Background/Aims: Many Japanese institutions use electromagnetic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) systems for treating pancreatic duct stones. However, there are no reports on direct comparisons between recent electromagnetic lithotripters. This study aimed to verify whether the new electromagnetic lithotripter can improve the efficiency of pancreatic stone fragmentation, and to clarify the role of combined endoscopic treatment on the clearance of pancreatic duct stones. Methods: We retrospectively identified 208 patients with pancreatolithiasis who underwent endoscopic adjunctive treatment after pancreatic ESWL at a single Japanese center over a 17-year period. We evaluated the outcome data of this procedure performed with SLX-F2 (last 2 years; group A) and Lithostar/Lithoskop (first 15 years; group B), as well as additional endoscopic treatments for pancreatolithiasis. We also performed logistic regression analysis to detect various factors associated with the procedure. Results: For pancreatic head stones, ESWL disintegration was achieved in 93.7% of group A patients and 69.0% of group B patients (p=0.004), and adjunctive endoscopic treatment removed stones in 96.8% of group A patients and 73.0% of group B patients (p=0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that lithotripter type (odds ratio, 6.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 31.33; p<0.01) and main pancreatic duct stricture (odds ratio, 2.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.27 to 6.45; p<0.01) were significant factors for ESWL fragmentation. Conclusions The SLX F2 showed high performance in fragmenting the pancreatic duct stones.In addition, endoscopic adjunctive treatment improved the overall success rate of the procedure. The improved ESWL lithotripter has many advantages for patients undergoing pancreatic lithotripsy treatment.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic evaluation of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) is useful in determining whether the lesions are benign or malignant. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of peroral pancreatoscopy (POPS) in determining the prognosis of IPMNs. Methods: POPS with videoscopy was performed using the mother–baby scope technique. After surgery, computed tomography/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or ultrasonography and blood tests were performed every 6 months during the follow-up. Results: A total of 39 patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD)–type IPMNs underwent POPS using a videoscope, and the protrusions in the MPD were observed in 36 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology/biopsy performed at the time of POPS were 85% and 87.5%, respectively. Of 19 patients who underwent surgery, 18 (95%) patients had negative surgical margins and 1 (5%) patient had a positive margin. Conclusions In IPMNs with dilatation of the MPD, POPS is considered effective if the lesions can be directly observed. The diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions is possible depending on the degree of lesion elevation. However, in some cases, slightly elevated lesions may increase in size during the follow-up or multiple lesions may be simultaneously present; therefore, careful follow-up is necessary.

Background/Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients frequently have zinc deficiency. IBD patients with zinc deficiency have higher risks of IBD-related hospitalization, complications, and requiring surgery. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of zinc acetate hydrate (ZAH; Nobelzin) in IBD patients with zinc deficiency. Methods: IBD patients with zinc deficiency who received ZAH from March 2017 to April 2020 were registered in this two-center, retrospective, observational study. Changes in serum zinc levels and disease activity (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [CDAI]) before and after ZAH administration were analyzed. Results: Fifty-one patients with Crohn’s disease (CD, n = 40) or ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 11) were registered. Median serum zinc level and median CDAI scores significantly improved (55.5–91.0 μg/dL, P< 0.001; 171.5–129, P< 0.001, respectively) in CD patients 4 weeks after starting ZAH administration. Similarly, median serum zinc levels and CDAI scores significantly improved (57.0–81.0 μg/dL, P< 0.001; 177–148, P= 0.012, respectively) 20 weeks after starting ZAH administration. Similar investigations were conducted in groups where no treatment change, other than ZAH administration, was implemented; significant improvements were observed in both serum zinc level and CDAI scores. Median serum zinc levels in UC patients 4 weeks after starting ZAH administration significantly improved from 63.0 to 94.0 μg/dL (P= 0.002), but no significant changes in disease activity were observed. One patient experienced side effects of abdominal discomfort and nausea. Conclusions ZAH administration is effective in improving zinc deficiency and may contribute to improving disease activity in IBD.

