Motor activity rhythm in dementia with delirium

Abstract Using an actigraph, the activity patterns in 13 demented patients with delirium were examined. We analyzed the data of the eight patients, wearing the actigraphs for more than 10 days. They were classified into four types:type A, nocturnal delirium type; type B, wandering type; type C, hypobulia type; and type D, lying down type. The day to day activity variation was most prominent in type A and seemingly the least in type B. The dominant period of activity rhythm was nearly 24 h in all cases. Additional 12-h period was observed in type C. Actigraphs might become useful in making therapeutic decisions regarding demented patients with delirium.     

Adenosine-Sensitive Atrial Reentrant Tachycardia Originating from the Atrioventricular Nodal Transitional Area

Adenosine-Sensitive AT from AVN Area. Introduction : Atrial tachycardia shows wide variations in its electrophysiologic properties and sites of origin. We report an atrial tachycardia with ECG manifestations and electrophysiologic characteristics similar to an atypical form of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT).
Methods and Results : This supraventricular tachycardia was observed in 11 patients. It was initiated by atrial extrastimulation with an inverse relationship between the coupling interval of an extrastimulus and the postextrastimulus interval. Its induction was not related to a jump in the AH interval, and its perpetuation was independent of conduction block in the AV node. Ventricular pacing during tachycardia demonstrated AV dissociation without affecting the atrial cycle length. A very small dose of adenosine triphosphate (mean 3.9 ± 1.2 mg) could terminate the tachycardia. The earliest atrial activation during tachycardia was recorded at the low anteroseptal right atrium with a different intra-atrial activation sequence from that recorded during ventricular pacing, where the tachycardia was successfully ablated in 9 of 10 attempted patients. Bidirectional AV nodal conduction remained unatttched after successful ablation.
Conclusion : There may he an entity of adenosine-sensitive atrial tachycardia probably due to focal reentry within the AV node or its transitional tissues without involvement of the AV nodal pathways. This tachycardia can he ablated without disturbing AV nodal conduction from the right atrial septum.     

Selecting an Appropriate Surgical Treatment Instead of Carotid Artery Stenting Alone According to the Patient’s Risk Factors Contributes to Reduced Perioperative Complications in Patients with Internal Carotid Stenosis: A Single Institutional Retrospective Analysis

This retrospective study was aimed to compare the perioperative complications for internal carotid artery stenosis (ICS) in a Japanese single institute between the use of carotid artery stenting (CAS) alone or the use of an appropriate individualized treatment method allowing either carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or CAS based on patient risk factors. Based on the policy at our hospital, only CAS was performed on patients (n = 33) between January 2005 and November 2009. From December 2009 to December 2012, either CEA or CAS (tailored treatment) was selected for patients (n = 61) based on individual patient risk factors. CEA was considered the first-line treatment in all cases. In high-risk CEA cases, CAS was performed instead (n = 11), whereas in low-risk CEA cases, CEA was performed (n = 19). Further, in moderate-risk CEA cases based on own criteria, CAS was considered first, whereas for high-risk CAS cases, CEA was performed (n = 17). For low-risk CAS cases, CAS was performed (n = 9). Perioperative clinical complications (any stroke, myocardial infarction, or death within 30 days) were compared between both periods. Significantly reduced perioperative complications were observed during the tailored period (4/61 sites, 6.6%) as compared with the CAS period (8/33 sites, 24.2%) [Fisher’s exact test p = 0.022; odds ratio, 4.56 (CAS/tailored); 95% confidence interval, 1.26–16.5]. Selecting an appropriate individualized treatment method according to patient risk factors, as opposed to adhering to a single treatment approach such as CAS, may contribute to improved overall outcomes in patients with ICS.     

Malignant retroperitoneal tumor arising in a multicystic dysplastic kidney of a girl with Schinzel–Giedion syndrome

We report the first case of malignant retroperitoneal tumor arising in a multicystic dysplastic kidney of an 8-year-old girl with Schinzel-Giedion syndrome. Although conservative treatment has been regarded as the standard management for asymptomatic multicystic dysplastic kidney, prophylactic surgical removal should be considered for selected children with potential risk of malignancy.     

