Cardiocirculatory disturbances after surgery of carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus

From 1976 to 1985, 277 cases of carcinoma of the esophagus were resected in the Second Department of Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine. Postoperative cardiocirculatory disturbances occurred in 114 cases (41.2%), arrhythmia being the disturbance most frequently observed (86.8%). Low cardiac output syndrome occurred in 8 cases and myocardial infarction occurred in 3 cases. The majority of the cases were treated successfully, but 5 patients died within one month after operation. Causes of death were as follows: myocardial infarction, constrictive pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia and acute cardiac failure. Postoperative arrhythmia occurred mainly up to the third postoperative day. Low cardiac output syndrome occurred just after operation or on the first postoperative day. All cases of myocardial infarction occurred on the first postoperative day. The rate of occurrence of cardiocirculatory disturbances in aged patients (greater than or equal to 70) was significantly higher than other group (less than or equal to 69), (56.7%:38.1%, p less than 0.05). The rate of occurrence of cardiocirculatory disturbances in patients who had a history of hypertension or in patients with abnormal preoperative electrocardiographic findings were relatively higher than those in patients who had no history of hypertension or in patients with no abnormal preoperative electrocardiographic findings. The rate of occurrence of cardiocirculatory disturbances in patients who had undergone total resection of the thoracic esophagus was significantly higher than that in patients who had undergone partial resection of the thoracic esophagus (42.8%:23.8%, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A case of embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia of the cerebrum]

The occurrence sites of intracranial primary germ cell tumors are most often the pineal and suprasellar regions. The histological type observed most frequently in these tumors is germinoma. Cases of embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia are rarely reported. To our knowledge, only 4 such cases have been previously reported in the literature. A case of an embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia is reported. A 17-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital on July 30, 1988 because of headache and vomiting, and a right hemiparesis. On admission, physical inspection showed no abnormalities and neurological examination revealed obtunded consciousness, a right central facial paresis and a right hemiparesis with Hoffman and Babinski reflexes. Noncontrast CT scan showed a large mass of low-to slightly high-density in the region of the left basal ganglia accompanied with midline shift and ventricular dilatation. Enhancement of the lesion was made by contrast CT scan. It was not homogeneous. Cerebral angiogram displayed a contralateral shift and an unrolling of the anterior cerebral artery, a lateral stretch of middle cerebral artery, a downward stretch of anterior choroidal artery and a tumor stain fed by the Heubner artery. On August 3, left frontotemporal craniotomy was performed. The tumor was totally removed in a piecemeal manner using microsurgical techniques. Histopathological diagnosis was mixed-type of germ cell tumor comprising embryonal carcinoma and teratoma. Postoperative CT scan showed complete disappearance of the tumor. A course of radiation of 4950 rads and two courses of a combination chemotherapy with cis-platinum, vinblastine and bleomycin were given within 3 months after the operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Endocannabinoids and synaptic function in the CNS.

Marijuana affects neural functions through the binding of its active component (Delta(9)-THC) to cannabinoid receptors in the CNS. Recent studies have elucidated that endogenous ligands for cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, serve as retrograde messengers at central synapses. Endocannabinoids are produced on demand in activity-dependent manners and released from postsynaptic neurons. The released endocannabinoids travel backward across the synapse, activate presynaptic CB1 cannabinoid receptors, and modulate presynaptic functions. Retrograde endocannabinoid signaling is crucial for certain forms of short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity at excitatory or inhibitory synapses in many brain regions, and thereby contributes to various aspects of brain function including learning and memory. Molecular identities of the CB1 receptor and enzymes involved in production and degradation of endocannabinoids have been elucidated. Anatomical studies have demonstrated unique distributions of these molecules around synapses, which provide morphological bases for the roles of endocannabinoids as retrograde messengers. CB1-knockout mice exhibit various behavioral abnormalities and multiple defects in synaptic plasticity, supporting the notion that endocannabinoid signaling is involved in various aspects of neural function. In this review article, the authors describe molecular mechanisms of the endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic modulation and its possible physiological significance.     

Increase in venous outflow from the corpora cavernosa during mild erection in dogs.

The venous outlet of the corpus cavernosum is generally believed to be obstructed during erection. Some researchers, however, have demonstrated an increased venous outflow during erection. To elucidate this discrepancy, we carried out a pressure-flow study using a perfusion model of the penile deep artery in dogs. Various states of the corpus cavernosum, which were different in cavernous pressure, were induced by a delicate control of electrostimulation to the cavernous nerve. Inflow rate into the corpus cavernosum, inflow resistance and outflow resistance were simultaneously evaluated. The inflow rate in mild erection was higher than in the flaccid state, and the outflow rate was estimated to be also higher than in the flaccid state. A probable reason for the increased outflow rate was that the arterial resistance decreased remarkably, while the venous resistance only slightly increased. In full erection, both the inflow and outflow rates were lower than in the flaccid state because of a great venous resistance. Histological observation of the canine penis indicated that compression of draining veins passing through the tunica albuginea was weak in mild erection, while intense in full erection. It was proposed that in mild erection, the effect of venous occlusion was slight though that of arterial dilation was noticeable, resulting in an increase in the venous outflow.     

