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Biomedical subjects

E Rastelli

Publications and source records attributed to E Rastelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Upward renormalization of fluctuations in CsMnBr3 with increasing temperature.

The temperature dependence of the spin-wave gap in the triangular antiferromagnet CsMnBr3 was studied above the three-dimensional ordering temperature T(N)=8.3 K along the main symmetry directions using inelastic neutron scattering. We find at T(N) two gapped dispersive modes, whose energy increases with temperature. Moreover, the width of the spin-wave band along the [110] direction increases also. In a second session, polarization analysis was applied in order to extract explicitly the components with in-plane and out-of-plane character. The results show that both gapped modes (with axial and radial symmetry) renormalize upwards with rising temperature. We show that this behavior is not compatible with spin-wave theory. In addition, we find a new magnetic anomaly in the paramagnetic phase.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Ethylene oxide sterilization of autologous bone flaps following decompressive craniectomy.

INTRODUCTION: In patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy, the bone flap is temporarily preserved either in the subcutaneous tissue of the patient or frozen. However, there are some drawbacks related to these methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 16 patients in whom the bone flap was removed for decompressive craniectomy, the bone was firstly washed in hydrogen peroxide and then placed in hermetically-sealed bags and sterilized using ethylene oxide. The bone was repositioned after an average period of 4.3 months. RESULTS: One patient sustained an infection of the surgical wound which required permanent exclusion of the bone flap. In all the others, esthetic and functional results were good after an average follow-up of 20 months. Control CT-scan of the bone flap demonstrated preservation of its structural features with fusion of the bone margins and revitalization of the flap. On MRI a subdural space was again visible. CONCLUSIONS: Sterilization of the bone flap with ethylene oxide in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy avoids some of the drawbacks related to the techniques currently used. The easiness, low cost, good aesthetic and functional results of this procedure make it a valid alternative to other techniques for preservation of autologous bone in decompressive craniectomies.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cranial trepanation in two skulls of early medieval Italy.

Cranial trepanation is a practice known since prehistory in various, often geographically distant populations. In this work are presented two early medieval trepaned skulls. The first skull comes from Canosa in Apulia (6th-7th c. AD; according to radiocarbon dating), the second is from Ticineto Alessandrino (5th-8th c. AD). The skull of Canosa shows a single perforation on the bregmatic quadrant of the right parietal, whereas the Ticineto skull presents three lesions of different shapes and sizes. Two perforations are on the left parietal and the other is on the right parietal. The lesions of the Ticineto skull can be referred to a therapeutic operation following a trauma, with survival of the individual. In the Canosa skull the absence of a healing reaction suggests a pathological process, without survival of the subject. Moreover, a particular ritual practice cannot be excluded (i.e. a post-mortem trepanation).

Craniocerebral Trauma↗
PubMed2002

Reconstruction of suboccipital craniectomy with autologous bone chips.

BACKGROUND: In patients submitted to suboccipital craniectomy in whom the bone is not repositioned, there may be a significant aesthetic defect due to lack of bone tissue, sometimes accompanied by paresthaesia and painful symptoms. METHOD: In 15 patients submitted to suboccipital craniectomy, the bone chips were repositioned during wound closure. FINDINGS: At a mean follow up of 19 months (from 6 to 36 months), 2 patients (13%) complained of mild wound discomfort or occasional local pain. Twelve patients underwent control CT-scan. In three cases (25%) the bone fragments had been partly reabsorbed whereas in the other 9 (75%) they either formed a thin (4 patients) or consistent (5 patients) bony wall, with variable degree of adaptation to the contour of the contralateral occipital bone. The best cosmetic and functional results were obtained in young patients in whom the cerebellar parenchyma was well-preserved, as opposed to those in whom a CSF collection had replaced areas of cerebellar tissue. INTERPRETATION: In the majority of cases in whom an osteoplastic suboccipital craniotomy is not possible, repositioning of the bone chips from suboccipital craniectomy is able to restore a bone table, thus allowing morphological and functional recovery of the occipital region.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation↗
PubMed2000

Solitary metastases to the cranial vault. Report of ten cases.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic spread of tumors to the skull is quite unusual and often represents a relevant diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Skull involvement can be observed in various neoplasms of epithelial origin (rarely in other tumors) and most often responsible are lung, breast, thyroid, kidney and prostate cancers. Less frequent than multiple involvement, single cranial vault lesions are often amenable to surgical resection instead of radiotherapy alone; scope of this paper is to highlight the key points of the management of such entities, including a brief review of the pathological and radiological features of these entities. METHODS: A retrospective study has enabled us to select from our files ten cases of surgically treated solitary cranial vault metastases, with a variable follow-up ranging from 6 months to 4 years. In all the cases the operation consisted in a monobloc resection and a cranioplasty for the repair of the defect. RESULTS: We have observed no perioperative morbidity or mortality; in all the cases surgery allowed histologic confirmation and immediate relief of neurological symptoms and cosmetic impairment (when present). CONCLUSIONS: Monobloc resection of solitary cranial vault metastatic lesions is an easy made and safe procedure, to be performed in every patient except the ones in poor general conditions, which are better addressed to radiotherapy alone.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Spontaneous movement of metallic foreign bodies. Case report.

We report a case of missile injury to the brain with an unusual complication. The bullet migrated by its mere weight to a distant location through the brain parenchyma after initially lodged in a superficial site. Movement of the bullet was first detected on CT scan and the significance and treatment of this finding is emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Primary bronchial malignant melanoma. A case report.

A case of primary bronchial malignant melanoma occurred in a 66 years old woman is reported. Because of cough and hemoptysis bronchoscopic examination was performed and and a polypoid mass was found to occlude the right lower bronchus. Histopathologic examination showed the presence of malignant melanoma also confirmed by immuno reactivity with antibodies to S-100 protein and melanoma associated monoclonal antibody HMB45. Clinical history, physical examination and other instrumental investigations failed to find other possible primary sites of the tumour. Primary melanoma of the lung is a very rare condition, but our case seems to satisfy the criteria to be considered in the little group of definite primary melanoma of the lower respiratory tract.

Aged↗