Active screening of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis with serum beta-glucan and endotracheal aspirates galactomannan and fungal culture.

Background: Since February 2021 active screening of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been implemented in our institution.

Objectives: To evaluate CAPA incidence in our centre and evaluate performance of our screening protocol.

Methods: We screened once per week, collecting endotracheal aspirates for fungal culture and galactomannan (GM) and serum for 1,3-ß-D-glucan (BG).

Comparison between prone and supine nephrolithotomy in pediatric population: a double center experience.

Purpose: Stone disease in the pediatric age is an increasing issue. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PNL) can be used for larger and complex stones. As in adults it can be performed in the supine or prone position.

Comparison of percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy versus open surgical technique in severe COVID-19: Complication rates, relative risks and benefits.

Objective: Patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 have a high likelihood of needing prolonged intubation and may subsequently require tracheotomy. Usually, the choice of technique (percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy [PDT] versus open surgical tracheotomy [OST]) depends on the preference of surgeons and patient-related factors. In case of COVID-19, airborne spread of viral particles and limited time of apnea must be considered in the choice of the safest technique.

The Role of Tracheotomy and Timing of Weaning and Decannulation in Patients Affected by Severe COVID-19.

Objectives: Patients with acute respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have a high likelihood of needing prolonged intubation and may subsequently require tracheotomy. Indications and timing for performing tracheotomy in patients affected by severe COVID-19 pneumonia are still elusive. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of tracheotomy in the context of this pandemic.

Subcapsular renal hematoma after retrograde ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy: our experience.

Background: Ureterorenoscopy is the current standard treatment for ureteral and kidney stones, also stones greater than 2 cm can be removed. Complications linked to infectious processes or ureteral damage are the most frequently reported. Subcapsular renal hematoma is an extremely rare complication following this procedure.

Nerve ablation after bronchial thermoplasty and sustained improvement in severe asthma.

Background: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a non-pharmacological intervention for severe asthma whose mechanism of action is not completely explained by a reduction of airway smooth muscle (ASM). In this study we analyzed the effect of BT on nerve fibers and inflammatory components in the bronchial mucosa at 1 year.

Methods: Endobronchial biopsies were obtained from 12 subjects (mean age 47 ± 11.

Randomized, multicenter trial of lateral Trendelenburg versus semirecumbent body position for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Purpose: The lateral Trendelenburg position (LTP) may hinder the primary pathophysiologic mechanism of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). We investigated whether placing patients in the LTP would reduce the incidence of VAP in comparison with the semirecumbent position (SRP).

Methods: This was a randomized, multicenter, controlled study in invasively ventilated critically ill patients.

Recurrent lung atelectasis from fibrin plugs as a very early complication of bronchial thermoplasty: a case report.

Background: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a new therapeutic option for severe refractory asthma not controlled despite high dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting bronchodilators and omalizumab in selected cases. Risk of pulmonary atelectasis after BT in severe asthma has been described in literature, but no details have been reported on the possible mechanisms of the complication.

Case Presentation: A 49-year-old male with severe uncontrolled asthma was referred to BT.

Renal bone metaplasia: an incidental negligible finding or a disease to treat?

Renal bone metaplasia (RBM) is a uncommon condition and is often an incidental finding. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon is not clearly understood. The radiological signs described are not always present and the diagnosis is challenging.

[Renal and ureteral stones in V.A.C.T.E.R.L. association: endourological management].

Background: The endourological technique is a safe and effective approach in the treatment of large stones in the pediatric population with congenital malformations.

Introduction: The VACTERL association is a group of congenital malformations that include vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula with atresia, renal defects, and radial upper limb dysplasia. Renal anomalies are found in approximately 90% of patients.

High-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer: long-term followup and complications rate.

Introduction. As it is well known, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive procedure for prostate cancer. Many investigators reported their series of patients, demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment.

[Multiple stones in atypical heterotopic reservoir in a patient with renal transplant: endourologic resolution].

Background: Urolithiasis is a frequent complication in a heterotopic reservoir and the surgical management could be a difficult problem. Open surgery is not recommended in patients with multiple previous surgeries. A less invasive technique, such as the endourologic procedures, would allow high stone-free rate and low surgical morbidity.

[Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a 9-year-old patient with horseshoe kidney].

Introduction: The horseshoe kidney is the most frequent renal anomaly, with a prevalence of 0.25% and a male to female ratio of 3:1. Although the pathogenesis remains controversial, the consequences of the impaired urinary drainage are well known: up to two third of patients present with urinary stasis, infection and urolithiasis.

[Endourological management of ureteral stenosis and vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES. Ureteral stenosis and vesicocoureteral reflux after renal transplantation represent a key concern because of their incidence and the associated morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment are mandatory in immunosuppressed patients with single kidney.

Lung metastasectomy in patients with renal cell cancer (RCC). A 17-year experience in Parma Hospital.

Aim: We aim to report the results of the curative, non-palliative, treatment of resection of lung metastases that are secondary to renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: Between 1988 and 2004, a radical metastasectomy with curative purposes was performed in 20 (11 males and 9 females) patients with renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC) who had already undergone nephrectomy and subsequently metastasectomy of lung metastases. The mean age was 66,9 years (range 48-81 years).

One shot: a novel method to dilate the nephrostomy access for percutaneous lithotripsy.

Background And Purpose: The creation of the nephrostomy access is a fundamental step of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL). Dilation of the track is usually achieved with multiple incremental flexible exchange dilators of the Amplatz type, metal telescoping dilators of the Alken type, or a balloon. Currently, balloon dilation is regarded as the most modern and safest system, though it has the disadvantage of relatively high cost.

[Early enteral nutrition in patients treated with major surgery of the abdomen and the pelvis].

Hypercatabolism after operations has a negative influence on nutritional status, the healing process, infective complications and hospital stay. Moreover, the immune status of the patient has been shown to be equally important for septic morbidity and mortality. It is extensively accepted that in critical situations, an adequate nutritional support (enteral or parenteral) is absolutely necessary, but subjects such as the best way of feeding, the kind of nutrients to be used and the administration time are still debatable issues.

[Unusual case of mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis associated with prostatic adenocarcinoma].

Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis, is a very rare neoplasm with highly aggressive biological behaviour. It usually occurs in patients aged between 55 and 75 years. A testicular mass is always observed, often accompanied with hydrocele.

[Report of 2 cases extragonadal germ cell neoplasia with primary burnt out tumor of the testis].

If the histogenesis of the extragonadal germ cell tumor is a still debatable subject, its clinical diagnosis remains a question of no immediate solution. In fact, only the keen histologic evaluation of microfocuses and/or scar tissue in the testis, possibly on the guide of US finding, could give the answer about the primitiveness or not of the extragonadal neoplasia. Which implies, of course, some problems of compliance on the part of young locally symptomless men, especially on the ground of possibly bilateral involvement.

[Surgical treatment of urologic complications of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Our experience].

The chief complications of retroperitoneal fibrosis RPF in the ureteric compression ab extrinseco by fibrotic tissue. In the period 1994 to 1999, we treated two cases of idiopathic RPF: the first case a 49 years aged man, presented a left hydronefrosis and bilateral ureteral displacement to the midline. RMN showed widespreads fibrotic tissue in the retroperitoneal space.

[The use of early enteral nutrition (EEN) after major urologic surgery].

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of early enteral nutrition in management of patients operated by major urologic surgery and to demonstrate her advantages versus total parenteral nutrition.

Materials And Methods: 20 patients, operated by radical cystectomy and urinary diversion by ureteroileocutaneostomy, Padua ileal bladder or ureterosigmoidostomy are inserted in our study: 12 were treated by early enteral nutrition for 8 days and eight by total parenteral nutrition for the same period: in each group nutritional and immunological parameters at day -1, +3 and +7, the length of postoperatory stay, the incidence of complications, with particular respect for infections have been evaluated and correlated one to each other.

Results: We have no death in each group; in the first group no gastroenteric allergy to the nutrient, less incidence of venous catheter and surgical wound infections (respectively p < 0.

[Renal lymphoma: an atypical mass in search of characterization].

We report the case of a B cell, renal non-Hodgkin lymphoma come to our attention due to urologic symptoms. A review of the literature is provided and it is discussed the differential diagnosis with renal cell carcinoma.