The effect of cortical and subcortical lesions on spontaneous expression of memory-encoded and emotionally infused information: Evidence for a role of the ventral stream.

The ventral stream of language processing has been implicated in the spontaneous expression of memory-encoded and emotionally infused information. The present study investigated whether left hemispheric lesions in post-stroke right-handed aphasic patients may be selectively associated with specific language functions. Speech rate was assessed with two tasks, one based on autobiographical memory of an emotionally infused event (stroke story narration) and the other based on information that is visually available at the time of speech generation ("cookie theft" picture description).

The unbridged gap between clinical diagnosis and contemporary research on aphasia: A short discussion on the validity and clinical utility of taxonomic categories.

Even if the traditional aphasia classification is continuously questioned by many scholars, it remains widely accepted among clinicians and included in textbooks as the gold standard. The present study aims to investigate the validity and clinical utility of this taxonomy. For this purpose, 65 left-hemisphere stroke patients were assessed and classified with respect to aphasia type based on performance on a Greek adaptation of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination.

Case of Young-Onset Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) constitutes the main type of motor neuron disease. Familial ALS is characterized by the presence of positive family history and accounts for 10% of ALS cases. Although familial ALS is the main culprit for early-onset disease, there are rare cases of early- or young-onset ALS with negative family history or sporadic ALS.

The dichotomous view on IFG lesion and non-fluent aphasia.

A lesion in inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) is traditionally considered to be crucial for the occurrence of non-fluent aphasia. However, recent studies question the axiomatic causality between a lesion in this area and the expected non-fluent aphasic syndrome. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between IFG lesions and non-fluent aphasia.

Are memory deficits dependent on the presence of aphasia in left brain damaged patients?

While memory deficits in aphasia have been reported in several studies, it has been suggested that these deficits are not due to the presence of aphasia, but rather to the left hemisphere lesion per se. In order to investigate this hypothesis, we tested 64 aphasic and 15 non-aphasic patients with left brain damage on verbal and visuospatial span tasks. Analyses revealed lower than expected performance on all four primary memory tasks for the aphasic, but not for the non-aphasic group.

Femoral and lower costosternal junctions' osteitis in an adult with SAPHO syndrome: An unusual presentation.

The combination of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and aseptic osteitis is known as SAPHO syndrome. Osteitis involves the anterior chest, particularly the sternoclavicular and upper costosternal junctions. Diagnosis is difficult when there are no typical skin and bone lesions and differential diagnosis includes bacterial ostomyelitis, malignancy and Paget's disease.

Acute mediastinitis: spectrum of computed tomography findings.

The objective of this study was to describe CT findings and to determine the diagnostic value of CT in diagnosis of acute mediastinitis. CT findings were retrospectively studied in 40 patients with suspected acute mediastinitis, including 28 postoperative patients, five with acute descending necrotizing mediastinitis (ADNM), and seven with suspected post-traumatic perforation of the esophagus. Findings included increased attenuation of mediastinal fat (100%), localized mediastinal fluid collections (55%), free gas bubbles in the mediastinum (57.

Liver and brain mucormycosis in a diabetic patient type II successfully treated with liposomial amphotericin B.

A case of liver and brain mucormycosis in a 73-y-old diabetic patient is described. The patient presented with fever and a moderate, tender hepatomegaly and a C/T scan examination of the abdomen and brain showed multiple hepatic and cerebral nodular lesions. The largest of the liver lesions was aspirated and broad hyphae of mucor were demonstrated in the purulent material obtained.

Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy for the treatment of lung disease associated with scleroderma.

Until recently, renal crisis was the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with scleroderma (SSc). Nowadays, following the introduction of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors used in renovascular hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension have become the most common causes of death in SSc. Consequently, the early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis is essential to improve morbidity and mortality in SSc patients.

[Impalement injuries. A clinical case].

The authors present a case of penetrating injury of the extraperitoneal rectum, in a worker of 41. The treatment required a simple suture, because the conditions were favourable, such as simple lesions, without peritoneum contamination. Moreover, the authors propose a review of the literature, to single out the factors which influence mortality and mobility, as well as the most recent pathogenetic and therapeutic findings.

[The washout in emergency surgery of the colon. A technical note].

The authors report their experience in the treatment of 179 cases of colonic neoplasm between January 1985 and August 1992. Particularly, they emphasize the advantages of one-stage colectomy with anastomosis because of an obstructing carcinoma of the left colon, used on 41 cases. This treatment can be practicable by using the intraoperative "wash-out" technique.

[Acute appendicitis in pregnancy. Our experience].

The authors' aim is to review the medical literature dealing with diagnostic and therapeutical problems, after observations in pregnancy because of acute appendicitis in 9 cases. Diagnosis is difficult because of the aspecificity and the alterations both of the site of symptoms and clinical manifestations, particularly during the last period of gestation. As there is an upward displacement of the viscus by the pregnant uterine.

[Acute cholecystitis: timing of surgery].

The authors report their own experience about 156 cases of acute cholecystitis observed between January 1991 and October 1992. The most part of the patients were between 30 and 65 years old (84 cases observed). In 27 cases, for the positive evolution of the pathology, it was put on practice a non operative treatment.

[Strangulated laparoceles. Our experience].

The authors present their own experience of emergency in strangulated laparoceles. Between January 1984 and June 1992 they treated at the Division of Emergency Surgery of the Hospital "A. Cardarelli" in Naples 133 cases of laparocele, 63 of which were strangulated.