Evaluation of the contours and perianeurysmal environment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms, using three-dimensional magnetic resonance cisternogram

To evaluate the anatomical relationship between cerebral aneurysm and the perianeurysmal environment within a cisternal space, the contours of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm and pericisternal structures were depicted on a three-dimensional (3D) MR cisternogram. By using perspective volume-rendering algorithm, the 3D MR cisternograms were reconstructed from the source axial volume data set obtained by the T2-weighted 3D fast spin-echo sequence. Those images were shown together with the coordinated 3D MR angiograms through similar visual projections, and then compared with the intraoperative findings. The outer wall configurations of cerebral aneurysms within the cisternal space were shown in conjunction with the accompanying surface veins, adjacent cranial nerves, dura mater and tentorial edge, cranial base bone, and surrounding pericisternal brain surfaces. With application of 3D MR cisternograms in the management of unruptured cerebral aneurysm, the anatomical relationship between the aneurysmal contours and the perianeurysmal environment could be evaluated the within the cisternal space. This might provide another clinical factor when considering the potential risk of growth, rupture, and symptomatic cranial nerve signs of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm.     

Detection of posterior myocardial infarction by body surface mapping: A comparative study with 12 lead ECG and VCG

To examine the diagnostic ability of body surface mapping in posterior myocardial infarction (PMI), mapping was performed in 11 patients with PMI proven by left ventriculography and T1-201 myocardial perfusion imaging (PMI group) and in 44 normal subjects (N group). Map data was analysed by the following methods: (1) potential departure maps at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 msec after the onset of QRS; each map indicates the area of decreased potential out of the normal range at the time. (2) AQRS departure map which indicates the area of decreased time-integral value of QRS out of the normal range. True positive (TP) in the PMI group and false positive (FP) in the N group were calculated for each method, and were compared with those of various criteria for PMI with standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and Frank lead vectorcardiogram (VCG). The potential departure maps and the AQRS departure map had high TP (10/11 and 8/11) and low FP (0/44 and 0/44). The diagnostic ability of mapping is considered to be higher than that of ECG and VCG. Mapping, especially the departure map technique, is a sensitive and specific method to detect posterior infarction.     

Antegrade and retrograde lymphatico‐venous anastomosis for cancer‐related lymphedema with lymphatic valve dysfuction and lymphatic varix

In healthy people, no retrograde lymph flow occurs because of valves in collecting lymph vessels. However, in secondary lymphedema after lymph node dissection, lymph retention and lymphatic hypertension occurs and valvular dysfunction induces retrograde lymph flow. In this case reported, we focused on retrograde lymph flow and performed retrograde lymphatico‐venous anastomosis (LVA) simultaneously with antegrade LVA. A 67‐year‐old Japanese woman had worsening edema in her right thigh and hip area for 3 years. She had previously undergone extended hysterectomy with lymph node dissection for endometrial cancer 8 years before. Indocyanine green test showed antegrade and retrograde lymph flow. Four LVAs were made in the right medial thigh and right lower abdominal area under local anesthesia. Lymphedema showed rapid improvement within 12 months and compression therapy was not required at 24 months after LVA. Retrograde LVA has a possibility of a more efficacy for secondary lymphedema. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.     

Cytokeratin deposits in lymph nodes show distinct clinical significance from lymph node micrometastasis in human esophageal cancers

BACKGROUND: Cytokeratin immunostaining is the most common method used to identify micrometastatic cancer cells from the lymph nodes. However, contamination with hyalinized cytokeratin particles, frequently observed in the lymph nodes of esophageal cancer patients, can lead to misinterpretation of cytokeratin immunostaining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytokeratin immunostaining (AE1/AE3) of surgically removed lymph nodes was performed for 41 cases of node-negative, but locally advanced (T3, T4), esophageal cancer patients. Cytokeratin immunoreactivity (CK) was classified as micrometastasis (MM) or cytokeratin deposit (CD) by the presence or absence of tumor nuclei in serial sections given hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: CK (+) was observed in 18 patients (44%), including 11 with MM (+) (27%) and 10 with CD (+) (24%). There was no correlation between MM and CD, and neither was associated with clinicopathological factors, except for a high incidence of preoperative chemotherapy in CD (+) patients. The presence of CK did not affect postoperative survival of esophageal cancer patients at this limited stage, showing a 5-year survival rate of 57% for CK (+) and 64% for CK (-) (P = 0.6064). Interestingly, patients with MM (+) showed poorer prognosis than MM (-) (5-year survival: 28% vs 79%, P = 0.0188), while CD (+) patients tended to display better prognosis than CD (-) ones (5-year survival: 78% vs 56%, P = 0.1860). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation by cytokeratin immunostaining of lymph nodes requires careful discrimination of CD from MM, in order to allow MM to be used as a prognostic factor for esophageal cancer patients.     

Free radial forearm osteocutaneous perforator flap for reconstruction of total nasal defects

A case in which a radial forearm osteocutaneous perforator flap was successfully transferred for one-stage reconstruction of total nasal loss is described. This thin flap consists of vascularized radial bone, superficial adiposal tissue, and no deep fascia. It is nourished by a single perforator of the radial artery and a cutaneous vein. The advantages of this flap are minimal donor-site morbidity, easy reconstruction for preservation of the radial arterial system, and no need for longer dissection through the radial artery. The donor defect can be repaired with a flow-through flap, such as an anterolateral thigh flap or a latissimus dorsi perforator flap.     

