Portal Vein Resection for a Portal Vein Thrombus Caused by Nonfunctioning Islet Cell Carcinoma: Report of a Case

We report a case of nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas causing a tumor thrombus in the portal vein. The patient was a 60-year-old woman whose presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss. We performed a subtotal pancreatectomy and splenectomy combined with partial resection of the portal vein. Histopathological studies confirmed the diagnosis of nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas with a tumor thrombus in the portal vein. The patients postoperative course was uneventful and she is doing well 25 months after the operation.     

Combined resection of aberrant right hepatic artery without anastomosis in panceaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer: A case report

IntroductionThis case report is intended to inform pancreas surgeons of our experience in operative management of aberrant pancreatic artery.Presentation of caseA 63-year-old woman was admitted to our institute’s Department of Surgery with obstructive jaundice, and the pancreas head tumor was found. To improve liver dysfunction, an endoscopic retrograde nasogastric biliary drainage tube was placed in the bile duct. Endoscopic fine-needle aspiration showed a pancreas head carcinoma invading the common bile duct, the aberrant right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery, and the portal vein. Enhanced computed tomography showed the communicating artery between the right and left hepatic artery via the hepatic hilar plate. By way of imaging preoperative examination, a pancreaticoduodenectomy combined resection of the aberrant right hepatic artery and portal vein was conducted without arterial anastomosis. Hepatic arterial flow was confirmed by intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography, and R0 resection without tumor exposure at the dissected plane was achieved. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful.DiscussionIn this case report, perioperative detail examination by imaging diagnosis with respect to hepatic arterial communication to achieve curative resection in a pancreas head cancer was necessary. Non-anastomosis of hepatic artery was achieved, and the necessity of R0 resection was stressed by such management.ConclusionBy the preoperative and intraoperative imaging managements conducted, combined resection of the aberrant right hepatic artery without anastomosis was achieved by pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreas head cancer. However, improvements in imaging diagnosis and careful management of R0 resection are important.     

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas eroding the pylorus and duodenal bulb

A 74-year-old woman presented at the National Defense Medical College Hospital in April 2001 with a chief complaint of upper abdominal pain. She had been diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma on the basis of results of examination of a biopsy specimen taken from an ulcer of the duodenal bulb at a local hospital. On admission, she showed no jaundice, but a hard mass, about 10cm in diameter, was palpated in the right upper quadrant. Laboratory data showed high levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and angiography demonstrated a giant enhanced mass in a pattern of eccentric gradation extending to the pylorus, duodenal bulb, and pancreatic head. She underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with combined resection of the transverse colon. The histologic diagnosis was acinar cell carcinoma (ACC), originating in the pancreatic head and extending to the stomach, duodenum, and transverse colon, without any lymph node involvement. In most reported cases of ACC, the preoperative diagnosis was a pancreatic mass or endocrine tumor of the pancreas. The correct diagnosis in those cases was made by postoperative or postmortem pathological examination. If criteria for detecting the slight differences between ACC and endocrine tumors on some images were to be established, the diagnostic skill for ACC would improve dramatically.     

Invasive carcinoma of the pancreas derived from intraductal papillary adenocarcinoma without mucin hypersecretion but with changes in the pancreatic duct on pancreatography

We present a case of invasive carcinoma of the pancreas derived from intraductal papillary adenocarcinoma without mucin hypersecretion in a 65-year-old man with a 45-year history of alcohol abuse and a 2-year follow-up of chronic pancreatitis. Two years previously, in May 1998, he was admitted for investigation of abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse dilation of the main pancreatic duct with atrophy of the pancreatic parenchyma. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) showed a diffusely dilated main pancreatic duct with irregular side branches in the head of the pancreas. Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis was diagnosed on the basis of the pancreatography findings. The patient was readmitted for investigation of progressive weight loss in August 2000. Serum CA19-9 levels were markedly elevated (750 U/ml) and CT showed enlargement of the head and body of the pancreas. ERP showed irregularity of the main pancreatic duct in the head of the pancreas, and the distal main pancreatic duct (which was dilated on initial ERP examination) was interrupted in the body of the pancreas. Suspected pancreatic carcinoma was diagnosed, and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Frozen section examination of the cut end of the pancreas revealed ductal carcinoma, and total pancreatoduodenectomy with portal vein resection was performed. Histologically, the resected tumor was diagnosed as an invasive carcinoma derived from intraductal papillary adenocarcinoma without mucin hypersecretion. We recommend observing changes in the pancreatic duct on pancreatography to diagnose invasive carcinoma of the pancreas derived from intraductal papillary adenocarcinoma in a resectable state. Received: February 6, 2002 / Accepted: June 10, 2002 Offprint requests to: S. Ariizumi     

