The role of E-cadherin expression in non-small cell lung cancer

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of E-cadherin expression in lung cancer. E-cadherin expression was detected by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody (HECD-1). Strongly positive (++) E-cadherin tumors were classified as a type of preserved E-cadherin expression (Pr type), while the others (+, - tumors) were classified as a type of reduced E-cadherin expression (Rd type). The frequency of Pr type in squamous cell carcinomas (59.0%) was higher than Rd type. However, in adenocarcinomas, the frequency of Rd type was higher than Pr type. E-cadherin expression pattern was significantly correlated with differentiated state (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.394, p>0.001). E-cadherin expression of well-differentiated tumors was more frequently preserved than that of poorly differentiated tumors (60.0% vs. 25.9%). With regard to the correlation between E-cadherin expression and stages of lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancers, the percentage of tumors with Pr type E-cadherin expression declined from 66.3% (> or = N1) to 38.6% (> or = N2), indicating that loss of E-cadherin expression is responsible for acquisition of invasive potential of lung cancer as well as the possible role of E-cadherin in the histological differentiation of lung cancer.

Differential Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma and Metastatic Adenocarcinoma by Immunohistochemistry / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis of pleural malignant mesothelioma from secondary metastatic adenocarcinoma is often difficult. A variety of pathologic techniques have been developed to make a differential diagnosis of carcinoma from mesothelioma. Immunohistochemistry detecting diverse antigenic substances such as CEA, Leu-M1, B72-3, S-100 protein, vimentin, CK and EMA has been claimed to be of value as a panel in the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma from mesothelioma. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitable antibodies to distinguish mesothelioma from metastatic adenocarcinoma and establish candidate markers in a panel. METHODS: Complete, one-hour immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen(EMA), S-100 protein, vimentin, B72-3, Leu-M1, and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) was applied to cell blocks from 7 mesotheliomas and 7 adenocarcinomas which were confirmed by electron microscopic and histpathologic methods. RESULTS: All adenocarcinomas and 71.4% of mesotheliomas expressed the cytokeratin and EMA. S-100 protein and vimentin were expressed in 57.1% and 42.9% of mesotheliomas and 14.3% and 28.5% of adenocarcinomas, respectively. B72-3 was expressed in all adenocarcinomas, but in none of mesotheliomas. Leu-M1 was positive in 71.4% of the adenocarcinoma and 14.3% of the mesotheliomas. CEA was positive in all adenocarcinomas and 42.9% of mesotheliomas. Leu-M1 and B72-3 were coexpressed in 71.4% of adenocarcinomas but in none of mesothelioma. B72-3 and CEA were coexpressed in all adenocarcinomas, but in none of mesotheliomas. CONCLUSION: We concluded that B72-3 immunohistochemistry or panel staining of B72-3 and CEA could be recommanded for the differential diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma from metastatic adenocarcinoma.

