The first case of Veillonella atypica bacteremia in a patient with renal pelvic tumor.

We report the first case of bacteremia caused by Veillonella atypica in a morbid elderly female patient who developed obstructive pyelonephritis. She was treated with ceftriaxone and ureteral stenting; this is the first report of V. atypica infection in humans. Species identification was performed by multiplex PCR and sequencing of rpoB. The strain was susceptible to metronidazole and clindamycin but resistant to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and moxifloxacin.

Leakage sign for acute subdural hematoma in clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a serious traumatic disease, and predictive methods for hematoma growth are necessary to decide whether emergent operation is necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of "leakage" using computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with ASDH and to identify its prognostic value. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with ASDH were examined using CTA (mean age 64.1 ± 20.6 years; 24 men) by analyzing two serial scans (CTA phase and delayed phase). We defined a positive leakage sign as a > 10% increase in Hounsfield units (HU) in the region of interest. Hematoma expansion was determined using plain CT after 24 h in patients who did not undergo emergent surgery. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients, conservative therapy was administered to 35 patients; of these patients, 9 showed hematoma expansion, and 8 of these 9 patients (88.9%) showed positive leakage signs. The sensitivity and specificity of leakage signs to hematoma expansion in the no-surgery group were 88.8% and 76.1%, respectively. All positive leakage signs were found within 4.5 h of injury; patients showing negative leakage signs showed a decreased tendency towards hematoma 24 h after injury. Patients presenting with positive leakage signs had poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the leakage sign is a sensitive predictor of hematoma expansion and poor outcomes in ASDH. If the hematoma is small but leakage sign-positive, strict observation is necessary and aggressive surgery may improve outcomes.

[Complications and Proposed Preventive Measure of Holumium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate during the Initial Phase at Our Hospital].

Clinical charts of 95 patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) between May 2012 and January 2016 were reviewed for complications and their causative factors, as well as treatment outcomes. Of 23 intraoperative complications and 3 cases of prolonged post prostatectomy incontinence, 23 incidents (89%) occurred within the initial 20 cases performed by each surgeon. The details of the intraoperative complications were : bladder injury, 6 (6.3%) ; perforation at 6 o'clock beneath the bladder neck, 2 (2.1%) ; capsular perforation, 4 (4.2%) ; and equipment failure, 9 (9.5%). Bladder injury and capsular perforation resulted frompoor hemostasis, while perforation beneath the bladder neck resulted fromforceful retrograde dissection under disorientation. Excessive tension in the external sphincter during retrograde dissection, but not antegrade, could lead to prolonged incontinence. HoLEP improved bladder outlet obstruction subjectively and objectively. During the initial phase of HoLEP, adequate hemostasis and meticulous plane dissection at the bladder neck and antegrade dissection at the apical portions are of paramount importance to prevent significant surgical complications.

Usefulness of an access-site hemostasis device in neuroendovascular treatment.

BACKGROUND: We examined the safety and efficacy of the access-site hemostasis device Angio-Seal™ STS Plus (AS; St. Jude Medical,St. Paul, MN, USA) compared with the method of hemostasis by manual compression (MC) in neuroendovascular therapy. METHOD: We conducted a prospective multicenter registration study enrolling 229 patients who were scheduled to undergo endovascular treatment. RESULTS: Of the 119 and 110 cases assigned to the AS and MC groups, 118 (99.2%) and 105 (95.5%) achieved successful hemostasis, respectively. Six AS patients and 38 MC patients had access-site hematoma (5% vs 34.5%, P < 0.001). Hemostasis time was significantly shorter in the AS group than in the MC group (4.4 min vs 150.7 min, P < 0.001). Puncture-site hematoma was significantly larger in the AS group than the MC group (5.5 cm vs 2.9 cm, P < 0.05). Patients in the AS group had a significantly shorter hospital stay than those in the MC group (8.7 days vs 13.3 days, P < 0.001); they also had a significantly shorter time before they could start to walk (23.9 h vs 52.2 h, P < 0.001). No serious adverse events were noted in either group. Minor adverse events included four cases from the AS group and two cases from the MC group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of an access-site hemostatic device resulted in quick and reliable access-site hemostasis in neuroendovascular therapy. When using AS, it is necessary to be careful when there is a possibility of a hematoma, as the hematomas, though significantly less frequent than in MC, were significantly bigger in that group.

