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Gian Ludovico Rapaccini

Publications and source records attributed to Gian Ludovico Rapaccini.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Prevalence and prognostic significance of the presence of esophageal varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It has been suggested that clinically relevant portal hypertension may affect the therapeutic management and prognosis of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the importance of the presence of esophageal varices in these patients has not yet been addressed formally. In this study our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic relevance of the presence of esophageal varices in a large series of patients with HCC. METHODS: The prevalence of esophageal varices was evaluated in 1153 HCC patients who were consecutively referred to 10 Italian centers (the Italian Liver Cancer group). Survival was calculated from the time of HCC diagnosis until death or until the most recent follow-up visit, and was evaluated according to the presence or absence of esophageal varices. The independent prognostic meaning of the presence of esophageal varices was evaluated further in a multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Esophageal varices were found in 730 patients (63.3%). Patients with varices showed significantly shorter survival times (P < .0001) as compared with patients without varices. Death as a result of bleeding was more common in patients with varices (P = .0127). In multivariate analysis, the presence of esophageal varices was associated independently with poorer survival (adjusted relative risk, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.48; P = .0095). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the patients with HCC have esophageal varices. The presence of esophageal varices is associated with a higher risk of death from bleeding, and is an independent determinant of the patient's prognosis. This variable should be taken into account in the diagnostic and therapeutic work-up of HCC patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Botulinum toxin B ultrasound-guided injections for sialorrhea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

Sialorrhea is frequent and invalidating in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Parkinson's disease (PD). Botulinum toxin (BTX) emerged as an alternative to traditional treatments. We evaluated efficacy and tolerability of ultrasound-guided BTX-B injections in parotids and submandibular glands in 18 patients with ALS or PD. At 1 week, both objective (cotton rolls weight) and subjective evaluations (dedicated clinical scales) documented sialorrhea reduction (p<0.01). ALS patients reported shorter benefit duration (p<0.001) and higher prevalence of viscous saliva (seven vs one patients), possibly due to different pattern of autonomic involvement. BTX-B seems efficacious in reducing sialorrhea in ALS and PD but the risk-benefit ratio might differ between these two conditions. This might have implications for clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Percutaneous ablation procedures in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma submitted to liver transplantation: Assessment of efficacy at explant analysis and of safety for tumor recurrence.

