Comparison of MRI and I-FP-CIT SPECT for the evaluation of MSA-P clinical severity.

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and I-labeled 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)nortropane single photon emission computed tomography (I-FP-CIT SPECT) for determining the clinical severity of patients with multiple system atrophy with Parkinsonism (MSA-P). MRI and I-FP-CIT SPECT images from 17 patients with MSA-P as diagnosed using the Unified MSA Rating Scale part IV (UMSARS IV) score were compared. Brain MRI scans were available for all 17 patients and I-FP-CIT SPECT images were available for 12 patients.

Fan-shaped ground-glass opacity (GGO) as a premonitory sign of pulmonary infarction: a case report.

Radiological findings of pulmonary infarction have been well characterized mainly in established infarction. However, the early course CT appearance of patients who develop pulmonary infarction has not yet been fully elucidated. A 50-year-old female with a history of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) presented with dry cough and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of fan-shaped segmental ground-glass opacity (GGO) in the right lower lobe.

Therapeutic results of a novel enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment, Kochi oxydol-radiation therapy for unresectable carcinomas II, in patients with stage I primary breast cancer.

Linac-based stereotactic radiotherapy has little effect on the majority of advanced neoplasms. Therefore, the novel radiosensitizer Kochi oxydol-radiation therapy for unresectable carcinomas (KORTUC) II, which contains hydrogen peroxide and sodium hyaluronate, was developed. The effectiveness of KORTUC II for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant supraclavicular lymph node metastases, recurrent breast cancer and stage IV primary breast cancer has previously been demonstrated.

Therapeutic response to a novel enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment (KORTUC II) for residual lesions in patients with stage IV primary breast cancer, following induction chemotherapy with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide or taxane.

Linac-based radiotherapy has a negligible effect on the majority of advanced neoplasms. Therefore, a novel radiosensitization treatment Kochi Oxydol Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas II (KORTUC II), which utilizes hydrogen peroxide and sodium hyaluronate was developed. The effectiveness of KORTUC II for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant supraclavicular lymph node metastases and recurrent breast cancers has previously been demonstrated.

Therapeutic response to a novel enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment (Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas) in patients with recurrent breast cancer.

Linear accelerator-based radiotherapy has little effect on the majority of locally advanced neoplasms. Thus, the novel radiosensitizer Kochi Oxydol Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, Type II (KORTUC II), which contains hydrogen peroxide and sodium hyaluronate, was developed. The effectiveness of KORTUC II for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant supraclavicular lymph node metastases has been previously demonstrated.

Non-Surgical Breast-Conserving Treatment (KORTUC-BCT) Using a New Radiosensitization Method (KORTUC II) for Patients with Stage I or II Breast Cancer.

The purpose of the present study was to establish a non-surgical breast-conserving treatment (BCT) using KORTUC II radiosensitization treatment. A new radiosensitizing agent containing 0.5% hydrogen peroxide and 0.

Reduction of fibroproliferative changes in irradiated rat lung with soluble transforming growth factor-β receptor.

The present study investigated whether established fibroproliferative changes in the irradiated rat lung are histopathologically reduced by an adenovirus‑mediated soluble transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β type II receptor. Replication‑defective adenoviral vectors expressing a type II human TGF‑β receptor (AdTβ‑ExR) were prepared. Male Fisher‑344 rats were divided into the C, R and R + T groups.

Safety and efficacy of image-guided enzyme-targeting radiosensitization and intraoperative radiotherapy for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.

A novel radiosensitization treatment involving the injection of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hyaluronate, using ultrasonic guidance, into a tumor immediately prior to intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) was established for patients with stage IVa locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of this novel treatment, termed Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas-IORT (KORTUC and IORT). In total, 12 patients were treated with KORTUC-IORT, external-beam radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy using gemcitabine hydrochloride and S-1.

