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Biomedical subjects

L de Palma

Publications and source records attributed to L de Palma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Plantar fibromatosis: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

The analogies between plantar fibromatosis and Dupuytren's disease (palmar fibromatosis) are well known. The latter is clinically more frequent and has been the object of extensive immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies, with a view to investigating its pathogenesis. By contrast, such data on plantar fibromatosis are quite scarce. A histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study was performed on nodule tissue from six patients who were subjected to total fasciectomy for plantar fibromatosis. The study of myofibroblasts revealed features suggestive of their fibroblastic origin and evidenced a cytoskeleton and an extracellular filamentous system that could enable myofibroblasts to generate and exert the intracellular forces that contribute to the contraction of the aponeurosis. These aspects are similar to those observed in Dupuytren's disease and seem to lend support to the theory that the two diseases are expressions of the same disorder.

Dupuytren Contracture↗
PubMed1999

Sporadic ulcerative-mutilating acropathy of the foot. Features and therapeutic indications.

Ulcerative-mutilating acropathy occurs as an inherited (Thévenard's disease) and a sporadic (Bureau-Barrière syndrome) variant. We report a retrospective study in nine patients with the sporadic variant. All nine had painless foot ulcers with trophic disorders and severe skeletal alterations. Electrodiagnostic testing showed polyneuropathy with sensory disorders in seven patients. Motor conduction velocity was normal. Radiological changes were confined to the lower limbs. The clinical course and treatment of sporadic ulcerative-mutilating acropathy are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Zanoli's procedure for overlapping fifth toe: retrospective study of 18 cases followed for 4-17 years.

Digitus quintus superductus pedis (overlapping fifth toe) is a congenital deformity, often bilateral, in which the fifth toe is medially directed, rotated and hyperextended. There is no consensus regarding the best treatment. We describe our experience using Zanoli's procedure, which is a tenodesis procedure using the extensor tendon of the fifth toe. Between 1979 and 1993, we operated on 16 patients (7 bilateral, total 23 feet). 13 (10 women) patients (18 feet), with a mean age of 26 (19-40) years, were seen on follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 8 (4-17) years. Pain relief was achieved in all patients. From the surgeon's point of view, 3 toes overcorrected due to technical errors were considered unsatisfactory. All patients, however, were satisfied with the result and would advise other patients to undergo the same operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Anatomy of the Lisfranc joint complex.

The authors studied the Lisfranc joint complex using gross dissection and examination of anatomical sections of frozen samples in the frontal and sagittal planes. They distinguished a medial compartment, a central compartment, a lateral compartment, the secondary joint line, and the connections with the cuneoscaphoid articulation. The ligaments were divided on the basis of topography (dorsal, interosseous, and plantar) and course (longitudinal, oblique, and transverse). The dorsal and plantar ligaments reinforce the articular capsules. The interosseous ligaments are the strongest. A common characteristic of these ligaments is that they vary considerably in course, number, and insertions.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Subungual exostosis of the foot.

Eleven subungual exostoses of the foot (10 on the hallux, 1 on the third toe) were studied. The initial symptom was subungual pain. When a subungual mass of fibrous tissue appeared, the nail was pushed up and in one case the mass became infected. X-rays exhibited a bone mass protruding from the terminal phalanx on the dorsomedial aspect of the toe in all cases. All patients underwent surgical excision of the lesions with partial onychectomy. Three layers were identified in five cases: a cap of fibrous tissue, a middle zone of hyaline cartilage with enchondral ossification, and a deep zone of cancellous bone. In three other cases, the histological pattern was pleomorphic and poorly characterized. The study shows that most subungual bone masses exhibited the pathological features of conventional osteochondromas. Nonetheless, a small number of lesions were pleomorphic and differed from osteochondromas, with abundant fibrous tissue merging irregularly into scattered islets of cartilage that was not organized in columns. Radical excision of the mass achieved complete relief of symptoms and recovery without recurrences in all cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Fracture callus in osteopetrosis.

