Physical and clinical evaluation of a 2,048 x 2,048-matrix image intensifier TV digital imaging system in bone radiography

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the potential utility of a 2,048 x 2,048-matrix image intensifier television digital radiography (DR) system versus a conventional screen-film (S-F) system for bone radiography.

METHODS

Basic imaging properties were evaluated including resolution properties, Wiener spectra, and detectabilities of low-contrast signals. DR images were obtained with the same exposure (iso-dose) or one-third the exposure (low-dose) used with the S-F system. The visibility of pathologic details of metastatic disease on bone radiographs of 27 patients was evaluated subjectively by six radiologists.

RESULTS

Resolution properties of the DR system were slightly superior to those of the S-F system at low-frequency range, but the S-F system showed considerably higher resolution properties at the high-frequency range. The noise levels for iso-dose DR were slightly greater than those for S-F imaging at low spatial frequency; however, low-dose digital radiographs showed higher noise levels. Visibility of details of diagnostic features on bone radiographs was similar with both systems, but the low-dose digital radiographs were slightly inferior.

CONCLUSION

High-resolution image intensifier television DR systems may be clinically useful for bone radiography.

Capillary affinity gel electrophoresis. New tool for detection of the mutation on DNA

Capillary affinity gel electrophoresis is a new technique for the recognition of the specific DNA base and/or sequence. This technology is also applicable to the characterization of binding properties of DNA-based drugs, chiral separation, and the selective separation of antibody mimetics using imprinted polymers. This article reviews the present state of studies on the capillary affinity gel electrophoresis, including the principle, theory, methods, and applications of this technology. The great potential of capillary affinity gel electrophoresis for the detection of the mutation onDNA is illustrated.

Development of a precise controller for an electrohydraulic total artificial heart. Improvement of the motor's dynamic response

In an electrohydraulic total artificial heart developed at the National Cardiovascular Center (Osaka, Japan), two blood pumps are pushed alternatively by means of the bidirectional motion of a brushless DC motor for pump systole and diastole. Improvement in the dynamic response of the motor is very important to obtain better pump performance; this was accomplished by using power electronic simulation. For the motor to have the desired dynamic response, it must be commutated properly and the damping ratio (zeta), which represents transient characteristics of the motor, must lie between 0.4 and 0.8. Consequently, all satisfactory specifications with respect to power consumption must be obtained. Based on the simulated results, the design criteria were determined and the precise controller designed to reduce torque ripple and motor vibration, and determine motor stop time at every direction change. In in vitro tests, evaluation of the controller and dynamic response of the motor was justified in terms of zeta, power consumption, and motor stop time. The results indicated that the power consumption of the controller and the input power of the motor were decreased by 1.2 and 2.5 W at zeta = 0.6, respectively, compared to the previous system. An acceptable dynamic response of the motor, necessary for the reduction of torque ripple and motor vibration, was obtained between zeta = 0.5 and zeta = 0.7, with an increase in system efficiency from 10% to 12%. The motor stop time required for stable motor reoperation was determined to be over 10 msec, for a savings in power consumption of approximately 1.5 W. Therefore, the improved dynamic response of the motor can contribute to the stability and reliability of the pump.

Development of an integrated artificial heart-lung device for long-term cardiopulmonary support

An integrated artificial heart-lung device has been developed as a long-term cardiopulmonary support system. The device is composed of gas exchange and pumping units. The gas exchange unit consists of a special hollow fiber membrane that can prevent serum leakage. The entire blood contacting surface of the gas exchange unit is treated with covalent heparin bonding. The pumping unit consists of two pusher-plate artificial hearts joined to each end of the artificial lung unit. The core size and priming volume of the device are 11 x 14 x 17 cm and 400 ml, respectively. In in vitro evaluation, the device exhibited a maximum output of 7.0 L/ min, with a pressure gradient of 10 mmHg per 1 L/min flow rate. In acute in vivo evaluation with adult goats, the device satisfactorily replaced the animals' circulation and respiration for 6 hr. Pumping output ranged from 5.5 to 6.0 L/min, whereas PaO2 and PaCO2 were kept above 500 mmHg and below 30 mmHg, respectively. The device demonstrated prominent thrombus resistant properties in nonheparin animal use trials. These results indicate that the integrated artificial heart-lung device has a potential to be a long-term cardiopulmonary support system that can be used with minimal anticoagulant therapy.

