A case of long-term survival after splenectomy for solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Very rarely does a splenic solitary metastasis arise from a gastric carcinoma because splenic metastasis is usually seen in association with widespread visceral metastasis. Splenectomy is considered to be a curative treatment; however, long-term prognosis after splenectomy has scarcely been reported. We report a case of a metachronous and solitary metastasis to the spleen from gastric cancer in which the patient achieved 5-year recurrence-free survival after splenectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old man underwent an open total gastrectomy involving D1+ lymph nodes dissection for gastric cancer located in the cardia (pT3N1M0, pStage IIB). Eighteen months later, a 2-cm solitary hypodense lesion was detected in the spleen by computed tomography (CT). Twenty-three months later, the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value elevated to 19.9 ng/ml, and abdominal CT revealed an increase in tumor size to 5 cm. Positron-emission tomography (PET)-CT revealed intense 18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose (FDG) uptake in the spleen without the involvement of other organs and lymph nodes. We diagnosed him with solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer and performed a splenectomy 26 months after the first surgery. Histological examination revealed that the splenic tumor was a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was very similar to the primary gastric tumor; the lesion was diagnosed as a metastatic tumor from the previous gastric carcinoma. The patient remains healthy to date without recurrence, 5 years after the splenectomy. CONCLUSION: We experienced a case of a solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer in which 5-year recurrence-free survival was achieved after splenectomy. To determine the surgical indication in patients with splenic metastasis, it is important to differentiate between a solitary lesion or multiple metastasis. Especially, occult metastasis should be excluded by means of several months of follow-up with imaging tests and systemic FDG-PET surveys before splenectomy.

Palisading Adenocarcinoma: A Morphologically Unique Salivary Gland Tumor With a Neuroendocrine-like Appearance and a Predilection for the Sublingual Glands of Women.

Adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS) is a heterogenous group of salivary gland tumors that likely contains distinct tumors that have not yet been characterized. Indeed, in recent years, cases previously diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, NOS have been recategorized into novel tumor designations such as secretory carcinoma, microsecretory adenocarcinoma, and sclerosing microcystic adenocarcinoma. We sought to describe a distinctive, hitherto-undescribed salivary gland tumor encountered in the authors' practices. Cases were pulled from the surgical pathology archives of the authors' institutions. Histologic, immunohistochemical, and clinical findings were tabulated, and targeted next-generation sequencing was performed on all cases. Nine cases were identified, arising in 8 women and 1 man ranging from 45 to 74 years (mean, 56.7 y). Seven tumors (78%) arose in the sublingual gland, while 2 (22%) arose in the submandibular gland. The cases shared a distinctive morphologic appearance. They were biphasic, with ducts scattered among a predominant polygonal cell with round nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and pale eosinophilic cytoplasm. These cells were arranged as trabeculae and palisaded as pseudorosettes around hyalinized stroma and vessels, resembling a neuroendocrine tumor. Four of the cases were well-circumscribed, while the remaining 5 showed infiltrative growth including perineural invasion in 2 (22%) and lymphovascular invasion in 1 (11%). Mitotic rates were low (mean, 2.2/10 HPFs); necrosis was absent. By immunohistochemistry, the predominant cell type was strongly positive for CD56 (9 of 9) and variably positive for pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) (7 of 9) with patchy S100 (4 of 9), but negative for synaptophysin (0 of 9) and chromogranin (0 of 9), while the ducts were strongly positive for pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) (9 of 9) and CK5/6 (7 of 7). Next-generation sequencing did not reveal any fusions or obvious driver mutations. All cases were resected surgically, with external beam radiation also done in 1 case. Follow-up was available in 8 cases; there were no metastases or recurrences after 4 to 160 months (mean, 53.1 mo). A dual population of scattered ducts with a predominance of CD56-positive neuroendocrine-like cells characterizes a unique salivary gland tumor which is often encountered in the sublingual glands of women, for which we propose the term "palisading adenocarcinoma." Although the tumor was biphasic and had a neuroendocrine-like appearance, it lacked convincing immunohistochemical evidence of myoepithelial or neuroendocrine differentiation. Although a subset showed unequivocally invasive growth, this tumor appears to behave in an indolent manner. Moving forward, recognition of palisading adenocarcinoma and its separation from other salivary adenocarcinomas, NOS will facilitate a better understanding of the characteristics of this previously unrecognized tumor.

