Intramedullary metastasis of small cell lung cancer]

A 64-year-old man complaining of hoarseness received a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer (T4 N3 M1, Stage IV) in May 1997. He responded well to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and afterward underwent brain irradiation for prophylactic purposes. However, on Nov. 27 the patient experienced lumbar pain and numbness in his left leg. and was admitted to our hospital on Dec. 2 because his symptoms deteriorated to palsy of the left leg. Brain computed tomographic scans and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were normal, as was serum pro-GRP. Palsy developed in both legs 3 days later. T2 weighted MRI revealed high intensity within the spinal cord at the level between Th 9 and Th 11, and T1 weighted MRI showed heterogeneous low intensity at the same levels. In addition, Gd-DTPA enhanced T1 weighted images disclosed high intensity in the spinal cord at the Th 10 level. Although 3 spinal taps were all cytologically negative for malignancy, the high pro-GRP titer (1,400 pg/ml) suggested the presence of a carcinomatous lesion. At autopsy, cross sections of the spinal cord revealed the longitudinal extension of a tumor 11 cm in length. Microscopic findings indicated that the tumor was a metastasis of the patient's small cell carcinoma. To our knowledge, this report was the first to histologically examine a case of intramedullary metastasis of small cell lung cancer.     

Anorectal malignant melanoma: preoperative usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in three patients with primary anorectal malignant melanoma are described. Two patients had melanotic and one had amelanotic anorectal melanoma. The findings of MRI with a pelvic coil and an endorectal coil were consistent with pathologic findings. MRI with a pelvic coil demonstrated the melanotic component as high signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging. MRI with a pelvic coil and an endorectal coil was useful for staging anorectal melanoma. This article describes the initial report of the use of an endorectal coil for malignant melanoma of the anorectum.     

A case of bronchocentric granulomatosis presenting as a tumorous shadow on chest X-ray film]

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with cough, sputum and abnormal chest X-ray. In summer, 1989, she developed cough which gradually worsened in autumn. In November, the chest X-ray revealed a tumorous shadow in the left suprahilar region. On admission, there were no symptoms of bronchial asthma. Chest X-ray revealed a subpleural tumorous shadow in the left upper lung field. X-ray findings suggested that the tumorous shadow in the suprahilar region moved to the left peripheral upper lung field. Left B1+2 orifice obstruction with necrotic tissue was seen on fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Transbronchial biopsies failed to yield specific diagnostic findings, except for bronchitis with exudate containing eosinophils. In February, 1990, she developed hemosputum and left chest pain. Chest X-ray showed consolidation in the left apical lung field. Left upper lobectomy was performed. Histological examination disclosed many granulomas with central necrosis around the bronchi, and aspergillus hyphae were seen. These findings are compatible with bronchocentric granulomatosis without asthma.     

A follow-up study by MRI and enhanced-MRI in a case of cerebral tuberculosis]

We report a case of cerebral tuberculosis following miliary tuberculosis. A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in October 1990 because of fever and general fatigue. Chest x-ray film on admission showed diffuse granular shadows in both lungs. Tubercle bacilli were seen in the sputum (Gaffky 5) by the Ziehl Neelsen's staining, and anti-tuberculous therapy was quickly started. But a few days after admission, the disturbance of consciousness, neck stiffness, and headache appeared. The examination of cerebrospinal fluid disclosed that leucocytes was increased in number, and that ADA was elevated to 14.6 IU/l. Tubercle bacilli were detected from cerebrospinal fluid by culture. Although CT scan of the brain was normal at first week of admission, brain CT at eighth week of admission showed several nodulus enhanced with contrast medium. The findings were confirmed by T2 weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) as high intense areas. Although T1 weighted MRI showed isointensity of the gray matter, T1 weighted MRI enhanced by Gd-DTPA revealed abnormal enhancement. At twenty-ninth week of admission CT showed no abnormality even by contrast enhancement, but enhanced T1 weighted MRI revealed a small lesion with enhancement which was not shown by CT. MRI enhanced by Gd-DTPA was more useful for evaluating cerebral tuberculosis than brain CT.     

Two cases of intravascular lymphomatosis diagnosed antemortem by transbronchial lung biopsy]

Patient 1 was a 71-year-old man who had been admitted to our hospital with high-grade fever. Chest computed tomographic (CT) images revealed clear peripheral and high-density central areas. Abnormal laboratory findings included elevated LDH and hypoxemia. Interstitial pneumonia was suspected, and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) confirmed the diagnosis of intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL). The patient succumbed before completion of chemotherapy. Patient 2 was a 65-year-old man admitted with high-grade fever. Abnormal laboratory findings included pancytopenia, hypoxemia, and elevated levels of LDH and soluble interleukin-2 receptor. Chest CT images revealed diffuse, mildly dense areas in the upper fields of both lungs. TBLB specimens yielded a diagnosis of IVL. Complete clinical remission was obtained with CHOP multiagent chemotherapy. Although IVL is usually diagnosed at autopsy, in these 2 cases an antemortem diagnosis was made on the basis of TBLB findings. Also, multiagent chemotherapy achieved a complete clinical remission in Patient 2.     

