[Three cases of surgical treatment of dumbbell neurogenic tumor of the mediastinum--evaluation of intraspinal extension in cases without clinical symptoms]. Three cases of dumbbell neurogenic tumor of the posterior mediastinum are reported. None of these cases had any clinical symptoms, and an abnormal mass shadow of the mediastinum had been detected on routine chest roentgenogram. In these three cases, however, myelogram and/or CT findings were suggestive of tumor extension to the spinal canal in various degrees. Two tumors were resected in two-stage operations with combined thoracic and neurosurgical approaches, and the other case was treated by one-stage operation with the combined two approaches. All tumors were completely resectable without serious complications such as hemorrhage, leakage of spinal fluid, or neurologic deficit. Even in asymptomatic patients with neurogenic tumor located in the paravertebral region, it should be determined whether or not the tumor extends to the spinal canal through the intervertebral foramen, prior to planning the surgical procedure.


[A case of endobronchial fibroma associated with recurrent pneumonia]. We present a case of endobronchial fibroma in a 59-year-old man admitted for repeated pneumonia, successfully treated by endoscopic Nd-YAG laser. His chest X-ray showed an infiltrative shadow in the right lower lung field and a mass shadow within the truncus intermedius. Bronchoscopy revealed a polypoid mass with lobulated whitish surface, obstructing 90% of the lumen. A biopsy taken from the tumor was suggestive of fibroma histologically. Two previous case reports stated that endobronchial fibroma readily detaches from the bronchial wall during removal. The tumor was successfully removed without dropping any tumor fragment to obstruct the distal bronchus by means of biopsy forceps manually attached to an endoscope with endoscopic Nd-YAG laser. The resected tumor was mainly composed of collagen fibers with scanty spindle-shaped fibroblastic cells, which was considered consistent with endobronchial fibroma. Endobronchial fibroma is a rare benign lung tumor, and only seven cases have been reported in the Japanese literature. There was no recurrence at three years and nine months.


[A case of systemic arterial supply to normal lung without sequestrated lung]. A 19-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of bloody sputum. His chest radiograph showed funicular shadows adjacent to the descending aorta in the left lower lobe and absence of vascular structures in the lower portion of the left hilum. His chest CT showed increased vascularity and slightly increased parenchymal density in the left basal segments. No cystic lesions were observed on CT. Angiographic examinations revealed that the left basal segments were supplied by an aberrant artery arising from the thoracic aorta, instead of the pulmonary artery. Left lower lobectomy was performed. Gross findings at surgery and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of systemic arterial supply to normal lung without sequestrated lung. The main histological findings of the specimen were hemorrhage in alveolar spaces and dilatation of vessels. These findings seemed to correspond to the CT findings. We consider that CT is useful for the diagnosis of this disease.


[A case of sarcoidosis presenting with Heerfordt's syndrome, associated with hepatosplenomegaly, pleural effusion, and ascites]. A 30-year-old female developed symptoms consistent with Heerfordt's syndrome (complete type) and was effectively treated with steroid. However, she developed hepatosplenomegaly, bloody pleural effusion, and ascites one year after discontinuation of steroid therapy. The symptoms were considered to be due to sarcoidosis since serum ACE level, and ACE level and OKT4/8 ratio in pleural and peritoneal effusions were significantly elevated, and readministration of steroid normalized these changes. Bloody pleural and peritoneal effusions are very rare complications of sarcoidosis.


[A case of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with Sjögren's syndrome diagnosed by lung localization]. A 30-year-old female, diagnosed as having SLE and followed at our hospital while receiving oral prednisolone (5 mg/day) for about 6 months, was admitted because of fever and productive cough. Chest X-ray and CT scan showed a tumor-like homogeneous shadow in the right middle lobe. Antibiotic treatment was not effective. Specimens obtained by TBLB revealed massive infiltration of mature plasma cells and lymphocytes into the alveolar septa and interstitial tissues. These findings were considered compatible with lymphoid interstitial pneumonia. Associated conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome were suggested, but the diagnostic criteria of Sjögren's syndrome were not satisfied. Both the abnormal shadow on chest X-ray and the clinical symptoms markedly improved by increasing the dose of prednisolone (20 mg/day). After 3 months, however, bilateral BAL findings showed alveolar lymphocytosis, providing evidence that subclinical diffuse pulmonary involvement had continued. This case indicates that radiological appearance may vary depending on the extent of lung involvement, even if the histological features are identical. It is concluded that the present diagnostic criteria of Sjögren's syndrome must be reconsidered so as not to overlook subclinical and asymptomatic cases of Sjögren's syndrome.


[A case of bucillamine-induced pneumonitis]. A 65-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis was treated with gold (gold sodium thiomalate), bucillamine, and other drugs. Gold was discontinued because of rash. Consequently she presented with high fever and alopecia, and was admitted with dyspnea. Chest X-ray showed diffuse bilateral reticulolinear infiltrates. The percentage of lymphocytes was increased and OKT4/8 ratio was decreased to 0.22 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In lung tissue specimens obtained by TBLB, alveolitis with Masson's bodies was seen on light microscopy, and electron micrography showed interstitial edema with desquamated macrophages in the alveolar space and lipid-laden pericytes, secondary to extensive destruction of the alveolar-capillary barrier. After discontinuation of drugs, her symptoms and infiltrates on the chest X-ray resolved. Furthermore, the results of drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) were positive for both drugs. We diagnosed this case as bucillamine-induced pneumonitis, since the symptoms developed after the administration of bucillamine; however, an interaction between bucillamine and gold may have contributed to the occurrence.


[A case of chronic interstitial pneumonia with benign monoclonal gammopathy (IgM-k) and thrombocytopenia]. A 53-year-old woman was admitted on 13th October 1988 with symptoms of dry cough and shortness of breath persisting for 1 year. On physical examination, fine crackles were audible over her back. Chest X-ray showed bilateral reticulonodular shadows and collapse of the bilateral lower lobes. Chest CT showed patchy areas of increased density distributed predominantly in the subpleural zone. Laboratory data on admission showed thrombocytopenia, hypergammopathy (IgG, 2044 mg/dl; IgA, 286 mg/dl; IgM, 1645 mg/dl), and positive ANF. Further examinations demonstrated that anti-platelet and anti-centromere antibodies were positive in the serum, and the titer of PA-IgG was high (56 ng/10(7) platelets). Histopathological examination of the open lung biopsy demonstrated honeycombing and thickening of the alveolar walls, with slight infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells. These histopathological findings were comparable with usual interstitial pneumonia. We report a very rare case of chronic interstitial pneumonia complicated by benign monoclonal gammopathy and thrombocytopenia. Although it remains unclear, these abnormalities may have been caused by immunological mechanisms.


[A case of pulmonary sarcoidosis with B lymphocytosis in peripheral blood]. A 24-year-old man was admitted on October 14, 1988, with bilateral cotton-like shadows on chest X-ray film. Chest CT demonstrated multiple nodular shadows in bilateral lung fields. Laboratory data on admission showed peripheral blood lymphocytosis and slight decrease of serum IgG and IgA. ACE was within normal limits, and BALF findings showed no increase of lymphocytes. Surface marker analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes showed an increase of B lymphocytes of antibody independent stage (B1, B4, J5, OKB7, sIgM, and sIgD positive cells were increased). Southern blot analysis of peripheral blood showed no rearrangement of immunoglobulin chains (H chain and L chain). In order to differentiate sarcoidosis from lymphoproliferative disorder, open lung biopsy was performed. Pathologic study revealed multiple epithelial granulomas without caseation. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated no accumulation of B cells of the lung. This patient was pathologically diagnosed as having pulmonary sarcoidosis. The abnormal chest shadows gradually improved without therapy; however, B cell lymphocytosis and slight decrease of serum IgG and IgA persisted. In general, lymphocytopenia of peripheral blood is usual in sarcoidosis. We report a rare case of pulmonary sarcoidosis with polyclonal B lymphocytosis of antibody independent stage in peripheral blood.


[A case of sarcoidosis with primary acute pulmonary cavitation]. A 23-year-old man was admitted to our hospital on June 24, 1991, because of worsening chest X-ray findings of sarcoidosis. In August 1990, he was referred to our outpatient office, because of BHL and nodular lesions on chest X-ray film performed at his company 4 months earlier. At that time, serum ACE was elevated to 34.0 IU/l, and Ga scintigraphy showed abnormal uptake in bilateral lacrimal and salivary glands, mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes, and in the lung fields. TBLB specimen showed noncaseating epithelioid granuloma with giant cells and negative stains for acid-fast bacilli. Although it was planned to follow this patient without medication, he did not return to our outpatient department. In June 1991, because of worsening of lesions in the lung at annual checkup at his company, he was referred and admitted for steroid therapy. Chest X-ray film on admission showed BHL, multiple nodular lesions in both lung fields, and bullous change in the left upper lobe. Chest CT on admission showed three cavitating lesions within preexisting nodules. PPD skin test was negative, and sputum smears and cultures were repeatedly negative for pyogenic bacteria and acid-fast bacilli. Therapy was initiated with prednisolone 30 mg daily. Four months later, there was marked resolution of BHL and nodular lesions, and the cavitating lesions were no longer visible on chest X-ray film. From the clinical and radiological observations, it is concluded that the cavitating lesions in the present case were primary acute pulmonary cavitation in sarcoidosis, distinct from infection, bullae, or cystic bronchiectasis which are seen in the chronic and fibrotic stages of sarcoidosis.


[Effects of inhaled and intravenous furosemide on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with chronic congestive heart failure]. We studied the effects of inhaled and intravenous furosemide (40 mg) on bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. The measurement of bronchial responsiveness was performed by inhaling doses of ACh and calculating the provocative concentration of ACh needed to cause a 20% fall in FEV1.0 (PC20-ACh). Intravenous furosemide (N = 11) had a marked diuretic effect (urine output 1014 ml (SEM 156) in 2 hours), but had no effect on resting pulmonary function and PC20-ACh. In contrast, inhaled furosemide (N = 10) had no effect on urine output and resting pulmonary function, but caused significant increase in PC20-ACh from 2.74 (GSEM 1.28) to 8.47 (GSEM 1.22) mg/ml (p less than 0.05). We conclude that inhaled furosemide, but not intravenous furosemide reduces bronchial hyperresponsiveness to ACh in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. The mechanism of this effect appears to be related to the ion transport system of airway epithelium.