Background/Aims: Bleeding is a complication of endoscopic snare papillectomy for ampullary tumors. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of hypertonic saline-epinephrine (HSE) local injection before endoscopic papillectomy for prevention of bleeding. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 107 consecutive patients with ampullary tumors who underwent endoscopic papillectomy. The rates of en bloc resection, pathological resection margins, and prevention of immediate or delayed bleeding in the simple snaring resection group (Group A) and the HSE injection group (Group B) were compared. Results: A total of 44 and 63 patients were enrolled in Groups A and B, respectively. The total complete resection rate was 89.7% (96/107); the clinical complete resection rates in Group A and Group B were 86.3% (38/44) and 92.1% (58/63), respectively (p=0.354). Post-papillectomy bleeding occurred in 22 patients. In Groups A and B, the immediate bleeding rates were 20.5% (9/44) and 4.8% (3/63), respectively (p=0.0255), while the delayed bleeding rates were 7% (3/44) and 11% (7/63), respectively (p=0.52). The rates of positive horizontal and vertical pathological margin in both groups were 27% and 16%, respectively. Conclusions HSE local injection was effective in preventing immediate bleeding and was useful for safely performing endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary tumors.

Background/Aims: Bleeding is a complication of endoscopic snare papillectomy for ampullary tumors. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of hypertonic saline-epinephrine (HSE) local injection before endoscopic papillectomy for prevention of bleeding. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 107 consecutive patients with ampullary tumors who underwent endoscopic papillectomy. The rates of en bloc resection, pathological resection margins, and prevention of immediate or delayed bleeding in the simple snaring resection group (Group A) and the HSE injection group (Group B) were compared. Results: A total of 44 and 63 patients were enrolled in Groups A and B, respectively. The total complete resection rate was 89.7% (96/107); the clinical complete resection rates in Group A and Group B were 86.3% (38/44) and 92.1% (58/63), respectively (p=0.354). Post-papillectomy bleeding occurred in 22 patients. In Groups A and B, the immediate bleeding rates were 20.5% (9/44) and 4.8% (3/63), respectively (p=0.0255), while the delayed bleeding rates were 7% (3/44) and 11% (7/63), respectively (p=0.52). The rates of positive horizontal and vertical pathological margin in both groups were 27% and 16%, respectively. Conclusions HSE local injection was effective in preventing immediate bleeding and was useful for safely performing endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary tumors.

Background/Aims: The use of endoscopic intervention (EI) for acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) remains controversial because the severity of biliary obstruction/cholangitis/pancreatitis is not reflected in the indications for early EI (EEI). Methods: A total of 148 patients with ABP were included to investigate 1) the differences in the rate of worsening cholangitis/pancreatitis between the EEI group and the early conservative management (ECM) group, especially for each severity of cholangitis/pancreatitis, and 2) the diagnostic ability of imaging studies, including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), to detect common bile duct stones (CBDSs) in the ECM group. Results: No differences were observed in the rate of worsening cholangitis between the EEI and ECM groups, regardless of the severity of cholangitis and/or the existence of impacted CBDSs. Among patients without impacted CBDSs and moderate/severe cholangitis, worsening pancreatitis was significantly more frequent in the EEI group (18% vs. 4%, p=0.048). In patients in the ECM group, the sensitivity and specificity for detecting CBDSs were 73% and 98%, respectively, for EUS, whereas the values were 13% and 92%, respectively, for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Conclusions EEI should be avoided in the absence of moderate/severe cholangitis and/or impacted CBDSs because of the high rate of worsening pancreatitis. EUS can contribute to the accurate detection of residual CBDSs, for the determination of the need for elective EI.

