Shigeo Hinohara

Seasonal variation in serum cholesterol levels in health screening populations from the U.K. and Japan

We have performed time series analyses on data from 140,000 men and 32,000 women in the U.K. and 30,000 men and 12,00 women in Japan, seen over periods ranging from 4 to 6 1/2 years, in order to test for seasonal variation in serum cholesterol levels. In both countries and both sexes we found a strong seasonal effect, with mean cholesterol levels being some three to five percent higher in winter than in summer. Mean monthly cholesterol levels were negatively correlated with mean monthly air temperatures (r=−0.60 to −0.71). The seasonal differences observed were independent of changes in body weight, and have important implications both for long-term epidemiological or follow-up studies, and for the interpretation of patient data.

The detection of renal cell carcinoma with adrenal and para-aortic lymph node metastases by FDG-PET

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2005) 32:1246 DOI 10.1007/s00259-005-1870-4 A 56-year-old man visited our facility for an annual health check. He did not have any symptoms and the laboratory data were unremarkable except for mild anaemia. Wholebody FDG-PET(a) showed large hot areas in the lower pole of the left kidney (large black arrow) and right upper quadrant (large white arrow) and a small hot spot in the right side of the mid abdomen (small arrow). Abdominal plain CT (b) showed a well-defined low-density mass in the left lower pole of the kidney (white arrow). Upper abdominal US images (c) revealed a well-demarcated hypoechoic mass in the right adrenal gland (asterisk). Upon operation, papillary renal cell carcinoma in the left kidney, right adrenal metastasis and right para-aortic lymph node metastasis were confirmed. The role of FDG-PET in the detection of renal cell carcinoma has been reported to be limited by low sensitivity [1]. Renal excretion of FDG may hamper the detection of renal cell carcinoma. Contralateral adrenal metastasis in renal cell carcinoma is uncommon [2]. In the reported case, primary renal cell carcinoma, contralateral adrenal metastasis and para-aortic lymph node metastasis were simultaneously detected by FDG-PET.

A case of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage from the entire left lung associated with complete heart block.

A 22-year-old female patient presenting complete atrioventricular block and giant P waves in electrocardiogram had anomalous pulmonary venous drainage from the entire left lung. There was normal drainage from the right lung and no associated atrial septal defect or other intracardiac abnormalities. After a permanent pacemaker was implanted, she manifested signs and symptoms of heart failure. Although the anomalous pulmonary vein was anastomosed to the left atrium, intractable heart failure continued. She died six months later after surgical intervention. Postmortem examination revealed diffuse interstitial fibrosis throughout the myocardium.