Background. Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver is a rare, highly malignant, mesenchymal tumor presenting predominantly in late childhood. Four girls, ages 6–13 years, who were treated with combined‐modality regimens are reported. Methods. In the first and second patients, hemihepa‐tectomy resulted in complete removal of the tumor, and multiple‐agent chemotherapy was administered postoperatively. In the third patient, only partial resection could be accomplished initially. By synchronous radiation therapy and chemotherapy, the tumor decreased to an extent that it could be resected completely and was totally devitalized on histologic examination. Postoperative chemotherapy was discontinued after 8 weeks. In the fourth patient, the tumor was not resectable at diagnostic biopsy. Polychemotherapy led to a significant reduction of the tumor size, and resection with clear margins could be performed subsequently. Because histologic necrosis amounted to about 95%, postoperative chemotherapy was also discontinued after 6 weeks. Results. All four patients remain well without evidence of tumor recurrence after 79, 41, 36, and 22 months from diagnosis. Conclusions. The authors suggest that a multimodal therapeutic regimen should be used in patients with undifferentiated hepatic sarcoma.

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Chronic intermittent duodenal obstruction caused by stenosis of the distal duodenum is a rare disease. Tight fixation of the ligament of Treitz, compression due to mesenteric lymphomatas or abnormal attachment of the mesocolon can cause intermittent impairment of intestinal passage. It will be necessary to differentiate this against genuine arterio-mesenteric duodenal obstruction as well as nerve motility disorders. History in the appropriate cases reports on postprandial episodes of regurgitation, sensation of fullness, nausea, vomiting and paroxysmal upper abdominal colicky pain. Radiograms always reveal gastroptosis and a varying degree of duodenal obstruction, usually with retroperistalsis. The passage is markedly delayed, with an impairment sometimes at the site of the duodenojejunal flexure. Therapy is always surgical. 8 own cases were cured by leftsided duodenal mobilisation according to Clairmont with additional caudad positioning and fixation of the duodenojejunal flexure.

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