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Biomedical subjects

F Ferro

Publications and source records attributed to F Ferro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Collisional cross sections and momentum distributions in astrophysical plasmas: dynamics and statistical mechanics link.

We show that in stellar core plasmas, the one-body momentum distribution function is strongly dependent, at least in the high velocity regime, on the microscopic dynamics of ion elastic collisions and therefore on the effective collisional cross sections if a random force field is present. We take into account two cross sections describing ion-dipole and ion-ion screened interactions. Furthermore, we introduce a third unusual cross section to link statistical distributions and a quantum effect originated by the energy-momentum uncertainty owing to many-body collisions. We also propose a possible physical interpretation in terms of a tidal-like force. We show that each collisional cross section gives rise to a slight peculiar correction on the Maxwellian momentum distribution function in a well defined velocity interval. We also find a possible link between microscopic dynamics of ions and statistical mechanics in interpreting our results in the framework of nonextensive statistical mechanics.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

A salvage surgical solution for recurrent lymphangioma of the prepuce.

Treatment of lymphangioma circumscriptum of the prepuce is often technically demanding. Many different medical and surgical approaches have been described over the years, none of which has proved completely successful. We describe a case in which skin deficiency was a problem after prior multiple excisions of lymphangiomatous tissue. We decided to bury the degloved shaft in the scrotum. After 6 months the penis was raised and reconstructed using scrotal skin; this achieved satisfactory skin coverage. In such cases piliferous follicles can easily be dealt with at a later stage by cosmetic treatment. We believe this technical approach may be a valid alternative to conventional procedures (i.e. grafts and flaps) especially when extensive resection makes skin coverage particularly difficult.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Rheumatoid and psoriatic knee synovitis: clinical, grey scale, and power Doppler ultrasound assessment of the response to etanercept.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) blockade with etanercept in refractory knee joint synovitis (KJS) in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, by local and systemic disease activity assessment and combined grey scale and power Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring. METHODS: 27 knees affected by rheumatoid KJS (n = 12) and psoriatic KJS (n = 8) were assessed before receiving treatment and at 3 and 12 months' follow up. Time dependent clinical changes in disease activity were monitored by C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), global health status (GHS), and Ritchie (RAI) and knee joint articular (KJAI) indices; synovial changes were monitored by ultrasonographic and power Doppler indices for grey scale synovial thickening and for distinct intrasynovial vessel power Doppler flow configurations (fluid/synovium interface (F/SI-PD) and pannus/cartilage interface (P/CI-PD)). Interobserver and intraobserver variability of grey scale and power Doppler ultrasonographic was evaluated. Response to treatment was assessed by analysis of variance for repeated measures on clinical and ultrasonographic variables. RESULTS: Rapid (3 months) reduction in F/SI-PD flow (p<0.001), parallel to reductions of C reactive protein (p<0.05), ESR (p<0.001), KJAI (p<0.002), RAI, and GHS (p<0.001), was sustained at 12 months when it was accompanied by reduction in both synovial thickening and P/CI-PD flow (p<0.001). No differences (ANOVA) were noted at baseline or at 12 months in clinical and ultrasonographic variables between either the rheumatoid or the psoriatic KJS groups. CONCLUSION: Grey scale and power Doppler ultrasonography are reliable measures of long term change in rheumatoid and psoriatic KJS disease activity in response to anti-TNFalpha treatment with etanercept.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery for diagnostic assessment and palliative treatment in recurrent neoplastic pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effectiveness of VATS in the diagnosis and palliative treatment of recurrent neoplastic pleural effusions. METHODS: From 1987 to 2001, we performed 325 VATS chemical pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions. We used talc in 253 subjects (78 %) and alcohol in 72 (22 %) as the sclerosant agent. In 226 patients (68 %) we performed biopsies because the histology was unknown. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 33.38 +/- 9.77 minutes (median: 32; range: 19 - 58), and the mean duration of chest intubation was 3.78 +/- 1.33 days (median: 4; range 2 - 8). Complications occurred in 2 % of patients. Thirty-day mortality was 2 %. Mean postoperative in hospital stay was 5.53 +/- 1.90 days (median 6; range: 2 - 11). We obtained 264 (81 %) therapeutic successes (no effusion recurrence within 4 months), and 55 relapses of which 32 had talc insufflation (13 % of talc group) and 23 alcohol instillation (32 % of alcohol group). CONCLUSIONS: VATS chemical pleurodesis is a safe, useful, versatile procedure for oncological pleural effusion management. The use of talc rather than alcohol significantly increased the therapeutic success rate. VATS should be considered the treatment of choice in patients with advanced neoplasm to obtain good palliation and a better quality of life.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A surgical method to preserve testicular function and restore cosmetic appearance in hypogonadal men.

