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Biomedical subjects

R Crisci

Publications and source records attributed to R Crisci.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Multimodal treatment of osteosarcoma lung metastases.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic procedures, role of surgery and multimodal treatment for osteosarcoma pulmonary metastases are examined. METHODS: From January 2000 to June 2005, we observed 35 patients with osteogenic repetitions. Patients were studied by total-body computerised tomography (CT) and by thoracic single-photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT). Preoperative histological diagnosis was obtained by CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (23 cases) and fibre-optic bronchoscopy (12 cases). RESULTS: Four lower, 6 upper and 2 middle lobectomies were carried out using a thoracotomy approach. Video-assisted thoracoscopy was used in the other 23 patients who underwent 36 wedge resections. CT showed a sensitivity of 86 % and a specificity of 66 %; SPECT had a sensitivity of 80 % and a specificity of 100 %. Twenty-five patients are still living 25 +/- 11 months after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT was demonstrated to offer a better result in the individualisation of secondary pulmonary nodules after primary osteosarcoma. The excision of all resectable lung metastases, integrated in a multidisciplinary strategy, offers good results in terms of survival.

Adult↗

Pulmonary and parotid hydatid cyst: an unusual double localization.

We described a rare case of pulmonary and parotid cyst for echinococcus granulosus in an eighty-one-year-old patient. Lesion was discovered in the lung owing to a clinical presentation. A swelling was the only sign in the parotid gland. Time between lung and parotid excision was 14 days. Time of hospitalizations was 4+/-1 day.

Aged, 80 and over↗

Carcinoid tumors of the lung and multimodal therapy.

AIM: To report our experience with bronchial carcinoids. METHODS: From January 1990 to March 2003 we treated 42 such patients, 30 females and 12 males. All patients underwent preoperative total body computed tomography (CT), total body In-111 octreotide scintigraphy, and SPECT of the thorax, with evaluation of serum levels of CEA, CgA, NSE, and urinary 5-HIAA. Diagnosis was obtained in 28 patients with fibre-optic bronchoscopy and in 14 patients with CT-guided trans-thoracic needle biopsy. RESULTS: There were 26 typical and 16 atypical carcinoids. 30 lobectomies, 5 bilobectomies, 6 wedge resections, and 1 pneumonectomy were carried out. The 3-year and the 5-year survival rates in the typical and atypical carcinoid groups were 100 % and 96 % vs. 81 % and 68 %, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival is based on histological completeness of surgical treatment. Octreotide scintigraphy and SPECT document N (1) and N (2) precisely.

Adult↗

[Translaryngeal tracheostomy using the Fantoni technique: report of 104 cases].

OBJECTIVE: Surgical tracheostomy morbidity led the authors to investigate new election techniques. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the translaryngeal tracheostomy (TLT), complications and cost. METHODS: From January 1998 to January 2001, 104 patients were treated with TLT modified: 69 males (66.3%) and 35 females (33.7%), average age 52.6 +/- 9.5 years. The original pathologies were: traumatical (36), neurological (37), surgical (9), heart (4), respiratory (18). The average time between intubation and execution of TLT was 4.2 +/- 1.3 days. RESULTS: Fifty four patients died (52%) and 50 patients lived (48%). Two complications (1.9%) occurred in those who survived: a breaking of the guidewire in traction. Extraction of the tracheostomy tube by clamp, a haemorrhage in 2nd post-operative day due to a thyroid vessel lesion. The haemostasis was performed by classical tracheostomy. The average number of days to decannulation was 25 +/- 1 days. CONCLUSIONS: TLT reduces trauma or trachea and neighbouring structures. This technique is safe and easy. TLT is an effective method, in non-urgent situations, in children and adults, as well as in brachytypes and the obese.

Adolescent↗

Lung transplantation by continuous perfusion in an experimental auto-transplant animal model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preservation of the lung using the cold flushing technique in association with continuous perfusion of the organ during static hypothermic storage. METHODS: In the first phase, the hearts and lungs of 5 New Zealand rabbits were removed three hours after establishing brain death. The left lungs were each conserved in 200 ml of low-potassium UW solution at 10 degrees C for 3 hours of cold ischemia (control group I). The right lungs were also placed in cold storage but were perfused continuously for three hours with low-potassium UW solution at 10 degrees C (group II). In the second phase, ten rabbits underwent a right lung auto-transplant. Lungs were conserved using two techniques. Histoenzymatic and pathological tests were performed: lung function was evaluated. RESULTS: In the first phase the histopathological examination carried out at the end of storage revealed fewer ischemic alterations in the second group compared to the first. In the second phase a significant hypoxia was observed in group I when both lungs and the right lung only were perfused. The histopathological examination revealed ischaemia/reperfusion lesions in both groups though mainly in group I and a good level of ATPase activity in group II though these results were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Cold flushing of the pulmonary artery and continuous perfusion during static hypothermic storage appears to guarantee a better partial arterial pressure of oxygen in this model of auto-transplant compared to the classical cold storage method.

