Serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration after transcatheter renal artery embolization correlates with reduction in renal angiomyolipoma volume.

BACKGROUND: The extent of renal angiomyolipoma (AML) volume reduction after renal transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) varies between patients, with no predictive measure available. PURPOSE: To determine whether the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration shortly after TAE correlates with the extent of tumor shrinkage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a cohort of 36 patients undergoing prophylactic renal TAE for unruptured renal AML, we retrospectively acquired data from patient medical records, including serum LDH before and within 7 days after TAE and the tumor volume before and 12-36 months after TAE. The relationship between the serum level of LDH and reduction in tumor volume was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: The median LDH concentration was significantly higher after TAE than before (909.0 U/L vs. 186.5 U/L). This early post-TAE serum LDH level and LDH index (post-TAE LDH / pre-TAE LDH) correlated significantly and positively with the absolute decrease in tumor volume (both P < 0.0001). We observed no significant correlation between the relative tumor volume reduction and serum LDH level or LDH index. CONCLUSION: Serum LDH elevation occurs shortly after TAE and correlates with the extent of absolute decrease in AML volume at 12-36 months after TAE. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the predictive role of post-TAE serum LDH level and LDH index in tumor shrinkage in patients with unruptured renal AML.

Efficacy and safety of prophylactic superselective embolization for angiomyolipoma at the renal hilum.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of superselective transcatheter arterial embolization for angiomyolipoma at the renal hilum. METHODS: Between August 2012 and January 2015, 13 patients with 16 angiomyolipomas at the renal hilum underwent initial, prophylactic, superselective transcatheter arterial embolization. The patients were followed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and volume-reduction ratios after embolization were measured. RESULTS: The mean or median post-embolization volume reduction ratios were 23% (follow-up duration, 1-2 months), 55% (3-6 months), 55% (7-12 months), 66% (1-2 years), 67% (2-3 years), and 54% (>3 years). After initial embolization, none of the 16 tumors bled or required surgery; two (13%) tumors recurred; and three (19%) tumors received repeat embolization. Estimated glomerular filtration rates were not decreased at medians of 7 days (near the time of discharge) and 39 days (first clinical follow-up) post-procedure, compared with baseline. Except for post-embolization syndrome, no procedure-related complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Superselective embolization for renal hilar angiomyolipoma is safe and kidney-preserving, with good tumor volume reduction and bleeding prevention.

Feasibility of the constipation point-of-care ultrasound educational program in observing fecal retention in the colorectum: A descriptive study.

AIM: Nurses have difficulty assessing the type of constipation by ordinal assessment methods and may therefore struggle to select an appropriate defecation care. Although previous studies described the safety and effectiveness of defecation care based on ultrasonographic observations in the colorectum, no standardized educational program has been established. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of the constipation point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) educational program regarding the use of ultrasonography as an assessment tool to determine different types of constipation. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted for visiting nurses working in Japan. The constipation POCUS educational program that nurses can learn in as short as 7 days comprised four elements: E-learning, a hands-on seminar, self-learning, and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). The nurses were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the education materials. OSCEs were used to assess the participants' skills in assessing patients based on the use of ultrasound observation in the colorectum. RESULTS: Of the 44 participants who enrolled, 40 were able to complete the program. All the 40 participants (100.0%) who took the OSCEs were able to pass at the first attempt. Moreover, 94.9% of the trainees indicated that this program was able to cover the content necessary to use ultrasonography in home care settings. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the 7-day constipation POCUS educational program provided trainees with a foundational knowledge and skills to observe fecal retention in the colorectum. Thus, further educational program enhancements and clinical skill evaluations are needed to maximize the program's effectiveness in the future.

Deep learning-based classification of rectal fecal retention and analysis of fecal properties using ultrasound images in older adult patients.