Early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer using diffusion-weighted imaging and gray-scale ultrasonography.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is a widely accepted therapeutic option for patients with breast cancer. Although NACT produces good results for breast cancer patients, it has the potential to delay effective treatment in patients with chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of the pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which is calculated from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), the change in ADC after first administration of NACT, and the change in tumor greatest diameter on ultrasonography in the early prediction of the tumor response to NACT.

Radiographic progression of silicosis among Japanese tunnel workers in Kochi.

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the natural course of silicosis in terms of radiographic progression among Japanese tunnel workers.

Methods: Tunnel workers with silicosis were included in our study between January 2008 and June 2011. We retrospectively assessed workers' radiographs from their first through last visits to see whether there was progression.

Asymptomatic primary tuberculous pleurisy with intense 18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake mimicking malignant mesothelioma.

Background: The pathogenesis of primary tuberculous pleurisy is a delayed-type hypersensitivity immunogenic reaction to a few mycobacterial antigens entering the pleural space rather than direct tissue destruction by mycobacterial proliferation. Although it has been shown that pulmonary tuberculosis induces 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in active lesions, little is known about the application of FDG positron emission/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) to the management of primary tuberculous pleurisy.

Case Presentation: We report a case of asymptomatic primary tuberculous pleurisy presenting with diffuse nodular pleural thickening without distinct pleural effusion and parenchymal lung lesions mimicking malignant mesothelioma.

Correlation of liver parenchymal gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid enhancement and liver function in humans with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Animal studies have demonstrated that liver function parameters affect the degree of liver enhancement by gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA). The present study prospectively investigated whether liver function parameters and liver damage scores similarly correlate with the degree of liver enhancement by Gd-EOB-DTPA in humans with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 41 patients (32 males, 9 females; mean age, 71.

Power Doppler and gray-scale sonography standardized by BI-RADS for the differentiation of benign postoperative lesion and local recurrence after breast-conserving therapy.

The diagnosis of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast-conserving therapy is of great interest to breast physicians. The present study compared the utility of gray-scale sonography standardized by a breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) and power Doppler sonography for differentiating between benign scar formation and IBTR after breast-conserving therapy. Gray-scale sonography detected 83 solid breast lesions classified as BI-RADS categories 3-5 in 272 patients after breast-conserving therapy, and these lesions were entered into the study (53 lesions as category 3, probably benign; 30 lesions as categories 4-5, suspected malignancy).

Safety and effectiveness of a new enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment (KORTUC II) for intratumoral injection for low-LET radioresistant tumors.

Linear accelerator-based radiotherapy has little effect on tumors such as malignant melanoma, various types of sarcoma, and most locally-advanced neoplasms that have grown to several centimeters or more. These tumors contain many hypoxic cancer cells or large amounts of anti-oxidative enzymes, and are therefore resistant to low linear energy transfer radiation. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a new radiosensitizer to overcome these situations.

Diffusion-weighted imaging for parasternal lymph nodes in breast cancer: report of two cases.

We report 2 cases of primary breast cancer with swelling of the parasternal lymph nodes detected on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as small parasternal nodules. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, DWI showed disappearance of one node but a focus of subtle signal hyperintensity in the other. DWI findings correlated with the results of conventional breast contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Non-surgical care for locally advanced breast cancer: radiologically assessed therapeutic outcome of a new enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment, Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, Type II (KORTUC II) with systemic chemotherapy.

We have previously developed a new enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment named Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, Type II (KORTUC II), which markedly enhances radiotherapeutic effects on various types of locally advanced malignant neoplasms. KORTUC II was approved by our local ethics committee for use against various types of malignant neoplasms. A maximum of 6 ml of radiosensitizer was injected into tumor tissue under ultrasonographic guidance just before each administration of radiotherapy.

Non-surgical therapy and radiologic assessment of stage I breast cancer treatment with novel enzyme-targeting radiosensitization: Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, type II (KORTUC II).

