A compact scintillator-based detector with collimator and shielding for dose monitoring in boron neutron capture therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy exploits B(n,)Li reactions for targeted tumor destruction. In this work, we aimed at developing a dose monitoring system based on the detection of 478 keV gamma rays emitted by the reactions, which is very challenging due to the severe background present. We investigated a compact gamma-ray detector with a pinhole collimator and shielding housing.

Effect of exercise on functional capacity in patients with advanced cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: To determine the impact of exercise on functional capacity, measured through the "Six minutes walking test" (6MWT) in patients with advanced cancer stage.

Methods: Systematic research on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SportDiscus was conducted. Randomized controlled trials were eligible if they examined the effect of exercise on 6MWT.

Isolated fronto-ethmoidal allergic fungal rhinosinusitis: case report and review of the literature.

Background And Aim Of The Work: Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is a clinical entity characterized by the presence of fungi within sino-nasal cavities that may occur in patients with normal or defective immunity. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a form of non-invasive FRS that affects patients with an abnormal immuno-mediated response to fungal antigens. This article describes a case of isolated fronto-ethmoidal AFRS.

Characterization of nZVI nanoparticles functionalized by EDTA and dipicolinic acid: a comparative study of metal ion removal from aqueous solutions.

The simultaneous adsorption of metal ions on bare and functionalized zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) from aqueous solution was tested using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The nanomaterials were synthetized using borohydride reduction of iron salt followed by addition of EDTA and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid, PDCA) in different molar ratios. Functionalized materials were characterized by FT-IR, XRD and SEM-EDS methods.

Primary Epithelioid Angiosarcoma of the Thyroid in a Patient Occupationally Exposed to Radiations.

Angiosarcoma (AS) of the thyroid is a rare and aggressive tumor. Its incidence is higher in iodine-deficient areas but cases unrelated to endemic goiter have been reported. We describe a case of a 63-year-old Italian man living in a non-iodine-deficient area, with no previous diagnosis of thyroid disease with a history of radiation exposure.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer: comparative analysis of early and delayed reconstruction.

Background: Early reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer with definitive implants has been widely used, especially with the evolution of conservative surgical breast cancer treatments. We aimed to identify different characteristics associated with plastic surgery, based on immediate or delayed reconstruction time and evaluate quality of life in patients undergoing mastectomy for cancer.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study that evaluated adult patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer and breast reconstruction in Plastic Surgery Service at a tertiary hospital.

Prognostic factors in stage IV oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: the "punto" experience.

Purpose: Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of Oropharynx is often diagnosed in advanced stages. Treatment options have improved during recent years, however the choice of most appropriate treatment is still controversial. Prognostic factors can help to optimize the care.

FDG-PET/CT appearance of injected silicone particles (VOX Implants®) in head and neck tissues.

Objetives: In head and neck surgery, Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography imaging (FDG-PET/CT) is often used to identify primary tumor site in patients with unknown primary carcinoma, to predict response after chemoradiotherapy and in some cases, to detect recurrence. To rehabilitate swallowing after surgery in patients with persistent dysphagia, an injectable suspension of silicone (VOX® Implants) can be used to reduce the gaps in the neoglottis. The purpose of this report is to document the PET appearance of PDMS in a series of 3 patients who underwent partial laryngectomy with subsequent VOX® Implants injection.

Occult nasolacrimal duct ectasia in a child with acute sinusitis: clinicopathological considerations and literature review.

Background: Enlargement of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) in the absence of neoplasm is rare. As there are few reports on this condition in the literature, its pathologic significance and proper management remain unclear. We report a case of asymptomatic NLD enlargement incidentally discovered on high resolution computed tomography scan performed for a complicated acute sinusitis.

Upper eyelid platinum chain placement for treating paralytic lagophthalmos.

For the definitive treatment of lagophthalmos and satisfactory rehabilitation of the affected eye, different surgical strategies have been proposed, including static or dynamic procedures. Although some of these can have good results, lid loading is now the most common technique for treating paralytic long-term lagophthalmos. Among the different types of loading, the use of a platinum chain is preferred to the use of a standard gold weight because platinum has a higher density than gold and is also more biocompatible.

Ancillary procedures in facial animation surgery.

Purpose: Facial animation surgery with neuromuscular transplants has become a standard procedure for the treatment of facial palsies. However, the forehead, periocular complex, nasal base area, and inferior lip are secondary sites that also need to be considered in the complete rehabilitation of a flaccid facial palsy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 136 ancillary procedures were performed in 49 patients between 2003 and 2013 and consisted of eyebrow suspensions (11), upper eyelid loading with a platinum chain (39), inferior palpebral suspension with fascia lata (22), nasal base suspension with fascia lata (26), and botulinum toxin injection (38).

Reconstruction of mandibular defects using the scapular tip free flap.

Purpose: Purpose of the article is to present the use of the scapular tip free flap (STFF) for the reconstruction of oromandibular defects.

Patients: Eleven patients who underwent oromandibular reconstruction with STFF were retrospectively evaluated with regards to form and function assessing mouth opening, dietary intake, and cosmetic outcome. Donor site morbidity was evaluated using the Constant-Murley test for the shoulder unit.

The submental island flap: pedicle elongation and indications in head and neck reconstruction.

Background: The submental island flap is an axial pattern skin flap first described by Martin et al. in 1993. When used to reconstruct skin defects it matches the recipient site in terms of colour, texture and thickness.

