Predicting difficulty in extending the ileal pouch to the anus in restorative proctocolectomy: investigation of a simple predictive method using computed tomography.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the ability of preoperative axial computed tomography (CT) to predict surgical difficulty in bringing the ileal pouch to the level of the anus during restorative proctocolectomy (RPC). METHOD: Patients who underwent RPC with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (or ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis) in our institution between January 2008 and April 2014 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups, including those in whom CT indicated potential difficulty in extending the pouch downwards (extension difficult (ED) group) and patients with no CT evidence of potential difficulty (normal group). The groups were compared for clinical factors and the thickness of the slices of CT showing the root of the superior mesenteric artery, the point of communication of the ileocaecal artery with the marginal artery (tICA) and the anal verge (AV). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was performed, and a cut-off value was calculated for predicting the degree of difficulty in bringing the ileal pouch down to the anal canal. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were entered in the study. The ED group included significantly taller patients and more with familial adenomatous polyposis than the normal group. The distance between tICA and AV was significantly longer in the ED group, with a cut-off of 21 cm giving a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 83.3%. CONCLUSION: The distance between tICA and AV measured by axial CT can be a useful predictor for the difficulty in bringing the ileal pouch down to the anus during RPC.

Monitoring cytomegalovirus infection by antigenemia assay and two distinct plasma real-time PCR methods after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

We compared a CMV virus load determined by real-time PCR with an antigenemia value to analyze the correlation between these two methods. We also compared the values for virus load determined by the two distinct real-time PCR methods, which amplify the US17 region and immediate-early (IE) gene of CMV, respectively, to evaluate the reliability of these methods. Two hundred and sixty-five samples were obtained weekly from 29 patients, who had engraftment after unrelated bone marrow transplantation or HLA-mismatched related blood stem cell transplantation. CMV infection was detected in 115 samples from 22 patients by US17-PCR and 69 samples from 20 patients by the antigenemia assay. Fifty-eight samples were positive for both assays, but 57 and 11 samples were positive only for US17-PCR and antigenemia, respectively. A good correlation of the results of US17-PCR and antigenemia was demonstrated (r = 0.61). All antigenemia-positive samples and randomly selected antigenemia-negative samples were subjected to IE-PCR. The results of IE-PCR showed a good correlation with those of antigenemia (r = 0.64). Furthermore, the best correlation was observed between US17-PCR and IE-PCR (r = 0.83). In conclusion, both real-time PCR methods showed a good correlation with the antigenemia assay, and could be used to monitor CMV infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Successful allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation for aplastic anemia in a patient with renal insufficiency requiring dialysis.

A 27-year-old man with aplastic anemia and renal insufficiency requiring dialysis underwent allogeneic PBSCT. The preparative regimen consisted of melphalan, ATG and TLI. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and prednisolone. He was dialyzed prior to administration of melphalan and at 24 and 72 h after it. Otherwise, the dialysis schedule was unchanged, at three times a week. Engraftment was rapid. Regimen-related toxicity was minimal. Pharmacokinetic parameters of melphalan were not significantly altered with its plasma half-life 1.5 h. Patients with renal failure can receive allogeneic HSCT, and a combination of melphalan, ATG and TLI may serve as an alternative to CY and ATG.

Late hemorrhagic cystitis after reduced-intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (RIST).

We reviewed medical records of 256 patients to investigate the frequency and characteristics of hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) associated with reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation (RIST) as opposed to conventional stem cell transplantation (CST); 137 patients underwent CST and 119 RIST. Diagnosis of HC was made based on two or more episodes of sterile, macroscopic hematuria with normal coagulation profiles, without any evidence of renal stones or genitourinary malignancy. Actuarial frequency of HC development in RIST group was 7.6% (9/119), which gave a cumulative annual incidence of 11.7%. In CST group, 13 of 137 patients (9.5%) developed HC, giving an estimated annual incidence of 9.7%. The probability of developing HC was similar between the two groups (P=0.77). The viral etiologies of HC, adenovirus (n=12) and BK virus (n=2), were documented in eight patients after RIST and in six after CST. HC was milder and of a shorter duration, with less blood transfusion requirements, in RIST group than in CST group. A multivariate analysis revealed that HC was associated with antiadenovirus antibody positivity in the recipients, total dose of busulfan, and chronic GVHD. Although HC following RIST is less severe than that following CST, it is still a significant problem.

Use of a silicone bag-gel prosthesis to fill in a supratarsal depression of the upper eyelid.

A technique is presented for correction of supratarsal depression in the upper lids of orientals, using silicone bag-gel prostheses.

Razor-assisted treatment of axillary osmidrosis.

Shaving off the sweat glands and hair follicles with a single-use safety razor is described.

[A fatal case of aggressive-phase multiple myeloma with ileus and invasion into extramedullary organs].

