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We undertook a retrospective study of elderly patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer who had been treated solely with radiotherapy during the period 1986 to 1995. Our study was designed to assess the influence of age on survival and malnutrition in patients aged 75 years or older (elderly group) and patients aged 74 years or younger (younger group). Radiotherapy alone resulted in a median survival period of 11.5 months in the younger group and 6.3 months in the elderly group (p = 0.0043). With the Cox multivariate model, good performance status, age less than 75 years, and good response were significant favorable independent predictors. Furthermore, the elderly group patients more frequently died of respiratory infections and had lower prognostic nutritional indexes than the younger group patients before and after radiotherapy. These findings suggested elderly patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer who had been treated with radiotherapy alone had a poor prognosis and that malnutrition caused by radiotherapy was a factor contributing to the risk of death from respiratory infection in such patients.

Apical pulsed Doppler tissue imaging can be used to assess the function of regional myocardium. We hypothesized that septal dysfunction might be clarified in the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (asymmetric septal hypertrophy) by this method. Twenty-one patients with asymmetric septal hypertrophy (mean age 54.8 +/- 11 years) and age-matched 24 normal subjects (52.4 +/- 8 years) were studied. The E/A ratio measured by mitral inflow Doppler was not different between the groups (1.1 vs 1.2). E wave velocities of the septum were significantly decreased in the hypertrophy group compared to the control group (4.0 +/- 1.5 vs 8.1 +/- 2.2 cm/sec), and A wave velocities were increased in the hypertrophic septum, resulting in a significantly lower E/A ratio (0.5 +/- 0.3) compared to the E/A ratio (0.9 +/- 0.3) of the normal septum. Deceleration time of the E wave and isovolumic relaxation time were significantly prolonged in the thick septum compared to the normal septum (136 +/- 51 vs 107 +/- 28 msec, 91 +/- 36 vs 63 +/- 19 msec, respectively). In conclusion, asymmetric septal hypertrophy was characterized by diastolic dysfunction of the thickened septum. Intramyocardial pulsed Doppler echocardiography can detect regional myocardial dysfunction earlier than the mitral inflow Doppler method.

A 66-year-old man presented with Ebstein's anomaly associated with left ventricular dysfunction. He had been followed since 40 years of age for cardiomegaly and arrhythmia, and experienced episodes of orthopnea at the age of 64. He was referred to our hospital in April 1997 because of lower extremity edema. Physical examination revealed dilated external jugular vein, tenderness of the right hypocondorium, and lower extremity edema. Electrocardiography confirmed atrial fibrillation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed bilateral atrial and ventricular dilation, and paradoxical septal movement. The apical four-chamber view demonstrated 15 mm apical displacement of the septal leaflet. Color Doppler echocardiography revealed moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed low echoic and hypoplastic tricuspid valve. Left ventriculography showed diffuse hypokinesis, and the ejection fraction was 49%. The coronary artery was normal. Atrial septal defect was not detected. Diffuse fibrosis, which may be found in the hearts of patients with Ebstein's anomaly at autopsy may have been responsible for the left ventricular depressed systolic function in this patient.

To improve the quality of life in patients with malignant diseases at the near-terminal stage, we established a system for home infusion therapy (HIT) in Osaka Prefectural Habikino Hospital in 1994. Thirty-three patients were taken care of at home using the HIT system from January, 1995 to May, 1996. Their average age was 70 years old. The duration of HIT varied from 1 to 105 days (mean:25.5 days). Twenty-four cases received parenteral nutrition. The others received agents for brain edema (4 cases), morphine hydrochloride (2 cases), and anti-fungal agents (3 case). Additionally, 63% of these patients required home oxygen therapy (HOT) with HIT. Questionnaires to their families revealed that they were afraid of the progress of the disease in patients and their physical burden became heavier after the start of HIT. However, they were quite satisfied with the results of HIT.

Doppler tissue imaging-guided pulsed Doppler echocardiography can record velocities of the regional ventricular wall, but the potential clinical applications have not yet been investigated. To propose a new modality for assessment of left ventricular wall dynamics, we investigated the longitudinal and latitudinal motions of the normal left ventricular wall with intramyocardial pulsed Doppler echocardiography under tissue imaging guidance, and characterized the velocity patterns in 31 normal subjects or normal volunteers (mean age 38 +/- 18 years old). Velocity patterns of the septal and posterior walls were recorded and compared using the parasternal and apical approaches. The apical approach showed that the entire left ventricle moved, coded in red, toward the transducer during systole, and moved away, coded in blue, during diastole. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography recorded the systolic S, early diastolic E and presystolic A waves from both windows. All three waves had higher velocities in the apical compared to the parasternal approach, and the velocities of S and E waves were increased more in the posterior wall than in the septum. Thus, the A/E ratio was significantly lower in the posterior compared to the septal wall (0.63 +/- 0.3 and 0.77 +/- 0.3, respectively, in the apical approach) and the A/E ratio of transmitral inflow was between those of the walls. Apical intramyocardial pulsed Doppler echocardiography can accurately evaluate septal and posterior wall dynamics. The present study provides important basic data for assessing regional myocardial function.