[Clinical use of the measurement of functional residual capacity during non-panting breathing--study on healthy subjects and respiratory patients]. The functional residual capacity (FRC) has been measured by gas dilution technique (GA) and body plethysmographic technique (BP) using the panting maneuver (PA). However, this maneuver is difficult to perform for patients who experience discomfort in breathing, and in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, the FRC value measured by panting maneuver overestimates the true FRC value. Thus, in order to minimize these factors, we measured FRC during non-panting breathing (NP) using a BP device (BX-82, Minato Co., Osaka) and compared the results with the usual two methods. One hundred healthy subjects (Group I), 72 patients with restrictive ventilatory disorder (Group II, %VC = 62.7%) and 66 patients with pulmonary emphysema (Group III, FEV1.0% = 44.9%) were studied. All measurements were performed under 0.5 Hz respiratory frequency. The non-panting FRC measurement was performed by closing the mouth shutter of the BP for about 500 msec at the end of both the expiratory and inspiratory phase. From the box volume change and mouth pressure change, lisajous curves were formed and fitted by linear regression method. From this regression line, the volume of FRC was calculated. The obtained data had no significant differences among them, and there was a significant relationship between each technique. The correlation coefficient of non-panting breathing technique in Group III was slightly poor compared with the other techniques, and we therefore tried to re-classify Group III into small groups according to the severity of obstruction. It was subsequently found that this technique did not have the tendency to give a higher FRC value with increase in obstructive disorder.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Effect of hypoxia on the sensation of dyspnea during hypercapnic ventilatory response in normal subjects]. We examined, in 32 normal adults, the effect of hypoxia on the sensation of dyspnea during hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR). The tests were conducted under two different levels of inspiratory O2 content, either hyperoxia (PETO2 greater than 150 Torr) or hypoxia (PETO2 50-55 Torr), with simultaneous assessment of dyspnea sensation by visual analogue scaling (VAS). The sensation was evaluated either in relation to VE standardized by predicted MVV (the slope of VAS-VE regression line or VAS at VE 40%) or in relation to PETCO2 (the slope of VAS-PETCO2 line or VAS at PETCO2 55 Torr). Concomitant hypoxia significantly enhanced both the mean value of delta VE/delta PETCO2 and that of delta P0.1/delta PETCO2. The sensation of dyspnea did not differ between the two conditions when it was evaluated in relation to ventilation, whereas it was markedly greater during hypoxic HCVR when it was evaluated in relation to PETCO2. The hypoxic augmentation of the sensation, compared at PETCO2 55 Torr, could be explained by increase of the motor output from the respiratory center, since it was positively correlated with the relative change of VE, VTTI, and delta P0.1/delta PETCO2 (r = 0.70, p less than 0.0001; r = 0.63, p less than 0.0001; r = 0.40, p less than 0.05, respectively). From these findings, we conclude that hypoxia does not have a direct dyspnogenic effect, at least in normal subjects.


[Pathological examination of 11 autopsy cases of acute onset interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology]. In 11 autopsy cases of acute onset interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology, all cases had thickening of alveolar septa with various degrees of lymphocytic infiltration and fibroblast proliferation. Only a few cases had edematous alveolar septa, which were weakly positive in alcian-blue staining. Intra-alveolar, intra-alveolar duct and intra-bronchiolar organization was a characteristic finding. These findings may represent the repair phase rather than the exudative phase of diffuse alveolar damage. Localized bacterial pneumonia was superimposed in 3 cases, and neither Pneumocystis carinii nor viral inclusion bodies were identified in any case. The severity of fibrosis was not obviously correlated with the period of artificial ventilation. From these findings, terminal infection and oxygen therapy did not seem to significantly modify the course of acute-onset interstitial pneumonia. Further examination of autopsy cases as well as open-lung biopsy is important to elucidate the time course of acute-onset interstitial pneumonia.


[Dyspnea and inspiratory muscle function during exercise in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]. Role of inspiratory muscle function in the genesis of dyspnea in COPD patients has yet to be fully studied. The present study investigated the possible relationship between respiratory muscle function and the sensation of dyspnea (modified Borg Scale) during exercise in eight patients with severe COPD (FEV1 0.61L +/- 0.15L). The electrical activity of the diaphragm (EMGdi) was recorded with esophageal electrodes, and that of sternomastoid muscle (EMGsm) was recorded from the surface electrodes. The ratio of high frequency (150 to 350 Hz) to low frequency (20 to 47 Hz) power (H/L) of EMGdi and EMGsm was analyzed to assess inspiratory muscle fatigue, which was determined by a 20% fall of H/L ratio from the control value. Flow, volume, esophageal (Pes) and transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) were measured. Tension time index (TTdi) was calculated from Pdi and the ratio of inspiratory time to total time for one cycle (T1/TTOT). At rest, we measured maximal esophageal pressure (Pesmax), maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdimax), maximal EMGdi (EMGdimax) and EMGsm (EMGsmmax). Progressive treadmill exercise test was performed, stating with 3 minutes' walk at a speed of 0.75 mph at 0% grade, subsequently increasing the velocity at a rate of 0.25 mph and the elevation at a rate of 4% per stage. Exercise was discontinued at maximum respiratory effort sensation. Six of the eight patients showed diaphragmatic fatigue at their maximal exercise. With diaphragmatic fatigue, these patients were extremely dyspneic (Borg scale 9 or 10), and terminated the exercise. There were high correlations between the Borg scale and VE/MVV, and Pes/Pesmax and EMGsm/EMGsmmax, however, TTdi and EMGdi/EMGdimax showed less correlation with the Borg scale.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Clinical significance of respiratory infections associated with lung cancer patients]. An attempt was made to interpret the clinical significance of secondary infections associated with lung cancer. The incidence of secondary infections was 51.4% in 214 in-patients with lung cancer in our institution in 1988 and 1989, and almost all of them had respiratory infections caused by commonly encountered bacteria. The incidence of infection was high in lung cancer of cell types other than adenocarcinoma, and in those with hypoalbuminemia, impaired cellular immunity and obstruction of the airway. The prognosis in patients with infection was much poorer than that in patients without infection. Major pathogens responsible for infection were Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These pathogens, except for H. influenzae, were isolated in the terminal stage in cases with airway obstruction and post cancer chemotherapy. The efficacy rate of 194 therapeutic regimens against infection was 57.7%. It was thus found that the efficacy rate in 1988 and 1989 exceeded that in the 1970s. The effectiveness was very poor for infections caused by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, and for cases with airway obstruction and marked impairment of pulmonary blood flow. The efficacy rate of single-drug regimens was 57.1% (80/140) and that of combined regimens was 59.3% (32/54). The above results indicate that a new combined therapy which includes a beta-lactam antibiotic as well as measures to improve the general health of compromised hosts are required in the treatment of secondary infections in these patients.


[Clinical significance of scintigraphy in pulmonary aspergilloma]. In order to study the scintigraphic findings related to the pathophysiology of pulmonary aspergilloma, chest scintigraphy with T1-201 chloride and perfusion lung scintigraphy were performed in 18 and 19 patients with pulmonary aspergilloma, respectively. In T1-201 scintigraphy, accumulation of T1-201 in the diseased areas related to Aspergillus infection was observed in 18 of 19 foci. Roentgenographic findings related to the accumulation of T1-201 in the lesion were thickness of the cavity wall and pleural thickening adjacent to the cavity, but they showed no relation to the size of the fungus ball, and 2 cases without fungus ball showed positive results. Moreover, in T1-201 single photon emission computed tomography, accumulation of T1-201 was demonstrated in the area surrounding fungus ball. In addition, findings of inflammation such as leukocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive CRP and fever were observed in more than 50% of all cases. These results suggest that tissues surrounding the fungus ball, including the cavity wall and thickened pleura undergo inflammatory process secondary to infection by Aspergillus. Perfusion lung scintigrams showed decreased perfusion in all of 19 cases, which was more marked than that expected from the chest radiograph in many cases. In T1-201 myocardial scintigraphy, visualization of the right ventricle was observed in 15 of 18 cases. T1-201 chest scintigraphy and perfusion lung scintigraphy are useful for evaluation of the activity of the disease process, right ventricular overloading, and regional perfusion in pulmonary aspergilloma.


[Energy metabolism, respiratory heat loss, and lung functions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis]. Resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory heat loss (RHL) were measured in 17 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 7 patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and 8 normal healthy subjects, three hours after a light breakfast. Correlations between these values, and also predicted basal metabolic rate (PreBMR) and normalized lung functions were assessed. REE, REE/Pre BMR, RHL and RHL/REE in all patients increased significantly compared with those of control subjects. When all the studied subjects were combined, significant negative relationships were found between REE, REE/PreBMR, RHL and RHL/REE and percent predicted values of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), between RHL and RHL/REE and percent predicted values of vital capacity (VC), and between REE/PreBMR, RHL and RHL/REE and percent predicted values of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO). These results indicate that resting energy expenditure and respiratory heat loss increase in patients with COPD and PF in association with even slight to moderate deterioration of lung function. Therefore, elevated resting energy expenditure and respiratory heat loss need to be taken into account in determining caloric and water requirements of these patients.


[Current status of pediatric home mechanical ventilation in Japan]. The first nationwide survey of pediatric home mechanical ventilation (HMV) was conducted. From 35 out of 149 medical centers investigated, 49 cases of HVM were reported. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 20 years, and the causes of respiratory failure were neuromuscular diseases (51%), central hypoventilation (33%), respiratory disorders (10%) and cervical cord injury (6%). Since 1983 when 2 patients were discharged home on mechanical ventilation, more and more ventilator-dependent children have been sent home every year. However, home mechanical ventilation is not yet well recognized in Japan as an option for pediatric patients with chronic respiratory failure, and there are many problems to be solved. Firstly, very few, if any, hospitals have a designated home care team composed of physicians and other specialists. Secondly, the current health insurance system scarcely covers the cost of home ventilation. Thirdly, development of home use equipment, in particular, portable ventilators and monitors is imperative. There are 107 hospitalized patients in 56 institutions who are reportedly able to go home if a support system is established. A program for pediatric home mechanical ventilation should be urgently developed on a national basis.


