Focal brain glucose hypometabolism in patients with neuropsychologic deficits after diffuse axonal injury.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuropsychologic deficits are well-known sequelae of traumatic brain injury. However, the cerebral correlates of these deficits are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the regions of cerebral dysfunction correlated with such neuropsychologic deficits after traumatic brain injury. METHODS: Sets of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) images in the resting state were obtained from 12 patients with neuropsychologic deficits after diffuse axonal injury and from 32 healthy volunteers. The cortical metabolic activity of each subject's PET image sets was extracted using 3D stereotactic surface projection (3D-SSP). A "normal" data base was created using the extracted datasets of the healthy subjects. The patients' datasets were compared with the normal data base by calculating a statistical Z-score on a pixel-by-pixel basis in searches for focal metabolic abnormalities. RESULTS: Group comparisons revealed hypometabolism in the cingulate gyrus with additional involvement of the lingual gyrus and cuneus. Individual case-by-case analyses disclosed differences in the site and extent of the hypometabolism in the cingulate gyrus of each case. Predominant hypometabolism was found in the anterior cingulate gyrus of 6 patients, the middle cingulate gyrus of 2 patients, and the posterior cingulate gyrus of 4 patients. CONCLUSION: Interpretation of FDG-PET using 3D-SSP facilitates the identification of regional hypometabolism in the cerebral cortex of patients after diffuse axonal injury. Dysfunction of the cingulate gyrus, lingual gyrus, and cuneus may play a crucial role in neuropsychologic deficits after traumatic brain injury.

Pedoscope studies on neonatal activity and center of gravity after delivery.

Seventeen normal term infants delivered at the Jikei University School of Medicine were placed daily on a pedoscope in the supine and prone position after birth, and the movement of the gravity center and changes in the activities of the extremities were assessed. The results indicated that both the activity of the extremities and the movement of the gravity center were sluggish after birth, that both increased to reach peaks within 1 to 3 days, and that then temporary decreases occurred before they increased again. The probable reason for the temporary decrease in activity may be habituation or a decrement in the infant, and it is also presumed that the increase in activity after the transitory decrease reflects natural development.

Magnetic resonance imaging in three children with kernicterus.

The incidence of kernicterus has been greatly reduced by effective monitoring and treatment for hyperbilirubinemia. Findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with kernicterus are characteristic. This study presents three cases of possible kernicterus without typical symptoms but with MRI features consistent with kernicterus. These cases suggest that kernicterus can develop, especially in preterm infants, in the presence of relatively low levels of bilirubin and the absence of obvious acute symptoms. Therefore assessing the risk of kernicterus may be difficult in the neonatal period. In addition, MRI findings at the posteromedial border of the globus pallidus in patients with athetotic cerebral palsy are strong evidence of brain damage caused by kernicterus.

[Stenting for the occlusive carotid and subclavian arteries in Takayasu arteritis].

The authors report the initial results of stenting in four patients of Takayasu arteritis for 11 occlusive carotid and subclavian arteries between January 1999 and December 2000. The lesions included stenoses of two right subclavian, three right common carotid, two left common carotid, and two left subclavian arteries, and total occlusion of two subclavian arteries. A total of 14 stents were implanted in 10 arterial lesions, resulting in a 91% procedural success rate. One failure was due to inability to cross the total occlusion of the subclavian artery. Procedural complications and problems were pain during balloon angioplasty in three patients, vaso-vagal reflex in two, carotid artery perforation associated with transient horseness in one, and stent migration in one. There was no permanent morbidity. Follow-up over a mean duration of 12 months revealed one symptomatic recurrence of left subclavian stenosis, followed by a successful re-dilatation. The results of the current study indicated that primary stenting is an excellent therapeutic option for the occlusive carotid and subclavian arteries in Takayasu arteritis. A long-term follow-up is required to determine the response or behavior of stented segments of the affected arteries.

[Stenting for proximal subclavian and brachiocephalic artery occlusion--preliminary results].

