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Biomedical subjects

M Assenza

Publications and source records attributed to M Assenza.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

[Digestive hemorrhage from a duodenal neuroendocrine tumor. Diagnostic-therapeutic features and emergency surgical strategy].

The Authors report a rare case of duodenal neoplasia in a 17 year old boy. The patient was admitted in an emergency setting for hemorrhagic shock and duodenal perforation. Laparotomy was performed and a huge perforated neoplasia of the duodenum was found. Conservative approach was preferred, since the intraoperative histology was unuseful in choosing the better procedure: thus just a tumorectomy and closure of the duodenum were performed. Pathology examination demonstrated a neuroendocrine primitive duodenal tumors not well differentiated and with high grade of malignancy. The Authors discuss the role of the elements, clinical features and pathology, as well as emergency and postoperative management.

Abdomen, Acute↗

[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in emergencies: clinical management and treatment. 2 case reports].

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis gives many diagnostic and therapeutic troubles especially when it occurs in patient admitted in an emergency setting. The Authors report two cases of PCI related to patients admitted into the Emergency Department (DEA II) with diagnosis of intestinal perforation, mode according to the radiological findings of free subfrenic air, but not confirmed at physical examination. The Authors discuss the role that imaging and physical examination play in evaluating this kind of patients, considering the etiopathogenetic hypothesis about this rare disorder.

Aged↗

[Compartment syndrome or gas gangrene? A case report].

A case of forearm compartment syndrome due to a minor trauma is reported. The severe clinical conditions due to a shock state lead to an initial misdiagnosis of clostridial myonecrosis. The patient, 68 y-old woman, was admitted to the intensive care unit of Authors' hospital for a traumatic injury of the right forearm. A diagnosis of gas gangrene due to clostridial myonecrosis was done and forearm amputation suggested. In spite of this indication a decompression fasciotomy of the forearm compartments was performed as well as a hyperbaric oxygene therapy. Since culture of necrotic tissue samples did not demonstrate any bacterial growth, the Authors decided to avoid amputation and perform a radial arteriovenous fistula to improve venous return and reduce distal edema and continuous bleeding, with a complete recovery within 40 days. Good evaluation of patient with suspected compartment syndrome means correct and not delayed treatment, avoiding invalidating outcome.

Aged↗

[Guidelines for the routine assessment of respiratory surgical risk: thoracic radiography].

Through the three years between June 1995 and June 1998 the authors applied an evaluation schedule for the respiratory surgical risk to all the patients undergoing general surgery. Chest X-ray was included in this schedule as a first-level test and it was performed systematically on all the patients. The purpose of the study was to verify the effectiveness of chest X-ray as a routine examination of the respiratory performance, evaluating its predictive value on 1715 cases. The routine employment of this preoperative test on patients resulting risk-free at an accurate clinical anamnestic examination doesn't seem to be justified, basing on the preliminary results achieved. Therefore, chest X-ray should be considered a second-level test, to be performed on the basis of a precise clinical query only. This way a significant health-care cost reduction could be achieved, without affecting the quality of patient's management.

Adult↗

[Desmoids associated with multiple familial polyposis: description of a clinical case].

The Authors report a case of great desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall with intestinal adhesions and enterocutaneous fistula, in a patient with Gardner's syndrome, who underwent total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. The patient was treated at first with non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, then with local chemotherapy. The Authors performed a second surgical procedure resecting the tumor and opening a temporary ileostomy. Despite of these treatment patient showed a local recurrence. Desmoid tumor is a neoplastic benign lesion arising from aponeurotic muscle tissue. Local infiltration and post-operative recurrence are very common. Several surgical and medical treatments are proposed, but they are not totally effective. Surgical treatment might be radical, with wide resection to reduce local recurrences. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are second choice treatments.

Abdominal Muscles↗

[Indications for splenectomy in Gaucher's disease. Case report].

Gaucher's disease is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by the lack of beta-glucocerebrosidase enzyme. In this case report a 26-year-old male patient was, first diagnosed as having splenomegaly and a huge haemangioma, therefore managed by total splenectomy. Histologic examination and specific colouring techniques using PAS and Black Sudan dyes allowed the diagnosis of Gaucher's disease. Preoperative diagnosis is hence fundamental to establish the correct management procedure, which currently may be surgical or medical and/or combined. In fact, following the diagnosis the second step includes the decision-making about splenectomy. Other therapeutic approaches are enzyme replacement therapy and genic therapy. The first may be combined to partial splenectomy, while the latter still needs further evaluations.

Adult↗

[Fournier's syndrome: diagnostic and therapeutic assessment].

Fournier's syndrome is a disorder involving perineum and scrotum caused by invasive anorectal infection. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteraemia can lead to septic toxicity. Hence the importance of the multidisciplinary treatment and urgent surgical procedures including drainage and necrotic tissue removal is stressed. A case of Fournier's syndrome is reported.

Gangrene↗

[Biodegradable compression ring in intestinal anastomosis].

