[Interrelation between physical disease and chronic pain--importance of understanding myofascial pain syndrome]

Myofascial pain syndrome(MPS) is characterized by its unique pathology on developing the intramuscular trigger points. The author performed the psychological tests(Cornell Medical Index, Tokyo University Egogram, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) on 46 MPS patients to clarify the psychological background. Results revealed that the MPS patients had remarkable hypochondriacal tendency with irrational way of thinking. The author concluded that it is necessary to be hypochondriacal and irrational for the formation of apparent MPS with outstanding TPs. This fact suggests that TPs in MPS are the result of deteriorated central pain control mechanism that should actually suppress the mechanical constriction of damaged muscles.

Primary extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type in the CNS

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type has been reported in various internal organs. Here a case is reported of MALT lymphoma developing in the cerebellopontine (CP) angle in a patient with Sjogren syndrome, and the concept of MALT lymphoma of the CNS is introduced. Pathologically, the tumor showed inflammatory features of reactive lymphocytic infiltration with follicle formation, but there were slightly atypical lymphocytes and plasmacytes with B-cell markers. These cells invaded reactive follicles, showing follicular colonization, and showed aberrant expression indicating their neoplastic nature. A review of the literature revealed eight cases of MALT lymphoma originating from the dura mater and one from the CP angle. The average age of patients was 50 years (range 28-66 years), and all patients were female. The tumors were slow to develop and the patients were cured after surgical removal and/or additional therapies. It is proposed that MALT lymphoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor of the CNS.

Inhibition of PSA flare in prostate cancer patients by administration of flutamide for 2 weeks before initiation of treatment with slow-releasing LH-RH agonist

BACKGROUND

A prospective randomized study was designed to determine whether flutamide (FLU) administered before treatment with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LH-RHa) prevented prostate-specific antigen (PSA) flare in prostate cancer patients.

METHODS

Prostate cancer patients were randomized into two groups and received either FLU (n = 11) or no pretreatment (n = 13) for 2 weeks before the initial injection of LH-RHa. LH-RHa (every 4 weeks) and FLU (every day) were administered throughout the period of this study. Blood samples, for the determination of PSA, testosterone (T), and luteinizing hormone levels, were collected before FLU administration, and before and 2, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 84 days after the first administration of LH-RHa.

RESULTS

Treatment with FLU prior to LH-RHa induced an early decline in PSA level. The mean PSA level showed no significant secondary rise after LH-RHa administration in those patients with FLU pretreatment. Patients in both groups showed T flare after the first LH-RHa administration. However, the number of patients with PSA flare was significantly lower in patients with prior FLU administration than in those with LH-RHa alone.

CONCLUSION

These results clearly demonstrate that, in patients with prostatic cancer, the administration of FLU for 2 weeks prior to the first LH-RHa administration is effective in preventing PSA flare, as well as in inducing an early decline in PSA levels.

[The difficulty of urethral anastomosis in sigmoid neobladder--the role of preoperative X-ray of an air-contrast barium enema]

BACKGROUND

Sigmoid neobladder (Reddy method) is one of the representative neobladder after radical cystectomy. Occasionally we experienced difficulty on urethral anastomosis in sigmoid neobladder. Here we investigated preoperative X-ray of air-contrast barium enema and clarified what type could be easily anastomosed in sigmoid neobladder.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed five cases of total cystectomy with sigmoid neobladder replacement. Of the five, we can easily make a urethral anastomsis in three cases but not easily in other two cases. We investigated sigmoid colon length, it's internal diameter, it's form and it's mobility that was substituted for elevation level of rectosigmoid using preoperative X-ray of air-contrast barium enema. We also studied seventy five cases of X-ray of air-contrast barium enema who visited our hospital with various complaints such as lower abdominal pain.

RESULTS

The length of three cases with easily anastomosed were 45.7 cm in diameter other two cases 33.5 cm in diameter.(over all 47.5 cm) The internal diameter were 49 mm and 33.5 mm respectively.(over all 44.4 mm) It was considered that Reddy method was indicated who had at least averaged sigmoid colon length and internal size. Sigmoid colon form were classified into 3 groups (type N. type l and others). There were no difference on colon length regarding sigmoid form, but others was considered to be improper form because significant difference was observed between type N and others in internal diameter. Three cases with easily anastomosed demonstrated a positive correlation of the elevation of the sigmoid colon over promontorium in the air contrast barium enema, other two cases negative. The elevation cases of the sigmoid colon in X-ray of air contrast barium enema had long sigmoid colon than other types.(p < 0.0001) Tha mean length of them was 51.6 cm in diameter.

