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Biomedical subjects

G Marioni

Publications and source records attributed to G Marioni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The role of survivin expression in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal (glottic) verrucous squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: Laryngeal verrucous squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a highly differentiated carcinoma (SCC) whose histological diagnosis has many pitfalls in particular considering small biopsies: multiple glottic biopsies may be necessary to conclude for a malignant or benign lesion (papillary hyperplasia). Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. Survivin over-expression has been demonstrated in laryngeal SCCs. The aims of the present study have been to evaluate for the first time survivin expression in glottic VSCC and investigate the potential role of survivin expression in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal VSCC. METHODS: Survivin expression was determined in 11 consecutive cases of glottic VSCC, in 24 cases of glottic papillary hyperplasia, and in 23 cases of SCC. RESULTS: Nuclear survivin reaction predominated in laryngeal VSCCs, papillary hyperplasias, and SCCs. Mean survivin expressions in the VSCC basal layer, hyper-proliferative areas of laryngeal papillary hyperplasia, and SCC were 62.7%, 68.3%, and 70.0%, respectively. Mean survivin expression was 15.6% in VSCC parakeratosis and 1.5% in papillary hyperplasia parakeratosis (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Survivin expression was significantly higher in parakeratosis areas of laryngeal VSCC than in parakeratosis areas of laryngeal papillary hyperplasia. Immunohistochemical determination of survivin expression in parakeratosis areas may be a promising tool to substantiate differential diagnosis between glottic VSCC and papillary hyperplasia.

Adult↗

CD105-assessed micro-vessel density is associated with malignancy recurrence in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: Angiogenesis is essential for malignancies growth. CD105 is a proliferation-associated protein abundantly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells. The aim of this study has been to determine the expression of CD105 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to investigate the role of CD105-assessed mean vascular density (MVD) in predicting patients' prognosis. METHODS: The sections of 43 consecutive cases of laryngeal SCC were stained with mouse monoclonal antibody CD105. All the measures were performed by a computer-based image analysis system. The percentage of the fields occupied by CD105-assessed micro-vessels was determined. RESULTS: The mean CD105-assessed MVD were 11% and 6% in laryngeal SCC with and without malignancy recurrence, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression stated that CD105-assessed MVD was significantly related to disease recurrence (p=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results suggest that CD105-assessed MVD may be a valuable parameter for predicting patients having an increased risk of developing laryngeal carcinoma loco-regional recurrence.

Adult↗

[Infected parotid cyst as a cause of facial palsy].

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory processes are a rare cause of peripheral facial palsy. In most cases even massive infection does not lead to a loss of facial nerve function. In the literature, only 8 cases of facial paralysis associated with parotid cyst have been described. PATIENT AND RESULTS: We present a case of facial palsy caused by an inflamed cyst of the parotid gland. The patient was operated on with the diagnosis malignant parotid tumor. The pathological report showed a squamous epithelial cyst, massive lymphocytic infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: As a rule the combination parotid gland lesion and facial palsy is a sign of malignancy, clinicians should be aware that, on rare occasions, facial nerve dysfunction may result from benign parotid gland disease.

Aged↗

[Personal experience of adolescents with a brain-injured parent: preliminary study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of brain injury of a parent on adolescent behavioural and emotional symptoms and personal experience. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Eleven adolescents from 13 to 18 years old with a brain-injured parent with cognitive impairment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Multiple case report. Assessment of anxiety and depression on the R-CMAS scale and the BDI. Qualitative analysis of a semi-structured interview and of the family drawing. RESULTS: Pathological scores on the R-CMAS scale involved 36% of the cases and the BDI, 45%. Impulsivity involved 36% of cases, difficulties in learning at school 73%, and somatic symptoms 45%. Feeling of loneliness involved 64% of cases and difficulty for the adolescent to speak about feelings in the family 82%. The symbolic position of the brain-injured parent was maintained in all cases. In 45% of cases, the parent was unable to recognize the adolescent, and in 55%, some characteristics of the adolescent were linked to the illness of the parent. A feeling of insecurity pervaded all cases. The family drawing revealed abnormalities in the bodily representation of the family members, especially a lack of hands or a representation of amputated hands in 91% of the cases and unsteadiness of the family members, also represented as ghosts in 82% of cases. CONCLUSION: Living with a brain-injured parent increases depression disorders, a feeling of loneliness and insecurity in adolescents. The inability for the adolescent to recognize parent's personality and the identification with caracteristics of the parent due to the illness is worrying. Abnormalities in the bodily representation of the family members and their unsteadiness are characteristic signs.