The authors report the initial results, between January 1998 and February 2001, of stenting utilizing the brachial approach in seven patients for total occlusions at the following locations: two right subclavian, one brachiocephalic, and five left subclavian arteries. All lesions were associated with subclavian steal syndrome. Indications for the treatment included ischemic symptoms in the affected arm (seven patients), and vertebrobasilar insufficiency (five patients). A total of eight stents were implanted in six occluded arteries, resulting in a 75% procedural success rate. Procedural complications encountered were two subintimal dissections by a 0.035-inch guide wire during recanalization, and one stent dislodgement with migration. There was no stroke, presumably because of the previously reported preventive effect of delayed reversal of a stealing vertebral artery. Follow-up over a mean duration of 11 months revealed no sign or symptom of recurrence in cases with initial technical success. The results of the current study, with a literature survey, indicated that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with primary stent deployment in an occluded prevertebral segment of the subclavian or the brachiocephalic artery should be considered as an available choice for treatment. Further points, such as some remaining technical and clinical problems, will require more experience and consideration.

[Anterior urethral diverticular stones and retrocaval ureter in male: a case report and review of literature in Japan].

A case of diverticular stones in the male anterior urethra with retrocaval ureter is reported. A 26-year-old man visited our hospital for examination, who had experienced spontaneous stone discharge a few days earlier. Computed tomographic (CT) scan with ureteral catheterization and urethrography revealed a retrocaval ureter and urethral diverticular stones. Resection of urethral diverticulum with 7 stones and right ureteroplasty were performed. The urethrography and drip infusion pyelography (DIP) 9 months after operation showed no abnormal findings. The largest stone was 28 x 22 x 20 mm in size and 20 g in weight. The main components were ammonium dihydrogen-urate (70%), carbonate apatite and struvite. Histological feature of the epithelium of the urethral diverticulum indicated normal skin with hairs. Pathological diagnosis was para-urethral dermoid cyst. Our case is the 67th case of the male urethral diverticular stones and the first case of those with retrocaval ureter in Japan.

[Clinical statistics of the patients admitted to the Department of Urology, Kobe General Hospital, 1982-1986].

A statistic survey was made on the patients, diseases and operations experienced at the urological ward of Kobe General Hospital between 1982 and 1986.

[Effects of combination chemotherapy with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) on renal function in patients with urogenital malignancies].

The renal function in 23 patients with advanced urogenital cancers (10 testicular, 8 uroepithelial, 3 prostatic cancers and 1 penile cancer) treated with a total of 3 or 4 cycles of combination chemotherapy including CDDP was examined prospectively, by measuring of creatinine clearance (Ccr), fractional excretion of beta 2 microglobulin (FE beta 2 MG) and urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG). Patients with testicular cancers (group 1) who received the cumulative CDDP dose of 360-1966 mg (on average 868 mg), the decrease in Ccr and increase in FE beta 2 MG and NAG were temporary during each chemotherapy cycle. However, in the overall course, after the cumulative dose exceeded 600 mg, higher beta 2 MG excretion persisted and after the cumulative dose exceeded 800 mg, Ccr decreased to 30% of the pretreatment level. This suggests cumulative delayed, irreversible renal damage. The severity of decrease in Ccr paralleled the increase in cumulative CDDP dose. Patients with urogenital cancers other than testicular cancer (group 2) who received the cumulative CDDP dose of 80-480 mg (on average 217 mg), and who had decreased Ccr and tubular damage prior to treatment, even though the cumulative dose was lower than in group 1, changes in Ccr, FE beta 2 MG and NAG were almost in the same magnitude as in group 1. Determination of NAG is useful for detection of the early change in the tubules several days after CDDP administration, while that of beta 2 MG is useful for detection of the chronic damage of renal tubules after several cycles of CDDP chemotherapy. CDDP nephrotoxicity is characterized by dose-dependent tubular damage. Although renal injury may not be evident during the early course of treatment, repeated courses of CDDP may lead to clinically serious chronic renal failure.

[Extensive Fournier's gangrene: a case report].