CONCLUSION

Sigmoid neobladder was at least indicated in men who had averaged sigmoid colon length. The sigmoid colon elevation sign in X-ray of air contrast barium enema did not require the measurement of sigmoid colon length and that sign implied good indication for sigmoid neobladder.

[A case of urachal abscess mimicking a tumor in the retrovesical space]

A 14-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital because of umbilical erythema and discharge. She had had an appendectomy at the age of twelve. Abdominal ultrasonography and cystoscopy revealed a large tumor-like mass at the posterior wall of the bladder. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed urachal sinus. The diagnosis of urachal abscess had been confirmed and conservative treatment had been continued by drainage via umbilicus and the administration of antibiotics. Total excision of the urachus was performed about one month later because the bladder mass was not reduced. Pathological findings revealed an inflammatory thickened wall of the urachus and no evidence of malignancy. We report this rare case of urachal abscess with a large mass in the retrovesical space.

[5'-DFUR chemoprophylaxis in superficial bladder cancer. Kanagawa Urology 5'-DFUR Study Group]

5'-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR), an oral fluorinated pyrimidine carbamate, is widely used in patients with gastrointestinal and breast cancers because of its effectiveness. However, in bladder cancer, response rates have only been reported in Phase II clinical trials. Therefore, we conducted a prospective randomized trial to investigate chemoprophylactic effect of 5'-DFUR against recurrence of superficial bladder cancer after transurethral bladder tumor resection (TUR-Bt). The subjects were grouped as follows: 1) 5'-DFUR group (n = 31), received 600 mg/day of 5'-DFUR starting 2-3 weeks after TUR-Bt for 2 years; and 2) control group (n = 31) received no 5'-DFUR. Although there was no significant difference between groups, the cumulative recurrence rates was more favorable in the 5'-DFUR group (p = 0.256) than in the controls. Results according to cancer factors showed that, in patients with G2 based on grading, those in the 5'-DFUR group tended to have a lower recurrence rate than the control group (p = 0.070). There was a 40% incidence of adverse drug reactions (12/30 patients), primarily slight gastrointestinal symptoms which disappeared or improved with drug discontinuation. The results of the present study suggest that 5'-DFUR might be the choice of treatment to prevent recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.

Sequence analysis of a total of three megabases of DNA in two regions of chromosome 8p

Large-scale sequencing of genomic regions and in silico gene trapping together represent a highly efficient and powerful approach for identifying novel genes. We performed megabase-level sequence analyses of two genomic regions on human chromosome 8p (8p11.2 and 8p22-->p21.3), after covering those segments with sequence-ready contigs composed of 74 cosmids, 14 BACs, and three PAC clones. We determined continuous nucleotide sequences of 1,856,753 bases on 8p11.2 and 1,210,381 bases on 8p22-->p21.3 by combining the shotgun and primer-walking methods. In silico gene trapping identified four novel genes in the 8p11.2 region and, in the 8p22-->p21.3 region, six known genes (PRLTS, PCM1, MTAMR7, HCAT2, HFREP-1 and PHP) and three novel genes. The distribution of Alu and LINE1 repetitive elements and the densities of predicted exons were different in each region, and Alu-rich portions contained more exonic sequences than LINE1-rich areas.

[Bilateral renal cell carcinoma in a patient with chronic renal failure: a case report]

We describe a case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma associated with chronic renal failure. A 49-year-old man was admitted to our hospital to initiate hemodialysis. He was found to have multiple renal cystic changes and a left renal mass by ultrasound. Computed tomographic (CT) scan showed a tumor 4 cm in diameter in the left kidney and another one 2 cm in diameter in the right kidney. Left nephrectomy was first performed and histopathological examination revealed renal cell carcinoma of mixed type and granular subtype. Six months after the operation, CT scan showed the mild growth of the tumor in the right kidney. Right nephrectomy was performed and histopathological examination revealed renal cell carcinoma of papillary type and granular subtype. The patient remains well on hemodialysis, with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis for 13 months after nephrectomy.

