Masrur M, Gheza F, Raimondi P, et al.
Robot-assisted subtotal pancreas-preserving duodenectomy.
JSLS. 2012 Oct-Dec; 16(4):654-9 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article

BACKGROUND: Angiodysplasia of the duodenum is a rare disorder, often requiring surgical resection. Technical difficulties have made the use of the minimally invasive approach uncommon. Herein, we present a subtotal pancreas-preserving duodenectomy using robotic assistance.
METHODS: The patient is a 60-y-old female with a long medical history including chronic gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia with intermittent melena, and requiring multiples blood transfusions. A capsule endoscopy and double-balloon upper endoscopy showed angiectasis, which appeared to be limited to the third and fourth portion of the duodenum and the proximal loops of the jejunum. Despite multiple endoscopic cauterizations, the patient continued to require blood transfusion for several years. The patient underwent a robot-assisted subtotal pancreas-preserving duodenectomy.
RESULTS: The operation lasted 420 min with minimal blood loss. The postoperative course was uneventful. The pathology report showed multiple small bowel mucosal and submucosal distorted and dilated vasculature, consistent with angiodysplasia. At 2-mo follow-up, the patient was totally asymptomatic. A barium swallow study showed contrast passed antegrade through the duodenojejunostomy with no evidence of obstruction, stricture, or leakage.
CONCLUSION: The use of robotic assistance to perform a subtotal pancreas-preserving duodenectomy for the treatment of benign duodenal disease, such as angiodysplasia, is feasible and safe. The technical advantages include a high degree of freedom offered by the robotic instruments, as well as enhanced visualization, which allows for precise microdissection and microsuture, thereby preserving the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. The use of robotic technology allows for a wider range of indications for minimally invasive surgery.

Lee HJ, Lee OJ, Jang KT, et al.
Combined loss of E-cadherin and aberrant β-catenin protein expression correlates with a poor prognosis for small intestinal adenocarcinomas.
Am J Clin Pathol. 2013; 139(2):167-76 [PubMed]

Small intestinal adenocarcinomas (SIACs) are rare, and their molecular pathogenesis is largely unknown. To define the roles of E-cadherin and β-catenin, we performed immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin and β-catenin in 194 surgically resected SIACs with tissue microarrays and compared the data with clinicopathologic factors, including survival rates of patients with SIAC. Loss of E-cadherin expression and aberrant β-catenin expression were observed in 41.8% (81/194 cases) and 40.7% (79/194 cases) of SIACs, respectively. Combined loss of E-cadherin and aberrant β-catenin expression was observed in 24.2% (47/194 cases) of SIACs, and this feature was most frequently observed in mucinous adenocarcinomas and signet ring cell carcinomas (P < .001), poorly differentiated and undifferentiated carcinomas (P < .001), and tumors with advanced pT classification (P = .03). Survival times for patients with SIAC with both loss of E-cadherin and aberrant β-catenin expression (median, 13.9 months) were significantly shorter than those for patients without aberrant expression of both proteins (49.9 months), as determined by univariate (P < .001) and multivariate (P = .01) analyses. In conclusion, loss of E-cadherin and aberrant β-catenin expression correlate with poorly differentiated tumors, advanced T classification, and decreased patient survival time; therefore, it could be a prognostic factor in patients with SIAC.

Simion NI, Muntean V, Fabian O
Current state of knowledge on neuroendocrine small bowel tumours: non-systematic review of the literature based on one case.
BMJ Case Rep. 2013; 2013 [PubMed]

More than 60% of neuroendocrine tumours, also called carcinoids, are localised within the gastrointestinal tract. Small bowel neuroendocrine tumours have been diagnosed with increasing frequency over the past 35 years, being the second most frequent tumours of the small intestine. Ileal neuroendocrine tumours diagnosis is late because patients have non-specific symptoms. We have proposed to illustrate as an example the case of a patient, and on its basis, to make a brief review of the literature on small bowel neuroendocrine tumours, resuming several recent changes in the field, concerning classification criteria of these tumours and new recommendations and current advances in diagnosis and treatment. This patient came to our emergency department with a complete bowel obstruction, along with a 2-year history of peristaltic abdominal pain, vomits and diarrhoea episodes. During emergency laparotomy, an ileal stricture was observed, that showed to be a neuroendocrine tumour of the small bowel.

