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Biomedical subjects

A Peracchia

Publications and source records attributed to A Peracchia.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Cholesterol microlithiasis: bacteriology, gallbladder bile and stone composition.

It is not known whether microcalculi possess structural differences compared with larger stones or whether they represent simply an earlier stage in stone disease. We carried out a controlled study on 10 patients affected by gallbladder cholesterol microlithiasis (CM). In all patients, samples from all parts of the stones were studied by X-ray diffraction and by infrared spectrophotometry. Bile analysis was carried out to determine cholesterol, phospholipid and total bile acid content. The cholesterol saturation indices (C.S.I.) were calculated. In all samples, bacterial bile culture was carried out. The results were compared with those of 10 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy for large cholesterol stones, and for 10 patients who had undergone abdominal surgery but without biliary pathology. Patients in these latter groups were matched with the first according to sex and age. Microcalculi proved to be layered (nucleus and external layer) in only 2 cases and larger stones in 9; cholesterol was seen to be the principal crystalline component in all cases. Traces of bilirubin were found in 7 CM and in the nuclei of 5 larger stones. These results show that the structural composition of microcalculi is similar to that of the nucleus of larger stones. No substantial differences exist, however, between the two groups of patients regarding the other parameters taken into consideration.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Use of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in locally advanced breast cancer].

Locally advanced breast cancer has a poor prognosis. Skin infiltration, ulceration and invasion of the chest wall, in the absence of distant metastases, worsen dramatically the quality of life. The Authors report 4 cases of one time wide resection and reconstruction using a pedicled myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi. This technique allowed good and rapid palliation of local symptoms.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Iatrogenic biliary lithogenesis in surgery].

Iatrogenic biliary lithogenesis has been often observed in surgery. The authors, on the basis of the personal experience and literature, have tried to point out its etiologic factors and give a common interpretation to its different clinical manifestations observed in surgery. This study reports 19 patients who underwent total gastrectomy with truncal vagotomy and postoperative TPN and subsequently serial ultrasonographic scans to determine content and volume of the gallbladder. In 5 patients it was possible to take out a bile sample daily, using a naso-duodenal tube, for chemical analysis. In 10 out of 19 patients postoperative ultrasonography revealed the fast appearance of biliary sludge; 6 of the latter 10 developed microlithiasis. In all cases examined ultrasounds revealed a defect of the contractility of the gallbladder and the microscopic analysis of bile content showed pigment granules. The authors underline how different etiologic factors are involved in different clinical models. They conclude that gallstones observed in their experience are mostly pigmentary and are quickly formed owing to the interaction of many etiological factors. Finally prophylactic measures are discussed.

Cholelithiasis↗
PubMed1989

[Early cancer of the esophagus: results in 61 operated cases].

From 1980 to 1987, 1338 patients with esophageal cancer were observed and 703 underwent esophagectomy. Pathologic exam of the operative specimen showed 61 early cancers of the esophagus: 10 mucosal and 51 submucosal. Hospital mortality in patients operated on (2 cases) for early esophageal cancer was 3.3% (2 cases). The 5-year survival rate in the cases of mucosal and submucosal tumors was 100% and 33%, respectively. The location of neoplastic recurrence was detected in 9 patients, all of whom had a submucosal tumor. The recurrence was local-regional in 4 cases, and remote in 5. The authors think that submucosal cancers of the esophagus may need a multimodality therapeutic approach to improve prognosis and prevent recurrence. Patients who are not surgical candidates and in whom the diagnosis of early cancer is likely on the basis of clinical staging may undergo endoscopic laser therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical implications of the infiltration level of early gastric cancer].

Sixty-nine cases of early gastric cancer (EGC) were taken into consideration, out of a series of 585 operations for gastric cancer, carried out between January 1976 and June 1988. Differences between two groups (I: EGC limited to the mucosa; II: EGC with invasion of both the mucosa and submucosa) have been assessed with reference to familiarity for gastric cancer, previous gastric and duodenal pathology, symptoms, site of the lesion, histological features, lymph node metastatic involvement and results. Despite some pathological and clinical differences, modification of current surgical treatment with endoscopic management is not justified by any features, even when dealing with intramucosal, intestinal type EGC, because of possible lymph node involvement or long-term recurrences.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Pigment vs. cholesterol microlithiasis: comparison of clinical features, bacteriology, stone and gallbladder composition.