A 62-year-old woman with IgA-lambda type monoclonal gammopathy had been followed up since January 1988. In March 1991, multiple myeloma (IgA-lambda) was diagnosed on the basis of bone marrow biopsy findings and increased serum IgA levels. She was treated intermittently with melphalan and prednisolone over a perioa of about 6 years, but was eventually admitted due to renal dysfunction, hypercalcemia, increased serum IgA and the formation of subcutaneous masses. During chemotherapy she underwent emergency surgery for obturative ileus. Histological examination of the resected tissues revealed invasion of myeloma cells into the small intestine and peritoneum. Despite continued chemotherapy, the patient's soft tissue masses enlarged, and new lesions appeared in other organs. In the terminal stage, lower serum IgA levels were observed despite an increase in Bence-Jones protein levels in urine. The patient died five months after admission. An autopsy found infiltration by atypical myeloma cells in multiple organs. An immunohistochemical examination revealed and increase in lambda-light chain positive cells relative to the number of alpha-heavy chain positive cells. The terminal course was considered to be representative of aggressive phase multiple myeloma. The case was rare in that the patient's ileus was caused by invasion of myeloma cells into the small intestine.

[Histopathological analysis of 73 autopsy cases of "acute-on-chronic" in Japan--influence of alcohol abuse on exacerbation of chronic liver disease].

Cases of acute exacerbation in chronic liver disease ("acute-on-chronic") in Japan were surveyed by questionnaire method since 1986 and 220 cases were collected. 73 pathological specimens of 102 cases which were autopsied were subjected to morphological analysis. The cases were divided according to causes of acute exacerbations: namely super-imposed viral infection or drugs (Group I), unknown causes or post immunosuppressant therapy (Group II), alcohol abuse (Group III), operation, digestive tract hemorrhage or post TAE etc, (Group IV). Area of hepatic necrosis was large and regeneration of hepatocytes were significantly strong in Group I and II compared with cases of Group IV. Regeneration was also inhibited in liver of habitual alcohol drinker. Significant difference was shown in cases of Group IV. Pathologically liver of 10 cases of Group III divided to florried cirrhosis (3 cases), alcoholic liver cirrhosis (4 cases) and alcoholic hepatitis combined with post hepatitic liver cirrhosis (3 cases, all HBV carriers).

Prophylaxis of hepatitis B reactivation using lamivudine in a patient receiving rituximab.

A 53-year-old man who had a history of fluminant hepatitis caused by precore mutant hepatitis B virus (HBV) was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in July 2000. At admission, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were normal, but he tested positive for HBs antigen. The titer was 64-fold by radioimmunoassay. We initiated lamivudine at a daily dose of 75 mg to prevent HBV proliferation during chemotherapy. By September 2000, he had received six courses of rituximab at 375 mg/m(2) and four courses of fludarabine and mitoxantrone. No hepatic damage was observed from the initiation of treatment until March 2001. At present, four months after the completion of chemotherapy, he continues lamivudine, and the titer of HBs antigen is low at 4-fold. Rituximab is usually associated with mild toxicity, usually limited to infusion periods. The drug is not generally associated with increased incidence of opportunistic infections. However, some case reports have been recently published on severe viral infections following administration of rituximab. These include fluminant hepatitis caused by HBV, pure red cell aplasia due to parvovirus B19 and fatal varicella-zoster infection. While it remains unknown whether rituximab can be safely administered in patients with chronic HBV infection, this case report suggested that prophylactic administration of lamivudine is beneficial for suppressing reactivation of HBV during chemotherapy including rituximab. Rituximab should be used cautiously for patients with HBV infection, but prophylactic administration of lamivudine may be beneficial for preventing reactivation of HBV.

Intradermal stitch blepharoplasty for orientals: does It disappear?

Intradermal stitch blepharoplasty is one of the most frequently performed aesthetic surgeries in Japan. The major disadvantage of this method is the general feeling that it is nonpermanent. Mutou and Mutou [1] first published this technique in 1972. From 1957 to 1997, they have performed 20,098 cases of this procedure. The aim of this study was to furnish a retrospective analysis of a failure rate after intradermal double-eyelid operations that had been performed by a single surgeon (Y. Mutou). We evaluated consecutive patients (male 115, female 1,457) from 1986 to 1993 who underwent intradermal blepharoplasty at Sapporo Chuo Keisei Geka Clinic. Fifty patients (male 3, female 47) revisited our clinic complaining of the "disappearance" or loss of the fold. The estimated disappearing rate was 3.43%. Thirty percent of the disappearance occurred within 1 year. Eighty-eight percent of the disappearances occurred within 5 years postoperatively.