Cui T, Tsolakis AV, Li SC, et al.
Olfactory receptor 51E1 protein as a potential novel tissue biomarker for small intestine neuroendocrine carcinomas.
Eur J Endocrinol. 2013; 168(2):253-61 [PubMed]

OBJECTIVE: Late diagnosis hinders proper management of small intestine neuroendocrine carcinoma (SI-NEC) patients. The olfactory receptor, family 51, subfamily E, member 1 (OR51E1) has been reported as a potential novel SI-NEC marker, without protein expression recognition. Thus, we further studied whether the encoded protein may be a novel SI-NEC clinical biomarker.
DESIGN: OR51E1 coding sequence was cloned using total RNA from SI-NEC patient specimens. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis explored OR51E1 expression in laser capture microdissected SI-NEC cells and adjacent microenvironment cells. Moreover, immunohistochemistry investigated OR51E1 protein expression on operation and biopsy material from primary SI-NECs, mesentery, and liver metastases from 70 patients. Furthermore, double immunofluorescence studies explored the potential co-localization of the vesicular monoamine transporter 1 (SLC18A1, generally referred to as VMAT1) and OR51E1 in the neoplastic cells and in the intestinal mucosa adjacent to the tumor.
RESULTS: OR51E1 coding sequence analysis showed absence of mutation in SI-NEC patients at different stages of disease. OR51E1 expression was higher in microdissected SI-NEC cells than in the adjacent microenvironment cells. Furthermore, both membranous and cytoplasmic OR51E1 immunostaining patterns were detected in both primary SI-NECs and metastases. Briefly, 18/43 primary tumors, 7/28 mesentery metastases, and 6/18 liver metastases were 'positive' for OR51E1 in more than 50% of the tumor cells. In addition, co-localization studies showed that OR51E1 was expressed in >50% of the VMAT1 immunoreactive tumor cells and of the enterochromaffin cells in the intestinal mucosa adjacent to the tumor.
CONCLUSION: OR51E1 protein is a potential novel clinical tissue biomarker for SI-NECs. Moreover, we suggest its potential therapeutic molecular target development using solid tumor radioimmunotherapy.

Banerjee R, Chakraborty S, Nygren I, Sinha R
Small bowel dose parameters predicting grade ≥ 3 acute toxicity in rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation: an independent validation study comparing peritoneal space versus small bowel loop contouring techniques.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2013; 85(5):1225-31 [PubMed]

PURPOSE: To determine whether volumes based on contours of the peritoneal space can be used instead of individual small bowel loops to predict for grade ≥3 acute small bowel toxicity in patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: A standardized contouring method was developed for the peritoneal space and retrospectively applied to the radiation treatment plans of 67 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for rectal cancer. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) data were extracted and analyzed against patient toxicity. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and logistic regression were carried out for both contouring methods.
RESULTS: Grade ≥3 small bowel toxicity occurred in 16% (11/67) of patients in the study. A highly significant dose-volume relationship between small bowel irradiation and acute small bowel toxicity was supported by the use of both small bowel loop and peritoneal space contouring techniques. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that, for both contouring methods, the greatest sensitivity for predicting toxicity was associated with the volume receiving between 15 and 25 Gy.
CONCLUSION: DVH analysis of peritoneal space volumes accurately predicts grade ≥3 small bowel toxicity in patients with rectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, suggesting that the contours of the peritoneal space provide a reasonable surrogate for the contours of individual small bowel loops. The study finds that a small bowel V15 less than 275 cc and a peritoneal space V15 less than 830 cc are associated with a less than 10% risk of grade ≥3 acute toxicity.

Carr JC, Boese EA, Spanheimer PM, et al.
Differentiation of small bowel and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors by gene-expression profiling.
Surgery. 2012; 152(6):998-1007 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/12/2013

BACKGROUND: Between 10% and 20% of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) present with metastases of unknown primary site. Because knowledge of the primary site has important implications for treatment, we set out to define gene-expression profiles to differentiate between small-bowel NETs (SBNETs) and pancreatic NETs (PNETs).
METHODS: RNA was extracted from tumor and normal tissues in 11 patients with SBNETs and 15 patients with PNETs, and qPCR was performed for 367 GPCR genes. Differentially expressed genes were identified using the RT2 Profiler. Whole genome expression analysis was performed on 11 SBNETs, 5 PNETS, and corresponding normal tissues. Statistical significance was evaluated by the Student t test and ANOVA.
RESULTS: Whole-genome analysis revealed 173 significantly differentially expressed genes in SBNETs and normal tissues and in 52 in PNETs. GPCR arrays identified 28 genes in SBNETs and 18 in PNETs, with significant expression differences from normal tissues. In all SBNETs, 2 genes were significantly upregulated by more than fivefold: OXTR and GPR113. No PNETs shared this profile, whereas 73% had a greater than fivefold downregulation of ADORA1 and SCTR. These genes also allowed for determination of the primary site in 8 of 10 liver metastases.
CONCLUSION: Differential expression patterns using as few as 2 to 4 GPCR genes successfully discriminated primary sites in small bowel and pancreatic NETs.

