<b>Screening for Idiopathic Mesenteric Phlebosclerosis in Outpatients Undergoing Long-Term Treatment at the Department of Kampo Medicine</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

<p>Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is a rare chronic ischemic intestinal disease, mainly in the right hemicolon, characterized by dark purple mucosa on colonoscopy and calcifications of the intestinal wall and mesenteric veins on abdominal radiography and computed tomography. In recent years, many patients who developed IMP over the long-term administration of Kampo medicines have been reported. However, the present status of IMP in patients under long-term treatment with Kampo medicines in departments specializing in Kampo therapy is unclear. We surveyed whether there were any IMP outpatients followed for 5 years or more at the Department of Oriental Traditional Medical Center, Suwa Central Hospital. We detected 2 of 257 (0.8%) patients having IMP. Both patients had undergone long-term treatment with Gardenia fruit. One of them underwent surgery due to acute abdomen, but the other was asymptomatic. The etiology and pathogenesis of IMP are still unclear. However, in patients undergoing long-term treatment with Kampo medicines, particularly containing Gardenia fruit, the possible presence of IMP should be taken into consideration, and active screening using imaging examinations is necessary even in asymptomatic patients.</p>

<b>Successful Treatment of Three Cases with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Interstitial Pneumonia Symptoms Using Ninjinto </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We prescribed ninjinto for 3 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial pneumonia.Markers for assessing the efficacy of this formulation included dull sensations in the stomach and diarrhea.These markers rapidly improved following the administration of ninjinto. The 3 patients experienced 2 com mon features, including an obstructive and a cold feeling in the pit of the stomach. Moreover, a cessation or significant decrease in cough and sputum was observed following ninjinto administration. Ninjinto is usually used to treat digestive disorders. However, these findings suggest that ninjinto may also be used for the treat ment of respiratory disorders.

<b>Report on Four Cases of Chronic Renal Failure Effectively Treated with Astragali R</b><b>adix </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Chinese herbal medicine has historically been used for the treatment of renal disease. There are some medi cines such as rhubarb and Ompito that delay the need for dialysis. However, they only attenuate the 1/Cr-time slope but cannot reduce the Cr level. In this study, four chronic renal failure (CRF) patients who had not responded to any Western medicine were treated effectively with Astragali Radix, a traditional herbal medi cine. Serum creatinine (Cr) was clearly improved, and necessity for dialysis was delayed. In two patients, Cr was controlled stably over four years. There were no adverse effects, and no noteworthy changes in the lev els of serum phosphorus, potassium and uric acid between before and after treatment were observed. This study suggests that Astragali Radix is a useful agent in the treatment of CRF.

Four Cases Report of Dumping Syndrome Effectively Treated with Keishito and its additional Prescription / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We report four patients suffering from dumping syndrome treated effectively with Keishito and its additional prescription. Case1was a 57-year old male who received subtotal gastrectomy 30 years ago. After the operation he felt shaking sensations and eyes flickering after meals for10minutes to 4 hours. These symptoms tended to occur along with hunger. After taking Keishito, these symptoms improved. Case 2 was a 63-year old male who received subtotal gastrectomy 7 years ago. In recent years, he has had noticeable sweat and fatigability 20-30 minutes after meals. After taking Keishito, these dumping syndrome symptoms disappear. Case 3 was a 71-year old female who received subtotal gastrectomy 9 years ago. Thereafter, cold sweats and dizziness came to appear regardless of what she ate. After taking keishikashakuyakuto or shokenchuto the aforementioned symptoms disappeared. Case 4 was a 72-year old female who received subtotal gastrectomy 2 years ago. Sweats and hot flushes began to occur after meals for 30 minutes to 3 hours, from last July. These symptoms were improved simply by licking candy. After taking Keishito, these symptoms also disappeared.

Four Cases of Symptoms with Dryness in the Throat Successfully Treated with Hyakugokokinto / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We prescribed Hyakugokokinto for four patients suffering from dryness in the throat. Dry throat improvements were observed in all patients, while improvements in insomnia were observed as well. Thus, insomnia may be a further indication for the use of Hyakugokokinto.