Changes in Renal Function After Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer in Elderly Patients.

Introduction Decreased renal function after radical nephroureterectomy is one of the most important complications because it contributes to the decision to initiate adjuvant chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with changes in renal function after radical nephroureterectomy in elderly patients. Methodology A total of 145 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma were evaluated. The renal function was calculated preoperatively, postoperatively, and one month postoperatively, and the long-term change in renal function was investigated once a year. The association between clinical factors and changes in renal function following radical nephroureterectomy in univariate and multivariate analyses was stratified by age ≥75 years and <75 years. Results The median age of the patients was 71 years, with 94 patients (65%) aged <75 years and 51 patients (35%) aged ≥75 years. The median estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) were 57.1 (21.8-100) preoperatively, 36.1 (9.1-100) postoperatively, and 42.4 (19.5-100) in one month after radical nephroureterectomy. The median eGFRs in elderly patients were 50.8 (21.8-85.4) preoperatively. In the elderly group, only 8% had an eGFR of ≥50 as cisplatin-eligible at one month postoperatively. The long-term renal function in the elderly may decline further than during the stable postoperative periods. In the multivariate analysis, hydronephrosis (HN) was a significant predictor of decreased renal function in patients aged ≥75 years between the pre- and postoperative periods. Conclusions Elderly patients with HN who have upper tract urothelial carcinoma have a lower risk of decreased renal function after radical nephroureterectomy. This result may be useful in determining adjuvant therapy.

Parenchymal renal rupture due to an obstructive ureteric calculus in an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis and ureter.

Introduction: Parenchymal renal rupture due to a ureteric calculus is extremely rare and an emergency. Case presentation: A 54-year-old man was brought to the emergency room with left back pain without trauma. Computed tomography showed left parenchymal renal rupture with an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis, ureter, and an 11-mm ureteric calculus in the ureterovesical junction. A ureteral stent was placed, and the patient was treated conservatively as his vital signs were stable. We performed transurethral lithotripsy after resolution of the perirenal hematoma. Conclusion: To best of our knowledge, this report is the first to present a case of parenchymal renal rupture due to a ureteric calculus in an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis and ureter. Ureteric calculus within an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis and ureter is at risk of parenchymal renal rupture. Therefore, the aggressive treatment of ureteric calculus could be important.

Two cases of pelvic hematoma after prostatic urethral lift surgery.

Introduction: There are few reports of pelvic hematoma after prostatic urethral lift. Here, we report two cases of pelvic hematoma in Japan. Case presentation: The first case was a 71-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent prostatic urethral lift. Although the procedure was uneventful, he experienced lower abdominal pain the day after the operation. CT revealed a hematoma in the right pelvis; however, it was manageable with conservative treatment. The second case was a 68-year-old man. The procedure was uneventful; however, 6 days after the operation, a subcutaneous hematoma appeared in the lower abdomen. CT revealed a hematoma in the left pelvis. We then performed pelvic hematoma removal surgery. Conclusions: Pelvic hematomas after PUL may requires attention, particularly in men with the narrow pelvises. Appropriate compression of the prostate and a high lithotomy position procedure could effectively avoid the occurrence of pelvic hematomas.

[Retroperitoneal Malignant Lymphoma: A Case Report].

A male patient in his 70s was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of anorexia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a 20 cm large homogeneous mass in the retroperitoneum, and contrast-enhanced CT revealed uniform staining throughout the inside of the mass. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor and lactate dehydrogenase tumor markers were elevated. Hence, malignant lymphoma was suspected, and ultrasonography-guided biopsy was performed. Histopathological findings showed large lymphocytes with poorly differentiated cytoplasmic nucleoli and positivity for CD20 and CD79a via immunohistochemical analysis, which was consistent with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient received R-THP-COP therapy which consisted of rituximab, pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone. After four chemotherapy courses, a partial response according to the the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors was obtained. The patient was discharged with no signs of recurrence.