Adenosine↗

Is video-assisted thoracic surgery justified at first spontaneous pneumothorax?

OBJECTIVE: The fundamental role of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax is generally acknowledged today. This study intends to evaluate whether VATS is justified at the onset of a first spontaneous pneumothorax through analysis of parameters tested on two group of patients treated respectively with pleural drainage and VATS. PATIENTS/METHODS: The study includes 70 patients affected by first spontaneous pneumothorax divided into two groups of 35 patients for the purpose of therapeutic treatment. The first group underwent pleural drainage while the second underwent VATS. Parameters analyzed were as follows: (1) prolonged air leaks (more than 6 days); (2) time required for pleural drainage; (3) time of hospital stay; (4) management costs; (5) recurrences (follow-up at 12 months). RESULTS: Prolonged air leaks occurred in four patients (11.4%) in the first group and two patients (5.7%) in the second; recurrences occurred in eight patients in the first group (22.8%), and only one in the second group (2.8%). Mean time for drainage and hospitalization was, respectively, 9 and 12 days in patients with pleural drainage against 3.9 and 6 days of those using VATS. Average management costs per patients including hospitalization was calculated at $2,750.00 per patient for the first group compared with $1,925.00 for the second group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of VATS at first spontaneous pneumothorax is justified in the interest of both patients and health administrations as demonstrated by the number of recurrences in patients in the first group and economy savings resulting from use of VATS.

Adult↗

[Malformative giant emphysema bulla. Report of a case in childhood].

Bullous pneumopathy is considered a surgical disease, although her treatment is still discussed. The initial attempts of surgical treatment were founded on erroneous physiopathological concepts and date back to early years of 1900. These surgical treatments intended to external drainage of giant bullae, their marsupialized or to reduction of extension of bullae by pneumoperitonaeum, section of phrenic nerve or thoracoplasty. The definition of emphysematous bullae has been much improved with the development of computed tomography. A precise study of their size, of their position and of condition of residual pulmonary parenchyma may be considered important to decide the surgical treatment: this must determine the removal of bulla and the reexpansion of compressed pulmonary parenchyma. The Authors report a case of giant bulla, initially wrong interpreted as pneumothorax, of exceptional observation for her malformative origin, diagnoses and surgical treated on an eleven years old child.

Child↗

Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for masses in the posterior mediastinum.

Between January 1980 and December 1997 twenty-one patients with a mass in the posterior mediastinum came under our observation. All of the patients underwent chest radiography, bronchoscopy, respiratory function tests, perfusional and ventilatory radionuclide scans, a computed tomography (CT) of the chest and blood gas analysis. In cases involving neurogenic tumours magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used. Ten patients underwent CT guided transthoracic needle biopsy. The excision was performed by means of a thoracotomy in 12 cases (57.1%) and by video assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) in the other 9 (42.9%); no deaths were recorded. Eleven neurilemmomas, two bronchogenic cysts, two paragangliomas, two neuroepitheliomas, one neurogenic sarcoma and three esophageal duplications were found. The authors believe an accurate pre-operative assessment of the lesion can be obtained using CT and MRI. The video assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) is a useful method of diagnosis and treatment as it can be converted into VATS if the lesion is benign or cystic. Thoracotomy is necessary when the mass is malignant or when there is adhesion to or invasion of surrounding tissues.

Adult↗

[Chondro-costal abnormalities of anterior wall of the chest: operative indications and surgical technique].

The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of surgical treatment in patients with pectus excavatum (PE) or pectus carinatum (PC). Fifteen patients underwent surgical treatment because of their psycological and anatomical condition, more serious in 6 patients (5 with PE and 1 with PC). The degree of these chest wall deformities was evaluated as resulting from CT scan of the thorax, by the ratio between the transversal and the front/back diameters, according to Haller. The Authors recommend surgical operation in the post-puberal age up to 21 years because of good results obtained using Ravitch approach (only 1 case of partial relapse of PE), even though modified in PE cases with the application of flat steel prosthesis and in PC cases for uncutting the perichondral beds. The choice of surgical procedure derives, in our opinion, from the correction of these anatomic deformities and from the greater sense of improved cosmesis that might result.

Adolescent↗

MR study of N2 disease in lung cancer: contrast-enhanced method using gadolinium-DTPA.

OBJECTIVE: In several previous studies, including one of our own, CT and MRI provided similar information on N2 detection in the staging of lung cancer. Both imaging techniques can be considered effective in detecting enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes but the results are often inaccurate when confronted with pathological findings. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MRI in the detection of mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer. METHODS: A prospective study to compare standard unenhanced MRI and Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI was carried out in patients with diagnosed lung cancer. The study focused on the status of mediastinal lymph nodes. Gd-DTPA was administered at a dosage of 0.2 mmol2/KG before T1 weighted sequences. Qualitative visual analyses of both standard and contrast enhanced MRI images were performed on each patient by 2 independent radiologists. The imaging results were then compared to pathological findings obtained after surgical operation. RESULTS: In the identification of mediastinal lymph node metastases standard MRI was 62% sensitive, 100% specific and 74% accurate whereas Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI was 100% sensitive, 91% specific and 97% accurate. CONCLUSIONS: Gd-DPTA enhanced MRI was more accurate than standard MRI in the detection of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer. These initial results can be considered encouraging especially with regards to the reduction of false negative findings although further confirmation is, understandably, required.

