Role of adjuvant therapy in resected periampullary adenocarcinoma: A propensity matched case-control study

Backgrounds/Aims

The published data had contradictory information on the role of adjuvant therapy on resected periampullary carcinomas (PACA). The study was performed to evaluate the survival benefit of adjuvant treatment.

Methods

This was a propensity score matched case-control study from a prospectively maintained database from 2004-2019. The study included patients with nonpancreatic PACA who underwent curative resection. The patients (cases) who received adjuvant chemotherapy were compared with patients (controls) who were observed alone after surgery.

Results

Of 510 patients with PACA, 230 patients (cases = 107, controls = 123) formed the unmatched study cohort. After propensity score matching, 140 patients (cases = 70, controls = 70) formed the matched study cohort. The median overall survival (OS) was similar in cases than controls in the unmatched population but doubled non-significantly in cases after matching (unmatched population, 54 months vs. 54 months, p-value = 0.624; matched population, 71 months vs. 36 months, p-value = 0.087). However, the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was non significantly higher in the control group (unmatched population, 59 months vs. 38 months, p-value = 0.195; matched population, 53 months vs. 40 months, p-value = 0.797). In cox regression analysis, age < 60 years, advanced T stage, and presence of perineural invasion were independent factors for worse RFS, while tumor recurrence was an independent factor for poor OS.

Conclusions

Patients with nonpancreatic PACA may have an OS benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, and this needs to be validated with large prospective randomized studies.

Underwater endoscopic papillectomy for a small neuroendocrine tumor of the ampulla of Vater

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the ampulla of Vater are rare. Therefore, there is a lack of comprehensive information regarding their pathogenesis. We herein present the case of a patient with a 5-mm ampullary NET who demonstrated the presence of lymphatic invasion after undergoing endoscopic papillectomy. A 44-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of a grade 1 NET in the ampulla of Vater. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass within the submucosal layer without obvious infiltration into the common bile duct or the main pancreatic duct. We performed underwater endoscopic papillectomy (UEP) to remove the tumor with a negative margin. Pathological evaluation of the resected specimen showed a grade 1 NET with a negative margin. However, pancreaticoduodenectomy was subsequently performed because of the risk of lymph node metastasis, which was expected due to the significant number of NET cells infiltrating the endothelium of the lymphatic vessels. No lymph node metastasis or recurrence was observed during the 26-month follow-up period. UEP is a useful method to achieve complete resection for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. UEP may be a novel option for endoscopic treatment of ampullary NET.

Enteroblastic adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

Adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation is a rare histologic subtype of adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract that shows unique histologic and immunohistochemical features that resemble fetal intestinal epithelium. This histological subtype has been widely described in the stomach, where it most frequently appears, but, in other locations, it is misdiagnosed because of the poor experience in routine diagnostic setting. Here we present a case of an 87-year-old male with an adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater with enteroblastic differentiation with a literature review of the cases described of this subtype in this location to date. The anatomical peculiarity of the ampulla, joined with the infrequent nature of this histological subtype, makes this case of great interest to aid to better characterize the biological behavior of these tumors.

Comparison of mismatch repair and immune checkpoint protein profile with histopathological parameters in pancreatic, periampullary/ampullary, and choledochal adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic, periampullary/ampullary, and choledochal adenocarcinomas are aggressive malignancies with a poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint blockade is a promising treatment option for several tumor types. H long terminal repeat-associating 2 (HHLA2), which is analogous to programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), is a recently discovered member of the B7/cluster of differentiation 28 family and is expressed in many malignancies.

AIM

To analyze the expression of HHLA2 and its association with the pathologic biomarkers that predict sensitivity to immunotherapy.

METHODS

Ninety-two adenocarcinoma cases located in the pancreas, ampulla, and distal common bile duct were identified. This study assessed 106 pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal/total pancreatectomy samples that were delivered to Ankara City Hospital between 2019 and 2021. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine the expression of DNA mismatch repair (MMR), PD-L1, and HHLA2 proteins.

RESULTS

Patients with high HHLA2 expression had a higher mean age than those with low expression. Low HHLA2 expression was associated with high perineural invasion. HHLA2 expression was low in pathological stage T3 (pT) 3 cases and high in pathological stage T1, T2, and T4 cases. There was no correlation between HHLA2 expression and the expression of MMR proteins and PD-L1.

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of HHLA2 expression in microsatellite stable and PD-L1-negative tumors may be useful for predicting the response of individuals to immunotherapy and may serve as a novel therapeutic target for immunotherapy in advanced-stage disease.

Evaluation of Malignancy Risk of Ampullary Tumors Detected by Endoscopy Using 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate whether 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]FDG PET/CT) can aid in evaluating the risk of malignancy in ampullary tumors detected by endoscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed 155 patients (79 male, 76 female; mean age, 65.7 ± 12.7 years) receiving 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT for endoscopy-detected ampullary tumors 5-87 days (median, 7 days) after the diagnostic endoscopy between June 2007 and December 2020. The final diagnosis was made based on histopathological findings. The PET imaging parameters were compared with clinical data and endoscopic features. A model to predict the risk of malignancy, based on PET, endoscopy, and clinical findings, was generated and validated using multivariable logistic regression analysis and an additional bootstrapping method. The final model was compared with standard endoscopy for the diagnosis of ampullary cancer using the DeLong test.

RESULTS

The mean tumor size was 17.1 ± 7.7 mm. Sixty-four (41.3%) tumors were benign, and 91 (58.7%) were malignant. Univariable analysis found that ampullary neoplasms with a blood-pool corrected peak standardized uptake value in early-phase scan (SUVe) ≥ 1.7 were more likely to be malignant (odds ratio [OR], 16.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.13-36.18; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified the presence of jaundice (adjusted OR [aOR], 4.89; 95% CI, 1.80-13.33; P = 0.002), malignant traits in endoscopy (aOR, 6.80; 95% CI, 2.41-19.20; P < 0.001), SUVe ≥ 1.7 in PET (aOR, 5.43; 95% CI, 2.00-14.72; P < 0.001), and PET-detected nodal disease (aOR, 5.03; 95% CI, 1.16-21.86; P = 0.041) as independent predictors of malignancy. The model combining these four factors predicted ampullary cancers better than endoscopic diagnosis alone (area under the curve [AUC] and 95% CI: 0.925 [0.874-0.956] vs. 0.815 [0.732-0.873], P < 0.001). The model demonstrated an AUC of 0.921 (95% CI, 0.816-0.967) in candidates for endoscopic papillectomy.

CONCLUSION

Adding 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT to endoscopy can improve the diagnosis of ampullary cancer and may help refine therapeutic decision-making, particularly when contemplating endoscopic papillectomy.

Double-guidewire technique for selective biliary cannulation does not increase the rate of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis in patients with naïve papilla

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study aimed to compare the safety of the double-guidewire technique (DGT) with that of the conventional single-guidewire technique (SGT) in real-world situations.

METHODS

A total of 240 patients with naïve papilla who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center between January 2021 and December 2021 were included. The primary outcome was the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in the SGT and DGT groups.

RESULTS

A total of 163 patients (67.9%) belonged to the SGT group, and 77 (32.1%) belonged to the DGT group. The rates of successful biliary cannulation were 95.7% and 83.1% in the SGT and DGT groups, respectively (p=0.002). In the study group, PEP occurred in 14 patients (5.8%). The PEP rates were not significantly different between the SGT and DGT groups (4.3% vs. 9.1%, p=0.150). In the multivariate analysis, the age of <50 years (odds ratio [OR], 9.305; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.367-63.358; p=0.023) and hyperlipidemia (OR, 7.384; 95% CI, 1.103-49.424; p=0.039) were significant risk factors for PEP in the DGT group.

CONCLUSION

DGT did not increase the PEP rate in patients with naïve papilla. In addition, the age of <50 years and hyperlipidemia were significant risk factors for PEP in the DGT group.

Obstructive Jaundice Caused by Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Ampulla of Vater in a Young Adult: A Case Report

Introduction

Ampullary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are usually diagnosed in the 5th-6th decades of life, and no cases were reported in <20 years of age. We report a rare case, presenting at a very young age, of well-differentiated NET involving the ampulla of Vater with lymph node metastasis.

