Collis-Nissen gastroplasty for short oesophagus.

The Collis-Nissen procedure is performed for the surgical treatment of 'true short oesophagus'. When this condition is strongly suspected radiologically, the patient is placed in the 45° left lateral position on the operating table with the left chest and arm lifted to perform a thoracostomy in the V-VI space, posterior to the axillary line. The hiatus is opened and the distal oesophagus is widely mobilized.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm in infancy in aneurysms-osteoarthritis syndrome due to a novel SMAD3 mutation: further delineation of the phenotype.

Recently, mutations in the SMAD3 gene were found to cause a new autosomal dominant aneurysm condition similar to Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), mostly with osteoarthritis, called aneurysms-osteoarthritis syndrome (AOS). Our 3-year-old propositus underwent correction of an inguinal hernia at 3 months and substitution of the ascending aorta for pathologic dilation at 12 months of age. Family history reveals aortic dilation in his mother at 30 years, death due to aortic dissection of an 18-year-old maternal aunt, surgical replacement of the ascending aorta because of aneurysm in a maternal uncle at 19 years, postpartum death of the maternal grandmother at 24 years and surgical intervention because of thoracic aortic aneurysm in a brother of the propositus' grandmother at 54 years.

Prevalence and clinical picture of gastroesophageal prolapse in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The prevalence of gastroesophageal (GE) mucosal prolapse in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was investigated as well as the clinical profile and treatment outcome of these patients. Of the patients who were referred to our service between 1980 and 2008, those patients who received a complete diagnostic work-up, and were successively treated and followed up at our center with interviews, radiology studies, endoscopy, and, when indicated, esophageal manometry and pH recording were selected. The prevalence of GE prolapse in GERD patients was 13.

Recovery of swallowing function following surgery for advanced buccopharyngeal carcinoma.

More than 20 years have passed since the introduction of surgical techniques based on distal myocutaneous flaps or microvascular flaps in the reconstruction after head and neck cancer resections. The experience gained from the beginning of these techniques until today, has improved the possibility to better predict functional impairment of swallowing in patients and its possible recovery. This contributes to a better counselling of the patient and better prediction concerning his/her quality of life.

Videofluoroscopy and videoendoscopy in evaluation of swallowing function in 31 patients submitted to surgery for advanced buccopharyngeal carcinoma.

Swallowing function has been evaluated by means of videofluoroscopy and videoendoscopy in 31 patients submitted to surgery for local extended bucco-pharyngeal carcinoma. Aim was to better predict functional deficits and subsequent recovery perspectives of patients as far as concerns swallowing. In 30 patients, surgery was combined with radiotherapy, pre-operative in 6 cases and post-operative in 24.

The surgical treatment of the intrathoracic migration of the gastro-oesophageal junction and of short oesophagus in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Objectives: In the rush to implement laparoscopic surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), the necessity to treat a short oesophagus with dedicated techniques was not always adequately considered. The aim of this study was to define the frequency, patterns and surgical treatment of the intrathoracic migration of the g-o junction and short oesophagus in GORD.

Methods: Between 1980 and 2003 our group indicated surgery only for severe and complicated GORD and for drawbacks of medical therapy.

Balloon sensors for the manometric recording of the pharyngoesophageal tract: an experimental study.

The goal of our study was to investigate manometric balloon sensors of original conception in order to overcome the limitations of perfused and solid-state sensors in the assessment of the pharyngoesophageal motility abnormalities. A standard perfused probe for esophageal manometry was modified by applying fluid-filled floppy balloons 0.5-, 1-, and 2.

Pharyngoesophageal manometry with an original balloon sensor probe for the study of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

The goal of our study was to verify the clinical applicability of an original balloon sensor probe for the manofluorographic study of oropharyngeal dysphagia. A prototype apparatus for manofluorography was developed and a standard perfused probe for esophageal manometry was modified by applying fluid-filled floppy balloons 0.5-, 1-, and 2.

