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Biomedical subjects

M Boccardo

Publications and source records attributed to M Boccardo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Tanycytic ependymoma of the spinal cord. Case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report a rare case of the tanycytic variant of intramedullary ependymoma. Tanycytes are the common progenitor cells of both ependymal cells and astrocytes. These particular elongate unipolar and bipolar ependymal cells extend from the ventricular lumen to the surface of the nervous system. It is extremely important, in terms of both management and prognosis, to distinguish intramedullary tanycytic ependymomas from intramedullary astrocytomas although a correct histological diagnosis may be difficult since tanycytes resemble astrocytes. CASE REPORT: A 39-year-old woman underwent surgical treatment for a cervical intramedullary tumor in our department. Although pathological examination of frozen sections was suggestive of low-grade astrocytoma, the definitive histological diagnosis was "tanycytic" ependymoma, a tumor characterized by poor cellularity, elongated elements mixed with fibrillary components, rare pseudo-rosettes and mixed astro-ependymal aspects. Since a complete resection was performed at surgery, no further treatment was proposed. After a follow-up period of two years the patient is free from recurrence. CONCLUSION: Tanycytic ependymomas should be managed in the same way as "ordinary" ependymomas, since there is no current evidence suggesting that these morphologically distinct tumors differ in terms of biological behavior. Increased awareness of this transitional form of intramedullary ependymoma among neurosurgeons and pathologists may avoid incorrect surgical approaches and postoperative treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Giant intracranial aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery treated by direct surgical approach. Case report.

We report the singular case of an exceptionally large giant communicating artery aneurysm successfully treated with a direct surgical approach. The clinical presentation was a relatively short history of frontal headache. In the pre- and postcontrast CT scans the lesion mimicked an intracranial tumor. At surgery the intraluminal thrombus was partially removed with an ultrasonic surgical aspirator; the decompression allowed the isolation and subsequent temporary dipping of the tracts A1 and A2 of both the anterior cerebral arteries. It was then possible to complete the thrombectomy and to dip the neck of the aneurysm. The report emphasizes the indispensable role of MRI for the accurate diagnosis of giant intracranial aneurysms and the recent improvement of the surgical results concerning this category of aneurysms (mainly related to the present wider availability of technical surgical instrumentation).

Carotid Arteries↗
PubMed1993

Intracarotid cisplatin chemotherapy for high-grade astrocytomas.

Twenty-five patients with malignant astrocytomas (grade III and IV) were treated with intraarterial infusions of cisplatin at 4/8 weeks intervals. Of the 23 evaluable patients, none had a complete response, 1 (4.3%) had a probable response (unequivocal improvement in the neurological examination and CT evidence of a decrease in tumor size), 15 (65.2%) had stable disease, and 7 (30.5%) had a progression (unequivocal worsening of both the neurological examination and the CT scan). Twenty-one of the 25 patients exhibited some degree of toxicity; the only two serious complications observed were neurological and retinal.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Primary extra-skeletal Ewing's sarcoma mimicking a disc protrusion.

One of the rarest cases of primary epidural neoplasm is a soft tissue sarcoma histologically similar to Ewing's sarcoma of the bone. In the literature only eleven cases of such an extra-skeletal Ewing's sarcoma have been described. The authors report an additional case presenting as a disc protrusion in a young male. The authors include some diagnostic, prognostic and nosologic remarks about this condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Spinal carcinomatous metastases. Retrospective study of 67 surgically treated cases.

A series of 67 surgically treated spinal carcinomatous metastases is reviewed in order to establish the role played by surgery in the management of such a disease. The authors compare the results achieved in two groups of patients treated with a different therapeutic approach: either surgery alone or surgery associated with other therapies (mainly radiotherapy). On this basis, although no ideal treatment for spinal epidural metastases can be established, the authors suggest decompressive laminectomy as a first choice approach in the treatment of patients bearing a scarcely radiosensitive spinal metastasis with a rapidly deteriorating motor function.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1985

Long-term prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhages of unknown etiology.

Forty-nine patients who suffered a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and in whom panangiography did not show the cause of the bleeding, were evaluated after a long follow-up (median 8 years). No relationship was found between outcome and antifibrinolytic treatment or blood pressure level. Angiography was repeated in cases with spasm or after rebleeding: one aneurysm was found (7%). The authors suggest that angiography should be repeated in these circumstances. The early mortality was 2%. Late functional capacity was normal in 94% of the patients. No particular restrictions should therefore be recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Personal experience with the surgery of spinal meningiomas.

We present a series of 36 surgically treated spinal meningiomas, emphasising that the complaints of a patient with spinal meningioma are too often misinterpreted and ascribed to other, more common, affections of the spine such as spondyloarthrosis or disc prolapse. CT scanning and myelography should be used more routinely, in order to reduce the delay in diagnosing a spinal meningioma. Excision of the dural attachment is not always essential to avoid recurrences.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intracerebral granular cell tumor. Case report.

The authors report a case of intracerebral granular cell tumor. These neoplasms are uncommon and, particularly, the intracerebral location has been reported only in ten previous cases. The authors discuss the clinical and histological features of these lesions, the histogenesis of which is still controversial. Our data seem furthermore to support the theory that at least in most cases, granular cell tumors are derived from Schwann cells.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidural extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma simulating a herniated disk. Clinical case].

One of the rarest case of primary epidural neoplasm is a soft tissue sarcoma histologically similar to Ewing's sarcoma of the bone. In literature have been described only eleven cases of such extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma. The authors report an additional case presenting as a disc protrusion in a young male. The Authors include some diagnostic, prognostic and nosologic remarks of this affection.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Primary vertebral hydatidosis. Case report and brief review of the literature].

The authors report a case of primary spinal hydatid cyst. A primary vertebral involvement occurs in about 1% of cases of Echinococcus granulosus infestations. In Italy only 23 cases have been reported to date. The diagnosis of spinal hydatidosis is often available only at the time of surgery because this disease has not specific characteristics as regards other more common causes of spinal cord compression. Surgery is mandatory but the wide bone infiltration makes difficult the radical excision and subsequently there is a high incidence of recurrences.

Echinococcosis↗