Pezzolla A, Lattarulo S, Caputi O, et al.
Colonic lipomas. Three surgical techniques for three different clinical cases.
G Chir. 2012 Nov-Dec; 33(11-12):420-2 [PubMed]

Colonic lipomas larger than 2 cm in diameter are likely to be symptomatic. In some cases a complication is the first clinical sign. Massive lower intestinal bleeding or obstruction, acute bleeding, prolapse or perforation or, rarely, acute intussusception with intestinal obstruction require urgent surgery. Diagnosis is often made following colonoscopy, which can also have a therapeutic role. Imaging procedures such as CT has a secondary role. Patients with small asymptomatic colonic lipomas need regular follow up. For larger (diameter > 2 cm) and/or symptomatic lipomas, resection should be considered, although the choice between endoscopic or surgical resection remains controversial. We believe that even lipomas > 2 cm can safely be removed by endoscopic resection. If surgery is indicated, we consider laparoscopy to be the ideal approach in all patients for whom minimally invasive surgery is not contraindicated.

Li SC, Martijn C, Cui T, et al.
The somatostatin analogue octreotide inhibits growth of small intestine neuroendocrine tumour cells.
PLoS One. 2012; 7(10):e48411 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/12/2013

Octreotide is a widely used synthetic somatostatin analogue that significantly improves the management of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Octreotide acts through somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). However, the molecular mechanisms leading to successful disease control or symptom management, especially when SSTRs levels are low, are largely unknown. We provide novel insights into how octreotide controls NET cells. CNDT2.5 cells were treated from 1 day up to 16 months with octreotide and then were profiled using Affymetrix microarray analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analyses were used to validate microarray profiling in silico data. WST-1 cell proliferation assay was applied to evaluate cell growth of CNDT2.5 cells in the presence or absence of 1 µM octreotide at different time points. Moreover, laser capture microdissected tumour cells and paraffin embedded tissue slides from SI-NETs at different stages of disease were used to identify transcriptional and translational expression. Microarrays analyses did not reveal relevant changes in SSTR expression levels. Unexpectedly, six novel genes were found to be upregulated by octreotide: annexin A1 (ANXA1), rho GTPase-activating protein 18 (ARHGAP18), epithelial membrane protein 1 (EMP1), growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), TGF-beta type II receptor (TGFBR2) and tumour necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15). Furthermore, these novel genes were expressed in tumour tissues at transcript and protein levels. We suggest that octreotide may use a potential novel framework to exert its beneficial effect as a drug and to convey its action on neuroendocrine cells. Thus, six novel genes may regulate cell growth and differentiation in normal and tumour neuroendocrine cells and have a role in a novel octreotide mechanism system.

Diebold AE, Boudreaux JP, Wang YZ, et al.
Neurokinin A levels predict survival in patients with stage IV well differentiated small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms.
Surgery. 2012; 152(6):1172-6 [PubMed]

BACKGROUND: Recent European investigations have shown that persistently elevated (>50 pg/mL) plasma neurokinin A levels are associated with poor short-term survival in patients with midgut neuroendocrine neoplasms. We hypothesized that American patients with persistently elevated plasma neurokinin A levels (>50 pg/mL) will also have a poor short-term survival.
METHODS: Serial plasma neurokinin A levels were collected from the charts of 180 patients with metastatic midgut neuroendocrine neoplasms. Patients were grouped according to their plasma neurokinin A values, and survival rates were calculated. Group 1 had plasma neurokinin A levels <50 pg/mL. Group 2 at one point had plasma neurokinin A levels >50 pg/mL, but are currently <50 pg/mL. Group 3 had plasma neurokinin A values consistently >50 pg/mL.
RESULTS: Group 1 patients (n = 143) have not reached their median survival and have a 24-month survival of 93%. Thirteen of 14 (93%) group 2 patients are currently alive. Group 3 patients (n = 23) had a median survival of 20 months and a 24-month survival of 48%.
CONCLUSION: Patients with midgut neuroendocrine neoplasms who have serial plasma neurokinin A levels <50 pg/mL have an excellent short-term prognosis, while patients with plasma neurokinin A levels >50 pg/mL have a poor short-term prognosis.