Patients with unresectable non small-cell lung cancer were treated to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of high-dose thoracic irradiation (RT) combined with concurrent daily cisplatin plus vindesine. Fourteen evaluable patients with unresectable stage III non small-cell lung cancer treated with continuous-course RT (70 Gy in 35 fractions of 2 Gy once daily) and concurrent daily intravenous cisplatin (6 mg/m2) plus vindesine (3 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8). The objective response rate was 86%, and two patients achieved a radiographic complete response. Leukocytopenia was the severe toxicity, but there were no episodes of discontinuation of treatment. Only one patient had grade 3 acute radiation esophagitis. Ten patients experienced late radiation pneumonitis and nine of those had grade 1 or grade 2. There was only one life-threatening case of toxicity (grade 5 pneumonitis). We concluded that the regimen of high-dose thoracic RT combined with concurrent daily cisplatin plus vindesine obtained a high response rate. Further testing on late toxicities and survival time is required.

A 68-year-old male presented with choroid plexus carcinoma in the left lateral ventricle manifesting as dysarthria and gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a homogeneously enhanced mass in the trigone of the left lateral ventricle. Selective left posterior cerebral arteriography showed the tumor was fed by the left medial posterior choroidal artery. Detailed examinations found no evidence of an extraneural primary focus. He underwent partial removal of the tumor followed by local Lineac irradiation (50 Gy). After irradiation, the serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen decreased and the size of the residual tumor was reduced.

Cardiothoracic ratio has been a useful index of cardiac dilatation, and a value of 50% is generally considered to indicate the upper limit of normal cardiac size. However, this value is not always correct and increases the number of false-positive results, especially in obese or older subjects who may have a misdiagnosis of cardiac enlargement. The maximal transverse diameter of the cardiac shadow of chest X-ray film consists mainly of the diameters of the left ventricle and the right atrium as shown by X-ray computed tomography, but this ratio is influenced by many factors; not only left ventricular dilatation or hypertrophy, but also dilatation of the other cardiac chambers and the aorta, rotation and shift of the heart, respiratory phase, body posture, and measurement errors. In contrast, echocardiography is an accurate method for the diagnosis of cardiac dilatation. This study correlated left ventricular dimension with cardiothoracic ratio in 80 consecutive subjects with normal physical, ECG and Doppler echocardiography examinations. There was no relationship between left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and the cardiothoracic ratio. Chest X-ray is mandatory for initial cardiac examination. However, we must be careful about roentgenographic diagnosis of cardiac dilatation. Cardiac enlargement should be diagnosed by echocardiography, but follow-up and management can be based on chest X-ray films.

We developed a new noninvasive technique to visualize the anatomical structure of the nerve fiber system in vivo, and named this technique magnetic resonance (MR) tractography and the acquired image an MR tractogram. MR tractography has two steps. One is to obtain diffusion-weighted images sensitized along axes appropriate for depicting the intended nerve fibers with anisotropic water diffusion MR imaging. The other is to extract the anatomical structure of the nerve fiber system from a series of diffusion-weighted images by the maximum intensity projection method. To examine the clinical usefulness of the proposed technique, many contiguous, thin (3 mm) coronal two-dimensional sections of the brain were acquired sequentially in normal volunteers and selected patients with paralyses, on a 1.5 Tesla MR system (Signa, GE) with an ECG-gated Stejskal-Tanner pulse sequence. The structure of the nerve fiber system of normal volunteers was almost the same as the anatomy. The tractograms of patients with paralyses clearly showed the degeneration of nerve fibers and were correlated with clinical symptoms. MR tractography showed great promise for the study of neuroanatomy and neuroradiology.

Six cases of severe epistaxis were treated with the super-selective intraarterial embolization of the internal maxillary artery. Tens of fragments of Gelfoam were delivered into the distal internal maxillary artery and, additionally, embolized by several pieces of the coils. In a case with cerebral infraction, catheter was inserted via the superficial temporal artery. There were no complications due to these procedures in all cases of this study. It is considered that therapeutic intraarterial embolization of the internal maxillary artery is an effective therapy for severe epistaxis and the superficial temporal artery approach is useful for selected cases.

