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Biomedical subjects

S Imokawa

Publications and source records attributed to S Imokawa.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[A case of eosinophilic pneumonia, showing a positive environmental provocation test].

A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of cough and fever. Coarse crackles were audible over her left chest. A chest X-ray obtained on May 5, 1989, showed consolidation in the left S10 and a nodule in the right S1. Clinical symptoms improved during the course of hospitalization. Neither antibody titers against mycoplasma and chlamydia nor viral titers were elevated in paired sera. BALF findings of the left B10 showed increased numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes. We diagnosed this case as eosinophilic pneumonia (EP). Environmental provocation testing was carried out in her home and yielded a positive result. After clearing of the house, she was able to return and has since experienced no relapses. We suspect that environmental conditions influence the pathogenesis of EP.

Adult↗

[Amlexanox has an acute bronchodilator effect in patients with aspirin-induced asthma (AIA)].

Recently, we have reported that a nebulized solution of sodium cromoglycate (SCG) (Intal), a well known antiallergic agent, has an acute bronchodilator effect in patients with aspirin-induced asthma (AIA). Amlexanox is an antiallergic agent, with a structure similar to that of SCG. Therefore, we investigated the acute bronchodilator effect of amlexanox administered orally to adult asthmatics, focusing on a comparison between AIA and non-AIA patients. Fifteen patients participated, 8 having AIA and 7 non-AIA. After performing spirometry during remission, they were administered either amlexanox or placebo using a randomized double-blind protocol. Spirometry was then performed at 30, 60, 90 min, 2 h, and 3 h after administration. The placebo used was lactose. In the AIA group, FEV1 was significantly improved after administration of amlexanox. However, FEV1 was significantly decreased after placebo administration. On the other hand, in the non-AIA group, FEV1 was not changed after administration of either of the drugs. From these results, we conclude that amlexanox has an acute bronchodilator effect only in AIA patients.

Adult↗

[A case of sarcoidosis presenting as pulmonary nodules associated with pleural indentation fifteen years after onset].

A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of pulmonary nodules, about 3 cm in diameter in the right upper lobe accompanied by pleural indentation, and 5 mm in diameter in the left middle lung field, revealed by chest X-ray. She had no clinical signs or symptoms except achalasia-like discomfort swallowing. Results of physical examinations were within normal limits. A specimen obtained from the nodule in right S2 by transbronchial biopsy showed noncaseating epithelioid granuloma containing asteroid bodies, and negative staining for acid-fast bacilli. No malignant cells were found in the specimen. Bacteriological examination of a bronchial lavage specimen was negative for pyogenic bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi. A PPD skin test was negative. BALF revealed an increase of lymphocytes and elevation of CD4/CD8 ratio. Fifteen years previously, the patient had been diagnosed as having sarcoidosis by scalene node biopsy, and had been treated with steroid therapy. Pulmonary nodules associated with pleural indentation in sarcoidosis is relatively rare, and is usually due to malignancy such as lung cancer. This possibility was ruled out clinically in the present case. Therefore, it was concluded that the pulmonary nodules in this case were due to the sarcoidosis itself.

Age of Onset↗

[Two cases of acute eosinophilic pneumonia with precipitating antibody against Trichosporon cutaneum and Trichoderma viride].

Two cases of acute eosinophilic pneumonia are described. The patients presented with an acute febrile illness, dry cough, severe hypoxemia and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. Total cell count and the number of eosinophils were increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The TBLB specimen showed eosinophilic infiltration of alveolar walls and spaces. Precipitating antibodies against Trichosporon cutaneum and Trichoderma viride were noted in the patients' sera, and environmental provocation tests gave positive results. The clinical features of acute eosinophilic pneumonia resemble those of summer type hypersensitivity pneumonitis. From these results, we consider that there is a certain degree of overlap between the two diseases.

Adult↗

[A case of streptomycin-induced lupus].

