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P Carli

Publications and source records attributed to P Carli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Predictors of skin self-examination in subjects attending a pigmented lesion clinic in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Skin self-examination (SSE) is associated with thinner melanomas in both North American and Italian patients. The knowledge of conditions associated with SSE may help in refining educational strategies for the prevention of melanoma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of SSE and the factors associated with SSE in subjects followed at a specialized pigmented lesion clinic (PLC) in Italy. PATIENTS/METHODS: A series of 299 consecutive subjects who visited the Florence PLC was investigated by means of a self-administered questionnaire regarding SSE habits. The statistical association between SSE and selected variables was examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with SSE were: green/blue eyes, phototype I/II, the presence of large numbers of common acquired and atypical melanocytic naevi, sunscreen use, having had a previous PLC examination, and having received a leaflet explaining SSE. SSE was less frequent in women using sunbeds and more frequent in those performing breast self-examination. Using the multivariate model, which included all the variables associated with SSE in the previous analysis, we found that, among males, the only variable significantly associated with SSE was the report of having received a leaflet explaining SSE [odds ratio (OR) 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-7.38]. Among females, having had a previous consultation at a PLC was significantly associated with SSE (OR 4.84, 95%CI 1.57-14.93); this might be because of the explanation and advice about skin cancer prevention customarily provided as a part of the PLC consultation at our department. CONCLUSION: Educational tools, including a leaflet explaining SSE and counselling given within previous PLC visits, seem to play a crucial role in promoting SSE habits in subjects followed at a specialized PLC consultation.

Adolescent↗

[Multi-organ failures during septic shock from Escherichia coli urinary tract infection: catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome?].

INTRODUCTION: Although the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies is not an uncommon fact during infection, their responsibility in serious manifestations can still be debated and questions the existence of an actual catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome or multivisceral faintings, triggered by the infection only, since the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies is not pathogenous. CASE: A 68-year-old man presented during an Escherichia coli urinary tract infection a septic shock with renal and cardiac insufficiencies, hepatic cytolysis and cholestasis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. There was a significant titer of antiphospholipid antibodies IgG (50 UGPL/ml) with an antibêta2-glycoprotein-1 positivity. The patient quickly recovered with antibiotherapy and intravenous immunoglobulins. DISCUSSION: Diagnosing the pathogeny of multivisceral faintings is founded of the clinical manifestations published during the catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, the evolution and the persistence of post recovery antibodies and the comparison with the visceral bouts that the sepsis exclusively as revealed.

Aged↗

Instrument-, age- and site-dependent variations of dermoscopic patterns of congenital melanocytic naevi: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Recently, we identified and described dermoscopic aspects, present with a higher frequency in congenital melanocytic lesions with respect to acquired naevi. We also classified small- and medium-sized congenital naevi (CN) into nine subtypes according to their macroscopic and dermoscopic aspects. OBJECTIVES: Because the recognition of dermoscopic features may be instrument dependent, in this study, we wanted to check whether dermoscopic patterns specific for CN can be identified in digital images acquired by means of different instruments. We also wanted to check the validity of our previously proposed classification and assess possible age- and site-dependent variations of dermoscopic patterns and naevus subtypes. PATIENTS/METHODS: Images corresponding to 384 small- or medium-sized CN were collected in eight different centres employing four different instruments. Lesion images were evaluated and checked for the presence of specific dermoscopic criteria, classified, and compared with a database of 350 acquired naevi. RESULTS: Specific and unspecific dermoscopic features were identifiable in images acquired by means of all four instrument types. The mean number of identified features per lesion did not vary according to the instrument employed for the acquisition of the images; however, it was lower for lesions recorded employing low magnifications. The previously proposed classification was easily applied to the whole image database. The variegated naevus type was identified as a highly specific clinical/dermoscopic pattern. Dermoscopic features varied according to age and location. The globular type prevailed in subjects under 11 years of age and on the trunk, whereas the majority of reticular lesions were located on the limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Because definite clinical and histological criteria for the diagnosis of the congenital nature of naevi are lacking, the use of dermoscopy can be of great help in identifying those lesions where the presence of specific dermoscopic features makes the diagnosis of CN more likely. Moreover, dermoscopy can be useful both for the classification of lesions already identified as congenital according to definite clinical and anamnestic data and for a possible correlation of naevus phenotype and dermoscopic patterns to the risk of developing a malignant melanoma in prospective studies.

Adolescent↗

Possible role of dermoscopy in the detection of a primary cutaneous melanoma of unknown origin.

