Imaging studies of two women with portal hypertension demonstrated multiple splenic artery aneurysms, splenomegaly, and large splenic veins varices with a spontaneous splenorenal shunt. In each case, a large splenic hilar, as well as intrasplenic aneurysms were found along with portal vein pressures of about 15 mmHg. Portal hypertension with splenomegaly might be an important factor in the pathogenesis of intra- and extrapaenchymal splenic artery aneurysms.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Arterial embolization to control renal hemorrhage in patients with percutaneous nephrostomy.

Two patients with renal hemorrhage treated by arterial embolization are reported. In one patient, one kidney was injured and the another had poor function. The other patient had one kidney. Although both patients had hematuria and underwent percutaneous nephrostomy, the bleeding location was not detected angiographically. Repeated embolization and irrigations through a nephrostomy catheter following each embolization arrested the bleeding.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intraperitoneal fat sign.

In a patient with an ovarian cystic teratoma and the peritoneal cavity filled with sebaceous material, an abdominal radiograph revealed a wide fat stripe between the parietal peritoneum and the lateral wall of the ascending colon. We called the existence of the wide fat stripe, which implied large amounts of intraperitoneal fatty material, the "intraperitoneal fat sign."

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ovarian fibroma of high signal intensity on T2-weighted MR image.

It has been reported that ovarian fibromas display low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. We report an ovarian fibroma exhibiting low signal intensity on a T1-weighted image and high signal intensity on a T2-weighted image. Microscopically pronounced myxomatous changes were shown in the fibroma. The signal intensity of ovarian fibromas differs with the degree of myxomatous change.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma: radiological appearance.

BACKGROUND: The radiological appearance of peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PSPC) is described. METHODS: Three cases of PSPC were analyzed retrospectively with regard to the radiological appearance and histopathological features. RESULTS: All three patients were women, aged 44-71 years. Massive ascites and a greater omentum tumor were observed on computed tomography in all patients. Double-contrast enema performed in one patient showed irregularity on the upper aspect of the transverse colon. Radiological examinations excluded primary tumors in both gastrointestinal and genital organs in all patients. Histological diagnosis was made from the surgical specimen in two patients and from an autopsy specimen in one patient. All patients had a large omental tumor involving the transverse colon, but the ovaries were not involved or only minimally involved on the surface. Serum CA125 was markedly elevated, and immunohistochemical staining for CA125 was positive within the tumor cell cytoplasm in all three patients. CONCLUSION: PSPC cannot be diagnosed from radiological findings alone because of its similarity to metastatic peritoneal carcinomatosis and peritoneal mesothelioma. Marked elevation of serum CA125 may help with PSPC diagnosis. Response to treatment is promising, and exploratory laparotomy is thus justified when a patient shows characteristic radiological findings and high CA125 level.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Anomaly of the inferior vena cava observed by CT.

Computed tomography (CT) is a good modality for diagnosing diseases of the retroperitoneal space and capable of showing the abnormality of inferior vena cava (IVC) without using invasive technique. To determine the incidence of the anomaly of IVC, the computed tomograms were investigated retrospectively. The incidence were 0.69% in left side IVC, 1.03% in double IVC and 0.08% in azygos continuation.

Azygos Vein↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cell adhesion glycoproteins in the human lamina cribrosa.

PURPOSE: The distribution of the cell adhesion glycoproteins, laminin, fibronectin, tenascin, vitronectin, thrombospondin, and entactin/nidogen, was examined in the human lamina cribrosa. METHODS: Frozen sections of the optic nerve head from 7 normal human elderly donors were stained by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All six glycoproteins were detected in this tissue. While laminin and entactin/nidogen were observed linearly, reflecting the localization of basement membranes, fibronectin was identified diffusely. Marked tenascin immunoreactivity was apparent in the lamina cribrosa, but little or no tenascin staining was detected in the sclera. Vitronectin showed a fine fibrillar staining pattern in the lamina cribrosa, and, to a lesser extent, in the sclera and pial septa. Thrombospondin staining was apparent only in the sclera and the lamina cribrosa, which traversed the optic nerve. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that extracellular matrix components in the lamina cribrosa differ from those in the sclera or pial septa. This study is the first report that the human lamina cribrosa includes vitronectin and thrombospondin.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution and expression of transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor in the normal and glaucomatous monkey optic nerve heads.

PURPOSE: Remodeling of the extracellular matrix occurs in the lamina cribrosa in progressed glaucomatous optic nerve damage including disc cupping. We examined immunohistochemical changes in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the optic nerve head in an experimentally induced glaucoma model. METHODS: We used 3 cynomolgus and 2 Japanese monkey eyes. Glaucoma was induced by repeated argon laser photocoagulation of the chamber angle. Eyes were enucleated after disc cupping had formed 3 to 5 months after photocoagulation. The optic nerve head was examined for expression of TGF-beta1, -beta2 and -beta3 and PDGF-A and -B in frozen sections and by the biotin ExtraAvidin-alkali phosphatase method. RESULTS: Normal monkey eyes showed TGF-beta1, -beta2 and -beta3, and PDGF-A and -B in the optic nerve head including the nerve fibers, glial cells, and vascular cells. Glaucomatous eyes showed stronger expression of TGF-beta1 and -beta2 in the glial cells around the lamina cribrosa. The staining intensities for TGF-beta3, PDGF-A and -B were the same as in normal eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with experimental glaucoma showed higher expression of TGF-beta1 and -beta2 around the lamina cribrosa. These findings may show upregulation of extracellular matrix production as related to remodeling of the lamina cribrosa in glaucoma.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental glaucoma model in the rat induced by laser trabecular photocoagulation after an intracameral injection of India ink.