Case Presentation

An 18-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of upper abdominal pain and jaundice. Abdominal ultrasound showed a dilated common bile duct, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed two duodenal polypoid lesions, one of them overlying the ampulla of Vater, with an erythematous and ulcerated surface. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of NET grade 1. Octreotide scan revealed 2 para-aortic lymph nodes with intense radiotracer uptake. The patient had undergone Whipple surgery with para-aortic lymph node dissection. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimens was confirmatory of NET grade 2 and paraganglioma in a few of the dissected lymph nodes. Postoperatively, the patient was kept on monthly intramuscular octreotide. Follow-up gallium-68 DOTATATE is unremarkable apart from an avid left para-aortic lymph node which is showing stability over 12 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates that NETs of the ampulla of Vater can present at a very young age. Radical surgical excision with extended lymph node dissection and postoperative octreotide is associated with better patient outcomes and survival.

Differentiation of malignant from benign ampullary strictures: A prediction nomogram based on MR imaging and clinical findings

PURPOSE

To construct a predictive nomogram based on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings for differentiating malignant from benign ampullary strictures.

METHOD

In this retrospective study, 76 patients with ampullary strictures (51 benign and 25 malignant) who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI were enrolled. Imaging findings were evaluated independently by two abdominal radiologists who reached consensus. Clinical findings were also collected. Significant findings for malignant ampullary strictures were assessed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Based on the results of multivariable analysis, a nomogram to differentiate malignant from benign ampullary strictures was developed and internally validated.

RESULTS

In multivariable analysis, presence of an ampullary mass (odds ratio [OR]: 8.42, p = 0.047), bulging ampulla (OR: 8.32, p = 0.033), diffusion restriction of the ampulla (OR: 42.76, p = 0.004) on MRI, and jaundice (OR: 12.41, p = 0.019) were significant predictors of malignant ampullary strictures. A predictive nomogram was constructed using these findings. Among them, diffusion restriction of the ampulla showed the highest OR and predictor score on the nomogram. The calibration plots for internal validation achieved strong agreement between the predicted probabilities and the actual rates of malignant ampullary strictures.

CONCLUSION

A combination of significant contrast-enhanced MRI and clinical findings of ampullary mass, bulging ampulla, diffusion restriction of the ampulla, and jaundice may be useful in the prediction of malignant ampullary stricture.

Outcomes of Palliative Chemotherapy for Ampulla of Vater Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Background/Aims

: Palliative chemotherapy (PC) is not standardized for patients with advanced ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma (AA). This multicenter, retrospective study evaluated first-line PC outcomes in patients with AA.

Methods

: Patients diagnosed with AA between January 2010 and December 2020 who underwent PC were enrolled from 10 institutions. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) according to the chemotherapy regimen were analyzed.

Results

: Of 255 patients (mean age, 64.0±10.0 years; male, 57.6%), 14 (5.5%) had locally advanced AA and 241 (94.5%) had metastatic AA. Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) was administered as first-line chemotherapy to 192 patients (75.3%), whereas capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) was administered to 39 patients (15.3%). The median OS of all patients was 19.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3 to 22.3), and that of patients who received GP and CAPOX was 20.4 months (95% CI, 17.2 to 23.6) and 16.0 months (95% CI, 11.2 to 20.7), respectively. The median PFS of GP and CAPOX patients were 8.4 months (95% CI, 7.1 to 9.7) and 5.1 months (95% CI, 2.5 to 7.8), respectively. PC for AA demonstrated improved median outcomes in both OS and PFS compared to conventional bile duct cancers that included AA.

Conclusions

: While previous studies have shown mixed prognostic outcomes when AA was analyzed together with other biliary tract cancers, our study unveils a distinct clinical prognosis specific to AA on a large scale with systemic anticancer therapy. These findings suggest that AA is a distinct type of tumor, different from other biliary tract cancers, and AA itself could be expected to have a favorable response to PC.

Clinicopathological characteristics of extrahepatic biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms in the gallbladder, extrahepatic biliary tract, and ampulla of Vater: A single-center cross-sectional study

Backgrounds/Aims

In 2019, the grading and staging system for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) was significantly changed. In this study, we report the clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with extrahepatic biliary NENs who underwent curative resection with or without adjuvant treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a database of 16 patients who developed NENs, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and mixed endocrine non-endocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) after curative resection. Among them, eight patients had ampulla of Vater (AoV) tumors, and eight patients had non-AoV tumors.

Results

G1 and G2 were more frequently observed in the AoV group than in the non-AoV group (12.5% and 62.5%, respectively). In contrast, NEC and MiNEN were more common in the non-AoV group (50.0%). High Ki-67 index (> 20%) and perineural invasion (PNI) were more frequently observed in the non-AoV group. Advanced age (> 65 years), mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm2, and Ki-67 index > 20% were strongly correlated with patient survival (p = 0.018, 0.009, and 0.044, respectively). Advanced age (> 65 years) and mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm2 were significantly correlated with disease recurrence (p = 0.033 and 0.010, respectively).

Conclusions

AoV and non-AoV tumors had significant differences in the histologic grade, Ki67, and PNI. Patients with non-AoV tumors had an increased risk for survival and recurrence than those in the AoV group. For extrahepatic biliary NENs, early detection of tumors, adequate surgery, and aggressive adjuvant treatment for high-risk patients are important to achieve long-term survival and prevent disease recurrence.

[Treatment of Ampullary Adenocarcinoma]

The ampulla of Vater is a small projection formed by the confluence of the main pancreatic duct and common bile duct in the second part of the duodenum. Primary ampullary adenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy, accounting for only 0.2% of gastrointestinal cancers and approximately 7% of all periampullary cancers. Jaundice from a biliary obstruction is the most common symptom of ampullary adenocarcinoma. In the early stages, radical pancreatoduodenectomy is the standard surgical approach. On the other hand, no randomized controlled trial has provided evidence to guide physicians on the choice of adjuvant/palliative chemotherapy because of the rarity of the disease and the paucity of related research. This paper reports the biology, histology, current therapeutic strategies, and potential future therapies of ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Efficacy Analysis of Suprapapillary versus Transpapillary Self-Expandable Metal Stents According to the Level of Obstruction in Malignant Extrahepatic Biliary Obstruction

Background/Aims

The use of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is recommended for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Stent-related adverse events might differ according to the position of the stent through the ampulla of Vater (AOV). We retrospectively evaluated SEMS patency and adverse events according to the position of the SEMS.

Methods

In total, 280 patients who underwent endoscopic SEMS placement due to malignant distal biliary obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. Suprapapillary and transpapillary SEMS insertions were performed on 51 patients and 229 patients, respectively.

Results

Between the suprapapillary group (SPG) and transpapillary group (TPG), the stent patency period was not significantly different (median [95% confidence interval]: 107 days [82.3 to 131.7] vs 120 days [99.3 to 140.7], p=0.559). There was also no significant difference in the rate of adverse events. In subgroup analysis, the stent patency for an MBO located within 2 cm from the AOV was found to be significantly shorter than that for an MBO located more than 2 cm from the AOV in the SPG (64 days [0 to 160.4] vs 127 days [82.0 to 171.9], p<0.001) and TPG (87 days [52.5 to 121.5] vs 130 [97.0 to 162.9], p<0.001). Patients with an MBO located within 2 cm from the AOV in both groups had a higher percentage of duodenal invasion (SPG: 40.0% vs 4.9%, p=0.002; TPG: 28.6% vs 2.9%, p<0.001) than patients with an MBO located more than 2 cm from the AOV.

Conclusions

The SPG and TPG showed similar results in terms of stent patency and rate of adverse events. However, patients with an MBO located within 2 cm from the AOV had a higher percentage of duodenal invasion with shorter stent patency than those with an MBO located more than 2 cm from the AOV, regardless of stent position.

Acute pancreatitis following endoscopic ampullary biopsy: A case report

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic biopsy is mandatory for the diagnosis of malignant and premalignant ampullary tumours. The commonly reported inadvertent complications following routine mucosal biopsy include perforation and haemorrhage. Acute pancreatitis is an extremely rare complication following this procedure.

CASE SUMMARY

This report details the case of a 59-year-old man who underwent biopsy of the ampulla for a suspected periampullary tumour. Following the procedure, the patient presented with symptoms of acute pancreatitis which was substantiated by laboratory and radiological investigations. He was conservatively managed and discharged following complete resolution of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This case report serves to highlight the importance of this potential complication following routine endoscopic biopsy of the ampulla.

Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Intraductal Radiofrequency Ablation for Ampullary Adenoma with Intraductal Extension after Endoscopic Snare Papillectomy

Background/Aims

There are limitations in treating ampullary adenomas with intraductal extension using conventional endoscopic modalities. Endoscopic intraductal radiofrequency ablation (ID-RFA) may be useful for treating intraductal (common bile duct [CBD] and/or pancreatic duct [PD]) extensions of ampullary adenomas, but long-term data are lacking. We thus evaluated the long-term outcomes of endoscopic ID-RFA for managing ampullary adenomas with intraductal extension.

