[The role of hypomagnesiuria in urolithiasis and renal colic: results from a prospective study of a metabolic evaluation protocola].

Aim: The stone disease of the urinary tract (urolithiasis) is a growing disease. The identification of metabolic disorders, treatable with prophylactic therapy, appears to be clinically important. The aim of this study was the analysis of metabolic disorders that promote and support the urolithiasis in a cohort of patients with renal colic at an Emergency Department.

Screening for frailty in elderly emergency department patients by using the Identification of Seniors At Risk (ISAR).

Objectives: Frail older adults are at an increased risk for adverse outcomes after an Emergency Department (ED) visit. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been proposed to screen for frailty in the ED, but it is difficult to carry out. We tested whether a CGA-based approach using the Identification of Seniors At Risk (ISAR) screening tool was associated with the brief deficit accumulation index (DAI) of frailty.

A management of blunt thoracic trauma in an emergency department observation unit: pre-post observational study.

Background: The best management of patients with isolated blunt thoracic trauma at high risk of pulmonary complications (HRPC-BTT: ≥3 isolated rib fractures, sternal fracture, single or few pulmonary contusions or minimal pneumothorax) is still unclear. We compared efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a new clinical pathway involving an Emergency Department Observation Unit (EDOU) with routine care.

Design: Retrospective before-after study.

Hernia of Morgagni and mediastinal lipoma: a case report.

A hernia of Morgagni (also called hernia of Morgagni-Larrey) is a congenital herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity through a retrosternal diaphragmatic defect. The Morgagni hernia can create uncertainty in its diagnosis and difficulty for subsequent treatment. If after clinical examination and x-ray we suspect the hernia, computed tomography imaging should be the desired imaging method to confirm the diagnosis.

Predictive validity of the Identification of Seniors At Risk (ISAR) screening tool in elderly patients presenting to two Italian Emergency Departments.

Background And Aims: Elderly patients presenting to Emergency Departments (ED) have complex health problems and often undergo adverse outcomes after an ED visit. In Canadian ED, the Identification of Seniors At Risk (ISAR) is useful in screening for these aspects. This study evaluated the predictive validity of ISAR for elderly patients presenting to Italian ED.

A geriatric emergency service for acutely ill elderly patients: pattern of use and comparison with a conventional emergency department in Italy.

The current disease-oriented, episodic model of emergency care does not adequately address the complex needs of older adults presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Dedicated ED facilities with a specific organization (e.g.

Thrombolysis in ischemic stroke: evaluation of operative difficulties.

A few on-going international trials aim to investigate the effectiveness of early fibrinolytic treatment for ischaemic stroke to assist cerebral reperfusion. This operative strategy depends on clinical parameters such as haemorrhagic lesions, coma, pre-existent impairment and disability, and the efficiency of the sanitary organization receiving the patients (availability of CT scan, hospitalization within 6 h of onset of symptoms). We report data on the operative efficiency of a Regional Hospital Centre without a stroke unit: we observe that 142 patients did not receive early stroke treatment because of organizational problems whose prevalence exceeded the incidence of theoretical contraindications to fibrinolytic use.