[Immunological reactions in patients with pulmonary aspergilloma]. A 52-year-old man with pulmonary aspergilloma is reported. In immunoassays, type I, III and IV hypersensitivity reactions of Gell & Coombs were observed. The finding of such immunological reactions, especially type I hypersensitivity, has rarely been observed in this disease. The present study was performed to investigate these reactions, especially to determine whether type I allergy participates in pulmonary aspergilloma. We reviewed 126 cases of pulmonary aspergilloma reported in the Japanese literature between January 1980 and April 1991. The following results were obtained: Elevation of serum IgE was observed in 49% of the subjects examined, positive IgE RAST score in 28%, precipitating antibody against A. fumigatus in 79%, and positive lymphocyte stimulation test using A. fumigatus antigen in 68%. In conclusion, type I, III and IV hypersensitivity of Gell & Coombs appears to participate in pulmonary aspergilloma. The occurrence of type I hypersensitivity is not rare in this disease.


[Contents of chemical mediators in sputum in a case of mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis resembling bronchial asthma]. A case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis with hypoxemia is presented. A 41-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of fever, productive cough and dyspnea with wheezing of one month duration. On admission, bronchial asthma was suspected on the basis of reversible airflow obstruction and sputum eosinophilia. However, despite treatment with bronchodilators, his condition did not improve. Chest film and computed tomogram revealed small nodular shadows and tramlines in the bilateral lower lung fields, and pulmonary function tests indicated peripheral airway obstruction. Serologic titer for Mycoplasma pneumoniae was 1:160. A diagnosis of bronchiolitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was made. Improvement of lung function and roentgenographic findings was observed following administration of erythromycin and doxycycline. The concentrations of prostanoids in sputum were markedly higher than in cases of bronchial asthma, and decreased as he improved. These observations suggest that Mycoplasma bronchiolitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of wheezing, and that measurement of prostanoids in sputum may be useful in the differentiation of infective bronchiolitis and bronchial asthma.


[Two cases of chronic respiratory failure in intravenous methylphenidate (Ritalin) abusers]. Marked obstructive ventilatory impairment and diffusion disturbance were noted in two intravenous methylphenidate (Ritalin) abusers. In one patient, chest radiogram demonstrated pulmonary emphysema accompanied by bullae and atelectasis, and spontaneous pneumothorax was also present. The primary finding in the other patient was interstitial shadows. Both patients began to note dyspnea during exertion after about 10 years of use. Since radiography also disclosed pulmonary emphysema in an ex-companion of Ritalin abuse, and since the onset was at relatively young ages, these pulmonary disorders are considered to have been a result of intravenous Ritalin abuse. Intravenous drug abuse should be considered in patients with precocious emphysema or obstructive ventilatory impairment accompanied by diffusion disturbance.


[A case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis presenting with copious sputum and marked obstructive impairment of lung function]. A 44-year-old male was hospitalized due to dyspnea and persistent cough with copious sputum (about 100 ml/day). Chest radiograph on admission showed hyperinflation and fine nodular shadows throughout both lungs, as well as a tram line appearance in the right lower lung field which suggested thickening of bronchial walls. Pulmonary function tests demonstrated moderate to severe reduction of %VC, FEV1.0 and PaO2. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed inflammatory change in the walls of proximal bronchi. Although his dyspnea resolved rapidly, productive cough and impaired lung function were persistent and improved very slowly over the one-month-period following admission. After resolution, similar symptoms were provoked again 5 to 6 hours after returning to his home, suggesting the recurrence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Open lung biopsy was performed for the differential diagnosis of hypersensitivity, diffuse panbronchiolitis, and bronchial asthma, because neither transbronchial lung biopsy nor broncho-alveolar lavage was diagnostic. Histopathology of the open lung biopsy specimens revealed marked desquamation of bronchiolar epithelium in addition to bronchiolo-alveolitis with epithelial granulomas, consistent with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Copious sputum is a very uncommon clinical feature in hypersensitivity pneumonitis. We consider that the large volume of airway fluid was caused by epithelial ulceration of bronchioles and catarrhal bronchitis associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.


[A case of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis]. A 70-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus who was following a therapeutic diet showed an infiltrative shadow in the right upper lung field on chest roentgenogram in April, 1986. She was diagnosed as having pneumonia and was treated for five months with several antibiotics, but the abnormal shadow on chest roentgenograms increased in size. Therefore, she was admitted to our hospital in October 1986. Although tubercle bacilli were not isolated from her sputum or from materials obtained by bronchoscopic examination, we made an initial diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis based on the findings of chest roentgenograms, tomographs and CT scanning. In spite of treatment with antituberculous drugs, the infiltrative shadow with cavity on chest roentgenograms continued to increase in size, and the patient developed occasional hemoptysis. Percutaneous needle biopsy was performed in February 1987 to establish a definite diagnosis, and the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus was confirmed by microscopic examination and culture. After treatment with miconazole and 5-FC for 3 to 4 months, the abnormal shadow on the chest roentgenogram gradually disappeared and was almost undetectable one year later. The clinical course of this patient was considered to be strongly indicative of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis, which was described by Binder et al. in 1982.


[A case of mediastinal malignant lymphoma with cardiac tamponade treated effectively with chemotherapy]. A 78-year-old man was admitted to the Nishinomiya Municipal Central Hospital with main symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea. Chest CT revealed a large mediastinal mass shadow, and echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion. Serum LDH was elevated. Therefore, malignant lymphoma was suspected to be the cause of cardiac tamponade. VEPA chemotherapy was commenced. Half way through the course of chemotherapy, serum LDH was decreased, the pericardial effusion had disappeared, and the mediastinal mass was reduced in size. A biopsy specimen of the mediastinal tumor revealed malignant lymphoma of diffuse large cell type, and immunoperoxidase staining of frozen sections demonstrated B cell origin. The pericardial effusion had not increased in size after four months, when the patient developed pneumonia and died. Autopsy revealed pericardial and atrial involvement by tumor. In conclusion, this case is very unusual in that (1) pericardial involvement was suspected on admission; (2) the pericardial effusion disappeared with systemic chemotherapy; and (3) cardiac metastasis was demonstrated at autopsy.


[An autopsy case of Marfan syndrome with bronchiectasis and multiple bullae]. We report an autopsy case (27-year-old male) with Marfan syndrome, who died of chronic respiratory failure due to bronchiectasis and multiple bullae in both lungs. He had suffered from expectoration of massive amounts of sputum since the age of 15 years. At this time, chest roentgenogram had revealed bronchiectatic changes in the bilateral lower lung fields. Seven years later at the age of 22 years, the formation multiple bullae in both lungs were added to the bronchiectatic changes on chest roentgenogram. Administration of erythromycin (400 mg/day) was started in February, 1987, and the massive sputum volume markedly decreased according to appearance of bullous formation. He was admitted to our department because of deterioration with chronic respiratory failure and right heart failure at 26 years in December, 1989. Although various therapy was performed, he died of chronic respiratory failure in February, 1990. Autopsy findings were as follows: (1) cyclindrical bronchiectatic changes in bilateral lower lobes and (2) extensive multiple bullae in the subpleural areas with bronchiectatic changes in the middle and bilateral lower lobes, with no bronchiectatic changes in the bilateral upper lobes. Several pulmonary disorders accompanying Marfan syndrome have been reported, especially in children. However, the present case demonstrated that fetal pulmonary involvement by Marfan syndrome may not present until adulthood, and affect both airways and lung parenchyma.


[A case of acetaminophen-induced pneumonitis]. A 20-year-old woman took 1.2 g of acetaminophen for toothache. She subsequently developed a dry cough, pyrexia, and dyspnea. Chest X-ray revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular shadows in both lung fields. Broncho-alveolar lavage examination showed a marked increase in the total cell number and an increase in the percentage of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. Because drug-induced pneumonitis was suspected, all drugs were stopped and she was administered methylprednisolone. Consequently her symptoms resolved, and pulmonary function and chest X-ray findings improved remarkably. The lymphocyte stimulation test was positive for Norshin and its acetaminophen element. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of acetaminophen-induced pneumonitis was made. Acetaminophen intoxication is well-known, but to our knowledge this is the first reported case of acetaminophen-induced allergic pneumonitis in Japan.


[A case of invasive broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis associated with influenza A (H3N2) infection]. A 49-year-old man with high alcohol consumption was admitted with fever, cough and progressive dyspnea after a one week history of influenza-like symptoms. Chest X-ray film on admission showed diffuse peribronchial shadows and patchy infiltration in the right lower lung field. Chest X-ray film the following day and chest CT film on the 4th day of admission showed multiple nodular shadows and cavity formation. At bronchoscopy the bronchial surface was covered by white plaque, and Asp. fumigatus was subsequently cultured from BAL fluid. On the basis of suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, anti-fungal agents were commenced. However, the shadows on chest X-ray increased, and the patient died on the 10th day of admission of respiratory failure and septic shock. Histological examination revealed bronchial wall invasion by hyphae of aspergillus and abscess formation in the pulmonary parenchyma. The precipitin antibody against aspergillus antigen was positive in reserved serum. Anti-Influenza A virus antibody (CF) was positive (X 256), and hemagglutination inhibition test of Influenza A (H3N2) was positive (X 2048) in serum on admission. The suppression of cellular immunity and destruction of the mucociliary system of airways induced by Influenza A infection was suspected to have predisposed to aspergillus superinfection.


[A case of pulmonary metastasis from carcinosarcoma of uterus with subcutaneous implantation of tumor cells along the needle tract after percutaneous needle biopsy of lung]. A 68-year-old female who had undergone total hysterectomy for carcinosarcoma five months previously was noted to have a solitary nodular shadow in the right lung on chest X-ray. Percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung was performed via the right anterior chest wall, and the histologic findings showed metastasis from carcinosarcoma of uterus. Two months after needle biopsy, a chest wall mass appeared of the site of puncture of the lung needle biopsy. The mass was resected to relieve the chest wall pain and the specimen showed carcinosarcoma of uterus histologically. We consider that tumor cells were implanted to the chest wall along the needle tract after percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. The postoperative chest computed tomogram showed the route of tumor implantation from the metastasis of right lung into the right chest wall. Dissemination and chest wall implantation of malignant cells after percutaneous lung needle biopsy have been rarely reported. However there are no reports of tumor implantation of sarcoma. The possibility of implantation of tumor cells along the needle tract after percutaneous lung needle biopsy should be carefully considered in cases of carcinosarcoma.


