparatively rare entity and its symptoms are not always specific. Therefore, it defies preoperative diagnosis. In this paper, we report our experience with a case of this disease which presented characteristic radiographic images and discuss the treatment strategies including PTGBD.