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Biomedical subjects

P Messina

Publications and source records attributed to P Messina.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The nonpalpable testis: an experience of 132 consecutive videolaparoscopic explorations in 6 years.

From may 1995 to may 2001, 114 children with nonpalpable testis (NPT) were evaluated at our institution (18 babies had bilateral cryptorchidism). The age range was 1-11 years. When ultrasonography and nuclear magnetic resonance cannot show the position of the NPT along the normal pathway, video laparoscopy is essential for diagnostic accuracy. 20 cases were observed to have blind-ending was deferens and testicular vessels; therefore, no other procedure was done. 4 had residual nonfunctional intra-abdominal tissue; in 52 cases, an intra-abdominal testis was found, and 17 microvascular and 26 traditional orchidopexies were performed. The remaining 50 patients (six with bilateral cryptorchidism) had normal vas and spermatic vessels entering the inguinal canal. In 15 cases a normal testis was present, and it was positioned into the scrotum with the standard technique; in 41 cases an atrophic testis was found and was removed through an inguinal approach. Diagnostic laparoscopy permits not only localisation of the testis but also planning for a better therapeutic program with a minimally invasive procedure, thus avoiding the knife in 18% of cases (in our experience 15% of blind-ending and 3% of abdominal vanishing testis).

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of endoscopic surgery in paediatric oncological diseases.

Recent improvements in video imaging and instrumentation have encouraged a wider use of endoscopic surgery as a modality for diagnostic and operative procedures. To asses the utility and diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic surgery in children with oncological diseases, we reviewed our experience about thirty-eight patients affected by oncological diseases, referred to our Department since 1995. We performed laparoscopy in 22 cases, thoracoscopy in 14, 1 combinated procedure (laparoscopy + thoracoscopy) and retroperitoneoscopy in 1 case. Endoscopic surgery is indicated in cases of paediatric oncological diseases both for diagnosis and treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in a residual of neuroblastoma.

The authors report a case of retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in a child with neuroblastoma previously treated by chemotherapy. Usually the presence of malignant tumours is a contraindication to retroperitoneoscopic surgery. A restaging of the tumor was done by retroperitoneoscopy. The residual adrenal gland was excised by mini-invasive surgery of the retroperitoneal space. The histopathologic examination confirmed the presence of a residual neuroblastoma in the adrenal gland. This case report shows a possible of a new indication for the retroperitoneoscopy.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Early diagnosis of progressive systemic sclerosis: the role of oro-facial phenomena].

BACKGROUND: The study considers the oro-facial manifestations occurring in a group of patients suffering from progressive systemic sclerosis, evaluating their predictive role and monitoring the systemic disease. METHODS: 34 patients with systemic sclerosis were examining: 30 women, 4 men, at the Department of Dental Sciences, Palermo University, from July 1998 to March 2001. All patients were positive for the diagnostic criteria of scleroderma.1 For each patient we considered: observation of any changes in soft tissues of the oral cavity; evaluation of possible xerostomia; evaluation of any fungal infections; presence of prosthetic sores in patients wearing dentures; DMFS evaluation; evaluation of periodontal health; evaluation of bone resorption. RESULTS: One of the most interesting results was that: in 4 patients, medical history contained past trigeminal sensory neuropathy characterised by the slow and gradual numbness of the face muscles, which developed into pain and paresthesia, weakening or disappearance of the sense of taste and in one case loss of sensitivity at the oro-pharynx (this progression of symptoms preceded by three years the onset of systemic manifestations, and consequently diagnosis); 14 patients as first sign of the disease had a "hardening" of the skin of the face with consequent microstomia with marked difficulty in speaking. CONCLUSIONS: The most significant result emerging from this study was the predictive role of progressive systemic sclerosis, that can be played by some oro-facial manifestations; an important element which has recently changed the life expectation for scleroderma patients is the possibility of diagnosing the disease in an early phase and thus bringing to bear all the therapeutic measures necessary to hinder development of the disease and its consequences.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The role of neuromodulators (substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide) in the development of neurogenic inflammation in the oral mucosa].

Vatous observations carried out in the course of the years have shown that certain neuropeptides have a possible role to play as inflammation mediators. The substances on which attention has been principally focused are: substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, capsaicin an histamine. Knowledge acquired in this field, however, does not yet permit us to sufficiently clarify the role, not to speak of the possible action mechanism, on the basis of which these neuropeptides act, although it is confirmed that these substances have been found first in laboratory animals and later also in human tissues in the course of experimentally induced neurogenic inflammation. The need to know more and more about inflammatory mechanisms and the increasingly complex possibilities offered by the application of technology in the field of medical research have led to many small advance in our knowledge of what is involved in inflammation. In fact it has been understood that behind the typical signs of inflammation (the famous four cardinal signs of Celsus: pain, redness, swelling, heat) no abstract entities or strange alchemies are concealed, but a series of well-known, classified substance, the so-called "inflammation mediators", namely a variety of substances of cellular or plasmatic origin united by the fact that exist, in stationary state conditions, in the form of inactive precursors, or sequestered in intracellular sites where they are unable to carry out their action. Following an inflammatory stimulus, they are activated, or their synthesis can be induced, or their release from intracellular sequestration sites in favoured; in any case they are stored in the disturbance district in concentrations that are such as to act on their respective targets, triggering event s that characterise the various stages of the inflammatory process.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cefaclor induced pemphigus vulgaris].

