Headache-Related Characteristics of Biopsy-Confirmed Giant Cell Arteritis and the Relationship of Transmural Inflammation With Artery Tenderness and Chordal Thickening.

INTRODUCTION: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is characterized by headaches, but few studies have examined the detailed characteristics of pathologically confirmed cases. We investigated the characteristics of GCA patients, particularly headache, and their correlation with pathological findings. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 26 patients (median age: 77.5 years, male: 38.4%) with GCA who underwent superficial temporal artery (STA) biopsy at the Japanese Red Cross Shizuoka Hospital between May 2001 and February 2022. All patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for GCA. We focused on the relationship between clinical features, especially headache, and pathological findings. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had unilateral, nonpulsatile, intermittent headaches. Transmural inflammation (TMI), a characteristic pathology of GCA, was present in 14 patients. Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations between the TMI and STA-related tenderness (odds ratio [OR]=11, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.14 to 106.43, p=0.046) and the TMI and STA-related chordal thickening (OR=0.19, 95% CI=0.068 to 0.52, p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Headache in GCA patients was often unilateral, nonpulsatile, and intermittent. This study highlights the significant association of TMI with STA tenderness and ligamentous thickening, which has not been reported previously. Abnormal STA findings were significantly associated with pathological changes in GCA patients, emphasizing the importance of these lesions in predicting GCA.

A case of signet ring cell carcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the stomach diagnosed simultaneously via magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging.

We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who experienced 3 weeks of intermittent tarry stools and epigastric pain. She had a 25-year history of smoking and a 12-year history of heavy alcohol consumption but had discontinued both 12 years prior. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated anti-H. Pylori IgG antibody levels. Conventional upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed two lesions. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging showed the characteristic appearance of a diffuse-type gastric cancer 0-IIc lesion with a demarcation line and abnormal vessels ("wavy micro-vessels" and a "cork-screw pattern"). There was also "ballooning" of the crypts and a "tree-like vessel appearance" in an "unstructured area" characteristic of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with ulceration. Accurate target biopsies were obtained. We performed a laparoscopic total gastrectomy with D1 lymphadenectomy. Pathological examination revealed poorly differentiated stage I adenocarcinoma of the stomach with features of signet ring cell carcinoma as well as stage I mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. In conclusion, we encountered a case of co-existing diffuse-type gastric cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging was effective for diagnosing these two co-existing tumors and resulted in the collection of adequate biopsy specimens allowing for an accurate pathological diagnosis and optimal treatment.

Cerebral air embolism as a complication of peptic ulcer in the gastric tube: case report.

BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of ulcer formation in the gastric tube in esophageal replacement is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: This is the first report of a case of cerebral air embolism as a result of spontaneous perforation of an ulcer in the constructed gastric tube into the pulmonary vein during post-operative follow-up in a patient with esophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral air embolism is a rare complication of penetrating gastric ulcer, but should be considered in patients with a history of esophagectomy with gastric conduit that present with acute neurologic findings.

[A case of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation creating a common bile duct-duodenal fistula with the onset of hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer].

A 50-year-old man had been treated for hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer. Although the patient was treated by proton pump inhibitors (PPI), the ulcer did not show any sign of improvement. Therefore, we also examined the pancreas, and obtained CT findings suggestive of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) from the head to the body of the pancreas. Pancreatic AVM was diagnosed based on angiography. He was readmitted for high fever and abdominal pain. On day 2, CT demonstrated a cystic lesion containing gas at the pancreatic head, and CT showed pneumobilia on day 15. The next day, pancreaticoduodenectomy was carried out and a common bile duct-duodenal fistula was confirmed. This report describes a rare case of pancreatic AVM complicated with a common bile duct-duodenal fistula.

[Case of primary renal carcinoid tumor with hemorrhage].

Carcinoid tumors are low-grade malignant tumors that arise from neuroendocrine cells. Primary renal carcinoid tumors are extremely uncommon. A 63-year-old woman presented with a right abdominal mass and fever. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a mass in the right kidney; the mass measured 120 mm in diameter and showed hemorrhage. The patient underwent an uneventful right radical nephrectomy, and histological appearance was typical of carcinoid tumor. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong cytoplasmic labeling for neuron-specific enolase and synaptophysin. Additional examinations of the gastrointestinal tract did not show any evidence of carcinoid tumors. The patient remains free from disease recurrence at 8 months after the operation. The prognosis for primary renal carcinoid tumor is relatively optimistic. Complete surgical excision is the only recommended treatment for localized renal carcinoid tumor.