PURPOSE: Maintenance of spermatogenesis in hypogonadotropic hypogonadal patients is possible and is an objective to be actively pursued. Gonadotropin releasing hormone and gonadotropin/ testosterone therapy can develop and maintain sex characteristics and spermatogenesis such that even small gonads should be preserved. An empty scrotum, like any other congenital or acquired condition compromising the size of the genitalia, can produce serious psychosexual problems and have an extremely negative effect on normal social life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2 adolescents affected by Kallmann's syndrome with testes of infantile volume 1 gonad was transferred to the contralateral hemiscrotum and replaced by an adult testicular prosthesis. RESULTS: There were no postoperative complications. The cosmetic results were considered satisfactory by the patients and their parents. CONCLUSIONS: When possible and when there is no risk of physiological repercussions, every effort should be made to normalize the appearance of the genital area for strong psychological reasons.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Non extraction short-term arch changes.

OBJECTIVES: to examine the Cetlin protocol for short-term dentoalveolar changes in the sagittal and transversal planes in non-extraction treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: eighty patients with Class II, div.1 malocclusion treated with the Cetlin protocol, comprising upper distalizing plate, extraoral traction, and lower lip bumper. Dental study models were examined before treatment and after molar Class II correction during which upper molars were mechanically distalized, distobuccally rotated and expanded. RESULTS: the upper arch perimeter increased significantly. The lip bumper produced functional expansion of the lower arch, especially in the transverse plane, with an important increase in the arch perimeter. CONCLUSIONS: in the short-term, the Cetlin protocol made the following improvements: 1) molar correction, 2) resolution or improvement of crowding, 3) space recovery in both arches for leveling the curve of Spee and final adjustments. Further improvements in intercuspation can be made, if necessary, by fixed appliance therapy.

Activator Appliances↗
PubMed2003

[The role of surgical therapy for esophageal microcytoma. Experience of there clinical cases and results analysis].

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare tumor. It was described for the first time in 1952 by McKeown and 200 cases have been reported till now. Because of its similarity with small cell carcinoma of the lung, the treatment of this tumor is controversial. In our Institute we treated three patients with small cell carcinoma of the esophagus. All subjects underwent subtotal esophagectomy with esophagogastroanastomosis through laparotomic and thoracotomic approach. Histologically, the tumor was classified as pure SCEC in one patient and mixed SCEC in the other two. The stage I and II patients received operation as single treatment. The two patients are alive and disease free 219 and 193 months after surgery. The third patient, classified at stage III, underwent postoperative chemotherapy but local and distant recurrence was observed 11 months after surgical resection. He was submitted to a second choice chemotherapy, but he died 24 months after the operation. The long-term survival observed in our two patients treated by surgery is the longest described in literature. Our experience seems to demonstrate that an early diagnosis and oncological radical resection, may be helpful in the long-term prognosis even in presence of a very aggressive neoplasm.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Exteriorization-aspiration minilaparotomy for treatment of neonatal ovarian cysts.

INTRODUCTION: Recent literature indicates that laparoscopic techniques are considered the most appropriate approach for management of neonatal ovarian cysts (NOC). However, laparoscopic equipment may be unavailable in most centers, has high costs, and demands a long learning curve, especially in newborns. METHODS: A minilaparotomy with exteriorization-aspiration ("catch and suck") approach was used in 14 female newborns with antenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts. Average operating time was 25 minutes (range 15-45 min.). Postoperative course was uneventful in all cases; no intra- or postoperative complications were recorded. Length of stay was 48 hours in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Minilaparotomy with cyst aspiration and subsequent removal may prove a reliable and safe technique in the treatment of NOC: operating time and length of stay are not significantly longer than laparoscopic approach, making this procedure a valid alternative.

Female↗
PubMed2002

A particular case with long-term follow-up of rare malignant hemangiopericytoma of the lung with metachronous diaphragmatic metastasis.

