Pain Modulation after Oromucosal Cannabinoid Spray (SATIVEX) in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Study with Quantitative Sensory Testing and Laser-Evoked Potentials.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) (nabiximols or Sativex) is an oromucosal spray formulation containing THC and CBD at an approximately 1:1 fixed ratio. Its administration for the treatment of pain in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been established. MS patients generally complain of different kinds of pain, including spasticity-related and neuropathic pain.

Clinical spectrum and IgG subclass analysis of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated syndromes: a multicenter study.

Anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Ab) recently emerged as a potential biomarker in patients with inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. We here compare the clinical and laboratory findings observed in a cohort of MOG-Ab seropositive and seronegative cases and describe IgG subclass analysis results. Consecutive serum samples referred to Verona University Neuropathology Laboratory for aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-Ab and/or MOG-Ab testing were analysed between March 2014 and May 2017.

Cortical and spinal excitability in patients with multiple sclerosis and spasticity after oromucosal cannabinoid spray.

Background: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (THC:CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex®) has been recently approved for the management of treatment-resistant multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity. Although the symptomatic relief of Sativex® on MS-spasticity has been consistently demonstrated, the pathogenetic implications remain unclear and the few electrophysiological studies performed to address this topic yielded controversial results. We therefore aimed to investigate the mechanisms underpinning the modulation of spastic hypertonia by Sativex®, at both central and spinal levels, through an extensive neurophysiological battery in patients with MS.

Are natalizumab and fingolimod analogous second-line options for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis? A clinical practice observational study.

Background: It is unclear whether natalizumab and fingolimod have analogous efficacy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective: To compare the outcome of RRMS patients treated with either therapy.

Methods: RRMS patients treated with natalizumab or fingolimod at Verona Hospital, Italy, were included.

Off-label thrombolysis versus full adherence to the current European Alteplase license: impact on early clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke.

According to current European Alteplase license, therapeutic-window for intravenous (IV) thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke has recently been extended to 4.5 h after symptoms onset. However, due to numerous contraindications, the portion of patients eligible for treatment still remains limited.

One-year experience with a new expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular graft for hemodialysis.

Hemodialysis access achieved through a prosthetic vascular graft has become more popular, especially in diabetic and older patients and those who have had several unsuccessful surgical accesses. From January to December 1996, we implanted a newly available expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft (DIASTAT Vascular Access Graft) that allows early cannulation in 18 patients (11 men and 7 women; mean age +/- SD, 63.7 +/- 11 years).

Evidence for an abnormal cortical sensory processing in dystonia: selective enhancement of lower limb P37-N50 somatosensory evoked potential.

We evaluated brain stem P30, contralateral frontal N37, and the vertex-ipsilateral central P37, N50 somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) obtained in response to stimulation of the tibial nerve in 10 patients with idiopathic dystonia. Results were compared with those obtained in 10 healthy subjects matched for age and sex. The amplitude of the brain stem P30 potential and of the contralateral frontal N37 response in dystonic patients was not significantly different from that recorded in normal subjects.

Familial cavernous hemangioma with atypical neuroimaging.

Three members of the same family were studied, all of whom had multiple intracerebral cavernous angiomas for which a dominant autosomal inheritance was hypothesised. The proband suffered from headaches, and physical examination revealed evident right hemiparesis. The second case started with a hemorrhagic cerebral stroke and the third was asymptomatic on neurological examination.

Reversible cerebral ischemias: a comparative analysis of risk factors in TIAs and in RINDs.

A retrospective study in which 709 patients, 522 with RIND and 187 with TIA, were compared in respect of common risk factors (RFs) for acute cerebrovascular disease. The two forms of the disease differed significantly in respect of smoking, hematocrit, hypercholesteremia, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricacidemia. Although these RFs do not seem to be determinants of or discriminants between the two forms of acute cerebrovascular disease, it is nonetheless highly probable that, together with all the other RFs, they have a facilitatory role.

[Benign neoplasms of the stomach: personal cases].

After discussing the diagnostic approach to benign tumours of the stomach on the basis of the most valid classifications in literature, the Authors describe the symptoms and frequency of these tumours. They then report 12 personally observed cases, and in particular one case of neurofibroma of the gastric fundus, which was exceptional for localisation, volume and clinical course. They conclude that only open extemporaneous surgical examination can provide confirmation of the benign nature of the neoformation.

[Biliary ileus: personal cases].

After a short review of world literature on the subject, four cases of biliary ileus, all with favourable outcome, are reported. Some considerations on the pathogenesis of occlusion of biliary origin and on its treatment are then set out: such treatment must always be surgical and of emergency type, providing not only for removal of the obstructing calculus, but also for exploration of the whole ileus. Where possible, cholecystectomy and closure of the bilio-digestive fistula should also be performed.

[Pancreatic cystadenoma. Description of 2 cases and review].

On the basis of two personal cases and a review of the most recent literature, the main features of this rare pancreatic condition are reported. Special attention is paid to the post-diagnostic importance of radical exeresis. This is the only way of preventing the patient running the risk of malignant degeneration.