A volume-controlled liquid ventilator with pressure-limit mode: imperative expiratory control

Liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon (PFC) has been considered to offer advantages over gas ventilation to respiratory distress syndrome patients. We developed a volume-controlled liquid ventilator with pressure-limit mode; inspiration is performed mechanically with an actuator under the preset limit of the intratracheal pressure (Paw); expiration is performed by gravity assistance. Oxygenation and CO2 removal of PFC are done with a membrane oxygenator. An endotracheal tube with a Paw monitor line was placed in 5 rabbits weighing 2.7 +/- 0.6 kg, and liquid ventilation was conducted with the condition that the upper and lower limits of Paw were 20 and -20 mm Hg, respectively. The best arterial pH and gas tension were examined. The averaged arterial pH and gas tension were examined. The averaged arterial pH. Pao2, Paco2, and Sao2 were 7.45 mm Hg, 369 mm Hg, 46.2 mm Hg, and 100% at the best values, respectively. Ventilatory conditions at the best values were as follows: ventilation rates, tidal volume peak Paw, average Paw, and trough Paw were 5-15 (11 +/- 4) times/min, 13.3-17.3 (15.6 +/- 1.4) ml/kg, 5-18 (12 +/- 5) mm Hg, -7-4 (-1 +/- 4) mm Hg, and -20(-)-6 (-13 +/- 5) mm Hg, respectively. Pressure-limit control of the system worked well, but in the initial 3 animals, fluorothrax, that is the leakage of PFC into thoracic cavity, was recognized at the Paw from 20 to 25 mm Hg after the upper pressure limit was raised to 25 mm Hg to improve Paco2. The fluorothrax seemed to be caused by excess end-expiratory residual volume. An expiratory control mechanism appears to be imperative for further improvement of our liquid ventilator.

Influence of non pulsatile systemic circulation on tissue blood flow and oxygen metabolism

Influence of non pulsatile systemic circulation on oxygen metabolism was examined regarding tissue perfusion in 12 adult goats weighing from 46 to 55 kg. Under general anesthesia, a flow character, changeable total left heart bypass circuit consisting of pulsatile and non pulsatile pumps was installed through a left thoracotomy. Systemic flow was converted from pulsatile to non pulsatile in 7 of 12 animals, and in the reverse order in the other 5, by changing the driving pump. Esophageal mucosal blood flow was determined by a colored microsphere method that estimated tissue blood flow at the pre capillary level. Esophageal intramucosal pH was evaluated with a silicone balloon tonometer catheter surgically placed in the submucosal space. Hemodynamic and arterial blood gas parameters were unchanged at flow mode conversion. Although oxygen delivery was comparable between pulsatile and non pulsatile circulation, oxygen extraction ratio was lower and venous oxygen saturation was higher in non pulsatile than pulsatile circulation. Although statistically not significant, serum lactate level tended to be higher with non pulsatile circulation. No difference was observed in esophageal mucosal blood flow between pulsatile and non pulsatile circulation, whereas intramucosal pH, which strongly correlated with arterial pH regardless of the flow mode, was significantly lower under non pulsatile than pulsatile conditions. In conclusion, systemic oxygen uptake is less efficient in non pulsatile than pulsatile circulation in the setting of an acute experiment using animals, which may be accounted for by the disparity between the pre capillary blood flow and actual tissue oxygen metabolism.

