An exceptional case of complete lumbosacral spine duplication and open myelomeningocele in adulthood.

The authors describe the case of a 47-year-old woman with a wide (14 × 12-cm) ulcerated lumbosacral myelomeningocele. The patient had sought medical attention for a sudden copious CSF leak from the lumbosacral sac followed by clinical signs of CSF leakage. After admission, neuroradiological assessment (spinal MR and 3D CT imaging) revealed the uncommon finding of a complex malformation characterized by a complete spine duplication originating at the L2-3 level, both hemicords having a separate dural sac.

Asymptomatic congenital intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia and epigastric hernia in the adult.

The congenital intrapericardial hernia is a rare kind of diaphragmatic hernia. It is due to an embryologic defect of the central tendon of the diaphragm, often accompanied by other congenital malformations. This work presents a unique case report in the literature of the congenital association between intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia and epigastric hernia in an adult woman.

Patterns of detection of superficial spreading and nodular-type melanoma: a multicenter Italian study.

Background: Nodular histotype represents the condition that is mostly associated with diagnosis of thick melanoma.

Objective: The objectives were to evaluate variables associated with and pattern of detection of nodular melanomas and to investigate variables associated with early diagnosis in accordance with histotype (nodular vs. superficial spreading melanomas).

Dermatologist detection and skin self-examination are associated with thinner melanomas: results from a survey of the Italian Multidisciplinary Group on Melanoma.

Objective: To investigate patterns of detection and variables associated with early diagnosis of melanoma in a population at intermediate melanoma risk.

Design: Survey.

Setting: Hospital and university centers belonging to the Italian Multidisciplinary Group on Melanoma.