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Biomedical subjects

L Carbone

Publications and source records attributed to L Carbone.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to acute pulmonary embolism in an emergency department.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the obstruction of the pulmonary arteries by the dislodging and embolization of thrombotic material coming in most cases from the deep veins of the leg. PE is a relatively common disease with an estimated annual incidence up to 37 cases diagnosed per 100,000 persons it is the third cause of death in the United States. Clinical signs and symptoms are non specific and in the 70% of cases there isn't a correct diagnosis. The aim of this review is to summarize the state of the art of the diagnostic and treatment algorithms of PE in the evidence based medicine in order to minimize the "clinician gestalt" by the only guide for the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. A correct diagnosis based on pre test probability, the use of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography, early anticoagulation/fibrinolysis started in the Emergency Department can change the natural history of the disease. In perspective, a combined approach of localyzed fibrinolysis and mechanical fragmentation could improve the overall outcome of these patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Combined modality therapy in low risk (T2N0) rectal cancer.

The authors' experience with local excision (LE) and adjuvant radiotherapy in the treatment of selected cases of rectal cancer, is reported. 41 patients with distal rectal cancer underwent elective LE for cure. Selection criteria were: the site of tumor in the lower rectum, exophytic growth, maximum diameter equal to or lower than 4 cm, tumor "freely" mobile on the rectal wall, clinical staging T1-2 N0M0, histological grading G1-2. Patients shown to be T2 on definitive histology underwent adjuvant radiotherapy to the site of tumor and to pelvic lymph nodes. LE was performed via transanal route under general anesthesia. Operative mortality was 0% and morbidity 7.3%. In 37 cases (90%) surgery was considered radical and curative. The incidence of local recurrence was 5.4%, overall evidence of disease 8.1%, cancer-specific mortality 5.4% and 5-year actuarial survival 90%. The combination with radiotherapy has achieved similar results in T1 (22 cases) and T2 (15 cases) tumors. It is concluded that LE combined with radiotherapy in T2 tumors in selected cases represent a valid therapeutic alternative to more demolitive surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Combined modality therapy of resectable high risk rectal cancer.

Aim of this phase I-II study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative concomitant radiochemotherapy in resectable high risk (TNM stage: II and III) rectal tumors, 64 patients entered the study: 37 had low rectal cancer, 27 mid-rectal cancer. 50 patients were clinically staged as stage III (Dukes C) and 14 as stage II (Dukes B). Treatment protocol included bolus mitomycin C at the dose of 10 mg/m2 on day 1 and 5FU continuous infusion at the daily dose of 1000 mg/m2 on day 1, 2, 3, 4. Concomitant external radiotherapy up to a dose of 3780 cGy was delivered at the daily dose of 180 cGy. Surgery was performed 4 to 5 weeks after radiation therapy (RT). Before surgery all patients were clinically restaged to evaluate the response to concomitant radiochemotherapy. Treatment compliance was 97%. Toxicity was 27% prevalently shown as bone marrow depletion and radiodermatitis. In 37 patients (61%) there was 50% reduction (partial response) of neoplastic volume. In 5 patients (8%) no neoplastic cells were evidenced in the surgical specimen on histology (complete response). The distance between the lower margin of the tumor and the internal anal orifice increased in 72% of cases. Postoperative morbidity was 28%. The incidence of anastomotic dehiscences was 8.7% over 46 anterior resections. Postoperative mortality was nil. Definitive staging evidenced 24 patients (39%) stage I or with no evidence of tumor. The incidence of local recurrence was 5% and that of distant metastasis 8%.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surgery of rectal cancer (technical observations).

The evolution of the surgical management of rectal cancer is briefly reviewed. Factors which influence the choice of the surgical procedure relatively to the tumor characteristics, are examined. The role played by preoperative staging as the basis of a correct therapeutic approach is underlined. Most common surgical procedures in rectal cancer treatment are reported, and emphasis is put on aspects of particular interest for radiodiagnosticians and radiotherapists.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prognostic factors in local-regional recurrences of colorectal neoplasms].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a group of patients suffering of colo-rectal cancer, the influence on local recurrence of some clinical and anatomo-pathological variables. METHODS: The study was limited to 833 patients who underwent potentially curative resection and have been followed for at least two years. All patients were evaluated every six months for the first three years and yearly thereafter by means of clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and radiological investigations. Recurrence was observed in 78 patients (9.4%); 19 of these had evidence of distal failure simultaneously (2.2%). The incidence was 2.4% and 17.7% in the carcinoma of the colon and rectum respectively. Median time of recurrence was 16 +/- 11 months; 75% presents within 23 months from operation. Chi-square test was used to relate incidence of recurrence to clinical and anatomo-pathological factors and then a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the most significant variables. RESULTS: Univariate analysis reveals a significant relationship between recurrence and age under 50 years (p = 0.01), presence of preoperative complication (p = 0.01), stage (p = 0.01), site (p = 0.000) of primary tumor and lymph-nodal involvement (p = 0.0002). No statistically significant difference was found between recurrence and tumor wall infiltration, number of lymph nodes involved, grading and morphology of primary tumor. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed these results except for preoperative complication (p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Authors believe that selection of patients to undergo adjuvant therapies is improved by identification of high-risk patients.

Age Factors↗