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Biomedical subjects

F Bianco

Publications and source records attributed to F Bianco.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Intramedullary astrocytoma with cartilage formation. Case report.

A case of intramedullary astrocytoma with cartilage formation is reported. The presence of bone or cartilage in a glioma is most unusual and has been described only in the brain, characteristically in ependymomas and astrocytomas of the midline. As far as we know, the present is the first intramedullary case. The histological and immunohistochemical findings are discussed in the light of the various hypotheses that attempt to explain the presence of cartilage within a glioma.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Crural amyotrophy associated with a parietal lesion: a case report.

The authors have observed a 33-year-old woman with a 3-year history of a clinical syndrome characterised by atrophy of the musculature of the left foot and leg with impaired motor function, associated with a paracentral cortical oligodendroglioma located in the right parietal region. Clinical, neuroradiological (MRI), electrophysiological (electromyography: EMG; motor evoked potential: MEP; median and tibial somatosensory evoked potential: m-SEP and t-SEP), and neuropsychological studies were performed every year for three years. Neurological examination showed an abnormal gait along with foot drop, pes cavus and pyramidal involvement. MEP and t-SEP recordings were abnormal on the left side, while EMG and neuropsychological tests gave normal results, which were unmodified over time. Our observations suggest that the crural amyotrophy observed in this case may be defined as of "parietal" or "central" origin, a clinical feature which more frequently affects the hand. A review of the literature is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Autonomic nervous function and blood volume monitoring during hemodialysis.

We studied the autonomic reflex response to hypovolemia during HD by means of spectral analysis of heart rate variability (SAHRV) in 10 hypotension prone (group A) and 10 hemodynamically stable patients (group B). UF rate normalized per total body water and blood volume fall were similar in the two groups. The sympatho-vagal balance index, calculated as the ratio between the integrals of the spectrum in the low (0.02-0.15 Hz) and in the high frequency range (0.2-0.35 Hz) rose in group B progressively from the beginning of the treatments, reaching a top at the 90th minute and remained subsequently high until the end. On the contrary this index did not show remarkable increases in group A. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant at 0 (4.6 +/- 2.9 vs 1.5 +/- 1.3), 60th (8.3 +/- 7.8 vs 2.2 +/- 2.6), 90th (17.9 +/- 13.4 vs 3.7 +/- 2.8), 150th (8.8 +/- 3.7 vs 2.7 +/- 2.8) and 210th minute (8.6 +/- 5.0 vs 2.9 +/- 2.5). In conclusion SAHRV shows an impairment of autonomic reflex response to hypovolemia in hypotension-prone patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Increased susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: effects of fish oil and vitamin E administration.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. An increased sensitivity of red blood cell membranes to lipid peroxidation has been previously demonstrated in patients with chronic renal failure, suggesting that the antioxidant defence of lipoproteins might be impaired. Fish oil supplementation has been proposed in dialysis patients, but it is still unclear if the positive effects of fish oil depend only on its polyunsaturated fatty acid content or on other factors, such as the usually added antioxidants. Moreover, the increased concentration of highly peroxidable n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids induced by fish oil in LDL particles could favour LDL oxidation and possibly the development of atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to evaluate the susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation (lag phase) and the rate of lipid peroxidation (propagation phase) by fluorescence development during copper exposure in 14 hemodialysis patients. A further aim was to compare the effects on lipid metabolism and LDL oxidation of fish oil supplementation (20 ml containing vitamin E 20 IU as antioxidant) for 30 days and of vitamin E administration (50 IU) for another 30 days. The length of the lag phase and vitamin E concentration were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in hemodialysis patients and increased significantly (p < 0.01) after administration of both fish oil and vitamin E. Fish oil supplementation also reduced plasma lipids significantly (p < 0.01) and increased the propagation phase (p < 0.01). Our results demonstrate that the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation is enhanced in hemodialysis patients, suggesting a possible relationship between excessive LDL peroxidation and accelerated atherosclerosis. The increased susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation can be explained, at least partially, by a reduced LDL vitamin E concentration. Since fish oil increased the lag phase to the same extent as vitamin E supplementation, the positive effect of fish oil could be partly explained by its antioxidant content.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1995

Iatrogenic spinopelvic cerebro-spinal fluid fistula. Case report.

Perineurial cysts usually affect the lumbosacral spinal nerve roots, but sometimes they can erode the sacrum and reach the retroperitoneal space. In such cases misdiagnosis can lead to an improper treatment and cause serious complications. A presacral mass was diagnosed in a young woman during routine ultrasound investigation, and an exploratory laparotomy was performed. A large, fluid-containing cyst was found and marsupialized into the pelvis. After operation the patient experienced headache, vomiting and VI cranial nerve palsy whenever she stood up. By radiculography a iatrogenic spinopelvic cerebro-spinal fluid fistula was diagnosed, which required further surgery to be repaired. The presence of a giant perineurial cyst in the pelvis in unusual but must be considered in the differential diagnosis of presacral masses; the exceptionally rare case reported in this paper is exemplar of the harmful complications that an incautious procedure can determine.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Clinical study of large kindreds with autosomal dominant HLA-linked spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA1) of late onset.

Six families with SCA1 were studied. The clinical data on 35 patients are reported. Cerebellar and pyramidal system involvement was invariably found in association with brainstem, spinal cord and/or peripheral nervous system disorders. In our patients the clinical features appeared concordant when the patients with the same disease duration were compared. Previous reports of SCA1 families had shown great variability in clinical phenotype both interfamilial and intrafamilial. We suggest that the phenotype might appear more homogeneous if disease duration is taken into account.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The contribution of hemofiltration among the treatment modalities of chronic uremia.

