[Endovascular Repair of Aortic Injury Caused by Esophageal Foreign Body:Report of a Case].

A 51-year-old man visited to our hospital because of chest discomfort and hematemesis. He was diagnosed with Mallory-Weiss syndrome and followed in outpatient clinic. One week later, he visited our hospital again for fever and discomfort. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a foreign body perforated in the mediastinum in the upper esophagus, and he was urgently hospitalized for surgical removal of esophageal foreign body. Before surgery he vomited the esophageal foreign body with a lot of blood. Hematemesis was stopped spontaneously and contrast-enhanced CT revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the distal aortic arch, so thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed to prevent rupture. Esophageal endoscopy found that the site of esophageal injury healed spontaneously, so the patient was followed conservatively with antibiotics. He was discharged on postoperative day 18 uneventfully. TEVAR was an effective treatment for aortic injury caused by esophageal foreign body in our case.

Hydrogen-rich water reduced oxidative stress and renal fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Congenital obstructive nephropathy (CKD) is commonly implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease occurring in the pediatric and adolescent age groups and the release of reactive oxygen species contribute to the worsening of renal fibrosis. Molecular hydrogen (H2) protects against tissue injury by reducing oxidative stress. We evaluated the efficacy of oral H2-rich water (HW) intake in preventing unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal injury in rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley UUO or control rats were administered with distilled water (DW) or HW for 2 weeks post-surgery. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of kidney samples were performed. RESULTS: Histological changes were not apparent in the sham-operated kidneys. However, UUO kidneys were found to have widened interstitial spaces and tubular dilatation. Compared with the UUO + DW group, HW administration attenuated tubulointerstitial injury and reduced interstitial fibrotic area, causing a substantial decline in the frequency of α-SMA-, ED-1-, and TGF-ß1-positive cells in the UUO + HW group. The decrease in the klotho mRNA expression in the UUO + HW group was less pronounced than that in the UUO + DW group. CONCLUSION: Oral HW intake reduced oxidative stress and prevented interstitial fibrosis in UUO kidneys, potentially involving klotho in the underlying mechanism. IMPACT: Oral intake of hydrogen-rich water (HW) can reduce oxidative stress and suppress interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal injury in rats. This mechanism possibly involves klotho, which is known for its antiaging roles. The association between molecular hydrogen and klotho in renal fibrosis is well known; this is the first report on the association in a unilateral ureteral obstruction model. Drinking HW is a safe and convenient treatment for oxidative stress-induced pathologies, without side effects. As a prospect for future research, oral HW intake to treat oxidative stress may improve renal fibrosis in congenital obstructive nephropathy.

Reference serum creatinine levels according to sex, age, and height in children with Down syndrome.

Standard serum creatinine (S-Cr) levels in healthy children fluctuate with age and sex. However, it is unclear if this fluctuation in S-Cr levels is present for children with Down syndrome (DS) who show atypical growth rate. Therefore, we aimed to establish specific reference S-Cr levels for DS and compare them with the prevailing standard levels. We retrospectively reviewed 984 children with DS aged 3 months to 18 years who visited our medical center. Patients with diseases affecting S-Cr levels were excluded. We calculated the reference S-Cr levels according to sex, age, and length/height using medical records. A total of 3765 examinations of 568 children with DS were registered for this study. Ages and S-Cr levels were examined for boys (y = 0.032x + 0.20; r = 0.868, P < 0.0001), and girls (y = 0.024x + 0.23; r = 0.835, P < 0.0001). S-Cr levels in children aged >9 years were significantly higher in boys than in girls. The 430 children with DS aged 2-8 years were examined 1867 times. Height and S-Cr levels showed a significantly strong positive correlation (r = 0.670, P < 0.001) with regression equation y = 0.37x. The quintic equations calculated with S-Cr levels and length/height for boys (336 children, 2043 tests, r = 0.887) and girls (232 children, 1722 tests, r = 0.805) werey = - 6.132x5 + 32.78x4 - 67.86x3 + 68.31x2 - 33.14x + 6.41, and y = 0.09542x5 + 1.295x4 - 6.401x3 + 10.35x2 - 6.746x + 1.772. All calculated results varied from the standard levels for healthy children.Conclusion: This study established reference S-Cr levels and quintic equations specific for children with DS. These reference levels would be potentially useful in evaluating S-Cr levels and renal function in this population. What is Known: •Standard serum creatinine levels vary with age and sex to reflect muscle mass. •Reference serum creatinine levels specific to children with Down syndrome who show growth rates different from those of healthy children have not been established. What is New: •Serum creatinine levels in children with Down syndrome showed different trajectories for sex, age, and length/height when compared with the standard levels for healthy children. •This report on specific reference serum creatinine levels for children with Down syndrome is useful in the assessment of renal function in these children.