AIM: The present study aimed to analyze the use of machine learning in ultrasound (US)-based fecal retention assessment. METHODS: The accuracy of deep learning techniques and conventional US methods for the evaluation of fecal properties was compared. The presence or absence of rectal feces was analyzed in 42 patients. Eleven patients without rectal fecal retention on US images were excluded from the analysis; thus, fecal properties were analyzed in 31 patients. Deep learning was used to classify the transverse US images into three types: absence of feces, hyperechoic area, and strong hyperechoic area in the rectum. RESULTS: Of the 42 patients, 31 tested positive for the presence of rectal feces, zero were false positive, zero were false negative, and 11 were negative, indicating a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% for the detection of rectal feces in the rectum. Of the 31 positive patients, 14 had hard stools and 17 had other types. Hard stool was detected by US findings in 100% of the patients (14/14), whereas deep learning-based classification detected hard stool in 85.7% of the patients (12/14). Other stool types were detected by US findings in 88.2% of the patients (15/17), while deep learning-based classification also detected other stool types in 88.2% of the patients (15/17). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that US findings and deep learning-based classification can detect rectal fecal retention in older adult patients and distinguish between the types of fecal retention.

Effectiveness of Swallowing Care on Safe Oral Intake Using Ultrasound-Based Observation of Residues in the Epiglottis Valley: A Pragmatic, Quasi-Experimental Study.

The demand for methods to ensure safe oral consumption of food and liquids in order to prevent aspiration pneumonia has increased over the last decade. This study investigated the safety of swallowing care selected by adding ultrasound-based observation, evaluated its efficacy, and determined effective content of selected swallowing care. The study employed a pragmatic quasi-experimental research design. Participants were 12 community-dwelling adult patients (age: 44-91 years) who had experienced choking within 1 month prior to the study. After the control phase, in which conventional swallowing care was provided, trained nurses provided ultrasound observation-based swallowing care for a minimum period of 2 weeks. Outcome measurements were compared across three points, namely T1-beginning of the control phase, T2 and T3-before and end of the intervention phase. The mean durations of intervention were 30.8 days in the control phase and 36.5 days in the intervention phase. Pneumonia and suffocation did not occur in the control phase or the intervention phase. The safe intake food level and the food intake level score significantly improved during the intervention phase (p = 0.032 and 0.017, respectively) by adding eating training based on the ultrasound observation. However, there was no significant improvement in the strength of the muscle related to swallowing by the selected basic training. Our results suggest that swallowing care selected based on the ultrasound observation, especially eating training, safely improved safe oral intake among community-dwelling adults with swallowing dysfunction.

Safety and efficacy of a defecation care algorithm based on ultrasonographic bowel observation in Japanese home-care settings: a single-case, multiple-baseline study.

AIM: To verify the efficacy of defecation care based on handheld ultrasonographic observations for functional constipation by visiting nurses skilled in bowel ultrasonography. METHODS: Home-care patients with suspected functional constipation receiving nursing visits were recruited in this multiple-baseline, single-case experiment with intervention points shifted by 1 week. A total of 15 older adults were categorized into 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-week intervention phases. Ultrasonographic observations of fecal retention in the colorectum and defecation care based on observations during the ordinal physical assessment were reviewed. Tau-U was used for confirming the efficacy of the intervention by measuring the number of non-artificial and artificial defecations, as well as hard stools per week, and the amount of non-stimulant and stimulant laxatives, enemas and suppositories per week. For evaluating safety, adverse events, such as bowel obstruction and incontinence-associated dermatitis, were confirmed. RESULTS: No adverse events were observed. Statistical analysis showed that hard stools and artificial defecation reduced, and that their effect sizes were significant (Tau = -0.48, P < 0.01; Tau = -0.53, P < 0.01). Even the amounts of stimulant laxative and glycerin enema reduced, and their effect sizes were significant (Tau = -0.56, P < 0.01; Tau = -0.34, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, defecation care based on ultrasonographic assessment by nurses in home-care settings is safe and effective for improving constipation symptoms and reducing laxative use. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••-••.

