The pros and cons of virtual networking events: online exploratory survey of psychiatrists' opinions

We conducted an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study to clarify psychiatrists' perspectives on virtual networking events. We compared two groups of respondents: those who had participated in virtual networking events (experienced group, n = 85) and those who had not (inexperienced group, n = 13). The experienced group had a greater level of agreement than the inexperienced group that virtual events were generally useful and helped with forming professional relationships and improving professional skills. Respondents in the experienced group considered the ease of participation and low financial burden to be advantages of virtual networking meetings and difficulties in building friendships and socialising to be disadvantages.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Retropharyngeal and Retro-Styloid Lymph Node Metastasis in Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

We evaluated the prevalence and identified the risk factors for retropharyngeal and retro-styloid lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC). This was achieved using a combination of MR and FDG-PET/CT images.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Two board-certified radiation oncologists, who experienced 16 and 18 years in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers retrospectively reviewed pretreatment FDG-PET/CT images and contrast-enhanced thin-slice CT and MR images of 155 patients with HPC who underwent radiotherapy. Observers assessed these images without prior knowledge of the patient's clinical information and disagreements were resolved by consensus. The radiological diagnostic criteria for lateral retropharyngeal LNM (RPLNM) and retro-styloid LNM (RSLNM) were a short-axis diameter of ≥5 mm and/or necrosis and/or abnormal FDG uptake. Any visible medial RPLN was defined as LNM.

RESULTS

RPLNM was confirmed in 20 (13%) patients. Of these, 10 (6%) had ipsilateral RPLNM, 5 (3%) had contralateral RPLNM, and 5 (3%) had bilateral RPLNM. No patients were diagnosed with medial RPLNM. Fisher's exact test revealed tumor site (p = 0.006), T category (p = 0.049), and cervical LNM (p < 0.001) to be significantly associated with RPLNM. Logistic regression analysis revealed posterior wall (PW) tumors (odds ratio [OR]: 4.128, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.339-12.727; p = 0.014) and bilateral or contralateral cervical LNM (OR: 11.577, 95% CI: 2.135-62.789; p = 0.005) to be significantly correlated with RPLNM. The RPLNM was found in 9 (32%) of the 28 patients with PW tumors. Of these 9 patients, 2 (7%) had ipsilateral RPLNM, 3 (11%) had contralateral RPLNM, and 4 (14%) had bilateral RPLNM. Fisher's exact test revealed the PW tumors to be significantly associated with contralateral RPLNM (p < 0.001). Retro-styloid LNM (RSLNM) was confirmed in two (1%) patients, both of whom had ipsilateral RSLNM with lymph nodes (LNs) of ≥15 mm in the upper limit of ipsilateral level II. Fisher's exact test revealed the LN of ≥15 mm in the upper limit of ipsilateral level II to be significantly associated with ipsilateral RSLNM (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The RPLNM was identified in 13% of patients with HPC. The PW tumors and bilateral or contralateral cervical LNM were risk factors for RPLNM; particularly, PW tumors were a specific risk factor for contralateral RPLNM. Although the RSLNM was rare, LNs of ≥15 mm in the upper limit of ipsilateral level II were a risk factor for ipsilateral RSLNM.

Report on the 1st and 2nd Japan Young Psychiatrists Organization Online International Networking Meetings (JOIN meetings) in 2021 and 2022

Since 2002, the Japan Young Psychiatrists Organization (JYPO) has conducted an annual face-to-face Course for Academic Development of Psychiatrists (CADP). Since 2021, we held two international online meetings and studied whether it was possible to acquire professional and leadership skills. We found that participants were able to acquire knowledge and become acquainted with professional and leadership skills in online meetings. However, they didn't enough enable participants to get to know each other, develop friendships, or acquire professional and leadership skills. The advantages of online meetings included lower cost, avoiding infection during the pandemic, and the easy use of course materials.

