Image guided interventions in spinal infections.

Spinal infections are challenging to diagnose and represent a life-threatening medical condition. Diagnosis is often delayed because of nonspecific accompanying symptoms. The role of interventional neuroradiology in spinal infection is double: diagnostic and therapeutic, consisting substantially of 2 main procedures, represented by spine biopsies and positioning of percutaneous drainage, which represent a minimally invasive, faster and more cost-effective alternative to open surgery procedures.

Neuromyelitis optica: atypical clinical and neuroradiological presentation.

The extreme variability of clinical and MRI findings in the suspicion of Devic's disease always requires the detection of specific antibodies (AQP4). MRI scans were performed with a high-field MRI scanner (1.5T General Electric Signa Horizon): the MRI protocol of the brain employed axial DP, T2, T1, FLAIR and DWI weighted images (wi) and coronal T2-wi.

Dose-dense nonpegylated liposomal Doxorubicin and docetaxel combination in breast cancer: dose-finding study.

Background: Anthracyclines and taxanes are effective drugs in breast cancer (BC), but their toxicity profiles limit their use in combination. A dose-finding study was performed to determine maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) of nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin (TLC-D99) and docetaxel (DTX) as a dose-dense schedule, to maintain dose intensity, and to limit toxicity, particularly cardiac.

Methods: Twenty-four patients were enrolled, 12 with metastatic BC, 5 with locally advanced BC, and 7 with early BC.

The prevalent KRAS exon 2 c.35 G>A mutation in metastatic colorectal cancer patients: A biomarker of worse prognosis and potential benefit of bevacizumab-containing intensive regimens?

Bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy differently predict increased efficacy in KRAS exon 2 mutant and wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients. Mutant compared to wild-type status did not significantly affect progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients fit for first line bevacizumab-containing FIr-B/FOx regimen, and after progression. In patients unfit for intensive regimens, mutant status significantly affected PFS, while not OS.

Bioclinical parameters driving decision-making of subsequent lines of treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Different options are available as second-line treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer: cabazitaxel, abiraterone, and enzalutamide. Phase III studies evaluating cabazitaxel and the two hormonal agents have been shown to significantly prolong overall survival compared to mitoxantrone and placebo, respectively. Several studies have also demonstrated feasibility and activity of docetaxel rechallenge in case of a sufficient progression-free interval (3-6 months), good performance status, and previous acceptable safety profile, thus providing an additional treatment option in clinical practice.

Multidisciplinary management of hepatocellular carcinoma in clinical practice.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients require different treatment strategies according to disease extension, liver function, and patient's fitness. We evaluated HCC multidisciplinary management in clinical practice.

Methods: Consecutive patients were followed and treated with tailored medical, locoregional, and surgical treatments, according to disease stage and patient's fitness (age, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS)).

MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation for the treatment of nonspinal osteoid osteoma: a prospective multicenter evaluation.

Background: Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel imaging-guided surgical technique that allows the performance of noninvasive and radiation-free ablation. Presently, computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive percutaneous technique, is the standard for treating symptomatic osteoid osteomas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of MRgFUS ablation for the treatment of nonspinal osteoid osteomas in terms of technical success, complications, and clinical success through one year of follow-up.

Prognostic relevance of KRAS genotype in metastatic colorectal cancer patients unfit for FIr-B/FOx intensive regimen.

First-line triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (FIr-B/FOx) can improve efficacy of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC), KRAS wild-type and mutant. Prognostic relevance of KRAS genotype was evaluated in patients unfit for FIr-B/FOx, treated with conventional medical treatments. Consecutive MCRC patients not eligible for FIr-B/FOx regimen due to age (≥75 years) and/or comorbidities were treated with tailored conventional first-line treatments.

Azithromycin anaphylaxis in children.

Allergic reactions associated to the use of macrolides are uncommon; in particular only two cases of anaphylaxis with erithromycin and clarithromycin have been reported to date. The aim of this study was to investigate macrolide-induced anaphylaxis. Between December 2007 and December 2011, 136 consecutive children were referred to the Allergy Unit of A.

Acinic cell carcinoma of the breast arising in microglandular adenosis.

Acinic cell carcinoma is a rare breast tumour belonging to salivary gland-like tumours of the breast. They are "triple-negative" breast cancers even if their biological behaviour seems to be more favourable. Herein we present an acinic cell carcinoma arising on a background of typical and atypical microglandular adenosis in a 58-year-old woman, along with a review of the literature.

Anaesthesia management in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is characterised by the appearance of numerous and sometimes severe symptoms, when subjects are in contact with various chemicals and medicinal substances. Currently there are no useful guidelines for managing clinical issues and, specifically, anaesthesia for patients with MCS. This case report describes anaesthesia management in a patient affected by clinically documented MCS and a latex allergy, a candidate for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation.

Effectiveness and safety of intensive triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, FIr-B/FOx, in young-elderly metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Four-drug regimens, such as FIr-B/FOx schedule, can improve efficacy of first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients. The present study specifically evaluates feasibility of FIr-B/FOx first-line intensive regimen in fit young-elderly MCRC patients, representing approximately 40% of overall MCRC patients. Activity, efficacy, and safety were equivalent to overall MCRC patients, not significantly different according to KRAS genotype.

Differential prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients post-progression to first-line triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, FIr-B/FOx, according to second-line treatment and KRAS genotype.

Clinical outcome post-progression to first-line triplet chemotherapy (CT) plus bevacizumab (FIr-B/FOx) was evaluated in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients (pts). Second-line treatment was selected according to fitness, KRAS genotype, previous efficacy and safety. Efficacy was evaluated and compared according to treatment or KRAS genotype, using log-rank analysis.

