A Case of an Anorectic Post-gastrectomy Patient Treated with Kososan and Rikkunshito / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We report a case of an anorectic 71-year-old male post-gastrectomy patient who was successfully treated with Koso-san and Rikkunshi-to. The patient underwent resection for early gastric cancer (0-IIa+IIc). After partial gastrectomy, he suffered from nausea and vomiting. He was treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation at the anastomotic site, and was simultaneously treated with some western drugs. However, he was completely unable to eat because of nausea and vomiting. Oriental medicine was then recommended. We treated him with Kampo medicines in combination with parenteral nutrition. After the administration of Koso-san, his nausea and vomiting disappeared immediately and he could ingest a fluid diet. Further, after the administration of Koso-san and Rikkunshi-to, his food intake increased. Finally, he could eat ordinary meals and his food intake reached an adequate level. This suggests that Koso-san and Rikkunshi-to are useful in the treatment of anorectic patients after gastrectomy.

A Case of Painful Bedridden Patient with Multiple Fractures due to Osteoporosis Successfully Treated with Keishi-bushi-To / 日本東洋医学雑誌

A 68-year-old female who had suffered from lumbar vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis six years before was admitted to our hospital because of thoracodorsal pain of an unknown origin, and systemic contact dermatitis, on November 2000. The patient had been forced into a bedridden state due to severe pain. A bone scintigram showed multiple high accumulations in the thoracispinal region, but malignant disease could not be detected. Furthermore, a MRI demonstrated multiple thoracolumber vertebral compression fractures. Keishi-bushi-to was administered to control severe and superficial pain, and the presence of cold limbs. Pain was gradually diminished and the patient could be started on rehabilitation one month after treatment. Furthermore, several Kampo formulas, such as Ogi-kenchu-to, Keikyososo-oshinbu-to and Hachimi-jio-gan were administered on the basis of pain and skin condition. In the end, the patient could stand up with support eleven months after treatment.<br>Based on this experience, it is suggested that Keishi-bushi-to may be an effective treatment for severe pain arising from multiple fractures with osteoporosis.

A Case of Subacute Thyroiditis Satisfactorily Treated with Kampo-therapy / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We report the case of a 77-year-old female with subacute thyroiditis who was successfully treated with traditional herbal medicine (Kampo-therapy). On 18th December 2001, the patient was admitted to our hospital because of malaise and loss of appetite.<br>The patient complained of what she thought was a sore throat that began one month prior to admission, with a fever rising to 37.8°C 4 days before admission. Physical examination showed tenderness and swelling of the thyroid. Blood examination showed hyperthyroidism (TSH 0.02μIU/ml fT₃ 20.18ng/dl fT₄ 5.21ng/dl) and high inflammation (CRP 13.7 ESR 122mm/hr). We then diagnosed subacute thyroiditis and treated her with Kampo-therapy only. We arranged herbs according to the “Sho-kan-ron (_??__??__??_)” and gave her Keishi-ni-eppi-ichi-to (_??__??__??__??__??__??__??_) and Choi-joki-to (_??__??__??__??__??_). Four days after admission, her intermittent fever disappeared. After 10 days, her CRP became negative. After 13 days, almost all the symptoms had disappeared. Thyroid function (fT₃, fT₄) returned to normal after 17 days of Kampo-therapy. Subacute thyroiditis is a self limiting disease, but steroid therapy is often needed to reduce the symptoms and avoid thyrotoxicosis. In this case, the patient made a relatively quick recovery without steroid therapy. We suggest Kampo-therapy can be an effective treatment for subacute thyroiditis.

A Case of Ascites from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Boi-shomoku-teireki-daio-gan-ryo / 日本東洋医学雑誌

A case of ascites and pitting edema from hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Boi-shomoku-teireki-daio-gan-ryo was reported.<br>An 80-year-old female presented progressive gait disturbance and dysuria in April 2002. Neurological examination revealed paraparesis, hypesthesia inferior to lumber level and sphincter dysfunction. An MRI revealed a solid mass arising from lamina at the right Th 12, extending into the spinal canal. Surgery was performed, but paraparesis continued. In addition, the patient developed ascites and pitting edema of the legs. An abdominal CT suggested liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Some Kampo formulas were not effective. Boi-shomoku-teireki-daio-gan-ryo was administered on the basis of symptoms such as ascites, dry mouth and constipation, and then the pitting edema improved rapidly. In addition, the abdominal CT revealed the decrement of ascites. Unfortunately the treatment was effective for only one month. Ascites with malignant tumor is very difficult to treat. However, Boi-shomoku-teireki-daio-gan-ryo is clearly useful for treatment of ascites and edema.