Pathologic and Clinical Characteristics of Elderly Patients With Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of a Multicenter Study (Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology)

There is very little information about breast cancer characteristics, treatment choices, and survival among elderly patients. The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to examine the clinical, pathologic, and biologic characteristics of 620 breast cancer patients age 70 years or older. Between June 1991 and May 2012, 620 patients with breast cancer, recruited from 16 institutions, were enrolled in the retrospective study. Patients had smaller tumors at diagnosis; only 15% of patients had tumors larger than 5 cm. The number of patients who had no axillary lymph node involvement was 203 (32.7%). Ninety-three patients (15.0%) had metastatic disease at diagnosis. Patients were characterized by a higher fraction of pure lobular carcinomas (75.3%). The tumors of the elderly patients were also more frequently estrogen receptor (ER) positive (75.2%) and progesterone receptor (PR) positive (67.3%). The local and systemic therapies for breast cancer differed according to age. An association between age and overall survival has not been demonstrated in elderly patients with breast cancer. In conclusion, the biologic behavior of older patients with breast cancer differs from younger patients, and older patients receive different treatments.Key Words: Breast cancer, Elderly patients, Clinical characteristics, Pathologic characteristicsBreast cancer is a major health problem worldwide, and its incidence is increasing.¹ Age is one of the major risk factors for breast cancer: more than 30% of all new breast cancers occur in women aged 70 years or more. Furthermore, breast cancer–related mortality increases with age.^2,3 Despite the high incidence, there is very little information about breast cancer characteristics, treatment choices, and survival among elderly patients. Elderly patients over 70 years of age have generally been excluded from randomized clinical trials of breast cancer treatments.⁴Several studies of breast cancer biology show that older patients are estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) and/or progesterone receptor–positive (PR+), which are predictive factors of response to hormonal therapies; the treatment of these patients with endocrine therapies is the gold standard with which other systemic adjuvant treatments are compared.^5–7 Although little is known about the pathology and biology of breast cancer in older patients, many clinical trials have shown that women who develop breast cancer at an elderly age have less aggressive disease and decreased risk of recurrence.^8–11 In contrast, a few studies have demonstrated that in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, increasing age is associated with higher disease-specific mortality.^2,3The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to examine the clinical, pathologic, and biologic characteristics of 620 breast cancer patients age 70 years or older.     

Gastric Metastasis From Renal Cell Carcinoma With Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 61-year-old man presented to our hospital with hypercalcemia and elevated C reactive protein (CRP). Evaluation revealed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with metastasis to lung, bone, and brain. He underwent partial resection of the right kidney and a left nephrectomy. Histopathologic findings of resected tumors were consistent with clear cell RCC. Whole-brain irradiation was performed for management of brain metastasis. Postoperatively, he was treated with molecularly targeted therapy using a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. Approximately 14 months later, he suffered an episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with secondary anemia and melena. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a distinctly protruding lesion in the gastric body. Biopsy of the gastric lesion showed metastatic clear cell RCC. He underwent partial gastrectomy. His postoperative course was uneventful. However, 4 months after surgery, he died from brain metastasis. Metastatic RCC to the stomach, although rare, should be suspected in any patient with a history of RCC who presents with gastrointestinal symptoms.Key words: Gastric metastasis, Renal cell carcinoma, Metastatic tumorThe occurrence of metastases to the stomach from various neoplasms is not common. In the autopsy series, the stomach has been reported as a metastatic site in 0.2% to 0.7% of cases.^1–3 Lung cancer, breast cancer, and malignant melanoma were reported most often as primary tumors associated with gastric metastasis.^1,4In the literature, gastric metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have only rarely been described,^5–22 occurring in 0.2% of RCCs in the clinical setting.⁵ The present report describes an unusual case of a 61-year-old man who presented with gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric metastasis from RCC. The clinical characteristics, therapy, and outcomes of gastric metastasis from RCC are reviewed.     

Rectal Cancer With Disseminated Carcinomatosis of the Bone Marrow: Report of a Case

We report a rare case of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow from rectal cancer with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 65-year-old man was admitted with melena and low back pain at rest. X-ray examination showed rectal cancer with multiple bone metastases. Laboratory examination showed severe anemia and DIC. Histologic examination showed disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow. The DIC was considered to be caused by disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow from rectal cancer, and we immediately started treatment with anti-DIC therapy and anticancer chemotherapy with the modified FOLFOX6 regimen (mFOLFOX6). After some response to therapy, the patient''s general condition deteriorated, and he died 128 days after admission. This is the first English report showing disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow from colorectal cancer treated with mFOLFOX6.Key words: Bone marrow neoplasms, Rectal neoplasms, Disseminated intravascular coagulationBone metastases diffusely invading the bone marrow with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MHA) tend to accompany solid tumors; this condition is called disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow,¹ and it is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. Among solid tumors, DIC is most commonly associated with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer^2,3; carcinomatosis arising from colorectal cancer is rare.Herein we report on a patient with disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow with rectal cancer who developed acute DIC and was treated with a modified FOLFOX6 regimen (mFOLFOX6). We also review 11 similar previously reported cases.^4–10     

A Case of Very Well-Differentiated Adenocarcinoma With Carcinoid Tumor in the Ascending Colon

Malignant tumors with mixed glandular and neuroendocrine characteristics with at least 30% of each component are classified as mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) by the World Health Organization 2010 classification. We report here a case of very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma accompanied by carcinoid tumor, categorized as MANEC. A 41-year-old Japanese man was clinically diagnosed with ascending colon cancer and underwent right hemicolectomy. Using an immunohistologic technique, the pathologic diagnosis was very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma accompanied by carcinoid tumor and marked eosinophil infiltration, which was categorized as MANEC. By immunohistochemical analysis, tumor cells of the carcinoid component exhibited very low proliferation activity. Our case was thought to be MANEC without high malignant potential. MANEC as per the World Health Organization 2010 classification seems to include tumors with diverse grades of malignancy, and it might need to have subclassifications according to the malignancy potential of the tumor cells.Key words: Colon cancer, Carcinoid, Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomaNeuroendocrine tumors (NETs) arise from the neuroendocrine cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system. NETs of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and colorectum are termed gastroenteropancreatic NETs.¹ Originally, Oberndorfer² reported 7 carcinoid tumor cases of the small intestine in 1907, and he considered them to be benign. However, in recent years it has become clear that the morphology and the biologic behavior of NETs are heterogeneous, and NETs are classified into low-grade and high-grade malignancies in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification.^1,3,4 Of these, neuroendocrine carcinoma and mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) are classified as high-grade malignant tumors of NETs in the WHO 2010 classification. In the category of MANEC, little attention is paid to the malignant potential of each tumor, although it is important to define the grade of malignancy of the MANEC for clinical treatment after surgery.Here, we report a case of very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with carcinoid tumor and marked eosinophil infiltration, which was categorized into MANEC but seemed to show low-grade malignancy.     