Singh N, Nayak HK, Bagchi A, Kar P
Periampullary mass--a rare presentation of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancer of duodenum in a young adult: a case report and review of literature.
BMJ Case Rep. 2012; 2012 [PubMed]

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumour in the periampullary region of the duodenum is a rare entity. This entity usually present in old men. Here we report a periampullary poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancer (PDEC) of duodenum presenting in a young man with subacute history of jaundice, abdominal pain, pancreatitis and constitutional symptoms. MRI localised the tumour and endoscopy-guided biopsy of the lesion proved the diagnosis. Although palliative surgery and chemotherapy were planned, the patient opted to leave against medical advice.

Chattopadhyay S, Mondal SK, Saha A, et al.
Primary carcinoma of jejunum--a case report.
J Indian Med Assoc. 2012; 110(3):189-90 [PubMed]

A 73 years old male presented with features of acute intestinal obstruction. At exploratory laparotomy, a mass was felt in jejunum. The growth with adequate margin and mesenteric lymph nodes were removed. The jejunal growth was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma on histopathology, which is a rare tumour of small intestine. He was planned adjuvant chemotherapy. He is in complete remission 6 months after follow-up.

Sisti G, Buccoliero AM, Novelli L, et al.
A case of metachronous double primary neuroendocrine cancer in pancreas/ileum and uterine cervix.
Ups J Med Sci. 2012; 117(4):453-6 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/12/2013

We describe an unusual case of a 50-year-old female patient developing two primary cancers with neuroendocrine features. Initially the patient underwent surgery for an entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma. During the subsequent follow-up she experienced some episodes of vaginal bleeding with negative PET scanning with the tracer fluorine-18 (F-18) fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). A Papanicolaou (pap) smear and an endometrial biopsy revealed a primary neuroendocrine cancer of the uterine cervix. The present case underlines the importance of clinical follow-up after a diagnosis of intestinal neuroendocrine tumor, investigating any new symptom. Female patients, after the diagnosis of entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma, must be recommended to continue screening pap test examinations for the likelihood of classical squamous and glandular cervical cancers and also for neuroendocrine cervical cancer.

Dahle E, Gögenur I, Nørgaard P
Intestinal necrosis in young patient due to arterial tumour embolism.
BMJ Case Rep. 2012; 2012 [PubMed]

A patient in the thirties, currently undergoing chemotherapy for metastatic osteosarcoma diagnosed 3 years earlier, was admitted with in the emergency department with abdominal pain. Laparoscopic surgery revealed severe inflammation and an abscess. 18 cm of small intestine was removed because of intestinal necrosis. Histological examination showed several arterial tumour emboli, morphologically similar to the primary sarcoma. The patient died 1 year after successful surgery. Because of the improved survival of patients with osteosarcoma, acute mesenteric ischaemia should be considered in acute abdomen in these patients.

Cengız F, Sun MA, Esen ÖS, Erkan N
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of Meckel's diverticulum: a rare cause of intestinal volvulus.
Turk J Gastroenterol. 2012; 23(4):410-2 [PubMed]

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. Most cases are asymptomatic; however, when symptomatic, it is often misdiagnosed at presentation. Common complications presenting in adults include bleeding, obstruction, diverticulitis, and perforation. Tumors within a Meckel's diverticulum are rare. Herein, we present a gastrointestinal stromal tumor arising from the Meckel's diverticulum that led to intestinal obstruction by volvulus.

Wohlauer MV, McManus MC, Brauer B, et al.
Synchronous presentation of ampullary adenocarcinoma and common bile duct cancer: report of a case and review of literature.
JOP. 2012; 13(5):536-9 [PubMed]

CONTEXT: Ampullary adenocarcinomas and bile duct cancers represent a very small minority of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Synchronous presentation of both malignancies is extremely rare.
CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 76-year-old male who presented with painless jaundice. His work-up showed an ampullary mass and a separate common bile duct stricture. Attempted endoscopic resection established the diagnosis of ampullary adenocarcinoma. Pathologic examination of the Whipple specimen identified a separate focus of bile duct cancer.
CONCLUSION: Synchronous presentation of an ampullary mass and separate distal bile duct stricture, especially in elderly patients, should raise concern for both lesions representing malignancies. In the absence of conclusive evidence for survival advantage in resected early stage ampullary and biliary cancers, close observation should be considered a valid alternative to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation.

Cronin CG, Scott J, Kambadakone A, et al.
Utility of positron emission tomography/CT in the evaluation of small bowel pathology.
Br J Radiol. 2012; 85(1017):1211-21 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/09/2013

We describe the management principles and different roles of positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in the evaluation of patients with small bowel tumours (adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumour, lymphoma, metastases) from initial staging, monitoring response to treatment, to detection of recurrent disease. We also discuss the various non-malignant aetiologies of small bowel fludeoxyglucose (FDG) PET uptake, and other pitfalls in FDG PET/CT interpretation. Awareness of the imaging appearances of small bowel tumours, patterns of disease spread and potential PET/CT interpretation pitfalls are of paramount importance to optimise diagnostic accuracy.

