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Biomedical subjects

S Agostini

Publications and source records attributed to S Agostini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Results of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of patients with pretibial myxedema and Basedow's disease. Preliminary findings].

Three patients affected with Graves' ophthalmopathy and pretibial myxoedema have been treated with high dose intravenous immunoglobulins. We have observed in all patients clinical improvement of pretibial myxoedema and a parallel reduction or negativization of the titre of circulating thyroglobulin, microsomal, TSH receptor autoantibodies and of non organ-specific antibodies (antinuclear, anti smooth muscle cells and antimitochondrial autoantibodies). In conclusion the results of this study suggest that intravenous immunoglobulin are effective in the treatment of pretibial myxoedema and probably act by an immunomodulation of autoimmune phenomena.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Immunoglobulins in the treatment of herpes zoster].

We have treated 20 patients with Herpes Zoster with "hyperimmune anti-Zoster immunoglobulins" (Uman-VZIG) by intralesional administration, 20 patients with Uman-VZIG by intramuscular administration and 23 patients with acyclovir by intravenous administration. The results of treatment in both groups of patients treated with Uman-VZIG were clinically satisfactory with disappearance of fever, local pain and amelioration of cutaneous lesions after two days from the start of treatment and with a mean duration of disease of five days. In patients treated with acyclovir, signs and symptomatology of disease ameliorated slowly and we have observed a longer mean duration of disease (about 8 days). We concluded that Uman-VZIG, both by intralesional and intramuscular administration, is effective and safe in Herpes Zoster treatment.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1992

[Preliminary results of intravenous immunoglobulins in treating patients with vasculitis].

Four patients affected with vasculitis syndrome (1 systemic vasculitis, 3 cutaneous vasculitis) were treated with "intravenous immunoglobulin" (IVIG). Two patients (1 systemic vasculitis, 1 cutaneous vasculitis) presented an improvement of clinical syndrome, while the other 2 patients presented a stable remission; in all patients biochemical amelioration or normalization was observed too. These data confirm that IVIG may be useful in treatment of systemic vasculitis and, for the first time to our knowledge, suggest that IVIG may be an effective treatment in cutaneous vasculitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Changes in markers of autoimmunity in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis treated with intravenous immunoglobulins. Preliminary results].

We have evaluated the variations of thyroid function, of thyroid autoantibodies titer, of non-organ specific autoantibodies and of other autoimmunity indices in 3 patients affected with Hashimoto's thyroiditis treated with "high dose intravenous gammaglobulin" (IVIG) (400 mg/Kg/day for 3 cycles of 5 days and subsequently 9-12 cycles of 1 day every 21 days). Before the starting of IVIG treatment patient 1 presented clinically evident hypothyroidism while patients 2 and 3 presented a preclinical form of hypothyroidism. At the end of IVIG treatment patients presented no variation of thyroid function, while patients 2 and 3 presented a normalization of T3, T4 and TSH circulating levels. Before the starting of IVIG treatment thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were positive in 3/3 patients, microsomal antibodies (MAb) were positive in 3/3 patients adt TRAb were positive in 2/3 patients and MAb titre was decreased or negative in 0/3 patients. At the end of IVIG treatment Tg Ab titre was decreased or negative in 2/3 patients and MAb titre was decreased or negative in 2/3 patients. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) 1/3 patients before the titre and in all these we observed a reduction or negativization of circulating titre during IVIG treatment. Anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA), anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA), C3, C4, CH50 and rheumatoid factors were negative or in the normal range in all the patients. In conclusion these data suggest that IVIG is effective in the treatment of preclinical hypothyroidism in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and determine a stable immunosuppressive action on circulating thyroid and non organ specific autoantibodies.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1992

[Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins].

