Endosonographic evaluation of mural abnormalities of the upper gastrointestinal tract

An end-viewing fiberoptic gastroscope was modified to incorporate a high-resolution linear array real-time ultrasound transducer 7 cm proximal to the flexible tip of the instrument. This endoscope was used to evaluate 20 patients suspected of having mural disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract and five normal subjects. The endosonographic examination defined esophageal, stomach, and duodenal wall thickness in normal subjects. In patients with pathological findings, both diffuse and acoustically focal lesions were demonstrated, and the extent of these lesions were outlined. With focal masses, endosonographic findings also demonstrated echogenic differences between various submucosal tumors reflecting their differing etiology. The extent of invasion and adenopathy were identified in a patient with gastric carcinoma. With diffuse lesions, the depth of involvement could be outlined sonographically, but etiologic diagnosis depended on biopsy. Extrinsic masses with secondary invasion of the wall of the upper gastrointestinal tract were defined in six patients. It is suggested that endosonography may prove to be a useful technique for evaluation of mural, invasive extramural, and diffuse lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.     

Diagnosis of the depth of invasion of gallbladder carcinoma by EUS.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of gallbladder carcinoma is dismal and relates to the depth of invasion as expressed by the T factor in TNM staging. We evaluated the utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis of the depth of invasion of gallbladder cancer. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients who underwent both EUS and surgery were included in this study. The EUS images were classified according to the relation between tumor echo pattern and gallbladder-wall structure, and the resulting types were compared with depth of invasion as determined histologically. Based on the results, a set of diagnostic criteria is proposed. RESULTS: The EUS images were classified into four categories. Type A is a pedunculated mass with a fine-nodular surface and intact neighboring wall. Type B is a broad-based mass with an irregular surface and intact outer hyperechoic layer of the adjacent wall. In type C, the outer hyperechoic layer is irregular due to a mass echo, whereas, in type D, the outer hyperechoic layer is disrupted by a mass echo. Each of the four categories of EUS images correlated well with the histologic depth of invasion. CONCLUSION: EUS is useful in the T staging of gallbladder cancer.     

Surgical treatment for carcinoma of the papilla of vater

Eighty of 89 patients who underwent radical resection (resectability 89.9%) for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater between 1976 and 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-three patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 7 underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). The postoperative mortality rate was only 3.8% (3 patients). The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 63.6% and 57.4%, respectively. Important factors influencing long-term survival were Stage (clinical stage = Stage), microscopic lymph node metastasis (n), duodenal wall invasion (d), vascular invasion (v), and the epithelium of origin. Early carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is defined as tumor in which invasion is limited within the papilla of Vater; in particular, carcinomatous invasion is within the muscle of Oddi (d₀) with n₀. PD and/or PPPD with radical lymph node dissection should be performed for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater, as these procedures can be performed with low morbidity and mortality.     

Three-Dimensional Anal Endosonography May Improve Staging of Anal Cancer Compared With Two-Dimensional Endosonography

PURPOSE Three-dimensional (3-D) endosonography is a new method of staging anal carcinoma that has not yet been validated in comparison with two-dimensional (2-D) endosonography, the latter using only a single scan plane. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between the two endosonographic techniques.METHODS Thirty patients with an endosonographically detectable anal tumor were examined with a 10 MHz rotating endoprobe. Cross-sectional images of the anal sphincters were stored on a 3-D system during retraction of the endoprobe through the anal canal. Afterwards, any projection could be reconstructed. Cross-sectional images (2-D) were compared with reconstructed projections (3-D) according to five parameters concerning tumor spread and presence of regional lymph nodes. In this study, a scale of 0 to 5 points on critical issues was used; ideally, the results should be identical in 2-D and 3-D endosonography.RESULTS The 3-D method detected a median of 5 diagnostic findings, compared with a median of 4 findings with the 2-D method (P = 0.001). In eight patients the lateral tumor margin was visualized only by 3-D endosonography. The median number of lymph nodes visualized in 3-D was 1 (range, 0-13), in 2-D the median number was 0 (range, 0-6), P = 0.002.CONCLUSIONS Use of 3-D endosonography in patients with anal carcinoma improves detection of perirectal lymph nodes and may improve that of tumor invasion, compared with 2-D endosonography. This may affect local tumor staging and thus planning of treatment. A study with histopathologic correlation is needed to verify this endosonographic study.Supported by grants from Mogens Andreasen Fonden and Ragnhild Ibsens Legat for Medicinsk Forskning.Presented at the European Congress of Radiology, Vienna, Austria, March 6 to 11, 2003.     

