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Biomedical subjects

F Colombo

Publications and source records attributed to F Colombo.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Cognitive outcome and early indices of severity of head injury.

Neuropsychological outcome of 100 patients with severe head injuries is correlated with their clinical condition on admission. The aim of this paper is to estimate the reliability of several early indices of brain damage severity in formulating a prognosis. Both the Glasgow Coma Scale and the neurological syndrome involved appeared to be highly reliable in this respect. The duration of coma and of posttraumatic amnesia was not as significant. Since these two parameters were assessed when reviewing the cases, they have to be considered only as retrospective judgments. The findings emphasized the importance of reflex ocular motility and the value of recording electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, particularly EEG sleep patterns. The relationship between rapid eye movement sleep impairment and cognitive defects was highly significant. Analysis of surgical observations demonstrated that purely compressive expanding lesions were not as harmful as parenchymal damage. Of paramount importance was the time lapse between injury and surgery, since secondary lesions may develop and affect cerebral areas that are involved both in sleep organization and in memory functions.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed1982

Quality of breast-cancer care in Italian general hospitals.

The diagnostic and therapeutic care and degree of follow-up delivered to 2406 breast-cancer patients over two years (1978-79) in 31 Italian hospitals are reviewed. Although there was broad agreement about recommended treatment protocols, staging by standard methods was recorded in only 44% of patients, assessment and reporting of side-effects was considered in only 49% of all treated patients, follow-up data at two years were available for only 54% of living patients, and the dropout rate from chemotherapy protocols was 35%. Improvement of these unsatisfactory aspects of care would allow a better appreciation of the real benefit that could be achieved with recommended protocols and would result in a more effective use of health resources.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Long-term occupational risk of rare-earth pneumoconiosis. A case report as investigated by neutron activation analysis.

A case of rare-earth (RE) pneumoconiosis is described and discussed. A man working in a lithographic laboratory as a photoengraver, and exposed to the smoke of cored carbon arc lamps over a period of 46 years developed an interstitial pneumoconiosis. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) of eight rare-earths (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb and Lu) in lung and lymph node biopsies showed an abnormally high amount of these elements in comparison to the corresponding values of 11 autopsied for unexposed subjects. The estimated radiological dose due to the inhalation of natural thorium, as calculated from NAA of thorium in the biopsies, tends to exclude the effect of ionizing radiation in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. Effects of other potential pathogenetic agents such as coal or heavy metal dusts, other than RE, irritative agents such as nitrous and hydrofluoric vapours originated during the photoengraving process, are also discussed. The findings strongly suggest that a relationship exists between the pneumoconiosis diagnosed and the occupational exposure to rare-earth dusts calling attention to proposals for maximum permissible concentration limits of occupational exposure to RE in air.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Platelet function in rheumatoid arthritis.

Platelet function tests were evaluated in 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 9 of whom displayed thrombocytosis (greater than 400,000 platelets/microliter). Most patients had an enhanced sensitivity to collagen and epinephrine induced aggregation, as compared with a reference group. In contrast, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, an index of platelet arachidonic acid metabolism, was in the normal range for all the patients except 3, who were LE phenomenon positive. The hypersensitivity of platelets to aggregating stimuli was particularly marked in thrombocytotic patients, who also showed the most striking biochemical and clinical abnormality. These findings indicate the crucial role of platelets in the development and self-sustaining of RA.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Truncal vagotomy and cholelithiasis].

A group of 50 patients with total vagotomy plus pylorolasty are studied with pre and postoperative cholecystography in a four years follow-up. 50 patients with parietal cell vagotomy (selective vagotomy) served as control group. The AA. study the correlation of gallbladder dilatation with gallstones formation after total vagotomy. On the contrary parietal cell vagotomy prevents these dysfunctions.

Cholelithiasis↗
PubMed1981

A new method for utilizing CT data in stereotactic surgery: measurement and transformation technique.

The proposed system is essentially based on the definition of a coordinate system, rigidly connected with the skull, by the introduction of three reference X-ray opaque points, secured into the bone of the skull. Target and reference points CT coordinates are given by the image display console. The three reference points are also identified on stereoradiographs, and their actual stereotactic coordinates are calculated by a geometrical approach which takes into account radiological distortion. A programmed computer links the target, identified on tomograms, to the three points system and calculates its stereotactic coordinates.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Spinal surgery for spasticity (46 cases).

The authors report their experiences in the surgical treatment of spastic syndromes by operations on the spinal cord and nerve roots. In the authors' neurosurgical department 20 lumbar myelotomies, 19 posterior selective lumbar rhizotomies, 2 complete posterior lumbar rhizotomies, 4 anterior lumbar rhizotomies and five posterior cervical rhizotomies were performed. Clinical results can be considered good on the whole. There was no mortality and no major complication in the entire series. The effect of selective posterior lumbar rhizotomy on the evolution of cerebropathic spastic paraparesis was particularly impressive. Six of 46 patients experienced a late recurrence of spasticity, but they all had good results after a further operation. The particular criteria for selection of each surgical procedure are discussed and related to the aetiology and clinical picture of the spastic syndrome.

Adolescent↗