Altered oxygen metabolic conditions associated with increased norepinephrine levels in a nonpulsatile systemic circulation

Change in oxygen metabolic conditions accompanying the conversion of systemic flow from pulsatile to nonpulsatile (from P-mode to N-mode) was investigated in association with blood norepinephrine levels. Total left heart bypass was instituted through a left thoracotomy under general anesthesia in 10 adult goats. Pulsatile and nonpulsatile pumps were incorporated in the circuit in parallel, and the flow character was rapidly converted from the P-mode to the N-mode. Norepinephrine levels increased significantly after the conversion, from 222 +/- 54 pg/ml to 285 +/- 65 pg/ml. While oxygen delivery (DO2) was kept constant, the oxygen extraction ratio significantly decreased, from 21 +/- 3% to 16 +/- 3%, and venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) significantly increased, from 77 +/- 6% to 84 +/- 6% after depulsation. The serum lactate level was significantly higher in the N-mode than the P-mode (P-mode: 35 +/- 2 mg/dl, N-mode: 45 +/- 5 mg/dl). Strong positive and negative correlations of norepinephrine levels were observed with oxygen extraction ratio and SvO2, respectively, whereas norepinephrine levels did not correlated with DO2. Regression lines in these correlations unveiled higher oxygen uptake in the P-mode than the N-mode at the same norepinephrine level. These results indicate that, in the setting of an acute animal experiment, oxygen uptake is less efficient with the absence of pulsatility, and the higher norepinephrine concentration functioned to tune the oxygen metabolism in the initial stage of nonpulsatile systemic circulation.

Lingual carcinoma. Correlation of MR imaging with histopathological findings

PURPOSE

To determine the utility of MR imaging in the evaluation of lingual carcinomas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eleven patients with lingual carcinoma were evaluated with MR imaging including dynamic study within one week before surgery. Nine patients underwent preoperative chemotherapy or irradiation, and 2 patients had no preoperative treatment. Delineation of the tumor, the contrast between tumor and surrounding tissue, and extent of the tumor were evaluated in a blinded manner. After glossectomy, MR images were correlated with pathological findings. Statistical analysis was performed on the visual assessment ratings.

RESULTS

Blinded evaluation suggested that dynamic and T2-weighted images (T2WI) were significantly superior to postcontrast T1WI in demonstrating the lesion. There were no significant differences between dynamic MR images and T2WIs. However, histopathological correlation showed that in patients with preoperative treatment, dynamic MR imaging demonstrated more accurately the size and extent of the residual tumor than did T2WI and postcontrast T1WI, which tended to demonstrate an area of signal abnormality that was more extensive than the true size of the residual lesion. In patients without preoperative treatment, dynamic MR imaging, T2WI, and postcontrast T1WI gave an equivalent depiction of the extent of the carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

In patients with no preoperative treatment, dynamic MR imaging does not appear to offer any advantage over T2WI. However, in patients with preoperative treatment, dynamic MR imaging provides a more accurate assessment of the residual tumor than do T2WI and postcontrast T1WI.

Importance of metabolic function of the natural lung evaluated by prolonged exclusion of the pulmonary circulation

It is generally considered that the natural lung metabolizes various vasoactive substances through the pulmonary circulation. However, the influences of bypassing or eliminating the pulmonary circulation have not been fully elucidated, especially for prolonged periods. In this study, we performed total cardiopulmonary bypass and exclusion of the pulmonary circulation for up to 336 hr in awake goats to clarify the importance of the metabolic function of the lung. In seven adult goats, biventricular bypass with a pulsatile ventricular assist system was first established. After 2 weeks, the biventricular bypass was converted to total cardiopulmonary bypass without anesthesia. Adequate gas exchange and perfusion support were achieved in all animals. However, the institution of total cardiopulmonary bypass led to marked decreases in the mean aortic pressure and systemic vascular resistance, and they remained low thereafter. The arterial levels of prostaglandin E2 and norepinephrine, which are inactivated naturally through the pulmonary circulation, increased remarkably. These results indicate that the natural lung plays an important role in controlling systemic circulation by metabolizing various vasoactive substances. Understanding the non respiratory function of the natural lung is of prime importance for advancement of lung and heart-lung support.

