Modifications of spinopelvic parameters and acetabular orientation after spinal surgery for adult deformity in patient who underwent bilateral total hip arthroplasty

The spine and the hip are two anatomical districts that have close biomechanical relationship. The management of their degenerative disorders involves an in-depth biomechanical analysis of the patient, in order to define the proper hip-spine relation, using different biomechanical classifications that have been proposed in recent years. The changes in the spino-pelvic and acetabular parameters induced by prosthetic hip surgery and spinal surgery must be carefully evaluated, calculated and foreseen in the pre-operative phase, as they play a crucial role in defining the clinical success or failure of the operations. In this paper we present a case of a patient who underwent spinal surgery after a bilateral THA analyzing both spino-pelvic parameters and acetabular orientation and highlighting the strict relations between spine and hip.

Use of lordotic cages in L5-S1 Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) procedures

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) has gained popularity in the last few years, thanks to its numerous advantages. Recently the use of lordotic cages has been described, allowing theoretically a better lordosis restoration of the lumbar disc space. We described the results obtained with the use of lordotic cages in 27 patients who underwent ALIF procedure for L5-S1 disc degenerative disease, in terms of segmental lordosis and global lumbar lordosis changes.

Implant site preparation using ultrasonic technique vs. Conventional drilling: three-year follow-up of a split-mouth study

The aim of this split-mouth study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonic technique for implant site preparation when compared with the conventional drilling technique. A total of 98 bilateral single implants were placed in 49 patients. For each patient, traditional drilling technique was used at one side (control) and ultrasonic technique was used at the other side (test). Prior to insertion all implants were carefully embedded in liquid plasma rich in growth factors. Clinical and radiographic results were assessed after three years of function. The same implant success rate (95.9%) was recorded for both groups in a three year follow up, with only two implants lost per group. At the last follow-up the mean peri-implant bone loss was 0.42 ± 0.14 mm and 0.33 ± 0.13 mm in the control and test group, respectively. The difference was significant (P<0.001). In conclusion, ultrasonic technique for implant site preparation showed similar clinical performance but better preservation of the peri-implant bone. Together with the known characteristics of safety and reduced bleeding at the surgical site the ultrasonic technique represents a valuable alternative to traditional drilling.

Targeting VEGF-A in cartilage repair and regeneration: state of the art and perspectives

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorders in western populations, and is characterized by a progressive degradation of articular cartilage (AC) leading to loss of joint function. Methods to cure, delay or prevent the onset of OA and/or improve AC repair strategies have high clinical and socioeconomic impact. Possible innovative strategies envisioned for early OA treatments or cartilage repair include the implantation/injection of mesenchymal progenitors (MPs)-based constructs or cell-free bioactive scaffolds/hydrogel coupled with the controlled recruitment and instruction of resident MPs or AC. However, these tissue engineering-based strategies still suffer from unreliable outcomes with poor fibro-cartilaginous repair and blood vessel invasion. In such conditions Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family has been shown to play a key role in controlling AC catabolism on one hand and angiogenesis on the other as a crucial step for endochondral ossification of MPs, ultimately leading to progressive breakdown of the neo-formed matrix. This review aims to provide a summary of relevant relationships between impaired angiogenesis, OA and cartilage regeneration highlighting how VEGF might play a paramount role in the pathophysiology of cartilage aging or degeneration as well as in cartilage repair.

Treatment of 741 Italian patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

BACKGROUND

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a distinctive syndrome characterized by specific symptoms cluster. CFS mostly affects women and often results in severe functional limitation. Its prevalence varies from 0.4 to 2.5% in the general population. In our prior studies on the clinical features of 205 CFS patients we founded immunological and brain abnormalities. In this paper we illustrate our caseload on CFS treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to December 2005, we evaluated all the patients admitted at the CFS Unit of the Aviano National Cancer Institute, for staging procedures and treatments. Patients not meeting the Fukuda diagnostic criteria were excluded.

