Hepatocellular carcinoma with a pseudocapsule on gadolinium-enhanced MR images: correlation with histopathologic findings.

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a pseudocapsule on dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approval was obtained, and the requirements for informed consent were waived for this retrospective study. Dynamic MR studies of surgically resected 106 HCCs in 93 patients were retrospectively reviewed.

Efficacy of platinum analogue for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma unresponsive to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with epirubicin.

Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often shows resistance to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Such patients often have a poor prognosis and are unresponsive to other forms of therapy. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the response to TACE using platinum analogues in patients deemed resistant to TACE using epirubicin.

Predictive factors of advanced recurrence after curative resection of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The tumour recurrence rate after resection is still high even in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The advanced patterns of recurrence occasionally occur after resection. In this study, we analysed the clinical and histological characteristics of small HCC and evaluated the predictive factors of advanced tumour recurrence.

Heparanase expression in endometrial cancer: analysis of immunohistochemistry.

The human enzyme heparanase has been shown to function in tumour progression, metastatic spread and tumour angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess heparanase expression assessed by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) in endometrial cancer in correlation with clinicopathological factors. A total of 52 endometrial cancers were obtained from previously untreated patients (median age, 56 years, range, 35-80 years).

Continuous flow system for the determination of trace boron in iron and steel utilizing in-line preconcentration/separation by Sephadex column coupled with fluorimetric detection.

A simple, rapid and sensitive system for the determination of trace boron in iron and steels is presented, in which in-line separation/preconcentration of boron from iron matrix is directly coupled with fluorimetric detection in a continuous flow system. Boron was adsorbed on a small column packed with Sephadex G-25 gel, followed by elution with a small volume of dilute hydrochloric acid. The formation of boron complex with 1,8-dihydroxy-3,6-naphthalenedisulphonic acid in a continuous flow system was used for the sensitive determination of boron by fluorescence detection(lambda(ex)=314 nm and lambda(em)=355 nm).

Hepatitis C virus enhances incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Aim: To investigate the cumulative development incidence and predictive factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive patients.

Methods: We studied 6150 HCV infected patients who were between 40-70 years old (HCV-group). Another 2050 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) were selected as control (HBV-group).

The efficacy of 24-week interferon monotherapy for type C liver cirrhosis in Japanese patients with genotype 1b and low virus load.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy in liver cirrhosis Japanese patients with genotype 1b and low virus load.

Methods: The present study was a retrospective cohort study. Inclusion criteria were liver cirrhosis, HCV genotype 1b, HCV RNA of <100 KIU/ml, and natural IFN-alpha monotherapy for 24 weeks.

Outcome of pregnancy after laser conization: implications for infection as a causal link with preterm birth.

Objective: To investigate a causal link between infection and preterm birth in women with a shortened cervix induced by prior laser conization.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the outcomes of 47 singleton pregnancies with a history of laser conization. Cervical length was measured between 17 and 23 weeks of gestation.

Hepatocarcinogenesis following HCV RNA eradication by interferon in chronic hepatitis patients.

Objective: Interferon (IFN) therapy reduces the incidence of hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection who achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). The aim of the present study was to determine the rate of hepatocarcinogenesis and the risk factor in sustained virological responders.

Patients And Method: The study subjects were 1,193 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease and IFN- or IFN plus ribavirin-induced SVR.

Noninvasive estimation of hepatic steatosis using plain CT vs. chemical-shift MR imaging: significance for living donors.

Purpose: To compare plain computed tomography (CT) and chemical-shift MR imaging (CSI) for establishing a noninvasive method to estimate the degree of steatosis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 58 patients who had histological proof of liver tissue and underwent CT and/or CSI within two weeks, were studied. They consisted of 38 living donor candidates and 20 liver surgery patients without hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Retroperitoneal well-differentiated inflammatory liposarcoma: a diagnostic dilemma.

We present a case of retroperitoneal well-differentiated inflammatory liposarcoma that was extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images showed a 5-cm homogeneous soft-tissue mass with a decreased apparent diffusion coefficient and without fat component in the retroperitoneum. Minimal fat stranding was detected around the mass.

Concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina: case series and literature review.

Background: We reviewed our experience with patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina who received concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed six patients (median age, 60 years) with squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina who underwent CCRT between 2002 and 2005 at the University of the Ryukyus Hospital. Two patients were in International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FIGO) stage II, one in stage III, and three in stage IVA.

Percutaneous transfemoral hepatic arterial infusion catheter placement with the use of a downsized coaxial catheter system: technical feasibility study.

Purpose: In transfemoral implantation of a conventional port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, there is a risk of pericatheter bleeding as a result of a caliber difference between the indwelling catheter and introducer sheath. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a single-operator catheter exchange maneuver with a downsized system that includes a 3-F sheath.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen patients (15 men; mean age, 67 years) with unresectable liver cancer underwent percutaneous port-catheter placement.