[A case of nephrotic syndrome associated with bronchogenic carcinoma]. A 58-year-old fisherman was admitted because of an abnormal chest X-ray shadow on the right side. Bronchoscopic examination revealed tumor of right B7. Transbronchial biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma. He was treated with four courses of CDDP and PEP. Two years later, he developed nephrotic syndrome and relapse of lung cancer. Proteinuria and pedal edema continued. Renal biopsy revealed the characteristic light and immunofluorescent microscopic features of membranous nephropathy. Oral administration of low dose etoposide resulted in reduction of the carcinomatous lung lesion and a decrease in proteinuria as well as pedal edema.


[A case of intrabronchial dissemination of candida pseudohyphae presenting as respiratory failure]. A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever, skin eruption, leukocytopenia and liver dysfunction. He was receiving H2-blocker for gastric ulcer of the time he developed his symptoms. The H2-blocker was discontinued because of its possible association with leukocytopenia, and steroids were administered. On the 4th day of hospitalization, he suddenly developed expiratory wheeze and dyspnea, resembling an asthmatic attack. WBC was 400/mm3 with 65% neutrophils. Chest X-ray showed hyper inflation and increased thickness of bronchiolar walls. Bronchodilators had no effect and the patient died of respiratory failure on the 8th day. At autopsy, most bronchioles were filled with candida pseudohyphae. The large airways and lung parenchyma were not involved, except for focal bacterial pneumonia. Histological findings suggestive of bronchial asthma such as constriction of bronchial smooth muscle or infiltration of eosinophils were not observed Candida infection was also found in the pharynx, stomach, bowel, and kidneys. Candidiasis is becoming a more important contributory cause of death in compromised hosts. Although rare, this case suggests that patients with bronchopulmonary candidiasis present with expiratory wheeze resembling asthmatic attack.


[A resected case of teratoma of the lung]. Teratoma of the lung in a 32-year-old female is reported. Abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film was noted at the age of 15 years. Her symptoms were subclinical fever, couch, hemosputum and frequent respiratory infections. Chest X-ray film and CT scan revealed a cyst with an intracystic solid mass in the left upper lung. Bronchogram demonstrated communication of the cyst with B5a and B5b bronchi. The left upper lobe was resected. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen revealed a mature teratoma of the lung. Teratoma of the lung is very rare. This case was diagnosed at surgery and was confirmed by microscopic examination.


[A case of pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma with involvement of the ocular fundus]. A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of abnormal shadows on chest X-ray film at routine medical examination. The chest X-ray showed diffuse granular shadows in the bilateral upper and middle lung fields. Chest CT showed multiple cystic lesions and nodular lesions. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) were performed. Electron microscopic examination of BAL fluid revealed Langerhans' cells, and lung tissue specimen obtained by TBLB showed granuloma with infiltration of histiocytes and eosinophils. During the clinical course, the patient complained of cough and decrease of right visual acuity in association with an increase of abnormal shadows on chest X-ray. The lung disease gradually resolved after the cessation of smoking in spite of no therapy. In the right eye, an exudative lesion with retinal elevation was noted in the ocular fundus. Corticosteroid administration was effective for the treatment of this lesion. There was no pathological evidence of the right ocular lesion. However, the correlation of its clinical course with the lung disease suggests a relationship between the ocular lesion and pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma.


[Clinical criteria for definition of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP)]. Clinical criteria for definition of IIP proposed in 1991 by the Project Team for Diffuse Lung Diseases Organized by Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare are reviewed. After the clinical roentgenological, and pathological researches of 92 IIP patients, we concluded that IIP patients were grouped into two clinical types, acute and chronic, by their clinical courses and characteristic pathological findings. The latter is, moreover, grouped into two types, typical and atypical, by their morphological characteristics. The acute type are represented by alveolitis with marked edema and cell infiltration of alveolar wall, and by hyaline membrane formation. "Typical" of chronic types only have typical pathologic changes of interstitial pneumonia and/or fibrosis represented by honeycombing. "Atypical" have both those interstitial changes and intra-alveolar scar formation and fibrosis due to organized pneumonia and secondarily occurred emphysema such as bulla as well. The continuity in clinical courses between acute and chronic types are still obscure.


[Postoperative management in neonate after open cardiac surgery]. Recent advances in diagnostic method and preoperative care have allowed us to perform surgical repair in neonate. Important to the successful outcome of open cardiac surgery in neonate is cautious management in postoperative period. So we investigated the hemodynamics in the first 72 hours following open heart surgery for TAPVC, TGA and PAIVS. The hemodynamics in acute period are different according to patient age. Especially, early neonates under 14 days present low systemic blood pressure and high central venous pressure. So we must manage them according to their hemodynamic characteristics.


[Malfunction of prosthetic valves: pathogenesis and diagnostic measure]. Modality of the malfunction of prosthetic valve often reflects the specific features of its design and materials of the prosthesis. During past 17 years, a total of 499 cases of valve replacements were performed in our institute and among them, 50 cases received redo surgery, in which 52 prosthetic valves were replaced due to their malfunctions. Those replaced prosthetic valves were analyzed in terms of their pathogenesis, onset durations and diagnostic methods of each type of malfunction. The malfunctions included hemolytic anemia, thrombosis or tissue overgrowth and tissue failure of bioprostheses. Hemolytic anemia was experienced in 8 cases with Starr-Edwards (S-E) 2320 (n = 7) and Omni-Science (n = 1) both in the aortic position and those prostheses were replaced at 1-9.6 (mean 4.5) postoperative years (POY). The linearized rate of the complication with the S-E 2320 was 3.0%/patient-years (p-y) and its actuarial event free rate was 62% at 11 POY. Operative findings disclosed cloth wear in 5 and perivalvular leakage in 5 cases. Fourteen Hancock (H) and 3 Angell-Shiley (A-S) bioprostheses experienced tissue failure of valves and they were subjected to reoperation at 3.2-10.0 (mean 6.5) POY. The linearized rates were 4.1%/p-y for H and 4.5%/p-y for A-S with actuarial event free rates at 12 POY of 59 and 56%, respectively. Prosthetic valve thrombosis and/or tissue overgrowth were seen in 17 valves at 1.6-15.1 (mean 9.1) POY.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[A clinical experience of continuous warm blood cardioplegia in two cases of repeat aortic valve surgery]. The continuous warm blood cardioplegia (CWBC) was used for myocardial protection during aortic cross clamping in two cases of repeat aortic valve operations with good results. Case 1: A 46-year-old man, who underwent an aortic valve replacement because of the rheumatic aortic regurgitation (AR) in 1978, have suffered from orthopnea due to para-prosthetic valvular regurgitation since 1983. He was revealed to have bi-ventricular hypertrophy with myocardial damage on ECG, EF 0.27 on UCG, PCWP 20 mmHg and severe AR on cardiac catheterization. Case 2: A 43-year-old man, who had an aortic valvuloplasty for the non-rheumatic incompetency in 1981, have had a recurrent regurgitation, resulting in left ventricular hypertrophy accompanied by chest pain. Both cases were reoperated upon, having aortic valve replacement with mechanical prosthetic valves through the re-median sternotomy, utilizing CWBC with good recovery. CWBC provides an ideal circumstances for myocardial oxygen utilization during aortic cross clamping and moreover a benefit that needs not the wide dissection of the heart in a redo case because it has no need of topical cooling and ventricular defibrillation following aortic declamping. In conclusion, CWBC is very useful in a repeat aortic valve surgery.


[Pulsed Doppler echocardiographic observation of left ventricular filling dynamics after aortic valve replacement in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation]. The 23 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic regurgitation (AR) from 1977 to 1990 were studied with pulsed Doppler echocardiography. The patients were divided into two groups. The A group consisted of 5 patients whose end-systolic volume index (ESVI) were more than 200 ml/m2 and/or left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were less than 0.35 before AVR. The B group consisted of 18 patients whose ESVI were less than 200 ml/m2 and EF were more than 0.35 before AVR. A Doppler volume sampler was placed at the center of mitral orifice to measure the transmitral inflow velocity after AVR (mean 28 months). Left ventricular filling dynamics were assessed by the peak velocity in the rapid filling phase (R), the peak velocity in the atrial contraction phase (A) and the ratio of A by R (A/R ratio) of mitral flow velocity pattern. The deceleration rate of early diastolic rapid inflow (DeR) determined as the slope a straight line drawn between the peak of early diastolic inflow and a point at half peak velocity on the fall side of the envelope. Result was as follows; 1) The DeR showed significant correlation with the EF (r = 0.56, p < 0.01). The DeR showed significant inverse correlation with the ESVI (r = -0.52, p < 0.05). 2) The R velocity (mean 43.9 +/- 7.9 cm/sec) in group A was significantly lower than in group B (mean 61.4 +/- 18.6 cm/sec), (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Analysis of mononuclear cell subpopulations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in acute rejection after lung transplantation in rats]. Changes of components of mononuclear cell subpopulations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were analyzed during acute rejection after lung transplantation in an inbred rat model. All allotransplants (BN/LEW) developed progressive acute rejection from day two until day six, demonstrating severe perivascular and peribronchiolar infiltration of mononuclear cell subpopulations. The number of total cells and activated macrophages increased significantly in BAL fluid from vascular phase until alveolar phase of acute rejection. The number of T and B lymphocytes in BAL fluid increased in alveolar phase, but not in vascular phase of acute rejection. The increase of the number of activated macrophages in BAL fluid may be useful as a monitor of acute allograft rejection following lung transplantation.