Sonoelastography as method for preliminary evaluation of uterine cervix to predict success of induction of labor.

Introduction: Induction of labor is a useful practice to solve many obstetric situations but has a large impact on the health of women and their babies and therefore needs to be clearly justified clinically.

Aim: To determine the sensitivity of sonoelastography in the evaluation of the cervix to predict the success of induction.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 53 subjects preparing for induction of labor.

A rare case of intracranial rosai-dorfman disease mimicking multiple meningiomas. A case report and review of the literature.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) was firstly described in 1969 as a benign proliferative disorder of histiocytes with systemic symptoms and lymphadenopathy. This disease is of uncertain pathogenesis and mostly occurs in children and young adults. The typical clinical features of RDD include bilateral painless cervical lymphadenopathy, but extranodal involvement may also be present.

The usefulness of intraoperative mobile computed tomography in severe head trauma.

With modern technology, intraoperative computed tomography scans are being used in neurosurgical operative rooms. A case of severe head trauma is reported to underline how intraoperative computed tomography can improve the treatment of traumatic lesions, without changing the operative setup, with safety for patients and surgeons. The ability to perform an intraoperative computed tomography scan rapidly, at any surgical step, and with no need of any change in the operative room set or of moving the patient from the operative table improves safety both for the patient and surgeon.

Identification of the novel HLA-B*50:18 allele variant in an Italian unrelated bone marrow donor.

The HLA-B*50:18 allele differs from the closest related B*50:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 454 in exon 3.

Worse prognosis of KRAS c.35 G > A mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients treated with intensive triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (FIr-B/FOx).

Background: Prognosis of KRAS wild-type and mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients (pts) treated with bevacizumab (BEV)-containing chemotherapy is not significantly different. Since specific KRAS mutations confer different aggressive behaviors, the prognostic role of prevalent KRAS mutations was retrospectively evaluated in MCRC pts treated with first line FIr-B/FOx, associating BEV to triplet chemotherapy.

Methods: Tumor samples were screened for KRAS codon 12, 13 and BRAF V600E mutations by SNaPshot and/or direct sequencing.

Evaluation of medial meniscus tears and meniscal stability: weight-bearing MRI vs arthroscopy.

To assess the role of dedicated low-field standard and weight-bearing MRI in the evaluation of stable or unstable tears of medial meniscus in comparison with arthroscopy. Our series included 1750 knee MRI scans performed with a high-field MRI scanner from July 2010 to August 2011. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed 20 MRI exams of normal knee and 57 MRI exams of knee with clinical evidence of tears of the medial meniscus.

Triplet chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: toward the best way to safely administer a highly active regimen in clinical practice.

A major problem concerning the addition of more drugs in a chemotherapy combination is designing a proper schedule assuring the balance between dose intensity of each drug, efficacy of the combination, and tolerability lessening the burden of drug toxicity. We evaluated triplet chemotherapy-based intensive regimens proposed as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Using a FOLFOXIRI (5-fluorouracil [5-FU], irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) combination regimen, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer now have the possibility of longer survival, but disappointingly, with increased toxicities.

Brain Metastasis From Prostate Adenocarcinoma: Case Report and Review of Literature.

It is rare for prostate carcinoma to metastasize to the central nervous system. It often represents a terminal event with death in one year frequently due to the advanced systemic disease. Starting by a case report, we also reviewed the relevant literature to focus on this uncommon entity from epidemiology to clinical manifestation and therapeutic strategies.

Correlation between 3D ultrasound appearance and postnatal findings in bilateral malformations of the fetal hands.

Malformations of the hand have an incidence of 1 in about 1,500 births. Ultrasound diagnosis and classification of the anomaly is not always easy because of the various positions taken by the hand. We describe the case of a 23-year-old patient with a fetus affected by a symmetrical and bilateral hand oligodactyly associated with deformities of the other fingers.

Effectiveness of liver metastasectomies in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with FIr-B/FOx triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab.

Background: Intensive medical treatment increases resection rate of liver metastases in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). The effectiveness of liver metastasectomies was evaluated in patients with MCRC who were treated with previously reported FIr-B/FOx (triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab).

Patients And Methods: Fifty patients with MCRC enrolled in the reported phase II study were classified according to involved metastatic sites (liver-only metastatic site, multiple metastatic sites) and the extent of liver metastases (single, multiple).

Modulation of GemOx chemotherapy according to CIRS in elderly patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

The present study evaluated activity and toxicity of modulated doses of gemcitabine associated to oxaliplatin in patients with secondary CIRS and with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC) and metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MPC). Since January 2006, untreated LAPC and MPC patients have been assessed with ADL, IADL, CIRS to modulate chemotherapy dosages according to co-morbidity stage. Patiens aged<75 years, co-morbidity stage primary/intermediate, or ≥75 years and co-morbidity stage primary, received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m² as a 10 mg/m²/min infusion on day 1 and oxaliplatin 70 mg/m² as a 2-h infusion on day 2 every 2 weeks.

Soft-tissue inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of the limbs: potential and limits of diagnostic imaging.

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of diagnostic imaging in the identification, localization, and characterization of soft-tissue inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of limbs with correlation to differential diagnosis and therapy.

Materials And Methods: From a retrospective analysis of 324 histologically verified soft-tissue lesions of limbs and extremities diagnosed in our institute from January 2002 to July 2010, we selected seven cases of histologically proven IMT. These included six males and one female, aged between 28 and 81 years (mean age, 57 years).