Prediction of progression-free survival in patients presenting with hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria.

Transplantation is the treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting the Milan criteria. HCC and chronic liver diseases have distinct natural histories for which an equitable transplant policy must account. We enrolled and prospectively followed at a single center 206 consecutive HCC patients that presented within the Milan criteria.

Multicenter evaluation of the Paragon CZE 2000 capillary zone electrophoresis system for serum protein electrophoresis and monoclonal component typing.

Serum protein electrophoresis and typing of monoclonal components (MCs) are routine but time-consuming and technically demanding assays. We evaluated capillary electrophoresis (Paragon CZE 2000) for automation of the two assays. CZE and cellulose acetate electrophoresis gave similar data on 794 samples.

Accurate placement of central venous catheters in pediatric patients using endocavitary electrocardiography: reassessment of a personal technique.

To avoid the need for radiological control in the assessment of the proper location of central venous catheters (CVC), a particular use of endocavitary electrocardiography (EC-ECG) was proposed 10 years ago. The aim of this study is to reassess our experience with this method. EC-ECG assumes that the CVC, when filled with normosaline and connected to a standard electrocardiograph, behaves like an exploring electrode.

Fortuitous diagnosis of cystic fibrosis at laparotomy for acute appendicitis.

Two children aged 11 and 9 years were operated upon for acute appendicitis and were discovered to have cystic fibrosis: the histologic pattern of the removed appendix was typical for this disorder. Appendicitis may thus be the first presenting sign of occult cystic fibrosis.

[A follow-up study in individuals subjected to ileo-cecal resection in infancy and childhood].

It is stated that the ileocecal valve delays the passage of ileal contents into the cecum and acts as a barrier against reflux and ascension of colonic bacterial flora into the small bowel: its resection may lead to bacterial colonization of the ileum and to abnormalities of intestinal motility, transit and absorption. In this study twenty individuals subjected in pediatric age (1 day to 11 years) to ileocecal resection have been evaluated from 2 to 19 years after surgery. Three patients underwent limited ileocecal resection, in four this was associated with a significant ileal resection, in five with extensive right colon resection and in eight with extensive ileal and right colon resection.

[Follow-up study of pulmonary function in individuals subjected to lobectomy in infancy and childhood].

Experimental research in animals have demonstrated that pulmonary development continues after birth. This happens in man as well: alveolar proliferation and enlargement go on until the eighth year of age, furthermore complete pulmonary development is achieved until the 20-22 years of age. It is therefore possible to hypothesise that respiratory deficit following pulmonary exeresis in children would regress with time.

Surgical treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis: when? how?

In 10 years (1981-1990) 28 out of 54 neonates (51.8%) with definite necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) underwent surgery. Operation was performed at 13.

Conservative surgery of bladder-prostate rhabdomyosarcoma in children: results after long-term follow-up.

Between 1968 and 1982, 10 children (7 boys and 3 girls) with a mean age of 3.2 years affected by bladder (8 cases) and prostate (2 cases) rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)--all histologically embryonal--were seen. Three (1 with bone metastases at diagnosis and 2 with stage III tumor) underwent radical surgery; all died because of progression of the disease.

[Intestinal atresia: what is changed in the last 30 years].

The changes occurred in the management of intestinal atresia in the last 30 years are presented. On the basis of a series of 55 neonates (29 M/26 F; 14 premature; mean body weight 2640 g, range 1340-4100 g; 23 duodenal, 30 small bowel, 2 colon) four aspects of this malformation are discussed; epidemiology, diagnostics, therapy and prognosis. Epidemiology.

HIV, HBV, delta-agent and Treponema pallidum infections in two rural African areas.

In order to compare the seroepidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, delta agent and Treponema pallidum infections in two rural populations living in north Uganda (Kitgum district) and in central Burundi (Butezi, Ruyigi region), 448 sera were tested for HBS-Ag, HBS-Ab, and anti-HIV antibodies and screened for syphilis using the T. pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA) test. HBS-Ag positive sera were also tested for anti-delta antibodies.

[Cystic lymphangioma of the greater omentum appearing as an inguinal hernia in an 18-month-old child].

Cystic lymphangioma of greater omentum is an exceptional pathology: a world literature review in 1978 reported on only such cases. Preoperative diagnosis is actually impossible, due to the lack of pathognomonic symptoms or signs. A child 18-months-old was recently operated upon with diagnosis of hydrocele: surprisingly, at surgery we found an inguinal hernia containing a cystic lymphangioma of the greater omentum, histologically proved.

Anuria due to bilateral cystine urolithiasis in an infant.

A 10-month-old female presented with anuria due to bilateral cystine urolithiasis. Although bilateral obstruction of the ureters by calculi is very rare in children, it may be the presenting feature of cystinuria even in the first year of life.

Partial nephrectomy for Wilms tumor.

We report a case of a left Wilms tumor that was treated successfully by partial nephrectomy. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach are discussed.

[Polyp of the posterior urethra in boys (author's transl)].

A rare case of posterior urethral polyp associated with acute urinary retention in a boy 22 mo. old is presented. The symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment are discussed and the literature is reviewed.