Pomianowska E, Grzyb K, Westgaard A, et al.
Reclassification of tumour origin in resected periampullary adenocarcinomas reveals underestimation of distal bile duct cancer.
Eur J Surg Oncol. 2012; 38(11):1043-50 [PubMed]

BACKGROUND: Primary adenocarcinomas removed by pancreatoduodenectomy originate from the duodenum (DC), ampulla (AC), distal bile duct (DBC), or pancreas (PC). Pathobiology, staging, survival, and adjuvant chemotherapy vary among these cancers. The proximity of the structures of possible origin renders it difficult to obtain a correct diagnosis, which might lead to inconsistencies in reported data and inappropriate adjuvant treatment.
METHODS: Records of 207 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (1998-2009) for periampullary adenocarcinoma were reviewed. Routine histopathology reports of tumour origin performed by multiple pathologists were independently re-evaluated based on predetermined criteria by two experienced pancreatic pathologists.
RESULTS: Slide review changed the diagnosis in 55 (27%) patients. After reclassification, final distribution was 29 (14%) DC, 52 (25%) AC, 57 (28%) DBC, and 69 (33%) PC. The diagnosis was revised in 4 (14%) DC, 7 (17%) AC, 30 (53%) DBC and 14 (19%) PC. The underestimation of DBC during routine histopathology was caused by misinterpretation of DBC either PC or AC. Misclassification of PC was mainly due to erroneous diagnosis of AC. Reassignment of tumour origin caused no significant changes in survival within cancer type, but resulted in a significant difference in survival between DBC and PC (p = 0.004).
CONCLUSION: Specialist slide review resulted in reassignment of tumour origin in 27% of periampullary adenocarcinomas. Distal bile duct cancer was found to be most frequently misdiagnosed (53%). Correct diagnosis of tumour origin is crucial for data quality, appropriate adjuvant therapy, and patient inclusion in clinical trials.

Cho A, Yamamoto H, Kainuma O, et al.
Totally laparoscopic pancreas-sparing duodenectomy.
Surg Today. 2012; 42(10):1032-5 [PubMed]

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy (PSD) is a practical surgical procedure for patients with duodenal adenoma, which is difficult to resect endoscopically. We describe how we performed a totally laparoscopic PSD to resect a duodenal adenoma in a 64-year-old woman, who had been referred for treatment of a 50-mm villous polypoid mass in the second portion of the duodenum. We performed end-to-side anastomosis between the common duct of the bile and pancreatic ducts and the jejunal limb intracorporeally following the duodenal resection. A biliary leak developed, but resolved spontaneously and the patient was discharged on postoperative day (POD) 32. The surgical margin was free of neoplastic change. Although there is limited experience and appropriate indications must await future studies, this case demonstrates that laparoscopic PSD is feasible, safe, and effective for selected patients.

Stifter S, Mustac E, Lukanović M, et al.
The carcinoid tumour in Meckel's diverticulum: how to treat young adults with appendicitis?--Case report.
Coll Antropol. 2012; 36(2):669-71 [PubMed]

This case reports the concomitant and unexpected finding of carcinoid tumour within a Meckel's diverticulum presenting as an acute abdomen due to gangrenous appendicitis in a young adult male. Both Meckel's diverticula and carcinoid tumour are rare clinical entities, and carcinoid tumours occurring within a Meckel's diverticulum are even more uncommon. The initial clinical presentation of carcinoid tumours occurring in a Meckel's diverticulum is usually similar to that of appendicle carcinoids.Carcinoid tumours are the most common primary tumour of the small bowel. They resemble appendicle carcinoids to the extent that they are usually small, single, and asymptomatic. Surgical treatment of Meckel's diverticula is recommended procedure. By presenting this case we wished to stress the value of systematic identification and removal of the diverticulum during laparotomy and to underline the importance of exploration the Meckel's diverticulum particularly in case of young adult subjects.