Techniques for difficult cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Our basic techniques for the management of difficult cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are presented in this article. If access to Calot's triangle cannot be gained safely, dissection should be started at the fundus or body of the gallbladder (GB), rather than the neck (fundus-first method). In cases with a short and wide cystic duct, a transfixing suture should be applied for ligation instead of clipping. EndoGIA is useful for ligating and transecting this case to avoid a subsequent stricture caused by normal method of ligation. Intraoperative cholangiography should be performed near the neck of the GB in cases in which orientation is lost during dissection. More dissection should be performed in the direction of the junction of the bile ducts after orientation is regained. In cases with GB filled with stones accompanied by severe fibrosis, part of the GB is incised to remove the stones and expose the lumen of the GB. Confluence stones can be removed by placing an incision on the GB side of the junction of the duct. The incised part is closed with suture. A cystic tube (C-tube) is placed in the common bile duct through the cystic duct for decompression. In more difficult cases in which dissection cannot be started safely at any location, the body and the fundus of the GB are excised, and a drain is placed at the neck of the GB. Dissection can be carried out from the main surgeon's or the assistant's side depending on the situation, and cooperation between the two surgeons is mandatory to achieve safe LC in difficult cases. When performing the LC, one must have a low threshold for converting to open surgery if injuries cannot be managed safely.     

Validation of esophageal pressure occlusion test after paralysis

Measurements of respiratory mechanics are frequently made in ventilated infants and children. Esophageal pressure measurements (P_es using a balloon on a catheter have been used to partition the respiratory mechanics into lung and chest wall components. Appropriate positioning of this balloon is crucial to obtain accurate estimates of pleural pressure. Traditionally, in spontaneously breathing subjects the balloon position is assessed with an occlusion test. In ventilated subjects, it is not always possible to perform an occlusion test prior to paralysis, and even if such a test is performed it may not be relevant under conditions of positive pressure ventilation. We have assessed a positive pressure occlusion test that is suitable for paralyzed subjects. By occluding the airway opening and applying gentle pressure to the abdomen or rib cage, positive swings in pressure can be measured by both P_es and airway opening pressure (P_ao). We compared traditional occlusion tests measured in 16 spontaneously breathing puppies to the positive pressure occlusion test performed after paralysis. In 2 pups we were unable to obtain a reasonable traditional occlusion test (>15% difference between P_es and P_ao) but we obtained 10 traditional occlusion tests in each of the remaining 14 pups (2.1–14 kg). In 11 of these animals Ape, was within 10% of P_ao. This compared well to positive pressure occlusion test using abdominal pressure performed after paralysis, where Apes was within 10% of ΔP_ao in 10 animals. In 9 of these pups occlusion tests were also performed by applying pressure on the rib cage, where ΔP_es was within 10% of ΔP_ao in 6 animals. These results suggest that it is possible to perform accurate occlusion tests in paralyzed subjects by abdominal or rib cage compression with the airway occluded. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1994; 17:56–62. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The value and limitation of resting 201Tl reinjection after stress-redistribution imaging for the assessment of myocardial viability: comparison with wall motion improvement by revascularization]

Clinical value and limitation of resting reinjection of small dose of thallium (37 MBq) for the assessment of myocardial viability were evaluated. The results were compared with the degree of wall motion improvement by revascularization to infarcted myocardium supplied by chronic total vessels in 12 patients with old myocardial infarction. Thallium uptake was visually scored and judged as normal, reversible defect (Group 1), new fill in after reinjection (Group 2A), and no fill in even after reinjection (Group 2B). Among 53 segments with initial perfusion abnormality, 21 segments reverted to almost normal, while 32 segments remained abnormal on redistribution images. New fill in after reinjection was observed in 11 segments of 32 segments showing persisting defect on stress and delayed image (37%). Wall motion score index of Group 2A improved significantly higher than Group 2B (p less than 0.01) and almost equal to Group 1, suggesting the utility of reinjection for the assessment of tissue viability which may be underestimated by conventional imaging. But significant wall motion improvement (greater than or equal to 0.6 mean SD/chords) was observed in 6 segments (29%) of 21 segments showing neither redistribution nor fill in after reinjection. These data indicate that small dose of thallium reinjection may enhance detection of viable but jeopardized myocardium, although some underestimation of viability remained to be resolved.     

