Biomedical subjects

R Gentile

Publications and source records attributed to R Gentile.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

The parasitism of Schistosoma mansoni (Digenea-Trematoda) in a naturally infected population of water rats, Nectomys squamipes (Rodentia-Sigmodontinae) in Brazil.

Schistosomiasis is a health problem in Brazil and the role of rodents in maintaining the schistosome life-cycle requires further clarification. The influence of Schistosoma mansoni on a population of Nectomys squamipes was studied by capture-recapture (1st phase, from June 1991 to November 1995) and removal (2nd phase, from April 1997 to March 1999) studies at Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During both phases coproscopic examinations were performed. At the 2nd phase the rodents were perfused and worms were counted. The population dynamics of parasites was studied. During the 1st phase, female reproductive parameters, longevity, recruitment and survivorship rates and migration patterns were studied in relation to schistosome prevalence. Water contamination (source of miracidia), abundance intermediate host and rodent migration were related to prevalence. The N. squamipes population was not obviously influenced by the infection, as shown by the high number of reproductive infected females, high longevity of infected individuals and the absence of a relationship between recruitment or survivorship rates and the intensity of schistosome infection. The data indicate that N. squamipes can increase transmission of S. mansoni in endemic areas and carry it to non-infected areas. Furthermore, this rodent can be used as an indicator of a transmission focus.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Assessment of echocardiographic abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with levels of antiphospholipid antibodies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of morphologic and functional cardiac abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and correlate the data with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) levels. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the presence (Group 1, n = 45) or absence of aPL (Group 2, n = 46). All patients underwent standard two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination. aPL were detected by a standardized and validated ELISA test. Five patients with regional ventricular dysfunction also underwent coronary angiography. The chi2 test was used for the statistical analysis of the data. For smaller groups of samples the Fisher's exact test was employed. RESULTS: Pericardial effusion was detected in 19 patients without any statistical difference between the two groups. A valvular involvement was present in 39 patients: a moderate-severe degree was more frequent in Group 1 (p = 0.02). Regional wall motion abnormalities were observed in 8 patients: only 1 in Group 2 and 7 in Group 1 (p = 0.03). Coronary angiography showed normal arteries in all patients of Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: aPL play a role in the pathogenesis of the severity of valvular lesions as well as in regional myocardial dysfunction, suggesting a small vessel disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission tomography detects subclinical myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, involvement of the cardiovascular system is the third leading cause of death. However, although autopsy studies have demonstrated a high incidence of abnormalities in both the myocardium and coronary vessels, clinical manifestations have been reported in only a small percentage of cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate myocardial perfusion in asymptomatic lupus patients using technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission tomography (SPET). Twenty-eight patients without overt cardiac involvement and risk factors were studied with 99mTc-sestamibi SPET at rest and after dipyridamole infusion. Perfusion abnormalities were detected in 18 cases: six had persistent defects, three had reversible defects, seven had both persistent and reversible defects, and two showed rest defects which normalized on dipyridamole images ("reverse redistribution pattern"). Coronary angiography was performed in eight patients with positive 99mTc-sestamibi SPET, and showed normal epicardial vessels in all the cases. These results indicate that 99mTc-sestamibi SPET reveals a high prevalence (18 out of 28 patients in this study, i.e. 64%) of myocardial perfusion abnormalities in asymptomatic lupus patients, probably due to the primary immunological damage of this autoimmune disease. In conclusion, rest/dipyridamole 99mTc-sestamibi SPET can be a useful non-invasive method to identify subclinical myocardial involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus, and patients potentially at risk of later cardiac events.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

