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The patient was a 42-year-old woman. After 4 courses of capecitabine therapy for right chest wall recurrence of breast cancer, ER(+, 10-15%), PgR(-), HER2(-), she underwent pleurodesis using OK-432 for increased right pleural effusion. On the 12th day after pleurodesis diffuse infiltrative shadows in the right lung, and frosted shadows in both lungs, were observed, and she was diagnosed with drug-induced lung injury. About 3 weeks after administration of prednisolone 1 mg/ kg a tendency for improvement in lung injury was observed, but the patient died of breast cancer progression. Drug- induced lung injury by pleurodesis carries the risk of delaying resumption of chemotherapy. We report this case with a review of the literature.

A 68-year-old woman with a chief complaint of obstructive jaundice was referred to our hospital. She was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer with invasion to the liver, extrahepatic bile duct, right hepatic artery and portal vein. After endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage, she received chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin. After 9 courses, the size of the tumor and the lymph nodes decreased, and we planned surgery. There were no unresectable factors, and the right hepatic artery and portal vein were detached from the tumor. We performed a subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and gallbladder bed resection. We then performed adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for 1 year. The patient remains alive without recurrence, 5 years after the surgery. We report the case of advanced gallbladder cancer with downstaging after GC therapy.

Only a few studies have been conducted regarding the palliative radiation therapy(RT)for gastric cancer(GC)bleeding. Data of 9 patients with gastric cancer requiring blood transfusions due to gastric bleeding who were treated with RT were reviewed. All patients were men with a median age of 83(range, 70-91)years. The clinical stage was ⅡB in 2 patients, Ⅲin 1, ⅣA in 1, and ⅣB in 5. Performing gastrectomy was difficult in 4 patients with distant metastasis or tumor invasion to adjacent organ, 3 with poor performance status, and 2 with advanced age. The median hemoglobin levels before RT was 6.0 (range, 3.3-7.7)g/dL, and all patients received blood transfusions before RT. Seven patients received 30 Gy RT and 2 patients received 50 Gy. Two patients received concurrent chemotherapy. A total of 2 hematological and 4 non-hematological treatment-related adverse events occurred. All patients improved conservatively. Hemorrhage occurred in 8 patients, except for 1. Of the 8 patients who responded to RT, 1 had rebleeding on day 81. The median rebleeding-free survival time from the beginning of RT was 125(range, 21-421)days. Palliative radiation therapy was useful for bleeding control in nonresectable gastric cancer.

A 43-year-old man fell from a 1m-high truck loading platform and sustained an injury in the occiput. On admission, he was alert and neurologically intact. Computed tomography(CT)showed hemorrhage in the right sylvian fissure and parenchyma adjacent to the sphenoid wing. Magnetic resonance angiography detected no abnormalities. The course was uneventful for 11 days. However, on the 12th day, he spontaneously manifested with stupor. CT and CT angiography revealed expansion of the hemorrhage and an aneurysm arising from the origin of the M2 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. After superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass, the aneurysm, a reddish pulsatile mass, was removed from the origin of the torn M2 segment, and the laceration was sutured. The histological diagnosis was false aneurysm. He recovered and was discharged 4 months after the trauma. Traumatic cerebral aneurysms are rare in the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery. However, they should be distinguished from nontraumatic true aneurysms in the same region and treated as false aneurysms, which are major and critical traumatic aneurysms, for favorable outcomes.

This 64-year-old woman had undergone endoscopic carpal tunnel release(ECTR)for right carpal tunnel syndrome 16 months earlier. Thereafter, she reported persistent dysesthesia in the thumb and index finger, developed burning pain in the middle and ring finger, paleness, coldness, and edema of the hand, a decreased range in hand motion, and a painful subcutaneous nodule just distal to the portal in the forearm. Based on physical, radiological, and electrophysiological studies, the diagnosis was incomplete carpal tunnel release associated with complex regional pain syndrome(CRPS). At open revision surgery, the carpal tunnel was released completely and the nodule was removed. Symptoms other than hypesthesia in the middle and ring fingers improved. Pathologically, the nodule was an amputation neuroma. Her CRPS was attributed to ECTR complications; i.e., persistence of median nerve compression and the formation of an amputation neuroma in the palmar cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve at the portal. Surgeons must be aware that ECTR, a less invasive technique, may result in serious complications including CRPS.

In some patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), initial imaging investigations may not be able to detect a bleeding source;repeat imaging may be necessary to reveal these lesions. We reviewed a consecutive series of 45 patients with SAH and negative initial digital subtraction angiograms(DSA)during a 15-year period. The aims were to document the frequency and reason for the negative initial investigations, to determine the appropriate modality and timing of repeat examinations, and to investigate the identified bleeding sources. Twenty-eight(62%)patients underwent repeat DSA, 35(78%)underwent magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and 33(73%)underwent computed tomography angiography(CTA). Nine lesions(5 small aneurysms, 2 craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistulas, 1 arteriovenous malformation, and 1 internal carotid artery dissection)were identified on subsequent DSA after 2-3 weeks. Most aneurysms were identified on an atypical vascular tree. CTA or MRI alone were unable to disclose the culprit lesions. In retrospect, human errors including oversight were the major reasons for the negative initial investigation results. It is, however, difficult to search for a tiny vascular lesion that might be anywhere in the cranium. Repeat DSA is still the gold standard for the inspection of hidden bleeding sources in patients with SAH of unknown origin.

