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G Biasco

Publications and source records attributed to G Biasco.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Short stature and celiac disease: a relationship to consider even in patients with no gastrointestinal tract symptoms.

To determine the incidence of celiac disease in a group of nonselected children with short stature, duodenal biopsy was performed in 60 unselected children with short stature (below third centile) and absence of gastrointestinal tract symptoms. Examination revealed probable celiac disease in five children (8.3%). Analysis of the results of other tests that might possibly be considered as alternatives to biopsy (e.g., xylose test, antireticulin antibodies, gastrointestinal tract symptoms in the first two years of life, bone age, serum iron, iron load, triglyceride load) led us to conclude that no test or clinical measurement could have allowed us 100% certainty in making the correct diagnosis. None of the children with celiac disease had growth hormone deficiency. We conclude that asymptomatic celiac disease represents a cause of short stature that cannot be ignored, and that only by intestinal biopsy can all such patients be identified.

Adolescent↗

Antibiotic-associated colitis: always pseudomembranous?

Among the 14 cases of antibiotic-induced colitis, endoscopic features were: in 9 cases typical pseudomembranes, in 4 cases petechiae or ecchymosis or suggillation-like redness with near-to-normal surrounding mucosa. In one case induced by Spiramycin, a macrolide that had never been previously indicated as being responsible for the disease, the endoscopic picture was 'atypical' and directed us towards a severe ulcerative colitis. These forms are very rare and usually limited to the right or transverse colon which suggests, if possible, a total colonoscopy. The nosographic picture of these cases is not quite clear, since they could represent both the most severe stages within 'non-pseudomembranous' antibiotic-induced colitis and autonomous forms whose evolution does not contribute in any way to the formation of pseudomembranes.

Adult↗

Two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta.

To determine the ability of two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) to detect aneurysms and dissections of the descending thoracic aorta (DTA), we studied 15 patients, five with proved DTA dissections (group A) and 10 with proved aneurysms without dissection (group B), using 2-D echo in three recording positions: precordial, suprasternal and a modified apical. The DTA was visualized in 14 of 15 patients (93%); in each patient in group A, an intimal flap was recognized (in two patients only by the apical approach and in one patient by all approaches). The DTA was visualized in nine of 10 patients in group B; in each patient, the internal dimension of the DTA was enlarged (25-43 mm/m2). In one group B patient, aortic dissection was erroneously suspected because spurious echoes were present in the lumen; in another patient, 2-D echo failed to demonstrate a thrombotic stratification in the enlarged lumen. We conclude that 2-D echo using all available approaches appears to be a reliable technique for evaluating dissections and aneurysms of the DTA.

Adult↗

Retrospective studies of early gastric cancer in a high incidence area of Italy.

Frequency and characteristics of early gastric cancer (egc) were evaluated in a retrospective study of 511 surgical specimens of gastric carcinoma. We observed a total of 46 egc in 40 patients. The predominant macroscopic type was IIc, followed by I and III. On the basis of histological appearance, 25 egc were of intestinal type and 15 of diffuse type. Seventy-six per cent of egc were localized at the lesser curvature of the stomach and in particular at the pyloric antrum. Twenty-two egc were limited to the muscosal layer. no relationship was observed between macroscopic type or histological characters, and tumour staging. As Italy can be considered a high-risk country for gastric carcinoma and because this disease is in many respects similar to that observed in Japan, it seems possible to obtain a reduction of the death rate for gastric cancer by increasing, as in Japan, the number of cancers diagnosed in the early phase.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis of chronic reflux esophagitis. Role of endoscopic and histological examination].

Fibroendoscopic and histobioptic study of the distal oesophageal mucosa has been carried out in a series of patients suffering from gastro-oesophageal regurgitation. The regurgitation condition was verified and its extent established by means of anamnestic, spot-fluorographic and manometric-pHmetric investigations. On the basis of the analysis of relations between the extent of the oesophagitis assessed on the basis of endoscopy and that arising out of microscopic examination of the biopsy, it is concluded that there is no complete correspondence between the two techniques insofar as endoscopy can give false positive or false negative results. On the basis of these results and of those of functional investigations, histology is considered desirable even when the oesophageal mucosa is normal, if there are clinical and/or laboratory signs of gastro-oesophageal regurgitation.