[Long-term administration study of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) in pollakiuria and urinary incontinence]

The safety and efficacy of one-year administration of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) were assessed in facilities affiliated with the Department of Urology of Yokohama City University School of Medicine. Changes in subjective symptoms showed significant improvement in mean frequency of urination in the daytime from 10.3 +/- 4.0 times before administration to 7.1 +/- 2.9 times 1 year after the start of administration, in mean frequency of voiding at night from 4.2 +/- 1.7 times to 2.1 +/- 1.1 times and in mean incidence of urinary incontinence from 2.9 +/- 2.1 times to 0.7 +/- 1.0 times. The final degree of overall improvement rate was 82.0% (41/50 cases). Adverse effects were observed 26 times in 22 patients, the incidence being 15.6% (22/141 cases). They consisted of digestive symptoms in 9.9% (6 events of dry mouth, 4 of constipation, 2 of abdominal discomfort, 2 of diarrhea and 1 of gastritis), urinary tract symptoms in 3.5% (4 of dysuria and 1 of residual urine), abnormal laboratory findings in 1.4% (increase in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase or lactate dehydrogenase levels) and others (1.4%). These results provide further evidence of the safety and efficacy of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) even when administered for a long-term in the treatment of patients with pollakiuria and urinary incontinence.

Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of choroid plexus papilloma in the fourth ventricle

The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of two cases of small choroid plexus papilloma within the fourth ventricle are reported. CT showed the tumors as high density areas with postcontrast enhancement. MR imaging showed the tumors as basically isointense areas with marked enhancement by gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid. Important MR imaging findings included clear evidence of tumor attachment to the normal choroid plexus, location in the lower part of the fourth ventricle, and separation from the fourth ventricular floor.

Auditory brainstem responses after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Are they useful for outcome prediction?

We evaluated whether we could predict the neurologic outcome in 55 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). ABR patterns were classified into one of 3 types by evaluation of 5 components: type 1, with all 5 components; type 2, lack of at least one response between the 2nd and 5th components; type 3, with only the first component or no response. The relation between the ABR patterns on the 3rd day following resuscitation and the neurologic outcome on hospital discharge was evaluated. The specificity that the 5 awake patients had type-1 ABR was 38%. The sensitivity that the 10 brain dead patients had type-3 ABR was 60%. In the type-1 ABR patients, the negative predictive value that the patients were awake was 100%. In the type-3 ABR patients, the negative predictive value that the patients became brain dead was 90.9%. These results suggest that ABR on the 3rd post-resuscitation day may not be useful for predicting if patients are awake or become brain dead, although the loss of components may be a sign of morbidity, and the presence of the 2nd or later components indicates possible future prevention of brain death.

[Successful management for advanced renal cell carcinoma under combination therapy with human lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha and UFT (mixture of tegafur and uracil): a case report]

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma in a 76-year-old man with pulmonary metastasis and tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava. The patient responded to the combination therapy with a small amount of HLBI (human lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha) and UFT (1:4 mixture of tegafur and uracil). HLBI was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 3 x 10(6) IU two times a week. However, the administration of the same dose was discontinued, because of the severe side effects, such as depression, general fatigue, anorexia and high fever. Finally, the maximum dose was determined to be 2 x 10(6) IU/week. Nine weeks after the first treatment, UFT was simultaneously given orally at a dose of 100 mg/day for potentiating the antitumor effect. At 12 weeks, the patient registered complete response of pulmonary metastasis, and partial response (83% reduction) of renal tumor. About 60 x 10(6) IU HLBI was administered until the response was noted. After 34 weeks of administration of HLBI, nephrectomy was performed. Histological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma of clear cell subtype, grade 2. Microscopically, many lymphocytes infiltrated into the cancer cells. This suggests the possibility of immunological response caused by HLBI.

Acute brain swelling after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: pathogenesis and outcome

OBJECTIVES

First, to examine factors that may be related to brain swelling, which was identified by the absence or compression of the lateral and third ventricles and perimesencephalic cisterns on brain computed tomography (CT) scans in the early postresuscitation period in patients who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Second, to characterize the neurologic outcome in those patients in whom cardiac arrest was followed by brain swelling.

DESIGN

Prospective and retrospective analyses.

SETTINGS

General ICU, tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

Fifty-three patients (35 male, 18 female) who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and who also had a brain CT examination on the third day after resuscitation. The 53 patients were divided into two groups: group A (25 patients) experienced brain swelling on postresuscitation day 3; group B (28 patients) did not experience noticeable brain swelling.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the two groups in the etiology of the cardiac arrest. Twenty-three of 25 patients in group A had cardiac arrest due to respiratory distress, whereas this finding was true in only five patients in group B. In laboratory data, arterial pH was significantly lower in group A than in group B (6.93 vs. 7.09), as was base deficit (-21.0 mmol/L in group A vs. -13.7 mmol/L in group B). Neurologic outcome was evaluated 1 wk after resuscitation. There were significantly more patients in group A who were not awake and who were diagnosed as brain dead.