Preoperative diagnosis and staging of gallbladder carcinoma by EUS

BACKGROUND: EUS has recently been shown to be efficacious for the preoperative assessment of depth of invasion of gallbladder carcinoma. This study assessed the value of EUS for determining T stage (International Union Against Cancer). METHODS: Preoperative EUS findings in 41 patients with gallbladder carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. EUS images were classified according to the shape of the tumor and the adjacent gallbladder wall structure as follows: type A, pedunculated mass with preserved adjacent wall structures; type B, sessile and/or broad-based mass with a preserved outer hyperechoic layer of the gallbladder wall; type C, sessile and/or broad-based mass with a narrowed outer hyperechoic layer; type D, sessile and/or broad-based mass with a disrupted outer hyperechoic layer. EUS and histopathologic findings were compared, including the depth of invasion of the tumor in the resection specimen. RESULTS: The 4 categories of EUS images of gallbladder carcinoma correlated with the histologic depth of invasion and T stage. Accuracies for the EUS classification as type A corresponding to pTis, type B to pT1, type C to pT2, and type D to pT3-4 were, respectively, 100%, 75.6%, 85.3%, and 92.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative EUS imaging accurately depicts T stage of gallbladder carcinoma and allows for effective therapeutic decision making.     

Prediction of the invasion depth of superficial squamous cell carcinoma based on microvessel morphology: magnifying endoscopic classification of the Japan Esophageal Society

Predicting invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is crucial in determining the precise indication for endoscopic resection because the rate of lymph node metastasis increases in proportion to the invasion depth of the carcinoma. Previous studies have shown a close relationship between microvascular patterns observed by Narrow Band Imaging magnifying endoscopy and invasion depth of the superficial carcinoma. Thus, the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) developed a simplified magnifying endoscopic classification for estimating invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the diagnostic values of type B vessels in the pretreatment estimation of invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas utilizing JES classification, the criteria of which are based on the degree of irregularity in the microvascular morphology. Type A microvessels corresponded to noncancerous lesions and lack severe irregularity; type B, to cancerous lesions, and exhibit severe irregularity. Type B vessels were subclassified into B1, B2, and B3, diagnostic criteria for T1a-EP or T1a-LPM, T1a-MM or T1b-SM1, and T1b-SM2 tumors, respectively. We enrolled 211 patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The overall accuracy of type B microvessels in estimating tumor invasion depth was 90.5 %. We propose that the newly developed JES magnifying endoscopic classification is useful in estimating the invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.     

Pitfalls of endoscopic ultrasound staging after application of electrocautery

Patients may be referred for endosonography after endoscopic resection of polyps because of cancer identified in the histologic specimen. To assess the effects of electrocautery-induced tissue changes on tumor staging by endosonography, endosonography findings after endoscopic removal of large polyps were correlated with surgical and endoscopic pathology. Endosonography findings revealed irregular and thickened wall layers, especially in the muscularis propria with pseudopod extensions. Five of 7 patients had evidence of cancer in the endoscopic specimen. However, no residual tumor was found in the surgically resected bowel (2 patients) or in subsequent biopsies of the endoscopic resection site (3 patients). In 2 other patients, no cancer was present in the endoscopic specimen, and follow-up biopsies of the endoscopic resection site were all benign. Electrocautery-induced inflammatory changes create hypoechoic changes within the gut wall that may mimic tumor invasion. Irregularities in the muscularis propria layer cannot be relied upon to diagnose a T2 or T3 lesion by endosonography in this setting. Patients with large polyps greater than 2 cm and other mucosal lesions with malignant potential should undergo endosonography prior to endoscopic resection.     