At our clinic for peritoneal dissemination cases of gynecological malignant tumors, we have been using intraperitoneal administration (ip) of anticancer agents such as CDDP with favorable results. However, since CDDP cannot be used for patients with renal dysfunction, we have administered CBDCA ip, and along with determining drug concentration, we also studied therapeutic effects. At the time of laparotomy in 5 cases of malignant tumors (ovarian cancer 4 cases, oviduct cancer 1 case), we subcutaneously implanted a reservoir port for the peritoneum in the upper inguinal region. Through this completely open port we administered by natural dripping 200-450 mg/body of CBDCA dissolved abdominal fluid and peripheral venous blood, and we determined the concentrations of total and free platinum. The ip concentration of platinum reached a peak of 142-19.8 micrograms/ml immediately after administration, and then gradually declined; at 8 hours it became 20.1-2.23 micrograms/ml, and was still detectable at 48 hours. In the peripheral venous blood peaked at 2 hours at 4.78-1.2 micrograms/ml, and was still observed at 48 hours. One 84-year-old patient with stage III oviduct cancer and renal dysfunction showed a marked reduction in ascites and improvement in PS from 4 to 1, so she is being treated on an outpatient basis. The efficacy rate was 60.0% with 2 CR and 1PR. Repeated ip administration of CBDCA was possible even in cases with renal damage rather than CDDP, but the side effects on the blood were severe. CBDCA ip achieves an effective level of free platinum in both the peritoneum administration methods for treating peritoneal disseminated cases.

To elucidate the genesis of normal ejection systolic murmurs, we performed phono and Doppler echocardiography in 42 normal subjects. Individuals with hypertension, ST.T changes on ECG, anemia or other cases with definite cardiovascular findings were excluded from the study. Their ages ranged from 22 to 61 years with an average of 48.1 years. They were classified in 2 groups; 9 with Levine 2/6 systolic murmur and 33 without murmur or with 1/6 murmur. Fifteen patients with pure aortic regurgitation or with aortic prosthesis but without significant stenosis, and 7 patients with pulmonic valvular stenosis were served as control. We correlated the intensity and timing of murmur with maximal flow velocity, acceleration time and other parameters. All systolic murmurs were early systolic. Mid-systolic murmur was not noted. Peak of flow velocity increased at the aortic orifice than at the left ventricular outflow tract or pulmonary orifice. Left-sided peak flow velocity occurred earlier than the right-sided peak flow velocity. Early systolic maximal flow velocity of the aorta significantly increased in 9 subjects with murmur than in the remaining 33 without significant murmur. Ejection fraction, hematocrit and body surface area did not differ between the groups with and without significant murmur. Systolic blood pressure and age, however, were higher in subjects with murmur. In aortic valvular disease, systolic murmurs and peak flow signals were early systolic, but in pulmonary stenosis these were mid-systolic in timing. In conclusion, normal ejection systolic murmurs were early systolic and originated at the aortic orifice. Mid-systolic murmurs were unlikely as left-sided murmur in origin. Flow velocity was the most important determinant of the intensity of ejection murmur.

To assess the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts, we tested the capability of X-ray computed tomography (CT) with and without contrast enhancement. This procedure was used on 63 grafts (30 in the LAD; 20 in the LCX; 13 in the RCA) in 32 patients with a mean age of 56 +/- 8 years, all of whom were referred to our department for postoperative management or evaluation. The CT scanner used was Toshiba TCT-60A with a scan time of 3 sec, 5 mm thick slices, and 512 x 512 pixels. CT scans without contrast enhancement were obtained from the level of the aortic arch to the left ventricle. Eight sec after 30 ml of contrast media was injected at a rate of 3 ml/sec into an antecubital vein, 5 scans were made at the same level of the pulmonary artery truncus. After positioning the regions of interests on the ascending aorta and grafts, we obtained time-density curves (TDCs) and compared the data with those recorded from an intraoperative electromagnetic flow meter (EMF). Fifty grafts were angiographically patent. The appearance time, build-up time, peak time, disappearance time and peak densities obtained from TDCs of grafts did not correlate with the flow volumes measured by EMF. Patent grafts were easily identified visually, without contrast enhancement (sensitivity; 88%, specificity; 100%, accuracy; 91%). Occluded grafts were not imaged on CT, either with or without contrast enhancement. We concluded that the TDCs of grafts obtained by CT are of no value for predicting the graft flow, and that plain CT without contrast enhancement is sufficiently useful for assessing the patency of such grafts.