Substernal Goiter: When is a Sternotomy Required?

The presence of substernal goiter is, per se, an indication for surgical management. Surgical approach of substernal goiter can most commonly be performed using the cervical access, but at times, a sternotomy or thoracotomy is necessary. The aim of this study was to identify the preoperative predictors of a sternotomy in the management of substernal goiter in order to provide better preoperative planning and patient consent. Between 2005 and 2012, 665 patients were referred to our clinic for thyroidectomy, 42 patients (6.3%) had substernal goiter and were included in this study. All substernal goiters were treated surgically, 38 (90.5%) by a cervical approach and 4 (9.5%) by full median sternotomy. All surgeries were successful, with no major postoperative complications. Minor postoperative complications of transient hypocalcemia and transient paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve occurred in 5 (11.9%) and 2 (4.7%) cases, respectively. Indication of median sternotomy was as follows: extension of goiter below the aortic arch, large thyroid tissue extending towards tracheal bifurcation, and ectopic thyroid tissue in the mediastinum. Substernal goiter can be removed through a cervical incision, but on rare occasions, a median sternotomy may be required.Key words: Sternotomy, Substernal goiter, Surgery, TreatmentSubsternal goiter (SG) was first described by Haller in 1749 and first surgically removed by Klein in 1820.¹⁻⁴ There is no uniform definition of substernal goiter.¹⁻³ However, various different criteria have been suggested by authors. These include a thyroid gland extending 3 cm below the sternal notch or extension of the gland below the fourth thoracic vertebra.^5,6 An extension of the thyroid gland below the thoracic inlet has been defined as substernal, retrosternal, intrathoracic, or mediastinal goiter. Drawing upon the relationship of the intrathoracic extension of SG to the arcus aorta and the right atrium and findings from imaging methods, diagnostic classifications have been established that take into account the percentage of goitrous thyroid in the mediastinum.^7,8 Substernal goiters are common, with a reported incidence of 1−20% of all patients undergoing thyroidectomy.^3,5,9−14 Diagnosis of substernal goiter is most frequently made in the fifth or sixth decade of life, with a female/male rate of 4:1.^11,14,15 The vast majority of SGs (85−90%) are located in the anterior mediastinum with the remainder (10−15%) located in the posterior mediastinum.^1,10,16,17Substernal goiters show, in most cases, a slow-growing enlargement, which usually remain asymptomatic for many years; about 20−40% of substernal goiters are discovered as an incidental finding on a radiographic examination.^2,11,18 Patients with mediastinal goiter are rarely asymptomatic. The most common symptoms are related to compression of the airways and the esophagus, and represented by dyspnea, choking, inability to sleep comfortably, dysphagia, and hoarseness.^2,12,14,18 In the diagnostic management of mediastinal goiter, chest computed tomography (CT) was of the highest value. CT scanning is, at present, the most exhaustive examination for assessment of the extent of the goiter and compression effects on adjacent anatomic structures. A preoperative CT scan should be routinely performed in every suspicion of a substernal goiter.^12,19−21 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) adds little additional information to that obtained with CT and is not routinely used.¹¹Substernal goiter must be removed surgically due to relation to compressive symptoms, potential airway compromise, and the possibility of an association with thyroid malignancy.¹⁷ There is a general consensus that most can be successfully removed via a cervical approach and that thoracic access is rarely necessary.^9,11,12 Various factors have been reported to increase the likelihood of a median sternotomy being required. These factors include involvement of the posterior mediastinum, extension of the goiter to the aortic arch, recurrent goiter, superior vena cava obstruction, malignancy with local involvement, and emergent airway obstruction.^{6,10,12,16,17,19} In addition, inability to palpate the lowermost extent of the gland also is considered to be an indication for median sternotomy. The incidence of sternotomy in substernal goiter is variable, ranging between 0−11 %.^2,9,11,12 This wide range in incidence might be related to variation in the definition of substernal goiter.In order to improve preoperative planning and patient consent, we aimed to identify the preoperative predictors of a sternotomy in the management of substernal goiter.     

Scalp Metastasis as the First Sign of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Management and Literature Review

Cutaneous metastasis from primary visceral malignancy is a relatively uncommon clinical entity, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.22% to 10% among various series. However, the presence of cutaneous metastasis as the first sign of a clinically silent visceral cancer is exceedingly rare. We describe here a case of an asymptomatic male patient who presented with a solitary scalp metastasis as the initial manifestation of an underlying small-cell lung cancer. Diagnostic evaluation revealed advanced disease. We conclude that the possibility of metastatic skin disease should always be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with a history of smoking or lung cancer presenting with cutaneous nodules. Physicians should be aware of this rare clinical entity, and appropriate investigation should be arranged for early diagnosis and initiation of the appropriate treatment. The prognosis for most patients remains poor.Key words: Small cell lung carcinoma, Scalp, MetastasisCutaneous metastasis from a primary visceral malignancy is a relatively uncommon clinical entity, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.22% to 10% among various series.^1–10 In a meta-analysis of 7 studies comprising a total of 20,380 patients, Krathen et al⁵ found that the overall incidence of cutaneous metastasis was 5.3% and that the most common tumor to metastasize to the skin was breast cancer.⁵ Cutaneous involvement may occur due to direct extension of the tumor as a local metastasis or as a distant metastasis,⁹ and it has been associated with advanced disease and poor prognosis.^3,4,11–13 Half of the patients with cutaneous metastases die within the first 6 months after the diagnosis, whereas lung cancer has been associated with the poorest prognosis.¹⁴ Cutaneous metastasis as the first sign of an internal malignancy is an exceedingly rare occurrence. It has been reported to occur in only 0.8% of the cases and has been associated with advanced disease.¹⁵ Skin metastasis from lung cancer is a rare clinical entity that has been reported to occur in 0.22% to 12% of patients with lung cancer.^{1–4,6,10,15–17} In most cases, metastases occur after the initial diagnosis and treatment of the primary lung tumor.¹⁷ Skin metastasis as the initial manifestation of an underlying lung cancer is a very rare occurrence.^4,6,16,17 We describe herein an exceedingly rare case of an asymptomatic male patient who presented with a solitary scalp metastasis as the initial manifestation of an underlying small-cell lung cancer. Diagnostic evaluation and management are discussed along with a review of the literature.

