Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Polli

Publications and source records attributed to G Polli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Presence and location of endothelin and endothelin-binding sites in human nasal mucosa under normal and metaplastic conditions.

The presence and site of production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) was investigated in biopsies obtained from the nasal mucosa of 10 healthy human subjects and 10 patients affected by chronic rhinitis. The presence and localization of receptors for ET-1 was also investigated. Bioptic fragments were examined by scanning electron microscopy. ET-1 was present in the vessels and in the respiratory epithelium of normal subjects, whereas in patients affected by epithelial metaplasia induced by chronic rhinitis, it was absent in the metaplastic epithelium and present in the endothelium and vascular wall. Receptors for ET (A- and B-receptor subtypes) were localized in the vessels of the nasal mucosa, both in normal and in pathological subjects. In particular, A-receptors were identified in the vascular wall, whereas B-receptors were mainly distributed in the endothelium. We suggest that ET-1 is involved in the homeostasis of nasal blood flow (shunting the blood toward the deep cavernous plexus and inducing mucosal swelling) by an autocrine and/or paracrine mechanism. Normal epithelium seems to be important in this mechanism, since it is able to produce ET. However, when pathologic conditions induce squamous or cuboidal metaplasia, the epithelium is no longer able to play this role.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Parotid gland carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors.

The histologic variety of parotid gland carcinomas, their different natural history, and the peculiar anatomy of the parotid region can make prognosis and therapeutic strategy quite controversial. The present study was designed to evaluate those prognostic factors able to affect the long-term results in a group of 167 consecutively treated parotid epithelial malignancies. The continuous or discrete covariants considered as potential prognostic factors are age, sex, histotype, grading, TNM and pTNM classification, facial nerve involvement, type of surgery on the tumor site and on nodes, facial nerve resection, and postoperative radiotherapy. All the material has been statistically analyzed and the results have been compared with the principal data published. According to the analysis, the most relevant prognostic factors in parotid gland carcinomas appear to be pTN staging, tumor grading, facial nerve involvement, and local extension. These factors could reliably predict the patient's chance for survival, and thus influence the therapeutic strategy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Multiple neurinomas of the parapharyngeal space.

The authors describe a rare case of three neurinomas arising in the parapharyngeal space. In spite of the large extension of the neoplasms, the only symptom reported by the patient was some dysphagia. Magnetic resonance imaging allowed us to identify the three masses and suppose their diagnosis. The therapeutic approach used is also reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolite generation in nasal polyps.

A role of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps has been recently suggested. Cyclooxygenase (CO) products (thromboxane B2, PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha) and lipoxygenase (LO) products (LTB4 and LTC4) were investigated by radioimmunoassay in polyps, hypertrophic turbinates and nasal mucosa from 14 patients with non-allergic (n = 6), allergic chronic rhinitis (n = 6) and aspirin-sensitive asthma (ASA) (n = 2), who underwent polypectomy. In all tissues CO metabolite levels were found higher than LO products (P < 0.01). Nasal polyps showed a significantly lower (P < 0.05) arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in comparison to nasal mucosa. In polyps of allergic patients significantly higher LTB4 levels (P < 0.001) and a tendency to produce higher amounts of CO products in comparison to non-allergic subjects were observed, whereas in turbinates of non-allergic patients LT levels were significantly higher in comparison to those of allergic ones (P < 0.01). In ASA patients a decreased CO/LO ratio was found supporting the hypothesis of an imbalance of AA metabolism in this syndrome. These findings seem to indicate that the occurrence of nasal polyps may represent the result of different chronic inflammatory stimuli, regulated in part by AA metabolites.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1991

Beneficial effects of intranasal applications of capsaicin in patients with vasomotor rhinitis.

