The expression profiles of genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and programmed death were investigated in carotids of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated with a model of surgical injury that mimics events occurring during arterial grafts, endarterectomy and organ transplantation. The mRNA level of the c-myc, angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1), Rb/p105, Rb2/p130, Bcl-2 and Bax-alpha genes was assessed by a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique at different times up to 48 h after injury, while the morphological changes were evaluated 30 days after injury. The proliferation marker c-myc increases almost immediately, peaks after 4 h and returns to basal levels after 24 h; the AT1 receptor mRNA reaches its maximal level 48 h after injury. The level of cell cycle exit markers Rb/p105 and Rb2/p130 gradually decreases after injury. The apoptosis marker Bcl-2/Bax-alpha ratio shows a significant reduction only 4 h after injury, resuming the initial value after 24 and 48 h. Morphological analysis reveals that surgical injury in SHR induces adventitial and medial constrictive remodeling changes rather than intima proliferation as in balloon angioplasty. Both molecular and histological data show substantial differences with respect to normotensive rats.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lesions of the main bile duct: combined percutaneous-endoscopic treatment].

The authors report their experience in "minimally invasive" treatment of benign biliary lesions. More than 80% of them occur after injury to the bile ducts during cholecystectomy. The clinical experience reported in this work concerns three patients managed with a coordinated--percutaneous and endoscopic--approach. In all patients an ERCP with biliary sphincterectomy has been performed at first, followed by percutaneous biliary drainage with external-internal catheters. All drainage catheters have been removed after one year. No patient has evidence of recurrence after a mean follow up of 18 months. Only in a patient a recurrent cholangitis treated with antibiotic therapy has been observed. This preliminary study suggests that the "rendez-vous" technique may be useful for the initial management of biliary strictures in most patients. This association improves the success rate and can avoid surgery. The role of surgery is reserved to few selected cases and particularly to lesions which are detected at the time of the operation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Local anaesthesia with eutectic cream of lidocaine and prilocaine for treatment of cicatrizial phimosis in outpatients.

The authors report their experience in ambulatory treatment of cicatrizial phimosis in outpatients, by using local anaesthesia with eutectic cream of lidocaine and prilocaine. This preliminary study shows that preparation seems to be effective and well tolerated. To the aim of getting a good analgesic result the most important aspects are a careful application of the cream all over the concerned area and an occlusive bandage for 60-90 minutes at least.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neurinomas of the brachial plexus: case report.

Neurinomas, also referred to as neurilemmomas and schwannomas, are rare benign tumours of the peripheral nerves, a low proportion of which arise from the brachial plexus. Authors report a case of an ancient schwannoma arising from the brachial plexus. The tumour, usually asymptomatic, may cause sensory radicular symptoms, or rarely motor deficits in the involved arm. Enucleation of the tumour from the nerve without damage to any of the fascicles is the correct treatment.

Brachial Plexus↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Malignant tumours of the small intestine: a case of jejunal adenocarcinoma.

The Authors analyse the main problems concerning malignant tumours of the small intestine. They report a case of jejunal adenocarcinoma recently observed. They emphasise the importance of surgery, both diagnostic and therapeutic, even in advanced stages, for the treatment of this neoplasm.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical treatment of T3 lung cancer invading the chest wall.

Lung tumors invading the chest wall are classed as belonging to the T3 group and are considered potentially resectable. Their management, however, is controversial, and extrapleural resection, when possible, is preferred to en bloc resection which is regarded as a far more invasive and dangerous operation. Five year survival rates for completely resected cases range in the literature from 25 to 35%, but survival rates are much worse if lymph node metastases are present. These poor outcomes have prompted the development of combined surgical approaches: preoperative radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, has been used with an improvement in resectability rates, but only modest results in terms of median survival; in a number of case series, increased operative morbidity and mortality have been reported with this approach. The present report relates to 122 patients treated by en bloc (20 cases) or extrapleural (102 cases) resection, 31 of whom also received neoadjuvant treatment. The operative mortality was 4.6%. Median survival was 17 months after en bloc resection and 19 months after extrapleural resection. Though no statistically significant difference was found, extrapleural resection would appear to yield better results than the en bloc procedure.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Metastasis to the breast of a renal carcinoma: a clinical case.

