Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Grasso

Publications and source records attributed to A Grasso.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Diagnostic imaging of idiopathic synovial osteochondromatosis].

To study the characteristic diagnostic imaging features of idiopathic synovial osteochondromatosis with different imaging techniques as well as the differential diagnosis between idiopathic and secondary forms, 7 patients with idiopathic synovial osteochondromatosis were retrospectively examined from January, 1988, through December, 1993. In 6 patients the disease was monoarticular (the shoulder in 4 patients, the elbow in one patient and the hip in another one). In one patient two joints were involved--i.e., the left elbow and the right knee. In all cases the clinical picture was characterized by pain and functional impairment of the involved joint, which was swollen in 3 patients. The definitive diagnosis was made on the basis of surgical and/or arthroscopic findings in 4 cases and of radiologic and MR findings in 4 cases and of radiologic and MR findings in 4 cases. In all patients conventional radiology showed multiple juxtaarticular calcified and/or ossified bodies, mostly uniform in size. Calcification patterns varied from small specks of calcification (2-3 mm) to large calcified bodies (1-2 cm) with a typical "cluster" appearance. Conventional arthrography and computerized arthrotomography (performed on 3 patients) demonstrated the intraarticular site of calcified bodies as filling defects at hypertrophic synovial recesses. CT and MRI (performed on 4 patients) allowed easier demonstration of calcified/ossified bodies and of their relationships with articular structures. Moreover, synovial proliferation and cartilagineous nodules obliterating articular spaces, synovial recesses and juxtaarticular bursae were depicted. In particular, MRI allowed the differentiation not only of the different stages of the disease, but also of the idiopathic from the secondary forms. MRI plays therefore a fundamental role in the diagnosis of idiopathic synovial osteochondromatosis, directly influencing surgical planning, i.e., removing articular loose bodies with partial or total synoviectomy by means of arthroscopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Mucinous cystadenoma of the retroperitoneum. A case report and review.

A case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma in a 67-year-old woman is reported, associated with a microinvasive vulvar carcinoma. The cystic tumor measured about 30x20x10 cm and the ovaries appeared normal. The histogenesis of this rare tumor is uncertain: most Authors suggest that it develops through mucinous metaplasia in a pre-existing mesothelium-lined cyst.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Leiomyoma of the female urethra. A case report and review.

A case of urethral leiomyoma in a 39 year old woman is reported. It is always a benign neoplasia, frequently hormone-dependent, rarely relapsing after excision. An accurate review of the literature has found over 110 cases up to date, in opposition to a recent publication in the Journal of Urology in 1992, which reported only 36 cases up to that year.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Pleuroscopy and talc pleurodesis in recurrent pleural effusions: experience with 51 cases].

From January '92 up to January '94 thoracoscopy was performed in 51 patients with recurrent pleural effusion: 49 of these patients underwent talc pleurodesis. 10 pleural mesotheliomas, 29 diffuse metastasic pleural involvement and 12 benign effusions were diagnosed. Intrapleural talc therapy allowed a definitive pleurodesis in 43 patients with a success rate of 87%.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Synaptotagmin I is essential for Ca(2+)-independent release of neurotransmitter induced by alpha-latrotoxin.

alpha-Latrotoxin causes massive release of norepinephrine from clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, in the absence of external Ca2+, by an unknown mechanism. The effect almost disappeared in PC12 variant cells deficient in synaptotagmin I, a synaptic vesicle protein, and was rescued by transfecting the synaptotagmin I gene. These results indicate that synaptotagmin I is essential for the Ca(2+)-independent action of alpha-latrotoxin in PC12 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Efficacy on hyperandrogenism and safety of a new oral contraceptive biphasic formulation containing desogestrel.

A new biphasic oral contraceptive (OC) containing ethinylestradiol and desogestrel (DGS) in both phases of the cycle (7 days 40/25 micrograms + 15 days 30/125 micrograms) was tested for its reliability, tolerability, safety and effectiveness on endocrine correlates of hyperandrogenism and acne in normal women (n = 30) and women suffering from acne (n = 33). Contraceptive efficacy was absolute and, despite 3 drop-outs in the group with acne (4.7% of total patients), subjective complaints were limited to a small number of women. Cycle control was satisfactory in both groups. Fibrinopeptide A remained stable under the treatment, whereas HDL-chol increased and the ratio between LDL-chol and HDL-chol decreased during pill intake. Other advantageous effects were obtained on the circulating androgen profile with increased sex hormone binding globulin concentrations coupled with significantly reduced total and free testosterone levels. In 23 out of 30 patients with acne (76.6%) the skin disease disappeared after 9 months of therapy and in 3 severely affected subjects the pathology changed into a pattern of mild or moderate degree. Our results indicate that the tested new biphasic OC combination is reliable, well tolerated, safe and effective against hyperandrogenism.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1994

[Low anterior resection of the rectum using mechanical anastomosis in intestinal endometriosis].

