Publications by authors named "Hirotoshi Iwano"

This case report describes a fatal outcome due to delayed perforation after cold snare polypectomy in a patient with bullous pemphigoid receiving oral corticosteroids. Cold snare polypectomy has become the standard treatment for small colorectal polyps because of the procedure's safety and simplicity. In this case, however, corticosteroid therapy and vasculitis may have caused local necrosis and tearing of the intestinal wall.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from tumors can help in diagnosing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) and monitoring intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) using advanced digital PCR methods.
  • A study involving plasma samples from multiple institutions analyzed mutations in KRAS and GNAS among patients with PDA, those under IPMN surveillance, and healthy controls, revealing that cfDNA measurements can effectively differentiate between these groups.
  • The results show that digital PCR outperforms traditional markers in detecting tumor-related mutations and predicting post-surgery recurrence, making cfDNA quantification a valuable tool for cancer assessment and management.
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Objectives: Although endoscopic papillectomy is useful for treating papillary tumors, it is associated with a high rate of complications including pancreatitis; therefore, safer treatment options are needed. We examined the utility of wire-guided endoscopic papillectomy by comparing the pancreatic duct stenting and pancreatitis rates before and after wire-guided endoscopic papillectomy was introduced at our institution.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the data from 16 consecutive patients who underwent conventional endoscopic papillectomy between November 1995 and July 2005 and the data from 33 patients in whom wire-guided endoscopic papillectomy was first attempted at our institution between August 2005 and April 2017.

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Article Synopsis
  • Advances in diagnosing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) face challenges when evaluating small, unclear masses in the pancreas, making assessment uncomfortable and unsafe.
  • A case study reported early-stage PDA where KRAS mutations were found in pancreatic juice before surgery, despite negative biopsy results for malignancy.
  • The findings suggest that "endoscopic liquid biopsy" could be a valuable tool for identifying key genetic mutations associated with PDA, aiding in its diagnosis.
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 In recent years, the short single-balloon enteroscope (SBE) has been used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for patients with surgically altered anatomy and has been reported to be useful. However, difficulties remain, and the procedures and devices need improvements. We assessed the usefulness and superiority of a new short SBE equipped with passive bending and high-force transmission by comparisons with outcomes using the conventional short SBE.

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Lymphadenopathy may be difficult to diagnose using imaging results alone. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may help to diagnose and determine the appropriate management of lymphadenopathy. EUS-FNA has been used as a safe and less invasive method for obtaining pathologic specimens from extraluminal lesions using endoscopic ultrasound.

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Covered self-expandable metallic stents (CSEMS) may provide palliative drainage for unresectable distal malignant biliary strictures. Laser-cut CSEMS allows easy positioning due to its characteristic of minimal stent shortening. Endoscopic stent removal is sometimes recommended for recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO).

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Background: Both fully covered (FC) and partially covered (PC) self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are now commercially available for distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). While FCSEMS can be easily removed at the time of re-interventions, it is theoretically prone to migration. However, few comparative data between FC and PC SEMSs have been reported.

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Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common types of cancer, and its progression is strongly influenced by the presence of inflammation. Recently, there has been growing interest in the host inflammatory response, and increasing evidence has indicated that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a useful marker of systemic inflammation, may be an effective prognostic indicator in various types of malignant diseases. In the present study, 260 patients with ESCC were enrolled, including 110 who received chemoradiation therapy (CRT) involving irradiation and chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, and 150 received chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP).

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A 71-year-old man was referred to our hospital and was diagnosed with jaundice and a liver function disorder. Although we suspected an intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB)-derived caudate branches on the basis of contrast-enhanced CT, MRI, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, we could not clearly identify the tumor. Therefore, we examined the lesion using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).

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We review the current situation concerning molecular biological analysis in respect of pancreatic cancer, using specimens obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). K-ras, p53, p16, DPC4/SMAD4, telomerase activity are used for discrimination between tumor-forming pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Examination of heat shock protein (HSP) 27, ribonucleotide reductase, and other factors are examined in order to test the sensitivity to Gemcitabin.

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Background: There is no consensus on the choice of either unilateral or bilateral drainage in stent placement for patients with unresectable hilar biliary obstruction. The aim of the present study was to clarify which drainage method is superior.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 82 patients with hilar biliary obstruction who underwent metallic stenting.

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Background And Purpose: The present study retrospectively analyzed the clinical impact of endoscopic papillectomy on the selection of a treatment strategy for patients with benign-malignant borderline lesions of the major duodenal papilla.

Patients And Methods: Between November 1995 and July 2009, 28 patients were selected for endoscopic papillectomy. The clinical impact of endoscopic papillectomy was assessed.

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We report the successful retrieval of an impacted mechanical lithotripsy basket. In a patient with two large common bile duct stones, the basket with the entrapped stone was impacted within the mid-common bile duct. We then attempted to use another mechanical lithotripter; however the central wire of the basket fractured at the handle portion.

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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the gold standard for the treatment of patients with pancreaticobiliary disorders, but endoscopic therapy is very difficult to carry out in patients with a Roux-en-Y anastomosis. We herein present the results of ERCP for patients with a Roux-en-Y anastomosis using a double-balloon endoscope. Six patients (six men with a mean age of 69 years) who had undergone prior gastric resection with Roux-en-Y reconstruction were enrolled in the present study and underwent ERCP and associated procedures.

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Introduction: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and associated procedures are difficult to perform in patients with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Therefore, at present, at many institutions, ERCP is not generally performed for those with a Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

Methods: However, double-balloon endoscopes (DBEs) have dramatically changed this situation.

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Hilar cholangiocarcinomas grow slowly, and metastases occur late in the natural history. Surgical cure and long-term survival have been demonstrated, when resection margins are clear. Preoperative biliary drainage has been proposed as a way to improve liver function before surgery, and to reduce post-surgical complications.

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