Methods

Prospectively collected endoscopic ID-RFA database at Asan Medical Center was reviewed to identify consecutive patients with ampullary adenoma who underwent ID-RFA for intraductal extension between January 2018 and August 2021. Technical success, short-term and long-term clinical success, and adverse events were evaluated.

Results

A total of 29 patients (14 CBD, 1 PD, and 14 CBD and PD) were analyzed. All patients had undergone endoscopic snare papillectomy prior to ID-RFA. A median of one session of ID-RFA (range, 1 to 3) for residual or relapsed intraductal extension of ampullary adenoma were successfully performed (technical success=100%). Both biliary and pancreatic stenting were routinely performed after ID-RFA to prevent ductal stricture. After a median follow-up of 776 days (interquartile range, 470 to 984 days), the short-term and long-term clinical success rates were 93% and 76%, respectively. Seven patients experienced procedural adverse events and three patients developed ductal strictures.

Conclusions

Endoscopic ID-RFA showed good long-term outcomes in treating residual or relapsed ampullary adenomas with intraductal extension. Repeated ID-RFA may be considered as an option for managing recurrence. Further studies are needed to standardize the procedure.

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater: a case report

BACKGROUND

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms of the ampulla of Vater are rare and heterogenous, making it difficult to achieve a definitive preoperative diagnosis. Herein, we describe a patient in whom a provisional diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater was made preoperatively.

CASE PRESENTATION

Computed tomography revealed an enhancing periampullary tumor in a 69-year-old man with obstructive jaundice. Subsequent duodenoscopy revealed an ulcerated lesion in the swollen ampulla of Vater, from which six biopsies were collected. Pathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma in five of them. The remaining one was a neuroendocrine neoplasm according to immunohistochemical analysis. With a provisional diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater, the patient underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with modified Child's reconstruction and was discharged without complications. Pathological examination revealed both adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinomas, each accounting for ≥ 30% of the tumor, resulting in a definitive diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater. Lymph node metastases with neuroendocrine components were also observed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not administered because of the patient's renal dysfunction. Liver and lymph node metastases were detected 2 months after surgery, the neuroendocrine component being considered responsible for that relapse. The patient underwent platinum-based chemotherapy at 50% dosage, which initially resulted in significant tumor shrinkage; however, he died 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

While these tumors' heterogeneity make definitive preoperative diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater difficult, the possibility of this disease can be considered by careful examination. Further study is needed to establish the optimal diagnostic criteria and treatment strategy.

Supra-ampullary duodenectomy in a patient with positive distal resection margin after subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a case report

Resection margin involvement after curative intent resection for gastric cancer results in a poor prognosis and deprives the patient of the chance for a cure. Reoperation to achieve an R0 status should guarantee tolerable morbidity and achievement of negative margins. We performed laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with extracorporeal Billroth II reconstruction in a 56-year-old woman with gastric cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Scattered cancer cells were observed in the proximal and distal resection margins on immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin. Two weeks postoperatively, remnant total gastrectomy and supra-ampullary duodenectomy were performed. Before reoperation, percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and angiocatheter placement outside the ampulla of Vater (AoV) via the cystic duct were performed to avoid pancreaticoduodenectomy and to obtain the maximal distal margin. Duodenal transection was performed 1 cm above the AoV. The resected duodenum was 4 cm in length. The patient had no postoperative complications and received adjuvant chemotherapy 1 month after the reoperation.

Prognostic Significance of Extranodal Extension of Nodal Metastasis in Adenocarcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater

Although nodal metastasis (NM) is an important prognostic factor of ampullary adenocarcinoma, the prognostic implication of extranodal extension (ENE) is not well characterized. NM with ENE status was investigated in 279 surgically resected ampullary adenocarcinoma patients and compared with other clinicopathologic factors, including overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, including E-cadherin, Twist, and Snail, was assessed in a subset of the cohort. NM was observed in 94 cases (33.7%), of which ENE was observed in 32 cases (34%). NM with ENE was more frequently associated with tumors with poor differentiation than NM without ENE (P=0.017). The 5-year OS and RFS rates of patients with NM and ENE was significantly worse (13.0% and 6.3%) than those with NM without ENE (37.7% and 21.4%) and those without NM (57.6% and 50.2%, respectively; P<0.001). When pN category was matched, the OS and RFS was worse in patients with ENE than in those without ENE (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of E-cadherin and Twist was significantly different between NM areas with and without ENE (all, P<0.001). Since ENE was associated with poorly differentiated ampullary adenocarcinomas and showed different expression of EMT markers, EMT could be a possible mechanism of ENE. Ampullary adenocarcinoma patients with ENE had worse OS and RFS than those without ENE. Therefore, evaluation of ENE can provide additional survival information for patients with surgically resected ampullary carcinoma.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: Three case reports and a literature review

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma is defined as a tumor with a mixture of adenocarcinoma components and neuroendocrine neoplasm components. Each of these two components of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma accounts for at least 30% of all tumors. Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma might be located in the ampulla of Vater, a very rare location compared to other organs. Thus, its treatment and prognosis plans have not been established yet. We report three cases of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma occurring in the ampulla of Vater. Each patient had a different clinical course. In general, difficulty in preoperative diagnosis, risk of early recurrence, and poor disease course were main hallmarks of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the ampulla of Vater. However, one patient in this case report survived although she did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy due to her old age. Therefore, it is important to establish a careful treatment strategy for mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the ampulla of Vater.

Management and outcomes of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: A systematic review and pooled analysis of 56 patients

BACKGROUND

Tumors of mixed neuroendocrine and nonneuroendocrine histology are classified as collision, combined, or amphicrine and can occur in most organs, including the hepato-pancreato-biliary tract. Given the rarity of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) of the ampulla of Vater, the patient characteristics, management, and outcomes remain unclear. We sought to systematically review the worldwide literature on ampullary MANECs.

METHODS

Eligible studies were identified through a systematic search of the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases (end-of-search-date: January 5th, 2022), according to the PRISMA 2020 statement.

RESULTS

A total of 39 studies reporting on 56 patients with ampullary MANEC were included. The median age was 63.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 51.0-69.0) years and 55.6% were male (n = 25/45). Most had combined tumors (64.4%; n = 29/45), followed by collision (24.4%; n = 11/45), and amphicrine tumors (11.1%; n = 5/45). More than half had lymph node metastasis (56.8%; n = 25/44), yet only 7.9% had distant metastasis (n = 3/38). Tumor resection (i.e., mostly pancreaticoduodenectomy) was performed in 96.3% (n = 52/54), followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in 61.8% (n = 21/34). Nearly half experienced disease recurrence (47.2%; n = 17/36) over a median follow-up of 12.0 (IQR: 3.0-16.0) months, and 42.1% (n = 16/38) died over a median follow-up of 12.0 (IQR: 4.0-18.0) months. The most common cause of death was disease progression/recurrence in 81.3% (n = 13/16).

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis and management of ampullary MANEC is challenging yet crucial to improve outcomes since many patients are diagnosed at an advanced disease stage and have unfavorable outcomes. Multicenter granular data are warranted to further understand and improve outcomes in these patients.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary adenoma with high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Evidence of endoscopic papillectomy (EP) for ampullar adenoma with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or adenocarcinoma is insufficient. Here we investigated the long-term outcomes of the advanced ampullary tumors treated by EP with careful surveillance comparing to subsequent surgery after EP.

METHODS

Patients treated with EP for ampullary adenoma with HGD or adenocarcinoma from the multi-center retrospective Korean cohort of ampulla of Vater tumor were categorized into EP alone versus EP with subsequent surgery groups. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed for unmatched and matched cohorts using propensity score with nearest neighbor method.

RESULTS

During a median 43.3 months of follow-up, 5-year OS was not significantly different between the EP alone and EP surgery groups (91.9% vs. 82.3%, P = 0.443 for unmatched cohort; 89.2% vs. 82.3%, P = 0.861 for matched cohort, respectively). Furthermore, 5-year RFS was not significantly different between the two groups (82.1% vs. 86.7%, P = 0.520 for unmatched cohort; 66.1% vs. 86.7%, P = 0.052 for matched cohort, respectively). However, the patients with positive both (lateral and deep) margins showed significantly poorer survival outcomes than those with negative margins within the EP alone group (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

EP alone with careful surveillance showed comparable survival outcomes to those of EP with subsequent surgery for ampullar HGD or adenocarcinoma. Resection margin status could be a parameter to determine whether to perform subsequent radical surgery after EP.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between resected ampullary carcinoma and carcinoma of the second portion of the duodenum

BACKGROUND

Few studies compared the oncological and biological characteristics between ampullary carcinoma (AC) and cancer of the second portion of the duodenum (DC-II), although both tumors arise from anatomically close locations.