Improvement of Constipation Symptoms in an Older Adult Patient by Defecation Care Based on Using a Handheld Ultrasound Device in Home Care Settings: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have demonstrated the ability of ultrasound to detect stool in the colon and rectum, the clinical utility of evaluating constipation via ultrasonic imaging by nurses has not been determined. In this case report, we observed fecal retention, assessed the presence of constipation, and performed defecation care in an older adult patient in a home care setting in a city near the metropolitan area in Japan. CASE: An 85-year-old male with advanced stage prostate cancer and multiple metastases was diagnosed with fecal impaction via digital rectal examination and evaluation of stool consistency. He was managed by regular digital evacuation of stool, but ultrasonic imaging indicated constipation with fecal retention in both the rectum and the colon despite this bowel evacuation program. When faced with this situation, we advocate a bowel management program that considers both intestinal elimination dysfunction and fecal transport dysfunction. Based on ultrasonic imaging, stool consistency was altered by promoting water intake, and we promoted self-defecation by asking the patient to attempt to move his bowels (regardless of cues to defecation) by sitting on the toilet every morning. As a result, the number of weekly enemas and digital dis-impaction episodes decreased while the number of spontaneous defecations increased. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrated that ultrasonography improved bowel management in this patient with clinically severe chronic constipation.

Can we predict the existence of extrarenal feeders to renal angiomyolipomas?

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors predicting the presence of extrarenal feeders to renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 44 patients with 58 renal AMLs embolized in our department. Arteriography obtained during embolization and CT angiography obtained before and after embolization were reviewed to characterize AMLs with and without extrarenal feeders. Tumor characteristics were compared between the two groups. Simple logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were performed. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 58 AMLs reviewed, 29% had extrarenal arteries and 71% did not. AMLs with extrarenal feeders were significantly larger than those without, in terms of volume (median, 368 mL versus 109 mL, p < 0.0002) and the largest diameter (mean, 12.0 cm versus 7.7 cm, p < 0.0001). Patient age, presence of tuberous sclerosis complex or sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and tumor location did not differ between the groups. The largest diameter and volume had similar predictive values for the presence of extrarenal feeders (AUC, 0.83 versus 0.82, p = 0.673). Extrarenal feeders were present in 0%, 21%, and 79% of the AMLs ≤ 6.5 cm, AMLs 6.6-10.5 cm, and AMLs > 10.5 cm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: AML size correlates with the presence of extrarenal feeders, with the largest diameter and volume being significant predictors. AMLs > 10.5 cm had a high chance of extrarenal feeders, making it mandatory to search for feeders to them in order to avoid incomplete embolization; AMLs ≤ 6.5 cm did not have extrarenal feeders, making a search for them unnecessary in these cases. KEY POINTS: • The presence of extrarenal feeders to renal angiomyolipoma is associated with tumor size, but not with patient age, concomitant disease, or tumor location. • The largest diameter and volume predict the presence of extrarenal feeders to AML, with similar predictive values. • AMLs > 10.5 cm have a high chance (79%) of extrarenal feeders, making it mandatory to search for feeders to them in order to avoid incomplete embolization; AMLs ≤ 6.5 cm do not have extrarenal feeders, making a search for them unnecessary in these cases.

[The evaluation of stored feces in elderly patients by ultrasonography: Three case studies].

Providing defecation care can be challenging because bowel movements cannot be directly observed in home-care settings, and the objective evaluation of constipation symptoms is difficult, particularly for elderly patients with cognitive impairment. We evaluated the use of rectal ultrasonography (US) to assess the properties and volume of feces in three cases with different fecal properties. Case 1: In a 94-year-old man with normal feces (Bristol stool score: BS type 4), rectal US revealed a crescent-shaped high-echo area without acoustic shadow that was present until the next defecation. Case 2: In a 92-year-old woman with hard stool (BS type 1), rectal US showed a crescent-shaped strong-echo area with acoustic shadow that was present until the next defecation. The length of the high-echo area gradually increased during the observation period and decreased after defecation in Cases 1 and 2. Case 3: In a 67-year-old man with watery stool (BS type 7), rectal US revealed a low-peripheral-frequency-echo area without acoustic shadow. Rectal ultrasonography was able to demonstrate the presence or absence of hard stool, which was observed as a crescent-shaped a strong, high-echo area with acoustic shadow; the presence or absence of hard stool may be evaluated based on these findings. Furthermore, the fecal volume may be able to be evaluated based on the long diameter of the crescent-shaped high-echo area. Determining the best course of defecation care based on the fecal properties/volume evaluated using rectal US will likely be possible in the future.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of changes over time in one defecation cycle in adults with functional constipation: A report of two cases.

