Gluteal artery occlusion: intra-arterial chemotherapy of pelvic neoplasms

Intra-arterial chemotherapy of pelvic tumors may be complicated by coincident flow to the buttocks. Transcatheter occlusion of both the superior and inferior gluteal arteries may have a role in directing the flow of chemotherapeutic agents away from the buttocks and toward the true pelvis. The results of flow studies using technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated human serum albumin were compared in 12 consecutive patients examined before and after transcatheter arterial occlusion, and the best results were obtained by selective occlusion of those arteries that demonstrated increased flow to the buttock on the initial study. Without the preselection of patients in whom the initial flow went mainly to the buttock, the results were inconsistent. Because of the increase in the procedure time and the occurrence of minor complications, such as local pain during or after the occlusion procedure, in all patients, proper patient selection is important.     

A Cross-cultural Study of Alcohol Dependence in Singapore

This is a comparative study of alcohol dependence in Chinese and Indian patients admitted to a hospital in Singapore. There were 46 patients-21 Chinese and 35 Indians. In both ethnic groups there was a preponderance of male over female patients. There was no significant difference in the mean ages of the two groups but Indian patients started drinking at an earlier age and more of them had a family history of alcohol problems. Comparing the severity of alcohol dependence, Indian patients scored higher on the SADQ but no patients scored above 30 points.     

Histopathologic studies of the liver following intravenous colloidal 198Au therapy

Histologic studies of liver tissue from 27 patients given up to 395 mCi (cumulative) of intravenous colloidal 198Au showed no definite radiation injury and no correlation between hepatic abnormalities and dose. Demonstration of aggregates of colloidal gold in the Kupffer cells was inconsistent, suggesting slow removal or dispersion. Although the liver ordinarily receives the highest radiation dose, the critical organ is the marrow. Results support the recent introduction of 198Au to supplement teletherapy for certain neoplasms diffusely infiltrating the liver. Apparently the beta distribution minimizes endothelial injury in large vessels, which has been shown to be the cause of radiation hepatitis.     

Interdigitating cell sarcoma. A morphologic, immunohistologic, and enzyme-histochemical study

A 58-year-old man presented with an unusual sarcoma of the cervical lymph node. The tumor also involved the mesenteric lymph node and jejunum. Tumor cells possessed intracytoplasmic S100 protein, Leu-3a (T4), and HLA-DR antigens. The neoplastic cells also showed membranous ATPase activity. LeuM1, T6, Leu1, Leu2a, B1, lysozyme, and immunoglobulin were not recognized. Their fine structure was similar to that of interdigitating cells. These data are consistent with derivation from lymph node interdigitating reticulum cell.     

"Quality of life" assessment of urination in elderly Japanese men and women with some medical problems using International Prostate Symptom Score and King's Health Questionnaire

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships among lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), satisfaction at urination, and quality of life (QoL) in elderly Japanese men and women, who attended physicians for their medical problems. METHODS: A total of 437 Japanese men and 196 women, aged 50 or older, responded to a questionnaire, which included seven questions regarding urination, one question about bothersomeness (QoL index) from the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), two questions about frequency of urinary incontinence and 16 questions from the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ). RESULTS: Of 401 patients who completed the IPSS and KHQ questionnaires, 235 (72.3%) men and 85 (64.7%) women had moderate to severe LUTS. In both genders, LUTS severity was significantly correlated with satisfaction status and KHQ-QoL domain scores. Satisfaction status also correlated with KHQ-QoL scores. Thirty-eight (13.5%) men and 27 (22.7%) women had frequent incontinence episodes. When excluding the patients with frequent incontinence episodes, KHQ-QoL scores of severe LUTS decreased in the domains of role, physical and social limitations, personal relationships and sleep/energy in women alone. CONCLUSIONS: Urination problems and related QoL status could be easily assessed by IPSS and QoL index in the elderly. Urinary incontinence appeared to be more associated with QoL in elderly women. The KHQ may be useful to assess the detailed urination-related QoL status of elderly men and women with LUTS or urinary incontinence.