Malignant gynecologic tumors are liable to encourage intraperitoneal dissemination and liver metastasis. Using an implantable reservoir (R), we undertook intraperitoneal (ip) administration of CDDP (P) and etoposide (E). After the ip injection of 150 mg of P, 300 mg of E was diluted with 1,500 ml of saline solution through the R. P and E of the intraperitoneal fluid and blood were measured after the administration, and the therapeutic results were evaluated. The blood concentration of P and E reached peaks at 30-60 minutes and at about 4 hours, respectively, after administration. Detectable levels of both P and E were observed at up to 48 hours after administration. In the first treatment of patients who showed severe peritonitis carcinomatosa and high intraperitoneal levels of proteins, the transfer to blood of P from the peritoneal cavity was slow, but as the treatment progressed (second and third administrations) protein binding P decreased and peritoneal permeability improved. Both maximum blood P concentrations and the concentrations of free P were also increased 48 hours after administrations. The area under the curves (AUC) of the blood free P and E concentrations were 8.0 and 274.0 (microgram/ml x h), respectively, which were higher than those following intravenous administration. The results showed 3 CR and 6 PR. This ip regimen obtained a 64.3% response rate for measurable lesions. A patient in stage IV of ovarian cancer showed marked remission of a liver metastatic focus. Repeated ip administration through R proved to be effective by means of systemic therapy.

To predict the coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) flow based on the time density curve(TDC) obtained from the digital subtraction aortograms(DSA), we developed a pulsatile CABG model (perfusion pressure 60, 130 mmHg, pulse rate 53, 126/min, cardiac output 3-7 l/min, diameter of the graft 2.1-6.0 mm). After positioning the regions of interest (ROI), we injected contrast medium (5-40 ml/sec, 5-40 ml) into the outlet conduit. Concerning the TDCs, we calculated appearance time(Ta), peak densities(Dp), peak time(Tp), disappearance time(Td), integral of TDC, delta Tp (difference of Tp between two ROI) and delta Ta (difference of Ta between two ROI).Perfusion pressure, graft flow and output curve were similar to those of patients with CABG. Ta, Tp, Td and delta Tp were affected by both the injection rate and the volume of the contrast medium; while Dp and the TDC integral were only affected by the latter parameter. Under the same conditions of contrast medium injection, the TDC depended strongly on graft flow, diameter of the graft, output and pulse rate. 21.6 + 0.92 pi.d2/4.delta 1/delta Tp.60 provided the most accurate estimation of CABG flow (r = 0.865, p less than 0.01). We conclude that densitometric analysis of DSA may be useful in the prediction of CABG flow.

Carcinoma of the uterine cervix was evaluated in 1,121 patients at Kure National Hospital, Hiroshima, between 1969 and 1987. The patients were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of pulmonary metastases. On chest radiography, 35 patients were found to have metastases. Pulmonary metastases were seen in 3.1% of patients with carcinoma of the cervix. Thirty-two patients out of 35 could be evaluated about their clinical stage, histology, and disease course: 3 patients were classified into stage Ib, 10 were stage II, 15 were stage III, and 4 were stage IV. Histologically, 27 patients were squamous cell carcinoma, 2 were adenocarcinoma, and 3 were others. Mean interval from initial disease staging to detection of lung metastases was 17.1 months. Once pulmonary spread was discovered, half of them expired within 4 months. Twenty-two patients had other focus of metastasis besides lung.

Successful removal of a cardiac fibroma of the left ventricular free wall in a 76-year-old male is reported. The rarity of this tumor in the elderly and diagnostic clues are discussed.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is caused by a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions, including systemic hypertension, aortic valvular disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This paper describes a case of diffuse hypoplasia of the aorta in left ventricular hypertrophy. This condition has not previously been well documented. We emphasize the need for evaluation of aortic dimension when systolic hypertension and vascular bruits are observed in association with myocardial hypertrophy.

To clarify the clinical significance of a small heart; i.e., a small cardiac silhouette on chest radiography, an echocardiographic study was performed. Sixty persons with small heart according to cardiothoracic ratios less than or equal to 40%, and 23 age- and sex-matched normal controls (42% less than cardiothoracic ratio less than or equal to 50%) received two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography. The body weights and body surface areas (BSA) in the small heart group were significantly less than those in the control group. On the lateral chest radiographs, numerous cases with small heart had straight spines and chests with decreased anteroposterior diameters. More than half of the small heart group had a variety of cardiovascular complaints, including chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, and dizziness. Echocardiographic measurements were performed and hemodynamic indices were calculated. The results were as follows: Left ventricular dimension at end-diastole (LVDd), left ventricular dimension at end-systole (LVDs), left atrial dimension (LAD), and left ventricular mass (LV mass) of the small heart group were significantly less than those of the control group. There were, however, no differences in the values corrected by BSA (LVDd/BSA, LVDs/BSA, LAD/BSA and LV mass/BSA) between the two groups. We found no differences in hemodynamic indices (heart rate, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and cardiac output) at rest between the small heart and control groups. Nineteen cases (32%) had mitral valve prolapse (MVP) on echocardiography in the small heart group. Characteristic phonocardiographic findings were found in 11 cases with MVP (systolic click in four, mitral regurgitant murmur in three, and both in four).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In view of the fact that stable echocardiograms are easily obtained during atrial pacing, pacing echocardiography was performed to evaluate the usefulness for detecting regional wall motion abnormalities during pacing-induced ischemia and to investigate the relationship between changes in the R wave and left ventricular dimension. The patients were 12 cases of angina pectoris (10 of coronary artery disease; CAD, and 2 of coronary patent aortic valvular disease; AVD) and 6 control cases. Simultaneous recording of two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms and electrocardiograms was done before, during and after the atrial pacing at increasing heart rate until angina appeared or the heart rate of at least 140/min was reached. In 12 angina cases, angina and ST depression were induced in 10 and 11, respectively. Excursion of the interventricular septum (IVS) decreased during pacing-induced ischemia in 6 of 7 CAD cases, in which the left anterior descending coronary artery was significantly stenosed (more than 75%). Excursion of the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) decreased during pacing-induced ischemia in 4 of 7 CAD cases, in which the vessels giving rise to posterior descending coronary artery were significantly stenosed (more than 75%). In 2 AVD cases, excursion of both IVS and LVPW decreased during ischemia. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) increased in only 2 angina cases, although R wave amplitude increased in 6 angina cases.

