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Coil compaction after embolization of the superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm.

A 58-year-old man with an abscess of the psoas muscle was returned to our hospital with hematemesis. Two years earlier, he had undergone coil embolization for a superior mesenteric artery (SMA) pseudoaneurysm secondary to pancreatitis. Based on the physical examination, serum amylase level, and abdominal radiographs, a diagnosis of acute exacerbation of pancreatitis and coil compaction of the SMA pseudoaneurysm was made. The patient underwent re-embolization for the coil compaction using interlocking detachable coils. His condition improved gradually, and he was discharged 3 weeks later. To our knowledge, this is the first report of coil compaction of SMA pseudoaneurysm.

Acute Disease↗

Psoas abscess diagnosed at a Northern university hospital.

Abscess of the psoas muscle is an infrequent diagnosis at hospitals in Northern countries. We report on 16 patients who had this diagnosis during the period 1991-2001. Eight patients were immigrants who had previously been healthy and most of them had experienced symptoms for approximately 1 y. MRI or CT scans revealed spondylodiscitis in 6 of these patients and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified as the causative agent. With the exception of 1 patient who was exclusively treated with antituberculous agents, all 8 immigrant patients were successfully treated with antituberculous agents in addition to percutaneous drainage. The other 8 patients were Norwegians, 4 of whom had underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus or drug abuse. The causative microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus spp., with the exception of M. tuberculosis in 1 case. The Norwegian patients had a more acute history of symptoms than the immigrant patients and 2 of them were in a septic condition on admittance. Two of the Norwegians died of serious infection; 5 were successfully treated with percutaneous drainage in addition to antibiotics and 1 was treated exclusively with antibiotic agents. The clinical history and microorganism associated with psoas abscess seemed to depend on whether or not the patient was an immigrant. Owing to increasing immigration, diagnosis of psoas abscess should be taken into account in Northern countries.

Adult↗

[A rare case of nerve-sheath sarcoma with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation (malignant triton tumor)].

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are spindle-cell sarcomas that appear in a setting of neurofibroma or schwannoma or are associated with peripheral nerves or demonstrate nerve sheath differentiation. Malignant triton tumor (MTT) is a subtype of MPNST that also contain tissue with skeletal muscle differentiation (embryonal, plemorphic and botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma). The estimated incidence of MPNSTs in patients with NF1 is 2-5% compared with 0.0001% in the general population and approximately 69% of the reported cases of MTT are associated with von Recklinghausen disease. In July 2002 a 37-year old man was readmitted to the Department of Oncologic Surgery of the S. Camillo-Forlanini Hospital in Rome for both a right-sided retroperitoneal paravertebral not palpable mass, incidentally detected at a follow-up MRI, and a left-sided popliteal mass, discovered at clinical evaluation. Seventeen months before, when the patient underwent surgery at the same Department for both a left-sided paravertebral inferior mediastinal neurofibroma and a right-sided axillary neurofibroma, diagnosis of von Recklinghausen disease (NF1) was made, according to the criteria established by the NIH Consensus Development. Conference on Neurofibromatosis of 1987. A xifopubic laparotomy was performed: the tumor appeared to be localized, well-capsulated and strictly associated to the lumbar and sacral nervous radicles (L4, L5, S1) without evidence of invasion. The tumor was completely resected with sparing of the psoas muscle and the lumbar plexus through a subperineural dissection technique. No intra-operative pathologic examination was performed. Postoperative pathologic findings showed evidence for a trition tumor. The popliteal mass was resected too and resulted to be a neurofibroma just like the tumors resected 17 months before when diagnosis of von Recklinghausen disease was made. The patient was disease free 6 months after initial surgery. Sarcoma arising in anatomic site other than extremity and superficial trunk are often more difficult to control because of anatomic constraints, delayed disease presentation, proximity to neurovascular and osseous structures and toxicity for normal adjacent tissues that limits the use of adequate radiation doses. Indeed, the anatomic site is an important prognostic factor in STS and the prognosis for retroperitoneal tumors is considerably worse than for extremity tumors. Reported local recurrence rates for retroperitoneal sarcomas range from 40% to 80% and, in marked contrast to extremity STS, most of patients can and do die from local recurrence in the absence of metastasis. In contrast to the benefit most patients with high grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities receive from adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy, these modalities have been of little value for retroperitoneal tumors. To overcome the problem of dose limitation, intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IORT) in combination with ERBT has been proposed. IORT plus ERBT was found to improve local control of disease in recent clinical trials. Current chemotherapy for retroperitoneal sarcomas is ineffective. Local adjuvant therapy such as intraperitoneal chemotherapy or experimental immunotherapy seems to be attractive in theory, but needs further investigations through prospective randomized multicentric trials. In conclusion, to date aggressive surgical management remains the most effective modality for selected primary and recurrent retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas including MPNSTs and the subtype MTT. Patients with incomplete resection and other risk factors such as younger age and high grade tumors may be suitable candidates for investigational adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