[Inhibition of acute rejection of heart graft in rats without immunosuppressants after intrathymic myocardial cell inoculation in the neonatal period]. There have been no successful cases reported of organ transplantation in application of neonatal immunological tolerance. Isolated myocardial cells from Lewis (LEW/Crj) rat hearts were inoculated into the thymus of incompatible King (WKAH/Hkm) rats. Ten weeks later the heart from LEW donor was transplanted heterotopically to the WKAH rat that had inoculated intrathymic myocardial cells without immunosuppression (n = 4, Group 1). Group 2 was made up of 4 isografts of heart transplantation (nontreated isograft). Group 3 was made up 4 allografts of heart transplantation (nontreated allograft). The animals were killed 7 days after transplantation, and early rejection was evaluated by accumulation of iodine-125 (125I)-labeled antimyosin antibody (AMA) uptake and confirmed by histological examination. In Group 1 & 2, the value of I-125 AMA uptake ratio was small (Group 1; RV: 1.28 +/- 0.28, IVS: 1.29 +/- 0.28, LV: 1.43 +/- 0.25, Group 2: RV: 1.14 +/- 0.07, IVS: 0.95 +/- 0.06, LV: 1.16 +/- 0.21). This level of the value indicates that the rejection does not occur. On the other hand, in Group 3, the value was high (RV: 4.63 +/- 1.92, IVS: 4.42 +/- 1.75, LV: 4.45 +/- 1.73) compared with Group 1 & 2. This level indicate that the rejection is severe. In the histological studies, Group 3 showed necrosis of myocardial cells, while Group 1 with neonatal immunological tolerance showed only very mild lymphocytic infiltration. The histology of thymic tissue in Group 1, the LEW myocardial cells are surviving in the WKAH rat thymus.


[Mitral valve surgery using combined superior-transseptal approach to the left atrium]. Although various approaches to the mitral valve surgery have been tried in the past, it still may be difficult to obtain a good surgical field, particularly in cases of small left atrium or reoperation. We performed mitral valve surgery in 6 patients using the combined superior-transseptal approach to the left atrium proposed by Berreklouw. Exposure of the mitral valve was excellent and the operative procedure was simple in all cases. There were no differences in bleeding volume, length of operation or complication of arrhythmia between patients treated with this new approach and a group treated with conventional approach in our institute.


[Clinical experiences of a new vascular graft prosthesis fabricated from ultrafine polyester fiber (Toray graft)]. A new low porous vascular prosthesis made of a textile of ultra-fine fiber was used clinically in ten patients for whom replacement of the ascending and/or arch aorta were performed. There were no operative deaths after initial operations, but one patient died after a second operation in which replacement of the thoraco-abdominal aorta was performed. Nine survived patients are well for 50 days to 10 months postoperatively. The new vascular graft prosthesis was very soft and pliable in clinical use, and the surgical needle penetrates easily the prosthesis. Although the new graft prosthesis can be used without preclotting under full heparinization, porosity of the graft, 100 ml/min/cm, revealed initial oozing of blood for a while just after releasing an aortic clamp. Therefore, preclotting of the graft is recommended under full heparinization. Because of rapid, even, and stable formation of neo-intima in the new graft confirmed by experimental studies of Noishiki et al., and soft and pliable characteristics of the graft, a wide-spread clinical use of the new graft is recommended in the surgery of aortic aneurysms as well as reconstruction of the congenital malformations.


[A case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the thyroid with compression stenosis of the cervical and mediastinal trachea which was dilated by the expandable metallic stents]. The patient was a 64-year-old male with undifferentiated carcinoma of the thyroid which constricted the trachea. The radiation therapy did not reduce the size of the tumor, and did not improve the dyspnea. Bronchoscopy and tomography showed a compression stenosis of the cervical and mediastinal trachea. It was difficult to insert the T-tube because of the large mass of the neck. Therefore, three EMSs were inserted into the stenotic area of the trachea. Immediately after the insertion of the EMSs, the lumen of the trachea was dilated, and the dyspnea was improved. The patient died of the tumor 7 weeks after the insertion of the EMSs. Autopsy showed that the trachea was dilated by EMSs.


[An experience of rapid, two-stage arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum beyond the neonatal period]. A 2-month-old girl with transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum was successfully repaired by rapid, two-stage arterial switch operation. Balloon atrioseptostomy and ligation of the ductus arteriosus was done elsewhere on 14th and 29th day after birth. On her first admission to our hospital at 2 months of age, left ventricular-right ventricular pressure ratio (LVp/RVp) was almost 0.5 and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) by echo cardiography was 3.5 mm. Because of these date, we selected rapid, two-stage arterial switch operation. On 74 days, the first-stage preparatory operation (pulmonary arterial banding and right modified Blalock-Taussig shunt) was undergone with the resultant LVp/RVp of 0.97. During a few days after the first-stage operation, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography was reduced to nearly 30%. But after this phase left ventricular function recovered rapidly and LVp/RVp, LVPWT and LVEF was 1.18, 6.3 mm and 66% on the 7th day. On the 9th day, the second-stage arterial switch operation was undergone as usual as in neonatal period without hard adhesion. Her postoperative course was uneventful.


[A case of sliding commissuroplasty for the chordal rupture in the paracommissural area]. A 67-year-old female patient underwent mitral valvuloplasty for mitral regurgitation due to the chordal rupture at the posterior commissure. Sliding commissuroplasty was made to avoid large annular plication. Carpentier's prosthetic ring (30 mm) was sutured to remodel the annulus and to reinforce repair. Postoperative Left ventriculogram revealed no regurgitation. Sliding commissuroplasty is effective for mitral regurgitation due to commissural chordal rupture.


[A case of traumatic right diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed by pleurography]. The diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is relatively easy on the left side, but is often difficult on the right, partly because the herniated organ is usually the liver. Recently, we experienced a relatively rare case of traumatic right diaphragmatic hernia and found that pleurography was useful for its diagnosis. This case is reported here together with some discussion of the literature.


[A surgical case of coronary sinus ASD]. A case of coronary sinus ASD in a 56-years-old woman is reported. This defect was detected during operation for the first time. In this case, a LSVC was absent and coronary sinus opened into the left atrium. The defect was closed using a pericardial patch.


[A case report of simultaneous procedure of Cabrol's operation and aortic arch replacement: method to reduce the duration of ischemic cardiac arrest]. A 57-year-old female underwent simultaneous Cabrol's operation and aortic arch replacement for aortic dissection. She was admitted with complaint of back pain. Aortography demonstrated acute dissecting aneurysm of the ascending, arch and descending aorta (DeBakey type I) as well as aortic valve regurgitation (Seller's II degree). The operation was undertaken using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under hypothermia with selective cerebral perfusion. A new method to reduce the duration of ischemic cardiac arrest was applied. Initially a low-porosity woven Dacron tube graft (8 mm) was anastomosed to coronary arteries. Blood of CPB was perfused to this graft. This coronary perfusion contributed to shorten ischemic cardiac arrest time and cardiac function was favorable. This method to reduce the duration of ischemic cardiac arrest brought about good result.


[A case of successful surgery for tetralogy of Fallot with single atrium, azygous connection and partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage in atrio-visceral heterotaxic syndrome]. A 2-year-old girl of heterotaxia associated with complex anomalies was reported. Major cardiac anomaly was tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), which associated with the interruption of the inferior vena cava, persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), common atrium and partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD) to the coronary sinus. The two dimensional echocardiogram displayed the characteristic views of TOF and the additional interesting abnormalities near the mitral ring. The markedly enlarged and protruded coronary sinus by the association of PLSVC and PAPVD overlay along the posterior mitral leaflet and the abnormal muscular septum surrounded immediately above the anterior mitral leaflet. These structures created a sort of supramitral ring structure, although this was not important hemodynamically because of the association of single atrium and TOF preoperatively. At the operation the coronary sinus roof was resected along the posterior mitral leaflet as well as the abnormal muscular flange. The atrial septum was created with a porcine pericardium and the left superior vena cava was ligated. The postoperative course was not eventful.


[A case report of aorto-pulmonary window associated with atrial septal defect]. The patient was a one-year-old boy, who underwent surgery with a diagnosis of atrial septal defect (ASD). During operation, aorto-pulmonary window (A-P window) which had not been detected by the preoperative examinations, was found. Therefore, the A-P window was divided prior to closing ASD. The patient is in good condition six months after the operation. The causes of the inaccurate preoperative diagnosis were discussed.


[Surgical treatment of double aortic arch: report of a case associated with frequent respiratory infections]. A seven-month-old baby with double aortic arch was reported. He was admitted to our hospital with complaint of frequent respiratory infections shortly after birth. On examination, bronchofiberscopy revealed compression of the trachea and left main bronchus from behind and angiography showed complete vascular ring, namely double aortic arch with no other cardiac anomaly. Soon after the operation, stridor disappeared at rest, but mild stridor persisted on exertion. Three months later, he was re-admitted to our hospital because of pneumonia. Therefore, close observation is required for the patients with double aortic arch, even if the operation is effective.


[A case of surgical repair for combined septal perforation and cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction]. The successful surgical repair of the combination of septal perforation and cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction was underwent on a 73-year-old man. Complete correction could be performed under the fibrillated heart state employing cardiopulmonary bypass, resulted in the early postsurgical cardiac performance.


[A case of traumatic aortic valve rupture]. A case of aortic valve rupture as a result of blunt trauma by motorcycle accident is presented. A previously healthy 18-year-old male developed severe congestive heart failure 46 days after the initial trauma. There were crescentic tears in the right and non-coronary cusps parallel to and along the whole length of the cusps. The valve was excised and replaced with a 21 mm St. Jude Medical prosthesis. Following the procedure he made an relatively uneventful recovery and was discharged on the 83rd postoperative day. The possibility of damage to the heart valves in traffic accidents must be borne in mind since rapid deterioration can occur and early surgical therapy is essential.


[A successful two-staged Fontan procedure for tricuspid atresia with bilateral superior venae cavae and left pulmonary arterial stenosis]. A 10-year-old boy with tricuspid atresia (type I-b), bilateral superior venae cavae and left pulmonary arterial branch stenosis was treated successfully by a two-staged Fontan procedure. At 7 years of age, left Glenn shunt was performed after creation of a communicating vessel between the right and left superior vena cava, using a GORE-TEX graft of 10 mm of diameter. Three years later, after having confirmed graft patency, Fontan procedure was achieved without any problems. We think the innominate vein creation by an artificial material was a key design for the following successful two-staged Fontan procedure in this case.


