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Biomedical subjects

F Sakai

Publications and source records attributed to F Sakai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Thin-rim enhancement in Gd-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance images of tuberculoma: a new finding of potential differential diagnostic importance.

The article describes rim enhancement seen on Gd-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images of two patients with tuberculoma. Pathologic examination of the surgical specimens disclosed that the peripheral portion of the tuberculoma, which showed contrast enhancement, was composed mainly of a fibrous capsule and epithelioid granulomas and that the central zone, which showed no contrast enhancement, was composed of caseous necrotic material. In a retrospective study of MR images from 20 consecutive cases of surgically proven bronchogenic carcinoma, none showed a thin enhancing rim on postcontrast MR images. Although confirmation of these findings must await further experience, the postcontrast MR findings described here may prove to be of value in distinguishing tuberculoma and possibly other granulomatous lesions from bronchogenic carcinoma.

Adult

MR imaging of thymoma: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

MR images in 17 patients with surgically proved thymomas (12 malignant and five benign) were reviewed and compared with pathologic specimens. In nine cases, MR images of excised specimens also were made and evaluated. On T2-weighted images, 11 of 12 malignant thymomas had an inhomogeneous signal intensity, half with and half without a lobulated internal architecture. None of the five benign thymomas had a lobulated internal architecture, and they all had a moderately or slightly inhomogeneous signal. Cystic regions and/or hemorrhage were noted pathologically, and corresponded to areas of inhomogeneous high signal intensity seen on T2-weighted images. Examination of the excised specimens in malignant thymomas showed that the lobulated configuration seen in the tumors was caused by thick fibrous septa. Our experience suggests that, although calcification cannot be identified, MR is helpful in making a differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors and in determining malignancy of thymoma.

Adult

Intrathoracic neurogenic tumors: MR-pathologic correlation.

An MR-pathologic correlation of nine intrathoracic neurogenic tumors (three neurofibromas, four schwannomas, and two ganglioneuromas) was performed to characterize their MR appearances. The three types of intrathoracic neurogenic tumor were found to have characteristic appearances on MR images that should be helpful when establishing the differential diagnosis of posterior mediastinal tumors. The MR and histologic features of these tumors are illustrated and described in this essay.

Adolescent

[Neurological and neuroimaging studies of eclampsia].

Clinical and neuroimaging studies were made in twenty-one patients during the attack of eclampsia. Most frequent neurological signs and symptoms were the impairment of consciousness, headache, seizure and visual disturbance. Mean arterial blood pressure increased by 46 mmHg (n = 21) during the attacks. Eight of 9 patients studied by CT and/or MRI showed transient abnormalities on brain images during the attack in the occipital cortex, basal ganglia, and internal and external capsule. The findings were compatible with brain edema and were seen mainly in the white matter. Cerebral blood flow measured by SPECT method in one patient during an attack with visual disturbance showed increased blood flow in the occipital cortex. Acute increase in blood pressure, cerebral hyperperfusion and edema, similar to the pathophysiology of hypertensive encephalopathy, were considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of eclampsia.

Adult

[MR evaluation of wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract].

This study is based on 135 magnetic resonance (MR) exams of 110 patients with wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract shown on MR images acquired on a mid field imaging scanner. The MR findings of wallerian degeneration were abnormal signal band along the course of the pyramidal tract and ipsilateral brain stem shrinkage. In all 110 cases an abnormal signal band was seen on T2-weighted spin-echo images, that is, a hypointense band in four exams between 30 days and 116 days after onset of symptoms, and hyperintense bands in 122 exams. The hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images was shown in most cases after 200 days from the onset. In one case a signal of the pyramidal tract showed a hyperintense band at 7 days, hypointense at 30 days, and hyperintense again at 123 days after onset. Sequential MR exams of another case showed gradual narrowing of the hyperintense signal band and progression of the ipsilateral brainstem shrinkage. The narrowing of the pyramidal tract and the ipsilateral brain stem shrinkage tended to be shown after 6 months from onset.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in patients with migraine.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied in 91 patients with migraine and in 98 controls. Risk factors known to cause MRI lesions were carefully examined. In 36 patients with migraine (39.6%), small foci of high intensity on T2-weighted and proton-density-weighted images were seen in the white matter. Of patients with migraine who were less than 40 years old and without any risk factor, 29.4% showed lesions on MRI; this was significantly higher than the 11.2% for the group of age-matched controls (n = 98). The lesions were distributed predominantly in the centrum semiovale and frontal white matter in young patients, but extended to the deeper white matter at the level of basal ganglia in the older age group. The side of the MRI lesions did not always correspond to the side of usual aura or headache. Migraine-related variables such as type of migraine, frequency, duration or intensity of headache or consumption of ergotamine showed no significant correlation with the incidence of MRI abnormalities. Our data indicated that migraine may be associated with early pathologic changes in the brain.

