18F-FDG uptake in primary lung cancer as a predictor of intratumoral vessel invasion

Objective  

This study investigated how fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on PET in the primary tumor may predict intratumoral vessel invasion (IVI) in it.     

Evaluation of magnetic resonance signal intensity in bone marrow after administration of super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)

Super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) is taken up in the bone marrow and lymph nodes, as well as by the liver. Focusing on the intervertebral disks, which are unaffected by contrast effects, we examined the relationship between magnetic resonance image (MRI) signal intensity after SPIO uptake in the vertebral body and intervertebral disks and investigated MRI signal intensity in bone marrow metastases and osteomyelitic (inflammatory) lesions after SPIO uptake by bone marrow. The lumbar spine was imaged in 5 healthy volunteers (age range, 26-48 years). A specified amount of SPIO was administered intravenously, and signal intensities before and after administration were measured. The signal intensity ratio with respect to the value before administration was calculated, and quantitative signal analysis was conducted. A similar investigation was performed in patients with bone metastasis and osteomyelitis. As a result of the metastasis, the signal intensity ratio showed a low value in comparison with normal marrow, and the osteomyelitis showed a high value in comparison with normal marrow. We report the usefulness of evaluations of changes in marrow signal intensity using SPIO in MRI.     

A case of zoster sine herpete of the trigeminal nerve

Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causes zoster (shingles), a syndrome characterized by severe pain and a vesicular rash. The present report details a case of varicella-zoster virus reactivation of the maxillary and mandibular division of the right trigeminal nerve without evidence of vesicular rash (zoster sine herpete). It is difficult to identify owing to no typical clinical signs such as vesicular eruption. Zoster sine herpete of the trigeminal nerve, in particular, is rarely reported. In this case, the diagnosis was based on clinical findings and was supported by the demonstration of an immunoglobulin G antibody. Zoster sine herpete of the trigeminal nerve, in particular, should be considered in patients with severe facial pain over specific dermatomes, if they do not demonstrate appreciable findings of traumatic neuropathy, tumor or herpes zoster.     

Localization of 14C-labeled 2% lidocaine hydrochloride after intraosseous anesthesia in the rabbit

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the tissue distribution of lidocaine hydrochloride in mandibular bone marrow after intraosseous anesthesia (IOA) in rabbits.

Methods

We used macroautoradiography to examine the tissue distribution of a ¹⁴C-labeled 2% lidocaine hydrochloride solution containing 1:80,000 epinephrine (¹⁴C-lidocaine). Under general anesthesia, ¹⁴C-lidocaine was injected intraosseously or paraperiosteally. After IOA, animals were divided into three groups and observed at 1 (IOA-1), 5 (IOA-5), and 10 minutes (IOA-10) after injection. After infiltration anesthesia (IA), animals were observed at 1 minute after injection.

Results

The accumulation of ¹⁴C-lidocaine was observed around the injection site in both the IA and the IOA groups. Paraperiosteally injected ¹⁴C-lidocaine diffused to the surrounding tissues such as the lip, whereas IOA showed concentrated accumulation around the root apex throughout the experiment. The distribution area was significantly smaller in the IOA-1 group than in the IA group. The distribution area in the IOA-5 group was larger than those in the IOA-1 and IOA-10 groups.

Conclusions

The accumulation of ¹⁴C-lidocaine injected by IOA in rabbits was concentrated around the root apex. These results may explain the rapid onset time of IOA.     

An autopsy-proven case of myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive polyarteritis nodosa with acute renal failure and alveolar hemorrhage

An 80-year-old woman positive for myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) was admitted with a 3-month history of fever, general malaise, and weight loss, after unsuccessful treatment with antibiotics. Upon admission, her fever persisted, and there was concomitant deterioration of renal function without active urine sediments. Furthermore, she developed hemoptysis, and chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed bilateral diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Although a renal biopsy was not performed because of her dementia, we initially suspected microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) on the basis of her clinical course. Because of her poor general condition, she was administered a low dose of prednisolone. Although her fever subsided, she suffered from intractable alveolar hemorrhage and eventually died from respiratory failure. During the autopsy, fibrinoid necrosis was restricted to medium-sized arteries, including the arcuate arteries of the kidneys and the bronchial arteries, without necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis and alveolar capillaritis. Therefore, polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) was diagnosed. It is important to distinguish between MPA and PAN because they can lead to life-threatening complications, and their treatment strategies and prognosis are different. When a patient presents with MPO-ANCA, alveolar hemorrhage, and acute renal failure with little evidence of glomerulonephritis, a differential diagnosis of PAN should be made; however, it is difficult to do so without pathological findings. Therefore, pathological examination should be carried out whenever possible.     

Correlations between allergen-specific IgE serum levels in patients with allergic conjunctivitis in spring

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between various specific class E immunoglobulins (IgE) in serum and allergic conjunctivitis in spring. Methods: Forty patients with allergic conjunctivitis and fifty healthy volunteers were selected for this trial. Total IgE and specific IgE to twelve inhalant allergens were measured using the CAP system. Results: Specific IgE levels caused by cedar and cypress pollen, house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , acarus, and moth allergens were higher in the allergy group than in the control group. No correlation was proven between the specific IgE levels and the total IgE level. The highest positivity rate for a specific allergen in patients with allergic conjunctivitis was 52.5% for cedar pollen, followed by cypress pollen at 37.5%. Conclusions: These results suggest that cypress pollen was the largest cause of allergic conjunctivitis and that the total IgE level had no correlation with each specific IgE.