A case of sigmoid-rectal endometriosis prompted the authors to focus attention on the question of indications for surgery and operative tactics in intestinal endometriosis. In this case, the presence of a pelvic mass which could not be cut away from the intestinal wall without the risk of perforation led to the performance of a low anterior resection of the rectum with mechanical stapler, a choice which was certainly radical but necessary in view of the impossibility of excluding the malignant nature of the mass either macroscopically or extemporaneously.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The secretion of amino acid transmitters from cerebellar primary cultures probed by alpha-latrotoxin.

Using amino acid transmitter release, inositol phosphate production and 45Ca2+ accumulation as cellular responses to alpha-latrotoxin treatment, we studied the susceptibility of rat primary cerebellar granule cultures to toxin. Binding studies as well as immunofluorescence of toxin-treated cells, allow an evaluation of the expression, properties and distribution of toxin-binding sites. After binding, the toxin develops its releasing action on amino acid transmitters, in a manner reminiscent of the events described for cholinergic and catecholaminergic cell systems. Although few peculiarities emerge, toxin-dependent release of amino acid transmitters from granule cells in culture appears to be a fully exocytotic process.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1993

[Partial lesions of the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee: CT findings].

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears are more common than usually reported, especially in athletes. In the acute phase, PCL tears are particularly difficult to diagnose at clinical examination and may go unnoticed even to a skilled clinician because of concomitant lesions to other structures, of hematrhos or of strong muscular defense. The PCL is responsible for 95% of biomechanical knee stability and therefore plays a major role in the maintenance of joint congruence. In the long run, PCL tears cause posterolateral instability and an untimely development of degenerative changes, particularly at the patella. Site and grade of PCL tears must therefore be accurately assessed to plan the most appropriate treatment and to avoid the abuse of arthroscopy, toward improving cost-effectiveness for public health structures. Nowadays, CT of the knee joint is performed more frequently than MRI because the former is more easily available, in agreement with the current Italian economic choices in the field of public health. CT allows the accurate identification of complete and partial PCL tears. In our series (765 patients), PCL tears were more common than reported in the literature (9.5% vs 5%); moreover, PCL tears were always associated with lesions in other structures--e.g., anterior cruciate ligament, menisci. In conclusion, the CT demonstration of the knee joint, together with the knowledge of the physiopathologic relationships among different structures, allows better understanding of painful syndromes of the anterior joint compartment, which are particularly common in athletes. These syndromes are usually caused by a femoro-patellar overload in people suffering from congenital ligament laxity, which may or may not be associated with abnormal knee morphotype--i.e., valgus, recurvatus.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Computed tomography demonstration++ of calcaneal morphotypes in plantar arch abnormalities].

CT and MR investigations of the foot generally follow clinics, to confirm the presence of pathologic changes. Plantar arch alterations, which predispose to pain in overload, are not included and thus CT and MR examinations are not usually performed because the patient is not standing. A series of 80 patients (49 males and 31 females, age range: 8-74 years old) was divided according to the presence of clinical signs of plantar arch alterations. Plantar and coronal CT scans were performed according to strict protocols. On plantar scans some patterns were identified, corresponding to the typical signs of conventional radiographs, which are suggestive of flat, cavus and normal feet. On coronal bimalleolar scans, other heel patterns were detected, which are suggestive of medial-concave, varus and orthogonal feet. In our opinion, the above patterns are an example of heel adaptation to plantar arch variability. Especially in the patients with flat feet, the calcaneus-cuboid-metatarsal angle was almost 180 degrees on plantar scans; high agreement was observed, on coronal slices, with the medial-concave heel pattern. The varus morphotype was very frequent among the patients with cavus foot on coronal slices; on plantar scans it corresponded to a calcaneus-cuboid-metatarsal angle (< 180 degrees). CT signs must be accurately described for they help interpret pain related to foot architecture, especially in the patients in whom the possible relationship between symptoms and plantar arch alterations was underestimated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Alpha-latrotoxin: preparation and effects on calcium fluxes.

