Multimodal approach to mild biliary pancreatitis based on a risk stratification of choledocholithiasis

AIM

The management of acute mild biliary pancreatitis is multidisciplinary and still presents controversies in the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The aim of this retrospective study is to establish if a risk stratification of choledocholithiasis can optimize the employment of technological resources and medical competence in the treatment of individual patients in a tailored way. Our personal experience has then been compared with international literature. The main end-point was to evaluate the incidence of recurrence of acute pancreatitis. Secondary end point was to propose an affordable diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for this relatively common disease.

METHODS

One hundred and one (101) patients affected by acute mild biliary pancreatitis were admitted in the Department of Patologia Chirurgica of "Ospedale SS. Annunziata" of Chieti from January 2004 to June 2011. Patients were divided in three groups; high (I), medium (II) and low risk (III) of choledocholithiasis (CBDS) according to clinical, laboratory and instrumental criteria. On the base of this division, patients in group I were subjected to ERCP with endoscopic sphinterotomy (ES) and subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Group II patients underwent to MRCP, if positive for CBDS followed by ES and subsequently LC, if negative for CBDS directly LC. Group III patients underwent directly to LC associated with intra-operative cholangiography in selected cases.

RESULTS

No recurrence of acute pancreatitis was observed in patients who completed the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

CONCLUSION

We believe that the application of a patient stratification in risk groups for choledocholithiasis can optimize the use of medical and technological resources and helps to address a patient for a specific and more appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic investigation allowing, at the same time, to identify patients who can usefully undergo to a simplified diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

[Low rectal cancer: therapeutic options and clinical experience of a single center]

INTRODUCTION

Currently the therapeutic gold standard for medium and low rectal tumours is the "en-bloc" excision of the rectum and total mesorectal excision (TME) preserving the autonomous nerve plexus. In very distal tumours, complex procedures such as very low anterior resections and intersphincteric resections are used where possible. These procedures can avoid incapacitating operations such as abdominoperineal amputation. The possibilities to perform these procedures even by laparoscopic means, with regard to it's advantages, are still under evaluation. The authors describe their own clinical experiences using such methods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2005 to 2010, we performed by laparoscopic procedure 3 anterior resections and 3 inter-sphincteric resections for cancer of the low rectum . Medium age of patients was 70 years (range 52-80 years) and male to female ratio was 4/2. Mean operative time was 260 min ( range 220 - 360 min). No laparoscopic procedure was converted to the traditional open surgery. We noted 2 anastomotic leakages of which one required re-operation. Two patients were classified T2 (1 N0 and 1 N1); four patients T3 (3 N0 and 1 N2). In all the cases, resection margins were free. The mean distance from the anal verge was 3,8 cm (range 2,8 - 6 cm). In a mean followup of 48 months ( range 6-54 months), 1 patient developed hepatic metastasis and no local recurrence was noted. Two patients had urinary retention, resolved spontaneously. One patient presented erectile dysfunction. At 12 months from the operation, one patient had slight incontinence for gas and liquids.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that total mesorectal resection, even associated with sphincter preserving procedures, such as intersphincteric resection, in case of very low rectal tumours, can also be performed by laparoscopic approach with the same oncological and surgical principles of open surgery. However it is necessary to have broad based studies and randomised clinical trials in order to confirm the safety of such procedure and the results obtained.

[Laparoscopic surgery of adrenal tumours: indications and techniques]

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a gold standard in the treatment of the majority of adrenal lesions. In fact, laparoscopic technique reduces post-operative morbidity, hospital stay, the necessity of blood transfusions, post-operative pain and complications. We examined the data of patients who were operated by laparoscopic technique from April 2000 to April 2010. The following data were evaluated: demographic data of the patients, type of operation, the operative time, the rate of conversion to laparotomic procedure, post-operative complications, histologic diagnosis and the dimensions of the lesions. A total of 41 patients underwent to laparoscopic procedure. Two patients developed complications which got resolved through medical treatment. No patient died after surgery. The time of laparoscopic procedure was 95 min in average. No patient was converted to laparotomy. The total average hospital stay was 4.18 days. Average diameter of the lesions was 4.43 cm (range 1.2-8.5 cm). The data we obtained from our studies confirm the safety and the feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy and it's application can be considered even in case of malignant lesions. The only contraindication to laparoscopic procedure is the involvement of surrounding tissue and vascular invasion by tumour cells.

