Decreased subepithelial microvasculature observed by high magnification bronchovideoscope in the large airways of smokers.

Objective: A fine vascular network is developed in the subepithelial layer of bronchial mucosa. Cigarette smoking is thought to influence angiogenesis. However, the bronchial microvasculature in smokers has not been fully investigated.

Cystadenocarcinoma (papillary cystadenocarcinoma) of the submandibular gland.

Cystadenocarcinoma (papillary cystadenocarcinoma) of the salivary gland is a rare malignant neoplasm. Major locations of this neoplasm are the parotid gland, the sublingual gland, and minor salivary glands, while occurrence in the submandibular gland is extremely rare. As far as we know, only one report, written in the French language, has been published concerning cystadenocarcinoma of the submandibular gland, but no report is available in the English language.

[A case of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis efficiently treated with a combination of cyclosporin A and prednisolone].

A 36-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of cough, dyspnea on exertion, skin eruptions, and joint pain. Characteristic skin lesions such as erythema around the nails, telangiectasis, and edema of the eyelids were observed in this patient. He had never complained of muscle symptoms, and his laboratory examinations showed no elevation of either CPK or aldolase.

Sputum matrix metalloproteinase-9: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ratio in acute asthma.

Background: The ratio of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) may be a marker of the balance between airway tissue destruction and repair. TIMP-1 may potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of increased submucosal extracellular matrix deposition in asthma.

Objective: Our purpose was to assess the variation in sputum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 during acute asthma.

[Fulminant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia resulting in respiratory failure and a prolonged pulmonary lesion].

A previously healthy 26-year-old woman presented with a fever and coughing on October 1, 1995. Despite treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics at another hospital, she had a high fever, coughing, and dyspnea. A chest roentgenogram showed diffuse infiltrates in both lung fields.

[Thymic carcinoma associated with pulmonary sarcoidosis].

A 54-year-old man who worked as a farmer was admitted to the hospital in August 1989 because of bilateral hilar adenopathy that was detected during a mass screening. Laboratory examination showed a high serum lysozyme level and the PPD skin test was negative. Examination of a specimen obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy revealed non-caseous epithelioid cell granuloma.

The role of renal dopaminergic activity in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension.

Although the pathogenesis of essential hypertension still remains unclear, it is now generally accepted that the kidney is deeply involved in the pathophysiology of this disease. This paper therefore, reviews current knowledge of the role of renal dopaminergic activity in essential hypertension. This is believed to be one of the most important renal diuretic and depressor systems.

Sympathetic ganglion blockade for the management of hyperhidrosis.

We present three patients with severe primary hyperhidrosis, refractory to conservative medical treatment, who were successfully managed with sympathetic ganglion blockade with ethanol. We also summarize 10 patients with hyperhidrosis who underwent sympathetic ganglion blockade in the past 2 years. This closed percutaneous method offers the patients considerably less discomfort and less stress with minimal morbidity and has a efficacy similar to that of surgical sympathectomy, which has previously been the only effective and permanent therapy for severe primary hyperhidrosis.

[Corticosteroid treatment in pulmonary sarcoidosis].

Indication, dose and duration of corticosteroids in treating pulmonary sarcoidosis have discussed. Although corticosteroids are effective in improving the chest X-ray findings of sarcoidosis patients with in short term treatment, it is doubtful that corticosteroids affects the clinical course of sarcoidosis and are beneficial with long term treatment. It is agreed that asymptomatic patients with Stage I should not be treated while symptomatic patients with Stage II and Stage III should be treated.

[Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and scalene node biopsy in sarcoidosis].

The efficacy of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was compared to that of scalene node biopsy (SNB). We performed both TBLB and SNB or in 336 consecutive patients with clinical features of sarcoidosis. In 270 out of 336 patients epithelioid cell granuloma was found.

[Clinical usefulness of Ga-67 scintigraphy and Ga-67 single photon emission computed tomography in sarcoidosis].

Ga-67 scintigraphy was useful in evaluating the extent and relative activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis. It is also helpful detecting the involved lesions in sarcoidosis. The Ga-67 SPECT image was more excellent than planar image, because the SPECT image was able to distinguish abnormal intrapulmonary accumulation, especially, the hilar and mediastinal lymph node accumulation from normal accumulation; sternum, vertebrae, etc, which usually overlap on the planar image.

[Pulmonary involvements of sarcoidosis].

We reported about intrathoracic changes and prognosis of 686 patients with sarcoidosis diagnosed in our hospital between 1963 and 1988. We evaluated CT findings in 135 patients with sarcoidosis and found pulmonary involvements in 81. We analyzed CT findings according to the classification by Tuengerthal which classified radiographic findings combining ILO classification of pneumoconiosis and characteristic findings of bronchovascular sheath with sarcoidosis.