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Biomedical subjects

R Conforti

Publications and source records attributed to R Conforti.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

A rare symptomatic presentation of ecchordosis physaliphora: neuroradiological and surgical management.

We report a case of ecchordosis physaliphora, an uncommon benign lesion originating from embryonic notochordal remnants, intradurally located in the prepontine cistern, that unusually presented associated with symptoms. MRI detected and precisely located the small mass. At surgery, a cystic gelatinous nodule was found ventral to the pons, contiguous with the dorsal wall of the clivus via a small pedicle. Histological examination diagnosed the lesion as an ecchordosis physaliphora. Here we focus on the analysis of the neuroradiological aspects that play a crucial role from both a diagnostic and a therapeutic standpoint.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed2004

Phase II trial of carboplatin and etoposide for patients with recurrent high-grade glioma.

We present the results of a phase II trial of carboplatin and etoposide (CE) combination as first-line chemotherapy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) after surgery and radiotherapy. We assess the activity and the tolerability of this combination. 30 patients with GBM (25) and AA (5) were treated with VP-16 (etoposide) 120 mg m(-2) and CBCDA (carboplatin) 100 mg m(-2) for 3 days every 4 weeks. Moreover, we performed a retrospective analysis of topoisomerase IIalpha gene status using chromogenic in situ hybridisation. The median age was 54 years (21-73 years); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score was 0-1 in 25 patients and 2 in five patients. All patients had been previously treated with surgical resection (21 radical resections) followed by radiation therapy (40-60 Gy). We observed six (20%) complete responses, three (10%) partial responses and 12 (40%) stable diseases, with a response rate of 30%. The median time to progression was 4 months, while progression-free survival at 6 months was 33.3%. The median survival time was 10 months. Neutropenia occurred in 9 patients: four patients had grade 4, two patients grade 3 and three patients grade 2. In the conclusion of this clinical trial, the CE combination has shown activity in recurrent GBM and AA, with a good toxicity profile. Alterations in the copy number of topoisomerase IIalpha gene seem to be a rare event and in our series do not influence response to the CE combination.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

'Simple schizophrenia': a controlled MRI and clinical/neuropsychological study.

The present study explored the frequency of neuromorphological, neurological and neuropsychological abnormalities in 13 patients with an ICD-8/9 diagnosis of simple schizophrenia, also fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for 'simple deteriorative disorder', and in 13 matched patients with an ICD-8/9 diagnosis of a subtype of schizophrenia other than simple schizophrenia, fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia. The frequency of neuromorphological abnormalities in the two patient groups was also compared with that observed in 13 neurological control subjects. Both patients with simple schizophrenia and those with other schizophrenia subtypes showed a higher frequency of brain developmental abnormalities and greater ventricular and subarachnoid space volumes than controls. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients with respect to neuromorphological variables. Two patients with simple schizophrenia (vs. none of those with other schizophrenia subtypes) had gross brain abnormalities; they were the most deteriorated subjects in the whole sample. Patients with simple schizophrenia, as compared to those with other schizophrenia subtypes, presented a higher frequency of soft neurological signs and a greater impairment of social relationships.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Role of antepartum computerized fetal heart rate analysis in the prediction of fetal distress during labor.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the diagnostic ability of a computerized fetal heart rate (FHR) analysis system in the identification of patients at risk of fetal distress in labor. STUDY DESIGN: Five-hundred and seventy-seven healthy term pregnancies were enrolled in a prospective, cross-sectional study and subdivided into two groups, with (n = 90) or without (n = 487) fetal distress in labor. Computerized FHR recordings were performed periodically and regression analysis was performed in a univariate and multivariate way to assess the ability of the last FHR recordings in the prediction of subsequent fetal distress. RESULTS: The two groups showed a significant difference in almost all of the FHR parameters studied. The multivariate analysis showed that only the FHR baseline and the percentage of small acceleration were independently and significantly related to the labor outcome. The combination of these two parameters reaches a sensitivity of 45%, specificity of 91%, positive predictive value of 48% and negative predictive value of 90%, with an overall accuracy of 84%. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in FHR baseline and in small FHR accelerations can be major factors in the prediction of subsequent fetal distress in healthy term fetuses.

Computers↗
PubMed1996

[Aneurysmal bone cyst: diagnostic role of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance].