A case of streptomycin-induced lupus occurring in a 48-year-old female is presented. She was admitted to our hospital in July 1990, complaining of productive cough and general fatigue. A chest roentgenogram showed cavitary lesions and infiltrative shadows in the bilateral upper and middle lung fields and a sputum smear tested positive for acid-fast bacilli. She was diagnosed as lung tuberculosis and antituberculous therapy with isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin was started. Ten days after starting the treatment, she began to complain of high fever and erythema on her face and forearms. Blood cell count revealed leucopenia. The antinuclear antibody and antihistone antibody were positive. The improvement of clinical findings and the lowering of antinuclear antibody titer seen after stopping streptomycin confirmed the diagnosis as streptomycin-induced lupus. Streptomycin-induced lupus is very rare.

Female↗

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return showing anomalous venous return to the azygos vein.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is a congenital heart disease with a reported incidence of autopsied case. The location of the anomalous pulmonary venous return is usually the right atrium, superior vena cava (SVC), and sometimes the brachiocephalic vein, inferior vena cava (IVC) or coronary venous sinus. Recently we experienced a rare case of PAPVR showing anomalous right total pulmonary venous return to the azygos vein. Furthermore, downward translocation of the right upper lobe bronchus was evident. This rare case is reported along with a review of the related literature.

Azygos Vein↗

[Sodium cromoglycate nebulized solution has an acute bronchodilative effect in patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA)].

Sodium cromoglycate (SCG) (Intal) is a well-known anti-allergic agent which protects against allergen- and exercise-induced bronchospasms. The effect has been recognized non-acute, unlike that of bronchodilators. However, we have found that some patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA) show significant improvement soon after a single inhalation of SCG nebulized solution. In this study, we investigated the acute bronchodilator effect of SCG given by nebulizer in adult asthmatics, especially compairing AIA with non-AIA (aspirin-tolerant asthma) patients. Twenty patients with AIA and 11 with non-AIA participated in the study. After performing spirometry on remission, they inhaled either SCG via a nebulizer or 4 ml of placebo in a randomized double-blind fashion. After inhalation, spirometry was performed every ten minutes for one hour. The placebo used was a saline solution of the same osmolarity as that of the SCG nebulized solution. Placebo inhalation provoked asthmatic attacks in five of the patients with AIA and one with non-AIA, but SCG did not. In the AIA group, twelve out of the twenty patients also had improved nasal symptoms soon after inhalation of SCG. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was significantly improved 10 minutes after inhalation of SCG. Fifty minutes after SCG inhalation, the percent degree of FEV1 improvement was approximately 17%. However, FEV1 was significantly decreased by approximately 14% after inhalation of placebo. In the non-AIA group, FEV1 was not increased after inhalation of SCG. V25 was not changed after inhalation of SCG in AIA and non-AIA groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Inhalation↗

[A case of asthma relieved by aspirin--the first case in Japan and investigation of its mechanism].

We report a case of asthma that was relieved by aspirin and other cyclooxygenase inhibitors. The patient, a 51-year-old man, was admitted to our hospital because of an asthmatic attack. Onset of asthma had occurred at the age of 40 years, after a flu-like infection, and was preceded for several years by perennial rhinitis and loss of the sense of smell. The course was perennial, and unrelated to the seasons. These clinical features resembled those of aspirin-induced asthma (AIA). Therefore, suspecting AIA, we performed a aspirin-DL-lysine iv challenge test. After aspirin-DL-lysine injection, FEV1 was increased by about 30% and nasal obstruction was improved. Other cyclooxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin, mefenamic acid, ketoprofen) also improved FEV1 by more than 30%. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HCs) improved FEV1 about 20%. Lipoxygenase inhibitor (AA861) produced an evident attack, but continued administration did not result in complete tolerance. On the other hand, seven other AIA patients showed no reaction to AA861. DSCG had an acute bronchodilative effect similar to that of AIA. Paraben and chloramphenicol sodium succinate (CMs) produced an asthmatic attack. The present patient showed a marked improvement in response to cyclooxygenase inhibitors and HCs, in contrast to the situation in AIA, and developed an evident asthmatic attack in response to lipoxygenase inhibitor. He showed marked improvement in the response to DSCG and developed an asthmatic attack in response to paraben and CMs, as in AIA. Our results suggest an abnormality of Arachidonic acid metabolism not only in AIA but also in asthma relieved by aspirin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aspirin↗

[A case of isolated absence of the right pulmonary artery].

