Case Report: Determination of Primary Foci of Metastatic Tumors by p53 Mutational Analysis in Intraesophageal Multiple Carcinomas

It is well known that squamous carcinomasfrequently develop multifocally, either synchronously ormetachronously, in the upper aerodigestive tract (1).Such phenomena were first reported by Slaughter et al in 1953, and they were named fieldcancerization (2). Using recent molecular biologytechniques, these multiple carcinomas have been revealedto arise from independent origins (3). Esophagealcarcinomas have been reported to frequently metastasize tothe lymph nodes even at the early stage of tumorextension (4). Furthermore, simultaneous multifocalcancer development is not rare in the esophagus (5). In cases of intraesophageal multiple carcinomaswith lymph node metastases, the primary focus of themetastatic tumors cannot be identified by conventionalhistologic examination. Here we report a case of intraesophageal multiple carcinomas in whichthe attributed foci of lymph nodal metastases could beclearly identified by analyzing the p53 gene mutationalstatus used as a clonal marker.     

Pre-Hospital Diagnosis in Mobile Stroke Unit

ObjectivesMobile stroke unit (MSU) has been shown to rapidly provide pre-hospital thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). MSU encounters neurological disorders other than AIS that require emergent treatment.Methods/MaterialsWe obtained pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment data from the prospectively collected dataset on 221 consecutive MSU encounters. Based on initial clinical evaluation and neuroimaging obtained on MSU, the diagnosis of AIS (definite, probable, and possible AIS, transient ischemic attack), intracranial hemorrhage, and likely stroke mimics was made.ResultsFrom July 2014 to April 2015, 221 patients were treated on MSU. 78 (35%) patients had initial clinical diagnosis of definite/probable AIS or TIA, 69 (31%) were diagnosed as possible AIS or TIA, 15 (7%) had intracranial hemorrhage while 59 patients (27%) were diagnosed as likely stroke mimics. Stroke mimics encountered included 13 (6%) metabolic encephalopathy, 11 (5%) seizures, 9 (4%) migraines, 3 (1%) substance abuse, 2 (1%) CNS tumor, 3 (1%) infectious etiology and 3 (1%) hypoglycemia. Fifty-four (24%) patients received non-thrombolytic treatments on MSUConclusionAbout one third of MSU encounters were not AIS initially, including intracranial hemorrhage and stroke mimics. MSU can be utilized to provide pre-hospital treatments in emergent neurological conditions other than AIS.     

Double ophthalmic arteries arising from the internal carotid artery

Rarely, the ophthalmic artery (OA) arises from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) inferolaterally and enters into the orbit via the superior orbital fissure. This anomalous OA that originates from the inferolateral trunk is regarded as a persistent dorsal OA. Extremely rarely, both normal OA and persistent dorsal OA arise from the ICA. We report the first case of such double OAs, one of which arose from the cavernous segment of the ICA superolaterally and we believe that it originated from the meningohypophyseal trunk rather than the inferolateral trunk.     

Complex anomalies of type 1 proatlantal intersegmental artery and aortic arch variations

Purpose

We report a case of type 1 proatlantal intersegmental artery (PIA) associated with multiple anomalies of the aortic arch, and discuss the possible embryonic mechanism and clinical importance of the multiple cerebrovascular variants in this patient.

Methods

A 65-year-old woman with dizziness underwent cerebral magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and head and neck MR angiography using a 3-tesla scanner and computed tomography (CT) angiography using a 64-slice multidetector CT scanner.

Results

MR and CT angiography demonstrated an aneurysm of the distal end of the azygos anterior cerebral arteries and hypoplasia of the proximal right vertebral artery (VA) with an anastomotic artery, between the right internal carotid artery (ICA) and distal right VA that passed through the foramen magnum, indicating a type 1 PIA. She also demonstrated an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) with hypoplasia of the right VA, and the left VA arose directly from the aortic arch.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a type 1 PIA associated with multiple vascular anomalies of the aortic arch, such as ARSA and origin of the left VA from the arch. In cases of persistent anastomoses between the carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries, such as PIAs, imaging examination should include the aortic arch to identify associated vascular variations.     

Radiation exposure to anaesthetists during endovascular procedures

Medical radiation exposure increases the likelihood of cataract formation. A personal dosimeter was attached to the left temple of 77 anaesthetists during 45 endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs and 32 interventional neuroradiology procedures. Compared with interventional neuroradiology, the median (IQR [range]) total radiation dose emitted by fluoroscopic equipment was significantly lower during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (4175 (3127–5091 [644–9761]) mGy than interventional neuroradiology (1420 (613–2424 [165–10 840]) mGy, p < 0.001). However, radiation exposure to the anaesthetist's temple was significantly greater during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (15 (6–41 [1–109]) μSv) than interventional neuroradiology (4 (2–8 [0–67]) μSv, p < 0.001). These data suggest that anaesthetists at our institution would have to deliver anaesthesia for ~1300 endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs and ~5000 interventional neuroradiology cases annually to exceed the general occupational limits, and ~10 000 endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs and ~37 500 interventional neuroradiology cases to exceed the ocular exposure limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Nevertheless, anaesthetists should be aware of the risk of ocular radiation exposure, and reduce this by limiting the time of exposure, increasing the distance from the source of radiation, and shielding.