To evaluate the prevalence, causes and clinical significance of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) associated with surgically-closed atrial septal defect (ASD), 90 patients (M: 41, F: 49) were studied using two-dimensional and color-coded Doppler echocardiography. Among the 90 patients, preoperative echocardiograms were available in 27. MVP was found in 21 of the 27 patients (78%) preoperatively, but it was found in 59% (16/27) postoperatively. In total, MVP was detected in 50 of the 90 patients (56%) postoperatively. The postoperative MVP group had higher pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratios (3.6 +/- 1.9 vs 2.8 +/- 1.1, p less than 0.05) and higher mean pulmonary arterial pressures (21 +/- 11 vs 13 +/- 5 mmHg, p less than 0.01) at the time of surgery. Between the two groups with or without MVP postoperatively, there was no difference (p less than 0.05) in age at surgery, the postoperative duration and left ventricular (LV) deformity index both in pre- and postoperative states. A mitral regurgitant (MR) murmur was recorded in seven patients postoperatively. However, only two had clinically severe MR. It was concluded that MVP is frequently detected in patients with closure of ASD and it is related neither to degree of the LV deformity nor to age at operation; rather, it is related to the severity of the preoperative hemodynamic state. Clinically significant MR is rare in the postoperative period.

Summary This paper reports 10 years experience of 31 patients with asymmetric apical hypertrophy, in whom left ventricular hypertrophy involved the apex exclusively and giant T wave inversion in the left precordial leads was the characteristic finding. This type of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was observed predominantly in men over 40 years of age. Family history was negative and patients usually had no complaints. Left ventricular hypertrophy was evident by physical examination as in other forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but a systolic murmur was faint or absent and the second heart sound was frequently split. Electrocardiographic signs may fluctuate, and occasionally progression or regression occurs. Echocardiography including the two-dimensional method was essential for the diagnosis and left ventriculography was helpful for confirmation. To date complications have been infrequent and the prognosis seems good. The relation of asymmetric apical hypertrophy to other forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is under investigation.

Four cases of anorexia nervosa recently encountered were reported in respect to their cardiovascular manifestations including prolapse of the cardiac valves and other poorly recognized cardiac findings. All four patients, aged 13 to 32 years, were women and had marked emaciation (35 to 44% weight loss of the ideal body weight) with typical hormone abnormalities. Chest radiographs showed a small cardiac shadow, and sinus bradycardia with low voltage was present in their electrocardiograms. One case, 13-year-old, had a mid-systolic click and occasionally a late systolic murmur, and also an abdominal continuous hum. Echocardiography including two-dimensional color flow-mapping disclosed mitral valve prolapse in all, and tricuspid valve prolapse in two. Mild to moderate pericardial effusion was noted in all between the right ventricle and diaphragm, and pericardiocentesis in one case had no effect on the valve movements. No inflammatory changes were observed in the specimen of the pericardium and also of the fluid. An association of mitral valve prolapse and anerexia nervosa was discussed based on the previous studies, but the final conclusion remains unknown.

This is a case report of coronary sinus type atrial septal defect (ASD) diagnosed preoperatively by two-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography. A 22-year-old asymptomatic woman was admitted for preoperative cardiac evaluation. A cardiac murmur and cardiomegaly had been noted at a routine examination which included electrocardiography and chest radiography, and M-mode echocardiography suggested the presence of a secundum type ASD. Color Doppler echocardiography revealed a left to right atrial shunt flow through the coronary sinus ostium into the right atrium. By peripheral contrast echocardiography, a negative contrast echo from the coronary sinus ostium was observed within the right atrium and persistent left superior vena cava was excluded. At operation, a 2 X 3 cm defect was demonstrated at the interatrial septum in the vicinity of the coronary sinus ostium. This is the first reported case of a coronary sinus type ASD diagnosed preoperatively by color Doppler echocardiography.

