Twenty years' use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheet for an artificial cardiac pacemaker.

Physicians can prolongedly use expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheets for fixation of artificial cardiac pacemakers to avoid pacemaker lead displacement. The sheets can also be used to prevent implant rejection in patients with metal allergies.

Stepwise partial splenic embolization for portal hypertension based on a new concept: Splanchnic caput Medusae.

Management of splenomegaly with thrombocytopenia is important in the treatment of portal hypertension. We propose a new concept: "Splanchnic Caput Medusae" in which enlarged spleen is her face and portal collateral pathways are her snake hairs. We report 2 demonstrable cases who were treated based on this new concept. Case 1 with refractory esophageal varices and splenomegaly was treated by stepwise partial splenic embolization (PSE) and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with ligation. Spleen/liver volume ratio changed from 0.33 to 0.10. Hepatic venous pressure gradient changed from 19 to 14 mmHg. Case 2 with mesenteric shunt and splenomegaly was treated by stepwise PSE and retrograde obliteration. Spleen/liver volume ratio changed from 0.70 to 0.05. Hepatic venous pressure gradient changed from 11 to 7 mmHg. In these 2 cases, 3D-CT reconstruction images after treatment revealed that spleen- portal system reversed almost to normal form. We conclude that splenomegaly and portal collateral pathways could be considered as "Splanchnic Caput Medusae" and have to be treated by stepwise PSE.

Flood syndrome managed by partial splenic embolization and percutaneous peritoneal drainage.

Flood syndrome is a rare complication of cirrhosis of liver accompanied by ascites and a sudden rupture of umbilical hernia causing drainage of ascitic fluid from abdominal cavity. We report management of a case of Flood syndrome which was caused by rupture of incisional hernia. The clinical picture was similar to well described and widely accepted Flood syndrome. A 70-year-old female with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis was transported to the emergency department with a sudden drainage of ascitic fluid after sudden dehiscence of pre-existing incisional hernia and diffuse abdominal tenderness. Initially, she was managed by applying ostomy bag and diuretics to reduce the ascites. On 8th day of admission, a 16 Fr. drain was percutaneously placed in the left lower abdominal quadrant to divert the fluid from the abdominal wall defect. On 13th day, 80% partial splenic embolization (PSE) was attempted to control portal hypertension to reduce the ascites volume. After PSE, the hepatic venous pressure gradient reduced from 28 to 21cm H2O. The peritoneal drain was removed on 16th day and she was discharged on 22nd day. We conclude that PSE and temporary percutaneous peritoneal drainage are useful option to manage Flood syndrome.

Hemoperitoneum and sepsis from transhepatic gallbladder perforation of acute cholecystitis: A case report.

We report a case of hemoperitoneum and sepsis from transhepatic gallbladder perforation in an 87-year-old male with acute cholecystitis who had past history of endoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile duct stone. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed intrahepatic and subcapsular low density areas. A wall defect of gallbladder was seen in coronal and sagittal - sections at the liver bed. Fluids obtained through the paracentesis were hemorrhagic. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) was attempted. First cholangiography revealed an orifice of fistula. Further injection of contrast medium drained into the intrahepatic secondary abscess and intraperitoneal cavity confirming the diagnosis of transhepatic gallbladder perforation. We conclude that contrast-enhanced CT with coronal and sagittal - sections and cholangiography via PTGBD tube are useful to confirm diagnosis of transhepatic gallbladder perforation.

[Tension Hemothorax Associated with Spontaneous Rupture of the Thoracic Aorta;Report of a Case].

A 94-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with sudden onset of chest pain without any episode of trauma. Computed tomography(CT) revealed left massive pleural effusion and extravasation of contrast medium from the side chest wall to the back. Neither aortic aneurysm nor dissection was evident. During the investigation, the patient went into hypovolemic shock. Hemothorax due to bleeding from an intercostal artery was diagnosed, and emergency surgery was performed. A 1-mm hole was detected in the descending aorta, and closed by a single suture. The final diagnosis was spontaneous rupture of the thoracic aorta. Three-dimensional CT (3D-CT), reconstructed postoperatively, revealed extravasation of the contrast medium from the descending aorta. The postoperative course was satisfactory, and the patient was discharged on the 20th postoperative day. 3D-CT may be useful for identifying the source of bleeding in such cases.

Acquired cystic disease-associated renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid change and rhabdoid features.

Acquired cystic disease (ACD)-associated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a recently described entity. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of ACD-associated RCC with sarcomatoid and rhabdoid changes. In this article, we present the first case of such a tumor. A 56-year-old Japanese man has received long-term hemodialysis and had a history of right renal cancer. Following the discovery of metastatic cancer in the thoracic wall, detailed imaging studies revealed a mass in the left kidney. The histologic examination of the left renal tumor showed ACD-associated RCC with sarcomatoid change and rhabdoid features. Immunohistochemically, intracytoplasmic globular inclusions in rhabdoid cells were positive for vimentin and cytokeratin CAM5.2. The G-band karyotype showed the following changes: 46, X, +X. -Y[1]/43, idem, add(2)(q31), -6, -9, -14, -15, +16, -22, +mar1[6]/46, XY[2]/abnormal cell[11]. In conclusion, pathologists and urologists should be aware that rhabdoid features may occur in ACD-associated RCC and that the loss of chromosomes 9 and 14 may occur during the process of sarcomatoid change in ACD-associated RCC.

