[Surgical Treatment for Congenital Bronchial Atresia and Intralobar Sequestration in the Same Lobe].

A 21-year-old man who had a history of pneumonia twice presented with chest discomfort. Computed tomography( CT) revealed dilatation of the atretic bronchus that was not continuous with the proximal one, and surrounding hyper-lucent lung fields in the outer and mediastinal sides of the right basal segment, and the absence of B10b+c. CT also demonstrated the presence of A10b+c in the former field and the aberrant artery from the inferior phrenic artery in the latter. Right basal segmentectomy was performed under the diagnosis of congenital bronchial atresia and intralobar sequestration. Pathological diagnosis accorded with preoperative one.

Atypical femoral hernia called Laugier's hernia: clinical features, radiological findings, and management at a single center.

PURPOSE: Laugier's hernia is a rare clinical entity compared with a typical femoral hernia. Therefore, the clinical features, radiological findings, and appropriate treatment strategies remain largely unclear. In this study, we present 15 Laugier's hernia cases. Additionally, we review the relevant literature and discuss the clinical features, radiological findings, and appropriate treatment strategies pertaining to Laugier's hernia compared with a typical femoral hernia. METHODS: Among 1260 hernia patients, we retrospectively enrolled 15 Laugier's hernia patients (1.19%) and 89 femoral hernia patients (7.06%) who underwent herniorrhaphy and compared the demographic characteristics and radiological findings between the two groups. RESULTS: Regarding the patient characteristics, a significant difference was observed in the presence of pain (p < 0.001) and ileus symptoms (p = 0.001). Regarding the hernia characteristics, significant differences were observed in the size of the hernial sac (p = 0.001), contents of the hernial sac (p = 0.003), repositioning of the hernial sac (p < 0.001), and repair with polypropylene mesh (p < 0.001). The characteristic multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) findings enabled the preoperative diagnosis of Laugier's hernia versus conventional femoral hernia. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be alert to the possibility of atypical femoral hernias while examining femoral hernia or inguinal hernia patients. If Laugier's hernia is suspected, preoperative MDCT is recommended.

Detection of the artery of Adamkiewicz using multidetector row computed tomography in patients with spinal arteriovenous shunt disease.

PURPOSE: To plan a treatment strategy for a spinal arteriovenous shunt (SAVS), identifying the artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) and its origin is indispensable. However, detecting the AKA is very difficult in patients with an SAVS when using computed tomography angiography (CTA) by the usual method to find the hairpin curved artery because dilated drainage veins nearly always coexist with the hairpin curved AKA. We designed a method to identify the AKA by focusing on the diameter and pathway of the anterior radiculomedullary arteries (RMAs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with an SAVS were surveyed. They underwent contrast-enhanced CTA and conventional angiography from January 2009 to December 2012. Two readers evaluated the CTA images and assumed that the AKA was the artery that ran through the anterior portion of the neural foramen and continued to pass on the ventral side of the spinal cord. RESULTS: Among the seven patients, nine AKAs were detected with conventional angiography. When using our method, seven AKAs and six AKAs were identified on CTA by Reader 1 and Reader 2, respectively. The average sensitivity was 72.3%, and the specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were sufficiently high (i.e. > 85%) for both readers. The kappa value for detecting the AKA was 0.98. CONCLUSIONS: Detecting the origin of the AKA with CTA is challenging in patients with an SAVS. However, focusing on the diameter and pathway of the RMAs may allow successful identification.

Dural Sinus Thrombosis with Nonsymptomatic Persistent Falcine Sinus: A Case Report.

A 24-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital after convulsive status epilepticus. A cerebral magnetic resonance venography revealed a persistent fetal falcine sinus. Additionally, the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus was hypoplastic and the abnormal deep venous drainage was accompanied. These abnormalities had already been detected by magnetic resonance imaging several years ago. In the present scan, we discovered a sinus thrombosis in the hypoplastic superior sagittal sinus. In the cerebral angiography, we observed delayed venous return in the left parieto-occipital lobe and hypothesized that cerebral venous stasis due to the thrombus caused the convulsive status epilepticus. The patient was treated with intravenous administration of heparin along with an antiepileptic drug, and she recovered with no neurological defects. In the present case, the falcine sinus and the anomalous venous return were likely congenital while the status epilepticus was derived from thrombosis in the hypoplastic superior sagittal sinus. Although the falcine sinus functioned as an alternative pathway for the superior sagittal sinus, the hypoplastic superior sagittal sinus itself may also play an important role as a venous drainage channel.

First case of a bloodstream infection caused by the genus Brachybacterium.

An 83-year-old previously self-sufficient man was referred to our hospital for a fever, severe tenderness over the lumbar spine, and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Computed tomography revealed fluid collection in the intervertebral space of L3/4. Gram-positive, short rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from two sets of blood cultures. A 16S rRNA sequence analysis of an isolate showed a similarity of 98.1% to the nearest type strain Brachybacterium squillarum JCM 16464T. Biochemical characteristics of the presently isolated strain differed from those of the most closely related species of the genus Brachybacterium. The patient was successfully discharged on day 73 of admission with antimicrobial therapies and showed no recurrence during outpatient visits. Brachybacterium spp. have mainly been isolated from the environment, and human Brachybacterium infections have rarely been documented to date. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical isolation of Brachybacterium sp. as a causative pathogen of bloodstream infection.

Implementation of Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostics for Mycoplasma pneumoniae Ensures the Correct Antimicrobial Prescription for Pediatric Pneumonia Patients.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading causative pathogen of pneumonia among pediatric patients, and its accurate diagnosis may aid in the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents. We established a rapid reporting system of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination for M. pneumoniae that enables physicians to obtain test results approximately 90 minutes after ordering the test. In this study, we evaluated the impact of this system on antimicrobial prescriptions for pediatric pneumonia patients after its implementation from May 2016 to April 2017. In total, we identified 375 pediatric pneumonia patients, and the results of the rapid PCR examinations for Mycoplasma pneumoniae were reported immediately in 90.7% of patients (340/375), with physicians able to use these results to decide on patients' management before the prescription of antimicrobial agents. Of the 375 pediatric pneumoniae patients, M. pneumoniae was detected in 223 (59.5%). Among the 223 M. pneumoniae-positive pneumonia cases, antimicrobial agents for atypical pathogens (macrolides, tetracyclines or quinolones) were prescribed in 97.3% (217/223) at the initial evaluation, and their prescription rates increased to 99.1% (221/223) during management. In contrast, antimicrobial agents for atypical pathogens were prescribed only in 10.5% of 152 M. pneumoniae-negative pneumonia cases at the initial evaluations, and only 1 additional case was prescribed clarithromycin for persistent symptoms during management. In conclusion, we show that molecular technology could be applicable in the field of point-of-care testing in infectious disease, and its implementation will ensure the correct antimicrobial prescription for pediatric pneumonia patients.

[Dissecting Internal Carotid Aneurysm Causing Epistaxis:A Case Report].

We report a rare case of a ruptured dissecting internal carotid aneurysm caused epistaxis without a history of trauma or infection. An 89-year-old woman experienced epistaxis and suffered from hemorrhagic shock at her previous hospital. Head computed tomography(CT)images revealed a ruptured internal carotid aneurysm protruding into the Onodi cell, the most posterior ethmoidal sinus, which extends superolaterally to the sphenoid sinus. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a multilobular-shaped dissecting aneurysm with a maximal diameter of 6.7mm at the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery(ICA). Overlapping stenting was performed to prevent recanalization. However, a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred 2 days after the procedure due to the progression of the dissection to the intracranial ICA. The anatomical characteristics of the ethmoidal sinus could be associated with the occurrence of epistaxis. A ruptured small ICA aneurysm with an Onodi cell might cause epistaxis without a history of trauma or infection.

[Dural Arteriovenous Fistula with Acute Visual Loss Manifestation:A Case Report].

In this report, we are describing a rare case of dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF)followed by an isolated symptom of bilateral visual acuity disturbance. The patient was a 67-year-old man suffering from progressive bilateral visual acuity disturbance. Angiography revealed a diffuse arteriovenous fistula in the left transverse-sigmoid sinus affected by severe venous congestion. Visual acuity disturbance is likely to have been caused by increased intracranial pressure(IICP). Venous congestion as well as visual acuity were gradually improved following three transarterial embolizations. It is possible that a gradual progression of the clinical condition has caused only visual acuity disturbance without any other IICP symptoms, which is similar to pseudotumor cerebri. Should an unexplained visual acuity loss occur, the case should be investigated by considering DAVF.

