An additional case of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) is reported. Conservative management was successful. Etiology of this syndrome is still uncertain. The aim of the treatment is to stop natural evolution to ischemia or perforation. Medical therapy, colonoscopic decompression and surgery are employed following prognostic criteria (age, cecal diameter, therapeutical delay). Mortality rate remains high, especially if complications occur. Colonoscopic decompression is a safe and efficacious first line of treatment when cecum is less than diameter 12 cm. Surgery is mandatory when perforation or ischemia are suspected and colonoscopy failed or is contraindicated.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Autocontrol of muscle relaxation with vecuronium].

The optimal conditions for maintaining desired levels of muscle relaxation with vecuronium are obtained by means of the continuous infusion (I.V.) technique. A frequent correction of the infusion flow is required, since it is impossible to predict the exact amount for the muscle relaxant in single case. In order to overcome such limits the authors propose a very feasible infusion system for the self-control of muscle relaxation; furthermore they positively consider its possible daily clinical application.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems].

The use of the modern diagnostic imaging techniques allows in most cases a diagnosis of nature of the lesions involving parenchymal organs. The authors report a case of renal xantogranuloma, rare pseudotumoral inflammatory pathology, treated by radical extended nephrectomy on the basis of a pre-operative diagnosis of malignant tumor. Despite the risk of false positives, in front of a renal mass whose nature is sufficiently characterized by the imaging techniques, the routine use of more invasive investigations such as arteriography and percutaneous needle biopsy seems not justified.

Female↗