Case Presentation

A 74-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of a slowly growing, painless nodule in his right temporal region. His past medical history was significant for arterial hypertension. He was a heavy smoker but had no history of lung disease. He denied any respiratory symptoms, fever, or weight loss, and his general condition was good.Clinical examination revealed a painless, movable, nonulcerated nodule in the right temporal region measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter. There were no signs of infection and the overlying skin was normal. A chest X-ray showed a large mass occupying the upper lobe of the left lung. Subsequent computed tomography (CT) showed a large mass involving the left upper lobe associated with extensive mediastinal lymphadenopathy. In addition, a head CT revealed 3 metastatic brain lesions.The scalp lesion was easily resected down to the epicranial aponeurosis. Histopathologic examination and detailed immunohistochemical analysis revealed extensive infiltration from small-cell lung carcinoma (Fig. 1). Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for TTF-1 and cytokeratin 8.18 and focally positive for CD56 and synaptophysin (Fig. 2). A CT-guided biopsy of the lung tumor confirmed the presence of a small-cell lung carcinoma, and the patient was advised to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, although he completed the first cycle of chemotherapy, he refused to continue and was subsequently lost to follow-up.Open in a separate windowFig. 1Histopathologic findings. (1A) Typical appearance of small-cell carcinoma. Small hyperchromatic nuclei and squeezing artifact [hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) ×100]. (1B) Whole-mount section showing large metastatic infiltration of dermis leaving surprisingly unaffected the epidermis (H&E ×25). (1C) Note the border between neoplastic cells (left) and the basal layer of epidermis (right; H&E ×200).Open in a separate windowFig. 2Immunohistochemical analysis. (2A) Strong nuclear positivity for TTF-1 (original magnification ×400). (2B) Diffuse cytoplasmic reactivity for cytokeratin 8/18 (original magnification ×400). (2C) Many of the neoplastic cells show membranous-pattern positivity for CD56 (original magnification ×200). (2D) Focal cytoplasmic positivity for synaptophysin (original magnification ×400).     

Primary Esophageal Adenocarcinoma With Distant Metastasis to the Skeletal Muscle

Hematogenous metastasis of esophageal adenocarcinoma to the skeletal muscle is uncommon. We report a rare case of esophageal adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the skeletal muscle. During pretherapeutic examination, a painful mass was detected in the left thigh of a 49-year-old man. Endoscopic biopsy identified poorly differentiated, advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) revealed wall thickening in the distal esophagus. Two enlarged lymph nodes were detected—the middle thoracic paraesophageal lymph node in the mediastinum and the right cardiac lymph node. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography demonstrated left thigh metastasis, which had not been detected by CT 3 weeks previously, with increased accumulation of FDG. Therefore, ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy was performed. Histologic and immunohistochemical findings supported a diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The final diagnosis was primary esophageal adenocarcinoma with distant metastasis to the skeletal (left thigh) muscle. The rate of disease progression in this case emphasizes the malignant potential of esophageal adenocarcinoma. A few cases of skeletal metastasis from advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma have been previously reported. However, rapid metastasis to a distant skeletal muscle with no other hematogenous metastasis is quite rare. Early detection and rapid treatment are especially important in cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma.Key words: Esophageal adenocarcinoma, Skeletal metastasisEsophageal cancer is a common malignant neoplasm worldwide. Despite recent improvements in surgical techniques and adjuvant therapies, the prognosis for patients with advanced disease remains poor.^1,2Diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma is often delayed because of its anatomic inaccessibility. Esophageal cancer is a well-known cause of distant metastases. It initially tends to spread locally, then metastasizes to the lymph nodes, and finally to the distant organs.³ Metastases to the lungs, pleura, liver, stomach, kidney, adrenal glands, bones, and muscles have been reported in a few small series and clinical reports.^3–8 However, skeletal muscle is a rare site of clinically apparent metastasis, despite its rich blood supply. The exact incidence of distant skeletal muscle metastasis from esophageal adenocarcinoma is unknown. Only 4 cases have been described previously in the literature.^5–8The incidence of and mortality due to esophageal adenocarcinoma have been increasing in the United States, several European countries, and Oceanus, whereas in Japan, no increase has been apparent. Obesity, gastroesophageal reflux, and tobacco smoking (to a lesser extent) are the principal factors associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.⁹ Some data suggest that these factors may act synergistically when present together.^10,11 A previous report demonstrated that infection with Helicobacter pylori markedly reduced the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesions.^12,13We report a case of thigh muscle metastasis from primary esophageal adenocarcinoma.     

Changes in the Frequencies of Abdominal Wall Hernias and the Preferences for Their Repair: A Multicenter National Study From Turkey

Abdominal wall hernias are a common problem in the general population. A Western estimate reveals that the lifetime risk of developing a hernia is about 2%.^1–3 As a result, hernia repairs likely comprise the most frequent general surgery operations. More than 20 million hernias are estimated to be repaired every year around the world.⁴ Numerous repair techniques have been described to date however tension-free mesh repairs are widely used today because of their low hernia recurrence rates. Nevertheless, there are some ongoing debates regarding the ideal approach (open or laparoscopic),^5,6 the ideal anesthesia (general, local, or regional),^7,8 and the ideal mesh (standard polypropylene or newer meshes).^9,10Although laparoscopic procedures have gained popularity worldwide, laparoscopic repairs still constitute only a small fraction of hernia surgeries,¹¹⁻¹³ mainly due to costs and the need for expertise. Today, general anesthesia is still the most frequently-used anesthesia technique. The usage of local anesthesia has been increasing, however, although its routine use is limited to specific hernia centers.^14–16 On the other hand, standard heavyweight propylene meshes lead the market mostly because of their low cost. Newer lightweight meshes should be considered as a first alternative to heavyweight conventional polypropylene meshes, provided that adequate fixation is guaranteed.The most frequent hernia type is inguinal. According to some classical reference books, the frequency of abdominal wall hernias is as follows: inguinal (70%–75%), femoral (6%–17%), and umbilical (3%–8.5%), followed by rare forms (1%–2%).^1,2 No changes in the frequencies of different types of abdominal wall hernias have been published in 3 consecutive editions of a well-known surgical textbook between 2004 and 2012.^17–19 However, a recent UK study found that the frequencies of different types of abdominal wall hernias change with time and that the figures given in the classical books should be subject to scrutiny.³In our observations over recent years, there have been some changes not only in the frequencies but also in the repair preferences and anesthetic techniques in daily surgical practice. Therefore, we aim to carry out a multicenter study to reflect the actual frequencies of abdominal wall hernias and the technical preferences for repairing these hernias in Turkey, a country with a population of over 70 million.     