[Laparoscopic approach to acute abdomen: a single-center clinical experience]

INTRODUCTION

in patients with acute abdomen laparoscopic procedure provides, in most cases, the simultaneous accomplishment of diagnosis and therapy with undoubted advantages.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

from January 2000 to December 2006, 97 patients who presented with acute abdomen were operated by laparoscopic approach in the Unit of Laparoscopic Surgery in the University of Chieti. Of these, 53 were females and 44 males. Average age was 48 years. Seven had perforated peptic ulcer, 61 acute cholecystitis, 15 acute appendicitis, 2 idiopathic segmental necrosis of the great omentum, 6 small bowel obstruction, 6 adnexal pathologies. Pre-operative diagnosis was established in 76 patients (78.3%).

RESULTS

in 92 patients (94.8%) it was possible to treat the cause of the acute abdomen by laparoscopic means. In 5 cases (5.2%) it was necessary to convert the laparoscopic procedure. No mortality was noted. The morbidity was observed in 5 patients (5.2%): 3 cases of post-operative pneumonia and 2 cases of post-operative anaemia, all treated conservatively. None of the patients was re-operated. Advantages in terms of reduction in hospital stay were observed in patients operated either for acute cholecystitis or for intestinal obstruction, not in patients operated for appendectomy, adnexal pathologies or perforated peptic ulcer.

CONCLUSION

we believe that laparoscopic approach in patients with acute abdomen is safe and advantageous in most cases; however we think that it should always be preceded by non invasive diagnostic techniques.

Laparoscopic colectomy in colon cancer. A single-center clinical experience

INTRODUCTION

Aim of our study was to compare the results of the laparoscopic technique to those obtained by traditional open approach in patients with colon cancer. The advantages, disadvantages, and the contraindications (real and presumptive) of this mini-invasive approach are described, by comparing the data obtained from the international literature with our clinical experience.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From February 2000 to May 2006, we performed 73 laparoscopic colectomies for cancer in the Operative Unit of General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences of the University of Chieti, Italy. The data of these patients were compared with the data obtained from 141 other patients who underwent open procedure for the same pathology in the same period and in the same Unit. Factors such as obesity, previous major abdominal surgery, T4 cancers, perforation and obstruction of the colon, tumor located in the transverse colon or in the left flexure of the colon were considered contraindications to laparoscopic approach.

RESULTS

The length of surgical specimens and the number of lymph nodes removed did not show significant differences in the two groups. Two patients in the open procedure group died in the postoperative period. No postoperative death was noted in the group of patients operated by laparoscopic method. Postoperative complications requiring re-operation were observed in 9 patients in the open group and in 3 patients of laparoscopic group. Postoperative complications not requiring re-operation were observed in 16 patients in the open group and in 4 patients in laparoscopic group. Hospital stay was shorter for laparoscopic right or left colectomy compared to corresponding open procedures. At the follow-up (a mean 30 months), the overall survival was 78% for open colectomies and 82.1% for laparoscopic colectomies. Disease-free survival, excluding patients with stage IV tumor and patients died in the postoperative period, was 77.6% for open colectomies and 82.5% for laparoscopic colectomies. In the group of laparoscopic patients, we observed 1 case of port-site recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our clinical experience, even if limited by the number of patients and by the duration of follow-up period, contributes in confirming the reliability of laparoscopic procedures in the treatment of tumours of the colon and the safety of oncological results.

Risk of cancer onset in sub-Saharan Africans affected with chronic gastrointestinal parasitic diseases

