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OBJECTIVES: A precut procedure is sometimes required for difficult biliary cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, it is unclear whether the biliary access rate has improved for early precut procedures compared to conventional techniques. This study aimed to identify the benefit of early precut sphincterotomy in cases showing difficult biliary access. METHODS: Between April 2017 and August 2021, consecutive patients who underwent precutting for difficult biliary cannulation were retrospectively enrolled. The outcomes of early (≤ 10 min from start of cannulation) and delayed (> 10 min) precut groups were evaluated. All adverse events were defined according to Cotton criteria. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in this study. The biliary cannulation rate for a first ERCP was significantly higher in the early compared to delayed precut group (95% vs. 73.3%; P = 0.015). A difference in overall cannulation rate between the two groups was not observed (97.5% vs. 83.3%; P > 0.05). Significantly higher rates of prophylactic pancreatic stents were described in the delayed compared to early precut group (36.7% vs. 12.5%; P = 0.009). Significant differences in the frequency of pancreatitis, bleeding, penetration, and perforation were not noted between the two groups. Overall, the success rate was statistically significant between the experienced and less experienced endoscopists (87.2% vs. 63.9%; P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Early precutting within 10 min from the start of cannulation in ERCP is safe and effective in cases with a difficult biliary cannulation, and can improve the biliary cannulation rate.

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An 18-year-old man presented with sudden vision loss in his left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor that had invaded the left optic nerve, originating from the left posterior ethmoid sinus. Immunohistochemical analyses identified positive staining for NUT protein in the nuclei of tumor cells. We diagnosed locally advanced NUT carcinoma (NC) and initiated concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), consisting of chemotherapy with vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide, alternating with ifosphamide and etoposide, plus radiation therapy. The patient achieved a complete response. CCRT can be a useful treatment option for adolescent and young-adult patients with locally advanced unresectable NC.

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The tumor reduction effect of pembrolizumab is extremely high compared to standard chemotherapy and might show prolonged survival. Therefore, the MSI status should be examined in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

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A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in May 2016 with progressive shortness of breath. We considered him to be experiencing acute heart failure caused by atrial fibrillation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a hypodense mass involving the right atrium and left ventricle, pericardial effusion, and lymphadenopathy of the groin. Histological finding from the groin and pericardial effusion analysis showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL). We thus diagnosed this patient with cardiac tamponade owing to the involvement of the heart by DLBCL. Treatment was initiated with tetrahy- dropyranyldoxorubicin/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisolone(THP-COP)therapy(50% dose)and continuous pericardial drainage. We carefully added rituximab 4 days after monitoring his symptoms and vital signs. There were a few adverse effects, and after treatment, the mass and pericardial effusion disappeared. Subsequently, 8 courses of THP-COP therapy accompanied by rituximab(R-THP-COP)(full dose)were administered, resulting in a complete response.

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BiRd combination therapy, which comprises clarithromycin(CAM: Biaxin®), lenalidomide(LEN: Revlimid®), and dexamethasone( DEX), is a highly effective treatment for newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma(MM). However, its efficacy against recurrent myeloma refractory to LEN and DEX combination therapy(Rd therapy)remains unclear. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 7 patients(4 men and 3 women, median age of 76 years)with MM, who had clarithromycin added to their Rd regimen. In all patients, the starting dose of clarithromycin was 400 mg daily and the median number of prior therapies was 3(range, 1-4). Patients received a median of 9 cycles of Rd(range, 6-27 cycles)for a median duration of 8 months. Then, patients received a median of 14 cycles of BiRd(range 2-36 cycles). One patient showed partial response(PR), which was the best response, while the others showed stable disease(SD). Our results demonstrated that the addition of clarithromycin to Rd could overcome resistance to Rd and lead to durable responses, without exacerbating hematological or non-hematological toxicities. Thus, BiRd therapy may represent a therapeutic option for symptomatic MM resist- ant to Rd therapy.

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A 47-year-old man presented at a local ophthalmological hospital with blurred vision. He had been diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy and renal failure and was referred to our hospital for treatment. A renal biopsy was done to evaluate pathology of high proteinuria, hematuria, and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Blood pressure remained high despite antihypertensive therapy; anemia and thrombocytopenia gradually progressed. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was suspected based on red blood cell fragmentation due to hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. However, plasma exchange resolved neither thrombocytopenia nor renal failure, and anemia gradually progressed. Backache suddenly developed 13 days later, and CT findings indicated a retroperitoneal hematoma secondary to bleeding from the kidney. Selective renal artery embolization via angiography stopped the bleeding, but the patient went into hemorrhagic shock. Pathological findings on renal biopsy were identical to those in malignant hypertension, namely an edematous membrane lining, thickened arterioles, and stenosis. We diagnosed thrombotic microangiopathy due to malignant hypertension, without decrease in activities of ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif) or its antibodies. Renal failure did not improve, and continuous hemodiafiltration was needed. This procedure stabilized blood pressure and improved the TMA.

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A 71-year-old woman who had been treated with methotrexate (MTX) and prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis since 2010 presented with hematuria. Cystitis was diagnosed. Chest and abdominal CT images revealed a bladder tumor, with lung and bilateral adrenal metastases. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-BT) confirmed these findings in September 2014. Histological findings of the bladder included large atypical lymphoid cells indicating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After TUR-BT, CT imaging showed that the tumor had shrunk. Still, MTX was continued. She was diagnosed with MTX-related lymphoproliferative disorders in November 2014 and MTX was discontinued. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography on March 2015 showed a complete response.

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