We described fecal retention during the defecation cycles of adults with functional constipation via ultrasonography (US) of the large intestine. US was performed continuously after the last defecation until the next defecation. We defined the fecal finding level on US as follows: weak fecal retention, a marginally high echo in the colonic lumen; or strong fecal retention, a strongly echoic colon lumen with showing a crescent-shaped acoustic shadow on transverse images and haustrations on longitudinal images. The findings confirmed weak fecal retention in the colon throughout the defecation cycle and a pattern of strong fecal retention in the descending and sigmoid colon and over the colon, including the transverse colon and ascending colon, in patients with functional constipation.

Postembolization Intratumoral Chronic Bleeding, without the Classic CT Feature of Active Extravasation, in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-Related Renal Angiomyolipoma: Two Case Reports.

Two patients with tuberous sclerosis complex each had multiple bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. After undergoing embolization for a ruptured angiomyolipoma, patient 1 experienced long-lasting abdominal fullness; contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed a large chronic hematoma without contrast extravasation. Patient 2 underwent embolization for the largest right renal angiomyolipoma which contained a chronic hematoma. 2 weeks later, the symptom of abdominal fullness presented, and CECT revealed that the preexisting hematoma had enlarged without contrast extravasation. In both cases, a second embolization of the angiomyolipomas resulted in shrinking of the intratumoral hematomas and alleviation of the associated symptoms. Therefore, chronic postembolization intratumoral bleeding from renal angiomyolipoma may present as a persistently large or growing hematoma with an associated symptom of abdominal fullness but without the typical CECT feature of active extravasation.

Assessment of rectal feces storage condition by a point-of-care pocket-size ultrasound device for healthy adult subjects: A preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to assess rectal feces storage condition by a pocket-size ultrasonography (PUS) in healthy adults so as to define normal rectal defecation desire. Participants were first assessed rectum by PUS imaging immediately after defecation desire (pre-defecation). Nurses checked the amount and quality of the participants' feces using King's Stool Chart and Bristol stool scale. Finally, PUS was performed for defecation with no defecation desire (post-defecation). Pre-defecation PUS detected high echo area in all patients. All of the post-defecation PUS did not detect high echo area (perfectly no recognizable high echo area in 54.5%, high echo line in 36.4%, and low echo of entire circumference in 9.1% of the patients). Average diameter of rectal crescent was 4.22 ± 0.8 cm. Bristol Stool Scale 1 or 2 (indicating hard stool) of pre-defecation PUS indicated high echo area and acoustic shadow in 100% of the patients. This study showed that healthy adult with defecation desire had high average rectal echo area of 4.0 cm in diameter. PUS may be able to define the rectum diameter for defecation desire of elderly people. PUS is capable of assessing fecal retention of the rectum for point-of-care examinations in home care.

Superselective Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Large Unruptured Renal Angiomyolipoma in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate therapeutic performance and complications of superselective transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for unruptured renal angiomyolipoma (AML) in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and to investigate the correlation between percentage reduction in tumor volume and intratumoral fat content. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Superselective TAE was performed in 14 consecutive patients with 15 large unruptured renal AMLs associated with LAM (mean age, 38 y; range, 21-57 y). Patients had renal AML with aneurysms ≥ 5 mm in diameter, tumor-related abdominal symptoms, or both. In all cases, embolization of 1 tumor was achieved in a single session by using multiporous gelatin sponge particles (GSPs) with additional metallic coils in all but 1 case. Tumor volume and fat content percentage were measured on CT or MR imaging before and after superselective TAE (median, 11 months; range, 6-14 months). RESULTS: Residual tumor staining declined by > 90% after all TAE sessions except 2, with embolization of all treated aneurysms. No nontarget embolization or severe complications were encountered. Mean percentage reduction in tumor volume after superselective TAE was 69% (range, 21%-95%). Percentage tumor volume reduction was negatively correlated with fat content before embolization (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Superselective TAE with multiporous GSPs and metallic coils for large unruptured renal AML in patients with LAM is useful for reducing tumor volume and treating intratumoral aneurysms without major pulmonary or renal complications. Extent of tumor reduction may be influenced by fat content before embolization.