Production of Intraperitoneal Interleukin-6 Following Open or Laparoscopic Assisted Distal Gastrectomy

The interleukin (IL)-6 concentration in plasma or serum has been considered to represent the degree of stress resulting from surgery. However, IL-6 in peritoneal fluid has rarely been considered. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration and amount of IL-6 in peritoneal fluid as indicators of surgical stress. To obtain basic data on peritoneal release of IL-6 during gastric cancer surgery, we measured IL-6 in peritoneal drainage samples, stored for up to 72 hours postoperatively, from patients who had undergone conventional open (ODG group, n = 20) and laparoscopic-assisted (LADG group, n = 19) distal gastrectomy. Within 24 hours, 61 and 77% of the IL-6 was released into the peritoneal cavity in the LADG and ODG groups, respectively. In both groups, the concentration and amount of peritoneal fluid IL-6 were significantly correlated with each other (LADG group: Spearman''s rank correlation test [rS] = 0.48, P = 0.04; ODG group: rS = 0.58, P = 0.01). The concentration and amount of IL-6 in peritoneal fluid was 2.8- and 3.6-fold higher in the ODG than in the LADG group, respectively (P < 0.01). With regard to the relationship between the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) peak and the concentration or amount of peritoneal fluid IL-6 released within 24 hours, only the concentration of peritoneal fluid IL-6 in the LADG group was significantly correlated (rS = 0.60, P = 0.01) with the serum CRP peak. Our findings suggest that the amount and concentration of IL-6 released into the peritoneal cavity for up to 24 hours after surgery can each be a reliable parameter for assessment of surgical stress.Key words: Interleukin (IL)-6, Cytokine, Peritoneal fluid, Surgical stress, Gastric cancer, Laparoscopic surgery, GastrectomyRecent advances in laparoscopy techniques have heralded a new era in the field of abdominal surgery, and laparoscopic approaches are now being employed for the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the stomach, colon and other organs.^1–5It has been reported that levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha are related to the extent and severity of surgical procedures.^6–8 Interleukin 6 is a sensitive and early marker of tissue damage, and in general the greater the surgical trauma, the greater the response of IL-6.⁹ Many studies have shown that the level of IL-6, as an indicator of surgical stress, is significantly lower after laparoscopic surgery than after open surgery.^9–15 Most of the studies reported so far have measured and analyzed the concentration of IL-6 in plasma or serum,^{9,10,12–16,18} and only rarely in peritoneal fluid,^{11,12,15,17,19,20} and the results have indicated significant correlations between the level of IL-6 and several clinical parameters. However, there is some concern as to whether the concentration of IL-6 in peritoneal fluid adequately reflects the degree of surgical stress. Interleukin 6 is released into the abdominal cavity in response to surgical injury.^16,20,21 Therefore, the total amount of IL-6 contained in peritoneal fluid might be regarded as a gold standard for assessing the severity of local surgical stress. However, this possibility has never been fully addressed.In the present study, we analyzed both the concentration and total amount of IL-6 in peritoneal fluid sequentially in the early postoperative period after distal gastrectomy, and compared laparoscopic and open surgical procedures in terms of intraperitoneal IL-6 production in order to observe the basic pattern of IL-6 release.     

A Rare Case of Anterior Chest Wall Schwannoma Masquerading as a Breast Tumor

A schwannoma is a tumor that develops on peripheral nerves or spinal roots. Although any part of the body can be affected, the breast is a quite unusual site for schwannomas. We report herein a case of schwannoma presenting as a breast tumor. In the current case, the tumor showed both clinically and mammographically as a well-defined breast mass. Of interest, sonographically, the well-defined mass appeared to be located in subcutaneous tissue, not in breast parenchyma, and this finding was confirmed histopathologically. These findings indicate the possibility that a schwannoma arising from subcutaneous breast tissue can show exophytic growth to the breast and appear as a breast tumor. In other words, our case implies the possible presence of a “pseudo” breast schwannoma.Key words: Schwannoma, Breast, Breast cancerA schwannoma is a relatively rare neoplasm that occurs from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath.^1–3 Although schwannomas may occur in any organ, a breast schwannoma is extremely rare and accounts only 2.6% of schwannomas.^1–4 We report herein a case of schwannoma suspected to be a breast tumor. The concern with breast schwannoma is a differential diagnosis, since on mammogram it sometimes resembles a breast cancer or tumor.     

Safe Transanal Tumor Resection Using a Harmonic Scalpel

We performed a safe and simple transanal tumor resection involving total layer resection using a harmonic scalpel as a resecting device. Here we report the results of our experience with this technique between 2005 and 2011. This study involved 32 patients who underwent transanal tumor resection using a harmonic scalpel. The subjects comprised 18 men and 14 women ranging in age from 34 to 87 years (mean: 64.5 years). The tumors measured 8 to 70 mm (mean: 31 mm) in diameter. The operation took 7 to 86 minutes (mean: 29 minutes), and the amount of bleeding was 0 to 165 mL (mean: 16.2 mL). There was no intraoperative blood loss that necessitated hemostatic procedures. Histopathologically, the lesions included hyperplastic polyp in 1 case, adenoma in 9, carcinoma in situ in 7, submucosal invasive cancer in 6, muscularis propria cancer in 4, carcinoid in 1, malignant lymphoma in 1, gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 1, mucosal prolapsed syndrome in 1, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in 1. With our technique, en bloc resection was achieved in all patients, and the use of a harmonic scalpel enabled us to complete the operation within 30 minutes, on average, without intraoperative bleeding.Key words: Rectal tumor, Transanal tumor resection, Harmonic scalpelWith technical developments and advances in colonoscopic diagnosis, such as magnifying endoscopy^1–3 and the narrow band imaging system,^4,5 and ablative surgery, such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)^1,6 and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD),⁷ cures have become achievable with endoscopic resection (ER) alone in many cases of early colorectal carcinoma. ER is the treatment of choice for early colorectal carcinoma. However, with large lesions, conventional EMR cannot be performed as an en bloc resection; and even with lesions smaller than 20 mm in diameter, incomplete resection or piecemeal resection often occurs. After endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection, histopathological assessment of complete resection is difficult and the risk of local recurrence is high.⁸ ESD has also been used to treat large colorectal adenomas, with recurrence rates of 0 to 9% and complication rates of only 0 to 9%.^9–11 However, compared with conventional EMR, the ESD technique is technically challenging and time consuming and requires a steep learning curve.^9,12 In addition, there are some issues involved in ER of lower rectal neoplastic lesions. Specifically, ER of these lesions is associated with higher risk of postoperative bleeding than that of lesions at other sites, because the rectum has abundant blood flow, and resection of some lower rectal lesions causes pain because of the sensory nerve distribution in this area.On the other hand, spread of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has led to a marked improvement of the quality of life (QOL) of these patients after resection,^13,14 and the incidence of lymph node metastasis in cases of submucosal invasive (SM) cancer is as low as about 10%.^15–18 Taking these into account, radical surgical resection, including abdominoperitoneal resection that requires a permanent stoma, seems to be excessively invasive in cases of early colorectal cancer. Recent years have seen great benefits of surgical treatment for lower rectal cancer, because intersphincteric resection (ISR)¹⁹ has become more common, allowing sphincter-preserving surgery even in patients in whom creation of a permanent stoma would have otherwise been required. The feasibility of ISR under laparoscopy has also improved the postoperative QOL.²⁰ However, even at present, the QOL is not necessarily satisfactory in terms of bowel function. In this regard, transanal tumor resection is a useful procedure for tumor removal in some cases, yielding a postoperative QOL comparable with that after EMR.We perform safe transanal tumor resection involving total layer resection using a harmonic scalpel as a resecting device. Here we report the results of our experience with this technique.     

