Behçet’s disease complicated by IgA nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome

A 65-year-old woman with a 48-year history of Behçet’s disease associated with nephrotic syndrome is described. Immunofluorescence study revealed IgA nephropathy. Following treatment with an angiotensin II type-I receptor-blocker, an anti-platelet drug, and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, accompanied by dietary restrictions of protein and sodium, proteinuria was markedly decreased. This report describes our experience with a rare entity of Behçet’s disease complicated by nephrotic syndrome due to IgA nephropathy. Routine urine examination and renal biopsy are needed for the detection and diagnosis of renal problems with Behçet’s disease.     

Right lung cancer with right aortic arch

An abnormal shadow was detected on chest X-ray mass screening in an asymptomatic 63-year-old man. The further examinations revealed the shadow to be primary lung cancer (Rt. S6. adenocarcinoma, cT2N0M0, c-stage IB) with right aortic arch. We used 3 dimentional-computed tomography (3D-CT) to assess an anatomical feature of vessels in detail. The right lower lobectomy and the dissection of medi astinal lymph nodes was performed. We confirmed no abnormal anatomy of pulmonary artery and vein at surgery, and it was possible to perform right lower lobectomy with the common procedure. Since lymph node was found by intraopetrative pathological examination, since no metastasis from interlobar to subcarinal lymph node was found, we did not perform dissection of upper mediastinal dissection, which was equivalent to ND2a lymph nodes dissection of the left lung cancer in General Rule for Clinical and Pathological Record of Lung Cancer. The patient with right aortic arch is known to have variant anatomy of other intrathoracic vessels occasionally. 3D-CT was quite useful in assessing anatomical feature, and enabled us to perform safe operation.     

Merits and Demerits of Operative Procedure to the Trachea in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Local radical thyroidectomy, including cervical lymph node dissection and combined circumferential resection of the trachea, has been performed over the past 20 years in 31 patients with differentiated cancer invading the trachea. The 5- and 10-year survival rates for these patients were 77.4% and 66.7%, respectively. In 19 of the 31 (61%) cases the recurrent nerve was resected because of direct cancer invasion. Bilateral recurrent nerve palsy occurred in 12 patients, 3 of whom were managed postoperatively using a T-shaped tube for preservation of the larynx. Hoarseness remained in 21 patients. In two patients with recurrent cancer invasion of the larynx, partial laryngectomy and hemilaryngectomy were performed, and reconstruction was done using ear cartilage without postoperative dyspnea or dysphagia. Parathyroid function is an important factor in regard to the quality of life of patients. In 22 patients at least one of the parathyroids was preserved. Postoperative calcium administration was necessary in 14 patients. Our long-term observations indicate that local radical thyroidectomy with combined resection of the trachea can serve as a useful treatment for advanced differentiated cancer invading the airway.     

The original hole-in-one guide for atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation

Atlantoaxial fusion by transarticular screw fixation provides firm fixation, and good results have been reported. However, there are also problems, such as injury of the vertebral artery at the time of screw insertion. For accurate facet fusion, we developed a new hole-in-one guide for screw fixation and obtained good results with its use. In 60 adult subjects, we measured the antero-posterior and transverse axes and determined the center of the atlantoaxial surface and the insertion point of the screw in three dimensions on computed tomography scans. Based on these values, we measured the optimum screw insertion angle on sagittal and coronal planes, and the distance between the center and the posterior margin of the joint surface; our new hole-in-one guide was produced with these data. When the guide tip is determined to be located at the center posterior margin of the axial joint surface, and the guidewire insertion point is determined to be located at the center of the axial inferior facet immediately above the C2/3 joint, the guidewire is passed through the axial pedicle and the center of the atlantoaxial joint. Since April 1997, we have used this hole-in-one guide technique in eight patients with atlantoaxial instability. The screws passed the pars interarticularis and the center of the atlantoaxial joint in all patients with safety and accuracy. No complications associated with this technique occurred. Received: December 24, 1999 / Accepted: August 25, 2000     

Primary testicular plasmacytoma with hydrocele of the testis

A case of primary testicular plasmacytoma complicated with hydrocele of the testis is reported. An 86-year-old man presented with hydrocele of the right testis. High inguinal orchiectomy was performed as the preoperative aspiration cytology of the hydrocele fluid showed atypical cells. Immunohistochemical study of the right testis revealed testicular plasmacytoma positive for IgG. He remained well 9 months after the orchiectomy. This is the second reported case where the preoperative diagnosis of testicular plasmacytoma was made based on the hydrocele fluid cytology.     

