Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) in effluent is a useful marker for peritoneal permeability in peritoneal dialysis patients using neutral dialysate

To clarify the influence of neutral dialysate (ND) on peritoneum, we examined changes in peritoneal permeability and in various markers of the coagulation and fibrinolytic system in effluent and the correlations between peritoneal permeability and those markers in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients using ND. We evaluated 14 patients (8 men, 6 women; mean age: 58.6 +/- 12.0 years) who started PD using ND. The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) was performed to assess dialysate-to-plasma ratio for creatinine (D/P Cr) as peritoneal permeability. Coagulation markers [thrombin-antithrombin complex, fibrin monomer (FM), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1 + 2)] and fibrinolytic markers (fibrin degradation products, D-dimer) in effluent were also measured. At 2 years, FM in effluent was significantly lower (p = 0.006). The other markers and the D/P Cr did not change significantly. At the initiation of PD and at 2 years, D/P Cr was significantly correlated with F1 + 2 (r = 0.70 and 0.76 respectively, p < 0.01). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis showed that only F1 + 2 was correlated with D/P Cr at 2 years (r = 0.79, p = 0.004). These results suggest that ND has little influence on coagulation and fibrinolytic markers in effluent. In addition, F1 + 2 is a useful marker for peritoneal permeability in PD patients using ND.

Evaluation of renal microcirculation by contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid as a contrast agent

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major and serious risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Continuous hypoxia due to hypoperfusion in peritubular capillaries is one of the factors aggravating CKD, but evaluation of perfusion in this region is difficult using clinically available imaging methods. Since the second-generation ultrasound contrast agent Sonazoid has a stable shell, it enables visualization of the renal vasculature for a long period of time. We therefore evaluated changes in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging with Sonazoid in CKD patients.Sonazoid was used in 85 CKD patients and 5 control subjects, and images were recorded for 10 minutes. Time-intensity curves were generated from the images of 62 time points in both cortex and medulla.In control samples, contrast enhancement spread from the hilar portion to the periphery along the direction of arterial flow, and renal cortex and medulla were then enhanced in sequence. Enhancement was maximal soon after, then gradually decreased, but was still visible at 600 seconds. In CKD patients, renal contrast enhancement was attenuated in both cortex and medulla. On time-intensity curves, the attenuation of enhancement was composed of delayed rising, reduction of peak, and acceleration of decay in both cortex and medulla with progression of renal dysfunction. No side effects of the contrast agent were observed in any subjects.The attenuation of renal contrast enhancement observed in CKD patients appears to reflect disturbance of perfusion in peritubular capillaries. CEUS with Sonazoid is a useful and safe means of visualizing the renal microvasculature.

[MPO-ANCA related vasculitis complicating mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas and severe acute pancreatitis after steroid pulse therapy: a case report]

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of massive proteinuria of 2.2 g/day. She had seen a general practitioner for management of Basedow disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension for 24 years. On admission, she complained of anorexia and nausea. Laboratory data showed serum creatinine of 3.62 mg/dL and MPO-ANCA of 68 EU. Renal biopsy revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis complicated with membranous nephropathy. Thiamazole (MMI), which was being given for Basedow disease for years, was withdrawn on the suspicion as a cause of MPO-ANCA. Three years after the withdrawal of MMI, renal failure slowly progressed to the end-stage, while MPO-ANCA was negative. She was introduced onto hemodialysis. At that time, MPO-ANCA became positive again, the titer being 12.9 EU. Therefore, we suspected a relapse of ANCA-related vasculitis and performed steroid pulse therapy on the patient with methylprednisolone at 0.5 g/day for 3 days. On hospital day 14, MPO-ANCA became negative. On day 25, however, severe acute pancreatitis developed and a pancreatic tumor lesion was found on CT. In spite of amelioration of the pancreatitis by medical treatment, the pancreatic tumor lesion did not show any significant change. On day 48, she died of multiple organ failure. Autopsy showed a mucinous cyst adenoma of pancreas and necrotizing pancreatitis. We suspected steroid therapy as the cause of the pancreatic lesions.