The histologic features of bone callus after a traumatic fracture in a patient with osteopetrosis are presented. The fracture callus develops in stages that are apparently normal. The tissue is initially rich in bone-forming cells and vessels. One year later, however, unlike mature osteopetrotic bone, the tissue shows no Haversian organization.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Clinical and pathological aspects of solitary spinal neurofibroma.

Four cases are described of solitary spinal neurofibroma, a rare tumour of the spinal cord or nerve roots. Computerised tomography provided an accurate topographical definition of the tumour. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an increased T2-weighted signal and multiple areas of decreased T1- and T2-weighted signals centrally. The MR signals matched the histological examination which showed hyperplastic interfascicular connective tissue, pleomorphic cells, and tightly packed nerve fibres compressed by the surrounding loose connective tissue. Electron microscopy showed three types of cell: Schwann cells, fibroblast-like cells, and mast cells. The histological findings suggests that solitary spinal neurofibroma is a distinct pathological entity which could be diagnosed preoperatively from the MR images.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Polymethylmethacrylate-antiblastic drug compounds: an in vitro study assessing the cytotoxic effect in cancer cell lines--a new method for local chemotherapy of bone metastasis.

An in vitro study was performed assessing the pharmacologic properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-antiblastic agent (doxorubicin and cisplatinum) mixtures in normal and neoplastic cell lines cultures. The study's aim was to analyze the polymerization capacity of PMMA in the presence of doxorubicin and cisplatinum, the release of drug from the mixture, the kinetics of release, and the effect of the released drugs in normal and neoplastic cell cultures. Our data show that even at high concentrations neither doxorubicin nor cisplatinum inhibit the polymerization of PMMA. Moreover, mixtures in vitro can release the antiblastic drug which maintains its pharmacologic activity on sensitive neoplastic cells. Therefore, the PMMA-antiblastic drug mixtures, along with current anti-cancer therapy (systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy), may provide better local control of the metastatic lesion and of some bone tumors.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

Fibrin-antibiotic mixtures: an in vitro study assessing the possibility of using a biologic carrier for local drug delivery.

An in vitro study assessing the kinetics of drug release from antibiotic-fibrin seal compounds and the antibacterial efficacy of the delivered drug has been performed. Antibiotic sensitivity and the amount of drug released was measured by means of agar diffusion test. Standard and experimental curves were established for each antibiotic and each bacterial test in order to evaluate the quantities of the drug released during each 24 h period. The reconstitution of lyophilized human fibrin with an aqueous solution containing an antibiotic resulted in only minor modification of the clotting process, with the exception of those solutions containing cefotaxim and mezlocillin which failed to clot altogether and were excluded from further study. The evaluation of the kinetics of elution of the antibiotics from the fibrin clots showed that all of the antibiotics had been almost completely released by 96 h. The delivered amount of each drug was enough to maintain the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) until the 4th day of culture for the most of antibiotics, resulting in a prolonged release of the drug.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1991

The ultrastructure of schwannoma and neurofibroma of the peripheral nerves.

An electron microscopic study of 4 solitary schwannomas and 2 neurofibromas of peripheral nerves was performed with the aim of investigating the debated histogenesis of the two types of lesion. Our observations confirm that solitary schwannoma is composed almost exclusively of cells with characteristics of differentiated Schwann cells, thus providing evidence for a neuroectodermal origin of the tumor. Analysis of the ultrastructure of neurofibroma shows the presence of 3 different types of cells: Schwann-like cells, perineurial-like cells, and fibroblast-like cells. Perineurial-like cells were prevalent in our observations. These findings as well as the many controversial aspects of the origin of neurofibroma could be explained by separating this type of neoplasia into two pathological forms: perineurial and interstitial. Moreover, the numerous differences between solitary schwannoma and neurofibroma allow us to hypothesize a different cellular origin for each tumor. If confirmed by further observations, this would explain the difference in the capacity of the two types of neoplasia to undergo malignant change, an occurrence almost unknown in solitary schwannoma yet relatively common in neurofibroma.

Collagen↗
PubMed1989

Biological aspects of repair osteogenesis in corticospongy homologous grafts.

