range verification analysis with in-beam PET data for patients treated with proton therapy at CNAO.

Morphological changes that may arise through a treatment course are probably one of the most significant sources of range uncertainty in proton therapy. Non-invasive treatment monitoring is useful to increase treatment quality. The INSIDE in-beam Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner performs range monitoring in proton and carbon therapy treatments at the National Center of Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO).

The Accuracy of Simple and Adjusted Aldosterone Indices for Assessing Selectivity and Lateralization of Adrenal Vein Sampling in the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism Subtypes.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of simple and corrected aldosterone indices for assessing the selectivity and lateralization of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) in patients with primary aldosteronism.

Methods: Data of all consecutive patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent AVS for subtype diagnosis, followed at two Italian referral centers, were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: AVS achieved bilateral selectivity in 112/144 patients.

Localization of anatomical changes in patients during proton therapy with in-beam PET monitoring: A voxel-based morphometry approach exploiting Monte Carlo simulations.

Purpose: In-beam positron emission tomography (PET) is one of the modalities that can be used for in vivo noninvasive treatment monitoring in proton therapy. Although PET monitoring has been frequently applied for this purpose, there is still no straightforward method to translate the information obtained from the PET images into easy-to-interpret information for clinical personnel. The purpose of this work is to propose a statistical method for analyzing in-beam PET monitoring images that can be used to locate, quantify, and visualize regions with possible morphological changes occurring over the course of treatment.

Minimally invasive adrenalectomy for large pheochromocytoma: not recommendable yet? Results from a single institution case series.

Background: Minimally invasive adrenalectomy represents the treatment of choice of pheochromocytoma (PCC). For large or invasive PCCs, an open approach is currently recommended, in order to ensure complete tumor resection, prevent tumor rupture, avoid local recurrence, and limit perioperative hemodynamic instability. The aim of this study is to analyze perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomies (LAs) for large adrenal PCCs.

"Never Trust to General Impressions, My Boy, but Concentrate Yourself upon Details": An Unusual and Challenging Presentation of Pheochromocytoma.

We present the case of a 45-year-old woman admitted to our unit with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock, requiring an intra-aortic balloon pump insertion and inotropes and vasopressors infusion. Despite such treatment, the patient developed multi organ failure and intravascular disseminated coagulation with haemolysis. The initial diagnosis of acute myocarditis was subsequently denied by the finding of bilateral adrenal masses by MRI scan, and urine and plasma metanephrines measurements confirmed a pheochromocytoma (PCC).

The diagnostic accuracy of adjusted unconventional indices for adrenal vein sampling in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism subtypes.

Objective: Simple unconventional indices did not demonstrate a satisfactory accuracy for diagnosing unilateral primary aldosteronism when adrenal vein sampling is not bilaterally selective. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of clinical/imaging-corrected unconventional indices for adrenal vein sampling in predicting unilateral primary aldosteronism.

Methods: Data of all consecutive patients with primary aldosteronism subtyped with adrenal vein sampling, referred to two Italian centers, were analyzed retrospectively.

Prevalence of primary aldosteronism and association with cardiovascular complications in patients with resistant and refractory hypertension.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of primary aldosteronism and its association with cardiometabolic complications in patients with resistant and refractory hypertension.

Methods: One hundred and ten consecutive patients with true resistant hypertension [insufficient blood pressure control despite appropriate lifestyle measures and treatment with at least three classes of antihypertensive medication, including a diuretic] and without previous cardiovascular events were screened for secondary hypertension. Refractory hypertension was diagnosed in case of uncontrolled blood pressure despite the use of at least five antihypertensive drugs.

Predictors of recurrence of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: a multicenter study in Piedmont, Italy.

The available data on the natural history of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas after radical surgery are heterogeneous and discordant. The aim of our retrospective multicenter study was to find predictors of recurrence in patients with pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas submitted to radical surgery in Piedmont (a region in northwest Italy). We collected data from 242 patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2016.

Online proton therapy monitoring: clinical test of a Silicon-photodetector-based in-beam PET.

Particle therapy exploits the energy deposition pattern of hadron beams. The narrow Bragg Peak at the end of range is a major advantage but range uncertainties can cause severe damage and require online verification to maximise the effectiveness in clinics. In-beam Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a non-invasive, promising in-vivo technique, which consists in the measurement of the β+ activity induced by beam-tissue interactions during treatment, and presents the highest correlation of the measured activity distribution with the deposited dose, since it is not much influenced by biological washout.

TRIMAGE: A dedicated trimodality (PET/MR/EEG) imaging tool for schizophrenia.

Simultaneous PET/MR/EEG (Positron Emission Tomography - Magnetic Resonance - Electroencephalography), a new tool for the investigation of neuronal networks in the human brain, is presented here within the framework of the European Union Project TRIMAGE. The trimodal, cost-effective PET/MR/EEG imaging tool makes use of cutting edge technology both in PET and in MR fields. A novel type of magnet (1.

INSIDE in-beam positron emission tomography system for particle range monitoring in hadrontherapy.

The quality assurance of particle therapy treatment is a fundamental issue that can be addressed by developing reliable monitoring techniques and indicators of the treatment plan correctness. Among the available imaging techniques, positron emission tomography (PET) has long been investigated and then clinically applied to proton and carbon beams. In 2013, the Innovative Solutions for Dosimetry in Hadrontherapy (INSIDE) collaboration proposed an innovative bimodal imaging concept that combines an in-beam PET scanner with a tracking system for charged particle imaging.