To assess the role of hemofiltration (HF) among different treatment modalities, we reviewed our clinical material from 37 patients that consecutively underwent the treatment from 1981 on. A number of 12 patients on HF for at least 1 year deliberately switched to hemodialysis (HD) or hemodiafiltration (HDF) were studied retrospectively. Biochemical and nutritional parameters, cardiovascular aspects and morbidity data were collected during one year before and after the treatment change. A sodium balance study was performed in 9 patients during HF as well. No significant differences in plasma urea, creatinine, phosphate, body weight, serum albumin, transferrin, hemoglobin and PCR were found. BUN tended to be lower during HD-HDF because of the more efficient removal of urea with these treatments. Indeed, the Kt/V index was 0.91 during HF and it was 1.15 with HD-HDF. There were no differences in hypotensive episodes and morbidity. Sodium loss was strictly related to body fluid removal during HF session with a net sodium loss (NSL) of 128 mEq per liter of fluid removal (FR) (NSL = 6.44 + 122 FR; r:0.83; p < 0.01). Adapting sodium concentration of substitution fluid to patients weight gain, cardiovascular stability improved in those subjects more prone to collapse. With equivalence in PCR during the 2 periods, although Kt/V was 20% lower during HF, it seems reasonable to assume that the lower urea clearance might be compensated by the more efficient removal of higher molecular weight substances and/or by the improved biocompatibility of HF.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Changes in central and peripheral nervous system function during hypoglycemia in man: an electro-physiological quantification.

We measured somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in normal subjects during acute (group A) and moderately prolonged (group B) hypoglycemia. We considered the following parameters: peripheral conduction velocity (wrist-Erb CV), conduction time (CT) between brachial plexus and the cervical cord (Erb-N13) and central CT from the cervical cord/lower brainstem lemniscal pathway to the cortex (N13-N20). In group A, the electrophysiological parameters did not change significantly throughout the study. In group B, mean N13-N20 CT increased from a basal values of 5.82 +/- 0.11 to 6.22 +/- 0.11 msec at 105 min (p less than 0.02) and 6.33 +/- 0.11 msec at 120 min (p less than 0.05). This study indicates that neither acute nor moderately prolonged hypoglycemia influence the peripheral nerve function in normal subjects and provides evidence that hypoglycemia as low as 2.4 mmol/L, lasting more than 60 min, can significantly increase the conduction time of central somatosensory pathways.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Autosomal dominant pure cerebellar ataxia. Neurological and genetic study.

A family with late-onset autosomal dominant pure cerebellar ataxia was studied both neurologically and genetically. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological results were in agreement with the clinical evidence showing involvement of the cerebellar system only, even many years after onset. No atrophy of inferior olives was observed by magnetic resonance imaging, while cerebellar atrophy was extremely marked. A very slow disease progression was observed in all patients. The disease can be differentiated from autosomal dominant olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophies, and in particular from spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 mapping on chromosome 6p, which shows an early multisystemic involvement and a more rapid progression toward inability. A genetic study of the family with the 6p DNA marker D6S89 closely linked to the spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 locus was performed. Results showed significant exclusion of a linkage between the disease and the marker within a distance of 8.5% recombination, indicating that genetic heterogeneity underlies phenotypic differences.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Angiographically occult brainstem vascular malformation: a longitudinal comparison of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multimodal evoked potential (EP) recordings.

Over a period of several years, a patient with angiographically occult vascular malformation (AOVM) involving the brainstem was longitudinally studied by means of serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and multimodal Evoked Potential (EP) recordings (visual-VEP, brainstem auditory-BAEP, somatosensory--SEP--by stimulating median and peroneal nerves). MRI did contribute to an accurate definition of AOVM features. In particular, it was able to follow over time the AOVM size, and to discriminate between recent and old bleedings. Multimodal EP recordings displayed different pathological BAEP and peroneal SEP values, which documented a transient segmental brainstem involvement (related to the presence of hemorrhage), along with persistent and probably irreversible signs of diffuse brainstem dysfunction. Thus, MRI and EP assessment is useful in monitoring the clinical course of brainstem occult vascular malformations.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

[Manual versus mechanical sutures in gastric surgery in cancer].

The Authors, on the basis of their experience in San Camillo Hospital of Rome, compare the results between manual and mechanical sutures in 597 gastric cancers operated in the last 12 years. They confirm that at present staplers are of great reliability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Computed tomography abnormalities in hanging.

The CT pattern of bilateral and symmetrical round low density areas in the globi pallidi has been observed in a young man who attempted suicide by hanging. These CT abnormalities are similar to those described in other conditions such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, cyanide and methanol poisoning, hypoglycaemia, drowning and acute global central nervous system hypoperfusion. The findings appear to be correlated with acute cerebral hypoxia.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's disease): clinical correlations with computerized tomography in the diagnosis of the juvenile and adult forms.

A computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed on 6 surviving patients with a suspected diagnosis of subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy of the juvenile and adult forms. Bilateral low density areas were observed in the putamina in all cases. This CT pattern conformed with the characteristic pathological changes of the disease. Once the possibility of Wilson's disease or an earlier episode of acute cerebral hypoxia, syndromes which both display a similar appearance in CT, is excluded, a diagnosis of subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy may be considered in cases showing bilateral low density areas in the basal ganglia, especially in the putamina, and with a consistent clinical history.

Adolescent↗