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Biomedical subjects

A Gentile

Publications and source records attributed to A Gentile.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Unreliability of the lidocaine test as a prognostic indicator of acute liver failure: an experimental study in swine].

It has been reported, in the recent literature, that fifteen minutes lidocaine-MEGX (monoethylglycinexylidide) test can also be used in case of acute hepatic failure because in these conditions the test allows a rapid evaluation of the hepatic damage, uneffected by te infusion of liquid or fresh plasma which can alter conventional laboratory parameters. The Authors have demonstrated, in a experimental model, the unreliability of the lidocaine-MEGX test as measure of functional hepatic damage in the early stages of an acute liver failure. The slight decrease of the rate of the MEGX test in these animals submitted to one-stage hepatic devascularization suggests that the hepatic failure is not so early detected by this specific liver function test. Accordingly, the 15' MEGX test should not be used as isolated discriminatory measure to detect an early hepatic failure following fulminant hepatitis or an early hepatic insufficiency as a result of extensive liver resection.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Identification of an experimental model of partial portocaval shunt].

Portacaval shunt with interposition of 6 mm H-graft of PTFE is a real partial shunt. In this experimental study, the operation has been well tolerated and has been compared with 8 mm H-graft and direct "vein to vein" portacaval shunt. Intraoperative data show that 6 mm is the ideal diameter for a portacaval shunt to prompt an experimental model based on partial decompression of portal bed in animals in this size.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development in diagnosis and treatment of hepatic echinococcosis in a surgical department of a Mediterranean centre over a 20-years period.

Liver echinococcosis is an endemic disease in some areas of the world like Middle East and is a serious problem both from social-economic and clinical-therapeutical stand-points in other areas like Mediterranean regions. We report our experience on hepatic echinococcosis diagnosis and treatment over a 20-year period. In this retrospective study we have reviewed 89 patients affected by hepatic hydatidosis who underwent surgery in our Unit (between November 1975 and October 1995). Patients were divided into two groups: group A including 65 patients (30 males and 35 females) operated on between 1975 and 1988 and group B including 24 patients (11 males and 13 females) operated on between 1989 and 1995. Main outcome measures reported were recurrence of echinococcosis, association with surgical procedure, complications, diagnostic trial. In group A we performed 41 marsupializations, 20 subtotal pericystectomies and 4 total pericystectomies; while 14 total pericystectomies and 10 liver resections were performed in group B. Postoperative hospital stay was of 30 days for group A patients and of 18 days for group B. A single death occurred in group A. Recurrences occurred in group A only (11 cases equal to 17%) and were treated with total pericystectomies (8 cases) and liver resections (3 cases). Our study shows the development of diagnostic procedures trial during the 20-year period and the different surgical approaches between the two groups. Nevertheless we believe that surgical procedures should be tailored to each patient avoid H high surgical risk due to the benign nature of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Thyroid carcinoma. Criteria for the selection of surgical treatment].

Surgery is still today the first choice treatment in the thyroid neoplasm. The authors examined 37 patients with thyroid cancer out of 389 thyroidal operation performed in the period 1982-85 at the Institute of Surgical Pathology II and Surgical Clinic of University of Bari. The pro-operation screening was scintigraphy, US study and needle biopsy. In 23 case, with positive cytology examination and/or clinical malignancy the performed operation was total extracapsular thyroidectomy. Other nine patients underwent lobectomy and in 2 cases the operation chosen was sub-total strumectomy completed by thyroidectomy after histologically proved malignancy. The laterocervical lymphadenectomy was done only in the case of nodes involvement. Operative mortality was 0 and post-operative stay was about 6 days. The extracapsular total thyroidectomy is the first choice operation for cancer. Nevertheless recently some Authors proposed less destructive operation in the small differentiated type cancers with good results.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Breast cancer in advanced age].

The incidence of breast carcinoma increases with advancing age. In view of the progressive aging of the population, this problem will tend to become more and more frequent. At present, patients of advanced age are often "undertreated" owing to the mistaken prejudice that older patients are unable to withstand standard multimodal therapy for this disease. In fact, there is no scientific evidence to that effect. Treatment choices should therefore be largely comparable to those adopted in younger patients. Even chemotherapy, which encounters the strongest resistance, by patients but also by doctors, should be administered when indicated. A number of studies have demonstrated that the toxic and side effects observed in elderly patients are comparable to those observed in younger age groups. In practice, particular attention needs to be paid when administering cytostatic treatment to patients over 80 years of age. Very conservative treatment (tamoxifen plus radiotherapy) may be reserved only to particularly frail elderly patients. In conclusion, the therapeutic choice should depend more on assessment of the biological age, life expectancy and patient's expectations than on the anagraphic age.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The alpha 2 (r) interferon in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia: progressive report of 25 cases.

Twenty-five patients with Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL), eleven in post-splenectomy progressive disease, have been treated as out-patients with alpha 2 (r) Interferon (IFN) for twelve months. Eighteen patients completed the treatment: four achieved Complete Response (CR), twelve Partial Response (PR) and two Minor Response (MR). The response to IFN has been CR or PR in 89% of cases and MR in 11%. Even if the IFN effective dose and the length of treatment remain to be determined, IFN at relatively low dose seems to become the first treatment of choice in HCL patients. The remaining seven patients, still under treatment, already achieved PR at least.

Adult↗