Epidemiology of adverse drug events and medication errors in four nursing homes in Japan: the Japan Adverse Drug Events (JADE) Study

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, the emergence of super-ageing societies has increased the number of older people requiring support for daily activities. Many elderly residents of nursing homes (NHs) take drugs to treat chronic conditions; however, there are few reports of medication safety in NHs, especially from non-western countries.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the incidence and nature of adverse drug events (ADEs) and medication errors (MEs) in NHs for the elderly in Japan.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Japan Adverse Drug Events Study for NHs is a prospective cohort study that was conducted among all residents, except for short-term admissions, at four NHs for older people in Japan for 1 year.

MEASUREMENTS

Trained physicians and psychologists, five and six in number, respectively, reviewed all charts of the residents to identify suspected ADEs and MEs, which were then classified by the physicians into ADEs, potential ADEs and other MEs after the exclusion of ineligible events, for the assessment of their severity and preventability. The kappa score for presence of an ADE and preventability were 0.89 and 0.79, respectively.

RESULTS

We enrolled 459 residents, and this yielded 3315 resident-months of observation time. We identified 1207 ADEs and 600 MEs (incidence: 36.4 and 18.1 per 100 resident-months, respectively) during the study period. About one-third of ADEs were preventable, and MEs were most frequently observed in the monitoring stage (72%, 433/600), with 71% of the MEs occurring due to inadequate observation following the physician's prescription.

CONCLUSION

In Japan, ADEs and MEs are common among elderly residents of NHs. The assessment and appropriate adjustment of medication preadmission and postadmission to NHs are needed to improve medication safety, especially when a single physician is responsible for prescribing most medications for the residents, as is usually the case in Japan.

Over Half of Falls Were Associated with Psychotropic Medication Use in Four Nursing Homes in Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Medication use can increase the risk of falls and injuries in nursing homes, creating a significant risk for residents. We performed a retrospective cohort study over one year to identify the incidence of drug-related falls with and without injury among four Japanese nursing homes with 280 beds. We evaluated the relationship between potential risk factors for falls and fall-related injuries while considering well-known risks such as ADLs and chronic comorbidities. By collaboratively reviewing care records, we enrolled 459 residents (mean age, 87) and identified 645 falls, including 146 injurious falls and 16 severe injurious falls requiring inpatient care, incidence: 19.5, 4.4, 0.5 per 100 resident-months, respectively. Medication influenced around three-quarters of all falls, >80% of which were psychotropic drugs. Regularly taking ≥5 medications was a risk factor for the initial falls (HR 1.33: CI 1.00−1.77, p = 0.0048) and injuries after falls (OR 2.41: CI 1.30−4.50, p = 0.006). Our findings on the incidence of falls with and without injury were similar to those in Western countries, where the use of psychotropic medication influenced >50% of falls. Discontinuing unnecessary medication use while simultaneously assessing patient ADLs and comorbidities with physicians and pharmacists may help to avoid falls in nursing homes.

Diagnostic error regarding the cause of cytopenia when increasing psychotropic drugs: Two case reports

Several psychotropic drugs can cause cytopenia, especially after increasing dosages or initiating treatment. However, cytopenia in patients with psychiatric disorders can also be due to other conditions such as leukemia. In this report, we discuss two cases of cytopenia that occurred during the adjustment of psychotropic medications in patients with severe psychiatric illness. The initial diagnosis in each case was drug-induced cytopenia; however, later, the cause of cytopenia was found to be acute promyelocytic leukemia. When cytopenia is observed while increasing the dosage of psychotropic drugs, suspicious drugs should be discontinued, though the possibility that cytopenia could be due to other reasons should be considered. If there are no signs of recovering blood cells or if cytopenia is severe, psychiatrists should consult hematologists promptly.