A simple and reproducible rodent glaucoma model is required to elucidate the pathophysiology of damage to the optic nerve. We developed chronically elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) unilaterally in rats by injecting india ink into the anterior chamber of one eye using a 30-gauge needle. One week later, trapped carbon particles in the chamber angle formed a black band along the corneal limbus in the injected eyes. We performed direct laser photocoagulation without a gonio lens, and selectively burned the trabecular meshwork. Intraocular pressure was measured every week and laser photocoagulation was repeated until mean IOP in the experimental eyes rose above 25 mmHg. Unilateral IOP elevation was attained in all rats within 4 weeks. Twelve weeks after ink injection, we sacrificed the rats and excised the eyes for histologic analysis. The anterior chamber angle showed peripheral anterior synechia caused by laser photocoagulation, and carbon particles were engulfed by macrophages that infiltrated the ciliary cleft. In the optic nerve head, a remarkable decrease in the nerve fiber layer and cavernous degeneration were observed, suggesting glaucomatous optic nerve damage. This experimental rodent model should facilitate the study of the complex mechanisms involved in glaucoma.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Angiomyolipoma and renal cell carcinoma occurring in same kidney: CT evaluation.

A case of angiomyolipoma and renal cell carcinoma occurring adjacently in the same kidney without tuberous sclerosis is reported. It was difficult to differentiate the renal cell carcinoma from the angiomyolipoma by angiography, but CT was able to make this distinction.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Renal cell carcinoma: preoperative assessment for enucleative surgery with angiography, CT, and MRI.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to assess various imaging methods in detecting a pseudocapsule of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is critical for successful tumor enucleation. METHOD: In 42 patients with histopathologically proven RCC, images obtained at angiography (n = 42), CT (n = 30), and MRI (n = 19) were investigated retrospectively. All patients underwent treatment (enucleation: n = 15; nephrectomy: n = 27). The imaging criteria for the presence of a pseudocapsule were as follows: a surrounding radiolucent rim on angiography, a low or high density rim on CT, and a low intensity rim on MRI. All images were retrospectively reviewed by three radiologists without knowledge of the clinical and histological findings. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 42 RCCs showed a pseudocapsule on the surgical specimen. A pseudocapsule was detected in 67% of tumors (22/33) on angiography, 26% (6/23) on CT, 27% (4/15) on T1-weighted MRI, 93% (14/15) on T2-weighted MRI, 67% (8/12) on dynamic enhanced T1-weighted MRI, and 15% (2/13) on delayed enhanced T1-weighted MRI. CONCLUSION: T2-weighted MR images are superior for visualizing a pseudocapsule of RCC and for providing reliable selection criteria for tumor enucleation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alterations in hepatic mitochondrial function during total parenteral nutrition in immature rats.

To evaluate the effects of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on hepatic mitochondrial function in immature rats, changes in hepatic energy charge levels and oxidative phosphorylation rates of hepatic mitochondria were studied along with the examination of serum chemical test. Male Wistar rats weighing 30 to 45 g were used and randomized into TPN (n = 8), enteral (n = 7), and control groups (n = 8). Parenteral and enteral groups were fed with TPN solution containing 19.3% dextrose, 3.19% amino acids, 1.05% fat emulsion, minerals and vitamins, and the control group with rat chow. The number of calories per kilogram per day was 550 x 1/4 on the 1st day, 550 x 1/2 on the 2nd, 550 x 3/4 on the 3rd, and 550 x 1 on the 4th day, based on the body weight on the 1st day. After the 5th day, 550 Kcal/kg/day was given, based on the body weight of the respective day. After 13-day feeding, hepatic energy charge (EC), phosphorylation rate (PR) of hepatic mitochondria and serum chemical examination were carried out. EC was 0.871 +/- 0.016 in the control group, 0.830 +/- 0.019 in the enteral, and 0.785 +/- 0.011 in TPN group (p less than 0.001, compared with control group). PR was 138.9 +/- 1.9, 133.0 +/- 6.7, 111.0 +/- 4.3, respectively, (p less than 0.05, compared with control and enteral groups). There was no difference between the three groups on SGOT, SGPT, and total bilirubin. TPN group showed a deterioration of hepatic phosphorylation rate and energy charge in spite of normal serum transaminase levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenine Nucleotides↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Routes of infection of acute suppurative thyroiditis diagnosed by barium examination.

A fistula between the left pyriform sinus and the left thyroid gland region has been reported to be the route of infection in several cases of acute suppurative thyroiditis. Another four patients with acute suppurative thyroiditis have been encountered in whom a fistula from the hypopharynx was demonstrated radiographically. In three patients the fistulous tract was situated on the right side, and in one of these cases the fistula originated from the epiglottic vallecula rather than the pyriform sinus. These locations have not been reported earlier. Endoscopic examination was valuable for confirming the diagnosis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The usefulness and limits of magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of pelvic tumors.

Three cases of benign pelvic tumors are presented (2 leiomyomas and 1 fibroma). All three tumors were suspected of being malignant neoplasms because they were visualized as heterogeneous high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and thus they were difficult to diagnose preoperatively. One of the leiomyomas was located in the retroperitoneum and had been misdiagnosed as an ovarian tumor. All three tumors exhibited secondary myxoid changes, these changes may have been responsible for the high signal intensity on the T2-weighted MR images. Since benign tumors sometimes mimic malignant tumors on MR images, exploratory laparotomy is essential to make a definitive diagnosis.

Female↗