Inferior vena cava thrombus after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for testicular tumor

A rare case of a thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for a testicular tumor is reported. A computed tomograph performed after the operation incidentally showed a filling defect in the IVC. However, it was impossible to decide whether the defect was due to an ordinary or a neoplastic thrombus. For this reason, a thrombectomy was performed, and postoperatively it was diagnosed as an ordinary thrombus. The cause of thrombi found only in the IVC is reviewed and the indication for thrombectomy is discussed.     

99mTc(V)-DMSA and99mTc-MDP uptake and no67Ga-citrate uptake in a case of primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma

Tumor scintigraphy with 67Ga-citrate, 99mTc(V)-DMSA and 99mTc-MDP were performed on a patient with rare primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma. While 67Ga-citrate accumulation to the tumor was not recognized, 99mTc(V)-DMSA and 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy showed relatively intense localization of the tracers in the lesion, and were very useful in suggesting the characteristics of the tumor.     

Epidural midazolam with saline--optimal dose for postoperative pain]

Optimal dose of epidural midazolam with saline for postoperative pain relief was investigated. Forty three patients for upper abdominal surgery were divided into 5 groups. Each group had either 10 ml saline only (saline group), 10 ml saline + midazolam 0.025 mg.kg-1 (0.025 group), 10 ml saline + midazolam 0.05 mg.kg-1 (0.05 group), 10 ml saline + midazolam 0.075 mg.kg-1 (0.075 group), or 10 ml saline + midazolam 0.1 mg.kg-1 (0.1 group) administered epidurally for complaint of postoperative pain. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and sedation score (SS) were monitored for 120 minutes, and the time interval for next analgesics (TNA) was checked. In each group, BP was unchanged compared with preinjection level. HR changes were less in 0.05 and 0.1 group than in others. RR changes were less in 0.025 and 0.05 group than in others. Optimal SSs were obtained in 0.025 and 0.05 groups. In 0.075 and 0.1 groups, many patients fell into complete sleep (not responded to verbal command). TNA was about 2 hours in 0.025 and 0.05 groups, over 6 hours in 0.075 and 0.1 groups. Complete sleep was the cause of long TNA in 0.075 and 0.1 groups. It was concluded that optimal dose of epidural midazolam with saline 10 ml was 0.05 mg.kg-1 for postoperative pain relief after upper abdominal surgery.     

Antitumor activities of KW-2152, a new isoquinon agent, against human tumor xenografts transplanted into nude mice

The antitumor activities of KW-2152, a new isoquinon derivative, were examined in thirteen human tumor xenografts, transplanted into nude mice. KW-2152 was administered intravenously at a schedule of q4d X 3, in daily doses of 7.3 mg/kg and 3.6 mg/kg, and q2d X 6 with a daily doses of 7.3 mg/kg, respectively. KW-2152 displayed significant antitumor activities against the human tumor xenografts in 3 out of 13 strains (23.1 per cent) at the schedule of q4d X 3, with a daily dose of 7.3 mg/kg. Depending on the schedule of administration, tumor activity was observed in 8 out of 13 strains (61.5 per cent) at a schedule of q2d X 6, with a daily dose of 7.3 mg/kg. SH-2 and SH-9 gastric tumors were sensitive to KW-2152 and growth was completely inhibited with the schedule of q4d X 3, and a daily dose of 7.3 mg/kg. Thus, KW-2152 seems to have a wide antitumor spectrum, and the possible antitumor effects for clinical use, warrant attention.     

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy assessed with 64-slice computed tomography

A 69-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of sustainedventricular tachycardia with right bundle branch block morphology.After abolition of ventricular tachycardia, an electrocardiogramshowed atrial fibrillation, complete right bundle     

A case of congenital supratentorial tumor: Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor or primitive neuroectodermal tumor?

Two embryonal CNS tumors, atypical teratoid/rabdoid tumor (AT/RT) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), may be confused with each other and misdiagnosed. Here we report an infant with a congenital supratentorial tumor, which was detected by fetal MRI at 37 weeks gestation. On routine histological examination, the tumor was composed mainly of small undifferentiated cells, among which many rhabdoid cells and occasional sickle‐shaped embracing cells were observed. No mesenchymal or epithelial areas were evident. Our impression was that the tumor was an atypical example of AT/RT. Immunohistochemically, almost all the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin. However, epithelial membrane antigen was notably negative, and most of the tumor cell nuclei were clearly positive for INI1. In addition, many tumor cells were positive for neurofilament protein. There were also occasional small areas containing many tumor cells positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Finally, a diagnosis of PNET, with a rhabdoid phenotype and expression of neuronal and glial markers, was made. In the present case, application of INI1 immunostaining was very helpful for distinguishing PNET from AT/RT.     

Schizotypal disorder and schizophrenia: a profile analysis of neuropsychological functioning in Japanese patients.

This study compares neuropsychological functioning in a Japanese schizophrenia spectrum disorder group and a group of healthy Japanese volunteers. Participants were 37 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 28 schizotypal patients, and 99 psychiatrically-normal volunteers. A wide range of cognitive measures were examined. All participants completed a Japanese version of a neuropsychological battery assessing executive function, working memory, processing speed, language, verbal memory, and spatial organization. Comparisons of neuropsychological function demonstrated similarities and differences between patients diagnosed with schizotypal disorder and those diagnosed with schizophrenia. Impairments in verbal memory, language, and processing speed were common to both patient groups and may represent a vulnerability to schizophrenia. Impairments in aspects of working memory, spatial organization and executive function were preferentially observed in schizophrenia and may be features of the overt manifestation of psychosis. Possible differences in the contributions of prefrontal and temporo-limbic structures provide direction for further studies.