HLA class II favors clearance of HCV infection and progression of the chronic liver damage.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was aimed to determine whether host-dependent genetic factors modulate the outcome of HCV infection. METHODS: HLA class II DRB and DQB typing was performed in 184 infected patients and 200 healthy volunteers. Among the patients, 149 subjects had persistent HCV viremia (Group 1) and 35 subjects underwent spontaneous viral clearance (Group 2). Group 1 included cirrhotic patients with transfusion-acquired infections (n = 79), asymptomatic HCV carriers (n = 42), and patients with chronic hepatitis C responsive to interferon therapy (n = 28). RESULTS: Spontaneous viral clearance was associated with HLA DRB1*1104 (pc = 0.054, OR = 4.51, 95% C.I. 2.02-10.1) and HLA DQB1*0301 (pc = 0.0039, OR = 4.52, 95% C.I. 2.15-9.51). In Group 1 the haplotype DRB1*1104/DQB1*0301 was less frequent (4.8%) than in Group 2 (18.3%) (pc = 0.009, OR = 7.38, 95% C.I. 2.58-21.59). At the HLA level, cirrhotic patients were not different from asymptomatic HCV carriers and patients with interferon-induced viral clearance. In cirrhotic patients infected with genotype 1b, the DQB1*0502 allele was more frequently found in those with rapidly progressive liver damage (OR = 8.15, 95% C.I. 1.49-44.44), but the corrected p-value was not significant (pc = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The HLA haplotype DRB1*1104/DQB1*0301 appears to contribute to the spontaneous clearance of HCV infection. The predominance of the DQB1*0502 allele in cirrhotic patients with a rapidly progressive disease possibly reflects an influence of this allele on the progression of the HCV-related liver disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

131I radioconjugated antibodies for the locoregional radioimmunotherapy of high-grade malignant glioma--phase I and II study.

Locoregional radioimmunotherapy (LR-RIT) was administered to 111 patients (20 were recruited in a phase I and 91 in a phase II study) with malignant gliomas: 1 patient with oligodendroglioma, 7 patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma, 2 with grade II astrocytoma, 10 with anaplastic astrocytoma and 91 with glioblastoma, amounting to 58 newly diagnosed and 53 recurrent tumours. The 131I-labelled monoclonal antibodies BC-2 and BC-4 were used in order to recognize stromal and intracellular glycoprotein tenascin, an antigen present particularly in glioblastoma. The patients were enrolled between February 1990 and December 1997 after conventional therapy. The radiopharmaceutical was injected directly into the tumour site. Sequential scintigraphies demonstrated a high and enduring uptake in the tumour. The mean irradiation dose in the tumour was 300 Gy per cycle. In the group of 74 phase II glioblastoma patients the clinical responses were as follows: 10 patients with stable disease (SD), 9 with partial responses (PR), 23 with no evidence of disease (NED) and 1 patient with complete response (CR). The median survival was 19 months. The response rate (CR + PR + NED) was 17.8% for those patients with bulky lesions, with a median survival of 17 months, but 66.6% for patients with small lesions, with a median survival of 25 months. Better outcomes were recorded in cases with less aggressive diseases: oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma and anaplastic astrocytoma. We conclude that fractionated LR-RIT can be safely performed, with promising results especially in patients with minimal disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to test the hypothesis that anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) may cause an antiphospholipid syndrome and thrombotic events in patients with liver disease. METHODS: aCL were measured in 116 healthy controls and 372 patients with liver disease of different stage and etiology: 136 cases secondary to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 139 due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, 69 with alcoholic liver damage, and 28 cryptogenic in origin. Prior thrombotic events were recorded. The results were related to age, gender, stage, severity, and etiology of the liver disease, as well as to the occurrence of organ- and nonorgan-specific autoantibodies. RESULTS: aCL were positive in 4.4% of controls and in 18.8% of patients (p < 0.0002). Patients with aCL were more frequently men with an advanced cirrhosis and simultaneous occurrence of anti-smooth-muscle antibodies (ASMA) in serum (p < 0.0006); their liver damage was often secondary to HBV (37.3%) or alcohol abuse (18.5%). At conditional logistic regression analysis, only the presence of ASMA (odds ratio [OR] = 3.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-5.5, p = 0.0003), HBV (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.6-7.2, p = 0.0013), or alcoholic liver disease (OR = 5.3, 95% CI 2.3-12.2, p = 0.0001) were independently associated with aCL. Thrombosis was encountered in 24 patients (6.4%). At conditional logistic regression analysis, thrombosis was significantly associated with advanced age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.0-1.1, p = 0.0094), development of hepatocellular carcinoma (OR = 17.8, 95% CI 1.6-196.0, p = 0.01), HBV etiology (OR = 6.3, 95% CI, 1.6-24.6, p = 0.0076), or cryptogenic liver disease (OR = 54.8, 95% CI 5-599.9, p = 0.001). Of the five patients with newly documented portal thrombosis during the follow-up, only one tested positive for aCL. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with nonautoimmune liver disease, aCL production is an epiphenomenon of the liver damage and is not associated with thrombotic complications. These data do not support the hypothesis that HCV is a cause of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗

PubMed1999

Multiple sclerosis and non-communicating syringomyelia: a casual association or linked diseases?

Non-communicating syringomyelia (NCS) can be associated with different disease processes such as arachnoidytis, trauma or tumor. Approximately 12 cases, documented radiographically, of the association of non-communicating syringomyelia and multiple sclerosis (MS) have been described but their relationship remains obscure. In 3 patients with laboratory supported MS spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a central cystic cavity. In 2 patients lesions on the spinal cord above the cavity were demonstrated. At 3-year follow-up in 1 patient, no change in the cavity was detected. Although 3 cases are insufficient for providing a definitive conclusion on the relationship between these two diseases, we suggest that demyelinating lesions have to be regarded as possible causes of spinal, asymptomatic cavities.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Lupus carditis: evaluation with technetium-99m MIBI myocardial SPECT and heart rate variability.

The objective of this paper was to investigate the incidence of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with dysautonomic alterations. Twenty patients without any sign or symptoms of heart disease, selected from a larger population of patients with SLE, underwent technetium-99m sestamibi (Tc-99m MIBI) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), at rest and after dipyridamole infusion; they also underwent heart rate variability (HRV) examination by a 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiography, analyzing in the time domain the standard deviation of the R-R intervals average (SDNN) and the percentage of R-R adjacent intervals differing from each other more than 50 msec (pNN50); in the frequency domain the low (LF) and high frequencies (HF) were analyzed. Twenty healthy volunteers served as control group for heart rate variability. At MIBI-SPECT examination, the scan was found abnormal in 15 patients and normal in five: three patients demonstrated reversible defects in the anteroseptal region, four had irreversible defects in a region (two in the anteroseptal region and two in the lateral region), two had rest defects in two different regions (lateral and inferior, lateral and anteroseptal) that improved during dipyridamole scan, and six had both reversible and irreversible defects: four in a single segment (three anteroseptal and one lateral, and two in two different regions, particularly anteroseptal and lateral, lateral and inferior). All 20 patients showed significantly lower HRV parameters in comparison with the control group, except for pNN50, which indicates decreased physiologic periodic fluctuations of the autonomic nervous system. In six patients who underwent coronary angiography, the epicardial vessels were found completely normal. In view of the high incidence of myocardial hypoperfusion in patients with HRV alterations, the authors hypothesize that autonomic dysfunction may be associated with microvascular disease or metabolic alteration. They also believe that MIBI scintigraphy is a suitable technique in detecting myocardial damage in SLE patients free of clinical manifestation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Loco-regional radioimmunotherapy of high-grade malignant gliomas using specific monoclonal antibodies labeled with 90Y: a phase I study.