Pathological Complete Response to Preoperative Nivolumab Plus Cabozantinib for Renal Cell Carcinoma With Inferior Vena Cava Thrombus: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, therefore presurgical systemic therapies are required in order to improve the safety and feasibility of the surgical procedure by decreasing the thrombus level and burden. The efficacy of presurgical combination therapy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) for advanced renal cell carcinoma with IVC thrombus remains unclear. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 69-year-old male with cT3bN0M0 locally advanced RCC. We successfully performed a less invasive nephrectomy with thrombectomy, because nivolumab plus cabozantinib administration remarkably reduced the primary tumor and IVC thrombus, resulting in complete pathological response, as assessed with perioperative immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing that nephrectomy could be safely performed for RCC with IVC thrombus after presurgical nivolumab plus cabozantinib therapy, leading to pathological complete response.

Factors Related to Delayed Adverse Events of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in the Duodenum.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic submucosal dissection for duodenal neoplasms (D-ESD) is considered a technically demanding procedure regarding the high risk of delayed adverse events. Data regarding optimal managements of ulcers after D-ESD are lacking. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive 145 cases of D-ESD for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors at a single referral center. Factors related to delayed adverse events and the healing process of ulcers after D-ESD were analyzed. RESULTS: Complete ulcer suture after D-ESD was performed in 128 cases (88%). Two delayed perforation occurred among cases with incomplete suture. Delayed bleeding occurred in 8 cases (6%) within 3 weeks. The ulcer closure rate at second-look endoscopy (SLE) was significantly low among cases with delayed bleeding (12.5% vs. 75%, p = 0.001). The bleeding rate before SLE was significantly high among patients who did not have complete ulcer closure after D-ESD (0.8% vs. 12%, p = 0.036). The ratio of lesions located in the second oral-Vater was significantly low among ulcers re-opened at SLE (38% vs. 14%, p = 0.044). Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) were administered for a median of 7 weeks (range 1-8 weeks). At 3 weeks, active ulcer stages were observed in a few cases, and healing or scarring was observed in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: Complete ulcer suture was related to decreased risk of delayed adverse events after D-ESD. From the bleeding period and healing process of D-ESD ulcers, the minimum required length of PPI may be 3 weeks after D-ESD.

Accuracy of Serum Leucine-Rich Alpha-2 Glycoprotein in Evaluating Endoscopic Disease Activity in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal healing, confirmed by endoscopic evaluation, is the long-term goal of treatment for Crohn's disease (CD). Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) is a new serum biomarker correlated with disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease. However, studies evaluating its relationship with CD, particularly in the context of small intestinal lesions, are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of LRG in assessing endoscopic activity, especially remission, in patients with CD. METHODS: Between July 2020 and March 2021, 72 patients with CD who underwent LRG testing and double-balloon endoscopy at the same time were included. Endoscopic activity was evaluated using the applied Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease, including small intestine lesions. The relationship of LRG with clinical symptoms and endoscopic activity was assessed, and its predictive accuracy was evaluated. RESULTS: Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein showed a significant positive correlation with endoscopic activity (r = 0.619, P < .001), even in patients with active lesions in the small intestine (r = 0.626, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that LRG was the only factor associated with endoscopic remission. An LRG cutoff value of 8.9 µg/mL had a sensitivity of 93.3%; specificity of 83.3%; positive predictive value of 96.6%; negative predictive value of 71.4%; accuracy of 91.7%; and area under the curve of 0.904 for the prediction of endoscopic remission. CONCLUSIONS: Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein can be used in assessing endoscopic activity and is a reliable marker of endoscopic remission in CD patients. It can be an intermediate target in the treatment of CD.

This study investigated leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein's ability to assess endoscopic activity and endoscopic remission in patients with CD. The results showed that leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein can assess endoscopic activity in CD patients and is a reliable marker of endoscopic remission.

