These findings suggest that our device is an effective tool to facilitate acceptance of the one-stage procedure in patients with obstructing left-sided colonic cancer. Specifically, our device enables quick and easy on-table colonoscopy.

Lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor in gastric cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) is a lymphangiogenic growth factor that activates VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, a receptor expressed in the lymphatic endothelium. We investigated the clinical value of VEGF-D expression and VEGFR-3 positive vessel density in gastric carcinoma with regard to lymphangiogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 in specimens from 104 cases of resected gastric cancer. VEGF-D expression was observed in 62.5% of the gastric cancers and in 9.6% of the non-neoplastic gastric tissue. The VEGFR-3-positive vessel density was significantly greater in the VEGFD positive group than the negative group. VEGF-D expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, increased serum CEA levels, and the non-signet ring cell type. The VEGFR-3-positive vessel density was correlated with tumor size, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis. The VEGF-D expression and high VEGFR-3-positive vessel density were significant poor prognostic factors for relapse-free survival. These results suggest that VEGF-D and VEGFR-3-positive vessel density are potential molecular markers that predict lymphatic involvement in gastric carcinoma.

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We report computed tomographic and pathologic findings of an adult case of idiopathic localized dilatation of the ileum presenting as hematochezia and bowel perforation. If a cyst-like structure that has narrow communications with proximal and distal bowel loops and a layered enhancement pattern similar to those of adjacent bowels on the computed tomogram of a patient with gastrointestinal bleeding, idiopathic localized dilatation of the ileum should be suspected.