Aged↗

Mucinous cystadenoma of the lung.

A 56-year-old male patient came under our observation when a peripheral round mass in his right lung which he had since 1991 and which was believed to be a bronchogenic cyst, showed a volumetric enlargement of 2 cm. After performing a lobectomy of the middle lobe, the histopathological examination revealed the presence of a mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy.

Cystadenoma, Mucinous↗

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus thoracotomy for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. A comparison of results and costs.

OBJECTIVE: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) represents at present the most suitable treatment of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. After three years we consider this interesting to draw up a trial balance of our VATS experience in comparison with the cases treated before 1991 with the classic thoracotomic approach. METHODS: We have considered retrospectively the results obtained in a series of 30 consecutive patients with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax treated with VATS between November 1991 and August 1994 in comparison with those obtained in a group of 30 patients previously treated with a traditional thoracotomy. The groups have been selected in such a way that surgical indications, sex ratio, age and number of episodes were homogeneous. The parameters we have compared were the postoperative complications, the duration of chest drainage and hospitalization, the operating times and the relapses. Besides these technical parameters we considered the economic data too. RESULTS: On average drains removal occurred one day before in VATS-Group: the time spent in the Hospital was significantly shorter in VATS-Group, being on average 1 week. Short term complications may be considered similar in the two Groups. Prolonged air leaks occurred in 13% and 16% respectively. Emothorax requesting reoperation occurred in 1 case for each Group. One death occurred in thoracotomy-Group in an old patient presenting a severe chronic respiratory insufficience with exacerbation in postoperative time. We have registered 2 relapses after VATS and none after thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The study has demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of VATS and in the same time that in VATS the total economic cost is lower (22.7%) in comparison with traditional thoracotomy.

Adolescent↗

[Use of magnetic resonance in the study of mediastinal diseases].

Clinical research on 75 cases of mediastinal masses has been carried out with the aim of evaluating the diagnostic value of Magnetic Resonance (MR). Results which have been achieved point to a remarkable potentiality of MR especially in the characterization and spatial definition of the masses and in the study of the spinal canal. These results, as well as the non-invasivity of the procedure, lead us to consider MR as an investigation of primary importance in the diagnostic assessment of mediastinal pathology.

Adolescent↗

[Video-thoracoscopic surgery: current indications and future perspectives].

The great interest in VATS over the last few years has extended the indications for this technique in order to avoid risks. There are additional indications (e.g. spontaneous pneumothorax), including several benign diseases of the lung, pleura, mediastinum and oesophagus. But other indications for the procedure are still controversial, for example lung resection for primary bronchial cancer. In this report the Authors, on the basis of their own experience, try to define the present and approaching perspectives for VATS.

Endoscopy↗

Cytogenetic findings in primary non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) shows a complex cytogenetic heterogeneity and up to now no particular chromosomal aberration seems to characterize its malignant evolution. We therefore performed cytogenetic analyses of 20 primary NSCLC, 8 adenocarcinomas and 12 squamous cell carcinomas on direct preparations or short-term cultures. Only 1 case was analyzed after long-term culture. Results were obtained from 11 samples and clonal rearrangements were found in 3 cases, a diploid and a near-triploid clone with several aberrations such as i (9q), rob (14; 15) and rob (21; 21) in 1 case, a near-triploid clone in 1 case, and Y chromosome loss in 1 case. Other aberrations found were sporadic, but +7 aneuploidy and translocations involving 1p were detected in 2 and 3 samples respectively. Although to date it has been very difficult to recognize primary changes in NSCLC, nevertheless a literature review and our results indicate that i(9q) and robertsonian translocations are relevant findings.

Aged↗

[Mediastinal lymphatic staging of bronchial cancer. Respective value of x-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Radio-surgical comparison].

Fifty patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were prospectively studied by both CT and MR during 10 days preceding thoracotomy. Results of CT and MR were compared with the surgical and pathology findings. No statistically significant difference was found between the two imaging methods for the evaluation of node involvement (N2). MR appear to be superior to CT in the aortopulmonary and subcarinal areas.

Adult↗

[Staging of bronchogenic cancer. Determination of mediastinal lymphatic involvement using magnetic resonance].

Twenty-five patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were prospectively studied by both CT and MR during 10 days preceding thoracotomy. MR scans included contiguous axial and coronal slices. Results of CT and MR studies were compared with the surgical and pathological findings. Although no significant difference was found between the two imaging methods for the evaluation of mediastinal nodes. MR appear to be superior to CT in the aortopulmonary and subcarinal node areas.

Adult↗