[Usefulness of Radiation Protection Cloths in Fluoroscopy with Clean Areas].

Lowering the dose limit for the lens of the eye incorporated into the Regulation on Prevention of Ionizing Radiation Hazards, effective on April 2021, and dose reduction will become more and more important in the field of radiation. Radiation protective cloth is used as a protective equipment in fluoroscopy rooms. Although it is usually used to protect staff from radiation exposure during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, we investigated whether there is a way to use it for procedures in clean areas. Assuming ureterostomy fistula replacement in urology, the protective cloth was suspended on the side of the patient's head and posterior aspect of the tube, and the distance between the anterior aspect of the X-ray tube and the patient's foot was 55 cm. As a result of measuring the dose rate, a 10% dose reduction was obtained for the lens of the eye of the surgeon, and the distribution of air dose rate in the examination room was significantly reduced. Although scattered radiation from the radiation protection cloth appeared in some areas, the radiation dose to the patient was reduced throughout the body, and a high degree of radiation protection was obtained, especially for the lens of the eye. It is expected that the radiation protection cloths may be useful even when the length of the cloths is limited due to the cleanliness of the area.

MRI imaging features of HIV-related central nervous system diseases: diagnosis by pattern recognition in daily practice.

With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the prognosis of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has improved, and the frequency of HIV-related central nervous system (CNS) diseases has decreased. Nevertheless, mortality from HIV-related CNS diseases, including those associated with ART (e.g., immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) remains significant. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can improve the outlook for people with HIV through early diagnosis and prompt treatment. For example, HIV encephalopathy shows a diffuse bilateral pattern, whereas progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, HIV-related primary CNS lymphoma, and CNS toxoplasmosis show focal patterns on MRI. Among the other diseases caused by opportunistic infections, CNS cryptococcosis and CNS tuberculosis have extremely poor prognoses unless diagnosed early. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome shows distinct MRI findings from the offending opportunistic infections. Although distinguishing between HIV-related CNS diseases based on imaging alone is difficult, in this review, we discuss how pattern recognition approaches can contribute to their early differentiation.

Unexpected discovery of a diffuse astrocytoma of the conus medullaris in an elderly NF1 patient.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetic neurocutaneous disorders, and it is well known to be associated with peripheral or central nervous system malignancies. The most common malignant tumors are malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs); MPNSTs are the most common cause of death in patients with NF1. Central nervous system malignancies rarely occur. So far, the occurrence of spinal cord malignancies is exceedingly rare. Herein, we report a rare case of a 69-year-old male with NF1 following tumor resection twice for cutaneous MPNSTs developing intramedullary diffuse astrocytoma in the conus medullaris, which initially presented with traumatic spinal cord injury associated with a compression fracture from fall. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy of the spinal cord were required to establish the final diagnosis.

Transient Ischemic Attack: Which Determines Diffusion-Weighted Image Positivity?

AIM OF THE STUDY: Diffusion-weighted image (DWI) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reveal high signal lesion in up to 50% of transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients. However, it is not well-known which factors determine developing DWI positivity. In order to answer this question, we analyzed factors relevant to DWI positivity in TIA patients. METHODS: We had 257 stroke patients at a university emergency/neurology wards. They were 140 men, 117 women, mean age 72 (45-88) years. Among them, 24 (9.3%) had TIA (14 men, 10 women, mean age 71 [58-82] years). All patients underwent a 1.5T MRI. In 24 TIA patients, we investigated the following parameters in relation with stroke maturation: ABCD2 score, smoking habits, blood profile, HbA1C, dyslipidemia, coagulation factors, carotid echography, electrocardiography, cardiac echography, chest X-ray, neurological symptom/signs, imaging, and recurrence of neurological symptom on follow-up. RESULTS: In 24 TIA patients, 13 (54%) were DWI positive and 11 (46%) were DWI negative. After an extensive analysis, all parameters were not relevant to DWI positivity except for plasma osmolarity, i.e., plasma osmolarity in DWI positive cases (305.3 mOsm/l) is significantly higher than that in DWI negative cases (301.3 mOsm/l) (P = .0064). As for recurrence, 4 of 24 TIA patients recurred. They were 1 (9.0%) of 11 DWI negative cases and 3 (23.1%) of 13 DWI positive cases. Therefore, DWI positive cases recurred more frequently than DWI negative cases did, although it did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: TIA with DWI positivity in our institute was 54%, closely associated with initial dehydration and might predict stroke recurrence.