Embolization of spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage with the hemodynamic characteristics of arteriovenous fistula in renal angiomyolipoma.

Aneurysms within renal angiomyolipomas (AML) may rupture into the tumor or pararenal space. Transcatheter arterial embolization is the first-choice treatment to control bleeding. Here, we describe the use of coil embolization in two cases of spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage with the hemodynamic characteristics of renal arteriovenous (AV) fistula in renal AML. In case 1, renal angiography showed several intratumoral aneurysms, one of which had ruptured into the tumor, resulting in the formation of an intratumoral hematoma. Blood flow within the hematoma was rapid and the blood was immediately returned to the systemic circulation through the left renal vein. In case 2, renal angiography showed that the rupture of an intratumoral aneurysm of a tumor-feeding artery had resulted in formation of an intratumoral hematoma and direct renal vein communication. No extratumoral hemorrhage was observed in either case. The hemodynamics of both hematomas resembled those of a high-flow renal AV fistula. The ruptured aneurysms were embolized with detachable and pushable coils (case 1) or pushable coils only (case 2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful embolization of AV fistula-like intratumoral hemorrhage in renal AML.

Transcatheter Arterial Coil Embolization of Ruptured Common Hepatic Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Behçet's Disease.

Hepatic artery aneurysm is a rare and potentially life-threatening entity. We report a case of ruptured common hepatic artery aneurysm in a patient with Behçet's disease. The ruptured aneurysm was treated successfully with transcatheter arterial coil embolization. Transcatheter arterial embolization is the preferred treatment modality in patients at high risk of surgical intervention.

A retrospective statistical analysis of the late complications associated with central venous port placements.

PURPOSE: Central venous (CV) ports are being used increasingly in both hospital and home care settings. Here, we investigated the rates and causes of CV port complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the placement of 264 consecutive CV ports in 239 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital between September 2009 and February 2012. All CV ports were inserted under fluoroscopy and ultrasound visualization by interventional radiologists using maximum barrier precautions. CV port complications were checked in detail and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Total indwelling time for all CV ports was 51,033 catheter days. Of the 264 CV ports assessed, 50 were removed during the study period because of any complication and 147 remained at the end of the study period. In 33 cases, the patient died before the end of the study. Of the 50 patients who underwent CV port removal, 13 were diagnosed as having catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The total rate of CV port removal because of any complication was 0.98 cases per 1,000 catheter days, that of catheter troubles was 0.22 cases per 1,000 catheter days and that of CRBSI was 0.25 cases per 1,000 catheter days. Steroid administration and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were associated with increased rates of infection. It seems that chemotherapy and indwelling time were also considered important factors. CONCLUSION: Steroid administration and TPN were associated with increased rates of infection. In addition, patients receiving chemotherapy or whose CV ports are left in place for a long time should be carefully observed to decrease these complications.

[Effects of nutrition intervention for pressure ulcer patients--healing rate and speed of wound size and nutrition--].

UNLABELLED: The objective of this multicenter open-label randomized study was for evaluating nutrition intervention on pressure ulcer healing. Tube-fed patients with Stages III to IV pressure ulcers were enrolled. Target energy levels to be given were the same value as at the time of enrollment or BEE×1.1 (activity factor)×1.1-1.3 (stress factor) in the control group, and BEE×1.1×1.3-1.5 in the intervention group. Both groups received the feeding formula Racol(®) for 12 weeks, and were prescribed to have pressure relief mattresses, and to unify the repositioning method, treatment drugs, and wound dressing materials. Ulcer sizes (length×width), nutritional state, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS OF THE STUDY: Energy levels administered to the control (n=29) and intervention (n=21) groups were 29.1±4.9 (mean±SD) and 37.9±6.5 kcal/kg/day, respectively. Regarding pressure ulcer size, the interaction between the nutrition intervention and the courses during observational weeks was significant (P<0.001). Similarly, significant differences were observed with weight, waist circumference, Cu (P<0.001), suprailiac skinfold thickness (P<0.01), thigh circumference, and prealbumin (P<0.05), but not with the incidence of adverse events (P=0.360). Principal component analysis indicated remarkable decreases in ulcer size and improvement rates of waist circumference and suprailiac skinfold thickness in the intervention group. Covariance structure analysis showed that nutrition intervention has a direct effect on reduction in ulcer size. The results suggested that aggressive nutrient intervention accelerated the pressure ulcer of wound healing process and had a direct effect on reduction in ulcer size.