An experimental study was carried out aimed at studying the short-term, mid-term and long-term biological features of the incorporation of homologous bone grafts. Homologous cortical and corticospongy grafts of the proximal third of the tibia were implanted in 60 adult New Zealand rabbits, under general anaesthesia. The animals were sacrificed after predetermined periods of time, and the tibia removed for radiographic and histological examination. An analysis of the different phases of the fusion process allowed us to observe the different dynamic evolution of osteogenic repair of cortical as compared to spongy grafts. This could be explained by the different tensile properties of the two types of grafts.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Experimental investigation into reparative osteogenesis with fibrin adhesive.

An experimental investigation was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of fibrin adhesive on the reparative osteogenesis of bone grafts in the short, medium, and long term. Sixty fully developed New Zealand White rabbits under general anesthesia were grafted with homologous bone tissue in the proximal third of each tibias. Fibrin adhesive was used in one hind limb only. The animals were killed at a predetermined time. Both tibias were removed and subjected to radiographic and histologic analyses. The reparative process was observed and the differences between the fibrin adhesive-treated grafts and the reference group in the first few weeks were determined. No substantial difference was detected in the reparative osteogenetic process of the graft in the animals killed after 2 months.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of bone cysts with methylprednisolone acetate. A 9 to 11 year follow-up.

The long-term results are reported of the treatment of bone cysts by means of the injection of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) into the bony cavity using Scaglietti's technique. Eighteen patients were reviewed at a follow-up of 9-11 years from the beginning of the treatment. The results confirm the value of this technique and show a high percentage of recovery. During the growth period, a recurrence of osteolytic activity in the lesion may be observed after complete healing, though this does not happen frequently. In these cases further prompt treatment with MPA injected into the small osteolytic areas brings about their complete resolution. These observations lead us to conclude that a bone cyst can never be considered completely healed before complete skeletal maturity is reached. Regular radiological reviews must be carried out in order to recognise and treat promptly the first signs of a recurrence of cystic activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The modified Jones procedure for pes cavovarus with claw hallux.

The purpose of this study is to describe long-term outcomes of the modified Jones procedure for pes cavovarus with claw hallux deformity. Jones originally described an isolated transfer of the extensor hallucis longus tendon. However, this technique does not correct and stabilize the claw hallux deformity. Therefore, this operation has been modified to include arthrodesis of the interphalangeal joint of the hallux, distal stump tenodesis of extensor hallucis longus with brevis tendon, and osteotomy of the base of the first metatarsal in cases of fixed or structural deformity. Twenty-four feet in twenty-one patients were evaluated with a 4-year average follow-up. Results were rated as good, fair, of poor based on correction of deformity, absence of pain, and metatarsophalangeal joint motion. Poor results were observed in 21% of feet and were related to first metatarsal dorsiflexion, pseudoarthrosis of interphalangeal joint fusion, and recurrent pain under the first metatarsal head.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Regnauld procedure in the surgical treatment of metatarsalgia: interpretation of follow-up X-ray imaging.

In lesser ray metatarsalgia (rays 2 through 5) due to an altered Lelievre's metatarsal formula (depending on the respective lengths of the metatarsals), the resection of metatarsal heads aims at restoring a correct metatarsal support. This being a destructive procedure, metatarsal head resection is best indicated in the treatment of severe forefoot deformities such as those resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. In all metatarsalgias that recognize biomechanical origin, the enclavement procedure, according to Regnauld's original report, should be preferred. The aim of this study is analysis of the radiographic evolution of the metatarsal epiphysis following the Regnauld procedure on the basis of anatomic and pathological events occurring during the attachment process. The procedure was performed on 31 feet and the patients were followed-up for 24 months postoperatively. The enclavement process evolved favorably in all cases. It consists of four anatomic/pathologic phases corresponding to typical radiographic features. While graft consolidation is achieved in 3 to 4 months postoperatively, complete recovery of the metatarsal bony architecture and functional adaptation requires 18 to 24 months.

Aged↗