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Biomedical subjects

F Tamburrelli

Publications and source records attributed to F Tamburrelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

A rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy: spinal gas collection.

The presence of gas in the intervertebral disk space, known as the vacuum phenomenon, is a relatively common radiologic finding, especially on computed tomographic investigation. In a few cases, the gas can be collected into the lumbar spinal canal and can also compress the nerve root. To date only seven cases of symptomatic lumbar radiculopathy caused by a bubble of gas are reported in the literature. The presence of gas inside a narrowed disk and the collection of gas in the spinal canal suggest a communication between the two structures. A case of lumbar radiculopathy caused by a collection of gas in the spinal canal provided the authors the opportunity to study this rare condition by magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging had not been used before in the referred cases and proved conclusively the discal origin of the gas.

Embolism, Air↗
PubMed1998

Immunohistochemical investigation on type III and VI collagen organization in human intervertebral discs in the neonatal period.

Nine L5-S1 discs from cadavers following death at ages ranging from 28 weeks of gestation to 1 month after birth were analysed immunohistochemically to investigate type III and VI collagen organization in neonatal discs. The annulus fibrosus stained poorly with the anti-type III antibody. The transition zone and the nucleus pulposus showed a fibrillary framework. No clear pericellular staining was detected. Poor staining with the anti-type VI antibody was detected in the annulus. Single pericellular rings were observed in the transition zone and in the nucleus. The pericellular rings were never multilayered. Type III and VI collagen organization in the newborn is similar to that observed in adults and in the aged. Multiple pericellular rings are never observed. Further research on diseased and healthy intervertebral discs may help clarify which disc changes are age-related and which follow on from degeneration.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1998

Carpal tunnel syndrome: indication for surgical treatment based on electrophysiologic study.

A prospective study of 50 hands from 45 consecutive patients surgically treated for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome was conducted to determinate the recovery capacity of the median nerve after open surgical release. Subjects were evaluated by clinical history, physical examination, and electrophysiologic testing. Motor and sensory terminal latencies and motor and sensory conduction velocities were examined before surgery and 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after surgical decompression. All patients showed improvement of postoperative electrophysiologic values; the amount of improvement was dependent on the degree of preoperative impairment. Complete restoration of clinical and electrophysiologic nerve function was observed only in patients with mild carpal tunnel syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Carpal tunnel syndrome: neurophysiological results of surgery based on preoperative electrodiagnostic testing.

Fifty-three hands with carpal tunnel syndrome had pre- and postoperative evaluations of median nerve distal motor latency (from wrist to thenar muscles) and orthodromic sensory nerve conduction velocity (from thumb and middle finger to wrist). At 6 months we observed a neurophysiological return to normal in all cases with normal preoperative distal motor latency and in about 50% of the hands with preoperative distal motor latency between 4 and 6 ms. Prolongation of the distal motor latency over 6 ms was not followed by return to neurophysiological normality, although some degree of sensory function was restored in the majority of cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Surgical prognosis in carpal tunnel syndrome: usefulness of a preoperative neurophysiological assessment.

In this study 37 CTS hands underwent pre- and post-operative (15 days 2 and 6 months) evaluation of median nerve distal motor latency (DML) and sensory nerve conduction velocities (SNCV: I digit and III digit-wrist). Pre-operatively, CTS hands were classified as mild (decreased SNCV, normal DML), moderate (decreased SNCV, increased DML) or severe (absent sensory nerve action potentials, increased DML). Post-operatively, all hands presented clinical and neurophysiological improvement. The three groups of patient showed different clinical and neurophysiological responses to nerve decompression: we observed a rapid restitutio ad integrum in mild group, an improvement with normalisation in about 50% of the hands in moderate group, and a high percentage of restore of the sensory responses with no normalisation in severe group. A marked improvement of sensory symptoms was observed in all cases, but some degree of motor and/or sensory deficit was still present six months after surgery in more advanced cases. Preoperative electrophysiological assessment of median nerve function in CTS hands have an important role in predicting the outcome of surgical decompression.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[The role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance in assessing degenerative arthropathy of the lumbar articular facets].

Degenerative arthropathy of the lumbar facet joints remains a debated issue relative to both its etiopathogenesis and its clinical significance. The authors studied 9 autoptic specimens by means of CT and MRI: the diagnostic value of the two methods was assessed taking the histopathologic findings of the relative specimens as the gold standard. The following signs of degenerative arthropathy were investigated in each specimen: cartilaginous wears, hypertrophy of the articular processes, osteophytosis, subchondral sclerosis and geodes and capsular and ligamentous calcifications. CT clearly demonstrated the characteristic signs of arthropathy, although failing to assess the cartilaginous wears in the early degeneration phases. Cartilaginous surface tears were directly depicted by MRI in the specimens showing medium and advanced degeneration. In our opinion, CT represents the examination of choice in the diagnosis of degenerative arthropathy of the lumbar apophyseal joints. Nevertheless, human trials are needed to assess MR capabilities in better detailing subchondral bone structure and in depicting the joint capsule and the synovial membrane and fluid as a major MR potential to diagnose back pain syndromes arising from the posterior arch.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Osteoblastoma of the atlas.

A case of cervical spine (atlas) osteoblastoma in a 14-year-old patient is reported. Osteoblastoma is a rare primary bone tumour and in young patients it mainly occurs in the spine. Occurrence in the cervical tract is uncommon and in the atlas it is very rare. Only two other cases were found in our literature review.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Intra-articular osteoid osteoma.

