IMPROVED BALLOON‐TIPPED TRANS‐ANAL ILEUS TUBE

Background: For management of bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer, endoscopic trans‐anal decompression technique has been first reported by Lelcuk et al. in 1986 using balloon dilatation technique. Since then, various types of trans‐anal decompression tubes have been clinically used for patients suffering from left side obstructing colorectal cancer as an emergent decompressing device. At present, two types of trans‐anal ileus tube (trans‐anal decompression tube) have been available for clinical use, but they have two main problems that are late colon perforations caused by the tip of the tube and tube obstruction by stool. Methods: Analysis on three late colon perforations experienced with the use of conventional devices drew possible improvements to make a trans‐anal ileus tube less harmful. To overcome the pitfalls inherent to conventional tubes, the author has developed an improved trans‐anal ileus tube with a balloon installed at the very end of the tube (‘balloon‐tipped type’) made of silicone, measuring 1200 or 1700 mm in total length and 22 Fr in outer diameter. It has been used for 12 cases with obstructing colorectal cancer etc. and its outcomes were compared with those obtained by the use of conventional trans‐anal ileus tube. Results: No late perforations have been encountered, but tube obstruction did occur in one of 12 cases. Conclusion: The new trans‐anal ileus tube with a balloon installed at the tip of ileus tube is considered to be safer and especially effective in preventing late colon perforation and tube obstruction.     

Effects of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus on the risk of total cardiovascular events in Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia: implications from the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial (J-LIT).

Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM) are well-established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We analyzed the cardiovascular events in hyperlipidemic patients with or without DM who were administered open-labeled simvastatin in groups stratified by blood pressure level using data from the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial (J-LIT). Hyperlipidemic patients with DM (n=6,288) had significantly more cardiovascular events than those without DM (n=33,933). The incidence rates of total cardiovascular events in the Non-DM and DM groups were 15.40 and 25.76 per 1,000 patients for the 6-year period, respectively. The relative risk of total cardiovascular events in the DM vs. the Non-DM group was 1.68, and the relative risk was significantly higher in the DM than in the Non-DM group. The relative risks of total cardiovascular events were significantly higher in DM and Non-DM patients whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) was greater than or equal to 130 mmHg compared to that of Non-DM patients whose SBP was less than 130 mmHg, and in DM and Non-DM patients whose diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was greater than or equal to 80 mmHg compared to that of Non-DM patients whose DBP was less than 80 mmHg. In all groups stratified by SBP and DBP, relative risks of total cardiovascular events were higher in DM patients than in Non-DM patients. For patients with hypercholesterolemia and DM, blood pressure should be strictly controlled in order to prevent both coronary events and stroke. These results are in good agreement with the JNC 7 and the ESH/ESC guidelines for DM patients, which recommended that the SBP and DBP be less than 130 and 80 mmHg, respectively.     

A case of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with internal pancreatic fistula causing left ureteral obstruction]

A 75-year-old man had been admitted to another hospital because of left abdominal pain, and was given a diagnosis of left hydronephrosis and acute pancreatitis. After a JJ stent insertion and medication, he was transferred to our hospital for further examinations. US and EUS revealed a chronic pancreatitis-like pattern and multicystic lesion in the pancreas head and body. At that time enhanced CT findings showed an extrapancreatic low density area to be inflammatory change, extending from the pancreas body to the left crus of the diaphragm and posteriorly the spreading from the left crus of the diaphragm via the left urinary duct into the left iliopsoas muscle, in which MRI revealed partial high intensity. ERCP and MRCP showed focal irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct of unknown cause, and we decided that an internal pancreatic fistula due to pancreatitis had induced left ureteral obstruction, caused by a protein plug or alcohol. Follow-up 6 months later showed that extrapancreatic spreading of the low density area had markedly regressed without any change in the ureteral obstruction.     

A case of leiomyosarcoma of the prostate

A 50-year-old man with the symptom of anal pain was treated by pelvic exenteration, ileal conduit diversion and artificial anus. The pathologic diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma of the prostate. At 5 months post-operatively, the patient had no evidence of metastasis or recurrence.     

Retroperitoneal primary mucinous adenocarcinoma with a mural nodule of anaplastic tumor: a case report and literature review.

A 38-year-old female presented with a lower abdominal mass. During the operation the mass was found to be retroperitoneal and was excised. Gross examination revealed a mucin-containing cystic lesion with a mural nodule. On microscopic examination, the cystic areas were lined by an invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and the nodule was composed of an anaplastic sarcomatoid tumor that was immunoreactive for cytokeratin. This present case is the 21st example of a retroperitoneal primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and the fourth with a mural nodule. Three of four cases with a mural nodule, including our case, had a rapidly fatal outcome.     

Inhibitory reflex during bronchoconstrictions induced by histamine and Ascaris suum antigen.

We investigated the involvements of sympathetic and nonadrenergic nervous systems in the inhibitory reflex following bronchoconstriction in dogs. Inhalations of a 0.00125% solution of histamine and Ascaris suum antigen (3 mg protein) to the bronchial side induced reflex tracheal constriction following bronchoconstriction. An intra-arterial infusion of 5 micrograms/min of atropine to the tracheal site changed the reflex tracheal constrictions by histamine and antigen inhalations into tracheal dilatations. The reflex tracheal dilatations were abolished by the combination of intra-arterial propranolol (100 micrograms) and transections of both the bilateral superior laryngeal nerves and the spinal cord at the C1 level. The reflex tracheal constrictions induced by histamine and antigen inhalations were increased with 100 micrograms propranolol. Furthermore, the reflex tracheal constrictions were enhanced by the combination of 100 micrograms propranolol and transection of the spinal cord. These findings indicate that during the constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle, not only a reflex tracheal constriction mechanism but also one of reflex dilatation operates and that the latter reflex response may be mainly mediated by the sympathetic nerves, with partial involvement of the nonadrenergic nerves. This inhibitory reflex may attenuate asthmatic bronchoconstriction.     

Competitiveness in sports activities of the psychiatrically disabled]

In 2002, psychiatrically disabled athletes joined an historic first open game of volleyball at the national sports games for the disabled. Compared to the competitive sports and Paralympic Games that physically and intellectually disabled athletes have participated in, activities for the psychiatrically disabled have not been well-organized. In this paper, we examine a number of problems that have arisen when the psychiatrically disabled joined competitive sports games. We identify two major characteristics of the psychiatrically disabled of particular relevance when organizing competitive sports activities. First, all psychiatrically disabled athletes need treatment of their individual diseases. For example, psychiatric symptoms fluctuate markedly over time, unlike physical or intellectual disabilities, whose symptoms are much more stable. Exacerbations of psychiatric illness are also likely to occur due to the stresses of competitiveness. Second, psychiatric disabilities are manifestations of disorders in the central nervous system, which makes the classification of psychiatric disabilities less straightforward than classification of the physically disabled. These two characteristics require special attention when organizing competitive athletic challenges that include the psychiatrically disabled. However, promoting sports activities that include the psychiatrically disabled would be expected to reduce the prejudice toward and subsequent social disadvantages experienced by psychiatric patients. Thus, with careful planning to successfully integrate psychiatrically disabled athletes, we expect increased promotion of such sports activities in the future.