Gliding Tissue Reconstruction Using a Dorsal Digital Adipofascial Flap in Complex Extensor Injury.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative scar adhesions between tendons and phalanx bones cause persistent disability in complex injuries involving tendons and bones of the hand. Although gliding tissue reconstruction is effective in preventing peritendinous adhesion formation and a dorsal digital adipofascial flap is a reliable method to prevent scar adhesion between tendon and bone after extensor tendon repair, no comparative clinical reports exist. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of a gliding tissue reconstruction method by comparing postoperative range of motion between patients who underwent gliding tissue reconstruction and those who did not. METHODS: Medical records of patients with complex extensor tendon injury who underwent extensor repair between April 2005 and March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Ten patients underwent extensor repair with gliding tissue reconstruction using a dorsal digital adipofascial flap and 13 underwent only extensor repair. A triangular flap was separated after zig-zag incision to expose the injured extensor tendon into dermal and adipofascial flaps. The adipofascial flap, based on a dorsal branch of the digital artery, was placed on the injured bone as the tendon gliding surface. The same extensor tendon suture method and rehabilitation protocol were used in both groups. All patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months. RESULTS: The mean ± SD % total active movements were 84.1% ± 12.4% and 57.6% ± 13.0% in the groups with and without gliding tissue reconstruction, respectively. Significant differences were found between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with gliding tissue reconstruction had better functional recovery. This reconstruction is recommended to restore the extensor function in cases of complex extensor injury involving finger tendons and bones.

Dorsally extended digital island flap for repairing soft tissue injury of the fingertip.

BACKGROUND: The digital triangular island flap is one of the most useful types of flap for repairing soft-tissue loss at the fingertip, because it is sensate and has glabrous skin. However, this type of flap has several disadvantages, including limited length of advancement and limited flap size. METHODS: We have developed a new type of dorsally extended digital island flap to extend the reach of the digital triangular island flap. This dorsally extended portion, 15 mm in width and 20 mm in length, is based on the dorsal branch of the digital artery at the distal phalanx level. This island flap has a longer reach than the conventional digital island flap and can transfer larger amounts of soft tissue to the injured fingertip. Sixteen patients with fingertip amputation were treated using this flap. RESULTS: All of the flaps survived. The dorsally extended digital island flap could repair pulp tissue losses up to 30 mm in length in oblique volar injury. In transverse injury, a new fingertip could be produced with this flap in a single stage. We successfully covered the exposed bone without shortening the digital bone of the fingertip using our extended flap. No claw nail deformity occurred and no flexion contracture remained in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: Use of a dorsally extended digital island flap is recommended for repairing fingertip injury in cases with defect sizes ranging from 10 to 30 mm in length and also in both oblique volar and transverse injuries. This flap is more versatile for repair of fingertip injury than the conventional digital island flap.

Facial reanimation by transposition of the masseter muscle combined with tensor fascia lata, using the zygomatic arch as a pulley.

We have created a new way of reanimating the face, involving transposition of the masseter muscle combined with tensor fascia lata, and using the zygomatic arch as a trochlea to reconstruct the inferior facial paralysis. We used it on five patients who had facial palsy after excision of malignant parotid tumours. The wide skin defect that exposed the masseter muscle after total parotidectomy was reconstructed with a free flap. This method differs from those of other methods of transposing the masseter muscle in that force is applied at an upper lateral angle. Our method provided dynamic raising of the upper lip, the corner of the mouth, and the nasolabial fold in four patients. We consider it to be useful, particularly for prompt surgical reconstruction of facial palsy after total parotidectomy with a wide defect in the skin of the cheek.

Alternative etiology and surgical correction of acquired lower-eyelid entropion.

