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Abstract Background Intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) is often associated with ulceration that requires surgery, including perforation and abscess formation. However, no consensus has been reached on the optimal extent of resection or treatment strategy. This study reviewed four cases of intestinal or suspected intestinal BD. Case presentations In Case 1, a 74-year-old woman diagnosed with BD 2 years earlier was treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor α antibody (Infliximab) and steroids. She had oral and pubic ulcers. After close investigation of abdominal pain, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract was suspected and surgery was performed. Multiple perforating ulcers and abscesses were found in the distal ileum, and the small intestine was resected. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with an increased steroid dose and symptoms have remained stable. Case 2 involved a 69-year-old woman with oral and pubic ulcers, ocular ulcer, and skin lesions. She experienced sudden onset of abdominal pain during treatment for lymphoma. She showed multiple perforating ulcers throughout the ileum and underwent resection of the small intestine and ileostomy. Upper abdominal pain appeared during postoperative treatment for high-output syndrome. The patient underwent omentoplasty after perforation of the upper gastrointestinal tract was diagnosed. Postoperatively, anti-interleukin-1 beta antibodies (canakinumab) was administered to control the disease. Case 3 involved an 81-year-old, previously healthy woman. She presented to her previous physician with complaints of pubic ulcer, hemorrhage and abdominal pain. Colonoscopy showed multiple ulcers throughout the entire colon. Steroid therapy was started, but bleeding proved difficult to control and total proctocolectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed multiple perforating ulcers and BD was diagnosed. Postoperatively, the patient remains under steroid control. Case 4 involved a 43-year-old man with abdominal pain who showed abscess formation in the ileocecal region. After excision of the ileocecal area, multiple ulcers were diagnosed. Two years later, abdominal pain recurred and free air was found in the abdomen on close imaging. Emergency anastomotic resection was performed due to ulceration and perforation of the anastomosis. Conclusions Intestinal BD may flare up after surgical treatment and require multiple surgeries. Introducing pharmacotherapy as soon as possible after surgical treatment is important to control the disease.

Abstract Background Pancreatic and duodenal-related complications after right colectomy carry a higher risk of mortality. Case presentation A 64-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic right colectomy for a laterally spreading tumor in the cecum. On postoperative day 10, she experienced sudden hematemesis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a large amount of hemorrhage in the stomach, but no obvious extravasation. In addition, free air was observed near the duodenal bulb. Despite blood transfusion, vital signs remained unstable and emergency surgery was performed. The abdomen was opened through midline incisions in the upper and lower abdomen. A fragile wall and perforation were observed at the border of the left side of the duodenal bulb and pancreas, with active bleeding observed from inside. As visualization of the bleeding point proved difficult, the duodenum was divided circumferentially to confirm the bleeding point and hemostasis was performed using 4-0 PDS. The left posterior wall of the duodenum was missing, exposing the pancreatic head. For reconstruction, the jejunum was elevated via the posterior colonic route and the duodenal segment and elevated jejunum were anastomosed in an end-to-side manner. Subsequently, gastrojejunal and Brown anastomoses were added. Drains were placed before and after the duodenojejunal anastomosis. Postoperative vital signs were stable and the patient was extubated on postoperative day 1. Follow-up contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen showed no active bleeding, and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day 21. As of 6 months postoperatively, the course of recovery has been uneventful. Conclusions We encountered a case of pancreaticoduodenal artery hemorrhage after laparoscopic right colectomy. Bleeding at this site can prove fatal, so treatment plans should be formulated according to the urgency of the situation.

Abstract Background Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are malignancies that arise or differentiate from or infiltrate peripheral nerves and account for approximately 5% of soft-tissue malignancies. Approximately half of MPNSTs develop in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a hereditary disease. MPNSTs occur mainly in the trunk, proximal extremities, and neck, but can on rare occasion arise in or near the gastrointestinal tract, and intestinal complications have been reported. We describe herein a case with resection of an MPNST arising in the pelvic region. Case presentation A 51-year-old woman had undergone repeated resections for systemic neurofibrosis associated with NF1. This time, a pelvic tumor was noted on follow-up positron emission tomography computed tomography (CT). She presented with slowly progressive radiating pain in the lower extremities and was referred to our hospital for tumor resection. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a 75 × 58-mm mass in the right greater sciatic foramen directly below a 24 × 28-mm mass. Open pelvic tumor resection was performed for pelvic neurofibroma. The obturator nerve was identified lateral to the main tumor and the sciatic nerve was identified dorsally, then dissection was performed. The closed nerve was spared, while the sciatic nerve was partially dissected and the two tumors were removed. Both tumors were elastic and hard. Pathologic findings were MPNST for the large specimen and neurofibroma with atypia for the small specimen. The patient developed temporary postoperative ileus, but is generally doing well and is currently free of recurrence or radiating pain. The patient is at high risk of recurrence and close monitoring should be continued. Conclusions We encountered a rare case of MPNST. Due to the high risk of recurrence, surgery with adequate margins was performed, with a requirement for appropriate follow-up.

