Internal medicine
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Susac's syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of microangiopathy of the brain and retina with hearing loss. More than 50 affected individuals have been reported worldwide, all Caucasians. We herein identify the first Japanese patient with Susac's syndrome. ⋯ T2-weighted MRI showed multiple high-signal lesions ti predominantly in the periventricular white matter. During the exacerbated phase both high-dose intravenous methyl-prednisolone and oral prednisone therapy produced beneficial effects. He showed definite remission within 2 years from the disease onset.
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Lung transplantation has been performed successfully outside Japan since 1983 in patients with end-stage lung disease. More than 9,000 lung transplants have been reported in The Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. In contrast, a transplant law became effective in Japan only recently, and four universities were designated as official lung transplant centers (Okayama, Osaka, Kyoto and Tohoku Universities). ⋯ Since then, seven lung transplants (four from living donors and three from cadaveric donors) have been successfully performed in Japan. Although lung transplantation offers acceptable prospects for 5-year survival, chronic rejection and donor shortage remain to be major problems. In an effort to address the donor shortage issue, living-donor lobar lung transplantations have been performed with satisfactory intermediate survival and functional results.
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There is an increasing number of accidents by erroneous ingestion of button batteries in recent years; the batteries arouse the interest of infants because of their attractive shape and luster. The batteries remaining in the gastrointestinal tract and discharging electric current over a long period of time may induce ulceration or perforation, thus must be carefully considered the selection of appropriate treatment. ⋯ We present this battery removal device together with a literature review, because it seems convenient and useful.