Set-up, improvement, and evaluation of an electrohydraulic total artificial heart with a separately placed energy converter

The authors have been developing an electrohydraulic total artificial heart (TAH) system with a separately placed electrohydraulic energy converter to minimize anatomic constraints in the pericardial space. Improvements to the system and current status of the development are reported. The energy converter was miniaturized to improve implantability, and its thickness was reduced to 54 mm. System efficiency was increased by suppressing rush current at the time of motor reversal. Maximum cardiac output of the TAH system was 9 L/min, and maximum system efficiency increased to 10%. The blood pump system was implanted easily in the body of a 57 kg calf, and no significant temperature rise on the energy converter surface was observed. As the next step, main components were integrated into a total system. The transcutaneous energy transfer system could supply power to the TAH without a decline in pump performance, and the internal battery could support the system at 6.5 L/min of cardiac output for 1 hour without a decrease in cardiac output. The authors consider the TAH system with a separately placed energy converter the most promising approach to development of a TAH for smaller sized patients.

Development of a membrane oxygenator for long-term respiratory support and its experimental evaluation in prolonged ECMO

The authors developed a new membrane oxygenator (MO) for long-term respiratory support and evaluated its performance in animal experiments for as long as 336 hr. The MO, with a membrane area of 1.2 m2 and priming volume of 140 ml, is compact and designed to be interposed in a ventricular assist system (VAS) conduit. It is made with a novel hollow fiber membrane, in which micropores are blind-ended so that serum leakage can be prevented during prolonged use. The blood contacting surface of the MO is heparinized with a newly developed covalent bonding technique that ensures good thrombus resistance. In vivo evaluation with five adult goats was performed by installing the MO into a venoarterial or venovenous bypass circuit. No systemic anticoagulant therapy was used, except for a heparin-added fluid infusion to keep the pressure monitoring lines open (2-3 U/kg/hr). Throughout the experiments, no plasma leakage was observed, and gas transfer rates were maintained in a satisfactory range. Platelet counts did not decrease to less than 60% of levels before bypass, and hemolysis was negligible. The levels of coagulation parameters including fibrinogen, fibrin degradation products (FDP), antithrombin III (AT III), antiplasmin, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastic time (APTT) remained within physiologic ranges and relatively constant. At the end of the evaluation, no thrombus formation was noted in three of five MOs. These results suggest that this MO is a promising device for long-term respiratory support.

MR imaging enhancement with superparamagnetic iron oxide in chronic liver disease: influence of liver dysfunction and parenchymal pathology

PURPOSE

To analyze the influence of liver dysfunction and parenchymal pathology on the accumulation of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO).

METHODS

We evaluated MR images of 13 patients having small hepatic neoplasms before and after administration of SPIO (10 micronol/kg). Biopsy and laboratory data confirmed the presence of severe cirrhosis in two patients, mild cirrhosis in four, chronic hepatitis in five, and normal livers in two. Degrees of liver dysfunction or liver parenchymal pathology were correlated with reductions in signal intensity of the liver and spleen after administration of SPIO. Signal intensity reduction was evaluated using a 1.5 Tesla MR unit.

RESULTS

Response to SPIO of the liver and spleen did not correlate with liver parenchymal pathology, although reductions in signal intensity of the liver were somewhat small in severely cirrhotic livers. There were slight correlations between signal intensity alterations of the liver and laboratory data such as the indocyanine green retention rate (correlation coefficient 0. 47), albumin (0.36), total bilirubin (0.36), and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) (0.46). Signal intensity reduction of spleen did not correlate with liver function tests except for serum GOT. In patients with cirrhosis, heterogeneous structures were detected in the nontumorous portions of the liver. However, these did not prevent the diagnosis of small hepatomas.

CONCLUSION

The uptake of SPIO showed some correlation with liver function but not with chronic liver parenchymal pathology. SPIO provided sufficient contrast between tumor and surrounding liver parenchyma among patients with chronic liver disease.

Hereditary ceruloplasmin deficiency with hemosiderosis

Hereditary ceruloplasmin deficiency with hemosiderosis (aceruloplasminemia) is a new disease characterized by systemic hemosiderosis, diabetes mellitus, neurological abnormalities and pigment degeneration of the retina. Loss of the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin results in systemic iron deposition and tissue damage. Neuroimaging studies reveal iron deposition in basal ganglia and in the red and dentate nuclei. Cerebellar ataxia, extrapyramidal signs and dementia develop after middle age. We report a patient with undetectable serum ceruloplasmin levels and the above clinical manifestations. Sequence analysis of the cDNA of ceruloplasmin from this patient revealed an insertion of adenine in exon 3; this produced a premature stop codon.

