A novel technique for conducting flexible bronchoscopy cryobiopsy under conscious sedation: An observational study.

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a reliable method for obtaining histopathological findings in interstitial lung diseases. TBCB is traditionally performed during rigid bronchoscopy, positioning an endobronchial balloon blocker to facilitate bleeding management. Therefore, it can be challenging to implement in Centers without access to anesthesiologic support or dedicated beds for endoscopic procedures.

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy and pulmonary fibrosis: A never-ending story?

Background: The diagnostic process of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is often challenging, requires a collaborative effort of several experts, and often requires bioptic material, which can be difficult to obtain, both in terms of quality and technique. The main procedures available to obtain such samples are transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and surgical lung biopsy (SLB).

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence for the role of TBLC in the diagnostic-therapeutic process of PF.

Prolonged higher dose methylprednisolone conventional dexamethasone in COVID-19 pneumonia: a randomised controlled trial (MEDEAS).

Background: Dysregulated systemic inflammation is the primary driver of mortality in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Current guidelines favour a 7-10-day course of any glucocorticoid equivalent to dexamethasone 6 mg daily. A comparative randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a higher dose and a longer duration of intervention was lacking.

High-Resolution Computed Tomography: Lights and Shadows in Improving Care for SSc-ILD Patients.

The diagnosis and classification of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is essential to improve the prognosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. The risk-stratification of disease severity and follow-up requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating high-resolution computed tomography (HRTC) of the lung, pulmonary function tests (PFT), along with clinical and symptomatic evaluations. The use of HRCT in detecting SSc-ILD is not so much based on a definitive validation, but rather reflects the widespread clinician recognition of dissatisfaction with other modalities.

A Case of Retrograde Treatment of a Ureteral Stone in a Retrocaval Ureter.

Retrocaval ureter is a rare entity with a reported incidence of ∼1 in 1100 and a 2.8-fold male predominance. The course of the ureter could be classified, using an intravenous urography, as type 1 having S-shaped, fish-hook, or J-shaped retrocaval course or type 2 having sickle-shaped course.

Complications of the first 500 extra-peritoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (EP-RARP) cases in an Italian medium volume centre.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the predictors of postoperative complications in Extra-Peritoneal Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (EP-RARP), and also to test the influence of the surgeons skills on perioperative variables and complications.

Materials And Methods: Data from the first consecutive 500 patients who underwent EP-RARP were prospectively collected from December 2004 and June 2014. Mean follow-up was 55.

Solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma of the penis: Report of the first case.

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is an uncommon perivascular tumor, first described in 1942, occurring most frequently in the extremities (pelvis, meninges, head and neck), and rarely affecting the urogenital system. In 1870, Wagner published the first histological description of a Solitary Fibrous Tumor (SFT) of the pleura. It is now thought that the majority of lesions previously called hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are essentially indistinguishable from solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs).

Recurrent dislocation of the elbow in children: description of a case.

The authors report a case of recurrent dislocation of the elbow in a boy aged 11 years, surgically treated by reconstruction of the lateral capsuloligamentous structures. After a review of the literature, the need for a diagnostic protocol to establish the main cause of recurrent dislocation is emphasized.

The chondroepitrochlearis muscle: case report.

An extremely rare muscle disorder in the pectoral region is described. It involves a musculotendinous unit which originates from the pectoralis major and inserts onto the medial epicondyle of the humerus. The authors report a case of an 11-year-old boy, affected bilaterally, who underwent surgical treatment to lengthen the chondroepitrochlearis muscle.

Discussion on the design of a hip joint simulator.

Hip joint simulators were developed for predicting, by attempting to duplicate in vitro physiological loads and motion, the wear rate that total hip replacements are likely to show in vivo. From a theoretical point of view, loading and motion cycles of hip joints could be closely reproduced by three rotation actuators and three force actuators. However existing devices have been designed assuming that some of these degrees of freedom are negligible, in order to reduce the complexity of the equipment.

Structural evaluation of ceramic femoral heads: effect of taper friction, support conditions and trunnion compliance.