Effect of antiepileptic drugs on thyroid function

Abstract Chronic treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AED) is known to reduce serum thyroid hormone levels. Serum thyrotropin (TSH) level is unchanged despite low thyroxine (T₄) level. We studied serum tri-iodothyronine (T₃), T₄ and TSH in 30 epileptic patients prior to discontinuation and 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after AED discontinuation. One AED was discontinued in each patient. Serum T₃ levels were reduced consistently after AED discontinuation. Serum T₄ and rT₃ levels were increased, but not persistently. Serum TSH levels were unchanged. Our results suggest that during AED treatment serum T₃ level was increased. This could be an increased conversion of T₄ to T₃. An acceleration of thyroid hormones degradation by enzyme induction is physiologically balanced by an increased conversion of T₄ to T₃.     

Case Report: Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma in a Japanese woman: A case report and review of Japanese cases

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC) is an entity distinct from ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma and is very rare in Oriental countries. We present here a Japanese case of FLHCC in a 25 year old woman, and review Japanese cases of FLHCC. The patient had mild abdominal pain when the hepatic tumour was revealed by ultrasonography. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C antibody were negative and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was within the normal limit. Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy was performed and the tumour was histologically diagnosed as FLHCC. A right lobectomy of the liver was then performed. Macroscopically, the tumour (10 × 10 times 8 cm) was circumscribed, rather hard and yellowish white. Microscopically, neoplastic hepatocytes were polygonal and large with eosinophilic cytoplasm, which contained pale bodies. A number of fibrous stroma were arranged in thin parallel bands. Consequently, the case was diagnosed as FLHCC. In Japan, approximately 18 000 people die of ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma annually, while only nine cases (including the present case; six males, three females) of FLHCC in Japanese subjects have been reported previously. The mean age of the Japanese cases of FLHCC is 20.9 years old. One case with positive HBsAg, liver cirrhosis and high level of AFP was observed of nine cases. The nature of FLHCC in Japanese subjects may not be significantly different from that in Caucasians, except for male predominance.     

Inhaled nitric oxide followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in resuscitating a newborn with hypoxemia

In a newborn requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation because of hypoxemia due to sepsis (oxygenation index > 40), inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) in a concentration of 16p.p.m. improved oxygenation and restored spontaneous circulation. Cannulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) then was performed safely under NO inhalation. ECMO was discontinued on day 7, and on day 14 the infant was extubated. During follow-up examination at 5 months of age no neurological abnormalities were found. This case shows the usefulness of combining inhaled NO and ECMO.     

Body Surface Laplacian Mapping in Patients with Left or Right Ventricular Bundle Branch Block

Body surface Laplacian maps (BSLMs) have been previously reported to provide enhanced capability in localizing and resolving multiple spatially separate myocardial events. However, only a few studies have been reported on the clinical applications of BSLM. To test the clinical utility of BSLMs, BSLMs and body surface potential maps (BSPMs) during ventricular depolarization for complete right or left ventricular bundle branch block (CRBBB or CLBBB) were studied in ten patients in each group. As a control group, ten healthy subjects were also studied using the same procedure. One hundred and twenty-eight electrodes were placed uniformly over the entire chest and back of the subjects. BSLMs were computed from recorded potentials, using a numerical algorithm. The BSLMs showed multiple and more localized positive and negative activities compared with the BSPMs. In healthy subjects, the BSLMs showed multiple areas of positive activity overlying the RV, LV, and the RV outflow, and negative activity corresponding to RV free-wall breakthrough and LV anterolateral breakthrough sites, whereas the BSPMs could not separate RV and LV activities. In the patients with CRRRR, the BSLMs showed more localized areas of activity corresponding to the LV apex breakthrough and LV lateral breakthrough, and separated LV lateral and posterior activation. In the patients with CLBBB, the BSLMs showed multiple RV activation, and propagating activation of LV from lateral to posterior. The BSLMs appear to provide enhanced capability in detecting multiple ventricular electrical events associated with normal and abnormal conduction and a more detailed activation sequence of both ventricles in healthy subjects and in the patients with CRBBB and CLBBB. BSLM may provide an important alternative to other imaging modalities in localizing cardiac electrical activity noninvasively.