[A Case of Traumatic Carotid Cavernous Fistula Treated with a Single Procedure Selective Transarterial Embolization Using Hydrogel Coils].

A 30-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after a bicycle accident. Proptosis, conjunctival congestion, and orbital vascular bruit appeared one month after the accident. Neuroradiological findings showed a traumatic carotid cavernous fistula(CCF). CCF is a pathologic arteriovenous shunt between the carotid artery and cavernous sinus. A detachable balloon was the standard device used for treatment of high flow direct CCF, although it is currently unavailable in Japan. Therefore, many other constructive strategies are being developed. We successfully treated this patient with single transarterial embolization using hydrogel coils. Hydrogel coils are platinum coils coated with polymeric water gels, and can be used at a prospect of delayed volume expansion. In our case, the patency of the internal carotid artery was maintained using the coils, and the symptoms improved shortly after the procedure. The use of hydrogel coils for the treatment of CCF appears to be safe and effective.

Noninvasive visualization of endoleaks after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair through unenhanced MRI with motion-sensitized driven equilibrium preparation: Phantom experiments.

PURPOSE: To optimize imaging parameters for balanced turbo field echo (BTFE) sequence combined with motion-sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE) preparation for endoleak detection and type classification in phantom experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prepared four phantoms: a pulsatile flow generator with an aortic aneurysm model simulating no endoleak, and a type-1, type-2, and type-3 endoleak. Throughout the experiments, MSDE-BTFE images with and without flow suppression were obtained at 1.5 T and subtraction images were used for image evaluation. The no-endoleak phantom was imaged using different MSDE-BTFE sequences to optimize the k-space trajectory and evaluate the use of electrocardiogram gating. The relative contrast between flowing saline and background was calculated. Then all phantoms were imaged to determine the optimal velocity encoding (VENC) for endoleak detection and type classification. Three independent observers performed the image evaluation. Consistencies between the interpreted and true results were analyzed using kappa statistics. RESULTS: The 3D low-high k-space trajectory with electrocardiogram gating provided the highest relative contrast. Low VENCs of 2-10 cm/s and high VENCs of 20 cm/s showed perfect consistency in endoleaks detection and type classification, respectively. CONCLUSION: MSDE-BTFE sequences of appropriate VENCs has potential for endoleak detection and type classification, without contrast material.

[Spontaneous tension hemothorax due to rupture of a solitary fibrous tumor of the posterior mediastinum].

A 37-year-old man was transported by ambulance to our hospital due to abrupt chest pain. The pain began when he was practicing a combative-type sport. He denied any impact or blunt trauma. A chest radiograph revealed massive left pleural effusion with a mediastinal shift. Thoracentesis revealed a hemothorax;therefore, we performed an emergency thoracotomy. The intraoperative findings revealed a rupture of a posterior mediastinal tumor itself located between the descending aorta and the thoracic vertebra. After we identified the artery of Adamkiewicz that originates away from the tumor and evaluated the degree of tumor extension into the inter-vertebral foramen, we safely performed an elective tumor resection 1 month after the initial emergency operation. In patients with a hemothorax caused by rupture of the tumor itself, an elective tumor resection after detailed investigation should be considered if hemostasis can be achieved in the emergency thoracotomy.

Moyamoya disease: evaluation of postoperative revascularization using multiphase selective arterial spin labeling MRI.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cerebral blood flow through the bypass in operated patients with Moyamoya disease using multiphase selective arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen surgically treated cerebral hemispheres from 11 patients with Moyamoya disease were included. Selective ASL examinations were performed during the early postoperative period (mean, 5.5 days) on 4 hemispheres and late postoperative period (mean, 332.7 days) on 15 hemispheres. The labeling slab was positioned at the bypassed external carotid artery and 5 slices in each of the 10 sequential phases were acquired using a 3-T scanner. RESULTS: Two of 4 early postoperative ASL examinations and all late postoperative ASL examinations demonstrated blood flow through the bypass. The remaining 2 early postoperative ASL examinations showed absence of blood flow; however, blood flow improved on follow-up examinations. CONCLUSION: Multiphase selective ASL technique can provide information about the dynamics of postoperative blood flow through the bypass in Moyamoya disease.