A phase II study on THP((2''R)-4'-0-Tetrahydropyranyladriamycin) was performed in 47 patients with advanced or recurrent gastrointestinal cancer through the cooperation of nine institutions in Hiroshima Prefecture from April 1982 to November 1984. THP was given by means of intravenous infusion and/or intraaortic infusion and the 47 cases were divided into two groups according to the method of administration: (A) 40-60 mg/body every 3 or 4 weeks, or (B) 30 mg/body every week. Among 24 evaluable cases, partial response (PR) was observed in two cases of recurrent metastatic lymph nodes in gastric cancer patients. The (A) method of administration was more effective than (B). Subjective side effects observed were appetite loss, nausea, vomiting and general fatigue, but these were not so severe. Leukocyte nadir occurred at the 1st or 2nd week of THP administration, but thrombocytes were not appreciably decreased.

To investigate whether coronary artery disease is detected noninvasively, we correlated calcification on computed tomography (CT) with coronary angiographic (CAG) findings in 90 consecutive patients including 48 with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. The mean age was 52.2 years and 83% were men. CT scans without contrast enhancement (3 sec scan time) were obtained at 1 cm thickness from the ascending aorta to cardiac apex to identify calcification in coronary arteries. Results; CAG revealed of 50 patients, and stenosis was present more often at calcified vessels on CT. (table; see text) Calcification occurred more often in 2 or 3 vessel disease. However, stenotic segments were not always calcified. We conclude that CT is sensitive for the detection of calcification and an important method for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

The records of 2,000 consecutive patients who had been examined by auscultation, phonocardiography (PCG), two-dimensional echocardiography and pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) were reviewed to assess the clinical significance of apical systolic murmurs which cease well before the aortic closure sound. Fifty-five patients were verified to have early or mid-systolic apical murmurs. Mitral regurgitation (MR) was detected in 32 patients by PDE (29/32) and/or PCG with methoxamine test (27/32). The degree of MR was judged to be mild by PDE in all cases. Apical systolic murmurs due to MR began mainly with the first heart sound (27/32), were confined to the apex (27/32), and high-pitched (25/32). Their intensity was grade III/VI or less in all cases. Mitral valve prolapse (12 patients) was the most common cause of MR. Other causes were rheumatic mitral involvement in seven patients, dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy in five, mitral annular calcification in three, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in two. The causes of the MR in the remaining three patients could not be identified. Thus, early or mid-systolic apical murmurs are mainly attributable to mild MR which can be diagnosed by careful auscultation, PDE and/or PCG with the methoxamine test.

A case was reported in which generalized lentigo was associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. A 34-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for cardiac evaluation. He had been noted to have a heart murmur since his childhood and had had a diagnosis of pulmonary stenosis in his high school age. Physical examination revealed precordial murmurs and numerous lentigines over his whole body surface including palms and soles. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography disclosed asymmetric septal hypertrophy, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) and systolic semiclosure of both semilunar valves. A systolic turbulent flow was recorded at the outflow tracts of both ventricles by pulsed Doppler technique. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a pressure gradient of 13 mmHg across the right ventricular outflow tract. We considered that the present case was an atypical LEOPARD syndrome with predominant right ventricular outflow tract obstruction which was precisely evaluated by noninvasive techniques.

The high-frequency vibrations of the first heart sound (S1) have been reported to be associated with the closure of atrioventricular valves. However, the genesis of the low-frequency component (LFC) preceding S1 remains controversial. In order to investigate the genesis of the production of this LFC, we recorded phonocardiograms simultaneously with M-mode echocardiograms in 10 healthy subjects and 26 patients with various diseases including mitral valve replacement. The apical phonocardiograms were recorded using a 100 Hz/12 dB high-pass filter and a commercially available acceleration microphone. Patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and bundle branch block were excluded from this study. The electrocardiograms demonstrated sinus rhythm in 23, atrial fibrillation in nine, complete atrioventricular block in two and atrial flutter in two. The P-R interval in sinus rhythm ranged from 130 to 200 msec. The LFC occurred an average of 24 msec after the QRS complex, but 38 msec before the first high-frequency component of S1. The final fast closing movement of the mitral valve echogram started following the onset of LFC in sinus rhythm or the arrhythmias. Coaptation of the mitral valve leaflets was coincident with the first high-frequency S1. In 23 cases with the visible tricuspid valve, the valve closure occurred 28 msec after that of the mitral valve. The onset of the LFC was almost synchronous in timing with, or very close (10 msec or less) to the initial upstroke of apex cardiograms simultaneously recorded in 10 cases. The amplitude of the LFC was constantly smaller than that of S1 in all cases, but it was variable in atrial fibrillation or complete atrioventricular block. The LFC became loudest after a short RR interval and then ventricular systole was coincided in time with the rapid filling of the left ventricle, or when atrial systole was very close in time to an expected time of ventricular systole. It is certain that antegrade mitral blood flow was decelerated at that time, though the mitral valve was in the rapidly closing process. We conclude that the LFC is produced by the vibration of cardiohemic system, or the acceleration of the left ventricular mass plus the deceleration of blood flow, and that atrial activity and atrioventricular valve tension are not prerequisite to the production of this soft apical vibration preceding S1.