Primary malignant lymphoma of the cranial vault

Summary A 60-year-old woman presented with a subcutaneous mass on her scalp. Computed tomography (CT) showed a homogeneously enhanced mass of the parietal bone with both intra- and extra-calvarial extension and having destroyed the right parietal bone. The mass was hypointense on the T1-weighted magnetic resonance image, slightly hyperintense on the T2-weighted image and homogenously enhanced with Gd-DTPA. Bone scintigraphy showed prominent accumulation of radioisotopes in the scalp lesion. The tumour was removed, including the involved bone and dura mater. Histologic diagnosis was non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma, and tumour cells had infiltrated into the dura mater. The patient was treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She returned to ordinary daily life and has been well without recurrence for 3 years. Although primary malignant lymphoma of the cranial vault is rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a mass is encountered in the cranial vault. We have found only fourteen such cases in the literature, and we review these cases.     

Complicated anesthetic management for esophageal atresia repair in a baby with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection diagnosed after esophageal surgery

A male newborn infant born at 38 weeks of gestation and weighing 2,660 g, was diagnosed as esophageal atresia. Although there was mild cyanosis at birth, his initial ultrasonographic examination performed by neonatologist showed normal anatomy of the heart. He underwent a surgical repair of esophageal atresia under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl and pancuronium, and maintained with sevoflurane and 60% oxygen. Frequent desaturation occurred during the procedure, requiring manual hyperventilation with 100% oxygen. Since blood pressure during the operation was unstable, volume loading with albumin was attempted. Further echocardiography was performed by pediatric cardiologist after going back to NICU. This revealed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). He underwent cardiac surgery for repair of TAPVC on the next day. Although TAPVC was not preoperatively diagnosed regardless of results of echocardiogram, cyanosis and unstable blood pressure should be considered as signs of potential cardiac disease. Fluid restriction, higher hemoglobin, lower inspired oxygen and slightly higher carbon dioxide rather than albumin administration and hyperventilation should have been attempted during the esophageal repair.     

Case of symptomatic subacute in-stent thrombosis after carotid angioplasty and stenting for severe carotid stenosis

We report a case of symptomatic subacute in-stent thrombosis after carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS). The patient was a 72-year-old man who had severe asymptomatic right carotid artery stenosis. He received CAS with distal protection, and gained 100% opening of the right carotid artery. The administration of dual antiplatelet therapy (Aspirin 100 mg/day+Cilostazol 100 mg/day), which had been given since two weeks before the procedure, was continued afterwords. On the seventh day after the stent placement, the patient showed sudden onset of left hemiparesis and conjugated deviation of both eyes to the right side and followed by falling into a comatose state. Emergency angiography showed near occlusion of the right carotid artery, suggesting subacute in-stent thrombosis. In conjunction with the intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator (1300,000 IU), we performed additional stent placement on the stented portion of the ICA and gained full recanalization of the ICA about three hours after the onset of the symptoms. The patient showed rapid recovery and returned home with slight clumsiness of his right hand. Symptomatic subacute in-stent thrombosis after CAS is a rather rare complication. We discuss on the possible cause of this and stress the necessity of an additional emergency stenting to gain rapid recanalization.     

Case of retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the retroperitoneal space is rare. We report a case of retroperitoneal tumor, diagnosed as SFT. A 69-year-old woman presented with right lower abdominal swelling, and was referred to our hospital with suspicion of right renal tumor. Abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) showed a mass (about 15 x 14 x 10 cm) in the right abdomen. The tumor was thought to be right renal rumor, and right radical nephrectomy was performed. In the excised specimen the tumor was not connected to gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, or right kidney. The histological and immunohistochemical examination of the specimen revealed SFT. The tumor has malignant potential with partially increased mitotic activity and cellularity in the histological examination. The patient is healthy and without evidence of recurrence or metastasis 26 months from surgery.