Hideyuki Nishi

Prognostic significance of the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

OBJECTIVES Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) as a result of asbestos exposure. Several inflammation-based prognostic scores including the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) reportedly predict survival in many malignancies, while the role of LMR in MPM remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of LMR and to compare the prognostic value of these inflammation-based scores in predicting overall survival (OS) in MPM. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and fifty patients with histologically proven MPM were included in this retrospective study. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox-regression analyses were calculated for OS. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the discriminatory ability of each scoring system. RESULTS An elevated LMR was significantly associated with prolonged OS. Patients with LMR <2.74 had significantly poor survival compared with LMR ≥2.74 (median, 5.0 versus 14.0 months; p=0.000). The LMR consistently had a higher AUC value at 6 months (0.722), 12 months (0.712), and 24 months (0.670), compared with other scores. Multivariate analysis showed that the LMR was independently associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS The LMR is an independent prognostic marker for OS in patients with MPM and is superior to other inflammation-based prognostic scores with respect to prognostic ability.

Hydronephrosis due to ureteral endometriosis treated by transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolysis

Abstract  Ureteral obstruction secondary to endometriosis is relatively uncommon. We present a 43‐year‐old multiparous woman who suffered from periodic left loin pain in the terminal period of her menstruation. Excretory urogram demonstrated left hydronephrosis and hydroureter and obstruction of the lower left ureter just inferior to the left sacroiliac joint without urolithiasis. An enhanced computed tomography scan showed soft tissue density mass around the left ureter at the level of the stenosis. She underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolysis and adhesiotomy of the left ureter under the diagnosis of ureteral endometriosis. Because blueberry spots were clearly observed on the pelvic brim, the fibrous tissue surrounded the ureter was removed with peritoneal bleeding spots. Histological examination of the surrounding tissue confirmed the ectopic endometriosis. Even though retroperitoneoscopy is frequently used for ureteral lesion, transperitoneal laparoscopy has an advantage for resection of ectopic endometriosis surrounding the ureter.

The effects of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) on canine cadaver lung transplantation

The intrapulmonary thrombi that form after the cessation of circulation are thought to be one of the major causes of graft function failure. We evaluated the effect of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in a canine cadaver lung transplant model. Donor dogs were killed by the intravenous administration of pancuronium bromide without heparinization, and left for 2h at room temperature. The donor lungs were then flushed with low potassium dextran glucose (LPDG) solution, being subjected to a total ischemic time of 3h. Following left lung transplantation, the contralateral pulmonary artery of the recipient dogs was ligated. In group 1 (n=6), chloride solution was administered from the main pulmonary artery for 90 min, commencing 15 min prior to reperfusion. In group 2 (n=6), 2.5 μg/kg per min of rt-PA, and in group 3 (n=6), 5.0 μg/kg per min of rt-PA, were continuously infused in the same manner as in group 1. Lung function, including arterial blood gases and pulmonary hemodynamics, was measured for 3h. The side effects of rt-PA were evaluated by measuring the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, alpha2-plasmin inhibitor (α2-PI), plasminogen, and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product (FDP). All of the animals in the three groups survived throughout the observation period. The group 3 animals had significantly better gas exchange than the group 1 animals, and the pulmonary hemodynamics were significantly better in the group 2 and 3 animals than in the group 1 animals. The FDP levels in the group 2 and 3 animals were significantly higher than those in the group 1 animals, while the PT and APTT were significantly prolonged in the group 3 animals. These findings led us to conclude that rt-PA improves early lung function, particularly pulmonary hemodynamics.

Paraneoplastic hypercalcemia with adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon.

Hypercalcemia is a well-known manifestation of paraneoplastic syndromes associated with a variety of malignancies. However, colon cancer has only rarely been associated with hypercalcemia. Here we present the first case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the sigmoid colon in a patient who was found to have hypercalcemia associated with parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), with no radiological evidence of metastasis to other organs. A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of lower abdominal pain. Physical examination and computed tomography revealed a tumor, 13 cm in diameter, in the sigmoid colon. Laboratory data showed an elevated serum calcium level (11.2 mg/dl). Primary colostomy was performed. After the primary operation, the patient was found to have hypercalcemia and an elevated PTHrP level. We performed sigmoidectomy, total hysterectomy, and partial urinary bladder resection 1 month after the primary operation, and both PTHrP and calcium levels immediately returned to normal. The histopathologic diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenosquamous carcinoma. The patient died due to tumor recurrence 4 months after the second surgery.