CONCLUSIONS

The cause of brain swelling may be related to the development of the metabolic acidosis (possibly lactic acidosis) due to hypoxia before the resuscitation period. Brain swelling may be one of the indicators that predicts a poor neurologic outcome in the patients who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

[Vesicourethral dysfunction of diabetic patients]

In order to evaluate vesicourethral dysfunction in diabetic patients, urodynamic studies, IVP and urinalysis were performed on 173 diabetic patients (male 78, female 95) and 17 nondiabetic control cases. In addition to the classical findings as increased volume at the first desire to void and decreased maximum vesical pressure, diabetic patients showed varieties of vesicourethral dysfunctions such as overactive bladder (14.5%), low compliance bladder (11.0%) and loss of detrusor-external sphincter coordination (31.7%). Vesicourethral function of diabetics was classified in following 5 types by analysing the volume at first desire to void, volume at maximum desire to void, maximum vesical pressure, residual urine volume and bladder compliance. 1. Type 1, normal vesical function, 13 cases. 2. Type 2, vesical dysfunction with minimal residual urine, 49 cases. 3. Type 3, vesical dysfunction with residual urine, 66 cases. 4. Type 4, low compliance bladder, 20 cases. 5. Type 5, overactive bladder, 25 cases. Pyuria was observed in 59.8%, hydronephrosis was found in 10.9% and ectasia of lower ureter was found in 17.8% of diabetic patients. The highest incidence of pyuria and abnormality of the upper urinary tract were noted in Type 4 and followed by Type 3 and by Type 2 in decreasing order. Extent of pyuria and ectasis of the upper urinary tract showed statistically significant correlation with residual urine volume and detrusor-external sphincter coordination. When vesicourethral function was compensated by abdominal strain, the volume of residual urine is not elevated, but when the mechanism of compensation is lost or in the absence of detrusor-external sphincter coordination results in gradual accumulation of residual urine. In cases with long standing chronic urinary tract infection may results in fibrosis of the bladder wall with low compliance bladder. Fibrotic obstruction of uretero-vesical junction can cause hydroureteronephrosis and followed by renal function impairment. As vesical damage become irreversible at this end stage, proper management during early stage is crucial for management of diabetic patients. Cholinergic agent were effective to reduce residual urine volume in Type 3. alpha-blocking agent were effective to reduce residual urine volume in Type 3 and some cases of Type 4. In cases in which medication therapy failed to reduce residual urine, the clean intermittent catheterization was successful in control of urinary tract infection and upper urinary tract ectasis. Transurethral resection of the prostate and the bladder neck is indicated in the male patients with a large amount of residual urine in Type 3 and 4.

[Persistent primitive proatlantal intersegmental artery (PPPIA) presenting with cerebral infarction]

A case of persistent primitive proatlantal intersegmental artery (PPPIA) is reported. A 65-year-old male with treated hypertension was admitted to our clinic complaining of dysarthria and hemiparesis of sudden onset two days after the ictus. CT revealed spotty low-density lesions in the left corona radiata and bilateral thalami with bilateral watershed infarction. MRI findings were also compatible with cerebral infarction. Left common carotid angiography demonstrated a large anastomosis between the external carotid artery and the vertebral artery at the proatlantal region. Neither of the vertebral arteries were visualized on digital subtraction aortography. All the blood circulation of the vertebro-basilar system was through this anastomotic artery (PPPIA). A flow study revealed hypoperfusion in the territory of the left middle cerebral artery on 133Xe SPECT. Bone window CT of cervical vertebrae revealed hypoplasia of the left transverse foramen in C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 vertebrae. This case is very suggestive of an anaplasia or hypoplasia of the vertebral arteries. The etiology of his left frontal infarction seemed to be a blood-stealing phenomenon of long standing, from the anterior to the posterior circulation through the PPPIA.

New method of MVD using a vascular tape for neurovascular compression involving the vertebrobasilar artery--report of two cases

In the treatment of hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia by microvascular decompression (MVD), lack of improvement or recurrence may occur because of the difficulties in positioning prostheses and the involvement of the large vertebrobasilar arteries, even with use of fenestrated aneurysm clips or adhesives. We have developed a new method of MVD, in which a vascular tape is anchored to the dura mater to transpose the responsible large artery. This method achieved successful results in our two patients with nerve compression involving the vertebrobasilar arteries.