RESULTS

250 male and 491 female (median age 35.5 and 39.3 years, respectively) were enrolled and treated for CFS. As expected, CFS resulted from previous infectious disease in all patients. Female patients showed to be more affected by symptoms than male patients. The treatment schedules followed by the patients included nutritional supplements alone, corticosteroids, antidepressant/sedative drugs, and antiviral/immunoglobulin drugs. Antiviral/ immunoglobulin drugs achieved the best response (15.3% positive responses vs. 8.3% negative responses; OR 0.44, CI 0.26-0.74, p = 0.002). The carrying out of 4 or more treatments showed a protective effect (OR 0.46, CI 0.28-0.77, p = 0.003). This finding was confirmed in the multivariate analysis, adjusted by type of drugs (OR 0.49, CI 0.28-0.84, p = 0.009) and number of treatments carried out (OR 0.51, CI 0.30-0.86, p = 0.01); these two variables were independent.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that the antiviral/immunoglobulin approach has a longer positive disease free survival in comparison with other approaches. However, CSF still remains a difficult disease to be effectively treated.

[Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: surgical treatment using the Tübingen technique (31 cases)]

BACKGROUND

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare cutaneous sarcoma that progresses slowly. Although it exhibits pronounced local aggressiveness, it rarely metastasises. The condition is difficult to treat on account of asymmetric and unpredictable growth as well as the frequency of relapse. Treatment is primarily surgical.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report 31 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans operated at the Dermatology Clinic of Novara between 1997 and 2004 using the Tübingen technique. An immunohistochimical study was performed and screening was carried out for possible extension of the neoplasm into muscle.

RESULTS

Muscular involvement was seen in 4 cases. No relapses were seen over a median survival period of 3 years and no patients were lost to follow-up.

DISCUSSION

The Mohs technique is the surgical method of reference and allows tumour eradication with sparing of healthy tissue. The Tübingen method constitutes an alternative approach requiring fewer histological sections. The results obtained in our series were good and no relapses were seen over a median survival period of 3 years.

TNFalpha, IFNgamma and IL-10 gene polymorphisms in a sample of Sicilian patients with coeliac disease

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease is associated with DQ2 and DQ8 alleles, but other genes also confer an additional genetic risk.

AIMS

Defining whether the genetic profiles of interleukin-10, tumour necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma are associated with an increased coeliac disease risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The functionally gene polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha (-308G/A), interferon gamma (+874T/A) and interleukin-10 (-1082G/A) were typed using sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction in 110 Sicilian coeliac disease patients and in 220 Sicilian healthy controls.

RESULTS

No differences in genotype frequencies of interleukin-10 polymorphisms were found between coeliac disease patients and healthy controls. A significant increase of -308A (p<0.033; OR: 1.72; CI: 1.27-2.33) and of +874T (p: 0.0045; OR: 3.02; CI: 1.47-6.21) allele frequencies, both in hetero- and homozygosis, was observed in coeliac patients in comparison with healthy controls. In addition, simultaneous significant higher percentages of -308A and +874T alleles (p: 0.0066; OR: 2.33; CI: 1.42-3.82) as well as simultaneous significant lower percentages of -308A and +874T alleles (p: 0.003; OR: 0.23; CI: 0.10-0.60) were observed in coeliac patients compared with healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetically determined higher frequencies of -308A tumour necrosis factor alpha and +874T interferon gamma alleles, both in hetero and in homozygosis and mostly whether simultaneous, may play a role in predisposing to gluten intolerance. Subjects positive for -308A tumour necrosis factor alpha and +874T interferon gamma alleles have an increased risk for coeliac disease.