For 2-8% of patients with metastatic melanoma, cutaneous and mucosal clinical examination does not lead to diagnosis of the primary tumour, which remains unknown. We report the case of a 41-year-old male patient who had received a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma after histological examination of an enlarged axillary lymph node, without previous detection of the primary lesion at his first dermatological examination. No pigmented skin lesions located in the anatomical area potentially drained by the affected axillary basin showed clinical features suggestive of a melanoma. Neither did the so-called 'ugly duckling' sign help us to identify the melanoma, because of the presence of a large number of clinically similar, common or slightly atypical melanocytic lesions located in that area. After dermoscopic examination we were able to narrow the field of possible candidates for excision to four lesions, selected on the basis of their dermoscopic features. Histological examination revealed the primary melanoma (superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), level III, thickness 0.5 mm)--located on the back--and three naevi with atypia. Preoperative distinction of the melanoma from the other three lesions was not possible because of the lack of well-established features of malignancy, even at dermoscopic analysis ('featureless' melanoma). Dermoscopy may thus play a role in the detection of a clinically unknown primary melanoma by narrowing the field of lesions to be removed for histological examination, saving many unnecessary excisions that would otherwise be inevitable.

Adult↗

[Pulmonary eosinophilia in France: possible toxocariasis].

INTRODUCTION: In France, except in the overseas departments and territories, pulmonary eosinophilia rarely has a parasitic cause except among subjects who have traveled to tropic areas. CASE: A 19-year-old man was hospitalized for incidentally discovered hypereosinophilia. The thoracic CT scan showed several hyperdense nodules that suggested bilateral interstitial alveolar lesions. Diagnosis was finally based on serologic results positive for toxocariasis. A 14-day course of albendazole led to regression of the eosinophilia and of the radiographic images. DISCUSSION: The frequency of toxocariasis or visceral larva migrans syndrome is probably underestimated. In adults, the symptoms can be atypical and possibly serious. Albendazole, for 14 days, is the reference treatment.

Adult↗

[Latex-induced anaphylactic shock following graft reperfusion during renal transplantation].

We report a case of a young man with an allergy to latex who developed anaphylactic shock during anaesthesia for renal transplantation. All anaesthetic agents used before the episode were tested as potential allergens and only latex was shown to be positive. It appears that latex contamination in the graft was the cause since no materials containing latex were used during the operation. We feel it essential that donor organs should be removed in a totally latex-free environment. Such conditions will remove the risk of anaphylactic shock at the point of reperfusion of the transplant.

Adult↗

[Prehospital management of very elderly patients with ST segment elevation in Paris by mobile intensive care units (Samu)].

More and more elderly people are hospitalised with myocardial infarction. Little is known on their pre-hospital management. In 2001 and 2002, 105 patients aged 80 years or more with suspected ST elevation infarction were managed by the mobile intensive care unit system of the SAMU de Paris-Necker. Diagnosis of infarction was confirmed in 92 (88%). Over 60% of the patients were women. Median time delay from symptom onset to call to the emergency service was 127 minutes, longer in nonagenarians (175 vs 101 minutes). Prehospital use of aspirin was 81% and 39% received an intravenous bolus of heparin. A reperfusion strategy was decided in only 30% (primary PCI: 23/26). One-month mortality was 21% and was related to older age, time when the call to the Samu was made, and absence of current smoking. Overall, the prehospital management of very elderly patients with suspected ST elevation infarction appears far from optimal.

Age Factors↗

Diagnostic and referral accuracy of family doctors in melanoma screening: effect of a short formal training.

Little is known about ability of family doctors in the diagnosis and management (decision as to dermatologic referral) of pigmented skin lesions. We sought to evaluate the impact of a short formal training on diagnostic and referral accuracy of family doctors in melanoma screening. A formal 4-h training session was given to a sample of 41 practising family doctors working in the Florence health district, Tuscany, Italy. Before and after the course, a diagnostic test with a series of clinical images of pigmented skin lesions including four invasive melanomas (mean thickness, 1.5 mm; range, 0.8-2.2) was performed (open intervention study). Although only 46.8% of observations yielded a correct melanoma diagnosis at baseline, 96.1% of melanoma observations were correctly associated with intention to refer the lesion to dermatologist. After training, the percentage of correct melanoma diagnosis significantly increased (76.2%, P=0.01) while no further improvement was found as to sensitivity of referral (94.8%, P=0.58). Compared to baseline, post-training evaluation showed a significant reduction of benign lesions sent to dermatologist: the percentage lowered from 52.1 to 35.8% (P=0.0014) for melanocytic nevi and from 38.6 to 17.5% (P<0.001) for benign non-melanocytic lesions (pigmented seborrheic keratoses, dermatofibromas, and vascular lesions). Grouping these two diagnostic categories, the overall specificity in dermatology referral increased from 55.0% at baseline to 73.1% after training (P<0.001). In conclusion, attendance at a 4-h formal training session was able to increase the specificity of family doctors as to dermatologist referral of suspicious lesions (less false-positive referral of benign lesions) without significant loss in sensitivity concerning melanoma.