Koulaouzidis A, Yung DE, Lam JH, et al.
The use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy in iron-deficiency anemia alone; be aware of the young anemic patient.
Scand J Gastroenterol. 2012; 47(8-9):1094-100 [PubMed]

BACKGROUND & AIM: The role of Small-Bowel Capsule Endoscopy (SBCE) in Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) alone is still under validation. We aim to assess the usefulness of SBCE in patients with IDA alone.
METHODS: Retrospective study; patients with IDA (no GI symptoms or known previous diagnosis), who underwent SBCE were included. SBCE findings were classified as clinically significant/sinister (small-bowel malignancy, significant/sinister inflammation and/or strictures and coeliac disease) or vascular, i.e., signifcant/angioectasias (P1/P2 lesions).
RESULTS: A total of 221 (151F/70M) patients had SBCE for IDA as the sole indication. The diagnostic yield (DY) was 30.7% (68/221). The DY for significant/sinister pathology and significant/angioectasias was 9% and 21.7%, respectively. In those ≤ 40 years (20; 13F/7M), significant pathology was found in 25% (5/20); in the >40-year group (201; 138F/63M), significant/sinister pathology was found in 7.5% (15/201), p = 0.0231. None of the patients ≤40 years had angioectasias, such lesions were found in 48/201 (21.7%) of those >40 years, p = 0.009. Fifty percent of those >80 years (16; 12F/4M) had angioectasias, but none had significant/sinister pathology (p = 0.0126). On multiple regression analysis, only prior blood transfusion was predictive of higher DY in SBCE.
CONCLUSIONS: IDA alone is one of the main indications (27%) for referral to SBCE; the majority of patients are >40 years. In our cohort, the DY of SBCE for IDA was 30.7% and the commonest finding was angioectasias. The detection rate of sinister small-bowel pathology for those >40 years is low decreasing to zero in the >80 age group. In contrast, 25% of those ≤40 years had a sinister diagnosis.

Urgesi R, Riccioni ME, Bizzotto A, et al.
Increased diagnostic yield of small bowel tumors with PillCam: the role of capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Italian single-center experience.
Tumori. 2012 May-Jun; 98(3):357-63 [PubMed]

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors, accounting for 1-3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies; they are, however, the most common gastric and small bowel mesenchymal tumors. The length and relative inaccessibility of the small bowel have long constrained the diagnosis of GISTs mainly presenting with chronic or intermittent bleeding as the sole clinical manifestation.
AIM: To report on the prevalence of small bowel GISTs in a prospectively recorded series of patients undergoing capsule endoscopy (CE).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2007 five hundred patients were referred to our endoscopy unit for small bowel evaluation with capsule endoscopy. We retrospectively evaluated all charts. The main indications for CE were obscure-occult or obscure-overt bleeding. Two hundred eighty-nine patients underwent CE for either obscure-occult or obscure-overt bleeding and 211 for other indications. Patient outcome and care processes were measured by follow-up telephone interviews and chart review. Statistical computations were performed using Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test.
RESULTS: CE identified a small bowel tumor in 20 patients (4.0%) and 9 tumors turned out to be GISTs (45.0%). Traditional endoscopic and radiological imaging failed to detect the GIST in all these cases. In one case a small bowel GIST was diagnosed by angiography and CE proved false negative. Overall, CE was able to diagnose a small bowel GIST in 9 out of 10 cases. All patients underwent surgical treatment and showed normalized hemoglobin levels at follow-up. The main limitation of this study is the small number of cases.
CONCLUSIONS: CE is an effective and sensitive diagnostic device compared with conventional radiology and plays an important role in the algorithm for the diagnostic work-up of suspected small bowel tumors.

Morimoto M, Horie H, Kumano H, et al.
Reversed intestinal malrotation with concurrent cecal carcinoma.
Asian J Endosc Surg. 2012; 5(3):149-51 [PubMed]

A 57-year-old man was admitted with a type 2 (ulcerated with clear margin) cancer in the cecum. Contrast-enhanced CT showed that the superior mesenteric vein was anterior to the superior mesenteric artery, and the patient was suspected of having intestinal malrotation. A laparoscopic-assisted ileocecal resection was performed. At operation, the cecum and the transverse colon passed through the root of the mesentery behind the superior mesenteric artery with the duodenum. Therefore, this was thought to be a reversed-type intestinal malrotation. After the operation, 3D-CT colonography with duodenography images were reconstructed to retrospectively confirm the diagnosis of a reversed malrotation. These images clearly demonstrated the abnormal anatomy and overall orientation of the intestine. Patients with a reversed intestinal malrotation and concurrent cecal cancer are extremely rare. Herein, we present a patient who underwent a laparoscopic-assisted ileocecal resection for cecal cancer that presented concurrently with a reversed intestinal malrotation.