Gastrointestinal Schistosomiasis and Amebiasis are uncommon in the western world, while such infections are frequent in the African community. In addition to the problems associated with the clinical symptoms of these parasitic infections, it is important to stress the increase in cancer of the Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract. In this study we evaluate the prevalence of cancer in patients affected by chronic inflammatory diseases caused by the above named parasites. In three years, from January 2000 to December 2003, we observed a total of 1199 subject. Of these, 950 presented with complaints of diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, melena, hematemesis, rectal discharges and alteration of bowel habits. A total of 818 patients were evaluated in Uganda (Mulago and Arua hospitals) and 381 at Luisa Guidotti Hospital in Zimbabwe. An exhaustive clinical history was collected for each patient and then physical and laboratory examinations were performed. The clinical files of all patients previously admitted to the respective hospitals were obtained and the information taken from these files was then integrated with our clinical findings. Subjects who were found free of gastro-intestinal disease after examinations and did not have a clinical history of infective GI disease but presented with other pathologies, were regarded as control group. The control group was composed of 249 subjects. The subjects who were positive on examination underwent further investigations. The number of patients affected by schistosomiasis and amebiasis were 221 and 224 respectively. The number of patients who suffered from aspecific enterocolitis was 454, intestinal tuberculosis was present in 21 patients and we found 30 patients with esophageal candidiasis. Patients who had the above mentioned GI diseases were then divided into 3 groups. First group was composed of patients who had a clinical history of infective GI diseases and were re-admitted for similar symptoms, and on examination were positive for the presence of the same infective GI diseases. Such patients were placed in the Chronic group. The second group was formed of patients who had previously undergone treatment for infective GI diseases but on readmission were found free of infective GI disease, and this group was described as the Cured group. They had symptoms associated with other pathologies. A third group, which we described as the Acute group was composed of patients who did not have any previous case of GI infection and were admitted for the first time. Such patients were found positive on examination for infective GI diseases. In the 950 patients, we found a total of 45 tumors. The tumors were prevalent (42 tumors) in the chronic group. In 34 patients the tumor was in the colo-rectal region, in 3 patients in the stomach, in 4 patients in the esophagus and 1 patient had cancer in the small bowel. Our results show a strong association between the chronic infection of the GI tract and the likelihood to develop tumors. However, it is not clear which biological mechanisms are implicated in such transformations. They may depend on the chronic inflammation of the GI mucous which permits the entrance of carcinogenic materials or on the effects of mutagenic products produced by the parasites or both.

[Anisakiasis presenting as perforated ulcer of the cecum]

A case of cecal anisakiasis is presented. Symptoms were compatible with appendicitis. The patient was operated and a perforated ulcer of the cecum was found. Ileocolic resection was performed. The histologic result showed the presence of Anisakis simplex larva in the muscle of the cecum. The patient was discharged the fifth day without complications. At present he is asymptomatic. He had eaten uncooked anchovies some days before the onset of the disease.

[Clinical study on laparoscopic approach to cholelithiasis in the elderly]

The Authors report 66 cases of patients aged 75 years or older who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy: 28 cases presented a clinical picture of acute cholecystitis, 3 cases had associated common bile duct stones. A high percentage of patients had cardiovascular disease: 29 patients presented with cardiopaties, of these 9 cases had a history of myocardial infarction, 31 patients had artheriosclerotic hypertension, associated, in 7 patients with signs of brain ischemia. Five patients were suffering from Parkinson's disease, 7 were carriers of diabetes, 2 had liver cirrosis. Three patients were converted due to extensive presence of adhesions from previous surgery. Morbidity and mortality rates were respectively 12% and 1.5%. The Authors think that laparoscopic technique widens indications and reduces risks of cholecystectomy also in elderly patients.

[Surgical laparoscopic therapy of small bowel tumors: review of the literature and report of two cases]

The Authors, after a short review of small bowel tumors, point out that recently a laparoscopic approach for these tumors has been suggested and some cases have been reported. The Authors present two cases of patients operated for small bowel tumor using a laparoscopic technique: the first case for a stromal tumor (GIST), the second case for an adenocarcinoma in advanced stage with multilobar lung metastases. The first patient is alive and disease free after one year, the second died after six months for tumor progression. The Authors believe that laparoscopic technique can be employed with satisfying results also in the treatment of small bowel tumors with moderate trauma and invasiveness.