Bilateral Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms at the Subpetrosal Portion with Unilateral Lower Cranial Nerve Palsies: Review and Consideration of Surgical Strategy.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic bilateral extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms at the subpetrosal portion are extremely rare, and their treatment strategy remains unknown. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old man presented to our hospital with a 2-month history of sudden onset of hoarseness, dysarthria, and dysphagia. Magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and computed tomography angiography revealed extracranial bilateral ICA aneurysms at the subpetrosal portion. The left-sided aneurysm compressed the left-sided lower cranial nerves (IX, X, XI, and XII), whereas the right-sided aneurysm was asymptomatic. We prioritized the treatment of the right-sided aneurysm to prevent bilateral lower cranial nerve deficits. This strategy was used because aneurysm treatment is not guaranteed to cure the left-sided cranial nerve palsies that lasted for 2 months. The right-sided ICA aneurysm was treated with ICA ligation and high-flow extracranial-intracranial bypass using the radial artery as bypass graft. Stent-assisted coil embolization was performed to the left-sided ICA aneurysm after 17 days. The patient showed no right-sided symptoms, and his left-sided symptoms remarkably improved 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: Our unique surgical strategy of prioritizing the aneurysm on the "asymptomatic" side may be one of the best treatment approaches in an extremely rare bilateral aneurysm case.

[Association between Proposed Cancer Foci from the Results of Systematic 12-Core Transrectal Needle Biopsies and Actual Cancer Foci from Radical Prostatectomy Specimens].

We investigated the diagnostic yield for systematic 12-core transrectal prostate needle biopsies. Subjects were 56 prostatic cancer patients who were diagnosed with transrectal ultrasound-guided 12 core prostate needle biopsies and who underwent open retropubic radical prostatectomy. Pathological findings were compared between needle biopsy specimens and total prostatectomy specimens in terms of the presence or absence of cancer foci. For the comparison, the prostate was divided into 5 regions : the apical, middle, basal, far lateral and transitional regions. Then, based on the pathological findings of the biopsies, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for each region. As a result, the sensitivity and the specificity in the transitional region tended to be lower than in other regions, and six of ten false positive lesions were located in the transitional region on the biopsy specimens. Also, the negative predictive value tended to be lower in the apical and far lateral regions. In conclusion, thorough punctures in the apical, transitional, and far lateral regions of the prostate at the systematic transrectal biopsy were paramount important for improving the detection of cancer foci in these regions.

Association between voiding lower urinary tract symptoms and findings on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging with regard to pelvic organs and their supportive structures.

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) causes voiding lower urinary tract symptoms (vLUTS). In the present study, we investigated the association between vLUTS and pelvic organ mobility (POM), including relevant supportive structures, on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). METHODS: We included 118 patients who had POP of stage II or less before straining and stage III or more when straining during dMRI. The presence of vLUTS and overactive bladder (OAB) was determined by a voiding subscore of the International Prostate Symptom Score (vIPSS) ≥5 and the OAB symptom score, respectively. POM was measured by dMRI before and during straining, and patients with and without vLUTS as well as patients with and without vLUTS and/or OAB were compared. p < .05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: According to vIPSS, 42 patients (35.6%) had vLUTS. On dMRI, patients with vLUTS showed a significantly more ventral position and/or movement of the bladder and cervix. Moreover, patients with vLUTS and OAB had significantly more ventral movement of the uterine cervix and a larger strain on imaginary uterosacral and cardinal ligaments than those without these symptoms. In addition, patients with vLUTS and OAB had significantly higher vIPSS than those with vLUTS alone. CONCLUSIONS: vLUTS may be associated with the proximity of the bladder and cervix to the pubic bone and consequent compression of the urethra by the prolapsed organs. vLUTS with OAB might indicate more advanced lower urinary tract dysfunction than vLUTS alone.