Endoscopic resection of small duodenal carcinoid tumors with strip biopsy technique

Background: Most cases of duodenal carcinoid have conventionally been treated by surgical resection. The aim of our study was to explore the feasibility of endoscopic resection in small duodenal carcinoids. Methods: The study population consisted of seven patients with small duodenal carcinoids. The diagnosis was confirmed by preoperative biopsies. The depth of tumor invasion was evaluated by endosonography. Results: The carcinoid was detected by endosonography in all cases. Size ranged ultrasonographically from 1.5 mm to 7 mm. Tumor invasion was confined to the submucosa in all patients. Endoscopic resection was performed with the strip biopsy technique using a two-channel endoscope. In six patients, the specimens were resected without severe complications. Five of them were confirmed histologically to be typical carcinoids. In one patient, carcinoid was not detected histologically in the specimen. In the remaining patient, a perforation occurred. However, the huge ulcer was managed conservatively. Follow-up endoscopy revealed no evidence of recurrent or residual tumor in any patient. Conclusion: Small duodenal carcinoids confined to the submucosa can be resected endoscopically and preoperative endosonography is necessary for the determination of endoscopic resectability. (Gastrointest Endosc 1998;47:466-70.)     

Endosonographic characterization of duodenal elevated lesions

Background: Endoscopic diagnosis of duodenal elevated lesions is problematic for two reasons. Endoscopic biopsy often fails to confirm a histologic diagnosis of submucosal lesions. Moreover, a biopsy specimen is often insufficient to verify a differential diagnosis of mucosal lesions. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of endosonography in the resolution of these problems. Methods: The endoscopic and endosonographic features of 15 duodenal elevated lesions that had been confirmed histologically in our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Of the 15 cases, 8 were submucosal lesions (lipoma, Brunner's gland hyperplasia, lymphangioma, carcinoid tumors, leiomyoma, and malignant lymphoma); the rest were mucosal lesions. A correct histologic diagnosis based on endoscopic biopsies was obtained in only 6 cases (three submucosal lesions and three mucosal lesions). On the other hand, ultrasonography was useful in the characterization of all submucosal lesions based on their echo level, layer of origin, and tissue homogeneity. As for mucosal lesions, the depth of infiltration was correctly estimated with endosonography. Either endoscopic resection or surgery was selected on the basis of endosonographic information. Conclusions: We conclude that endosonography is useful in the differential diagnosis of submucosal lesions and in determining suitable treatment methods for duodenal mucosal and submucosal lesions. (Gastrointest Endosc 1996;44:714-9.)     

A prospective, quantitative assessment of the effect of ethanol and other variables on the endosonographic appearance of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Studies comparing endosonography with endoscopic pancreatography, histological examination, and functional assays show that the number of endosonographic abnormalities (or "criteria") increases with the severity of chronic pancreatitis. However, it is unclear to what extent such variables as demographics, body habitus, and routine exposure to such pancreatic toxins as ethanol and cigarette smoke can affect pancreatic endosonography. The aim of the study is to quantify the effects of these variables precisely. METHODS: Pancreatic endosonography was performed by a single operator in consecutive patients referred for any indication. The relationship between 8 possible endosonographic criteria and these variables was studied. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred fifty-seven patients were studied (93% of eligible patients). Number of criteria correlated most strongly with ethanol ingestion (r = 0.273; P = 0.0001) and smoking history (r = 0.201; P = 0.0001). It did not correlate with age or body mass index. The strongest independent predictors of severe pancreatic abnormalities (>/=5 criteria) were heavy ethanol ingestion (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-8.5), male sex (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.55), clinical suspicion of pancreatic disease (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3), and heavy smoking (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4). Severe endosonographic abnormalities were found in only 2 of 51 patients (3.9%) with no risk factors or symptoms of pancreatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Several variables can affect the endosonographic appearance of the pancreas independently. Severe abnormalities may be asymptomatic. The clinical, functional, and histological significance of endosonographic abnormalities requires clarification.     

