Condition Known as "Dark Rings Under the Eyes" in the Japanese Population is a Kind of Dermal Melanocytosis Which can be Successfully Treatedby Q-Switched Ruby Laser

BACKGROUND: In general, dark rings under the eyes are believed to be a phenomenon caused mainly by physiological change because of their daily fluctuation. Medically speaking, the precise cause or pathogenesis of dark rings is unknown, and this condition has not been clearly defined. In our experience, the dark rings associated with conventional nevus of Ota can be successfully treated with Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL). OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to clarify the nature of dark rings under the eyes and to determine the efficacy of QSRL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients who received a biopsy for pigment macules of the face were retrieved, and of that number 12 patients with bilateral homogeneous pigment macule on suborbital regions were selected for study of the dark rings. Of those patients, the histology and the efficacy of QSRL were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Histologically, all 12 patients indicated dermal melanocytosis, which was confirmed by the Masson-Fontana silver stain and staining against S100. In five patients who received QSRL therapy two times or more, the clinical improvement of two patients was scored as good (40-69%), and two other patients as excellent (>70% clearance). CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that so-called dark rings under the eyes in the Japanese population is a kind of dermal melanocytosis which can be successfully treated by QSRL.     

Impaired transient elevation of blood hemoglobin in response to acute hypoxia in neonates with asplenia

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that acute hypoxia induces the transient elevation of blood hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) as a consequence of sympathetic-mediated splenic contraction to maintain the supply of oxygen, and splenectomy abolishes this phenomenon. The purpose of the present paper was to determine, retrospectively, whether the ability of transient elevation of [Hb] against acute hypoxia would be impaired in neonates with asplenia. METHOD: Eleven neonates who underwent surgery from 1998 to 2003 were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were divided into two groups: (i) five patients with asplenia syndrome with cyanotic congenital heart disease (asplenia group); and (ii) six patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who needed nitrogen gas inhalation therapy (HLHS group). In the asplenia group simultaneous data of arterial oxygen saturation (Sao(2)) and [Hb] were obtained before and after the temporary unexpected decrease of percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation. In the HLHS group they were obtained before and after nitrogen gas administration therapy. The arterial oxygen content (Cao(2)) changes and the ratio of Cao(2) change (Cao(2) after hypoxia divided by Cao(2) before hypoxia) were also calculated. RESULTS: In the asplenia group [Hb] was unchanged (12.9 +/- 1.6 g/dL to 12.8 +/- 1.4, n.s.) and Cao(2) was decreased (14.5 +/- 1.6 mL/dL to 11.9 +/- 1.1, P = 0.018). In the HLHS group [Hb] was increased (14.6 +/- 1.3 g/dL to 15.4 +/- 1.5, P = 0.028), but Cao(2) was changed (18.2 +/- 2.2 mL/dL to 16.7 +/- 3.0, P = 0.043). The ratio of Cao(2) change for the HLHS group was significantly different from that of the asplenia group (0.92 +/- 0.10, 0.83 +/- 0.10, respectively, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with asplenia syndrome have some disadvantage regarding this protective mechanism against acute hypoxia.     

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the adrenal gland

We report a rare case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising from adrenal gland in adulthood, diagnosed preoperatively as having non-functional adrenocortical adenoma. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. Immunohistological examination revealed the definite diagnosis as primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the adrenal gland. Although primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a highly malignant neoplasm, there is no evidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis 16 months after surgery.     

A Case of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei with Bilateral Pleural Metastases

A case of pseudomyxoma peritonei that was first recognized bydyspnea and abnormal shadows on chest X-ray film is reported.The patient is a 67-yr-old woman who was found to have an abnormalshadow on chest X-ray filni on routine physical examinationwhen she was 47 yr old (1960). She had been asymptoniatic untilabout 2 yr before admission when she began to experience dyspneawith increased severity. On admission, the chest X-ray filmand com puted tomography showed bilateral pleural thickening.Drainage and decortica tion was carried out, and multiple cystsfilled with a gelatinous substance were found bilaterally inthe thoracic cavity. On the 66th hospital day, pan- peritonitisfollowing perforation of the appendix occurred and an emergencyoperation was performed. The patient died of acute renal failureon the 13th postoperative day. Pseudomyxoma peritonei originatingfrom pseudomucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix was diagnosedon the basis of the findings of the histopathological examination.At autopsy, the gelatinous substance was found in both pleuralcavities, the right subphrenic area, and part of the large omentum.The case presented here is a very rare case of pseudomyxoniaperitonei, because dyspnea was the main feature and abdominalsymptoms such as abdominal distension and pain were lacking.Then high level of serum carcinoenibryonic antigen seen in thiscase is also pointed out.     