Quantitative evaluation of the relative apparent diffusion coefficient values on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging to predict higher Gleason score prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) have been reported to correlate with high-Gleason score (GS) prostate cancer. However, the relative ADC values between tumor lesions and normal tissue have been suggested as more suitable than the absolute ADC values for evaluation of diffusion abnormalities, because absolute ADC values are susceptible to differences in scanners or scanner settings. The present study evaluated the usefulness of the relative assessment of ADC values between tumor lesions and normal tissue on preoperative mpMRI for the prediction of high-risk prostate cancer on radical prostatectomy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 48 men who underwent radical prostatectomy between January 2013 and December 2014 was conducted. MpMRI was performed with a 3.0-T scanner using b-values of 0 and 1500 s/mm2. ADC values of the tumor (ADCTUMOR) and normal prostate and the relative ADC tumor/normal ratio (ADCTNR) were evaluated by two radiologists. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability between two radiologists for ADCTUMOR measurement was high, with Pearson's r = 0.982. There was no difference in ADCTUMOR between GS ≤7 and GS ≥8. In contrast, ADCTNR was significantly lower in GS ≥8 than in GS ≤7. ROC curves of ADCTNR to predict higher GS (≥8) showed better classification performance (AUC = 0.8243, p = .0012 by radiologist A and AUC = 0.7961, p = .0031 by radiologist B) than of ADCTUMOR. CONCLUSIONS: The relative assessment of ADC values between tumor lesions and normal tissue could improve the detection rate of high-risk prostate cancers.

[Feasibility of Super Bioabsorbable Plate Insertion into the Sternum Manubrium for Sternal Closure].

We evaluated the efficacy of our sternum closure technique. Out of the 101 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery at our department, 36 patients underwent sternum closure using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape (NT) with Super FIXSORB MX40 (SF40) insertion into the sternum manubrium (group A) and 19 patients used NT with Sterna Lock Blu (group B). None of the patients had sternum disruption. Postoperative computed tomography scan revealed comparable effect in preventing transverse and anterior-posterior sternal displacement between the 2 groups. The use of NT with SF40 insertion into the sternum manubrium is effective for improving the stability of sternotomy closure.

Bladder recovery relates with increased mid-cingulate perfusion after shunt surgery in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus: a single-photon emission tomography study.

AIMS OF STUDY: It is reported that severe bladder disorder in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is predicted by right frontal hypoperfusion. However, it is not known whether bladder recovery is predicted by brain perfusion change after shunt surgery. To address this issue, we compared bladder and brain function before and after shunt surgery in iNPH. METHODS: We enrolled 75 patients in the study. Before and 12 months after shunt surgery, we analyzed brain perfusion by SPECT and bladder disorder by a specialized grading scale. The scale consisted of grade 0, none; grade 1, urinary urgency and frequency; grade 2, urinary incontinence 1-3 times a week; grade 3, urinary incontinence >daily; and grade 4, loss of bladder control. More than one grade improvement is defined as improvement, and more than one grade decrement as worsening; otherwise no changes. RESULTS: Comparing before and after surgery, in the bladder-no-change group (32 cases) there was an increase in blood flow which is regarded as reversal of enlargement in the Sylvian fissure and lateral ventricles (served as control). In contrast, in the bladder-improved group (32 cases) there was an increase in bilateral mid-cingulate, parietal, and left frontal blood flow (p < 0.05). In the bladder-worsened group (11 cases) no significant blood flow change was observed. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that after shunt surgery, bladder recovery is related with mid-cingulate perfusion increase in patients with iNPH. The underlying mechanism might be functional restoration of the mid-cingulate that normally inhibits the micturition reflex.