We report a case of extensive Fournier's gangrene that could not be rescued despite emergent debridement. A 51-year-old man presented at another hospital with cough, diarrhea and abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with acute enteritis and hospitalized. The next morning, he became severely hypotensive and his scrotum was swollen and black. The perineal skin also was black. Septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation were suspected. He was transferred to our emergency room, and was immediately diagnosed with Fournier's gangrene and acute peritonitis. Computed tomographic scan revealed soft-tissue gas in the scrotum, the retroperitoneal cavity and the abdominal wall. Emergent debridement and laparotomy was performed. Gangrene was also seen at the intestinal wall and the peritoneum, however, resection of intestine was not done because of his poor performance status. Although potent antibiotics and catecholamine were administered, he died of multiple organ failure 29 hours after the operation. This is the first case of Fournier's gangrene extending into the abdominal cavity reported in the Japanese literature.

[A case of infrarenal left inferior vena cava with macrohematuria after contusion in the lumber region].

A 33-year-old woman was admitted with macrohematuria after contusion in the left lumber region. The excretory urogram showed no abnormal findings, but color doppler and RI-angiography revealed infrarenal left-sided inferior vena cava (left IVC). The pressure in the dilated left renal vein was higher than that in the right one. Renal contusion in addition to the congestion of the left renal vein due to left IVC was thought to be the cause of hematuria in this case. Hematuria disappeared after retrograde instillation of 0.2% AgNO3 water solution into the left renal pelvis. Left IVC rarely presents clinical symptoms, and is usually found by chance on CT scan or ultrasonography during examinations for upper abdominal organs. Our case is the 69th one of left IVC in Japan, and belongs to Type 2' according to our classification of left IVC.

[A case of unilateral and metachronous occurrence of renal tubulopapillary adenoma and renal cell carcinoma].

A 50-year-old male underwent a nephron-sparing surgery for a small renal incidentaloma, which was atypical for renal cell carcinoma in diagnostic images. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as renal tubulopapillary adenoma. Three years later, another tumor was pointed out in the ipsilateral kidney, and he underwent a radical nephrectomy. The latter was diagnosed as clear cell carcinoma. We report this very rare case of unilateral and metachronous occurrence of renal tubulopapillary adenoma and renal cell carcinoma.

[Primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder with high serum CA19-9 level: a case report].

A case of primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder with a high serum CA19-9 level is reported. A 44-year-old woman visited our hospital with the chief complaint of lower abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination incidentally revealed a cystic bladder tumor. Cystoscopy disclosed a broad-based non-papillary tumor on the posterior wall of the urinary bladder. With the diagnosis of a bladder submucosal cystic tumor transurethral needle puncture and biopsy were performed. The solution sampled with puncture was bloody. The patient suddenly complained of headache and blood pressure was elevated to 215/120 mmHg when we held the tumor with a cold cup biopsy forceps. Catecholamine levels of the solution in the tumor were abnormally elevated. The serum CA19-9 level was also raised. Ten days later, she underwent partial cystectomy. Histological findings of the removed specimen showed primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder. The serum CA19-9 level decreased to normal limits on the 28th postoperative day. Our experience suggests that the level of serum CA19-9 may serve as a useful index for observing the clinical course of a patient with this disease.

[Retroperitoneal schwannoma: a case report].

A 67-year-old man was admitted for a complaint of lumbago. The patient had had the three operations for the schwannoma in spinal cord at the Neurosurgical Department of our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right infrarenal tumor by chance. The tumor compressed the right kidney and measured 6 x 5 cm in size. On the tentative diagnosis of the retroperitoneal tumor, the patient was referred to the department of urology in our hospital and the tumor was excised. The histological diagnosis of the removed retroperitoneal tumor was schwannoma, and was thought to be heterotopic recurrent schwannoma.

[Multiple primary cancers limited to the urological field].

We analyzed the clinical features of multiple primary cancers arising from the urogenital organs. Between January 1980 and December 1999, 300 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 661 patients with urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer and renal pelvic-ureteral cancer) (TCC) and 391 patients with prostate cancer (PC) were treated at our hospital. Of these patients, 20 patients had double genitourinary cancers. The double cancers consisted of RCC and TCC in 1 case, RCC and PC in 6 cases, and TCC and PC in 13 cases. Seven cases had synchronous tumors. The average interval in the metachronous cases was 68 (range: 12-209) months. The age at diagnosis of the second cancer was 68-94 (mean: 77.6) years old. The follow-up period ranged from 4-168 (mean: 38) months; Six patients are alive with no evidence of disease and 6 patients died of cancer. Even when limited to the urological section, the frequency of multiple primary cancers is increasing.