To determine the usefulness of pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) in diagnosing aortic regurgitation (AR), the following two studies were performed. PDE and phonocardiography (PCG) were evaluated for the diagnosis of AR in 36 patients for whom angiography was performed. In 24 patients with grade 2 to 4 by Sellers' classification, all PDE studies were positive for AR (sensitivity of 100%) and PCG studies were positive in 21 patients (sensitivity of 88%). Among 10 patients of grade 1, PDE studies were positive for eight (sensitivity of 80%) and PCG studies were positive for seven (sensitivity of 70%). Angiography was negative for AR in two PCG-proven cases, and PDE also proved AR in one of these. Thus, in all patients, the sensitivity of PDE and PCG were 94 and 82%, respectively. These results indicate that AR may be missed during auscultation, or even when using the latest type PCG. The ability of detecting silent AR was studied in 160 consecutive patients with AR. PDE was positive for AR in 156 of 160 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having AR by PDE or PCG. In the remaining four patients, three were diagnosed by PCG alone and one by pharmacodynamic phonocardiography using methoxamine (ME-PCG). On the other hand, in 137 of 160, Ar was proven by PCG, and the remaining 23 were so-called "silent AR". ME-PCG was performed for 11 cases of silent AR, but an unequivocal AR murmur was detected in only five. Therefore, the sensitivity of PDE in diagnosing silent AR was 96 percent, while that of ME-PCG was only 45 percent. Thus, compared to PCG and even pharmacodynamic PCG, PDE is a much more sensitive method of diagnosing AR. However, in mild AR cases, angiography, PDE and PCG, all have some limitations in diagnosing AR.

Cardiac involvement of mucopolysaccharidosis has not been well characterized by echocardiography. In this paper, we reported a case of Hunter syndrome with special reference to the noninvasive diagnosis of cardiac anomalies. A 21-year-old male of Hunter syndrome was referred to our noninvasive laboratory for the evaluation of his heart murmurs. He was strikingly dwarfed, 115 cm in height and 28 kg in weight, and had apparently Gargoyle-like facial appearance. Physical examination disclosed a mild funnel chest and a loud systolic murmur. Blood pressure was 98/56 mmHg and regular pulse rate was 100/min. The chest X-ray film revealed a shift of the heart to the left with a prominent pulmonary artery segment. There were no signs of pulmonary congestion. The electrocardiogram demonstrated right axis deviation, clockwise rotation and left atrial overload. In phonocardiograms, a basal ejection and an apical scratchy systolic murmurs were recorded. The latter was associated with a presystolic murmur and a loud first heart sound. A loud pulmonary second heart sound was also present. Outstanding findings were observed in the two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms, which showed remarkable thickening of both mitral valve leaflets with reduced opening. There was also generalized thickening of tricuspid and aortic valves, and endocardium of the free ventricular wall. Two leaflets of the tricuspid valve were visualized to prolapse, but the aortic valve motion appeared intact. In addition, echocardiograms revealed the dilatation of right-sided cardiac chambers and pulmonary artery, but the size of the left ventricle was rather small. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography demonstrated systolic turbulence in the right atrium in the vicinity of the tricuspid valve orifice. Stenotic turbulence was also recorded in the inflow tract of the left ventricle during diastole. Thus, the final diagnosis of predominant mitral stenosis associated with tricuspid valve prolapse and pulmonary hypertension was obtained. In conclusion, cardiac involvements in Hunter syndrome were precisely evaluated by noninvasive methods. Hunter syndrome may be considered as one of the etiologies producing mitral stenosis.

The prevalence of Still's murmur was examined by phonocardiographic study, and the clinical significance of this murmur was investigated using pharmacodynamic phonocardiography and echocardiography. Still's murmur was present in 224 of 9,478 cases (2.4%) in school children. Its prevalence was 143 in 4,524 (3.2%) in elementary school children and this was significantly greater than that in middle school youngsters who numbered 81 among 4,954 (1.6%) (p less than 0.001). There were neither abnormal findings on two-dimensional echocardiography, nor pathological regurgitant signals on pulsed Doppler examination. After the inhalation of amyl nitrite, Still's murmur was accentuated by 5.3 +/- 3.0 dB, and was louder in the expiratory than in the inspiratory phase by 4.7 +/- 3.5 dB.