Endosonographic diagnosis of solid pancreatic tumors: a retrospective analysis from a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND: The sensitivity of endosonography for pancreatic tumors is good, but differentiation between malignant and benign lesions remains a challenge. We, therefore, analyzed the correlation between endosonographic findings and pancreatic carcinoma in a population with a high prevalence of chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: 171 endosonographic examinations were retrospectively evaluated using 22 dichotomous criteria. Final diagnosis was defined by the results of pancreas resection or by clinical follow-up (median: 41 months). A sum score was established after multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Final diagnosis was carcinoma, chronic pancreatitis, neuroendocrine tumor and normal pancreas in 67, 65, 9, and 38 subjects (prevalence 39 %, 38 %, 5 %, 22 % respectively) After multivariate analysis, carcinoma was significantly correlated with six endosonographic criteria and age, which resulted in the following score (yes = 1, no = 0): (dilated pancreatic duct) + (vascular infiltration) + (suspicious lymph nodes) + (tumor edge with pseudopodia-like extensions) + (age > 50 years) - (increased pancreas parenchyma echogenicity) - (tumor diameter < 10 mm) + 3. After receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve was 0.85. For score values of 5 (4) or more, sensitivity was 0.63 (0.93), specificity 0.91 (0.55), positive predictive value 0.82 (0.57), negative predictive value 0.79 (0.92), positive likelihood ratio 7.24 (2.05), and negative likelihood ratio 0.41 (0.14). CONCLUSION: A simple and potentially useful score for the prediction of pancreatic cancer based on six endosonographic criteria and patient age was established. Distribution of final diagnoses in the patient population argues for the score's applicability in clinical practice of a tertiary referral center and warrants prospective validation.     

Malignant esophageal strictures: Staging accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography

The prognosis for patients with carcinoma of the esophagus remains poor despite aggressive combination therapies and radical surgical resections. Accuracy of staging esophageal carcinoma by endoscopic ultrasonography is unmatched by that of any other modality. Of patients with esophageal carcinoma, 20% to 36% present with high-grade malignant strictures that preclude passage of the echoendoscope. Aggressive wire-guided dilation followed by complete endoscopic ultrasonographic assessment or endosonography limited to the proximal aspect of the stricture has been used in staging these patients. Of 204 patients with esophageal carcinoma, 51 (25%) presented with high-grade malignant strictures, defined as stenosis precluding passage of the echoendoscope without prior dilation. Thirty-nine of the 51 patients were treated by esophageal resection. Twenty-one of these patients underwent preoperative staging using wire-guided dilation followed by endoscopic ultrasonography, whereas 18 underwent limited endosonographic staging. Correct preoperative assessment of depth of tumor invasion (T stage) was obtained in 33% (7 of 21) of the former group and 28% (5 of 18) of the latter group. Advanced tumor stage (stage III or IV) was present in 90% (35 of 39) of patients presenting with high-grade strictures, indicating a poor prognosis for those patients. The current study demonstrates that (1) approximately 25% of all patients with esophageal carcinoma present with high-grade strictures that preclude passage of the echoendoscope without prior dilation, (2) the majority of patients with high-grade malignant strictures present with advanced disease (stage III or IV), and (3) because of the low accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography in staging high-grade strictures, the need to subject such patients to invasive staging studies is questionable. (Gastrointest Endosc 1995;41:535-9.)     

Three-Dimensional Anal Endosonography May Improve Detection of Recurrent Anal Cancer

Purpose In our center since 2001, follow-up examination has included three-dimensional endosonography in all patients with suspicion of local recurrence of anal cancer. This study was designed to investigate whether three-dimensional endosonography surpassed two-dimensional endosonography as a diagnostic tool for patients with suspected local recurrence. Methods This prospective study included 38 consecutive patients who have had anal carcinoma and were investigated using three-dimensional endosonography in combination with anoscopy and digital rectal examination at Rigshospitalet from July 2001 to January 2005 under suspicion of local recurrence. All endosonographic examinations—two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and three-dimensional in combination with anoscopy and digital rectal examination—were evaluated by blinded observers. The observers scored each examination according to a five-point scale in which a score from 1 to 3 was regarded as benign endosonographic findings and a score from 4 to 5 was regarded as malignant endosonographic findings. The endosonographic diagnosis for each examination was compared with histologic evaluation or when no biopsy had been taken with a follow-up period of at least six months. If a patient showed no signs of local recurrence in the follow-up period, no local recurrence was considered to be present at the time of the investigation. Results The sensitivity was 1.0 for three-dimensional endosonography in combination with palpation, 0.86 for three-dimensional endosonography alone, and 0.57 for two-dimensional endosonography. The differences between two-dimensional endosonography and three-dimensional endosonography alone as well as two-dimensional endosonography and three-dimensional endosonography + anoscopy and digital rectal examination both reached significance with P values <0.05. Conclusions This study indicates that three-dimensional endosonography surpasses two-dimensional endosonography in the evaluation of patients with suspicion of local recurrence of anal cancer especially in combination with anoscopy and digital rectal examination.     