We report the effect of "intravenous gamma-globulin treatment" (IVIG) in a patient with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II, with circulating organ specific autoantibodies, preclinical hypothyroidism, amenorrhea and Addison syndrome. During IVIG treatment we observed a normalization of thyroid function, the appearance of some non ovulatory menses, reduction of thyroglobulin, thyroidal microsomal, anti-parietal cell, adrenal and ovary antibodies. These data confirm that intravenous immunoglobulin may represent a new tool for treatment of autoimmune disorders and show, for the first time, an immunosuppressive effect of intravenous gammaglobulin treatment in immunological phenomena direct against ovary, adrenal and gastric mucosa.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Parameters of organ-specific and non-specific autoimmunity in patients with Basedow's disease and Basedow's ophthalmopathy. Changes induced by IVIG treatment].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations of thyroid autoantibodies titre in a group of 15 patients affected with "Graves' disease" (G. D.) during the treatment with antithyroid drug (ATD) and "high dose intravenous immunoglobulin" (IVIG) for "Graves' ophthalmopathy". Before the starting of treatment thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were positive in 10/15 patients, microsomal antibodies (MAb) were positive in 13/15 patients and TRAb were positive in 5/9 patients. At the end of treatment TgAb titre was decreased or negative in 7/10 patients, MAb titre was decreased or negative in 7/13 patients, TRAb titre was diminished or negativized in 5/5 patients. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) were positive in 3/15 and 3/15 patients before the treatment and in all these we observed a reduction or negativization of circulating titre during IVIG treatment. Anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA)m anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) and rheumatoid factors were negative in all the patients. Also in the 3 patients not treated with ATD we have observed a reduction or a negativization of circulating thyroid autoantibodies. In conclusion these data suggest that the reduction of thyroid and non organ specific autoantibodies might be due to a stable immunosuppressive action of IVIG treatment in patients with Graves' disease.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1992

[Liver function tests, hepatitis A, B, C markers and HIV antibodies in patients with Basedow's ophthalmopathy treated with intravenous immunoglobulins].

Recent reports of transmission by intravenous gamma-globulin preparations of A, B, C and non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH), including several cases that progressed to severe liver damage and death, have raised concerns about the safety of intravenous gamma-globulins. To assess this issue 15 patients treated with high-dose "intravenous immunoglobulin" (IVIG) for Graves' Ophthalmopathy had serial determination of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin that were performed regularly at interval of 3 weeks during IVIG treatment and 6 months after the end of the treatment. Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV markers were determined before, during and 6 months after the end of the treatment. The standard dosage was 400 mg per Kg body weight IVIG (3 cycles of 5 days and 12 of 1 day, every 21 days). Transient minor elevations were observed for GPT, for GOT, for gamma-GT and alkaline phosphatase. None of the elevations were considered indicative of NANBH or of any chronic hepatic disease. Transient presence of hepatitis A, B and C antibodies were observed in 6 patients. All patients remained negative for hepatitis B antigens throughout the study. HIV antibodies resulted always negative in all patients. In conclusion this study suggests the hepatitis and HIV safety of IVIG.

Graves Disease↗
PubMed1991

Autologous hemodonation in the corrective surgery of craniostenosis.

Homologous transfusions are mandatory in most surgical procedures for correcting craniofacial malformations in infancy. A program of preoperative and intraoperative auto-hemodonation was developed and carried out in eleven infants. Although homologous transfusion could have been avoided in only 7 patients, we think that further experiences and minor corrections of our program may improve these results.

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗
PubMed1991

Association between testicular cancer and spina bifida occulta.

Data are reported suggesting a high incidence of spina bifida occulta among testicular cancer patients. The relevance of a diagnosis of spina bifida occulta as a risk factor for testicular cancer is discussed, also considering the background information available on a common genetic origin for some urogenital malignancies which are often associated with different types of malformations.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

[Role of magnetic resonance in the staging of endometrial carcinoma].