AIM

To elucidate differences in clinicopathological characteristics, especially the patterns of lymph node metastasis (LNM), between AC and DC-II.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 80 patients with AC and 27 patients with DC-II who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 1998 and December 2018 in two institutions. Clinicopathological factors, LNM patterns, and prognosis were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The patients with AC and DC-II did not exhibit significant differences in 5-year overall survival (66.0% and 67.1%, respectively) and 5-year relapse-free survival (63.5% and 62.2%, respectively). Compared to the patients with DC-II, the rate of preoperative biliary drainage was higher (P = 0.042) and the rates of digestive symptoms (P = 0.0158), ulcerative-type cancer (P < 0.0001), large tumor diameter (P < 0.0001), and advanced tumor stage (P = 0.0019) were lower in the patients with AC. The LNM rates were 27.5% and 40.7% in patients with AC and DC-II, respectively, without significant difference (P = 0.23). The rates of LNM to hepatic nodes (N-He) and pyloric nodes (N-Py) were significantly higher in patients with DC-II than in those with AC (metastasis to N-HE: 18.5% and 5% in patients with DC-II and AC, respectively; P = 0.0432; metastasis to N-Py: 11.1% and 0% in patients with DC-II and AC, respectively; P = 0.0186)

CONCLUSION

Although there were no significant differences in the prognosis and recurrence rates between the two groups, metastases to N-He and N-Py were more frequent in patients with DC-II than in those with AC.

Laparoscopic Endoscopic Cooperative Surgery Using Open-Window Suturing Technique for Treating Non-ampullary Superficial Duodenal Neoplasms Located on the Pancreatic Side

PURPOSE

No study has focused on the safety and feasibility of our previously developed open-window suturing technique to close mucosal defects on the pancreatic side after endoscopic submucosal dissection from the opened duodenal wall. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and usefulness of laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery for duodenal tumors for treating superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors on the pancreatic side of the duodenum.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 61 consecutive patients who underwent surgery during August 2014-November 2021. After dissection when the tumor was on the pancreatic side, we sutured the mucosal defect from the opened duodenal wall. A preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stent was placed for tumors within 1 cm of the ampulla of Vater. The surgical outcomes were compared between tumors on the pancreatic and non-pancreatic sides.

RESULTS

There were 27 and 34 patients with tumors on the pancreatic and non-pancreatic sides, respectively. The patient characteristics were similar. Preoperative pancreatic stents were placed in four patients in the pancreatic side group. The median operative time was significantly longer on the pancreatic side than in the non-pancreatic side group (241 vs. 209 min, P = 0.02). In one patient in the pancreatic side group, an intraoperative injury of the ampulla of Vater was successfully treated with intraoperative management. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative grade II or higher complications between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery for duodenal tumors for treating superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors on the pancreatic side is safe and feasible.

Differentiating between benign and malignant ampullary strictures: a prediction model using a nomogram based on CT imaging and clinical findings

OBJECTIVES

To construct a predictive nomogram for differentiating malignant from benign ampullary strictures using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) findings combined with clinical findings.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 152 patients with ampullary stricture (98 benign and 54 malignant) who underwent contrast-enhanced CT were included. Various imaging findings of the ampulla, bile duct, main pancreatic duct, and periampullary area were evaluated and clinical findings including the presence of jaundice, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level, and history of cholecystectomy were collected. Among them, statistically significant findings were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A nomogram was constructed to differentiate benign and malignant ampullary strictures and was internally validated.

RESULTS

Multivariable analysis revealed that jaundice (odds ratio [OR]: 17.33, p < 0.001), presence of an ampullary mass (OR: 24.40, p < 0.001), non-similar enhancement of the ampulla to the duodenum (OR: 31.96, p = 0.003), and proportional dilatation of the bile duct (OR: 7.98, p = 0.001) were independent significant factors for predicting the malignant ampullary stricture, and were used to construct a nomogram. Among them, non-similar enhancement of the ampulla to the duodenum showed the highest OR and predictor point on the nomogram. The calibration plots showed excellent agreement between the predicted probabilities and the actual rates of malignant ampullary strictures, on internal validation.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of clinical and imaging findings could aid in predicting malignant ampullary strictures using significant findings of jaundice, presence of ampullary mass, non-similar enhancement of the ampulla to the duodenum, and proportional dilatation of the bile duct.

KEY POINTS

• The presence of jaundice, ampullary mass, non-similar enhancement of the ampulla, and proportional bile duct dilatation were significant findings for predicting malignant ampullary strictures. • Non-similar enhancement of the ampulla to the duodenum was a significant feature with the highest odds ratio for differentiating benign and malignant ampullary strictures. • The nomogram constructed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging and clinical findings could aid in predicting malignant ampullary strictures.

Intra-ampullary papillary-tubular neoplasm combined with ampullary neuroendocrine carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

The ampulla of Vater is an anatomically and histologically complex region giving rise to a heterogenous group of tumors. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of intra-ampullary papillary-tubular neoplasm combined with ampullary neuroendocrine carcinoma reported in the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

A 61-year-old woman presented to the emergency department for evaluation of painless jaundice. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and chest showed a periampullary tumor mass measuring 15 mm × 12 mm × 14 mm, with no evidence of locoregional and distant metastases, for which she underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Histopathologic examination of a resected specimen revealed an intra-ampullary papillary tubular neoplasm with high-grade dysplasia in combination with poorly differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinoma with a mitotic count of more than 20 mitoses per 10 high power fields and Ki-67 index of 100%. No positive lymph nodes were identified. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperatively, she remained under close surveillance. Multiple liver metastases were observed on follow-up CT 8 mo after the surgery, so systemic therapy with cisplatin and etoposide was initiated.

CONCLUSION

The simultaneous occurrence of neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine tumors in the ampulla of Vater is rare and the pathogenesis of such tumors is largely unknown. Due to unpredictable clinical behavior and lack of solid evidence on optimal treatment strategy, close patient surveillance is advised after radical resection of the primary tumor.

Surgical ampullectomy: A comprehensive review

Tumours of the ampulla of Vater are relatively uncommon lesions of the digestive system. They are typically diagnosed at an earlier stage than other types of tumours in this region, due to their tendency to invoke symptoms by obstructing the bile duct or pancreatic duct. Consequently, many are potentially curable by excision. Surgical ampullectomy (SA) (or transduodenal ampullectomy) for an ampullary tumour was first described in 1899, but was soon surpassed by pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), which offered a more extensive resection resulting in a lower risk of recurrence. Ongoing innovation in endoscopic techniques over recent decades has led to the popularization of endoscopic papillectomy (EP), particularly for adenomas and even early cancers. The vast majority of resectable ampullary tumours are now treated using either PD or EP. However, SA continues to play a role in specific circumstances. Many authors have suggested specific indications for SA based on their own data, practices, or interpretations of the literature. However, certain issues have attracted controversy, such as its use for early ampullary cancers. Consequently, there has been a lack of clarity regarding indications for SA, and no evidence-based consensus guidelines have been produced. All studies reporting SA have employed observational designs, and have been heterogeneous in their methodologies. Accordingly, characteristics of patients and their tumours have differed substantially across treatment groups. Therefore, meaningful comparisons of clinical outcomes between SA, PD and EP have been elusive. Nevertheless, it appears that suitably selected cases of ampullary tumours subjected to SA may benefit from favourable peri-operative and long-term outcomes with very low mortality and significantly long survival, hence its role in this setting warrants further clarification, while it can also be useful in the management of specific benign entities. Whilst the commissioning of a randomised controlled trial seems unlikely, well-designed observational studies incorporating adjustments for confounding variables may become the best available comparative evidence for SA, potentially informing the eventual development of consensus guidelines. In this comprehensive review, we explore the role of SA in the modern management of ampullary lesions.

Ectopic pancreas at the ampulla of Vater diagnosed with endoscopic snare papillectomy: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Ectopic pancreas is a rare developmental anomaly that results in a variety of clinical presentations. Patients with ectopic pancreas are mostly asymptomatic, and if symptomatic, symptoms are usually nonspecific and determined by the location of the lesion and the various complications arising from it. Ectopic pancreas at the ampulla of Vater (EPAV) is rare and typically diagnosed after highly morbid surgical procedures such as pancreaticoduodenectomy or ampullectomy. To our knowledge, we report the first case of confirmed EPAV with a minimally invasive intervention.