The Comparison of the Effects of Ellagic Acid and Diclofenac Sodium on Intra-Abdominal Adhesion: An In Vivo Study in the Rat Model

Peritoneal adhesions are seen frequently after abdominal surgery and can cause serious complications. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the oral use of diclofenac sodium and ellagic acid on formation of postoperative adhesions in rats Studies have shown that agents with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant substances can prevent adhesion by decreasing oxidative stress. We compared and evaluated the effects of ellagic acid that has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory diclofenac sodium on peritoneal adhesion development in our experimental study. Laparotomy was performed with a midline incision under general anesthesia and an adhesion model was created on the antimesenteric side of the cecum in Groups I, II, and III. Group I received 85 mg/kg ellagic acid and Group II, 50 mg/kg diclofenac sodium through the nasogastric catheter while Group III received no medication. Only laparotomy was performed in Group IV. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the 14th day. Following macroscopic scoring, tissue samples were removed and subjected to biochemical and histopathologic evaluation. The degree of adhesion and the malondialdehyde level were decreased (P < 0.05), and glutathione level increased (P < 0.05) in Group I compared to Group II and Group III. The effects of ellagic acid on the prevention of peritoneal adhesion were found to be stronger than diclofenac sodium. This can be explained by the fact that ellagic acid is a strong antioxidant and decreases oxidative stress with anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects.Key words: Ellagic acid, Diclofenac sodium, Intraabdominal adhesion, RatPeritoneal adhesions are fibrotic adhesions that are formed intra-abdominally on the visceral or peritoneal surface during the healing of peritoneal injury.^1,2 Adhesions often occur after laparotomy and are also a significant cause of postoperative morbidity.^3,4 Adhesions can be asymptomatic but can also lead to serious complications such as intestinal obstruction, perforation and fistula.^3–6Adhesion formation begins with mesothelial cell injury on the peritoneal membrane surface. An inflammatory process consisting of cellular elements of small venules and fibrin exudation, edema, and hyperemia begins in this region and a serous exudates develops.^5,7–9 Fibrous bands develop between fibrinous exudate and serosal surfaces, leading to formation of fibrinous bridges. Mesothelial cells produce plasminogen activator that dissolves fibrin clots, and the fibrinolytic system is engaged causing the fibrinous exudates to be rapidly resorbed. Adhesions are formed otherwise.^10–12DS (diclofenac sodium) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent often used in clinical practice for postoperative analgesia and is known to have a fibrinolytic effect.^13,14 EA (ellagic acid) is a natural antioxidant reported to be present in walnuts, carrots, tomatoes, pomegranate, grape juice, grape wine, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries in significant quantities.^15–18 EA is a phenolic acid derivative that inhibits lipid peroxidation in addition to its anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic and anticarcinogenic effects.^16,17We aimed to evaluate the effects of the oral use of DS that has an anti-inflammatory effect and EA that has an antioxidant effect in addition to its anti-inflammatory effect on intra-abdominal adhesion development in comparison in the present study.     

Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Primary Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Colon and Rectum: 22 Cases Reviewed With Literature

Colorectal primary signet ring cell carcinoma (PSRCCR) is a rare entity with a dismal prognosis, mainly because of delayed diagnosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors for PSRCCR. This is a retrospective study including the data of 22 patients with PSRCCR who underwent surgery. Patients were categorized by age, sex, tumor site, and stage. Fifteen patients were male. Median age was 40 years. Sites for metastases were lymph nodes (86.4%), peritoneum (40.9%), and liver (9.1%). Most of the patients (91%) had stage III or IV tumors. The rates of curative and palliative resections performed were equal. Mean overall survival and mean progression-free survival times were found to be 33.3 ± 7.1 months (95% confidence interval, 19.4–47.2 months) and 11.8 ± 3.5 months (95% confidence interval, 4.9–18.7 months), respectively. It was concluded that site of the tumor, presence of bowel obstruction, peritoneum and lung metastases, adjacent organ infiltration, TNM stage, and efficiency of surgery have significant effects on survival. All in all, these aggressive tumors are generally diagnosed at advanced stages. Depending on the situation, survival is shorter. A high degree of vigilance is required for these patients to avoid the negative impact of late diagnosis on survival.Key words: Signet ring cell, Colorectal cancer, Histopathology, SurvivalPrimary signet ring cell carcinoma is a tumor most commonly located in the stomach, and less frequently in the breast, gallbladder, bladder, and pancreas.¹ Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum (PSRCCR) is a rare entity, with a reported incidence of less than 1%.² It has a markedly poor prognosis.³ Because symptoms often develop late, it is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage.⁴ Furthermore, it typically appears in young adults.⁵Macroscopically, PSRCCR shows the characteristic appearance of linitis plastica, as a shrunken, rigid structure.^1–5 Histologically, the neoplastic cells resemble signet rings because they contain abundant intracytoplasmic mucin, which pushes the nuclei to the periphery.^1–5 The presence of mucus secretion in microscopic examinations of the tumor is one of the most important parameters determining the biologic behavior of colorectal carcinomas; other factors are age, sex, tumor location, tumor diameter, grade, stage, lymphatic and vascular invasion, periserosal overgrowth, and distant metastasis.^6,7So far, only a limited number of case reports have been published on this subject. Most publications have reported on a small number of patients and have presented controversial results. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristic clinicopathologic features of colorectal signet ring cell carcinomas and the parameters affecting prognosis within our patient group.     