Japanese Gastric Cancer Association Task Force for Research Promotion: clinical utility of ¹8F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography in gastric cancer. A systematic review of the literature.

Since April 2010, the Japanese Public Health Insurance System has covered the costs incurred for performing ¹8F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging for patients with advanced gastric cancer. The aim of this review was to evaluate the clinical impact of PET for patients with gastric cancer. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE using the keywords "gastric cancer" and "PET" to search for relevant articles published from January 2000 to September 2010. The clinical impact of selected articles was assessed by the authors to evaluate the following: (a) tumor staging, (b) diagnosis for recurrent disease, (c) evaluation of treatment response, and (d) screening for gastric cancer. FDG uptake increases in papillary adenocarcinoma, tubular adenocarcinoma, and solid-type poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. This uptake is also associated with glucose transporter 1 expression. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET for metastatic lymph node detection were 21-40% and 89-100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for distant metastasis detection were 35-74% and 74-99%, respectively. Treatment response can be detectable at an earlier stage by PET than by computed tomography (CT), because FDG uptake by cancer cells decreases according to the treatment response. In summary, although PET has limitations such as frequent false-negative cases in signet-ring cell carcinoma and non-solid type poorly differentiated carcinoma, it can contribute to the selection of a more appropriate treatment modality by detecting distant metastases and treatment response.

Reoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after previous axillary lymph node dissection: report of a case.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become a standard component of the evaluation of early-stage breast cancer, with a gradually increasing number of indications in this patient population. This report presents the case of a patient who underwent reoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy as part of an evaluation of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence; she had previously undergone axillary lymph node dissection. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy showed aberrant lymphatic drainage, and all three sentinel lymph nodes were positive for cancer. Although the optimal management of regional lymph nodes in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence who have already undergone axillary lymph node dissection has not been established, reoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy in this setting may therefore potentially enable the identification of subclinical, aberrantly located nodal metastasis.

[Lung biopsy by video-assisted thoracic surgery in patient with untreated Evans syndrome].

A 78-year-old man referred to our hospital with the chief complaints of anorexia, general malaise, rash, and weight loss. Laboratory examination revealed pancytopenia, hyperglobulinemia, generalized adenopathy, and multiple pulmonary nodules. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was performed to diagnose pulmonary nodules. After operation, it was difficult to achieve hemostasis for a while. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as pulmonary cryptococcosis and Evans syndrome.

Mucus-filled lesion of a distal viable remnant tip of an appendix that developed 23 years after appendectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Post-appendectomy mucus-filled lesions, arising from appendiceal remnant tissue, are an exclusively rare clinical entity. We report a rare case of a mucus-filled lesion rising from a distal viable remnant appendiceal tip as a late complication of appendectomy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 48-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of right buttock and right lower quadrant abdominal pain. He had previously undergone appendectomy 23 years ago. Radiological examination showed a cystic lesion lateral to the colon with a prominent tubular structure. According to the past operative note, the appendiceal tip was lost accidentally. Surgical resection was performed. Pathologic examination revealed a mucus-filled lesion lateral to the cecum, with no communication between them. There was no evidence of malignancy. The prominent structure had muscular layer, suggestive of distal appendiceal remnant. DISCUSSION: Surgical resection of appendiceal mucus-filled lesion is recommended, because there are no reliable criteria to exclude malignant lesions. Although appendiceal mucus-filled lesion is rare, it is extremely rare in patients with previous appendectomy. In our case, the mucinous material secreted from the remnant appendix might be enclosed by the surrounding tissue. CONCLUSION: In patient with previous appendectomy who show a cystic mass close to the cecum, the possibility of lesion derived from the appendiceal stump or distal appendiceal remnant should be considered. In such cases, it is important to review the medical records for a definitive diagnosis. Complete appendectomy, without leaving appendiceal tissue, remains mandatory to prevent the development of late complications of mucus-filled lesions.

Diagnostic performance of a computer-assisted diagnostic system: sensitivity of BONENAVI for bone scintigraphy in patients with disseminated skeletal metastasis is not so high.