Software-based image analysis is important for studies of cartilage changes in knee osteoarthritis(OA). We developed a semi-automated software to quantify knee cartilage volume on high-resolution knee magnetic resonance(MR)images. In this article, we refer to the points of MRI imaging for cartilage quantitative assessment and our developed software. This software has already been used in clinical studies.

Doppler sonography accurately identifies occlusion of the internal carotid artery(ICA)and current surgical guidelines do not list an occluded ICA as an indication for carotid endarterectomy(CEA). We encountered an unusual case, for which we performed CEA. The left ICA was occluded by atherosclerosis, and was reconstituted via an aberrant branch of the occipital artery. A 71-year-old man was referred following brain infarction. Carotid duplex sonography(CDS)demonstrated occlusion of his left ICA, with flow in the distal ICA beyond the occlusion("Sandwich stump sign"). 3D computed tomography angiography and cervical angiography diagnosed ICA occlusion with flow in the distal ICA, and the patient underwent CEA. Careful evaluation is required when apparent occlusion of the ICA is detected to avoid overlooking a flow pattern beyond the occlusion and to determine whether repair is possible.

The outcome of severe acute subdural hematoma is unfavorable. In particular, patients with levels of consciousness of Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)3 or 4 tend to be refractory to treatment. Decompressive craniotomy should be promptly performed to remove hematoma. However, if an operating room is not immediately available, emergency burr hole surgery is sometimes performed in the emergency room(primary care room)prior to craniotomy. A previous study has reported that the interval from injury to surgery influences the outcome of severe acute subdural hematoma. Therefore, emergency decompression is important to effectively treat patients with severe acute subdural hematoma. We present the cases of two patients with acute subdural hematomas. In both cases, emergency decompressive craniotomy(hematoma removal after craniotomy and external decompression)was performed in the emergency room of the Emergency and Critical Care Center. In both cases, the surgery was followed by favorable outcomes. Case 1 was a 36-year-old female. The patient's level of consciousness upon arrival was GCS 3. The interval from injury to diagnosis on the basis of CT findings was 75 minutes. Surgery began 20 minutes after diagnosis. Case 2 was a 25-year-old male. The second patient's level of consciousness upon arrival was GCS 4. The interval from injury to diagnosis on the basis of CT findings was 60 minutes. Surgery was begun 40 minutes after diagnosis. In both patients, we observed anisocoria and the loss of the light reflex. However, the postoperative course was favorable, and both patients were discharged. In summary, to treat severe acute subdural hematomas, early emergency decompressive craniotomy is optimal. Emergency decompressive surgery in the emergency room is independent of operating room or staff. Therefore, emergency decompressive craniotomy may improve the outcome of patients with severe acute subdural hematomas.

A 51-year-old man presented at the emergency department with a one-day history of fever, altered mental status, slurred speech, worsening gait instability, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient did not have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse. On physical examination, crackles were heard over the right lower lobe. Neurological findings revealed ataxic gait, dysarthria and bilateral dysmetria upon finger-nose testing. The results of laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis, renal failure, and hyponatremia. Chest radiography and lung computed tomography (CT) revealed right lower lobe infiltrates with air bronchograms. The result of a urinary Legionella antigen test was positive. The results of brain CT and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses did not reveal any signs of infection, but brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a corpus callosum lesion upon admission. The patient's symptoms began to resolve after the administration of intravenous levofloxacin. A subsequent brain MRI examination performed 9 days after admission showed the complete resolution of the lesion. He was discharged 11 days after admission without any neurological sequelae. He was finally diagnosed as having clinically mild encephalitis/ encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS).

Medical doctors have been utilizing POCT devices at POC sites (ER, ICU, and operation rooms). Now, POCT devices are used by health care professionals in the physician's office and also for home healthcare. Home healthcare (welfare/nursing care) is a focus area of the MHLW initiative to develop healthcare in order to resolve the "2025 problem". The role of POCT is important in resolving this issue.

