Multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity is currently evaluated on the basis of neurological examinations such as Ashworth Scale (AS) and 0–10 NRS. Severity of spasticity is difficult to quantify. We ...investigated the use of real time elastography (RTHE) ultrasounds for evaluating objectively the muscle fibers status in MS spasticity patients and their changes after a new antispasticity treatment. Two studies were performed. In study A, 110 MS patients underwent a neurological evaluation based on the AS and RTHE. The RTHE images were scored with the new 1-5 muscle fibers rigidity imaging scale, here called MEMSs (Muscle Elastography Multiple Sclerosis Score). The correlation between AS and MEMSs was found to be statistically significant. In study B, 55 MS patients treated with THC:CBD oromucosal spray for their resistant spasticity were followed prospectively. MS spasticity was evaluated by the 0–10 NRS scale at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. MEMSs’ figures were obtained at both timepoints. Responders to THC:CBD oromucosal spray (pre-defined as an improvement ≥20% in their 0–10 NRS spasticity score vs. baseline) were 65% of sample. These patients had a mean 0-10 NRS reduction of 1.87 and a MEMSs reduction of 1.97 (
P
values <0.0001). The remaining 35% of patients, classified as clinically non-responders, showed still a significant mean reduction in MEMSs (0.8,
P
= 0.002). Our overall results showed that RTHE, operativized throughout MEMSs, could be an objective gold standard to evaluate MS muscle spasticity as well as the effectiveness of antispasticity therapy.
(1) To compare tissue and plasma carotenoids status of healthy subjects and subjects with pre-cancer and cancer lesions; (2) to evaluate the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the ...concentrations of other carotenoids in tissue (luteine + zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha-carotene) and in plasma and also retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels.
Eighteen subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of colonoscopy and histological analytical findings: four healthy subjects (control group A); seven subjects affected by adenomatous polyps (group B with pre-cancer lesions); seven subjects suffering from colonic cancer (group C). Blood and colonic biopsy samples were taken (of colon and rectal mucosa) before and after beta-carotene supplementation in all subjects. Groups A and B received a daily dose of beta-carotene (30 mg/die) for 43 d. Group C's supplementation was terminated at the time which was performed, usually within 15 d. The tissue and plasma concentration of carotenoids, retinol and alpha-tocopherol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.
The tissue concentrations of each carotenoid were similar in all the intestinal sites examined as regards groups A and B, although there was a high degree of intra individual variability within each group. Only beta-carotene made significant increases (P < 0.001) after supplementation. The subjects with cancer show tissue levels for each carotenoid lower than those of healthy subjects or subjects with polypous. The plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol did not change after supplementation while significant increases were noted of retinol, alpha-carotene (P < 0.01) and of beta-carotene (P < 0.001).
The patients with colonic cancer seemed to undergo a significant reduction in their antioxidant reserves with respect to the normal subjects and or polyps. We can confirm that oral B-carotene supplementation induces also an increase in plasma alpha-carotene in all groups.
To evaluate the practice of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) in Italy.
On behalf of the Italian Society of Young Surgeons (SPIGC), an audit of LA was carried out through a written questionnaire sent to ...800 institutions in Italy. The questions concerned the diffusion of laparoscopic surgery and LA over the period 1990 through 2001, surgery-related morbidity and mortality rates, indications for LA, the diagnostic algorithm adopted prior to surgery, and use of LA among young surgeons (<40 years).
A total of 182 institutions (22.7%) participated in the current audit, and accounted for a total number of 26863 LA. Laparoscopic surgery is performed in 173 (95%) institutions, with 144 (83.2%) routinely performing LA. The mean interval from introduction of laparoscopic surgery to inception of LA was 3.4 +/- 2.5 years. There was an emergent basis for 8809 (32.8%) LA procedures (<6 hours of admission); 10314 (38.4%) procedures were performed on an urgent basis (<24 hours of admission); while 7740 (28.8%) procedures were elective. The conversion rate was 2.1% (561 cases) and was due to intraoperative complications in 197 cases (35.1%). Intraoperative complications ranged as high as 0.32%, while postoperative complications were reported in 1.2% of successfully completed LA. The mean hospital stay for successfully completed LA was 2.5 +/- 1.05 days. The highest rate of intraoperative complications was reported as occurring during the learning curve phase of their experience (in their first 10 procedures) by 39.7% of the surgeons. LA was indicated for every case of suspected acute appendiceal disease by 51.8% of surgeons, and 44.8% order abdominal ultrasound (US) prior to surgery. A gynecologic counseling is deemed necessary only by 34.5% surgeons, while an abdominal CT scan is required only by 1.5%. The procedure is completed laparoscopically in the absence of gross appendiceal inflammation by 83%; 79.8% try to complete the procedure laparoscopically in the presence of concomitant disease; while 10.4% convert to open surgery in cases of suspected malignancy. Of responding surgeons aged under 40, 76.3% can perform LA, compared to 47.3% surgeons of all age categories.