Effect of hypertension on asymmetrical septal hypertrophy: an echocardiographic study

The effect of hypertension on asymmetrical septal hypertrophy was studied by echocardiography to differentiate idiopathic asymmetrical septal hypertrophy (ASH) from ASH with hypertension. One hundred eight patients with ASH proven by echocardiography were categorized in two groups; 53 patients with hypertension (greater than 160 systolic, greater than 95 diastolic) (hypertensive group: HT) and 55 patients with normal blood pressure (normotensive group: NT). Septal hypertrophy was classified as mid-portion (M-type), diffuse (D-type), and basal (B-type) hypertrophy by the long-axis view, and also diffuse (I-type), anterolateral (II-type), anteroseptal (III-type), and anterior septal (IV-type) by the short-axis view, respectively. Endomyocardial biopsy and left ventriculography were performed in 50 patients (18 hypertensives and 32 normotensives). In the hypertensive group, 45%, 30%, and 25% of cases had diffuse, basal and mid-portion hypertrophy, respectively. There was no case in the basal hypertrophy whose biopsy findings were compatible with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In the normotensive group, 78% and 22% of patients had midportion and diffuse hypertrophy, respectively, but none of them had the basal hypertrophy. Type IV was seen in only six patients in the normotensive group.     

Evaluation of image-diagnosing methods of enlarged parathyroid glands in chronic renal failure

Three noninvasive image-diagnosing methods, computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy with²⁰¹T1C1 and^99mTcO_h4 ^–, and ultrasonography (US), were preoperatively performed on 50 patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism who underwent total parathyroidectomy and parathyroid autograft. The detection rates of the 3 methods on the 191 excised parathyroid glands were compared according to weight and location. CT detected 57.1% of all glands and 78.6% of 103 glands weighing over 500 mg. Scintigraphy detected 51.8% and 75.7%, and US detected 42.4% and 53.4%, respectively. The detection rate of upper glands was best with CT at 58.9% and 89.1%; that of lower glands was best with scintigraphy at 65.3% and 80.4%. Although the combination of the 3 methods diagnosed 69.6% and 89.5%, CT and scintigraphy, the best 2 combinations, visualized 67.5% and 88.3%.

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Resumen Tres métodos diagnósticos no invasivos, la tomografía computadorizada (TC), la centelleografía con²⁰¹T1C1 y^99mTcO₄ y la ultrasonografía (US) fueron realizados preoperatoriamente en 50 pacientes con falla renal crónica e hiperparatiroidismo secundario sometidos a paratiroidectomía y autotransplante paratiroideo. Las tasas de detección de los 3 métodos fueron comparados sobre las 191 glándulas paratiroideas resecadas en relación a los pesos y a los sitios de ubicación. La TC detectó el 57.1% del total de glándulas y el 78.6% de aquellas glándulas (103) con pesos superiores a 500 mg. La centelleografía detectó 51.8% y 75.7%, y la US 42.4% y 53.4% respectivamente. La tasa de detección para las glándulas superiores fue optima con TC, con 58.9% y 89.1%; la de las glándulas inferiores fue óptima con centelleografía, con 65.3% y 80.4%. Aunque la combinación de los 3 metodos diagnosticó el 69.6% y 89.5%, la TC y la centelleografía, la mejor de las combinaciones, visualizó el 67.5% y el 88.3% respectivamente.

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Résumé Trois méthodes d'imagerie non invasives, la tomodensitométrie, la scintigraphie (avec T1C1²¹⁰ et TcO₄ ^99m), et l'ultrasonographie ont été pratiquées avant l'intervention chez 50 malades qui présentaient une insuffisance rénale chronique compliquée d'hyperparathyroïdisme secondaire et qui furent traités par parathyroïdectomie totale et autogreffe parathyroïdienne. Les taux de détection de ces 3 méthodes concernant 191 glandes parathyroïdes réséquées ont été évalués en fonction du poids et du siège des lésions. La tomodensitométrie a permis de découvrir 57.1% de toutes les glandes et 78.6% des glandes dont le poids dépassait 500 mg; la scintigraphie 51.8% et 75.7%; l'ultrasonographie 42.4% et 53.4%. Le taux de détection des glandes supérieures fut plus élevé avec la tomodensitométrie: 58.9% et 89.1%; celui des glandes inférieures le fut avec la scintigraphie: 65.3% et 80.4%. Si la combinaison des 3 méthodes permet le diagnostic dans 69.6% et 89.5% des cas la tomodensitométrie associée seulement à la scintigraphie donne des résultats très voisins, les taux respectifs étant de 67.5% et de 88.3%.

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Presented at the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons in Paris, September 1985.