Non-uniqueness for the Transport Equation with Sobolev Vector Fields.

We construct a large class of examples of non-uniqueness for the linear transport equation and the transport-diffusion equation with divergence-free vector fields in Sobolev spaces .

INFLUENCE OF TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND DIABETES ON THE COLLAGEN OF CREMASTER MUSCLE IN PATIENTS WITH INGUINAL HERNIAS.

Background: New findings point out that the mechanism of formation of the hernias can be related to the collagenous tissues, under activity of aggressive agents such as the tobacco, alcohol and diabetes.

Aim: To analyze the collagen present in the cremaster muscle in patients with inguinal hernias, focusing the effect of tobacco, alcohol, and diabetes.

Methods: Fifteen patients with inguinal hernia divided in three groups were studied: group I (n=5) was control; group II (n=5) were smokers and/or drinkers; and group III (n=5) had diabetes mellitus.

Class III gynecomastia in pediatric age: a new modified surgical treatment.

Background: Prepubertal gynecomastia is an extremely rare condition usually requiring surgical treatment, especially in case of class III gynecomastia. This study presents cases treated with a new surgical treatment.

Methods: From 2010 at our institution, gynecomastia is treated surgically using a modified technique of periareolar incision.

[Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: Boerhaave's syndrome].

Boerhaave's syndrome, the spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, is associated with a 35% death rate. Perforated esophagus is a surgical emergency; it is the most serious, and frequently the most rapidly lethal, perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract. Three cases of Boerhaave's syndrome are presented, with their variants and resolutions.

Role of nitrites in the genesis of adenocarcinoma associated with Barrett's esophagus.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is one of the complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a premalignant condition. It consists of a process of replacement of the squamous epithelium of the esophagus by intestinal columnar epithelium containing goblet cells, known as specialized intestinal metaplasia with goblet cells, and several factors have been related to its pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate an experimental model of duodenogastroesophageal reflux and the effect of ingestion of sodium nitrite solution on the genesis of adenocarcinoma associated with Barrett's esophagus.

Continuation of antibiotics is associated with failure of metronidazole for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

Background: Metronidazole is first-line therapy for C. difficile-associated diarrhea primarily because of its low cost relative to vancomycin. Currently, it is unknown which patients will fail metronidazole therapy.

Clostridium difficile among hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics: a case-control study.

Objectives: Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of infectious nosocomial diarrhea and can be found in up to 30% of asymptomatic hospitalized patients. Our primary aim was to compare the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients who received antibiotics and developed C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) with those of hospitalized patients who received antibiotics and did not develop the disease.

[Surgical treatment of breast tumors in patients after mammography screening. Personal experience in the first 3 years of operation of the screening program in the province of Verona].

A mammographic screening program was started in 1999 in the Province of Verona and was offered to women aged 50-69. The purpose of this study was to analyse and compare our data, particularly the type of surgery and histotype, with the literature data where no screening program was implemented. During the first three years of the screening, 113 patients underwent surgical treatment in our Institute.

Benign breast surgical biopsies: are they always justified?

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the indications for open surgical biopsy of breast lesions resulting in a benign histologic report.

Methods: A consecutive series of 754 benign breast biopsies was collected from six Italian centers previously participating in a multicenter study on the benign/malignant biopsy ratio. Histologic diagnosis, diagnostic tests performed, final clinical diagnosis and the indication for surgical biopsy were compared.

[Thymoma, aplastic anemia, hypogammaglobulinemia and malignant pulmonary neoplasm: a case report].

A 67 year old man presented with non-invasive thymoma, associated aplastic anemia and important hypogammaglobulinemia; the postoperative course has been characterized, three months later, by thrombocytopenia (kept under control with steroid therapy) and, two years later, by squamous lung cancer, not susceptible of surgical treatment. The patient died five years after operation because of progression of the lung cancer. Anemia improved only partially after operation; there where no effects on hypogammaglobulinemia.

Prognostic significance of estrogen receptors in 405 primary breast cancers: a comparison of immunohistochemical and biochemical methods.

Over the last few years, estrogen receptor determination by means of immunohistochemistry has been extensively used. The aim of this study was to compare this technique with estrogen receptor determination by means of dextran-coated charcoal, and to evaluate whether one of the two methods is more predictive of prognosis. Estrogen receptors were determined by means of both the dextran-coated charcoal method and immunohistochemistry in 405 patients with primary breast cancer; age, pathological tumor size, nodal status, and progesteron receptors by dextran-coated charcoal method were also recorded.

