Biomedical subjects

Vincenzo Albanese

Publications and source records attributed to Vincenzo Albanese.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Smooth dissection of ligamentum flavum for lumbar microdiscectomy. Preliminary report of this personal technique.

A newly designed technique for preservation of the ligamentum flavum (LF) during the lumbar discectomy is presented. This technique allows the evacuation of the lumbar herniated disk, without removal or laminar disinsertion of the LF. This ligament is smoothly dissected longitudinally in its more lateral portion, obtaining, after discectomy, the contact of the 2 margins with restoration of its functional integrity. Forty-five patients were operated on with this technique. We feel that this technique could offer advantages in reduction of epidural fibrosis and of decreased risk of dural injury, and is helpful to the surgeon in the case of recurrence of discal herniation.

Diskectomy, Percutaneous↗

PubMed2004

The use of local agents: bone wax, gelatin, collagen, oxidized cellulose.

The use of local agents to achieve hemostasis is an old and complex subject in surgery. Their use is almost mandatory in spinal surgery. The development of new materials in chemical hemostasis is a continuous process that may potentially lead the surgeon to confusion. Moreover, the more commonly used materials have not changed in about 50 years. Using chemical agents to tamponade a hemorrhage is not free of risks. Complications are around the corner and can be due either to mechanical compression or to phlogistic effects secondary to the material used. This paper reviews about 20 animal and clinical published studies with regard to the chemical properties, mechanisms of action, use and complications of local agents.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2004

Positioning on surgical table.

Positioning on the surgical table is one of the most important steps in any spinal surgical procedure. The "prone position" has traditionally been and remains the most common position used to access the dorsolumbar-sacral spine. Over the years, several authors have focused their attention on the anatomy and pathophysiology of both the vascular system and ventilation in order to reduce the amount of venous bleeding, as well as to prevent other complications and facilitate safe posterior approaches. The present paper reviews the pertinent literature with the aim of highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of various frames and positions currently used in posterior spinal surgery.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

PubMed2003

Relationship between IL-18 and sICAM-1 serum levels in patients affected by coeliac disease: preliminary considerations.

OBJECTIVES: Cytokine production from activated T cells play a pathogenetic role in mucosal lesions of coeliac disease (CD). Active interleukin (IL)-18 is expressed in the small intestinal mucosa in CD but not in healthy controls. IL-18 enhances intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. We analyzed IL-18 serum levels in CD patients before and after gluten-free diet and the possible correlation with soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) serum levels. METHODS: The study comprises ten CD patients before and after gluten free diet and ten healthy controls. Serum IL-18 and sICAM-1 levels were assayed by immunoenzymatic methods. RESULTS: Serum IL-18 and sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with CD before diet with respect to healthy controls (P<0.05), with a highly significant correlation between the two parameters (Rho=0.800, P=0.0167). Gluten free diet significantly reduces IL-18 and sICAM-1. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that IL-18 serum concentrations correlated with the clinical status of CD patients suggesting a role for this cytokine in the pathophysiology of this disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Primary C1-2, intradural, extramedullary meningeal sarcoma with glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive components: a spinal gliosarcoma? Case report and review of the literature.

The authors report an exceedingly rare case of a patient harboring a primary, spinal, C1-2, intradural, extramedullary meningeal sarcoma in which there were glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive components, but, importantly, no physical connection with neural tissue. On initial diagnostic imaging, neuroradiological features suggestive of a spinal meningioma were demonstrated in this 73-year-old man. He underwent a C1-2 laminectomy and removal of the posterior ring of the foramen magnum, and the lesion was excised. Histological and immunohistochemical testing showed a gliosarcoma. The clinical, radiological, and operative data are reviewed, as are the histopathological findings. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of a primary spinal intradural extramedullary gliosarcoma reported in the literature.

Aged↗