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Biomedical subjects

A Calisti

Publications and source records attributed to A Calisti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Diagnostic workup of urinary tract infections within the first 24 months of life, in the era of prenatal diagnosis. The contribution of different imaging techniques to clinical management.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of different techniques in the diagnostic workup of children with negative prenatal ultrasonogram, referred for urinary tract infection (UTI) within the first 24 months. METHODS: One-hundred and forty-seven patients, 71 males/76 females were studied. All patients were submitted to renal ultrasonogram (RUS) and to micturating cystourethrogram (MCU) independently from the results of RUS. In a small group (48 children) DMSA scan was performed independently from the results of RUS and MCU. Sensitivity and predictive value of RUS for vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) were estimated. Multiple regression analysis was performed on a selected number of signs to evaluate their predictive value. The group investigated by DMSA scan was analysed to evaluate how the presence of VUR on MCU anticipated renal damage. RESULTS: Nineteen (21%) patients with normal RUS, had VUR. Predictive value of RUS (0.21) was influenced by the grade of the VUR but more than 30% of high grade refluxing renal units appeared normal at initial ultrasonography. DMSA scan was abnormal in 27% of 48 patients; its result was independent from the presence of VUR of whatever grade. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing number of renal abnormalities detected before birth reduces the possibility of late abnormal RUS findings. It makes RUS screening for abnormalities, after a first episode of UTI, scarcely useful. VUR may be easily missed when RUS resulted normal and MCU is omitted. Negative MCU cannot exclude renal damage in presence of UTI. Renal defects at DMSA scan may be unrelated to a demonstrable VUR and could have a different pathogenesis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Hypospadias surgery: a 10-year review.

Hypospadias surgery is one of the most difficult areas in pediatric urology and has been characterized by constant evolution. Some of the surgical techniques proposed in the past are now considered inadequate because of an unacceptable complication rate or poor functional and aesthetic results. The key for assessing a surgical technique (or a particular aspect of it) is continuous evaluation through long-term patient follow-up. We present the medical records of 693 patients over 10 years, all operated on by the same surgeon (the first author), with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. The overall complication rate was 6.49% (45 cases). The most frequent complication was urethral fistula, occurring in 28 patients (62%). Other complications were redo for penile deformity or meatal retraction (eight cases, 17%), megalourethra (five cases, 11%), meatal stenosis (two cases, 4%), and urethral stenosis (two cases, 4%). We have noticed an increased rate of complications in patients older than 12 months (18.7% vs. 3.4% in patients younger than 12 months) and in patients operated on at puberty or later (15%). We have seen no difference in the complication rate related to the type of hospitalisation (day surgery vs. traditional hospitalisation). Regarding the relationship between the type of complication and the type of defect, except for the constant presence of fistulae, a high incidence of megalourethra was seen in proximal defects treated with preputial graft. The sexual outcomes of 32 subjects are presented. Multiple factors influence the final result, but the most important factor is the surgeon's own experience. Knowledge of different techniques and delicate tissue handling are essential. Our experience shows that the ideal age for surgery is 8-12 months. Owing to a minimal emotional impact on the child and to a reasonable use of economical resources, we consider day surgery the ideal way to treat these patients whenever possible. Even in the absence of complications, follow-up must be continued at least until the end of puberty and, when possible, up to the patient's sexual debut. Adequate interviews with the patients (principally teenagers and young adults) are the best way to evaluate their need for psychological support.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Surgical approach to neonatal intestinal perforation. An analysis on 85 cases (1991-2001).