The breast is an unusual site for metastatic disease, and generally the lesion appears same times after the diagnosis of the primary malignancy. Authors report a case of a breast metastasis from a hypernephroma, six years after nefrectomy.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Angiodysplasia of the large intestine: unusual rectal localization].

The authors report a case of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in a 69-year-old male, in which the sequence colonoscopy-angiography identified the source of bleeding as a rare Angiodysplasia (AD) of the rectum. Such vascular abnormalities are one of the most common causes of major lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding in the elderly and usually occurs predominantly in the right side of the colon. The clinical presentation of Angiodysplasia is varied and accurate diagnosis usually requires a combination of diagnostic techniques such as colonoscopy and angiography. The optimal management is uncertain and should be individualized for each patient depending on severity and rate of rebleeding. A conservative medical approach is indicated for many patients, while endoscopic treatment does not seem modify the risk of recurrent bleeding. In case of massive hemorrhage or recurrent bleeding surgery still represents the definitive treatment for Angiodysplasia. However the risk of rebleeding following surgery is a considerable problem and varies in literature from 5% to 30%.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Papillomatosis and breast cancer: a case report and a review of the literature.

Papillomatosis is a relatively common (22%) benign microscopic lesion in the breast and rarely seen in women less than 30 years old. It is a papillary proliferation of the ductal epithelium which partly fills up smaller ducts and to degree distends them. The histological classification of this entity is controversial because similar or identical lesions have been classified using different terms such as epitheliosis and epithelial hyperplasia, and interpretation of published series has been difficult due to imprecise definition of this term. Clinical, radiological and histological patterns of this entity are often sufficient to raise concern as to possible malignancy. Moderate or florid hyperplasia without atypia is considered to carry slight (1,5-2 times) increase in risk of later developing cancer, while in the atypical hyperplasia the risk is four to five times that of the general population. The authors describe a case of papillonlatosis recentely observed in a 67 years old female patient and, confirmed the importance to establish an accurate preoperative diagnosis. It is important that the surgeon works with the pathologist to produce clear descriptive report of epithelial changes from normal through hyperplasia to atypias in order to establish a precise surgical indication.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Indications and surgical treatment of acute complicated diverticulitis].

Although the surgical treatment of acute and complicated diverticulitis has been refined over the years, discussion is still ongoing about whether a single or two stage procedure (Hartmann's procedure) should be performed in patients with peritonitis from perforation of a colonic diverticulum. A retrospective review was completed for patients undergoing surgery for acute complicated diverticulitis from 1980 to 1997. All patients were categorized according to Hinchey classification. Of the 186 patients treated, emergency operation was performed in 52 (28 per cent; group I) and an elective operation in 134 (72 per cent; group II). All patients had a resection of the involved colon and anastomosis was performed using CEEA staplers. In the group I, 50 patients underwent resection with immediate reconstruction with or without colostomy and two an Hartmann's procedure. Among the group II, primary anastomosis with or without proximal diversion was performed in 132 patients; two patients underwent an Hartmann's procedure. Post-operative mortality was of 5.76% in the group I and 2.9% in the group II. Nine anastomotic leaks occurred in the group I and 18 in the group II. Comparing these results with the recent literature, we have concluded that primary resection is virtually always possible in acute and complicated diverticulitis. Primary anastomosis with or without colostomy, in expert hands, is a safe procedure for patients in stage I of Hinchey's classification or II, but should be considered on an individual basis in presence of peritonitis. In case of fecal peritonitis, persistent hypotension, ascites, severe immune compromise and extreme malnutrition the Hartmann procedure represent the procedure of choice.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus].

Since hyperthyroidism exacerbates the symptoms of diabetes, the treatment of surgical patients with pancreatic diabetes and hyperthyroidism should first aim at reducing thyroidal hyperactivity. This step is an essential prelude to the success of antidiabetic management.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