Myocardial perfusion and clearance of 99mTc teboroxime assessed by SPECT]

99mTc teboroxime is a new myocardial imaging agent that has characteristics of high accumulation in the heart and rapid clearance. We performed tomographic teboroxime study and compared the findings with that of 201Tl. Myocardial teboroxime clearance was calculated by dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using continuous repetitive rotation acquisition method. Teboroxime SPECT image was reconstructed by the three-minute data started from 4 minutes after injection. In 45 myocardial regions (15 patients), complete agreement between 201Tl and 99mTc teboroxime was obtained in 33 regions (73%), when the findings were classified as normal, ischemia and infarction. Significant delay in clearance was seen in the region of coronary stenosis (greater than or equal to 75%) compared with that in the control region (p = 0.0087 at rest, and p = 0.0385 at peak exercise by paired T test). Septum-to-lateral ratios of the clearance and myocardial initial count showed positive correlation (r = 0.743). Further clinical application of this radiopharmaceutical is expected as a new myocardial imaging agent.     

Evaluation of transcutaneous and end-tidal carbon dioxide levels during inhalation sedation in volunteers

Measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (P_ETCO₂) is useful because of its noninvasiveness, continuity, and response time when sudden changes in ventilation occur during inhalation sedation. We compared the accuracy of P_ETCO₂ using a nasal mask and nasal cannula with the accuracy of transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TC-CO₂) and determined which method is more useful during inhalation sedation in volunteers. We used a modified nasal mask (MNM) and modified nasal cannula (MNC) for measurement of P_ETCO₂. The capnometer measured P_ETCO₂ in the gas expired from the nasal cavity by means of two devices. The volunteers received supplemental O₂ by means of each device at a flow rate of 6 L/min. After the volunteers lay quietly for 5 min with a supply of 100 % O₂, they received supplemental N₂O by means of each device at concentrations of 10, 20, and 25 % for 5 min and 30 % for 25 min. The correlation coefficient was poorer in the MNM than in the MNC, and the mean difference between TC-CO₂ and P_ETCO₂ in the MNM was greater than that in the MNC. The difference between the TC-CO₂ and P_ETCO₂ ranged from 3 to 6 mmHg in the MNM and from 2 to 5 mmHg in the MNC. The difference between two variables against the TC-CO₂ and the CO₂ waveforms obtained by means of the two devices were within the clinically acceptable range. Our two devices can provide continuous monitoring of P_ETCO₂ with a supply of N₂O/O₂ in patients undergoing inhalation sedation.     

Comparison of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and Ga-67 scintigraphy in evaluation of lymphoma

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET; dual-head camera with attenuation correction) and Ga-67 scintigraphy was compared to identify disease sites in patients with Hodgkin disease (HD) and intermediate and high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at initial diagnosis or clinical recurrence. METHODS: Fifty-one contemporaneous FDG-PET and Ga-67 scintigraphies were performed on patients with NHL (35 intermediate grade, 3 high grade) or HD (13 patients). Sites of disease were correlated on a site-by-site basis on FDG-PET and Ga-67 images. Tumor-to-background (T/B) ratios were obtained for both techniques. Discordant FDG-PET and Ga-67 findings were correlated with computed tomography findings or clinical evaluation including repeat FDG-PET scans obtained after therapy. RESULTS: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was positive at all 158 sites in 51 patients compared with 113 sites in 41 positive studies with Ga-67 scintigraphy (single positron emission computed tomography [SPECT] and/or planar images). In 44 patients who had complete Ga-67 SPECT data on all tumor sites, FDG-PET was positive at 126 sites and Ga-67 SPECT was positive at 81 sites. Ga-67 SPECT failed to demonstrate disease at 45 sites (35.7%). In 10 of 44 patients, Ga-67 SPECT completely failed to detect any disease at 22 of 45 sites (17.5%) and partially identified disease sites at 23 of 45 sites (18.2%) in 11 patients regardless of the tumor site and histology. In these patients, the lesions measured between 0.6 and 14.0 cm by CT. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed higher stage disease in 13 patients compared with Ga-67 imaging. Tumor-to-background ratios were statistically different between the two techniques with higher ratios obtained with FDG-PET (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In imaging aggressive lymphoma and HD before therapy, FDG-PET has significantly higher site and patient sensitivity than Ga-67 scintigraphy (100% vs. 71.5% and 100% vs. 80.3%, respectively). The change in disease stage by FDG-PET may result in a change in therapy strategy.     

An Accurate and Rapid Gender Determination Assay in Single Cells by the Capillary Polymerase Chain Reaction Method

Purpose: In preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a rapid and accurate assay has been required. We have therefore developed a capillary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using rapid thermal cycling programs to determine the gender of single amniocytes. Methods: Single amniocytes from each amniotic fluid sample were isolated by micromanipulation and their gender was determined by a multiplex PCR assay in a capillary tube, using primers that amplify a 308-bp DXZ1 and a 154-bp DYZ1 repeat sequence on the X and Y chromosomes, respectively. Results: All four thermal cycling programs, which took 180, 150, 120, and 90 min, were 100% accurate in diagnosing the gender of single amniocytes. No DNA contamination was observed in any samples. Conclusions: The multiplex PCR assay was rapid and accurate in diagnosing gender in single cells and may be clinically applicable in PGD.     