Severe regimen-related toxicity occurring in a patient with XYY syndrome receiving allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

A 23-year-old man with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) in the first chronic phase underwent allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) from his HLA-identical sibling. Pretransplant evaluations showed that he had a low risk of transplantation-related mortality and that the interval between the diagnosis of CML and PBSCT was only 6 months. However, he developed a variety of complications, including acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis, severe hepatic damage, hemorrhagic cystitis, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage leading to hypovolemic shock. Pathological examination of the colonic mucosa showed vascular endothelial damage and thrombotic lesions, leading to the diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy. Later, we found that he had the constitutional abnormality XYY. XYY syndrome is a frequent congenital abnormality, and mental disorders and congenital abnormalities of kidney and liver are common manifestations. Considering his clinical course, it was interesting that complications were severe in the organs which are frequently involved in cases of XYY syndrome. These organs may have poor function or poor reserves and may be more vulnerable to endothelial damage caused by high-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy. Patients with XYY syndrome might have a high risk of transplantation-related mortality.

Acute adrenal failure associated with fluconazole after administration of high-dose cyclophosphamide.

A 63-year-old man received high-dose cyclophosphamide for peripheral blood stem-cell (PBSC) harvest. He received 200 mg fluconazole. On day 3, atrial fibrillation developed with blood pressure declining to 78 mmHg. The rapid adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) test showed blunted adrenal responses. He was suspected as having adrenal failure, and fluconazole was discontinued. The rapid ACTH test became normal on Day 14, and PBSCs were successfully harvested. To clarify the association between adrenal failure and fluconazole, we resumed 400 mg fluconazole on Day 16 and repeated the test on Day 21, which showed blunted adrenal responses. This case demonstrates that prophylactic use of fluconazole can cause adrenal insufficiency.

Central nervous system involvement in pyothorax-associated lymphoma: ring enhancement on CT scan.

A 71-year-old male was diagnosed as having pyothorax-associated lymphoma (PAL), a rare hematological malignancy associated with artificial pneumothorax for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Because of the low incidence, its clinical features have not been fully clarified. The PAL lesion in this patient disappeared after local radiotherapy and corticosteroid treatment. However, 8 months after the initial diagnosis, he developed a variety of neurological disorders and low-grade fever. Neither recurrence of the primary pulmonary lesion nor nodal enlargement was observed. Immediate magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a ring-enhanced mass, suggesting a brain abscess. However, through a stereotactic biopsy of the brain lesion, infiltration of PAL cells was identified. The brain lesion rapidly enlarged despite intensive radiotherapy, and he finally died of lymphoma progression. This case demonstrates that PAL may progress as a type of extranodal lymphoma, and that brain lesions may produce a ring-enhanced pattern on computed tomography.

The value of the chest computed tomography halo sign in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. An autopsy-based retrospective study of 48 patients.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of a halo on computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), we retrospectively reviewed chest CT scans and autopsy reports for patients who had been admitted to our hospitals for the treatment of hematological malignancy. Pulmonary complications were suspected in all patients and chest CT scans were taken within a month of death. We examined the association between autopsy and CT findings in 48 patients who were diagnosed as IPA (n = 17), candidosis (n = 4), zygomycosis (n = 2), infiltration of hematological malignancy (n = 12), bacterial pneumonia (n = 6), cytomegalovirus pneumonia (n = 2), pulmonary hemorrhage (n = 2), or pulmonary congestion (n = 1). Patients with IPA showed a variety of CT findings, including halo (n = 13), nodules (n = 14), granular shadows (n = 3), masses (n = 6), consolidations (n = 9), wedge-shaped consolidations (n = 1), and cavitation (n = 2). In contrast, 0, 11 and two of the 31 patients without IPA showed halo, nodules and masses, respectively. These signs were more frequently observed in IPA patients than in non-IPA patients. The CT halo, especially, seemed to be specific for IPA in hospitalized neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies who developed antibiotic-resistant fever. For CT findings other than these three signs, there were no significant differences between IPA- and non-IPA patients.

Use of real-time PCR on blood samples for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.

We developed a new quantitative system for diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) using real-time automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Intra-assay and interassay precision rates for in vitro examination were 2.53% and 2.20%, respectively, and the linearity of this assay was obtained when there were >20 copies/well. We examined 323 samples taken from 122 patients with hematological malignancies, including 33 patients with IPA and 89 control patients. Blood samples were subjected to PCR antigen detection methods, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and determination of plasma (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (BDG) concentration. The sensitivities of PCR, ELISA, and BDG measurement for diagnosis of IPA were 79%, 58%, and 67%, respectively; the specificities were 92%, 97%, and 84%. Positive findings on PCR preceded those of computed tomography by -0.3+/-6.6 days, those of BDG measurement by 6.5+/-4.9 days, and those of ELISA by 2.8+/-4.1 days. Real-time PCR was sensitive for IPA diagnosis, and quantitation was accurate.