Capsaicin, a nonenamide derived from Capsicum plants, has proven useful in patients with vasomotor rhinitis. In the present study, we studied the effects of 15 micrograms capsaicin suspended in 100 microliters solution in patients with known vasomotor rhinitis. Drug was given 3 times/day for 3 days to each patient by means of a spray delivered to the nasal mucosa. Acute effects induced by the drug included painful sensation and secretion of nasal fluid but were no longer observed at the last capsaicin application. Patients recorded their symptoms over a 1-month period. The mean symptom score involving nasal obstruction and nasal secretion was markedly reduced by capsaicin treatment. We advance the hypothesis that the beneficial effect of drug treatment may be due to its specific action on the peripheral endings of primary sensory neurons leading to their functional blockade. Further randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is now needed.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1991

Scanning electron microscopic study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The study has been carried out on biopsies taken from four patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma and four patients affected by undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT). Three healthy volunteers have served as controls. All the specimens have been studied by SEM. The neoplastic conditions cause obvious alterations both in the mucosal surface and in the morphology of the cellular apex.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Comparison of the results of surgery and radiotherapy in 175 cases of T2 glottic carcinoma: 116 operated and 59 irradiated cases].

The results were analyzed of 175 patients with glottic squamous cell carcinomas who were treated with curative purposes (1970-1986). One hundred and sixteen of them underwent surgery at the Otolaryngology Department of the University of Florence, and 59 were treated by radiation therapy at the Florence University and Hospital Departments of Radiotherapy. In the surgical series 78 cases were treated with radical surgery and 38 with conservative surgery. All patients were staged according to TNM system (UICC 1978) as T2. Overall 10-year local control rates were 74% for the surgical series and 69% for the cases treated by radiation therapy. After salvage therapy 10-year survival rates were 83% and 76%, respectively. The analysis of the results showed no statistically significant difference. In the group treated by radical surgery 80% local control was observed, versus 66% in the cases treated with conservative surgery. 10-year survival rate was higher in the latter group (89% versus 81%) because of better results of salvage therapy: 7 of 10 recurrences were salvaged with the second treatment. Several prognostic factors were evaluated, i.e., T extent, anterior commissure involvement, subglottic invasion, vocal cord mobility impairment, and ventricular involvement. Anterior commissure involvement was the main factor affecting outcome in the surgical series: in the presence of this factor, 64% 10-year local control was observed versus 85% in the patients without commissure involvement. This factor proved more important in the patients treated with conservative surgery (10-year control: 42% versus 88%) than in those undergoing radical surgery (78% versus 85%). Anterior commissure involvement and the number of involved subsites were found to worsen prognosis in the series treated by radiation therapy: cases with anterior commissure involvement had 59% 10-year local control versus 83%. The cases with a deeper spread had 60% local control versus 75%. Vocal cord mobility impairment was a less important prognostic factor in both series. Our results suggest radiation therapy as a valuable method in the treatment of the small T2 laryngeal cancers which are not suitable for conservative surgery.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1990

[Scanning electronic microscopy study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

The nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a greatly interesting model of study. Its morphology has been studied in 8 patients affected by squamous cells carcinoma (4 cases) and by undifferentiated carcinoma (4 cases). By means of a fibre-optic pharyngoscope equipped with mechanical biopsy forceps, biopsies have been taken and subsequently studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Squamous cells carcinoma is characterized by large, flattened elements, generally equipped with a network of microridges. Irregular microvilli or smooth apices have been observed too. Desquamating elements often accumulated in waves or vortices, as far as little cornified structures have been described. Undifferentiated carcinoma shows a great morpho-structural disorder. In a rugged surface, it is possible to observe element highly varying for size and shape. The apical plasmalemma is characterized by pleomorphic microvilli, while it must be emphasized the presence of little pseudopod-like extrusions of some cellular apices. Ciliated elements have been observed too, whose apical specializations are distorted or irregularly disposed. Necrotic zones are particularly frequent, in which bacteria or mycetes proliferate. The role of SEM in the study of this tumour is emphasized, because of the close relation between epithelial patterns and natural history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Total parotidectomy--a routine treatment for parotid gland swellings?