The Role of 3-D Endorectal Ultrasound in Rectal Cancer: Our Experience

In the last 20 years, endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) has been one of the main diagnostic methods for locoregional staging of rectal cancer. ERUS is accurate modality for evaluating local invasion of rectal carcinoma into the rectal wall layers (T category). Adding the three-dimensional modality (3-D) increases the capabilities of this diagnostic tool in rectal cancer patients. We review the literature and report our experience in preoperative 3-D ERUS in rectal cancer staging. In the group of 71 patients, the staging of preoperative 3-D endorectal ultrasonography was compared with the postoperative morphologic examination. Three-dimensional ERUS preoperative staging was confirmed with morphologic evaluation in 66 out of 71 cases (92.9%). The detection sensitivities of rectal cancer with 3-D ERUS were as follows: T1, 92.8%; T2, 93.1%; T3, 91.6%; and T4, 100.0%; with specificity values of T1, 98.2%; T2, 95.4%; T3, 97.8%; and T4, 98.5%. Three-dimensional ERUS correctly categorized patients with T1, 97.1%; T2, 94.3%; T3, 95.7%; and T4, 98.5%. The percentage of total overstaged cases was 2.75% and that of understaged cases was 6.87%. The metastatic status of the lymph nodes was determined with a sensitivity of 79.1% (19 of 24), specificity of 91.4% (43 of 47), and diagnostic accuracy of 87.3% (62 of 71). In our experience, 3-D ERUS has the potential to become the diagnostic modality of choice for the preoperative staging of rectal cancer.Key words: Three-dimensional endorectal ultrasound, Rectal cancerEndorectal ultrasound (ERUS) has been used as a diagnostic tool for evaluation and staging of rectal cancer since the 1980s.¹ According to the literature, in studies with more than 50 patients included, an overall accuracy of approximately 81.8% was reported.² Most of the studies present data between 85% and 95%, but in the studies with more than 200 patients, the accuracy rates are relatively lower—63.3% and 69%, respectively.^3,4 A common disadvantage of ERUS and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the overstaging of T2 tumors owing to an irregular outer rectal wall resulting from transmural tumor extension or inflammation around the tumor. Another challenge for the ERUS, and especially the rigid probes, are the locally advanced, stenotic tumors, where the probe may not be able to pass above the lesion.⁵ The nodal staging accuracy of ERUS ranges from 70% to 75%.^1,5,6 The metastatic lymph nodes are distinguished by hypoechoic appearance, round shape, peritumoral location, and size >5 mm.^7,8 Lymph nodes >5 mm have a 50% to 70% chance of being malignant, while those <4 mm have only a 20% chance.^9,10 A new modality of endorectal ultrasound represents a three-dimensional (3-D) ERUS that provides better visual images of the tumor volume and spatial relations to the adjacent organs and structures, even better than those of MRI, which leads to better diagnostic accuracy than MRI and standard ERUS.^11–15 The unique 3-D–ERUS longitudinal scan can precisely assess the tumor size and location.¹⁶ The most important feature of this upgraded modality is the ability to reduce interpreter errors and offer potential predictive value. Three-dimensional ERUS provides the possibility to distinguish blood vessels from lymph nodes and allow precise fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies.^13,17 The infiltration of circumferential margin has been proven to correlate with T category, lymph node metastasis histologic tumor differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion.^13,17 Three-dimensional ERUS gives the possibility of multiplane evaluation of the tumor, allowing visualization of more subtle changes in the tumor characteristics and therefore better T and N categorizing.¹⁸ A review of 86 patients who underwent standard 3-D ERUS, ERUS and 4-channel detector computed tomography (CT) demonstrated T-category accuracy of 78%, 69%, and 57%, respectively.¹⁹ After analysis of the examiner''s error, the accuracy of 3-D ERUS for T category has reached 91% for 3-D ERUS and 88% for standard ERUS, and the N category accuracy improved to 90% and 76%, respectively. Also, ERUS can be used for diagnosis of premalignant lesions such as adenomas and polyps.²⁰ The main goal is to properly identify any chance of tumor invasion in the primary lesion and involvement of the surrounding lymph nodes in case the absence of those alarming characteristics allows for endoscopic resection of the lesion. Using higher-resolution probes, ERUS can distinguish T0 from T1 lesions. According to a meta-analysis of 258 biopsy-negative tumors, ERUS identified tumor mass in 81% of the 24 lesions, which were found to be invasive tumors on morphologic examination.²⁰ Another series of 60 patients with pT0/pT1 lesions demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of ERUS 89% and 88%, respectively.²¹ As with MRI, 3-D ERUS could provide an evaluation of the mesorectal fascia.^14,22The reported data lead to the position that 3-D ERUS combines the high-resolution images of the rectal wall and cost-effectiveness of standard ERUS with the multiplanar and stereoscopic imaging capabilities of MRI. Three-dimensional ERUS may be the future premier imaging modality used in rectal cancer management.     

Simple Diversion by Duodenojejunostomy for a Retroperitoneal Perforation of the Second Portion of the Duodenal Diverticulum

We herein describe that a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy is a simple and secure procedure for perforated diverticulum in the second portion of the duodenum. The surgical technique for perforated duodenal diverticulum can be adaptable when it is difficult to achieve closure of the perforated site easily. Patients who undergo the operation may be able to eat meals, even if duodenal fistula occurs in the postoperative course.Key words: Duodenojejunostomy, Duodenal diverticulum, RetroperitoneumDuodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. Usually asymptomatic, they may become clinically evident only upon perforation, inflammation, or bleeding. Perforation is a very rare complication, and carries a high mortality of up to 20%.^1,2 As the perforation is usually open to the retroperitoneum, it is possible there will be no sign of peritonitis. After that, a perforated duodenal diverticulum usually leads to retroperitoneal abscess formation and sepsis. The clinical presentation is nonspecific; therefore, it is often difficult to diagnose until the condition of the disease deteriorates.Recently, case reports about successful nonoperative management of the perforated duodenal diverticulum have increased.^3,4 In Thorson''s review article, 14 of 61 patients underwent successful nonoperative management.⁵ Nonoperative management can be performed only in limited cases. Although no surgical guidelines have been published for perforated duodenal diverticulum,⁴ it was demonstrated that operative treatment must be performed in case of deterioration or diagnostic uncertainty.⁵ Surgical procedures depend on the clinical situation and intraoperative findings. If inflammation permits, the treatment of choice is diverticulectomy with single or double-layer duodenal closure. On the other hand, when there is substantial inflammation of the duodenum, it is difficult to achieve closure of the perforated site, and the optimal surgical procedure has been not established.In this article, we report a simple and secure procedure for perforated diverticulum in the second potion of the duodenum. Our simple surgical technique for perforated duodenal diverticulum is the application of Critchlow''s method to the pancreaticobiliary complications of duodenal diverticulum.⁶     