Successful resection of cholangiocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the main trunk of the portal vein

A space-occupying lesion in the right hepatic lobe, with dilated peripheral bile ducts, was observed by ultrasonography and computed tomography in a 50-year-old man with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. One month later, this lesion evidenced rapid growth and a tumor thrombus, which completely occluded the main trunk and the left primary branch of the portal vein, had developed. The tumor was diagnosed as a cholangiocellular carcinoma with an unusual pattern of intravascular extension. The primary tumor and the portal tumor thrombus were resected via a right hepatic trisegmentectomy combined with resection of the portal vein and extrahepatic bile duct, using a superior mesenteric vein—left femoral vein catheter bypass (SMV—FV bypass). The SMV—FV bypass was found to effectively reduce intraoperative hemorrhage.     

Tumor thrombectomy via a surgically reopened umbilical vein combined with right hemihepatectomy in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma

This report presents a case of a patient with a huge hepatocellular carcinoma in the right lobe of the liver with an extensive portal venous tumor thrombus extending into the main portal trunk and left portal branch. The patient underwent extended right hemihepatectomy with tumor thrombectomy with direct extraction from an opening of the ventral wall of the right portal vein and using a balloon catheter to push the tumor thrombus via the surgically reopened umbilical vein. This technique seems useful in cases of tumor thrombus that extend deep into the umbilical portion of the left portal vein. In addition, this technique may have minimized the intraoperative migration of the tumor thrombus into the future remnant liver by occluding portal flow with the balloon catheter during the thrombectomy.     

胰腺和门静脉联合切除人造血管替代治疗胰头癌二例报告

为了提高胰头癌切除率和患者的存活率，作者采用胰腺和门静脉联合切除术治疗２例胰头癌浸润门静脉的患者。门静脉采用直径８ｍｍＧｏｒｅ－Ｔｅｘ人造血管重建。随访结果：１例存活３２个月且无肿瘤复发，Ｂ超和ＣＴ检查显示移植物通畅。另１例存活２０个月移植物血流通畅。作者认为胰头癌累及门静脉而无转移时，胰腺和门静脉联合切除人造血管替代是值得的。自体颈内静脉和Ｇｏｒｅ－Ｔｅｘ是重建门静脉合适材料。     

Frey operation--valuable alternative in the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis

The "golden standard" of the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas seems to be the duodenum preserving resection of the head of the pancreas as described by Beger. However, in some cases, the inflammatory process may induce an encasement of the retropancreatic intestinal vessels making the dissection of the portal vein very difficult. The local resection of the head of the pancreas combined with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (Frey operation) was developed in order to provide a simple and less time consuming procedure, that avoids the dissection of the portal vein and is especially indicated in cases with severe inflammatory and edematous alterations of the head of the pancreas at this level and with dilated pancreatic duct. Two patients with chronic pancreatitis with severe pain, addiction to analgesics and weight loss underwent a Frey procedure. In both patients an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas and dilated pancreatic duct were demonstrated. The freeing of the head of the pancreas from the portal vein was not possible because of the intense inflammatory process. The local resection of the pancreatic head and the longitudinal pancreatico-jejunostomy was successfully performed. There were no postoperative mortality or morbidity and the short and long term results (pain relief and nutritional status) are excellent.     

Familial pancreatic cancer: report of one Japanese family

Most familial pancreatic carcinomas have been reported from European countries and the United States, and there has been only one report from Japan. A 50-year-old Japanese woman presented with a pancreatic head mass and underwent pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with portal vein resection. The histological diagnosis was well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Her mother died of pancreatic head carcinoma, which had been shown on computed tomography at the age of 70 years. One of her uncles on her fathers side had had pancreatic tail carcinoma, and at the age of 59, had undergone distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, wedge resection of the liver, and partial resection of the colon. The histological diagnosis was moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. He had had a subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (tubular adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosa) at the age of 53. He died of recurrence of the pancreatic tail carcinoma 3 months after the distal pancreatectomy had been performed. This communication reports a second Japanese family with familial pancreatic cancer, as shown by pancreatic carcinomas in two first-degree relatives and in one third-degree relative.     

