Imatinib mesylate inhibits androgen-independent PC-3 cell viability, proliferation, migration, and tumor growth by targeting platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α.

AIM: The abnormal expression of oncogenic tyrosine kinase receptors such as platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) has been reported in cancer progression. However, the role of PDGFRs in the human androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cell line is not well understood. Thus, this study examined the role of PDGFRs in androgen-independent PC-3 cells. MAIN METHODS: PDGFR mRNA and protein expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. The effects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib (imatinib mesylate) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were determined by a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, bromodeoxyuridine assay, and Transwell migration assay. The in vivo effect of imatinib was analyzed using a tumor formation assay in nude mice. KEY FINDINGS: PDGFRα was upregulated in androgen-independent PC-3 cells compared with normal prostate epithelial cells. PDGF-BB induced the phosphorylation of PDGFRα and downstream signaling molecules, including Akt, in a dose-dependent manner. Imatinib reduced the phosphorylation of the PDGFRα/Akt axis. Imatinib also suppressed the viability, proliferation, migration, and tumor growth of PC-3 cells. PDGFRα knockdown by siRNA decreased the viability and migration of PC-3 cells. SIGNIFICANCE: These results demonstrated the distinct contribution of PDGFRα signaling to the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells and suggested the potential for PDGFRα as a therapeutic target for metastatic and androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Radiotherapy Patterns of Care for Locally-advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the Pre- and Post-durvalumab Era: A Region-wide Survey in a Japanese Prefecture.

The promising results of the PACIFIC study led to the approval of consolidation durvalumab for coverage by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in 2018 for patients with locally-advanced unresectable non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, the effect of NHI coverage on the patterns of care for this population remains unclear. Here, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey to determine the patterns of care for patients with stage II-III NSCLC treated with definitive radiotherapy in 2017 (pre-durvalumab era) or in 2019 (post-durvalumab era). Data were obtained from 11 radiotherapy facilities in Gunma prefecture, which has a population of 1.94 million. We identified 80 and 83 patients with stage II-III NSCLC who received definitive radiotherapy in Gunma in 2017 and 2019, respectively. At a given facility, CCRT was the treatment of choice in a significantly greater proportion of patients in 2019 than in 2017 (66% ± 20% vs 51% ± 29%, P = 0.041). Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was more frequent in 2019 than in 2017 (24% vs 1.2%). Carboplatin plus paclitaxel was used for CCRT at higher rate in 2019 than in 2017 (73% vs 44%). Consolidation durvalumab was performed in 73% (40/55) of CCRT-treated patients in 2019, and the treatment was performed for the planned 12 months in 45% (18/40) of patients. These data indicate that NHI coverage of durvalumab might be a possible reason for choosing CCRT in patients with stage II-III NSCLC in the real-world setting.

Primary leiomyoma of the ureter: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Only 14 cases of leiomyoma with ureteral origin have been reported previously. Such primary leiomyomas often present as hydronephrosis, making the diagnosis difficult. Radical nephroureterectomy is often performed because of the possible diagnosis of a malignant tumor. We report the 15th case of primary leiomyoma with a ureteral origin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old Japanese man presented with a chief complaint of asymptomatic gross hematuria with a history of hypertension. Enhanced computed tomography showed a tumor at the upper part of the right ureter that appeared to be the cause of hydronephrosis and contracted kidney; no retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy and distal metastasis were observed. A well-defined 20-mm (diameter) defect was identified at the upper of the right ureter on retrograde pyelogram with no bladder cancer on cystoscopy. Urine cytology and right divided renal urine cytology findings were negative. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was performed, and the extracted tumor measured 20 × 13 mm. Histopathological examination revealed primary leiomyoma with no recurrence 16 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative examination with the latest available ureteroscopic technology can help preserve renal function in the case of benign tumors by enabling preoperative ureteroscopic biopsy or intraoperative rapid resection. Moreover, nephroureterectomy is recommended in the case of preoperative suspicion of ureteral malignant tumors.

