A new clustering model based on the seminal plasma/serum ratios of multiple trace element concentrations in male patients with subfertility.

Purpose: To investigate whether seminal plasma (SP)/serum ratios of multiple trace elements (TEs) can classify patients with male subfertility. Methods: SP/serum ratios of 20 TEs (lithium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, rubidium, strontium, molybdenum, cesium, barium, and thallium) were calculated for healthy volunteers (n = 4) and those consulting for male subfertility (n = 245). Volunteer semen samples were collected by split ejaculation into early and subsequent fractions, and SP/serum ratio data were compared between fractions. The patients' SP/serum ratio data were used in an unsupervised clustering analysis and qualitatively compared with the data from the fractions of ejaculation from the volunteers. Semen quality parameters and pregnancy outcomes were compared between patient clusters. Results: The early fraction of volunteers was characterized by lower phosphorus and arsenic and 18 other higher TEs than the subsequent fraction. Cluster analysis classified patients into four distinct clusters, one sharing characteristics with the early fraction and another with the subsequent fraction. One cluster with the early fraction characteristics had significantly lower semen volume and higher pregnancy rates from spontaneous pregnancies or intrauterine insemination. Conclusions: Classification of patients based on SP/serum ratios of multiple TEs represents the dominance of fractions of ejaculation samples.

Abdominal nonfunctional paraganglioma in which succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) immunostaining was performed: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal nonfunctional paraganglioma is rare. Malignant potential of paraganglioma is assessed by Grading of Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma score and genetic testing, but genetic testing is not common. We present a case of abdominal nonfunctional paraganglioma whose malignant potential was assessed by grading of adrenal pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma score and succinate dehydrogenase subunit B staining alternative to genetic testing. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old Japanese man had a right retroperitoneal tumor without symptoms. Uptake in the tumor was shown by 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. There were no metastases. The results of biochemical workups including blood hormones and urinary metanephrines were normal. We performed retroperitoneoscopic surgery. The tumor was positive for chromogranin A staining but negative for tyrosine hydroxylase. On the basis of the preoperative biochemical workups and pathology results, we diagnosed the tumor as nonfunctional paraganglioma. The Grading of Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma score classified the tumor as moderately differentiated. Furthermore, negative succinate dehydrogenase subunit B staining suggested the patient has the SDHx (SDHA, SDHB, SDHC and SDHD) mutation. CONCLUSION: Abdominal nonfunctional PGLs are associated with SDHB mutation, and SDHB staining should be performed as a screening.

[Adrenocortical Oncocytic Tumor : A Report of Two Cases].

Adrenocortical oncocytic tumors are rare. As the Weiss criteria overestimate the malignancy of oncocytic tumor due to histological hallmarks, the Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia system (LWB system) is required for an accurate diagnosis of the malignant potential of an oncocytic tumor. We report two cases diagnosed as an oncocytic tumor with uncertain malignant potential (borderline) and an oncocytic tumor (benign) based on the LWB system, both of which were diagnosed as malignant based on the Weiss criteria. Case 1 : A man in his 20s was referred to our hospital for treatment of a left adrenal tumor. A non-functional pheochromocytoma or adrenal cancer was suspected. He underwent surgical resection of the left adrenal tumor and left kidney. The specimen was positive for 3 of the 9 Weiss criteria, but met one minor criterion in the LWB system. He was diagnosed with an oncocytic tumor with uncertain malignant potential (borderline). Case 2 : A woman in her 40s was referred to our hospital for treatment of a left adrenal tumor. Under the possibility of adrenal cancer, she underwent surgical resection of the left adrenal tumor. The specimen was positive for 3 of the 9 Weiss criteria, but the specimen met no criteria in the LWB system. She was diagnosed with an oncocytic tumor (benign). There has been no recurrence of the oncocytic tumor as of 2 years of follow-up in the two patients.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor associated arteritis in a patient with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-associated arteritis is a rare adverse event of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, with an incidence of 0.47% among all patients who receive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. We herein present a case of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-associated arteritis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old man with castration-resistant prostate cancer and multiple bone metastases was treated with docetaxel and pegfilgrastim. He developed a high fever on day 12 without other symptoms. His white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels were high. Antibiotic therapy was ineffective, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed thickened subclavian and brachiocephalic artery walls. He was diagnosed with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-associated arteritis. CONCLUSION: When patients receiving chemotherapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor develop an unexplained fever, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor associated arteritis should be considered.

[A Case of Perfusion Failure of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Treated by Reduced Port Surgery].

A 17-year-old man received continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheter implantation and had started peritoneal dialysis. Perfusion failure of peritoneal dialysis catheter occurred one month after the catheter implantation. Transcatheter contrast examination revealed catheter obstruction about 4-5 cm from the catheter tip. We performed reduced port surgery to remove the obstruction. Laparoscopy revealed that the omentum was adhered to the abdominal wall and wrapped the catheter. We diagnosed the cause of catheter malfunction as omentum wrapping. We removed the omentum from the catheter, and repositioned the catheter into the Douglas fossa. Although CAPD worked successfully after the operation, perfusion failure recurred one month after the operation. The patient requested discontinuation of CAPD and change to hemodialysis. Therefore, we removed the CAPD catheter. The catheter was adhered to the omentum. Reduced port surgery for peritoneal dialysis catheter obstruction has the advantage of being minimally invasive and is a reliable procedure, but further studies are needed to reduce the recurrence rate of perfusion failure and to establish the procedure after perfusion failure.

[A Case of Retroperitoneal Bronchogenic Cyst Successfully Resected with Retroperitoneoscopic Surgery].

A 32-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for consultation with a suspected left adrenal tumor detected by ultrasonography at a health check. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 3×1×4 cm multilocular cystic mass arising from the diaphragmatic crura, suggesting a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst. The patient underwent excision of the cyst and adjacent diaphragm using a retroperitoneoscopic approach. Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts are rare. We review the cases of 26 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection of a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst.