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Biomedical subjects

P Masci

Publications and source records attributed to P Masci.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Dendritic cells in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: graft content and post transplant recovery predict survival.

Allograft dendritic cell (DC) content has been identified as a predictor of relapse and event-free survival after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. However, the prognostic importance of DCs has not been evaluated in the setting of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We prospectively determined pre-transplant and post transplant DC levels, including DC1 and DC2 subset levels, in 53 patients with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (DLBC NHL) undergoing autologous HSCT. Pre-transplant DCs were measured in the collected stem cell products and were therefore indicative of cell numbers infused directly into patients; post transplant analysis of DCs was performed on the peripheral blood of patients 6 weeks after the infusion of autologous stem cells. Higher pre-transplant levels of DC1 cells and total DCs were significantly associated with improved survival. Similarly, greater post transplant levels of total DCs and both subsets were significantly associated with survival. These findings suggest a relationship between DC reconstitution and survival following autologous HSCT for DLBC NHL. Strategies to increase autograft DC content or accelerate DC recovery after autologous HSCT might improve outcomes in this setting.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Acoustic intrameatal meningiomas.

BACKGROUND: The sporadic finding of an acoustic intrameatal meningioma stimulated the authors to the present study. An analysis of the cases previously reported in the literature aimed to outline a preliminary account about biological, radiological and surgical specific hallmarks of these tumours. METHODS: Eight previous cases of meningiomas, meeting the prerequisite of origin and situation within the internal acoustic canal, have been discovered in the known literature since 1975. A further case was recently observed in our experience. The cases in the series showed no sex prevalence and in most of them the age of incidence was comprised between the fifth and sixth decade of life. Hearing loss was the prevalent symptom, lasting 1 month to 7 years before presentation. Myelocisternography, myelo-CT or high resolution CT/MR revealed no specific radiological features to distinguish small intrameatal meningiomas from the more frequently occurring vestibular schwannomas, while CT scan with bone algorithm could point out valuable indirect details for differential diagnosis. Various surgical approaches, i.e. middle fossa, translabyrinthine and retromastoid, were utilized by the different authors. RESULTS: Basing on apparent individual surgical preference, one of three different surgical routes (translabyrinthine, middle fossa, retromastoid) was chosen for 10 procedures in 9 patients. In all, except two cases the impression at surgery was of complete tumour removal. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility for meningiomas to recur and invade the surrounding bone requires a differential diagnosis from vestibular schwannomas. In the absence of intrinsic distinctive signs, radiological evaluation of peritumoral bone alterations could help diagnosis. Although the various surgical routes have often proved effective, temporal bone invasion justifies more extensive approach even in small tumours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Acute ischaemic colitis following intravenous cocaine use.

Intestinal ischaemia is an uncommon complication of recreational cocaine abuse. We report the case of a 36-year-old male who underwent emergency surgery for acute abdomen. At laparotomy, the transverse colon appeared markedly oedematous, dilated and with subserosal haemorrhage. Segmental resection was performed and microscopic examination of the resected specimen showed focal necrosis of the mucosa with a patchy polymorphonuclear and mononuclear infiltrate. The submucosa was markedly thickened due to oedema; focal haemorrhage was observed and blood vessels were dilated but showed no structural abnormalities or thrombosis. These findings were consistent with ischaemic colitis. No risk factors for intestinal ischaemia were present but the patient stated that he had injected cocaine i.v. the day before the onset of symptoms. He was not a cocaine abuser but occasionally sniffed, smoked or injected cocaine. Cocaine use should be considered in the aetiological diagnosis of intestinal ischaemia in young patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Oropharyngeal angiolipoma: a case study].

Angiolipoma is a histological variation of lipoma. It occurs in 17% of the cases of lipoma and the cervico-facial localization is quite rate. Indeed, in the literature 17 cases of angiolipoma have been presented in the head and neck region and none in the oropharygeal area. The present work reports a case of pedunculate angiolipoma in a 44-year-old male: the red-violaceous growth resting on the upper surface of the tongue--was 13 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. The implantation base corresponded to the left posterior-lateral wall of the oropharnyx, 1 cm below the lower tonsilar pole. A serreneoud loop was used to remove the angiolipoma in direct view, the patients mouth held open with an autostatic gag. Histologically it was a non infiltrating variant for which simple removal is curative and recurrences are rare. Viceversa, removal of the infiltrating type requires expanding there section edges to include surrounding tissues in an attempt to preventre currences which are quite frequent (occurring in approximately 50% of the cases).