IgG4-related inflammatory pseudotumors mimicking multiple meningiomas.

IgG4-related disease is an emerging clinicopathologic entity. Hypophysitis, diffuse thickening of dura, and enlargement of the trigeminal nerve are well-known intracranial involvements of IgG4-related disease. This report of a case of systemic IgG4-related disease is the first to present neuroimaging of apparent supratentorial meningioma-like lesions and thickening and contrast enhancement of the walls of the intracranial internal carotid arteries. It is important to recognize IgG4-related intracranial pseudotumors so that patients do not undergo unnecessary surgical procedures.

Round cell liposarcoma arising in the left foot: MRI and PET findings.

Liposarcomas are one of the most common soft-tissue sarcomas and commonly arise in the deep soft tissues of the extremities and retroperitoneum; however, the occurrence of liposarcomas in the foot or ankle is exceedingly rare. In this article, we present a 52-year-old man with round cell liposarcoma arising in the left foot. This tumor presented unusual manifestations of secondary osseous involvement in the metatarsal and tarsal bones of the left foot and solitary lymph node metastasis at the para-aortic region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and [(18)F]-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) evaluation was considered to be useful for tumor grading and staging in this case.

Posttraumatic cranial cystic fibrous dysplasia.

A 14-year-old was girl admitted to our hospital with a subcutaneous mass of the occipital head. The mass had grown for 6 years, after she had sustained a head injury at the age of 6, and was located directly under a previous wound. Skull X-ray Photograph (xp), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a bony defect and cystic changes in the skull corresponding to a subcutaneous mass. Bone scintigraphy revealed partial accumulation. The patient underwent total removal of the skull mass, and the diagnosis from the pathological findings of the cyst wall was fibrous dysplasia (FD). The radiographic findings for cystic cranial FD can be various. Progressive skull disease has been reported to be associated with head trauma, but the relationship between cranial FD and head trauma has not been previously reported. Previous studies have suggested that c-fos gene expression is a key mechanism in injury-induced FD.

Surgical treatment of papillary fibroelastoma in the aortic valve: a case report.

With the exception of myxomas, primary tumors of the heart are very rare. We present here our experience with papillary fibroelastoma in the aortic valve. We could not preserve the aortic valve because of the wide attachment of the tumor to the valve and aortic regurgitation.

Congenital systemic and coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistulas.

Congenital systemic-to-pulmonary artery fistulas are very rare, with the exception of congenital heart disease and pulmonary sequestration. We describe the first reported case of left internal mammary and bronchial artery to pulmonary artery fistulas associated with bilateral coronary arteries to pulmonary artery fistulas.

Sisters with clinically mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS)-like features; Familial MERS?

We first report sisters presenting with clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS)-like features, i.e., mild and reversible neurological manifestations, and MRI finding of a reversible lesion with transiently reduced diffusion in the corpus callosum associated with symmetrical white matter. The distributions of the white matter lesions (more extensive) and Na levels (normal) were different from those reported for sporadic MERS patients (subcortical white matter close to the central sulci, and hyponatremia), which suggested that the pathophysiology of the sisters with MERS-like features might be different from that of sporadic MERS. Some genetic factors might be involved in MERS, especially in some patients with extensive white matter lesions.

Surgical treatment for isolated coarctation of the aorta in an adult patient.