MAZ51 Blocks the Tumor Growth of Prostate Cancer by Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 3.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling plays a critical role in the carcinogenesis and tumor development of several cancer types. However, its pathological significance in prostate cancer, one of the most frequent and lethal malignancies in men, remains unclear. In the present study, we focused on a pathological role of the VEGF receptors (VEGFRs), and examined their expression and effects of MAZ51 (an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase of VEGFR-3) on cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth in human prostate cancer cells. The expression level of VEGFR-3 was higher in androgen-independent and highly metastatic prostate cancer PC-3 cells than in other prostate PrEC, LNCaP, and DU145 cells. In PC-3 cells, VEGFR-3 and Akt were phosphorylated following a stimulation with 50 ng/ml VEGF-C, and these phosphorylations were blocked by 3 µM MAZ51. Interestingly, PC-3 cells themselves secreted VEGF-C, which was markedly larger amount compared with PrEC, LNCaP, and DU145 cells. MAZ51 reduced the expression of VEGFR-3 but not VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. The proliferation of PC-3 cells was inhibited by MAZ51 (IC50 = 2.7 µM) and VEGFR-3 siRNA, and partly decreased by 100 nM GSK690693 (an Akt inhibitor) and 300 nM VEGFR2 Kinase Inhibitor I. MAZ51 and VEGFR-3 siRNA also attenuated the VEGF-C-induced migration of PC-3 cells. Moreover, MAZ51 blocked the tumor growth of PC-3 cells in a xenograft mouse model. These results suggest that VEGFR-3 signaling contributes to the cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth of androgen-independent/highly metastatic prostate cancer. Therefore, the inhibition of VEGFR-3 has potential as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment for prostate cancer.

Late testicular relapse two decades after primary extragonadal germ cell tumor with uncommon metastases: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extragonadal germ cell tumor (EGCT) is a relatively rare condition, reportedly representing 3-7% of all germ cell tumors. We report a patient who had metachronous testicular tumor with uncommon metastases 20 years after primary retroperitoneal EGCT treatment, along with a corresponding literature review. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old Japanese man visited our department in November 2017 with chief complaints of indolent right scrotum enlargement and a right inguinal mass. History showed that the patient visited our department of gastroenterology with chief complaints of blackish feces and ill complexion in February 1997. Computed tomography (CT) showed a right retroperitoneal tumor, which was removed in the same month. Histopathological examination showed a teratoma and yolk sac tumor. He was diagnosed with primary retroperitoneal EGCT and received three courses of chemotherapy (bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin; BEP). Periodic imaging and the determination of tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) showed no recurrence or metastasis during the 5 years postoperatively. Subsequently, he did not visit the outpatient ward. In August 1999, he underwent surgery of right hydrocele. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a 35-mm contrast effect with uneven content in the right testicle and enlarged nodes that raised suspicion for metastases in the right inguinal and right external iliac lymph nodes. All tumor markers were within normal ranges. He underwent right high orchiectomy and resection of the right inguinal lymph nodes in the same month. Histopathological findings revealed seminoma (pT1, pN2, M0, S0, and TNM stage IIB). He received postoperative chemotherapy, one course of BEP therapy, and three courses of etoposide and cisplatin therapy. Post-chemotherapy CT confirmed a complete clinical response at the right external iliac lymph nodes, and this response continued 12 months later. No recurrence or metastasis has been found so far. CONCLUSIONS: We report a patient in whom a testicular tumor with uncommon metastases occurred 20 years after primary retroperitoneal EGCT treatment. After EGCT treatment, testicular relapses tend to occur after relatively long-term follow-up. After EGCT treatment, such patients must be closely monitored for testicular recurrences and onset of testicular tumor.

