Systematic Review of Management and Survival Outcome of Parotid Cancers with Lateral Skull Base Invasion.

Lateral skull base involvement from parotid cancers is a rare condition and is considered a poor prognostic indicator. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature of parotid tumors with temporal bone invasion to analyze the survival outcome. A systematic literature review was performed in August 2022, without time limits, and 289 patients affected by parotid gland cancers and lateral skull base involvement were included.

Overall survival with 3 or 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy in Italian TOSCA phase 3 randomised trial.

Background: Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment of high-risk colon cancer (CC). A shorter duration (3 months) can achieve a similar outcome [in terms of relapse-free survival (RFS)] to a longer duration. This study reports the overall survival (OS) analysis of the three or six colon adjuvant (TOSCA) phase III study.

Assessment of Duration and Effects of 3 vs 6 Months of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Risk Stage II Colorectal Cancer: A Subgroup Analysis of the TOSCA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The addition of oxaliplatin to the standard 6-month fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colorectal cancer has been reported to reduce the risk of relapse although it does not increase survival. The Three or Six Colon Adjuvant (TOSCA) trial compared 3 months with 6 months of adjuvant fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with stage III colon cancer. The utility remains unknown.

Khorana score and thromboembolic risk in stage II-III colorectal cancer patients: a analysis from the adjuvant TOSCA trial.

Background: The risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) during adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. We aim to evaluate if the Khorana score (KS) can predict this risk, and if it represents a prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) through a analysis of the phase III TOSCA trial of different durations (3- 6-months) of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: A logistic regression model was used to test the associations between the risk of VTE and the KS.

FOLFOX or CAPOX in Stage II to III Colon Cancer: Efficacy Results of the Italian Three or Six Colon Adjuvant Trial.

Purpose Given the cumulative neurotoxicity associated with oxaliplatin, a shorter duration of adjuvant therapy, if equally efficacious, would be advantageous for patients and health-care systems. Methods The Three or Six Colon Adjuvant trial is an open-label, phase III, multicenter, noninferiority trial randomizing patients with high-risk stage II or stage III colon cancer to receive 3 months or 6 months of FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) or CAPOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin). Primary end-point is relapse-free survival.

Endoscopic laser-assisted dacryocistorhinostomy DCR with the placement of a customised silicone and Teflon bicanalicular stent Endoscopic laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

Introduction: We present our experience in endoscopic laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) analyzing the results obtained with a new technique that involves placing bicanalicolar silicone stent more Teflon tube, in combination with paraseptal silastic sheet.

Materials And Methods: In our study 49 of 57 patients (85%) at a mean follow up of at least 12 months have not reported epiphora or more episodes of acute dacryocystitis.

Results: 49 out of the 57 patients (85%) in our group reported no additional epiphora or episodes of acute dacryocystitis.

Lattice Corneal Dystrophy-Variant: a report of three new cases due to p.V631D mutation in the TGFBI gene.

Purpose: To report clinical findings and molecular defect in three subjects affected by Biber-Haab-Dimmer dystrophy or Lattice Corneal Dystrophy Type I (LCD1), a corneal dystrophy transmitted as an autosomal dominant tract.

Materials And Methods: Three subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and confocal microscopy study. Following the collection of DNA from the patients, the TGFBI gene was screened for mutations by direct sequencing.

Lamivudine therapy in chronic delta hepatitis: a multicentre randomized-controlled pilot study.

Background: Delta virus (HDV)-related chronic hepatitis is difficult to treat.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of lamivudine 100 mg daily on serum HDV-RNA, hepatitis D virus antibodies and alanine aminotransferase levels, liver histology, and on hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion.

Methods: Thirty-one hepatitis B surface antigen-positive, HDV-RNA-positive patients with ALT > or = 1.

HLA class II favors clearance of HCV infection and progression of the chronic liver damage.

Background/aims: This study was aimed to determine whether host-dependent genetic factors modulate the outcome of HCV infection.

Methods: HLA class II DRB and DQB typing was performed in 184 infected patients and 200 healthy volunteers. Among the patients, 149 subjects had persistent HCV viremia (Group 1) and 35 subjects underwent spontaneous viral clearance (Group 2).

Spinal anesthesia with clonidine and bupivacaine in young humans: interactions and effects on the cardiovascular system.

Background: Clonidine, an alpha 2 agonist, is known to prolong the action of local anesthetics, and to provide a satisfactory analgesia; hypotension and bradycardia have been observed after its intrathecal administration. The aim of our study was to determine whether intrathecal administration of clonidine can reduce the dose of local anesthetic, and the effects of clonidine on the cardiovascular system, and on arousal level.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized study we evaluated 56 patients scheduled for minor surgical procedure (spermatic vein ligature) under unilateral spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine 1%.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-center experience.

Purpose: The comparative efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed: 156 had received between one and six chemoembolization sessions at 3-month intervals, 33 had had PEI, and the remaining 71 patients refused any treatment. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 36 months.