Adult↗

[2 cases of Apud cell tumors of the rectum and colon].

Two cases of Apud cell tumour of the rectosigmoid are presented. The question of gross diagnosis and the therapeutic efficacy of polypectomy are discussed. Lastly, an account is given of the morphological, functional and embryogenetic features of these tumours.

Apudoma↗

Methylene blue dye spraying method in patients with ulcerative proctitis: a comparative study with morphological findings and functional capacity of the rectal epithelium.

Methylene Blue dye spraying method is currently used in the endoscopic assessment of the colonic mucosa of patients with chronic ulcerative proctocolitis. We have assessed the validity of this method in the evaluation of the functional capacity of the rectal mucosa in 17 patients with ulcerative proctitis and in 5 normal subjects. The ionic transmucosal fluxes of Na+ and K+ and the potential difference were used as parameters of the mucosal function. Our results indicate that methylene blue dye spraying method can be useful in the functional assessment of the rectal epithelium, especially for differentiating normal subjects and patients with mild ulcerative proctitis.

Adolescent↗

[The aberrant pancreas in gastro-duodenal disease. A clinical, endoscopic-bioptic study].

30 instances of aberrant pancreas were noted in 13,620 routine gastroduodenoscopies (0.22%), usually in the antrum or duodenum (antrum 83.5%, cap 6.6%, D2 6.6%). Symptoms, where present, took many forms and were aspecific, since they were related to size and site. The difficulties surrounding conventional methods of diagnosis are explained. Radiology reveals local alteration in 80% of cases, though its offers formally useful data in only 10%. Endoscopy and oriented biopsy partly make up for this inadequancy, because an aberrant pancreas may present as an atypical, nonumbelicated form that cannot be endoscopically distinguished from other benign growths. In addition, biopsy of the pancreas may be difficult in a submucosal site. Given the relative inefficacy of even the most recent techniques, perendoscopic polypectomy is proposed as a means of combining optimum diagnosis and radical treatment.

Adolescent↗

Chronic juvenile AV nodal dysfunction associated with mitral valve prolapse.

The prevalence of atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances amongst patients with mitral valve prolapse is higher than may be expected by chance, thus implying the existence of a true association. The main clinical and electrophysiologic findings in 4 patients with mitral valve prolapse showing chronic AV conduction disturbances are presented. Supra-His localization, mild and variable degree of impairment, regression upon Atropine administration, apparent absence of progression, are common features of these disturbances. The most likely mechanisms considered are an AV node developmental abnormality or an AV nodal artery running in contact with the border of the mitral annulus and thus impaired by the abnormal dynamics of the mitral valve.

Adolescent↗

[Mitral valve prolapse and the ventricular pre-excitation syndrome (author's transl)].

One of the most important clinical aspects of the mitral valve prolapse syndrome is the high incidence of arrhythmias. Some recent reports on the association of mitral valve prolapse with ventricular pre-excitation may be relevant to the understanding of such arrhythmias. In order to evaluate the clinical relevance of this association, all patients with proven idiopathic mitral valve prolapse who came under our observation during the last twelve months, were submitted to careful electrocardiographic examination with the aim of detecting even subtle degrees of pre-excitation. His bundle recording and programmed atrial stimulation were performed if there was any suspicion of a delta wave. The association with ventricular pre-excitation was proved in 6 out of 41 examined cases. The main clinical, phonocardiographic, echocardiographic, angiographic and electrophysiologic data, as well as the familial study of these cases, are presented. The need for electrophysiologic study in some cases with doubtful electrocardiographic pattern is pointed out. While previous reports only described cases with left-sided accessory pathways, examples of right-sided pathways are presented in our series. The high incidence of mitral valve prolapse, and especially of pre-excitation syndrome and arrhythmias in the familial study, suggests that the association is not an occasional one. The detection of ventricular pre-excitation in cases of mitral valve prolapse complicated by recurrent tachy-arrhythmias may be of practical importance for an appropriate therapeutic approach.

Adult↗