[Use of prosthetic materials in incisional hernias: our clinical experience]

Incisional hernias are fairly frequent complications of surgery. Such complications are presented by variable percentages ranging from 1% to 8% for non complicated laparotomies and from 10% to 15% in case of infection. The therapeutic possibilities are abdomino-plastic with direct suture and the use of prosthesis. The percentage of recurrency varies from 30% to 50% and from 0% to 19% respectively. From May 2000 to September 2003, the Authors operated 64 patients. In 30 cases they opted for a direct suture approach, in 34 cases a prosthesis was used. Of the 34 patients, 18 were treated using polypropylene mesh placed below the rectus muscles and above the peritoneum (Rives technique); 10 with PTFEe (Polytetrafluoroethylene expanded) prosthesis placed in intraperitoneal site and 6 were treated with SIS prosthesis (Small Intestine Submucosa), 3 placed using the Rives technique and 3 in intraperitoneal site. Nine patients had associated operations. The use of prosthesis in the management of incisional hernias has brought a considerable reduction in the percentages of recurrency, especially in cases of associated pathologies. The availability of SIS in the market has permitted the use of this prosthesis even in case of contaminated and/or infected fields. In a follow-up ranging from 3 years to 3 months (mean 18 months) the Authors observed 2 cases of recurrence in the group of direct suture. Despite the advantages offered by the use of prosthesis, we can affirm that there is no "universal" prosthesis. Their selection should be evaluated on the bases of the site and the dimensions of the incisional hernia, the possibility of infection, the surgical technique and the site of prosthetic placement in the abdominal wall.

[A case of IgA nephropathy associated with silicosis]

A 51-year-old male who had been working as a building wrecker for 20 years, was admitted to our hospital in June 1999 for proteinuria and hematuria examination. He started this work in 1978. Twelve years later, severe coughing and bloody sputum began and he was diagnosed as having silicosis in 1995. Urinalysis on admission showed proteinuria(294 mg/day), microhematuria(20-30/hpf), RBC cast and granular cast. High serum IgA(770 mg/dl) and high serum interleukin-6(IL-6) (3,280 pg/dl) were found. A renal biopsy showed mild mesangial matrix expansion and mesangial cell proliferation with IgA deposition, which was diagnosed as IgA nephropathy. Chest X-rays showed multiple small nodular lesions on both lung fields indicating silicosis. In Nov. 1999, he resigned from his job as a building wrecker because of increasing coughing and bloody sputum associated with body weight loss. Within 3 months after stopping this work, coughing and bloody sputum disappeared and the abnormal urinalysis findings returned to normal. Serum IgA and serum IL-6 data improved to 462 mg/dl and 2.5 pg/dl, respectively. It is suggested that silicon exposure might be related to the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy in this patient.

A case of partial carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency in a patient undergoing chronic hemodialysis

A 71-year-old male undergoing hemodialysis for chronic renal failure presented with proximal muscle weakness. He had normal levels of serum creatine phosphokinase. The results of nerve conduction velocity studies and a needle-exploration electromyogram were normal. Ultrasonography revealed adenomatous enlargement of the parathyroid glands, and he had marked elevation of the serum parathormone level. The level of serum free carnitine before hemodialysis was significantly lower than normal, while the acyl/free ratio was high. However, the muscle carnitine content was within the normal range. Interestingly, partial inactivation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity in the muscle was observed in association with the elevation of the serum parathormone level. Uremic myopathy in this case may be caused not only by abnormal carnitine metabolism but could also be attributable to the partial carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Night-day-night sleep-wakefulness monitoring by ambulatory integrated circuit memories

A medium-sized portable digital recorder with fully integrated circuit (IC) memories for sleep monitoring has been developed. It has five amplifiers for EEG, EMG, EOG, ECG, and a signal of body acceleration or respiration sound, four event markers, an 8 ch A/D converter, a digital signal processor (DSP), 192 Mbytes IC flash memories, and batteries. The whole system weighs 1200 g including batteries and is put into a small bag worn on the subject's waist or carried in their hand. The sampling rate for each input channel is programmable through the DSP. This apparatus is valuable for continuously monitoring the states of sleep-wakefulness over 24 h, making a night-day-night recording possible in a hospital, home, or car.

[A case of bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma treated with right sleeve middle lobectomy]

We reported one case of a 26-year-old woman in whom mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the right middle lobe bronchus was successfully treated by bronchoplasty. The patient complaining fever and cough was admitted to our hospital and the bronchoscopic examination revealed a tumor mass occluding the right middle lobe bronchus. Thus, sleeve middle lobectomy was performed. The histological examination of the resected material revealed a low-grade malignant mucoepidermoid carcinoma with no lymphatic metastasis. The patient has been well and free of recurrence for one year postoperatively. In this case, sleeve lobectomy is approved of an effective method for local curability and preservation of respiratory function.