Findings of magnetic resonance imaging in cerebral venous occlusion: difference from hemorrhagic infarction

A case of cerebral venous occlusion is reported. X-ray computed tomography showed a high-density lesion mimicking an intracerebral hemorrhage. In contrast, magnetic resonance images taken at the early clinical stage revealed a high-intensity lesion in both T1- and T2-weighted images. Follow-up magnetic resonance images at the chronic phase revealed that the intensity of this lesion had changed to low in the T1-weighted image, while still being high in the T2-weighted image. These findings suggest that the lesion might be due to venous congestion produced by cerebral venous occlusion rather than hemorrhage into the cerebral parenchyma.

A case of intraventricular arachnoid cyst. How should it be treated?

A rare case of arachnoid cyst in the trigone of a lateral ventricle is reported. The patient was an 8-year-old boy who had had four episodes of convulsions prior to admission. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a cystic lesion containing fluid resembling cerebrospinal fluid. Although he received a cyst-peritoneal shunt, the lesion did not decrease in size. Direct removal of the cyst was then scheduled. The entire cyst was finally removed, although it was firmly attached to the choroid plexus. The enlarged trigone gradually decreased in postoperative CT. The effectiveness of a cyst-peritoneal shunt is not always satisfactory. We recommend total resection of the cyst without use of a shunt system.

[Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma: a case report]

A thirteen-year-old boy noted a swelling in his right scrotum one year prior to admission. On August 7, right high orchiectomy was performed. The tumor mass measured 10 x 6 x 7 cm. Microscopic examination revealed alveolar type rhabdomyosarcoma. Lymphangiography and computed tomography revealed retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis. He was treated with VAC therapy (vincristine, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide) and VAD therapy (vincristine, adriamycin). This drug combination was effective, and he has been followed for two years with no evidence of recurrence.

Holoprosencephaly with Dandy-Walker cyst. Rare coexistence of two major malformations

A case of holoprosencephaly associated with Dandy-Walker cyst is reported. The patient was a male baby whose mother had normal serum titers for toxoplasma, syphilis, rubella and hepatitis B. She had no history of diabetes mellitus, administration of drugs or irradiation during the pregnancy. At the 8th month of gestation, fetal hydrocephalus was diagnosed by ultrasonic imaging. He was delivered by caesarean section at 34 weeks and 4 days, weighing 2,644 g. His head circumference was 42 cm; the anterior fontanel was not distended and its tension was normal. The chromosomal karyotype was a normal 46 XY. X-ray CT showed a large dorsal sac cyst in the supratentorial space and a hypoplastic cerebellum with a large cyst in the posterior fossa. He received a cyst-peritoneal shunt 24 days after birth. After this procedure, his head enlargement was arrested. We discuss the etiology of this rare coexistence of two major malformations.

Hemorrhage into fibrous dysplasia following minor head injury--effective decompression for the ophthalmic artery and optic nerve

We performed an effective optic canal decompression in a patient with ethmoid and sphenoid fibrous dysplasia and visual impairment following minor head trauma. On admission, the patient's left visual acuity consisted only of light perception, and the left ophthalmic artery was not visible by angiography. A hematoma and fibrous dysplasia tissue in the sphenoid sinus were excised and the left optic canal was decompressed. The vision was markedly improved to an ability to count fingers in the following 2 weeks. The left ophthalmic artery was fully opacified in the postoperative angiogram.

[Multiple ureteral diverticula: a case report]

A 73-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with the complaint of difficulty and frequency of urination. Needle biopsy of the prostate was done and microscopic examination revealed adenocarcinoma. Bone scintigram showed multiple bone metastasis and he was diagnosed as having prostatic carcinoma stage D2. Intravenous pyelography revealed multiple out-pouching lesion of mid left ureter and left mild hydronephrosis. Fosfestrol was given for prostatic carcinoma and no treatment was given for multiple ureteral diverticula. Sixteen cases of multiple ureteral diverticula from Japan were collected and discussed.

[A case of retrocaval ureter in childhood]

We report a case of retrocaval ureter in a 14-year-old boy with the complaint of right flank pain. Intravenous pyelography and drip infusion pyelography showed right hydronephrosis and "inverted J" shaped ureter. A retrograde pyelography with venocavography revealed a typical retrocaval ureter, but abdominal CT scan did not show the "retrocaval segment". Ureterouretero-reanastomosis was performed and hydronephrosis was markedly improved. We analyzed 20 cases of retrocaval ureter in childhood.