Aims of this retrospective study were to analyze the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) submitted to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We studied 40 patients undergoing OLT in whom 46 HCC nodules had been treated with PEI (13 nodules), RFA (30 nodules), or PEI+RFA (3 nodules). Child-Turcotte-Pugh class was A in 18 cases, B in 18, and C in 4. The mean waiting time for OLT was 9.5 months. The effectiveness of ablation techniques was evaluated by histological examination of the explanted livers. Complete necrosis was found in 19 nodules (41.3%), partial or absent necrosis in 27 nodules (58.7%). Among the 30 nodules treated by RFA, 14 were completely necrotic (46.7%) and 16 demonstrated partial necrosis (53.3%). Considering the 13 neoplasms undergoing PEI, 3 nodules showed complete necrosis (23.1%), 6 partial necrosis (46.1%), and 4 absent necrosis (30.8%). The rate of complete necrosis was 53.1% for nodules smaller than 3 cm and 14.3% for larger lesions (P = 0.033) but increased to 61.9% when considering only the lesions smaller than 3 cm treated by RFA. During the follow up, HCC recurred in 3 patients treated by PEI. No cases of HCC recurrence at the abdominal wall level were recorded. Percutaneous ablation procedures are effective treatments in cirrhotic patients with HCC submitted to OLT and are not associated to an increased risk of tumor recurrence. RFA provides complete necrosis in most nodules smaller than 3 cm, and appears to be the best treatment option in these cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Contrast-enhanced gray-scale harmonic ultrasound in the efficacy assessment of ablation treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare contrast-enhanced gray-scale harmonic ultrasound with multiphasic spiral computed tomography in the assessment of treatment efficacy of non-surgically treated HCC. METHODS: We studied 56 HCCs treated by percutaneous ethanol injection (31 cases), radiofrequency ablation (three cases), trans-arterial chemoembolization (12 cases), and combined treatment (10 cases). The efficacy of therapies was blindly assessed by multiphasic computed tomography and gray-scale harmonic ultrasound with a second-generation contrast agent (sulfur hexafluoride). RESULTS: On computed tomography 30 tumors (53.6%) showed complete necrosis, while 26 lesions (45.4%) were still viable. On contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination 33/56 nodules (58.9%) had no contrast enhancement in the arterial phase, while 23/56 lesions (41.1%) were still vascularized. All the nodules assessed as completely necrotic on computed tomography did not show arterial enhancement on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and diagnostic agreement was found in 53/56 cases (94.6%) (P<0.001). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound demonstrated relative sensitivity and specificity of 87.0% and 98.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced harmonic ultrasound is promising in the efficacy evaluation of ablation treatments for HCC. Nodules vascularized in the arterial phase on contrast harmonic ultrasound should be considered still viable and addressed to additional treatment without further evaluation.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Recurrent acute hepatitis associated with use of cetirizine.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of recurrent acute hepatitis related to the use of cetirizine, a selective histamine(1)-receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of common allergic diseases. CASE SUMMARY: A 26-year-old man was hospitalized with a week-long history of weakness, nausea, anorexia, and hyperchromic urine, which had developed after 6 days of therapy with oral cetirizine 10 mg/day for allergic rhinitis. Admission laboratory testing revealed evidence of acute hepatitis and seropositivity for liver-kidney microsome antibodies. Liver biopsy findings of diffuse portal tract and lobular inflammation with a prominent eosinophilic infiltrate were consistent with drug-related hepatitis. The patient was discharged after one week of treatment with tocopherol and glutathione. Three months after discharge, transaminase levels were normal. At 6 months, seropositivity for liver-kidney microsome antibodies was still present, but considerably less intense. The patient had suffered 2 previous episodes of "acute hepatitis of unknown origin," and both had occurred after cetirizine use. DISCUSSION: Use of the Naranjo probability scale indicated cetirizine as the probable cause of acute hepatitis, and the positivity for liver-kidney microsome antibodies is suggestive of an autoimmune mechanism for liver damage. As of September 13, 2004, ours is the fourth reported case of acute hepatitis associated with cetirizine and the second in which liver-kidney microsome antibodies have been documented. CONCLUSIONS: Although cetirizine is considered to have low potential for severe hepatic toxicity, the possibility that it can provoke autoimmune-mediated hepatotoxicity should be considered.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Hepatocellular carcinomas <2 cm in diameter complicating cirrhosis: ultrasound and clinical features in 153 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequencies of various echogenicity patterns in 153 consecutive unifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) <2 cm detected in cirrhotic livers and to identify their relationships with clinical, laboratory, and microscopic features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tumors were classified as hypoechoic, hyperechoic, isoechoic, or nodule-in-nodule. Correlation was evaluated between hypoechoic and hyperechoic patterns and the following variables: age, gender, serum alphafetoprotein (AFP), tumor size, ultrasound features of liver parenchyma, cirrhosis etiology, and cyto/histological tumor grading. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen tumors (76.4%) were hypoechoic, 26 (17.0%) were hyperechoic, 5 (3.3%) were isoechoic, and 5 (3.3%) had nodule-in-nodule patterns. The hyperechoic pattern was more common in patients under 69 years (25.0% vs. 11.3% in those under 69 years or older, P=0.033). Patients with a hyperechoic pattern displayed a trend towards lower AFP levels and higher prevalence of hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. The prevalence of well-differentiated tumors was identical (56.6% and 56.5%) in the hypoechoic and hyperechoic subgroups. AFP was higher than 400 ng/ml in only 11/153 cases (7.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The hyperechoic pattern of HCC is by no means uncommon, particularly in patients under 70. Hyperechogenicity is not related to an increased frequency of well-differentiated tumors. AFP shows limited value as a confirmatory test of small HCC.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Rapid regression of psoriasis in a coeliac patient after gluten-free diet. A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Several skin disorders are present in patients affected by coeliac disease (CD) - among them, psoriasis has been described. However, at present the relationship between CD and psoriasis remains controversial since there are few and contrasting data on this topic. METHOD: Here we describe a case of psoriasis in a CD patient not responding to specific therapies for psoriasis. RESULT: The regression of skin lesions after gluten-free diet (GFD) was evident in a short time. CONCLUSION: The present case supports the association between CD and psoriasis and the concept that psoriasis in CD patients can be improved by GFD. Future studies are needed to clarify the possible mechanisms involved in this association.

Celiac Disease↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of the albumin-gamma-glutamyltransferase isoenzyme as a diagnostic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma-complicating liver cirrhosis.