A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for investigation of an abnormal chest roentgenogram. She had been well with normal exercise tolerance and had no history of pneumonia. The chest roentgenogram showed decreased vascularity of the right lung, ipsilateral small hemithorax, and shift of the mediastinum toward the right. In the right lung field, hazy and confluent micronodular shadows were seen, and the left lung was emphysematous and hyperlucent. Herniation of the left lung into the contralateral thorax was seen. Although lung perfusion scintigrams showed no detectable blood flow to the right lung, a krypton ventilation study revealed diminished but homogeneous ventilation of the ipsilateral lung. A bronchogram showed normal structure of the bronchi. Cardiac catheterization revealed normal pulmonary arterial pressure. A pulmonary angiogram showed no right pulmonary artery, and absence of other cardiovascular anomalies. Therefore, the diagnosis of isolated absence of the right pulmonary artery was confirmed. An aortic angiogram demonstrated collateral vessels originating from one of the bronchial arteries, the infradiaphragmatic artery, and the right coronary artery. Chest CT disclosed cystic changes in the right lung field.

Adult↗

[A case of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia with positive anti Jo-1 antibody preceding polymyositis].

We describe a 58-year-old female with BOOP associated with polymyositis. Four months prior to the appearance of distinctive manifestation of polymyositis, she presented with a two-week history of cough, dyspnea on exertion, and fever. Chest roentgenogram demonstrated bilateral basal infiltrative shadows. The patient was treated with prednisolone, 30 mg/day because of progressive hypoxemia. Open lung biopsy revealed organizing masses of granulation tissue extending from the respiratory bronchioles into the intra-alveolar spaces, which was consistent with BOOP. She developed muscle pain in her legs, fever, dry cough, hypoxemia, and high CPK value in the course of tapering of steroid dose. The findings of biopsy from the left rectus femoris muscle were compatible with polymyositis. Retrospective study of the patient's serum on admission showed positive anti Jo-1 antibody.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

[Comparison of endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography in detecting mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes from bronchogenic carcinoma].

We investigated and compared the ability to diagnose metastasis of lung cancer to the mediastinum and hilar lymph nodes using CT and EUS (endoscopic ultrasonography by radial scanning method) in 27 patients undergoing resection of primary lung cancer and 6 autopsy cases. We also determined the relationship between the presence or absence of metastasis and the size of each lymph node based on the lymph node size measured at the time of resection and its histopathological findings, and we then set up a standard value that was the most accurate in evaluating the presence or absence of metastasis using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. When lymph node sizes appearing as images were compared with their actual sizes measured on resected specimens before formalin fixation, the short axis measured by either method was found to generally agree with the actual values, while the long axis was slightly smaller than the actual values, although EUS gave more accurate values. When the ability to diagnose metastasis was compared between CT and EUS using the standard value obtained from the ROC curve (a more than 8 mm short axis was defined as positive for metastasis), there were no differences in the ability to delineate the entire area of the mediastinum, including hilar lymph nodes. With respect to individual sites, although there was some difficulty delineating some regions in the mediastinum (pretracheal lymph node) with EUS, more lymph nodes in the mediastinum that were delineated by EUS histopathologically had metastatic lesions than those delineated by CT. However, both methods often failed to delineate hilar lymph nodes, with no difference shown between these two methods.

Adult↗