Rupture of urachal diverticulum in radiation cystitis and neurogenic bladder dysfunction after radical hysterectomy

Abstract We experienced a rare case of the rupture of the urachal diverticulum in radiation cystitis and neurogenic bladder after radical hysterectomy. A 61‐year‐old woman presented with severe lower abdominal pain and urinary retention. Abdominal computed tomography revealed that the urachal remnant contained a large volume of urine that leaked to subcutaneous tissue. We excised the urachal diverticulum and bladder together and created a continent urinary diversion using transverse colon. Nine months after the operation, the patient could manage clean intermittent self‐catheterization 6 times a day through her umbilical stoma without any urinary complications.     

Effect of obstructive jaundice on neutrophil chemotactic activity: An in vivo assessment in zymosan-induced peritonitis model in rats

The effect of obstructive jaundice on local neutrophil accumulation in response to inflammatory stimulus was investigated in rats. Obstructive jaundice was produced by bile duct ligation for 7 days. Zymosan (200 mg) was injected intraperitoneally and 4h later myeloperoxidase activity in the peritoneal fluid was measured to quantify neutrophil recruitment. Zymosan-induced neutrophil recruitment was significantly greater (more than two-fold) in bile duct-ligated rats than in sham-ligated or normal animals. Depletion of peritoneal cells significantly suppressed neutrophil recruitment after zymosan injection in all three groups, with no significant differences between the groups. In normal rats, replacement of their peritoneal cells by those from bile duct-ligated rats did not enhance zymosan-induced neutrophil recruitment. In contrast, bile duct-ligated rats treated with peritoneal cell replacement from normals showed significantly increased neutrophil recruitment after zymosan injection. In vitro neutrophil chemotaxis in response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe was significantly enhanced in bile duct-ligated rats, compared with that in sham-ligated animals. The results suggest that local neutrophil recruitment in response to inflammation may be enhanced in obstructive jaundice and that increased neutrophil chemotactic activity, not macrophage activity, may play a prime role in the mechanism.     

Combination Therapy for Intestinal Amebiasis Using an Anti-amebic Drug and Total Parenteral Nutrition —Report of Two Cases—

Abstract: In this study we report on two cases of amebic colitis treated in our hospital. On admission both patients were in a severe state of malnutrition due to intermittent diarrhea which had continued for one month. Both patients suffered from amebic colitis presumably transmitted by homosexual intercourse. A definite diagnosis of amebic colitis was made from both fecal examination and colonoscopic biopsy. After the diagnosis was made, the patients were treated with metronidazole. This medication can eliminate Entamoeba histolytica, although it was insufficient for the treatment of the patients’malnutrition. Therefore we used total parenteral nutrition to treat their malnutrition. It was successful and resulted in their recovery and discharge. These two cases indicate that total parenteral nutrition therapy is useful for supporting the recovery of patients with amebiasis.     

Koch's Triangle Sized Up: Anatomical Landmarks in Perspective of Catheter Ablation Procedures

Koch's triangle contains the compact part of the atrioventricular node and is anatomically delineated by the Eustachian ridge, the membranous septum, and the insertion of the tricuspid valve. In-feriorly, Koch's triangle ends at the site of the OS of the coronary sinus and, in part, is continuous with the sub-Eustachian pouch. Catheter ablation procedures for several types of reentrant tachycardias are based on identifying these anatomical landmarks. Variability in the dimensions of Koch's triangle thus may be clinically relevant. We examined 50 hearts. Anatomical landmarks measured were the Eustachian ridge, the tricuspid valve, the overall length between the membranous septum and the coronary sinus, the width of the coronary sinus, the Eustachian ridge in its roof and the distance to the tricuspid valve, and that of the sub-Eustachian pouch. Individual variations were marked. The mean values (± SD) were: Eustachian ridge 29.4 ± 5.3 mm. tricuspid valve 28.9 ± 4.5 mm, coronary sinus 10.8 ± 2.2 mm, Eustachian ridge 3.7 ± 2.3 mm, space underneath coronary sinus 8.6 ± 3.4 mm, and sub-Eustachian pouch 26.8 ± 3.3 mm. The overall length varied between 15 and 38 mm, with a mean of 26.3 ± 4.5. In conclusion, Koch's triangle shows considerable individual variations in size. Given the fact that the absolute figures for the range in size of the compact atrioventricular node is much less than that of Koch's triangle, these variations have implications for catheter ablation procedures.     

Papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the prostate

A giant cystic formation was found behind the prostate of a 69-year-old man who presented with urinary retention. Ultrasonography, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large cystic intrapelvic mass and biopsy of the cyst wall diagnosed papillary cyst adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor originated from the prostate.     

Night-time hypnopompic visual hallucinations related to REM sleep disorder

Abstract We encountered three patients who had experienced hypnopompic visual night-time hallucinations. Their clinical manifestations resembled Charles Bonnet's syndrome and the content of their experiences were understood as attempts at wish fulfillment. However, abnormal REM findings were recognized on polysomnogram at the occurrence of visual hallucination in two cases. We speculated that dysfunction of REM sleep mechanism might contribute to the night-time occurrence of such kind of visual hallucination and that their visual experiences might be reflected by dream content.     

The pH Measurement of Fasting Gastric Juice in Acute Gastric Mucosal Lesions

Abstract: Fasting gastric juice acidity was assessed to elucidate its role in the cause of acute gastric mucosal lesions (AGML). Gastric juice was aspirated through an auxiliary endoscopic channel during routine endoscopic examinations, and its pH was measured with a glass electrode PH meter. The pH of 100 cases with AGML (acute hemorrhagic erosions (AHE), acute gastric ulcer and acute hemorrhagic gastritis), and 586 cases with other ulcerative or inflammatory lesions were compared with the gastric juice pH in 1775 endoscopically normal subjects. The pH value was classgied into four acid groups: Hyperacidity (pH < 1.4), Normoacidity (1).5 < pH < 2.0), Hypoacidity (2).1 < pH <4.0) and Anacidity (4). 1 < pH). In cases with AHE, a signifcant hyperacidity was recognized both in the periods preceding and just after the onset. This hyperacidity was followed by signgicant anacidity, and thereafter a return to normoacidity. These pH changes coincided well with endoscopic appearances; preceding stage-hypernormacidity, black-slough stage—hyperacidity, white-slough stage-anacidity and scarring stage-;normoacidity. These results suggest that an elevation of gastric acidity etiologically relates with the formation of AGML, especially Shin.     

Relationship between Deep White Matter Hyperintensities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Postoperative Cognitive Function Following Clipping of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm

To evaluate the effects on cognitive function of deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients treated surgically for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). The subjects were 106 patients in whom a Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised (WAIS-R) examination was performed 1 week before and 1 month after clipping surgery for asymptomatic UIAs. DWMH severity was evaluated on preoperative MR images by Fazekas scale, as follows: none (absence), mild (punctate foci), moderate (beginning confluence of foci), or severe (large confluent areas). A decrease of 7 or more points in intelligence quotient (IQ) postoperatively was considered deterioration. Fazekas score was none in 41 (none group), mild in 42 (mild group), moderate in 21, and severe in 2 patients (moderate/severe group). Patient characteristics, surgical factors, IQ change, and abnormal findings on postoperative MRI were compared among the groups. Although there was no statistically significant deterioration in IQ postoperatively in any group, the percentage of deteriorated patients was significantly higher in the moderate/severe group (34.8%) than in the other groups (4.9% in the none group, 7.1% in the mild group; p <0.01, p <0.05, respectively). Brain injury was observed more frequently on postoperative MR images in the moderate/severe group (17.4%) compared with the none group (2.4%; p = 0.052). The presence of moderate/severe DWMHs was an independent prognostic factor for postoperative cognitive dysfunction. In conclusion, the presence of moderate/severe DWMHs was a prognostic factor for postoperative cognitive dysfunction after surgery for UIAs.     

Testicular Toxicity of Gallium Arsenide, Indium Arsenide, and Arsenic Oxide in Rats by Repetitive Intratracheal Instillation

The testicular toxicities of two compound semiconductor materials,gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium arsenide (InAs), and arsenicoxide (As₂O₃) were examined in rats by repetitive intratrachealinstillation of these substances in suspension twice a week,a total of 16 times. A single instillation dose was 7.7 mg/kgin the GaAs and the InAs groups and 1.3 mg/kg in the As₂O₃ group.A significant decrease in sperm count and significant increasein the proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm were foundin the epididymis in the GaAs group. Especially, abnormal spermwith a straight head increased markedly in this group. In theGaAs–treated rats, there was 40-fold increase in the degeneratinglate elongated spermatids at the postspermiation stages, stagesIX, XI, and XI. From these results, it is indicated that GaAsdisturbed the spermatid head transformation at the late spermiogenicphases and caused spermiation failure. InAs caused a sperm countdecrease in the epididymis, though its testicular toxicity wasrelatively weak compared with that of GaAs. As₂O₃, a probabledissolution arsenic product of GaAs and InAs in vivo, did notshow any testicular toxicities in this study. It seems likelythat, along with arsenics, gallium and indium play a role inthe testicular toxicities of GaAs and InAs.