When increased contraction of the levator muscle accompanied by the superior rectus muscle compensates for aponeurotic blepharoptosis, increased contraction of the inferior rectus muscle for foveation retracts the lower eyelid through the capsulopalpebral fascia, showing the lower sclera. We hypothesized that in patients with aponeurotic blepharoptosis, the capsulopalpebral fascia excessively retracts the posterior lamella of the lower eyelid alone while keeping the anterior lamella unretracted, especially in patients with both weak extension of the capsulopalpebral fascia to the pretarsal anterior lamella and increased contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle, resulting in entropion. Aponeurotic reinsertion to the tarsus for the upper eyelid improved entropion in 15 younger patients. Surgical disinsertion of the capsulopalpebral fascia from the tarsus and creation of a cicatricial connection between the pretarsal skin and the tarsus for the lower eyelid corrected entropion in 15 elderly patients. Both procedures also corrected the lower scleral show.

Cutaneous sclerosing perineurioma of the digit.

An 11-year-old Japanese girl noticed a small nodule, with mild tenderness, on the right index finger 5 years before visiting our outpatient clinic. She had no familial history of neurofibromatosis or past history of traumatic injury at the site of the tumor. Physical examination revealed a slightly elevated, subcutaneous, nodular tumor in the volar aspect between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the digit (Fig. 1A). By magnetic resonance imaging examination, the tumor showed low density on both T1- and T2-weighted images, and was located just adjacent to the tendon with no invasive signs. The tumor was extirpated; at operation, it was well circumscribed and mobile without adhesion to adjacent tendon or nerve, and was easily removed. Grossly, the tumor was a well-circumscribed, firm nodule (10 mm x 8 mm x 5 mm in size) (Fig. 1B). The cut surface was whitish, homogeneous, and solid without cystic lesions. Histologically, it was an unencapsulated, paucicellular dense, fibrous nodule with a concentric circular arrangement of collagen bundles (Fig. 2A). Amongst the fibrous bundles, a small number of ovoid/epithelioid or plump spindle cells were arranged in a corded, trabecular, or whorled (onion bulb-like) pattern (Fig. 2B); a storiform pattern was not noted. These cells were relatively uniform and had a somewhat elongated, slightly hyperchromatic nucleus with fine granular chromatin. Neither nuclear pleomorphism nor multinucleated cells were evident, and necrosis and mitotic figures were not observed. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain after diastase digestion highlighted the corded or whorled pattern of the tumor cells by encasing them. For immunohistochemical examination, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded serial tissue sections were stained by a labeled streptavidin-biotin method. The tumor cells were positive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) (Fig. 3A), and negative for pan-cytokeratin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD34, alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, and CD68. Type IV collagen and laminin (Fig. 3B) were detected along the cords or whorls of the tumor cells, similar to the staining pattern of the diastase-PAS reaction. Schwann cells and axonal components, immunoreactive for S100 protein and neurofilament, respectively, were focally detected just adjacent to the cords or whorls, although the tumor cells per se did not express these proteins. Consequently, the tumor was found to be perineurial in origin and was diagnosed as cutaneous sclerosing perineurioma.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism is associated with chronic periodontitis.

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is caused by enhanced resorption of the alveolar bone supporting the teeth and is associated with intraoral inflammation after infection with certain bacteria. The VDR gene polymorphism was reported recently to be deeply related to the occurrence of tuberculosis and infection of chronic hepatitis B virus. This may be interpreted to indicate a close relationship between VDR gene polymorphism and the immunological action, because vitamin D activates monocytes, stimulates cell-mediated immunity, and suppresses lymphocyte proliferation. The purpose of the present study was to clarify whether polymorphisms in VDR gene exons are associated with the incidence of CP. A case-controlled study was performed on a group of 168 unrelated Japanese subjects whose ages ranged from 35 to 65 years. The Taq I polymorphism in the VDR gene was found to be associated significantly with CP (X2=4.48, P=0.034). We performed multiple logistic regression analyses on the TT genotype, which was found to be associated with CP, and on well-recognized risk factors, smoking and diabetes. The odds ratio (OR) for the genotype (TT/Tt) was 2.73 (95% CI 1.11-6.68, P=0.028), being larger than the unadjusted value. This indicates that the VDR gene polymorphism (TT genotype) is a risk factor for CP, independently of smoking and diabetes.

