Clinical validity of endoscopic submucosal dissection for submucosal invasive gastric cancer: a single-center study.

Background: The 2010 Japanese Gastric Cancer Association guidelines for the treatment of submucosal invasive gastric cancer (SM-GC) specify size 30 mm or less, differentiated-dominant histology, lack of vessel involvement, and submucosal invasion of less than 500 μm (SM1) as expanded criteria for curative endoscopic resection. Our purpose in this study was to confirm the validity of the expanded indications for curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of SM-GC.

Methods: The study subjects were 173 patients with SM-GC resected by ESD at Hiroshima University Hospital between April 2002 and September 2010, including 99 patients for whom 3-plus years' follow-up information was available.

Improved detectability of small-bowel lesions via capsule endoscopy with computed virtual chromoendoscopy: a pilot study.

Objective: Real-time video capsule endoscopy (CE) with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) improves visibility of small-bowel lesions. This article aims to clarify whether CE-FICE also improves detectability of small-bowel lesions.

Patients And Methods: A total of 55 patients who underwent CE at Hiroshima University Hospital during the period November 2009 through March 2010 were enrolled in the study.

Improved visibility of lesions of the small intestine via capsule endoscopy with computed virtual chromoendoscopy.

Background: We can now enhance video capsule endoscopy (CE) images in real time by means of a flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) digital processing system. Reports on the clinical usefulness of this system are few.

Objective: To clarify whether visualization of lesions of the small intestine is improved by FICE image analysis.

[Usefulness of ultrasonography for diagnosis and treatment in case of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome].

A 37-year-old man, who had been admitted to another facility because of integration dysfunction syndrome suffered from postprandial epigastric pain, vomiting and weight loss. He was referred to our hospital for further examinations and treatment. Ultrasound examination revealed gastric and duodenal dilatation, reduction of the distance between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and aorta and to-and-fro movement in his duodenum, suggesting SMA syndrome.

Regular surveillance by imaging for early detection and better prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients infected with hepatitis C virus.

Purpose: This study evaluated the usefulness of regular check-ups by ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced imaging for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a retrospective analysis.

Patients And Methods: From April 2001 to March 2007, 240 consecutive patients with HCC who were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) were divided into three groups. Patients diagnosed with HCC by repeated imaging constituted Group A (surveillance group).

[Large hepatocellular carcinoma successfully treated with transarterial chemoembolization using cisplatin].

A 83-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a large hepatic tumor located in lateral segment. Alpha-fetoprotein was 7ng/ml, and protein induced by vitamin K deficiency and antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) was 50792mAU/ml. The tumor was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by angiographically assisted CT.

Magnifying colonoscopy used to predict disease relapse in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis.

Background: Many patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC) experience relapse. However, clinical and conventional colonoscopic signs are inadequate for predicting relapse. This study's aim was to investigate the effectiveness of magnifying colonoscopy in predicting relapse in patients with quiescent UC and to evaluate the association of the findings of magnifying colonoscopy with the histological findings.