[Use of the the ED046 kit to analyze serum KL-6 in patients with pneumonitis].

KL-6 is a mucinous glycoprotein expressed on Type 2 pneumonocytes, and serum levels of KL-6 are reported to be abnormally high in patients with interstitial pneumonia. A new assay kit for serum KL-6 (ED046) was used in the evaluation of patients with pneumonitis. To clarify whether KL-6 is a useful marker of pneumonitis activity, 649 subjects were studied, including 185 healthy controls, 187 patients with 3 types of interstitial lung diseases, and 277 patients with 4 types of non-interstitial lung diseases. The serum KL-6 level was significantly higher in the patients with pneumonitis (1285 +/- 1196 U/ml) than in the patients without pneumonitis (307 +/- 232 U/ml). The KL-6 level was also significantly higher in patients with clinically active pneumonitis (1708 +/- 1338 U/ml) than in those with inactive pneumonitis (820 +/- 796 U/ml) (p < 0.0001). Serum KL-6 levels correlated significantly with serum c-reactive protein, lactic dehydrogenase, and PaO2 values. These results suggest that the ED046 assay is useful for measuring KL-6 as a marker of pneumonitis activity.

[Diagnosis of renal trauma].

We experienced 25 cases of renal trauma in our hospitals during the past 5 years, 20 cases were male and 5 cases were female, ranging in age 10 to 51 years old with average 26 years old, and the chief complaints were gross-hematuria and pain of renal region. We studied the IVP and CT patterns of these cases. IVP revealed 13 cases of renal contusion, 11 cases of renal lacerated wound and 1 case of renal fragmentation. The CT scan of 14 cases showed that it was useful for the diagnosis of the degree of renal trauma, especially, for hematoma surroundings the kidneys. The hematoma surrounding the kidneys was clearly noted in 7 cases by CT scan, but the unclearness of renal contours and iliopsoas muscle was considered to suggest the existence of hematoma surrounding the kidneys by IVP. All of the hematoma surrounding the kidneys was absorbed by conservative therapy, but 5 of the 7 cases were treated within 3 months.

[Diagnosis and treatment of renal angiomyolipoma].

We have hitherto reported 6 cases of renal angiomyolipoma. Recently, we encountered two more such cases. Case 1 is a 34-year-old woman with fever as the chief complaint. DIP revealed a tumor mass in the right upper pelvic pole. This mass showed a strong echo level on ECHO and adipose tissue of low density on CT scan. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as having renal angiomyolipoma. Since liposarcoma was not ruled out by the examination of frozen sections during operation, nephrectomy was performed. Case 2 is a 40-year-old woman. Diagnosed as having bilateral renal angiomyolipoma, she underwent right nephrectomy 14 years ago. Two years ago, she had heavy hematuria, and had embolization of the left renal artery. She has had no bleeding since the embolization. We are of the view that ECHO and CT can are very useful for diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma, and embolization for heavy hematuria, a complication, should be performed first of all.

[A case of arteriovenous fistulae secondary to renal cell carcinoma accompanied by congestive heart failure].

The patient was a 62-year-old male who had visited a physician with the chief complaint of fever. After IVP and CT scanning, left real carcinoma was suspected and he was transferred to our hospital on March 2, 1982. The chest X-ray showed cardiac enlargement, distention of the pulmonary veins and symptoms of congestive heart, such as dyspnea. Selective renal angiography revealed marked arteriovenous fistulae present in the neovascularity, while cardiac echo and VCG did not suggest any disease of the endocardium or the valves. Thus, the case was diagnosed as cardiac insufficiency caused by renal cell carcinoma accompanied by arteriovenous fistulae. On March 31, 1982, left transabdominal nephrectomy was performed. The specimen measured 6 x 6.5 x 13.5 cm and weighed 395 g. Histological examination of the specimen showed clear cell carcinoma, and fragmentation of the lamina elastica was observed in the arteries. Improvements in the chest X-ray findings as well as the subjective symptoms were observed post-operatively, and the patient was discharged on April 21, 1982. Since cases of renal cell carcinoma accompanied by renal arteriovenous fistulae in which congestive heart failure develops are rare in Japan, we have reported this case.

[A long-term survival after partial nephrectomy in a case of pelvic tumor arising in a solitary kidney].

A 44-year-old man was admitted on January 21, 1975 because of asymptomatic hematuria. The patient had nephrectomy of his left kidney due to nephritis at the age of three. Cystoscopy revealed no abnormalities, and excretory urography showed an irregular filling defect and slight ectasia in right upper calyx. A clinical diagnosis of pelvic tumor of the right kidney was made and partial nephrectomy was performed on April 18, 1975. The resected kidney was 4.5 X 5.0 X 6.5 cm in greatest dimension and the tumor was well localized in the upper calyx. Pathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma, papillary, grade 11, stage 1. About 2 years after the operation, the patient developed a rice-sized tumor in the bladder neck followed by transurethral resection. Otherwise he is in good condition to date, 7 years and 4 months after the partial nephrectomy.