Effects of Hearing Impairment, Quality of Life and Pain on Depressive Symptoms in Elderly People: A Cross-Sectional Study

Reduction of the incidence of depression and improvement of quality of life (QOL) of elderly people have become important subjects. Various factors are related to depressive symptoms in elderly people, and sensory impairment is a key to health, QOL, and depressive symptoms. In this cross-sectional study, a visual acuity test and audiometry were used to examine the relationships of visual and hearing impairment and other factors with depressive symptoms in elderly people. A group of 490 community-dwelling people aged over 65 years old underwent vision and hearing tests, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and questionnaires on social isolation, QOL, and physical condition. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors affecting CES-D. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that hearing impairment, pain score, and satisfaction with human relationships and activities of daily living (ADL) were independent predictors of CES-D scores. Satisfaction with human relationships and ADL can reduce depressive symptoms in elderly people. Hearing impairment, pain, and social contact are also important. Therefore, improvement of social networks, interpersonal relationships, ADL, and hearing impairment may be effective in improving these symptoms in elderly people.

Mental Health Difficulties and Countermeasures during the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in Japan: A Nationwide Questionnaire Survey of Mental Health and Psychiatric Institutions

The number of people with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been increasing worldwide. Anxiety about potential infection, fear of severe illness, death, economic problems, and loneliness and isolation brought on by social distancing are increasingly being experienced by people. Therefore, it is imperative to address and improve such mental health-related problems during COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the current mental health care and psychological intervention statuses related to COVID-19 in Japan. In a questionnaire survey, 55 of 69 (80%) mental health and welfare centers and 194 of 931 (21%) psychiatric institutions across Japan responded. COVID-19 patients, their family members, and the general public often consulted the mental health and welfare institutions through telephone. The questionnaire included various information of mental health difficulties related to COVID-19 such as the numbers and contents of the consultations, and the type of the interventions. The contents of consultation included psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, insomnia, and alcohol problems) and psychosocial problems (interpersonal problems, prejudice, and discrimination). Overall, 9% of mental health and welfare centers provided psychological first aid as psychological intervention and 28% of consultations involved cases requiring urgent care. In Japan, consultations about COVID-19-related mental health problems occurred mainly in mental health and welfare centers. There is urgent need to establish a system that enables mental health triage and brief psychological interventions that are feasible in the centers.

Association between discontinuation of benzodiazepine receptor agonists and post-operative delirium among inpatients with liaison intervention: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have investigated the association between benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZDRA) use during the perioperative period and an elevated incidence of delirium. However, no study has focused on the time course of BZDRA use, including continuation, discontinuation, initiation, and no use. This study aimed to examine the influence of the time course of BZDRA use on post-operative delirium.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing medical records. We included patients who were scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia and had been referred to a liaison psychiatrist for pre-operative psychiatric assessment. The patients were classified into four groups based on the pre- and post-operative time course of oral BZDRA use, as follows: continuation, discontinuation, initiation, and no use (never used). The primary outcome was the prevalence of post-operative delirium in non-intensive care unit settings. We also performed stratified analyses according to age, the presence of cognitive impairment, the presence of delirium history, and antipsychotic drug use on admission.

RESULTS

Among 250 patients, 78 (31%) developed post-operative delirium. The Discontinuation group had a higher rate of delirium (49%, 24/49) than the other groups (Continuation [14%, 4/29]; Initiation [38%, 3/8], Never used [29%, 47/164], p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Abrupt discontinuation of BZDRAs during the perioperative period may be a risk factor for post-operative delirium and should therefore be avoided.

Pineal volume reduction in patients with mild cognitive impairment who converted to Alzheimer's disease

AIM

Pineal parenchymal volume (PPV) reduction is one of the predisposing factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, PPV could be used as a predictor of developing AD in clinical settings. We investigated whether PPV in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was correlated with conversion of these patients to AD.

METHODS

A total of 237 patients with MCI underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. A two-sample t-test was used to compare PPV at baseline in MCI patients who converted to AD (MCI-C) with those who did not convert (MCI-NC). Logistic regression analysis with forced entry was used to identify predictors of AD, with variables of PPV, age, sex, education, APOE-ε4 alleles, Mini Mental State Examination score, and total intracranial volume at baseline. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare PPV at baseline and at the last examination in the MCI-C and MCI-NC groups.