Hiatus hernia and intrathoracic migration of esophagogastric junction in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The prevalence and clinical presentation of reducible and irreducible hiatus hernia were investigated within a gastro-esophageal reflux disease patient population. Reflux symptoms and esophagitis data were collected on 791 patients. The barium swallow was used to assess the esophagogastric junction.

Radiological examinations in the morpho-functional evaluation of the esophago-gastric junction in gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Purpose: The aim of our paper is to define, on the basis of a long experience, the anatomical and radiological classification of the progressive phases of the axial intrathoracic migration of the esophago-gastric junction (EGJ), through a standardised radiological method that allows precise identification of the anatomical structures involved.

Materials And Methods: From 1981 to 2001, 1388 patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) were examined by traditional contrast techniques that consisted in taking single contrast radiograms of the patients in different positions after administering a small high-density bolus of barium: with the patient standing up in frontal position, at rest, during forced inspiration, and during straining; standing up in a right front 30 degrees oblique position; and in prone position, in a right posterior 30 degrees oblique projection. On the basis of previous radiological and manometric studies aimed at verifying the diagnostic reliability of the radiological examination [8], the distance of the esophago-gastric junction from the esophageal hiatus was indirectly evaluated in an anterior-posterior projection, according to the criteria introduced by Monges [3].

[Role of videofluorography in the study of esophageal motility disorders].

Purpose: To repropose the importance of videofluoroscopy in the study of esophageal motor disorders, comparing the radiologic and manometric results; the manometric results are considered the reference parameters.

Material And Methods: From 1996 to 1999, 76 patients (42 males and 34 females), were studied first using manometry and then videofluoroscopy. The patients had symptoms like dysphagia, thoracic pain or both.

Clinical and surgical relevance of the progressive phases of intrathoracic migration of the gastroesophageal junction in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: The pathophysiologic influence of progressive intrathoracic migration of the gastroesophageal junction axial to the esophagus on gastroesophageal reflux disease was investigated.

Methods: A radiologic-manometric study was performed on hiatal insufficiency, concentric hiatus hernia, and short esophagus, the three radiologic steps of intrathoracic gastroesophageal junction migration, and on healthy volunteers. The distances between inferior and superior margins of the lower esophageal sphincter and the diaphragm were measured.

[Deglutition in patients treated with reconstructive laryngectomy].

Introduction: We stress the importance of dynamic radiologic studies of swallowing in the patients submitted to reconstructive laryngectomy.

Material And Methods: January, 1989, to December, 1996, we examined 36 patients submitted to reconstructive laryngectomy, namely cricohyoidoepiglottopexy in 34 cases, cricohyoidopexy in 1 case and Guerrier's cricohyoidoepiglottopexy in 1 case. Dynamic radiologic studies were performed with fluoroscopic videorecording (Sony U-Matic RM 580) from an X-ray unit.

Onset timing of delayed complications and criteria of follow-up after operation for esophageal achalasia.

Background: The purpose of this study was to define the length of follow-up necessary to obtain definitive results of the Heller myotomy for the therapy of esophageal achalasia and the modalities of long-term follow-up. Insufficient myotomy, periesophageal scarring, and gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis are the most common late complications of operation for achalasia. Columnar-lined esophagus with or without dysplasia and cancer can further complicate postoperative reflux esophagitis.

Detection of deglutition disorders after reconstructive laryngectomy. Clinical and radiological evaluations.

Subtotal reconstructive laryngectomy is an appropriate surgical procedure for intralaryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. After this surgery the functions of the larynx are greatly modified. These functions may be retained if at least one cricoaryténoid is preserved with good function.

[The 3rd national workshop on defecography: the functional radiology of (neo) rectal ampullae (ileal reservoir, colo-anal anastomosis, continent perineal colostomy)].