Development of a centrifugal pump with improved antithrombogenicity and hemolytic property for chronic circulatory support

A centrifugal pump with a unique structure has been developed for chronic support. The pump is driven by a magnetic coupling and has no rotating shaft, no seal around the rotating part, and a balancing hole at the center of the impeller and the thrust bearing. The pump was improved in stepwise fashion to realize good antithrombogenicity and low hemolysis. The first pump, the National Cardiovascular Center (NCVC)-0, had an impeller with 4 rectangular and curved vanes; 6 triangularly shaped curved vanes were employed in the second model, the NCVC-1, to reduce trauma to the blood. In the third design, the NCVC-2, the central hole was enlarged, and the thrust bearing shoulder was rounded so that blood washing was enhanced around the impeller; stream lines also were smoothed for improved antithrombogenicity. The hemolytic property of the device was evaluated in vitro with heparinized fresh goat blood; hemolysis indexes of the NCVC-0, -1, and -2 were 0.05, 0.01, and 0.006 g per 100 L, respectively. Antithrombogenicity of the pumps was examined in animal experiments as a left heart bypass device in goals weighing 52-75 kg. Six NCVC-0 pumps were driven for 14 to 33 (22.0 +/- 7.6) days in goats receiving the antiplatelet drug cilostazol orally. Four NCVC-1 pumps ran for 1 to 80 (28.5 +/- 30.6) days with the same drug regimen in 2 cases and with no anticoagulation therapy in 2 cases. After 3 preliminary 1-week tests of NCVC-2 pumps in animals, the pump was installed in 3 goats; 2 pumps were still running on the 182nd and 58th pumping day. Intracorporeal implantation also was attempted successfully. The results indicate that this pump has promising features for chronic support although longer term and additional evaluations are necessary.

Tandem operation of a turbo blood pump (BP-80--type centrifugal pump) to reduce hemolysis

When operating turbo blood pumps in tandem, the strength of shear stress is reduced, but the exposure duration of the stress is increased. The purpose of this experiment was to compare the degree of contribution of these two factors on hemolysis as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the tandem operation of turbo blood pumps. Tandem operation of two Bio-pumps (BP-80; Medtronics Bio-medicus, Inc., Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.A.) were compared with single operation of a BP-80 in in vitro hemolysis tests in three different driving conditions, that is, pumping heads of 200, 350, and 500 mm Hg under a pump flow rate of 5 L/min. The Allen's hemolytic indexes of the tandem operation at pumping heads of 200, 350, and 500 mm Hg were 0.014, 0.020, and 0.080 mg/dl, respectively. The hemolytic indexes of the single operation at pumping heads of 200, 35, and 500 mm Hg were 0.014, 0.056, and 0.12 mg/dl, respectively. These results indicate that tandem operation is a useful method of reducing hemolysis with the BP-80 under high pumping heads and that the effect on hemolysis of exposure to higher shear stresses may be more serious than that of longer durations of exposure to shear stress in turbo blood pumps.

Azelastine: its clinical application for radiation dermatitis

A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the radioprotective effects of azelastine against radiation dermatitis for patients with head and neck cancers. The effects of azelastine were studied in 19 patients with laryngeal cancers treated by irradiation. As controls, 29 patients with laryngeal cancers treated by irradiation without the administration of azelastine were studied. All patients were irradiated using 3 MV linac X-rays. Azelastine was administered orally twice a day. Moist desquamation was observed in four of 29 control patients whereas no such moist desquamation developed after the administration of azelastine. Two cases of moist desquamation that developed before the administration of azelastine regressed during irradiation in patients placed on azelastine. Radiotherapy was completed without interruption in all patients treated with azelastine. No severe side effects were observed. Azelastine, administered orally, was a safe drug and has the potential of improving skin tolerance in irradiation therapy.

