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Aldo Moraci

Publications and source records attributed to Aldo Moraci.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Surgery, radiotherapy and temozolomide in treating high-grade gliomas.

Temozolomide (TMZ) a recent, oral, second generation alkylating agent is a chemotherapeutic with demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of high-grade gliomas. The efficacy of TMZ has been demonstrated in both pre-clinical and phase I and II studies. The goal of this study is to determine the activity and safety of temozolomide in improving overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and health-related quality of life (HQL) in patient with malignant gliomas treated by surgery, radiotherapy and temozolomide. Twelve patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM), and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) were studied. The mean follow-up period was 12 months. The overall response rate for all histological groups was 33% (4 patients), 6 patients (50%) showed a stabilization of disease. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was respectively 8.35 and 14.1 months; time to progression was 36 week ranging from 20 to 46 In all patients, treatment with temozolomide was associated with improvement of performance status including the patient showing disease progression; Karnofski score improved in all patients by a minimum of 10, with a median of 20 at 6 months. No patient stopped the treatment due to side-effects, no major adverse events were recorded. In two cases of glioblastoma, we observed complete response and after three years, the quality of life is optimal. Surgery allows to establish a histopathological diagnosis, to improve signs and symptoms which are attributable to intracranial hypertension or tumour topography, and to reduce the number of target cells for adjunctive therapies. Radiotherapy improves survival and TMZ chemotherapy that is given after radiotherapy adds survival benefit for patients. Because of its favourable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and improved tolerability. Temozolomide appears to be an ideal, first-line, single-agent, with a safe profile and demonstrated HQL benefits in patients with high-grade gliomas.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The use of local agents: bone wax, gelatin, collagen, oxidized cellulose.

The use of local agents to achieve hemostasis is an old and complex subject in surgery. Their use is almost mandatory in spinal surgery. The development of new materials in chemical hemostasis is a continuous process that may potentially lead the surgeon to confusion. Moreover, the more commonly used materials have not changed in about 50 years. Using chemical agents to tamponade a hemorrhage is not free of risks. Complications are around the corner and can be due either to mechanical compression or to phlogistic effects secondary to the material used. This paper reviews about 20 animal and clinical published studies with regard to the chemical properties, mechanisms of action, use and complications of local agents.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2004

Positioning on surgical table.

Positioning on the surgical table is one of the most important steps in any spinal surgical procedure. The "prone position" has traditionally been and remains the most common position used to access the dorsolumbar-sacral spine. Over the years, several authors have focused their attention on the anatomy and pathophysiology of both the vascular system and ventilation in order to reduce the amount of venous bleeding, as well as to prevent other complications and facilitate safe posterior approaches. The present paper reviews the pertinent literature with the aim of highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of various frames and positions currently used in posterior spinal surgery.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