Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography in metabolic syndrome.

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the cardiac structure and function in patients who have metabolic syndrome but no history of cardiovascular disease by analyzing echocardiographic findings. Echocardiographic examination was performed to screen for cardiovascular disease in 135 patients who were in their sixties. Patients were divided into metabolic syndrome (n=65, age: 65+/-2.7 years) and non-metabolic syndrome (n=70, age: 66+/-2.5 years) groups based on the criteria for metabolic syndrome proposed by the Japanese Society of Hypertension and seven other societies in 2005. The left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and dimension were measured by M-mode echocardiography. The relative wall thickness, LV mass index, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated. LV diastolic function was assessed by the peak velocity of early rapid filling (E velocity) and the peak velocity of atrial filling (A velocity), and the ratio of E to A (E/A) was assessed by the transmitral flow. The Tei index, which reflects both LV diastolic and systolic function, was also calculated. There were no differences in relative wall thickness, LV mass index, or LVEF between the two groups. However, both the EIA and Tei index were significantly different between the metabolic syndrome (0.66+/-0.14 and 0.36+/-0.07, respectively) and non-metabolic syndrome (0.88+/-0.25 and 0.29+/-0.09) groups (p<0.001). These results indicate that patients with metabolic syndrome can have cardiac diastolic dysfunction even if they have neither LV hypertrophy nor systolic dysfunction.     

Evaluation of renal first pass blood flow with a functional image technique in hypertensive patients

The renal circulation of patients with essential hypertension and renovascular hypertension was evaluated using ^99mTc-DTPA. The first renal peak count (the first C_max; FC_max), time phase distribution (the first T_max; FT_max), and blood velocity (the FC_max/FT_max) were calculated by digital imaging. This yields a visual image of the renal circulation. We consider that the increase in the renal first pass blood flow in patients with essential hypertension is best observed pixel by pixel. The FC_max and FC_max/FT_max images before and after treatment by percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in patients with renovascular hypertension clearly show its therapeutic effect. The FI technique, therefore, has the advantage that it can be performed at the same time as the conventional routine examinations of renal function. This makes it very useful clinically.     

Gadolinium-based balloon angioplasty for pulmonary artery stenosis in an infant with a right isomerism.

We report here the first described case of utilizing gadolinium-based contrast material as the contrast agent during a catheter intervention treatment for pulmonary artery stenosis. The patient, a male infant with complex heart disease associated with a right isomerism, had a history of severe allergic reaction to iodine-containing contrast agents. A combination of digital subtraction angiography and a gadolinium contrast agent, however, provided us with good-quality images both before and after balloon angioplasty without any associated complications. This method should therefore be considered as an alternative angiographic procedure in children with a high risk of iodine-related allergic complications.     

Intrapulmonary Schwannoma

A 58-year-old woman was admitted due to an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray, without any symptoms. Chest computed tomography showed a round mass in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe. Segmentectomy was performed and histopathological examination revealed a primary neurogenic tumor of Schwann cell origin. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the presence of S-100 protein in the tumor cells. We present a case of intrapulmonary schwannoma and review 62 cases of primary schwannoma of the lung.     

Subtle computed tomography abnormalities in cerebral deep sinus thrombosis.

A patient with cerebral deep sinus thrombosis, which was not diagnosed on the first examination, is reported. A 46-year-old woman presented with headache and vomiting. Neurological examination and a brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed no obvious abnormal findings. The patient suffered disturbed consciousness on the day after the examination, and was admitted to our emergency centre. A CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ischaemic lesion in the left basal ganglia, suggesting deep sinus occlusion. Anticoagulant therapy was administered. One day after admission, a CT scan showed a haematoma and severe brain swelling in the same region. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a straight sinus occlusion. Intracranial pressure was not controlled with hypothermia, and the patient died 25 days after admission. Review of the initial CT scan revealed subtle, early findings of deep venous thrombosis that were missed on first examination.     

Minimally invasive hemiarthroplasty in femoral neck fractures. Randomized comparison between a mini-incision and an ordinary incision: preliminary results

Minimally invasive osteosynthesis is a well-recognized treatment; however, those of arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty may rarely be performed. We reviewed the comparison of a mini-incision approach in hemiarthroplasty versus that of an ordinary approach in patients with femoral neck fractures. Two different operative procedures were compared. Thirty-two patients (group 1) had a mini-incision in hemiarthroplasty. Thirty-two patients (group 2) were treated with the conventional approach. The postoperative treatment course was the same for both groups. The mean length of follow-up was 25 months. The results were excellent or good in 86% of the patients (50 of 64) and were equally good for both procedures. However, the full weight bearing term was significantly shortened for patients treated by the mini-incision procedure. Good and excellent results can be expected from either the mini-incision or the ordinary approach in hemiarthroplasty. Only full weight bearing term was significantly short following the mini-incision. This approach results in less dissection and facilitates rapid patient recovery and possibility earlier discharge from the hospital.     

HTLV-I, HIV-I, and Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Western Province, Papua New Guinea: A Serological Survey

Seven hundred and twenty-three serum samples from individuals in 13 Gidra-speaking villages in Western Province, Papua New Guinea were tested for evidence of infection with human T- lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). No samples were positive for antibodies to HIV-I. Antibodies to HTLV-I were found in 13 samples (1.8%), HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) were found in 86 samples (11.9%), and antibodies to HCV were found in 30 samples (4.1%). Six (46.2%) of 13 HTLV-I positive samples were positive for HCV or HBsAg. The seropositive rate varied in different villages and the incidence of HTLV-I and HCV was higher in coastal and riverine areas than inland.     

Nerve conduction and microanatomy in the rabbit sciatic nerve after gradual limb lengthening-distraction neurogenesis.

To clarify how the peripheral nerve adapts to elongation during gradual limb lengthening, electrophysiological and histomorphometric examinations were performed on the sciatic nerves in 18 rabbits. External fixators were used to lengthen the right femora by 30 mm (30%), at a daily rate of 0.5 mm (Group 1) or 2.0 mm (Group 2). Examinations were performed immediately after the limb lengthening procedure. Electrophysiologically, mild conduction slowing was observed in Group 1; a conduction block was evident in Group 2. Histologically, the mean diameter of myelinated fibers was unchanged in Group 1, but a significantly decreased diameter was observed in Group 2. Electron microscopy revealed that mild degenerative change of unmyelinated axons occurred sporadically in two cases in Group 2, but neither group showed evidence of thinning of myelin sheath of myelinated fibers. The mean internodal length (between nodes of Ranvier) of teased fibers was 1216+/-295 microm in the control contralateral side, 1484+/-347 microm in Group 1, and 1467+/-322 microm in Group 2. Thus the internodes were lengthened by 22.1% (Group 1) and 20.7% (Group 2) in comparison with those of the controls. Straightening of the geometry of paranodal myelin sheath was significantly correlated with the rate of distraction. These results indicate that myelinated nerve fibers adapt to gradual elongation by lengthening each Schwann cell body, not by proliferation of Schwann cells.