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C Cereda

Publications and source records attributed to C Cereda.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Cooperative study by the Italian neuroendoscopy group on the treatment of 61 colloid cysts.

OBJECTS: Microsurgical resection, stereotactic aspiration and VP shunt have for years been the choice options for the treatment of colloid cysts of the third ventricle. Recently, endoscopic approaches have aroused increasing interest and gained acceptance. Although safer, this minimally invasive approach is considered less efficacious than microsurgery. Relatively long-term results are now available and some conclusions might be inferred on the usefulness of this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 2005, 61 patients harbouring a colloid cyst of the third ventricle were treated with neuroendoscopic technique in 11 Italian neurosurgical centres. Cyst diameters ranged from 6 to 32 mm. A flexible endoscope was used in 34 cases, a rigid one in 21, both instruments in six. The technique consisted in cyst fenestrations, colloid aspiration, coagulation of the internal cyst wall and, occasionally, capsule excision. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.7 days. Early postoperative neuroimaging revealed a cyst residue in 36 cases (mean diameter 4.3 mm). There were two complications (3.2%). Follow-up varied between 1 and 132 months (mean 32 months, more than 5 years in 17 patients). There were seven asymptomatic recurrences, three of them evolving from a previous residue. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic approach to the treatment of colloid cysts is safe, effective and well accepted by patients. Although asymptomatic, recurrences (11.4%) cast a persisting shadow on the long-term results, and, therefore, the controversy with the traditional microsurgical treatment remains open.

Adolescent↗

Effect of nitric oxide on lymphocytes from sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: toxic or protective role?

Markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress have been found in spinal cord, cortex, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal disorder characterised by progressive motor neuron degeneration. In this study, we investigated the effect of the NO-releasing agent, diethylamine NONOate (NONO), on lymphocytes from patients affected by the sporadic form of ALS (SALS) and controls by flow cytometry. In the same experimental conditions we investigated the expression of the antioxidant proteins, Bcl-2 and SOD1. Incubation with NONO induced cell damage in control lymphocytes but did not further damage the already affected untreated SALS lymphocytes. The incubation with NONO induced a time-dependent decrease of Bcl-2 and SOD1 in control lymphocytes. Surprisingly, in SALS lymphocytes the NONO treatment increased the expression of these proteins, which in basal conditions was depressed compared to control lymphocytes.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Strokes restricted to the insular cortex.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinically acute insular strokes from four patients with a first ever acute stroke restricted to the insula on MRI. METHODS: The authors studied the clinical presentation of four patients with a first ever acute stroke restricted to the insula on MRI. RESULTS: The authors found five main groups of clinical presentations: 1) somatosensory deficits in three patients with posterior insular stroke (two with a transient pseudothalamic sensory syndrome, one with partial distribution); 2) gustatory disorder in a patient with left posterior insular infarct; 3) vestibular-like syndrome, with dizziness, gait instability, and tendency to fall, but no nystagmus, in three patients with posterior insular strokes; 4) cardiovascular disturbances, consisting of hypertensive episodes in a patient with a right posterior insular infarct; and 5) neuropsychological disorders, including aphasia (left posterior insula), dysarthria, and transient somatoparaphrenia (right posterior insula). CONCLUSION: Strokes restricted to the posterior insula may present with pseudothalamic sensory and vestibular-like syndromes as prominent clinical manifestations, but also dysarthria and aphasia (in left lesions), somatoparaphrenia (right lesions) and gustatory dysfunction and blood pressure with hypertensive episodes in right lesions; we did not find acute dysphagia reported in anterior, insular strokes.

Aged↗

Level of anxiety in parents of high-risk premature twins.

We attempted to define parental anxiety in a population of parents of high-risk premature twins (mean birth weight 1,493 +/- 227 kg; mean gestational age 33 +/- 3.5 weeks), admitted to III level NICU. We specifically examined the following factors; gestational age of the twins, whether or not the twins had ventilatory support, pulmonary sequelae, major malformations or intra-ventricular hemorrhage, parental gender and highest level of education obtained by the parent. In the immediate pre-discharge period and a month later, a questionnaire (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) was given to all parents of premature twins presenting for the discharge. The parents of 30 twins entered the study twice, at the discharge of their first twin (mean postnatal age 40 +/- 32 days), and one month later. They included 15 mothers and 11 fathers, aged 33 +/- 5.5 and 33 +/- 4.2 years, and at the second evaluation 11 mothers and 10 fathers, respectively. As case-controls we examined parental anxiety of fifteen consecutive singleton high-risk prematures, with equal gestational age, discharged immediately after. Our results indicate that the parents of high-risk twin and singleton prematures present an elevated, lasting state-trait anxiety level. Pre- and post-discharge parental anxiety is more elevated (not significant) in twinning with respect to the prematurity alone. When assessed separately by parental gender, in both these groups an increased (not significant) anxiety was persistently found in the mothers. We recommend that, although neonatologists generally define the discharge of the high-risk premature based upon the acquired stabilization of vital parameters, they pay special attention to the twin group we have identified which is at increased risk for predischarge parental anxiety.

Adult↗

Widia tool grinding: the importance of primary prevention measures in reducing occupational exposure to cobalt.

An occupational health and industrial hygiene survey was carried out in Widia tool grinding industries in the area covered by Local Health Unit No. 60--Vimercate (Northern Italy). The principal objectives of the study were to assess occupational cobalt exposure, identify the measures required to improve the 'risk' situations, and implement specific health protocols. The results identified a variable level of occupational hazard in the tool grinding sector. An important factor in the containment of occupational exposure was, along with correct practical procedures, the existence of adequate primary prevention measures (aspiration systems over the machines). In the plants where good industrial hygiene conditions prevailed, environmental cobalt concentrations were below the TLV, whereas the levels recorded in plants with inadequate equipment were as much as 10 times the TLV. Similarly, urinary cobalt for the workers in these same plants was as much as 13 times higher than the reference population value. However, this was recorded in plants with good industrial hygiene conditions. After technical improvements, the results of biological monitoring showed an overall reduction in exposure indicator values.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

[Follow-up of the preterm child at 1 year of correct age: assessment of development risk].

Longitudinal follow-up of preterm neonates after discharge from Intensive Care satisfies the family's need for support and ensures an ongoing link with the hospital concerned, but must be based on a specific, sensitive and predictive screening program. We report a prospective cohort study in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) using the Perinatal Risk Inventory (PERI)1, at discharge. Of 87 consecutive newborn referred to the tertiary NICU at the Pediatrics Department of Padua University in 1993 (gestational age > or = 25 weeks, weight at birth < 1500 g), 65 (75%) survived: 54 cases complied with the Fitzhardinge '80 criteria and were followed up to at least 1 year (corrected age). A further 18 neonates with neonatal cerebral problems were also considered. The PERI at discharge was combined with neonatological and neuro-evolutional evaluation and examination of neuro-sensorial development indicators at the corrected ages of 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. PERI scores were: < or = 7 in 36; 8-11 in 22; > 11 in 14. The cut off point at 7 to 11 increases the sensitivity, the specificity and the predictive values of the test. At 1 year (corrected age), 6 patients (8.3%) had a diagnosis of spastic diplegia and 2 (2.7%) had spastic hemiplegia. The relative risk of cerebral paralysis was 4.5 in the neonates with IVH 4 degrees, odds ratio 6.7, and 3.6 in the 16 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), odds ratio 4.7. 72 patients were selected for follow-up by the Fitzhardinge '80 criteria, whereas with the PERI (cut off point 7) only 44 neonates would have been selected. This confirms the need for new criteria in recruiting preterm neonates for longitudinal follow-up to quantify neurological risks, particularly in view of the socioeconomic impact of the problem.

Age Factors↗