A sewing needle completely buried in the myocardium removed under extracorporeal circulation.

A 14-year-old boy had a needle accidentally inserted through his chest wall. Chest X-ray showed a needle-shaped metallic density localized in the cardiac silhouette. An echocardiography indicated the needle had passed through the interventricular septum, and its eye and point had reached the right and left ventricle, respectively. Surgical removal of the needle was performed. The needle could not be observed from the heart surface, and was recognized in a dent 5 mm on the right side from the left anterior descending branch (LAD). The needle was easily removed under extracorporeal circulation, and he was discharged ten days after the operation.     

Intrapulmonary metastasis developing eighteen years after complete resection of thymoma

We present a case of intrapulmonary metastasis developing 18 years after complete resection of thymoma. An 8 mm nodule in the lower lobe of the left lung was noted on chest X-ray in a 76-year-old woman who had undergone complete resection of Masaoka’s stage II thymoma 18 years earlier. Since the nodule grew to 17 mm during a 2-year follow-up, wedge resection was performed. The lesion was histologically diagnosed as an intrapulmonary metastasis from thymoma. Extremely late recurrence after complete resection of thymoma is discussed.     

A minute small-cell lung cancer showing a latent phase early in growth.

A minute small-cell lung cancer measuring 8 x 5 mm was detected and serially imaged by computed tomography for about a year preceding resection. Although this solid nodule showed a short overall doubling time (76 days), the growth curve included an early phase without apparent growth prior to the phase of rapid growth. Accordingly, lung cancer cannot be ruled out when a small nodule (<10 mm) does not enlarge in the first several months of computed tomographic follow-up.     

Golgi study on brain of macular mutant mouse as a model of Menkes kinky hair disease

Summary This study was undertaken to elucidate, using the Golgi method, the neuropathological change in the brain of the macular mutant mouse, whose hemizygote (Ml/y) is considered to be a model of Menkes kinky hair disease (MKHD). The hemizygote mice gradually lost weight after 10 days of age and died with emaciation and seizure around day 15. The normal littermate (+/y) was well developed. In the cerebrum, the arborization of pyramidal neurons in the layer V of the Ml/y was the same as that in the +/y on day 10. However, development of arborization in the Ml/y was delayed in comparison with that in the +/y on days 12 and 14. Purkinje cells with several somal sprouts were observed in the cerebellum in both the Ml/y and +/y on day 7. The somal sprouts in the +/y had regressed gradually by day 12, while they were still in the anterior and middle lobes of the Ml/y on day 14. Additionally, the trunks of Ml/y stem dendrites became thicker and a cactus formation was recognized on the branching portion of the dendrites on day 14. Arborization of these abnormal Purkinje cells was distinctly poor compared with that in the +/y. These results suggest that the growth of the neurons is delayed in the Ml/y and simultaneously their cytoskeletal developments are disturbed, especially in the Purkinje cells. There is a close similarity in many respects to the neuropathological change in MKHD.     

A case of parathyroid hormone-related peptide producing gallbladder carcinoma presenting humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy]

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) in neoplastic syndrome has been most commonly reported in squamous cell carcinoma. Gallbladder carcinoma with HHM is uncommon. In this report, we describe a male case of gallbladder carcinoma with marked hypercalcemia and a high level of serum parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP). An immunohistochemical examination using PTHrP was also positive.     

Levels and ages of selenium and metals in sedimentary cores of Ise Bay as determined by 210-Pb dating technique

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology -     

Urological emergency in neonates with congenital hydronephrosis

OBJECTIVE: It is well described that unilateral pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is a benign condition, because the dilatation resolves spontaneously and the function does not decrease in most of the kidneys. However, there is exceptional PUJO that requires emergent treatment in neonatal periods. The aim of this article is to report the urological emergency and management in neonates with PUJO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine children (seven boys and two girls) with PUJO who underwent neonatal emergent treatment during the last 13 years were reviewed. Renal function was evaluated according to decay curve of serum creatinine (SCr) levels corresponding to gestational age (GA) at delivery. Physical examination, ultrasonographic monitoring, and chest and abdominal plain radiographs were repeated in each neonate. RESULTS: Eight patients were detected prenatally. In five patients, multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) was demonstrated on the contralateral side. Three patients underwent percutaneous puncture of fetal hydronephrosis. Decrease of amniotic fluid was evident in three fetuses. Indications for emergent treatment included mass effect from hydronephrosis in three patients, renal dysfunction in five, and severe urinary tract infection in one. During neonatal periods, a percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed in seven, and open nephrostomy in one with anorectal malformation. Repeated punctures of the dilated renal pelvis were done in one patient. Renal function after pyeloplasty was stable in eight patients, while it was moderately decreased in one who was associated with oligohydramnios in utero. CONCLUSION: Indications for emergent treatment in neonates with PUJO included mass effect from giant hydronephrosis, renal dysfunction and severe urinary tract infection. At birth, respiratory and circulatory conditions must first be stabilized. In neonates with hydronephrosis of the solitary kidney or severe bilateral PUJO, serial SCr should be monitored to evaluate renal function. Decrease of amniotic fluid suggested renal functional compromise that would not recover after urological management.