Marianna M. Davidian

Establishment of new human prostatic cancer cell line (JCA-I)

The establishment of a new human prostatic cancer cell line is described. This cell line was derived from a poorly to moderately differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma. It has been maintained in tissue culture for fourteen months and has been passed fifty-two times. This cell line has an ability to form colonies in soft agar suspension cultures, and also is transplantable to nude mice. Tumors grown in nude mice revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with positive PSA staining. Acid phosphatase activity was detected in freeze-thawed cells by enzymatic assay. A karyotype analysis demonstrated aneuploidy with a model chromosomal number of 69 and six marker chromosomes.

Hypercalcemia in childhood renal tumors

Hypercalcemia is an uncommon complication of childhood renal tumors. It is exclusively seen in infants 6 months of age or younger with malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK) or congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN). Secretion of parathormone or prostaglandin E2 by the tumor cells is responsible for the hypercalcemia in most of these patients. Bone metastasis has been notably absent in these patients, and the hypercalcemia completely resolves with the removal of the tumor. Hypercalcemia in itself probably does not have any prognostic significance; however, it may serve as a tumor marker in some patients. Early recognition and effective management of this complication may prevent the acute life‐threatening as well as the longstanding complications of this serious metabolic disorder.

Case Report: Endobronchial Tuberculosis Simulating Bronchogenic Carcinoma in a Patient with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

A patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had tuberculosis present as an endobronchial mass simulating bronchogenic carcinoma. Endobronchial tuberculosis may be another unusual manifestation of tuberculosis in patients with AIDS. This manifestation of tuberculosis may be missed unless there is a high degree of suspicion. Proper cultures and biopsy specimens should be taken from sites where endobronchial abnormalities are noted in patients at risk for AIDS.

Life-threatening Dysrhythmias in Varicella Myocarditis

Varicella myocarditis is an unusual complication of a common childhood disease. Two patients with life-threatening dysrhythmias and circulatory failure are reported. One patient required permanent pacemaker implantation for acquired complete heart block, not previously described with varicella infection. Previously reported cases of varicella myocarditis are reviewed.

Electrocardiographic pseudo-myocardial infarct pattern in malignant cardiac disease

A patient with disseminated diffuse histiocytic lymphoma had persistent electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of acute myocardial infarction without clinical, enzymatic, or hemodynamic evidence of myocardial necrosis. The ECG findings were felt to be secondary to myocardial tumor invasion by antemortem non‐invasive testing. This was confirmed by postmortem examination. Based on this report and a literature review, the particular ECG findings noted (lateral leads) are felt to be highly predictive of direct tumor invasion in this setting.

Intestinal duplication in a patient with neurofibromatosis: aid of ultrasound and CT scan in diagnosis

A 5-year-old boy with neurofibromatosis is described, whose symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting were due to an intestinal duplication. Intestinal duplication has not been previously reported as a cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in neurofibromatosis. The utilization of ultrasound and computerized tomography scan as useful modalities for the diagnosis of duplication of the bowel is described.

Cholesterol embolization — A cause of ureteral stricture

Abstract We report the first case of ureteral stricture disease caused by cholesterol emboli.

Multimodality treatment of adenocarcinoma of the vagina stage IV: Potential for cure

A 26-year-old nulligravida presented with a Stage IV adenocarcinoma of the vagina with a frozen pelvis and positive lymph nodes in the right external iliac and inguinal regions. Following transposition of the ovaries laterally, a successful treatment program of cyclic radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil was undertaken. Patient is now alive 3 years posttherapy with a functional vagina, return of menses, and without evidence of tumor. She experienced a small-bowel stricture 5 months posttherapy which required small-bowel resection. This case suggests that an integrated multimodality program is feasible and that 5-fluorouracil may be synergistic with radiation.