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis and osteoradionecrosis of the cervico-thoracic spine: a rare complication after surgery and radiation for hypopharyngeal cancer.

Objective: To describe a rare case of osteoradionecrosis and pyogenic spondylodiscitis of the cervico-thoracic spine after surgery and radiotherapy for hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methodology: Diagnostic clues are presented and critically discussed with particular regard to computed tomography, magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography features advising the association between and osteoradionecrosis and spondylodiscitis.

Results And Conclusions: Pathogen isolation via CT-guided biopsy provided the definite diagnosis and indicated the targeted therapy.

[Prognosis of acute pancreatitis by PANC 3 score].

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a disease of great importance in clinical practice, defined as an inflammatory process of the pancreas that may involve local tissues or affect other organs in a systemic manner, requiring, in such cases, an intensive care.

Aim: To analyze the simplified stratification system of the PANC 3 score, correlating it with the Ranson score, for the prognostic definition of cases of acute pancreatitis.

Method: Was conducted a prospective, observational study in which were evaluated 65 patients who were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.

Cross-facial nerve graft and masseteric nerve cooptation for one-stage facial reanimation: principles, indications, and surgical procedure.

Background: The use of facial cross-grafting in acquired recent unilateral facial palsy provides spontaneity and emotional activation. Masseteric nerve for facial animation has mainly been described for reinnervation of neuromuscular transplants, babysitter procedures, or direct facial nerve cooptation. The simultaneous use in a single procedure of cross-facial nerve grafting and masseteric cooptation has not been described.

Selective deep lobe parotidectomy for pleomorphic adenomas.

The authors' experience of the selective deep lobe parotidectomy for the treatment of pleomorphic adenomas of the deep parotid lobe is presented. A retrospective analysis of 11 patients treated between 1997 and 2010 was performed; seven were males and four were females, ranging in age from 35 to 51 years. Parameters evaluated included facial nerve weakness, the occurrence of Frey's syndrome, cosmetic outcome, and recurrence.

Iliac crest free flap and submental island flap for maxillary reconstruction.

The iliac crest free flap is one of the most reliable flaps for maxillary reconstruction because of the large amount of bone provided and the chance to harvest both muscle and skin. However, reconstruction of maxillary through-and-through defects requires special skills to be managed. Simultaneous replacement of oral lining and external tissue with the same features as the resected skin is difficult to achieve with conventional techniques and the use of flaps association is often necessary to ensure acceptable cosmetic and functional results.

Huge desmoplastic fibroma of the paediatric mandible: surgical considerations and follow-up in three cases.

The desmoplastic fibroma is a rare locally aggressive spindle-cell proliferation made up of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts immersed in a dense collagenic stroma. Head and neck localisation of desmoplastic fibromas is even more rare and the literature is limited to small case series and reviews. A comprehensive review of the English literature from 1968 to 2011 revealed only 79 cases of mandibular desmoplastic fibromas and only 18 (22%) in patients under 4 years of age.

Mandibular resection and reconstruction in the management of extensive ameloblastoma.

Purpose: To present our experience with the management of 31 extensive mandibular ameloblastomas treated with segmental mandibulectomy, reconstruction with free fibula or iliac crest flap, and rehabilitation with immediate or delayed endosteal dental implants.

Patients And Methods: The study sample comprised 31 patients with histologically confirmed mandibular ameloblastomas. Primary ameloblastomas were treated in 23 patients, and recurrent ameloblastomas affected 8 patients.

Rehabilitation with endosseous implants in fibula free-flap mandibular reconstruction: a case series of up to 10 years.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome and the aesthetic and functional results of implant rehabilitation of fibula free-flap reconstructed mandibles.

Materials And Methods: The charts of patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap and implant prosthodontic rehabilitation between 1998 and 2008 at the Operative Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery of Parma, Italy, were reviewed. In the study the estimated survival rates of implants placed in reconstructed mandibles we identified the prognostic factors and evaluated the functional outcomes.

Free flaps in elderly patients: outcomes and complications in head and neck reconstruction after oncological resection.

Introduction: Free flaps represent the first reconstructive option for many head and neck defects. The increasing life expectancy of the population results in increasing numbers of ageing patients facing complex reconstructive surgery. In this study we evaluated our experience with free-flap transfers in older patients, analysing the post-operative reconstructive and systemic complications.

Orthognathic surgery for the complete rehabilitation of Moebius patients: principles, timing and our experience.

Moebius syndrome is a rare disorder found in approximately 1/100,000 neonates and the treatment of facial palsy is now well established worldwide and consists of free-muscle transplants reinnervated with motor nerves. Dentofacial deformities are often detected in Moebius patients, and different degrees of micrognathia are often present, particularly in patients with complete expressions of Moebius syndrome. However only two published reports have described the surgical treatment of such anomalies in these patients; in both cases, the suggested approach consisted of orthognathic surgery followed by soft-tissue management.

Orofacial granulomatosis treated with low-level laser therapy: a case report.

Objectives: We report a case of orofacial granulomatosis successfully treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

Study Design: LLLT was delivered through a diode laser device (Lasemar Eufoton, Trieste, Italy) with the use of a 4-cm defocalized lens and power of 1 W. Treatment was administered in sessions of 5 irradiations of 1 minute each, with a 1-minute interval between 2 subsequent irradiations (power density 0.