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of dose-dense (dd) paclitaxel (PTX) and carboplatin (CBDCA) in treating advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Methods: Women aged 20–75 years with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III disease with some residual tumor, FIGO stage IV disease, recurrence after front-line curative treatment, or recurrence after second-line chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled in this study. PTX (80 mg/m2) was administered intravenously (IV) to every participant on days 1, 8, and 15, and CBDCA (area under the curve of 5) was administered IV on day 1 once every 3 weeks until the disease progressed, unacceptable adverse events occurred, or consent was withdrawn. The primary endpoint was the response rate (RR), while the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, overall survival, and adverse effects. Results: Forty-eight participants were enrolled, and 46 were eligible to receive treatment. The patients' median age was 61 years (range, 43–76 years). Twenty-two participants had experienced recurrence, and the remaining patients had primary advanced endometrial cancer. There were 10 cases of serous carcinoma, 3 cases of endometrioid carcinoma G3, 2 cases of carcinosarcoma, and 2 cases of clear-cell carcinoma according to histology. Twenty-nine participants (63.0%) received ≥6 cycles of chemotherapy. The RR (complete, 13 cases; partial, 20 cases) was 71.3% (95% confidence interval: 59.0%–84.5%). Conclusion The dd PTX with CBDCA is feasible and available as a treatment option for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

A 66-year-old man was under observation as an outpatient for moderate aortic regurgitation and distal aortic arch aneurysm since 2005. He underwent surgery for gradual expansion of the distal aortic arch aneurysm. Preoperative enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a fusiform-type aortic aneurysm with a maximum short diameter of 63 mm. The aneurysm extended from the left subclavian artery to the descending aorta, 67 mm ahead. Based on the preoperative CT, a 150-mm open stent graft (OSG) was selected because of an adequate landing zone when inserted from the proximal site of the left subclavian artery. A 33-mm diameter graft was selected with a diameter 10% larger than that of the aorta at the landing zone. Moreover, the preoperative rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test was positive at 5.5 RU, and the fixed Treponema pallidum latex agglutination (TPLA) test was positive at 4,670 TU. He had undergone treatment for syphilis, and we concluded that the patient harbored antibodies after syphilis treatment. In the operating room, median sternotomy was performed. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was instated with bilateral axillary artery return, and superior vena cave (SVC) -inferior vena cave (IVC) venous drainage was placed. The aortic wall was strongly adherent to the surrounding tissue, similar to that observed in the aortitis syndrome. We performed aortic valve replacement during the systemic cooling. Under hypothermic circulatory arrest at 25°C with selective cerebral perfusion, the aorta was cut between the left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery. From this site, OSG was inserted to the level of the aortic valve. Total arch replacement was performed with a 30-mm bypass graft. Pathological findings indicated infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells around the feeding artery in the aortic aneurysm wall, and the aortic media wall showed fibrillation. Based on the intraoperative and postoperative pathologic findings, we diagnosed the patient with syphilitic aortic aneurysm, and started oral administration of amoxicillin 1,500 mg per day for 3 months. He was discharged on the 13th postoperative day without paraplegia, vocal cord paralysis, or other complications. Although syphilitic aortic aneurysm is rarely seen, it must always be considered as one of the causes of aortic aneurysm.

The mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIF) is a fibrous skeleton between the mitral and aortic valves. We describe a case of a pseudoaneurysm of MAIF (MAIFPsA) 3 months after an aortic valve replacement. A 75-year-old man had undergone aortic valve replacement using a bioprosthesis (SJM Trifecta 23 mm). He developed congestive heart failure 3 months after surgery. Trans-esophageal echocardiography and multi-detector computed tomography detected a MAIFPsA and severe paravalvular leakage. The patient underwent a new operation. After the aortic prosthesis was removed, an orifice of the pseudoaneurysm, which was composed of the anterior mitral leaflet and the aortic annulus, were revealed. The defect was repaired with a bovine pericardial patch, sutured to the anterior mitral leaflet and aortic annulus. A new bioprosthesis (Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT 21 mm) was implanted in the supra-annular position. His postoperative course was uneventful.