Leakage Sign Is a Reliable Predictor of Hematoma Expansion in Acute Epidural Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Hematoma expansion (H-Ex) in small-/medium-sized acute epidural hematoma (AEDH) cases upon emergency admission is critical. Predicting H-Ex can lead to early surgical interventions, improving outcomes, and eliminating the need to check for expansion via computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to identify the most reliable predictors of AEDH expansion. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from patients with pure AEDH not requiring surgical treatment upon emergency admission from 2012 to 2022. We assessed clinical and laboratory data, time from injury to the first CT, and time to follow-up CT. Factors predictive of H-Ex on the second follow-up CT, including the leakage sign (LS), were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients with pure AEDH without surgery at admission were included, and LS was positive in 18. Thirteen patients showed H-Ex. The H-Ex group showed a significantly higher rate of positive LS and a lower mean platelet count than the group without H-Ex. LS's predictive value for AEDH expansion showed 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity. All patients with negative LS and normal platelet counts showed no H-Ex. Analyzing the time from injury to the first CT suggested that LS (+) within 120 minutes strongly predicted H-Ex. Reconstructed three-dimensional images of the leakage point on the skull revealed multiple mottled bleeding points on the dural surface. CONCLUSIONS: LS can predict H-Ex in patients with pure AEDH for whom emergency surgery is unnecessary at admission. The time from injury and platelet counts must also be considered.

[A case of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor (MEST) of the kidney monitored as angiomyolipoma (AML) : a case report].

A 32-year-old woman presented with left abdominal pain. Intratumoral hemorrhage within a renal angiomyolipoma (AML) was suspected and embolization was performed. However, the patient declined surgery and was thus kept under observation. During the next 5 years, the tumor increased in size, and upper left abdominal pain appeared. Therefore, left radical nephrectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was mixed epithelial and stromal tumor (MEST) of the kidney. A retrospective examination of imaging findings indicated that the fat which had been regarded as evidence of AML was actually either perinephric fat displaced by either the tumor or the renal sinus. In fact, the tumor consisted mainly of a cystic component containing a solid component. The possibility of MEST must be kept in mind when distinguishing renal tumors consisting mainly of cystic components in young to middle-aged women.

[In two patients with economic and social issues stage I giant seminoma].

The first case was in a 39-year-old man who complained of painless, left hemiscrotal swelling. The patient's serum ß human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) was elevated. A chest X-ray and computerized tomography (CT) did not reveal any abnormal findings. The patient underwent left high orchiectomy. The tumor weighed 440 g, and was pathologically diagnosed as a seminoma. The patient chose surveillance as the management strategy. Five months after the operation, the patient stopped attending his periodic checkups. After 21 months, the patient complained of abdominal distention. A CT showed a para-aortic lymph node mass. The patient achieved a complete response following chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin for 4 cycles. Three months after the adjuvant chemotherapy, hospital visits stopped again due to financial difficulties. The second case was in a 36-year-old man who complained of painless, right hemiscrotal swelling and difficulty in walking. Clinical examination revealed an adult-head-sized testicular tumor with elevation of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and ß-hCG. A chest X-ray and abdominal CT did not reveal any abnormal findings. Despite a recommendation that the patient undergo immediate orchiectomy, the patient did not undergo surgery due to his unstable lifestyle. After 1 month, the patient presented with more difficulty in walking. The patient underwent right high orchiectomy. The tumor weighed 1,926 g, and was pathologically diagnosed as a seminoma. The patient chose surveillance. There has been no recurrence for 19 months postoperatively.