Myosin thick filaments from adult rabbit skeletal muscles.

Myosin subfragment 1 (S1) forms dimers in the presence of Mg(2+) or MgADP or MgATP. The entire myosin molecule forms head-head dimers in the presence of MgATP. The angle between the two subunits in the S1 dimer is 95 degrees. Assuming that the length of the globular part of S1 is approximately 12 nm and that the S1/S2 joint (lever arm approximately 7 nm) is clearly bent, the cylinder tangent to this dimer should have a diameter of approximately 18 nm, close to the approximately 16-20 nm suggested by many studies for the diameter of thick filaments in situ. These conclusions led us to re-examine our previous model, according to which two heads from two opposite myosin molecules are inserted into the filament core and interact as dimers. We studied synthetic filaments by electron microscopy, enzyme activity assays, controlled digestion and filament-filament interaction analysis. Synthetic filaments formed by rapid dilution in the presence of 1 mM EDTA at room temperature ( approximately 22 degrees C) had all their myosin heads outside the backbone. These filaments are called superfilaments (SF). Synthetic filaments formed by slow dilution, in the presence of either 2 mM Mg(2+) or 0.5 mM MgATP and at low temperature ( approximately 0 degrees C) had one myosin head outside the backbone and one head inside. These filaments are called filaments (F). Synthetic filaments formed by slow dilution, in the presence of 4 mM MgATP at low temperature ( approximately 0 degrees C) had most of their heads inserted in the filament core. These filaments are called antifilaments (AF). These experimental results provide important new information about myosin synthetic filaments. In particular, we found that myosin heads were involved in filament assembly and that filament-filament interactions can occur via the external heads. Native filaments (NF) from rabbit psoas muscle were also studied by enzyme assays. Their structure depended on the age of the rabbit. NF from 4-month-old rabbits were three-stranded, i.e. six myosin heads per crown, two of which were inside the core and four outside. NF from 18-month-old rabbits were two-stranded (similar to F).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhibition of tension development and actomyosin ATPase activity in barnacle muscle by the Ca2+-indicator dye antipyrylazo III.