We compared 16 cases of pigment microlithiasis with 12 cases of cholesterol microlithiasis. In each case we made a spectrophotometric and diffractometric analysis of the composition of the stones, also analysing bile bacteriology, bile lipid composition and cholesterol saturation indices. The two groups were comparable as regards sex, age, symptoms and clinical features. Pigment microcalculi were often asymptomatic (41.7%), but more often associated with bile bacteria (43.7%) or acute pancreatitis (25%). The results were such as to permit us to view cholesterol microlithiasis and pigment microlithiasis as having different pathogenetic and clinical aspects, and thus as being different diseases.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Rapid sequence of events in gallstone formation in man.

A prospective analysis was carried out on 19 adult patients who had undergone total gastrectomy for gastric cancer with truncular vagotomy and postoperative TPN, to evaluate the gallstone formation sequence in man. The patients underwent gallbladder ultrasonography before surgery, then at least once a day during the period of postoperative fasting and TPN (about 15 days) and during the first days after oral refeeding. No patients showed cholelithiasis or biliary sludge at preoperative ultrasonography; none showed cholesterol crystals at preoperative duodenal drainage. 10 of the 19 patients were sludge-positive during the first two weeks of TPN (2 after 3 days, 7 at day seven, 9 at day nine). 6 patients who were initially sludge-positive developed microlithiasis: 1 after 7 days, 2 during TPN and 3 after oral refeeding. These results lead the authors to suggest that human lithogenesis in particular conditions may be faster than that observed so far in animal models, and that the very rapid events in gallstone formation observed in this study concern the formation of pigment stones.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Esophagovisceral anastomotic leak. A prospective statistical study of predisposing factors.

An esophagovisceral anastomotic leak is a life-threatening postoperative complication, especially in the mediastinum. Of the 242 patients who underwent intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis for esophageal carcinoma (182 patients) and adenocarcinoma of the cardia (60 patients) between January 1980 and June 1985, 14 (5.8%) had esophageal anastomotic leakage and two died (0.8%). Various clinical and biologic parameters and aspects of operative technique were studied prospectively and analyzed statistically to identify possible factors responsible for leaks. Both bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis with logistic regression showed that the following clinical and biologic factors do not influence anastomotic leakage: tumor stage, the curative or palliative purpose of resection, neoplastic permeation of anastomotic margins, total protein concentration below 5 gm/dl, albumin concentration below 3 gm/dl, patient's age, diabetes, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver, and cardiac, respiratory, or renal diseases. Technical factors, on the contrary, were statistically significant and of great clinical importance: manual as opposed to mechanical suturing (chi 2 = 8.8, p = 0.013) and single-layer as opposed to double-layer suturing (chi 2 = 9.9, p = 0.043). The level of the anastomosis was found to be a further statistically significant factor: The incidence of leakage was greater when the anastomosis was located between the azygos vein and the lower pulmonary vein (chi 2 = 15.5, p = 0.004) than above the azygos vein or below the lower pulmonary vein.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

[Personal case series of intrahepatic lithiasis].

