Search

Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), have been implicated as important factors in the formation of lymphatic vessels, but its role in osteosarcomas has not yet been fully investigated. This study aims to define the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in primary and metastatic osteosarcomas and their relationship to various clinicopathologic parameters. Thirty-three primary osteosarcomas and two pulmonary metastatic samples were immunostained for VEGF-C and VEGFR-3. In addition, VEGF-C and vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) mRNA expression levels in three different human osteosarcoma cell lines and control fibroblasts were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Of the 35 patients with osteosarcoma, 16 patients (45.7%) showed strong positive reaction with VEGF-C. Four cases (11.4%) were negative, and 15 cases (42.9%) showed weak immunoreactivity. For VEGFR-3, 12 patients (34.3%) showed strong positive reaction. Fifteen cases (42.9%) were negative, and eight cases (22.8%) showed weak immunoreactivity. A significant, positive correlation (Rs=0.42, p=0.01) was found between the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in osteosarcomas. The expression of VEGF-C was significantly associated with the osteoblastic subtype and high histologic grade in osteosarcomas. However, the expression of VEGF-C showed no significant correlation with the presence of metastasis. Expression of VEGFR-3 was not related to any clinicopathologic features analyzed. Two of the three osteosarcoma cell lines tested showed amplification of VEGF-C mRNA compared with control cells. No amplification of VEGF-D was noted in these cell lines. Our data suggest that VEGF-C and its receptor are expressed in osteosarcomas. Although the level of VEGF-C was high, it does not seem to have a direct influence on tumor metastasis in osteosarcomas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Malignant retroperitoneal fibrosis can be associated with variable kinds of cancers. But, malignant retroperitoneal fibrosis with gallbladder carcinoma has been rarely reported. Here we present a case report of malignant retroperitoneal fibrosis with gallbladder adenocarcinoma, causing bilateral ureteral obstruction, duodenal obstruction, and narrowing of inferior vena cava. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Signet ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare variant of adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder. CT findings of signet ring cell carcinoma have been rarely reported. However, to our knowledge, signet ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder with intramural tumoral calcifications has not been reported. Here, we present a case of mucin-producing signet ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder which appeared as low attenuated diffuse gallbladder wall thickening with intramural calcifications and metastatic conglomerated lymphadenopathy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver is very rare. Undifferentiated carcinomas with osteoclast-like giant cells or neuroendocrine features have been reported. As far as we know, undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver with extensive choriocarcinoma component has not been reported. Here we present a case report of undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver with extensive choriocarcinoma component in an old man. US and multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT showed a heterogenous hypovascular mass in spite of the extensive choriocarcinoma component, probably due to necrosis and poorly differentiated portion of the tumor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of our study was to estimate the complementary role of ultrasound evaluation in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis after abdominoplevic CT. A total of 104 patients initially underwent abdominopelvic CT before appendix US due to acute abdominal pain. All CT examinations were evaluated retrospectively for the presence of acute appendicitis. The findings of appendix on CT were classified into five categories (definite appendicitis, probably appendicitis, equivocal CT findings for diagnosis of appendicitis, probably not appendicitis, and normal looking appendix). Appendix US images and their radiologic reports were also evaluated retrospectively. Then, CT and US findings were correlated with clinical or pathologic diagnosis. Three all patients with definite appendicitis initially on CT again showed US findings of appendicitis. In the 32 patients of probably appendicitis on CT, US showed normal looking appendix in seven patients (21.8%, 7 of 32) who improved with medical treatment and discharged. In the 16 patients of equivocal CT findings for diagnosis of appendicitis, US showed appendicitis in seven patients (43.8%, 7 of 16) and normal looking appendix in nine patients. In the 12 patients of probably not appendicitis on CT, US showed acute appendicitis in two patients (16.7%, 2 of 12). In the 41 patients of normal looking appendix on CT, US showed acute appendicitis in five patients (12.2%, 5 of 41). US reevaluation enables us to avoid misdiagnosis of appendicitis on CT and improve diagnostic accuracy of acute appendicitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To compare the in vivo gastric injury observed during radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the liver abutting the stomach before and after the intragastric administration of chilled saline. Materials and methods: Twenty RF ablation zones were created in the livers of 10 pigs with a 1-cm-exposed active tip of an internally cooled electrode under ultrasound guidance for 10min. Ten RF ablation zones were created before (non-saline group) and after (saline group) the intragastric administration of approximately 1000mL of chilled saline, and 20 RF ablation zones were made in the posterior part of the left lobe abutting the stomach. The frequency and severity of the thermal injury observed in the stomach of the two groups were compared histologically. Results: All the resected gastric specimens showed thermal injuries of varying degrees of severity. The largest diameter of the gastric injury was significantly smaller in the saline group (mean 1.5cm; range 1.3–1.8cm) than in the non-saline group (mean 2.1cm; range 1.8–2.4cm) (p =0.000). The saline group showed significantly less thermal injury to the muscular layer of the gastric wall by the histopathology (p =0.033). Conclusions: The intragastric administration of chilled saline might be a useful technique for reducing the severity of gastric injury during RF ablation of the liver abutting the stomach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]