We have investigated the effects of the Ca2+-indicator dye antipyrylazo III on: (1) tension development in myofibrillar preparations from barnacle depressor muscle; and (2) actomyosin ATPase activity in myofibrils/native actomyosin isolated from barnacle muscle and in actomyosin hybrids prepared from pure (unregulated) rabbit F-actin and purified barnacle myosin. In all solutions, pCa was either heavily buffered with suitable [CaEGTA]/[EGTA] and/or measured with a calcium-electrode so as to offset the appreciable Ca2+-buffering effects of the dyes. Antipyrylazo III produced a rapid, reversible and concentration-dependent inhibition of: (1) tension development by isolated barnacle myofibrils; (2) calcium-regulated ATPase activity in barnacle myofibrils and native actomyosin; and (3) calcium-independent actin-activated ATPase activity in hybrid actomyosins prepared from purified barnacle myosin and rabbit actin. This latter observation indicated that the inhibitory effect of the dye on calcium-regulated tension and ATPase in intact myofibrils is due to specific repression of active crossbridge formation rather than modification of calcium-regulatory mechanisms. The hypothesis that antipyrylazo III specifically represses active crossbridge formation was supported by the observation that the dye had no effect on rigor tension development. Specific and saturable binding of the dye to these myofibrils was characterized by a maximum capacity of 1.3 mumol dye g-1 myofibrillar protein, consistent with a calculated 1 dye: 1 myosin stoichiometry. These various biological effects were observed with both commercially available antipyrylazo III and highly purified dye preparations. Preliminary studies using myofibrillar preparations from rabbit psoas muscle, guinea-pig portal vein smooth muscle, and scallop adductor muscle have indicated that contractile function in these muscle types does not appear to be inhibited by antipyrylazo III.

Actins↗

[The advantages of combined US-fluoroscopic guidance in the drainage of abdominal abscesses].

The authors report their experience with 19 percutaneous drainages of abdominal abscesses in 19 patients. Six collections were in the subphrenic spaces, 6 in the liver, 1 in the infracolic space, 2 in the psoas muscle, 3 within the abdominal wall, and 1 in the pararenal space. Their etiology was abdominal surgery in 10 patients, biliary obstruction in 1, and trauma in 2; in the extant patients a hematogenous infection was supposed. The procedures were performed under combined US and fluoroscopic guidance, following Seldinger technique in all but two cases. Van Sonnenberg double-lumen sump catheter was successfully employed in all cases. After a review of the technique the authors discuss the advantages of US-fluoroscopic over CT guidance. The latter is preferred if the collection is not well demonstrated by US and in the cases where a posterior approach is needed. The economic advantages of US-fluoroscopic over CT guidance are also stressed.

Abdomen↗

Differences in the transient response of fast and slow skeletal muscle fibers. Correlations between complex modulus and myosin light chains.

Sinusoidal analysis of the mechanochemical properties of skinned muscle fibers under conditions of maximal activation was applied to fibers from several rabbit skeletal muscles (psoas, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, diaphragm, soleus, semitendinosus). This investigation distinguished between two general classes of fibers, which on the basis of their myosin light chain complements could be classified as fast and slow. In fast fibers (e.g., psoas) we identified the presence of at least three exponential processes (A), (B), (C) of comparable magnitudes. In slow fibers (e.g., soleus) we identified the presence of at least four exponential processes (A)-(D) of very different magnitudes; magnitudes of processes (A) and (B) are very small compared with those of (C) and (D). The apparent rate constants are 8-29-fold slower in slow fibers. Because our sinusoidal characterization takes less than or equal to 22 s and does not involve chemical denaturation or other means of disruption of the myofilament lattice, it allows the different physiological classes of fibers to be characterized and then studied further by other techniques. The perfect correlation between physiological and molecular properties as assayed by gel electrophoresis after sinusoidal analysis demonstrates this and justifies its use in distinguishing between fiber types.

Animals↗

Pathologic findings in malignant hyperthermia: a case report and review of literature.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare, potentially lethal disorder of skeletal muscle calcium homeostasis characterized by muscle contracture and life-threatening hypermetabolic crisis following exposure to halogenated anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. Susceptibility to MH results from mutations in calcium channel proteins that mediate excitation-contraction coupling, with the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel (RyR1) representing the major locus. The mode of inheritance appears to be autosomal dominant with variable penetrance. The authors report the death of a 60-year-old white male with a history of low back pain. He had undergone 2 back surgeries previously, the first occurring 10 years prior to his current presentation. Both previous procedures were done under generalized anesthetic with no complications. Recently, he developed stenosis and presented for fusion of vertebrae L3 and L4. The procedure was performed under general anesthetic including sevoflurane, with no intraoperative complications. The anesthesiologist noted that, near the end of the 2-hour procedure, the decedent's CO2 levels were slightly elevated. After the procedure, the decedent was extubated, the temperature probe which had been recording normal values was removed, and he was rolled from ventral to dorsal position. He immediately became hypotensive and bradycardic. Lifesaving interventions were begun. Subsequently, he went into cardiac arrest, at which time the temperature probe was reinserted into the trachea, where it read a body temperature of 109 degrees F. Malignant hyperthermia protocol was initiated, and interventions continued for over 2 hours, at which time they failed. At autopsy, the abdomen contained 1800 mL of blood, and bilateral hematomas were present in the psoas muscles. The authors present this case of clinically apparent malignant hyperthermia, discuss how to approach such a case, the gross and microscopic findings, ancillary studies, and a review of the literature.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

