Massive true thymic hyperplasia with osseous metaplasia.

True thymic hyperplasia is defined as an increase in both the size and weight of the gland, while maintaining a normal microscopic architecture. Massive true thymic hyperplasia is a rare type of hyperplasia that compresses adjacent structures and causes various symptoms. Limited reports address the imaging findings of massive true thymic hyperplasia.

Genetic relatedness of a new Japanese isolates of Alexandrium ostenfeldii bloom population with global isolates.

In recent years, blooms of toxic Alexandrium ostenfeldii strains have been reported from around the world. In 2013, the species formed a red tide in a shallow lagoon in western Japan, which was the first report of the species in the area. To investigate the genetic relatedness of Japanese A.

Toxin Profiles of Okadaic Acid Analogues and Other Lipophilic Toxins in from Japanese Coastal Waters.

The identification and quantification of okadaic acid (OA)/dinophysistoxin (DTX) analogues and pectenotoxins (PTXs) in samples collected from coastal locations around Japan were evaluated by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The species identified and analyzed included , , (), , , , , (), and . The dominant toxin found in was PTX2 although some samples contained DTX1 as a minor toxin.

Pitfalls in the management of congenital tracheal stenosis: is conservative management feasible?

Purpose: Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is rare and challenging. Complete tracheal rings cause a wide spectrum of airway-obstructing lesions and varying degrees of respiratory distress. Although surgical reconstruction is the primary option for symptomatic CTS, sometimes an appropriate management strategy may be difficult due to other anomalies.

A new paradigm of scarless abdominal surgery in children: transumbilical minimal incision surgery.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the use of a transumbilical incision for infants and children, as well as neonates, with various intraabdominal conditions.

Methods: A retrospective study of transumbilical incision surgery was performed between June 2007 and June 2013. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 of neonates and group 2 of infants and children.

Surgical reconstruction and endoscopic pancreatic stent for traumatic pancreatic duct disruption.

Nonoperative management is acceptable treatment for minor pancreatic injuries. However, management of major pancreatic duct injury in children remains controversial. We present our experience in treating isolated pancreatic duct injury.

Balloon tracheoplasty as initial treatment for neonates with symptomatic congenital tracheal stenosis.

Neonates with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) sometimes develop respiratory distress and may be difficult to intubate. We used balloon tracheoplasty with a rigid bronchoscope for emergency airway management in neonates with symptomatic CTS. Herein, we describe the balloon tracheoplasty procedure and the early outcomes following its use as the initial treatment of neonatal symptomatic CTS.

Molecular and morphological discrimination between an invasive ascidian, Ascidiella aspersa, and its congener A. scabra (Urochordata: Ascidiacea).

The solitary ascidian Ascidiella aspersa (Müller, 1776) has sometimes been regarded as conspecific with A. scabra (Müller, 1776), although previous detailed morphological comparisons have indicated that the two are distinguishable by internal structures. Resolution of this taxonomic issue is important because A.

New operative strategy for refractory microcystic lymphangioma.

The optimal management of microcystic lymphatic malformations (LMs) in children has not been established. We describe how we used the Ligasure™ Vessel Sealing System (LVSS) to achieve partial resection of refractory microcystic LMs in a 1-year-old boy. The child was admitted in respiratory distress caused by infection and swelling of cervical LMs.

Management of blunt pancreatic trauma in children.

Blunt trauma to the abdomen accounts for the majority of abdominal injuries in children. Pancreatic injury is the fourth most common solid organ injury, following injuries to the spleen, liver and kidneys. The most common complications are the formation of pancreatic fistulae, pancreatitis and the development of pancreatic pseudocysts, which usually present several weeks after injury.

Management of laryngotracheal stenosis in infants and children: the role of re-do surgery in cases of severe subglottic stenosis.

Although many advances have improved the treatment of congenital and acquired laryngotracheal stenosis in children over the past two decades, the therapeutic decision-making process remains challenging for pediatric surgeons and otolaryngologists. Severe subglottic stenosis is a complex laryngeal injury that necessitates multiple airway procedures, and the approach depends on the exact nature of the cicatricial lesion and its effect on the vocal cord mobility. Therefore, it is imperative that the pediatric surgeons and otolaryngologists dealing with this situation should be well trained in endoscopy and laser treatment, in addition to open surgical intervention.

The efficacy of double-balloon enteroscopy for intrahepatic bile duct stones after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for choledochal cysts.

Introduction: Intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) stones are one of the most complicated morbidities that occur after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYH); however, the optimal therapeutic approach is controversial.

Methods: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) has been widely and frequently performed even in pediatric patients. We herein report the successful management of IHBD stones by biliary lithotripsy using DBE after RYH for a choledochal cyst (CC).

Long-term outcomes of congenital tracheal stenosis treated by metallic airway stenting.

Aim: Congenital tracheal stenosis is an obstructive airway lesion that often presents as a life-threatening emergency. We had introduced the balloon dilatation and placement of the expandable metallic airway stent as a therapeutic option, and this study aimed to clarify the long-term outcomes in pediatric patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of five infants in whom balloon expandable metallic airway stents (10-40 mm long and 6-8mm in diameter) were inserted in 1997 to 2000 was conducted.

A novel diagnostic and treatment strategy for small intestinal lesions in children: hybrid treatment using transumbilical minimal incision surgery combined with double-balloon enteroscopy.

Introduction: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a useful and feasible modality for evaluating small intestinal lesions, even in children.

Methods: DBE makes it possible to perform biopsy, diagnosis, polypectomy and endoscopic therapies including hemostasis, tattooing and clipping of the small intestinal lesions. However, endoscopic procedures in the small intestines of children are more difficult than in adults, because the intestinal wall is thin and the lumen is narrow.

Intrapericardial extralobar pulmonary sequestration detected as an intrathoracic cystic mass by using prenatal ultrasonography: case report and review of the literature.

Intrapericardial extralobar pulmonary sequestration is a very rare congenital lung anomaly. We report a case of this condition, detected as an intrathoracic cystic lesion by using prenatal ultrasonography. The neonate was born at 38 weeks of gestation with no progression of the lesion and no respiratory or cardiac symptoms.

High-level congruence of Myrionecta rubra prey and Dinophysis species plastid identities as revealed by genetic analyses of isolates from Japanese coastal waters.

We analyzed cryptophyte nucleomorph 18S rRNA gene sequences retained in natural Myrionecta rubra cells and plastid 16S rRNA gene and psbA sequences retained in natural cells of several Dinophysis species collected from Japanese coastal waters. A total of 715 nucleomorph sequences obtained from 134 M. rubra cells and 564 plastid 16S rRNA gene and 355 psbA sequences from 71 Dinophysis cells were determined.

Occurrence and detrimental effects of the bivalve-inhabiting hydroid on juveniles of the Japanese scallop in Funka Bay, Japan: relationship to juvenile massive mortality in 2003.

In November 2003, we first observed prevalent occurrence of a hydroid, , on soft body tissues of age zero Japanese scallop () juveniles cultured in large areas of Funka Bay, Hokkaido. The occurrence coincided with massive death of juvenile scallops. A major objective was to clarify ecological relationships between the symbionts, and to infer the relationship between symbiosis and the massive mortality.