Pemphigus is a chronic disease with an outcome that is not without risk. It is characterised by loss of the intraepithelial cell-cell relationship (acantholysis). Underlying the disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the desmosomes are damaged by antibodies directed against particular molecules called desmogleins (particularly 3 and 1). Various types of pemphigus have been described with different antibody profiles and clinical signs. In the present paper, a case of pemphigus vulgaris associated with the medication cefaclor monohydrate is reported. Histological and immunological evaluation of the biopsy sample led to a diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris. The patient, who was not hospitalised, was treated with corticosteroids and systemic immunosuppressors. At present she is being controlled by low doses of systemic corticosteroids. Early diagnosis and the timely introduction of the therapeutic protocol permitted complete remission of the lesions observed at the level of the oral and conjunctival mucosa, preventing the involvement of other locations.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Thoracoscopic management of suspected thoraco-pulmonary malignant diseases in pediatric age].

Recent improvements and miniaturization of instruments have encouraged a wider use of thoracoscopy and laparoscopy as a modality for diagnostic and operative procedures in pediatric age. The utility of thoracoscopy in pediatric patients with suspected thoracopulmonary oncological diseases is shown by diagnostic accuracy and, if necessary, the possibility to perform at the meantime a mininvasive surgery. We report the experience of our Institution in 16 patients with suspected thoraco-pulmonary oncological diseases and treated for this reason with thoracoscopy. Thoracoscopic is indicated in cases of suspected oncological diseases in children both for diagnosis and treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[S.E.M. analysis of composite resin surfaces applied to chemically and chemo-mechanically treated dentin].

The authors evaluated, at scanning electron microscope (S.E.M.), the morphological aspects of composite resin surfaces applied on dentin subjected, "in vitro", to chemical or chemo-mechanical treatments. S.E.M. photographs of dentinal surfaces of composite, applied on dentin treated with acid agents or Caridex, showed extensive penetration of resin tags into dentinal tubules and their deep adaptation to rough and winding dentinal surfaces. The obtained results have been evaluated in the light of recent advances in biocompatibility and long-term stability of composite fillings, in particular, to setting up new materials and methods in cavities preparation and treatment.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Scanning electron microscopy evaluation of wear of turbine rotary instruments].

A wear test was conducted to evaluate carbide and diamond dental burs, in air turbines at 400,000 r.p.m., by using a dentine-enamel substrate. There is less variability within each bur type. All of the burs showed a decreased ability to make a standard cut with succeeding trials. Generally, a linear dulling rate was observed with a progressive reduction of cutting effectiveness, except for middle grain burs, that showed better characteristics among tested burs.

Dental High-Speed Equipment↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Plasmacellular neoplasms of the head and neck: clinical status and personal experience].

In this review, the authors examine the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic advances in clinical management of Solitary Plasmacytoma of bone, Extramedullary Plasmacytoma and their relationship to multiple myeloma. The clinical differences among these tumors are the subject of continued studies. Oral symptoms and signs of the neoplasias are relatively common. The literature is reviewed with respect to the prevalence of oral and maxillofacial manifestations and the presence of such manifestations as the first sign and/or symptom of disease. The case of a young adult patient, with a kappa-light-chain positive extramedullary plasmacytoma of the maxillary sinus is presented. The reported case illustrates the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach using relevant immuno-hematologic, radiographic and histologic investigations in the differential diagnosis of these tumors. Factors influencing the prognosis of these neoplastic lesions are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Recent advances in diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome].

In this paper the authors review the classification and the clinical features of primary and secondary Sjogren's syndrome. Particular attention in focused on differential diagnosis, on clinical examination of the patients with chronic xerostomia and on its functional and pathological sequelae: rampant dental caries and oral candidiasis. Advanced in diagnostic procedures are described: salivary flow rate, salivary gland scintigraphy, parotid and submandibular scialography, Schirmer's test, Rose Bengal staining, minor salivary gland biopsy and serum immunological examinations. The relationships between scintigraphic and histologic result are discussed. The clinical features and the course of the disease provide further insight into the immunological pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Candidiasis, Oral↗