RESULTS

PPV in the MCI-C group was significantly lower than that in the MCI-NC group. In logistic regression analysis, two independent predictors of AD were identified: Mini Mental State Examination and PPV. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant group effect, but no time effect.

CONCLUSION

The pineal volume is a predictor of AD conversion, and pineal volume reduction in AD starts early when patients are still in the MCI stage. Thus, pineal volume reduction might be useful as a predictor of developing AD in clinical settings.

P3-14-10: Early Predictive Value of Non-Responder to Docetaxel in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Using 18F- FDG-PET

Background; Clinical response is determined after several cycles of chemotherapy by changes in tumor size in imaging procedures including ultrasound, MRI or CT. The aim of this prospective study was to early detect non-responder to docetaxel (DTX) in neoadjuvant chemotherapy using 18F- FDG-PET in patients with breast cancer. Method; 41 patients were eligible for this study. 37 were assessable (4 were not eligible or not evaluable) with Invasive carcinoma (T1:10%, T2: 83%). All 37 patients were treated with 4 cycles of docetaxel (75mg per square meter) followed by 4 cycles of FEC(cyclophosphamide/epirubicin/fluorouracil: 500/75/500 mg per square meter) before surgery. 18F-FDG-PET response rate was evaluated between before and after the first cycle of DTX. 18F-FDG-PET images were analyzed by standardized uptake value, SUVmax. Clinical response is determined by reduction rate in tumor size with MRI (RECIST criteria) between before the first cycle and after the fourth cycle of DTX. Pathological response evaluated by core needle biopsy after the fourth cycle of DTX.

Result; 18F-FDG-PET response rate after the first cycle of DTX showed correlation with tumor size reduction rate with MRI image after the fourth cycle of DTX (r=0.746)(P &lt;.001). 0 out of 8 patients (0%) revealed cPR with MRI changes in SUV decrease less than 18% (p &lt;.001). 8 out of 13 patients (62%) showed cPR (cCR = 0) with MRI in SUV decrease over 19 to 44% (P &lt;.001). 9 out of 16 patients (56%) were cPR, and 7 out of them (44%) showed cCR with MRI in SUV decrease over 45% (P &lt;.001).

Conclusion; Changes of 18F-FDG SUVs in tumors were statistically significantly different between responding and nonresponding (P &lt;.001). SUV decrease less than 18% after the first cycle indicated potential failure to DTX in neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-14-10.

Radiosensitization Efficacy of KU-2285, RP-170 and Etanidazole at Low Radiation Doses: Assessment byin VitroCytokinesis-block Micronucleus Assay

Since the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay is very sensitive at low radiation doses, we used it to investigate the in vitro sensitizing effects of two new hypoxic cell sensitizers (KU-2285, a fluorinated 2-nitroimidazole and RP-170, a 2-nitroimidazole nucleoside analogue) at 1-3 Gy in comparison with etanidazole. Exponentially growing EMT6 cells were treated with the drugs under aerobic or hypoxic conditions for 40 min prior to and during irradiation, after which the drugs were removed and cytochalasin B (2 micrograms/ml) was added to the medium. The number of micronuclei in binucleate cells was counted after 42 h of culture. Under aerobic conditions the three compounds at 5 mM had no sensitizing effect. Under hypoxic conditions the sensitizer enhancement ratio (SER) at 5 mM was 3.8 for KU-2285, 3.2 for RP-170, and 2.3 for etanidazole, while the oxygen enhancement ratio was 2.9. When the cells were pretreated under hypoxic conditions with drugs at 5 mM but then irradiated under aerobic conditions, KU-2285 and RP-170 had a sensitizing effect whereas etanidazole did not. The sensitizers were also tested at 0.5 and 1 mM, and the SER values were compared with those obtained at high doses (15-30 Gy) using a colony assay. The SER at low doses was higher than that at high doses for 1 and 5 mM KU-2285 and 5 mM RP-170, while the SERs were similar for all concentrations of etanidazole and the lower concentrations of KU-2285 and RP-170. These results might suggest the potential usefulness of KU-2285 and RP-170 in clinical radiotherapy.