Abstract Background Esophageal duplication cyst (EDC) is a type of gastrointestinal duplication cyst that involves congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract. EDCs are frequently found in the mediastinum and thoracoabdominal region, but rarely occur in the abdominal cavity. However, intra-abdominal EDCs are frequently found in the upper abdomen near the abdominal esophagus. Here, we report, for the first time, a case of intra-abdominal EDC that occurred in the ileum. Case presentation A 14-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with complaints of epigastric pain and vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic tumor in the pelvis, suspected of ovarian origin. She was admitted to our gynecology department and underwent emergency surgery. The laparoscopic examination revealed that both ovaries were intact and that a primary tumor had developed from the ileal mesentery. Since the patient’s condition was not urgent at the time of the gynecological surgery, the procedure was completed by only performing exploratory laparotomy; the patient was admitted to our department after the surgery. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging performed on the next day revealed a cystic mass measuring 90 × 65 mm with a smooth margin and homogeneous signal intensity, arising posterior to the uterus. The mass was suspected as an intestinal duplication cyst. On another day, after the examinations were completed, we resected the portion of the small intestine containing the tumor by laparoscopy. The patient had a successful postoperative course and was discharged on the 5th postoperative day. Histological examination showed that the cyst was lined by stratified squamous epithelium, contained esophageal glands, and had a two-layer muscularis propria. Therefore, a diagnosis of intra-abdominal EDC was performed. Conclusions An intra-abdominal EDC cyst is relatively rare; this is the first case reported at the distal ileum.

Abstract Background A colo-duodenal fistula is a very rare complication of colon cancer that presents with not only severe clinical symptoms, but a poor prognosis due to locally advanced cancer. A novel immune checkpoint inhibitor for colon cancer patients provides a high objective response rate. Recently, radiation therapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has been reported to have a synergistic antitumor effect. A case of complete closure of a colo-duodenal fistula in a patient with locally advanced colon cancer after combined pembrolizumab and radiation therapy is reported. Case presentation A 66-year-old man presented with abdominal distention. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 80-mm bulky mass in the right upper quadrant. The tumor created a fistula to the second portion of the duodenum. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a colo-duodenal fistula. Gastro-jejunal bypass and ileostomy were performed to prevent bowel obstruction, followed by systemic chemotherapy. MSI-high was diagnosed on examination of the biopsy specimen. Treatment was then changed to immunotherapy using pembrolizumab; after six courses, the tumor markers were decreased to within normal ranges, but the main tumor increased. Radiation therapy was then given for local control of the main tumor, after which CT showed that all of the tumor, including the main tumor, lymph node metastases, and the colo-duodenal fistula, had gradually shrunk. Follow-up upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed that the colo-duodenal fistula had closed completely. PET–CT showed no abnormal uptake in all tumors, and clinical complete response was diagnosed. Now, 21 months after diagnosis, the tumor is well controlled without evidence of regrowth. Conclusions Pembrolizumab combined with radiation therapy has a potentially dramatic therapeutic effect for advanced colon cancer.

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most malignant complication in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). We report 6 cases of CD-related CRC treated surgically at our hospital. Case presentation From 2010 to 2016, six CD patients were diagnosed with CRC. All patients were diagnosed with CD at 10 years (range, 15–42 years) in all patients. The histological type of cancer was mucinous carcinoma in two cases, well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in two cases, and moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in two cases. CRC was detected by screening colonoscopy in three cases (50%), and from clinical symptoms in the remaining three cases (50%). Two cases underwent colonoscopy within 2 months after symptom onset, detecting CRC in the relatively early stage. However, one case was diagnosed with advanced-stage CRC by endoscopy 1 year after symptom onset, and experienced poor prognosis. Conclusions Regular surveillance colonoscopy is needed to detect early-stage CRC in CD patients. Clear surveillance methods need to be established based on evidence.

Abstract Background Epidermoid cyst arising from the cecum is extremely rare. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is the latest innovation in minimally invasive surgery, and shortens incisions, improves cosmesis, and reduces postoperative pain. We report here the first description of a patient with epidermoid cyst of the cecum treated by ileocecal resection by single-incision laparoscopic surgery. Case presentation A 20-year-old woman presented to our hospital with abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a 56 × 35-mm cystic mass in the ileocecal area. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 56 × 43-mm, T1-hypointense, T2-hyperintense mass attached to the cecum. Gastrointestinal tumor or duplication cyst was suspected, and ileocecal resection was performed using single-incision laparoscopic surgery. Intraoperative examination showed the tumor as a round, whitish mass arising from the cecum. Operation time was 162 min, and intraoperative blood loss was 10 ml. Macroscopic examination showed a 56 × 45-mm elastic-hard, whitish, round mass arising from the cecal wall. Microscopic examination revealed the cyst wall lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. No malignant findings were identified. The final diagnosis was epidermoid cyst of the cecum. The postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on postoperative day 5. Conclusions A rare case of cecal epidermoid cyst is reported. Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy using an organ retractor represents a promising option for treating cecal epidermoid cyst.