CT in the evaluation of complicated autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively reviewed the CT findings in 24 cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) to assess the role of CT in the diagnostic work-up of patients with complicated ADPKD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with ADPKD underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT for flank pain, haematuria, or fever. The images were retrospectively reviewed for presence of complicated cysts, their morphological features and associated findings in the perinephric space/retroperitoneum. RESULTS: Cyst haemorrhage was present in all patients, seen as high-density cysts, which were mostly bilateral. Most of these cysts had sharply outlined contours, sharp interfaces with adjacent renal parenchyma, imperceptible walls, and homogeneous density, and did not enhance following i.v. contrast administration. However, a few haemorrhagic cysts (9 cysts in 6 patients) showed inhomogeneous density (n=7), dependent layering of high-density blood leading to fluid-fluid level (n=2), and contour irregularity (n=3). CT revealed presence of cyst infection in 6 cases; the involved cysts were larger (average size 4.2 cm) than adjacent cysts, had only a mildly increased or near water density, and showed wall thickening and enhancement. Other findings included air within the infected cyst (n=1), thickening and enhancement of peri- and paranephric fasciae (n=5), and abscesses in the posterior paranephric space and adjoining psoas muscle (n=2). In 2 other patients, although CT suggested cyst infection because of presence of wall enhancement, diagnostic needle aspiration revealed only sterile haemorrhagic fluid. In 1 case, CT revealed a soft tissue density enhancing mass in one of the cysts; this proved to be a renal cell carcinoma by fine-needle biopsy. Calculi were observed in 7 patients, and cyst wall calcification in 11 cases. CONCLUSION: A combination of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT allows correct diagnosis and differentiation amongst the various complications affecting patients with ADPKD. However, in a small subgroup of patients, it may not be possible to differentiate between haemorrhage and infection; such cases require diagnostic needle aspiration for diagnosis.

Abdominal Pain↗

Mechanical properties of skinned rabbit psoas and soleus muscle fibres during lengthening: effects of phosphate and Ca2+.

1. Mechanical properties of permeabilized single fibres from rabbit psoas and soleus muscle were determined by measuring the length responses due to abrupt changes in load and the force responses due to isovelocity length changes at different phosphate and Ca2+ concentrations. 2. The length responses due to abrupt increases in load from psoas fibres showed a rapid lengthening during the change in load followed by a phase of lengthening during which the velocity gradually decreased. In soleus fibres an abrupt lengthening during the change in load was followed by a phase of lengthening during which the velocity remained constant or decreased slightly for increases in load to less than 1.45 of the isometric force (F0). For larger increases in load the velocity during this later phase first increased and thereafter decreased. 3. The initial force-velocity curve, derived from the early part of the isotonic responses after the change in load, as well as the late force-velocity curve derived from the force level attained during isovelocity length changes, were sensitive to phosphate. Phosphate caused a shift of the absolute force-velocity curves of both psoas and soleus fibres towards lower values of force. In psoas fibres, the relative force-velocity curves derived by normalization of the force level to the force developed isometrically was shifted by phosphate to smaller velocities. In soleus fibres, the initial velocity at low and intermediate relative loads (less than 1.75 F0) was increased by phosphate but at higher loads it decreased, while the late force-velocity curve showed an overall decrease in velocity. 4. The force responses during isovelocity lengthening of psoas fibres showed an early rapid increase in force followed by a slow rise in force. The position of this break point in force was sensitive to the phosphate concentration. In soleus fibres, the force responses without phosphate showed an overshoot followed by a slow rise in force. The overshoot diminished with increasing phosphate concentration. 5. Phosphate and Ca2+ affected the force responses in psoas and soleus fibres in different ways. When the isometric starting levels were the same, force during and after the length change at submaximal activation was always less than at maximal activation in the presence of 15 mM-phosphate. 6. The changes in the mechanical performance during lengthening caused by phosphate in psoas as well as in soleus fibres, are in agreement with a decrease in the average force per attached crossbridge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Mini-invasive treatment of purulent spondylitis associated with a psoas abscess in a child (case report)].

