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Biomedical subjects

P Greco

Publications and source records attributed to P Greco.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Amiodarone-induced experimental acute neuropathy in rats.

Amiodarone was injected endoneurially at increasing doses into the exposed tibial nerve of rats to study its electrophysiologic and pathologic effects on peripheral nerve fibers. Forty-five male Wistar rats were used, and each of the following concentrations was injected into 15 nerves: 25 micrograms/mL, 50 micrograms/mL, and 100 micrograms/mL. Microinjection of a 25 micrograms/mL concentration of amiodarone resulted in a subacute, incomplete conduction block evident at day 3 postinjection. This conduction block remained stable until day 10 and recovery was complete at day 35. Microinjection of a 50 micrograms/mL concentration of amiodarone produced a faster evolving conduction block, and significant axon degeneration (approximately 40% of fibers). Injection of a 100 micrograms/mL concentration resulted in severe acute motor axon degeneration followed by complete but delayed regeneration. Results of morphological studies closely correlated with electrophysiological findings. Amiodarone thus seems to have a direct toxic effect on axons at high concentrations in the peripheral nerve, and we suggest that different pathological changes described in human amiodarone neuropathy could be related to different concentrations of the drug in the nerve, perhaps due to variability of blood-nerve barrier efficacy.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed1991

Prenatal diagnosis of craniopagus.

The long-term prognosis of craniopagus, a congenital abnormality of monozygotic twinning, is strictly correlated to the type of shared cerebral structures. Hence, the purpose of prenatal diagnosis is not only to detect this malformation, but also to identify the fused cerebral structures. The authors report a prenatal diagnosis of a craniopagus during the second trimester of pregnancy. Comparison of ultrasound data with the pathological findings underlines that ultrasound is of great value in detecting malformations, but it is not alone sufficient to identify the types of conjoined cerebral structures.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Ultrasonic and postnatal findings in left visceral isomerism.

Sonographic and postmortem findings of left visceral isomerism associated with polysplenia are reviewed. Particular stress is given to pathologic data, which could prospectively suggest some specific ultrasonic features in order to characterize this complex syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1990

Removal or preservation of ovaries during hysterectomy: a six year review.

During six years (1982-1987) in our Department 965 consecutive hysterectomies were performed: 583 abdominal and 260 vaginal hysterectomies performed for benign indications (total = 843) have been reviewed. Preservation of ovaries was chosen in 234 cases (27.8%), while 609 women had their ovaries removed (72.2%). Indications and choice of surgical procedure have shown more significant correlation with ovariectomy than different age groups and parity. Incidence of subsequent signs and symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis has been detected and compared between premenopausal patients who had oophorectomy and those who had not. In removed ovaries no undiagnosed malignant ovarian diseases were found.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Aortic valve stenosis: current physiopathological and therapeutic aspects].

On the premise that the increased average life expectancy and a reduced incidence of rheumatic diseases have changed the epidemiological profile of valvulopathies, the paper analyses the causes, pathological anatomy, physiopathology and therapy of aortic valvular stenosis. First of all, the differences of acquired calcific stenosis, in which the orifice may be "forced" by the ventricular pump leading to a late onset of symptoms, are underlined. Clinical symptomatology must include angina, syncope or decompensation, rather than merely and elevated gradient, before surgical therapy is proposed. In addition to traditional therapeutic methods (valvular replacement) there is now the possibility of using balloon valvuloplasty which has provided good results in terms of increased valvular area and recovery of ventricular function; however, this is only a palliative step in cases where major surgery is contra-indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Intrauterine manometry: technique and application to fetal pathology.

A technique is described for measuring pressure within the amniotic cavity and within fetal vessels and/or body compartments. Two saline-filled catheters were connected at one end to needles inserted during indicated invasive procedures and at the other to silicon strain gauge transducers. In 36 pregnancies with normal liquor volume, stable intra-amniotic pressure (IAP, range 1-14 mmHg) increased with gestation (r = 0.48, p less than 0.01). In pregnancies complicated by severe oligohydramnios, IAP was less than or equal to 1 mm Hg and rose to normal levels with saline amnioinfusion. Raised IAP (range 17-26 mm Hg), found in pregnancies with gross polyhydramnios, fell with drainage of amniotic fluid. Subtraction manometry was used to determine supra-amniotic pressure within the intervillus space, umbilical vein, umbilical artery, abdominal and thoracic cavities, and the urinary tract in normal and/or pathological fetuses. Low intravesical and intrapelvicalyceal pressures (median 6.5, range 2-10 mm Hg) were noted in fetuses with obstructive uropathies. Intrauterine subtraction manometry appears to be a useful tool in the understanding of fetal pathophysiology and may be of clinical benefit in the therapeutic drainage and infusion of amniotic fluid and in the assessment of certain fetal disease states.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1989

When to perform the next intra-uterine transfusion in patients with Rh allo-immunization: combined intravascular and intraperitoneal transfusion allows longer intervals.