PURPOSE: Bone scintigraphy (BS) of disseminated skeletal metastasis is sometimes misinterpreted as normal. The use of computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) may resolve this problem. We investigated the performance of a CAD system, BONENAVI, in the diagnosis of disseminated skeletal metastasis. METHODS: Cases of disseminated skeletal metastasis were selected from a BS log. These patients' BSs were analyzed by BONENAVI to obtain an artificial neural network (ANN) and bone scan index (BSI). Clinical features (type of primary cancer, CT type, and BS type) were compared with the BONENAVI (ANN and BSI) results. The BS findings (diffuse increased axial skeleton uptake, inhomogeneity of uptake, proximal extremity contrast, and degree of renal uptake) and ANN or BSI were evaluated. Then, negative ANN patients were presented. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were diagnosed as having disseminated skeletal metastasis. Regarding the primary cancers, 12 had prostate cancer, 16 gastric cancers, 16 breast cancers, and 10 miscellaneous cancers. Total sensitivity of ANN (≥ 0.5) was 76% (41/54). ANN values correlated with the BS type among clinical features. Diffuse increased axial skeleton uptake was mostly correlated with ANN of the BS findings. CONCLUSION: The BONENAVI CAD system was partially helpful in diagnosing disseminated skeletal metastasis, but the sensitivity of BONENAVI was not sufficient and underestimated the disseminated skeletal metastasis. Further improvement of this CAD system is necessary to improve the detectability of disseminated skeletal metastasis.

Significance of (18)F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose accumulation in the stomach on positron emission tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To explain the accumulation of (18)F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose ((18)FDG) on positron emission tomography (PET) in the stomach and differences in its pattern, we focus on the accumulation pattern in association with endoscopic findings of the gastric mucosa and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. METHODS: Of 599 cases undergoing (18)FDG-PET examinations, we retrospectively analyzed the pattern of (18)FDG accumulation in the stomach, findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and Hp infection. The pattern of (18)FDG accumulation was classified into three groups: localized accumulation only in the fornix (Group A, 32 patients), diffuse accumulation throughout the entire stomach (Group B, 49 patients), and no accumulation (Group C, 191 patients). RESULTS: Regarding the relation between Hp infection and (18)FDG accumulation, Hp infection was positive in 56.3% of Group A, 73.5% of Group B, and 24.1% of Group C, with significant differences (p < 0.001). Regarding the relation between (18)FDG accumulation and gastric mucosal inflammation, when Groups A and B were compared with Group C, nearly half of the cases in the former groups had papular redness with a significantly higher frequency of redness and erosion. Three cases found to have malignant tumor were limited to the former groups. One MALT lymphoma case was also found in the same group. Accumulation of (18)FDG largely corresponded to mucosal inflammation including superficial gastritis and erosive gastritis, and therefore the main cause of non-specific (18)FDG accumulation was considered to be inflammatory mucosa (mainly redness). The accumulation pattern was not associated with atrophic changes of the gastric mucosa or with Hp infection, but with mucosal inflammatory changes, including redness and erosion localized to the fornix. CONCLUSIONS: Accumulation of (18)FDG in the stomach suggests a high probability of the presence of inflammatory change in the gastric mucosa forming a background for the development of cancer or malignant lymphoma, and thus requires further endoscopic examinations.

Comparison between single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography and planar scintigraphy in sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Radio-guided sentinel node (SN) biopsy is a standard method used in the treatment of early breast cancer. Single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) has been commonly used for SN detection. SPECT/CT adds precise anatomical information of SN sites, and it is reported that more SNs may be detectable on SPECT/CT than on planar imaging. We here investigate which breast cancer patients have benefited from SPECT/CT over planar imaging. METHODS: A total of 273 breast cancer patients including 80 with ipsilateral breast tumor relapse (IBTR) underwent both multiple-view planar imaging and SPECT/CT for SN detection. The number of SNs, the patients who had benefitted from SPECT/CT, and the SN procedure failure rate were compared between SPECT/CT and planar imaging. Factors influencing the visualization of para-sternal and ipsilateral level II, III nodes, and contralateral axillary nodes were also analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The number of hot spots did not differ between SPECT/CT and multiple-view planar imaging. Eight contaminated patients and 52 patients with visualized extra-level I axillary nodes benefited from identifying precise anatomical sites. Even though radioactive nodes could be harvested in most (192/193) of the non-IBTR patients (7/8 in non-SN visible patients), no radioactive nodes could be found during surgery in 11 of 80 IBTR patients. Axillary surgery (dissection) increased the visualization of para-sternal and level II, III axillary nodes, and previous irradiation increased the visualization of contralateral axillary nodes. CONCLUSION: Multiple-view planar imaging was equivalent to SPECT/CT for depicting hot nodes for radio-guided SN detection in breast cancer. SPECT/CT was useful when precise anatomical information was necessary, especially regarding sentinel lymph nodes other than ipsilateral axilla. Logistic regression analysis revealed that axillary surgery (dissection) increased the visualization of para-sternal and level II, III axillary nodes, and the only relevant factor influencing visualization of contralateral axillary SNs was previous radiation to the breast.