[An autopsy case of microscopic polyangiitis complicated with pulmonary aspergilloma and cytomegalovirus pneumonia]

A 71-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever and rapidly progressive renal insufficiency over a month. He had depression and Alzheimer's disease as complications. On admission, his serum creatinine was 5.4 mg/dL, and the serum CRP and MPO-ANCA were 18.2 mg/dL and 285 EU, respectively. A computed tomographic chest scan showed pericardiac effusion and fibrosis in both lower lung fields. Although microscopic polyangiitis(MPA)was inferred from a positive MPO-ANCA, renal biopsy could not be carried out. The initial therapy was started with pulse methylprednisolone therapy, followed by oral administration of prednisolone at the dose of 1 mg/kg(60 mg/day). As a result, his fever and inflammatory findings disappeared, and renal insufficiency was ameliorated with a smooth recovery and the pericardial effusion was markedly diminished. However, on the 18th hospital day, chest radiography revealed a nodular shadow in the right lung. Fungus infection was suspected because his serum beta-D-glucan level was extremely high (above 999 pg/mL). Mikafungin, therefore, was started at a dose of 75 mg/day and then, the dose was increased up to 300 mg/day. Nevertheless, he finally died of respiratory failure on the 26th hospital day. The autopsy findings revealed a cavity of 4.0 x 3.0 x 3.0 centimeters in size in the upper lobe of the right lung. There was a great number of fungal threads with a septal wall branched in a Y-shaped figure around the cavity, thus indicating pulmonary aspergilloma. Intranuclear inclusion bodies staining positive for cytomegalovirus were observed in all the lung fields, suggestive of a cytomegalovirus infection. In the kidney, a cellular crescent formation was noted in the majority of glomeruli showing crescentic glomeluronephritis, compatible with MPA.

Usefulness of mini-tracheostomy and torque controlled insertion of applicator in fractionated endobronchial brachytherapy

Endobronchial brachytherapy was developed as effective treatment of endobronchial cancer and fractionated schedule is applied to decrease late toxicity. However, repeated bronchofiberscopy is onerous to the patient and restricts the treatment schedule itself. We applied mini-tracheostomy for a ready access route, and a torque controlled technique for easy insertion of the endobronchial applicator. Eight patients with tracheobronchial cancer invasion were treated with endobronchial brachytherapy of 18-30 Gy/3-5 fractions/1.5-2.5 weeks (median 24 Gy/4 fractions/2 weeks) at reference points of 5 mm from the bronchial surface. The averaged individual irradiation and single session times were 4 min and 24 min, respectively. There were no procedure-related complications. These technical improvements may facilitate flexible fractionated dose prescriptions.

Brachytherapy technique for abdominal wall metastases of colorectal cancer: ultrasound-guided insertion of applicator needle and a skin preservation method

PURPOSE

To report a technique of interstitial brachytherapy for the treatment of subcutaneous metastatic abdominal wall tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We developed a brachytherapy technique consisting of ultrasound-guided insertion of applicator needles to avoid the organs at risk, such as intestines, and saline injection into the subcutaneous tissue between the tumor and the skin to decrease the skin dose. We encountered three patients with painful metastases from rectal carcinoma in the abdominal wall refractory to external radiotherapy. They were subjected to this brachytherapy with a single dose of 20 Gy.

RESULTS

The procedure was safely achieved in all three patients. Long-lasting pain reduction and tumor shrinkage was obtained without early or late complications.

CONCLUSION

This interstitial brachytherapy technique seems to be feasible in the treatment of metastatic abdominal wall tumors.

Imbalance between production and scavenging of hydroxyl radicals in patients maintained on hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen species are as being related to the pathophysiology of endstage renal disease (ESRD). We measured the plasma hydroxyl radical (.OH)-producing ability and .OH-scavenging activity in patients with ESRD to clarify the pathophysiological states involved.

METHODS

We used electron spin resonance to measure plasma N-t-butyl-alpha-phenylnitron radical spin adduct (pPBN rsa) as .OH-producing ability and plasma 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide radical spin adduct (pM4PO rsa) as .OH-scavenging activity. Oxidative injuries were evaluated by determining oxidised low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL).

RESULTS

The pPBN rsa of the ESRD patients was lower than that of the controls (1.83 vs 2.94 micromol/g protein). The pM4PO rsa of the ESRD patients was higher than that of the controls (3.85 vs 3.15 mmol L: -ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt (EPC-K1)/g protein). The pPBN rsa and pM4PO rsa were correlated, both in the ESRD patients and in the controls (r = 0.47 and r = 0.53). Ox-LDL was correlated with hemodialysis (HD) duration (r = 0.49) and was negatively correlated with pPBN rsa (r = -0.54), which indicates that oxidative stress was increased as HD therapy was prolonged and suppressed pPBN rsa.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an imbalance between .OH-producing ability and .OH-scavenging activity, in the ESRD patients, and this may be responsible for compromising the health of ESRD patients.