AIM: Primary gastrointestinal perforations have an incidence of between 1% and 3% in NICU patients. The 3 Centers participating in this study cover nearly 40% of the NICU population of the Lazio Region--Italy. The aim of this study is to discuss factors affecting survival in patients affected by a primary intestinal perforation. METHODS: From 1991 to 2001, 67 cases of 85 with a neonatal gastrointestinal perforation, were related to primary bowel lesions. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was not always the cause of perforation and in many patients an isolated bowel lesion without signs of NEC was found. The aim of this study was to examine clinical and intraoperative findings of NEC and non NEC perforations and their impact on survival. A relevant number of these patients were extremely low-birth weight (ELBW). Controversies about treatment of this category of neonates are discussed. RESULTS: Patients were 37 males and 30 females (mean birth weight 1 274.8 g, mean gestational age 28.9 weeks, mean age at perforation 10 days). Overall survival was 56.8%. Patients were divided by intraoperative findings in 2 groups: NEC (n=48), or isolated intestinal perforation (IIP) without signs of NEC (n=19). Differences between these 2 groups with regard to birth weight, maturity, associated cardiac anomalies (patent ductus arteriosus, PDA) were significant. NEC and IIP behaved as 2 distinct entities, each with peculiar clinical (age at perforation, oral feeding, need of ventilatory support) and radiological aspects. At surgery, multiple lesion on necrotic bowel were typical of NEC versus single, isolated perforations on healthy bowel typical of IIP. Overall survival was almost identical in the 2 groups (59% vs 58%). ELBW patients (55% of the total neonatal intestinal perforations) were also studied. There were 21 patients with NEC and 16 with IIP. The 2 groups were different in age at perforation, previous oral feeding and associated cardiac anomalies (PDA). Overall survival was 62% for NEC and 50% for IIP. A laparotomy was always performed. Temporary peritoneal drainage was done in 4 cases only. Results were better when intestinal diversion was performed rather than resection and primary anastomosis. Almost all NEC patients had multiple perforations and extended bowel necrosis. CONCLUSION: NEC is the most frequent cause of neonatal intestinal perforation. This is a quite distinct entity from IIP, which must always be differentiated preoperatively and which is most frequently found among low birth weight newborns. As far as surgical treatment of perforation among ELBW neonates is concerned, peritoneal drainage might be reasonably performed when a single lesion on healthy bowel as in IIP is clearly diagnosed but it could be inadequate for NEC patients.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2003

Epithelial splenic cysts in children: surgical treatment by cyst-wall "peeling".

Primary splenic cysts are a rare finding. Some are large and require surgical removal. The epidermoid type has an epidermal lining, and prevention of recurrence is dependent on complete resection of the cyst wall, preserving the splenic tissue. Several open, laparoscopic, or percutaneous procedures have been proposed with or without splenic resection, but few give completely satisfactory results. Five consecutive splenic epithelial cysts in pediatric patients were treated by parenchyma-sparing complete removal of the cyst wall, which was gently peeled off the splenic tissue without major bleeding in all but one case. Long-term follow-up showed freedom from recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Functional outcome after pyeloplasty in children: impact of the cause of obstruction and of the mode of presentation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare functional outcome after pyeloplasty in two groups of patients affected by hydronephrosis, which had different modalities of diagnosis. The first, asymptomatic, detected by prenatal ultrasonography and the second referred later because of clinical symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 84 patients (54 prenatally detected and 30 symptomatic) among 339 observed with hydronephrosis, operated in a single centre for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, have been retrospectively studied. Seventeen cases with prenatal diagnosis had an early treatment and thirty-seven were operated on after an initial observation. Symptomatic cases were all operated on at diagnosis. Ultrasonographic and renographic assessment were made at diagnosis, before and after surgery. RESULTS: Renal function of prenatally detected cases was not influenced by early or delayed surgery. Insignificant functional loss was recorded among some cases operated after conservative management. Improvement in differential renal function (p<0.05) was recorded in symptomatic patients after pyeloplasty. A high percentage of obstructions secondary to lower polar crossing vessel were found among symptomatic cases (12 out of 30). Intrinsic obstructions were predominant among cases with in utero diagnosis (48 out of 54). Whenever the cause of obstruction is considered, postoperative functional improvement was limited to crossing vessels cases. CONCLUSIONS: Renal function among antenatally diagnosed obstructions is scarcely influenced by surgery; potential risk of further renal damage cannot be excluded when expectant management is decided. Later detected, symptomatic cases show a better functional response to surgery. This seems corresponding to distinct clinical entities based on different causes of hydronephrosis. A reversible renal damage seems to be associated to extrinsic obstructions from polar vessel, which are predominant among symptomatic, later detected cases. A congenital, irreversible loss of function accompanies intrinsic obstructions, typical of prenatally diagnosed cases.

Child↗
PubMed2003

[Neonatal asymptomatic and childhood symptomatic hydronephrosis: Are they different nosological entities?].