The low response rate of the present survey does not allow us to assess the diffusion of LA in Italy, but rather to appraise its practice in centers routinely performing laparoscopic surgery. In the hands of experienced surgeons, LA has morbidity rates comparable to those of international series. The higher diagnostic yield of laparoscopy makes it an invaluable tool in the management algorithm of women of childbearing age; its advantages in the presence of severe peritonitis are less clear-cut. Surgeons remain the main limiting factor preventing a wider diffusion of LA in our country, since only 47.3% of surgeons from the audited institutions can perform LA on a routine basis.
The treatment of patients with benign biliary strictures remains a challenge for even the most skilled biliary surgeons. Within the wide range of causes of benign biliary strictures, iatrogenic ...lesions represent one of the major ones. Biliary reconstruction with Roux-en-Y anastomosis remains the treatment of choice for most cases of benign biliary strictures despite recent reports about endoscopic or percutaneous management that have been quite encouraging.
We retrospectively evaluated 194 patients who underwent surgery for benign biliary strictures over a 21-year period. The biliary strictures were classified into eight different types according to their level. The surgical procedures had been tailored mainly to the site and the extent of the structure as well as the overall status of the patient.
Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 2.6 percent and 20.1 percent, respectively. The results we obtained were 79.6 percent good, 8.9 percent moderate, and 11.5 percent unsatisfactory. The mean follow-up was 9.3 years. In particular, hepati-cojejunostomy performed in low- and mid-level strictures had the best prognosis (good, 85.5 percent), while high and diffuse strictures had worse results (good, 70 percent), although with only hepaticojejunostomy according to Hepp-Couinaud, this percentage increases to 81 percent.
Correct preoperative assessment of the site and extent of the biliary stricture is important in the choice of the gold-standard surgical procedure. Hepaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy according to Hepp-Couinaud are the treatments of choice in most instances of benign biliary strictures. Cholangiojejunostomy and hepatic resections are rarely indicated and are performed mostly for highly complicated and intrahepatic strictures. Endoscopic or percutaneous balloon dilation should be reserved for high-risk patients.
Bouveret's syndrome, or gallstone duodenal pyloric obstruction, almost always presents with abdominal pain or vomiting. It occurs more commonly in females (65%), with a median age of 68.6 years. The ...diagnosis is made by endoscopy (60%), upper gastrointestinal series (45%) or by direct abdominal x-ray (23%). The syndrome is mainly treated by surgery (93%), but recently, it has also been treated by endoscopy or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The mortality rate has improved from 33%, as was the case before 1968, to 12% in recent years. Herein we report the case of a 79-year-old female with Bouveret's syndrome.
The authors report the history of the anatomy and surgical anatomy of the liver from the paleolithic age up to now. Particular emphasis has been reserved to the changing anatomical knowledge in these ...last decades which represents the basis of the modern surgery of the liver.
Anterior tension-free and laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphies represent one of the most common surgical procedure. Postherniorrhaphy persistent pain due to injures of inguinal regional nerves is ...rare, difficult to cure, often disabling and involving malpractice litigation. In a prospective study, we evaluated the effectiveness of neurectomy of the iliohypogastric nerve in prevention of postoperative persistent pain after anterior tension free herniorrhaphy. Between 1992-1995, we performed 180 anterior herniorraphies in 151 male patients. Iliohypogastric nerve was removed in all the herniorrhaphies. Polypropylene plug and sutured mesh were employed. Postoperative pain and clinical relevance of hypo-anesthesia and paresthesia were assessed. No patient complained of postoperative persistent pain. Hypo-anesthesia, never considered incapacitating, was present in 1% of patients after 2 years. We consider neurectomy of the iliohypogastric nerve a potentially useful surgical step in preventing postoperative persistent pain after anterior tension-free herniorrhaphy.
In consideration of findings reported in the literature and of our study, we examined the correlation between antioxidants (beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E) and colorectal carcinogenesis. ...Although diagnostic progress has been made in the last decades, no significant improvements in death rates have been achieved in the western world. Exogenous factors might be responsible for a complex alteration process of might be responsible for a complex alteration process of normal colonic mucosa into adenoma and carcinoma. Free radicals and reactive oxygen metabolites, due to increased production or to reduced inactivation, following a decrease in the antioxidant burden in the mucosa, might cause damage to DNA, thereby resulting in genetic alterations. This might represent the cause of the transformation process: normal mucosa --> adenoma --> carcinoma. In a prospective study, we observed a reduction of beta-carotene levels in normal colonic mucosa in patients with polyps and colorectal cancer. We also showed that beta-carotene supplementation raises levels of this micronutrient in the colonic mucosa of these patients. Findings from the literature and our trials show a significant decrease in the antioxidant capacity of colorectal mucosa in patients affected by colorectal cancer, although there is a significant interindividual variability. Such results suggest a possible chemopreventive role of antioxidant agents in colorectal cancer.
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