The joint is a relatively rare localization for osteoid osteoma. The location of the tumor and the concomitant synovitis-explain the peculiarity of the clinical features, which makes differential diagnosis with inflammatory diseases of the joint difficult. The authors report the results of three cases of intra-articular osteoid osteoma in which it was possible to determine the levels of prostaglandin (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2), which are synthesized by the tumoral tissue. The increased production of these substances, which can reach up to 70 times their production in normal tissue, explain both the character of the pain and the origin of the synovitis which is so commonly found in this kind of tumor. The results of this study confirm the ability of the neoplastic tissue to produce high quantities of mediators of inflammation and enable the authors to formulate a theory as to the pathogenesis of the concomitant reactive synovitis observed in cases of intra-articular osteoid osteoma.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1991

Prostaglandins in osteoid osteoma.

Osteoid osteoma is a tumour of bone characterised by pain which is relieved by aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Very high levels of prostaglandins have been found in the lesion. In five patients with osteoid osteoma, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis in the nidus yielded 1155.6 +/- 496.5 (mean +/- SD) and 245.2 +/- 89.8 pg/mg respectively, values which are 33 and 26 times higher than in fragments of normal bone. The sclerotic bone around the nidus produced both prostaglandins at the same rate as normal bone. In three patients the excretion rate of the major urinary metabolite of systemic PGI1 was reduced to 50% one month after removal of the tumour. The urinary excretion rate of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, reflecting intrarenal PGI2 synthesis, was not changed after operation. These results offer new insight into the pain mechanism in osteoid osteoma.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1991

Increased prostacyclin biosynthesis in patients with osteoid osteoma.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign osteoid-forming tumor of the bone characterized by pain which is relieved by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Very high levels of prostaglandins have been found in the lesion. In nine patients with osteoid osteoma, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis in explants from the nidus incubated in vitro yielded 947.3 +/- 482.6 (mean +/- SD) and 340.2 +/- 178.1 pg/mg of wet tissue respectively, values 32 and 49 times higher than in fragments of normal bone. In eight patients the excretion rate of the major urinary metabolite of PGI2, i.e. 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha, was nearly double the control value (499 +/- 93 vs 257 +/- 117 pg/mg of creatinine; mean +/- SD). In six of them, from whom urine was collected 1 month after surgery, urinary 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) from 487 +/- 100 to 229 +/- 52 pg/mg creatinine. Urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, largely a reflection of intrarenal PGI2 synthesis, was comparable to the control group (4.6 +/- 0.9 vs 4.5 +/- 1.0 ng/h, respectively) and remained unchanged after operation. These results suggest an enhanced PGI2 biosynthesis in vivo in patients with osteoid osteoma. This abnormality of arachidonate metabolism is consistent with enhanced biosynthetic capacity of the tumor in vitro, and is reversible upon its removal.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1989

[Negative results of the scintigraphic examination in osteoid osteoma].

The AA. report an unusual case of intraarticular osteoid osteoma of the elbow. Therefore the lesion was strongly suspected; the diagnosis was made only one year after the onset of symptoms by the use of Tc99m MDP bone scan specifically on the blood-pool image. Two earlier bone scans were made with negative results. Considerations have been made by the AA. on the metabolic behaviour of the tumor as shown by scintigraphic scans.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Osteoid osteoma: ultrastructural aspects].

The authors take into consideration the ultrastructural aspects of osteoid osteoma and discuss the cellular and subcellular features of this neoplasm. Special attention is given to functional adaptability, which is specific for this type of cell, related to the degree of development of the neoformation.

Calcaneus↗
PubMed1989

[Osteo-articular involvement in microdrepanocytic anemia].

Drepanocytosis is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy which is particularly common in Blacks; in its homozygote form there is constant general involvement of the osteoarticular system with clearly recognisable clinical and radiographic pictures. Microdrepanocytosis (double heterozygotosis) is instead more difficult to recognise. Based on their observations the authors report several specific aspects of the disease of orthopaedic interest.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1989

Scintigraphy in osteoid osteoma: problems related to differential diagnosis.

Scintigraphy is currently the most widely used and most reliable diagnostic instrumental test for the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Indications for its use are based on two considerations: 1) the need for preoperative confirmation of a suspected diagnosis based on clinical and radiographic findings; 2) the preoperative differential diagnosis from lesions which, either due to site or to atypical features, can mimic osteoid osteoma and are not easily identified. However, the high sensitivity of the test is associated with low specificity. In order to increase the specificity, the authors use angioscintigraphy and illustrate some cases where this method permitted differential diagnosis with other bone lesions that simulate the clinical and radiographic features of osteoid osteoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Nerve fibres in osteoid osteoma.

Many authors have attempted to explain the mechanism of pain in osteoid osteoma and, in the past, several histological studies have been carried out with the specific aim of verifying the existence of nerve fibres within the tumour. The histochemical procedures based on the affinity of nerves for silver stains have made it possible to demonstrate the presence of fine nerve fibres disposed alongside and around the vessels. An analogous study was conducted to confirm this and to supply further morphological and functional information useful for an understanding of the genesis of pain. The study involved three cases of osteoid osteoma using both traditional histochemical procedures and electron microscopy. The latter, in particular, allowed us to confirm the myelinic nature of the nerve fibres observed under optic microscopy. Based on these observations, the authors present a hypothesis on the function of the nerve fibres in the mechanism of pain stimulation.

Bone Neoplasms↗