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Biomedical subjects

P Cappabianca

Publications and source records attributed to P Cappabianca.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Supratentorial cavernous malformations and epilepsy: seizure outcome after lesionectomy on a series of 35 patients.

Epilepsy is the most frequent presenting sign in patients with cavernous angiomas and is the major cause of morbility. Persistence of seizures after surgical treatment prompted many authors to examine the possibility of removing the cavernoma and the surrounding tissue. In our series of 53 cavernous angiomas, all the 35 patients with preoperative seizures underwent surgery by means of lesionectomy alone. One hundred percent of patients with less than five preoperative seizures and/or an history under 12 months was seizure free, while only 62.5% of patients with more than five seizures and/or an history longer than 12 months was seizure free. Number and duration of seizures before surgery seems to be the most important factor in the seizure outcome after surgical treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effect of octreotide pretreatment on surgical outcome in acromegaly.

Pretreatment with octreotide (OCT) in acromegaly has been reported to improve surgical outcome. The objective of this study was to analyze retrospectively the effects of a 3- to 6-month presurgical treatment with OCT in acromegalics focusing on electrocardiographic (ECG) records, blood pressure levels, glucose and lipid profile, tumor size and consistency, easy tumor removal at surgery, and morphological findings at pathology. Fifty-nine patients with acromegaly who were undergoing surgical treatment were studied randomly before surgery; 37 patients were untreated, and 22 were treated with OCT at doses ranging 150-600 micrograms/day for 3-6 months. At study entry, untreated and OCT-treated patients had similar circulating GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), glucose, and cholesterol levels as well as prevalence of overt diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ECG abnormalities. In untreated and OCT-treated patients, respectively, radiological imaging documented microadenoma in 0 and 1, intrasellar macroadenoma in 10 and 6, intra- and suprasellar macroadenoma in 18 and 11, invasive macroadenoma in 9 and 4 patients. Before surgery, serum GH and IGF-I levels significantly decreased in the 22 OCT-treated acromegalics, and in 5 of them, a significant shrinkage was documented. ECG abnormalities disappeared in 7 of 11 (63.6%) OCT-treated patients. In 3 of the 7 patients with diabetes mellitus, treatment with OCT together with low carbohydrate intake normalized blood glucose levels, whereas in 2 patients, insulin could be replaced by oral antidiabetics, and in 2 patients, the insulin dose was reduced. Presurgical blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as systolic (145.2 +/- 3.4 vs. 132.9 +/- 2.5 mm Hg; P < 0.01) and diastolic (94.3 +/- 1.7 vs. 84.3 +/- 1.6 mm Hg; P < 0.001) blood pressure levels were significantly higher in untreated than in OCT-treated patients. Two weeks after surgery, circulating GH and IGF-I levels were normalized in 11 untreated (29.7%) and 12 OCT-treated (54.5%) patients (P < 0.005, by chi 2 test). Macroscopically, no difference was found between untreated and OCT-treated adenomas, whereas at pathology, a significant increases in cellular atypia (31.6% vs. 19.2%; P < 0.05) was found in OCT-treated adenomas. One patients in the untreated group died from cardiorespiratory arrest during the early postoperative period. Finally, the average duration of hospitalization after operation was longer in untreated than in OCT-treated patients (8.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 5.6 +/- 0.5 days). We conclude that a 3- to 6-month treatment with OCT before surgery for GH-secreting adenoma improved clinical conditions and surgical outcome and reduced the duration of hospitalization after operation.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1996

Prognostic significance of nucleolar organizer regions in meningiomas.

The argyrophilic method for the demonstration of nucleolar organizer region-associated proteins (AgNOR's) was applied to paraffin-embedded histologic sections of 30 meningiomas. These were divided into three groups: 1) group I comprising 10 primary tumors which subsequently recurred within five years; 2) group II including the relative recurrences of the above mentioned primary tumors; 3) group III consisting of 10 nonrecurrent tumors over a follow-up of at least five years. The means of AgNOR counts were 1.58 with a SD of 0.67 for the group I, 1.47 with a SD of 1.04 for the group II, and 1.42 with a SD of 0.62 for the group III. A statistical analysis of these data using the Student's "t" test showed no significant difference between primary tumors and relative recurrences, as well as between primary and nonrecurrent tumors. However, when the AgNOR number was > 2.0 there was a statistically significant difference between primary and nonrecurrent meningiomas. These results are discussed in light of the findings previously reported by the literature.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Central neurocytoma: clinico-pathological study of 5 cases and review of the literature.

