Lung squamous cell carcinoma arising in a patient with adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

A 75-year-old male was admitted to our hospital in December 2011 with a mass in the right upper pulmonary lobe. He was incidentally diagnosed as having tracheal papillomas 10 years ago. Bronchoscopy revealed multiple polypoid papillomas in the dorsal lesion of the trachea. Polymerase chain reaction amplification detected human papillomavirus type 11 DNA in the papilloma tissues. A computed tomography scan demonstrated the occlusion of the right superior segment bronchus with distal consolidation. Furthermore, F-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography showed intense tracer uptake in the right superior segment of the lung. He underwent a right upper lobectomy. The tumor was seen as a rounded nodule, ≈ 2 cm in diameter. Histological examination of the tumor revealed squamous papilloma with papillary and solid architecture surrounded by accumulation of acute inflammatory cells. Furthermore, in a part of the tumor, squamous cell carcinoma was also present. The lymph nodes were free of tumor. After the surgery, he continued to undergo endoscopic microwave resection. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a rare disease that can cause life-threatening airway compromise and malignant transformation. The present case indicates that F-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography is indispensable for early detection of lung cancer arising in a patient with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

[A phase II study of gemcitabine and carboplatin bi-weekly combination chemotherapy for complete resected non-small-cell lung cancer patients].

Recently, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is very popular for completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer patients, but cisplatin-based regimens are not safety and tolerable for outpatients. In this study, gemcitabine plus carboplatin regimen is selected as more safety and feasible for outpatient chemotherapy, and scheduled bi-weekly administration to reduce hematological toxity, especially thrombocytopenia. Twenty patients with completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer (pStage IA - IIIB) administered gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 and carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 3 bi-weekly for 8 times at outpatient chemotherapy center except that 1st treatment was done with short stay in hospital. Of 20 patients, 13 (65%) completed the 8 times bi-weekly treatment and 7 patients incompleted because of neutropenia in 2, anemia in 1, liver dysfunction in 3, interstitial pneumonia suspected in 1. Relative dose intensity was 79%. Seven patients had grade 3/4 neutropenia, 2 had grade 3 thrombocytopenia, 2 had grade 3 anemia, and 2 had grade 3 liver dysfunction. Hematological toxity, especially thorombocytopenia are less than standard administration of gemcitabine and carboplatin regimen, so we conclude that this regimen is feasible in outpatient adjuvant chemotherapy for completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer.

Mycobacterium kyorinense sp. nov., a novel, slow-growing species, related to Mycobacterium celatum, isolated from human clinical specimens.

A novel, non-pigmented, slow-growing mycobacterium was identified on the basis of biochemical and nucleic acid analyses, as well as growth characteristics. Three isolates were cultured from clinical samples (two from sputum and one from pus in lymph nodes) obtained from three immunocompetent patients with infections. Bacterial growth occurred at 28-42 degrees C on Middlebrook 7H11-OADC agar. The isolates showed negative results for Tween hydrolysis, nitrate reductase, semiquantitative catalase, urease activity, 3 day arylsulfatase activity, pyrazinamidase, tellurite reduction and niacin accumulation tests, but positive results for 14 day arylsulfatase activity and heat-stable catalase tests. The isolates contained alpha-, keto-, and dicarboxymycolates in their cell walls. Sequence analysis revealed that all isolates had identical, unique 16S rRNA sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, rpoB, hsp65 and sodA gene sequences confirmed that these isolates are unique but closely related to Mycobacterium celatum. DNA-DNA hybridization of the isolates demonstrated less than 50 % reassociation with M. celatum and Mycobacterium branderi. On the basis of these findings, a novel species designated Mycobacterium kyorinense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KUM 060204(T) (=JCM 15038(T)=DSM 45166(T)).

Miliary brain metastasis presenting with dementia: progression pattern of cancer metastases in the cerebral cortex.

We report an autopsy case of an 82-year-old woman with progressive dementia due to miliary brain metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma. The patient presented with dementia 5 months prior to death and suddenly died of pulmonary hemorrhage. Postmortem examination revealed normal appearance of the brain. However, there were numerous foci of cancer metastasis in all parts of the brain on light microscopic examination. The carcinoma cells were located in the perivascular (Virchow-Robin) space and did not invade to the brain parenchyma. The carcinoma cells were also found in the subpial space. In the cerebral cortex, foci of metastasis appeared to spread in the following way: tiny foci of metastasis initially occur in the middle cortical layer, then spread to all layers through the perivascular space, and finally reach the subpial space and subcortical white matter. Although the junction between gray and white matter is a preferred site for usual brain metastasis, middle cortical layer was considered to be the initial site for metastasis in our patient. The perivascular pial sheath plays an important role for the development of miliary brain metastasis.

[A case of advanced esophageal cancer with suspected tracheoesophageal fistula that responded to chemoradiotherapy].

Chemoradiotherapy combined cisplatin, 5-FU and radiation was carried out in an advanced esophageal cancer with suspected tracheoesophageal fistula after insertion of an expandable metallic stent. Regression of the primary tumor was observed, and oral intake could be started. Chemoradiotherapy after insertion of the expandable metallic stent was useful in this case of advanced esophageal cancer with suspected tracheoesophageal fistula.

[Bronchial artery embolization can be effective for primary racemose hemangioma].

We report two cases of primary racemose hemangioma in patients with hemoptysis. In the first, a 59-year-old man had a pulsatile polypoid lesion in the bronchus of the lingula; and in the second, a 24-year-old woman had a nodule in the bronchus of the right lower lobe. In both patients, arteriography of the bronchial artery revealed enlargement and convolution of its branches. Primary racemose hemangioma was diagnosed in both patients. The arteriography also revealed a shunt between the pulmonary and bronchial arteries in the woman. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) was an effective treatment for the hemoptysis. To date, eight months after the embolization, hemoptysis has not recurred. Bronchoscopy and arteriography of the bronchial artery are both useful for diagnosing primary racemose hemangioma. BAE seems to be effective in treating primary racemose hemangioma.