Dorsal Vein Complex Preserving Technique During Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Background: Recently, two techniques of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), which preserve dorsal vein complex (DVC), endopelvic fascia, and full neurovascular bundle (NVB), through anterior approach were reported. The techniques in a relatively large workspace seem less technically demanding than Retzius-sparing RARP. In this case report, we present a further modified technique of transperitoneal-anterior-antegrade approach with a division of the endopelvic fascia to reduce the technical demands. Case Presentation: In a routine evaluation, a 65-year-old man was shown to have a prostate-specific antigen level of 5.07 ng/mL. Prostatic biopsy revealed a Gleason score of 6 (3 + 3) adenocarcinoma in 2 of the 12 specimens, and the clinical stage was diagnosed as cT2aN0M0. RARP was performed including transperitoneal full NVB sparing, antegrade preservation of DVC, and division of endopelvic fascia to increase the prostate mobility and reduce technical demands. The patient completely gained continence on the day after removal of the catheter, and potency was recovered 30 days after surgery. Conclusion: Our DVC preservation technique in the transperitoneal-anterior-antegrade approach with a division of the endopelvic fascia during RARP may be safe, reduce technical demands, and facilitate early recovery of continence and sexual function after surgery.

[A Case of a Massive Retropharyngeal Hematoma Associated with Traumatic Cervical Cord Injury].

Retropharyngeal hematomas are uncommon, but they may rarely cause occlusion of the upper airway and threaten life. Retropharyngeal hematomas often occur due to head or neck injury;they rarely occur due to iatrogenic causes such as insertion of a gastric tube or anticoagulant therapy. It has been found that patients receiving anticoagulant therapy are more likely to experience potentially severe retropharyngeal hematomas. We report the case of a patient with retropharyngeal hematoma with cervical cord damage. A 75-year-old man was transferred to our hospital after he sustained a fall and damaged his face. CT showed a massive retropharyngeal hematoma, but he did not complain of any breathing issues. Therefore, we selected conservative therapy. However, after approximately 4 hours, he suddenly complained of breathing problems and suffered from loss of consciousness. We performed intubation and provided sedation. After one week, his condition clearly improved and he was extubated.

[A Case of Metachronous Testicular Tumor Developing Twenty Years after Treatment of Retroperitoneal Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor].

A 49-year-old male visited our department of gastroenterology with chief complaints of blackish feces and ill complexion in February 1997. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a right retroperitoneal tumor, which was removed the same month. Histopathological examination showed teratoma and yolk sac tumor. He was diagnosed with primary retroperitoneal extragonadal germ cell tumor, and received three cycles of chemotherapy (bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin ; BEP) starting in March 1997. Periodic imaging and determination of tumor markers (α fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase) showed no recurrence or metastasis for five years after treatment. After his visit in April 2002 he stopped visiting our outpatient ward. In November 2017, the patient visited our department with chief complaints of indolent right scrotum enlargement and a right inguinal mass. Past history showed that he had undergone hydrocele of the right testicle in August 1999. Contrast enhanced CT showed a 35-mm contrast effect with uneven contents in the right testis, and enlarged nodes that were suspicious of metastases in the right inguinal and right external iliac lymph nodes. All tumor markers were within the normal ranges. He underwent right high orchiectomy and resection of the right inguinal lymph nodes in the same month. Histopathological findings revealed seminoma (pT1, pN2, M0, S0, and clinical Stage IIA). He received postoperative chemotherapy starting in January 2018 ; one cycle of BEP therapy and three cycles of etoposide and cisplatin (EP) therapy. Post-chemotherapeutic CT confirmed clinical complete response at the right external iliac lymph nodes, and this response was confirmed 12 months later. Neither recurrence nor metastasis has occurred so far.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of flomoxef in prostate tissue and dosing considerations for prostatitis based on site-specific pharmacodynamic target attainment.

Flomoxef is used to treat bacterial prostatitis; however, its prostatic pharmacokinetics have not been fully clarified. Flomoxef (500 or 1000 mg) was administered to patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (n = 54). After a 0.5-h infusion, venous blood samples were drawn at time points of 0.5-5 h, and prostate tissue samples were collected at time points of 0.5-1.5 h during transurethral resection of the prostate. The drug concentrations in plasma and prostate tissue were analyzed pharmacokinetically and used for a stochastic simulation to predict the probability of attaining pharmacodynamic target in prostate tissue. Showing dose linearity in the prostatic pharmacokinetics, flomoxef rapidly penetrated into prostate tissue, with a prostate/plasma ratio of 0.48-0.50 (maximum drug concentration) and 0.42-0.55 (area under the drug concentration-time curve). Against the tested populations of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus species isolates, 0.5-h infusion of 1000 mg three times daily achieved a ≥90% expected probability of attaining the bactericidal target (70% of the time above the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]) in prostate tissue. The site-specific pharmacodynamic-based breakpoint (the highest MIC at which the target-attainment probability in prostate tissue was >90%) values were 0.25 mg/L (MIC for 90th percentile of E. coli and Klebsiella species) for 500 mg four times daily and 0.5 mg/L (MIC90 of Proteus species) for 1000 mg four times daily. These results help to fully characterize the prostatic pharmacokinetics of flomoxef, while also helping to rationalize and optimize the dosing regimens for prostatitis based on site-specific pharmacodynamic target attainment.

[A Case of Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma of the Spermatic Cord].

Liposarcomas are most commonly found in the extremities, in the retroperitoneum and, less often, in the head and neck area. The spermatic cord is a rare site of origin, accounting for about 4-7% of all liposarcomas. We report a case of dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the spermatic cord. A 51-year-old man was referred to our hospital for a painless hard mass in the left inguinal region. Abdominal computed tomography showed a left spermatic cord mass measuring 70 mm in diameter. We performed left high orchiectomy with resection of the mass. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive for murine double minute 2 (MDM 2) and cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK 4). Therefore, this sarcoma was diagnosed to be dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Since the surgical margin was positive, an additional wide resection including the surrounding normal tissue was performed. Complete excision was achieved after re-resection. He was alive 12 months postoperatively without any signs of recurrence. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the spermatic cord is a rare neoplasm. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the 14th reported case in Japan.

Increased infiltration of CCR4-positive regulatory T cells in prostate cancer tissue is associated with a poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play important roles in the suppression of immune responses, including antitumor immune responses. C-C chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is highly expressed on effector Tregs, and anti-CCR4 antibody is attracting attention as a novel immunotherapeutic agent for solid tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of CCR4-positive Tregs (CCR4+Tregs) in prostate cancer and estimate the clinical potential of CCR4-targeting therapy for prostate cancer. METHODS: A total of 15 radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens and 60 biopsy specimens from individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer were analyzed to evaluate the infiltration of CCR4+Tregs in prostate cancer. The relationships between the number of CCR4+Tregs and clinical parameters were investigated in RP and biopsy specimens. Moreover, the total number of Tregs, CCR4+Tregs, and T cells and the ratio of CCR4+Tregs to Tregs and T cells in biopsy specimens were compared between patients with poor prognosis who progressed to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within 12 months (n = 13) and those with good prognosis who were stable with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer over 12 months (n = 47). Furthermore, biopsy specimens were divided into two groups: low and high CCR4+Treg expression groups and the prognosis was compared between them. RESULTS: There was a higher expression of CCR4+Tregs in RP specimens with a higher (≥8) Gleason score than in those with a lower (<8) Gleason score (P = .041). In biopsy specimens, 65.9% Tregs were positive for CCR4. The number of CCR4+Tregs positively correlated with clinical stage (P < .001) and Gleason score (P = .006). The total number of Tregs and CCR4+Tregs significantly increased in the poor prognosis group compared with that in the good prognosis group (P = .024 and .01, respectively). Furthermore, patients with lower CCR4+Treg expression levels showed a significantly longer time to progression to CRPC (not reached vs 27.3 months; P < .001) and median survival time (not reached vs 69.0 months; P = .014) than those with higher expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: CCR4+Tregs are highly infiltrated in the prostate tissue of patients with poor prognosis with potential to progress to CRPC. Furthermore, the degree of infiltration of CCR4+Tregs is related to the prognosis of prostate cancer.

Targeting lactate dehydrogenase­A promotes docetaxel­induced cytotoxicity predominantly in castration­resistant prostate cancer cells.

