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Biomedical subjects

G Alongi

Publications and source records attributed to G Alongi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Laparoscopic treatment of liver hydatid cyst: personal technique].

Treatment of liver hydatid cyst is still controversial. Besides medical treatment, interventional radiologic techniques and traditional surgery, recently the laparoscopic approach has been proposed. Laparoscopic treatment of liver hydatid cyst, however, has not been well defined so far and seems to be associated with a recurrence rate from 0 to 9%, in a 3-49 months follow-up. Disadvantages of the laparoscopic approach are difficult control of spillage, peritoneal dissemination of parasites and incomplete aspiration of high density fluid contents of the cyst. The authors have reviewed the literature and describe a personal technique to avoid this disadvantage and to reduce postoperative recurrence rate.

Echinococcosis, Hepatic↗

[Laparoscopic treatment of adrenal myelolipoma: case report and review of the literature].

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign, non-functioning tumor consisting of fat and hematopoietic tissues. In January 2005 we had observed an adrenal myelolipoma in 70 year old man. During the follow-up for bladder urothelioma, an abdominal CT revaled a well delineated 4x4 cm homogeneous fatty mass in the right suprarenal area with negative attenuation values. The functional study of adrenal gland was normal. The patient underwent videolaparoscopic right adrenalectomy (Gagner technique). Postoperative course was uneventful. The istological diagnosis showed adrenal myelolipoma. We conclude that videolaparoscopic adrenalectomy should be considered the gold standard treatment for benign adrenal lesions.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Influence of hepatitis B virus virema upon serum aminotransferase activity in dialysis population.

BACKGROUND: The control of the spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection within dialysis units has been one of the major advances in the management of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, clinical and biochemical expression of HBV in dialysis patients have not been adequately addressed. Elevated values of serum aminotransferase activity are a sensitive measure of hepatocellular injury, but the role of HBV infection in the development of liver disease among dialysis patients has not been adequately analysed. Also, the clinical impact related to the virological characteristics of HBV in dialysis has not been evaluated. METHODS: Demographic, biochemical and virological data from 727 patients undergoing chronic dialysis in seven dialysis units in northern Italy were collected in order to assess the biochemical consequences related to the presence of HBV infection in this population. We have measured by RT-PCR technology the titers of HBV viremia in HBsAg positive patients receiving dialysis. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that AST and ALT values were significantly higher in HBsAg positive/HBV DNA positive than HBsAg negative patients on dialysis; AST, 22.86+/-31.34 vs. 14.19+/-9.7 IU/L (P=0.00001); and ALT, 25.07+/-41.59 vs. 13.9+/-41.59 IU/L (P=0.00001). In the subgroup of HBsAg positive patients, the frequency of detectable HBeAg in serum was 14.9% (7/47). The median value of HBV DNA in patients with detectable HBV DNA in serum was 2.160 x 10(3) copies/mL (range, 2.5 x 10(2)-4 x 10(6) copies/mL). HBsAg positive/HCV positive patients had higher aminotransferase activity than other subgroups (P=0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant and independent association between detectable HBsAg/HBV DNA in serum and AST (P=0.00001) and ALT (P=0.0001) activity AST and ALT levels were lower in dialysis than healthy individuals--this finding persisted in age- and gender-matched comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The HBV viral load in HBsAg positive patients receiving maintenance dialysis is not high. HBsAg positivity with detectable HBV DNA in serum is a strong and independent predictor of raised aminotransferase activity among dialysis patients. HBsAg positive patients had greater aminotransferase activity than HBsAg negative individuals even if both the groups had mean aminotransferase levels within the normal range considered for healthy population. Clinical trials aimed at identifying the best cut-off value to enhance the diagnostic yield of AST/ALT for detecting HBV in dialysis population are under way.

Adult↗

[HRT in post-menopausal women: endometrial histology and bleeding patterns].

BACKGROUND: In this open prospective study the correlation between bleeding patterns and endometrial histology has been evaluated in 101 postmenopausal women after 2 years of continuous sequential hormone replacement therapy (HRT). METHODS: All patients received continuous transdermal 17-b-estradiol supplementation, 0.05 mg/daily, with cyclic progestogen for 12 days every month. The progestogen was: dydrogesterone 10 mg/daily (56 cases); nomegestrol 5 mg/daily (15 cases); MAP 10 mg/daily (15 cases); norethisterone 0.25 mg/daily (15 cases). The changes in the characteristics of bleeding pattern and endometrial biopsy were performed in 90 of 101 patients, at the 10-12th of progestogen therapy. RESULTS: The endometrial pattern was secretory in 60 cases, proliferative in 5 and atrophic in 22. In 3 cases the endometrial histology showed a simple hyperplasia. The bleeding generally starts 2 days after the end of progestogen therapy (13th +/- 2.9 day), with a mean duration of 4 days (4 +/- 2.8); in 21 patients (~20%) the bleeding is reduced. The endometrial histological characteristics haven't any influence on the bleeding pattern. CONCLUSIONS: In this study there was a low incidence of simple hyperplasia (3%), but the characteristics of bleeding don't permit to suspect this hyperplasia.

Biopsy↗

[Stenotic endometriosis of the sigmoid. Apropos a case].

