Giant splenic metastasis due to lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in western countries and most of the patients present at advanced stages, but single splenic metastasis is exceptional instead. We report on a case of a seventy-three-year old male presenting with non-hemoptoic productive cough, constitutional syndrome and pain in the left lower quadrant. Physical examination and complementary radiological and hystologycal procedures revealed the presence of an adenocarcinoma of the left lung with probable splenic metastasis. The patient underwent splenectomy, which confirmed the diagnose of splenic metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma and, secondly, lung resection was performed. Topics about lung cancer metastasis are discussed.     

美维松对膈肌功能的影响

目的：研究不同剂量美维松对膈肌和拇收肌的抑制时程与恢复过程。方法：３０例ＡＳＡⅠ级的成年手术患者，按美维松用量分成两组，Ⅰ组：０．１６ｍｇ／ｋｇ，Ⅱ组：０．２０ｍｇ／ｋｇ，每组１５例。同步测定跨膈肌压（Ｐｄｉ）和拇收肌对连续四次刺激（ＴＯＦ）反应的Ｔ１（ＡＰＴ１）及ＴＯＦｒ值。结果：显示两组ＡＰＴ１最大抑制相近，是Ｐｄｉ的１．７倍。Ｐｄｉ达到最大抑制及恢复到７５％的时间比ＡＰＴ１快得多。结论：提示美维松对膈肌收缩功能的抑制比拇收肌差，但恢复迅速。     

Visual assessment of urethrovesical junction mobility

The aim of the study was to compare visual assessment of anterior vaginal wall descent with the Q-tip test in evaluating urethrovesical junction mobility. One hundred and eleven patients with prolapse and/or urinary incontinence were examined in the supine lithotomy position with an empty bladder. Maximum straining Q-tip tests and maximum descent of the anterior vaginal wall were measured. Using each centimeter of descent as a cutoff value, the sensitivities, specificities and positive and negative predictive values were compared to those of the Q-tip test. As the cutt-off points were moved distally, specificity increased at the expense of sensitivity. There was no single cut-off point that provided adequate sensitivity and specificity to be clinically useful to replace the Q-tip test. It was concluded that visual assessment of anterior vaginal wall descent does not provide diagnostic accuracy and acceptable sensitivity and specificity to determine urethrovesical junction mobility. Other methods should be employed to assess support.Editorial Comment: Many clinicians claim that they can assess urethrovesical junction mobility visually and thus avoid employing other means, such as the Q-tip test, ultrasonography, bead-chain cystography or fluoroscopy. Montella et al. evaluate a technique of visual assessment of urethrovesical junction mobility based on the International Continence Society's Standardization of Terminology of Female Organ Prolapse and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction as compared to evaluation with the Q-tip test. Their results clearly indicate that this technique (measurement of the descent of point Aa) does not provide adequate sensitivity or specificity in determining urethrovesical junction descent compared to the Q-tip test. Although this technique was only compared to the Q-tip test and not all other modalities available, it is doubtful that visual assessment of anterior wall descent at any level would correspond to urethrovesical junction mobility, as is discussed very succinctly by the authors.     

Mucinous adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation of the mandibular ramus: report of a case

A rare case of mucinous adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation of the mandibular ramus is presented. The patient, an 80-year-old man, was referred to our hospital with chief complaint of swelling and pain in the left buccal mucosa. CT and MRI examination showed an osteolytic tumor mass occupying the upper region of the left mandibular ramus. Macroscopically, the excised tumor was a relatively well-defined, solid mass with diffuse bone resorption, measuring 3 cm x 3.2 cm x 3 cm. Microscopical examination showed that the tumor forming glandular structures with abundant mucous production and high cellular atypia. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the positive reactivities for pan-keratin, cytokeratin 7, vimentin,alpha-amylase, alpha-smooth muscle actin, neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acid protein, calcitonin, and somatostatin in tumor cells. These findings suggested that the tumor was originated from heterotopic or misplaced salivary gland in the mandible.     