We describe differentiation of a spinal intramedullary lipoma from an intramedullary hematoma on magnetic resonance images (MRI) with fast spin-echo (FSE) sequences. A 60-year-old man with dysesthesia in the legs and gait disturbance, was suspected of having myelopathy at a middle thoracic lesion. MRI with FSE sequences revealed an intramedullary lesion at T7 to T8. On the basis of hyperintensity on both T1-and T2-weighted images and a perilesional hypointense rim on T2-weighted images we made a diagnosis of subacute hematoma and planned observation. However, computed tomography for associated vertebral degeneration revealed a hypodense area (-97 Hounsfield units) in the region corresponding to the lesion depicted by MRI. We revised our diagnosis to an intramedullary lipoma and debulked the lesion. The lipoma was surrounded by a thick whitish capsule. Histopathologically, the capsule contained mature fat tissue and abundant collagen. The initial diagnosis was mainly attributable to specific FSE characteristics, i. e., the depiction of fat tissue as hyperintense on both T1-and T2-weighted images. Conventional spin-echo MRI depicts fat tissue as hyperintense on T1-and as hypointense on T2-weighted images. Other factors contributing to our initial diagnosis were MRI findings suggestive of an intramedullary hematoma, i. e., the intrinsic location of the lesion and the perilesional hypointense rim on T2-weighted images ascribable to collagen present in the capsule. The accurate diagnosis of an intramedullary lipoma on FSE requires correct interpretation of the signal, which is different from the signal on conventional spin-echo MRI.

Here, we present the case of a 60-year-old man in whom abdominal computed tomography showed a solid abdominal tumor (11 cm in diameter) in the pelvic space, with widely disseminated nodular lesions. Emergency surgery was performed following the rapid onset of intense abdominal pain. Peritoneal disseminations were widespread and the tumor was confirmed to be in the pelvic space. The tumor was not connected to any segment of the intestinal tract but rather to the retroperitoneum. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for c-kit (exon 11 mutation) and CD34 but negative for S-100 protein. Careful postoperative examination did not reveal any lesions in the upper or lower alimentary tract. On the basis of these findings we diagnosed the tumor as an extragastrointestinal stromal tumor (EGIST) originating from the retroperitoneum. After surgery, intravenous infusion of imatinib was started at a full dose of 400mg/day; however, owing to strong adverse effects, the dose was reduced to 200mg/day. Despite halving the dose, the patient has remained lesion-free according to computed tomography for 36 months after the operation. Low-dose imatinib chemotherapy remained efficacious in controlling progression in this case.

A 58-year-old man was diagnosed with liver dysfunction during a health exam and subsequently visited a doctor. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed space-occupying lesions in the gall bladder and bile duct, and he was hospitalized for further examination and treatment. Computed tomography (CT), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed double cancer of the gall bladder and bile duct with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM), and we performed a pancreatoduodenectomy. Pathological examination revealed gall bladder and bile duct cancer, and severe dysplasia of the papilla of Vater. We diagnosed synchronous triple cancer because none of the cancers had continuity or vascular invasion. Each cancer was at Stage I, and the patient has survived for 2 years and 6 months without recurrence and no additional treatment. PBM is a mutation of the junction of the pancreatic and bile ducts outside of the duodenal wall, and is a known complication of biliary tract cancer due to the reflux of pancreatic juice and bile. Because K-ras and p53 gene mutations occur in the biliary tract mucosal epithelium, PBM increases the risk of developing multicentric cancer. It is important to consider the existence of double cancer when biliary tract cancer is detected in a PBM patient.

A 68 -year-old man underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy after being diagnosed with primary duodenal cancer. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was tub2, SE, ly1, v1, panc3, pn+, N0. Although adjuvant chemotherapy was administered, local recurrence in the portal region was detected 18 months later. The recurrent tumor pressed against the region of the bile duct anastomosis, which caused obstructive jaundice. After serum bilirubin levels were reduced, resection of the recurrent tumors was performed. This required resection of the transverse colon, parts of the portal vein, and the inferior vena cava. The bile duct anastomotic region, which had been infiltrated by the tumor, was excised and rebuilt. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was tub2. The patient continued to receive adjuvant chemotherapy and showed no signs of recurrence 9 months after surgery. Extended resection for local recurrences of primary duodenal cancer may be an effective means of disease control.

Uterine cervical cancer is the most common primary gynecologic malignant tumor in Japan. Conventional cervical screening Papanicolaou (Pap) test has been shown to be extremely effective in reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality, but the consultation rate for cancer screening in Japan is markedly low, at 20% of prescribed subjects, in comparison with other developed countries. In 2001, 15,501 women (6.8%) received a Pap test in Kitakyushu City, and that was less than half of national average. From 2009, free coupons for uterine cervical cancer screening were distributed to Japanese woman who were 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40 years of age as part of the project for women-specific cancer screening. The rate of participation in Pap testing was 22.3% in 2012, with 31,970 women receiving cervical tests. It was almost as high as the national level. It's obvious that high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for cervical cancer incidence and HPV mainly infects through sexual practice. The rate of early cervical neoplasms and invasive cancers is currently increasing in young women. Abnormal Pap tests were detected in 2.3% of the women in 2008. To increase the population's participation in this screening process, a cost-effective and efficient system should be established. National and local governments, medical institutions, companies, and educational institutions must have an accurate understanding of the current situation, and take an assertive approach in order to decrease the mortality rate of uterine cervical cancer.