A survey was made in 13 Italian centers with a questionnaire concerning the (a) indications, (b) postoperative complications, (c) functional results and (d) diagnostic imaging modalities related to the making of an ileal or colonic (neo) rectum. Ulcerative colitis (100%), familial polyposis (61.5%) and Crohn's disease (15.

[The role of the radiological hemithorax examination in closed trauma of the chest].

January, 1992, to September, 1994, a hundred and seventy-eight blunt chest trauma patients were examined with plain chest films and detailed rib studies. The patients were subdivided into three groups according to: a) the presence/absence of rib fractures correlated with clinical data; b) the depiction of rib fractures and/or thoracic complications; c) treatment customization in the presence/absence of rib fractures. In our series of patients the clinical data and the presence of rib fractures were poorly correlated.

[Imaging technics in the indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Echotomography and cholangiography compared].

March 1991 through October 1992, in the Clinica Chirurgica II of the Bologna University, 59 patients were submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy; the age range was 25 to 76 years and the mean 50 years. In no patient stones bigger than 35 mm were observed and 31% of the subjects were treated with litholysis before surgery. Fifty-eight patients were affected with single or multiple cholelithiasis, 1 had adenomyomatosis and 4 patients had associated choledocholithiasis treated with preoperative ERCP.

[Anomalies of the subrenal inferior vena cava in the surgery of non-specific and inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms].

The sub-renal abnormalities of the lower vena cava (LVC) (left LVC, double LVC) are determined by a deterioration of the alteration process of supra-cardinal veins. Though they are rare, it is necessary to look for them during surgery of abdominal aorta in order to lower the risk of iatrogenic venous injuries. You will find below the description of six cases of sub-renal lower vena cava abnormality (3 double LVC, 3 left LVC) associated with an abdominal aorta aneurism (4 non specific aneurisms, 2 inflammations ones) as well as the diagnostic aspects and the technical issues they cause during the reconstruction of a non specific and inflammation aneurism of the abdominal aorta.

Postoperative course of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Of 779 patients undergoing repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms over a 7-year period (1984-1990), 40 (5.1%) had gross features of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs). Twenty IAAAs were assessed by CT scan preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate the outcome of the inflammatory layer of the aneurysm in 19 cases.

Dissection of the esophagus after dilatation of a cervical diaphragm.

The authors report a case of a very large esophageal mucosal dissection observed during an esophagoscopy performed 7 days after dilatation of a cervical esophageal web. They treated this dissection by positioning an endoesophageal balloon which obtained the fast, overlapping closure of the torn mucosal layers and at the same time allowed both gastric drainage and enteral feeding via a pump.

[Inherent problems of the use of magnetic resonance in patients with metallic implants currently used in orthopedic practice].

Forty-eight patients with oncologic prosthetic devices (modular rotatory shoulder, Kotz, custom made) and metallic means of fixation (Sherman's plates, Ender's rods, etc.) underwent MRI in order to: 1) assess possible physical changes in the magnetic field or the alloys under examination; 2) detect the presence and type of artifacts, and 3) verify the onset of eventual noxious effects of the alloy on the patient. The diagnostic investigation was preceded by an experimental phase which was characterized by: A) a study of the temperature fluctuations of the alloys when submitted to the magnetic field and to radiofrequency; B) the identification and characterization of the artifacts, as well as C) their physical interpretation.

[Magnetic resonance in the study of Wilm's tumor and neuroblastoma].

Eleven patients suffering from neuroblastoma and Wilms' tumor were examined with MR imaging (25 examinations). The results were compared with those obtained with other diagnostic methods--e.g.

[Imaging techniques in the staging of carcinoma of the esophagus].

Forty-four patients affected with thoracic esophageal carcinoma underwent preoperative CT to evaluate the value of this method in both staging and assessing the resectability of esophageal tumors. The authors compared the CT findings with intraoperative macroscopic ones, pathologic, and bronchoscopic results in mid-high neoplasms. CT staging criteria were drawn from a careful review of literature and from personal experience.