Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with lipiodol to treat hepatocellular carcinoma: survey results from the TACE study group of Japan.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively clarify the current status in Japan of TACE using Lipiodol together with anticancer agents to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively surveyed 4,659 (average annual total) procedures for HCC over the years 2002-2004 at 17 institutions included in the TACE Study Group of Japan. The survey included six questions that were related mainly to TACE and Lipiodol for HCC treatment.

Transcatheter coil embolization of splenic artery aneurysm.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical results and technical problems of transcatheter coil embolization for splenic artery aneurysm. Subjects were 16 patients (8 men, 8 women; age range, 40-80 years) who underwent transcatheter embolization for splenic artery aneurysm (14 true aneurysms, 2 false aneurysms) at one of our hospitals during the period January 1997 through July 2005. Two aneurysms (12.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) MRI contrast agent for bone marrow imaging: differentiating bone metastasis and osteomyelitis.

Purpose: We explored appropriate scan timing for bone marrow imaging enhanced using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and evaluated the usefulness of SPIO in differentiating metastasis and osteomyelitis in patients.

Methods: To determine the adequate scan timing after administration of SPIO, 5 healthy subjects were examined using a 1.5T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scanner.

Radiologic variations in gastrorenal shunts and collateral veins from gastric varices in images obtained before balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

Purpose: To investigate variations in the features of gastrorenal shunts and collateral veins shown by balloon-occluded retrograde venography (B-RTV) and by superior mesenteric and celiac arteriography.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of the variation in these features on B-RTV and arteriography images obtained from 130 patients who have undergone these studies prior to balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration at our hospital since 1993.

Results: At least one gastrorenal shunt was revealed in 97% (126/130) of cases.

Clinicoradiological factors influencing the reversibility of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a multicenter study.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the relation between the reversibility of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with three factors: the anatomical region of the brain involved, the background clinical cause, and the diffusion weighted image (DWI) intensity of PRES lesions.

Material And Methods: This multicenter study, conducted by the PRES Study Group of the Neuroradiology Workshop, involved 52 cases from 28 institutions. Initial and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging were compared regarding the reversibility of PRES lesions according to anatomical location and clinical background.

Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy following chemoradiation therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy (DNL) is a potentially fatal complication of treatment involving intrathecal administration of chemotherapeutic agents such as methotrexate (MTX) alone or in combination with cranial radiotherapy (RT). We describe a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with high-dose intravenous and intrathecal methotrexate combined with craniospinal RT resulting in DNL. Typical MR imaging features of progressive deep white matter lesions showing a characteristic pattern of enhancement after contrast was seen in this case.

Sertoli-stromal cell tumor of the right ovary: radiological-pathological correlation.

A case of Sertoli-stromal cell tumor of the right ovary is reported. The patient was a 50-year-old perimenopausal woman with abdominal distention due to a large pelvic tumor. She had no signs of androgen excess.

Cone-beam CT with flat-panel-detector digital angiography system: early experience in abdominal interventional procedures.

We developed a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system equipped with a large flat-panel detector. Data obtained by 200 degree rotation imaging are reconstructed by means of CBCT to generate three-dimensional images. We report the use of CBCT angiography using CBCT in 10 patients with 8 liver malignancies and 2 hypersplenisms during abdominal interventional procedures.

Evaluation of vascular supply with cone-beam computed tomography during intraarterial chemotherapy for a skull base tumor.

A cone-beam lowers the X-ray exposure level and the contrast material dose used compared to those for the conventional angiography-computed tomography (angio-CT) technique. Herein we present a patient with a metastatic skull base bone tumor in which the subtraction image of cone-beam CT with a flat panel detector was useful for evaluating the vascular supply during superselective intraarterial chemotherapy. Although the image quality of cone-beam CT is poorer than that of conventional angio-CT, the cone-beam CT system is sufficient for clinical use.

[Intra-arterial chemotherapy for invasive bladder cancer (T2-3N0M0)].

We assessed the effectiveness of intra-arterial MVAC chemotherapy or a combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy based on diagnostic images and histological (transurethral) examination in 15 cases with T2-3NOM0 between January 2003 and September 2005. When the clinical response was assessed one month after the treatments, a complete response (CR) was achieved in 20% (1/5) and 50% (5/10) by intra-arterial MVAC chemotherapy and a combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy, respectively. Total radical cystectomy was required on one patient during the follow-up period of 4-26 months.

[Evaluation of low contrast resolution in cone beam CT using FPD].

We examined the low contrast resolution of cone beam CT (CBCT) equipped with an indirect-type flat panel detector and compared it with a commercial CT unit (Robusto) . In CBCT, the X-ray tube voltage of 110 kV was used, and in the Robusto, the usual 120 kV was used for examinations. The computed tomography dose index (CTDI) of the two systems was measured, and images scanned at about the same exposure to radiation were compared.

