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Biomedical subjects

F Mosca

Publications and source records attributed to F Mosca.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

[The percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts].

Pancreatic pseudocysts (PP) may be classified into: 1. Post-necrotic PP produced by an attack of acute pancreatitis on a normal pancreas; 2. Post-necrotic PP produced by an attack of acute pancreatitis superimposed on a chronic pancreatitis; 3. Chronic pancreatitis PP ("retention cysts"); 4. Post-operative PP. The differential diagnosis between inflammatory and neoplastic lesions must be pursued both at the initial diagnostic work-up and during the post-treatment follow-up. Every lesion of uncertain etiology must be resected. Percutaneous drainage (PD) is one of the therapeutical options currently available for PP and it is indicated for: 1. Post-necrotic PP produced by an attack of acute pancreatitis (either on a normal pancreas or on a chronic pancreatitis), large (> 6 cm), rapidly expanding or symptomatic; 2. Post-operative PP. PD may also be indicated for a small, highly selected, group of chronic pancreatitis PP symptomatic but without critical duct stenoses. In these patients a PD, often therapeutic, may also be employed to decompress a "retention cyst" in order to improve patients' general conditions before surgery. Post-necrotic PP that are asymptomatic or small (< 6 cm) should be managed non-operatively. The majority of chronic pancreatitis PP, all those with a clearly enlarged pancreatic duct or associated with other conditions not amenable to percutaneous resolution, require surgery. In our experience PD was feasible in all but one case (95/96). The initial diagnosis of PP was confirmed in 92 cases. The overall morbidity was 18% with no specific mortality. Overall 3-year success rate was 85% with well evident variations among different PP types.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Current trends in the surgical treatment of lesions caused by caustic ingestion].

During a twenty-six year period from 1973 to 1999 a total of 78 patients with severe esophago-gastric lesions after caustic ingestion were referred to and managed at our unit. Hydrochloric acid was the most frequently involved caustic agent and the lesions were located in the esophagus (52.6%), in the stomach (19.2%) and in both the esophagus and stomach (28.2%). Thirty-seven patients were managed by endoscopic dilation of esophageal stricture that gave permanent relief of dysphagia in 13 cases only. Twelve patients are still managed with endoscopic dilation and in another 12 we performed bypass surgery. Two perforations developed and spontaneously sealed after T.P.N. for 6-8 weeks. No death occurred. Fifty-three patients were operated on in emergency or during survey period or for stenotic lesions. Surgical procedures were: in esophageal strictures a substernal esophago or pharyngocologastroplasty without esophagectomy; in esophago-gastric strictures, after an esophago-gastrectomy, an esophago or pharyngocolojejunoplasty in one or two steps; in total gastric stenosis without esophageal involvement a total gastrectomy followed by a Roux-en-Y esophago-jejunal anastomosis and in antropyloric strictures a Billroth I or II partial gastrectomy. The morbidity rate was 32% with a 5.6% mortality rate.

Adolescent↗

The dorsal sector of human liver: embryological, anatomical and clinical relevance.

The dorsal liver sector has been recognized as the parenchyma surrounding the vena cava and is quite independent of the remaining liver. It is that part of the organ in which the hepatic portion of the vena cava develops and its venous outflow remains strictly connected with the vena cava by means of multiple, not dissectable effluents as well as with the main hepatic veins. Therefore, this sector is a major shunt between the main hepatic veins and the inferior vena cava, which enlarges and ensures venous drainage for survival in cases of Budd-Chiari syndrome. The dorsal sector consists of two segments: a left one (segment I) corresponding roughly to the caudate lobe and a right one (segment IX) in front and on the right of the vena cava, including the so-called caudate process. The identification of a dorsal liver sector and its detailed anatomy is of primary importance for surgical practice, since cholangiocarcinoma of bile duct hilar confluence extends to the dorsal sector and makes resection of this sector necessary for efficient therapy and due consideration of the pedicles of segment I and IX is required to perform successful hemihepatectomy as well as liver partition for split liver grafting.

Hepatectomy↗

[Malignant stromal tumors of the duodenum. Report of a case].