侵犯门静脉的胰头癌手术切除方法探讨

目的探讨胰头癌侵犯肠膜上静脉及/或门静脉时手术切除的方法,以及胰头癌姑息性切除的临床意义.方法回顾3年间手术治疗的71例胰头癌患者的临床资料,对有血管侵犯者,采取直接切断胰腺的方法切除肿瘤,配合局部放疗、化疗.结果手术切除率57.75%;围手术期并发症发生率22.54%;死亡1例（肺炎并发多器官衰竭）.术后6个月生存率100%,1年81.69%,2年40.85%.结论直接切断胰腺的方法简单、安全,可以显著提高进展期胰头癌手术切除率,延长患者生存时间.     

A nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in both the portal and splenic veins — a case report of successful resection

A rare case of nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma associated with tumor thrombi in both the portal and splenic veins is reported. The patient, a 49-year-old male, had a 2-year history of occasional abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) disclosed a huge mass in the body of the pancreas, and celiac arteriogram showed a tumor stain in the body and tail of the pancreas. Percutaneous transhepatic portography (PTP) demonstrated an irregular filling defect, indicating intraportal tumor growth. Curative surgery, which included total pancreatectomy with combined resection (50 mm in length) and reconstruction of the portal vein, distal gastrectomy, and partial resection of the transverse colon, was performed. Histological examination of the surgical specimen led to a diagnosis of nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma with a negative immunohistochemical stain for insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone. The patient has been well for 38 months to date without any sign of tumor recurrence. Our experience with this case has introduced a radical resection for islet cell tumor of the pancreas, even if the tumor has extended into the portal vein.     

门静脉冷灌注下全胰切除术

Cold perfusion of liver can significantly alleviate the ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by hepatic blood flow occlusion. We have modified the technique of cold perfusion of liver and applied it to total pancreatectomy for patients with pancreatic head carcinoma complicated with metastasis to the body and tail of pancreas and with portal invasion. After skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament, the amputation of the portal vein and blockage of the superior mesentoric vein were performed before portal perfusion. Meanwhile, pancreatic head resection, duodenectomy, subtotal gastrectomy and partial resection of the superior mesenteric vein and portal vein were carried out. Superior mesenteric vein and portal vein bypass grafting was achieved with artificial vessels. The digestive tract was reconstructed after it was freed of the spleen and resection of the body and tail of pancreas to the left side of superior mesenteric vein, greater omentum and intestine from the end of the colon to splenic flexure of colon. The patient was followed up for 3 months, and the general condition was good, although diarrhea frequently occurred. No tumor metastasis occurred.     

Surgical results for hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombosis

Background: The longterm results after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic tumor thrombus of the portal vein are unclear.

Study Design: The records of 47 HCC patients with tumor thrombus in the segmental portal branch (n = 33) and the first portal branch or portal vein trunk (n = 14) were reviewed in this study. Survival rates of the patients were calculated with regard to 14 clinicopathologic variables. A log-rank analysis was performed to identify which variables predicted the prognosis.

Results: Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 53.9%, 33.2%, and 23.9%, respectively. The indicators of a favorable prognosis included curative liver resection, tumor size less than 10 cm in diameter, and absence of intrahepatic metastases.

Conclusions: Liver resection should be considered a therapeutic option for hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus when the tumor is small and curative liver resection can be expected.     

螺旋CT血管造影在胰头癌手术中的价值

目的 探讨术前螺旋CT血管造影(SCTA)诊断局部进展期胰头癌侵犯胰周大血管在胰头癌手术中的价值.方法 92例横断面CT检查疑似局部进展期的胰头痛病人,术前均进行了sCTA检查,评价胰头癌侵犯血管的情况.根据不同的分级,采取不同的术中探查方式和术式.结果 45例胰头癌病人SMV/PV受侵2级以下,施行了经典胰十二指肠切除术.其中受侵1～2级的12例术中探查证实肿瘤与血管之间是粘连和慢性炎症表现.13例SMV/PV受侵3～4级,长度低于2 cm的,行联合血管切除(PVR)的胰十二指肠切除术,直接端端吻合重建门静脉.而SMV/PV受侵4级,长度2 cm以上的34例,5例行联合PVR的胰头癌切除术,其中胰十二指肠切除术4例,全胰切除术1例,均采用Gore-Tex人工血管植入重建门静脉.其余29例SMV/PV受侵长度3 cm以上,术中探查不可切除,行胆管空肠内引流术,其中6例同时行胃卒肠吻合术.结论 术前SCTA检查可精确诊断胰头癌侵犯胰周大血管的情况,藉此可在术中选择不同的探查方式和术式.     