Clinical study of transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate associated with bladder transitional cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate in patients with bladder cancer appears to influence the prognosis and affects the decision about therapeutic modality. Therefore, it is important to characterize transitional cell carcinoma associated with bladder cancer. METHODS: From April 1980 to December 1998, 81 male patients underwent total cystoprostatectomies for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The 81 cystoprostatectomy specimens were examined to clarify the characteristics of prostatic involvement by transitional cell carcinoma. The extent, origin, mode of spread and risk factor of prostatic involvement as well as the prognosis were investigated. In 13 of 15 patients with prostatic involvement the prostate was examined by sequential step sections. RESULTS: Prostatic involvement was observed in 15 of 81 patients (18.5%). Prostatic urethral involvement, invasion to prostatic duct/acinus, prostatic stromal invasion and extraprostatic extension and/or seminal vesicle involvement were recognized in 12 (80%), 14 (93.3%), six (40%), and five (33.3%) of the 15 patients, respectively. Twelve of the 15 patients (80%) with prostatic involvement had papillary or non-papillary tumors (i.e. carcinoma in situ) both in the prostatic urethra and prostatic duct. In 10 of these 12 patients (88.3%), there was contiguity between prostatic urethral and ductal tumors. Seven of the 23 patients (30.4%) with carcinoma in situ of the bladder showed prostatic involvement, which increased to 50% in the presence of carcinoma in situ of the trigone or bladder neck. CONCLUSIONS: Eighty per cent of the patients with prostatic involvement showed papillary or non-papillary tumors both in the prostatic urethra and prostatic duct. There was a high level of contiguity between both tumors. Patients with carcinoma in situ of the trigone or bladder neck revealed significantly higher incidence of prostatic involvement.     

Ejaculated spermatozoa in patients with non‐mosaic Klinefelter’s syndrome

Background : Non‐mosaic Klinefelter patients are generally azoospermic and there is no therapy to improve the spermatogenesis. Some patients have a few spermatozoa in their ejaculates, which can be used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), but only a few cases resulting in a successful birth have been reported. Methods : Out of 52 non‐mosaic 47,XXY Klinefelter patients, four cases having spermatozoa in their ejaculates were retrospectively studied. Results : Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed in three cases using their ejaculates and resulted in one chemical abortion and one death in utero (8 weeks). Using testicular sperm, one patient had a healthy baby with a normal karyotype. Conclusion : Some non‐mosaic Klinefelter patients have ejaculated sperm that can result in a successful birth following ICSI. However, the birth rate is very low compared with the fertilization rate, suggesting increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities.     

Antiemetic Efficacy of High-Dose Intravenous Metoclopramide and Dexamethasone in Patients Receiving Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

High-dose intravenous (IV) metoclopramide has shown efficacywith few side effects for the treatment of nausea and vomitingon the day of cisplatin administration. From November 1984 toJanuary 1986, two randomized trials in an antiemetic study wereconducted. In trial I, the antiemetic effect of a short courseof high-dose dexamethasone was compared with that of high-dosemetoclopramide in 29 patients with lung cancer receiving chemotherapycon taining cisplatin (80 mg/m² IV) in a randomized controlledtrial. Dexamethasone was given IV at a dose of 16 mg 1/2 hrbefore and 8 mg, 1 1/2, 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 hr after cisplatin.Metoclopramide was given IV at a dose of 2 mg/kg, 1/2 hr beforeand 1 1/2, 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 hr after cisplatin. Major emeticcontrol (0–2 episodes of vomiting) during the 24 hr aftercisplatin administration was achieved in 55% (6/11) and 67%(12/18) of the patients receiving dexa methasone and metoclopramide,respectively, without serious toxicity. The dura tion of nauseaor anorexia was similar for the two treatment groups. In trial11, the combination of metoclopramide and dexamethasone wascompared with metoclopramide alone to assess the additive antiemeticeffect of the two drugs in 23 patients with lung cancer receivingcisplatin at a dose of 120 mg/m IV in a randomized cross-overstudy. A major antiemetic response was observed in 27% (3/11)and 92% (11/12) of the patients receiving metoclopramide aloneand metoclopramide plus dexamethasone, respectively (p <0.005). The duration of nausea and anorexia was similar forthe two treatment groups. Pa tients tended to prefer the combinationof metoclopramide and dexamethasone; however, the differencewas not statistically significant (p = 0.14) in the small numberof patients entered in this study. Despite excellent controlof acute chemotherapy-induced emesis, 45% of 52 patients experienceddelayed nausea and vomiting more than 24 hr after cisplatinadministration even among those who had had an excellent short-termresponse to the antiemetic agents.     

Biochemical and histological features of hepatitis G virus infection

To assess the biochemical and histological characteristics of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection, we examined four patients who were infected with HGV only (HGV group), and compared them with 16 patients infected with both HGV and hepatitis C virus (HCV; HGV + HCV group) and 18 patients infected with HCV only (HCV group). Biochemical examination showed a significantly low level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the HGV group, and that the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP)/ALT ratio in the same group was significantly higher than in the other two groups. Although all three patient groups had a similar degree of liver fibrosis, both the degree of periportal inflammation and total histological activity index were significantly lower in the HGV group than in the other two groups. Fibrous enlargement of the portal tract without lymphoid infiltration and thin fibrous septa was characteristically observed in the HGV group. No significant difference was found between the HGV + HCV group and HCV group. Our results suggest that biochemical and histological changes in HGV infection are very mild and quite different from those of HCV infection.