超声内镜诊断肝外型恶性阻塞性黄疸

对５５例肝外型恶性阻塞性黄疸于手术前进行了内镜超声检查。乳头癌２２例中，诊断正确率为９５％，病变大小判断正确率为８５％；对胰头癌及胆总管末端癌的确诊率也均高于体外“Ｂ”超检查；对乳头癌浸润十二指肠壁深度的判断与病理诊断的符合率为７０％；癌周肿大淋巴结的发现率为７５％。     

Usefulness of biopsying the major duodenal papilla to diagnose autoimmune pancreatitis： A prospective study using IgG4-immunostaining

AIM: To examine the histological and immunohistochemical findings of biopsy specimens taken from the major duodenal papilla of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) patients. METHODS: The major duodenal papilla in the resected pancreas of 3 patients with AIP and of 5 control patients [pancreatic carcinoma (n = 3) and chronic alcoholic pancreatitis (n = 2)] was immunostained using anti-CD4-T cell, CD8-T cell and IgG4 antibodies. Forceps biopsy specimens taken from the major duodenal papilla of 2 patients with AIP and 5 control patients with suspected papillitis were prospectively taken during duodenoscopy and immunohistochemically examined. RESULTS: Moderate or severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration including many CD4-positive or CD8-positive T lymphocytes and IgG4-positive plasma cells (≥10/HPF), was observed in the major duodenal papilla of all 3 patients with AIP. The same findings were also detected in the biopsy specimens taken from the major duodenal papilla of 2 patients with AIP, but in controls, there were only a few (≤3/HPF) IgG4-positive plasma cells infiltrating the major duodenal papilla. CONCLUSIONS: An abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells is specifically detected in the major duodenal papilla of patients with AIP. Although this is a preliminary study, IgG4-immunostaining of biopsy specimens taken from the major duodenal papilla may support the diagnosis of AIP.     

Indication of Endoscopic Papillectomy for Tumors of the Papilla of Vater and Its Problems

Discussions have just started in Japan as to the indication, technique and complication of endoscopic papillectomy for tumors of the papilla of Vater. We indicate endoscopic papillectomy for tumors satisfying the following:

• 1 exposed tumor‐type adenoma, or carcinoma in adenoma;
• 2 without invasion of duodenal muscularis; and
• 3 no infiltration into the pancreas or the bile duct.

Endoscopic papillectomy was performed on 12 patients with tumors of the papilla of Vater that satisfied the above criteria. En bloc snare excision was achieved in 11 out of 12 cases without endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) or epinephrine injection. Pancreatic stenting was done in 8 cases for prevention of pancreatitis, and bile duct stenting in nine cases for prevention of cholangitis. Postoperative early complications were observed in 5 cases; pancreatitis in 2; pancreatitis and bleeding in 1; bleeding in 1; and bleeding and perforation in 1. Neither recurrence nor metastasis of tumor has been detected during the average postoperative period of 620 days. The treatment can be acknowledged as less invasive therapy. However, management of complications is important, for which further study needs to be accumulated.     

Endosonographic Staging of Gastric Carcinoma: Factors influencing accuracy

Abstract: Endoscopic ultrasonography has become an important diagnostic procedure complementary to endoscopy and histopathological study in the preoperative evaluation of gastric carcinoma. Despite allowing visualization of tumoral infiltration with quite high accuracy, certain factors have limited the accuracy of this modality or even led to misinterpretation. We designed a prospective study to evaluate the accuracy of gastric carcinoma diagnosis with special reference to factors resulting in misdiagnosis. During a 22 month period, 86 patients with early and advanced gastric carcinoma underwent surgical or endoscopic resection on the basis of endosonographic findings. In all patients, endosonographic findings, location and macroscopic type of the tumor and histopathological characteristics including depth of invasion, malignant cell type and/or differentiation, and the presence/absence of ulceration in the tumor focus were recorded. The endosonographic and histopathological results were compared at the end of the study. Overall accuracy was 85% using the TNM staging system. There were no significant differences in accuracy in the location of the tumor, histological grading or macroscopic type of tumor, although the accuracy rate was lower for tumors located in the antrum. Ulceration in the tumor focus was a major factor leading to misinterpretation of the findings of early gastric cancer (p<0.02). The diagnosis of microinvasion is an issue which remains to be resolved.     