A 51-year-old woman developed heart failure due to severe hypertension of the upper half of the body caused by coarctation of the aorta. From the available surgical options for this condition, we selected bypass grafting from the left subclavian artery to the descending aorta for this patient.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist attenuates the severity of spinal cord ischemic injury in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery is sometimes complicated by subacute or delayed paraplegia. Pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta has been implicated in extensive inflammation and progressive neurodegeneration after ischemia. Using a rabbit model, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in a temporal fashion. METHODS: Spinal cord ischemia was induced by aortic cross-clamping in New Zealand White rabbits. The animals were assigned to three groups. Group C (n = 20) received saline (0.2-mL) and Group I (n = 20) received IL-1ra (200-microg/0.2-mL) intrathecally just after reperfusion. Group S (n = 3) underwent sham operation without aortic occlusion. We assessed the neuroprotective effects of IL-1ra by evaluating neurological function, histopathological changes, and in-situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL staining). We also measured the levels of Nitric Oxide (NO) and S100beta in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Each evaluation was performed sequentially within 120 hours after reperfusion. RESULTS: Group C showed progressive deterioration of motor function which became statistically significant from 48 hours after the onset of reperfusion (P < .05, P < .01, P < .001, P < .001 at 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours, respectively). Compared to Group C, a higher number of viable neurons was observed with less severe spinal cord injury in Group I (P < .01, .05 and .05 at 24, 72, and 120 hours, respectively). TUNEL-positive neurons were also significantly reduced by the administration of IL-1ra (P <.01 and .05 at 24, and 120 hours, respectively). The difference between Group C and Group I with regard to NO was significant at 72 and 120 hours (P < .05), while that in terms of S100beta was significant only at 24 hours (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of IL-1ra attenuates spinal cord ischemic-reperfusion injury as evidenced by reducing both neuronal necrosis and apoptosis.

Gastric emptying in patients with palliative stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Palliative stenting for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) offers a more rapid resumption of oral intake than surgical gastrojejunostomy. Clinically, delayed gastric emptying is observed less frequently in patients with enteral stenting. The aim of this study was to conduct a functional assessment of gastric emptying after stent placement for GOO using isotope scanning. METHODOLOGY: Gastric emptying was assessed in 14 patients with GOO (4 female, 10 male; mean age 67.9 years; 8 with gastric cancer; 4 with pancreatic cancer; 1 with biliary cancer; 1 with metastasis) and 10 healthy volunteers (2 female, 8 male; mean age 31.5 years). None of the patients had undergone previous stomach surgery. The patients were studied 1 week after stent placement. Scintigraphy was performed for 2 hours following the ingestion of a labeled liquid meal. Gastric retention was evaluated at 2 hours in both groups. RESULTS: All patients underwent successful placement of stents and were able to resume an oral diet. All stents were fully deployed and no migration was seen at the time of the investigation. Retained gastric activity at 120 minutes (RGA120) was significantly greater in patients than in controls (65.4% vs. 27.5%, p=0.0128). Median survival time was 179 days in patients with T1/2 of 120 min or less and 75 days in patients with T1/2 of over 120 min. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that although patients with GOO have resumed oral intake 1 week after stent placement, restoration of gastric emptying is often still incomplete.

Changes in cerebrospinal fluid and blood lactate concentrations after stent-graft implantation at critical aortic segment: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: Obstruction of blood flow through the arteria radicularis magna (ARM) has been linked with ischemic spinal cord injury after conventional thoracic aortic repair. Whether or not endoluminal stent-grafts, deliberately positioned against this artery can cause similar damage to the spinal cord has not been comprehensively investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of lactate - a well-known biochemical marker of ischemic neurological injury, before and after stent-graft implantation against the ARM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoluminal stent-grafting was performed in ten mongrel dogs. In five animals (experimental group), stent-grafts covered the fourth and fifth lumbar segmental arteries - which have been described as the canine equivalents to the ARM in humans. In the remaining five animals (control group), devices of similar length were placed in the lower thoracic aorta. CSF was obtained by cisternal puncture technique at the following time points; before stent-grafting, and 15, 30 and 60 min after stent-grafting. Parallel arterial blood samples were also obtained using a heparinized syringe. All samples were centrifuged and the supernatant analysed for lactate. RESULTS: The mean preprocedural lactate concentration in the CSF was 1.7+/-0.3 mmol/l. Mean postprocedural levels in the experimental group at 15, 30 and 60 min were 3.1+/-1.9, 3.9+/-1.1 and 11.9+/-2.5 mmol/l, respectively (control values; 2.1+/-1.9, 2.7+/-1.1 and 1.9+/-1.5 mmol/l, respectively). Mean preprocedural blood lactate level was 1.8+/-0.6 mmol/l, while the mean postprocedural concentrations in the experimental group at 15, 30 and 60 min were 2.9+/-1.2, 3.4+/-1.7 and 3.9+/-2.0 mmol/l, respectively. Two out of the five animals in the experimental group suffered mild to moderate hind limb weakness. CONCLUSION: Selective placement of stent-grafts against the ARM in dogs resulted in a conspicuous increase in CSF and blood lactate concentrations 60 min after the procedure with or without physical signs of neurological deficits. Although the small sample size of this preliminary study does not allow any definitive conclusion, it may be worthwhile to confirm the findings in appropriately controlled larger studies.