Selective conformal radiotherapy for arteriovenous malformation involving the spinal cord

Radiotherapy has seldom been used in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) involving the spinal cord because of the cord's limited radiation tolerance. A 57-year-old woman with progressive myelopathy due to AVM was treated with a selective conformal radiation therapy (55.6 Gy/20 days) on the nidus region preserving the spinal cord, drainer veins and involved bones. The drainers and symptoms were minimized at the end of treatment and disappeared over 2 years. This case illustrates the usefulness of selective conformal radiation therapy.

More Stable and Reliable Pharmacokinetics with Preprandial Administration of Cyclosporine Compared with Postprandial Administration in Patients with Refractory Nephrotic Syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare the absorption profile of cyclosporine after preprandial administration with that after postprandial administration, and to determine which administration time resulted in a more stable absorption profile and the timing of the drug concentration that was the most reliable marker for monitoring drug absorption.

DESIGN

Prospective analysis.

SETTING

University teaching hospital in Japan.

PATIENTS

Sixteen patients with refractory nephrotic syndrome.

INTERVENTION

Thirteen patients received cyclosporine after breakfast (postprandial group) and eight received the drug 30 minutes before breakfast (preprandial group).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Blood cyclosporine concentration was measured 5 times serially: before administration (C 0 ) and at 1-hour intervals until 4 hours after administration of cyclosporine (C 1 -C 4 ). Also, area under the concentration-time curve from 0-4 hours (AUC 0-4 ) was calculated. Of the 13 patients in the postprandial group, six (46%) showed fair absorption and exhibited a peak concentration at C 1 or C 2 (high-absorption pattern); seven (54%) showed poor absorption and did not reach the peak concentration within the 4-hour period (low-absorption pattern). Five of the seven patients with the low-absorption pattern were switched from postprandial to preprandial administration. All patients in the preprandial administration group showed a high-absorption pattern and reached the peak cyclosporine concentration at C 1 . The C 2 value showed the best correlation with AUC 0-4 in both groups, and the C 0 parameter did not correlate with AUC 0-4 in either group.

CONCLUSION

Preprandial administration provided a more stable absorption profile of cyclosporine compared with postprandial administration. From the correlation with AUC 0-4 , we concluded that C 2 , and not C 0 , is a reliable marker for monitoring cyclosporine exposure.

[Lifestyle modification and diet therapy for nephrotic syndrome]

The management of the lifestyle of patients with nephrotic syndrome is important to prevent progression to end stage renal failure. In spite of various kinds of medication, the daily lifestyle and diet modification should be taken into consideration from the early stage. The strict restriction of exercise is disagreeable. However, when exercises have bad influence on the renal function, we need to restrict exercise suitably. Optimal dietary protein intake is 1.0-1.1 g/kg/day in minimal change nephrotic syndrome and 0.8 g/kg/day in other types of nephrotic syndrome. Additional protein restriction should be required for patients with renal dysfunction. Energy requirements are basically more than 35 kcal/kg/day. Salt should not be rigidly restricted and 5-7 g/day of salt may be permitted in the steady state. Moreover, the nutrition state should be evaluated by physical measurements and laboratory data, and workmanship of diet therapy should be guided.

[Takotsubo cardiomyopathy thought to be induced by MRSA meningitis and cervical epidural abscess in a maintenance-hemodialysis patient: case report]

A 65-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for high fever and severe left shoulder pain. He was initiated on maintenance hemodialysis for end-stage renal failure caused by diabetic nephropathy 9 years previously. On admission, the serum CRP level was 29.3 mg/d/l and the white blood cell count was 29,000/mm3. Bacterial examination of blood and spinal fluid revealed MRSA colonization. On the 6th hospital day, a giant negative T wave in the V2-6 leads of an electrocardiogram asymptomatically appeared. Ultracardiogram revealed apical systolic paradoxical centrifugal motion. None of the cardiogenic enzymes, such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was elevated. Cardiac thallium-201-chloride (201Tl-Cl) and I-123 beta-metyl iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP) scintigraphy revealed a decreased accumulation of isotopes in the apex. From these findings, we diagnosed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced by MRSA meningitis. Vancomycin was administrated and the inflammatory signs decreased. On the 46th hospital day, tetraplegia and respiratory suppression occurred. A cervical spinal magnetic resonance image revealed cervical spondylodiscitis and cervical epidural abscess, which compressed the medulla oblongata. Surgical spinal decompression and drainage of the abscess were performed. The giant negative T wave in the electrocardiogram improved after the operation. Two months after the operation, cardiac 201Tl-Cl scintigraphy revealed improvement in the accumulation of isotopes in the apex. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is secondary cardiomyopathy presenting with apical systolic paradoxical centrifugal motion without coronary stenotic disease. It has been reported to be induced by severe mental stress or intracranial disease. In the present patient, it was predicted that stress on the central nerve system caused by the MRSA meningitis and the cervical epidural abscess induced the Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Histopathological examination of two cases of anterior staphyloma associated with Peters' anomaly and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

AIMS

To clarify the developmental mechanism and critical period for the uncommon complex of Peters' anomaly and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV).

