Biomedical subjects

P Berti

Publications and source records attributed to P Berti.

94 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Thyroid surgery in patients aged over 80 years.

In the past 5 years (1987-1991), we admitted for thyroid surgery 12 patients older than 80 years. Indications for surgery were represented by goiter causing tracheal compression and severe dyspnoea in 6 cases, and by preoperative cytological report of malignancy in the other 6 cases. The dyspnoea represented an absolute surgical indication. All patients but one were treated by cervicotomy; in one case we performed a median sternotomy. Frozen section was performed in all patients with cytological report of malignancy. Histology detected 3 differentiated cancers, 2 anaplastic cancers, and one follicular adenoma. The patients with benign disease were treated by 4 subtotal thyroidectomies and 3 total lobectomies. Three out of 5 affected by malignant lesions were submitted to a total thyroidectomy (differentiated carcinomas) and 2 to palliative thyroidectomy (anaplastic carcinoma). In this series there were neither intraoperative mortality nor major surgical complications. All the patients with dyspnoea were cured by surgery. All the patients affected by differentiated cancer were alive and well 8, 13 and 18 months after surgery. The mean survival of patients with anaplastic cancer was 12 months.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Is the HELLP syndrome due to inherited factors? Report of two cases.

The etiology and pathogenesis of the HELLP syndrome, a multisystem disease occurring only in pregnancy, are still unclear. Curiously, very few authors have investigated whether inherited factors may be involved. We report two cases of HELLP syndrome in two unrelated women whose fetuses were relatives (first cousins). The first case concerned a woman aged 32 with a normal course pregnancy who was admitted to the hospital for fever, nausea and vomiting, low platelets, hemolysis and increased liver enzymes. Abruptio placentae with fetal death and severe disseminated intravascular coagulation with hemorrhages ensued within a few hours. Hysterectomy was then performed. After treatment with transfusions and drugs the patient slowly improved; 28 days later she left the hospital in good condition. The second case involved a woman aged 31 with a normal course pregnancy who was admitted to the hospital for epigastric pain, nausea, low platelets, hemolysis and increased liver enzymes. The patient underwent an immediate cesarean section and delivered a live infant; no bleeding occurred during or after delivery. The patient's condition rapidly improved and she left the hospital after 13 days. Until now, no author has proved that inherited fetal factors are at work in the HELLP syndrome. Our observations suggest a role for genetic factors, and this needs to be investigated in prospective studies.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the long-term treatment of AIDS-related neutropenias].

Neutropenia is a common finding in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC), and limits their survival and therapies. We administered recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) 300 micrograms/day to 15 AIDS patients with severe neutropenia (< 1000/microliters). without discontinuing zidovudine, ganciclovir or other myelosuppressive drugs (e.g. antineoplastic chemotherapy). All patients showed correction of neutropenia and/or limitation of drug myelosuppressive action. Neutrophil count was > 1000/microliters during the whole follow-up (11 months). No patient showed sepsis, opportunistic infections or side effects. These data confirm the efficacy and tolerability of rG-CSF in AIDS-related neutropenia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Craniosynostosis: is a prenatal diagnosis possible?].

The Authors give an account of a case in which a newborn was affected by craniosynostosis of the sagittal suture. The ultrasonographic biometric measurements of cranium taken during the course of fetal development, when compared with those of the trunk and limbs, led the Authors to suspect the correct diagnosis even before birth; this permitted the immediate planning of therapeutic conduct.

Craniosynostoses↗