Kidney displacement simulator for retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of a renal displacement simulator originally developed at our department for retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 12 patients with a malignant localized renal (7) or ureteral (5) neoplasm underwent multidetector row computerized tomography. Imaging data were sent to a dedicated work station to create volume rendering and virtual laparoscopic images of the kidney, which was displaced ventral using a retroperitoneal balloon.

[Clinical study of porous gelatin sphere (YM 670) in transcatheter arterial embolization].

A clinical study on the use of porous gelatin particles(sterile gelatin embolization material, YM 670, Gelpart) in transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and the efficacy (embolization,anti-tumor effect, recanalization and operationality) and safety (tolerability) were studied. An additive agent comprising porous gelatin particles and low osmolarity contrast media was administered peripherally through a catheter into the hepatic artery proper of 63 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Good hepatic arterial embolization was confirmed in all cases (embolization: 100%), and a tumor necrosis effect was obtained in most cases (35/62 patients, 56.

Potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide in the differential diagnosis of metastasis and inflammation in bone marrow: experimental study.

Rationale And Objectives: The utility of ferucarbotran for the diagnosis of bone metastases was investigated using tumor-implanted rabbits. The potential of ferucarbotran in the differential diagnosis of metastasis and inflammation was also investigated.

Methods: Twelve rabbits were divided into 2 groups (tumor and inflammation groups).

Central neurocytoma with craniospinal dissemination.

We report a case of central neurocytoma that manifested tumor recurrence with craniospinal dissemination. Imaging studies before surgery showed a markedly enhanced tumor with small cysts and calcification, which invaded the adjacent brain parenchyma, located in the posterior horn of the right lateral ventricle. Proton MR spectroscopy showed markedly elevated choline and lactate peaks with a strongly diminished N-acetylaspartate peak.

A novel 3D hepatectomy simulation based on liver circulation: application to liver resection and transplantation.

Hepatectomy is a complicated operative procedure because of its anatomical complexity, vascular variability, and impaired hepatic function due to associated hepatitis or cirrhosis. Thus preoperative detailed topography and precise liver resection volume measurements should be obtained for a curative hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a novel three-dimensional (3D) virtual hepatectomy simulation software in patients who underwent liver resection or living donor liver transplantation.

[Visualization of brain perfusion by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: preliminary study in rabbits].

Purpose: We evaluated the usefulness of an agent for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (galactose parmitine acid: Levovist) in visualizing brain perfusion in rabbits.

Materials And Methods: Six rabbits were involved in this study. A hole in the skull bone was made under anesthesia and used as an acoustic window.

[Usefulness of Cho/Cr ratio in proton MR spectroscopy for differentiating residual/recurrent glioma from non-neoplastic lesions].

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical usefulness of the Cho/Cr ratio of proton MR spectroscopy(1H-MRS) to differentiate residual/recurrent glioma from non-neoplastic lesions.

Patients And Methods: 20 cases of glioma were involved in this study(astrocytoma grade I-II: 7, oligodendroglioma: 1, astrocytoma grade III: 2, glioblastoma: 10). Seven of the patients underwent surgical resection only, 4 underwent surgical resection and radiotherapy(40-60 Gy), and 9 underwent surgical resection and radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy(14-60 Gy).

[New three-dimensional compensating filter for TBI using compu-former associated with RT LAN].

To shorten the TBI process, we developed a new device for making the three-dimensional (3D) compensating filter that improves dose distribution. The dose distributions in the phantom and manufacturing time were compared between the new device and the previous one. Clinical evaluations included dose distribution in patients and the clinical rate of interstitial pneumonitis (IP).

[Choroid plexus carcinoma of the foramen Luschka: a case report].

Choroid plexus carcinoma(CPC) is a rare intracranial neoplasm that usually arises in the supra-tentorial region of infants. We report an adult case of CPC that arose in the foramen Luschka. A 61-year-old woman presented with a 10-year history of dysarthria.

[Imaging findings of elongated styloid process syndrome (Eagle's syndrome): report of two cases].

Elongated styloid process syndrome, which is synonymous with Eagle's syndrome, is a rare disease. Although an elongated styloid process is not always symptomatic, if it compresses the cranial nerves and/or carotid artery, a patient can present with sore throat, dysphasia, or dysphoria of the throat. We present two cases of elongated styloid process syndrome, focusing on the imaging findings.

[Efficacy and safety of polaprezinc as a preventive drug for radiation-induced stomatitis].

Background: Radiation-induced stomatitis is one of the adverse effects of total body irradiation(TBI). We examined the usefulness of oral polaprezinc as a preventive drug for stomatitis.

Patients And Methods: The present study was conducted with 19 patients who were diagnosed with hematologic malignancy and who underwent TBI as pretreatment for bone marrow transplantation, peripheral blood stem transplantation, or cord blood stem cell transplantation.