[A case of small adenocarcinoma of the lung with giant bullae]. A 52-year-old male underwent right upper lobectomy for giant bullae which involved almost half of thoracic cavity and covered over the right upper lobe. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed emphysematous bullae of right upper lobe and adenocarcinoma (6 mm in diameter) was found in the bullae wall under the pleura. Since there was no metastasis in bronchial lymph nodes of upper lobe, additional procedure for lymph node dissection was not performed. Patient has been healthy for eight years after operation and there is no evidence of recurrent tumor. It is difficult to define the small lesion of neoplasma with giant bullae of lung. Therefore, the patient involved with bullae may require preoperative and intraoperative attentive investigation for possible malignant lesions.


[Long-term results in 1,400 patients with coronary artery bypass grafting: saphenous vein vs arterial grafts]. To analyze and compare the effects of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) and arterial grafts (AG) on the long-term results of the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), retrospective nonrandomized studies were performed in 1,400 consecutive patients with CABG in terms of reoperation, postoperative transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to the grafts, actuarial survival rate, and cumulative event free rate. AG was used frequently in recent cases in which more diffuse and multiple vessel disease were encountered. No statistically significant differences were noted in any of the reoperation free rate, actuarial survival rate, success rate of the PTCA, and cumulative event free rate between SVG and AG, because the long-term results of the SVG was apparently better than reported Caucasian's long-term results, while those of the AG were as good as Caucasian's. Reoperation and PTCA for the AG were performed less than one year after the CABG in most cases and restenosis after the PTCA was rare. In contrast, those for the SVG were mainly done late postoperative period, and the incidence of the restenosis after the PTCA was very high. These results indicated that the main cause of the graft failure in the AG was technic-related, and that of the SVG was graft's atherosclerosis. We conclude from this study that AG should be indicated more extensively than SVG, but proper indication and application of the AG in various situations and technical improvement to avoid stenosis at anastomosis are important to improve the long-term results of the CABG.


[Late results of coronary artery bypass grafting with the internal thoracic artery]. Between November 1981 and December 1991, 755 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. We compared postoperative events, graft patency and survival rates of the patients who received at least one internal thoracic artery graft (n = 517) with those of the patients who had only saphenous vein bypass grafts (n = 238). No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in patient's age at the operation, female ratio and the incidence of emergency operation. The operative mortality was not significantly different in either group. Graft patency was better for internal thoracic artery grafts than for SVG (ITA grafts 97.1%, SVG 85.6% p less than 0.0001). Graft-LAD patency rate was also better for ITA grafts than for SVG (ITA grafts 97.7%, SVG 86.8%, p less than 0.0001). The incidence of late cardiac events (late cardiac death, reoperation, myocardial infarction) is lower in patients with ITA. Furthermore, patients who received ITA grafts had a better survival rate at 8 years (91.1% versus 85.3%, p = 0.048) than those who had vein bypass grafts alone. We conclude that the use of ITA grafts enhances the long-term benefits including long-term survival rate. This is the first observation in Japanese population.


[Comparative studies of various conduits for myocardial revascularization with Kawasaki disease]. Between October 1976 and December 1991, 36 patients with Kawasaki disease underwent coronary bypass surgery. Comparisons were made from the postoperative morphologic condition of 4 conduits; saphenous vein graft (SVG n = 27), left internal thoracic artery (LITA n = 22), right internal thoracic artery (RITA n = 5) and gastroepiploic artery (GEA n = 8). The patency rate of arterial grafts was 100% at 1 month after surgery, and kept as high as 94.7% at 1-3 years after surgery. On the other hand, the patency rate of SVG was 90% at 1 month, but decreased to 52% at 1-3 years postoperatively. Arterial grafts sometimes showed string sign at 1 month after surgery, but the length and the diameter increased during 1 year after surgery. The internal thoracic artery showed superior flow potential compared with GEA. Thus, the internal thoracic artery is the first choice and GEA is the second as the graft material with Kawasaki disease. Long-term result of SVG was very poor, so coronary revascularization only by the arterial grafts is recommended.


[Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: internal mammary artery vs saphenous vein, evaluation immediately after surgery]. Comparative studies of the changes in left ventricular (LV) function immediately after aortocoronary bypass graftings (CABG) and early postoperative results were carried out in two groups of patients with severe LV dysfunction (ejection fraction less than 0.4), which consisted of 9 patients received internal mammary artery grafts (IMAG) to at least LAD and 14 with saphenous vein grafts (SVG) only. The utilization of IMAG was limited to the patients with stable preoperative hemodynamics, whereas SVGs were used even in the emergency CABG. Free flow of IMAG measured during operation was 55.7 +/- 25.5 ml/min, which was significantly lower than that (83.5 +/- 27.3) of SVG to LAD. Cardiac index, LV stroke volume index and LV stroke work index immediately after surgery were sufficiently maintained and recovered almost similarly in both groups. Postoperative peak CK-MB (19.7 +/- 10.4 IU/L) in IMAG group was significantly lower than that (23.9 +/- 10.7) in SVG group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidences of postoperative IABP and noradrenaline dependence. There were two hospital deaths in SVG group, whereas no hospital death was experienced in IMAG group. These results indicate that an application of IMAG to LAD in the patients with severe LV dysfunction surely induces satisfactory recovery of hemodynamics immediately after CABG as well as SVG, provided that use of IMAG is limited to the patients with stable preoperative hemodynamics.


[Choice of conduit in coronary bypass surgery]. Since 1987, arterial conduits have been used in 78 of 130 cases receiving coronary bypass surgery, including 25 treated by arterial conduits alone. The use of arterial conduits was mainly indicated to the anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), but the saphenous vein had to be used in 39 percent, 47 of 120 cases receiving bypass grafting to the LAD for various reasons including a combination of multiple obstructive arteriosclerosis, multiple bypass graftings in the aged, unstable angina, emergency operation and no suitable artery for a conduit as indicated by preoperative angiography. Hereafter, arterial conduits for coronary bypass grafting to LAD should be used in many more cases to the best possible advantage.


[Selection of graft materials in case of emergency coronary bypass surgery following failed angioplasty]. The clinical characteristics of selection of graft materials were analysed for patients undergoing emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) following failed coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Ten emergency CABGs were performed from January 1983 to December 1991. Perioperative variables and follow-up were compared to 18 patients undergoing elective CABG after PTCA. The emergency group had shorter operative time (p less than 0.01) and shorter bypass time (p less than 0.05). Moreover the emergency group had decreased use of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) (40% vs 94.4%, p less than 0.01). There was no use of bilateral ITAs in the emergency group. There was not significant difference in hospital mortality and medium term follow-up between two groups. In conclusion, emergency CABG carries a significantly less use of ITA graft than elective CABG although ITAs are superior to SVGs about long term patency rate. So it is desirable that arterial graft should be used under an appropriate selection at emergency operation.


[Coronary artery bypass grafting: does the use of arterial graft for coronary artery bypass grafting increase surgical risk?]. Since April in 1988 coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in 177 patients and the clinical results were compared in SVG-group (n = 37) in which only saphenous vein graft (SVG) was used as a graft conduit and AG-group in which one arterial graft (AG-1 group, n = 92) or more than two arterial grafts were used (AG-2 group, n = 48). In SVG-group the age was older than that in AG-group, while coronary vessels were most involved in AG-2 group and the mean number of distal anastomosis increased more in AG-group. The total pump time and aortic cross clamping time showed no significant differences among the groups. Furthermore, the occurrence of perioperative myocardial infarction, requirement of intra-aortic balloon pumping, frequency of re-chest open for hemorrhage, or sternal infection showed no significant differences among the groups. Postoperative hospital deaths were in four (three cardiac deaths) of SVG-group and four (one cardiac and two graft-versus-host disease) of AG-group. These results suggest that the use of AG does not increase surgical risk and AG can be positively used for CABG.


[Coronary artery bypass utilizing vein grafts: why didn't we use an arterial graft?]. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are superior to SVG in the long-term patency and survival. In spite of our effort to utilize ITA whenever possible, we still have some cases which have to receive only vein grafts. Among the consecutive 201 patients undergoing CABG in the past three years, 32 patients (16%) received only vein grafts. We compared these patients (SVG group) with those who received ITA grafts (ITA group). The SVG group consisted of all emergency cases and many cases with single and double vessel disease. In the SVG group, perioperative use of IABP was more frequent and operative mortality was higher, although the number of grafts was fewer (2.66 vs 3.61) and aortic cross clamping time was shorter in this group. Main reasons for selecting only vein grafts were emergency surgery, inadvertent injury of ITA, inadequate ITA free flow etc. Technical refinement in the preparation of ITA is important to make possible wider application of arterial grafts for CABG.


[Myocardial revascularization for ischemic heart disease without in situ internal thoracic artery grafting]. CABG was performed in 327 patients from 1989 to 1991. We used ITA grafts for the arterial conduit whenever this was possible. Since ITA grafting has become a routine procedure in CABG, we investigated the reasons why in situ ITA grafts were used in some of our patients. The number of CABG patients without in situ ITA grafts was 42 in 1989, 35 in 1990, and 9 in 1991. There was three main reasons for this: 1) problems with the coronary arteries or myocardium, 2) problems with the ITA grafts, and 3) problems with the patient. Although ITA grafts were not used in these cases, the indications for ITA grafting have been changed by our review. Use of ITA grafts need not be restricted for reasons of age or native coronary artery problems, but some patients will still be unsuitable for these grafts.


[Analysis of preoperative predictors influencing early patency of coronary artery grafts]. Under the recent trend of popular use of arterial grafts, we investigated the predictors of coronary artery bypass graft patency using modified scoring system of Greenlane hospital. A total of 127 grafts including 58 arterial grafts (53 in situ ITA, 3 free ITA, and 3 GEA) and 69 saphenous vein grafts were placed in 43 patients for average of 2.95 grafts per patient during the period from April 1990 to December 1991. Early patency of arterial grafts (98.3%) were significantly better than that of saphenous vein grafts (91.3%) (p less than 0.01). With regard to recipient vessels, both coronary flow-demand score (= score of the size of perfused myocardium x viability index x index of proximal stenotic lesion/3) and distal run-off score influenced early graft patency significantly. It seems that better patency of arterial grafts were reflected on the bias that these grafts were preferentially placed on larger coronary arteries such as the left anterior descending artery, not on the advantage of arterial grafts.