Evidence for involvement of Escherichia coli genes pmbA, csrA and a previously unrecognized gene tldD, in the control of DNA gyrase by letD (ccdB) of sex factor F

The letA (ccdA) and letD (ccdB) genes of the F plasmid, located just outside the sequence essential for replication, contribute to stable maintenance of the plasmid in Escherichia coli cells. The letD gene product acts to inhibit partitioning of chromosomal DNA and cell division by inhibiting DNA gyrase activity, whereas the letA gene product acts to reverse the inhibitory activity of the letD gene product. To identify the host factor(s) involved in this process, we analyzed the mutants that escaped letD expression and their suppressor, and found that the three E. coli genes tldD, tldE and zfiA participate in the process, in addition to the groE genes we reported previously. The tldD and tldE mutations made cells tolerant for letD expression, as did groES mutations, while the mutation in the zfiA gene made tldD, tldE and groES mutants LetD sensitive. We hypothesize that these gene products are factors that modulate activity of DNA gyrase along with the letD gene product; the zfiA gene product acts to inhibit interaction between the LetD protein and the A subunit of DNA gyrase, while the tldD, tldE and groE gene products act to suppress the inhibitory activity of the zfiA gene product. The tldD, tldE, and zfiA genes are located at 70.4, 96.0 and 58.2 minutes on the E. coli chromosome, respectively, and code for proteins with relative molecular masses of 51,000, 48,000 and 6800, respectively. tldD is a novel gene, but the tldE and zfiA genes proved to be the pmbA gene (production of Microcin B17) and the csrA gene (carbon storage regulator), respectively.

Sweat duct milia--immunohistological analysis of structure and three-dimensional reconstruction

The fine structure of sweat duct milia and the pathomechanism in their aetiology are still unknown. To examine the relationship and connection of milia to the sweat ducts as well as to the overlying epidermis, nine sweat duct milia, six incomplete and three complete, were studied by three-dimensional reconstruction (3DR) analysis based on photomicrographs obtained after histological and immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen (CA 50) and human cytokeratin 19 (CK 19). In both incomplete and complete milia, an eccrine duct expressing the antigens penetrated into the cyst wall at the centre of its base, formed a circular path within the wall, and opened into the inner cavity. The eccrine duct was mature in eight milia and immature in one. In the cyst wall, CA 50 and CK 19 were detected throughout the entire cyst except for the most apical portion of incomplete milia, where the cyst wall fused with the overlying epidermis which did not express any of the antigens. CEA was distributed mainly in the basal half of the milia. The finding that the path of the eccrine duct within the cyst wall is circular conflicts with the currently accepted concept of simple penetration of the eccrine duct into the wall, suggesting an acrosyringeal origin of the milia. An incomplete milium is the result of fusion between cells derived from an eccrine duct and those derived from the surrounding epidermis, while the formation of a complete milium does not involve this fusion.

Influence of ventricular fibrillation on sympathetic nerve activity under biventricular bypass circulation

Autonomic nerves play an important role in circulatory control. The characteristics of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) during artificial circulation, however, are not well understood. In this study, we examined the influence of natural heart beating on the renal SNA (RSNA) using pulsatile 100% biventricular assistance and electrically induced ventricular fibrillation in anesthetized goats, whose heart rate and size are similar to the human heart's. Following induction of the ventricular fibrillation, the pulse-synchronous discharges in the RSNA did not change their periodicity and quantity significantly. It was concluded that the beating of the heart had little influence on the RSNA and was presumably not essential for maintaining nervous control of circulation as long as the circulation was maintained by an artificial heart.

MR imaging of lingual carcinoma: comparison with surgical staging

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the preoperative staging of 18 patients with lingual carcinomas. Tumor stage as determined by MR imaging was compared with pathological stage. Conspicuity of tumors was compared among dynamic MR, T2-weighted, and postcontrast T1-weighted images. The tumor stage was evaluated correctly with MR imaging in 15/18 patients (83.3%). One patient was overstaged and two understaged due to incorrect diagnosis of size. In all T4 cases, tumor extension was diagnosed correctly. Dynamic MR and T2-weighted images were superior to postcontrast T1-weighted images in delineating and showing the extension of carcinomas. However, dynamic MR imaging showed no significant superiority to T2-weighted imaging. We conclude that MR imaging is of great value in the staging of lingual carcinoma. Dynamic study should be performed only when the lesion is undetectable or equivocal on T2-weighted imaging.

