Three-dimensional reconstruction of colorectal tumors from serial tissue sections by computer graphics: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We present herein the three-dimensional reconstruction of colorectal tumors, with particular reference to growth pattern into each layer of the colorectal wall, and measurement of tumor volume and surface area. METHODOLOGY: Conventional tissue section images of colorectal tumors were analyzed using a computer graphics analysis program. The two-dimensional extent of invasion by each tumor into each layer of intestinal wall were determined from the images of each section. Based on data from multiple sections, tumor and surrounding normal tissue layers were reconstructed three-dimensionally, and volume and surface area of the tumors were determined. RESULTS: Using this technique, three-dimensional morphology of tumor and tumor progression into colorectal wall could be determined. Volume and surface area of the colon tumor were 4871 mm3 and 1741 mm2, respectively. Volume and surface area of the rectal tumor were 1090 mm3 and 877 mm2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This technique may provide a new approach for pathological analysis of colorectal carcinoma.     

Long‐term persistent fetomaternal hemorrhage

It is not clear that how long the affected fetuses can tolerate fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH). Incidental serial measurements of the fetal peak systolic velocity of the middle cerebral artery and the retrospective analysis of stocked blood available incidentally indicated that our patient had suffered from FMH for at least 2 weeks prior to delivery.     

Multiple myeloma expressing CD19(+)CD56(-) phenotype

A 70-year-old woman presented with monoclonal gammopathy, pancytopenia, and renal insufficiency, which were initially refractory to combination chemotherapy by VMMD (vincristine, ranimustine, melphalan, and dexamethasone) and MP (melphalan and prednisolone) regimens. The myeloma cells, which consisted of 73% of bone marrow nucleated cells, expressed CD38(+), CD19(+), CD56(-), CD45(-), CD49e(-), and MPC-1(+) phenotypes by flow cytometric analysis and showed the rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene by Southern blotting. By immunostaining, the myeloma cells were positive for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chain kappa. These results suggest that myeloma cells can express CD19(+)CD56(-), the phenotype considered to be expressed on only normal plasma cells.     

Carpal instability in rheumatoid wrists

This study was conducted to identify patterns of carpal instability in the rheumatoid wrist. One hundred patients with proven rheumatoid arthritis were randomly chosen, and posteroanterior and lateral radiographs of right wrists were taken. The most common isolated pattern was volar intercalated segmental instability, apparent in 16 wrists, while nine wrists had scapholunate dissociations. Larsen grading scores revealed a correlation between disease duration, carpal height ratio, and ulnar translocation index. In the early stages of disease, the scapholunate angle was significantly increased and the lunate rotated volarly due to loosening of the intrinsic carpal ligament. In later phases, the capitolunate angle significantly increased and the capitate rotated dorsally. Patterns of carpal instability in rheumatoid wrists seem to be complicated, involving combined laxity of the intrinsic and extrinsic carpal ligaments.No benefits have been received from a commercial party directly or indirectly related to the subject of this article.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Impact of reflux esophagitis on the esophageal function before and after laparoscopic fundoplication

Background

High-resolution manometry (HRM), which is breakthrough testing equipment to evaluate esophageal motor function, was developed in Europe and United State and has garnered attention. Moreover, multichannel intraluminal impedance pH (MII-pH) testing has allowed us to grasp all liquid/gas reflux including not only acid but also non-acid reflux. We examined the impact of the presence of reflux esophagitis (RE) on esophageal motor function before and after laparoscopic fundoplication.

Materials and methods

The subjects included 100 patients (male: 63 patients, mean age: 54.1?±?15.8) among 145 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD associated diseases during a 4-year period from October 2012 to September 2016, excluding 6 patients who underwent further surgery, 32 patients on whom HRM was not performed, 3 patients who had technical errors during testing, and 4 patients for whom the status of RE was unknown. Regarding HRM, Mano Scan from Given Imaging Ltd. was used, and for the analysis, Mano View version 3.0 from the same company was used, after which data was calculated based on the Chicago Classification advocated by Pandolfino et al. Moreover, for the MII-pH testing, Sleuth manufactured by Sandhill Scientific. Inc. was used and automatic analysis was conducted by a computer. Postoperative assessments were conducted 3 months following surgery for all. Data was described in the median value and inter-quartile range, with a statistically significant difference defined as p?<?0.05 by Chi square, Mann–Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests.

Results

RE+?group (Los Angeles classification A:B:C:D?=?7:9:16:12 patients) included 44 patients (44%), of older age compared to the RE? group (62 vs. 50 years, p?=?0.012) and a higher Body Mass Index value (24.0 vs. 22.5, p?=?0.045); however, no differences were observed in terms of gender and duration of symptoms. In the preoperative findings on MII-pH, the RE+?group demonstrated significantly longer acid reflux time (4.7 vs. 1.3%, p?=?0.005), while in the HRM findings, the RE? group demonstrated a significantly longer abdominal esophagus (0 vs. 0.4 cm, p?=?0.049) and maintained esophageal body motor function (DCI: 1054 vs. 1407 mmHg s cm, p?=?0.021, Intact peristalsis ratio: 90 vs. 100%, p?=?0.037). As to the comparison of the treatment effect before and after laparoscopic fundoplication (Toupet fundoplication for all), significant improvements were observed in both groups in various parameters regarding reflux including acid reflux time, total number of liquid reflux episodes and total number of reflux episodes. Moreover, for both groups, the total length of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (RE+?group: 2.7 vs. 3.2 cm, p?=?0.001, RE? group: 3.0 vs. 3.4 cm, p?=?0.003) and the total length of the abdominal esophagus (RE+?group: 0 vs. 1.6 cm, p?<?0.001, RE? group: 0 vs. 1.8 cm, p?=?0.001) were significantly extended following surgery; however, no change was observed in DCI before and after surgery.

Conclusions

Regardless of the presence of RE, cardiac function and LES function were improved following laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication, but no changes were observed in esophageal body motor function.