Successful repair of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm using autograft patch from fascia lata and saphenous vein.

An 80-year-old man developed a pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta due to mediastinitis following cardiac surgery. We successfully repaired the pseudoaneurysm with an autograft patch harvested from fascia lata and the saphenous vein. The repair, which was carried out in two layers, can be expected to be durable.

Therapeutic benefit of intrathecal injection of marrow stromal cells on ischemia-injured spinal cord.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic transplantation of marrow stromal cells (MSCs) before spinal cord ischemia has been shown to attenuate neurologic injures. We sought to investigate the therapeutic effect of MSCs on ischemia-injured spinal cord. METHODS: Marrow stromal cells were expanded in vitro and prelabeled with bromodeoxyuridine. Spinal cord ischemia was induced in rabbits by infrarenal aortic occlusion for 30 minutes. Four groups were enrolled. About 1 x 10(8) MSCs were intrathecally injected 2 hours (group MSC-2h), 24 hours (group MSC-24h), or 48 hours (group MSC-48h) after spinal cord ischemia, respectively. The control group received intrathecal injection of medium alone. Hind-limb motor function was assessed during a 28-day recovery period with Tarlov criteria, and then histologic examination was performed. RESULTS: Marrow stromal cells still could be found in the spinal cord 4 weeks after transplantation. The capillary density in the ventral gray matter was significantly increased in the three MSC-treated groups (p < 0.01 versus control group, respectively). After a 28-day recovery, marked functional improvement was detected in group MSC-2h (from day 1 to 28, p < 0.05, versus control group, respectively) and group MSC-24h (from day 14 to 28, p < 0.05, versus control group, respectively), but not in group MSC-48h. The number of intact motor neurons was much greater in group MSC-2h (p < 0.05, versus control group). CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal injection of MSCs enhances angiogenesis in the host spinal cord and improves the motor functional recovery after spinal cord ischemia. The therapeutic time window is critical for the therapeutic effect of MSCs.

Controlled low-pressure perfusion at the beginning of reperfusion attenuates neurologic injury after spinal cord ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Paraplegia caused by spinal cord ischemia remains a serious complication after surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. This study tests the hypothesis that controlled low-pressure perfusion at the beginning of reperfusion can attenuate neurologic injury of the spinal cord after transient ischemia. METHODS: Spinal cord ischemia was accomplished in rabbits by occlusion of the infrarenal aorta with a balloon catheter for 25 minutes. In the normal reperfusion group, reperfusion was completely restored immediately after ischemia, whereas perfusion pressure was controlled between 45 and 55 mm Hg during the first 10 minutes followed by complete reperfusion in the low-pressure reperfusion group. Functional evaluation with the Tarlov score during a 14-day observation period, histopathologic assessment of the lumbar spinal cord, and measurements of malondialdehyde levels and amyloid precursor protein immunoreactivity were performed. RESULTS: Neurologic impairment was remarkably attenuated in the low-pressure reperfusion group (compared with the Tarlov scores of the normal reperfusion group, P < .05 at day 2; P < .01 at days 1, 7, and 14). Compared with the normal reperfusion group, malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the low-pressure reperfusion group (P < .05), and the large motor neurons of the low-pressure reperfusion group were preserved to a much greater extent (P < .05). White matter injury of the low-pressure reperfusion group was also markedly attenuated as evidenced by reduction of vacuolation area of the white matter (P < .05) and decrease of the amyloid precursor protein immunoreactivity (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Reperfusion initiated with low-pressure perfusion exerts neuroprotective effects on the spinal cord against ischemia/reperfusion injury.