[Measurement of airborne fumes in welding factories]

Concentrations and size distributions of airborne welding fumes in work environments were measured. Samples were collected from 20 workplaces in 13 companies. In all workplaces, the stationary samplings including A-sampling and B-sampling and the personal sampling were carried out simultaneously. The fume concentration in the stationary sampling was measured with a digital dust monitor. A low volume air sampler and an Anderson cascade impactor was also used to determine the conversion factor of the values obtained by the digital dust monitor and the size distributions of the fumes. The personal exposure levels were measured with a TR sampler and a personal cascade impactor. The concentrations by the personal sampling (average: 11.3mg/m3) were much higher than those by the A-sampling (average: 0.4mg/m3 and range: 0.15-0.64mg/m3) but lower than those by the B-sampling (average: 46.8mg/m3, range: 0.66-152.8mg/m3). The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of the stationary and the personal samplings were 2.41 microns and 0.80 microns, respectively. Fumes were observed under a scanning electron microscope. Most of the fume particles were sphere in shape but smaller fumes were aggregated and formed larger secondary particles.

Superselective intraarterial infusion of cisplatin for squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth: preliminary clinical experience

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the initial clinical response to superselective intraarterial infusion of cisplatin for treating stage III and stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirteen patients received intraarterial cisplatin therapy. The tumors were located in the tongue (n = 7), gingiva (n = 3), buccal mucosa (n = 1), hard palate (n = 1), and floor of the mouth (n = 1). A coaxial technique was used to place microcatheters in the lingual, facial, inferior alveolar, buccinator, and distal internal maxillary arteries, depending on tumor location. The feeding vessels were identified by staining the tumor with infusion of indigocarmine dye in the selected vessel. Relatively low-dose cisplatin (30-40 mg/m2) was injected at the rate of 50 mg/hr. Two or three injections were performed, with a 1-week interval between injections. After chemotherapy, eight patients underwent surgery, four had radiation therapy, and one had both.

RESULTS

Thirty-four intraarterial infusions were done successfully without any complications. Arterial infusion of indigocarmine dye was useful for exact identification of feeding vessels, especially when the tumor was extensive, at the margin of the arterial supply, or near the midline. The overall response rate was 92% (complete response [tumor completely resolved], 38%; partial response [tumor reduction > or = 50%], 54%). Ten of 13 patients had no recurrence from 4 to 19 months (mean, 10 months) after treatment. Two patients died of metastatic diseases 6 months after surgery or radiation therapy. One patient had local recurrence 8 months after surgery and postoperative irradiation. No systemic toxicity such as renal failure, liver dysfunction, or bone marrow suppression was observed. Mild and transient local toxicity such as edema or mucositis of the infused area was relatively common. Trigeminal neuralgialike symptoms and reduced mouth opening occurred in two cases and one case, respectively, probably due to direct toxicity to the peripheral trigeminal nerve and masticatory muscles, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Superselective intraarterial infusion of low-dose cisplatin is feasible and safe and may have important applications in treating advanced carcinoma of the mouth.

External radiation therapy of prostatic carcinoma and its relationship to hormonal therapy

From 1980 to 1990, a total of 54 patients with prostatic carcinoma were treated with external radiation therapy at the Kumamoto National Hospital. Ten patients were classified as Stage B, 22 as Stage C, and another 22 as Stage D according to the American Urological Association Clinical Staging System. The 5-year survival for all 54 patients was 30%. The 5-year disease-specific survival was 67% for Stage B, 47% for Stage C, and 26% for Stage D. The 5-year survival was 43% for patients in whom radiation therapy was initiated immediately after the first diagnosis or with less than one year of hormonal therapy, while it was 0% for patients in whom radiation therapy was initiated after more than one year of hormonal therapy (p = 0.01). The cause of intercurrent death was acute myocardial infarction in four patients and acute cardiac failure in one. Four of these patients received hormonal therapy for more than one year. The incidence of radiation-induced proctitis was not severe. This study suggests that long-term hormonal therapy prior to radiation therapy worsens the prognosis of patients with prostatic carcinoma.