Age-specific effect of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate on overactive bladder in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: An investigation using an overactive bladder symptom score.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the age-specific effect of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) on overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: A total of 186 consecutive patients who underwent HoLEP were included. They were divided into three groups: patients aged less than 65 years, between 65 and 74, and 75 or older. The OAB symptom score as well as other relevant variables of lower urinary tract symptoms and function were assessed before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Age-specific prevalence of OAB, the proportion of resolution of OAB, and de novo OAB were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 70.7 years, and the mean total prostate volume was 75.8 ml. The mean OAB symptom scores before surgery of patients aged less than 65 years, between 65 and 74, and 75 or older were 6.0, 5.2, and 5.7, respectively. At 12 months after surgery, the scores for the respective groups had significantly decreased to 2.1, 2.5, and 3.5. The prevalence of OAB based on the score in the respective groups was 45.8%, 56.9%, and 54.0% (p = .6391) preoperatively and 9.1%, 11.3%, and 15.8% at 12 months after the surgery (p = .7613). Of those with preoperative OAB, 75.0%, 79.2%, and 75.0% of the respective groups showed resolution of OAB at 12 months postoperatively (p = .9427). CONCLUSIONS: In candidates for surgical deobstruction of benign prostatic hyperplasia, HoLEP has potential to improve OAB symptoms regardless of age.

Preoperative Novel Magnetic Resonance Fusion Imaging for Carotid Endarterectomy Patients with Contrast Contraindications: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: For carotid endarterectomy (CEA) patients with renal dysfunction and allergies to contrast media, we developed a preoperative novel method of noncontrast 3-dimensional magnetic resonance fusion imaging (NC-3DMRFI) which could describe well blood vessels, plaques, and bony structures even in surgical position. In this study, we examined the usefulness of this method. METHODS: We extracted noncontrast magnetic resonance images of bones, blood vessels, and plaques to create a 3-dimensionalusion image. An image acquired in the normal position and another in the surgical position during CEA were used to create a fusion image. We compared the fusion imaging results with the intraoperative findings of 6 patients with contrast contraindications received CEA. RESULTS: Preoperative NC-3DMRFI could clearly show the positions of the carotid bifurcation, the distal end of plaque, and the bony structure in 5 of the 6 cases. Intraoperative findings and preoperative fusion imaging results were comparable in all cases where fusion images could be created. The fusion imaging in the surgical position during CEA was useful for preoperative examination, and the surgical space could be secured in the case of a high cervical location. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed our novel NC-3DMRFI method is useful for preoperative simulation in CEA, especially in patients with renal dysfunction and allergies to contrast media.

Bold-S Signs on Computed Tomography Angiography Are Sensitive Markers for Diagnosing Subcortical Hemorrhage Due to Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae on Emergent Admission.

An optimal treatment strategy for subcortical hematomas caused by dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF) is important because of the high rebleeding rate. However, it is very difficult to diagnose that on admission. Therefore, an early sensitive predictive marker for subcortical hemorrhage caused by dAVF is necessary, especially during the first contact on admission. S-shaped dilated vessels around the hematoma (bold-S sign) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) performed during admission could be one such marker. Herein, we evaluated the characteristics of these vessels. Among 273 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage between April 2012 and March 2020, 67 patients with subcortical hematomas who underwent CTA on admission without arteriovenous malformations were included. The patients in the dAVF group (n = 7) showed fewer disturbances in consciousness, milder neurological deficits, and more frequent seizures than patients without dAVF (without dAVF group, n = 60). All patients in the dAVF group had dilated S-shaped vessels (2.59 ± 0.27 mm) around the hematomas, and only 20% of the patients in the without dAVF group had these vessels (1.69 ± 0.22 mm). The ratio of the ipsilateral S-shaped/contralateral largest vessels was 1.80 ± 0.29 in the dAVF group and 1.07 ± 0.16 in the group without dAVF. We called the dilated S-shaped vessels the "bold-S sign," with a cutoff ratio of 1.5. Bold-S sign findings are novel and help in diagnosing subcortical hematomas caused by dAVF on admission.