Pharmacokinetics of Fluorinated 2-nitroimidazole Hypoxic Cell Radiosensitizers in Murine Peripheral Nervous Tissue

We have previously reported that KU-2285, a 2-nitroimidazole with a fluorinated N1-substituent (-CH2-CF2CONH(CH2)nOH, n = 2), was a promising hypoxic cell radiosensitizer. In this study the pharmacokinetics of KU-2285 and its related compounds (n = 3 and n = 4) were compared with those of etanidazole (a 2-nitroimidazole with an N1-substituent of -CH2CONH(CH2)nOH, n = 2) and its related compounds (n = 3 and n = 4) to assess the effects of incorporation of a CF2 group. The lipophilicity of the fluorinated compounds was higher than that of etanidazole, as measured by the octanol/water partition coefficient. As the number of CH2 groups increased, the lipophilicity of the compounds in both the KU-2285 and etanidazole series increased. The brain tissue levels of the fluorinated compounds were as low as those of the etanidazole derivatives, while the biological half-lives of the fluorinated compounds in peripheral nervous tissues were shorter than those of related non-fluorinated compounds.

Impact of FDG-PET/CT fused imaging on tumor volume assessment of head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma: intermethod and interobserver variations

BACKGROUND

Although gross tumor volume (GTV) at the primary site can predict local control of head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in patients who are treated with organ-preservation therapy, GTV assessment does not eliminate substantial interobserver variation.

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) fused imaging provides additional information for GTV assessment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We obtained FDG-PET/CT fused images on 20 patients with head-and-neck SCC. All had undergone preoperative conventional workup, including contrast-enhanced CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The GTV of the primary tumors was designed by two independent observers who used routine clinical data. Observer A was a radiologist and observer B a radiation oncologist. GTV1 and GTV2 were designed without and with FDG-PET/CT, respectively. For geometric interobserver comparison, we calculated the concordance rate as the ratio of the intersection (AxB) of the GTVs to their union (AxB). Intermethod (GTV1 vs. GTV2) and interobserver (A vs. B) differences in the GTVs were assessed by Bland-Altman analysis and the Spearman rank-correlation test. The interobserver concordance rates for GTV1 and GTV2 were compared using a two-tailed paired-samples t test.

RESULTS

On FDG-PET/CT, all primary tumors were visualized. There was no systemic trend for a volume difference between GTV1 and GTV2. Although the 95% limits of agreement were wider for interobserver than intermethod differences, the 95% limits of interobserver agreement were narrower for GTV2 than GTV1. The mean interobserver concordance rate for GTV2 was higher than for GTV1 (54.5% vs. 39.1%, P=0.0002).

CONCLUSION

FDG-PET/CT is a useful modality for consistent GTV assessment, which should not be used as a single modality but rather to obtain supplemental information in patients with head-and-neck SCC.

Prognostic value of perfusion MR imaging of high-grade astrocytomas: long-term follow-up study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although the prognostic value of perfusion MR imaging in various gliomas has been investigated, that in high-grade astrocytomas alone has not been fully evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively whether the tumor maximum relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) on pretreatment perfusion MR imaging is of prognostic value in patients with high-grade astrocytoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1999 and December 2002, 49 patients (30 men, 19 women; age range, 23-76 years) with supratentorial high-grade astrocytoma underwent MR imaging before the inception of treatment. The patient age, sex, symptom duration, neurologic function, mental status, Karnofsky Performance Scale, extent of surgery, histopathologic diagnosis, tumor component enhancement, and maximum rCBV were assessed to identify factors affecting survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, the logrank test, and the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The maximum rCBV was significantly higher in the 31 patients with glioblastoma multiforme than in the 18 with anaplastic astrocytoma (P < .03). The 2-year overall survival rate was 67% for 27 patients with a low (< or =2.3) and 9% for 22 patients with a high (>2.3) maximum rCBV value (P < .001). Independent important prognostic factors were the histologic diagnosis (hazard ratio = 9.707; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.163-29.788), maximum rCBV (4.739; 95% CI, 1.950-11.518), extent of surgery (2.692; 95% CI, 1.196-6.061), and sex (2.632; 95% CI, 1.153-6.010).

