A 57-year-old woman presented with hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis, and a dual-channel portosystemic venous shunt (PSVS). The shunt was treated successfully by embolization with steel coils via retrograde systemic venous access. Encephalopathy resolved. This new approach is considered safer than the previously reported percutaneous transhepatic route or the mesenteric venous route, requiring a mini-laparotomy.

Catheterization↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and p53 proteins in carcinogenesis of squamous cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is regulated by many genes, including bcl-2, p53, and bcl-2 family genes. The expression of Bcl-2, p53, and Bax in very early lung cancers or precancer lesions is not been fully understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of these proteins was examined immunohistochemically in 11 normal bronchial epithelia, 23 dysplasias, and 40 roentgenographically occult squamous cell lung cancers (ROCs). RESULTS: The expression of the Bcl-2 and p53 protein increased along with the advance of the morphological atypia in bronchial epithelial cells, whereas no difference in the Bax expression. The patients with Bcl-2 positive ROCs had a better prognosis than those with Bcl-2 negative ROCs. CONCLUSIONS: Bcl-2 and p53 proteins play important roles in early steps of carcinogenesis in squamous cell lung cancer of central type. The Bcl-2 protein could be a prognostic marker in ROCs.

Bronchi↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Leiomyoma of the parapharyngeal space.

A rare case of leiomyoma of the prestyloid parapharyngeal space is reported together with computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The tumor appeared as a well-circumscribed ovoid mass with some calcifications and lobulations. Because the attenuation, signal intensity, and shape of the mass were not specific and were similar to those of a pleomorhic adenoma, the most common tumor of the prestyloid parapharyngeal space, radiological differentiation of leiomyoma from pleomorphic adenoma of the prestyloid parapharyngeal space was difficult.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical study on tumor angiogenic factors in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In order to elucidate the roles of tumor angiogenesis in lung carcinogenesis, the expressions of several angiogenic factors in lung carcinoma tissues were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue specimens from 112 cases of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were studied. The expressions of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined immunohistochemically. Microvessel density (MVD) was also evaluated. RESULTS: VEGF-positive cases were observed more frequently in advanced stage lung cancers than in early cancers, and VEGF-positive tumors had higher MVD than VEGF-negative tumors, while such differences were not observed for PD-ECGF. In squamous cell carcinoma, the patients with high-MVD tumor had significantly worse survival than those with low-MVD tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that VEGF plays an important role in angiogenesis of lung cancers, while the contribution of PD-ECGF may be limited.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intraarterial injection therapy of newly developed cisplatin-phosphatidyl choline-lipiodol suspension for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Twenty-seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by intraarterial injection of a suspension of cisplatin powder and iodized oil using phosphatidyl choline as a dispersing stabilizer. A reduction in tumor size of over 25% was obtained in 23 patients (85%) and a reduction of more than 50% was obtained in 17 patients (63%). In all of 14 patients with a high serum alpha-fetoprotein level (more than 200 ng/ml), 27% to 99% reduction in the level was obtained. The one-, two-, and three-year survival rates were 74%, 50%, and 35%, respectively. As for side effects, digestive symptoms were rather frequently observed. Liver abscess and cholangitis were observed in one patient each in patients combined with embolization using gelatin sponge particles. Injection of the suspension with embolization was superior to injection only in therapeutic effect, but was associated with a higher frequency of side effects. The therapeutic effect was better in cases of higher Lipiodol retention in the tumor on follow-up CT.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Paravertebral arteriovenous malformation with venous connection to left iliac vein. Report of a case.

An unusual systemic arteriovenous malformation arising from the left 9th intercostal artery, taking a caudal course through the left paravertebral veins, eventually drained into the left ascending lumbar vein, as illustrated at computed tomography and angiography. An embryologic maldevelopment of the azygos venous system is not the only possible explanation for venous drainage in the caudal direction. We believe that predominant venous drainage can take place in either direction because of the potentially bidirectional flow in the vertebral venous systems.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Right aortic arch with atresia of aberrant left subclavian artery: case report.

We report a case of right aortic arch with atresia of the proximal portion of the aberrant left subclavian artery, a rare congenital vascular anomaly. Differential diagnosis from other conditions including right aortic arch with isolation of the left subclavian artery is discussed.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Digital subtraction angiography in Takayasu arteritis.

The usefulness and limitation of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in Takayasu arteritis were investigated in 32 patients. Intravenous DSA was particularly useful in the follow-up of patients with an established diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. Pulmonary arterial involvement could also be demonstrated with intravenous DSA as obstructive arterial changes and lack of accumulation of contrast medium in the pulmonary parenchyma. Detailed information concerning the site and extent of vascular involvement and development of collateral vessels were obtained with intraarterial DSA. Thickening of the thoracic aortic wall, however, could not be recognized with either intravenous or intraarterial DSA. Conventional angiography of the descending thoracic aortal is still required as an initial examination, particularly when there is no aortic arch involvement. However, there is no doubt that DSA has the potential to become the diagnostic procedure of choice in Takayasu arteritis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case of cerebral air embolism predominant in the left cerebral hemisphere following subclavian catheterization.

We report a case of cerebral air embolism caused by right subclavian vein catheterization. A large amount of air was seen only over the left cerebral hemisphere on computed tomographic (CT) scans. Although neurological deficit was observed bilaterally at the onset, the degree of ischemic brain damage was far greater in the left cerebral hemisphere than in the right. This unusual left-sided predominancy of cerebral air embolism was presumably due to the tortuosity of the ascending aorta.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Persistent common bile duct hematoma caused by a small cancer: case report.

We report a case in which an intrabiliary duct hematoma secondary to a coexisting smaller choledochal cancer was observed for more than a month. Initial noncontrast enhanced X-ray computed tomography (CT) showed the hematoma as a high-attenuation mass, leading to the preoperative diagnosis of choledochal stone or calcified tumor.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous retrieval of intracardiopulmonary artery metallic needle (Kirschner's wire): a case report.

We report a case of successful percutaneous retrieval of a broken Kirschner's wire that had entered the venous system and the right atrium and later migrated to the left pulmonary artery. The management of a long, rigid, nail-like foreign body within the heart and/or the pulmonary artery is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Appendiceal abscess mimicking infected urachal cyst in a child with intestinal malrotation.

An appendiceal abscess with intestinal malrotation can occur anywhere in the abdomen, not only in the right lower quadrant. We report a case presenting a midline mass of the lower abdomen whose computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) findings mimicked a urachal abscess. A retrospective review of CT findings led to the correct diagnosis by showing malposition of the ascending colon.

Abscess↗