The evaluation of the 8th and 7th edition of the American joint committee on cancer tumor classification for distal cholangiocarcinoma: the proposal of a modified new tumor classification

BackgroundThe 7th and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor (T) classification of distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC), which are based on either layer or depth, may not accurately stratify patient survival.MethodsA total of 121 patients who underwent resection for DCC between 2002 and 2016 were analyzed. The impact of the AJCC staging system on survival was examined and a new T classification was established based on independent prognostic factors.ResultsRegarding overall survival, the optimal depth of invasion (DOI) cut-off value (8 mm) was the only independent prognostic factor. Regarding the relapse-free survival (RFS), a DOI >8 mm, portal vein (PV) invasion, and duodenal or pancreatic invasion were independent prognostic factors. A new T classification was developed as follows: T1, no invasion of adjacent organs; T2, invasion of the duodenum or pancreas; T3, invasion >8 mm into the bile duct wall; and T4, invasion of the PV or arteries. There were no significant differences in RFS according to the 8th edition of the AJCC. However, significant differences were observed in the RFS between T1 and T2 and between T2 and T3.ConclusionA new T classification based on the layer and depth may be more feasible.     

Endosonographic and histopathological staging of extrahepatic bile duct cancer: time to leave the present TNM-classification?

OBJECTIVES: The discrepancy between high rates of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma and the failure to depict different wall layers as defined by the TNM classification have not yet been elucidated sufficiently. METHODS: In a prospective study, endosonographic images were correlated with histomorphology including immunohistochemistry. Using IDUS, we examined fresh resection specimens of patients who had undergone pancreato-duodenectomy. For histological analysis, the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens were stained by hematoxylin-eosin, elastica-van-Gieson, and immunohistochemically by smooth muscle-actin. To confirm our hypothesis, further cases from the archives were analyzed histopathologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: The various wall layers of the extrahepatic bile duct as described by the International Union Against Cancer are neither histomorphologically nor immunohistochemically consistently demonstrable. Especially, a clear differentiation between tumor invasion beyond the wall of the bile duct (T2) and invasion of the pancreas (T3) by histopathological means is often not possible. Endosonographic images using high-resolution miniprobes similarly confirm the difficulty in imaging various layers in the bile duct wall. CONCLUSIONS: Most adaptations made by the sixth edition of the TNM classification accommodate to the endosonographic and most of the histopathological findings as demonstrated in our study. In contrast to the new edition, however, our findings suggest to combine T2- and T3-staged tumors into one single class leading to clarification, and improved reproducibility of histopathological staging.     

"Duodenal intussusception" due to adenoma of the papilla of Vater

The case of a 55-year-old woman with a pedunculate adenoma of the papilla of Vater is presented. Diagnostic imaging modalities including ultrasonography, CT scan, magnetic resonance of cholangiopancreatography, simultaneous duodenography and cholangiography, and angiography showed a giant tumor protruding intraluminally and moving forward in the duodenum by peristalsis. It had a duodenal intussusception-like appearance, with remarkable left-lower deviation of the common bile duct and major pancreatic duct in the papilla of Vater as far as the left side of the aorta. Episodes of jaundice or ileus were absent, probably because the tumor was mobile in the duodenum. As biopsy specimens showed no malignancy and intraductal ultrasonography in the common bile duct revealed no intraductal invasion of the tumor in the papilla of Vater, the patient underwent transduodenal papillectomy with papilloplasty with pancreatic ductoplasty. Pathological diagnosis of consecutive specimens was a papillary adenoma with moderate atypia and occasional tubular structure. There seems to be an exceptional subtype of the tumor in the papilla of Vater, like this case, demonstrating the duodenal intussusception-like appearance without prominent clinical symptoms.