High-Dose Estrogen Therapy for Advanced Prostatic Cancer

To learn whether high-dose estrogen therapy is really effectivefor advanced prostatic cancer, 152 patients with stage C andstage D disease were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-nine patientswere treated with a high dose of Hexestrol, 100 mg, and 113patients with the ordinary dose of the drug, 30 mg, daily. Inthe former group of patients the dosage was reduced to a maintenancelevel of 30 mg 3 mo after the initiation of therapy. The antitumoreffect was evaluated according to the National Prostatic CancerProject (U.S.) criteria. The follow-up period was at least 5yr. High-dose therapy was not superior to ordinary therapy inits antitumor effect or in reducing serum phosphatases. Moreover,5-yr survival rates of the two groups did not differ statistically.However, high-dose estrogen was effective for localizing themetastatic bone lesions. Stage D patients treated with high-doseestrogen showed a lower percentage of patients with "progressivedisease" than did those treated with the ordinary dose. Therewere no statistical differences in adverse effects between thetwo groups. In conclusion it is indicated that high-dose estrogentherapy should be used for patients with massive bone metastases.     

Abrupt Heart Rate Fallings in a Patient with Biventricular Pacing: Latent Risk for Exacerbation of Heart Failure

This case report describes abrupt heart rate fallings below the lower pacing rate limit in a patient with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Interrogated information including stored episodes or data regarding the lead did not show any device problems and only simultaneous intracardiac electrogram revealed the cause, T‐wave oversensing during biventricular pacing. At this moment, CRT has become an established modality for patients with severe heart failure. However, bradycardia below the lower rate limit during biventricular pacing due to T‐wave oversensing would exacerbate heart failure in patients with CRT. We should notice this latent risk and correct the malfunction immediately. (PACE 2010; 1–4)     

Cervical Lift-up Basket Laminoplasty after Resection of Spinal Intramedullary Tumors: A Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Image Evaluation

Although reconstructive laminoplasty is commonly performed after resection of spinal intramedullary tumors of the cervical spine, its biomechanical rigidity of laminoplasty framework remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the structural reliability of our unique method of cervical lift-up basket laminoplasty by using computed tomography (CT)-based finite element analysis (FEA) and clinical radiological evaluation. A finite element model of cervical laminoplasty was created based on CT images using FEA software. Cervical lift-up basket laminoplasty (Basket) was compared with the standard style of open-door basket laminoplasty (Open-door). Clinical subjects for radiological evaluation comprised 33 patients who underwent cervical lift-up basket laminoplasty after resection of spinal intramedullary tumors. An FEA-equivalent stress histogram showed that stress was moderately dispersed around the basket. Virtual displacement of the spinous process of the Basket model was equivalent to that of the Open-door model in any direction of posterior-to-anterior, right-to-left, or top-to-bottom force. In the clinical analysis, radiological data with a minimum postoperative period of 6 months were obtained in a total of 28 out of 33 patients. No patients underwent revision surgery because of implant-related complications. No significant differences in C2-C7 angle or cervical tilt angle were observed between pre- and postoperatively. The structural rigidity of cervical lift-up basket laminoplasty was equivalent to the open-door style on the FEA. Clinical radiological evaluation suggested that there were no serious adverse events associated with cervical laminoplasty, although the longer postoperative follow-up is mandatory.     

A CASE OF STEROID-RESPONSIVE ORGANIZING PNEUMONIA IN A PATIENT WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SHOWING MIGRATORY INHLTRATION AND NORMAL GLUCOSE LEVELS IN PLEURAL EFFUSIONS

A 59-year-old Japanese man with RA was referred to us with arthralgiaand pulmonary infiltration. Chest roentgenogram showed migratoryinfiltration and pleural effusion, the glucose levels of thepleural fluid were not reduced. Transbronchial lung biopsy showedgranulation tissue plugging the alveolar ducts, indicating organizingpneumonia and interstitial inflammation. These pathologicalfindings were identical with those for cryptogenic organizingpneumonitis (COP). There was a good clinical and roentgenographicresponse and the pleural effusion responded well to corticosteroids.The characteristic migratory infiltration in rheumatoid lungdisease responds well to corticosteroids. KEY WORDS: Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, Cryptogenic organizing pneumonitis     

Vasopressin plus oxygen vs vasopressin alone in cirrhotic patients with portal-hypertensive gastropathy: Effects on gastric mucosal haemodynamics and oxygenation

The effects of vasopressin plus oxygen and vasopressin alone on gastric mucosal perfusion and oxygenation were studied using reflectance spectrophotometry and laser Doppler velocimetry in 23 cirrhotic patients with portal-hypertensive gastropathy. The measurements were performed under basal conditions and after double-blinded administration of placebo (n= 7), vasopressin (0.3 U/min; n= 8) or vasopressin (0.3 U/min) plus nasal oxygen (4 L/min; n= 8). No significant effects on gastric mucosal haemodynamics and oxygenation were observed after placebo. In contrast, vasopressin and vasopressin plus oxygen induced a similar reduction in haemoglobin content (-26 ± 2 and -21 ± 4%, respectively P < 0.01) and laser Doppler signal (-23 ± 2 and -22 ± 2%, respectively, P < 0.01). Although each treatment induced a significant reduction in oxygen saturation (-21 ± 2 and -7 ± 1%, respectively P < 0.01), the effect was less pronounced in patients receiving the combination than in those receiving vasopressin alone (P < 0.01). These data suggest that vasopressin and vasopressin plus oxygen reduce gastric mucosal hyperaemia and that the oxygen supplement partially protects against gastric mucosal hypoxia during vasopressin infusion in cirrhotic patients with portal-hypertensive gastropathy.     

Irradiated fetal thymus transplantation in a patient with combined immunodeficiency with predominant T cell defect

A 6 month old boy was diagnosed as a case of combined immunodeficiency (with predominant T cell defect by previous classification). His T cell count was decreased, his B cell count in peripheral blood was increased, his serum IgG level was decreased, his serum IgM level was normal and the thymus was not evident on CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging. Administration of the thymus hormone, thymosin, led to a partial recovery of T cell function without normalization of the T cell count. At age 26 months the patient received an irradiated thymus transplantation from a 16 week old female fetus. After the transplantation, the T cell count (mainly CD4⁺ cells) increased by 50–70%. A mild graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) occurred and several immunosuppressants were prescribed. Chromosome analysis showed that the T cells have both 46 XY and 46 XX karyotypes while the B cells have the 46 XY karyotype alone. His cellular immunity (skin tests, DNA synthesis, mixed lymphocyte reaction, cytotoxic activity and natural killer cell function) and his serum IgG level remained low. However, being on regular r-globulin therapy and oral anti-fungal drugs, he is now living normally with almost no trouble at age 6 years and 3 months. This case showed that irradiated thymus transplantation might be a useful method when an adequate donor for bone marrow transplantation is not available. The unexpected observation that the increased T cells were mainly CD4 may be related to the mild GVHR and the clinical improvement.