Vertebral artery dissection(VAD)presenting as isolated occipital headache and/or neck pain is being increasingly diagnosed because of the development of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). While a majority of the patients diagnosed with this condition shows a favorable prognosis, the pain may be a predictor of fatal stroke in some patients. We aimed to find out the features of headache with VAD, identify the clinical manifestations indicative of VAD, and determine the ideal diagnostic approach to this condition to avoid fatal stroke. We reviewed medical records of 41 consecutive patients who showed VAD with isolated headache and were diagnosed between 1995 and 2008. All patients experienced pain in the occipitocervical area ipsilateral to the affected VA. Pain showed a sudden onset in 21(51%)patients, was persistent over several days in 31(76%)patients, and was severe enough to disable daily life activities in 34(83%)patients. Progression of stenosis or aneurysmal dilatation of the vessel was identified on follow-up imaging(angiography, magnetic resonance angiography)in 7 patients(17%), and was found within 14 days after pain onset in 6 of these patients(86%). Patients with persistent, severe, and unilateral pain in the occipitocervical area should undergo MRI examination, including surface anatomy scanning(SAS)imaging, and the possibility of VAD should be considered in their diagnosis. Once VAD is diagnosed, the patient should undergo meticulous blood pressure control, bed rest, and repeated MRI examination for at least 2 weeks after onset.

Taste disorders are caused by several factors, and there have been few reports concerning the clinical course of taste disorders. In this study, patients with taste disorders were classified into 10 groups according to causes, and they were retrospectively studied in terms of therapeutic effects. In total, 1059 patients (412 men and 647 women, mean age: 60.0 years) who complained of taste disorders were reviewed in our clinic. The patients were asked detailed questions about their history of symptoms, and their emotional status was assessed using a self-rating depression scale. In all subjects, taste functions were measured by electrogustometry (EGM) and filter paper disks (FPD). The grades of their symptoms were assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, the levels of serum iron, copper, and zinc were examined. The patients were treated with zinc sulfate, polaprezinc, iron preparation, herbal medicine, and minor tranquilizers according to the factors causing the taste disorders. The most frequent cause was idiopathic taste disorder (192 cases, 18.2%), the second was psychogenic (186 cases, 17.6%), and the third was drug-induced (179 cases, 16.9%). The recovery rate of the symptoms was 64/92 (70.2%) in post-common cold, 31/35 (88.6%) in iron deficiency, and 85/116 (73.3%) in zinc deficiency. In these groups, the rates of recoveries were better than in the other groups. The recovery period in drug-induced taste disorders was approximately twice as long as the recovery period in the other groups. In the patients who were able to start treatment within 6 months from the onset of taste disorder, the recovery rate was significantly higher and the therapeutic period was significantly shorter than in those who had the disorders for more than 6 months (p<0.05, respectively).

A 69-year-old postmenopausal woman who was prescribed anastrozole for 10 months after surgical removal of her breast cancer, was referred to our hospital for acute renal failure. Because it was possible that her renal failure was related to her treatment with anastrozole, the treatment was immediately discontinued. After renal biopsy was performed to examine her renal failure, she was diagnosed as crescentic glomerulonephritis, probably related with the treatment of anastrozole. Twenty mg of oral prednisolone was administered daily after methylprednisolone pulse therapy(500 mg/day intravenous administration for three days). Her renal dysfunction was gradually improved. Renal dysfunction was considered to be a rare complication of anastrozole. Patients who are prescribed anastrozole should be watched carefully for the development of renal dysfunction.

A 76-year-old man with dyspnea and left side chest pain was admitted to our hospital. Chest roentgenogram showed a left side pneumothorax. Chest computed tomography( CT) showed a mass shadow in S3 and a nodular shadow in S10 of left lung. Drainage of the pleural cavity and a trans-bronchial biopsy was performed, and primary lung adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. Abdominal CT showed a left enlarged adrenal gland. Because pneumothorax was resistant to the treatment by closed drainage, a surgical treatment was performed. Since the main tumor of left upper lobe was adjacent to emphysematous bullae, simple bullectomy was not possible. Accordingly, left upper lobectomy, partial resection of left lower lobe and lymph node dissection were performed. Positron emission tomography( PET)-CT after surgery strongly suggested adrenal gland metastasis and the pathological stage Ⅳ was established in combination with the histopathological examination. Appropriate surgical approach must be considered even for case with the advanced lung cancer, like present case.

A 63-year-old woman who presented with chest and back pain underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy which revealed elevated legion in the antrum mucosa. Histologic examinations of gastric biopsies were showing monoclonal proliferation plasma cells containing Russell bodies. Differential diagnosis from B-cell lymphoma and plasmacytoma is difficult, because of monoclonality. Molecular analyses of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene demonstrated that gene rearrangement was negative. Thus, diagnosis of Russell body gastritis was made. The Giemsa stains were also showing infection of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). After eradication therapy for H.pylori, follow-up upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. She then recovered.