The authors reviewed two groups of patients with ureteropelvic junction obstructión divided by age and mode of presentation: patients with neonatal asymptomatic hydronephrosis diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and patients with symptomatic hydronephrosis. It was assumed that in these patients we are observing a continuous spectrum of the same pathology; nevertheless, some relevant differences were found between the two groups. Diuretic renograms did not show any change in postoperative renal function among prenatally detected cases while a significative improvement followed surgery among most of symptomatic cases. A possible explanation could be found in the obstructive mechanism which was responsible of obstruction in a significative proportion of these patients. Lower polar vessels produce a progressive symptomatic hydronephrosis in an healthy kidney in respect to intrinsic obstruction which are mainly found among prenatally detected cases and which are frequently associated to congenital renal damage unresponsive to surgery.

Child↗
PubMed2003

[Intramural esophageal bronchogenic cyst: an unusual cause of dysphagia in pediatric patients. Report of a case].

Bronchogenic cyst a bronchopulmonary foregut malformation. An intramural esophageal localization has rarely been reported in respect to more common esophageal duplications or leiomyoma. The authors describe a case of bronchogenic cyst of the esophageal wall in a 3 years old girl. It was an misdiagnosed cause of dysphagia and was revealed by endoscopy and CT scan after two uneffective antireflux procedures performed in different institutions, which caused a worsening of symptoms. Complete excision of the lesion through a thoractomic approach and a redo of the antireflux procedure were followed by complete recovery.

Bronchogenic Cyst↗
PubMed2002

[Ureterocele associated to duplex system: an individualized approach to endoscopic incision].

BACKGROUND: Management of Ureterocele (UC) associated to duplex kidney depends from the type of UC (ectopic or intravesical), from the presence of symptoms and from associated vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in the lower pole of the duplex system. Individualized approach to UC must consider endoscopic puncture as a possible option to reduce hydronephrosis and preserve function. METHODS: The records of 68 patients with duplex system have been reviewed. UC was detected in 27 renal units: it was intravesical in 11 and ectopic in 16. VUR was present in the lower pole in 16 cases. Patients were observed between 1991 and 2001 and mean follow up lasted 20 months (range 2-70). Endoscopic incision was performed in 21 patients. Upper pole nephrectomy, intravesical reconstruction or simple observation were decided for six patients. RESULTS: Endoscopic incision was effective in the treatment of intravesical UC and in some cases, without VUR in the lower pole, it was the unique procedure. Among ectopic UC, a secondary VUR developed following endoscopic incision in 43% of cases and required further treatment. Renogram did not show any significant functional improvement in the affected renal pole, secondary to endoscopic treatment. An open antireflux procedure was necessary in cases with associated VUR. CONCLUSIONS: Total or partial nephrectomy were performed among the first cases of the present series and in most of them it required a double step operation (abdominal and intravesical). In few cases of uncomplicated UC with a non functioning upper pole, a conservative approach was followed by spontaneous reduction of dilatation.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2000

The role of the renal resistive index ratio in diagnosing obstruction and in the follow-up of children with unilateral hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of the renal resistive index ratio (RIR) in discriminating equivocal upper urinary tract dilatation in children, and thus in establishing the need for surgery, in comparison with traditional diagnostic tools. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 40 children with unilateral hydronephrosis unrelated to vesico-ureteric reflux, posterior urethral valves, megaureter or a duplex system. In all patients one or more of the following 'indices of obstruction' were positive; an anteroposterior renal pelvic diameter of >20 mm, a half-time diuretic 'washout' (T/2) of > 20 min, a separate renal function of < 40%, and symptoms of obstruction (pain, sepsis). All these variables were measured on admission and after a mean (range) follow-up of 9 (2-24) months. After this period, all patients who were symptomatic or with two or more of the variables above the normal range were considered as obstructed and underwent a dismembered pyeloplasty. The variables were then re-assessed 6 months after surgery. The RIR was evaluated using duplex Doppler ultrasonography with a 3.5-5 MHz transducer, by the same operator. Differences between obstructive and unobstructive unilateral hydronephrosis were estimated from the mean values of the variables assessed and Student's t-test used to determine significant differences. The correlation between the T/2 and RIR before and after surgery was also evaluated. RESULTS: During follow-up the RIR was abnormal in 27 of 30 patients with hydronephrosis who were considered to be 'obstructed'. Twenty-three of these patients, selected for surgery, had a positive diuretic renogram; 11 had loss of differential renal function and 16 had recurrent clinical symptoms. There were significant differences in the mean RIR and T/2 between obstructed and unobstructed patients. Six months after dismembered pyeloplasty, the RIR returned to normal in all patients except three in whom it was previously > 1.1. The diuretic renogram, if initially showing pathology, always became normal. The RIR did not change in patients with an unchanged and severe loss of differential renal function before and after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the RIR was a good index of obstruction in children with unilateral hydronephrosis and it correlated well with the results of diuretic renography. The specificity of the RIR was reduced whenever there was severe renal damage.