CASE SUMMARY

A 71-year-old male with coronary artery disease, presented to us with new-onset dyspepsia with imaging studies revealing a ‘double duct sign’ secondary to a small subepithelial ampullary lesion. His hematological and biochemical investigations were normal. His age, comorbidity, poor diagnostic accuracy of endoscopy, biopsies and imaging techniques for subepithelial ampullary lesions, and suspicion of malignancy made us acquire histological diagnosis before morbid surgical intervention. We performed balloon-catheter-assisted endoscopic snare papillectomy which aided us to achieve en bloc resection of the ampulla for histopathological diagnosis and staging. The patient’s post-procedure recovery was uneventful. The en bloc resected specimen revealed ectopic pancreatic tissue in the ampullary region. Thus, the benign histopathology avoided morbid surgical intervention in our patient. At 15 mo follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic.

CONCLUSION

EPAV is rare and remains challenging to diagnose. This rare entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of subepithelial ampullary lesions. Endoscopic en bloc resection of the papilla may play a vital role as a diagnostic and therapeutic option for preoperative histological diagnosis and staging to avoid morbid surgical procedures.

Laparoscopy-assisted transduodenal papillectomy: how we do it (with video)

BACKGROUND

Some authors previously reported that early ampulla of Vater neoplasms have a low potential of lymph node metastasis and favorable prognosis and, therefore, could be indicated for limited resections instead of the standard pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). In limited resections, when compared to endoscopic papillectomy, transduodenal papillectomy is less technically demanding and a sufficient surgical margin can be achieved due to the greater extent of the excisional area. This didactic video article demonstrated our standardized laparoscopy-assisted transduodenal papillectomy (LATDP).

METHODS

The technique consisted of 3 steps: laparoscopic Kocher mobilization, papillectomy, and reconstruction. This laparoscopy-assisted approach was more favorable than the pure laparoscopic approach as there was no tumor exposure in the abdominal cavity, which might potentially lead to intraabdominal tumor dissemination.

RESULTS

Our LATDP served as a total biopsy to decide whether the subsequent PD was inevitable to patients with early ampulla of Vater neoplasms.

CONCLUSION

This procedure provides the benefit of minimal invasiveness and oncological safety. Therefore, it should be considered as an option in the armamentarium of modern pancreatic and biliary tract surgeries.

Immunohistochemical staining for IMP3 in patients with duodenal papilla tumors: assessment of the potential for diagnosing endoscopic resectability and predicting prognosis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic papillectomy of duodenal papillary tumors (PT) is indicated for adenomas or well-differentiated adenocarcinomas that do not involve the sphincter of Oddi. However, there is currently no reliable pre-operative method to diagnose the infiltration in the sphincter of Oddi.' Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA protein 3 (IMP3) staining is reportedly associated with advanced disease stage and clinical outcomes in many carcinomas. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the ability of diagnosing sphincter of Oddi involvement in PT and predicting the prognoses using IMP3 immunohistochemistry.

METHODS

Twenty-five resected specimens from patients with PT and 24 biopsy specimens from the same patients excluding one were immunostained for IMP3. The percentage of positive cells in the tumor was evaluated and compared with the final pathological diagnosis and prognosis.

RESULTS

The final pathological diagnoses were adenoma in 5 patients and adenocarcinoma in 20 patients (no sphincter of Oddi involvement in 5 and involvement in 15). The ability to diagnose sphincter of Oddi involvement based on the percentage of IMP3-positive cells in resected specimens and tissue biopsies was the area under the curve 0.8 and 0.78, respectively, of the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the accuracies were 80.0% and 75.0% (cutoff value: 10%), respectively. Moreover, patients with an IMP3-positive cell rate of ≥ 10% had a significantly worse prognosis (log-rank test P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

IMP3 immunostaining of resected and biopsy specimens from PT patients enables the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi involvement objectively and is also effective in predicting the prognosis.

Preoperative 2-[18F]FDG PET-CT aids in the prognostic stratification for patients with primary ampullary carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

We sought to investigate whether preoperative dual-phase 2-[¹⁸F]FDG PET-CT identify predictors for poor survival in patients with ampullary carcinoma receiving pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHODS

The preoperative PET-CT images of patients with resected ampullary carcinoma from June 2007 to July 2017 were analyzed. Survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify potential prognostic factors associated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Fifty-four subjects (26 men, 28 women) were enrolled with a median tumor size of 20 mm. All patients were followed for a median period of 36.9 months with 3- and 5-year DFS of 50.3% and 44.2%, and OS of 77.0% and 68.2%, respectively. Parameters associated with DFS in multivariate analysis were lymphovascular invasion (hazard ratio [HR]: 9.45, p < 0.001), involved margin in pathology (HR: 7.67, p < 0.001), and tumor retention index (RI) from the dual-phase PET (HR: 2.41, p = 0.03), whereas involved margin (HR: 13.14, p < 0.001), post-recurrence chemotherapy (HR: 0.10, p < 0.001), and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) (HR: 4.62, p = 0.009) emerged as independent prognostic factors for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative 2-[¹⁸F]FDG PET-CT offered independent prognostic biomarkers in patients with ampullary carcinoma receiving standard surgical resection.

KEY POINTS

• 2-[¹⁸F]FDG PET-CT offers good survival prediction before operation in primary malignant neoplasms at ampulla of Vater. • Dual-phase PET scan with bowel distention can better delineate Ampulla of Vater and characterize tumor physiology. • Preoperative risk stratification might aid in better treatment planning.

Rare histological subtype of invasive micropapillary carcinoma in the ampulla of Vater: A case report

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is an uncommon ampullo-pancreatobiliary neoplasm, and the most common histological type is adenocarcinoma with a tubular growth pattern. Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is an aggressive variant of adenocarcinoma in several organs that is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. IMPC was first described as a histological subtype of breast cancer; however, IMPC of the ampulla of Vater is extremely rare, with only three articles reported in the English literature.

CASE SUMMARY

We have reported a case of IMPC of the ampulla of Vater in an 80-year-old man. Microscopically, the surface area of the carcinoma was composed of tubulopapillary structures mimicking intra-ampullary papillary-tubular neoplasm, and the deep invasive front area exhibited a pattern of IMPC. The carcinoma showed lymphatic invasion and extensive lymph node metastasis. The immunohistochemical study revealed mixed intestinal and gastric/pan-creatobiliary phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

This rare subtype tumor in the ampulla of Vater showed a histologically mixed phenotype and exhibited aggressive behavior.

Signet ring cell cancer of Ampulla of Vater-first ever case reported in a teenager and a review of literature

Ampullary cancers are rare accounting for 0.2% of all gastrointestinal cancers. Signet ring is a rare variant of adenocarcinoma, characterized by having more than 50% of mucin secreting cells and clinically having a worse prognosis. We present the case of a teenage girl with this tumor, the youngest ever reported in medical literature. An 18 years old girl with no significant past medical history presented to our clinic with symptoms of upper abdominal pain and jaundice. Her upper GI endoscopy showed an ampullary lesion which was biopsied—diagnosing it as adenocarcinoma. She underwent a pancreato-duodenectomy (Whipple’s procedure) with Child’s reconstruction and a feeding jejunostomy. Her final histopathology report was documented as infiltrating adenocarcinoma of Signet Ring variety arising from the Ampulla of Vater. Being such a rare entity, there is a lack of randomized trials advising the optimum treatment for such cases. Till then anecdotal experiences will drive the optimum management of this rare disease.

Differentiation of Adenomyoma from Localized Adenocarcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater Using Multidetector CT

Purpose

To determine the multidetector CT (MDCT) findings that differentiate adenomyoma of the ampulla of Vater (AOV) from localized adenocarcinoma of the AOV.

Materials and Methods

Sixteen and 30 patients with adenomyoma and localized adenocarcinoma of the AOV, respectively, were evaluated using MDCT. We analyzed the size and attenuation value and presence of uniform enhancement of the lesions, diameters of the extrahepatic bile duct (EHD) and main pancreatic duct, presence of regional lymph node enlargement, and laboratory findings. We determined the independent findings for differentiating adenomyoma from localized adenocarcinoma of the AOV using multivariate analysis.

Results

The size of the lesion and diameter of the EHD were significantly smaller for adenomyoma than those for localized adenocarcinoma of the AOV (all p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, a lesion size of ≤ 1.3 cm, an EHD diameter of ≤ 1.3 cm, and an alanine transaminase level of ≤ 31 IU/L significantly differentiated adenomyoma from localized adenocarcinoma of the AOV. When all of these three findings were met, the specificity for adenomyoma of the AOV was 93.3%.