Docetaxel (DOC) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents against castration­resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Despite an impressive initial clinical response, the majority of patients eventually develop resistance to DOC. In tumor metabolism, where tumors preferentially utilize anaerobic metabolism, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serves an important role. LDH controls the conversion of pyruvate to lactate, with LDH­A, one of the predominant isoforms of LDH, controlling this metabolic process. In the present study, the role of LDH­A in drug resistance of human prostate cancer (PC) was examined by analyzing 4 PC cell lines, including castration­providing strains PC3, DU145, LNCaP and LN­CSS (which is a hormone refractory cell line established from LNCaP). Sodium oxamate (SO) was used as a specific LDH­A inhibitor. Changes in the expression level of LDH­A were analyzed by western blotting. Cell growth and survival were evaluated with a WST­1 assay. Cell cycle progression and apoptotic inducibility were evaluated by flow cytometry using propidium iodide and Annexin V staining. LDH expression was strongly associated with DOC sensitivity in PC cells. SO inhibited growth of PC cells, which was considered to be caused by the inhibition of LDH­A expression. Synergistic cytotoxicity was observed by combining DOC and SO in LN­CSS cells, but not in LNCaP cells. This combination treatment induced additive cytotoxic effects in PC­3 and DU145 cells, caused cell cycle arrest in G2­M phase and increased the number of cells in the sub­G1 phase of cell cycle in LN­CSS cells. SO promoted DOC induced apoptosis in LN­CSS cells, which was partially caused by the inhibition of DOC­induced increase in LDH­A expression. The results strongly indicated that LDH­A serves an important role in DOC resistance in advanced PC cells and inhibition of LDH­A expression promotes susceptibility to DOC, particularly in CRPC cells. The present study may provide valuable information for developing targeted therapies for CRPC in the future.

Speech Outcomes of 10-year-old Children after Early Palatoplasty Using Presurgical Orthodontics at 6 Months of Age.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess whether patients who underwent early palatoplasty have normal speech. METHODS: 19 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were enrolled in this study. At 6 months of age, we performed simultaneous lip, maxilla, and palate repair using presurgical orthodontics. Speech development was assessed by evaluating velopharyngeal function (VPF) and development of articulation for 10 years. RESULTS: No articulation disorders were observed after 4 years of age. Although palatalized articulation was evidently temporary in 3 cases before 4 years of age, all patients recovered without any speech training. Normal VPF rates were as follows: at 4 and 7 years of age 78.9% (n = 15), 10 years of age 73.7% (n = 4). 10 patients temporarily presented with mild VPI after 5 years of age although they had a normal VPF until 4 years of age. CONCLUSION: Early palatoplasty after narrowing the cleft palate using presurgical orthodontics is beneficial for development of articulation. The rate of normal VPF did not decrease over the years.

Impact of a novel biopsy instrument with a 25-mm side-notch needle on the detection of prostate cancer in transrectal biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of a novel biopsy instrument that extends the length of the side-notch on the detection of prostate cancer in transrectal needle biopsy. METHODS: We collaborated with a biopsy needle manufacturer and developed a novel biopsy instrument (PRIMECUT II long-notch type) with a 25-mm side-notch length and 28-mm stroke length to take longer tissue cores. The sampled core length, cancer detection rate, pain and complications of 489 patients who underwent transrectal biopsy using the long-notch needle were compared with those of 469 patients who underwent biopsy using a normal instrument with a 19-mm side-notch length and 22-mm stroke length. RESULTS: The mean length of tissue taken by the long-notch needle was significantly longer than that of tissue taken by the normal-notch needle (16.3 vs 22.4 mm, P < 0.001). The overall cancer detection rate was 42.0% for the normal-notch needle and 51.1% for the long-notch needle (P = 0.005). In patients with a prostate volume of 20-40 mL, the cancer detection rate for the long-notch needle was especially higher than that for the normal-notch needle (74.2% vs 47.5%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the long-notch needle improved cancer detection significantly (odds ratio 1.702, P < 0.001). There were no differences of pain during biopsy and complication between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The novel biopsy instrument with a 25-mm side-notch can take longer tissue samples safely and has a significantly higher rate of prostate cancer detection in transrectal biopsy.

Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic target attainment of pazufloxacin in prostate tissue: Dosing considerations for prostatitis.

The present study examined the clinical pharmacokinetics of pazufloxacin in prostate tissue and estimated the probability of target attainment for tissue-specific pharmacodynamic goals related to treating prostatitis using various intravenous dosing regimens. Patients with prostatic hypertrophy received prophylactic infusions of pazufloxacin (500 mg, n = 23; 1000 mg, n = 25) for 0.5 h prior to transurethral prostate resection. Drug concentrations in plasma (0.5-5 h) and prostate tissue (0.5-1.5 h) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and used for subsequent noncompartmental and three-compartmental analysis. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to evaluate the probability of target attainment of a specific minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in prostate tissue: the proportion that achieved both area under the drug concentration over time curve (AUC)/MIC = 100 and maximum concentration (Cmax)/MIC = 8. Prostatic penetration of pazufloxacin was good with mean Cmax ratios (prostate tissue/plasma) of 0.82-0.99 and for AUC, 0.80-0.98. The probability of reaching target MIC concentrations in prostate tissue was more than 90% for dosing schedules of 0.25 mg/L for 500 mg every 24 h (500 mg daily), 0.5 mg/L for 500 mg every 12 h (1000 mg daily), 1 mg/L for 1000 mg every 24 h (1000 mg daily), and 2 mg/L for 1000 mg every 12 h (2000 mg daily). Importantly, the 2000 mg daily regimen of pazufloxacin produced a profile sufficient to have an antibacterial effect in prostate tissue against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia with MIC values less than 2 mg/L.

Axitinib-induced reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

A 61-year-old woman with metastatic renal carcinoma was treated with axitinib as a second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Thirteen days after the treatment, the patient developed reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). Her symptoms and imaging findings resolved after withdrawal of axitinib, blood pressure control, and administration of glycerin and levetiracetam. RPLS should be kept in mind as a possible rare adverse event after axitinib administration.

Comparison of mandibular stability after SSRO with surgery-first approach versus conventional ortho-first approach.

METHODS: Postoperative mandibular stability in the surgery-first (SF) approach and ortho-first (OF) approach in orthognathic surgery was retrospectively assessed using the lateral cephalo X-P in 38 patients with skeletal Angle Class III malocclusion who underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). RESULTS: The postoperative mandibular relapse of the two groups observed from T1 (2 weeks after the surgery) to T2 (for the OF group, a year after surgery; for the SF group, the day orthodontic treatment was completed) was compared. The mean (SD) horizontal relapse at pogonion was 0.86 (0.92) mm in the forward direction in the SF group and 0.90 (1.09) mm in the forward direction in the OF group. No significant difference was found in the amount of horizontal movement between the two groups. On the other hand, the mean (SD) vertical relapse at pogonion was 1.59 (2.91) mm in the downward direction in the SF group and 0.14 (1.30) mm in the upward direction in the OF group, showing a significant difference in the amount of movement between the two groups. The degree of completion of the occlusion at T2 in the SF group was compared with that in the OF group by measuring OB, OJ, L1-occlusal plane angle, and interincisal angle. No significant difference was found between the two groups and the post-treatment occlusion was clinically favourable. CONCLUSION: Although the SF approach has several advantages for patients, the method of operation and fixation should be selected carefully to maintain postoperative mandibular stability.

[A case of neuroendocrine carcinoma in a diverticulum of the bladder].

We report a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma in a diverticulum of the bladder. A 65-year-old Japanese woman visited our hospital with the chief complaint of gross hematuria. Cystoscopy revealed a non-papillary broad-based tumor in a diverticulum of the posterior wall. She underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and subsequently total cystectomy with ileal conduit on the diagnosis of an invasive urothelial carcinoma. There was no residual tumor in the surgical specimen. Immunohistochemistry of TUR specimens showed positive synaptophysin, chromogranin A, CD56 and high ratio of positive Ki-67. Finally, it was diagnosed as a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder. To our knowledge, this is the second case report of the neuroendocrine tumor or small cell carcinoma in a diverticulum of the urinary bladder in the Japanese literature.