[Physiological characteristics of arterial graft for coronary artery bypass surgery]. Arterial grafts have been used widely for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of their excellent long patency. However, some clinical reports suggest that blood flow in arterial grafts may not be adequate compared with aorto-coronary bypass grafting. Pressure in arterial grafts was measured in patients undergoing CABG. The pressure tracing in the ascending aorta (AA) was maintained during diastole. The systolic pressure wave in ITA and GEA was narrow, while the diastolic pressures fell rapidly: the diastolic pressure in GEA was lower than in ITA. The area under the pressure wave was measured in diastole and in systole. Although there was no significant difference in systolic areas, the diastolic area were lower in ITA than in AA, and lower in GEA than in AA and in ITA. These results clarified that arterial grafts which belong to the systolic-dominant systemic circulation have disadvantages over aorto-coronary bypass grafts, in terms of physiological suitabilities to the diastolic-dominant coronary circulation.


[Coronary artery bypass surgery with bilateral internal mammary artery]. Increasing number of coronary artery bypass surgery has been performed utilizing more arterial grafts because of poor long term patency rate of saphenous vein grafts. The risk of bilateral internal mammary artery grafting was studied in two groups of patients who were matched for recognized risk factors such as year of operation, age, gender, extent of coronary artery disease, left ventricular function, completeness of myocardial revascularization, and history of congestive heart failure. The patient groups differed in the fact that they received on internal mammary artery graft or two internal mammary artery grafts. The operative mortality rate was zero in either group. Analysis of operative and postoperative morbidity demonstrated no significant differences except for a slight increase in transfusion requirement, rate of wound infection and use of catecholamine in the group receiving two internal mammary artery grafts (p = 0.1, 0.1 and 0.05, respectively). We conclude at this moment that bilateral internal mammary artery grafting does not increase surgical mortality but increases the use of catecholamine comparing with the ipsilateral internal mammary artery grafting. Since the cases analysed in this study are limited, definitive conclusion should be deferred.


[Sequential coronary artery bypass using gastroepiploic artery]. We carried out sequential coronary bypass grafting using the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) as an in situ graft in seven patients. Four patients had sequential graft from the right coronary to the circumflex. Three patients were anastomosed to two or three peripheral branches of the right coronary artery. There were no early deaths. Postoperative angiograms revealed that the patency rate was 92.3% (12/13 anastomoses). Sequential GEA grafting is available to anastomose the peripheral branches of the right coronary and the circumflex where the in situ internal thoracic artery is difficult to access. Therefore, this procedure will be indicated for multiple coronary artery bypass grafting.


[Problems and prevention in using arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting]. The arterial graft has proved to be superior to the saphenous vein graft for coronary bypass grafting (CABG), because of its excellent long-term patency. However, there mains controversial on the choice of the arterial grafts. Six hundreds and twenty seven patients who had CABG using both arterial grafts and saphenous vein grafts, operated upon over 11-years period between 1980 and 1991, have been analysed. Some disadvantages and complications associated with the use of arterial grafts were demonstrated in our series. We discussed, the flow capacity, myocardial protection and postoperative complications in using arterial grafts for CABG.


[Coronary revascularization with arterial bypass graft as a routine]. In the period from December 1989 until December 1991, coronary revascularization were performed on 68 patients using arterial grafts as a routine. The ages of the patients ranged from 43 to 85 years (average: 67.1 years), and there were 38 males and 30 females. Twenty-seven patients had angina pectoris, 32 had old myocardial infarction and 9 had acute infarction. The bypass grafts used were 69 left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts, 39 right internal thoracic artery (RITA) grafts, 68 right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) grafts and 3 saphenous vein (SV) grafts. Thus, 179 grafts were used and an average of 2.6 bypasses were created per patient. There was only one death in 57 elective operations. Investigation of postoperative graft patency was performed in the 167 grafts that could be examined angiographically after surgery. Only 7 were obstructed, yielding a patency rate of 95.9%. By using both the ITA and RGEA, in situ anastomoses with the most of the coronary arteries could be performed. This operative form is considered to be useful technique and may be expected to produce favorable long-term results.


[An emergency coronary artery bypass for failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with intractable ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation]. A 73-year-old man with effort angina after myocardial infarction is admitted for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). During PTCA, the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was completely occluded. He was suffered from severe cardiogenic shock with systemic cyanosis and loss of consciousness. Under assist of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) and cardiac massage, he was transferred to an operating room. Before the start of operation, cardioversion were required 13 times because of repeat attacks of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Coronary artery bypass was completed in 177 minutes after total occlusion of the LAD. At the 5th postoperative day, IABP could be discontinued, and at the 8th postoperative day, the patient was weaned from mechanical ventilation. He was transferred to the prior hospital for rehabilitation on the 65 days after operation. We must try to perform CABG for salvage of myocardium, even if a patient falls in severe cardiogenic shock presenting intractable ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation.


[Right coronary spasm immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting for the left coronary artery]. Right coronary spasm immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting for the left coronary artery in a 39-year-old male is described. After the patient was returned to ICU, ECG at leads II, III, and aVF changed suddenly, ventricular tachycardia (right ventricle origin) and cardiac arrest ensured. As neither administration of drug nor application of D.C. was effective. The chest was reopened at ICU. Though there was sufficient flow in the left coronary artery bypass graft flow, the right ventricle did not constrict at all. Right coronary artery spasm was diagnosed, and, upon application of the direct cardiac massage and D.C. at the cardiac surface, cardiac rhythm and blood pressure were normalized. IABP was inserted to improve cardiac function, and the chest was closed. In addition, nitroglycerin and diltiazem were infused continuously. No spasm has occurred after this episode, and the patient has been discharged and is doing well.


[Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with Kawasaki disease]. A 3-year-girl admitted because of angina at rest. She had been diagnosed as Kawasaki disease at the age of 3 months. At that time, a coronary aneurysm was detected by echocardiogram and aspirin had started to administer. At the age of 4 months, a cardiac arrest occurred after severe heart attack because of inferior myocardial infarction. At the age of 2 years and 6 months, she started to complain of a chest pain even at rest. Coronary angiography was performed, and it showed total occlusion of RCA and LAD. However, LAD was vaguely filled by collateral flow from diagonal branch, and 201Tl scintigraphy showed myocardial viability of anteroseptal area. At operation, the size of ITA was 1.2 mm in diameter. Coronary artery bypass grafting to LAD by ITA was performed. Three weeks postoperatively, graft patency was confirmed by coronary angiography. The girl discharged with good ability of exercise. The ITA seemed to be the first choice of conduit for CABG even in a small child, and to be useful for progressive surgical treatment of Kawasaki disease.


[Urodynamic findings in patients with a urethral Kock pouch after radical cystectomy]. Urodynamic evaluation was performed in 11 male patients, who underwent radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection for bladder cancer followed by bladder replacement with a urethral Kock pouch, 3 to 21 months after the operation. Frequency of micturition were 4.9 +/- 1.5 times (mean +/- S.D.) during the day-time and 1.5 +/- 1.2 times during the night-time. Tidal volume of micturition ranged from 300 to 550 ml and residual volume from 10 to 30 ml. Urinary continence was completely preserved in all patients (100%) during the day-time and 8 (72.7%) during the night-time. On pouchmetry, maximum capacity of the pouch was 429.2 +/- 82.4 ml, and intra-pouch pressure was 16.2 +/- 5.4 cmH2O at the capacity of 200 ml and 38.7 +/- 11.5 cmH2O at the maximum capacity. Maximum intra-pouch pressure on voiding was 80.0 +/- 19.4 cmH2O. Uroflowmetry demonstrated intermittent voiding curves in all the patients, with maximum flow rate of 15.2 +/- 6.5 ml/sec, voided volume of 405.9 +/- 80.7 ml and residual rate of 4.5 +/- 2.6%. Maximum intra-urethral pressure at the external urethral sphincter was 28.0 +/- 11.3 cmH2O when the pouch was empty and increased in response to pouch filling up to 64.7 +/- 27.0 cmH2O. Maximum urethral closing pressure and total profile length on the urethral pressure profile were 30.2 +/- 12.4 cmH2O and 20.9 +/- 9.0 mm, respectively, with the pouch empty, and 23.2 +/- 14.5 cmH2O and 20.0 +/- 7.6 mm, respectively, with the pouch full.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[The clinical significance of tissue, blood and urine polyamine in renal cell carcinoma]. With the use of a newly developed and convenient enzymatic method, tissue, urine and blood polyamine (diamine, spermidine and spermine) levels were evaluated as a tumor marker of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in 50 cases with the disease. Furthermore, blood and urine polyamines were periodically determined and evaluated as a follow-up marker. The pretreatment three polyamine levels in tissue, blood and urine of the patients were all significantly higher than those of the controls. However, because of their low sensitivities, they were not always decisive for biochemical diagnosis of RCC. Tissue spermidine levels were increased with the advance of the stages. Tissue diamine level also showed a good correlation with the pathological grade. Tissue diamine was found to predict distant metastasis. Blood spermidine and urine diamine were useful as follow-up markers. In conclusion, combined determination of tissue, blood and urine polyamine levels was thought to be useful as tumor markers of RCC.