Fifteen cases of intrahepatic lithiasis are reported, on 1798 operations for non malignant diseases of the biliary tract (0.8%), carried out by the Authors in the last 11 years. Two cases were described separately, consisting respectively of an "eastern" hepatolithiasis, and a secondary form, due to stenosis of a choledochoduodenostomy, which had been performed after surgical injury of the common bile duct. The other 13 patients had a "mixed" form. Jaundice was present in 8 of these cases, cholangitis in 4. Intrahepatic stones were diagnosed preoperatively in 3 cases and intraoperatively in 10. A bilioenteric anastomosis was carried out in 9 cases, a sphincteroplasty in 3, and a T-tube drainage in a patient with suppurative cholangitis. Two patients died postoperatively, both from sepsis: the first in the early postoperative phase, after emergency operation for cholangitis; the other, with "primitive" hepatolithiasis, 3 months after the operation. Clinical results are satisfactory after 1-11 years. On the basis of data from current literature, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are set forth, with specific reference to the mixed and secondary forms: the bilioenteric anastomoses seem to give better chances of success, but the need to have access to lobar ducts may sometimes impose hilar derivations. Spincteroplasty may have a few indications, solely in selected patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Composition of biliary microcalculi studied with infrared spectrophotometry.

The chemical composition of biliary microcalculi obtained at 20 consecutive cholecystectomies was investigated with infrared spectroscopy. This method permits qualitative and quantitative analysis also of substances such as bilirubin which often remain in amorphous states. A PYE UNICAM spectrophotometer was used, with KBr pellet technique. A bile sample from each patient was taken for bacteriologic examination. The study confirmed previously observed high incidence of pigment microcalculi (60%). Calcium palmitate was more common (in 15% of all the studied microliths and 25% of the pigment type) than in reports in the literature concerning larger gallstones. Calcium carbonate was present in only 10%. These findings suggested pathogenetic peculiarities of microlithiasis, as did the high incidence of positive bacteriologic tests.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Prevention of colorectal cancer. Role of association between gallstones and colorectal cancer.

A significant association was found between colorectal cancer, especially of the right colon, and concomitant gallstones. This was noted especially in female patients and in those over the age of 65. The existence of such an association is of advantage in terms of secondary prevention of colorectal cancer. The possible screening methods are discussed for those gallstone patients at risk.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Multiple islet cell tumors with predominance of glucagon-producing cells and ulcer disease.

Two cases of multiple islet cell tumors mostly composed of glucagon-producing cells and associated with severe ulcer disease are presented. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN-I) was present in both patients, although symptomatically latent in case 2. Immunohistochemistry showed that glucagon (A) cells were a major cell population (i.e., accounting for at least 30% of the tumor cell population) in 24 of 43 tumors (either macroadenomas or microadenomas) studied in case 1 and in 12 of 17 tumors studied in case 2. A major pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cell population was found in 12 and 7 tumors of case 1 and 2, respectively. In contrast, insulin (B) and somatostatin (D) cells were scarce in most adenomas. Gastrin-producing cells were not identified in any tumors, despite the use of different antigastrin antisera. Extrapancreatic or residual gastrinomas were not found at postmortem examination in case 1 or on appropriate surgical inspection done 24 years after the onset of the ulcer disease in patient 2. On the basis of these and of 17 additional cases collected in the literature, it is concluded that multiple A-cell tumors of the pancreas are an expression of the MEN-I and are mostly associated with ulcer disease and/or with hypergastrinemia of frequent uncertain origin. The mechanisms regulating the nonrandom phenotypic hormonal differentiation of these genetically determined tumors remain unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Sludge and microlithiasis of the biliary tract after total gastrectomy and postoperative total parenteral nutrition.

We have evaluated the incidence and evolution of sludge, microlithiasis and lithiasis formation of the biliary tract in 12 patients who underwent total gastrectomy and postoperative total parenteral nutrition (TPN) beginning immediately after operation. To this end, serial ultrasonographic studies are carried out every 72 hours during TPN and every seven days after oral refeeding and then once a month for three months. Sludge of the gallbladder was demonstrated in five of the 12 patients after a minimum period of nine days after the operation, and in four of these, microlithiasis of the biliary tract was subsequently revealed. In two of these four patients, the stones dissolved spontaneously, while in the remaining two patients, no change occurred in dimension after intervals of six and seven months, respectively. In all instances, sludge and microcalculi were completely "silent." This study was done to underline the high incidence of biliary tract sludge and microlithiasis in the patients examined and to indicate the necessity for preventive measures against the possible and serious complications of this disease as well as acute pancreatitis.

Adult↗