[Endovascular stent-graft insertion followed by resection of a locally-advanced lung tumor that invaded the thoracic aorta].

A 52-year-old man with fever and dyspnea was admitted to our hospital. Chest computed tomography showed a mass measuring 3.5×3.0 cm in the S(1+2) segment of the left lung with involvement of the aorta. Although cytological examination using broncho fiberscopy did not show any malignancy, we suspected the mass to be T4N0M0 lung cancer. The tumor was diagnosed as having invaded the aorta using intravascular ultrasound. First, an endovascular graft was inserted, and then, a left upper lobectomy with resection of the infiltrated aortic wall was performed without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient had an uneventful recovery without any complications. Pathological examination revealed the tumor to be a large-cell carcinoma. We think that an aortic endograft can be useful for resection of an infiltrated aortic wall, although further studies are necessary.

Quantitative analysis and localization of mRNA transcripts of type I collagen, osteocalcin, MMP 2, MMP 8, and MMP 13 during bone healing in a rat calvarial experimental defect model.

The study examined the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), type I collagen and osteocalcin during bone healing in a rat calvarial experimental defect model. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were used. A full-thickness standardized trephine defect was made in the parietal bone, with the rat under anesthesia. RNA was extracted from tissue that filled the original bone defect on days 1 and 3 and in weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 18, and 24 and processed for quantitative analysis of expression of type I collagen, osteocalcin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2, 8, and 13 by using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Alternatively, the rats were fixed by perfusion through the aorta and resected calvaria were processed for in situ hybridization for these molecules. The expression of type I collagen, osteocalcin and MMPs 2 and 13 increased toward week 2 and decreased thereafter, whereas the expression of MMP 8 was the highest on day 1. The mRNA transcripts of type I collagen and osteocalcin were localized in osteoblasts and osteocytes, some of which expressed MMPs 2, 8, and 13. Osteoblasts and osteocytes may play a role in the remodeling of extracellular matrices with MMPs during healing of a defect in bone.