The authors describe a case of a 12 years old boy who suffered from pain in the lumbar region, limitation of dynamics in lumbosacral spine with a gradual deterioration of the condition. The patient was afebrile. The pain was getting worse and the classic radiographs did not show at the beginning any pathological changes. Suspected were mainly the discogenic syndrome, functional vertebrogenous syndrome but also development of a tumour in the region of spine. CT scan revealed structural changes in the region of L3 vertebra and less in the L4 region. At the same time it showed a soft mass pushing the psoas muscle to the left which was described as paravertebral abscess and the structural changes as a suspect L3, L4 spondylitis. The condition of the patient was associated with a high risk of endocarditis as in the childhood he underwent the Senning operation for coarctation of great vessels. Therefore it was necessary to determine etiological agent as quickly as possible. After a mini-invasive surgery with a probational biopsy and subsequent drainage the spondylytis was confirmed also histologically and a coagulation-negative Staphylococcus aureus was cultivated as an etiological agent. At the same time tumour development was eliminated. After 15 weeks the antibiotic therapy was changed as after the removal of drains the microbe was already resistant to the administered antibiotics and therefore the antibiotics were changed with regard to sensitivity and minimum inhibition concentrations. Within 15 weeks after a local drainage by antibiotics and the total antibiotic therapy also inflammation markers gradually decreased and the patient is for a long period without complaints with full range of motion in the lumbosacral spine. In the conclusion the authors emphasize the accurate timing algorithm of the diagnosis in children which may initiate an early and successful treatment.

Child↗

Extra-renal abscess in chronic hemodialysis patients.

AIM: Infectious disease represents one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Extra-renal abscess constitutes a specific form of infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate and analyze the clinical characteristics of extra-renal abscess in chronic hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the extra-renal abscess among chronic hemodialysis patients in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The records of 2,168 chronic hemodialysis patients from October 1986 to January 2000, were studied. The clinical features were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients who were enrolled during the study period developed extra-renal abscess. Ten of them were male. The mean age was 59.2 +/- 11.8 years old. More than half of the patients had diabetes (53.6%, 9/16). The locations of extra-renal abscess in these patients were liver (8/16), lung (5/16), spleen (1/16), perianal region (1/16), psoas muscle (1/16), and prostate (1/16). One patient had concurrent liver and spleen abscesses. All patients presented with fever and chills. Laboratory studies revealed leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia in 2/3 of the patients. The patients were associated with malnutrition status with lower serum albumin level (2.94 +/- 0.55 gm/dL) and lower nPCR (normalized protein catabolism rate; 0.84 +/- 0.11 gm/Kg/day) comparing to the other hemodialysis patients (albumin: 4.05 +/- 0.47 gm/dL; nPCR: 1.14 +/- 0.31gm/kg/day). There was no significant difference in kt/V between the patients with (1.28 +/- 0.34) or without abscess formation (1.47 +/- 0.36). The major causative pathogen was Klebsiella pnewnoniae. Parenteral antibiotic treatment is sufficient to treat most of the diseases, except 2 patients who needed surgical intervention. Twelve patients recovered after 2-3 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that extra-renal abscess is rare in chronic hemodialysis patients. The abscesses occurred mostly in liver. Diabetes mellitus and poor nutrition status were the important predisposing factors. Gram-negative bacilli, K. pneumoniae, were the major pathogen. Most of the patients responded to parenteral antibiotics and surgical draining.