Granulomatous Myositis Showing Fluctuating "Leopard-Man" Sign: A Case Report on FDG PET/CT Imaging.

A 57-year-old woman with a history of uterine endometrial carcinoma underwent PET/CT examinations for initial staging and posttreatment survey. Multiple patchy accumulations were noted in the muscles, particularly in both thighs. These accumulations resolved spontaneously 6 months after the follow-up examination. However, 3.5 years after the surgery, the multiple patchy accumulations reappeared in the muscle of the upper and lower extremities showing an increase in signal intensity from previous examination. A biopsy of the right thigh revealed epithelioid cell granuloma without necrosis. We therefore consider that this case might be "idiopathic" granulomatous myositis.

Autoimmune pancreatitis-associated prostatitis: distinct clinicopathological entity.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has been recently proposed as a disease entity, and an elevated serum IgG4 level is a characteristic finding in it. This disease is sometimes associated with other inflammatory diseases, such as retroperitoneal fibrosis and sclerosing cholangitis. To elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics of AIP-associated prostatitis (AIP-P), the clinicopathological findings of AIP-P patients were evaluated, and the immunohistochemical expression of the IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) in six AIP-P patients was compared with that in 10 control patients who were clinically diagnosed as suspicious for carcinoma but who had focal inflammation without adenocarcinoma on histological examination of the prostate. All AIP-P patients had the characteristic findings of AIP, and their lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) improved after steroid therapy. In four of five AIP-P patients, digital rectal examination indicated prostate enlargement. Histologically, AIP-P had lymphoplasmacytic and scattered eosinophilic infiltration and obliterative phlebitis accompanying gland atrophy with dense fibrosis. Immunohistochemically, the IgG4-positive plasma cell/mononuclear cell ratio was significantly higher in the AIP-P group than in the control group (P = 0.0011). AIP-P is a distinct clinicopathological entity, and a mechanism similar to that implicated in AIP may be involved in it as well.

Sequential Sentinel Node Scintigraphy With Planar and SPECT/CT Images Revealed Contralateral Drainage From Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Relapse in a Patient With Bilateral Breast Cancer.

Radio-guided sentinel node (SN) biopsy is routinely performed in patients with early breast cancer. However, repeated SN scintigraphy in ipsilateral breast tumor relapse (IBTR) often shows extra-axillary drainage, including contralateral axilla. A patient diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, of which one was IBTR, was studied by sequential radio-guided SN mapping, radiocolloid injection to an IBTR breast and scanning, and then radiocolloid injection to the other breast and scanning. This revealed the lymphatic flow from the IBTR breast to the contralateral axilla. Sequential method may help to depict contralateral axillary lymphatic flow from an IBTR breast in patients with bilateral breast cancer.

Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma in the multiple organs: A case report on FDG-PET/CT imaging.

RATIONALE: Pleomorphic adenoma, the most common tumor of the salivary glands, is usually benign. It is well known, however, that pleomorphic adenomas occasionally undergo malignant transformation to carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma and can metastasize. More rarely pleomorphic adenomas can metastasize without histological malignant transformation. We herein report an unusual case of pleomorphic adenoma with multiple metastases comprehensively demonstrated on F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 63-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of urine occult blood and lung nodules detected on a health checkup. She had a history of resection of a pleomorphic adenoma in the parotid gland at the age of 40 years and tumor recurrence at the age of 53 years. CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral renal tumors, multiple pulmonary nodules, and an osteolytic lesion in the first lumbar vertebra. DIAGNOSES: Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous biopsy of the right renal tumor revealed a myxoid epithelial tumor that was consistent with metastasis of the pleomorphic adenoma from the parotid gland. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was carefully observed with regular imaging examinations. OUTCOMES: The multiple lesions gradually progressed, and FDG-PET/CT subsequently revealed additional metastases in the liver and perineum. LESSONS: Metastases of pleomorphic adenomas may occur years after the initial disease in association with local recurrences. Careful observation with whole-body imaging such as FDG-PET/CT is necessary.

