Diagnostic Ability of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Discriminate Ampullary eoplasms: A Preliminary Study of 15 Cases

We assessed the diagnostic capability of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) to predict the histological diagnosis of ampullary lesions to resolve the diagnostic uncertainty of endoscopic biopsy for ampullary neoplasms. From January 2009 to August 2011, we performed DWI using b values of 0 and 1000s/mm2 for 15 patients with a histological diagnosis of ampullary lesion (adenocarcinoma, n = 8; adenoma, n = 4; hyperplasia, n = 3). We compared the signal intensities (determined by comparing signal intensities of ampullary lesions and rating them as markedly hyperintense, hyperintense, or hypo-to-isointense relative to the duodenal wall) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC, × 10-3 mm2/s) values of the ampullary lesions on DWI among the three groups based on the histological diagnosis. Values are expressed as median (range). The cancer-group lesions showed a significantly higher signal intensity than either adenoma or hyperplasia (markedly hyperintense/hyperintense/hypo-to-isointense; adenocarcinoma, 7/1/0; adenoma, 0/4/0; hyperplasia, 0/0/3; P < 0.005). The ADC values were significantly lower in adenocarcinoma at 1.46 (0.83-1.63) than in either adenoma at 2.14 (1.92-2.37) or hyperplasia at 2.06 (1.88-2.53) (P < 0.005). In addition, the ADC values in the malignant group (adenocarcinoma) were significantly lower than those in the benign groups (adenoma and hyperplasia) (P < 0.001). The findings suggested that DWI could contribute significantly to accurate preprocedural diagnosis of ampullary lesions

Perforation of the Papilla of Vater in Wire-Guided Cannulation

Background. WGC in ERCP is considered a safe technique, although rare complications can occur. One unique complication of WGC is the perforation of the papilla of Vater by the guidewire. Subjects and Methods. Of 2032 patients who underwent ERCP at our department between January 2010 and December 2014, we selected 208 patients who underwent WGC for naïve papilla as subjects. A detailed examination of patients in whom a perforation occurred was conducted, and risk factors for perforations were investigated. Results. The perforation was observed in 7 of 208 patients (3.4%). All patients recovered with conservative treatment without the need for surgery. The perforation rate was significantly higher in the patients with juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula than those without diverticula (12.5% versus 0.6%, p<0.001). Cannulation of the bile duct was ultimately achieved in 5 of 7 patients; PSP was performed for 4 of these patients. Conclusion. Caution must be exercised when dealing with patients who have a juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula because they are at higher risk of perforations. Because these are small perforations made by a wire, most of them heal with conservative treatment. However, perforations can make cannulation difficult, and PSP may be useful for deep cannulation

Predicting the success of endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for patients with acute cholecystitis during pretreatment evaluation

INTRODUCTION: Although endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) has been reported to be an effective treatment for acute cholecystitis, technical difficulties have precluded more widespread use of this technique. Case evaluations that can predict the occurrence of such difficulties should increase the acceptance of ETGBD for acute cholecystitis treatment

A Case of Liver Metastasis from Small Intestinal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor 25 Years after Surgery including Autopsy Findings

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor in the digestive tract. Recurrences may occur even after radical resection; however, recurrence later than 10 years after surgery is rare. We report a case of GIST with recurrence of liver metastasis 25 years after surgery. A 56-year-old man complained of sudden epigastric pain and was transferred to the emergency department. He had undergone partial resection of the small intestine for leiomyosarcoma 25 years previously. Abdominal computed tomography showed multiple liver tumors with massive hemorrhage. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy was performed for the 15-mm hepatic tumor in segment 2. Pathological findings revealed proliferation of spindle-shaped atypical cells, and immunostaining for c-kit and CD34 was both positive; the patient was therefore diagnosed with GIST. He then underwent chemotherapy for 7 years but died of multiple organ failure due to GIST. Autopsy revealed GIST occupying the entire liver with peritoneal dissemination, and minute lung metastases that could not be identified by CT were also detected. This case is interesting in considering the recurrence of GIST, and we will report it together with the literature review