The authors report the case of a woman with a primary hemangiopericytoma of the lung and successive metachronous diaphragmatic metastasis treated with surgery only according to the patient's decision. The patient was first submitted to left lower lobectomy with resection of diaphragm and three ribs en-bloc for pulmonary sarcoma. One year later, a chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a small lesion above the diaphragm on the left side. She refused the proposed operation and returned fifteen months later with a new thorax CT, and told us that she had in the meantime become pregnant and given birth. A rethoracotomy to remove the metastatic diaphragmatic tumor was performed. Chemotherapy with anthracycline and iphosphamide was proposed, but the patient again refused therapy for fear of side effects impairing another pregnancy. Currently, the patient is alive and disease-free, 68 months after the first treatment. The authors emphasize the long-term follow-up obtained with surgery alone in this kind of rare sarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Skin graft for 2-stage treatment of severe hypospadias: back to the future?

PURPOSE: Despite the introduction of more refined surgical techniques, the optimal treatment of the most severe forms of hypospadias remains to be determined. Single stage procedures, whether with the use of flaps or grafts, have long been regarded as the best approach, although the complication rate is nonnegligible with all procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the use of a 2-stage repair with preputial graft interposition and subsequent tubularization of the urethral plate applied it to all severe cases of hypospadias with significant chordee or small glans. RESULTS: Both stages of the procedure were completed in 34 patients. Complications in 8 cases (23.5%) included 4 glans disruption in 4, coronal grove fistula in 2, urethral diverticulum in 1 and urethral stenosis due to balanitis xerotica obliterans in 1. Two pinhole fistulas also occurred which closed spontaneously. No complete disruptions or postoperative hematomas/bleeding was noted. Cosmetic and functional outcome after a minimum followup of 1 month was optimal in all cases with a normally located "slit" meatus and straight penile shaft. CONCLUSIONS: Although the controversy between use of grafts and flaps will probably continue forever, we believe that our 2-stage approach should be considered as a valid alternative for the most severe forms of hypospadias. Long-term results appear to outnumber the necessity of a learning curve for appropriate graft manipulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Paratesticular pilomatricoma: a new location.

The first case of pediatric paratesticular pilomatricoma is reported. Differential diagnosis with other more common lesions in such a site is the main issue. Conservative surgery is the treatment of choice. Follow-up is recommended, since most pilomatricomata are benign, but rarely malignant transformation may occur.

Hair Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Adolescent varicocele: Tauber antegrade sclerotherapy versus Palomo repair.

PURPOSE: There is general agreement on treatment for varicocele in pediatric patients. Randomized prospective studies have shown that anatomical and functional lesions may be corrected. Due to the impossibility of seminal examination patients with moderate to large varicocele or ipsilateral testicular hypertrophy, characterized by a change in testicular consistency or symptoms, should undergo surgical correction. The best therapeutic approach is still under discussion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At 2 centers 2 therapeutic approaches to varicocele treatment in pediatric patients were compared, namely the Palomo repair and antegrade sclerotherapy according to Tauber. The 89 patients from the same geographical area elected 1 procedure after an explanation. From the medical records we retrospectively evaluated operative time, postoperative analgesics, postoperative fever onset, complications, convalescence, recurrence and postoperative hydrocele. RESULTS: After Palomo repair in 45 patients there were 2 recurrences (4.4%) and 2 postoperative hydroceles (4.4%). Of 44 antegrade sclerotherapy cases 1 was converted to Palomo repair, there was no hydrocele formation and recurrence developed in 2 (4.5%). Testicular atrophy was not observed in any patient regardless of the method used. The cost of the procedure was lower in the sclerotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the failure rate was similar in both groups. The principal advantages of sclerotherapy are simplicity, decreased cost and lack of hydrocele formation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Vascular changes in psoriatic knee joint synovitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of standard arthroscopy supported by a computerized image analysis system; and to examine and quantify the macroscopic appearance of blood vessels in selected anatomical areas, comparing 2 groups of patients with PsA and RA with refractory knee joint synovitis (KJS) for vascular marking (VM) features and VM scores, as well as for the relationship between respective VM scores and local and systemic KJS disease activity indices. METHODS: Standard arthroscopy was carried out on 39 knees (20 PsA, 19 RA). Videorecordings of the examination were reanalyzed using a computer image analysis system and software. The appearance of vascular markings was assessed and separately scored for the areas of surface synovium (capsular, CVM), villous proliferation (villous, VVM), and synovium adherent to cartilage (pannus, PVM). Indices of systemic (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR) and local KJS disease activity (clinical index) were obtained before arthroscopy. The morphology and scores of the distinct VM were compared between PsA and RA groups, as was the relationship between respective VM scores and ESR and KJS clinical indices. RESULTS: Distinctive VM features were observed for PsA and RA KJS in each separate synovial architecture examined. VVM and CVM scores were significantly correlated with each other in PsA knees, and were significantly higher in PsA compared with RA. In both diseases, VVM and CVM scores were not related to KJS duration or activity or to ESR values, but in RA they were directly correlated with KJS activity. Moreover, the VVM capillary feature "meandering with tight convolutions," considered unique to psoriatic skin, was observed in the synovium of 13 PsA (65%) and one RA KJS (5.5%). The mean KJS duration of the PsA group with typical VVM was significantly lower than the group without VVM (2.6 +/- 1.77 vs 9.4 +/- 8.28 yrs). CONCLUSION: Our macroscopic observations of distinct changes in VM expression in selected anatomical areas of PsA and RA KJS suggest possible pathogenetic differences between the 2 diseases. The typical morphology and higher intensity of villous vascularization, in both early and chronic disease, and the different clinical relevance of VVM scores in PsA compared with RA KJS support the potential use of vascular markings as reliable outcome measures of the PsA process in KJS.