CONCLUSION

The maximum rCBV at pretreatment perfusion MR imaging is a useful clinical prognostic biomarker for survival in patients with high-grade astrocytoma.

Meningeal carcinomatosis in patients with breast cancer: report of 8 patients

BACKGROUND

Meningeal carcinomatosis (MC) is an uncommon but aggressive complication of advanced breast cancer with a recently increasing incidence. Although the prognosis is extremely poor for MC patients, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We reviewed 8 cases of MC from breast cancer at Kyoto University Hospital from 1990 to 1999. The median age was 51.5 years. All patients had widespread systemic metastases when diagnosed with MC. clinical symptoms were categorized into 3 groups: cranial nerve symptoms, spinal nerve symptoms, and other symptoms. Imaging studies were positive for MC in only 4 patients. Initial CSF cytology studies were positive in 4 patients, and repeated CSF cytology yielded positive results in the remaining 4 patients. Thus the median interval between the onset of any clinical symptom of MC and the initiation of treatment was 22.5 days (range 7 to 120 days ). All patients received whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Four patients were given intrathecal chemotherapy and/or intrathecal immunotherapy in addition to WBRT.

RESULTS

Improvement of cranial nerve symptoms, spinal nerve symptoms, and other symptoms were observed in 3/5, 1/3, and 5/7 patients, respectively. Patients with cranial nerve symptoms who started WBRT within 29 days of the onset of the symptoms showed at least partial recovery whereas patients who started WBRT later showed no recovery. The median survival was 123 days (53 to 310 days). MC was the direct cause of death in 1 of 8 patients.

CONCLUSION

When MC is clinically suspected, neither a negative imaging study nor a single negative CSF cytology can rule out MC. Prompt initiation of WBRT with or without intrathecal chemotherapy may be important for recovery from cranial nerve symptoms.

Definitive intraoperative very high-dose radiotherapy for localized osteosarcoma in the extremities

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcome and adverse effects in patients with osteosarcoma treated with very high-dose definitive intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), with the intention of saving the affected limb.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Thirty-nine patients with osteosarcoma in their extremities were treated with definitive IORT. The irradiation field included the tumor plus an adequate wide margin and excluded the major vessels and nerves. Forty-five to 80 Gy of electrons or X-rays were delivered. The median follow-up of the surviving patients was 124 months.

RESULTS

The cause-specific and relapse-free 5-year survival rate was 50% and 43%, respectively. Distant metastasis developed in 23 patients; 19 died and 4 were alive for >10 years. Nine local recurrences were found 4-29 months after IORT in the affected limb. No radiation-induced skin reaction or nerve palsy was observed in the patients treated with X-rays. Experiments using phantoms also confirmed that the scatter dose was below the toxic level in the IORT setting with X-rays.

CONCLUSIONS

Very high-dose definitive IORT combined with preventive nailing and chemotherapy appeared to be a promising quality-of-life-oriented alternative to treating patients with osteosarcomas in the extremities, although the problem of recurrences from the surrounding unirradiated soft tissue remains to be solved.

Adult T-cell leukemia

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is endemic in southwestern Japan, in the Caribbean islands, and in central Africa. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is the etiologic agent of ATL. The clinical characteristics are (1) onset in adulthood, (2) subacute or chronic leukemia with rapidly progressive terminal course, (3) frequent skin lesions, (4) lymphadenopathy that characteristically spares the mediastinum, (5) hepatosplenomegaly, (6) hypercalcemia, and (7) a tendency toward geographical clustering. Although hypercalcemia and osteoclastic activity due to parathyroid hormone-related peptide are frequently reported histologically, radiographic abnormalities of bone are not common. Two major patterns of osteolytic lesions observed in ATL are "punched-out" lesions resembling multiple myeloma and osteolytic metastasis and subperiosteal bone resorptions similar to those in hyperparathyroidism.