Pancreatitis Induced by Valproic Acid: Report of a Case

Abstract A 22-year-old woman with intellectual impairment, who had been taking valproic acid continuously for 19 years since being diagnosed with epiloia at the age of 3 years, presented to our hospital following the sudden development of epigastric pain. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. Conservative treatment was initiated, despite which the pancreatitis became exacerbated, necessitating resection of the pancreatic head and duodenum. Histological examination of the resected specimens revealed a large number of pancreatic calculi in the main pancreatic duct, suggesting chronic pancreatitis with fibrosis at the periphery. The incidence of pancreatitis developing in association with valproic acid is unclear; however, only 40 such cases have been reported in the English literature. Most of the patients previously described presented with acute pancreatitis in the initial stage. However, the clinical course of our patient, with acute exacerbation following a relatively chronic course, was different from those previously described, suggesting the presence of chronic pancreatitis related to valproic acid.

Angiosarcoma of the thoracic wall responded well to nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel: A case report.

An 81-year-old woman visited a local clinic due to chest pain and a skin induration on the right precordia. She had a history of right breast cancer, and she had undergone a mastectomy and radiation therapy 10 years prior. Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the chest demonstrated a lobular mass that involved the right anterior thoracic wall and partially extruded from the thoracic cavity into the subcutaneous tissue. The tumor was surgically excised, and pathological analyses yielded a diagnosis of angiosarcoma. Five months after the operation, CT imaging showed multiple masses on the right pleura, indicating a local relapse and pleural dissemination of the angiosarcoma. Systemic chemotherapy composed of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) (80 mg/m(2)) was delivered weekly. After 4 courses of chemotherapy, the tumors regressed remarkably. Nab-PTX may be an effective treatment option for recurrent or metastatic angiosarcoma.

Simultaneous occurrence of bilateral malignant pleural mesothelioma

A 59-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of left pleural effusion detected at a regular medical checkup. A chest X-ray showed left pleural effusion. A thoracoscopic pleural biopsy specimen from the left side gave a pathological diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), epithelioid type. Then thoracoscopic exploration of the right pleura was performed because of fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation along the right dorsal pleura. Thoracoscopic exploration of the right indicated no visible tumor formation, but a pleural biopsy specimen revealed epithelioid MPM. In this case, MPM in each thorax was confined to the parietal pleura and was classified as stage I. We therefore suggest that MPM may develop simultaneously in both thoraxes.

Clinical features of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax complicated with silicosis

BACKGROUND Few studies have focused on the management of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) as a complication of pneumoconiosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and therapeutic course of SSP associated with silicosis. METHODS Between April 2005 and March 2015, 17 patients with silicosis underwent chest tube drainage for SSP in our institution. We retrospectively analyzed patient characteristics, type of treatment, clinical course, rate of recurrence, and survival time, and compared them with those of 30 patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the same period. RESULTS Fourteen patients with silicosis had performance status score ≥ 2 and modified Medical Research Council Grade ≥ 2; these were significantly different from those in patients with COPD (P = 0.047, P = 0.026). Patients with silicosis had a significantly longer duration of chest tube placement and hospital stay. Recurrent pneumothorax occurred in 47.1% of patients with silicosis, which was not significantly different from the proportion of patients with COPD (40.9%, P = 0.843). However, in the silicosis group, patients treated with chest tube drainage alone tended to have a higher rate of ipsilateral recurrence than those who had pleurodesis, although this was not statistically significant. The median overall survival time of patients with silicosis was 82.6 months, while that of patients with COPD was 104.1 months. CONCLUSIONS Patients with silicosis had worse physical status and respiratory functions at the time of occurrence of pneumothorax than those with COPD. Pleurodesis could be an effective treatment for SSP complicating silicosis.

The Rapid Appearance and Disappearance of Dendriform Pulmonary Ossification after Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage

The Rapid Appearance and Disappearance of Dendriform Pulmonary Ossification after Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Tomoko Yamagishi, Nobukazu Fujimoto, Yosuke Miyamoto, Naofumi Hara, Michiko Asano, Yasuko Fuchimoto, Sae Wada, Kenichi Kitamura, Shinji Ozaki, Hideyuki Nishi, and Takumi Kishimoto Department of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgery, and Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama Rosai Hospital, Okayama, Japan

Foreign body granuloma mimicking recurrence of malignant pleural mesothelioma

A 72-year-old man visited our hospital due to right pleural effusion. He had worked as a welder at a shipbuilding company and had been exposed to asbestos. Cytological examination and thoracoscopic pleural biopsy yielded a diagnosis of epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM); extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) was performed. Two years later, he became aware of right-back swelling that became a fist-sized mass over 2 months. Microscopy of a tissue specimen revealed no malignant cells, but did indicate foreign body granuloma. Subcutaneous lesions that develop after EPP do not necessarily result from the recurrence of MPM, but could have benign etiologies.