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Biomedical subjects

L Revelli

Publications and source records attributed to L Revelli.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

A less invasive, selective, functional neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

HYPOTHESIS: To describe an alternative lateral neck access in order to perform neck dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lymph node involvement. DESIGN: Prospective (January 2000 to December 2003), 36-month study. SETTING: Catholic University of Rome and University of "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients with PTC and cervical lymph node metastases were included. Functional neck dissection (FND), unilateral or bilateral, was performed acceding via a lateral dissection through a traditional Kocher incision, running along the superficial fascia of the neck and posteriorly to the sternocleidomastoideus muscle. RESULTS: Mean age was 39.04+/-13.69 years. Twenty patients were women and four were men. Mean tumour size was 2.5+/-1 cm, while the greatest metastatic lymph node size was 4.5 cm. Minimally invasive, selective FND was performed in all patients associated to total thyroidectomy and central compartment lymph node clearance. Metastatic lymph nodes were found in 142 out of 340 of the lymph nodes dissected. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive neck dissection seems to carry a lower risk in terms of specific morbidity and allows a quicker recovery and a better aesthetic result. This access has to be considered as a less invasive procedure compared to the other surgical accesses for the radical or modified lateral neck dissection.

Adult↗

[Endoluminal radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein versus stripping. A preliminary study].

AIM: To compare the postoperative courses of patients subjected to closure procedure or stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV). METHODS: We examined 2 groups of 15 patients with ostial and truncular saphenous insufficiency matched for CEAP clinical and anatomic classes. Group A patients underwent saphenous closure; short stripping was performed on those of Group B. In the Group A surgery was performed under spinal (12) or local (3) anesthesia; the procedure was preceded by crossotomy (5), crossectomy (1) or saphenous ligation (8); in 11 cases micro-phlebotomies were associated. In the Group B surgery was performed under general (5), spinal (7) or local (3) anesthesia; the procedure always was preceded by crossectomy (1); in 11 cases micro-phlebotomies were associated. RESULTS: Group A patients were discharged 6-18 hours after surgery. None presented ecchymosis, hyperemia or skin lesions. Five complained of mild aching thigh pain, which did not require pain medication. All resumed normal daily activities the day after surgery and returned to work after 4.9 days. Six months after surgery, none of the patients had evidence of saphenous vein re-channeling. Group B patients were discharged 12-18 hours after surgery. Nine had ecchymosis on the thigh. Five reported mild thigh pain requiring analgesics. Normal daily activities and work were resumed 2.7 and 9.3 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study seems to confirm that endoluminal radiofrequency ablation of the GSV provides good immediate results with no significant complications and can reduce postoperative pain and the length of convalescence with respect to those of stripping.

Adult↗

Coexistence of a parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid cyst causing primary hyperparathyroidism.

The association of a functional parathyroid cyst with a parathyroid adenoma is an uncommon finding. In this report we describe the clinical history of a 60-yr-old man, presenting with the following findings: hypercalcemia (18.9 mg/dl), elevated serum parathormone levels (1320 pg/dl), hypercalciuria (228 mg/dl), and hyperphosphaturia (155 mg/dl). Neck ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 99Tc Sestamibi scintigraphy led to the identification of a left parathyroid adenoma, located at the lower pole of the left thyroid gland lobe, associated with a parathyroid cyst, located at the upper extremity of the same thyroid lobe. Parathyroidectomy was performed and the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a parathyroid adenoma with aspects of cystic degeneration and an upper parathyroid cyst. Analysis of the crystal clear intracystic fluid showed elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (137.000 pg/ml). The patient is normocalcemic at 2 yr after surgery without signs of recurrent parathyroid enlargements. Aetiology, diagnosis and management of parathyroid cyst will be discussed.

Adenoma↗

Modified radical neck dissection via extra-thyroideal space (MRND vets) in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to describe an alternative lateral neck access to perform lymph nodes sampling and/or neck dissection via extra-thyroideal space (MRND vets) in papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymph nodes involvment. Twenty-four consecutive patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were included. Lymph nodes sampling and modified radical neck dissection, unilateral or bilateral, were performed acceding via a lateral dissection through a traditional Kocher incision, running along the medial fascia of the neck, posteriorly to the sterno-cleido-mastoideus muscle (SCM). Mean age was 39.04 +/- 13.69 years. Twenty patients were women, and 4 were men. Mean tumor size was 2.5 +/- 1 cm.. Total thyroidectomy with lymph nodes dissection of the central compartment associated to modified radical neck dissection was performed in 17 patients: among these, nine patients had a preoperative diagnosis of the latero-cervical lymph nodes metastases, and eight had a perioperative diagnosis of metastases of the extensive sampling of the lower third of the jugular chain. Metastatic lymph nodes were found in 107 out of 615 lymph nodes dissected. The MNRD vets access for modified lateral neck dissection seems to carry a lower risk in terms of specific morbility and allows a quicker recovery and a better cosmetic result. This access has to be considered as a less invasive procedure compared to other surgical accesses for the radical modified lateral neck dissection.