Adolescent↗

Nuclear expression of maspin is associated with a lower recurrence rate and a longer disease-free interval after surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

AIMS: Maspin, a protein belonging to the serpin superfamily, is the product of a tumour suppressor gene. Tissue distribution studies have shown maspin expression in normal mammary epithelial cells, in the placenta, prostate, thymus, testis, oral cavity, small intestine, skin, and cornea. Maspin is expressed but down-regulated in human breast, prostatic, and colonic cancers but apparently up-regulated in pancreatic, ovarian, and gastric cancers. Only two studies concerning maspin expression in head and neck carcinomas are available. The present study is the first attempt to determine maspin expression in laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Maspin expression was evaluated in 21 cases of laryngeal carcinoma consecutively treated with an exclusively surgical approach with a follow-up period longer than 24 months. The expression of p53, p27 and MIB-1 was also studied. Two patterns of distribution of maspin in laryngeal neoplastic cells were found. Cytoplasmic expression of maspin was identified in 47.6% of the cases. Nuclear maspin positivity was determined in 47.6% of the cases. A statistically significant difference in nuclear maspin expression between the group of patients without carcinoma recurrence and the group with evidence of recurrence was demonstrated (P = 0.039). Log rank test analysis showed a statistically significant direct correlation between nuclear maspin expression and disease-free intervals after surgical treatment calculated in months (P = 0.028). A significant inverse correlation was disclosed between nuclear maspin staining and MIB-1 (P = 0.028). A trend of increasing p27 expression was noted in cases with positive nuclear maspin expression. Nuclear maspin expression was not statistically correlated with p53 expression. A trend towards direct correlation between cytoplasmic maspin expression and squamous cell carcinoma histological grade (G) was apparent. Cytoplasmic maspin expression did not correlate with p53, MIB-1 or p27 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that nuclear location of maspin is a good prognostic factor in laryngeal carcinoma.

Adult↗

Conservative treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis: intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate.

Promising short-term results in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis with intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate (SH) have been reported in preliminary studies. The present prospective study compared long-term outcomes of temporomandibular joint SH injections with those of a conventional non-surgical treatment (bite-plane). Data from three groups of 20 patients with degenerative temporomandibular joint disease were considered. Group A underwent one cycle of five injections of 1 mL SH. Group B underwent a bite-plane treatment for at least 6 months. We considered a control group of 20 patients who refused any treatments. The description of the outcomes was based on objective and subjective parameters after a 6-month follow-up. Sodium hyaluronate and bite-plane treatments significantly improved patients conditions in all considered parameters. No significant differences in outcomes were confirmed by the statistical analysis. The tolerability of SH treatment resulted to be significantly higher. The analysis of results of serial controls in the SH treated group disclosed a significant worsening in pain at rest by comparing 1 and 6 months follow-up. Sodium hyaluronate infiltration resulted a valid non-surgical treatment for temporomandibular joint degenerative disease. Five well-tolerated intra-articular SH injections achieved equivalent results to those of a 6 months bite-plane treatment. We did not diagnose any complications of SH intra-articular injections. Longer time follow-up is necessary to determine the stability of SH properties.

Female↗

Treatment of complications of parotid gland surgery.

Although several reports in the literature have documented the surgical technique, and the oncological outcome achieved with parotidectomy, only a few articles have described the complications of parotid gland surgery and their management. Several complications have been reported in parotid surgery. We re-classified the complications of parotidectomy in intra-operative and post-operative (early and late). The commonest complications after parotidectomy are temporary or permanent facial palsy and Frey's syndrome.

Facial Paralysis↗

Facial nerve paralysis secondary to acute otitis media in infants and children.

Nowadays, facial paralysis is an uncommon complication of acute inflammation of the middle ear, with an estimated incidence of 0.005%; it was not so rare in the pre-antibiotic era, occurring in 0.5-0.7% of middle ear inflammatory processes. We would like to highlight this complication of acute otitis media, a common paediatric complaint. We present three new cases of facial palsy in children with acute otitis media and discuss the etiological mechanisms and different approaches to the treatment; a flow chart for facial paralysis in acute otitis media is also presented. Our three patients recovered completely after mastoidectomy (first two cases) and myringotomy with antibiotic therapy (third case). Facial paralysis is an uncommon complication of otitis media which requires appropriate care. Following our experience and revision of literature on the subject, antibiotic therapy and myringotomy are the first-line procedures. Surgery should be employed in case of acute or coalescent mastoiditis, suppurative complications and lack of clinical regression.

