Background Submucosal and lymphovascular (SM/LV) invasions of early gastric cancer (EGC) are difficult to diagnose accurately prior to endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and are occasionally found in resected specimens, requiring additional gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. We performed a retrospective study to determine the risk factors for SM/LV invasions. Methods We analyzed clinicopathological data (age, sex, cancer location, gross morphology, multifocality, tumor size, histological differentiation, depth of invasion, and the presence or absence of lymphovascular invasion) in patients receiving ESD between 2007 and 2012 and presenting with EGC of 2.0 cm or smaller in size, a differentiated-type adenocarcinoma, and without ulceration. Results Of 208 lesions consecutively resected by ESD, 143 lesions in 132 patients were included in this study. Submucosal and lymphovascular invasions were detected in 16 lesions. Multivariate analysis revealed three independent risk factors for SM/LV invasions: dominant histology of moderately-differentiated or papillary adenocarcinoma, gross type of 0-IIa ? IIc or IIc ? IIa, and tumor size of C1.5 cm. Lesions exhibiting more than two of these three risk factors were associated with having a 47 % increased incidence of SM/LV invasion (odds ratio 15; 95 % confidence interval 4.6-49.0; P \ 0.0001). Conclusions Moderately-differentiated or papillary adenocarcinoma, 0-IIa ? IIc or IIc ? IIa, and a tumor size of C1.5 cm were identified as independent risk factors for SM/LV invasion among EGCs which appeared to be an endoscopically good indication for ESD. Careful surveillances including endoscopic ultrasonography or enhanced computed tomography might be needed for high risk patients before ESD.

EDSL may be a safe and effective treatment for colonic diverticular hemorrhage. However, additional studies are warranted to confirm these initial exploratory data.

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Recently, endoscopic detachable snare ligation (EDSL) has become increasingly common as treatment for colonic diverticular hemorrhage. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EDSL in comparison with endoscopic clipping (EC) as treatment for colonic diverticular hemorrhage. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> From April 2013 to September 2017, 131 patients were treated with EDSL or EC at the Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital. We retrospectively evaluated patient characteristics and clinical outcomes, including early rebleeding rates (rebleeding within 30 days after initial hemostasis) and complications for each procedure. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 131 patients, 44 and 87 were treated with EDSL and EC respectively. We initially achieved endoscopic hemostasis in all patients. The early rebleeding rate was significantly lower for EDSL (6.8%, 3 patients) than for EC (23.0%, 20 patients). There were no differences in the total procedure time (43 vs. 45 min, <i>p</i> = 0.84) or time to hemostasis after identification of bleeding site (12 vs. 10 min, <i>p</i> = 0.23). There were no severe complications following EDSL. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The results of this study suggest that EDSL is superior to EC as treatment for colonic diverticular hemorrhage. EDSL may provide improvements in the clinical course of patients with colonic diverticular hemorrhage.

We report the case of a 58-year-old woman who was referred to our hospital due to frequent bloody mucus diarrhea. She was diagnosed with cap polyposis based on typical endoscopic and histological findings. Colonoscopy revealed multiple, reddish, mucus-capped polypoid lesions from the rectum to the sigmoid colon. A pathological examination revealed that the polyps were covered by erosive and inflamed granulation tissue with decreased crypt cells. Laboratory data indicated positive values for Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G antibody and hypoproteinemia. Metronidazole, H. pylori eradication, and levofloxacin therapies were not effective; however, the subsequent administration of betamethasone enema dramatically improved the clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings. The hypoproteinemia was normalized after the therapy. The dose of the betamethasone enema was tapered gradually, and no recurrence was observed 6 months after discontinuation of the treatment. This case suggests that betamethasone enema may be considered as the second treatment choice for cap polyposis patients after H. pylori eradication, metronidazole or levofloxacin therapy.

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