Abe N, Takeuchi H, Shibuya M, et al.
Successful treatment of duodenal carcinoid tumor by laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection with lymphadenectomy.
Asian J Endosc Surg. 2012; 5(2):81-5 [PubMed]

Reports on endoscopic full-thickness resection of the duodenum using the endoscopic submucosal dissection technique are rare. Here we present a case of a duodenal bulb carcinoid tumor successfully treated by laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (LAEFR). An asymptomatic 65-year-old woman had a 10-mm, submucosal tumor on the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb. Abdominal CT revealed an enlarged lymph node adjacent to the duodenum and pancreas. Although we informed the patient of the need for pancreatoduodenectomy with a lymphadenectomy, the patient expressly requested LAEFR. After negative nodal metastasis was confirmed by an intraoperative frozen section of the enlarged nodes, LAEFR was performed using the endoscopic submucosal dissection technique under the laparoscopic assistance. The duodenal wall defect was closed by laparoscopy with an Albert anastomosis. The entire circumferential margin of the specimen was histopathologically negative for carcinoid tumor cells. In summary, LAEFR enables en bloc and whole-layer excision of nonperiampullary duodenal lesions with a sufficient surgical margin, both vertically and laterally. LAEFR is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for selected patients with duodenal carcinoid tumor.

Mitura K, Blicharz P, Romańczuk M
Perforated gist of Meckel's diverticulum.
Pol Przegl Chir. 2012; 84(5):258-61 [PubMed]

Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of gastrointestinal track (2-4%), however complications occur rarely (4-16%). We describe a case of 63- years old female presenting simultaneously two serious complications of Meckel diverticulum. Operated patient was diagnosed with perforated tumor of Meckel diverticulum. Segmental resection of small bowel including tumor was performed. Pathology examination revealed gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in Meckel diverticulum. No significant malignancy risk factors were found (low mitotic count). Consequently, computed tomography periodic surveillance was implemented.We report the possibility of simultaneous presentation of two serious complications of Meckel diverticulum. Tumors of Meckel diverticulum may mimic other abdominal pathologies and thus, they should be considered in differential diagnosis of abdominal tumors.

van Ree K, Thurley P, Singh R, et al.
The imaging features of small bowel tumours.
J Gastrointest Cancer. 2012; 43(3):405-12 [PubMed]

OBJECTIVE: Small bowel tumours account for only 2-5 % of gastrointestinal neoplasms but are an important source of morbidity and mortality. This article presents the features demonstrated by a wide range of small bowel tumours across different imaging modalities.
CONCLUSION: Early and accurate diagnosis via radiological means is an important factor in overall survival for malignant tumours and a thorough understanding of the common features is essential for all radiologists.

Lawrence B, Kenney B, Svejda B, et al.
Comparison of PCR-based detection of chromogranin A mRNA with traditional histological lymph node staging of small intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasia.
BMC Res Notes. 2012; 5:318 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/09/2013

BACKGROUND: Accurate neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) staging is vital for determining prognosis and therapeutic strategy. The great majority of NENs express chromogranin A (CgA) which can be detected at a protein or transcript level. The current standards for lymph node metastasis detection are histological examination after Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and CgA immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. We hypothesized that detection of CgA mRNA transcripts would be a more sensitive method of detecting these metastases.
FINDINGS: We compared these traditional methods with PCR for CgA mRNA extracted from formalin fixed paraffin embedded slides of lymph nodes (n = 196) from small intestinal NENs, other gastrointestinal cancers and benign gastrointestinal disease. CgA PCR detected significantly more NEN lymph nodes (75%) than H&E (53%) or CgA IHC (57%) (p = 0.02). PCR detected CgA mRNA in 50% (14 of the 28) of SI-NEN lymph nodes previously considered negative. The false positive rate for detection of CgA mRNA was 19% in non-neuroendocrine cancers, and appeared to be due to occult neuroendocrine differentiation or contamination by normal epithelium during histological processing.
CONCLUSIONS: Molecular pathological analysis demonstrates the limitations of observer-dependent histopathology. CgA PCR analysis detected the presence of CgA transcripts in lymph nodes without histological evidence of tumor metastasis. Molecular node positivity (stage molN1) of SI-NEN lymph nodes could confer greater staging accuracy and facilitate early and accurate therapeutic intervention. This technique warrants investigation using clinically annotated tumor samples with follow-up data.