Safety and efficacy of fluvastatin in hyperlipidemic patients with chronic renal disease

BACKGROUND: There are few reports on the safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with statins in patients with chronic renal disease and hyperlipidemia. We evaluated these subjects treated with fluvastatin. METHODS: After a 4-week run-in period, a total of 80 patients with diabetic nephropathy or chronic glomerulonephritis were randomly allocated to receive dietary therapy and fluvastatin 20 mg/day (n=39), or dietary therapy alone (n=41) for a period of 48 weeks. Lipid parameters, rhabdomyolysis-related indicators, 24-hour urinary albumin excretion and creatinine clearance were measured. The pharmacokinetics of fluvastatin was examined in 8 patients. RESULTS: Creatinine clearance and 24-hour urinary albumin excretion did not differ between the two groups. The peak serum fluvastatin concentration (Cmax) was 141+/-67 microg/L and the mean AUC0-6 h was 341+/-149 microgh/L. Fluvastatin treatment significantly lowered serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apo-lipoprotein B concentrations by 16%, 25%, and 22%, respectively, compared with patients receiving dietary therapy alone. There were no significant differences in serum triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations between the two treatment groups. Serum creatine kinase and aldolase concentrations did not change throughout treatment in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fluvastatin treatment significantly improved lipid parameters in patients with chronic renal disease. Fluvastatin was well tolerated, with no adverse effects on renal function and no muscular toxicity. However, the drug showed no direct renoprotective effects.     

The effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine administered during local anesthesia on left ventricular diastolic function.

To evaluate the effects of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) administered during local anesthesia on left ventricular diastolic function, we examined transmitral inflow patterns with pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and transmitral inflow patterns were measured in 10 healthy volunteers when 3.6 mL of 2% lidocaine containing 1:80,000 E or 1:25,000 NE was injected supraperiosteally in the maxilla. The dosage of drug administered was 45 micrograms for E and 144 micrograms for NE. After the administration of E, heart rate was increased, but blood pressure was unchanged. Peak early velocity (R), peak atrial velocity (A), the ratio of A to R (A/R), and the deceleration rate (Dc) were increased, whereas the isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was shortened. The increase of R and Dc and the shortening of IVRT indicated an activation of left ventricular relaxation. After the administration of NE, blood pressure was increased and heart rate was decreased. A decrease in Dc, shortening of the acceleration half-time (AcT), and prolongation of IVRT were observed. These changes reflect impeded myocardial relaxation. We conclude that E activates left ventricular diastolic function and that NE, in contrast, impairs it.     

The effect of pyeloplasty on renal function in children with unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Investigation of the split renal function using DMSA renal uptake rate]

Pre- and post-operative changes of renal function in twenty children (10 were younger than 2 years old) with unilateral hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction were studied on the basis of DMSA renal uptake rate. A marked increase in DMSA renal uptake rate was observed in thirteen cases (65%) after pyeloplasty on the obstructed side. Among them eight children were younger than 2 years old. In 6 children younger than 2 years old, a remarkable increase of DMSA renal uptake rate after reconstructive operation was recognized not only on the obstructed side but also on the contralateral normal side. These tendency could not be observed in those older than 2 years old. These results suggest that, in the young children, the obstructed kidney inhibits the contralateral normal and compensatory renal growth, and that the relief of obstruction eliminates this inhibition and causes the renal growth spur in a normal kidney. We conclude that it is essential to correct unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction before two years of age if an improvement of renal function not only on the obstructed side but also on the normal side is to be expected.     

A case of advanced pancreatic cancer responding well to S-1/gemcitabine combination therapy after gemcitabine therapy

A 71-year-old male with unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine (GEM) by another doctor came to our hospital because of stenosis of duodenum and hydronephrosis. There was peritoneal dissemination in his abdominal cavity, and gastro-jejunostomy was performed. After surgery, GEM therapy was continued until he was judged as PD. The regimen was switched to S-1/GEM combination therapy. After that, the tumor marker was down to within normal range, and abdominal symptoms improved. He is now being treated as an outpatient. S-1/GEM combination therapy is effective for patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer.     

Behçet’s disease complicated by IgA nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome

A 65-year-old woman with a 48-year history of Behçet’s disease associated with nephrotic syndrome is described. Immunofluorescence study revealed IgA nephropathy. Following treatment with an angiotensin II type-I receptor-blocker, an anti-platelet drug, and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, accompanied by dietary restrictions of protein and sodium, proteinuria was markedly decreased. This report describes our experience with a rare entity of Behçet’s disease complicated by nephrotic syndrome due to IgA nephropathy. Routine urine examination and renal biopsy are needed for the detection and diagnosis of renal problems with Behçet’s disease.     

A case of delayed ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm after traffic injury mimicking cardiac tumor]

A 44-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of severe congestive heart failure complicated with acute renal failure and hepatic failure. He had been injured in a traffic accident three years before. Echocardiogram demonstrated a large tumor on the anterior wall of right ventricle obstructing RV outflow. Emergent operation was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. Tumor was too large and invading into RV endocardium partially. RV patch enlargement was performed because it was impossible to resect tumor entirely. CVP was decreased dramatically to 8 cmH2O from 28 cmH2O. Postoperative hemodynamic was stable, but patient died of hepatic failure. Autopsy revealed that tumor was pseudoaneurysm from ascending aorta and ruptured into right ventricle.