The Authors report a rare case of undifferentiated duodenal malignant stromal tumour in a 69-years-old man radically managed by pancreaticoduodenectomy and resection of a liver metastasis. Several preoperative tests were performed (barium meal, endoscopy, ultrasonography and CT scan) but failed to yield a differential diagnosis between a tumour of the pancreatic head and a retroperitoneal neoplasm. The diagnosis was only histological. The tumour was considered to be high-grade due to its large size, high mitotic index, and the presence of necrosis and liver metastasis. Thorough surveillance revealed several hepatic metastases 29 months after resection, and chemotherapy performed at this stage proved completely ineffective. The patient died 38 months after surgery.

Aged↗

[Multiple primary malignant neoplasms. Report of a rare case with 5 metachronous tumors].

The Authors report on a patient admitted several times for the occurrence of five multiple metachronous primary malignancies (laryngeal carcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, rectal cancerous polyp, ampulla of Vater carcinoma and transverse colon cancer). All five carcinomas were independent primary cancers, and the lengthy time intervals between the onsets of the individual tumours supports their independent non-metastatic origin. Classification, pathogenesis, genetic and environmental interactions of multiple tumours are discussed. In the case reported, a family history of colon cancer was present, while no genetic marker abnormalities or chronic exposure to carcinogens were found. The case report shows that an aggressive, appropriate surgical approach together with thorough follow-up monitoring offers a chance of long-term survival for patients with metachronous malignant primary tumours.

Ampulla of Vater↗

[Surgical treatment of redundant colon after retrosternal esophagocolonoplasty for caustic esophageal stenosis].

The Authors report two cases of transposed colon redundancy occurring after surgical treatment in 37 patients with caustic oesophageal strictures by retrosternal oesophagoplasty. Surgical management was required because of persistent dysphagia and weight loss in both patients. The technique performed was a resection of the redundant loop with a termino-terminal colo-colonic anastomosis via a right thoracic approach.

Adult↗

Oxidative stress in fulminant hepatic failure: comparison of two pig models with and without liver necrosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: No experimental study has clearly demonstrated how liver necrosis worsens the evolution of fulminant hepatic failure. Considering that several types of liver injury are associated with oxidative stress, we decided to measure plasma oxidative markers in two pig models of fulminant hepatic failure without and with liver necrosis. METHODOLOGY: Fulminant hepatic failure was produced in two groups of six pigs each by either total hepatectomy or complete hepatic devascularization. The following parameters were recorded before and during the course of hepatic failure: electrocerebral activity, plasma vitamin E, malondialdehyde and fluorescent protein-aldehyde adducts, total cholesterol, lactate-dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and ammonium. RESULTS: Despite comparable survival periods, hepatic necrosis was associated with earlier electrocerebral deterioration. Plasma concentration of malondialdehyde and fluorescent protein-aldehyde adducts rose and vitamin E content decreased in both groups. However, while in the group without liver necrosis the rates of cholesterol and vitamin E decay were identical, in the group with liver necrosis cholesterol concentration decreased less than vitamin E concentration, strongly indicating a true intravascular oxidation of vitamin E. Interestingly, in both models the rise of oxidative parameters preceded the development of cell injury. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress, although present in both models, was significantly higher in the group with liver necrosis.

Animals↗

Untractable diarrhea due to late onset celiac disease of the adult following pancreatoduodenectomy.

This case describes a rare cause of severe diarrhea that may occasionally plague the postoperative course of pancreatic resections. Although exceedingly rare this complication has already been described in another two patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with diagnosis of duodenojejunal adenocarcinoma. Surgeons dedicated to pancreatic resections as well as pancreatologists caring for these patients should retain this possibility in their cultural background. Diarrhea, due to either exocrine insufficiency or interruption of sympathetic nerves to the small intestine, is a common complaint after pancreatoduodenectomy. A 54-year-old white female after a pancreatoduodenectomy with standard lymphatic clearance developed intractable diarrhea leading to severe cachexia. Recognition of the underlying occult celiac disease and institution of the appropriate dietary regimen allowed quick and expeditious recovery.

Acute Disease↗

[Our experience in the surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors].