[Usefulness of quantitative H-MR spectroscopy for the differentiation between radiation necrosis and recurrence of anaplastic oligodendroglioma].

We report a case, in which quantitative 1H-MR spectroscopy (MRS) was useful for the differentiation between radiation necrosis and a recurrent tumor. The present case is a 44-year-old man who underwent the subtotal removal of a mass lesion in the left frontal lobe. The histological diagnosis was anaplastic oligodendroglioma (WHO grade III). Postoperatively, a fractionated radiotherapy (total 64Gy) and chemotherapy were performed. MRI after the radiotherapy showed no contrast enhancing lesion. MRI, 5 years after the radiotherapy, showed a growing enhancing lesion and a T1 hypointensity lesion without enhancement, both of which indicated a recurrent tumor. MR spectroscopy was performed for the differential diagnosis of these lesions. The spectrum was acquired by the point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) method by TR/TE=2,000 ms/68 ms, 136 ms, and 272 ms and evaluated with peak pattern and quantification value of metabolite. MRS of the enhancing lesion demonstrated a decrease of the Choline-containing compounds (Cho) concentration, disappearance of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), decrease of Creatine/ Phosphocreatine (t-Cr) and presence of Lipids (Lip) and Lactate (Lac), all of which are characteristic finding of a radiation necrosis. The histological diagnosis of this lesion showed evidence also of radiation necrosis. On the other hand, MRS of the T1 hypointensity lesion without enhancement showed, a marked high peak of the Cho concentration, which is characteristic for a recurrent tumor. The histological findings of this lesion showed a diffuse proliferation of recurrent tumor cells. Quantitative 1H-MRS is a useful tool for the differentiation between radiation necrosis and recurrent tumors.

Arteriovenous fistula of the clival diploic vein associated with arteriovenous fistula of the posterior condylar canal.

We herein report a rare case of a patient with a clival diploic vein arteriovenous fistula (AVF) associated with a posterior condylar canal AVF and discuss the radiological features of clival diploic vein AVF during decision-making on treatment strategies. A 69-year-old male patient with one-year history of pulsatile tinnitus was evaluated with magnetic resonance angiography, which revealed a dilated venous structure. Digital subtraction angiography revealed AVFs located in the clivus and posterior condylar canal. The clival diploic vein AVF was fed by the right internal maxillary artery and the petrous branch of middle meningeal artery and shed to the posterior condylar canal only through an intraosseous vein in the jugular tubercle. Although a catheter could not be navigated into the venous pouch in the clivus, the AVFs were successfully obliterated by transvenous embolization of the venous pouch in the posterior condylar canal.

A case of severe pneumonia with viremia caused by adenovirus B7 identified by off-label use of a multiplex PCR system.

Severe infection with human adenovirus (HAdV) is uncommon in adults, and the lack of reliable point-of-care testing makes the diagnosis challenging. A 39-year-old immunocompetent Indian man developed severe pneumonia, and his condition became life-threatening despite antimicrobial therapy. While sputum and blood cultures remained negative, a multiplex PCR respiratory panel (Filmarray Respiratory Panel), which is only approved for use with nasopharyngeal samples, detected HAdV in the serum and tracheal aspirates on day 5. We therefore initiated ganciclovir, steroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin. The patient's respiratory condition improved significantly, and he eventually recovered without complications. We later confirmed that conventional PCR of serum detected HAdV-B7. Our case illustrated that a respiratory panel using multiplex PCR successfully detected HAdV in unapproved samples. Such off-label analyses may support the early diagnosis of infections caused by pathogens that are difficult to identify by routine microbiological examination.