[Rupture of ileal varices in a type C liver cirrhosis patient: a case report].

A 74-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with recurrent massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. She had a history of type C liver cirrhosis and appendectomy, and had undergone endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices one year before. Three-dimensional CTA revealed ileal varices in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Superior mesenteric arteriography demonstrated varices at the corresponding area and collateral veins from the superior mesenteric vein to the right ovarian vein. Ileal varices were diagnosed and ileal resection was performed. At surgery, exposed vessels were present at the mucosal surface of the resected specimen and they were thought to be the origin of hemorrhage. In conclusion, bleeding from small intestinal varices, though uncommon, should be considered when the origin of melena is unidentified in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

[An autopsy case of colon cancer associated ulcerative colitis complicated focal squamous cell carcinoma].

A 28-year-old woman with ascites was admitted to our hospital. We diagnosed peritonitis carcinomatosa caused by colon cancer complicated by ulcerative colitis. We performed peritoneal tap and infusion of mitomycin C, and administered 5-fluorouracil. Her clinical status gradually worsened, and she died 5 months later. At autopsy, the histological examination showed many mucinous adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma with dysplasia. There were also some areas of squamous cell carcinoma with squamous metaplasia and dysplasia far from rectum. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the colon are rare complications of ulcerative colitis. We reported this case as an addition to the literature on the subject.

[A case report of inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder due to diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon].

A 65-year-old female presented to our hospital with a 6-month history of pollakuria, low-grade fever and urgent incontinence. Cystoscopy revealed a nonpapillary bladder tumor that was 50 mm in diameter in the trigon. Computed tomography showed the abscess between the urinary bladder and sigmoid colon. Transurethral resection was performed and the histology consisted of inflammatory lesions with inflammatory cell infiltration, which was diagnosed as an inflammatory pseudotumor due to diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon. Sigmoidectomy was subsequently performed. A fistula between the urinary bladder and the sigmoid colon was not detected. Cystoscopy 2 months after the operation revealed no signs of a bladder tumor.

[Clinical result of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) to male-factor infertility in Toyota Memorial Hospital].

Owing to progress of assisted reproduction technology in recent years, it has become possible for couples with infertility problems to have children. Between March 1998 and May 2003 testicular sperm extraction (TESE) was performed on 30 men with male-factor infertility in our hospital. Consequently, we succeeded in recovering 20 spermatozoa. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was subsequently performed in 15 couples and resulted in 8 pregnancies. There was a statistically significant difference in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteirizing hormone and Johnsen's score between the non-obstructive groups with successful TESE and those with unsuccessful TESE.

[Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: a case report].

We report a case of signet-ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. A 48-year-old female was hospitalized because of general fatigue, pollakiuria and residual sensation. Renal ultrasonography disclosed bilateral hydronephrosis. The serum level of cretinine was 3.1 mg/dl, and we diagnosed the patient with post-renal failure. Cystoscopic examinations revealed non-papillary sessile tumors in the trigone. Histopathological findings of the biopsy specimen demonstrated signet-ring cell carcinoma. There was no evidence indicating bladder metastasis from the cancer in other organs. The patient died of cachexia 5 months after the diagnosis. She was autopsied, and the diagnosis of signet-ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder with metastases in various organs was confirmed. This disease is extremely rare and has a poor prognosis. We review the previous cases reported in the literature.

[A case of primary malignant retroperitoneal mesothelioma needed to differentiate adrenal tumor].

Malignant mesothelioma is a neoplasm which tends to develop along serosal surfaces, such as the pleura and peritoneum. We report a rare case of malignant retroperitoneal mesothelioma in a 27-year-old woman. The patient was admitted with a chief compliant of intermittent high fever once a month, and left retroperitoneal tumor was detected by dynamic abdominal computed tomography. Since an adrenal tumor was suspected, laparoscopic tumor extirpation was performed. Immunohistochemically tumor cells were positive for calretinin and thrombomodulin, but negative for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and Ber-Ep4. Based on these findings, primary malignant retroperitoneal mesothelioma was diagnosed.