Child↗
PubMed1999

The role of minimal surgery with renal preservation in abnormal complete duplex systems.

Among 36 children, mostly less than 1 year of age, referred for a complete duplex-system anomaly, 18 were diagnosed before birth by obstetrical ultrasonography where a diagnosis of dilated upper urinary tract was the most frequent report; in the remaining cases urinary tract infection was the main presenting symptom. Five children had bilateral anomalies. Principal diagnoses associated with the complete duplex system were: 18 ureteroceles (UC) (11 extravesical [EUC] with bladder-neck or urethral extension, 7 intravesical [IUC]), 5 ectopic ureters without UC and 28 lower-polar vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) associated in 6 with upper polar VUR. The initial assessment was based on a voiding cystogram and radionuclide scan. Renal-polar function was severely impaired when major ureteral ectopia or severe primary reflux was present. Primary surgery was performed in 8 patients, demolitive in 4 (3 upper-polar nephrectomies, 1 nephrectomy) and reconstructive in 4 (duplex en-bloc reimplantation); staged management with minimal endoscopic incision was undertaken in 15 UCs (9 EUCs and 6 IUCs). Expectant management was elected in all cases of mild primary, single, or double VUR not associated with UC and was followed by spontaneous reduction in one-half of the cases. Secondary VUR complicated endoscopic incision in 2 of 6 IUCs and 5 of 9 EUCs; a certain degree of functional improvement after decompression could be observed in all IUCs versus only 2 EUCs. Twenty-one patients requested secondary surgery; 17 needed an open intravesical procedure for ureteral reimplantation, combined in 8 with UC excision and bladder-floor reconstruction and in 5 with upper-pole nephrectomy. A nephrectomy was required in 4 cases. All primary or secondary demolitive procedures involved 9 of 11 EUCs extravesical and 2 of 5 ectopic ureters. EUCs and ureteral ectopia were associated with severe renal-polar damage, and function was rarely affected by primary decompressive procedures even in prenatally detected, uninfected cases. Endoscopic incision of EUCs was frequently followed by secondary VUR, which made secondary intravesical operations more complex. For these reasons, primary elective resection of a dysplastic upper pole is preferable in most cases to temporary decompressive measures. Conservative surgery is always indicated in IUC, which may benefit from endoscopic decompression. Isolated VUR involving the lower pole of a completely duplicated system may respond to expectant management in a significant number of cases.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMed1999

Varicocele: a multidisciplinary approach in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: To minimize varicocele treatment in children and adolescents a multidisciplinary approach that includes surgery and operative radiology has been used at our institution since 1991. We present our results during this 7-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1991 to December 1997 we examined 477 patients 4 years 5 months to 25 years 4 months old (mean age 13 years 3 months) with varicocele, of whom 367 (396 varicoceles) required treatment. Percutaneous sclero-embolization was suggested as the primary treatment of choice in all cases, while surgery was reserved for select cases. A total of 366 cases followed at least 6 months (mean 1 year) were entered into this study. RESULTS: Only 7.1% of the patients or families preferred surgery. In 47 patients sclero-embolization was not possible due to technical problems or vascular anomalies. Sclero-embolization was successful in 79.4% of 277 patients, and retroperitoneal ligation was successful in 88.7% of 124. Since 1995 ligation of the whole spermatic bundle above the vas deferens has been preferred, and only 1 recurrence has been observed in 60 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous sclero-embolization is a minimally invasive treatment of varicocele that is feasible in children and adolescents. Most patients prefer this therapy, although it is not as safe as surgery. When open surgery is required, complete ligation of the whole vascular pedicle above the vas deferens offers excellent success.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Pancreatic resections: early results and functional behaviour of the stapled pancreatic stump.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the standard surgical treatment for patients with pancreatic head cancer. Morbidity and mortality rates following this procedure have constantly decreased over the past several years. Leakage of the pancreaticoenteric anastomosis is one of the most serious complications, often responsible for a fatal outcome. Several methods for the management of the pancreatic stump have been described in order to reduce the worrisome incidence of this complication, with variable results. In this series, the Authors review their experience of 75 pancreatic resections and analyze the early results and functional behaviour of 6 patients in which the pancreatic stump was stapled without pancreaticoenteric anastomosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