[Chemotherapy of testicular cancer, with special reference to cisplatin therapy].

Our statistical study revealed that testicular neoplasms seemed to increase in incidence during a 28-year-period from 1950 to 1977 in Japan. Annual deaths from testicular neoplasm were approximately 50 in the first 4 years of the period and increased to approximately 200 in the last 3 years. Age-adjusted mortality rate increased from 1.2 per million to 3.3 per million during the period. Untoward effects of CDDP were surveyed among 47 patients with urogenital malignancy who received anticancerous chemotherapies of CDDP alone or in combination with other drugs at the Kyoto University Hospital or its affiliates in the recent 3 years. About 95% of the patients suffered from such gastro-intestinal ailments as loss of appetite and vomiting. Bone marrow suppression was confirmed by laboratory studies among a third of the patients. Nephrotoxicity indicated by 25 to 50% reduction in creatinine clearance was induced in 6 patients-transitory in 4 and permanent in the remaining. Fifty percent survival rate was 18 months and 5 survived more than 2 years with NED among 21 patients with stage II or stage III testicular cancer treated at the Hospital or its affiliates since 1975, while the rate was 6 months among 10 patients during the period from 1965 to 1974. These improvements was thought to be brought in by adopation of VAB or PVB chemotherapy.

Distribution of CD133 reveals glioma stem cells self-renew through symmetric and asymmetric cell divisions.

Malignant gliomas contain a population of self-renewing tumorigenic stem-like cells; however, it remains unclear how these glioma stem cells (GSCs) self-renew or generate cellular diversity at the single-cell level. Asymmetric cell division is a proposed mechanism to maintain cancer stem cells, yet the modes of cell division that GSCs utilize remain undetermined. Here, we used single-cell analyses to evaluate the cell division behavior of GSCs. Lineage-tracing analysis revealed that the majority of GSCs were generated through expansive symmetric cell division and not through asymmetric cell division. The majority of differentiated progeny was generated through symmetric pro-commitment divisions under expansion conditions and in the absence of growth factors, occurred mainly through asymmetric cell divisions. Mitotic pair analysis detected asymmetric CD133 segregation and not any other GSC marker in a fraction of mitoses, some of which were associated with Numb asymmetry. Under growth factor withdrawal conditions, the proportion of asymmetric CD133 divisions increased, congruent with the increase in asymmetric cell divisions observed in the lineage-tracing studies. Using single-cell-based observation, we provide definitive evidence that GSCs are capable of different modes of cell division and that the generation of cellular diversity occurs mainly through symmetric cell division, not through asymmetric cell division.

Identification of molecular markers for pre-engraftment immune reactions after cord blood transplantation by SELDI-TOF MS.

Cord blood transplantation (CBT) is frequently associated with pre-engraftment immune reaction (PIR), which is characterized by high-grade fever that peaks around day 9 of transplantation. PIR mimics hyperacute GVHD or engraftment syndrome; however, it is considered to be of different etiology as it occurs before engraftment. Proteomic patterns have been studied in the fields of transplantation, but no specific marker has been identified. As there are no data to confirm the mechanism of PIR, we used a surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF MS) system to identify a specific marker for PIR. The protein expression profile of serum samples from CBT patients was analyzed with a SELDI-TOF MS system. A protein peak that commonly predominated in PIR was purified by an anion exchange column, isolated by SDS-PAGE, and identified by in-gel trypsin digestion, and mass fingerprinting. A 8.6-kDa protein and 11-kDa protein that increased by 10- to 100-fold in the serum of patients during PIR was identified as anaphylatoxin C4a and serum amyloid A. SELDI-TOF MS system in combination with other proteomic methods could serve as a potential diagnostic tool in discovering biomarkers for PIR after CBT.