Diagnostic performance of a computer-assisted diagnosis system for bone scintigraphy of newly developed skeletal metastasis in prostate cancer patients: search for low-sensitivity subgroups.

PURPOSE: The computer-assisted diagnostic system for bone scintigraphy (BS) BONENAVI is used to evaluate skeletal metastasis. We investigated its diagnostic performance in prostate cancer patients with and without skeletal metastasis and searched for the problems. METHODS: An artificial neural network (ANN) value was calculated in 226 prostate cancer patients (124 with skeletal metastasis and 101 without) using BS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and the sensitivity and specificity determined (cutoff ANN = 0.5). Patient's situation at the time of diagnosis of skeletal metastasis, computed tomography (CT) type, extent of disease (EOD), and BS uptake grade were analyzed. False-negative and false-positive results were recorded. RESULTS: BONENAVI showed 82% (102/124) of sensitivity and 83% (84/101) specificity for metastasis detection. There were no significant differences among CT types, although low EOD and faint BS uptake were associated with low ANN values and low sensitivity. Patients showed lower sensitivity during the follow-up period than staging work-up. False-negative lesions were often located in the pelvis or adjacent to it. They comprised not only solitary, faint BS lesions but also overlaying to urinary excretion. CONCLUSIONS: BONENAVI with BS has good sensitivity and specificity for detecting prostate cancer's osseous metastasis. Low EOD and faint BS uptake are associated with low sensitivity but not the CT type. Prostate cancer patients likely to have false-negative results during the follow-up period had a solitary lesion in the pelvis with faint BS uptake or lesions overlaying to urinary excretion.

Bone metastases from breast cancer: associations between morphologic CT patterns and glycolytic activity on PET and bone scintigraphy as well as explorative search for influential factors.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the detection of bone metastases from breast cancer on F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and bone scintigraphy (BS). An explorative search for factors influencing the sensitivity or uptake of BS and FDG-PET was also performed. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with bone metastases from breast cancer were eligible for this study. Histological confirmation of bone metastases was obtained in 31 patients. The bone metastases were visually classified into four types based on their computed tomography (CT) appearance: osteoblastic, osteolytic, mixed, and negative. The sensitivity of BS and FDG-PET were obtained regarding CT type, adjuvant therapy, and the primary tumor characteristics. The FDG maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was analyzed. RESULTS: The sensitivities of the three modalities (CT, BS, and FDG-PET) were 77, 89, and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity of FDG-PET for the osteoblastic type (69%) was significantly lower than that for the other types (P < 0.001), and the sensitivity of BS for the negative type (70%) was significantly lower than that for the others. Regarding tumor characteristics, the sensitivity of FDG-PET significantly differed between nuclear grade (NG)1 and NG2-3 (P = 0.032). The SUVmax of the osteoblastic type was significantly lower than that of the other types (P = 0.009). The SUVmax of NG1 was also significantly lower than that of NG2-3 (P = 0.011). No significant difference in FDG uptake (SUVmax) was detected between different histological types. CONCLUSION: Although FDG-PET is superior to BS for the detection of bone metastases from breast cancer, this technique has limitations in depicting osteoblastic bone metastases and NG1.

Mitochondrial complex I activity is significantly decreased in a patient with maternally inherited type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with mitochondrial DNA C3310T mutation: a cybrid study.

Mitochondrial respiratory function in a patient with maternally inherited type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) C3310T mutation, which replaces the second amino acid of NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) from a hydrophobic Proline to a hydrophilic Serine, was investigated. Mitochondrial respiratory function solely due to mtDNA C3310T mutation was investigated in cybrid system by the fusion of mtDNA-deleted (rho(0)) HeLa cells and exogenous mtDNA either from the proband or from controls. Total oxygen consumption of the proband cybrid cells was significantly decreased compared with those of controls (2.468+/-0.475 versus 2.871+/-0.484 micromol/h/10(7) cells, p=0.0392). Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I activity of the proband cybrid cells was also significantly decreased compared with those of controls (0.191+/-0.080 versus 0.288+/-0.113 micromol/h/mg protein, p=0.0223). Furthermore, ATP content in the proband cybrid cells was also significantly decreased compared with those in controls (1.119+/-0.344 versus 1.419+/-0.378 pmol/10(5) cells, p=0.044). The present study indicates that mtDNA C3310T mutation may be a pathogenic mutation of maternally inherited type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the proband and the family.