Biopsy is the technique of choice for the definitive diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. Since lymphatic tumor spread has been demonstrated to depend on the degree of myometrial involvement, the definition of the latter with imaging techniques may significantly affect both prognosis and therapy. We investigated, by means of MR imaging at 0.5 T, 14 patients with endometrial carcinoma, to assess both tumor stage and myometrial involvement. FIGO staging system was employed, and M parameter evaluated (M0 = no myometrial involvement; M1 = involvement confined to the inner third; M2 = involvement confined to the middle third; M3 = involvement of the whole myometrium). Another parameter was the characteristic high signal of the tumor on PD and T2W images. The patients were then operated and MR information was correlated with surgical findings. Overall diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging was 85.7% in tumor staging, and 92.2% in defining M parameter. Tumor spread into adnexa and into cervical canal was poorly demonstrated by MR imaging.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Diagnosis and treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver].

Hydatid cyst of the liver is not uncommon in France. Its various symptoms often include pain, but chance discovery is not exceptional. The diagnosis is helped by two paraclinical examinations, ultrasonography and computerized tomography, which have become indispensable as they provide invaluable information on the precise location and anatomical rapports of the cyst and on possible complications. Laboratory tests are useful for the diagnosis and post-operative follow-up of these cysts. For the time being at least, treatment is purely surgical. Percutaneous needle aspiration and drainage have not yet proved to be totally innocuous, and medicinal treatments seem to be helpful only in cases with intraperitoneal rupture. The choice of the operative technique--essentially a more or less complete cystectomy--has an impact on surgical results: the operative mortality is usually low (2 to 5 p. 100), but the morbidity, mainly due to biliary tract complications of the cysts, remains as high as 30 p. 100.

Echinococcosis, Hepatic↗
PubMed1990

Villous adenoma of the main pancreatic duct: a potentially malignant tumor?

This report deals with two cases of villous adenoma of the Wirsung duct. The two patients presented with upper abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Duodenal intubation showed a complete failure of exocrine pancreatic function. Ultrasound scan, computed tomography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography disclosed marked dilatation of the head portion of the main pancreatic duct. A proximal duodenopancreatectomy was performed. Pathological examination revealed a papillary polyp expanding the pancreatic head and filling the main duct lumen. Histological pattern consisted of a villous adenoma without any feature of malignant change. Previously reported cases exhibit many similarities to our two cases. The putative likelihood of malignant change and the relationship between villous tumors of the Wirsung duct and of other origin remain unclear.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1990

[Description of an acquisition, management and archiving system for digital images].

The authors present a digitalizing and archiving system, for radiologic pictures. This system is composed by a camera, a microcomputer (MacIntosh II) with a digitalizing card and a great capacity optical disk (WORM) for storage. Acquiring and archiving are automatically driven by a special soft. The principal qualities of this system are simplicity for the user, speed and low cost.

Hospital Information Systems↗
PubMed1989

Mucinous pancreatic duct ectasia in the body of the pancreas.

The authors describe one case of mucinous pancreatic duct cancer (ductectatic cystadenocarcinoma). This disease is characterized by dilatation, with mucoid secretion, in side branches of the main pancreatic duct. Unlike in other reported cases in which mean age of the patients is over 57 years, this case involved a young woman (aged 30 years), and the lesion was located in the body of the pancreas rather than in the uncinate process. Malignant transformation was noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Autotransfusion technic in surgery of craniostenoses in children].

The extensive blood loss during the surgical correction of craniosynostosis in infancy needs usually homologous transfusion. The Authors report a program of preoperative and intraoperative hemodilution and their experience in six infants, the very first in pediatric neurosurgery. Prevention of homologous blood transfusion achieved in 4 out 6 cases can be considered a success that could be further improved introducing minor changes in our protocol.

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗
PubMed1989

The callotasis method of limb lengthening.

Callotasis is a lengthening technique that involves slow, controlled distraction after subperiosteal-submetaphyseal osteotomy. The technique and its advantages over other methods are described. Results of lengthenings involving 270 operated bone segments (146 femurs and 124 tibias) in 140 patients are reviewed. Ninety-five patients had limb-length inequality and 45 had hypochondroplasia or achondroplasia. On average, 6.6 cm, or 24.6% of initial length, was gained. The mean healing index was 39; the complication rate was 13.3%.

Achondroplasia↗