Adult↗

Thyroid tumors in children and adolescents: preoperative study.

Several studies indicate that in young patients (less than 21 years of age at the time of diagnosis), the prognosis of thyroid carcinoma (TC) is more favorable than in older patients. However, a more radical treatment approach is recommended in children and adolescents due to the higher prevalence of local lymph-node involvement in these cases. Since the extent of primary surgical treatment is closely related to the overall prognosis, preoperative diagnosis becomes essential in the management of thyroid neoplasms in young patients. In this retrospective study (1987-1998), we analyzed a surgical series of 50 children and adolescents with thyroid nodules in an attempt to establish the role of diagnostic studies in detecting malignant lesions prior to surgery. Our diagnostic protocol for evaluating thyroid nodules was based on clinical evaluation, measurement of thyroid-hormone and thyroglobulin (TG) levels, anti-TG and anti-TPO antibody titers, calcitonin, CEA, and TPA levels, sonography, scintigraphy, and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid nodules and any enlarged lymph nodes. Eleven of the 15 cases of histologically confirmed carcinoma were preoperatively identified as malignant lesions with the aid of FNAC. The authors conclude that the preoperative work-up of children and adolescents with thyroid nodules requires the collaboration of an experienced team of professionals, and recommend FNAC as the initial test.

Adolescent↗

Follicular adenoma of the thyroid gland with extensive bone metaplasia.

Follicular adenomas of the thyroid account for over 90% of benign neoplasms of the gland. They exhibit a wide range of morphological structures, from the classical follicular pattern to the peculiar hyalinizing trabecular pattern. Although follicular adenomas grow slowly, they are nonetheless subject to degenerative, most often hemorrhagic changes in their central portion. These hemorrhagic areas undergo further regressive changes such as sclerosis and calcification. However, the detection of a true bone formation with a trabecular structure and the presence of marrow is a very rare occurrence. A follicular adenoma with central cartilaginous metaplasia has been reported in literature but, to our knowledge, a follicular adenoma with bone metaplasia has never been described.

Adenoma↗

[Venous angiodysplasias with endoral manifestation. The problems of therapy].

Five oral venous angiodysplasia cases are presented by the authors. Besides subjective aesthetic and psychological factors, the treatment of these lesions depends on objective chewing problems and on haemorrhagic risk. This can be either spontaneous or in relation with dental surgery during teeth extraction or third molar pathology therapy. In two patients the lesions affected the tongue and cheek mucosa including the submandibular and masseter region. In one patient there was just one localization at the tongue apex. In another patient the lesion affected only the cheek mucosa and in another the cheek was affected in all its thickness at the left hemimandibular level. Three patients were treated surgically, another with sclerotherapy and another one didn't undergo any treatment, as the lesion didn't present any haemorrhagic risk and the symptomatology was only related to salivary lithiasis. During a three year follow up the patients surgically treated recovered completely, the patient treated with sclerotherapy showed a progressive reduction of the swellings ending in an almost complete recovery. The clinical experience and the literature review show that the correct oral venous angiodysplasia diagnosis and a right sclerotherapy or operation, preventive if necessary, nearly always allow dental surgery in the time required for the ongoing dental pathology.

Adult↗

[Venous angiodysplasias of the cheek. The problems of therapy].

Four cases of cheek venous malformations observed and treated in different ways are discussed by the authors. In this region angiodysplasias may cause chewing problems or an increased haemorrhagic risk during dental surgery. The therapeutic troubles are due to the muscular connections where there are many recesses and infiltration ways close to the motor and sensitive nervous trunk. Aesthetic restrictions may oblige to a minor operation or partial excision. Particular care must be taken to the lesion access. In this experience two patients have been surgically treated with venous angioma differentiation: one of these with sclerotherapy of the residual angioma As the extent of the lesion caused reconstructing problems, one patient underwent plastic surgery. The other patient was treated with sclerotherapy. After two years the patients surgically treated recovered while the patients treated with sclerotherapy turned out to be asymptomatic. In conclusion, this experience and the literature review show that the correct diagnosis and a right sclerotherapy or surgery, preventive if necessary, allow any dental surgery in due time for dental diseases without any higher haemorrhagic risk.

Adolescent↗

[Vascular cysts of the adrenals. Association with aneurysm of the abdominal aorta].

A rare case of an adrenal vascular cyst associated to an abdominal aorta aneurysm is reported. Adrenal cysts are an uncommon clinical finding, in most cases incidentally discovered for nonspecific abdominal pain, during US, TC or RM evaluation or at autopsy. Small adrenal mass are clinically silent. They may be symptomatic (lumbar tension, pain) for dimensions over 10 centimetres. Cysts of large size can cause displacement and compression of adjacent organs. They present a difficult problem of differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. Non-neoplastic adrenal cysts have been divided into four categories: parasitic (7%), epithelial (9%), endothelial (45%) and haemorrhagic or pseudocystic (39%). Vascular adrenal cysts may be a traumatic consequence of an hamartomatous vascular anomaly. The aim of this paper is to discuss, on the basis of the literature, the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of the adrenal mass. Surgical timing is discussed for the concomitant vascular lesion. The elective treatment was left adrenalectomy performed through transperitoneal approach. Surgery for abdominal aorta aneurysm was differed because the adrenal mass was suspected to be an infected neoplastic lesion and for the feasibility of endovascular procedure. The adrenal specimens contained a cystic structure with fluid blood, fibrin and calcifications. Normal adrenal cortical tissue was found in the cystic wall. This lesion (arising from vascular anomalies) require separation from haemorrhagic adrenal neoplasm. Awareness of adrenal pseudocysts and careful attention to the hystological features aids this distinction.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

[Drainage in thyroid surgery].