Five cases of central neurocytoma, confirmed by immunohistochemical and electron microscopy studies, are reported and 127 cases from the literature are reviewed. Central neurocytomas are more frequent than previously thought, and will be diagnosed with increasing frequency in the future, if intraventricular tumors with histological aspect of oligodendroglioma or ependymoma will be routinely studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The occurrence of an intraventricular tumor with a typical MR aspect in a young patient should suggest preoperatively the diagnosis of neurocytoma. The positivity for synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase, the negativity for neurofilament protein and glial fibrillary acid protein, and the finding of elements of neuronal differentiation on electron microscopy, are the main pathological features of these tumors. Complete removal of the tumor mass without radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. The prognosis is usually favorable without recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizolysis for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Technique and results in 191 patients.

Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizolysis (PRGR) became a diffuse and valuable method for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, following its introduction by Hakanson in 1981. Its main advantages are: a) mild postoperative facial sensory loss, b) simplification of the technique, c) reduction of costs. Our results in a series of 191 patients treated between September 1983 and September 1990 are reported. The procedure was performed according to Hakanson's method with minor modifications. In 11 cases (5.7%) we failed to pierce the foramen ovale; the procedure was successfully repeated a week or two later. In 17 cases it was impossible to obtain CSF from the needle. Complete relief of pain was achieved in 177 patients (92.7%), in 124 (64.9%) immediately, in 53 (27.8%) within 6 days; the operation was unsuccessful in 14 (7.3%). Postoperative sensory evaluation showed: no sensory loss in 33 cases (17.3%); hypalgesia in 8 (4.2%); mild hypesthesia in 88 cases (46.1%), confined to the affected divisions in 45 (23.6%), exceeding it in 43 (22.5%); moderate hypesthesia in 62 cases (32.4%), restricted to the target divisions in 36 (18.8%), exceeding them in 26 (13.6%). No case of anesthesia occurred. Complications of PRGR were: circum-oral ipsilateral herpetic eruption (herpes simplex type), spontaneously and completely regressing: 63 cases (33%); minor dysesthesia, seldom reported as painful: 33 cases (17.3%); impairment of corneal reflex: 19 cases (9.9%), the first branch being the target of the treatment in 11; regressive masticatory weakness; 11 patients (5.7%); aseptic meningitis, promptly regressed: 2 cases (1.0%). Follow-up ranges from 1 to 7 years (Sept. 1983-Sept. 1990). A recurrence was observed in 44 cases (23%): in 15 patients (7.8%) a partial relapse occurred, well controlled by drug therapy and not requiring further surgical treatment; in 29 cases (15.2%) a new percutaneous procedure was required. The mean time of recurrence was 30.5 months. The recurrence rate in the patients of our series at the end of the follow-up period was 23%. Glycerol produces a weak neurolytic lesion, that generates minor post-operative facial deafferentation; it is the best technique, in our opinion, for treatment of tic douloreux.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Multicentrical growth of meningiomas: "spatial" or "temporal" phenomenon.

Small nodules of neoplastic cells protruding from the arachnoidal layer surrounding an intracranial meningioma, completely independent from the tumor mass, have been observed in three patients who underwent primary surgery. The high rate of recurrence for meningiomas after a seemingly total excision has been many times reported, and related to histological subtypes, tumor site, and hormonal influence. In the past meningotheliomatous cell aggregates protruding from the inner surface of the dura mater at a distance of 3 cm from the insertion of globoid meningiomas have been described, and the concept of "localized dural multifocality" emphasized. Probably this concept has to be enlarged to consider meningioma as a "neoplastic disease" with different grade of expression. The presence of unidentified macroscopic or microscopic clusters of neoplastic cells, lying around, more or less close to, the line of insertion of lesion, could render any attempt to gain a "radical" excision useless.

Female↗
PubMed1995

[Solitary capillary hemangioblastoma, cellular variant. Clinical, radiological, and anatomo-pathological study of 2 cases].

Two cases of the rare cellular variant of the solitary capillary haemangioblastoma are reported. On MR study both tumors appeared as cerebellar contrast-enhancing masses, without evidence of intra- or perilesional blood vessels. Histologically, they showed compact groups of polygonal or rectangular cells separated by compressed small capillaries. There were no reticulin fibres among cell clusters. The stromal cells were found to be immunopositive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE), factor VIII-related antigen (von Wille-brand factor), Ulex europaeus lectin, and glial frillary acidic protein (GFAP). The findings are discussed in light of the pertinent literature.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Ipsilateral motor symptoms caused by a right pterional meningioma.

The case is reported of a patient bearing a pterional meningioma on the right (non-dominant) side manifesting with ipsilateral motor symptoms, completely recovered after tumor removal. The occurrence of ipsilateral sensory and/or motor symptoms, probably due to direct or indirect involvement of the sensory/motor secondary areas of the insula of Reil, may be misleading in diagnosis because of apparent incongruity between clinical presentation and radiological findings. Only seven cases of such a condition, all localized on the left (dominant) side, have been previously reported.