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 gene polymorphism and early marginal bone loss around endosseous implants.

PURPOSE: At stage II surgery during dental implant treatment, early marginal bone loss around the implant occasionally occurs despite a lack of apparent causal events, and the etiology of this bone loss is unclear. This study was designed to investigate whether the bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) genetic polymorphism is associated with early marginal bone loss around implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The BMP-4 polymorphism was detected by restriction fragment length analysis using HphI digestion after polymerase chain reaction. A total of 262 implants were placed in 41 patients, and early marginal bone loss was observed in 25 of the 109 maxillary implants and 14 of the 153 mandibular implants. RESULTS: In the mandible, the patients with the BMP-4 AV genotype had a significantly higher rate of occurrence of marginal bone loss than those with the BMP-4 W genotype (P = .012). According to multiple logistic regression analyses, the odds ratio of the AV versus the W BMP-4 genotype was 8.106 between patients with and those without bone loss in the mandible (95% CI = 1.30 to 50.51; P = .025). DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the BMP-4 genetic polymorphism influences early marginal bone loss around implants. CONCLUSION: While perhaps premature in recommendation, genetic screening before implant surgery may prove to be a very useful aid to consider the risk of implant treatment.

Genetic polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 gene and early marginal bone loss around endosseous dental implants.

Dental implant surgery commonly proceeds in two stages. It is generally accepted that bone loss around implants does not occur at stage-II surgery because implants do not receive mechanical loading. However, early marginal bone loss around implants occasionally does occur during the healing period. Genetic polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene have been reported to be important for bone homeostasis and susceptibility to bone disease. We therefore investigated whether the idiopathic early marginal bone loss around implants is related to polymorphisms in the IL-1 gene. We performed a case-control study. Patients demonstrating marginal bone loss around implants at stage-II surgery were designated as the 'marginal bone loss (+)' group and those without bone loss as the 'marginal bone loss (-)' group. Polymorphisms of the IL-1alpha and IL-1beta genes (IL-1A-889, IL-1B-511 and IL-1B+3954) were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism using NcoI, AvaI and TaqI after polymerase chain reactions. A total of 251 implants were placed in 39 patients. Marginal bone loss was observed in 36 implants. The patients with IL-1B-511 2/2 genotype exhibited a significantly higher occurrence of marginal bone loss than those with IL-1B-511 1/1 or 1/2 genotypes (OR=5.63; 95% CI=1.20-26.42; P=0.033). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed a markedly increased odds ratio (OR=10.86; 95% CI=1.64-71.90) in IL-1B-511 2/2 genotype carriers, while ORs of the other risk factors for bone loss, such as age, smoking status, post-menopausal women and bone quality, remained between 0.44 and 6.20. There was no significant difference in the distributions of the IL-1B+3954 and IL-1 A-889 genotypes between cases and controls. These data suggest that the IL-1B-511 2/2 genotype has a significant association with the incidence of early marginal bone loss around endosseous implants.

Association of calcitonin receptor gene polymorphism with early marginal bone loss around endosseous implants.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between calcitonin receptor (CTR) genotype and buccal marginal bone loss observed at stage II surgery for endosseous implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 237 implants were placed in 35 patients; 89 implants were placed in maxillae and 148 implants in mandibles. The CTR genetic polymorphism was examined by the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: Patients with the TC genotype were 20 times more likely to suffer buccal marginal bone loss in the mandible than patients with the CC genotype. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the distribution of age, smoking status, postmenopausal women, and bone quality between patients with and without bone loss in either jaw. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the known risk factor for bone loss cannot explain the early marginal bone loss around the implants. CONCLUSION: Although further genetic research should be conducted, it is suggested that the CTR genetic test could become a useful tool in the planning of treatment before implant surgery and lead to more predictable implant treatment.