The Authors report their experience with the use of biofragmentable anastomosis ring ("Bowel Anastomosis Ring" B.A.R.--Valtrac): 34 patients underwent colic resection and bowel anastomosis by B.A.R. No complications related to the anastomosis were recorded. The ring was always discharged in the third postoperative week and the endoscopic follow up showed no late complications. It is concluded that B.A.R. is a safe technique and represents a good alternative to hand or mechanical anastomosis with a favorable cost/benefit ratio.

Aged↗

[Cancer of the rectum in elderly patients over the age of seventy-five years. Results of the surgical treatment].

The authors reviewed 122 rectal cancers observed over a period of 14 years in patients over the age of 75 years. Sixty-eight patients underwent extensive rectal resection, 17 were treated by local excision, and 28 only underwent a colostomy. Eight patients were excluded for surgery. The analysis of all of these groups showed that perioperative mortality was greater for large resections than for local resections, but with a lower recurrence rate and a higher survival at 3 years. Survival at 5 years after large resections was very close to the natural life expectancy for people of the same age. Moreover, survival was the quality of more comfortable than after local excision, and operative mortality was generally due to organ failure rather than to age itself. Radical surgery does not have to be systematically refused for very old patients, but he discussed in terms of the patients general status.

Actuarial Analysis↗

[Guidelines for routine assessment of cardiologic surgical risk: electrocardiogram].

Cardiac complications are the main cause of perioperative mortality. A preoperative electrocardiogram and cardiologist's consultation are usually performed to get information about cardiac state of patients undergoing surgery and to prevent complications. In their study the Authors applied to 1715 patients undergoing surgery an evaluation schedule for the cardiac surgical risk, including an ECG as first-level test, performed systematically on the whole sample. The aim was to assess predictive value of this preoperative examination to verify its efficacy as routine test. Basing on results achieved, electrocardiogram is not routinely indicated before noncardiac elective surgery, but it should be requested for the patients having high risk of cardiac complications at an accurate clinical-anamnestic examination. Therefore, clinical judgement, that is the first level of any preoperative evaluation, should be the basis for ordering an ECG to be considered a second-level test.

Adult↗

[Emergency treatment and diagnosis of appendix mucocele].

The Authors report a case of appendicular mucocele admitted in an emergency setting in the Emergency Department (DEA II). The patient, 78 y-old man, went to attention complaining diffuse abdominal pain: physical examination revealed mild tenderness and right lower quadrant pain to palpation. Rx plain and CT scan demonstrated a right iliac fossa cystic lesion with mural calcification, adherent to the caecum. On basis of imaging, clinical and laboratory findings the patient underwent surgery postoperative diagnosis was mucocele of the appendix. The aim of this report is to discuss the role of imaging and clinical approach in treatment of appendicular mucocele, which is known to be so aspecific in presentation, especially when it occurs in an emergency setting.

Aged↗

[Pica and intestinal occlusion: a clinical case].

Accidental or voluntary foreign bodies ingestion is a frequent reported event in emergency departments. Complication, foreign body shape related are not often observed and, once occurred, just few a cases need an open surgery approach, about 1%. The Authors report the case of a young woman with pica admitted to their Department in an emergency setting for acute intestinal obstruction due to the ingestion of not specified amount of elastics, which required an open surgery operation.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous rectus sheath haematoma in HCV mixed cryoglobulinemia requiring emergency treatment (case report).

Hepatitis C virus-related mixed cryoglobulinemia is a vasculitis, associated with a number of systemic manifestations and diseases. The Authors present a patient with mixed cryoglobulinemia, who developed acute abdominal pain and severe anemia, caused by spontaneous haematoma of rectus abdominis sheath. Prompt diagnosis of this unusual complication of cryoglobulinemia vasculitis may allow conservative treatment and avoid surgery, which is more expensive and invasive. To the best of Author's knowledge, spontaneous rectus sheath haematoma in a patient with cryoglobulinemia has not been previously reported.

Cryoglobulinemia↗

[Cecal volvulus].

A retrospective study on 18 patients with cecal volvulus surgically treated was made. Demographics and clinical data, as well as treatment were determined from clinical reports. The operative procedures employed were cecostomy (56%), cecopexy (22%) and right colectomy (22%). The length of follow up averaged 63 months and there was one recurrence. The Authors suggest that cecostomy should be employed in patients with viable bowel, and resection should be limited to cases with gangrene.

Cecal Diseases↗

[The elective use of protective colostomy in rectal resection surgery].

To clarify the indications and clinical value of "protective colostomy" in cases of low colorectal anastomoses, some recent series are analyzed and compared to the experience of the authors, which includes 65 low anterior resections of the rectum for cancer, with colorectal anastomosis at less than 10 cm from the anus. "Protective colostomy" seems not to prevent the onset of anastomotic fistulae, but appears effective in reducing its clinical effects. "Protective colostomy" seems convenient when there is an increased risk of fistulization, as indicated by a series of factors defined by the authors. In doubtful cases "protective colostomy" may be performed but not opened. So the patient will be given the maximum safety, and not submitted to the uneasiness of an open colostomy unless needed.

Aged↗