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of albumin-gamma-glutamyltransferase isoenzyme in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Electrophoretic assays of gamma-glutamyltransferase isoenzymes were performed on sera from 190 cirrhotics with (n = 131) or without (n = 59) hepatocellular carcinoma, 36 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 17 patients with liver metastases, and 16 control subjects. In the group of cirrhotic patients, the serum level of alpha-fetoprotein was also assessed. RESULTS: Albumin-gamma-glutamyltransferase was found in 88 of 131 cirrhotics with hepatocellular carcinoma, 14 of 59 cirrhotics without hepatocellular carcinoma, nine of 17 patients with liver metastases, and in none of the chronic active hepatitis or control patients. Within the cirrhotic subgroup, albumin-gamma-glutamyltransferase was effective in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma in general (sensitivity: 67%; specificity: 76%; diagnostic accuracy: 70%), and small hepatocellular carcinoma (< 3 cm; corresponding figures: 58, 76, and 69%). The best alpha-fetoprotein value discriminating between hepatocellular carcinoma and non-hepatocellular carcinoma cirrhotics was 20 ng/mL (sensitivity: 54%; specificity 85%; accuracy: 64%). The combined use of albumin-gamma-glutamyltransferase and alpha-fetoprotein, > 20 ng/mL, was associated with greater sensitivity and accuracy (84 and 74%, respectively) than those observed with either of the two markers considered alone. CONCLUSIONS: Albumin-gamma-glutamyltransferase appears to be a sensitive diagnostic marker of both advanced and small hepatocellular carcinoma-complicating liver cirrhosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary renal angiosarcoma: a rare malignancy. A case report and review of the literature.

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor occurring in less than 2% of soft tissue sarcomas. Angiosarcoma involving the kidney usually represents metastasis from skin or visceral primary lesions, while angiosarcoma primarily occurring in the kidney is a very rare neoplasm. In the English literature, from 1942 to the present, only 19 cases of primary kidney angiosarcoma have been reported. A case of primary renal angiosarcoma presenting as a large kidney mass and flank pain occurring after traumatism is reported. The present case represents further evidence of a rare malignancy.

Hemangiosarcoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Suppression of alcohol delirium tremens by baclofen administration: a case report.

Delirium tremens (DT) is a clinical condition that appears in some patients affected by severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). DT represents a serious complication, being characterized by elevated morbidity and mortality. Benzodiazepines are presently the drug of choice; however their use is related to several side effects. Baclofen is a stereoselective gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAB) receptor agonist. Recent studies show that baclofen is able to suppress alcohol withdrawal symptoms. At present there are no data on the effects of baclofen administration in AWS complicated by DT. Here, we report a case of DT successfully treated with baclofen. This result indicates that the efficacy of baclofen in the treatment of DT should be examined in future clinical trials.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Liver transplantation].

Liver transplantation represents the first choice treatment for patients with fulminant acute hepatitis and for patients with chronic liver disease and advanced functional failure. Patients in the waiting list for liver transplantation are classified according to the severity of their clinical conditions (evaluated using staging systems mostly based on hematochemical parameters related to liver function). This classification, together with the blood group and the body size compatibility, remains the main criterion for organ allocation. The main indications for liver transplantation are cirrhosis (mainly HCV-, HBV- and alcohol-related) and hepatocellular carcinoma emerging in cirrhosis in adult patients, biliary atresia and some inborn errors of metabolism in pediatric patients. In adults the overall 5-year survival ranges between 60 and 70%, in both American and European series. Even better results have been reported for pediatric patients: in fact, the 5-year survival rate for children ranges between 70 and 80% in the main published series. In this study we evaluated the main medical problems correlated with liver transplantation such as immunosuppressive treatment, acute and chronic rejection, infectious complications, the recurrence of the liver disease leading to transplantation, and cardiovascular and metabolic complications.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recurrent hemorrhagic shock from solitary jejunal diverticulum.

We report the case of recurrent hemorrhagic shock manifested by massive melena and hematemesis in a 67-year-old patient, previously operated in another hospital for an abdominal aortic aneurysm two weeks before. During hospitalization the red blood cell scintigraphy was positive for bleeding in the jejunum. Intraoperative endoscopy was performed to identify a solitary diverticulum at the proximal jejunum. Approximately 70 cm of the involved segment was resected by an end-to-end anastomosis. Postoperative one-year evolution has been favorable, without any evidence of rebleeding. A review of the literature concerning this disease indicates the rarity of a massive bleeding from solitary jejunal diverticulum and the need to consider this condition in patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Aged↗