Adult

Development of a high-resolution digital tomosynthesis system and its clinical application.

Conventional tomography has been criticized for its low contrast caused by scattered radiation and tomographic blur. The authors developed a digital tomosynthesis system as a substitute for conventional tomography. With the image processor in the system, two types of postprocessing can be performed to improve the quality of synthesized tomograms. One-dimensional spatial frequency filtering effectively reduces linear tomographic blur and enhances image information when an appropriate filter is used. Correction of structure mottle helps enhance the image clarity. The system allows reconstruction of tomograms at any desired depth and performance of tomosynthetic angiography and dual-energy subtraction. The system solves some of the problems associated with plain tomography and dual-energy subtraction and provides diagnostic clinical images.

Humans

Increase in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol is known to be a principal metabolite of brain norepinephrine and to be released into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid in association with activation of the central noradrenergic system. We examined changes in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol during acute stroke to see if there might be a correlation between these and the patient's clinical state. METHODS: We measured plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in 32 control subjects and in 50 patients with brain hemorrhage and 57 patients with brain infarction who were admitted to the hospital within 72 hours after onset. In addition, we estimated 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of 37 patients with brain infarction and eight control patients. RESULTS: Mean +/- SEM values for plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the patients with brain hemorrhage and those with brain infarction were 7.3 +/- 0.5 and 6.6 +/- 0.5 ng/ml, respectively. Both values were significantly higher than that obtained in the 32 control subjects (4.6 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, p less than 0.01). Plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol correlated well with state of consciousness and prognosis. The mean +/- SEM level of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the cerebrospinal fluid of the 37 patients with brain infarction (10.9 +/- 0.6 ng/ml) was also significantly higher than that in the eight control patients (7.9 +/- 0.6 ng/ml, p less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The observed increase in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol implies that the activity of the central noradrenergic neurons may be enhanced at the onset of stroke, and these levels may be related to some extent to the clinical state and prognosis of stroke patients.

Aged

Digital image processing to remove blur from linear tomography of the lung.

We have studied digital image processing methods to reduce blur in linear tomography of the lung performed with the Fuji computed radiography (FCR) system. One-dimensional unsharp (blur) mask filtering in the direction of tomographic movement was found to be effective in reducing blur. The appearance of the processed tomograms varied depending largely on the properties of the unsharp mask filters applied. With regard to the spatial frequency response of the filter, a high mid-frequency response and a low low-frequency response of the tomographic image data was most effective in obtaining high image quality tomograms. When the standard 2-dimensional unsharp mask technique of the FCR system was additionally applied to the one-dimensional unsharp mask processed tomogram, the clarity of the tomogram was further enhanced. These observations may also be helpful when considering image processing to obtain diagnostically informative digital radiography.

Humans

[Intraoral ultrasound of the tongue tumor].

Transcutaneous ultrasonography scanned through the submandibular triangle has been effectively utilized for the evaluation of tongue tumors. However, because of lacking an appropriate sonic window, tumors located in the anterior portion of the tongue can not be demonstrated on the transcutaneous ultrasonogram. Intraoral ultrasonography using an echoendoscopy was effective for evaluating neoplasms of the tongue, and could clearly demonstrate tongue tumors, which failed to be shown on the transcutaneous ultrasonograms. In addition, intraoral ultrasonograms could provide more accurate anatomical informations concerning the tumor extent than the transcutaneous ultrasonograms.

Endoscopy

Isolation and characterization of three distinct 34 kDa EDTA-extractable proteins from bovine lens.

EDTA-extractable protein (EEP) is known to be a major lens membrane protein with a molecular mass in the range 32 kDa to 38 kDa, and is also known to bind to the lens membrane and phospholipid-containing liposomes in a calcium-dependent manner. Recent results (Russell, P., Zelenka, P., Martensen, J., and Reid, T.W. (1977) Curr. Eye Res. 6, 533-538) on antibody cross-reactivity have demonstrated that a 34-35 kDa component of EEP is identical to calpactin I (lipocortin II). In this study, we have identified and purified three distinct 34 kDa components of EEP (designated as EEP-34A1, EEP-34A2 and EEP-34B) from bovine lens that inhibit phospholipase A2 activity. These proteins bind to phospholipid-containing liposome and F-actin in a calcium-dependent fashion. Two-dimensional electrophoresis demonstrates that the three proteins were distinct from one another. However, immunochemical studies and one-dimensional peptide mapping indicate that EEP-34A1 and EEP-34B are very similar. Our results also indicate that EEP-34A1 is very similar to calpactin II and that EEP-34A2 corresponds to calpactin I. The bovine lens 34-35 kDa component of EEP is a mixture of proteins rather than a single protein.

Actins

Identification of the 32 kDa components of bovine lens EDTA-extractable protein as endonexins I and II.

