The role of perfusion and diffusion MRI in the assessment of patients affected by probable idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. A cohort-prospective preliminary study.

Background: Invasive tests measuring resistance to cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) outflow and the effect of temporary drainage of CSF are used to select candidates affected by idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) for shunt surgery. Neither test, however, completely excludes patients from treatment. Perfusion and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are non-invasive techniques that might be of value in selecting patients for surgical treatment and understanding brain changes in iNPH patients.

The prevalence of vegetative and minimally conscious states: a systematic review and methodological appraisal.

Objectives: To systematically review prevalence studies of vegetative state (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) in geographically defined populations, to appraise study methods and assess sources of heterogeneity.

Methods: MEDLINE, EBM Reviews, and EMBASE databases were searched using key terms. Two reviewers independently identified pertinent articles and screened the references for additional studies.

Accuracy of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes for upper gastrointestinal complications varied by position and age: a validation study in a cohort of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs users in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy.

Purpose: To validate the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification discharge codes used to identify cases of upper gastrointestinal complications (UGICs) in hospitals of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy.

Methods: Cohort study on the risk of UGIC in users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs conducted in Friuli Venezia Giulia between 2001 and 2008. Cases were identified through primary and secondary International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision Clinical specific codes 531 (gastric ulcer), 532 (duodenal ulcer), 533 (peptic ulcer), 534 (gastrojejunal ulcer), and nonspecific code 578 (gastrointestinal hemorrhage).

The incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, from 2002 to 2009: a retrospective population-based study.

Background: We conducted a retrospective population-based study to estimate the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, from 2001 to 2009.

Methods: Multiple sources were used for case ascertainment: Health databases, archives of the neurology departments and of the regional chapter of the Italian ALS Association. The diagnosis was validated through clinical documentation review.

Risk of upper gastrointestinal complications in a cohort of users of nimesulide and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy.

Purpose: Information on the risk of upper gastrointestinal complications (UGIC) in users of nimesulide, the most used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in Italy, is scarce. In the context of the European regulatory review on nimesulide, we estimated and compared the risk associated with nimesulide and other individual NSAIDs with the risk in nonusers.

Methods: We used 2001-2008 data from regional health databases in Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG), Italy, to conduct a cohort and nested case-control study of users of NSAIDs.

Prognostic power of pre- and postoperative B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery.

Objectives: The first aim of the present study was to evaluate the pre- and postoperative B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients undergoing surgery for repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and analyze their power as a predictor of in-hospital cardiac events. The second aim was to evaluate the association among pre- and postoperative BNP levels, postoperative patient complications, and length of hospital stay.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Wake-up test decrease shunts insertion during carotid endarterectomy under general anesthesia.

Objective: The use of locoregional anesthesia versus general anesthesia (GE) in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been a debatable issue in clinical studies for the past several years. In our study, GE with wake-up tests (WUTs) during carotid cross-clamping was used instead of stump pressure (SP) to directly assess the neurological status of the patient to determine whether shunting was needed. Our study assessed the percentage of patients under light sedation and mechanically ventilated needing shunting based on WUT compared to a systolic stump pressure (SPs) cutoff value of View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The accuracy of discharge diagnosis coding for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in a large teaching hospital.

To evaluate the accuracy of hospital discharge data as a source of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) cases for epidemiological studies or disease registries, a validation study was performed. All records of patients discharged in 2005 and 2006 with principal or secondary International Classification of Diseases, 9th rev., Clinical Modification (ICD 9 CM) diagnosis code of ALS (335.