Correlation of CT values, iodine concentration, and histological changes in the thyroid.

PURPOSE: We have reported that in the thyroid, there is a linear correlation between iodine concentrations and CT values. However, the slope of the regression line was about three times as large as that in KI solutions. We investigated the factor(s) contributing to the increment of the slope of the regression line in the thyroid. METHOD: Solutions of NH4I and thyroid hormones were used to investigate the regression line. Thirty-six thyroids were evaluated to investigate the correlation between the iodine concentrations and the area ratio of thyroid follicles, which were measured by preoperative CT and from tissue slices, respectively. RESULTS: The slopes of the regression lines in the solutions were almost identical to those in KI solutions. In the thyroid, iodine concentrations were logarithmically correlated with the area ratio of follicles. CONCLUSION: The decrease in CT values not only revealed a decrease of iodine concentration in the thyroid but also represented an increase of follicular cells and/or interstitial structures in the volume ratio secondary to it.

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas associated with hypoglycemia: involvement of "big" insulin-like growth factor-II.

Apart from insulinomas, pancreatic tumors are rarely complicated by hypoglycemia and some may produce insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). To our knowledge, IGF-II-producing pancreatic tumors associated with hypoglycemia have not been reported previously. We describe what we believe to be the first case of "big" IGF-II-producing pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma. A 68-year-old man presented with a history of recurrent hypoglycemia. Abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass, approximately 5 cm in diameter, in the tail of the pancreas and two low-density areas in the liver. Low serum glucose was associated with low insulin levels and high levels of hormones (i.e., glucagon and IGF-II) that are functionally opposite to insulin. Although serum IGF-II level was within the normal range, most IGF-II was of the high molecular weight form, as determined by Western immunoblot analysis. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia induced by IGF-II-producing pancreatic tumor was made. Surgery was not possible because of the patient's poor general condition. The patient ultimately died as a result of malignant cachexia. At autopsy, a yellowish-white tumor was found in the tail of the pancreas, and a histopathologic diagnosis of acinar cell carcinoma was made. Immunohistologically, the tumor cells contained IGF-II in an irregular staining pattern, suggesting that the hypoglycemia was caused by a pancreatic tumor producing "big" IGF-II.

[A study of ambulatory treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in foreigners residing in Japan].

We studied 130 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in foreigners residing in Japan to obtain the results as follows; 1. Of the cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in foreigners who are registered and receiving treatment in Japan, 20.3% were treated at three dispensaries of the Japan Antituberculosis Association in Tokyo. 2. The nationality of the cases treated was China in more than half of them, followed by the Republic of Korea. 3. The number of days taken from entry into Japan to the start of treatment was about 11.4 months; 0.9% of the total number of cases examined by chest radiophotography required medical treatment. 4. Their living conditions in Japan according to questionnairing are: 56.2% have jobs in Japan; working hour, 4.99 +/- 1.19 hours a day; 64.4% take night work; 57.6% work in food/drink service industry; living space is 12.5 m2; 52.4% share the same house with other persons, living together with 1.6 persons. 5. As for the type of illness at the start of treatment, GAKKAI classification type III accounted for 90% and spread 1 83.8%. GAKKAI classification type II accounted for 10%, consisting of many relatively mild cases. 6. The defaulter rate was high at 40.8%. The reason for defaulting was broken down to discontinuation on his own 68%, repatriation 15% and side-effects 19%. The time to default was average 3.2 +/- 3.1 months after the start of treatment. They defaulted 1.2 +/- 0.4 times on the average. 7. To reduce the defaulter rate to the minimum in treating the foreigners residing in Japan, the following may be needed. a. To give guidance on the regimen including the need of treatment and risk associated with discontinuation of treatment at the first visit. b. Measures to reduce the amount to be born by the individual in the medical expenses. c. Preparation of a pamphlet for therapeutic guidance in foreign languages.

Measurement of thyroid iodine by CT.

For evaluation of thyroidal iodine kinetics and thyroid nodules, we carried out quantitative in vivo measurement of thyroid iodine concentration by CT. Neuron activation analysis of iodine content was conducted on 48 thyroid fragments without calcification operatively obtained from 18 patients who had undergone CT of the thyroid without contrast enhancement. The CT attenuation values were obtained from the regions of interest in the CT image that corresponded to the analyzed fragment. When iodine concentration in the thyroid tissue was greater than 0.02 mg/g, the CT values correlated linearly with the iodine concentrations in thyroid nodules, thyroids with diffuse thyroid disease, and normal thyroids. The relationship is represented by the following formula: iodine concentration (mg/g) = (CT value-65)/104. The relationship between iodine concentration and CT value in diffuse thyroid disease, thyroid nodules, and normal thyroids was not significantly different.