Koornstra JJ
Small bowel endoscopy in familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome.
Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2012; 26(3):359-68 [PubMed]

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and patients with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of developing small intestinal neoplasia. In both conditions, the lifetime risk to develop small bowel cancer is estimated to be around 5%. In FAP, this risk is associated with the degree of duodenal polyposis, classically assessed by the Spigelman classification. For this reason, gastroduodenal surveillance with forward-viewing and side-viewing endoscopy is generally recommended. Studies using video capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy in FAP patients have revealed that jejunal and ileal polyps occur frequently in FAP, especially in those with extensive duodenal polyposis. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of small bowel polyps beyond the duodenum appears to be limited. Compared to FAP, little is known about the prevalence and natural history of small bowel neoplasia in Lynch syndrome. Surveillance of the small bowel is not recommended in Lynch syndrome, although recent data using capsule endoscopy provided promising results.

Stauffer JA, Adkisson CD, Riegert-Johnson DL, et al.
Pancreas-sparing total duodenectomy for ampullary duodenal neoplasms.
World J Surg. 2012; 36(10):2461-72 [PubMed]

BACKGROUND: Ampullary and extensive periampullary lesions can be difficult to treat and often require pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for complete removal, even if benign. However, PD may be overtreatment for noninvasive lesions, and pancreas-sparing total duodenectomy (PSTD) is an emerging valid surgical option for selected cases.
METHODS: We reviewed patients undergoing PSTD at our institution over 16 months and a comparison group who had undergone PD for benign duodenal disease over the past 15 years. We also reviewed cases in the English-language literature and performed a meta-analysis of those patients who had undergone PSTD.
RESULTS: PSTD had been performed in four patients, who had an average hospital length of stay (LOS) of 13 days; two of them experienced complications. None required conversion to PD, experienced a postoperative fistula or endocrine or exocrine insufficiency, or required intensive care. Two of the PSTDs were performed laparoscopically. Open PD for benign duodenal disease was performed in 22 patients, with overall morbidity and pancreas fistula rates of 82 and 27 %, respectively. The meta-analysis found 128 unique cases of PSTD with morbidity and mortality rates of 46.4 and 2.3 %, respectively. Pancreaticobiliary leak was seen in 20 %, with an average LOS of 17 days.
CONCLUSIONS: Although PSTD can be used to avoid PD and can be performed laparoscopically, it is technically challenging and still associated with morbidity.

Tsai PJ, Wang SE, Shyr YM, et al.
Diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas in periampullary lesions.
Hepatogastroenterology. 2012 Jul-Aug; 59(117):1621-5 [PubMed]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Periampullary lesions often present diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. This study is to clarify the justification of pancreaticoduodenectomy for the resectable periampullary lesion without histological confirmation of malignancy.
METHODOLOGY: Clinical data for periampullary lesions with presumed malignancy were retrieved from our prospectively-collected computer database. The surgical risks and test performance characteristics in diagnosis were determined.
RESULTS: There were 636 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, including 572 with malignancy and 64 (10.1% false positive rate) with benign lesions. No resection was attempted for 32 patients, but 8 (25% false negative rate) eventually turned out to be malignant. Our data showed a sensitivity of 98.6% (572/580), a specificity of 27% (24/88) and an accuracy of 89.2% (596/668) in detecting periampullary malignancy. The surgical risks after pancreaticoduodenectomy were significantly lower in the benign group, with 28.1% morbidity (vs. 43.7% in the malignant group), no pancreatic leakage (vs. 11.5% in malignant group) and no surgical mortality (vs. 7.3% in the malignant group).
CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is justified for a periampullary lesion without histological confirmation whenever malignancy is suspected. Moreover, a nihilistic approach could be associated with a significant false negative rate (25%) if left unresected and might preclude a patient with periampullary malignancy from cure.

Keck T, Küsters S, Wellner UF, et al.
Total laparoscopic partial pancreatoduodenectomy and reconstruction via laparoscopic pancreatogastrostomy.
Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2012; 397(6):1009-12 [PubMed]

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive surgery has conquered almost all niches of abdominal surgery. Even though some surgeons have shown equal lymph node ratio and oncologic radicality for laparoscopic surgery of pancreatic cancer, oncologic surgeons still take reasonably conservative views of the use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, especially if located in the head of the pancreas. Laparoscopic abdominal approaches on the other hand have a potential advantage of better visualization, decreased postoperative pain, decreased use of analgetics, and shorter hospital stay. We demonstrate in this technical surgical report the first description of a total laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy and reconstruction via laparoscopic pancreatogastrostomy in a 74-year-old female patient with a periampullary tumor.
DISCUSSION: After pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy by superior mesenteric artery, first approach including standard lymphadenectomy, the reconstruction involved total laparoscopic end-to-side running-suture hepaticojejunostomy, double-layer running-suture antecolic pylorojejunostomy to the first jejunal loop, and pancreatogastrostomy via posterior gastrotomy secured by two anchoring and purse-string sutures.