[Hyaline vascula type Castleman's disease in the pelvic cavity : a case report].

A 48-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in order to treat a right lower abdominal tumor which was detected by ultrasonography in a general health check. The tumor was considered to be a pelvic sarcoma from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings, then, resection of the tumor was performed. Pathological diagnosis was a hyaline vascular type of Castleman's disease. The patient remained well without any evidence of local recurrence 12 months after surgery. The hyaline vascular type of Castleman' s disease is characterized by a solitary hypervascular tumor which is prone to adhere to neighboring great vessels. This tendency makes dissection from great vessels difficult and should be kept in mind when surgery is planned.

Pediatric acute epidural hematoma caused by contrecoup injury: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Acute epidural hematomas (AEDHs) are formed by injury of the middle meningeal artery or venous sinus with a linear fracture just above these blood vessels. The incidence of AEDH without fracture is low, and the formation of an acute epidural hematoma due to contrecoup injury is even rarer. Here, the authors report a case of pediatric AEDH due to contrecoup injury. OBSERVATIONS: A 6-year-old boy was injured in a traffic accident and was ejected from of the car. At admission, he was clearly conscious without obvious neurological deficits. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a small fracture in the right occipital lobe and a thin epidural hematoma in the contralateral left frontal lobe. A CT scan 3 hours later showed an expanded AEDH. Furthermore, the patient presented with progressive disturbance of consciousness. An emergency craniotomy was performed, but no obvious bleeding point or fracture was observed. LESSONS: The source of bleeding in AEDH due to contrecoup injury in the frontal region is thought to be due to microvessel injury in the dura. Anatomical fragility and the amount of energy transferred causing the injury are associated with the AEDH formation due to contrecoup injury; thus, strict management in high-energy trauma is required.

Relationship between Transient Cortical Blindness and Contrast Medium Leakage That Occurs after Endovascular Treatment of Posterior Circulation Aneurysms.

Objective: The mechanism of transient cortical blindness after endovascular treatment-a rare phenomenon-has not been elucidated; however, it is assumed to be related to contrast medium leakage (CML). We investigated the relationship between postoperative CML and cortical blindness in patients who underwent endovascular treatment for vascular lesions of posterior circulation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 28 patients who underwent endovascular treatment for posterior circulation aneurysms at our hospital between January 2014 and December 2018. Cerebral CT was performed immediately after endovascular treatment and 24 h later. CT images were retrospectively evaluated with special interest in the presence and distribution of leakage of the contrast medium (CM). Patients were classified into the following three groups based on CT findings: Group A, no CML (11 patients); Group B, unilateral CML (5 patients); and Group C, bilateral CML (9 patients). Results: The posterior circulation aneurysms were located in the basilar artery in 13 (52.0%) cases, in the posterior cerebral artery in 1 (4.0%) case, and in the vertebral artery in 11 (44.0%) cases. There was no difference regarding the adjunctive technique used for endovascular treatment between the groups. Patients in Group C used a significantly larger amount of CM than those in the other two groups. A longer operation time was associated with a larger amount of CM used during treatment. VerifyNow assay revealed that the P2Y12 reaction unit was significantly lower in Groups B and C. Cortical blindness was transiently observed in 2 of 9 patients (22.2%) in Group C, both of which showed CML surrounding the bilateral parieto-occipital sulcus. Conclusion: Both patients with cortical blindness showed bilateral CML, both of which showed CML surrounding the bilateral parieto-occipital sulcus. The CM-induced blood-brain barrier disruption may be the cause of cortical blindness.

Factors Associated with Rapidly Deteriorating Myelopathy in Patients with Spinal Arteriovenous Shunts.