The authors report a rare case of stenotic sigmoid endometriosis which presented with constipation and dysmenorrhea in a 48-year-old woman without past gynecological history. There were no typical radiological and endoscopic findings and only pathological examination revealed endometriosis. The patient did well after sigmoid resection and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and has had no further complaints. The authors stress the rare location of the disease and review the literature about etiopathogenetic hypotheses and pathological features. The diagnostic value of clinical examination, barium enema and colonoscopy is low as endometriosis rarely involves the mucosa. This case led the authors to discuss about diagnostic difficulties, differential diagnosis and therapeutic options.

Colon, Sigmoid↗

[Clinical-diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in a rare case of mesenteric cyst].

The authors report a rare case of mesenteric cyst in a 36 years old woman. These cysts have a pathogenesis that primarily may be ectopic lymphatic tissue and their most common site is in the small bowel mesentery, especially of the ileum. In the case reported the cyst was located in the right mesocolon. Mesenteric cysts can appear as chronic abdominal pain, a painless abdominal mass, or acute abdomen. Diagnostic aids include abdominal computed tomography and sonography, that usually make diagnosis of mesenteric cyst. Treatment of choice is enucleation; resection of the adjacent bowel may occasionally be necessary.

Adult↗

[Clinico-diagnostic and therapeutic considerations on retroperitoneal liposarcoma].

Two patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma are presented to determine the accuracy of diagnostic methods and the role of surgical treatment. In both the patients the large retroperitoneal liposarcoma recurred locally after surgery. Histological features, clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, extent of surgical resection and adjuvant treatment are reviewed. These data suggest that an aggressive surgical approach followed by adjuvant postoperative irradiation is the treatment of choice in primary and recurrent neoplasms.

Aged↗

[Modern view of the pathogenesis and therapy of gastroduodenal peptic ulcer].

After a wide analysis of peptic gastroduodenal ulcer medical therapy, before and after the era of cimetidine, the Authors, after a brief account of the Anatomy and Physiology of the stomach, examine surgical therapy, from the end of the last century till now. After giving the results of the surgical cases of one of them (A. Vinci), including 500 operations, from 1955 till now, almost all with gastric resection, without vagotomy, the Authors point out that today, in the era of cimetidine, surgical therapy has considerably diminished and is reserved only for the complications of pathological cases (perforation, hemorrhage, closed duodenum stenosis), and for those cases which don't respond to antisecretory pharmacological therapy. They also emphasize, that nowadays, in spite of the cooperation among gastroenterologists, gastroscopists and surgeons, the etiopathogenesis of peptic ulcer isn't clear yet, and they conclude by saying that our lack of knowledge of its origin and natural evolution, doesn't guarantee a definitive cure, although the therapy with cimetidine and similar medicines, according to the Authors' personal experiences and opinion, must be continued for the patient's entire life.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗

[Food ileus caused by a phytobezoar of the small intestine].

One case of small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoar is reported. The various aetiological factors are discussed. The clinical features are not typical and small bowel obstruction can be initially recurrent until a complete intestinal occlusion. The diagnosis is not easy, and is nearly always made during urgent laparotomy. Surgical treatment consists of phytobezoar removal by enterotomy. The recognition of high-risk patients and their education to prevent phytobezoar are emphasized.

Bezoars↗

[A case of retroareolar leiomyoma of the breast].

The authors, showing a case of breast retroareolar leiomyoma, study the literature thereabout, and emphasize the rareness of such disease, the impossibility of a correct preoperative diagnosis and the features of absolute benignity of this lesion.

Adult↗

[Bochdalek's hernia with retroperitoneal contents in adults].

The authors report a case they had the opportunity to observe, surgically treated (thoraco-phrenotomy, removal of the herniated mass, repair of the diaphragmatic breach). They illustrate the genesis of such abnormality, its incidence and symptomatology. The Authors, moreover, dwell upon the diagnostic problems caused by Bochdalek's hernia with retroperitoneal contents, and upon the advantages shown by the thoracic way of aggression in the light of their own experience.

Aged↗

[Diverticula of the duodenum. Clinico-diagnostic and therapeutic considerations].

On the basis of a study of the most recent clinico-statistical contributions on diverticula of the duodenum and personal experience, based on observation of 72 cases, the Authors set out a modern review of the subject. After emphasizing that diverticula of the duodenum are responsible for clinically evident and uncharacteristics sympatoms in only about 10-20% of cases, the Authors discuss the most modern procedures for diagnosis of diverticula of the duodenum. Lastly there is a full discussion of the indications for operation and the different surgical possibilities for treatment of the disease.

Adult↗

[Local anesthesia in the treatment of inguinal hernia].

Local anesthesia is the most common technique used in the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia. The introduction of synthetic prosthesis, which are resistant to infection, has to the development of surgical techniques used in local anesthesia, in a day hospital setting. These techniques permit a lowering of hospital costs and a reduction of the incidence of complications and recurrences. Over the last few years the authors have been performing a modified Lichtenstein repair or the Rives technique in local anesthesia. In this study they present their data on 52 patients surgically treated in the period 1997-1998, and discuss the advantages of their technique.

Anesthesia, Local↗

[Development of anesthesiological techniques in the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia].

The Authors describe the evolution of their anesthesiological techniques in the surgical repair of inguinal hernia. In this study they compare indications, complications, costs, hospital stay, length of surgery, postoperative pain and return to work after operations performed under local, spinal and general anesthesia. In their experience inguinal hernia treatment with local anesthesia and a tension-free technique is the preferred method of surgical repair.

Anesthesia↗