Dermatology↗

Dermoscopy for early detection of facial lentigo maligna.

Up until now, only lesions selected on the basis of their clinical atypia or which appear equivocal on naked eye examination have been shown to benefit from the use of dermoscopy. In our experience, dermoscopic evaluation of lesions located on the face may require a different approach, as a histopathological diagnosis of malignancy is not uncommon in clinically trivial lesions (i.e. lesions lacking the ABCD criteria for clinical suspicion). Moreover, at this site dermoscopy reveals specific criteria according to the particular histological architecture shown by sun-damaged skin. We report four cases of lentigo maligna (LM) of the face whose identification depended on dermoscopic examination which was performed routinely on all facial lesions, as the lesions did not show ABCD clinical criteria for malignancy. In our experience, the identification of early signs of malignancy by dermoscopy may indicate the excision of LM at an early phase, before the lesion is associated with the ABCD signs of melanoma. Dermatologists should avoid the mistake of immediately excluding a diagnosis of malignancy when examining an ABCD-negative pigmented skin lesion of the face.

Adult↗

Cutaneous collision tumour (melanocytic naevus, basal cell carcinoma, seborrhoeic keratosis): a clinical, dermoscopic and pathological case report.

The association of contiguous or 'collision' tumours in the same biopsy specimen is not uncommon and is often reported in the literature. The most common association, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and naevus, is very difficult to diagnose clinically. We describe a 38-year-old woman with a previous history of melanoma, who presented with a modified pigmented lesion of the hip that had begun to change 6 months earlier. Histologically, the lesion was a melanocytic compound naevus and a BCC with a seborrhoeic keratosis. The case was investigated clinically and by focusing on the dermoscopic features and their pathological correlates. Cutaneous collision tumours are extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively, even with the help of dermoscopy, in particular when one of the lesions is melanocytic.

Adult↗

Pigmented seborrheic keratoses of the vulva clinically mimicking a malignant melanoma: a clinical, dermoscopic-pathologic case study.

The diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis is, in general, a clinical one, but in some cases, the differential diagnosis between pigmented seborrheic keratosis and malignant melanoma is difficult. Dermoscopy may improve the early diagnosis of vulvar melanoma and thus play a role in the preoperative classification of pigmented lesions at this particular site. We report the first case of a pigmented seborrheic keratosis of the vulva clinically mimicking a malignant melanoma, whose dermoscopic features have been investigated together with their pathologic correlates. Dermoscopically our case shows the absence of comedo-like openings and the presence of the pseudo-network. Dermoscopy is therefore a useful method for the differential diagnosis of pigmented lesions even in the vulva.

Aged↗

International multicentre trial protocol to assess the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the Thrombolysis in Cardiac Arrest (TROICA) Study.

Prehospital cardiac arrest has been associated with a very poor prognosis. Acute myocardial infarction and massive pulmonary embolism are the underlying causes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 50-70% of patients. Although fibrinolysis is an effective treatment strategy for both myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, clinical experience for this therapy performed during resuscitation has been limited owing to the anticipated risk of severe bleeding complications. The TROICA study is planned as one of the largest randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to assess the efficacy and safety of prehospital thrombolytic therapy in cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac origin. Approximately 1000 patients with cardiac arrest will be randomized at approximately 60 international study centres to receive either a weight-adjusted dose of tenecteplase or placebo after the first dose of a vasopressor. Patients can be included if they are at least 18 years, presenting with a witnessed cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac origin, and if either basic life support had started within 10 min of onset and had been performed up to 10 min or advanced life support is started within 10 min of onset of cardiac arrest. Primary endpoint of the study is the 30-day survival rate, and the coprimary endpoint is hospital admission. Secondary endpoints are the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival after 24 h, survival to hospital discharge, and neurological performance. Safety endpoints include major bleeding complications and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage.

Adolescent↗