Transnasal endoscopic resection of nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma in infancy: an analysis of 5 cases

Background Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartomas (NCMHs) are extremely rare benign tumors that most commonly affect children in the first year of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate and summarize the characteristics of NCMH cases and the efficacy of transnasal endoscopic resection of NCMHs. Methods This is a retrospective study including 5 cases of infant diagnosed as NCMH between April 2016 and April 2020. Diagnostic techniques include nasoendoscopy, computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast and microscopic and immunohistologic studies. Data collected included patient demographics, patient symptoms, radiographic findings, characteristics of tumor growth, follow-up time, recurrence, and postoperative complications. Results In 5 cases, 3 were males and 2 were females who aged 1, 2, 3, 6 months and 1 year, respectively. The size of the mass measured 1.6 cm*1.9 cm*1.8 cm at its smallest and largest was 4.0 cm*3.5 cm*3.0 cm. All five patients underwent tumor resection via transnasal endoscopic approach. Four tumors were completely removed, and one underwent partial resection, which was completely resected by midfacial degloving operation 13 months after the first surgery. There was no postoperative complication. The current postoperative follow-up period was 1 to 4 years, and no recurrence has been observed. Conclusions Complete surgical resection of NCHM is necessary to resolve the symptoms and prevent recurrence. Transnasal endoscopic approach is a safe and effective choice for pediatric NCMH patients.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on malignancy of undifferentiated-type gastric cancer

Background Although almost all cases of gastric cancer are caused by Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, there are some rare exceptions. Furthermore, the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer may differ depending on HP infection status. This study aimed to determine the clinicopathological characteristics of undifferentiated-type gastric cancer (UD-GC) according to HP status. Methods The study involved 83 patients with UD-GC who were selected from 1559 patients with gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic resection at our hospital and whose HP infection status was confirmed. Clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated according to HP status (eradicated, n = 28; infected, n = 32; not infected, n = 23). Results In patients without HP infection, UD-GCs were < 20 mm and intramucosal with no vascular invasion. In patients with eradicated HP, there was no correlation between development of UD-GC and time since eradication. Nine of twelve patients with a tumor detected ≥ 5 years after eradication had undergone yearly endoscopy. Submucosal invasion was observed in two of four patients and lymphovascular invasion in three of four patients whose UD-GC was detected ≥ 10 years after eradication. There was no significant between-group difference in the frequency of lesions with invasion into the submucosal layer or deeper (14.3%, 10.5%, and 0% in the UD-E, UD-I, and UD-U groups, respectively). Conclusion The clinicopathological characteristics of UD-GC were similar between HP-infected patients and HP-eradicated patients. Three of four patients with eradicated HP whose UD-GC developed ≥ 10 years after eradication were not eligible for endoscopic treatment and required additional surgery resection. In contrast, UD-GC was curable by endoscopic resection in all patients without HP infection.