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Biomedical subjects

S Mercuri

Publications and source records attributed to S Mercuri.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1983

Single metastases in the brain: late results in 325 cases.

The authors report on the results obtained on a series of 325 patients operated on for single brain metastasis at the Institute of Neurosurgery of the University of Rome during the period 1951-1979. After analyzing the results vis-à-vis the site of the brain metastasis, the site of the primitive tumour and the surgical treatment administered; emphasis is given to the importance of the advent of the CT scan which has permitted a more accurate selection of the patients resulting in improvement in operative mortality and average survival time which at present is one year.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Intradural spinal cysts.

18 cases of benign intradural spinal cyst (9 arachnoidal, 2 neuroepithelial, 7 endodermal) are reported and compared with 94 cases (67 arachnoidal, 7 neuroepithelial, 20 endodermal) obtained from the literature. Arachnoidal intradural cysts (AIC) have no sex preference, occur at around the fourth-fifth decades of life and have characteristic intermittent root symptoms. They prefer the thoracic level and the posterior position. (Myelography images the cystic cavity (diverticular form). Surgical removal is usually easy. Neuroepithelial intradural cysts (NIC) are rare, have a 2:1 predilection for females and occur after the fourth decade. They have a serious clinical course similar to intramedullary or extramedullary tumours. They prefer the conus-cauda and the anterolateral positions. They often give rise to manometric block and to albuminocytological dissociation. There may be substantial adhesions to the cord and roots and the intramedullary variety presents no clear plane of cleavage. Endodermal intradural cysts (EIC) have a 2:1 predilection for males and prefer the second and third decades. They may have an intermittent or serious course with signs of root and cord impairment. They prefer the cervical segment (in the anterior position) and the conus-cauda (in the posterior position). As a rule they present manometric block and albuminocytological dissociation. Their frequent tough adhesions to the roots and cord demand special care during their removal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Cystic cerebral astrocytomas in infancy and childhood: long-term results.

24 cases of cystic cerebral astrocytoma represent 11% of 217 supratentorial tumors of the pediatric age group operated. Both macro- and microscopically, such tumors resembled in most cases the well-known cerebellar astrocytoma, presenting as a large cyst with a mural nodule with the pattern of a pilocytic astrocytoma (i.e. spongioblastoma of the German school). The preferential site of incidence was the temporal lobe and the age peaks were of 7 and 16 years without sex prevalence. The surgical technique consisted in the extirpation of the mural nodule, preceded by emptying the cyst, followed by opening the contiguous ventricular wall. The extirpation was partial in one-third of the cases of whom the minority underwent radiotherapy. 1 patient died after the operation while 2 others died from tumor recurrence after 3 and 4 years, respectively, both being mixed tumors (oligoastrocytoma) that were irradiated postoperatively. The follow-up ranged from 10 to 29 years in 70% of the cases. The long-term functional results of the available 17 patients are as follows: good (perfectly well), 12 cases (70%); fair (minor troubles), 5 cases (30%). 3 of the 5 cases with a fair result all had a partial resection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Long-term results of the surgical treatment of 129 intramedullary spinal gliomas.

The authors report the late results of surgical treatment of 129 intramedullary gliomas (48 ependymomas, 53 astrocytomas, 13 spongioblastomas, five glioblastomas, one oligodendroglioma, and nine others), with follow-up periods ranging from 1 to 27 years. The value of surgical treatment is considered in relation to postoperative results.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1981

Hemispheric supratentorial astrocytomas in children. Long-term results in 29 cases.

In a series of 41 cases of hemispheric supratentorial astrocytoma (HSA) in children, 29 patients have been followed for periods ranging from 5 to 27 years. The follow-up data show that HSA's are relatively benign tumors. Twenty-two patients (76%) are still living: 12 in good, eight in fair, and two in poor neurological condition. Their mean survival is 13.3 years. Five patients died from tumor recurrence within 4 years of the operation. All five were operated on before the age of 8 years. The best results in terms of mean survival and quality of life were obtained in cases of cystic HSA, especially the pilocytic variety. In children, HSA tends to take the cystic form (often pilocytic), and its relatively benign course points up an analogy between this rare supratentorial tumor and the more common tumor of the cerebellum (the so-called "cerebellar astrocytoma").

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[The significance of the lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltration in brain metastases (author's transl)].

The histological slides of 270 consecutive cases of brain metastases have been reviewed to investigate the incidence of lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltration. As shown in a previous study, the overall incidence of the infiltration was found to be significantly higher in metastases than in glioblastomas (respectively, 76 p. cent and 39 p. cent), and similar to, even though slightly less, than that observed in other malignancies elsewhere in the body. Moreover, the infiltration was generally more intense in brain metastases than in glioblastomas (respectively, 50 p. cent and 16 p. cent, of "definite" infiltration), and was characterised by the presence of more plasma cells. These figures once again support the view regarding the brain as a site only partially "privileged" from an immunological standpoint, due to the weakness of the afferent limb of the immunological response. On the other hand, the slight reduction of the infiltration in brain metastases as compared to primary tumors might well represent a host's immune depression during the process of metastasizing.

Brain↗
PubMed1980

Joubert syndrome: a case confirmed by computerized tomography.

The authors report a new case of Joubert syndrome (agenesis of the cerebellar vermis, mental retardation, disturbance of respiratory rhythm, ataxia, abnormal eye-movements) and review the relevant literature on the other nine cases reported. The diagnosis in the present case was confirmed by computerized tomography. Early recognition of this syndrome is important in view of the prognosis and for genetic counseling.

Cerebellum↗
PubMed1979

Agenesis of the vermis cerebelli and malformations of the posterior fossa in childhood and adolescence.

Three cases of cerebellar vermis agenesis are reported and the relevant literature (19 other cases) is reviewed. Other posterior fossa malformations, such as a mega-cisterna magna, arachnoid cyst and Dandy-Walker syndrome, are discussed both from the pathological and clinical view point. We put forward a hypothesis that agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and Dandy-Walker syndrome could be regarded as two different stages of the same malformation.

Arachnoid↗