METHODS

Two eyes with Peters' anomaly and PHPV were histologically examined by serial section. One eye was enucleated at age 7 months (case 1) and the other at age 4 months (case 2) owing to severe anterior staphyloma.

RESULTS

In both eyes, defects in the endothelium, Descemet's membrane, and posterior stroma were observed in the central cornea, and the degenerative lens adhered to the posterior surface of the defective corneal stroma. Also, in both eyes, the anterior chamber space was not formed and the undifferentiated iris stroma adhered to the posterior surface of the peripheral cornea. Mesenchymal tissue containing melanocytes was observed behind the degenerative lens, and the pigment epithelium was absent at the lower nasal side of the ciliary body in case 1. In case 2, mesenchymal tissue containing scattered melanocytes in the vitreous cavity was seen on the posterior retina. Based on the histological findings, both cases were diagnosed as Peters' anomaly caused by the faulty separation of the lens vesicle, PHPV, maldevelopment of the iris and ciliary body, and goniodysgenesis.

CONCLUSION

Migratory disorders of neural crest cells from 4 to 7 weeks of gestation may be responsible for various ocular anomalies including Peters' anomaly and PHPV, as observed in these cases.

[A case of small cell lung cancer with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and anti-voltage-gated calcium channel antibody]

A 55-year-old man presenting with 4 weeks of progressive dysarthria, gait ataxia and vertigo was admitted to our hospital. Chest X-ray films revealed a mass shadow in the right upper lobe of the lung, and transbronchial brushing specimens showed small-cell carcinoma. Extensive examination revealed metastatic lesions in the mediastinal lymph nodes and liver, but brain MRI showed no findings suggestive of metastasis or atrophy. A diagnosis of PCD associated with SCLC was made, and the patient had a high titer of anti-P/Q-type VGCC antibody. He was treated by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which resulted in a transient improvement in the PCD symptoms.

Ruptured aneurysm at the origin of the median artery of the corpus callosum associated with accessory middle cerebral artery--case report

A 62-year-old male presented with ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm manifesting as severe headache associated with the rare combination of median artery of the corpus callosum (MACC) and accessory middle cerebral artery (MCA). Computed tomography demonstrated diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. Left carotid angiography demonstrated an anomalous vessel originating from the ACoA complex and passing forward in the interhemispheric fissure between the two companion A2 segments. This vessel was identified as the MACC. Another anomalous vessel originated from the left A1-A2 segment and passed into the sylvian fissure. This vessel was identified as the accessory MCA. Left frontotemporal craniotomy was performed to clip the neck of the aneurysm. After identifying both A1 and A2 segments, accessory MCA, and the MACC, the aneurysm neck was occluded successfully. The ACoA complex is one of the most frequent sites of vascular anomalies. Preoperative and intraoperative care is required to identify the presence of anomalies of the ACoA complex prior to clip placement, to avoid accidental damage or clipping, which may result in severe neurological deficits.

Ocular and systemic features of Peters' anomaly

BACKGROUND

To clarify the relationship between associated systemic anomalies and ocular manifestations in patients with Peters' anomaly, a retrospective study was conducted.

METHODS

We classified 37 patients with Peters' anomaly into two groups, one with (+) and one without (-) systemic anomalies.

RESULTS

The systemic anomaly (+) group consisted of 13 patients, eight males and five females, with mean age of 2.3 months. Peters' anomaly was bilateral in six cases and unilateral in seven. Corneolenticular adhesion was observed in 11 cases. Associated ocular anomalies were seen in 12 cases, and developmental glaucoma was present in eight cases. The systemic anomaly (-) group comprised 24 patients, 13 males and 11 females, with mean age of 28.3 months. Peters' anomaly was bilateral in 11 cases and unilateral in 13. Corneolenticular adhesion was observed in five cases. The associated ocular anomalies were observed in 10 cases, and developmental glaucoma was accompanied in six cases. The incidences of cases with corneolenticular adhesion, those with other ocular anomalies, and those with glaucoma were significantly higher in the systemic anomaly (+) group than in the systemic anomaly (-) group.

CONCLUSIONS

Peters' anomaly accompanying corneolenticular adhesion and/or other ocular anomalies should be evaluated for the presence of systemic anomalies.