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Snake bites recorded by veterinary practices in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent of the snake bite problem in domestic animals, its regional significance and the effects of antivenom treatment. DESIGN: A questionnaire was designed seeking information on the number and type of domestic animals referred, whether treated or untreated, type of snakes and management of the bite. PROCEDURE: The survey form was sent to 10% of veterinary surgeons, selected at random throughout Australia. RESULTS: The response of 106 veterinary surgeons revealed that snake bite in domestic animals is frequent, with an estimated 6200 cases reported annually. Bites were more prominent in rural (78%) than urban areas (22%) with brown, tiger and black snakes accounting for 76%, 113% and 6% of cases, respectively. Cats and dogs were the most frequently reported victims. Ninety-one percent of cats and 75% of dogs survived following the administration of antivenom whereas 66% of cats and 31% of dogs survived without antivenom. Overall, in 33% of cases antivenom was not used, and venom detection kits were used in only 1% of cases. A number of drugs were used in various combinations with or without antivenom and intravenous fluids in the treatment of animals with snake bite, but their role in reducing the severity of envenomations was not assessed. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Antivenom significantly improves the chances of survival of domestic animals bitten by snakes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Hemolytic uremic syndrome following taipan envenomation with response to plasmapheresis.

We report a case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in a 33 year old male who was bitten by a taipan, with apparent massive envenomation. The microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenic aspects of his HUS appeared to respond to plasmapheresis, but his anuric renal failure persisted. He also had prolonged severe muscular paralysis which gradually began to resolve over the course of two weeks. At this point he suffered a cardiac arrest sustaining severe and subsequently fatal hypoxic brain injury. This case raises the possibility that the taipan venom may have induced HUS by damaging the renal endothelium. His cardiac arrest was not apparently related to his HUS.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effects of sulglycotide on inflammation and epithelial cell turnover in active Helicobacter pylori+ chronic gastritis. A pilot study.

The effects of Sulglycotide were evaluated in a pilot study of active H. pylori+ atrophic gastritis. Ten informed patients (mean age 51 +/- 13 years) entered a double-blind study. Five received Sulglycotide 400 mg three times a day for one year, the other 5, placebo. At 0, 30, 90, 270, and 360 days of treatment, patients underwent endoscopic examinations with multiple biopsies. Morphometric studies (number of inflammatory cells and percent gland volume), morphologic studies (according to the Sydney system), and flow cytofluorimetry were performed in all cases. Compared to findings in the placebo group, patients treated with Sulglycotide showed a reduced number of inflammatory cells and an increase in gland volume 120 days after treatment. While the difference was not statistically significant, the trend was confirmed by the morphologic patterns. Flow cytofluorimetry revealed an increase in the percentage of cells in the G2 phase (full maturation) and a parallel drop in the S phase (premitotic synthesis) in the Sulglycotide group only in the first three months. These data would appear to indicate an acceleration of gastric epithelial cell maturation and a decrease in the inflammatory infiltrate under the effect of Sulglycotide.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis as a cause of obstructive azoospermia.

We report a case of infertility due to obstructive azoospermia determined by papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis. The 28-year-old patient had other signs of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and died from neurological complications. The possibility of finding an epididymal neoplasm should be kept in mind in any case of azoospermia with epididymal enlargement.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Endometrial carcinoma. Clinical and pathological correlations with survival and surgical treatment.

From 1978 to 1985 a total of 151 patients were treated for endometrial carcinoma. Of these, 25 patients underwent extrafascial abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, 25 were treated according to Wertheim procedure and pelvic lymphadenectomy and 32 underwent intrafascial abdominal hysterectomy; 62 women underwent vaginal surgery, 7 of whom according to Shauta. A correlation between the degree of myometrial invasion, histological grading, hystological type and stage of the tumor showed no statistically significant difference. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was found to be 76.5%. A comparison between survival and age of patients showed a significant difference in the survival (p less than .01) of the group less than 55 years as compared to the older age group. As far as the surgical treatment instituted is concerned, no statistical difference in survival was found between patients operated vaginally and those operated abdominally (p greater than .05). The site of recurrences were then analyzed in 22 patients, 50% were local recurrences, and the remaining distant metastases. Of these only one patient was cured and is still free of disease 5 years after recurrence. The criteria used to select patients for vaginal surgery are also indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Spermatic cord liposarcoma in a young boy.

We report on a spermatic cord liposarcoma arising in a 16-year-old boy. Treatment consisted of radical orchiectomy without retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. The patient has survived 14 months without evidence of recurrence. Paratesticular localization of liposarcoma in patients less than 20 years old is rare. The tumor has no particular characteristic. Treatment consists of radical orchiectomy and the role of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy is controversial.

Adolescent↗