Open Surgical Repair for a Giant Common Hepatic Artery Aneurysm with Difficulty in Proximal Arterial Clamping: A Case Report.

Hepatic artery aneurysm has been considered as a rare, life-threatening disease. In this study, we report on a patient requiring surgical treatment for a giant hepatic artery aneurysm by aneurysmectomy without revascularization. A 70-year-old woman who complained of epigastric pain was referred to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography scan has revealed a giant (11×9 cm) common hepatic artery aneurysm. She then underwent emergency surgery; the intra-aortic balloon occlusion technique was applied in order to control the blood inflow into the aneurysm. The aneurysm was then incised, and direct closure of the inflow and outflow orifices was performed safely without evidence of ischemic change in the liver.

[Structural Deterioration of a Bovine Pericardial Valve in a Tricuspid Position 14 Years Postoperatively;Report of a Case].

Although nonstructural dysfunction of a bioprosthesis caused by pannus formation or native valve attachment has been well described, structural valve deterioration( SVD) caused by calcification or tear of a bioprosthesis, especially a bovine pericardial valve, is very rare in the tricuspid position. We report a case of redo tricuspid valve surgery for SVD 14 years after tricuspid valve replacement( TVR) using a Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (CEP) pericardial valve. A 71-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of exertional dyspnea and pre-syncope. She had undergone mitral valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical mechanical valve and TVR with a CEP pericardial valve 14 years previously. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed tricuspid valve stenosis with a mean trans-tricuspid valve pressure gradient (TVPG) of 7.3 mmHg. Redo TVR using a CEP Magna Mitral Ease valve was performed under cardiac arrest. Severe calcification was observed on the ventricular side of the leaflets of the explanted valve. The mean TVPG decreased to 3.2 mmHg after surgery, and the patient's postoperative course was uneventful.

Coronary Arteriovenous Fistula in Continuity With the Aortic Arch.

Coronary arteriovenous fistula in continuity with the aortic arch by abnormal vessels running along the surface of the pulmonary artery is rare. We describe 2 patients with this rare and unique arteriovenous network and discuss the issue of diagnosis and treatment with a review of the literature.

Tip-Apex Distance Is Most Important of Six Predictors of Screw Cutout After Internal Fixation of Intertrochanteric Fractures in Women.

BACKGROUND: Six risk factors for screw cutout after internal fixation of intertrochanteric fractures have been reported. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the impact of the 6 risk factors of screw cutout to clarify the most important one. METHODS: We enrolled 8 consecutive patients who had screw cutout and 48 random control subjects after internal fixation of intertrochanteric fractures treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation systems at our institution. All of the patients were female. The group that had screw cutout and the control group were retrospectively evaluated and compared with respect to the OTA/AO classification, presence of a posterolateral fragment, types of reduction pattern on anteroposterior and lateral radiographic images, position of the screw, and the presence of a tip-apex distance (TAD) of ≥20 mm. The impact of each factor on screw cutout was assessed using backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis with the Akaike information criterion. Risk stratification was assessed using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. RESULTS: Among 6 risk factors, only a TAD of ≥20 mm had a significant impact on screw cutout, with an adjusted odds ratio of 12.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 129.0; p = 0.019). CART analysis also demonstrated that a TAD of ≥20 mm was the most important risk stratification factor (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among the 6 previously reported screw cutout-related factors, only a TAD of ≥20 mm was associated with screw cutout after internal fixation of intertrochanteric fractures with proximal femoral nail antirotation systems. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

[Three Mitral Valve Operations in a Patient with Trousseau Syndrome and Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis Caused by Ovarian Cancer].

A 52-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for acute right hemi-paresis, left homonymous hemianopia, and fever. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple cerebral infarctions and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a vegetation on the posterior leaflet of her mitral valve. Mitral valve repair was performed under a diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE). Further multiple cerebral infarctions occurred on the 11th postoperative day, resulting in left hemiplegia and dysarthria. TEE revealed vegetations on her mitral valve and mitral valve replacement (MVR) was performed. Microscopic examination of the resected valve showed mild lymphocytic infiltration, but no bacterial or fungal organisms were detected. On the 66th day after the initial surgery, she developed deep vein thrombosis and acute pulmonary embolism. Abdominal computed tomography showed a huge ovarian tumor, and TEE demonstrated vegetations on the left atrial wall, the aortic valve, and the mechanical valve immobilizing one of the leaflets. The patient was finally diagnosed as having Trousseau syndrome caused by an ovarian tumor and non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis( NBTE). Three months after the initial operation, redo MVR was performed and aortic valve vegetations were removed. Four days later, the ovarian cancer was resected. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on foot on the 143rd day after the initial operation. NBTE caused by malignancy is rare but must be considered when managing endocarditis.

Retrograde type A dissection after thoracic endovascular repair due to the barb.