[Results of anatomical segmentectomy for lung cancers]

Anatomical resections of the segment, so called 'anatomical segmentectomy', involving a small-sized lung cancer performed in 55 compromised cases in our hospital since 1985. On the operation we separated the intersegmental plane not with the traditional digital dissection but with meticulous electrocautery following the intersegmental pulmonary venous structure from hilal towards the peripheral area. Forty-six cases were primary lung cancers and 9 were metastatic ones. In 7 cases cancer residue was confirmed, especially on the intersegmental plane in one case and on the bronchial stump in another one. In 35 cases of primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC), recurrences in the separated plane or other segment of the same lobe appeared later in 2 cases, however there was no locoregional recurrence in cases with tumorous diameter less than 30 mm. The prognosis of 29 cases of NSLC with p-stage I is excellent because those 5 year survival rate is very high, 87.1%. The mean loss of ventilatory functions after segmentectomy was approximately half that of lobectomy. According to these results, we conclude that the anatomical segmentectomy is useful to the limited resection for small-sized NSLC with stage I.

[Prognosis of the surgical treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from chronic tuberculous empyema--analysis of 11 cases with pleuropneumonectomy]

In total 19 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from the wall of chronic tuberculous empyema, pleuropneumonectomeic were performed since 1979, with the aim of total cures for not only lymphoma but empyema in 11 cases. Of these cases extraresections (5 of thoracic cages, 4 of diaphragms, 2 of axillar lymph nodes, each of adventitia of descending aorta and esophagus, of the liver, of the left adrenal grand) were added to extirpate tumors completely. The mean operating time was 6 degrees 55', the mean blood loss during operations was 3090 ml, but in the 3 most recent cases it was less than under 1000 ml using electrocartesy-cutting technique under direct observation. Although preoperative radiations were done to 4 cases to decrease invasive area of tumors and postoperative radiation was done to 1 case, there were no adjuvant chemotherapies. The indicative limitation for resections from the point of ventilatory functions was the same as that of pleuropneumonectomy for ordinary chronic tuberculous empyema. There were 2 cases with serious postoperative complications. One suffered from ARDS and died on the 14th postoperative day, and another developed acute respiratory failure and MOF. But the other 9 cases kept good postoperative courses with a few recurrences of minor empyema. The prognoses for 10 remaining cases is excellent. Only one case died from local recurrence in of lymphoma 27 months later, but all other 9 cases have revealed no recurrence in any places, and the 5 year survival rate based on Kaplan-Meier method of 10 cases is 85.7%. By the way no cases could survive one year later in unresected group. So under the poor prognosis of treatment with radiation or chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from chronic tuberculous empyema, we conclude that the complete resection of tumor and empyema, so called pleuropneumonectomy, is the best way to cure this disease.

[Clinical investigation of cis-platinum nephrotoxicity in 244 cases of primary lung cancer]

Cisplatin (CDDP) is used widely in the treatment of a large number of carcinomas. The clinical use of cisplatin, however, can be complicated by myelotoxicity, intestinal toxicity and nephrotoxicity. We reviewed CDDP nephrotoxicity in 244 cases with primary lung cancer retrospectively. The enzyme histochemically localized in proximal tubular cells, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and beta 2-microglobulin (BMG), a low molecular weight peptide normally reabsorbed by the renal tubular cells that has been used as an indicator for renal proximal tubular damage, were measured. And fractional excretion of Na (FENa%) and serum magnesium (Mg) levels were also measured before and after CDDP administration serially. The following results were obtained; 1) Over 45% of patients with lung cancer showed transient hyperexcretion of urinary NAG and BMG after CDDP administration. And peak excretion of NAG and BMG appeared to occur within 36 hours after administration of CDDP. 2) Almost all cases with persistent azotemia after CDDP administration showed high values of FENa (%), in spite of gradual normalization of urinary NAG and BMG excretion. 3) Hypomagnesemia was a common complication of CDDP nephrotoxicity that might be caused by a defect in renal Mg reabsorption. CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity seemed to be initiated by an acute, mainly proximal tubular impairment that reflects alterations in excretion of urinary enzymes and low molecular weight protein. In cases with persistent azotemia after CDDP administration depressed renal function might be attributed to the impairment of proximal as well as distal tubular reabsorptive functions.