Application of immunocytochemistry to the diagnosis of primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the lung.

Pulmonary epithelioid angiosarcoma is rare, and there are no descriptions of the immunocytochemistry of such a case. We report a case with focus on immunocytochemistry of imprint cytological specimens here. A 43-year-old Japanese man presented with cough. Brushing cytology of the tumor using a bronchoscope showed a malignant neoplasm. Subsequently, left lower lobectomy was undertaken. Imprint cytological material of the neoplastic cells noted some clusters of round, or oval, to polygonal epithelioid cells. Histological examination showed the proliferation of epithelioid neoplastic cells containing erythrocytes in the cytoplasm. The immunocytochemistry in imprint cytological specimens showed a focal positive reaction for von Willebrand factor, and the immunohistochemistry of the surgically resected lung tumor showed a focal positive reaction for Fli-1, von Willebrand factor, CD31, and CD34. Finally, we suggest that the immunocytochemical study of imprint cytological materials may supply available information in diagnosing angiosarcoma with epithelioid features lacking characteristic structures.

The majority of triple-negative breast cancer may correspond to basal-like carcinoma, but triple-negative breast cancer is not identical to basal-like carcinoma.

Recently, the concept of basal-like carcinoma has been proposed. However, there are only a few reports about the relationship between triple-negative cancer and basal-like carcinoma. In this article, we report the study of the expression of basal cell markers in 11 triple-negative cancers. Eight tumors (4 metaplastic carcinomas, 2 invasive ductal carcinomas, 1 invasive papillary carcinoma, and 1 medullary carcinoma) were positive for more than three markers among cytokeratins 5, 14, and 17, and p63. Three tumors (2 invasive ductal carcinomas and 1 apocrine carcinoma) were completely negative for all markers. Among 8 tumors positive for basal markers, cytokeratins 5 and 17 were expressed in all 8 tumors, cytokeratin 14 in 6 tumors, and p63 in 7 tumors. Finally, we conclude that the majority of triple-negative cancer may correspond to basal-like carcinoma, but the two entities are not identical. The use of combination immunohistochemistry including cytokeratins 5, 14, and 17 and p63 may contribute to the detection of basal-like carcinoma.

Elastofibroma: a histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of two patients.

Elastofibroma is a rare neoplasm. In this article, we report our study of the pathogenesis of fibrosis in elastofibroma. Three tumors obtained from two patients were selected. One patient was a 57-year-old Japanese woman who had a bilateral tumor, and the other patient was a 83-year-old Japanese man. All tumors occurred in the infrascapular region. Macroscopically, the cut surface of all tumors showed a poorly defined and whitish mass with yellowish foci. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of collagen fiber bundles, abnormal elastic fibers, and spindle cells suggestive of fibroblasts. Elastica-van Gieson and Masson-trichrome stain identified abnormal elastic fibers and abundant collagen fibers, respectively, in elastofibroma. Immunohistochemically, fibroblasts were positive for CD34 but negative for alpha-smooth muscle actin and h-caldesmon. Additionally, the cytoplasm of many fibroblasts was positive for TGF-beta in all tumors. Ultrastructurally, some fibroblasts with abundant organelles in one tumor were observed in the adjacent area to amorphous elastic mass and bundles of collagen fibers. However, no myofibroblasts were ultrastructurally identified in the tumor. Finally, our study supplies further evidence that elastofibroma may show the proliferation of CD34-positive fibroblasts and contain no myofibroblasts, and that fibroblasts may produce both abnormal elastic fibers and collagen fibers through the secretion of TGF-beta.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung with calcification and expression of osteopontin.

A large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare neoplasm. In this article, we report a case of LCNEC with stromal calcification. A 46-year-old Japanese man was found to have an abnormal shadow in the left upper lobe in a chest X-ray. As the size of the tumor increased during the follow-up, a left upper lobectomy was performed. Histological examination disclosed neuroendocrine morphology consisting of large cells, and subsequent immunohistochemistry confirmed the neuroendocrine differentiation. A diagnosis of LCNEC was established. Additionally, calcification was observed in the stroma within the tumor. Immunohistochemically, parts of neoplastic cells of LCNEC and calcified foci were positive for osteopontin. Finally, we suggest that osteopontin as well as dystrophy within the tumor may be involved in the stromal calcification of LCNEC.

Granular cell tumor arising metachronously in the bronchus and esophagus.

We present a case of granular cell tumor (GCT) occurring in the esophagus 7 years after operation for bronchial GCT. A 59-year-old Japanese man complained of epigastralgia, and endoscopic examination of the upper digestive tract disclosed a submucosal tumor in the lower esophagus. Histological examination of the endoscopic mucosal resection of the esophageal tumor showed a proliferation of neoplastic cells with an eosinophilic and granular cytoplasm. The cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells was histochemically positive for PAS stain and immunohistochemically positive for S-100. This tumor did not fulfill any of the diagnostic criteria for malignancy at either the macroscopic or microscopic level. I believe that this is the first case of GCT occurring metachronously in the respiratory and digestive tracts. Clinicians and pathologists should bear in mind that GCT may arise metachronously in the respiratory and digestive tracts.