Spinal arteriovenous (AV) shunts are rare conditions that sometimes present with myelopathy symptoms. The progression of the symptoms is usually gradual; however, some cases show rapid deterioration. We retrospectively investigated the factors that induced the rapid deterioration of myelopathy symptoms in patients with spinal AV shunts. We treated 33 patients with myelopathy with spinal AV shunts at our institutions, eight of whom experienced rapid deterioration (within 24 hours: 24.2%). Of these, three were related to the body movement or particular postures associated with playing golf, 30 minutes of Japanese straight sitting, and massage care. One patient showed deterioration after embolization for a tracheal aneurysm. The remaining four patients received steroid pulse therapy (high-dose steroid infusion) shortly before the rapid deterioration. These symptoms stopped progressing after cessation of steroid use. While positional or physical factors contributing to myelopathy deterioration might exist, we could not identify specific factors in this study. Nevertheless, rapid deterioration was frequently observed after high-dose steroid use. We must take care not to administer high-dose steroids for myelopathy caused by spinal AV shunt disease.

[A case of giant hemorrhagic adrenal pseudocystectomy with a flank incision].

The patient was a 43-year-old woman who underwent detailed examinations for a retroperitoneal cystic lesion that was incidentally found during orthopedic treatment. Although the tumor was a non-functioning tumor, and diagnostic imaging was negative for malignancy, the tumor was surgically resected with a flank incision. The histopathological diagnosis was adrenal pseudocyst.

Association between overactive bladder and pelvic organ mobility as evaluated by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition, which negatively impacts patients' quality of life. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), also prevalent in women, has been recognized as an important etiology of female OAB, although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain controversial. In this study, we reviewed findings of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) in 118 patients with POP and investigated the association between dMRI findings, including positions and mobilities of pelvic organs as well as parameters of pelvic organ support and bladder outlet obstruction (urethral kinking), and OAB in order to elucidate the pathophysiology of OAB in patients with POP. Our results showed that compared with non-OAB patients, OAB patients had a significantly higher body mass index, more severe pelvic floor muscle impairment, and more profound supportive defects in the uterine cervix (apical compartment). On the other hand, dMRI parameters showed hardly any significant difference between patients with mild and moderate to severe OAB. These findings may imply that levator ani impairment and defective supports of the apical compartment could be associated with the presence of OAB and that the severity of OAB could be affected by factors other than those related to pelvic organ mobility and support or urethral kinking.

A novel step-down infusion method of barbiturate therapy: Its safety and effectiveness for intracranial pressure control.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) has to be maintained quite constant, because increased ICP caused by cerebrovascular disease and head trauma is fatal. Although controlling ICP is clinically critical, only few therapeutic methods are currently available. Barbiturates, a group of sedative-hypnotic drugs, are recognized as secondary treatment for controlling ICP. We proposed a novel "step-down infusion" method, administrating barbiturate (thiamylal) after different time point from the start of treatment under normothermia, at doses of 3.0 (0-24 h), 2.0 (24-48 h), 1.5 (48-72 h), and 1.0 mg/kg/h (72-96 h), and evaluated its safety and effectiveness in clinical. In 22 patients with severe traumatic brain injury or severe cerebrovascular disease (Glasgow coma scale ≤8), thiamylal concentrations and ICP were monitored. The step-down infusion method under normothermia maintained stable thiamylal concentrations (<26.1 µg/ml) without any abnormal accumulation/elevation, and could successfully keep ICP <20 mmHg (targeted management value: ICP <20 mmHg) in all patients. Moreover the mean value of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was also maintained over 65 mmHg during all time course (targeted management value: CPP >65 mmHg), and no threatening changes in serum potassium or any hemodynamic instability were observed. Our novel "step-down infusion" method under normothermia enabled to maintain stable, safe thiamylal concentrations to ensure both ICP reduction and CPP maintenance without any serious side effects, may provide a novel and clinically effective treatment option for patients with increased ICP.