Abscess↗

Pharmacokinetics of halothane in the dog. Comparison of theory and measurement in individuals.

After surgical preparation under pentobarbitone anaesthesia seven dogs of mean body weight 31 kg were ventilated with 1% halothane for 80 min. At 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 min after the start of the halothane administration blood samples were taken from the femoral artery and pulmonary artery and from a cerebral, a renal and a femoral vein. At 80 min a biopsy sample of skeletal muscle (psoas) was taken. The halothane tension in all samples was determined by extraction into carbon tetrachloride followed by gas chromatographic analysis using chloroform as an internal standard. The measured tensions were compared with tensions computed from a multi-compartment model of the uptake and distribution of halothane in the body. The model was quantified by measurements, in each individual, of total body mass, the masses of the major organs and the solubility of halothane in the major organs and tissues; by measurements of blood volume and solubility in blood at the start and finish of the halothane administration; and by repeated measurements of alveolar ventilation, cardiac output and body temperature. For the original version of the model, the computed tensions deviated from the measured tensions to an extent greater than could be attributed to experimental error and in a manner which could be attributed to metabolism of halothane and probably to direct diffusion of halothane from well-perfused organs and lean tissues into fat. Direct experimental evidence of diffusion into perirenal fat was obtained in supplementary experiments. With the quantitation of the model distorted to mimic the processes of metabolism and diffusion, measured arterial tensions could be predicted with a mean error of -0.2 mm Hg (SD 0.6 mm Hg). The mean measured arterial tension was 3.5 mm Hg.

Animals↗

Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy with systemic involvement.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing literature regarding sclerotic and panniculitic cutaneous conditions seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (eg, calciphylaxis and soft tissue calcification). Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) is a recent designation to describe cutaneous findings in patients with end-stage renal disease who developed sclerotic plaques with scleromyxedema-like histologic features. Soft tissue calcification is rare in patients with NFD and systemic involvement has not been reported. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a patient with end-stage renal disease who developed diffuse indurated woody plaques consistent with NFD in association with soft tissue calcification with catastrophic sequelae. A deep excisional biopsy specimen from the patient revealed thickened collagen bundles in the reticular dermis, plump bipolar spindle cells, and increased mucin. Focally, there were zones of calcium deposition in dermal collagen without vessel calcification. Autopsy of the patient revealed extensive fibrosis and calcification of the diaphragm, psoas muscle, renal tubules, and rete testes. The patient died 11 months after developing NFD. CONCLUSION: A subset of patients with NFD may have significant systemic involvement.

Calcinosis↗

Intermittent aortic-graft obstruction secondary to anastomotic aneurysms.

Diagnosis of anastomotic aneurysms is usually suggested by simple palpation of a pulsatile mass on physical examination. Diagnosis may be more difficult, and clinical appearance more unusual, for those aneurysms occurring in an intra-abdominal location. This article reports an unusual manifestation of bilateral iliac-artery false aneurysms, ie, intermittent obstruction of aortic-graft blood flow. Femoral pulses were absent and significant peripheral ischemia present with the patient's legs extended. Femoral pulses returned to normal with the patient's legs flexed. Perianastomotic fibrosis, the mass effect of the false aneurysms, and possible kinking of the partially disrupted suture line with tensing of the psoas muscle on extension of the legs are possible causes of the intermittent obstruction to blood flow. The varied clinical manifestations and general principles of operative repair of anastomotic aneurysms are described.

Aneurysm↗

Abdominal computed tomography in small cell lung cancer: assessment of extent of disease and response to therapy.