A case of a leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum is reported. A 52-year-old man with a duodenal submucosal tumor underwent a pancreatico-duodenectomy. Histologically, the resected tumor revealed moderate cellular atypism and moderate pleomorphism, but revealed no mitotic figures. The histological diagnosis was leiomyoma. Nine years after operation, the tumor showed a recurrence and metastasis in the liver. Thus, the patient underwent a lobectomy of the liver. The resected liver tumor showed similar histological features seen in the primary duodenal tumor but with high mitotic activity. Histologically, the patient was diagnosed as having a metastatic leiomyosarcoma. This history suggests that a smooth muscle tumor of potential malignancy, as seen in this case, should be followed continuously, even though mitoses may not be recognized.

A case of recurrent multiple cardiac myxomas was presented. The patient was a 27-year-old housewife. Four years ago, she underwent urgent resection of a left atrial myxoma and replacement of the interatrial septum with a patch graft by right atrial approach. The tumor was very friable and a part of the tumor dropped into cardiac chambers during the operation, and immediately saline lavage and aspiration were performed. The recovery was uneventful. On March, 1981, she was readmitted to our hospital because of increasing dry cough. Two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated abnormal masses in the right atrium, right ventricle, and left atrium. Open heart surgery revealed three independent tumors, which were successfully removed. All tumors were benign myxomas histologically. The patient returned to full-time housework again. A case of recurrent multiple myxomas has not been previously reported. The recurrence of the myxoma in our case is thought to be caused by implantation of tumor cells during the initial operative procedure. Our case will suggest the malignant potentiality of cardiac myxoma. The necessity of radical excision and gentle handling of the tumor during the operation are reemphasized. Postoperative follow-up study is also mandatory for early detection of the recurrence of this potentially malignant neoplasm.

To investigate the potential of a new method for detecting coronary sinus (CS), two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography was satisfactorily performed on 80 consecutive cases, of which the coronary sinus was detected in 74 by adopting parasternal three-chamber approach. These 74 cases were classified into four groups; 25 normal individuals, 7 patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) but without tricuspid insufficiency (TI), 13 with TI and 29 with other cardiac diseases. We measured diastolic maximum diameter of CS on 2-D echocardiograms. The mean diameter of the CS was significantly increased in ASD (9.0 mm) and TI (12.4 mm) comparing with normal control (6.7 mm). The enlargement of CS seemed to correlate with right-sided volume overload. Although there were three exceptional cases, we could observe the CS during the whole cardiac cycle only in patients with TI. We conclude that CS is excellently detected in over 90% of cases by a new parasternal approach and that the diameter of CS would be a new screening index of right-sided volume overload.

We analyzed the relation of left ventricular size and performance to clinical courses and surgical outcomes using echocardiography. Group A consisted of 19 patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) who presented congestive heart failure of grade III or IV, and group B consisted of 58 patients with MR whose cardiac function was grade I or II. Clinical follow-up spanned one to nine years, with an average of 4.5 years. At the initial examination, the average end-diastolic LV dimension (LVDd) and its index (LVDdI), left atrial dimension (LAD) and its index (LADI) and cardiothoracic ratios (CTR) were significantly greater in group A (LVDd 61.2 +/- 7.1 mm, LVDdI 41.5 +/- 6.9 mm/m2, LAD 51.4 +/- 8.4 mm, LADI 35.4 +/- 11.1 mm/m2, CTR 63.4 +/- 8.6%) than in group B (LVDd 52.0 +/- 7.9 mm, LVDdI 35.0 +/- 6.4 mm/m2, LAD 37.2 +/- 9.6 mm, LADI 25.4 +/- 6.5 mm/m2, CTR 48.9 +/- 4.4) (p less than 0.001). The LVDd and LAD were less in mitral valve prolapse than in rheumatic MR or MR due to flail mitral valves. In rheumatic MR, congestive heart failure did not become prominent until the left ventricle and atrium were markedly enlarged. In group A, patients whose LVSVI were over 40 ml/m2 and LAD were over 50 mm took clinical downhill courses under medical treatment and were referred for surgery. The risk of death (medically or surgically) was higher in patients whose LAD, LVSVI or CTR was markedly increased (LAD greater than 70 mm, LVSVI greater than 60 ml/m2 or CTR greater than 70%). The rates of change in LAD and LVDd were 1.6 and 0.9 mm/year in group B, but they became accelerated after the onset of congestive heart failure, and were 2.6 and 6.4 mm/year in group A. In surgical cases, the LVDd returned to the normal range postoperatively, but their LAD remained in the abnormal range in all but one case. We concluded that echocardiography is an indispensable method for a follow-up study of MR and that it may be helpful in predicting individual clinical courses and surgical effects.