Pronounced progression of interstitial pneumonia in a precious metal worker]

A 43-year-old man who had been engaged in the precious-metal processing industry for 18 years was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath on exertion. Chest roentgenograms disclosed ground glass opacities and annular-nodular shadows in the basal area of the right lung field and almost all of the left lung field. A video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed, and histologic examination disclosed usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Mineral analysis revealed high modes of silicon and aluminum, two elements consistent with the materials used in the patient's factory. The histopathological findings indicated interstitial pneumonia caused by the inhalation of dust particles. After corticosteroid therapy, computed tomographic scans disclosed that the ground glass opacities had subsided, but that honeycomb shadows remained. A chest roentgenogram taken 2 years earlier demonstrated only minute granular lesions in the basal area of right lung field. The interstitial shadows had progressed significantly over the intervening 2-year span. The findings in this case should be of value to the etiologic study of UIP.     

Cystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum

We report a case of cystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum (CMP), a rare tumor. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and the histochemical features were studied. The patient was an 18-year-old woman who presented with upper abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a well defined cystic mass with a solid papillary projection in its lumen. MRI of the cyst showed high intensity on T2- and proton weighted images and low intensity on T1-weighted images, and the solid projection showed low intensity on T2- and proton-weighted images and slight low intensity on T1-weighted images, on which it was well enhanced. The lesion was suspected to be a benign cyst, such as a hemangioma, lymphangioma, or a splenic or pancreatic cyst. Complete surgical resection was performed. The resected specimen consisted of a unilocular cystic mass, with a solid projection, weighing 260g and measuring 10 cm in diameter. The final diagnosis, arrived at by histopathological examination, was low-grade malignant CMP. The tumor cells were strongly positive for keratin, weakly positive for vimentin, and negative for epithelial membranous antigen. The patient is now well and symptom-free with no recurrence 19 months after operation. CMP is a rare tumor; only 12 cases have previously been reported in Japan.     

A case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery]

A 74-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of right chest pain. The chest radiograph showed right hilar pulmonary artery dilatation. A mass exhibiting low intensity in T1-weighted images and high intensity in T2-weighted images was disclosed in the right pulmonary artery. Because of its clinical course and the MRI findings, the mass was thought to be tumorous tissue, and so pneumonectomy was performed. Leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed from the histological findings. Primary artery sarcoma is rare and the prognosis is considered to be extremely poor. The patient was successfully treated and had a good clinical outcome.     

Mycobacterial infection within a pulmonary bulla]

The patient was a 31-year-old man. Chest X-ray films and computed tomographic (CT) scans disclosed fluid retention within an 11-cm diameter pulmonary bulla that had been detected in the upper lobe of his left lung 1 year earlier. CT films also disclosed a 1.5-cm nodular lesion in the apical segment of the left lower lobe. The patient had no symptoms and laboratory examinations disclosed no signs of inflammation. Thoracoscopic examination revealed a yellow-turbid fluid with caseous necrosis within the bulla. Although Ziehl-Neelson staining of a bulla tissue specimen was 1 on the Gaffky scale, culture of the fluid was negative. Histologically, the bulla wall and pulmonary nodule revealed granuloma with caseous necrosis, thus yielding a diagnosis of mycobacterial infection within the bulla and lung. Following an operation, anti-tuberculous drugs were administered and the patient was well without recurrence of tuberculosis 30 months afterward. We concluded that infectious bulla with few or no symptoms and limited inflammatory findings may occasionally be caused by Mycobacterium infection.     

A case of bronchogenic cyst in the subdiaphragmatic region]

A surgical case of subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst is presented. A 44-year-old female was admitted because of a radiological abnormality of a mass lesion at the left diaphragm. Laboratory examinations did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Chest CT revealed the mass lesion with smooth margin, whose density was higher than that of water. Both MRI T1-weighted and T2-weighted images showed a relatively high intensity of the mass. On endoscopic ultrasonography, the lesion consisted of a thin wall with highly echoic contents, and its shape changed during respiratory movement. On the basis of the findings of these imaging modalities, the diagnosis was considered to be bronchogenic cyst. The mass was resected via laparotomy, and its histologic diagnosis was bronchogenic cyst containing turbid fluid. Subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst is reported rarely. The characteristic findings of CT, MRI and endoscopic ultrasonography enable the diagnosis of a cyst with turbid contents.     