A 60-year-old man visited our hospital with a complaint of right renal incidentaloma which was pointed out on abdominal ultrasonography for a medical check-up. Abdominal computed tomography showed a renal tumor in the right kidney, which was a slightly high-dense relative to the renal parenchyma and was enhanced in the arterial phase. The tumor had grown gradually from 1.4 to 1.7 cm in diameter. After the observation for 4 years, he underwent pure laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator. Histological examination of the specimen revealed a leiomyoma of the kidney. This is the 5th case of successful laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal leiomyoma in Japan within the retrieved references.

A 69-year-old woman diagnosed with a urinary carcinoma was admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin (CDDP) and gemcitabine. Two days after administration of CDDP, she complained of general fatigue. The total urine volume was 5, 500 ml/day. Three days after she received CDDP, her serum sodium level decreased to 118 mEq/l, leading to disturbed consciousness. After the intravenous administration of saline, her serum sodium levels recovered to the normal value (137 mEq/l) without any complications. The diagnosis of renal salt-wasting syndrome was made on the basis of hyponatremia, high urinary sodium excretion and increased urinary output.

A 77-year-old man visited our hospital with a chief complaint of asymptomatic gross hematuria. He was diagnosed with right renal pelvic tumor (7 cm) involving right renal hilar and inter-aortocaval lymph node metastases by radiological evaluation, and cytologic examination of urine indicated small cell carcinoma. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin, right nephroureterctomy with bladder cuff, and right renal hilar and inter-aortocaval lymph node dissection was performed. Histological examination of the specimen revealed a small cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis (ypT3N2). After the operation, adjuvant chemotherapy with etopside and carboplatin was administered in combination with radiation therapy. At 5 months after the operation, there has been no evidence of recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the 38th report of a small cell carcinoma originating from the kidney in the literature.

A 71-year-old man was admitted due to persistent pyrexia of over 2 weeks duration, dry cough, and chest computed tomographic (CT) findings of interstitial pneumonia. On admission, his body temperature was 38.0 degrees C, and there was mild livedo reticularis observed on the trunk and skin of the extremities. Fine crackles were detected in the lower lung fields. Laboratory examinations showed high levels of an inflammatory reaction and a positive rheumatoid factor, but the findings were negative for any other autoantibodies, including the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. His bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed an increase in CD4+ lymphocytes. A biopsy specimen of the abdominal skin showed necrotizing vasculitis of the muscular arteries. Lung biopsy specimens showed necrotizing and granulomatous vasculitis of the pulmonary arteries in the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern, with numerous lymphoid follicles. Therefore, a diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa was clinically and pathologically established. This case of interstitial pneumonia associated with polyarteritis nodosa was difficult to discriminate from microscopic polyarteritis.

It may be difficult to perform CT for pediatric head trauma because of body movement and radiation exposure. Imaging application criteria were established, in which patients diagnosed as less likely to have an intracranial lesion meeting the criteria were not indicated for imaging and subjected to course observation at home, and this policy was explained to the parents. When consent was obtained, patients were followed up at home, and we checked on the condition by making a phone call 4-8 hours after injury. The patients were 103 infants aged 15 years or younger brought to the emergency medical care center of our hospital between May and August 2008. Imaging was basically indicated for cases of traffic accidents, falls from a high level, those brought in by ambulance, referred cases, and cases with disturbance of consciousness, neurologically abnormal findings, vomiting on examination, and trauma requiring X-ray examination in addition to that for the head. However, apart from these cases, imaging was not required. Imaging was not necessary for 94% of infant cases. The parents were convinced by the explanation and selected course observation at home in 94% of cases for which imaging was judged as unnecessary. None of the patients required re-examination based on the conditions reported in phone calls to homes. Imaging diagnosis for pediatric head trauma is not always necessary, and its application should be decided on after consultation. When no imaging is performed, this should be fully explained at the initial treatment before selecting course observation at home. Checking on the child's condition by making a phone call several hours after injury is useful for both patients and physicians.

A 65-year-old woman who had diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with tumor thrombus of right portalvein(Vp3) and lung metastases(Stage IVB)was treated by single-agent therapy with tegafur/uracil(UFT). As a result, primary and metastatic tumors were not recognized by diagnostic imaging, with a noted decrease of AFP, AFP-L3 and PIVKA-II. Generally, oral chemotherapy for HCC is not recommended because of the low response rate. However, there have been some reports including the present case which have showed a marked response with UFT. We thus conclude that UFT can be an option with low risk of crucial adverse effects in the treatment of selected HCC patients.

