Usefulness of FMISO—PET for Glioma Analysis

Glioma is one of the most common brain tumors in adults. Its diagnosis and management have been determined by histological classifications. It is difficult to establish new paradigms because the pathology has matured and a great deal of knowledge has accumulated. On the other hand, we understand that there are limitations to this gold-standard because of the heterogeneity of glioma. Thus, it is necessary to find new criteria independent of conventional morphological diagnosis. Molecular imaging such as positron emission tomography (PET) is one of the most promising approaches to this challenge. PET provides live information of metabolism through the behavior of single molecules. The advantage of PET is that its noninvasive analysis does not require tissue sample, therefore examination can be performed repeatedly. This is very useful for capturing changes in the biological nature of tumor without biopsy. In the present clinical practice for glioma, ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET is the most common tracer for predicting prognosis and differentiating other malignant brain tumors. Amino acid tracers such as ¹¹C-methionine (MET) are the most useful for detecting distribution of glioma, including low-grade. Tracers to image hypoxia are under investigation for potential clinical use, and recently, ¹⁸F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) has been suggested as an effective tracer to distinguish glioblastoma multiforme from others.     

Early seizures after clipping of unruptured aneurysms of the anterior circulation: analysis on consecutive 1,000 cases

Seizures occurring after clipping of unruptured cerebral aneurysms have rarely been documented in the literature. The objective of this retrospective study is to clarify whether the frequency of early seizures, i.e., seizures occurring within 14 days of surgery, is influenced by patient- or aneurysm-specific characteristics. Data on 1,000 consecutive patients who underwent clipping of unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms were reviewed. They consisted of 387 men and 613 women with mean age of 59.8?±?9.7 years. Fifty-one patients (5.1 %) developed early seizures. Interestingly, the frequency was similar to that occurring after clipping of unruptured posterior circulation aneurysms (n?=?20, 5.0 %). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that younger age was correlated with early seizures (odds ratio (OR) 0.902; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.891–0.989). However, other variables, including aneurysm size and operation length, were not correlated. Although patients with history of epilepsy exhibited relatively high frequency of early seizures, the difference was not statistically significant. The frequency was unaffected by location or multiplicity of aneurysms. Thirty-one patients (61 %) developed seizures within 24 h of clipping. Regarding seizure types, 34 (67 %) developed generalized seizures and the other 17 (33 %) experienced partial seizures. Patients with generalized seizures were significantly more likely to harbor an iatrogenic brain lesion than those with partial seizures (47 vs. 18 %; OR 4.148; 95 % CI 1.005–17.113). Among 40 patients with follow-up period >12 months, seizures were temporary without recurrence in 38 (95 %). Although early seizures are mostly benign, a small possibility of them becoming a permanent morbidity needs to be explained to patients undergoing elective clipping.     

Externalization of Saw-Tooth Architecture in Small Serrated Polyps Implies the Presence of Methylation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">IGFBP7</Emphasis>

Introduction  

Serrated polyps have been considered to be precursors of colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability. However, the biological and/or morphological changes which occur during the course of serrated polyp to cancer remain to be elucidated.     

Gastric outlet obstruction caused by gastrostomy tube balloon in 3 cases

We report 3 cases with unusual complications of gastric outlet obstruction caused by a gastrostomy tube balloon. All cases developed vomiting, and 2 cases were accompanied by hematemesis. Gastric ulcer was observed in 1 case, aspiration pneumonia was observed in 2 cases, and pancreatitis was observed in 1 case. This condition improved rapidly by correction of the position of the balloon in all cases. In patient vomiting during management for gastrostomy we need to consider migration of the gastrostomy tube balloon. Careful management of the gastrostomy tube balloon is important.