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Biomedical subjects

Katsuji Tokuhara

Publications and source records attributed to Katsuji Tokuhara.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Antenatal magnetic resonance imaging is useful in providing predictive values for surgical procedures in abdominal wall defects.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for the diagnosis of abdominal wall defects. Its predictive value concerning the possibility of primary closure of the abdominal wall, however, has so far not been reported. METHODS: Between August 2001 and November 2004, antenatal MRI was performed on 9 patients with abdominal wall defects in whom surgical repair was performed immediately after birth. Areas of the abdominal cavity and exteriorized viscera were manually traced from both sagittal and axial MR images, and the data were further transmitted to a Workstation for MRI Volumetry (Advantage Windows 4.1, General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wis). We examined the exteriorized ratio (ER), which is calculated by dividing the absolute volume of the abdominal cavity by that of the exteriorized viscera, and evaluated the predictive value by a retrospective comparison with surgical procedure. RESULTS: In the primary closure group (n = 5), mean values of ER were 0.33 +/- 0.31 from axial and 0.45 +/- 0.31 from sagittal MR images. In contrast, in the staged closure group (n = 4), mean values of ER were 1.39 +/- 0.40 from axial and 1.34 +/- 0.42 from sagittal MR images. There was a significant difference (P < .05) between the 2 groups for both sets of images. The ER obtained from antenatal MRI correlated well with surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The ER might be useful for antenatal counseling, planning for delivery, and prediction of the most likely surgical procedure.

Abdominal Wall↗

Congenital biliary dilatation in dizygotic twins.

Congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) of different types was recently noted in dizygotic twins. Our cases suggest the possibility of hereditary involvement in CBD. On the other hand, CBD discordance in six sets of monozygotic twins has been reported, which would suggest that the occurrence of CBD is not compatible with single gene control, although environmental factors are plausible. To evaluate the genetic factors that may be implicated in CBD, it would be necessary to accumulate more familial cases and examine further studies on inheritance.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic procedures under artificial pneumothorax.

Diaphragmatic plication is technically simple using a conventional operative technique, but it requires a large skin incision and rib injury. We present an alternative technique for thoracoscopic plication of the diaphragm and evaluate the advantages of the procedure. Six patients (five with diaphragmatic eventration and one with diaphragmatic hernia with a sac) ranging in age from 8 to 20 months were treated by this method. Three of the six cases were right-sided, and three were left-sided. The operation was performed under artificial pneumothorax using carbon dioxide gas at 4 mmHg. Three trocars for laparoscopy were inserted at the 4th and 5th intercostal spaces. An adequate operative view was obtained by pressing the diaphragm throughout the operation. The eventrated diaphragm was plicated with several rows of nonabsorbable sutures in the anterolateral-to-posterolateral direction to prevent injury to the main phrenic nerve. A tight diaphragm was confirmed by decompressing the artificial pneumothorax. The technique was successfully performed in all cases, and the patients' postoperative courses were uneventful. During the operation, the hemodynamic effects of carbon dioxide gas at 4 mmHg were minimal. Over a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years (range, 1-6 years), no recurrence of diaphragmatic eventration was seen. Judging from the satisfactory postoperative course, this procedure is suitable for children with all forms of diaphragmatic eventration.

Diaphragmatic Eventration↗

Atypical ductal hyperplasia of the pancreas associated with a stricture of the main pancreatic duct.

Atypical ductal hyperplasia of the pancreas is thought to be a precancerous lesion. We report a case of atypical ductal hyperplasia associated with a stricture of the main pancreatic duct. A 70-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain with an elevated serum pancreatic isoamylase level. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography disclosed a stricture of the main pancreatic duct in the body of the pancreas. Cytological evaluation of endoscopic brushings suggested adenocarcinoma. Distal pancreatectomy was performed. Microscopic examination of the stenotic pancreatic duct showed a hyperplastic epithelium without atypia. Atypical hyperplasia, however, was found in the distal portion of the main pancreatic duct in close proximity to the stricture. Atypical hyperplasia extended along the main pancreatic duct into the ductal branches of the pancreatic tail. In contrast to the vast majority of patients with atypical hyperplasia, the atypical hyperplasia seen in the present patient had no histological features suggestive of intraductal extension of the invasive carcinoma or intraductal papillary-mucinous tumor, thus representing a sporadic precancerous lesion, and it may have been equivalent to carcinoma in situ. Pancreatic duct stricture and the resultant stasis of the pancreatic juice may have promoted the atypical changes in the ductal cells upstream of the stricture.

Adenocarcinoma↗