We present a case of retrograde ascending aortic dissection in a 65-year-old man 8 months after emergency thoracic endovascular repair of an atherosclerotic aneurysm. Intraoperative findings identified a retrograde ascending aortic dissection due to the barb of the stent-graft. Retrograde type A dissection is a rare but fatal complication after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. There are some reports of retrograde ascending aortic dissection, but the etiology remains unclear. The subtle back-and-forth motion of the barb during the cardiac cycle may cause aortic injuries that result in retrograde ascending aortic dissection.

[Diffuse descending necrotizing mediastinitis with cardiac tamponade;report of a case].

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis( DNM) is often a lethal condition resulting from odontogenic or cervical infection, with a previously reported mortality rate of 25 to 40%, which is known to accompany occasional pericardial effusion. Here, we report a case of diffuse DNM with cardiac tamponade.

Efficacy of preoperative skin traction for hip fractures: a single-institution prospective randomized controlled trial of skin traction versus no traction.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative traction for hip fractures is of no benefit in semi-urgent surgery. However, its efficacy has not been assessed in cases in which emergency surgery was not possible. We evaluated the efficacy of preoperative skin traction for hip fractures in a level II trauma center in Japan where many patients undergo delayed surgery. METHODS: We undertook a randomized controlled trial. Eighty-one patients were randomized to be treated with skin traction (41 patients), or bed rest (40 patients). Preoperative pain was assessed by use of a visual analogue scale and the number of analgesics required. Fracture reduction was measured on the basis of leg-length and neck-shaft angle discrepancies on the radiograph on admission, a day before surgery, and after surgery. RESULTS: The mean time from admission to surgery was 7.5 days. Pain decreased markedly on the day after admission in both the traction and no-traction groups. No significant difference was found during the preoperative waiting period between the groups in either pain score or number of analgesics taken. No significant difference was found in radiographic data either before or after surgery, and satisfactory reduction was achieved after surgery irrespective of the use of skin traction. CONCLUSIONS: In our single-institution prospective randomized controlled trial, preoperative skin traction for patients with hip fracture had no effect on pain relief before surgery or reduction of fracture displacement during surgery, irrespective of preoperative waiting time.

Castleman's disease along the left tracheobronchial tree with a difficult preoperative diagnosis.

A 39-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an asymptomatic middle mediastinal tumor. A preliminary histological diagnosis of the tumor by bronchoscopy was difficult to obtain because the tumor was located along the left tracheobronchial tree, which is difficult to approach. The tumor was resected through a right anteroaxillary thoracotomy without any major complications, and histopathological examination revealed that the lesion was Castleman's disease, hyaline-vascular type. Radiological findings of the lesion were typical; however, the rarity of the tumor made the imaging diagnosis difficult. If a lesion is located along the tracheobronchial tree, Castleman's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Venous drainage method for cardiopulmonary bypass in single-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery: siphon and vacuum-assisted drainage.

Vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) can facilitate venous drainage in single-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery (SAMICS). We retrospectively examined the use of VAVD in SAMICS in our hospital for this report. VAVD has been performed according to a VAVD protocol since 2000. Data from the 110 patients who underwent SAMICS in our institute from January 2000 to June 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. The total negative pressure was maintained at no greater than -90 mmHg. Indications for use of VAVD (protocol) were: insufficient venous return by siphon drainage alone, persistent elevation of the central venous pressure (CVP), and, insufficient venous drainage in the operative field. Of 110 patients, 97 (88.2%) underwent VAVD. The body surface area was significantly smaller in the group that did not require VAVD (the non-VAVD group) than in the group that did (VAVD group) (VAVD group versus non-VAVD group: 1.586 +/- 0.175 versus 1.408 +/- 0.153 m(2), P < 0.001). Other factors such as cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, postoperative maximum lactate dehydrogenase, postoperative maximum creatinine, postoperative maximum blood urea nitrogen were similar in the two groups. VAVD is necessary in SAMICS except for small patients. A VAVD total negative pressure of -90 mmHg did not hinder operative procedures or cause clinical problems.

Delayed blow-out type rupture of the right ventricle following blunt chest trauma.

A 36-year-old man suffered multiple traumatic injuries when he fell from a crane. Fractures of both lower extremities, a compression fracture of the fourth lumbar vertebra, and bilateral hemopneumothoraxes were identified. The sternum was not fractured, but was tender. The day after admission, the right ventricular free wall ruptured and was diagnosed by echocardiography. An emergency operation was performed. A Gore-tex sheet was sutured from inside the ventricle, and a Hemashield graft was sutured over the tear. The risk of hemorrhage is high in the patient with multiple traumatic injuries when heparin is required. Mechanical ventilation was required until the 13th postoperative day because persistent hemothorax. After an operation to reduce a leg fracture, the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 66th postoperative day.