Effect of Topical Tetracycline on Seroma Formation in the Lichtenstein Technique: A Prospective Randomized Study

We sought to investigate whether application of topical tetracycline has a limiting effect on seroma formation in patients undergoing hernia repair using a polypropylene mesh. This study was conducted in 96 patients undergoing an elective groin hernia repair. Patients were randomized and divided into 2 groups. After the graft was placed, and before external oblique muscle aponeurosis was closed, 5 mL tetracycline was administered on the graft in the tetracycline group (tetra group, n = 50), and 5 mL isotonic saline was administered in the control group (n = 46) without putting in a drain. Seroma checks via surface ultrasonography were done. Seroma amounts measured on the first day were significantly higher in the tetra group (P = 0.04). There were no significant differences regarding seroma measurements on the seventh day or in the first and second months. Topical tetracycline application has no limiting effect on seroma formation after a groin hernia operation.Key words: Lichtenstein technique, Polypropylene mesh, Topical tetracycline, Seroma, UltrasonographyHernia operations are among the most frequently performed surgical operations. Graft use to repair the defect is commonplace because graft use decreases recurrence rate, and defect closure in large abdominal hernias is easier with a mesh.¹ The most commonly used and least expensive mesh is the polypropylene mesh. This mesh causes a foreign-body reaction where it is placed, which leads to seroma formation.² Repeat aspirations of seromas cause infection, and recurrence is seen on follow-up, especially in large hernias.² While drain use is not recommended in groin hernias, drain use in other abdominal-wall hernias is left to the physician''s discretion. The biggest problem with drain use is transport of the infection by an ascending route.³Tetracycline is an antibiotic, the solution form of which is topically used for pleurodesis in chest surgery.⁴ Some researchers also report successful topical use of its solution in seroma treatment, taking advantage of its sclerosing effect in cases with breast carcinoma.^5,6 Tetracycline has demonstrated increased growth factor–like activity in mesothelial cells exposed to tetracycline leading to fibroblast proliferation.⁷ This study sought to investigate whether tetracycline has a reducing effect on seroma development in cases undergoing elective groin hernia repair using a polypropylene mesh.     

Clinical Impact of Intraoperative Navigation Using a Doppler Ultrasonographic Guided Vessel Tracking Technique for Pancreaticoduodenectomy

During pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), early ligation of critical vessels such as the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPDA) has been reported to reduce blood loss. Color Doppler flow imaging has become the useful diagnostic methods for the delineation of the anatomy. In this study, we assessed the utility of the intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography (Dop-US) guided vessel detection and tracking technique (Dop-Navi) for identifying critical arteries in order to reduce operative bleeding. Ninety patients who received PD for periampullary or pancreatic disease were enrolled. After 14 patients were excluded because of combined resection of portal vein or other organs, the remaining were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: patients for whom Dop-Navi was used (n = 37) and those for whom Dop-Navi was not used (n = 39; controls). We compared the ability of Dop-Navi to identify critical vessels to that of preoperative multi-detector computed tomography (MD-CT), using MD-CT data, as well as compared the perioperative status and postoperative outcome between the 2 patient groups. Intraoperative Dop-US was significantly superior to MD-CT in terms of identifying number of vessels and the ability to discriminate the IPDA from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) based on blood flow velocity. The Dop-Navi patients had shorter operation times (531 min versus 577 min; no significance) and smaller bleeding volumes (1120 mL versus 1590 mL; P < 0.01) than the control patients without increasing postoperative complications. Intraoperative Dop-Navi method allows surgeons to clearly identify the IPDA during PD and to avoid injuries to major arteries.Key words: Pancreaticoduodenectomy, Doppler ultrasonography, Blood flowmeterPancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a standard treatment for malignant tumor of periampullary and pancreas head. As lymphatics (lymph node and lymph vessels) accompany the arteries and are distributed in the surrounding neural plexuses, complete clearance of peripancreatic tissue, including lymphatics and nerve plexus, is necessary for curative resection of the tumor.^1–4 As this operation is considered a complex procedure, a surgeon is required to be well trained in this specific surgical technique and to possess sufficient anatomic knowledge.Despite a low mortality rate and improvements in perioperative care and operative management, there is still a relatively high complication rate following PD.^5,6 Several studies showed that intraoperative bleeding and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion are serious risk factors of postoperative complications in PD.^6,7 Recently, several procedures for artery-first approaches such as posterior, uncinated, and mesenteric approach have been introduced for improving perioperative outcomes such as curability and decreasing blood loss and morbidity.^8–11 Incidentally, it has been well known that early ligation of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPDA)—one of the efferent arteries of the pancreas head—considerably reduces intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications.^12–14 Owing to the various anatomic origins of IPDA, identification is difficult in some patients. Therefore, some groups have attempted to locate the origin of IPDA by preoperative enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (MD-CT) and 3-dimensional angiogram using MDCT data (3D-CT angiography).^12,13 In addition, an augmented reality technique using MD-CT data is being considered an innovative navigation system for PD.¹⁵ However, no simple intraoperative guidance system, which would greatly facilitate the complex procedure of vessel ligation and reduce intraoperative bleeding, has been tested for ligation of the IPDA during PD.Intraoperative ultrasonography provides useful information for diagnosis and for guidance during the hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery.^16,17 Color Doppler flow imaging facilitates to delineate the anatomy and to identify the vascular structures invading malignant tumors.^18–22 Recently, advanced navigation techniques have been introduced, such as 3D-CT angiography and intraoperative ultrasonography.^21–24 Doppler ultrasonography (Dop-US) has been used as an effective method for detecting the presence of potential bleeders.^25,26 However, Dop-US-assisted intraoperative identification and tracking of critical vessels for pancreatic surgery has not been reported to date.The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of intraoperative Dop-US for detection of critical vessels relative to that of preoperative MD-CT, including MPR and 3D angiography, and to clarify the efficacy of vessel navigation surgery using Dop-US-guided tracking for the reduction of intraoperative bleeding.     