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are relatively uncommon benign expansile osteolytic lesions characterized by multiple cavities with serum-blood levels and delimited by a thin periosteal external border. The differential diagnosis is difficult to make with conventional radiography, while CT and MRI are elective techniques. Ten patients with ABC (7 central and 3 eccentric lesions) were examined with CT and MRI. Four cysts were localized at the proximal femur, 2 in calcaneal, 2 in vertebral (cervical and dorsal), 1 in tibial and 1 in iliac sites. Diagnostic criteria were the presence of fluid-fluid levels and a thin hyperdense peripheral border at CT, while hyperintense cavities on T2-weighted sequences, fluid-fluid levels, pseudodiverticular features and a low-signal border were found at MRI. Intralesional levels were detected in 9 patients at CT and in 10 at MRI; the 3 peripheral cysts exhibited a hyperdense extraosseous border at CT, corresponding to the periosteal shell, considered a benignity sign. To conclude, CT and MRI, thanks to their high resolution, clearly depict the anatomopathologic features of ABC, thus allowing this type of lesion to be differentiated from other benign and malignant osteolytic lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Umbilical flowmetry: effect of measurement sites on the results].

Pulsed Doppler duplex sonography was performed longitudinally on 11 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies from 20 to 41 week's gestation (87 measurements). Blood flow velocities were recorded at 3 locations: abdominal insertion site (O), in the free floating part (C), placental insertion site (PL). The objective of the study was to determine whether the C site S/D ratio, the quickest and easiest to perform, relates to the other sites. The S/D ratio measurements fell from the near abdomen (O) to the free floating part (C) to the placental insertion site (PL) between 25-35 week's gestation. Statistical analysis, including analysis of variance for repeated measures and student t test, showed no significant difference in S/D ratio among the locations before 25 and after 35 week's gestation. The S/D ratio at the O site was significantly higher than at the PL site between 25-35 week's gestation; the C site was not significantly different from the PL site.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1993

Cerebral cavernous angioma. Diagnostic considerations.

Eighteen cases of cerebral cavernous angiomas are reported, and their histopathological, clinical and radiological features are reviewed. MR complements TC in characterizing cavernomas and in distinguishing them from similar-appearing lesions. However, when such lesions are seen with atypical features, discrimination from hemorrhagic tumors remains problematic. More malignant lesions present, on MRI, a much larger area of abnormality and make themselves obvious in a shorter period. Gadolinium administration may allow a more specific interpretation of small lesions.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Herniated disk in adolescents.

Twenty-one patients (9 female and 12 male) aged from 13 to 22 years were observed for lumbago and lumbo-sciatica caused by a discopathy which was subsequently confirmed by radiology and surgery. None of these patients had a history of trauma. It must be underlined that the painful symptoms exhibited and the young age of the patients suggest such pathologies as infections, tumours or malformations, but the possibility of discopathy must always be considered. It is also interesting to note the differences observed in symptomatology between adults and adolescents and to consider the various pathogenetic factors which might cause discopathy in adolescents while it was until now believed to be reserved to adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Surgical indications for intracranial arachnoid cysts.

Diagnostic work-up and management of intracranial arachnoid cysts are still controversial. The authors have standardized a therapeutic protocol based on the information derived from CSF contrast flow studies. The report concerns 16 cases of intracranial arachnoid cysts treated according to their protocol.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aqueductal stenosis as isolated localization involving the central nervous system in children affected by von Recklinghausen disease.

The Authors report three cases of non tumoral aqueductal stenosis associated with von Recklinghausen disease in children. Moreover, 16 similar cases collected from the literature are illustrated. The clinical features are evaluated in light of literature's data. Among all 19 cases, the median age was 19 years (range 6-46 years) and 9 patients were under the age of 13 years. In this latter group, the most represented clinical symptoms were headache and gait disturbances. As regards the neuroradiological procedures, CT scan represented the best tool in the evaluation of the ventricular size. Our own three cases underwent to ventriculo-atrial shunt procedures, followed by clinical recovery (follow-up: 3 months-5 years). In conclusion it is felt that, among all the pathological events usually described in patients affected by neurofibromatosis, aqueductal stenosis seems to belong to the natural history of this disease.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spinal ossifying arachnoiditis. Case report.

A case of low dorsal spinal cord compression, due to ossifying arachnoiditis, is reported. Its relationship with a venous malformation overlying the dorsal surface of the spinal cord is mentioned. The literature is reviewed and possible etiopathogenetic factors favouring this rare condition are discussed in the light of few similar reports. The value of surgical treatment is stressed.

Arachnoiditis↗