Primary lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) associated with cardiac sarcoidosis]

A 56-year-old woman who had been given oral prednisolone for iridocyclitis by an ophthalmologist received a diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis on the basis of transbronchial lung biopsy findings, and began receiving therapy at our hospital on an outpatient basis. Chest X-ray films disclosed hilar lymphadenopathy in both lungs. In addition, Holter electrocardiograms detected ventricular premature beat (Lown 4B) and echocardiograms detected reduced left ventricular wall motion with dilatation of the left ventricular chamber. Cardiac sarcoidosis developed in the patient. She was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath on exertion. Chest X-ray films on admission disclosed a large nodular heterogeneous mass in the right upper lobe. Histologically, transbronchial lung biopsy specimens of the mass disclosed an adenocarcinoma. Although lung cancer and sarcoidosis are common, their coexistence in the same patient is not. Furthermore, the coexistence of lung cancer with cardiac sarcoidosis, as in this case, is very rare.     

Intrathoracic neurofibroma originating in the left vagus nerve]

A 20-year-old man was admitted because of an abnormal mass shadow on chest X-ray film. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a mass lesion in the superior portion of the left mediastinum. CT scans showed a well-defined mass with low density. Axial MRI rendered the mass lesion with intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The preoperative diagnosis was bronchogenic cyst. Video-assisted thoracic surgery revealed that the tumor originated in the truncus of the left vagus nerve. The resected tumor was 90 x 24 x 18 mm in size. The postoperative course was uneventful and hoarseness did not develop. The pathologic diagnosis was benign mediastinal neurofibroma without von Recklinghausen's disease. Such cases are extremely rare in the Japanese literature.     

Two cases of multiple primary cancer involving the lung with old pulmonary tuberculosis]

We reported 2 relatively rare cases of multiple primary cancer including lung cancer accompanied by old pulmonary tuberculosis. Patient 1 was a 62-year-old man admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of an infiltrative shadow on chest X-ray films, and a cervical tumor noted 10 years earlier and thought to be thyroid cancer. A Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) specimen disclosed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. A right upper lobectomy and thyroidectomy were performed. Histopathologic findings showed a neoplastic lesion adjacent to caseous necrosis with formation of granuloma consistent with tuberculosis. Also, the cervical tumor was considered to be a metastatic lymph node from thyroid papillary carcinoma. Patient 2 was a 73-year-old man with a 14-year history of treatment for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder, who had been admitted to our hospital for further evaluation because of a nodular shadow observed on chest X-ray films. TBLB specimens disclosed adenocarcinoma. A right upper lobectomy was performed. Histopathologic findings revealed a neoplastic tumorlet in the same lobe. No detectable increases in serum TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta or IFN-gamma were observed in either patient. Phytohemagglutinin- and concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation decreased in Patient 1. These findings suggested that the immunocompromised status of patients with cancer in addition to old pulmonary tuberculosis may contribute to the development of lung cancer.     

Pulmonary metastatic malignant phyllodes tumor showing multiple thin walled cavities]

A 52-year-old woman who had undergone a partial mastectomy 1 year earlier because of benign phyllodes tumor was admitted because of dry cough and abnormal chest radiograph findings. Chest computed tomograms demonstrated multiple thin-walled cavities and nodules. Clinical examinations and transbronchial biopsy specimens failed to provide a conclusive diagnosis. However, the pulmonary thin-walled cavities enlarged, and a nodular shadow revealed cavitary formation. An open lung biopsy was performed to diagnose the pulmonary lesions. Although biopsy specimens disclosed the infiltration of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells in pleura and pulmonary parenchyma, no primary site was detected. The patient did not respond to systemic chemotherapy (CDDP and VP-16), and died of respiratory failure due to advanced pulmonary metastasis. Autopsy demonstrated marked tumor invasion of the lungs, myocardium, and bone. We analyzed malignant cells in lung tissues at autopsy by immunohistochemistry, and found identical malignant cells in surgical samples obtained during the patients earlier mastectomy. A diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis from malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast was made. Thin walled cavitary lesions from malignant phyllodes tumor are rare; however, pulmonary metastasis of malignant phyllodes tumor should be considered one disease that exhibits thin-walled cavities as a radiographic manifestation.     

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome accompanied by severe central hypoventilation and expression of anti-Hu antibody in a patient with small cell lung cancer]

A 65-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of diplopia, dysarthria, difficulty in walking and progressive dysesthesia that developed in his left hand and leg. Brain MRI revealed high signal intensity regions on T2-weighted and FLAIR images of the hippocampus and the corpus amygdaloideum. After admission, the patient's neurological symptoms progressed to delirium and dementia with hallucinations. When he eventually developed severe respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support, brain MRI revealed new high signal intensity regions on T2-weighted images of the medulla oblongata and pons. Chest CT scans showed a mass under the aortic arch, and based on subsequent histopathological examination of a transesophageal endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the tumor, a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer was made. In addition, anti-Hu antibody was found in the patient's serum, leading to a diagnosis of paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis/sensory neuropathy. One course of chemotherapy (carboplatin + etoposide) was administered; however, the protocol was not completed because the patient developed severe pneumonia. Given that neurological symptoms usually precede a diagnosis of malignancy in paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, it is important that these are considered carefully, as they may contribute to early diagnosis and treatment. Here we report a rare case of severe central hypoventilation in paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis/sensory neuropathy.     

