Thermoablation Using Radiofrequency and Microwaves of Autonomous Thyroid Nodules: Our Experience.

Introduction: Significant results have been achieved using ultrasound-guided and ultrasound-assisted ablative techniques, such as Laser Thermal Ablation (LTA), Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), and Microwave Ablation (MWA). These techniques are ideally suited for the treatment of normally functioning benign thyroid nodes with local compressive symptoms or aesthetic problems. These treatments have been applied to hyperfunctioning “hot” nodes.

Vascular involvement in diabetic subjects with ischemic foot ulcer: a new morphologic categorization of disease severity.

Objectives: Arteriographic lesions of diabetic subjects with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and ischemic foot ulcer were reviewed retrospectively, to provide new criteria for stratification of these patients on the basis of their vascular involvement.

Patients: In 417 consecutive CLI diabetic subjects with ischemic foot ulcer undergoing lower limb angiography, lesions were defined as stenosis or occlusion, localization, and length (<5 cm, 5-10 cm, >10 cm). In a subgroup of 389 subjects, foot arteries also were evaluated.

Screening for peripheral arterial disease by means of the ankle-brachial index in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic subjects.

Methods: Between autumn 2002 and spring 2003, 2559 newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic subjects (about 15% of the cases/year in Italy) were enrolled in 265 diabetology centres. Family history of diabetes, smoking, height, weight, waistline, fasting glycaemia, glycosylated haemoglobin, total and HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride values were collected.

HYAFF 11-based autologous dermal and epidermal grafts in the treatment of noninfected diabetic plantar and dorsal foot ulcers: a prospective, multicenter, controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of HYAFF 11-based autologous dermal and epidermal grafts in the management of diabetic foot ulcers.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 79 patients with diabetic dorsal (n = 37) or plantar (n = 42) ulcers were randomized to either the control group with nonadherent paraffin gauze (n = 36) or the treatment group with autologous tissue-engineered grafts (n = 43). Weekly assessment, aggressive debridement, wound infection control, and adequate pressure relief (fiberglass off-loading cast for plantar ulcers) were provided in both groups.

[Hemolytic anemia associated with breast neoplasm].

We describe a patient with a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, associated with thrombocytopenia, in consequence of breast cancer in an advanced phase. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is a rare and serious compliance of malignant neoplasms, in particular of breast and gastric carcinomas. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia has always a serious prognosis: survivance in non-treated patients is of a few weeks.