保留十二指肠胰头全切除术

保留十二指肠胰头全切除术要点：采用柯克手法将胰头从后腹膜分离,直至见到肠系膜下静脉。沿着肠系膜上静脉解剖直至胰颈。结扎切断Henle静脉干。游离、悬吊胃十二指肠动脉,暴露门静脉。缝扎胰腺上下缘、结扎胰头以减少横断胰颈时的出血。切断胰腺勾突,残端缝扎止血。沿着胰头部实质与十二指肠之间的疏松结缔组织解剖,结扎从胰十二指肠动脉弓到胰头的分支。沿着胰头与胆总管之间解剖。切断主胰管,残端用5/0普理灵线缝扎。胰管空肠吻合采用胰管对粘膜吻合法。     

原发性肝癌合并门静脉癌栓86例治疗体会

目的探讨肝癌合并门静脉癌栓(PVTT)的有效治疗方法。方法 86例肝癌合并门静脉癌栓患者行肝切除+门静脉取栓+肝动脉、门静脉双灌注化疗栓塞及生物靶向治疗。结果 1年生存率为90%,2年生存率为85%,3年生存率为35%;结论肝切除+门静脉取癌栓+肝动脉、门静脉双灌注化疗栓塞+生物靶向治疗是治疗肝癌合并门静脉癌栓的有效治疗方法。     

Intraductal papillary-mucinous tumor of the pancreas head with complete absence of the ventral pancreatic duct of Wirsung

A case of intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas with complete absence of the ventral pancreatic duct of Wirsung is presented. A 74-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of elevated serum amylase concentration. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct and a diffuse and uncircumscribed area with heterogeneous density in the pancreas head. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed that the main pancreatic duct was connected with an accessory papilla and was diffusely dilated, without any irregularity of the duct wall being observed in the entire length of the duct. The common bile duct was detected only by cannulation through Vaters papilla, and no pancreatic duct or its communicating branch was found. Some branches, directed to the dorsal portion of the pancreas head, were found arising from the accessory pancreatic duct. Intraductal ultrasound examination performed through the accessory papilla and the common bile duct revealed a small tumor with a heterogeneous echo level in the pancreas head. From these findings, intraductal papillary-mucinous tumor (IPMT) occurring in the pancreas head was diagnosed, and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. The resected specimen revealed IPMT in the pancreas head. A roentgenographic study of the resected specimen revealed a defect caused by the tumor located in the pancreatic duct connected with the accessory papilla and showed that there was complete absence of the pancreatic duct connected with Vaters papilla. Surgical resection enabled us to completely analyze the duct system of pancreas divisum. Although it is not known whether there is a relationship between the pathogenesis of IPMT and embryological anomaly of the pancreatic duct system, this case may provide an insight into the pathogenesis of IPMT.     

A case of splenic vein occlusion caused by the intravenous tumor thrombus of nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma

We report herein a case of successfully treated advanced, nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma associated with left-sided portal hypertension. The splenic vein was obstructed by a huge intravenous tumor thrombus developing from the main pancreatic tumor. Direct invasion to adjacent organs such as the spleen, colon, left kidney and stomach was also observed, although liver metastasis was not present. Radical resection was carried out with removal of these five involved organs and the patient is alive without recurrence more than 5 years after surgery.     

A modified technique of the Beger and Frey procedure in patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Resection of the pancreas requires control of tributaries of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) inferior to the head of the pancreas as well as separation of the posterior surface of the pancreas from the SMV and from eventually existing collateral veins. This usually is the most tedious part when performing a resection of the pancreatic head, in particular if there are signs of portal hypertension. Portal vein pathology contributes to intra- and postoperative morbidity in pancreatic surgery. OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE: Instead of dissecting the pancreas along the anterior surface of the SMV our proposed technique allows resection of the head of the pancreas without division of the gland. This approach combines elements of Beger's duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection and of Frey's limited local pancreatic head excision combined with a longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy. This modified technique avoids the risk of a bleeding complication which is increased in the presence of portal hypertension and dilation. SUMMARY: The advantages of this modified technique over standard Beger and Frey procedures are: (1) the minimized risk of a bleeding complication in case of portal hypertension because pancreatic transsection does not need to be done, and (2) the considerably more radical excision as compared to local excision. Also, it represents the most minimal surgical trauma for resecting the head of the pancreas as compared to other commonly used techniques.