When methotrexate (MTX) salvage chemotherapy is performed for primary brain malignant lymphoma, use of leucovonrin rescue must often be extended due to delays in the degradation of blood concentration. We examined whether delay in MTX blood concentration degradation could be prevented by chai-ling-tang (Sairei-to) which has diuretic action. In the five cases examined were MTX blood concentration 72 hours after MTX administration was more than 1 x 10(-7) M. A single dose of 3 g of chai-ling-tang was administered three times on the day the MTX salvage chemotherapy was subsequently performed. MTX blood concentration at 72 hours post MTX administration and subsequent chai-ling-tang administration was less than 1 x 10(-7) M in all five cases. In addition, urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in serum increased and creatinine clearance decreased following MTX administration, however these changes induced by MTX administration were reduced by chai-ling-tang administration. Chai-ling-tang was effective in preventing an MTX deferent delay in MTX high-dose therapy by improving renal blood flow.

An LC/ESI (positive-mode)-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous quantification of 8 macrocyclic lactones (abamectin B1a, abamectin 8,9-Z isomer B1a, emamectin benzoate B1a, emamectin benzoate 8,9-Z isomer B1a, ivermectin, eprinomectin B1a, doramectin and moxidectin) in animal tissues, egg, milk and honey. The separation was achieved on a TSK-GEL ODS 100 V column (2.0 x 50 mm, 3 microm) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, and 0.1 mM ammonium formate-0.1% formic acid in water, at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min with gradient elution. Linear calibration plots were obtained with high correlation coefficients (r=0.998-0.999). The LOQ and LOD ranged from 0.02-1.5 ng/mL and 0.1-5 ng/mL, respectively. Average recoveries were in the range of 70.8-117.1% with associated RSD values<15% (n=10) for repeatability and reproducibility. The spiking levels for recoveries and RSDs met the validation criteria for Japanese maximum residue limits (MRLs). Based on these results, the proposed analytical method has been proven to be highly efficient and suitable for routine determinations of macrocyclic lactones in animal food matrices.

An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of exacerbation of preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD). On admission, he showed elevated levels of serum creatinine (6.37 mg/dL) and corrected calcium (13.7 mg/dL). Although the serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related peptide(PTITH-rP)were low, the serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 (OH)2D3)levels were high. Computed tomography (CT) revealed ascites, and the ascitic fluid was exudative and serous with predominance of lymphocytes. The levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the ascitic fluid were also elevated, and the results of QuantiFERON-TB2G (QFT-2G)assay were positive, indicating tuberculous peritonitits. Ascites resolved rapidly after initiation of the antituberculosis therapy. The elevated levels of serum calcium and 1,25 (OH) 2D3 returned to below-normal levels; however, serum i-PTH levels increased from 8.9 pg/ mL to 432 pg/mL. Diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is often difficult in CKD patients. CKD patients show abnormal vitamin D activation, so these patients usually have low levels of serum 1,25(OH)2D3. On the other hand, in our patient, 1,25(OH)2D3 was extrarenally produced from tuberculous granuloma and therefore, he showed high levels of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and correspondingly, low levels of serum i-PTH. We observed that the ratio of 1,25 (OH) 2D3:i-PTH decreased due to antituberculosis therapy. This ratio facilitated the diagnosis and evaluation of treatment for this condition.

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical features of patients with paranasal sinus cysts. Between April 1995 and March 2008 at Hyogo College of Medicine, we performed sinus surgery on 218 patients with paranasal sinus cysts. There were 125 men and 93 women with the mean age of 57.5 years (17-85 years old). Diagnosis was based on the preoperative endonasal and radiological findings as well as surgical findings. The patients were followed for 6 months or more after surgery. Of 218 patients, postoperative cysts were observed in 173 patients (79.4%), and idiopathic cysts were found in 45 patients (20.6%). In postoperative cysts, the maxillary sinus was the most common lesion (124/173 patients, 71.7%). Most patients (53.8%) presented with cheek swelling and pain. The mean interval between the first and most recent surgery was 31.2 years (4-55 years). Among idiopathic cysts, anterior ethmoid sinus (19/45 patients, 42.2%) and frontal sinus (15/45 patients, 33.3%) were common lesion sites. More than a half of them (53.3%) presented with ophthalmologic symptoms. For treatment, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was performed on 206 patients. The navigation system for ESS was utilized in 6 patients (2.8%). External approaches were required in 23 patients (10.6%). The Caldwell-Luc procedure for maxillary sinus cysts and Killian's procedure for frontal sinus cysts were performed on 18 and 5 patients, respectively. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with the endonasal approach was additionally performed on 4 patients with epiphora due to postoperative maxillary sinus cysts. Recurrence of cysts was observed in 5 patients (2.3%) at the mean interval of 25 months after surgery, comprising three patients with maxillary sinus cysts, one patient with a frontal sinus cyst, and one patient with a sphenoid sinus cyst. In conclusion, most paranasal sinus cysts (approximately 80%) occurred postoperatively. Symptoms were predominantly ophthalmologic. Selecting an endoscopic and/or an external approach is critical, considering minimally invasive surgery and risk of recurrence.