[Results of curative or non-curative nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma invading adjacent organs]. We reviewed 12 patients who had undergone curative or non-curative nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma invading adjacent organs (stage T4). 83 patients with renal cell carcinoma confined within the perirenal fascia (T1-T3) who had undergone nephrectomy served as controls. Of the 12 patients with T4 tumor 6 had undergone simultaneous excision of involved adjacent organs (hemicolectomy in 4, resection of the tail of pancreas in 5, splenectomy in 2). At operation 6 patients with T4 tumor had distant metastasis, 3 had fixed lymph node metastases, and 4 had tumor extension into the main renal vein or vena cava. Although T4 tumor had distant or fixed lymph node metastasis more frequently than T1-T3 tumors, the incidence of gross tumor thrombus showed no such difference between T3 and T4 tumors. Postoperative follow-up of patients with T4 tumor showed that local recurrence developed within 9 months in 3 of 5 patients who had undergone curative excision, new distant metastasis developed within 6 months in 5 patients, 1 patient died of acute renal failure in the early convalescence, 10 patients died of the disease within 12 months and 1 died of the disease in 31 months. Pathological examination showed that T4 tumors tended to be classified as grade 3, to extend in an infiltrating fashion and to have a sarcomatoid structure. Patients who had a tumor where these three histological features were dominant died to tumor within 3 months after nephrectomy. These results indicate that curative excision of T4 renal cell carcinoma is not only difficult, but frequently associated with early local recurrence and new distant metastasis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Clinical studies of the prognosis in cases of chance proteinuria and/or hematuria]. A total of 174 cases that consulted due to chance proteinuria and/or hematuria (CPH) were studied as to its clinical course, in particular patients' prognosis. They were selected from 311 patients on whom renal biopsy was performed from December, 1975 to December, 1985 in our institute. Furthermore, IgA nephropathy which occupied the major part of the CPH group was also studied as a prognostic factor. The CPH group showed 81% of disease stabilizing rate in 10 years' follow-up. In various data such as chemical analysis of blood and urine, immunoglobulin levels, and renal function at the time of biopsy, daily urinary protein excretion (greater than 1 g/day) statistically showed a significant correlation to deterioration of the renal function during the follow up. However, hematuria was not found correlated. Of CPH group, 48% was diagnosed to be with IgA nephropathy. The patients with IgA nephropathy with CPH, comparing with the cases without CPH, were younger and had better renal function and milder change of renal mesangial proliferation. The 10 years-disease stabilizing rates of the disease were 81% in CPH and 63% in non CHP group. In conclusion, prognostic factors affecting renal function in the CPH group was found to be daily urinary protein excretion and, if diagnosed as IgA nephropathy by biopsy, pathological changes were also shown to be prognostic factors. Therefore, CPH patients having proteinuria over 1 g/day must be examined by renal biopsy and when IgA nephropathy is diagnosed, long time follow-up is necessary and re-biopsy for examination of pathological change during the interval is recommended.


[Purification and properties of NAG A from human kidney]. In the present paper, we have reported the purification procedures of N-acetyl-beta, D-glucosaminidase (NAG) A from human renal tissue as well as the enzymatic properties of NAG A. NAG A was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration methods using Sephacry S-400 and S-200, followed by affinity chromatography with TSK DEAE 5-PW. The final activity of the enzyme was 1001 U/ml protein which was 506.6-fold that of the crude extract (supernatant of 20,000 x G of the homogenate). The molecular weight of NAG A was 140 kDa, consisting of two subunits of 30 kDa and 57 kDa. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 5.60. The optimal pH of the enzyme was between 4.7 and 4.9. The Km value of the enzyme for sodio-m-cresol sulfophtaleinyl-N-acetyl-beta, D-glucosaminide was found 0.177 x 10(-3) mol/l. Lectin affinity chromatographies using concanavalin A and wheat germagglutinin have demonstrated that major sugar-chains of the enzyme were the high mannose type and hybrid type with a fucose residue, and that a small amount of the complex type was contained.


[Prognostic factors for progression of superficial bladder cancer]. To clarify prognostic factors for progression of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (Ta, T1 and G1, G2), 159 patients, treated by transurethral resection from 1975 to 1988, were analysed concerning clinical findings, laboratory data, endoscopic findings and histopathological findings of the tumor. Histopathological findings included ABH blood group isoantigen (ABH) and Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T-ag) as well as other result. Twenty two cases in the series showed progression; 10 with up-grading and up-staging, 12 with either one of them. Advanced age, positive urinary cytology, multiple or broad base tumor, G2 or T1 tumor, negative ABH and abnormal T-ag were closely associated with progression. By multivariate analysis of these factors, ABH, stage of the tumor, T-ag and form were shown to be important prognostic factors in this order. ABH and T-ag were not correlated with other clinicopathological factors in predicting tumor progression. Therefore we concluded that ABH and T-ag were much important for prediction concerning potential for progression of the superficial bladder cancer.


[Asymptomatic multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma]. From January 1982 to December 1989, we experienced seven multilocular cystic renal cell carcinomas (MLCRCCs) in 36 asymptomatic renal cancers incidentally diagnosed, and none in 23 symptomatic renal cancers (p less than 0.05). No multiocular cystic nephromas (MLCNs) appeared in either group. Though MLCRCCs have been considered to be, in general, extremely rare, they do occur in asymptomatic renal cancers. A multiloculated renal mass with thick septum discovered in an adult by ultrasonography or CT scan should be suspected as being a MLCRCC rather than a MLCN.


[Results of deep dorsal vein ligation for venogenic impotence]. We treated seventy venogenic impotence with ligation of the deep dorsal vein of the penis. Their corporal veno-occlusive function was evaluated by dynamic infusion cavernosometry and cavernosography (DICC). Under local anesthesia, we made a longitudinal skin incision at the base of the penis. The deep dorsal vein was ligated and also a portion of this vein of 1.5 cm long was resected together with branches surrounding the vein. After the operation, the infusion rate determined by DICC was confirmed to be decreased in almost all patients. Thirty nine out of seventy cases had their erectile capability restored and reported that they could achieve sexual intercourse. Sixty one of the seventy cases showed full erection together with an intracavernous papaverine injection. However fifty percent of the sixty one patients who became capable of obtaining erection with the treatment had lost their erectile capability again within one year of the operation, however the other fifty percent were shown to maintain their erectile capability for up to three years. As four years after the treatment only thirty percent of those who had achieved the initial erectile capability still remained potent. This operation is easy to perform without any major complications, and its outcome is as good as that achieved by other more invasive venous ligation in the treatment of patients with venogenic impotence. We therefore conclude that penile deep dorsal vein ligation and partial resection of the vein one of the most useful treatments currently available for venogenic impotence and should be the treatment of choice.


[A survey on urinary incontinence in the institutionalized elderly]. A survey on urinary incontinence in 161 (41 male, 120 female) institutionalized elderly was independently performed by urologists and attending nurses. Urinary incontinence was found in 107 cases (66%), with 76 cases (47%) suffering from severe leakage (more than 5 times a day and needs diaper). The prevalences of incontinence and severe leakage were 63% and 52% at geriatric hospitals, 59% and 29% at intermediate care centers and 78% and 63% at nursing homes, respectively. The risk factors for incontinence were consciousness disturbance, urinary urgency, impaired mobility and dementia, and those for severe leakage were apathy, loss of urinary sensation, dementia and impaired mobility. The type of incontinence was considered functional one in 81% of cases. The agreement of the incontinence type evaluated by urologists and that by nurses was found in 90% of incontinent cases. Incontinence was estimated "incurable" in 54% of cases by attending nurses. These observations indicate a high prevalence of severe and "incurable" incontinence in the institutionalized elderly, urgently warranting an effective remedy for the increasing aged society.


[Electromyographic study on the striated urethral sphincter of the male. An analysis with turns amplitude diagram]. The aim of this study is to clarify the physiology and pathophysiology of two striated urethral sphincters, the periurethral striated sphincter (PUS) and the external urethral sphincter (EUS), in the voiding cycle, using a selective and semi-quantitative electromyographic technique. Under ultrasonic guidance, two needle-electrodes were inserted into the two sphincters of 31 males (7 neurologically normal, 13 with nuclear and/or infranuclear lesions, 11 with supranuclear lesions), and EMGs recorded during the whole cystometric course were analysed by the aid of Turns-Amplitude Diagram (TAD). The results obtained were as follows: 1) In neurologically normal cases, the increment of turns as well as amplitudes in EMGs of both the sphincters were observed with the bladder filling, and they were completely diminished at the onset of than voiding. 2) The increment of turns were more obvious than that of amplitudes in EMGs of both the sphincters. 3) More voluntary function could be assumed on EUS than PUS. 4) The functional sphincteric responsibility corresponding to the voiding cycle could be expressed by the direction and the length of the vectors obtained from TAD. 5) In neurogenic bladder cases, various abnormal sphincteric responsibility, such as the shortening and/or abnormal directions of the vectors, were found. With the results described above, this semi-quantitative assessment of sphincter EMG was thought to be useful to evaluate the abnormal activity of the urethral sphincter in neurogenic bladder cases.


[Prophylactic intravesical instillation therapy in patients with superficial bladder cancer--results of a randomized prospective study]. A randomized prospective study was conducted for the purpose of investigating the efficacy of intravesical chemoprophylaxis of superficial bladder cancers. Eligible patients were randomized into three groups: 1) adriamycin (ADM) group; intravesical instillation with 50 mg of ADM dissolved in 100 ml physiological saline, 2) mitomycin C (MMC) group; intravesical instillation with 30 mg of MMC dissolved in 100 ml of physiological saline, 3) control group; transurethral resection or transurethral coagulation only. The characteristic features of our protocol consisted of frequent (six times) instillations of the drugs within two weeks after transurethral resection, followed by instillations on two consecutive days at four-week intervals for two years. Furthermore, large quantities (100 ml) of instillation fluid containing relatively low concentrations of the drugs (500 micrograms/ml for ADM or 300 micrograms/ml for MMC) were employed. One hundred and forty-four patients have been submitted to the study; 110 patients were fully evaluable for recurrence and 34 patients were eliminated as non-evaluable patients. The cumulative five-year non-recurrence rates of the patients with multiple tumors were 32% in the MMC group, 25% in the ADM group and 7% in the control group. The cumulative non-recurrence rates of the ADM and MMC groups were significantly higher than that of the control group. It is considered that this instillation therapy with ADM and MMC is useful for preventing the recurrence of superficial bladder cancers.


[Primary tumor of the ureteral stump following nephrectomy for non-malignant disease. A case report]. Primary tumor in the ureteral stump is rare. A 66-year-old woman visited our hospital because of microscopic hematuria. She had undergone right nephrectomy for the contracted kidney 36 years ago. Intravenous pyelography and cystoscopy showed no positive findings for hematuria. But urine cytology indicated class V. The flexible ureterorenoscopy disclosed a nonpapillary sessile tumor in the ureteral stump. We also did the biopsy of the tumor under the direct vision before open surgery. The specimen showed transitional cell carcinoma, grade 3. The ureteral stump was successfully removed. The flexible ureterorenoscopy was most useful for the diagnosis in this case.