[An elderly patient with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(LCNEC)for whom chemotherapy with irinotecan and split-dose cisplatin(CDDP)proved very effective].

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(LCNEC)is a rare malignant disease with a poor and the clinical outcome. Although no standard chemotherapy regimen has been developed, LCNEC should be treated in a manner similar to that used for small cell lung cancer because of their similar chemosensitivity and aggressive characteristics, even though LCNEC is classified as non-small cell lung cancer. A 78-year-old man was admitted with the complaint of convulsions on the left side of his body. A chest computed tomographic(CT)scan on admission demonstrated a 4 cm mass in a left lung S9. Brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)revealed enhanced tumors in the left occipital lobe. The brain tumor was surgically resected and histological findings were diagnosed as LCNEC. After induction of 4 courses with irinotecan and split-dose cisplatin chemotherapy, a partial response was obtained. After 4 courses, the tumor size was increased, and the chemotherapy was changed to amrubicin. The patient is alive and with no relapse.

A case of lymphomatoid granulomatosis/angiocentric immunoproliferative lesion with long clinical course and diffuse brain involvement.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG)/angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions (AIL) consist of angiocentric and angiodestructive lymphoreticular proliferation predominantly involving the lungs and other extranodal sites, such as the central nervous system (CNS). This clinical entity is considered as a B cell process related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and EBV positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The CNS is involved in 20% of cases of LYG, but initial involvement is rare. In cases without pulmonary symptoms, diagnosis may be difficult. We report a rare case involving initial progression of CNS symptoms followed by a pulmonary abnormality.A 14-year-old girl suffered from high fever, ataxic gait and paraparesis. MRI revealed diffuse T2 high signals with multiple gadolinium enhancements in the cerebellum, brain stem and cerebral white matter. Her symptoms briefly improved after steroid therapy, but ataxia gradually progressed. Dyspnea due to pulmonary interstitial involvement appeared when she was 18 years old. Steroid therapy proved effective for respiratory symptoms. At 20 years old she suffered from disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) with respiratory symptoms and repeated seizures. Her symptoms improved after the administration of cyclophosphamide. Mild hemiparesis and gait disturbance appeared when she was 22 years old. MRI revealed new lesions at the basal ganglia and subcortical white matter, brain atrophy and diffuse T2 high intensity of cerebral white matter. Cyclophosphamide was effective and there has been no recurrence of symptoms in the last 5 years. We reviewed the non-tumorous LYG/AIL involving the CNS, and discussed the clinical features, MRI imaging and diagnosis of the LYG/AIL.

Elevated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and inflammatory cytokines in the alveolar macrophages after esophagectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and inflammatory cytokines in alveolar macrophages (AMs) after esophagectomy in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. DESIGN: Prospective, exploratory, open-labeled clinical study. SETTING: Intensive care unit and operating room in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirteen patients receiving esophagectomy with carcinoma of the esophagus (postesophagectomy group), ten patients just before the surgery (preoperation group), and seven patents receiving surgery less invasive than esophagectomy (other surgery group) were selected. INTERVENTIONS: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples were obtained from study groups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The AMs in the BALF collected from each group were stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against iNOS, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8. The intensities of these expressions were determined by semiquantitative cytofluorometric system. NOx (NO2- + NO3-), IL-6, and IL-8 levels in the BALF and plasma were measured concurrently. The expressional intensities of iNOS, IL-6, and IL-8 in AMs obtained from the postesophagectomy group were maximal 24 hrs after the skin incision and significantly more evident than those from other groups. The IL-6, IL-8, and NOx levels in BALF and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in plasma in the postesophagectomy patients were also elevated. The intensities of iNOS and inflammatory cytokines expressions in AMs were closely related to postoperative respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: The activation of topical alveolar macrophages may be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary complications in the postoperative period after esophagectomy.