Data from 99 intra-uterine transfusions performed in 30 patients (31 fetuses) with Rh allo-immunization have been reviewed. Mean gestational age at the first transfusion was 23.6 weeks and mean fetal haematocrit 19.8%. The number of procedures was on average 3.2 per fetus. Survival rate was 84%. Fifty-nine intravascular transfusions were combined with intraperitoneal transfusions. Combined intravascular and intraperitoneal transfusions, when compared to intravascular transfusions alone, achieved a significantly longer interval between transfusions and also maintained a higher fetal haematocrit at the subsequent transfusion. Mean fall in fetal haematocrit was 0.98% per day with a wide range. There was a general tendency towards a less marked fall during the second interval between transfusions than in the first with the exception of those cases in which the percentage of fetal red cells at the start of the second transfusion was increased compared to that which was found at the end of the first, i.e., when fetal erythropoiesis was not suppressed.

Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine↗
PubMed1989

Intervertebral disc herniation at D3-4 Case report.

The authors report a case of intervertebral disc herniation at D3.4 which they removed surgically from a posterior approach. They emphasize the extreme rarity of this localisation. The hernia was calcified, extruded and displaced posterolaterally and medially, causing pressure on the anterior aspect of the spinal cord with neurological signs of the pareto-spastic type. The operation was successful, with relief of pain and regression of the neurological symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Fibronectin levels in pregnancy and puerperium.

Fibronectin levels were serially assayed during the third trimester of pregnancy and puerperium in a group women with uncomplicated pregnancies, and two groups with mild/severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The values were found increased in the complicated pregnancies, with extremely elevated levels in cases of severe preeclamptic fits.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1988

Consequences of fetomaternal haemorrhage after intrauterine transfusion.

Fetomaternal haemorrhage was studied after 68 consecutive fetal intravascular transfusions performed in 20 patients with Rh isoimmunisation. alpha Fetoprotein concentration was assayed in maternal blood taken before, and immediately after each transfusion and three and 24 hours later. An increase of 50% or more in the concentration in any of the samples after transfusion was considered to indicate fetomaternal haemorrhage. Fetal alpha fetoprotein concentration in blood sampled before transfusion was also assayed and the amount of fetomaternal haemorrhage calculated. Fetomaternal haemorrhage occurred in 21 of 32 patients with an anterior placenta and in six of 36 with a posterior or fundal placenta. The mean estimated volume of haemorrhage was 2.4 ml, which was on average equal to 3.1% of the total fetoplacental blood volume. When the volume of fetomaternal haemorrhage at the first transfusion was greater than 1 ml there was a greater increase in maternal Rh (D) antibody titres and a greater fall in fetal packed cell volume. Sampling of fetal blood should not be routinely done early in patients with Rh isoimmunisation, and intrauterine transfusion should be delayed as long as possible. Sampling sites other than the placental cord insertion reduces the risk of fetomaternal haemorrhage.

Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine↗
PubMed1988

Changes in fetal acid base status during intravascular transfusion.

Umbilical venous pH, PCO2, PO2, and base excess was measured immediately before and after 72 intravascular transfusions in 34 fetuses with erythroblastosis fetalis. In 67 uncomplicated transfusions, infused adult blood led to a mean (95% confidence intervals) fall in pH (0.037, CI 0.029 to 0.044) and base excess (2.03, CI 1.61 to 2.45) and a mean rise in PCO2 (0.24 kPa, CI 0.13 to 0.35). These changes correlated significantly with the increase in fetal haemoglobin and packed cell volume. Five transfusions were associated with complications within six hours: intrauterine death in two, fetal-distress necessitating delivery in two, and preterm labour in one. Two had pre-existing acidosis, whereas two of the three with normal blood gas and acid base measurements before transfusion had acute changes that were outside the normal ranges that had been established in uncomplicated transfusions.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1988

Antibiotic prophylaxis for abdominal hysterectomy.

Three different regimens of antibiotic treatment have been employed in order to evaluate their efficacy as a profilaxis for abdominal hysterectomy. Two short term administrations (Cephtriaxone and Cephamandole plus Tobramycine) and a conventional full dose treatment (Cephazoline) have been compared over a group of homogeneous patients. No significant differences, except a reduction in postoperative time spent in hospital, have been found among the groups. A reduction in urinary tract infection has also been reported with a single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1987

A computerised tomographic scan study of Luque loops and the progression of vertebral fusion in the surgical treatment of scoliosis.

The authors report the results of a study, using CT scan, on 15 patients with scoliosis treated by the Harrington-Luque method. The patients were monitored periodically from the 3rd to the 30th month after operation. Each patient was monitored only once in order to limit the risk of ionizing radiation. In all the follow-ups it was observed that the metallic loops were in close contact with the laminae, which did not show any signs of disturbances. The medullary canal appeared to be of normal dimensions. Vertebral fusion was evident at the first 3 months follow-up and at this time partial corticalization also commenced. In successive follow-ups, fusion progressed steadily, and after 8 months it was completely corticalized. This progression continued even after 18 months so that at 30 months the fusion was such that the distractor was completely surrounded.

Bone Wires↗