Intraoperative monitoring of visual evoked potential: introduction of a clinically useful method.

OBJECT: To obtain a clinically useful method of intraoperative monitoring of visual evoked potentials (VEPs), the authors developed a new light-stimulating device and introduced electroretinography (ERG) to ascertain retinal light stimulation after induction of venous anesthesia. METHODS: The new stimulating device consists of 16 red light-emitting diodes embedded in a soft silicone disc to avoid deviation of the light axis after frontal scalp-flap reflection. After induction of venous anesthesia with propofol, the authors performed ERG and VEP recording in 100 patients (200 eyes) who were at intraoperative risk for visual impairment. RESULTS: Stable ERG and VEP recordings were obtained in 187 eyes. In 12 eyes, stable ERG data were recorded but VEPs could not be obtained, probably because all 12 eyes manifested severe preoperative visual dysfunction. The disappearance of ERG data and VEPs in the 13th eye after frontal scalp-flap reflection suggested technical failure attributable to deviation of the light axis. The criterion for amplitude changes was defined as a 50% increase or decrease in amplitude compared with the control level. In 1 of 187 eyes the authors observed an increase in intraoperative amplitude and postoperative visual function improvement. Of 169 eyes without amplitude changes, 17 manifested improved visual function postoperatively, 150 showed no change, and 2 worsened (1 patient with a temporal tumor developed a slight visual field defect in both eyes). Of 3 eyes with intraoperative VEP deterioration and subsequent recovery upon changing the operative maneuver, 1 improved and 2 exhibited no change. The VEP amplitude decreased without subsequent recovery to 50% of the control level in 14 eyes, and all of these developed various degrees of postoperative deterioration of visual function. CONCLUSIONS: With the strategy introduced here it is possible to record intraoperative VEPs in almost all patients except in those with severe visual dysfunction. In some patients, postoperative visual deterioration can be avoided or minimized by intraoperative VEP recording. All patients without an intraoperative decrease in the VEP amplitude were without severe postoperative deterioration in visual function, suggesting that intraoperative VEP monitoring may contribute to prevent postoperative visual dysfunction.

Separate demonstration of arterial- and venous-phase by 3D-CT angiography for brain tumors using 64-multidetector row CT: 3D-CT arteriography and 3D-CT venography.

We assessed the usefulness of the separate demonstration of the arterial- and venous phase on 3D-CT angiography (3D-CTA) using a 64-multidetector row CT (MDCT) scanner for the surgery of brain tumors. Nineteen patients with meningiomas (n=11), schwannomas, metastatic brain tumors (n=2 each), glioblastoma multiforme, malignant lymphoma, craniopharyngioma, and embryonal carcinoma (n=1 each) underwent scanning on a 64-MDCT scanner. After dynamic CT scanning to determine the scan timing for the arterial- and venous-phase, we individually scanned the arterial- and venous phase for 4 sec after injecting a nonionic contrast medium. Using the CT threshold setting and subtraction and cutting techniques, we produced individual 3D-CT images of the arteries, veins, tumors, and bones. The operators subjectively assessed the usefulness of these images in comparison with 3D-CTA. We separately demonstrated the arterial- and venous phase on 3D-CTA covering the entire head in all 19 cases. The 3D-CT arteriographs, 3D-CT venographs, and the fused 3D-CT images facilitated our understanding of the 3D anatomic relationship among the tumor, arteries, veins, and bony structures. In 14 of 19 cases our method provided the surgically valuable findings; the information on the anatomical relation between tumor and the surrounding arteries and veins (in 13 cases) the identification of anatomical course of the encased vessels (in one), and feeding arteries and draining veins (in one), and discrimination between the venous sinus and tumor (in one). The anatomical information yielded by our technique makes safer surgery possible. If more detailed information which 3D-CTA cannot provide is required, our method should be performed.