Acute Disease↗

Deep neck infection: a present-day complication. A retrospective review of 83 cases (1998-2001).

Deep neck infections are less and less frequent today than in the past. Nevertheless, their complications are often life-threatening. The present study reviews the experience of the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of Padua with deep neck infections during the period from 1998 to 2001. Eighty-three patients (55 males and 28 females) were retrospectively considered. The site of origin of deep neck infection was identified in 76 patients (91%). The most common cause was dental infection, occurring in 35 cases (42%). In 12 cases (14%) deep neck infection was a complication of oropharyngeal infection. The relatively high incidence of Peptostreptococcus sp, Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus intermedius and constellatus isolation was consistent with the high rate of odontogenic cases. Surgery was advocated as the treatment for any infection of the deep neck spaces. The recent series has demonstrated that medical treatment did not seem to increase complication rates or mortality. Our tailored approach (medical or medical and surgical) based on clinical and radiological evidence was successful in 97% of the patients.

Adolescent↗

[Personal experience of children with a brain injured parent: preliminary study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of the brain injury of a parent on his child's behavioural and emotional symptoms and personal experience. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Nineteen children from 6 to 12 years old at the time of the research having a brain-injured parent living at home and with cognitive impairments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Case report. Assessment of a questionnaire measures of anxiety, the R-CMAS scale. Qualitative analysis of a semi-structured interview and of the family drawing. RESULTS: Four children (21%) presented pathological anxiety assessed by the R-CMAS scale. The analysis of the semi-structured interview showed that 16 children had a representation of the brain injury. The symbolic place of the brain-injured parent was maintained for all the children and one presented impulsive behaviours. The family drawing analysis showed the lack of relational interaction between the family members in 16 cases (84%). Three children (15%) represented the real disability, and 17 (89%) abnormalities in the bodies' pictorial representation of the personages. These abnormalities concerned the brain-injured parent and the other members of the family. A characteristic sign was the lack of hands or the representation of amputee hands in 14 cases (73%). Another one was the unsteadiness of family members, who were also represented as ghosts or "in the air" in 13 cases (68%). CONCLUSION: Children seem adapted and they have few emotional and behavioural disorders. But there was a strong impact of the disability of the parent on their personal experience and on their perception of "the family body".

Brain Injuries↗

Bezold's abscess in children: case report and review of the literature.

The introduction of antibiotics in the treatment of suppurative otitis media has significantly decreased the incidence of complications. Reports of Bezold's abscess secondary to this disorder are rare, particularly in infants and young children, in whom mastoid bone pneumatization is not yet complete. We present a case of Bezold's abscess occurring in a child aged 18 months. The literature is reviewed and methods to accurately diagnose this complication are emphasized.

Abscess↗

Hearing results of ossiculoplasty in Austin-Kartush group A patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare hearing results in patients who underwent ossiculoplasty for Austin-Kartush group A impairments (incus erosion, malleus handle present, stapes superstructure present) with the results in patients with an intact ossicular chain who required only myringoplasty. The literature on hearing results of ossiculoplasty with different types of prostheses and different techniques is reviewed. PATIENTS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study retrospectively reviews a series of 181 consecutive ossiculoplasties and 204 consecutive myringoplasties. SETTING: The study was carried out partly at a private practice and partly in an academic tertiary referral center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This study complies with levels 1 and 2 of the guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery (1995). RESULTS: When success was defined as a postoperative air-bone gap within 10 dB, the success rate was higher for myringoplasty (81%) than for ossiculoplasty (55%). When success was defined as a postoperative air-bone gap within 20 dB, the success rate was 97% in myringoplasties and 85% in ossiculoplasties. There was no significant deterioration over time of the mean postoperative air-bone gap for any frequency. CONCLUSION: Cumulative data from several authors show that -50% of patients undergoing partial ossiculoplasty have a postoperative air-bone gap of 0 to 10 dB, and 80% have a postoperative air-bone gap of 0 to 20 dB. Equally good results may be achieved with autograft (no difference was found between interposition of the incus or the head of the malleus), homograft, or alloplastic partial prostheses. With alloplastic total prostheses, 36% of patients have a postoperative air-bone gap of 0 to 10 dB, and 74% have a postoperative air-bone gap of 0 to 20 dB.