The authors carry out a retrospective review of 30 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) who underwent surgical treatment over the period from 1974 to 2001. Sixteen were male and 14 female, with an average age of 60.9 years. Histologically, 19 tumours showed evidence of differentiation towards smooth muscle elements (10 benign and 9 malignant), 9 towards neural elements (3 benign and 6 malignant) and 2 iacked differentiation towards either cell type. Twenty-one tumours were located in the stomach, 1 in the duodenum, 3 in the jejunum and 5 in the ileum. The main symptoms were abdominal pain and abdominal masses, and the most sensitive diagnostic techniques were abdominal CT scan and endoscopy in gastroduodenal locations. In 21 gastric GISTs, the surgical procedures were local resection (15 cases), partial gastric resection (3 cases), subtotal gastrectomy (2 cases) and total gastrectomy (1 case). In 8 small bowel GISTs, we performed a typical intestinal resection while duodenal undifferentiated GIST was managed by pancreatico-duodenectomy. There was no operative mortality or morbidity. Among the 13 patients with benign GISTs, 1 died of causes unrelated to the disease, while 12 patients are still alive and in good health after a mean follow-up of 148.5 months (range: 6-262). Among patients with malignant muscular GISTs (6 gastric and 3 ileal), 3 with gastric tumours were lost to follow-up, 3 with gastric and 1 with ileal neoplasms are alive and free from disease after a median follow-up of 58 months (range 3-108), while 2 patients with ileal neoplasms died of metastatic disease 39 and 29 months after the surgical procedure. Among 6 patients with malignant neural GISTs (2 gastric, 2 jejunal and 2 ileal) 1 with a gastric tumour and 1 with a jejunal tumour were lost to follow-up, while 3 are still alive and in good health after a median follow-up of 67.6 months (range 19 to 94); another with jejunal disease developed liver metastases 14 months after small bowel resection and died 12 months later. The two patients with undifferentiated GIST both died of liver metastasis 38 months after pancreatico-duodenectomy and 43 months after total gastrectomy. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain and a palpable mass, but no specific signs were detected. In gastroduodenal lesions endoscopy plays a very important diagnostic role and CT scan is the most sensitive diagnostic technique in the evaluation of location, size, invasion of adjacent organs and metastases. Prognostic prediction on the basis of histological findings is difficult and in our experience undifferentiated tumours are always malignant.

Aged↗

[Duodenal duplication. Report of 2 cases in adults and review of the literature].

Two cases of adult male patients with symptomatic duodenal duplication cysts are reported. The clinical manifestations were vomiting and epigastric pain in the first case and recurrent pancreatitis with a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen in the second. In both cases the diagnosis was only histological and the patients recovered after local excision of the duplication and duodenopancreatectomy, respectively. These two cases prompted an evaluation of the diagnostic features and surgical treatment of duodenal duplication cysts.

Adult↗

[Lung injury and ventilatory strategies].

Premature lungs are highly susceptible to lung injury induced by chorioamionitis, mechanical ventilation or persistent exposure to high O2 concentrations. The Authors linger on the central role of atelectrauma and volutrauma (by inadequate tidal volume-Vt) in course of mechanical ventilation of preterm infants with RDS. In particular, they evaluate the efficacy and safety of the targeted volume ventilation with the option of the Volume Guarantee (VG). For this reason they present the results of randomized clinical trials in preterm infants (25-32 wks of gestational age) with severe RDS, in mechanical ventilation, without VG or with two different VG (Vt = 3 or 5 ml/Kg). Data collected demonstrate a significative difference (p < 0.05) in terms od reduction of mean airway pressure (PAW), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and cytokines production (IL6-IL8 and TNF alfa) in tracheal aspirate fluid in preterm infants in synchronized ventilation with VG set at 5 ml/Kg. These preliminary results seem to demonstrate the protective role of targeted volume ventilation with Vt = 5 ml/Kg (minimal volutrauma with less lung inflammatory response), but without significative reduction of chronic lung disease (CLD) in this group (probably due to multifactorial pathogenesis of CLD).

Chorioamnionitis↗

[Emergency treatment of caustic lesions of the upper digestive tract].