Seminal Vesicle-Rectal Fistula Secondary to Anastomotic Leakage After Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review

We report a case of a patient with seminal vesicle-rectal fistula, an extremely rare complication of low anterior resection of the rectum. A 53-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma underwent low anterior resection in our hospital. The patient experienced diarrhea, pneumaturia, and low-grade fever on postoperative day 13. A computed tomography scan showed emphysema in the right seminal vesicle. We concluded that anastomotic leakage induced a seminal vesicle-rectal fistula. The patient underwent conservative therapy with total parenteral nutrition and oral intake of metronidazole. Diarrhea and pneumaturia rapidly improved after metronidazole administration and the patient was successfully cured without invasive therapy such as colostomy or surgical drainage. A seminal vesicle-rectal fistula is a rare complication of low anterior resection, and therapeutic strategies for this condition remain elusive. Our report provides valuable information on the successful conservative treatment of a secondary seminal vesicle-rectal fistula that developed after low anterior resection of the rectum in a patient.Key words: Seminal vesicle-rectal fistula, low anterior resection, rectal cancerSeminal vesicle-rectal fistula is a rarely encountered complication in patients. The reported causes of this condition are Crohn''s disease,^1,2 diverticulitis,^3–6 operative complications of the prostate,^7,8 direct invasion of rectal cancer,⁹ congenital anomalies,¹⁰ iatrogenic perforation by transrectal aspiration or seminal vesicle abcess,¹¹ secondary vesiculitis,¹² and anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection (LAR) of the rectum.^2,13–18 We could find only 9 reported cases of seminal vesicle-rectal fistula after LAR in the PubMed database.Here, we present a case of a seminal vesicle-rectal fistula that developed after LAR in a patient and review the clinical manifestation, radiographic findings, and treatment procedure for this condition.     

Intrahepatic Biliary Dilatation Caused by a Small Simple Hepatic Cyst: Report of a Case

Biliary obstruction caused by small simple cysts is very rare. We present a case of biliary dilatation caused by a simple cyst with a 4-cm diameter. The patient was a 75-year-old woman referred to our hospital for evaluation of a cystic tumor associated with peripheral biliary duct dilatation in the left segment of the liver. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed that the cyst probably communicated with the intrahepatic bile duct. Malignant tumors, including intrahepatic papillary neoplasms of the bile duct, could not be ruled out; therefore, we performed surgery with the patient''s consent. Histopathologic examination of the resected liver showed that the cystic lesion was a simple cyst. The finding that even small simple cysts can obstruct the biliary tract is important for the management of cystic lesions of the liver.Key words: Hepatic cyst, Biliary obstruction, Biliary dilatationSimple cysts of the liver are usually asymptomatic. However, if the cyst is large, patients may experience abdominal bloating or a dull pain in the upper quadrant of the abdomen. Biliary obstruction caused by a simple cyst is very rare,^1–4 and dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct in association with tumor lesions usually indicates malignancy.^4–6 With the development of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, it is now possible to accurately differentiate between benign cysts and malignant neoplasms, including intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct. However, it remains difficult to correctly establish the diagnosis preoperatively for all patients with cystic lesions of the liver. In this report, we present a case of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation caused by a small simple cyst and discuss the management of cystic lesions of the liver.     

Laparoscopic Repair of a Diaphragmatic Hernia Associated with Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Lessons from a Case and the Review of the Literature

We describe the case of a patient with a diaphragmatic hernia associated with radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma who was successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery. A 62-year-old man with a long history of hepatitis C-induced liver cirrhosis was admitted to our institution because of recurrent postprandial periumbilical pain. Eight years earlier, he had undergone radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma at hepatic segment VIII. Computed tomography, gastrografin enema examination revealed transverse colon obstruction because of a diaphragmatic hernia. We diagnosed diaphragmatic hernia associated with the prior radiofrequency ablation treatment. The patient underwent laparoscopic repair of the diaphragmatic hernia. Though the patient experienced the recurrence once, relaparoscopic treatment has improved the patient''s conditions. Thus, diaphragmatic hernia can develop as a complication of radiofrequency ablation treatment. A laparoscopic approach is safe, feasible, and minimally invasive, even in patients with cirrhosis who develop iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia as a complication of radiofrequency ablation treatment.Key words: Diaphragmatic hernia, Radiofrequency ablation, Complication, Laparoscopic surgeryAlthough surgery is accepted as the first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal metastases that are limited in number, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment option for patients with primary and metastatic liver tumor, who are not surgical candidates because of tumor location, poor hepatic reserve, or advanced age.^1,2,3 Chen et al conducted a prospective randomized trial comparing RFA with hepatectomy; however, they were not able to determine whether on treatment alternative was superior to the other.⁴ RFA treatment is the best option among the locoregional treatments for HCC.^5,6 According to the HCC treatment algorithm in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline, RFA treatment should be chosen as a locoregional therapy depending on the degree of liver damage. Tumors ≤ 3 cm are optimally treated with ablation.⁷ RFA for hepatic tumors is a relatively safe modality with a reported overall complication rate of 7.1% and a very low mortality rate (0.3%);⁸ however, the guideline reinforces awareness of the major vessels, major bile ducts, diaphragm, and other intra-abdominal organs.⁷Diaphragmatic hernia is defined as out-pocketing of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity, through a defect in the diaphragm. However, most of the acquired diaphragmatic hernias are caused by penetrating or blunt traumatic injury and are rarely caused by surgical procedures such as gastric banding or abdominal surgeries (e.g., nephrectomy).^4,9 Especially, the appearance of a diaphragmatic hernia after RFA treatment is quite rare and clinically unrecognized as a complication of RFA.¹⁰ Surgical intervention is the best single treatment for the permanent cure of a diaphragmatic hernia. Among the surgical procedures, open laparotomy for diaphragmatic hernia has been widely accepted; however, only 1 case of liver cirrhosis and HCC has been reported, in which a laparoscopic approach was used to treat the diaphragmatic hernia associated with RFA treatment.¹⁰ We report the case of a patient with a diaphragmatic hernia caused by RFA treatment for HCC with cirrhosis, who was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery.