A case of progressing focal nodular hyperplasia and its molecular expression pattern

We report the case of an adult male with progressing focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Although imaging studies suggested that the tumor was a classical FNH, the tumor biopsy showed glutamine synthetase expression and heat shock protein 70 in part of the tumor. As we could not definitely distinguish this case of FNH from early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we performed laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. The surgical resected specimen showed that the tumor had a central scar with vascular and cholangiolar proliferation, which is compatible with FNH. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the molecular expression pattern was compatible with FNH in the center of the tumor, whereas it partly resembled early HCC in the periphery of the tumor. FNH progression is occasionally found, and the molecular pattern of the progressing area in FNH might resemble that of early HCC due to morphologic and phenotypic changes induced by the regenerative mechanism and the alteration of blood flow. We should carefully observe progressing FNH.     

Laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal stenosis caused by ALTA injection for internal hemorrhoids: A case report

We herein report the first case of rectal stenosis that developed after internal hemorrhoid treatment with aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) therapy that was successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery. A 72-year-old man suffered from a fever and rectal stenosis after undergoing internal hemorrhoid treatment with a submucosal injection of ALTA at a previous clinic. Three months after ALTA therapy, he developed frequent mucous and bloody stools. Lower intestinal tract endoscopy revealed circumferential severe rectal stenosis. He was therefore referred to our hospital. The patient suffered from frequent stool build-up and difficulty defecating. We performed balloon-dilatation intervention. The stenosis was not improved at all. Five months after ALTA therapy, we performed laparoscopic low anterior resection with diverting ileostomy. Three months after the operation, ileostomy takedown was performed. The patient has experienced no rectal stenosis in the 2 years since his radical operation.     

Early interventional treatment with intranasal mometasone furoate in Japanese cedar/cypress pollinosis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundLittle is known about the safety and effectiveness of early interventional treatment (EIT) with intranasal corticosteroids for seasonal allergic rhinitis. We designed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week trial of EIT with mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) for Japanese cedar/cypress pollinosis (JCCP).MethodsA total of 50 JCCP patients received MFNS (200 ^g once daily: n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) starting on February 1, 2010. Treatments continued until the end of April. The primary endpoint was the comparison of the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) between the MFNS and placebo groups. The secondary endpoints included comparisons of QOL, daytime sleepiness, nasal ECP levels, and safety.ResultsContinuous dispersion of Japanese cedar pollen began on February 22. Although the placebo group showed a significant worsening of symptoms after the start of the continuous dispersion, no worsening occurred in the MFNS group. A significant difference in the TNSS between the two groups was seen starting at 4 weeks after the treatment. Similar results were seen for QOL and sleepiness. Nasal ECP levels in March were significantly lower in the MFNS group. A total of 56% of the MFNS group progressed to a persistent allergic rhinitis state in accordance with the ARIA classification, as opposed to 84% of the placebo group. MFNS was well tolerated, and the plasma cortisol concentrations were similar between the two groups.ConclusionsEIT with MFNS for JCCP is both safe and effective. This treatment can potentially lessen symptoms and help pollinosis patients remain in the intermittent state.     

Influence of high-definition multileaf collimator for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy of prostate cancer

The focus of this work is to evaluate the dosimetric impact of treatment planning for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) of prostate cancer using Varian/BrainLAB 120-leaf high-definition multileaf collimator (HD120 MLC) with 2.5 mm leaf width and Varian 120-leaf millennium multileaf collimator (M120 MLC) with 5 mm leaf width. We measured the leaf transmission and dosimetric leaf gap (DLG) of two multileaf collimator (MLC) systems using Farmer ionization chamber. The dosimetric impact of treatment planning for 3DCRT and IMRT of prostate cancer for ten clinical cases using two MLC systems was evaluated quantitatively. 3DCRT was divided to 3DCRT(middle) as fitting at middle of leaf tip and 3DCRT(outside) as fitting at outside of leaf tip. The leaf transmission factor and DLG of HD120 MLC for 6 and 10 MV X-ray decreased by 0.2% and 1 mm, respectively, compared to M120 MLC. The mean conformity index of PTV of treatment planning for prostate 3DCRT(middle), 3DCRT(outside) , and IMRT decreased by 0.9%, 6.6%, and 0.9% and the mean homogeneity index increased 2.3%, 13.0%, and 4.2%, respectively. The mean V20, V40, and V65 decreased by 2.4%, 6.6%, and 4.5% for bladder and 3.3%, 6.1%, and 5.9% for rectum, respectively. The results of this work demonstrated that the dose conformity of PTV improved and the dose of bladder and rectum decreased for 3DCRT and IMRT of prostate cancer using HD120 MLC compared to M120 MLC, because of reduction of leaf width, leaf transmission, and rounded leaf end transmission.     

CT differentiation of solid serous cystadenoma vs endocrine tumor of the pancreas

Aim

To differentiate between solid serous cystadenoma (SSCA) and endocrine tumor (ET) of the pancreas using dynamic CT findings.

Materials and methods

Between 2001 and 2008, there were 3 SSCA and 15 ET surgically resected in our institute, for whom preoperative multidetector-row CT were available. Various CT features were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists in consensus for the differentiation between the two entities. Delay time for early and delayed phase images were 40 and 180 or 240 s, respectively. For qualitative assessment, density of the tumors relative to the surrounding parenchyma was evaluated, along with other characteristic features. In patients for whom digital data were available, CT values of the tumors were measured, and quantitative assessment was also performed. Relative and absolute washout rate (RWR and AWR, respectively) were also calculated.

Results

Mean sizes of the two groups were similar. Tumors were seen as low density area more frequently in SSCA than in ET on unenhanced CT (3/3 vs 1/14), and also on the delayed phase image (2/3 vs 0/14) (p < 0.05). Fibrous capsule was observed more frequently in SSCA (2/3) than in ET (0/14). CT value of the tumor on unenhanced CT was significantly lower, and RWR was higher in SSCA than in ET (p < 0.05, Mann–Whitney's U test). The difference in delayed phase CT density and AWR did not reach statistically significant level.

Conclusion

Unenhanced and enhanced CT findings may be of value in differentiation between SSCA and ET.