Hemorrhagic mesenteric cystic lymphangioma presenting with acute lower abdominal pain: the diagnostic clues on MR imaging.

A 32-year-old woman complained of acute lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed a complex multilocular cystic mass at the right adnexal region. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the origin of the mass to be the small bowel mesentery.

Laparoscopic marsupialization of pelvic lymphocele under transvaginal ultrasonographic guidance.

Lymphocyst formation is a common complication of pelvic lymphadenectomy. We treated a 54-year-old woman with lymphocele by laparoscopic marsupialization. She developed hydronephrosis as a result of retroperitoneal lymphocele after total abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by extended-field concurrent chemoradiotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with positive paraaortic lymph nodes: two cases.

Purpose: To report the feasibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by extended-field concurrent chemoradiotherapy (EF-CCRT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (CC) with paraaortic lymph node (PAN) metastasis.

Methods: Two patients were diagnosed with CC with positive PAN, and received two courses of cisplatin (120 mg/m2) in a neoadjuvant setting. They then received extended-field, external-beam radiotherapy (50.

Age-related maculopathy and sunlight exposure evaluated by objective measurement.

Aim: To study the relationship between age-related maculopathy (ARM) and exposure to sunlight using an objective method.

Methods: In a case-control study of Japanese men aged > or = 50 years (67 controls without ophthalmic disease and 148 with ARM), those with ARM were separated into groups of early (n = 75) and late (n = 73) ARM. Facial wrinkle length and area of hyperpigmentation, which are considered to be associated with exposure to sun, were measured using imaging with computer-based image analysis.

Radiological detectability of minute hepatic venous invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To determine if minute hepatic venous invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be diagnosed radiologically.

Materials And Methods: CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and CT arterioportography (CTAP) of 95 cases with HCCs were examined. Histopathology after surgery has been the gold standard in all patients.

Microballoon occlusion test to predict colonic ischemia after transcatheter embolization of a ruptured aneurysm of the middle colic artery.

A 76-year-old woman presented with sudden massive melena, and superior mesenteric arteriography showed an aneurysm in the middle colic artery (MCA). Because she had a history of right hemicolectomy and ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) during open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, embolization of the MCA aneurysm was considered to pose a risk comparable to that of colonic ischemia. A microballoon occlusion test during occlusion of the MCA confirmed retrograde visualization of the IMA branches through the collateral arteries by way of the left internal iliac artery, and embolization was successfully performed using microcoils.

Ganglioside complexes containing GQ1b as targets in Miller Fisher and Guillain-Barre syndromes.

Background: Serum antibodies to GQ1b are associated with Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with ophthalmoplegia. Antibodies to ganglioside complexes (GSCs) have not yet been examined in a large population of patients with MFS or GBS. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of antibodies to GSCs in MFS and GBS.

Possible involvement of SINEs in mammalian-specific brain formation.

Retroposons, such as short interspersed elements (SINEs) and long interspersed elements (LINEs), are the major constituents of higher vertebrate genomes. Although there are many examples of retroposons' acquiring function, none has been implicated in the morphological innovations specific to a certain taxonomic group. We previously characterized a SINE family, AmnSINE1, members of which constitute a part of conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) in mammalian genomes.

Efficacy in patients with dose reduction in combination therapy of peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate efficacy after dose reduction in combination therapy of peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b, serum HCV RNA level of >/=100 KIU/ml, dose reduction of peginterferon and/or ribavirin between the first 4 weeks and 20 weeks after the initiation of treatment. 164 patients were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study.

Treatment and prognosis of brain metastases from gynecological cancers.

Brain metastases from gynecological cancers were retrospectively investigated in 18 patients who were treated between 1985 and 2006. Six patients received surgical resection followed by radiotherapy, and 12 patients received only radiotherapy. The median survival for all patients was 4.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in an ovarian mature cystic teratoma complicating pregnancy: a case report.

Background: The question of whether patients with pure stage I squamous cell carcinoma in a mature cystic teratoma (MCT) should undergo conservative surgery, or postoperative adjuvant treatment remains unresolved.

Case: A 33-year-old woman with a left ovarian cyst underwent laparoscopic cystectomy at 16 weeks of gestation. Histological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma arising in an MCT.

Significance of perivascular soft tissue around the common hepatic and proximal superior mesenteric arteries arising after pancreaticoduodenectomy: evaluation with serial MDCT studies.

Purpose: To evaluate the interval change of perivascular soft tissue (PVST) around the common hepatic and proximal superior mesenteric arteries arising after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to compare the difference between post operative change (benign PVST) and recurrence (malignant PVST).

Materials And Methods: Serial multidetector CT (MDCT) studies in 44 patients who underwent PD for periampullary carcinomas were retrospectively reviewed (Group A). The incidence and interval change of PVST were evaluated and compared to control group (Group B, 21 patients with PD for benign diseases).