Bleeding represents a rare complication of thyroid surgery but when it occurs it may be life-threatening. To prevent this complication drainage is widely used. However no study has demonstrated the drains' value and recent reports have questioned its benefits. Therefore we have analyzed our experience of a 10 year-period in which 1.217 thyroidectomies were performed by the same surgical team and prophylactic routine drainage was always adopted. In 13 patients (1.06%) a benign hematoma occurred with spontaneous remission. In 6 patients the bleeding was severe and compressive hematoma occurred; it required surgical re-exploration. Such a complication is unusual in the neck surgery (0.49% in the authors' series) performed by experienced surgeons and when life-threatening hematomas do occur they depend on various uncontrolled factors and drainage is often not helpful. Otherwise a meticulous haemostatic technique is necessary and patients should be observed very closely during the few first hours following surgery on the thyroid gland. Therefore on the basis of the analysis of their series, although it is not always possible to prove the benefit of the drainage, the authors suggest its indication in the neck surgery, as in other fields with dead space, to remove blood and secretions reducing postoperative complications. They have never observed wound infections and patients were discharged within 72 hours.

Adolescent↗

Surgery of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, lymph node metastases and locoregional recurrence.

Surgery of differentiated thyroid carcinoma is burdened with risk factors that significantly impact on prognosis, as age at diagnosis and tumor stage. Problems involved concern the extent of surgical resection and the indication for regional lymphadenectomy. As for the former, the most popular approach is total thyroidectomy "on principle" with neck lymphadenectomy. Lobectomy may represent an alternative to total thyroidectomy in low risk patients with unifocal papillary carcinoma 1 cm or less in size, or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma. As for lymphadenectomy, most authors do not agree with surgery "on principle" but rather "of necessity", that is, in presence of clinically evident lymphadenopathy and neck lymphadenectomy is the preferred surgical strategy. In most cases surgery is the treatment of choice of locoregional recurrence. Careful preoperative work-up and accurate surgical procedure are mandatory.

Carcinoma↗

[Papillary microcarcinoma [correction of carcinoma] of the thyroid: clinical experience and prognosis factors].

Thyroid neoplasm of less than 10 mm in the largest diameter are defined as minimal thyroid cancer (MTC). These tumors are a common incidental finding at autopsy and in thyroid glands excised for other pathology. These tumors can metastasize and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical significance and optimal operative procedures of these lesions are still questioned. We studied 35 MTC in order to identify clinical and histologic characteristics as prognostic factors and to establish therapeutic management strategies. From January 1988 to December 1998, 177 patients with a primary thyroid cancer underwent surgery in the Department of endocrine-surgery of Catholic University in Rome: 35 of them (19.7%) had a MTC. In the post-operative follow-up 13 of the patients with MTC had a lymph node recurrency and/or distant metastases. Careful histologic examination showed multifocality in 12 patients, capsular infiltration in 10 patients and a solid tumor in 9 patients. MTC are common and they are associated with a good prognosis. Our multifactorial analysis has identified as important risk factors: capsular infiltration, solid lesion and multifocal disease. In these cases total thyroidectomy is mandatory.

Adult↗

[Differentiated tumor of the thyroid in children and adolescents].

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is rare in young patients and represents 0,5 to 3,0% of childhood carcinomas. The incidence increases with age: a peak incidence is observed between 15 and 19 years of age. DTC in children is frequently associated with greater risk of cervical lymph node involvement (60-80% of cases) and lung metastases at diagnosis in 20% of patients. However the prognosis for these patients is better when compared with that of adults, despite a high incidence of relapse, leading to reoperation. Young age (<16 years), lymph node involvement or distant metastases at diagnosis and some histopathologic characteristics have been suggested as predictive factors of recurrences. The records of 33 patients with DTC in a 14-year period (1990-2004) were reviewed. There were 31 females and 2 males who ranged from 11 to 21 years. At the diagnosis 15 patients had disease confined to the thyroid, 18 had additional lymph node metastases in the neck; one of them had also lung metastases. Total thyroidectomy (TT) was the elective approach in all patients (4 cases videoassisted). TT was associated to functional neck dissection in 21 cases. 131I was administrated to 28 patients (3,7 GBq as ablative dose): 11 of this received further radioiodine treatments (mean 7,4 GBq) because of elevated serum thyroglobulin levels and presence of loco-regional or lung metastasis at diagnostic total body scan after 131I treatment. The overall survival rate was 100% at a follow up of 4 months to 14 years.

Adolescent↗