胃恶性上皮核仁组成区相关蛋白的研究

用嗜银染色技术对34例良性胃溃疡、40例胃粘膜异型增生、46例胃腺癌组织石蜡切片中的核仁组成相关蛋白(AgNOR)进行研究,25例正常胃粘膜组织作对照。发现对照组、良性溃疡组,异型增生组和腺癌组的细胞核AgNOR平均计数差异有显著性(P<0.01)。恶性细胞中AgNOR的体积、形状及在细胞核内的位置也不相同。作者认为此法有助于区别胃的良性和恶性病变。     

胃腺癌微卫星不稳定性与VEGF蛋白表达关系的研究

目的：探讨胃癌微卫星不稳定性(MSI)与胃腺癌中皿管内皮生长因子(VEGF）之间的关系。方法：应用PCR—SSCP技术检测30例胃腺癌5个位点的微卫星不稳定性，同时应用免疫组织化学的方法检测肿瘤皿管内皮生长因子(VEGF)蛋白的表达。结果：MSI阳性率为43．4％(13／30)。VEGF阳性率为60％(18／30）。MSI—H胃癌VEGF的表达显著减少。结论：MSI—H的胃癌与MSS胃癌可能存在两种不同的胃癌及肿瘤血管新生形成的途径。MSI—H肿瘤较低的VEGF表达可能可以解释为何MSI-H胃癌有较低的侵袭性。     

Redeployment of trigeminal motor axons during metamorphosis.

As a consequence of the degeneration and replacement of the jaw muscle fibers in the leopard frog, Rana pipiens, trigeminal motoneurons innervate different targets before and after metamorphosis. This investigation examined the morphological correlates of the reassignment of trigeminal motoneurons during the initial phases of myofiber turnover. Specifically, silver-cholinesterase histochemistry and electron microscopy were used to 1) identify the fate of motor axons within the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) applied to degenerating larval myofibers and 2) to determine the origin(s) of the motor axons that innervate the postmetamorphic muscle fibers of the jaw. The results demonstrate that the NMJs are retained on larval myofibers throughout their degeneration and are readily identifiable on the residual larval basal laminae that remain after involution of the sarcoplasm. Light and electron microscopic observations provide evidence that both pre- and post-synaptic elements are present on the degenerating fibers. Furthermore, morphometric analyses indicate that the preponderance (86%) of motor axons supplying adult muscle fibers originates from the larval NMJs. This condition suggests that metamorphic redeployment of trigeminal motoneurons occurs through the resumption of growth at the axon terminal supplying larval muscle rather than through the proximal collateralization of these axons and resorption of larval terminals.     

胰岛素样生长因子-1受体在子宫内膜癌中的表达及临床意义

目的 研究子宫内膜癌组织中IGF-1R的分布、表达及其临床意义。方法 选取30例子宫内膜癌手术标本，石蜡切片，采用PV-600PicTureTM检测试剂进行免疫组化，测定IGF-1R的分布及表达，分析与临床病理之间的关系。另取10例正常的增生期子宫内膜标本作为对照。结果 IGF-1R为膜受体。IGF-1R在10例正常增生期子宫内膜细胞中的阳性表达率为70％，无过度表达；而在30例子宫内膜癌细胞中的阳性表达率为90％，过度表达率为40％（中度阳性7例、强阳性5例）。统计表明，正常增生期子宫内膜细胞与子宫内膜癌细胞相比IGF-1R阳性表达率差异尤显著性（P=0．13）；IGF-1R过度表达率差异有显著性（P=0．017）。子宫内膜癌细胞膜IGF-1R阳性表达及过度表达在高分化与中、低分化之间有显著差异（与分级呈负相关系：分化越低，IGF-1R的表达越强，反之，分化高，IGF-1R的表达则弱）。IGF-1R的阳性表达及过度表达在临床分期Ⅰ-Ⅲ期各组间均无明显差异。结论 IGF-1R在子宫内膜癌细胞膜表达，且随恶性程度的增加其表达量增加，IGF-1R的表达量可以预测内膜癌的预后，对临床治疗可能具有一定的指导意义。     

UROLOGICAL TUMOURS: RECENT CHANGES

The principles of urology and all surgical disciplines were, not too long ago, considered to be rigidly and permanently established. In this exciting era of change, the foundations of urology are now set on shifting sands rather than the bedrock of the past. The pertinent issue clinically is making discriminating evaluations of new developments so that, where appropriate. they are able to be incorporated into treatment practices to improve patient care. In this overview, a personal appreciation of the more important practical and conceptual changes relating to prostatic. urothelial and renal carcinoma during the past 5 to 10 years is presented.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the craniocervical junction

Magnetic resonance imaging has become the study of choice for the majority of abnormalities of the craniocervical junction as well as for demonstration of primary pathology of the spinal cord, and brain stem. Although the applications of MR are currently limited by its high cost, relatively long scan time, and low sensitivity to calcification, new pulse sequences, faster scan strategies, and lower cost MR scanner are changing this situation. MR contrast agents and the use of 3-D imaging techniques combined with gradient echoes promise to play a role in MR of the craniocervical junction in the near future.