A Phase I radioimmunotherapy trial was conducted in which radioconjugated monoclonal antibody (MAb) was directly infused into the tumor or postoperative tumoral bed in patients with high-grade malignant glioma. BC-4, a murine MAb that recognizes tenascin, was used in these studies. The MAb was labeled with 90Y, a pure beta emitter with maximum energy of 2.284 MeV, which can penetrate into tissue up to 0.5-0.7 cm. Stable 90Y-labeled MAb conjugates were prepared using the chelator p-isothiocyanatobenzyl derivative of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (ITC-Bz-DTPA), obtaining >95% labeling efficiency and conserving the antibodies' immunoreactivity (>85%). Twenty patients, 2 with anaplastic astrocytoma and 18 with glioblastoma, were included in the study. All of the patients had been treated previously with conventional therapies (surgery, external radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) and presented with progressive disease not amenable to further treatment. A dose-escalation study was performed using doses ranging from 5-30 mCi (185-1110 MBq) of 90Y-labeled MAb BC-4. The protein dose of MAb was always 1 mg. Three patients were treated at the 5, 10, 15, and 20 mCi levels, and the 25- and 30-mCi doses were each administered to 4 patients. Systemic toxicity was completely absent in all of the patients. The maximum tolerated dose to the brain was 25 mCi (925 MBq). The average dose to the tumor was 3200 cGy/mCi. Doses to the liver, bone marrow, and kidneys were below 10 cGy/mCi in all of the cases. Biodistribution studies demonstrated that the 90Y-labeled MAb accreted exclusively in the neoplastic area without any diffusion into the normal brain or other normal organs. No clinical responses were recorded because of the very advanced stage of disease at the time of radioimmunotherapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Beta1B integrin interferes with matrix assembly but not with confluent monolayer polarity, and alters some morphogenetic properties of FRT epithelial cells.

Beta1B is a beta1 integrin splice variant that differs from the ubiquitous beta1A in the terminal portion of the cytosolic tail. The expression of this variant in CHO cells results in reduced fibroblast adhesion and motility (Balzac, E et al., J. Cell Biol. 127, 557-565 (1994)). We have evaluated the phenotypic changes induced by the expression of beta1B in the FRT epithelial cell line. Stable transfectants of FRT cells expressing beta1B or beta1A human integrins were obtained. The transfected integrins associated with the endogenous alpha subunits and were delivered to the plasma membrane. Beta1B expressing cells attached less efficiently and spread less on fibronectin, laminin or type IV collagen coated dishes. A great reduction of fibronectin fibrils associated to the basal membrane of non-confluent beta1B transfected cells was observed. This was paralleled by the disappearance of microfilament bundles and loss of basally located focal adhesions. On the contrary, upon beta1A transfection, a higher amount of fibronectin fibrils, together with microfilament bundles and focal adhesions, was observed. Expression of beta1B did not significantly modify the ability to manifest the polarized phenotype when cells were grown to confluence on filters in two-chamber-systems. Beta1B-transfected cells showed reduced motile properties when embedded as aggregates in type I collagen gels. Moreover, formation of polarized cysts in suspension culture was impaired. The results show that beta1B, by interfering with focal adhesion organization, microfilament and fibronectin assembly, cell spreading and migration, affects some morphogenetic properties of FRT epithelial cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed1997

Transfection of TTF-1 gene induces thyroglobulin gene expression in undifferentiated FRT cells.

The thyroglobulin gene, the substrate for thyroid hormone biosynthesis, is not expressed in the FRT cell line, which, even though it manifests the polarised epithelial phenotype, does not express any of the thyroid functional properties. Two transcription factors, TTF-1 and Pax-8, have been implicated in thyroid specific expression of the thyroglobulin gene. FRT cells contain Pax-8 but they lack TTF-1. In this paper, we show that transfection of TTF-1 expression vectors in FRT cells results in activation of thyroglobulin gene expression. If the expression vector encoded for TTF-1-ER, a fusion gene coding for the entire TTF-1 protein fused to the hormone-binding domain of the steroid receptor, under the control of the RSV promoter, thyroglobulin gene expression was controlled by estrogen. These data provide a direct demonstration that TTF-1 activates the chromosomal thyroglobulin promoter. Since transfection of TTF-1 expression vectors in non-thyroid cell types did not result in thyroglobulin gene expression, it is suggested that Pax-8, in addition, perhaps, to a specific cellular environment, might be required for thyroid specific expression of the thyroglobulin gene.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

[The onset of syndrome X in old age].