The role of an early multidisciplinary approach to the management of upper digestive tract caustic lesions in the acute phase is stressed. The accurate evaluation of the lesions through early endoscopy, performed within 24-48 hours of ingestion, is the best means of assessing the degree of injury after caustic ingestion. Massive gastric and/or oesophageal necrosis, tracheoesophageal fistula, massive gastric haemorrhage, gastric and/or duodenal perforation are indications for emergency surgery. Management techniques of acute lesions are controversial because results of the different surgical procedures proposed are not satisfactory. Surgery of complications is mandatory, but up to date morbidity and mortality rates are still high.

Adult↗

[The abdominal wall: an overlooked cause of pain].

Abdominal wall pain is frequently misdiagnosed as arising from visceral source, often resulting in inappropriate diagnostic tests, unsatisfactory treatment and high costs. The Authors describe the various causes of abdominal wall pain with particular regard to abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. They analyze the main features of abdominal wall pain: a localized tender trigger point can be frequentely identified, the Carnett's sign is positive and the local injection of an anesthetic agent into the trigger point can be diagnostic and therapeutic, while image techniques are useful when the pain results from structural conditions. At last they describe the therapeutic options.

Abdominal Pain↗

[Our experience in the surgical treatment of peritoneal hydatid disease].

The Authors report on a series of 9 patients with peritoneal hydatidosis submitted to surgery during the period between 1974 and 2003. In 5 cases the cyst was solitary, while in 3 patients the cysts were multiple, in 1 spread and in 2 there was a concomitant liver hydatidosis. In 2 patients the disease was asymptomatic, while 4 cases were revealed by pain and 3 by an abdominal mass. The diagnosis was made at the operation in 3 patients, while it was performed by ultrasonography in 1 case, by CT scan in 4 and by both methods in 1. All patients were operated on: 7 underwent total cystectomy and partial cystectomy with external drainage of residual cavity was performed in one; the spread disease was managed by omentectomy, ovariectomy and appendectomy. Postoperative course was regular without mortality and major morbidity in all patients. Two recurrences occurred 71 and 20 months after removal of the primary cysts and they were managed by total cystectomy. The Authors believe that the diagnosis of peritoneal hydatid disease is today more accurate because of the new image techniques and the surgical procedure should be tailored to each patient depending on size, location and complications of the cyst, although the results of radical treatment are better.

Adult↗

Multiple primary malignancies. A rare case of five metachronous tumours.

The Authors report on a patient admitted several times for the occurrence of five multiple metachronous primary malignancies (laryngeal carcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, rectal cancerous polyp, Vaterpapilla carcinoma and transverse colon cancer). All five carcinomas were independent primary cancers and the lenghty time intervals between the onsets of each individual tumours confirm their independent non-metastatic origin. Classification, pathogenesis, genetic and environmental interactions of these tumours are discussed; in the case reported a family history of colon cancer was present, while no genetic markers abnormalities or chronic exposure to carcinogens were found. The case report suggests that an aggressive, appropriate surgical approach together with a through follow-up monitoring offers a chance of long-term survival for patients with metachronous malignant primary tumours.

Female↗

[Milligam-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy and stapled mucoprolapsectomy. Clinical comparison of the results].

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the results of treatment for hemorrhoids by Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy and by stapled mucoprolapsectomy in terms of operative time, postoperative pain, lenght of hospital stay, incidence of early and late complications, time to return to work and to normal social activities and patient satisfaction. Between January 2002 and December 2003, a total of 65 patients with hemorrhoids (35 men and 30 women with a mean age of 46.9 years) underwent surgical treatment: 41 patients underwent conventional hemorrhoidectomy and 24 patients stapled mucoprolapsectomy. All patients were contacted by phone or were reviewed in the outpatient clinic with a mean follow-up of 2 months (range 8-31). The Authors emphasize that it is difficult to make an objective comparison between hemorrhoidectomy and stapled mucoprolapsectomy because the two procedures are completely different in terms of rationale and technique; however, stapled circumferential mucosectomy in their experience causes less postoperative pain and bleeding and can be considered a valid therapeutic option for third- and fourth-degree disease.

Adolescent↗