[Alterations in phosphatidylcholine and phospholipase A2 of the renal tissue in gentamicin nephrotoxicity: comparative study with buthionine sulfoximine administered model]

We investigated to confirm the biochemical mechanisms of the hypothesis that lipid peroxidation participates in the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with gentamicin (GM), 300mg/kg per day. Twenty-four hours after the injection the rats were killed and the renal cortex was processed for glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SPH) and phospholipids (PL). And we also studied the GSH reduced rats by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) administration, to compare the biochemical differences with these parameters in two groups. GM induced a significant decrease of PLA2, SHP/PC ratio and GSH. Marked elevation of MDA (lipid peroxidation) and PC were observed after a single injection of GM. In contrast, BSO injected rats were not showed increment of tissue MDA, in spite of marked reduction of renal GSH. These data support the conclusion that accelerated lipid peroxidation occurs early in the course of GM administration and inhibition of lysosomal PLA2 activity involved in the degradation of lysosomal membrane which consisted of phospholipids.

Damaging effects of cisplatin on mouse spermatozoa

The effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin: CDDP) on mouse spermatozoa was evaluated quantitatively by means of equilibrium sedimentation in Percoll. CDDP was administered subcutaneously at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/week for 5 weeks. After different periods (1, 3, and 10 weeks) without CDDP, the quality of epididymal sperm was evaluated by sperm count, motility, morphology of sperm, and the apparent density of sperm. At 10 mg/kg dose, about 80% mortality occurred during the administration period. There were no sperm even 10 weeks after discontinuing CDDP. With the 3 mg/kg dose, sperm count, motility, and normal morphology of sperm declined after 1 and 5 weeks, but recovered to the control level after 10 weeks. The sperm distribution profiles in the Percoll gradient were quite different among the groups. The control sperm showed two separated peaks in the gradient, whereas the peak of sperm at 1 and 3 mg/kg were shifted forward to lighter apparent density. CDDP causes a reduction in sperm apparent density and impairs semen quality in mice.

Immunochemotherapy for murine bladder tumor with a new human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF-S), VP-16 and hyperthermia

Effects of a new recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rTNF-S) on the growth of murine bladder tumor (MBT-2) were studied. The growth of MBT-2 was significantly inhibited by intratumor injection of rTNF-S. Moreover etoposide (VP-16) and hyperthermia at relatively low temperature enhanced the antitumor effect of rTNF-S. Since TNF is considered to have species preference, these observations may be relevant to treatments for human bladder tumor with human TNF.

[A case of primary bilateral epididymal leiomyoma]

Primary epididymal tumors are relatively rare entity. Leiomyoma is the second most common benign epididymal tumor. Recently, we experienced a case of primary bilateral epididymal leiomyoma. A 50-year-old man presented with painless masses in both epididymal tails several years in duration. Solid tumors of both epididymal tails with undetermined characteristics were diagnosed. At surgery both masses were solid and smooth and were found to be well-demarcated. They were removed without difficulty. Pathology was bilateral epididymal leiomyoma. We also reviewed 55 cases of epididymal leiomyoma in the Japanese literature.

[A case of multiple urothelial tumors with chronic renal failure]

We report a case of multiple urothelial tumors (left renal pelvis, ureter and bladder) with chronic renal failure in a 72-year-old man. The patient was admitted because of gross hematuria with increasing volume and intervals on September 14, 1985. Admission evaluation including excretory urography, retrograde pyelography, computed tomography and cystoscopy revealed multiple urothelial tumors in the left renal pelvis, ureter and bladder. Radical surgery, however, was postponed because of pneumothorax induced by an inadvertent insertion of the CVP catheter at operation. Subsequent respiratory disturbance persisted so that he was observed at the outpatient clinic following right ureterocutaneostomy. Gradual increase in anemia and decrease in renal function, however, prompted another admission. Gross hematuria necessitating frequent blood replacement could not be controlled by transurethral resection of bladder tumors. Therefore left nephroureterectomy with resection of bladder cuff was performed after internal arteriovenous shunt had been established, because favorable results regarding tumor resection were obtained from preoperative evaluations. He showed satisfactory recovery and was spared hemodialysis despite eventful postoperative course with transient decrease in renal function. The patient was discharged on 130th postoperative day and is now being followed up at the outpatient clinic. The relevant literature is also reviewed briefly.

