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Biomedical subjects

F Tomasello

Publications and source records attributed to F Tomasello.

136 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Late onset of a large cavernous aneurysm after spontaneous disappearance of cerebral arteriovenous malformation. Case report.

A large intracavernous aneurysm (Icav. An) revealed eighteen years after the spontaneous disappearance of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is reported. The main hypotheses to explain the pathogenesis of the association of such malformations and the potential for spontaneous regression of AVMs are reviewed on the light of relevant literature. The multiple congenital vascular anomalies hypothesis is stressed to explain the late onset of Icav. An in this patient.

Female↗

Histochemical and immunohistochemical study of noradrenergic, serotonergic and peptidergic innervation of the cerebral circulation.

Using fluorescence histochemistry, we have examined the origin of noradrenaline (NA)-, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing perivascular nerve fibres supplying the major cerebral arteries of the gerbil, and the effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy on their cerebrovascular density and distribution. Bilateral ganglionectomy resulted in a complete loss of these perivascular nerve types in the anterior circulation, while a few fibres still persisted in the posterior circulatory bed. In addition, we demonstrate the presence of both 5-HT- and NPY-positive cell bodies in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of adult gerbils, suggesting that the main origin of cerebrovascular 5-HT- and NPY- (as well as NA-) containing nerve fibres is in the SCG.

Animals↗

Experimental investigations on a model of cryogenic edema.

The role of mechanisms underlying formation and progression of vasogenic brain edema is investigated. On this purpose, cerebral edema was produced by cortical freezing in two different brain situations in rabbits (with or without replacement of bone flap). BBB (Blood-Brain Barrier) breakdown was evaluated by observation of Evans blue extravation, while a histopathological evaluation was carried out by light and transmission electron microscopy. Water content of brain tissue was determined by the wet/dry weight ratio method. Comparison of extension and intensity of cerebral edema between these two groups of animals shows a statistically significant difference: there was evidence of higher water content in the animals undergone replacement of bone flap. The Authors emphasize the importance of tissue pressure gradients in determining diffusion of cerebral edema.

Animals↗

Spinal ossifying arachnoiditis. Case report.

A case of low dorsal spinal cord compression, due to ossifying arachnoiditis, is reported. Its relationship with a venous malformation overlying the dorsal surface of the spinal cord is mentioned. The literature is reviewed and possible etiopathogenetic factors favouring this rare condition are discussed in the light of few similar reports. The value of surgical treatment is stressed.

Arachnoiditis↗

Considerations on the operative results in a group of elderly neurosurgical patients.

536 patients from 60 to 84 years old, operated on for neurosurgical lesions, are evaluated with reference to post-operative mortality rate related to the type of pathology. 83 deaths (15.6%) occurred in this series. Mortality rate increases progressively with advancing age. It is outlined that the aged patients have lesser chances of surgical success, but the present data induce to consider with greater favour the outcome of these patients.

Age Factors↗

Effects of lithium carbonate on cytokine production in patients affected by breast cancer.

It has been reported that lithium salt compounds influence hematopoiesis, which is known to be regulated by a number of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Since lithium can induce TNF production in human monocytes, we wished to determine if lithium carbonate treatment of neutropenic patients affected by breast cancer results in increased cytokine production. Serum levels of TNF alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 were measured before and at 7 and 180 days after treatment with lithium carbonate. Results indicate that this therapy produced TNF alpha and IL-6, but not IL-1 alpha, elevations in patients affected by unmetastasized breast cancer. Conversely, TNF alpha, but not IL-6, elevations were detected in metastatic patients. Studies are under way to investigate the mechanisms by which lithium salts affect cytokine production in monocytes from cancer patients.

Aged↗

Pallidotomy improves quality of life in selected parkinsonian patients: an Italian report.

Pallidotomy has recently been reconfirmed as effective for otherwise intractable symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Nonetheless almost every aspect of its performance requires choices which are not fully established and may vary between centers. These include: 1) patient selection; 2) choice of imaging modality, 3) choice of anatomic landmarks for targeting the lesion, 4) choice of method for physiologic confirmation of location, 5) choice of lesion size and shape. We present two cases of pallidotomy procedures in Parkinsonian patients that in our knowledge are the first reported in Italy. Our experience and a careful review of the literature led to the following choices: 1) selection of Parkinsonian patients with dominant L-Dopa induced dyskinesia, akinetic and rigidity symptoms, 2) use of CT due to the distortion effects of MRI, 3) use of standard (Laitinen) coordinates combined with an image fusion method using MRI, 4) use of stimulation to gauge distance to internal capsule and optic tract, 5) production of vertical lesion covering internal segment of pallidum. At a 1-year follow-up the results include a 45% drop in UPDRS (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) motor score and almost complete resolution of contralateral dopa induced dyskinesias in both patients.

Globus Pallidus↗