Improving information to Italian cancer patients: results of a randomized study

BACKGROUND

It has been widely shown that the provision of adequate levels of information to patients does have a positive effect on quality of life by reducing anxiety and depression levels. The aim of this study was to show how Italian cancer patients rate the information they are given and whether the use of booklets and videotapes can improve their quality of life.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cancer patients aged between 18 and 80 years who were about to receive their first chemotherapy course were randomized to fill in questionnaires on perceived quality of information, level of psychological distress, perceived severity and curability of the disease, and quality of life. The results were evaluated by means of statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Out of 328 consecutive patients enrolled in 21 cancer centers, 86-93% considered the booklets either "very useful" or "useful". The videotape was regarded as "quite" or "much" more complete than the booklets (87%). According to 81%/87% of patients, the information that had been given had improved their knowledge of the disease/chemotherapy either "a lot" or "enough".

CONCLUSIONS

The information patients receive from the oncologist was rated the highest, as long as they were devoted enough time. Booklets and videotapes can partially overcome the lack of oral information given by medical doctors. A better informed patient does help the oncologist save time.

Renal changes in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a post-mortem study on an unselected population in northwestern Italy

The renal pathologic features of 120 consecutively autopsied patients affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was investigated by light microscopic analysis. Variously associated renal changes were found in 82 patients (68.3%). Glomerular changes were present in 25. The following diagnoses were made: mesangial glomerulonephritis (16 patients), defined by the presence of deposits in the mesangium and/or mesangial cell proliferation; membranous glomerulonephritis (4 patients), cirrhotic glomerulosclerosis (2 patients); and lupuslike glomerulonephritis (3 patients). Glomerular diseases seemed to be significantly associated with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. Interstitial inflammation was present in 19 cases: chronic pyelonephritis (2 patients), focal nephritis (5 patients), multiple cortical abscesses (7 patients), granulomatous nephritis (5 patients). Cryptococci were found in one and undetermined microorganisms in two cases of multiple cortical abscesses. Atypical mycobacteria were found in two cases of granulomatous nephritis. Mycotic infections were identified in another 6 patients, in whom they did not elicit any inflammatory response. It is worth stressing that, although various generalized infections are common in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, only cryptococci and atypical mycobacteria also frequently involve the kidney. Focal tubular necrosis was observed in 15 patients. Benign nephrosclerosis was the most common vascular change (27 patients). Changes recalling hemolyticuremic and localized intravascular coagulation were found in three and six patients, respectively. Our data, dealing with a European Caucasian population, considerably differ from those reported in North American literature, in as much as we found no cases of human immunodeficiency virus nephropathy. Conversely, immune-mediated glomerular diseases were frequent, in agreement with recent studies on renal biopsy specimens from AIDS patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This type of infections, supplies multiple sources of antigens that may stimulate immune complex formation and, therefore, glomerular diseases.

Simulation of right atrial cardiac myxoma by silent hepatocellular carcinoma

A clinically silent hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as a mixoma of the right atrium is described. Intra-atrial growth has been reported in advanced, clinically manifested cases of liver carcinomas in African and Japanese subjects, but very occasionally in Caucasian people. Our case further suggests that this occurrence should also be considered in Western Countries.

Hemodialysis in the eighth and ninth decades of life

In a review of 45 patients who started receiving hemodialysis (HD) after the age of 70 years (mean, 75 years), compared with a control of 70 HD patients (mean age, 42 years), the two-year survival for elderly patients was 42% and 58% for controls. In the elderly group, age did not correlate with survival. Nine elderly patients were over 80 years old and had a two-year survival of 41%. The elderly patients had a significantly lower mean predialysis blood pressure (BP) (142/73 +/- 3/1 mm Hg) than the controls (158/88 +/- 2/1 mm Hg) (P less than .001). Only 13% of the elderly patients received antihypertensive medication, compared with 41% of controls (P less than .01). The BP showed a significant negative correlation with age in both elderly ( r - .41, P less than .01) and control (r = .35, P less than .001) patients. Glomerulonephritis was less common in the elderly (9%) than control (31%) groups, and pyelonephritis was more common (29% vs 16%).