The Thunderbeat and Other Energy Devices in Laparoscopic Colorectal Resections: Analysis of Outcomes and Costs.

Background: The THUNDERBEAT™ (TB) is a recently developed energy-based device. To date, there are no clinical studies comparing TB and other energy sources, such as standard electrosurgery (ES), ultrasonic coagulating shears (US) and electrothermal bipolar vessel sealers (EBVS) in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR). The aim of this study was to compare outcomes and costs in patients undergoing LCR with TB, US, EBVS, or ES for both benign and malignant colorectal diseases.

10-Year Oncologic Outcomes After Laparoscopic or Open Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer.

Background: Only few studies have compared laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) and open total mesorectal excision (OTME) for rectal cancer with follow-up longer than 5 years. The aim of this study was to compare 10-year oncologic outcomes after LTME and OTME for nonmetastatic rectal cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of rectal cancer patients undergoing LTME or OTME.

Laparoscopic colon resection: To prep or not to prep? Analysis of 1535 patients.

Background: Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) before elective open colon resection does not reduce the rate of postoperative anastomotic leakage. However, MBP is still routinely used in many countries, and there are very limited data regarding the utility of preoperative MBP in patients undergoing laparoscopic colon resection (LCR). The aim of this study was to challenge the use of MBP before elective LCR.

Issues in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Aldosteronism.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with a high rate of cardio- and cerebrovascular complications and metabolic alterations. PA is also recognized as the most frequent, although often unrecognized, secondary form of hypertension. Guidelines have been released to assist clinicians in the diagnostic work-up and subtype differentiation of PA.

Laparoscopic versus open resection for transverse colon cancer.

Background: Previous large randomized controlled trials comparing laparoscopic (LR) and open resection (OR) for colon cancer have not specifically analyzed the outcomes in patients with transverse colon cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LR transverse colon cancer resection and to compare our findings with the results available in the literature.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing LR or OR for histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon.

Laparoscopic versus open resection for colon cancer: 10-year outcomes of a prospective clinical trial.

Background: Laparoscopic resection (LR) and open resection (OR) for colon cancer have similar oncologic outcomes at 5-year follow-up. However, results from studies with longer follow-up are limited. This study aimed to compare 10-year oncologic outcomes of LR and OR for non-metastatic colon cancer.

Metastatic lymph node ratio as a prognostic factor after laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for extraperitoneal rectal cancer.

Background: The lymph node ratio (LNR; number of positive nodes divided by total nodes harvested) has been demonstrated to be a prognostic factor in colon cancer, but its role in extraperitoneal rectal cancer is still debated; furthermore, no data are available on laparoscopic rectal resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of LNR on long-term outcomes after laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) for extraperitoneal cancer in consecutive patients with a 5-year minimum follow-up.

Methods: This study is a prospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent LTME for adenocarcinoma of the extraperitoneal rectum.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery vs. laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for T2N0 rectal cancer.

Objective: The aim was to compare transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and laparoscopic resection (LR) in terms of short-term and oncologic outcomes in patients with a preoperatively diagnosed T2N0 extraperitoneal rectal cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database. All patients with a preoperatively staged T2N0 extraperitoneal rectal adenocarcinoma were considered for LR.

Laparoscopic versus open colorectal resections in patients with symptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short-term and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic resection (LR) for patients with symptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer compared with open resection (OR).

Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospective database. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months after LR or OR for metastatic colorectal cancer were included.

Genes implicated in insulin resistance are down-regulated in primary aldosteronism patients.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) patients display an increased incidence of insulin resistance. Herein we demonstrate the decreased gene expression of lipid metabolism genes PCK1, PLIN, ADIPOQ and PPARG in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of PA patients compared to age-, sex- and BMI-matched controls. In VAT, the expression of PCK1, PLIN, ADIPOQ and PPARG was inversely correlated with aldosterone levels; furthermore, PLIN and ADIPOQ gene expression was correlated with potassium levels.

Clinical role of gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that the pneumoperitoneum (PNP) may have several hemodynamic, metabolic, neurologic, and humoral effects; in a limited number of patients, these effects represent a contraindication to the use of the PNP in the presence of glaucoma, cardiovascular insufficiency, advanced chronic obstructive bronchitis, and neurologic disease.

Patients And Methods: Between May 2002 and July 2008, we performed 9 laparoscopic gasless adrenalectomies in 8 patients (5 male and 3 female): 4 left, 3 right, and 1 bilateral, treated in 2 different operations. Mean age was 54.

Differential diagnosis of primary aldosteronism subtypes.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent endocrine form of secondary hypertension. The recognition of this disease has dramatically increased with the widespread use of a screening test in most hypertensive patients, including those who are normokalemic. Interest in PA has grown since the demonstration that aldosterone has deleterious effects that are, at least in part, independent from its effects on blood pressure.

Electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system vs. harmonic scalpel in colorectal laparoscopic surgery: a prospective, randomized study.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery performed with the aid of LigaSure vessel-sealing system or Ultracision.

Methods: Patients eligible for elective laparoscopic right or left hemicolectomy or anterior resection of rectum were randomly assigned to either the use of Ligasure or Ultracision. The primary end point was intraoperative reduction of blood loss.