[A case of cystitis cystica and glandularis suspected of submucosal tumor of urinary bladder]

A case of cystitis cystica and glandularis is reported. The patient visited our hospital with the complaint of terminal miction pain. Cystoscopic examination showed a walnut-sized, well-defined mass in the retrotrigone. The surface of the mass was nodular and partially cystic. Computer tomography showed a mass protruding inside and outside of the bladder. Transurethral biopsies of the mass revealed cystitis cystica and glandularis.

[Psychogenic urinary retention: report of two cases]

Case 1 was a 24-year-old woman, with a broken heart who complained of urinary retention. Cystometry revealed a hypoactive bladder without detrusor contraction. Case 2 was a 30-year-old man, who thought that he had renal failure. Urodynamic study showed hypoactive bladder without detrusor contraction. External sphincter electromyograph revealed no evidense of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia. These 2 cases were treated by psychotherapy, administration of diazepam and bethanechole, and intermittent self catheterization. The Japanese literature on the psychogenic urinary retention is briefly discussed.

[The influence and outcome of acute infantile intracranial hematoma with hypoxemia]

Unusually broad areas of cerebral infarction were demonstrated by CT scan in three head injured infants with acute intracranial hematoma. They revealed very characteristic CT findings including contralateral hemispheric ischemic zone. Case 1 is a 5-month-old boy who had hit his head 4 days before. On admission he was semicomatose and his respiration had suffered from generalized seizures with arterial PO2 value of 43 mmHg. CT scan revealed right subdural hematoma, and bihemispheric ischemic low density was also demonstrable. Hematoma clot weighing 10 grams was removed through emergency craniotomy, followed by external decompression. There was a marked atrophic change in the right cerebral hemisphere and contralateral frontal base during the following few months, but the basal ganglionic region, brainstem and cerebellum were hardly affected. The patient developed comparatively well mentally for the next one and a half years. Case 2 was a 2-year-old boy who had a previous history of moderate head trauma 8 hours before admission. After a lucid interval, sudden epileptic attacks hospitalized him in a condition of cardiopulmonary arrest. CT scan revealed severe epidural hematoma on the patient's right cerebrum. Emergency craniotomy was performed and hematoma 95 g in weight was removed followed by decompression. Postoperative CT showed broad ipsilateral ischemic edema including the contralateral cerebral hemisphere and brainstem. One and a half years later, the patient shows decorticated posture with ataxic respiration and negative light reflexes. Case 3 was an 8-month-old boy who had fallen down and hit his head on the floor. Status epilepticus had attacked him, causing him to be admitted in a dyspneic state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Emergency embolectomy in embolic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery]

The natural course of embolic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) has many variations, which include the frequent appearance of hemorrhagic infarction. There are also fatal cases among which severe ischemic edema is found. There haven's been many cases reported of MCA embolectomy in the acute stage, and findings concerning them have been very complicated and hard to analyze. Nevertheless there certainly exist cases where remarkable improvement of neurological signs is shown soon after the procedure. Five cases of emergency embolectomy have been undergone in our hospital in the past 2 years. The results were better than results obtained in cases where embolectomy was not performed. Three male and two female cases are the objectives, whose average age was 61 +/- 6 years (ranging from 54 to 67 years). The left side of the MC was involved in three cases and the right in two, and all cases had past history of heart diseases which may have been the embolic source. Each case had undergone CT scan soon after admission to make sure not to be the other type of intracranial lesion. Cerebral angiography was performed next, to discover the site of the occlusion and the degree of collateral circulation. Emergency embolectomy was performed as soon as possible in every case. The functional outcome was estimated from the ADL three months later using the international fifth degree grading.

RESULTS

The period from onset to recanalization ranges between 4.5 to 11 hours (average 6.9 +/- 2.5 hours). Good MC recanalization was demonstrated in each case angiographically within a week after the operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Non-clostridial gas-producing brain abscess in a brain death patient--report of a case]

A 46 year old female was admitted to our emergency room because of cardiopulmonary arrest by hanging. After ten minutes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, she was resuscitated but her consciousness did'nt recover. CT-scans on the day of admission showed no abnormalities but on the second hospital day it showed symmetrical low density areas within the basal ganglia, the thalamus, the hippocampus, and the occipital lobe. There were marked enhanced effect in cerebral sulci due to cytotoxic edema of hypoxic encephalopathy. She was comatose for a week, her pupils were dilated, light reflex and other brain stem reflex were absent. CT-scans on the sixth hospital day showed marked brain swelling with disappearance of the ventricular systems (so called brain tamponade). Brain death was confirmed on the basis of Japanese Criteria on the seventh and tenth day of admission. She had been suffering from pneumonia and urinary tract infection with an elevation of temperature since the fourth hospital day. We detected Enterobacter Cloacae (E. Cloacae), Klebsiella Oxytoca from the cultures of sputum and urine. On the tenth hospital day her temperature was running up to 39.4 degrees C and blood count revealed a peripheral blood leucocytosis of 40,300/mm3 with a shift to the left. E. Cloacae was also detected from the cultures of blood. Skull roentgenogram showed multiple gas collections in the ventricular systems. CT-scans on the fourteenth hospital day showed multiple gas-containing brain abscess. The etiology of this infection was considered due to septicemia of E. Cloacae. She died from acute renal failure on the fifteenth hospital day. Consent for autopsy was not accepted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Carcinoma of the urachus with variable pathological findings: report of a case and review of literature]

