Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to V D'Angelo.
We report a case of severe and rare complications of amphetamine abuse: intracerebral hemorrhage and spasm-induced changes in the cerebral vessels. The pathogenesis and treatment are discussed in the light of published data.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
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The dried aqueous extract of Trichilia roka Chiov. (Meliaceae) root was evaluated for its potential antipyretic activity on yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats. The drug showed a significant reduction of body temperature when administered orally at the doses of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg. The antipyretic activity of T. roka was compared to indomethacin treatment (50 mg/kg), used as a reference drug. The results of this study confirm the validity of traditional usage of T. roka as an antipyretic agent. Moreover, micromorphological investigations were carried out by scanning electron microscopy obtaining useful phytognostic elements for the correct identification of the drugs both in scraped and powdered forms because this is of great interest for quality control in basic research and drug production, especially for imported items and for raw material sold by traditional herborists.
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PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the advantages of 3D angiography as compared to 2D angiography in assessing intracranial aneurysms before and after treatment and, in particular, in selecting and planning the correct treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty intracranial aneurysms were retrospectively reviewed before and after treatment. The study population consisted of 12 men and 18 women (age range: 35-77 years; mean age: 58 years). Eighteen aneurysms were treated surgically, 10 endovascularly and 2 with combined treatment. The 2D and 3D findings before and after treatment were compared, and the pre-treatment angiographic images were compared with surgical findings. The following parameters were assessed and compared: aneurysmal sac and neck size, vascular involvement and evaluation of post-treatment residual mass. RESULTS: On the 2D DSA images, visualisation of the sac and neck was optimal in 45% and 15% of cases, adequate in 10% and 35% of cases and inadequate in 5% and 50% of cases, respectively. On the 3D DSA images, visualisation of the sac and neck was optimal in 100% of cases. Three-dimensional DSA was able to detect 8 aneurysms with vessel involvement in all cases (100%). Of these, four (50%) went undetected on 2D DSA; in two cases, two-dimensional DSA erroneously detected the presence of vascular involvement (false positive). Three-dimensional angiography proved superior to 2D angiography in the evaluation of the residual aneurysms treated with clipping. Finally, 3D DSA was able to reduce the number of radiographic projections, the quantity of contrast medium, the time and associated risks necessary for a precise evaluation of the aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: In our first experience, 3D DSA proved useful in reducing the risks and diagnostic time as well as in selecting and planning the treatment. Moreover, it improved the operating conditions of both surgical and endovascular treatment. Technological advances in this field will enable the optimisation of the technique in terms of anatomical detail and reconstruction time.
Electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity remains isoelectric for about 15 min after transient (10 min) bilateral carotid arteries occlusion in mongolian gerbils. In this model of global forebrain ischemia N omega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, significantly delays the recovery of ECoG amplitude. Thus, the present experiments suggest that NO is involved in the cerebrovascular physiological response to brain ischemia.
Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma of the cerebellum has a benign course and a good prognosis. We report a case of juvenile cerebellar astrocytoma in a 6-year-old girl that underwent surgical resection of the tumor and had two recurrences, 13 and 35 years after first removal. After surgery the patient did not receive any radiation therapy. The last relapse showed histological features of an anaplastic astrocytoma. Six months later the patient died with a diffuse leptomeningeal dissemination. Late malignant transformation of a benign cerebellar astrocytoma is very rare and it is thought to be favored by postsurgical irradiation. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms of this evolution are discussed. This case and the few others reported in the literature emphasize the risk of an unpredictable outcome with the low-grade cerebellar astrocytomas of childhood.
The authors present two cases of craniopharyngioma wholly located within the cavity of the third ventricle. The rarity of this condition is outlined. In these cases the computed tomography is not always sufficient to determine the correct surgical approach; therefore the Authors stress the importance of the clinical findings.
The Authors report the case of a 5-year-old boy medulloblastoma presenting with "primary" widespread diffusion in the subarachnoid spaces of the posterior fossa without true mass lesion. The diagnosis, suspected first on the basis of the computed tomography (CT) findings, was confirmed by cytological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and by surgery. The Authors analyse the peculiar clinical features (rapid and severe deterioration of general conditions, hyperacute course of the illness and fatal issue) and the morphological aspects of the tumor (CT and surgical findings). To our knowledge no case of "primary" dissemination of medulloblastoma was previously reported.
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The involvement of the Central Nervous System (CNS) in the Schönlein-Henoch Syndrome is quite rare. It seems to be connected with a systemic vasculitis (deriving from Circulating Immuno-Complex), clinically manifested by generic symptoms of meningeal irritation or convulsions, hemiparesis and choreas, due to hemorrhagic lesions. The Authors report a Schönlein-Henoch's syndrome in a 7-year-old boy characterized by diffuse vascular involvement with petechial purpura on his legs, arms and face, intestinal hemorrhages, gross hematuria and serious cerebral involvement. CT-scan showed a right occipital hematoma. A pathogenetic as well as a symptomatic therapy was carried out. The Authors discuss the diagnostic validity of CT.
Hydatid disease of the primary type may involve CNS and bone. Compression of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots, caused by hydatid material from an affected vertebra is a rare condition which makes surgical decompression mandatory. We report the neuroradiological findings in a case of vertebral hydatidosis, confirmed by surgical appearance and hystological examination.