PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Danza

Publications and source records attributed to F Danza.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Critical observations on neuroblastoma treatment with 131-I-metaiodobenzylguanidine at diagnosis.

Results of treatment with 131-I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (131-I-MIBG) in patients with resistant neuroblastoma appear encouraging if one considers that most of the patients had far advanced, intensively pre-treated disease. To further explore the potential role of this new drug in untreated patients, we treated 3 children with stage III neuroblastoma. All three of our cases received 131-I-MIBG at relatively low dose with the complete disappearance of the tumor mass in case 1, whereas in cases 2 and 3 CT scan showed a significant reduction of the tumor mass and, interestingly enough, no evidence of 131-I-MIBG uptake of a tracer dose in the remaining tumor. Particularly, in case 2, the persistence and subsequent progression of part of the tumor mass without 131-I-MIBG uptake after a therapeutic dose of 131-I-MIBG, which apparently destroyed the 131-I-MIBG-positive cell population, clearly suggest heterogeneity at diagnosis, with a dual neuroblastoma cell population, one with 131-I-MIBG uptake and the other without. Besides the biological implications of the 131-I-MIBG uptake heterogeneity in neuroblastoma at diagnosis, our findings suggest that in stage III neuroblastoma patients even a relatively small dose of 131-I-MIBG administered at diagnosis is sufficient to destroy either the primary tumor completely (case 1) or the part of the tumor (case 2 and 3) which shows 131-I-MIBG uptake, without any significant hematologic toxicity. Furthermore, a single course of 131-I-MIBG at the dosage employed does not appear to jeopardize the subsequent use of chemotherapy. In conclusion, if our data are confirmed by further investigation, 131-I-MIBG may be included as a front line drug shortly followed by chemotherapy in future treatment strategies of advanced neuroblastoma without or with minimal bone marrow infiltration.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

Incidentally discovered adrenal masses: a functional and morphological study.

In the last two years we have examined 17 consecutive patients (11 females and 6 males, 20-66 years old) in whom an unsuspected adrenal mass was discovered by ultrasonography or computed tomography performed for unrelated reasons. Pathological diagnosis was available in 11 cases based on surgical excision in 9 (2 pheochromocytomas of 5 and 12 cm in diameter; 2 ganglioneuromas of 5 and 6 cm; and 5 benign cortical adenomas between 3 and 5 cm), autopsy in 1 (a disseminated malignant pheochromocytoma of 16 cm) and fine-needle biopsy in 1 (a pseudo-adrenal mass of 6 cm, that was a regenerative hepatic nodule). The remaining 6 non histologically diagnosed masses were less than 3 cm in diameter. Endocrine studies showed elevated urinary excretion of catecholamines, vanillylmandelic acid and metanephrines in the pheochromocytomas and borderline high values in ganglioneuromas. A low plasma renin activity was encountered in 2 operated cortical adenomas and 3 non operated incidentalomas. In 2 of the latters aldosterone serum levels were elevated and the final diagnoses respectively were Conn's adenoma and dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism with bilateral nodular hyperplasia. An inappropriate cortisol secretion was documented in a cortical adenoma removed. Radio-cholesterol scintiscan showed unilateral or increased uptake on the side of adrenal mass (concordant uptake) in the 5 benign cortical adenomas removed and in 4 non operated incidentalomas. A decreased uptake on the side of the adrenal mass (discordant uptake) was found in the 2 ganglioneuromas while an indeterminate bilateral uptake was found in the 2 remaining non operated incidentalomas and in the pseudo-adrenal mass.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenoma↗

[A case of adrenal adenoma with radiologic "cystic" appearance associated with hypophyseal adenoma].

Expansive lesions of the adrenal glands without signs of hormonal hypersecretion are usually discovered "incidentally", and are therefore called "incidentalomas". Since the silent adrenal masses constitute a heterogeneous group of lesions, the most important issue raised by the identification of these masses is their possible malignant potential. Therefore, the age and sex of the patients, the size of the mass, its imaging characteristic and its histologic features are the most important factors in the assessment of nonfunctioning adrenal masses. We report here the case of a women, aged 43 years mild hypertension, harbouring a great adrenal mass of 8 cm diameter, with cystic appearance at CT scan and ultrasonography, it did not show any uptake after 75Se-Seleniumcholesterol or 131I-Metaiodobenzyl-guanidine. The patient was also affected by mild hyperprolactinemia caused a small pituitary adenoma. After selective venography, she underwent the surgical removal of the left adrenal gland with its mass, which showed a hystological picture of adrenal adenoma. The postoperative course was clinically normal. The interest of this case resides: in the dimensions of the adrenal tumor (the presence of adenomas greater than 6 cm diameter is extremely rare); in the radiographic findings, showing a cystic appearance, probably related to a fluid component, in the association of adrenal and pituitary adenoma, as a possible variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) of type I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenoma↗

Femoral neuropathy from iliac muscle hematoma complicating anticoagulant therapy: a surgical emergency. Report of a case.

A case of femoral neuropathy from iliac muscle hematoma occurring during heparin administration, successfully treated by early surgical decompression is reported. Following the evaluation of anatomy, possible pathogenesis and CT scanning findings, the role of early diagnosis is emphasized in the assessment of prognosis and for successful operative decompression.

Emergencies↗

[Cavoauricular thrombectomy under extracorporeal circulation and right superior lobectomy for paraneoplastic thrombosis in a case of lung cancer].

A patient with superior vena cava thrombosis from cancer of the right lung is described. The particular interest of this case resides in: The numerical scantiness of cases reported in the literature: 12 cases reviewed; The exceptional nature of the etiopathogenic mechanism: paraneoplastic thrombosis; and the more precise problems relating to the indication, technique and tactics with respect to surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Carotid chemodectoma: a clinical case report and review of the literature].

Carotid chemodectoma (CC) is a very rare neoplasia. It originates from Type 1 main cells of the carotid body and affects both sexes almost in the same proportion (mostly in the fourth and fifth decades). It can be on a familiar basis (5-10%) and in these cases it is more frequently multicentric, being sporadically found in association with other paragangliomas. CC is a slow-growing neoplasia, locally aggressive and it can give metastases to regional lymph nodes and surrounding anatomical structures. Once surgically removed, it can reoccur in a small percentage of patients. Early diagnosis is of the utmost importance and surgeon's skill is fundamental as well as awareness of the real nature of the disease. Surgical treatment of CC is difficult and demanding, for the close relation of CC to the neighbouring neurovascular structures. The authors report a case of CC radically operated on. Clinical parameters are analysed as well, and Literature is reviewed.

Carotid Body↗