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of pyrexia, cough and sputum. He suffered from bronchial asthma. Chest X-ray showed infiltrates in the left upper and right lower lung fields. Chest CT scans showed mucoid impaction and consolidation predominantly in the left upper lobe. Laboratory tests showed peripheral eosinophilia, elevated level of serum IgE, and the increased eosinophils in his sputum. Schizophyllum commune was isolated from the bronchoscopically-removed mucous plug. A diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) due to S. commune was made. Simultaneous daily administration of 400 mg itraconazole (ITCZ) and corticosteroid (prednisolone; 30 mg daily) provided sufficient improvement. However recurrence was recognized on chest CT scan findings one year later. There are not enough case reports concerning S. commune-induced ABPM to establish a therapeutic approach to the condition.

A 47-year-old man was admitted for further examination of uveitis. He had noticed scrotal swelling before his admission. A computed tomographic scan of the chest showed hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, multiple micronodules and thickening of the interlobular septum, and these findings were consistent with sarcoidosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed lymphocytosis. Gallium-67 scintigraphy revealed an abnormal accumulation in the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes and in the bilateral scrotum. The resected and biopsied specimens of the epididymis and testis demonstrated numerous noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas but no evidence of neoplasm. Therefore, systemic sarcoidosis was diagnosed. A review of the Japanese literature found most cases to be associated with a history of painless scrotal swelling with chest roentgenogram findings of stage I or II, while also indicating it was important to perform biopsy or surgically resect any epididymal and testicular lesion.

A 70-year-old woman was admitted because of left facial nerve palsy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass lesion with a well-enhanced margin in the left temporal bone. A computed tomographic scan of the chest showed a lung mass in the left lower lobe, which was thereafter diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. An immunohistochemical examination of the tissue specimen obtained from the left temporal bone revealed evidence of metastatic adenocarcinoma from the lung. No other metastatic lesions including separate site of bone were seen. This is a very rare case of lung cancer with facial nerve palsy as the first sign of onset due to a metastatic temporal bone tumor.

We encountered a rare case of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) complicated with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SjS), followed by chest CT scanning for a long period of time. A 54-year-old man with hemoptysis was admitted to our hospital in December, 2001. A diagnosis of SjS was made based on elevation of anti-SS-B/La antibody titer in serum in combination with diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia on a Schirmer test and a lip biopsy, respectively. Subsequent histopathological diagnosis by open lung biopsy showed LIP. Chest CT in September, 1995 at previous hospital revealed ground-glassed opacity (GGO), small nodules, thickened bronchovascular bundles and cyst formation in lungs. Chest CT was performed every year until 2008, when remarkable progression from thickened bronchovascular bundles accompanied by nodular opacities to an air-space consolidation in the right lower lobe was observed. Also, appearance of cyst formation in the right middle lobe, nodular lesions and GGO in the left lower lobe were noticed. Although the nodular opacities and GGO improved after an administration of corticosteroid (PSL 0.5 mg/kg/day), little improvement in the consolidations and cyst formation was demonstrated. In conclusion, it was suggested that differences among CT findings of LIP may be important for evaluating of efficacy of treatment by steroid agents for LIP associated with SjS.

A-58-year-old female admitted to our hospital for abdominal fullness and dyspnea was diagnosed with malignant pleuro-peritonitis of advanced ovarian cancer. CT showed a massive right-sided pleural effusion, massive ascites, and large ovarian tumor (about 10 x 15 cm). The patient was treated with intrathoracic administration of CDDP and CPT-11. Combination chemotherapy of CDDP (10 mg/week) and CPT-11 (10 mg/week) was administered by intrapleural injection every other week. As a result (total amount; CDDP 310 mg, CPT-11 250 mg, in 9 months), pleural effusion and ascites disappeared. Moreover, marked shrinkage (about 3 x 4 cm) of the tumor was confirmed. This intrathoracic administration of CDDP and CPT-11 may be an effective loco-regional therapy for advanced ovarian cancer with malignant pleuro-peritonitis.

A rapid analytical method for the simultaneous determination of carbamate pesticides in processed foods was established by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The pesticides were extracted from samples with acetonitrile using accelerated solvent extract equipment, except for the fine powder type spices, which were extracted in an ultrasonic bath. The crude extract was cleaned up with a multi-solvent GPC column (Shodex Asahipak GF-310 HQ) using acetonitrile as a mobile phase. The eluent from the column at the retention time between 13 to 18 min was concentrated under nitrogen gas and dissolved in a mixture of acetonitrile-water-0.2 mol/L ammonium formate buffer pH 6.0 (10 : 9 : 1). An aliquot was injected into the LC/MS/MS using electrospray ionization (ESI) with acquisition in the positive mode. The recoveries of 29 kinds of pesticide from dried fruits (raisin, prune and mango) and spices (turmeric, masala, sage, thyme and red pepper) fortified at levels of 0.1 and 0.01 microg/g were mostly in the range of 50 to 150% and those from soybean paste and soy sauce fortified at 0.01 microg/g were 46.9 to 122.6% (C.V. 3.8 to 37.6%), except for 4 kinds of pesticide. The determination limits (S/N> or =10) corresponded to 0.001 to 0.05 mug/g of the pesticides in red pepper.