The Effects of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy on Quality of Life in Patients With Dementia.

BACKGROUND: To examine the effects of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) on quality of life (QOL) in patients with dementia. METHODS: We retrospectively included 53 Japanese community and tertiary hospitals to investigate the relationship between the newly developed PEG and consecutive dementia patients with swallowing difficulty between Jan 1st 2006 and Dec 31st 2008. We set improvements in 1) the level of independent living, 2) pneumonia, 3) peroral intake as outcome measures of QOL and explored the factors associated with these improvements. RESULTS: Till October 31st 2010, 1,353 patients with Alzheimer's dementia (33.1%), vascular dementia (61.7%), dementia with Lewy body disease (2.0%), Pick disease (0.6%) and others were followed-up for a median of 847 days (mean 805 ± 542 days). A total of 509 deaths were observed (mortality 59%) in full-followed patients. After multivariate adjustments, improvement in the level of independent living was observed in milder dementia, or those who can live independently with someone, compared with advanced dementia, characterized by those who need care by someone: Odds Ratio (OR), 3.90, 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.59 - 9.39, P = 0.003. Similarly, improvement of peroral intake was noticed in milder dementia: OR, 2.69, 95%CI, 1.17 - 6.17, P = 0.02. Such significant associations were not observed in improvement of pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that improvement of QOL after PEG insertion may be expected more in milder dementia than in advanced dementia.

[Validity of hypotheses about the father/mother interpretation of Rorschach cards: tested by using a card selecting method].

This study tests the validity of hypotheses about the interpretations of Rorschach father/mother cards by having subjects select the cards. The results showed that regardless of the subject's gender, Card IV is far more often selected as the father card. However Card VII is not more often chosen as the mother card, if anything, the Color Cards are usually selected. The result of a correspondence analysis suggest that a certain combination of father and mother cards is more often selected. When the frequency of card selection is applied to the cluster of cards obtained in the study of Fukui et al (2008), the mother card is predominantly selected from the feminine/maternity-cards cluster. However, the father card was selected equally often from three clusters, indicating variation of the father figure. The results indicate the predominance of Card IV as the father card, and also confirm the lack of individuality with Card VII. Therefore, Card IV fulfills prerequisites for the father card hypothesis, while Card VII does not meet the criteria. The results do not support the validity of the hypothesis about the mother card interpretation.

Evaluation of effects of nutrition intervention on healing of pressure ulcers and nutritional states (randomized controlled trial).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nutrition intervention on nutritional states and healing of pressure ulcers by standardizing or unified factors including nursing, care and treatment in a multicenter open randomized trial. Tube-fed patients with Stage III-IV pressure ulcers were selected. The control group (30 patients) received the same nutrition management as before participating in this trial, whereas the intervention group (30 patients) was given calories in the range of Basal Energy Expenditure (BEE) × 1.1 × 1.3 to 1.5. The intervention period was 12 weeks. The efficacy and safety were evaluated based on the nutritional states and the sizes of ulcers (length × width), and on the incidence of adverse events related to the study, respectively. The calories administered to the control and intervention groups were 29.1 ± 4.9 and 37.9 ± 6.5 kcal/kg/day, respectively. Significant interactions between the presence or absence of the intervention and the intervention period were noted for nutritional states (p<0.001 for body weight, p<0.05 for prealbumin). Similarly, the size of ulcers differed significantly between subjects in the intervention group and in the control group (p<0.001). The results suggest that nutrition intervention could directly enhance the healing process in pressure ulcer patients.