EDTA-extractable protein (EEP) is a mixture of major lens membrane proteins with molecular masses ranging from 32 kDa to 40 kDa. These bind to the lens membrane in a Ca2(+)-dependent manner. In the present study we have identified and purified two distinct 32 kDa components of EEP (designated as EEP 32-1 and EEP 32-2) from bovine lens that inhibit phospholipase A2 activity. Both EEP 32-1 and EEP 32-2 bind to phospholipid-containing liposomes and actin filaments in a Ca2(+)-dependent fashion. Immunochemical studies and two-dimensional electrophoreses demonstrate that the two proteins are distinct from one another. Both EEP 32-1 and EEP 32-2 are clearly different from calpactin (lipocortin) or its proteolytic fragments because they did not react with anti-[human placenta calpactin (lipocortin)] antibody. Our results also indicate that EEP 32-1 is very similar to endonexin I and that EEP 32-2 corresponds to endonexin II.

Actins

High resolution ultrasound of the chest wall.

To study the detailed normal ultrasonic anatomy of the pleura and chest wall, high resolution (7.5 MHz) ultrasonograms were obtained from cadaver chest wall specimens and compared with thin section computed tomograms and anatomical specimens. Ultrasonograms show three layers of the intercostal muscles (internal, external and innermost), covered by the "echogenic pleural line." The "echogenic pleural line" is caused by composite echoes from the inner parietal pleura, and the outer endothoracic fascia, with the fatty tissue covering both sides of the fascia, which are located deep to the chest wall muscles. On ultrasonograms, the subpleural fat tissue, when abundant, appeared as an apron-like structure hanging down from the inner surface of the rib (subpleural fat pad), or diffuse fat accumulation mimicking the pleural thickening.

Humans

[Leuko-araiosis--regional cerebral hemodynamics].

To investigate the cerebral hemodynamics of leuko-araisosis (L-A), we made SPECT measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 31 patients with L-A. Cerebral vascular reactivity to carbon dioxide and blood pressure was studied. Changes in rCBF during sleep were also studied. SPECT measurements of rCBF were made using radioactive tracer I-123-iodoamphetamine and Tc-99m-HMPAO. Regional CBF was reduced in patients with L-A in the white matter and in the frontal and the parietal cortex. Cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity was impaired in the white matter but was preserved in the frontal and parietal cortex. Cerebral blood flow autoregulation was impaired in the frontal cortex and in the parietal cortex. During sleep (stage 2-3) rCBF was reduced most markedly in the frontal and in the parietal cortex. Blood pressure was also reduced during sleep suggesting that the reduction of rCBF in L-A was partly due to dys-autoregulation.

Blood Pressure

Cerebral blood flow and cerebral hematocrit in patients with cerebral ischemia measured by single-photon emission computed tomography.

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used for the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral hematocrit (Hct). CBF was measured using N-isopropyl-p-I-123-Iodoamphetamine. CBV was measured by both RBC tracer (Tc-99m RBC) and plasma tracer (Tc-99m human serum albumin) and cerebral hematocrit (Hct) was calculated. In normals, the cerebral-to-large vessel Hct ratio was 75.9%. Isovolemic hemodilution in patients with high Hct tended to increase the cerebral-to-large vessel Hct ratio. Low CBF, high CBV and slow cerebral blood mean transit time (MTT by dynamic CT scanning) was seen during the acute stage of completed infarction and during the symptom-free interval of TIA. Cerebral Hct was increased in the ischemic region of poor prognosis.

Adult

[Dynamic local cerebral circulation study in patients with cerebral diseases--using 99mTc-HSA-D mainly compared with 99mTc-HSA].

We have been using 99mTc-RBC and 99mTc-HSA for cerebral angiography and measurement of the local cerebral blood volume (LCBV) and cerebral/peripheral hematocrit ratio (alpha). 99mTc-HSA, however, has a problem of poor stability in the blood. We conducted basic and clinical studies on 99mTc-HSA-D, a ready-to-use preparation with good stability in the blood. We measured the regional cerebral circulation dynamics in patients with cerebral diseases in comparison with 99mTc-RBC and 99mTc-HSA. 99mTc-HSA-D and 99mTc-RBC showed more than a 90% retention ratio in the blood 60 min after administration, and good SPECT images were obtained using these two pharmaceuticals. On the contrary, 99mTc-HSA was unstable and its retention ratio was 60s% 60 min after administration. 99mTc-HSA does not provide good SPECT images due to free 99mTcO4- which seems to be liberated from 99mTc-HSA in the body, etc. There were no adverse reactions or abnormal laboratory findings caused by the 99mTc-HSA-D administration in any of the patients. Based on these results, it is surmised that 99mTc-HSA-D is clinically useful for measurement of the cerebral blood volume and cerebral/peripheral hematocrit ratio (alpha).

Adult