[Mirizzi's syndrome as the cause of intrahepatic lithiasis. A clinical case].

The authors report a case of Mirizzi's syndrome that was the cause of intrahepatic lithiasis. The recurrence of acute episodes of cholecystitis may lead to a partial obstruction of hepato-choledochal duct through compression and phlogosis (Type 1 Mirizzi's syndrome); moreover, the compression of calculous material wedged in the cystic duct may also result in ischemic necrosis of the wall, thus causing a cholecystic-choledochal internal biliary fistula (Type 2 Mirizzi's syndrome). The authors analyse problems relating to the complications of gallbladder calculosis with indications for surgery at the first symptomatic manifestation, given that the recurrence of cholecystic inflammatory episodes provokes pathological conditions in the biliary tract that require major surgery with a consequent increase in mortality and morbidity, above all in elderly patients.

Abdominal aortic coarctation inducing aortic occlusion and renovascular hypertension.

Abdominal aortic coarctation is a rare, non-atherosclerotic disease. It is a functionally significant at an early age when associated with aortic branch stenosis and renovascular hypertension. The pathogenesis of aortic constrictive lesions remains unknown, but may be related to developmental error or aortic growth arrest and various hypotheses have been reported.

[Massive hemoperitoneum caused by spontaneous rupture of the gallbladder during anticoagulant treatment].

The Authors report main complications of anticoagulant treatment. Particularly, they describe a rare case of hemoperitoneum by spontaneous rupture of the gallbladder. They discuss etiopathogenesis and consequent clinico-therapeutic implications.

[The role of endoscopic polypectomy in the prevention of cancer of the colon].

After briefly analyzing the concept and genesis of dysplasia starting with the normal large bowel cell and then illustrating the polyp-carcinoma sequence, the authors report on their experience with 283 endoscopic polypectomies in a total of 1.875 patients undergoing endoscopy of the rectum, sigmoid and large bowel since 1980. Forty-nine polyps presented severe dysplasia, and 38 had already degenerated to carcinoma; nine of the carcinomas had invaded the stalk and the patients were subjected to resection of the colon and mesocolon, lymph-node metastases being observed in 1 case.

Retroperitoneoscopy for biopsy of pelvic and medium-low para-aortic lymph nodes and tissues.

A mediastinoscope is used for pelvic, low and medium retroperitoneoscopy. Twelve procedures have been performed in 11 selected patients. The method is proposed for diagnosis and staging of lymphomas, genitourinary tumors and other miscellaneous pathology of the retroperitoneum.