A comparison of nimesulide and diclofenac in the treatment of acute superficial thrombophlebitis.

In a double-blind study, the efficacy and tolerability of nimesulide (100mg twice daily) were compared with those of diclofenac (50mg twice daily) when administered orally to 50 patients with acute superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs. Pain relief and amelioration of inflammation were apparent in patients treated with either nimesulide or diclofenac; however, gastric intolerance was noted more frequently in those receiving diclofenac. The results of this study suggest that nimesulide should be considered as an alternative to diclofenac and other first-line NSAIDs in the treatment of acute superficial thrombophlebitis.

[Clinical study of the therapeutic efficacy and tolerance of nimesulide in comparison with a sodium diclofenac in the treatment of acute superficial thrombophlebitis].

The efficacy and tolerability of nimesulide were assessed in a randomized study versus diclofenac sodium in the treatment of 50 patients affected with acute superficial thrombophlebitis. Both drugs, administered in a dose of 1 tablet b.i.

[The choice of approach in the surgical therapy of the superior thoracic outlet syndrome].

The symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) may be improved or cured either by physiotherapy or by a surgical operation. The choice of patients to be submitted to surgery must be performed on the basis of clinical picture and of non invasive and invasive assessment. Moreover the surgeon must choose the best procedure to relieve symptoms.

Crystal and molecular structure of the doubly unsaturated dehydropeptide Ac-delta Phe-Ala-delta Phe-NH-Me.

The dehydropeptide Ac-delta Phe-L-Ala-delta Phe-NH-Me, containing two dehydro-phenylalanine (delta Phe) residues, crystallizes from methanol/water in space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with a = 12.508 (2), b = 12.746 (1) and c = 15.

Monitoring of somatosensory evoked potentials during carotid endarterectomy.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were monitored in the course of 368 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) carried out in 312 patients. In an initial group of 26 patients the shunt was used routinely while in a second group, involving 342 CEAs, it was applied selectively on the basis of modifications which the SEP underwent during clamping. The criterion for shunting was the progressive reduction, up to 50%, of the N20-P25 amplitude.

Mineralocorticoid effector mechanism in preeclampsia.

Mineralocorticoid effector mechanisms were evaluated in 29 patients with preeclampsia and in 25 uncomplicated pregnancies by measurement of plasma aldosterone, levels of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in mononuclear leucocytes, and subtraction potential difference (SPD; rectal minus oral values). Mean values for plasma aldosterone were not different between the two groups, but significant differences were observed for MR (preeclampsia, 81 +/- 44 receptors/cell; controls, 306 +/- 168) and SPD (preeclampsia, 65 +/- 7 mV; controls, 12 +/- 5 mV). In six cases we determined MR, plasma aldosterone, and SPD in patients with preeclampsia before and 3 months after delivery.

Crystal and molecular structure of the dehydropeptide Ac-delta Phe-Val-delta Phe-NH-Me.

The dehydropeptide Ac-delta Phe-L-Val-delta Phe-NH-Me, containing two dehydrophenylalanine (delta Phe) residues, crystallizes from methanol/water in space group P212121, with a = 12.622 (1), b = 12.979 (1), and c = 15.

Indobufen versus placebo in the prevention of restenosis after carotid endarterectomy: a double-blind pilot study.

A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of indobufen in inhibiting platelet adhesiveness in carotid thromboendarterectomy. The patients were treated under double-blind conditions with indobufen and with placebo, and were then assessed by means of scintigraphy with labelled platelets, ultrasonic tomography and angiography for a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Haematological and clinical assessments were also performed.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism and mineralocorticoid receptor abnormalities.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism is a rare inherited disease characterized by renal salt loss, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis despite highly elevated aldosterone values. We previously reported absent or reduced numbers of mineralocorticoid receptors in mononuclear leukocytes and defective effector mechanism as shown by no response in vitro to the incubation of aldosterone in terms of intracellular electrolyte content. We have studied the inheritance of this disorder in ten families and found two different kinds of inheritance: autosomal recessive--often in interrelated families--and autosomal dominant in unrelated families.

Pseudohyperaldosteronism from liquorice-containing laxatives.

Four cases of pseudohyperaldosteronism due to chronic ingestion of liquorice-containing laxatives are described. All patients had hypertension and hypokalemia with suppression of plasma renin activity and aldosterone; the diagnosis was based only on retrospective grounds. In patients with hypokalemia and hypertension a possibility of such a cause must be excluded to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures.

Crystal and molecular structure of Boc-D-Ala-delta Phe-Gly-delta Phe- D-Ala-OMe: a 3 10-helical dehydropeptide.

The crystal and molecular structure of the pentapeptide Boc-D-Ala-delta Phe-Gly-delta Phe-D-Ala-OMe, containing two dehydrophenylalanine residues, was determined by x-ray diffraction. The molecule crystallizes in the orthorombic P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group, with a = 10.439(3), b = 15.

Selective shunting based on somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during carotid endarterectomy.

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs), to median nerve stimulation, were continuously monitored in 58 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy A first group of patients was shunted routinely; in a second group the shunt was selectively applied when inadequacy of collateral circulation was suspected based on stump pressure values and SEP changes. Both amplitude and latency modifications of SEPs occurred during surgery; however no post-operative neurological deficit was seen unless there was a complete flattening of cortical waves, even a transitory one. Inadequate collateral circulation and embolic ischemia affected SEPs differently.

[Role of local and regional thrombolysis in late thromboses of the branches of prostheses].

Results of treatment of a personal series of 12 patients developing a thrombus in branches of prostheses after aorto-iliac surgery are presented. A therapeutic procedure used over the last two years consists of initial local and regional thrombolysis to remove the acute obstruction, followed by surgery at the level chosen, and if necessary to correct a faulty technique or progression of the atherosclerosis. Good results were obtained even for thrombosis originating after the conventional 8-10 day postoperative period, insofar as the thrombus that develops in a graft may differ from one forming in an artery.

Non-acid gastroesophageal reflux. Detection and evaluation by means of combined esophageal and gastric pH-monitoring.

One hundred and fifteen partially-gastrectomized patients were submitted to combined gastric and esophageal pH-monitoring with the aim of studying non-acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Since the detection of non-acid GER seems to be linked to the possibility of detecting entero-gastric reflux, only those patients (61) in whom entero-gastric reflux could be evaluated were considered. 37.

Retrovesical echinococcal cyst causing acute urinary retention.

A case report of a fifty-six-year-old man with acute urinary retention due to a retrovesical echinococcal cyst is presented. He had a history of surgery for hepatic hydatidosis; diagnosis was made preoperatively with the help of conventional x-ray studies, pelvic sonography, and CT scanning. Treatment consisted of removal of the cyst.

Folate deficiency in operated terminal ileitis (Crohn's disease).

In a series of 39 subjects previous results for serum folate levels were confirmed while intraglobular folate did not differ from those in a control group. To verify the hypothesis that SASP administration could be responsible for serum folate deficiency three different sub-groups were considered. 11 patients had never taken SASP (sub-group I), 16 patients had taken SASP in the past but the treatment had been withheld at least 2 months before (sub-group II), 12 patients were still taking the drug at the time of the study (sub-group III).

[Role of phlebography in the radiodiagnosis of aneurysms of the limbs (author's transl)].

Three observations of peripheral aneurysms complicated by venous compression or thrombosis are reported. The clinical and angiographic patterns referred to popliteal, femoral and subclavian localization suggest the role of phlebography in all cases of aneurysms of the limbs.