An evaluation of quality of life in patients who underwent orthotopic bladder replacement after cystectomy: comparison of ileal neobladder versus colon neobladder

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the quality of life (QOL) in patients who underwent orthotopic bladder replacement after radical cystectomy was affected by the intestinal segment used for the creation of a neobladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were included in this study; i.e., 24 patients with an ileal neobladder and 28 patients with a sigmoid neobladder. QOL was evaluated using the SF-36 health-related QOL survey and a questionnaire designed to evaluate the continent status. RESULTS: The mean follow-up periods for patients with an ileal and a sigmoid neobladder was 40.2 and 43.1 months, respectively. The SF-36 survey revealed that patients with colon neobladder had a significantly higher score for role-emotional functioning than those with ileal neobladder, while there was no significant difference in the remaining seven scores between patients with ileal and colon neobladders; however, general health and social functioning in patients with both types of neobladder appeared to be significantly lower than those in the general population in the United States. The results of the questionnaire analyzing the continent status were also similar between these two groups, including the desire to urinate, the incidence of both day- and nighttime urinary leakage, the frequency of pad exchange, and the concern of urine odor. CONCLUSIONS: Six of the eight scales concerning health-related QOL were favorable with both patients with ileal and colon neobladders, and the health-related QOL in orthotopic neobladder patients except for role-emotional functioning was not affected by the segment of the intestine used for neobladder construction. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the QOL associated with continent status between these two groups. Therefore, patients with both types of orthotopic neobladder were generally satisfied with their health-related as well as disease-specific QOL.     

Necrotizing fasciitis after high-dose rate brachytherapy and external beam radiation for prostate cancer: a case report

Background

In recent years, the delayed side effects associated with radiotherapy for prostate cancer have drawn the interest of urologists. Although urosymphyseal fistula is one of these delayed side effects, this serious complication is rarely described in literature and is poorly recognized.

Case presentation

We report our experience in treating a 77-year-old male patient with necrotizing fasciitis after high-dose rate brachytherapy plus external beam radiation for prostate cancer. The patient was referred to our hospital with complaints of inguinal swelling and fever. He had a past history of radiotherapy for prostate cancer and subsequent transurethral operation for a stricture of the urethra. Computed tomography showed extensive gas within the femoral and retroperitoneal tissues and pubic bone fracture. Surgical exploration suggested that necrotizing fasciitis was caused by urosymphyseal fistula.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of necrotizing fasciitis caused by urosymphyseal fistula after radiotherapy for prostate cancer. There is a strong association between urosymphyseal fistula and prostate radiotherapy with subsequent surgical intervention for bladder neck contracture or urethral stricture. Therefore, surgical treatment for bladder neck contracture or urethral stricture after radiotherapy for prostate cancer should be performed with care.The present case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of urosymphyseal fistula. Immediate removal of necrotic tissues and subsequent urinary diversion in the present case may have led to good patient outcome.

     

Three-dimensional computed tomography for lung cancer in a patient with three right vein ostia

Some variations in pulmonary vein anatomy can have serious consequences in patients undergoing lung surgery, but clinicians rarely encounter patients with these variations. We report here a thoracoscopic lobectomy for right lung cancer in a patient with three right vein ostia. Preoperative review of three-dimensional 64-row multidetector computed tomography (3D-MDCT) of the patient showed a variation that was not confirmed in transverse plane computed tomography films. However, the variant anomaly was confirmed during thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 10. Preoperative 3D-MDCT of the pulmonary vein produced a precise preoperative simulation for the surgeon and clearly showed the orientation of the patient’s vascular variant during surgery. This imaging technology contributes to safer thoracic surgery, especially thoracoscopic surgery.     

Changes of the soluble fibrin monomer complex level during the perioperative period of hip replacement surgery

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a critical complication after hip replacement surgery, so both early diagnosis and prophylaxis are important. The purpose of this study was to clarify the rapid changes of the fibrin monomer complex (FMC) and soluble fibrin (SF) during the perioperative period of hip replacement surgery. METHODS: The subjects were 32 patients (7 men, 25 women) who underwent elective hip replacement surgery between November 2004 and January 2006. Their ages ranged between 34 to 82 years (mean 56.8 years). According to their thromboembolic risk, the patients received different prophylaxis: unfractionated heparin (4 patients), danaparoid sodium (14 patients), or mechanical therapy only (14 patients). RESULTS: FMC and SF became rapidly elevated during the operation and just after surgery but declined to preoperational levels 3 days after surgery; they were higher in lupus anticoagulant (LA)-positive patients. In contrast, FDP and D-dimer had gradually become elevated 3 and 7 days after surgery. According to venous ultrasonography and lung perfusion scintigraphy, VTE occurred in 7 patients overall (21.9%). The incidence of VTE was 7.1% in the danaparoid group, whereas it was 35.7% in the mechanical therapy group. We also found that danaparoid sodium rapidly decreased FMC and SF within 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: FMC and SF were rapidly elevated during hip replacement surgery and differentiated in LA-positive and LA-negative patients.     

Assessment of the signal intensity distribution pattern within the unruptured cerebral aneurysms using color-coded 3D MR angiography

To evaluate the interaction between the MR signal intensity distribution pattern and bleb formation/ deformation of the aneurysmal dome, fifty cases of the unruptured cerebral aneurysms were investigated with the color-coded 3D MR angiography. Patterns were categorized into central-type, neck-type and peripheral-type according to the distribution of MR signals with low-, moderate- and high signal intensity areas. Imaging analysis revealed the significant relationship (P < 0.02) of the peripheral-type aneurysms to the bleb formation and deformation of the dome, compared with those of central- and neck-type. Additionally, peripheral-type signal intensity distribution pattern was shown with aneurysms harboring relatively large dome size and lateral-type growth including internal carotid aneurysms. Prospective analysis of intraaneurysmal flow pattern with the color-coded 3D MR angiography may provide patient-specific analysis of intraaneurysmal flow status in relation to the morphological change of the corresponding aneurysmal dome in the management of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.