Conclusion

MDCT imaging may facilitate the differential diagnosis of adenomyoma and localized adenocarcinoma of the AOV based on the size of the lesion and diameter of the EHD.

Prognostic value of the lymph node metastasis in patients with ampulla of Vater cancer after surgical resection

Backgrounds/Aims

Patients with Ampulla of Vater cancer have a better prognosis than those with other periampullary cancers. This study aimed to determine the prognostic impact of lymph node metastasis on survival in patients with ampulla of Vater cancer after surgical resection.

Methods

From 1991 to 2016, we retrospectively reviewed data on 104 patients with ampulla of Vater cancer who had received pancreaticoduodenectomy. Clinicopathologic factors such as lymph node ratio (LNR) and number of metastatic lymph nodes that influence survival were statistically analyzed.

Results

5-year survival rate after resection was 57.8%. Mean number of retrieved and metastatic lymph nodes was 13 and 0.95, respectively. In patients with lymph node metastasis, the median number of metastatic lymph nodes and was 1, and the mean LNR was 0.18. LNR >0.2 was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival. Patients with 0 or 1 metastatic lymph nodes had better survival than those with ≥2 metastatic lymph nodes. Univariate analysis revealed that histologic differentiation of tumor, lymph node metastasis, and T stage were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor differentiation and number of metastatic lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors for survival.

Conclusions

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is an appropriate surgical procedure with acceptable long-term survival for ampulla of Vater cancer. Patients with LNR >0.2 and ≥2 positive lymph node metastasis had a poor survival. Tumor differentiation and ≥2 metastatic lymph nodes were independent significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Curative resection with lymph node dissection might control lymph node spread and enhance survival outcomes.

Association between gallstones and the risk of biliary tract cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare but highly fatal. Although the etiology of BTC is poorly understood, gallstones are proposed to be a major risk factor. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the associations between gallstone characteristics and BTC risk.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases and systematically reviewed cohort and case-control studies published before April 9, 2018. All the included studies reported appropriate risk estimates and confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between the presence, size, number, or duration of gallstones and the risk of BTC, including gallbladder cancer (GBC), extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EBDC), and ampulla of Vater cancer (AOVC). Summary odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted to inspect sources of potential heterogeneity, and the Egger test was performed to assess publication bias.

RESULTS

Seven cohort studies and 23 case-control studies in Asian, European, and American populations were included. The presence of gallstones was associated with an increased risk of BTC (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 3.23 to 5.93; I2=91.2%), GBC (OR, 7.26; 95% CI, 4.33 to 12.18), EBDC (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 2.24 to 4.50), and AOVC (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.11). Gallstone size (>1 vs. <1 cm; OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.22) was significantly associated with the risk of GBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallstone characteristics, such as presence, size, and number, are associated with an increased risk of BTC. However, significantly high heterogeneity in the meta-analyses is a limitation of this study.

Can prophylactic argon plasma coagulation reduce delayed post-papillectomy bleeding? A prospective multicenter trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Endoscopic post-papillectomy bleeding occurs in 3% to 20% of the cases, and delayed bleeding is also problematic. However, there is no consensus on how to reduce delayed post-papillectomy bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic argon plasma coagulation (APC) to minimize delayed bleeding and reduce the persistence of residual tumors after endoscopic papillectomy.

METHODS

In a prospective pilot study of patients with benign ampullary tumors, the prophylactic APC group underwent APC at the resection margin following a conventional snaring papillectomy. Then, 24 h later after the papillectomy, all patients underwent a follow-up duodenoscopy to identify post-papillectomy bleeding and were followed up until 12 months. The main outcomes were the delayed (≥24 h) post-papillectomy bleeding rate and the tumor persistence rate.

RESULTS

The delayed post-papillectomy bleeding rate was 30.8% (8/26) in the prophylactic APC group and 21.4% (6/28) in the non-APC group (P = 0.434). The post-procedure pancreatitis rates were 23.1% (6/26) and 35.7% (10/28), respectively (P = 0.310). The rate of tumor persistence did not differ between the two groups at 1 month (12.5% vs 7.4%, P = 0.656), 3 months (4.2% vs 3.7%, P = 1.00), 6 months (8.3% vs 3.7%, P = 0.595), and 12 months (0% vs 3.7%, P = 1.00). There were no procedure-related mortalities or serious complications.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic APC may not be effective in reducing delayed post-papillectomy bleeding or remnant tumor ablation immediately after conventional papillectomy (Clinical trial registration-cris.nih.go.kr; KCT0001955).

Phase 2 study of lenvatinib monotherapy as second-line treatment in unresectable biliary tract cancer: primary analysis results

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) has a poor prognosis and lacks a standardized second-line therapy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 4, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) are highly expressed in BTC. Therefore, lenvatinib (a known inhibitor of VEGF receptors 1-3, FGFRs 1-4, and PDGFR-α) was evaluated for second-line treatment of BTC.

METHODS

In this single-arm, multicenter, open-label, phase 2 study, patients with BTC received lenvatinib 24 mg orally once daily in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), PFS rate at 12 weeks, disease control rate, clinical benefit rate, safety and pharmacokinetic profiles.

RESULTS

Twenty-six Japanese patients were enrolled and treated; 3 had a confirmed partial response per investigator assessment and per independent imaging review (IIR); ORR was 11.5% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-27.2). Median PFS was 3.19 months (95% CI: 2.79-7.23) per investigator assessment and 1.64 months (95% CI: 1.41-3.19) per IIR. Median OS was 7.35 months (95% CI: 4.50-11.27). Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 21 patients (80.8%) and included hypertension (n = 10 [38.5%]), proteinuria (n = 3 [11.5%]), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (n = 3 [11.5%]), decreased appetite (n = 3 [11.5%]), and anemia (n = 3 [11.5%]). Two deaths occurred due to TEAEs between treatment initiation and 30 days after last dose, but neither were considered treatment related.

CONCLUSIONS

Lenvatinib demonstrated antitumor activity in BTC, with a tolerable safety profile, and should be further evaluated as potential second-line therapy for this difficult to treat population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02579616 . Date of registration: October 19, 2015.

Predictors of early recurrence following a curative resection in patients with a carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

Purpose

Ampulla of Vater (AoV) carcinoma has a relatively good prognosis. The 5-year recurrence rate for AoV is still around 40%–50% however, and most recurrences occur in the early period. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of an early recurrence in AoV patients following a curative resection.

Methods

The clinicopathological data for 501 consecutive patients that underwent a resection for AoV in our institute between January 2000 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The characteristics of any recurrences and early recurrence patients were analyzed accordingly. Early recurrence was defined as occurring within one year of resection.

Results

There were 170 diagnosed recurrences in our study population, 57.1% of whom were men, with a mean age of 60.1 years (range, 30–94 years). Almost all of the study patients underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, and 9% underwent minimally invasive surgery. Of the 170 recurrent cases, 107 were diagnosed with an early recurrence and had 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of 77.7%, 18.4%, 10.5%, respectively. The factors that significantly influenced early recurrences, determined by multivariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), lymph node ratio (LNR), and poor differentiation were found to be independent determinants of a recurrence within 1 year.

Conclusion

An early recurrence in AoV patients is ultimately lethal even though this cancer has a good prognosis. LVI, LNR, and poor differentiation are powerful predictors of an early recurrence in AoV. Hence, intensive surveillance and new therapeutic strategies should be considered for AoV patients with these predictors following a curative resection.

Prediction of tumor recurrence and poor survival of ampullary adenocarcinoma using preoperative clinical and CT findings

OBJECTIVES

To predict poor survival and tumor recurrence in patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma using preoperative clinical and CT findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 216 patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma who underwent preoperative CT and surgery were retrospectively included. CT was assessed by two radiologists. Clinical and histopathological characteristics including histologic subtypes were investigated. A Cox proportional hazard model and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to identify disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). A nomogram was created based on the multivariate analysis. The optimal cutoff size of the tumor was evaluated and validated by internal cross validation.

RESULTS

The median OS was 62.8 ± 37.9, and the median DFS was 54.3 ± 41.2 months. For OS, tumor size (hazard ratio [HR] 2.79, p < 0.001), papillary bulging (HR 0.63, p = 0.049), organ invasion on CT (HR 1.92, p = 0.04), male sex (HR 1.59, p = 0.046), elevated CA 19-9 (HR 1.92, p = 0.01), pT stage (HR 2.45, p = 0.001), and pN stage (HR 3.04, p < 0.001) were important predictors of survival. In terms of recurrence, tumor size (HR 2.37, p = 0.04), pT stage (HR 1.76, p = 0.03), pN stage (HR 2.23, p = 0.001), and histologic differentiation (HR 4.31, p = 0.008) were important predictors of recurrence. In terms of tumor size on CT, 2.65 cm and 3.15 cm were significant cutoff values for poor OS and RFS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative clinical and CT findings were useful to predict the outcomes of ampullary adenocarcinoma. In particular, tumor size, papillary bulging, organ invasion on CT, male sex, and elevated CA 19-9 were important predictors of poor survival after surgery.