The results of 25 years of quasi-routine total parotidectomy performance are shown. At the Department of Otolaryngology of the University of Florence, 582 patients were treated as follows: on 527 occasions by total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation; 24 occasions by lateral lobectomy; 27 occasions by total parotidectomy with removal of the whole facial nerve; four times by enucleo-resection of the disease. Benign tumours were 378; primary and metastatic malignant tumours--100; non tumoral lesions--104. The benign tumours follow-up showed three recurrences only (two pleomorphic adenomas--one of them proved to be an adenoid-cystic carcinoma, and one monomorphic adenoma, which also proved to be an adenoid-cystic carcinoma), respectively 6, 6 and 8 years later. The malignant tumours were also treated by total parotidectomy with adequate management both of the facial nerve and the neck lymph nodes. The results thoroughly justify the nerve preservation, when preserved.

Facial Nerve↗
PubMed1988

Study of the nasopharynx in man by scanning electron microscopy.

To date only few and often disagreeing studies about human nasopharynx are available. The present research has the purpose to give a contribution to the knowledge of nasopharyngeal epithelium using S.E.M. The study was carried out on biopsies taken from 20 healthy volunteers. The surface of nasopharynx is covered by ciliated cells, microvilli provided cells and goblet cells. Areas covered with squamous epithelium and presumably transitional epithelium were observed. The possibility that ciliated cells become microvilli provided cells is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Reconstructive laryngectomy.

Reconstructive laryngectomy, the aim of which is to leave the patient without a tracheostoma, thus preserving the normal pneumophonic function relative to vocal articulation, is a link between the various techniques suggested for conservative laryngeal surgery and classic total laryngectomy. The aim of this technique is to restore continuity to the airways, so that the patient is able to breathe naturally and subsequently can speak without having to resort to the use of esophageal voice.

Cricoid Cartilage↗
PubMed1985

Conservation surgery for cancer of the larynx in the elderly.

The postoperative course was evaluated for 458 consecutive patients, all over the age of 56 years, who had undergone laryngeal conservation surgery in the last 10 years. One hundred seventy-one patients aged 66 and over made up the "elderly" group and 287 patients, aged between 56 and 65 years formed the control group. It was confirmed that cordectomy and frontolateral laryngectomy are feasible even in elderly patients. Bronchopneumonia is the most frequent and serious complication after supraglottic laryngectomy. Therefore this operation should be performed in the elderly patient only after a thorough evaluation of cardiac and respiratory function. Prophylactic neck dissection should not be done for N0 necks and the second therapeutic neck dissection in N2 cancers should be staged 6 or more weeks later. Hemilaryngopharyngectomy and subtotal reconstructive laryngectomy with cricohyoidpexis are not advisable in elderly patients.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Five-year results of 1000 patients operated on for cancer of the larynx.

The five-year results of 1000 consecutive cases of cancer of the larynx operated on at the Clinic of Otolaryngology of the University of Florence are presented. The treatment was cordectomy for T1a glottic cancers and total laryngectomy for the other cases. The five year cure rate is 66.5% of the 606 supraglottic cancers, 76.9% of the 294 glottic cancers and 54% of the 100 subglottic cancers. These crude survival rates consider the 7.6% of patients who died from non-tumoral causes and the 1.1% of untraced patients.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Otitis media in the child. Follow-up study and control of 104 cases].

The authors report a case-study on 104 children admitted for many reasons to the I Department of Pediatrics of the A. Meyer Hospital in the period 1979-81. During their hospitalization, otitis media was diagnosed in all these cases. The children later underwent two check-ups including otorhinolaryngologic and tympanometric tests and in some cases an audiometric examination. A correlation between otitis media and enlarged adenoids was noticed and the results of the present case-study are compared with other international publications, following the short bibliography.

Adenoidectomy↗