A toxin that causes a massive presynaptic activation of transmitter release from nerve terminals is alpha-latrotoxin, isolated from Latrodectus tredecimguttatus spider venom. This toxin has been highly purified, utilizing as a biological assay a toxin-dependent increase in 45Ca(2+)-accumulation by PC12 cells. The purification protocol includes an ion-exchange step and a gel-filtration column, by fast-flow liquid chromatography. The resulting toxin is a polypeptide of about 125 kDa in molecular mass. At nmol concentrations it specifically activates calcium influx and transmitter secretion after interacting with neuronal acceptors of the presynaptic membrane. The inhibitory effect of trivalent ions (which may develop as degradation product of 45Ca2+) on toxin-dependent calcium accumulation by PC12 cells is described. The results obtained suggest that calcium fluxes directly involved in the neurosecretory event, may occur through newly formed toxin-dependent channels.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[The incidence and role of the os acromiale in the acromiohumeral impingement syndrome].

Os acromiale (an apparently supernumerary bone) corresponds to persistence of the lateral end of acromion ossification nucleus over 18 years of age. Os acromiale is articulated with the clavicle and the base of acromion; its incidence is high and often bilateral. A rarer variant is secondary os acromiale, lying between acromion and great humeral tuberosity. Both variants predispose to the onset of pain due to acromiohumeral impingement. Rotator cuff tears are frequently associated due to direct injury to subacromial compartment structures and to overtraction of acromiocoracoid ligament following functional overuse. Three hundred and ninety-eight patients were examined (313 males and 85 females, aged 12 to 71 years): 265 of them underwent conventional radiography with specific projections for the shoulder and 133 underwent CT. Dysplasia was observed in 9.55% of cases (38 patients), which is in agreement with reports by other authors. CT demonstrates the presence of os acromiale better than specific radiographic projections, without requiring painful patient positioning. Axial CT scans allow the depiction of subacromial compartment structures that cannot be demonstrated by US. The evident and frequent association of arthrotic-degenerative acromioclavicular alterations even after os acromiale assimilation confirms the close relationship of the latter bone to rotator cuff conditions, especially to rotator cuff tears. In our opinion, the correct description of this finding has high prognostic value in the subjects likely to experience functional shoulder overuse and allows the correct etiopathogenesis of pain. Therefore CT, which is an elective imaging method especially suited to demonstrate calcium-density structures, thanks to its high spatial and contrast resolution, can be used concurrently with MR imaging because it is less expensive and more easily available.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗
PubMed1992

Spinal cord injury: some epidemiological data. A review of 233 cases.

Two hundred thirty-three consecutive cases of traumatic para- and tetraplegia admitted to a department of Neurosurgery in Naples within ten years were reviewed and categorized according to etiology, level of lesion and clinical features. The age of the patients at the time of injury varied from 7 to 74 years with a mean age of 37.1 +/- 17.1 (male mean age = 35.8 +/- 16.7; female mean age = 41.5 +/- 18.2). The male/female sex ratio was 4.8. Of these patients 66 were paraplegic and 167 were tetraplegic. The analysis of the various causes of the spinal cord injury showed that the occupational activities take the first place (32.2%); injuries in recreational activities and road accidents accounted for the majority of the remaining cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Familial congenital brachial palsy.

Eight relatives in a Sicilian family, including a sibship of 5, were affected with severe unilateral congenital brachial palsy (CBP) in a pattern suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance (6 cases affected on the right, 2 on the left). X-linked inheritance with expression in heterozygous females cannot be excluded.

Arm↗
PubMed1991

Effects of beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists on cerebral blood flow of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

The current study evaluated the effect of two beta adrenergic-blocking agents, propranolol (PRP) and atenolol (ATN), versus placebo on cerebral blood flow (CBF) of three homogeneous groups of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. CBF was measured by the noninvasive 133-Xenon inhalation method at rest and 1 hour after a single oral dose of PRP (40 mg), or ATN (100 mg), or placebo. Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were measured at the beginning of each examination, and end-tidal pCO2(PeCO2) was monitored. The HR decreased significantly in both the PRP and ATN groups (P less than .01), whereas no changes were recorded for both PeCO2 and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). The comparisons of the CBF differences among groups (ANOVA with the significance levels adjusted by the Bonferroni's correction) showed a significant increase in CBF after ATN as compared with both placebo (P less than .02) and PRP (P less than .01), whereas no significant differences were seen after PRP as compared with placebo. Our results confirm that PRP does not significantly affect CBF, whereas ATN induces an increase in CBF, although the underlying mechanism is difficult to explain.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