There is evidence that angina-like chest pain associated with normal coronary angiography (syndrome X) may appear in adult patients. We have reviewed the clinical documentation of all the patient aged 65 or more admitted to our hospital because of recent onset typical or atypical angina, who underwent an exercise tolerance test and coronary angiography. Exclusion criteria were ischaemic or valvular heart disease and significant arterial hypertension. The selection lead to a series of 11 patients (6 females, 5 males) aged 65-72 years (mean 69). The bicycle ergometric test was positive in 7 and negative or not diagnostic in 2 patients each. Thallium-201 scintigraphy (performed in 6 patients) revealed reversible perfusion defects in 4 and was equivocal in 2 patients. At coronary angiography 6 patients showed non obstructive lesions (range: 20-40%) and only 5 had normal findings: 2 of these patients showed gastro-intestinal disease which could be considered as possible trigger of chest pain. Thus only 3 patients fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosis of syndrome X. These were 2 females and 1 male and were followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. All were in good condition, with normal left ventricular function free of major cardiac events, although occasional chest pain was still present. We conclude that syndrome X may appear also in the elderly with the same clinical features already described in younger patients. The overall prognosis is good and symptoms are partially insensitive to standard therapy. The low incidence in the older age may be explained, in our series, also by the restricted criteria adapted to select the study population.

Age of Onset↗

PubMed1997

[Carcinosarcoma of the colon, one or two tumors?].

Carcinosarcoma is a rare neoplasm that displays morphological features of both an adenocarcinoma and a sarcoma. The question is whether two tumors co-exist or whether the two morphological aspects represent sequential steps in tumor progression. We report a case of carcinosarcoma of the caecum in a young female. To characterize the two tumor cell populations and to gain insight into the pathogenesis of the lesion, we conducted immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses of the tumor. The biphasic aspect of the tumor showed an admixture of carcinoma and spindle-cell sarcomatoid areas. Both adenocarcinoma and sarcomatous cells were positive for cytokeratins. Vimentin was undetectable in the epithelial portion, but many of the sarcomatous cells stained for vimentin. Electron microscopic analyses of the sarcomatous portion revealed budding of "retroviral particles" from the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Our data support the contention that "carcinosarcoma" is a part of a single clinicopathological continuum with "spindle-cell carcinoma", the former being the biphasic expression of the neoplasia, the latter the monophasic expression; the presence of productive retroviral infection in the sarcomatous cells could constitute one of the additional support in tumor progression from the carcinomatous to the sarcomatous phase.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

[Heart and autonomic nervous system in connective tissue disorders].

UNLABELLED: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a suitable diagnostic tool in identifying patients with autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders even in pre-clinical stage. We have enrolled in this study all patients with large variety of connective tissue disorders, given the possibility of an involvement of ANS in these diseases. The study population consisted in eighty-five patients (68 females and 17 males), 35 of whom affected by systemic lupus erythematosus, 16 by rheumatoid arthritis, 14 by Sjögren syndrome, 12 by progressive systemic sclerosis, 3 by Behçet syndrome and 5 by antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome. The mean age ranged between 33.7 of patients with lupus erythematosus and 51.8 of those with Sjögren syndrome. As control, we enrolled healthy subjects of different age, divided into two groups, to rule out the aging as potential source of considered parameters alteration. The autonomic function has been evaluated by 24 hours ambulatory monitoring, using a Zymed 1210 Scanner with Zymed 3.74-PC 1990 software. We have considered: in the time domain, the standard deviation of the RR intervals average (SDNN) and the percentage of RR adjacent intervals differing each other more than 50 msec (pNN50); in the frequency domain, the low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies, the LF/HF ratio, and the total power (RT). The HRV parameters resulted abnormal in every type of the connective tissue diseases considered: particularly SDNN, pNN50, LF, HF and RT (p < or = 0.01). IN CONCLUSION: the results of our study suggest that autonomic neuropathy may be present in any kind of connective tissue disorders even in preclinical stage.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Imaging congenital optic disc pits and associated maculopathy using optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the anatomy of congenital optic disc pits with and without maculopathy using optical coherence tomography. SETTING: All patient were examined, photographed, and scanned at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. PATIENTS: Ten eyes of eight consecutive patients with congenital optic disc pits were studied. Three eyes had associated serous macular detachment (group 1), four had evidence of resolved detachment (group 2), and three had no clinical macular pathologic lesion (group 3). METHODS: Optical coherence tomography, a new, noninvasive, noncontact, imaging technology capable of producing cross-sectional images of the retina in vivo with high resolution ( < 17 microns) was used to obtain multiple cross-sectional images of the pit, peripapillary retina, and macula. Ophthalmologic examination and standard fundus photography were performed on all eyes. Fluorescein angiography was performed in eyes that had associated macular detachment. RESULTS: Communication between a schisis cavity or subretinal space and the optic nerve pit was imaged in all eyes in group 1. No such communication could be identified in groups 2 and 3. Cystic degeneration and schisis were imaged in the peripapillary retina, macula, or both in all eyes of groups 1 and 2 and in one patient in group 3. A direct communication between the subretinal space and vitreous cavity could not be identified in any eye. CONCLUSIONS: Schisis formation plays an integral role in the development of serous retinal detachment in the presence of congenital optic disc pits. Our findings are consistent with the theory that the optic disc pit acts as a conduit for fluid flow between the schisis cavity or subretinal space and the subarachnoid space.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Hepatitis C virus infection and monoclonal gammopathies not associated with cryoglobulinemia.