Emergent carotid artery stenting for cervical internal carotid artery injury during carotid endarterectomy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been the standard preventive procedure for cerebral infarction due to cervical internal carotid artery stenosis, and internal shunt insertion during CEA is widely accepted. However, troubleshooting knowledge is essential because potentially life-threatening complications can occur. Herein, we report a case of cervical internal carotid artery injury caused by the insertion of a shunt device during CEA. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 78-year-old man with a history of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperuricemia developed temporary left hemiplegia. A former physician had diagnosed the patient with a transient cerebral ischemic attack. The patient's medical history was significant for the right internal carotid artery stenosis, which was severe due to a vulnerable plaque. We performed CEA to remove the plaque; however, there was active bleeding in the distal carotid artery of the cervical region after we removed the shunt tube. Hemostasis was achieved through compression using a cotton piece. Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed severe stenosis at the internal carotid artery distal to the injury site due to hematoma compression. The patient underwent urgent carotid artery stenting and had two carotid artery stents superimposed on the injury site. On DSA, extravascular pooling of contrast media decreased on postoperative day (POD) 1 and then disappeared on POD 14. The patient was discharged home without sequela on POD 21. CONCLUSION: In the case of cervical internal carotid artery injury during CEA, hemostasis can be achieved by superimposing a carotid artery stent on the injury site, which is considered an acceptable troubleshooting technique.

Assessment of uterine and ovarian arteries before uterine artery embolization: advantages conferred by unenhanced MR angiography.

PURPOSE: To clarify the benefits of unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in planning uterine artery embolization (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the informed consent requirement was waived. Fifty-five consecutive women (mean age, 42 years; age range, 26-52 years) who underwent UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids were placed chronologically into groups 1, 2, or 3, which were composed of 20, 22, and 13 patients, respectively. Digital subtraction angiography was performed in groups 1 and 2 but not in group 3. In the 35 patients in groups 2 and 3, unenhanced MR angiography was performed before UAE, and two independent radiologists assessed the results. The parameters indicating performance of UAE were compared among the three groups with the Tukey test. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent routine UAE (19, 16, and 10 patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Sixty-eight (97%) of 70 uterine artery origins were demonstrated clearly at MR angiography. Among five ovarian arteries detected at MR angiography, collateral supply was confirmed in four (80%). The assessment of MR angiographic results and discontinuation of digital subtraction angiography led to a reduction in the mean performance time (from 96.2 minutes to 51.9 minutes [P = .004]), fluoroscopy time (from 28.5 minutes to 17.8 minutes [P = .036]), dose-area product (from 109.8 Gy.cm(2) to 25.4 Gy.cm(2) [P < .001]), and contrast medium volume (from 103.8 mL to 40.8 mL [P < .001]). CONCLUSION: Unenhanced MR angiography provides useful information regarding uterine and ovarian arteries before UAE.

Stent-Jack Technique for Ruptured Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm Involving the Origin of Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery.

We herein report a case of a ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm involving the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery that was treated using the stent-jack technique. After parent artery occlusion of the distal vertebral artery, stenting of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery was performed. Further coiling was needed because distal vertebral artery recanalization occurred due to transformation of the coil mass. The stent-jack technique for a ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm involving the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery is effective; however, careful attention to recanalization after stenting is needed due to transformation of the coil mass.

Safety margin of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study using magnetic resonance imaging with superparamagnetic iron oxide.

PURPOSE: In radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is difficult to assess the ablative margin (AM) precisely by comparing pre- and post-RFA CT images. We prospectively studied the AMs using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with pre-administered superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO). SPIO is safe for kidney disease patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients were treated with RFA within 8 h of SPIO administration. On T2*-weighted MRI performed 4-7 days later, AM was visualized as a hypointense rim. The ablation status was classified as AM(+) if the rim completely surrounded the tumor, AM(0) if the rim was partly discontinuous without tumor protrusion, and AM(-) if the rim was partly discontinuous with tumor protrusion. The minimal thickness of AM was measured. AM(-) tumors were re-treated consecutively. RESULTS: In total, 85 HCCs ablated in 76 patients were evaluated. The local recurrence rate at 3 years was 2% for AM(+) tumors and 34% for AM(0) tumors (p < 0.01). In addition, no local recurrence was seen in the tumors with an AM of ≥ 2 mm. CONCLUSION: MRI with pre-administered SPIO is useful for determining the AM precisely, and an AM of ≥ 2 mm is recommended for curative RFA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study was registered with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN 000025406).