A 71-year-old man was admitted with the chief complaint of gross hematuria. Cystoscopic examination showed a broadbased papillary tumor at the apex of the bladder. There was edema of the mucous membrane around the tumor. CT-scan demonstrated a mass extending from the bladder dome superiorly. Partial resection of the bladder was done. Pathological examination revealed grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma, with scattered adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma foci. Chemotherapy with bleomycin (BLM) and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (CDDP) was done postoperatively. Ten months after the operation, he was readmitted because of recurrence in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Chemotherapy with BLM and CDDP was done, but he died of pulmonary complications. Autopsy revealed retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma. There was no metastasis to any other organ. We briefly discuss 275 cases of the carcinoma of the urachus collected from the Japanese literature.

[Metastatic renal tumor originating from esophageal carcinoma: a case report]

A 61-year-old male, who had undergone operation of esophageal carcinoma 11 months earlier, was admitted for left flank pain and high fever. Intravenous pyelography showed a space occupying lesion in the upper half of the left kidney. Computed tomographic scan showed an irregular low density area in the upper half of the left kidney. Angiograms revealed a hypovascular mass with encasement vessels in the same site. Left nephrectomy and paraaortic lymph node biopsy was performed. Pathological examination revealed a metastatic squamous carcinoma from the esophageal carcinoma. Chemotherapy was conducted, but he died 2 months later. Autopsy revealed recurrence in the retroperitoneum, and no metastasis in the right kidney. The literature on secondary renal tumor is reviewed.

[Normal pressure hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage--with regard to pathogenesis and factors influencing the efficacy of shunt surgery]

Twenty-four adult cases of suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were investigated clinically from the aspect of predicting the efficacy of the shunting procedure. They consisted of 13 men and 11 women, with the mean age of 55-y-o. In addition to checking neurological signs, pre- and postoperative CT scans, RI (or CT) cisternography and bolus infusion test were performed in each of them. Shunt surgery was done, all of which ventriculoperitoneal shunt, in 17 patients. They were divided into three groups, namely, shunt effective group (A), neurologically unchanged group after surgery (B) and worsened group (C). The A group had 8 cases, B had 8 also and C contained only one. Effectiveness of shunt procedure was measured by an improvement in the activity of daily life (ADL). Compared with group B, group A tended to have more cases of delayed onset of NPH (mean days of 112 from SAH attack in group A while 55 days in group B), cases with "trias" (3 against 0) and moderate ventricular dilatation with periventricular lucency (8 against 2). The finding of delayed clearance in cisternogram did not make an accurate judgement in the efficacy of shunt surgery. By using the bolus method of infusion test, the true cause of shunt non-effective ventricular dilatation was suggested to the disturbance of cerebral blood circulation due to elevation of intracranial venous outflow resistance. This suggestion was elicited by the analysis of pressure response curve gained from the bolus injection, in which group A cases mainly reached the baseline pressure within 22 minutes, but on the contrary group B showed more than 22 minutes as a rule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Angiographic analysis of the anterior cerebral arteries with cerebral aneurysms--with special interest in the morphological aspect including so-called vascular anomalies]