[Idiopathic calcinosis of the scrotum: a case report]

A 25-year-old man complained of painless, firm scrotal nodules which increased in number and size for the last 7 years. Physical examination was unremarkable except for many, firm painless nodules near the scrotal raphe. Preoperative diagnosis was multiple scrotal tumors of unknown etiology. Surgical excision was performed under epidural anesthesia. On microscopic examination, the nodules were located in the dermis and composed of calcified material which was positive with the von Kossa calcium stain. There were numerous foreign giant cells and dense fibrosis at the margins of the lesions. Idiopathic calcinosis of the scrotum was the final diagnosis. Although its etiology is unknown, the literature reviewed supported the view that the mast cell accumulation and its degranulation are related to idiopathic calcinosis of the scrotum.

[Augmentation by serrapeptase of tissue permeation by cefotiam]

Cefotiam (CTM) is a new cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Cephalosporins are widely used for prophylaxis of infections in patients undergoing thoracotomy. Augmentation by serrapeptase on tissue permeation of CTM was examined in 35 thoracotomy patients with lung cancer. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the method of the administration of CTM. Group I consisted of 17 subjects, each of whom received a single dose of 2 g of CTM alone by an instillation for 30 minutes. Group II consisted of 18 subjects, each of whom received a combination of CTM and serrapeptase; serrapeptase was given 2 tablets (10 mg) each time for three times/day until the day before surgery, and then CTM was administered by the same procedure. The following results were obtained: Individual difference was observed for the permeation of CTM into tissues. Pathologic differences also affected the permeation. Nevertheless, the CTM levels in pulmonary tissues reached about a half of those in the blood in both the single dose group and the combination group, hence sufficient concentrations exceeding MIC80 for main microorganisms that caused infections in the lung were obtained. The concentrations of CTM in inflammatory tissues have showed lower levels than those of normal tissues in both CTM single dose and the combination groups. Decrease of blood flow volume may have contributed to the reduction in levels of CTM in the inflammatory tissues. The ratio of the concentration of the drug in pulmonary tissues to that in the blood was 29.1 +/- 2.5% in the single dose group, and 44.2 +/- 6.0% in the combination group, the latter showing quite a significant increase (P less than 0.05). Combined administrations of CTM and serrapeptase deserves more trials in the case when surgical treatments of the lung are performed. An antiinflammatory effect of serrapeptase in the respiratory system is expected, and in addition, the combined use of CTM and serrapeptase should stimulate permeation of the antibiotic into tissues.

[Statistics of genitourinary tumors at Mito Saiseikai Hospital]

The statistics of genitourinary tumors proved by histology as benign or malignant were analyzed for a total of 7,705 patients at the Mito Saiseikai Hospital from 1974 to 1984. The prostate, the bladder, and the kidney were the organs from which the tumors originated most frequently, in that order. Among the benign tumors, benign prostatic hyperplasia (55 cases) was the most frequent. Among the malignant tumors, bladder tumor (22 cases), prostate carcinoma (20 cases), and renal tumor (9 cases) were the most frequent. The overall 5-year survival rate was 50%. The survival of patients with bladder tumor was similar to that of the patients with renal pelvic or ureteral tumors of a transitional-cell origin. The worst survival was observed in penile carcinoma. It can be concluded that the incidence and survival of genitourinary tumors in the Mito area were not significantly different from those reported in other parts in Japan.

Stimulation of protein synthesis in pachytene primary spermatocytes from the human testis by pyruvate

A sequential enzymatic incubation in collagenase and trypsin was carried out to yield a suspension of viable single cells from the seminiferous epithelium of adult human testis. The cell suspension predominantly consisted of pachytene primary spermatocytes (15%), round spermatids (32%), and condensing spermatids and residual bodies (21%). Human pachytene spermatocytes were isolated by unit gravity sedimentation using the methods originally developed for murine tissue. The spermatocyte-enriched fraction was 79% pure. When the effect of energy sources on protein synthesis by spermatocytes was examined, the highest rate of protein synthesis with pyruvate was found among four kinds of substrates added at a concentration of 10 mM. As shown with murine spermatocytes, the rate of protein synthesis by the human spermatocytes is probably regulated by pyruvate.