Renal cell carcinoma presenting high serum level of CA19-9 due to hydronephrosis: a case report

A 58-year old female was referred to our hospital due to left renal cyst that was pointed out at her health check-up. Abdominal CT scan showed left hydronephrosis with a 20 x 12 x 11cm tumor. The serum CA19-9 level elevated to 4,400 U/ml. Urinary cytology in the left renal pelvis was negative, therefore we could not diagnose whether the mass was renal cell carcinoma or renal pelvic tumor before surgery. She underwent left radical nephrectomy, and frozen section revealed renal cell carcinoma. Immunohistological stain clarified CA19-9 was limited to epithelium lining the renal pelvis and was not contained in carcinoma cells. After the surgery, the serum CA19-9 decreased to the normal range. Serum CA19-9 is known to be sometimes elevated in patients with urothelial carcinoma, but rarely elevated in those with renal cell carcinoma. We thought that hydronephrosis by tumor occlusion caused CA19-9 elevation in our case.     

A minute small-cell lung cancer showing a latent phase early in growth.

A minute small-cell lung cancer measuring 8 x 5 mm was detected and serially imaged by computed tomography for about a year preceding resection. Although this solid nodule showed a short overall doubling time (76 days), the growth curve included an early phase without apparent growth prior to the phase of rapid growth. Accordingly, lung cancer cannot be ruled out when a small nodule (<10 mm) does not enlarge in the first several months of computed tomographic follow-up.     

Ectopic cystic thymoma associated with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Mediastinal cystic tumors are well-marginated round lesions that comprise 12% to 18% of all mediastinal masses. These lesions include a variety of diseases with overlapping radiologic appearances and variable prognoses. Pathological examinations are almost always required for differential diagnosis. We encountered a case of anterior mediastinal tumor discovered in the process of investigation of Raynaud's phenomenon. Taking into account the tumor location, a pericardial cyst was initially suspected. However, the tumor was surgically resected and histopathological examinations demonstrated thymus-like tissue in the cyst walls. Raynaud's phenomenon greatly improved after surgery. These findings suggested that cystic thymoma originated from ectopic thymic tissue and is accompanied by paraneoplastic syndrome.     

Intracranial chondroma arising from the skull base: two case reports featuring the image findings for differential diagnosis

We reported two cases of intracranial skull base chondroma and discussed the differential diagnosis and the treatment strategies. The first case was a 39-year-old male who presented with left exophtalmos, visual loss and oculomotor disturbance. MRI showed a huge tumor occupying the bilateral cavernous sinus. Partial removal of the tumor was performed through the left orbitozygomatic subtemporal approach. The second case was a 54-year-old male who presented with left hemiparesis. MRI showed a brain stem infarction with a huge tumor located at the right middle fossa. Partial removal was performed through the right orbitozygomatic subtemporal approach. In these two cases, the histopathological diagnosis of the tumors was benign chondroma and the size of residual tumors have not changed for one year without any additional therapy. Although preoperative definite diagnosis for skull base chondromas is difficult, strategies for diagnosis and treatment without any complication are essential. In our cases, chondromas showed low uptake in PET images, which might be useful for differentiation between chondromas and chordomas. The current popular surgical approach for parasellar tumors is transcranial such as the orbitozygomatic subtemporal approach. In surgical removal of skull base chondromas, it is advisable to try to confirm the diagnosis preoperatively with characteristic image findings and to consider the best approach in each case to decompress the involved nerves without any complications.     

Acute lymphocytic leukemia recurring in the spinal epidural space

A 27-year-old man presented with a very rare spinal epidural mass associated with recurrence of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) manifesting as acute progressive neurological deficits. The patient presented with shoulder pain and ambulatory difficulties 3 years after remission of ALL treated by bone marrow transplantation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an epidural mass extending from C-7 to T-3, which compressed the cord and extended to the intervertebral foramen along the roots. After decompression surgery, the symptoms dramatically improved. Histological examination showed clusters of immature lymphocytes consistent with recurrence of leukemia, so chemotherapy and radiation therapy were carried out. At 1 year after the operation, no local mass expansion or systemic progression of leukemia had occurred. Leukemic mass must be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural mass, even in patients with ALL.     

Triple pelvic osteotomy: Report of our mid-term results and review of literature

A wide variety of pelvic osteotomies have been developed for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). In the present paper, we present a detailed review of previous studies of triple osteotomy as an alternative treatment for DDH. We also report our experience treating 6 adult cases of DDH by triple osteotomy in order to highlight the various aspects of this procedure.The mean age of our patients was 31.2 years with a mean follow-up period of 6 years. We assessed range of motion, center-edge angle, acetabular index angle, Sharp angle, acetabulum head index, head lateralization index, Japanese Orthopedic Association score, Harris hip score, patient satisfaction, and the difference between lower limb lengths before and after the procedure. At final follow-up, clinical scores were significantly improved and radiographic parameters also showed good correction of acetabulum.     

Comparison of scapholunate distance measurements on plain radiography and computed tomography for the diagnosis of scapholunate instability associated with distal radius fracture

Purpose

To investigate radiographic criteria for scapholunate instability (SLI) in the setting of distal radius fracture (DRF) confirmed by arthroscopy.

Methods

Eighty-eight wrists with DRF treated by open reduction and internal fixation and assessed for SLI arthroscopically were evaluated. The scapholunate distance (SLD) was measured by preoperative posteroanterior wrist radiography and computed tomography (CT). SLD on radiographs was measured as the distance between the scaphoid cortex and the lunate cortex at the center of the scapholunate joint. SLDs were measured at the volar end (A1), center (A2), and dorsal end (A3) of the scapholunate joint on the central CT axial slice; and at the proximal end (C1), center (C2), and distal end (C3) of the scapholunate joint on the central CT coronal slice. Wrists were divided into three groups by arthroscopic assessments: stable (normal, Geissler grade 1 or 2), G3 (Geissler grade 3), and G4 (Geissler grade 4). SLD measurements on radiographs and CTs (A1–C3) were compared among the three groups. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to evaluate the abilities of SLD measurements on radiographs and CTs to identify SLI in wrists with DRF. Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities of SLD measurements on radiographs and CTs were analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

Results

SLDs of C3 differed significantly among the G3 and G4 groups, and among the stable and G4 groups. The area under the curve on ROC curve analysis was 0.855 for the SLD of C3, which was larger than that for SLD on radiographs. For C3, the intraobserver ICC was 0.832 and interobserver ICC was 0.73.

Conclusions

SLD at the distal end of the scapholunate joint on the central coronal CT slice was the most appropriate measurement for discrimination of Geissler grade 4 SLI in wrists with DRF.

Level of evidence

Level 2     

Salvage Hepatectomy for Local Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Ablation Therapy

Background

The results of salvage hepatectomy for local recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after incomplete percutaneous ablation therapy are still unclear.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 197 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent either salvage hepatectomy after prior incomplete percutaneous ablation therapy (salvage group; n?=?23) or primary hepatectomy as the initial treatment (primary group; n?=?174). The two groups were compared with respect to intraoperative data, operative mortality and morbidity, and long-term survival.

Results

The salvage group showed a significantly longer operation time (385 vs. 300?min; P?=?0.006) and a significantly greater intraoperative blood loss volume (402 vs. 265?ml; P?=?0.024). The postoperative mortality rate was zero in both groups, and the morbidity rates were similar. Although the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates after hepatectomy were significantly worse in the salvage group than in the primary group (65%, 41%, and 33% vs. 81%, 51%, and 45%, respectively; P?=?0.031), the overall survival rates after hepatectomy did not differ significantly (91%, 91%, and 67% vs. 96%, 79%, and 65%, respectively; P?=?0.790). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates after percutaneous ablation therapy were also not different from those in the primary group (100, 96, and 83%, P?=?0.115; and 96, 60, and 45%, P?=?0.524, respectively).

Conclusions

The short-term and long-term results of salvage hepatectomy after incomplete percutaneous ablation therapy are equivalent to those of primary hepatectomy. Salvage hepatectomy is an acceptable treatment for patients with local recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after ablation therapy.