Adult↗

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis: temporal bone involvement.

In Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, radiological findings on temporal bone involvement show destructive bone lesions involving the mastoid, with the squamous part and middle ear less affected. Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred imaging modality for describing the extent of temporal bone involvement. CT also has an important role in monitoring disease activity and response to treatment. Bone scintigraphy seems to be less sensitive than radiography in detection of these lesions.

Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell↗

Laryngeal leiomyosarcoma.

We report one case of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the larynx occurring in a patient with a history of immunosuppressive therapy, and offer a critical review of the literature. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome was not identified in the neoplastic cells. The patient was treated with endoscopic resection and post-operative radiotherapy. Lung metastasis and thyroid infiltration became evident 14 months following treatment despite the absence of laryngeal recurrence. Progressive decline occurred and the patient died 15 months after diagnosis.

Adult↗

Laryngeal malignant neoplasms in children and adolescents.

An exhaustive literature review of the last two decades discloses 47 laryngeal malignant neoplasms in children and adolescents. The most frequent malignant neoplasm is the embryonal variant of rhabdomyosarcoma. The timely diagnosis of a laryngeal neoplasm depends on maintaining a high index of suspicion in a patient with progressive airway obstruction, dysphagia or dysphonia, and conducting an efficient work-up-including magnetic resonance imaging and direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia in association with bronchoscopy-in order to define the extent of the lesion, rule out multiple lesions, establish and maintain an airway, and perform a biopsy of the tumor. The authors observed that several risk factors, such as previous radiation therapy for juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis, intrauterine exposure to ionizing radiation, chemical carcinogens, smoking or tobacco exposure were lacking in those patients with a detailed clinical history. Probably, cancer of the larynx in these unusual patients is the final result of an interaction of immunological and genetic factors. The choice of therapy depends on several factors, including the clinical stage at presentation, histological type and potential radio-chemosensitivity of the tumor.

Adolescent↗

Functional MR with use of FLASH sequences in the evaluation of the phono-articulatory tract.

The aims of this study are to determine visualization of normal phonation structures with the use of MR fast sequences and anatomical reference indices which can be used in evaluating upper resonator pathologies. A total of 12 normal subjects were studied, a 1 T system, a volumetric receiving head and neck coil and FLASH sequences for one sagittal and two coronal scans. Each subject was instructed to take a deep breath and then to produce the vowel sounds for the entire duration of the scan. The movement of the following anatomical structures were considered: lips, tongue, soft palate, pharynx and epiglottis. For each subject sagittal scans were used to measure the minimal palate tongue distance (p-t), the minimal anterio-posterior diameter of the mesopharynx (mp), and the epiglottis excursion angle (ep) with respect to the plane determined by the false vocal cords. Our results were compared with a diagrammed representation of tongue movements (vocal trapezium). This study underlines the validity of MR imaging techniques in the study of the phono-articulatory tract, because MR provided good detail of the phono-articulatory structures enabling an overall functional evaluation. MR would appear useful in evaluating defects in the velum and palate, in staging of oropharyngeal neoplasms and in surgical reconstructions of the tongue.

Adult↗

[Algodystrophic syndrome of the temporo-mandibular joint: a clinical experience].

Algo-dysfunctional syndrome (ADS) of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) is frequently encountered and, since its clinical expression is extremely polymorphic, it is often misdiagnosed. As there are many causes for ADS, even in a single patient, in line with the most recent interpretations found in the literature, an attempt was made to determine how important the lack of muscular coordination is in the onset of clinical symptoms. The study was conducted on 48 patients (32 females, 16 males, age range 17-68 years, average age 41.7 years) with ADS, clinically diagnosed according to the criteria defined by Rendell et al. The patients belonged to three distinct groups: -Group 1: patients with ADS of articular origin (9 cases); -Group 2: patients with ADS of dental and/or periodontal origin (18 cases); -Group 3: patients with ADS for which there was no apparent cause (21 cases). All patients were treated with a rehabilitation protocol aimed at eliminating the muscle spasm and restoring correct coordination. The results obtained showed that conservative treatment to resolve the muscle spasm gave positive results in 69% of the cases. The patients with concomitant articular pathology proved the least responsive to treatment. It was, therefore, considered likely that the main cause for clinical expression of this pathology is the muscle spasm itself. On this basis it can be concluded that muscular rehabilitation of the TMJ is valid in the treatment of ADS as it has proved able to break the vicious cycle of symptoms at the base of this pathology.

Adolescent↗