Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Report and Review of 39 Japanese Cases.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare gastrointestinal complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) characterized by intramural accumulation of gas within thin-walled cysts. We report the case of an 82-year-old female patient with pneumoperitoneum due to PCI associated with SSc and review the features of the 39 Japanese cases. The median patient age was 57 years (range 24-83 years) and the male/female ratio was 1 : 12.

Underweight status predicts a poor prognosis in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of underweight status on the survival of elderly patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 113 patients aged ≥75 years who underwent curative surgery for CRC were included. In addition to standard perioperative variables, body mass index (BMI) was assessed.

The impact of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion on survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: The relationship between perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) and survival following curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in elderly patients has not been elucidated to date.

Patients And Methods: The cases of 108 patients aged 75 years or more who underwent curative surgery for CRC between 2004 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The association between perioperative ABT requirements and other clinicopathological variables was examined.

[Opioid induction using rapid release drugs and the shift to fentanyl patches].

Subject And Methods: From April 2011 to March 2013, 20 patients with cancer pain that was not controlled by non-opioid analgesics were treated with a short-acting opioid for cancer pain management.The primary carcinoma sites were the stomach( n=5), colo-rectum(n=5), lungs(n=3), urinary bladder(n=2), breast(n=2), pancreas(n=2), and liver(n=1). The analgesic effects and adverse events were evaluated, and a shift to fentanyl patches was made for patients whose cancer pain was relieved.