[Rupture of the diaphragm caused by closed trauma. Case contributions and review of the literature].

Aim: Retrospective evaluation of 19 diaphragmatic ruptures due to blunt trauma.

Materials And Methods: We collected all patients with thoracic and/or abdominal blunt trauma who were admitted to the department of surgery (Clinica Chirurgica and Chirurgia generale C) from 1970 to 1995. We selected patients with ascertained diaphragmatic rupture.

Delayed traumatic hernia of the diaphragm presenting with hypertensive pneumothorax. Case report and review of the literature.

The diagnosis of traumatic hernia of the diaphragm can be obtained at the time of injury or months-years after the trauma. The Authors report a case of traumatic hernia of the diaphragm, diagnosed 3 years after a blunt thoracic trauma in a 47-year-old man. The patient was admitted to the hospital for a pneumothorax caused by perforation of the herniated colon.

Time trends of benign/malignant breast biopsy ratios a multicenter Italian study.

Aims And Background: Although they have been decreasing over time due to improved specificity of diagnostic assessment, benign biopsies of the breast are still common. Benign biopsies should be regarded as negative events, due to their economical and psychological cost and their possible negative impact on cosmesis and on further diagnostic evaluation.

Methods: Retrospective data on benign/malignant breast biopsies ratio (B/M) were collected in 9 Italian centers for a period of 10-15 years.

Mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction: oncological considerations and evaluation of two different methods relating to 88 cases.

The authors consider 88 cases of mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction mainly performed using the skin expander plus prosthesis method or latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. At the same time, 53 patients underwent contralateral mastopexy for symmetry. The mean follow-up was 21 months (range 2-102).

Retroperitoneal paragangliomas: role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of malignancy and in assessment of prognosis.

Objective: To present our experience of 10 patients with extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paragangliomas, and assess prognostic tests.

Design: Retrospective study of casenotes.

Setting: University hospital, Italy.

[Primary germinal tumors of the mediastinum: our experience in 9 cases].

9 patients (8 males 1 female, middle age 24.3 years, range 20-41) affected by primary mediastinal germ cell tumor were surgically treated in our department. They were 4 seminomas, 2 embryonal carcinomas, 1 malignant teratoma and 2 benign teratomas.

[Iatrogenic rupture of the esophagus: presentation of several cases].

Four cases of iatrogenic rupture of the oesophagus are presented. The site of the lesion was in the cervical tract in 1 case and in the thoracic tract in the other 3 cases. Their etiology was pneumatic endoscopic dilatation for achalasia in 2 cases, endoscopic insertion of a Celestin tube for carcinoma of the thoracic tract of the oesophagus in 1 case, and diagnostic endoscopy in the last one.

[Pulmonary carcinoid tumors].

27 patients suffering from carcinoid of the lung (18 females and 9 males, middle age 52 years, range 26-68) underwent surgery in our department. The neoplasms were located at the pulmonary hilum in 21 cases. The diagnosis was occasional in 6 cases, cough (51.

Phyllodes tumor of the breast: problems of differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach from an analysis of 17 cases.

Retrospective analysis of 17 cases of phyllodes tumor with a follow-up of almost 1 year revealed no close correlation between histological pattern and clinical course, since local relapse occurs even after histological findings of benign lesion in the primary tumor. Phyllodes and fibroadenoma patterns are often associated in the same patient and extensive surgery is not recommended owing to the fact that recurrences are observed both after subcutaneous mastectomy and after simple resection. We conclude that local control of the disease by wedge resection and strict follow-up may be the most rational approach.

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer: correlation with clinical and pathological features and with prognosis.

Estrogen and progesterone receptor status was reviewed in 405 patients from prior adjuvant breast cancer trials at the University of Verona. Only 233 patients were actually examined with respect to hormone status and outcome. No relationship between hormone receptor status and most of the commonly followed prognostic signs, i.

[Carcinoma of the male breast (our experience and a review of the literature)].

The authors consider their experience in male breast cancer. Making a review of the literature they point out the risk factors and the prognosis of this disease.

[Bullous emphysema of the lung (our experience)].

Ten patients (9 males and 1 female; mean age: 44.8 yrs) with bullous lung disease were treated. Frequent patient-history findings were smoking and spontaneous pneumothorax.

Emergency surgical management of retrosternal goiter causing tracheal compression.

Acute tracheal compression caused by mediastinal masses is a rare event. Dyspnea is the most frequent symptom and the treatment of choice is intubation followed by surgical operation. Four cases of acute tracheal compression due to retrosternal goiter are described.