Usefulness of multi-detector row computed tomography for accurate preoperative assessment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: report of a case

A 74-year-old female underwent surgical treatment for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Preoperative multi-detector row computed tomography (MD-CT) demonstrated tumor invasion into the accessory right colic vein and the branch of the middle colic artery (MCA); which was not detected by digital subtraction angiography. MD-CT showed anatomical variants in the left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery; and the right posterior hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery. Three-dimensional reconstruction CT generated a clear picture of the anatomy of the region concerned; which is essential for a safe operation. The MD-CT findings were highly consistent with the intra-operative findings. We have demonstrated that MD-CT is an important and highly accurate modality for pancreatic surgery

Comparative studies on Philippine Paragonimus westermani and Japanese Paragonimus westermani

Paragonimus westermani in the Philippines has been reconfirmed to develop to sexual maturity in albino rats. The migration route of this species in albino rats have also been studied in detail and compared with that of Paragonimus westermani in Japan in ratsAs the result it was found that the course of migration of the larvae of Philippine P. westermani in rats was quite different from that of Japanese P. westermani in ratsIt has shown that it is possible to differentiate the species of Paragonimus westermani in the Philippines and Japan by means of immunoserological techniques such as compliment fixation test, double diffusion test and immunoelectrophoresis. The Philippine P. westermani from Japanese P. westermani not only morphology but also biological and immunological chararcteristics, therefore we reiterate the new name paragonimus philippinensis, (Ito, 1978) Philippine P. westermaniA new theory by Miyazaki (1977) concerning the taxonomy of Paragonimus westermani is also discussed. (Summary)

A study on immunodiagnosis of gnathostomiasis by ELISA and double diffusion with special reference to the antigenicity of Gnathostoma doloresi.

In order to diagnose gnathostomiasis immunologically, Gnathostoma doloresi was evaluated for the antigenicity in comparison with G. hispidum which was recently reported in Japan by using micro-ELISA. The study revealed that G. doloresi can be used as the alternate source of antigen in the test. A significant increase of specific IgG antibodies was seen in 22 (73.3%) out of 30 gnathostomiasis cases. Although double diffusion was slightly less sensitive than ELISA, it was considered more specific than the latter method.