The new enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment, Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, type II (KORTUC II), markedly enhances the radiotherapeutic effect of treatment for various types of locally advanced malignant neoplasms. Patients who had declined surgical treatment and systemic chemotherapy, as well as a total of 14 stage I breast cancer patients, were enrolled. A maximum of 6 ml of KORTUC II was injected into tumor tissue twice a week under ultrasonographic guidance, immediately prior to each administration of radiation therapy.

Role of diffusion-weighted imaging in evaluating therapeutic efficacy after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The decision to repeat transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is based on correct evaluation of response to therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), a quantitative parameter of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), can predict early HCC recurrence after TACE. Results obtained using this method were compared with those using iodized-oil computed tomography (CT).

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for assessment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer, based on morphological concepts.

The study aimed to evaluate the utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and to assess the response of breast cancer patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), based on morphological concepts. This retrospective study included 35 breast cancer patients (36 lesions) who had conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with DWI acquired before and after NAC. The morphological pattern of delayed enhancement on MRI before NAC was classified into two types: focal mass (FM), and multiple masses and/or non-mass like (MM/NM), based on Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS).

Phase I study of a new radiosensitizer containing hydrogen peroxide and sodium hyaluronate for topical tumor injection: a new enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment, Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, Type II (KORTUC II).

Using a currently employed linear accelerator, our intent was to inactivate peroxidase/catalase in tumor tissue by the application of hydrogen peroxide, which is degraded to produce oxygen, thus re-oxygenizing the tumor tissue. In this way, we can convert radioresistant tumors into radiosensitive ones. On the basis of this strategy, we previously developed a new enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment named KORTUC I, which remarkably enhances the radiotherapeutic effect on various types of superficially exposed and locally advanced malignant neoplasms.

Choline by magnetic spectroscopy and dynamic contrast enhancement curve by magnetic resonance imaging in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive breast cancer.

This study investigated the relationship between choline by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and late enhancement curves by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (DMRI) in determining therapeutic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) among invasive breast cancer patients. Subjects comprised 21 women (22 breasts) with biopsy-confirmed invasive breast cancer (mean age 54 years) who underwent MRS with choline and gadolinium-enhanced DMRI at 1.5 T before and after NAC.

Radiological imaging features of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast and axillary lymph nodes.

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast is of growing clinical significance. The purpose of this study was to identify the radiological imaging features for this type of breast carcinoma and the axillary lymph nodes. The study population consisted of 30 breast cancer patients (8 invasive micropapillary carcinomas and 22 other types of invasive ductal carcinoma).

New radiosensitization treatment (KORTUC I) using hydrogen peroxide solution-soaked gauze bolus for unresectable and superficially exposed neoplasms.

We developed a new radiosensitization treatment using a hydrogen peroxide solution (Oxydol)-soaked gauze named KORTUC I (Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas) for superficially exposed and unresectable neoplasms, such as malignant melanoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), based on our experimental results which demonstrated hydrogen peroxide as a strong radiosensitizer for the highly radioresistant osteosarcoma cell line, HS-Os-1. Five patients entered our clinical trial, one of whom had unresectable malignant melanoma; one, unresectable MFH; one, unresectable extramammary Paget's disease; one, locally advanced breast cancer and one with locally recurrent skin cancer. These patients were treated with radiation therapy using a high-energy electron beam from a linear accelerator.

Perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery in women with breast cancer: an anatomical study for breast-conservation surgery.

Breast reconstruction after breast-conservation surgery is an important issue for breast cancer patients. Various factors are associated with complications, of which blood flow is one of the more important. The perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) are key contributors to blood flow in the anterior chest wall.

Diagnostic accuracy of mammography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of intraductal spread of breast cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of mammography, ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of intraductal spread of breast cancer following preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We evaluated a total of 168 areas of normal breast tissue outside the mass in 42 consecutive female patients with breast cancer using each imaging modality both before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy comprised two to four cycles of adriamycin-based CAF regimen.