We conducted a multi-institute survey on the conditions related to urologic management of severe voiding dysfunction after hysterectomy for uterine cancer with or without postoperative irradiation. Our first study population was a group of adult female patients currently managed by urologists, using clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). Of the 287 patients in this group, 99 (34%) had suffered from uterine cancer. Of these patients, 94 underwent hysterectomy for this disease; 44 and 30 were treated with or without postoperative radiation, respectively, while postoperative irradiation status was unknown for 20. Median follow-up after surgery was 21 (0.2-52) years and median interval from operation to the introduction of CIC was 4.0 (0-49) years. CIC tended to be introduced later for patients with postoperative radiation than those without it. Seventy-four patients, who required invasive urologic interventions other than CIC for voiding dysfunction after hysterectomy, are the second study population. Most of these (82%) had received postoperative irradiation. Continuous Foley catheter placement was the most frequent procedure. Long-term follow-up and urologic management for voiding dysfunction is required for patients undergoing hysterectomy.

A 73-year-old woman suffered from neck pain, progressive m tor weakness and sensory disturbance in all extremities. Neuroradiological studies revealed a retro-odontoid mass with posterior compression of the upper cervical spinal cord. Decompression of the mass was performed via a postero-lateral transdural approach, and the patient exhibited marked improvement of the symptoms. Histological examination revealed that the mass was composed of degenerative cartilaginous tissue, consistent with disc material, but the lesion was not neoplastic. Retro-odontoid disc herniation causing cervical myelopathy is very rare. We primarily discuss the surgical management of retro-odontoid disc herniation.

Aging is one of the risks of atrial fibrillation (AF). Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) became more common for stroke prevention in patients with AF in 1990s. OAT has a narrow therapeutic range and the response to the standard dose varies widely both between patients and within patients over time. Changes in patient health, lifestyle or diet and other drugs can alter the effectiveness of medication. Prothrombin Time International normalised ratio (PT-INR) within the therapeutic range is considered a key indicator of patient safety in terms of a reduced potential for complications such as haemorrhage or thrombosis. PT-INR monitoring in-home care and patient self-testing was established in the 1990s in Europe. The benefit of this concept was recently proven in a meta-analysis demonstrating the positive outcome concerning thrombotic events as well as bleeding complications.

We report a possible case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) that was attempted to evaluate the pathogenesis by a novel brain MRI techniques. A 72-year-old woman had developed subacute visual disturbance, right hemiparesis and sensory disturbance. Laboratory examinations revealed liver dysfunction and pancytopenia due to liver cirrhosis (type C) and preclinical status of multiple myeloma. Thus, this patient had these two underlying diseases, while anti-HIV antibody was negative. She was suspected with PML by detection of JCV-DNA in cerebrospinal fluid using with PCR. MRI showed multifocal T2-high signals in the bilateral parieto-occipital deep white matter, basal ganglia and right cerebellar hemisphere. No gadolinium enhancement was found. On FLAIR and diffusion weighted images (DWI), the lesion showed hyperintensity. The hyperintense areas on DWI showed various pattern on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA). In particular white matter changes, the course of FA reflected the clinical course more than ADC. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in deep brain white matter showed ratios of reduced N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and increased choline (Cho) to creatine. 1H-MRS by chemical shift imaging were undergone three times between 4 and 6 months after the onset. The change of these chemical markers correlated with her clinical course. We conclude that the approach of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and 1H-MRS are useful for evaluating neuropathologic observations and clinical course.

We reviewed 18 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter undergoing nephron-sparing surgery between April 1990 and Febrary 2003. The mean age of the patients, 17 males and one female, was 69 years (range 33-88 years). The tumor site was the renal pelvis in 2, ureter in 13 and ureteral orfice in 2. Six of them were imperative cases and 12 were elective. Eight patients underwent endourological treatment and 10 patients open surgery including partial ureterectomy performed on 8 patient. The follow up period was 3 to 104 months (mean 37 months). Among those defined as imperative, the histopathological stage was pT1 in one, pT2 in one, pT3 in 3 and one in pT4. Among the elective cases, the histopathological stage was pTa in 7, pT1 in 2, pT2 in one, pT3 in 2 patients. Of the three defired as elective with tumors cT2 or higher, two died of disease. The 5-year survival rate was 50% and 68% in the imperative and elective cases, respectively. In the patients with tumors pT2 or higher and/or grade 3, the prognosis was poor which suggests the need for intensive therapy including lymph node dissection and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. It is necessary to consider the possibility of selecting nephron-sparing surgery for locally advanced tumors.