Cerebral Cortex↗
PubMed1992

[Complications of trans-sphenoidal surgery of the sellar lesions].

Trans-sphenoidal surgery has a very low rate of complications despite a series of apparently negative anatomo-topographical factors. Complications may be either mechanical or functional, transitory or permanent. The most important complications are: hematoma of the focus, sub-arachnoid hemorrhage, empty sella, liquoral fistula, opto-chiasmatic lesions, arterial lesions, lesions of the cavernous sinus, parenchymal damage, nasal and paranasal mechanical lesions, insipid diabetes, hypopituitarism. The overall mortality rate is 0.4-1% and is always associated with predisposing factors, such as previous treatment, voluminous extrasellar growth, concomitant causes of disease; the most frequent causes of death are: hemorrhagic phenomena in the extrasellar portion of large size adenomas; vascular lesions involving the intracavernous carotid artery; and hypothalamic lesions. The frequency of major complications is in the region of 2.3%. Predisposing factors are: volume, consistency, invasiveness, previous treatment, intratumoral necrotic-hemorrhagic phenomena, age. Surgery is only indicated for some of the above complications, including hematoma of the focus, acute postoperative empty sella, rhinoliquorrhea resistent to conservative treatment, excessive filling of the sellar cavity. All the other possible complications are results or functional alterations which must be treated medically, even if a specific therapy only exists for some (such as early hypotonic polyuria). The series of patients reported here refers to the period 1978-1989 and accounts for a total of 259 trans-sphenoidal operations performed in 245 patients. Of the secondary operations, 6 were due to postoperative complications (hematoma of the focus in 2 cases, rhinoliquorrhea in 2 cases; empty sella and hemorrhagic infarction of a large suprasellar site in the 2 remaining cases). There were 2 deaths related to direct mechanical complications (both caused by hemorrhagic infarction of large tumoural residues and the surrounding cerebral parenchyma). Complications which did not require re-operating were observed in 11 further cases: 6 cases of persistent rhinoliquorrhea which required protracted spinal drainage; 2 cases of deterioration of previous visual deficits unrelated to either hematoma of the focus or empty sella but caused by trauma to optic structures, either directly or on a vascular basis; 3 cases of dyplopia due to oculomotory deficiency. In terms of hypophyseal function, the ex-novo onset of postoperative pan-hypopituitarism and insipid diabetes was only observed in one case.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Causality↗
PubMed1991

Hemodilution and revascularization for early treatment of stroke: an experimental trial.

A new experimental trial to investigate the usefulness of early therapeutic measures in case of acute I.V.D. has been performed, on the basis of a previous already reported experience. A combined treatment consisting of hemodilution and revascularization starting 16 hours after the onset of cerebral ischemia was tested. The study was performed in a population of 20 New Zealand male rabbits in which an acute cerebral ischemia was achieved by means of extracranial ligation of both common carotid artery and of one vertebral artery. The animals were divided into two groups. 1st group: no treatment; 2nd group: revascularization + hemodilution. Better results were observed in treated group considering either CBF rates or histological changes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Management of primary or recurring grossly cystic craniopharyngiomas by means of draining systems. Topic review and 6 case reports.

In primary or relapsing grossly cystic craniopharyngiomas most of the problems related to the neoplastic mass may be, even if temporarily, improved by reducing volume of the cyst. A major surgical approach is unjustified when the aim is only to empty the cyst contents. Drainage of the cyst cavity by means of derivative techniques may be as effective and less invasive; in combined management plans that such tumours often require, they are, therefore, useful complementary procedures that can achieve long-lasting relief of symptoms, provided that the cyst is unilocular. Technical features and indications for such methods, with special regard to the techniques of sump drainage and of tube ventriculocystostomy, are discussed on the basis of the few reported series and of 6 personal cases. Usually only palliative aims are achieved, waiting for more definitive treatment; in a few selected cases, however, they may be quite effective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Unusual complication with use of lyophylized dural graft.

A patient, who had undergone removal of a meningioma and the involved dura, developed Jacksonian fits in the postoperative period. There had been precocious resorption of the patch of lyophilized dura mater used to repair the dural defect and this was followed by development of a pseudomembrane adherent to the cortex. After its removal, the patient recovered completely. Activation of reactive reparative processes, proliferative action by fibroblasts, reabsorptive phenomena, new vessel formation, are the main pathological events involved in this as in similar cases, but their sequence and the precipitating cause are not easily recognizable.

Adult↗