A pathogenetic role of HCV has been recently postulated in some lymphoproliferative disorders and in particular in essential mixed cryoglobulinemia. To assess the relevance of HCV infection in multiple myeloma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in the absence of cryoglobulinemia (cryo-ve MG), 102 patients were evaluated for antiHCV, HCVRNA and HCV genotypes. A control group of 466 patients referring for acute trauma to the Orthopedic Division of our hospital was also studied. The overall prevalence of HCV was 15.6% in MG patients and 5.4% in the control group (P= < 0.001). Since only patients with MG older than 50 years had HCV infection, we compared the prevalence rate of infection in patients aged 50 and older: in cryo-ve MG HCV prevalence was 17.9%, while in patients with an acute trauma it was 10%; the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, occurrence of cryo-ve MG was investigated in 614 antiHCV+ patients with chronic liver disease and was found in 1.9%. Comparing all the 28 cryo-ve MG patients HCV+ with an appropriately matched control group of HCV+ patients without MG, no difference in severity of liver disease and genotype distribution was detected. These findings show that: (1) among cryo-ve MG, HCV infection is frequent as shown in the appropriately matched control population; (2) prevalence of cryo-ve MG in antiHCV patients with chronic liver disease is similar to the rate found in the general population; and (3) HCV infection and disease do not differ in patients with and without cryo-ve MG.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Ultrasound biomicroscopic features of iris retraction syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To examine anatomic relationships of anterior and posterior chamber structures in iris retraction syndrome using ultrasound biomicroscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four eyes of four patients with iris retraction syndrome were imaged using high-frequency, high-resolution, anterior segment ultrasound biomicroscopy. In two patients, scans were obtained before and after medical therapy. RESULTS: Three patients presented with iris retraction configuration and one with iris bombe. In the latter case, iris bombe converted to iris retraction and back to iris bombe with the administration and later withdrawal of aqueous suppressants. Ciliochoroidal effusion was present in all eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Ciliochoroidal effusion is a constant feature of iris retraction syndrome. The hypotony associated with this disorder may result in part from aqueous hyposecretion related to ciliary body detachment. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful aid in the diagnosis and follow-up of eyes with iris retraction syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Intramuscular myxoma].

Intramuscolar mixoma is a rare benign neoplasm of mesenchymal origin consisting of stellate shaped cells in an abundant loose, mucopolysaccharide rich matrix. We report two cases of intramuscolar mixoma with review of the literature. Our objectives are to delineate the clinico pathologic characteristic, the nature of constituent cells and the features differing from others benign and malignant neoplasms.

Adult↗