Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Murakami.
Ulcer-like projection is an angiographic sign of thrombosed aortic dissection. However, no pelvic manifestation of ulcer-like projection of aortic dissection has been reported. We report three patients in whom ulcer-like projections of the pelvic artery were revealed by rotational digital angiography using the newly developed computerized dynamic stereo-radiography apparatus.
A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the radioprotective effects of azelastine against radiation dermatitis for patients with head and neck cancers. The effects of azelastine were studied in 19 patients with laryngeal cancers treated by irradiation. As controls, 29 patients with laryngeal cancers treated by irradiation without the administration of azelastine were studied. All patients were irradiated using 3 MV linac X-rays. Azelastine was administered orally twice a day. Moist desquamation was observed in four of 29 control patients whereas no such moist desquamation developed after the administration of azelastine. Two cases of moist desquamation that developed before the administration of azelastine regressed during irradiation in patients placed on azelastine. Radiotherapy was completed without interruption in all patients treated with azelastine. No severe side effects were observed. Azelastine, administered orally, was a safe drug and has the potential of improving skin tolerance in irradiation therapy.
A rare case of massive maxillofacial hemorrhage, which was controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization, is reported. A 23-year-old man with massive nasal and oral hemorrhage caused by maxillofacial fracture was admitted. Emergency angiography demonstrated extravasation of contrast material from the posterior superior alveolar artery, which was immediately embolized using gelatin sponge particles. This case shows that transcatheter arterial embolization is useful and effective for the treatment of massive hemorrhage resulting from severe maxillofacial injury.
PURPOSE: Microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) is a surgical alternative for inoperable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). We have recently developed a percutaneous method for using MCT under ultrasound guidance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of percutaneous MCT (PMCT) in an animal model and correlate the ultrasound findings with histological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microwaves were administered for 30, 45, 60 and 90 seconds to 12 cadaveric porcine livers in vivo one hour after sacrificing them, to determine the most suitable coagulation time for the percutaneous method. The cadaveric livers were then subjected to histologic evaluation. The temperature around the electrode was measured in both cadaveric and living livers during PMCT. Ultrasound-guided MCT was also performed in nine rabbits. The histological findings after PMCT were evaluated in the cadaveric and living livers, and the areas of coagulation necrosis were correlated with the ultrasound findings. RESULTS: After microwave emission, coagulation necrosis of a spindle shape occurred primarily from the base of the electrode. The maximum area of coagulation was obtained at 60 seconds. The maximum temperature of cadaveric liver under PMCT was 95 degrees at 3 mm from the electrode; that of living liver was 85.1 degrees at 5 mm. Ultrasound revealed hyperechoic areas after PMCT in both cadaveric and living livers. On microscopy, parenchymal necrosis of the liver was observed only in living livers one month after MCT. Hyperechoic areas measured with ultrasound were significantly larger than the actual necrotic areas (p < 0.01), probably due to air bubbles which developed within the tissue. CONCLUSIONS: PMCT completely coagulated the liver tissue around the electrode. These preliminary results indicate that PMCT should be an effective treatment for hepatic neoplasms. In terms of clinical application, the hyperechoic areas observed during PMCT appear to be considerably larger than the areas actually treated.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the initial and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for totally occluded iliac arteries. METHODS: Fifty-four occluded iliac arteries in 54 patients were treated by PTA. The mean length of the occlusions was 8.0 cm (range 0.5-24.0 cm). Patients were followed for a maximum of 124 months (mean, 56 months). RESULTS: The initial success rate was 57% (31 of 54). On follow-up study, two arteries were reoccluded, and six showed evidence of restenosis. These recurrences were observed within 20 months after PTA. The long-term results obtained by Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis revealed a 71% primary patency rate and 93% secondary patency rate for 124 months. Thirteen arteries were treated by surgical intervention, while the other arteries with unsuccessful PTA were followed conservatively because of a high risk for surgery or patients' refusal to have surgery. Major complications were recorded in 7% (4 of 54) of cases: thrombosis requiring emergent bypass surgery in one artery, and distal embolization requiring thromboembolectomy in three. CONCLUSION: Although the procedure is difficult, the long-term results suggest that PTA is an effective method and a treatment of choice for totally occluded iliac arteries.