[Leiomyoma of the esophagus].

In this paper the Authors report a review of the clinical records from 1972 to 1985 of the Institut of IV Clinica Chirurgica of Rome of esophageal leiomyoma. We report on 7 cases: three males and four females. Their ages ranged from 37 to 78 years (mean 54 years).

Primary intra-abdominal malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Case report and literature review.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a pleomorphic soft tissues sarcoma usually found in the extremity and in the retroperitoneum. The primary intra-abdominal localization of this tumour is very rare and only thirty-five previous reports are present in the world medical literature. The Authors report a case of giant malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mesentery, which is treated by surgical removal plus adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Preparation of the colon for endoscopic examinations. A clinical study].

The paper gives a short critical bibliographic review of colonic preparation for endoscopy, focusing on the out-patient use of gastrointestinal endoscopy. A method of preparation based on dietary restrictions plus cathartics is proposed that allows the number of enemas used to be reduced to a minimum. The results obtained in 265 out-patients undergoing colonoscopy confirm the efficacy, practicality and tolerability of the method.