In a series of 704 aneurysm patients who were admitted to the Research Institute for Brain and Blood Vessels-AKITA for the last 9.5 years (from October, 1974 to March, 1983), angiographic features of the anterior cerebral arteries and related vascular anomalies were analyzed with reference to the site of aneurysms. The age distribution was from 20 to 78 years (mean age 53 years), and the men to women ratio was 1:1.1. The total number of aneurysms was 866. The site distribution of aneurysms consisted of 230 (27%) anterior communicating, 269 (31%) middle cerebral, 282 (38%) internal carotid, 54 (6%) anterior cerebral, 45 (5%) vertebrobasilar and 6 other arteries. More than one aneurysm were found out in 137 cases. The total number of performed cerebral angiograms was 1840, in these right carotid arterial angiograms were 652, left carotid 644 and vertebral 544. Cases were divided into two groups, namely one who had the anterior communicating artery (Acom) aneurysm and the other who had not. Angiographic calibers of A1 portion (proximal portion of the anterior cerebral artery) were compared statistically between these two groups. As a result, three points as below were clarified in this series. 1) The Acom aneurysm group showed the significant asymmetry of A1 (p less than 0.005) compared to the other cases. 2) The left A1 portions were significantly dominant (p less than 0.05) to the right in the Acom aneurysm group. 3) Angiographic hypoplasias and aplasias of A1 were found in the Acom aneurysm group more frequently than in the other with statistical significance (p less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Angiographic analysis of the internal carotid-vertebrobasilar system with cerebral aneurysms--with special interest in the morphological aspect including so-called vascular anomalies]

In a series of 704 aneurysm patients who were admitted to the Research Institute for Brain and Blood Vessels-AKITA during the last 9.5 years (from October, 1974 to March, 1983), angiographic features of the internal carotid-vertebrobasilar system and related vascular anomalies were analyzed with reference to the site of aneurysms. The age distribution was from 20 to 78 years (mean age 53 years) and the men to women ratio was 1:1.1. The total number of the aneurysms was 866. The site distribution of aneurysms consisted of 230 (27%) anterior communicating, 269 (31%) middle cerebral, 282 (38%) internal carotid, 54 (6%) anterior cerebral, 45 (5%) vertebrobasilar and 6 other arteries. More than one aneurysm were found out in 137 cases. The total number of performed cerebral angiograms was 1840, in which right carotid arterial angiograms were 652, left carotid 644 and vertebral 544. Angiographic features of the posterior communicating arteries (Pcom) with or without internal carotid-Pcom aneurysm were compared one side with the other, statistically revealing that the morphological factor of the Pcom did not play an important role in the development of the cerebral aneurysm at this portion. Anomalies of the posterior cerebral artery directly originated from the internal carotid artery were found in 9 cases, and three of them had the aneurysm at their origin. Anomalous carotid-basilar anastomoses were seen in 7 cases, namely 6 persistent primitive trigeminal arteries (2 of them were PTA variants) and one persistent primitive hypoglossal artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Angiographic analysis of the middle cerebral artery in cerebral aneurysms--its branching pattern and so-called vascular anomalies]

Branching patterns of middle cerebral artery (MCA) were angiographically analyzed in 704 cases with cerebral aneurysms. The mean age was 53 years old and the men-to-women ratio was 1.1. In addition, 13 vascular anomalies of MCA were reported and their correlation with the occurrence of cerebral aneurysm was studied.

RESULTS

MCA branching patterns were classified in 6 types. Each type was further studied by dividing into 2 subgroups, namely one with MCA aneurysms at their side and the other without MCA aneurysms. There were no differences statistically between each two groups. Vascular anomalies were consisted of 5 duplications of MCA, 4 fenestrations, 3 accessories and one case of combination of duplication and accessory in the same side. Duplications and accessories did not have any evidence of developing aneurysm more frequently at their bifurcation than any one of normal MCA branching patterns. So we concluded that duplications and accessories should be thought to have similar meanings with the ordinary branching patterns of MCA in the occurrence of aneurysms. A postmortem case of accessory MCA without aneurysm revealed that the origin of the anomaly was pathologically normal. We suggested that the origin of accessory MCA could both be an enlarged Heubner artery and a rare branching pattern of MCA. The fenestration should be a true anomaly but at this point we do not have any suggestive clue for that. Finally, we thought that the combination of duplication and accessory in a single MCA was very rare morphologically, and worthwhile to report.

Functional prognosis of surgical treatment of craniosynostosis

Twenty-three cases of craniosynostosis were studied with regard to age at operation, symptoms, operative methods, and long-term results. Long-term results of 20 cases that were followed up for more than 1 year after surgery showed that mental retardation remained in 8 cases; a slight improvement in mental function was observed in only 2 cases. Of the 8 patients with mental retardation, 7 were operated on more than 6 months after birth, 7 showed striking digital impression on skull X-ray films and 5 were suffering from oxycephaly. Of the 8 patients with mental retardation, 5 had suffered from perinatal asphyxia or had seizures during delivery and subsequent past history. From these observations, factors affecting prognosis are: (1) age at operation; (2) the degree and duration of increased intracranial pressure; (3) the extent and degree of suture closures; (4) perinatal asphyxia and seizure disorders.