KEY POINTS

• Clinical staging based on preoperative clinical information and CT findings can be useful to predict the prognosis of ampullary adenocarcinoma patients. • In terms of survival, tumor size (HR 2.79), papillary bulging (HR 0.63), organ invasion on CT (HR 1.92), male sex (HR 1.59), and elevated CA 19-9 (HR 1.92) were important clinical predictors of poor survival. • Tumor size on CT was of special importance for both poor overall survival and disease-free survival, with optimal cutoff values of 2.65 cm and 3.15 cm, respectively (p < 0.001).

Adenomyomatosis of the Common Bile Duct and Ampulla of Vater

Adenomyomatosis is a rare benign lesion that has been observed in different sites throughout the gastrointestinal tract, most frequently in the gallbladder. Few cases have been described in the stomach, small bowel, bile ducts, and ampullary region. Adenomyomas of the vaterian system (ampulla and common bile duct) have important clinical consequences, since the majority of these lesions present with biliary tract obstruction and mimic malignant behavior. As a consequence, considering the diagnostic difficulty of these lesions, patients are often treated with extensive surgery (pancreaticoduodenectomy). We report 2 cases of adenomyomatosis: one of the ampulla of Vater and the other of the common bile duct, as well as a review of reported cases in the literature. Both of our patients presented with epigastralgia and had laboratory or endoscopic evidence of biliary obstruction. Both patients underwent endoscopic ultrasound, one of them with fine-needle aspiration; however, it was not possible to exclude the possibility of cancer. The diagnosis of adenomyoma was only confirmed by the surgical specimen after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Retroduodenal resection of the extrahepatic common bile duct with in situ re-implantation of the main pancreatic duct: A report of two cases

Resection of the whole distal common bile duct (CBD) with in situ re-implantation of the main pancreatic duct can be a surgical option to avoid pancreaticoduodenectomy. in this study, we present two cases of cholangiocarcinomas with diffuse involvement of the extrahepatic CBD that was resected through a retroduodenal approach and re-implantation of the main pancreatic duct. The first case was a 70-year-old male patient with intraductal papillary neoplasm with invasive cholangiocarcinoma. He underwent retroduodenal resection of the whole CBD and in situ re-implantation of the main pancreatic duct. He was disease-free for 8 years, but tumor recurrence occurred at the hepaticojejunostomy site. This patient is currently undergoing chemoradiation therapy for treatment of recurrent lesions. The second case was a 71-year-old male patient with diffuse cholangiocarcinoma involving the whole extrahepatic CBD. He underwent medial sectionectomy, retroduodenal resection of the whole CBD and in situ re-implantation of the main pancreatic duct. He received postoperative chemoradiation therapy. He was disease-free for 3 years, but tumor recurrence occurred at the hepaticojejunostomy site. He passed away 4 years and 6 months after surgery. In conclusion, complete resection of the extrahepatic CBD through a retroduodenal approach with in situ re-implantation of the main pancreatic duct is feasible and less invasive than PD. Therefore, the proposed less-invasive approach can be an alternative procedure in selected patients requiring complete resection of the distal CBD.

Cap-assisted endoscopy increases ampulla of Vater visualization in high-risk patients

Background

Periampullary adenocarcinoma is a major clinical problem in high-risk patients including FAP population. A recent modification for visualizing the ampulla of Vater (AV) involves attaching a cap to the tip of the forward-viewing endoscope. Our aim was to compare the rates of complete visualization of AV using this cap-assisted endoscopy (CAE) approach to standard forward-viewing endoscopy (FVE). We also determined: (i) the rates of complications and additional sedation; (ii) the mean time required for duodenal examination; and (iii) the reproducibility among endoscopists performing this procedure.

Methods

We performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy for AV visualization in 102 > 18 years old using FVE followed by CAE. Video recordings were blinded and randomly selected for independent expert endoscopic evaluation.

Results

The complete visualization rate for AV was higher in CAE (97.0%) compared to FVE (51.0%) (p <  0.001). The additional doses of fentanyl, midazolam, and propofol required for CAE were 0.05, 1.9 and 36.3 mg. in 0.9, 24.5, and 77.5% patients, respectively. The mean time of duodenal examination for AV visualization was lower on CAE compared to FVE (1.41 vs. 1.95 min, p <  0.001). Scopolamine was used in 34 FVE and 24 CAE, with no association to AV complete visualization rates (p = 0.30 and p = 0.14). Three more ampullary adenomas were detected using CAE compared to FVE. Cap displacement occurred in one patient, and there was no observed adverse effect of the additional sedatives used. Kappa values for agreement between endoscopists ranged from 0.60 to 0.85.

Conclusions

CAE is feasible, reproducible and safe, with a higher success rate for complete visualization compared to FVE.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02867826, 16 August 2016.

A case of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

Background

Gastroenteric neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) account for 6.2% of gastroenteric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and only 1% or less of gastroenteric NETs occur in the ampulla of Vater (AoV). Clinical features of NEC of the AoV remain obscure.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old man visited a general practitioner because of jaundice, and an abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a tumor of 11 mm in diameter, which was enhanced in the arterial phase at the duodenal papilla, with dilation of the upstream bile duct. Gastrointestinal scope revealed an unexposed tumor of the AoV. Based on a biopsy of the site, a moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma was suspected, and pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed dysplasia and highly proliferative small tumor cells, with solid and nodular formation at the AoV. Histological analysis showed a high mitotic count, and immunohistochemical staining revealed a Ki-67 index of 40–50% and cells positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and p53. Small cell-type NEC was finally diagnosed. Four months post pancreatoduodenectomy, multiple liver metastases developed, and systemic chemotherapy was administered. Salvage liver resection for liver metastases was performed 14 months after the pancreatoduodenectomy. Unfortunately, multiple liver metastases developed 2 months after liver resection, and the patient died 18 months after the pancreatoduodenectomy.

Conclusions

Neuroendocrine carcinoma originating from the bile duct is very rare; therefore, in this article, we provide a review of the literature and a case report.

Initial Experience of ERCP-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation as the Primary Therapy for Inoperable Ampullary Carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ablation of duodenal ampullary malignancy has not been fully assessed.

AIMS

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograpy (ERCP)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for inoperable ampullary cancer.

METHODS

Patients with inoperable ampullary cancer underwent ERCP-guided RFA from January 2012 to August 2017. RF energy (7-10 W) was delivered using bipolar RFA electrodes under endoscopic guidance. RFAs were repeated every 1-3 months until visible tumor was eliminated. All patients were followed up till June 2018, during which any biliary event was noted and managed endoscopically.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients underwent a median of two RFA sessions (range 1-6) at a median interval of 56 (range 35-90) days. Among 18 (78.3%) patients who received endoscopic re-evaluations, nine patients showed no remaining lesion and nine showed more than 50% tumor size reduction. During a median follow-up duration of 517 days (range 60-1836 days), eight (34.8%) patients required endoscopic re-interventions. The re-intervention rate at 6 months after RFA was 36.8%. Twelve patients were alive, among whom six required no biliary stenting. The accumulative mean survival was 1081 (95% CI 757.8-1404.0) days. RFA-related adverse events occurred in four cases (7.7%) including mild pancreatitis (1), bleeding (1), and late distal biliary stenosis (2).

CONCLUSION

This pilot study shows that ERCP-guided RFA is safe to use and able to reduce tumor volume and re-interventions in patients with inoperable ampullary cancer.

Benefits of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the preoperative characterisation or staging of disease in the ampullary and duodenal papillary

OBJECTIVES

Diagnosing ampullary and duodenal papillary carcinomas (ADPCs) is challenging. In the present study, we investigated the application value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in the preoperative evaluation of these tumours.

METHODS

¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images of 58 patients with ADPC and 28 patients with benign disease were retrospectively analysed. Preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was compared to contrast-enhanced (CE) CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in terms of diagnostic efficacy, certainty, staging and impact on treatment decisions.