M-mode Ultrasound Assessment of Diaphagmatic Excursions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Relation to Pulmonary Function Test and Mouth Pressure / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Respiratory muscle interaction is further profoundly affected by a number of pathologic conditions. Hyperinflation may be particularly severe in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients, in whom the functional residual capacity(FRC) often exceeds predicted total lung capacity(TLC). Hyperinflation reduces the diaphragmatic effectiveness as a pressure generator and reduces diaphragmatio contribution to chest wall motion Ultrasonography has recently been shown to be a sensitive and reproducible method of assessing diaphragmatic excursion. This study was performed to evaluate how differences of diaphragmatic excursion measured by ultrasonography associate with normal subjects and COPD patients. METHODS: We measured diaphragmatic excursions with ultrasonography on 28 healthy subjects(16 medical studentz 12 age-matched control) and 17 COPD patientc Ultrasonographic measurements were performed during tidal breathing and maxima] respiratory efforts approximating vital capacity breathing using Aloka KEC-620 with 3.5 MHz transducen Measurements were taken in the supine posture. The ultrasonograpbic probe was positioned transversely in the midclavicular line below the right subcostal margin After detecting the right hetnidiaphragm in the B-mode the ultrasound beam was then positioned so that it was approximately parallel to the movement of middle or posterior third of right diaphragm. Recordings in the M-inodc at this position were made throughout the test Measurements of diaphragmatio excursion on M-mode tmcing were calculated by the average gap in 3 times-respiration cycle. Pulmonary functicn test(SensorMedics 2800), maximal inspiratory(Plmax) and expiratory mouth pressure(PEmax, Vitalopower KH-101, Chest) were measured in the seated posture. RESULTS: During the tidal breathing, diaphragmatic excursions were recorded 1.5 +/-0.5cm, 1.7+/-0.5cm and 1.5 +/- 0.6cm in medical students, age-matched control group and COPD patients, respectively. Diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts were significantly decreased in COPD patients (3.7+/-1.3cm) when compared with medical students, age-matched control group(6.7+/-1.3cm, 5.8+/-1.2cm, p<0.05). During maximal respiratory efforts in control subjects, diaphragm excursions were cowelatal with FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, PIF, and height. In COPD patients, diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts were correlated with PEmax(maxinIal expiratory pressure), age, and %FVC. In multiple regression analysis, The combination of PEmax and age was an independent marker of diaplngnt excursions during maximal respiratory efforts with COPD patients. CONCLUISON: COPD subjects had smaller diaplragmatic excursions during maximal respintoty efforts than control subjects. During maximal respiratory efforts in COPD patients, diaphragm excursions were well correlated with PEmax. Those results suggest that diaphragm excursions during rnaximel respiratory efforts with COPD patients may be valuable at predicting the pulnionmy function.

A Case of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Hepatopulmonary syndrome consists of a triad of liver dysfunction, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation, and hypoxemia. This is one of the main causes of arterial hypoxemia in patients with chronic liver disease. The vascular abnormalities are precapillary dilatation, direct arterial-venous communication, and dilated pleural vessels. In this article, we report a case of hepatopulmonary syndrome in a 62-year-old woman who had complained progressively worsening dyspnea, platypnea, and orthodeoxia. She had huge splenomegaly, clubbing fingers and cyanosis of lip and fingers. Arterial blood gas analysis showed refractory arterial hypoxemia and orthodeoxia suggesting right-to-left "shunting". Chest X-ray showed increased interstitial markings on the lower part of right lung, In 99mTc-labeled macroaggregated albumin (MAA) lung perfusion scan, there was no perfusion defect in the lung, but labeled radionuclide were taken up in the intraabdominal organs, kidney, liver and spleen. The amount of shunted radionuclide were about 58 percent. In contrast echocardiography, microbubbles which were injected via cephalic vein were visualized in the left atrium at 4 cardiac cycles after leaving the right ventricle indicating intrapulmonary right-to-left "shunting" rather than intracardiac shunt. Pulmonary angiographic finding revealed diffuse blotchy arterial dilatation on both lung fields, especially lower lobes of both lungs. Current modalities of treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome are the therapeutic embolization of direct arterial-venous communication for focal vascular dilatations, and TIPSS (Transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt) or liver transplantation for diffuse intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. Despite our recommendation of TIPSS, she refused the procedure and is under home oxygen therapy.

A Case of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome with Massive Pleural Effusion / 결핵

The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a rare but serious complication of ovulation induction therapy with gonadotropin. The clinical manifestations are generalized edema, ascites with pleural effusion and may become life-threatening in severe cases. The pathophysiology is still unknown therefore, the treatment should be symptomatic and conservative. We report a case of severe OHSS with massive right pleural effusion in excess of ten liters after human menopausal gonadotropin therapy because of secondary infertility. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances were corrected and albumin was administered. A right chest tube was placed for a total of sixteen days, draining eleven liters of pleural effusion totally, resulting a dramatic decrease of pleural effusion and improvement of symptoms.