Unilateral transpedicular percutaneous vertebroplasty using puncture simulation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to improve the accuracy of puncture to the median vertebral body using the unilateral transpedicular approach on percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). We have developed and evaluated a simple puncture simulation method based on the puncture angle determined by preoperative computed tomography (CT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups were evaluated. The first (group A) comprised 23 patients (34 vertebral bodies) who had undergone PVP without preoperative puncture simulation before May 2004, and the second group (group B) comprised 24 patients (39 vertebral bodies) who had undergone preoperative puncture simulation and PVP after May 2004. CT in the prone position was performed, and the puncture angle on CT (PAC) via the vertebral arch pedicle targeting the anterior one-third median site of the vertebral body was determined. Puncture was performed by targeting the isocenter established on a fluoroscopic monitor based on the PAC. Determinations were made of the success rate (SR) of the median puncture of the vertebral body, the effect of treatment using the visual analogue score, and the overall procedural time between groups A and B. RESULTS: The SR was 56% (19/34 vertebral bodies) in group A, and 97% (37/38 vertebral bodies), including only one vertebral body in which it was difficult to perform the unilateral approach on CT images, in group B, with the difference being significant by Student's t-test (P < 0.001). Among patients with available follow-up data, the unipedicular and bipedicular approaches achieved adequate pain relief with mean decreases in pain severity of 5.1 +/- 2.6 and 5.9 +/- 2.8, respectively. No significant differences in the treatment effect between the two groups was observed (P = 0.811). The overall procedure time per puncture was shorten for the simulation group (36.0 min) than for group A (73.1 min), as shown by regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The preoperative PAC determination for PVP under fluoroscopy increased the completion rate of PVP by the unilateral transpedicular approach. This method should be accepted from the viewpoint of burden reduction on patients and surgeons.

[Diagnostic imaging of skeletal metastases].

Metastases to bone (skeletal metastases) are the most frequent malignant bone tumor. Skeletal metastases can be classified three types;osteolytic, osteoblastic and mixed type. These types depend on the nature of primary cancer. Because imaging studies visualize bone defect and bone formation, these abnormalities can be seen differently depend on the methods to use. In addition, effective therapy to skeletal metastases alters the image. Information of primary cancer and what kinds of treatment have been performed are essential to a diagnosis of skeletal metastasis.

[Diagnostic imaging of skeletal metastases].

Skeletal metastases are the most frequent in malignant bone tumor. Vast majority of skeletal metastases are encountered in middle-aged to elderly persons. Skeletal metastases should be included in differential diagnosis of bone lesion in elderly persons. In this mini-review, clinical features are mainly discussed and some recent advances are also described. They are 1) mechanisms of skeletal metastasis, 2) vicious cycle (what happens in the process of osseous metastasis progression), 3) frequency, site and number of skeletal metastases, 4) osseous response to metastatic tumor, 5) diagnostic imaging of skeletal metastasis, 6) bone metabolic markers in osseous metastasis, and 7) complications.

Sinonasal oncocytic Schneiderian papilloma accompanied by intravascular lymphoma: A case report on FDG-PET/CT imaging.

INTRODUCTION: F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is useful for the staging and assessment of treatment response in patients with lymphoma. Occasionally, benign lesions demonstrate avid FDG uptake and result in false positive findings. CASE: We report the case of an 82-year-old man presenting with cutaneous lesions, which were histopathologically diagnosed as intravascular lymphoma. FDG-PET/CT for staging demonstrated an FDG-avid mass extending from the right maxillary sinus to the nasal cavity, moderate uptake in the adrenal glands, mild uptake in the knee and the foot, and faint uptake in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the legs. He subsequently underwent biopsy of the paranasal mass, which was diagnosed as oncocytic Schneiderian papilloma without lymphoma invasion. Glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 staining was highly positive in the papilloma cells, resulting in high FDG avidity. After completion of chemotherapy, the abnormal FDG uptakes in the skin, soft tissue, and adrenal glands disappeared on PET/CT. However, avid FDG uptake persisted in the sinonasal Schneiderian papilloma for 15 months before regression. CONCLUSION: Benign tumors with oncocytic components may show avid FDG uptake. Therefore, correct diagnosis of oncocytic Schneiderian papilloma on FDG images is difficult when other accompanying malignant tumors, especially lymphoma, are present. If post-therapeutic PET/CT images show a discordant lesion, oncocytic tumors, albeit uncommon, should be considered in the differential diagnoses.