RESULTS

¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT showed a high sensitivity (93.1%) and a medium specificity (78.6%) for diagnosing ADPC. Compared to CE CT/MRI, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT had a higher diagnostic specificity (78.6 vs. 35.7%, p = 0.001) but a similar sensitivity (93.1 vs. 89.6%, p = 0.508). ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT provided a much higher diagnostic certainty than CE CT/MRI (definite reports, 88.4 vs. 50.0%, χ² = 29.698, p < 0.001), especially for small tumours ≤ 1.5 cm, and found distant metastases in five patients. The ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT findings affected the treatment plans of 11 patients and improved the confidence in the diagnoses of 28 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT can supplement CE CT/MRI to provide a more accurate diagnosis for ADPC, and thus, plays an important role in the decision-making process before complicated pancreaticoduodenectomy procedures.

KEY POINTS

• It is a challenge for CT and MRI to diagnose ampullary carcinoma, especially at their early stage. • Our study demonstrated that the benefit of PET/CT was improving the diagnostic confidence for ampullary and duodenal papillary carcinomas. • ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT can change the treatment decision for ampullary and duodenal papillary carcinomas.

Endoscopic ampullectomy for non-invasive ampullary lesions: a single-center 10-year retrospective cohort study. Surg Endosc. 2020;. [PMID: 32215745 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-020-07433-7]

BACKGROUND

Lesions involving the ampulla of Vater have traditionally been managed by surgical resection, albeit with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic ampullectomy is increasingly recognized as an efficacious and safer treatment option. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic ampullectomy for non-invasive ampullary lesions in a single tertiary referral center.

METHODS

Patients with non-invasive ampullary lesions, with or without familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), were identified using pathology and endoscopy databases. The study included all patients who underwent the index ampullectomy between January 2007 and January 2017. Outcome parameters included accuracy of forceps biopsies, adverse events, success of endoscopic resection, and rate of recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients underwent endoscopic ampullectomy over the 10-year period. Histological upstaging was seen in 37.8% of cases at ampullectomy compared to biopsy, including 5 cases (9.4%) of invasive adenocarcinoma. Adverse events occurred in 10 patients (18.9%) consisting of bleeding (11.3%), benign papillary stenosis (3.8%), acute pancreatitis (1.9%), and duodenal perforation (1.9%). Recurrence occurred in 32.7% over a median follow-up of 30 months (range 6-104 months), with the majority (18.4%) occurring at the first surveillance endoscopy. Nonetheless, 75% of recurrences were able to be cleared endoscopically. Endoscopic resection was successful in 91.1% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic ampullectomy is an effective and safer therapeutic modality for non-invasive ampullary lesions, in addition to being a valuable diagnostic and staging tool. Nevertheless, careful patient selection and a commitment to endoscopic follow-up are of primary importance to achieve an optimal therapeutic outcome.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case diagnosed via repeated biopsies

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is a rare tumor. A 74-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain and was diagnosed with cholangitis. Her liver enzyme levels were elevated. Computed tomography showed an enhanced area in the periampullary region and marked common bile duct dilatation. On endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the ampulla exhibited a normal appearance without ulcer or mass. Histological biopsy confirmed the absence of malignancy. During follow-up, the patient again presented with acute cholangitis multiple times and underwent ERCP each time. The ampulla had the appearance of a reddish and erosive mucosa. Although biopsy was repeated, histological examination did not show any malignancy. After a total of 13 biopsies, the patient was diagnosed with ampullary carcinoma of non-exposed protruded type following the third ERC-guided biopsy. Careful follow-up and frequent endoscopic biopsies are important in cases of papillary carcinoma of non-exposed protruded type with normal ampullary mucosa on initial endoscopy because this condition is challenging to diagnose with a single biopsy.

Tumor-specific Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor II mRNA-binding Protein 3 Independently Predicts Worse Survival of Patients With Adenocarcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater

BACKGROUND/AIM

Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) plays an important role in the adhesion, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Although emerging evidence suggests that IMP3 promotes tumor progression in several malignancies, the expression of IMP3 and its prognostic implication in adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (AVAC) has not been clarified to date.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The IMP3 expression status in 87 AVAC tissues was examined using immunostaining, and its association with various clinicopathological features and outcome of patients with AVAC was investigated.

RESULTS

The vast majority (87.4%) of AVAC cases displayed at least focal cytoplasmic and membranous IMP3 immunoreactivity in tumor cells, whereas IMP3 expression was consistently absent from normal biliary epithelial cells. Tumor-specific IMP3 expression was associated with submucosal and pancreatic invasion, which were not identified in the corresponding hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. This finding led to up-staging of the pathological tumor stage in two cases of well-differentiated AVAC. In addition, high IMP3 expression was significantly associated with a poorly differentiated histology (p=0.026). Survival analyses revealed that high IMP3 expression independently predicted shorter recurrence-free (p=0.003) and overall (p=0.029) survival.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated tumor-specific IMP3 expression in AVAC, which will be helpful in determining invasion depth and tumor extent in patients with well-differentiated tumors, as well as indicating worse survival of patients with AVAC. Our data highlight IMP3 expression status as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for AVAC.

Aggressive clinical course of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

A 78-year-old male patient with a history of the right hemicolectomy due to the adenocarcinoma was admitted by the complaint of epigastric discomfort. Laboratory data showed an increase in liver biochemistries (aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 159 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT):235 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase (ALP): 350 IU/L, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT): 911 IU/L, total bilirubin: 1.55 mg/dl and direct bilirubin: 0.82 mg/dl). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography (ERCP) administered after the gastrointestinal (GI) upper endoscopy was compatible with the tumoral lesion, and biopsy confirmed ‘neuroendocrine carcinoma’. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) was performed with R0 resection. Pathologic evaluation revealed a 1,5 cm tumor of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Five months later, biopsy of suspicious lesions in the liver was documented as ‘high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma metastasis’. He was referred to the oncology for chemotherapy, but, unfortunately, he expired three months later. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNECs) of the ampulla of Vater might have an aggressive clinical course despite radical resections involving lymph node dissections. Small tumor size and lymph node negativity are not reliable factors for this tumor type.

Challenges in the management of adenocarcinoma of ampulla of Vater in pregnancy: A case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Ampullary adenocarcinoma is a rare entity during pregnancy. It accounts for 0.5% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. The best treatment modality for resectable tumors with the best reported outcome is surgical resection in the form of pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure). In this case report, we discuss the challenges in the management of ampullary adenocarcinoma in a pregnant patient.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of 22 years old pregnant women who presented with vague abdominal pain and jaundice at the 28th week of gestation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed a stricture around the ampulla and distal common bile duct (CBD). The CBD was stented and a biopsy was taken. Histopathology revealed: an invasive adenocarcinoma. The patient was managed by elective pancreaticoduodenectomy after induction of vaginal delivery at the 34th week of gestation.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosing and managing ampullary adenocarcinoma in pregnant patients in their 3rd trimester is challenging. Yet, a delayed viable delivery followed by a definitive surgery in the form of pancreaticoduodenectomy offers the best outcomes for both the mother & fetus in case of early stage disease.

Assessment of tumor heterogeneity: Differentiation of periampullary neoplasms based on CT whole-lesion histogram analysis

PURPOSE

To investigate the utility of whole-lesion histogram analysis from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for discrimination of duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) around the periampullary area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

171 patients suspicious of periampullary tumors were examined by MDCT (arterial and venous phases) and treated with surgery. A total of 74 patients were finally included in this retrospective study (26 DACs, 20 PDACs, and 28 GISTs). The interobserver agreement was evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) test between two radiologists. Volumetric histogram analysis based on CT Kinetics software was performed on enhanced MDCT images that recorded different histogram parameters of arterial and venous phases, including mean, median, 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles, as well as skewness, kurtosis and entropy. The extracted histogram parameters were compared between DAC, PDAC and GIST respectively by Mann-Whitney U tests with Bonferroni corrections. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic ability of each significant parameter and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.

RESULTS

The whole-lesion CT histogram analysis demonstrated significant differences between DAC, PDAC, and GIST with different histogram features on both arterial and venous phase scans (all P < 0.05). In the ROC analysis, the 90th percentile of venous phase demonstrated the highest AUC of 0.854 (P < 0.001) for discriminating DAC from PDAC. Excellent discriminators of periampullary tumors were noted among the histogram features, namely the 90th percentile of arterial phase, which demonstrated AUCs of 0.809 and 0.936 (P < 0.001) respectively for distinguishing DAC and PDAC from GIST.

CONCLUSION

The whole-lesion CT histogram analysis could be useful for differential diagnosis of DAC, PDAC and GIST arising from the periampullary area. Further assessment is warranted to investigate the clinical role of histogram analysis based on MDCT.