The outcome of a nonlinear finite element stress analysis of ceramic heads for artificial hip joints is presented. The analysis mainly covers the influence of taper friction, support conditions and trunnion modulus of elasticity on the hoop stress distribution at the surface of the head bore. The paper quantifies how much the maximum tensile stress decreases with increasing frictional coefficient, with stiffening of the support and with stiffening of the trunnion material.

[Study of torsion defects of the lower limbs using computerized tomography].

January, 1990, to July, 1993, the torsional defects of the lower limbs were studied at the Department of Radiology of the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna. Ninety-three patients were examined, all of them affected with congenital or acquired (posttraumatic and/or iatrogenic) torsional defects. The torsional angles, i.

Automatic fracture reduction with a computer-controlled external fixator.

The reduction of fractures by means of an Ilizarov's fixator is obtained by successively shortening or lengthening the rods. This entails that all reduction operations of the fracture stumps be performed with a series of empirical attempts, requiring great experience and manual dexterity in the surgeon. Moreover this process involves a long exposure of both physician and patient to potentially harmful radiation due to the continuous checking of the intermediate positions on the X-ray image intensifier.

Critical review of infantile fibrous dysplasia: surgical treatment.

A critical review of the surgical treatment of 65 patients with infantile fibrous dysplasia demonstrated that "circumscribed" types of the disease generally do not require surgical treatment, while "extended" types, as well as Albright's syndrome, require early surgical treatment aimed at preventing development of skeletal deformities which are difficult to correct later. Prophylactic intramedullary nailing with nails of suitable caliber is most effective.

The Steindler method in the treatment of paralytic elbow flexion.

Based on an average follow-up of 8.6 years, the authors analyse the functional results obtained in 16 patients submitted to Steindler flexoroplasty of the elbow between 1975 and 1986. The absence of active flexion of the elbow produces a severe deficit in the upper limb even when there is good function of the shoulder and hand.

The correction of valgus knee by temporary epiphyseal stapling.

Unilateral temporary epiphysiodesis with Blount staples is a surgical method used to gradually correct axial deviations of the knee, slowing down the growth of one side of the conjugate cartilage. The authors analyse the results obtained with this method in the treatment of infantile valgus knee, in an attempt to determine an average monthly value of angular correction, based on which it is possible to plan the best time to perform this type of surgery. They affirm the effectiveness of the procedure, the success of which nonetheless appears to be related to the correct choice of the site of application and the number of staples used.

Axisymmetric mechanical analysis of ceramic heads for total hip replacement.

An axisymmetric, mechanical analysis of conical press-fit ceramic heads is performed. The head strength and its fracture modes are assessed experimentally. The stress field is examined by finite element, strain gauge and photoelastic methods.

Post-injective quadriceps contracture.

After reviewing the literature, the authors report 19 patients affected with post-injective contracture of the quadriceps muscle observed by them between 1971 and 1983. Clinical evaluation, indications for surgery and the results of surgery are discussed.

A critical review of the surgical treatment of infantile fibrous dysplasia.

A critical review of the surgical treatment of 65 cases of infantile fibrous dysplasia demonstrated that "circumscribed" forms of the disease generally do not require any type of surgical treatment, while "extended" forms, as well as Albright's syndrome, require early surgical treatment aimed at preventing the development of skeletal deformities which are difficult to correct. Prophylactic intramedullary nailing with nails of suitable calibre most effectively achieves this goal.

Arthromyolysis of the elbow in arthrogryposis.

The authors discuss the indications and describe the technique of arthromyolysis of the elbow in arthrogryposis and report 17 operations performed on 10 patients followed up after an average of 4.5 years. Their results show that this type of operation considerably improves passive mobility of the elbow and is capable of conferring adequate function on the limb, even without recourse to subsequent muscle transposition into the paralysed biceps.

Orthotopic knee grafts in rats: a model for growth plate transplantation.

A model for orthotopic whole knee transplantation in syngeneic Lewis rats is presented. The donor knee was isolated on the femoral vessels 1 cm superior and inferior to the knee joint. A minimal muscle cuff was left attached to ensure adequate circulation to the graft via the popliteal vessels.