[Combination of irinotecan and Mitomycin C as second-line chemotherapy for patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer in clinical practice].

Background: Recently, combination S-1 and CDDP chemotherapy is considered as a standard regimen for unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer. Second-line chemotherapy is reportedly important to improve survival, and combination of Irinotecan and Mitomycin C as second-line chemotherapy has proven effective in phase II study of JCOG 0109-DI.

Purpose: We assessed the efficacy of combination of Irinotecan and Mitomycin C as second-line chemotherapy for unresectable and recurrent gastric cancer.

[Episcleritis and erythema nodosum in a patient with ulcerative colitis].

A 62-year-old Japanese woman with ulcerative colitis (UC) had episcleritis and erythema nodosum. Oral administration of corticosteroid with granulocytapheresis improved all these diseases. Extraintestinal manifestations such as ocular and skin complications are infrequent, especially in Japan, in patients with UC.

[Congenital absence of the portal vein in an adult woman with liver tumor].

A 30-years-old Japanese woman with a liver tumor was found to have congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV). Both three-dimensional CT and angiography revealed that the superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein flowed into inferior vena cava and there was us portal vein, CAPV is an extremely rare congenital anomaly and liver tumor. Most cases on diagnosed in childhood, although this case was found in on adult.

Primary mesenteric liposarcoma successfully diagnosed by preoperative imaging studies.

Liposarcoma is one of the most common primary neoplasms in the retroperitoneum, whereas primary mesenteric liposarcomas are rare. We encountered a case of liposarcoma which arose from the mesentery of the jejunum that was diagnosed by imaging studies before surgical operation.

Grasping forceps-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection of early gastric cancer with a novel 2-channel prelooped hood.

Background: Endoscopic mucosal resection with a cap-fitted panendoscope (EMRC) such as a soft prelooped hood is a useful, effective, and safe technique. One problem with this method is that the lesion cannot always be maintained in the center of the cap because the procedure is performed blindly after aspiration.

Objective: We developed a 2-channel prelooped hood that facilitates EMRC while simultaneously allowing both grip of the center in the lesion and irrigation of the aspiration site and evaluated the usefulness of this end hood for early gastric cancer.

Comparison of glucagon and scopolamine butylbromide as premedication for colonoscopy in unsedated patients.

Purpose: Premedication with glucagon or hyoscyamine is reported to be effective in reducing colonic spasm. However, these drugs can be associated with unfavorable events. This prospective study was designed to compare the effects of premedication with glucagon with those of scopolamine butylbromide on cardiopulmonary parameters, intubation time, and patient discomfort in unsedated patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy.

Endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection of large colorectal tumors.

Background/aims: Since endoscopic en bloc resection of large and sessile tumors is technically difficult, endoscopic en bloc piecemeal mucosal resection (EPMR) is usually chosen for resection of such tumors. Tumors resected by EPMR are, however, difficult to evaluate histologically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of EPMR.

Self-limited colitis during the course of rubella and cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent adult.

We report a case of self-limited colitis in cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in an immunocompetent adult. A 22-year-old man developed a high fever and diarrhea. Laboratory data revealed an increased number of lymphocytes and liver damage.

Variable stiffness colonoscopes are associated with less pain during colonoscopy in unsedated patients.

Objectives: Application of a new variable stiffness colonoscope (VSC) is expected to control loop formation and to lessen patient discomfort. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy of VSC with a conventional colonoscope (CC) in unsedated colonoscopy, based on the experience of examiners.

Methods: Four-hundred sixty-seven patients were randomly assigned to undergo colonoscopy with either VSC or CC by an endoscopist, including experienced and less-experienced examiners.