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed as part of the initial staging evaluation in 77 patients with small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung. CT scans revealed mass lesions in 26 patients (34%). Abnormalities were confined to the liver in 15 patients and to retroperitoneal structures (lymph nodes, adrenal glands, psoas muscle region masses) in eight, and occurred in both areas in three. However, only three of 29 patients otherwise staged as having limited disease (confined to one hemithorax and regional nodes) had evidence of abdominal metastases on CT scan. Most (23/26) positive studies were in patients already known to have more extensive tumor dissemination. In 71 patients with pathologic confirmation of liver status, CT had a sensitivity of 63%, specificity of 91%, and overall accuracy of 85% in assessing the liver. Comparison of radionuclide liver scan findings with hepatic biopsies gave similar results. During therapy, 65 follow-up CT scans were obtained in 46 patients. Scan abnormalities improved or disappeared in 11/12 cases with tumor response documented in other ways, appeared or worsened in 5/13 cases of tumor progression that was diagnosed by other tests, and only rarely (2/65 scans) improved at the time of documented tumor progression, or vice versa. In only three patients, however, did CT scan provide the sole site of evaluable disease during treatment or detect either the only area of residual disease in a patient in otherwise complete remission or the initial evidence of tumor progression. Although abdominal CT scans in SCC can demonstrate metastatic dissemination not evaluable by other means, they provide relatively little therapeutically relevant information beyond that obtained with standard staging procedures.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Treatment of metastatic chemodectoma.

Six patients were treated for metastatic chemodectoma at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1971 through 1988. Four patients' primary tumors arose in the cervical region, and two arose in the retroperitoneum. Four patients received a total of eight different chemotherapeutic regimens, including cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and dacarbazine. Metastatic sites treated included bone, liver, lung, and retroperitoneum. No patient had a response to chemotherapy. Four patients received a total of nine courses of radiation therapy for palliation of bone metastases. Pain relief was complete in eight patients and partial in one. One patient was irradiated for a mass in the left psoas muscle, with stabilization of disease for 6 months after treatment. One patient was irradiated for epidural compression at T6, with resolution of neurologic symptoms and 50% clearing of the spinal block on follow-up myelogram. Recurrence or progression of disease in a previously irradiated site occurred in one patient 2 years after treatment. One patient was lost to follow-up 3 months after radiation therapy for epidural compression. The other five patients died of widespread metastatic disease 6 months to 9 years after initial treatment for their metastatic disease.

Adult↗

In situ lung perfusion with cisplatin. An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: This research work was planned to evaluate the soundness of in situ lung perfusion as a regional administration modality of chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: Sixteen pigs were randomly divided into four groups and received cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg) through the pulmonary artery using one of the following techniques: stop-flow (Group 1); stop-flow/out-flow occlusion (Group 2); lung perfusion (Group 3); or lung perfusion with 5 mg/kg of infused drug (Group 4). Serial blood (carotid, pulmonary artery and vein) and tissue samples (lung and mediastinal node), were taken before, at completion of, and 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes after cisplatin infusion for blood gas and platinum content measurement. Blood circulation was restored to the treated organ (for 60 minutes). The animals were killed, and specimens from lung, thyroid, esophagus, heart, liver, spleen, adrenal glands, kidney, bone marrow, stomach, ileum, colon, psoas muscle, and skin were obtained. Platinum concentrations in plasma, plasma ultrafiltrate (free platinum) urine, and tissues were determined by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. Lung damage was evaluated by light and electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: Greater systemic plasma, lower pulmonary plasma, and tissue platinum levels were detected when cisplatin was given using the stop-flow technique with respect to the other administration modalities. No significant difference in regional and systemic platinum exposure was found between Groups 2 and 3. However, lung perfusion resulted in higher mediastinal node and lower bone marrow platinum values. Morphologic alterations and impairment of gas exchanges in the treated lung were not dependent on the applied infusion technique. CONCLUSION: This study provides the pharmacokinetic rationale for the application of lung perfusion to patients with pulmonary metastases.

Animals↗