Mediastinal and hilar lymph node of cancer unknown origin: 3 case reports]

We encountered three rare cases of cancer of unknown origin affecting the mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Patient 1 was a 63 year-old man. Chest X-ray and CT films revealed an enlarged right hilar lymph node. A right mediastinal and hilar lymphadenectomy was performed. The histological diagnosis was metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC of the right upper lobe appeared 34 months after the operation, requiring a right pneumonectomy. Patient 1 was alive 43 months after his first operation. Patient 2 was a 73 year-old man in whom left mediastinal and hilar lymph node swelling had been detected. A mediastinoscopy and lymph node biopsy were performed. The histological findings resulted in a diagnosis of metastatic small cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy was initiated, and the patient was alive 5 months after the biopsy procedure, Patient 3 was a 57 year-old man in whom right mediastinal and hilar lymph node swelling had been disclosed by chest CT scans. We performed a medianosternotomy and mediastinal and right hilar lymphadenectomy. Histologically, the diagnosis was metastatic adenocarcinoma. After the operation, radiation therapy was performed on the patient's mediastinum. Patient 3 was alive 5 months after the initial operation. The patients were given diagnoses of T0N1 or T0N2 lung cancer.     

A resected case of teratoma of the lung]

Teratoma of the lung in a 32-year-old female is reported. Abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film was noted at the age of 15 years. Her symptoms were subclinical fever, couch, hemosputum and frequent respiratory infections. Chest X-ray film and CT scan revealed a cyst with an intracystic solid mass in the left upper lung. Bronchogram demonstrated communication of the cyst with B5a and B5b bronchi. The left upper lobe was resected. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen revealed a mature teratoma of the lung. Teratoma of the lung is very rare. This case was diagnosed at surgery and was confirmed by microscopic examination.     

A case of Morgagni's foramen hernia difficult to differentiate from lipoma]

A 61-year-old woman was admitted for chest discomfort. She had been admitted before, in March 1995, because of a lesion detected on chest roentgenograms. At that time, she was given a diagnosis of mediastinal lipoma based on the findings of chest computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but was discharged without active intervention due to lack of subjective symptoms. During follow-up, the patient again reported chest discomfort beginning in March 1998. Because chest radiography disclosed. The tumor had enlarged, the patient was admitted to the hospital by our department. Chest MRI disclosed a mass with a signal intensity equal to that of subcutaneous fat in the pericardial space on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Although sagittal images demonstrated continuity of the mass into intraperitoneal fat, a conclusive diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia could not be made at that time. On April 30, 1998, a thoracotomy was performed on the basis of a preoperative diagnosis of mediastinal lipoma. During surgery, a hernial ring was observed slightly to the right and behind the sternum. The hernia consisted only of greater omentum, and was diagnosed as Morgagni's foramen hernia.     

Multiple sclerosis with caudate lesions on MRI

A 31-year-old woman displayed sleepiness and impairment of recent memory. T2-weighted MRI revealed high signal intensity lesions in the bilateral basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem. Although remission was achieved with corticosteroid therapy, she again displayed memory dysfunction and emotional disturbance one year later, at which time MRI disclosed new lesions in the right caudate nucleus and left frontal white matter. Corticosteroid therapy lead to improvement, and she suffered no recurrence on maintenance steroid therapy. These findings suggest that caudate lesions do occur in multiple sclerosis, the manifestations of which can be abulia and memory dysfunction, as in the present case.     

A case of combined squamous cell carcinoma and aspergilloma arising in a cyst wall]

A 76-year-old man in whom interstitial pneumonia and diabetes mellitus had been diagnosed complained of bloody sputum in August, 1998. Chest radiography disclosed irregular shadows in the left lower lung field. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a cyst and a small nodular lesion in the left S6 segment. Although primary lung cancer was suspected, we did not detect any malignant cells in the transbronchial lung biopsy specimen. CT scans in January 2000 showed a ball-like shadow in the thick-walled cyst in the left S6 segment. Cytologic examination of the sputum and the bronchial lavage fluid from the left B6 revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Left lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were performed. Pathological examination revealed that moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma had extensively invaded the wall of the cyst in the left S6 and S10 segments, and was accompanied with aspergilloma. Abnormal thickening of a cyst wall may in some cases suggest the presence of lung cancer.