Arthritis, Psoriatic↗
PubMed2000

Total rectal resection and complete mesorectum excision followed by coloendoanal anastomosis as the optimal treatment for low rectal cancer: the experience of the National Cancer Institute of Milano.

BACKGROUND: At present, abdominoperineal resection remains the most diffuse method of treatment of very low rectal cancer. Today, we can avoid this method in some patients by using a sphincter-saving procedure. METHODS: From March 1990 to January 1999, 273 consecutive total rectal resections and coloendoanal anastomoses were performed at our Institute; this study concerns 141 consecutive patients treated for a primary adenocarcinoma of the distal rectum, from 3.5 to 8 cm from the anal verge. Patient stratification, based on definitive pathological report, was 31 Dukes' stage A (T2N0), 44 stage B (T3N0), and 66 stage C (T2N+-T3N+). RESULTS: Overall recurrence rate was 9.2%; postoperative morbidity attributable to the procedure was low. A perfect continence was documented in 61% of cases. The only pathological factor related to local recurrence rate is peritumoral lymphocytic reaction inside and around the tumor (P = .0005 and .031) independently from the number of metastatic lymph nodes, depth of fatty tissue infiltration, and lymphatic and venous neoplastic emboli. The minimum follow-up time is 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our data, in accordance with other authors, seem to highlight the relevant role that a well-practiced surgery, together with accurate information on the spreading of this disease, has in achieving an optimal local control of cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele: a reliable surgical technique.

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) consists of two large sacs, both abdominal and scrotal, connecting with the inguinal channel. The diagnosis is made only by ultrasound scan. Surgical treatment is mandatory since no spontaneous resolution has been reported. A new surgical procedure used successfully to treat 11 patients with ASH is described.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Sagittal and vertical changes after treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion according to the Cetlin method.

This cephalometric study was designed to evaluate the dentoskeletal anteroposterior and vertical changes produced by Cetlin therapy (lower lip bumper, ACCO, cervical headgear) to correct Class II Division 1 malocclusion in the late mixed dentition. All measurements were made on 2 lateral headfilms, at pretreatment and at 1 year after beginning treatment. The selected sample (n = 110; 67 boys and 43 girls; mean age, 10 to 11 years) and the control group (n = 100; 48 boys, 52 girls; mean age, 10 to 11 years) matched for number, age, and malocclusion. The average observation interval was 13 months. The final measurements between intervals were averaged and tested for significance by analysis of variance. A one-factor (group) repeated measure model and a two-factor (group and facial type) repeated measure model were fitted to each variable separately and significance values were set at P </=.05. The Class I molar relationship was achieved in all treated subjects primarily through distalization of upper first molars. A significant distal tipping was found in 70% of the treated cases. The results showed a significant forward growth limitation of the maxilla with the use of cervical headgear. No significant change of mandibular position was found in the treated group compared with the control group. Both bite opening and proclination of upper and lower front teeth occurred. Cetlin therapy is reliable and effective for space recovery and interceptive Class II Division 1 treatment. Additional therapy may be needed later.

Analysis of Variance↗