Effect of temperament and prolonged transportation on endocrine and functional variables in young beef bulls.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of prolonged transportation on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, total and free triiodothyronine (T(3), fT(3)) and thyroxine (T(4), fT(4)) concentrations, and functional variables (heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT)) in calm and temperamental Limousin young beef bulls. Exit velocity measurement was used to classify bulls' temperament as calm (group I: consisted of eight slowest bulls) and temperamental (group II: consisted of five fastest bulls). Calm subjects showed an increase of ACTH (P<0.05) and T(4) (P<0.01) concentrations after transportation compared with before transportation values. Temperamental subjects showed higher ACTH (P<0.01) concentrations before transportation, and lower T(4) (P<0.05) and fT(4) (P<0.001) concentrations after transportation than calm subjects. Related to functional variables, temperamental young beef bulls showed a decrease of RT (P<0.05) after transportation compared with before values, higher RT (P<0.001) before transportation, and higher HR (P<0.001) and RR (P<0.01) after transportation than calm subjects. Data obtained suggest that longer periods of transportation could minimise the magnitude and duration of the endocrine and functional responses to stress of young beef bulls; such responses probably decrease or disappear during transport, in accordance with animal temperament.

Myoepithelioma of a minor salivary gland of the cheek: case report.

Myoepithelioma is a rare neoplasm of the salivary glands, generally occurring in the parotid gland and less often in the minor accessory salivary gland of the oral cavity. The histological appearance includes solid, myxoid and reticular growth patterns. Vimentin and S-100 protein are very sensitive but non-specific immunohistochemical markers of neoplastic myoepithelium. Conservative surgery is the treatment of choice. A case of myoepithelioma of the minor salivary gland of the cheek with low grade malignancy is described, focusing on clinical behaviour, histopathological and immunohistochemical features and differential diagnosis.

Effect of long-distance road transport on thyroid and adrenal function and haematocrit values in Limousin cattle: influence of body weight decrease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-distance road transport as a relevant stressor on total and free iodothyronines, cortisol levels and haematocrit values in 10 male Limousin cattle. Serum T3,T4,fT3,fT4 and cortisol concentrations were analysed by immunoenzymatic assays. Serum cortisol levels and haematocrit modifications were also evaluated on the basis of percentage body weight decrease. The results showed a general increase of total and free iodothyronines and cortisol levels after short-and long-distance road transport and a decrease 15 days after transport, as compared to basal values. Significant positive correlations between T3 and T4, between T3 and fT3, and between T4 and fT4 were found. These results suggest that transport stress induces an increase in the activity of thyroid and adrenal function in Limousin cattle that is evident after even a short-distance road transport and continues to increase after long-distance transport.

Maxillo-ethmoidal chloroma in acute myeloid leukaemia: case report.

Chloroma, also called Granulocytic Sarcoma or Myeloid Sarcoma, is a rare malignant extra-medullary neoplasm of myeloid precursor cells. It is usually associated with myelo-proliferative disorders but its appearance may precede the onset of leukaemia. Chloroma may be found in several extracranial sites. Involvement of the head and neck region is uncommon. Differential diagnosis is often difficult and includes acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, large cell NHL, lymphoblastic lymphoma and Ewing's sarcoma. The case is presented of a maxillo-ethmoidal chloroma occurring in a case of poor prognosis acute myeloid leukaemia, emphasizing the clinical and cyto-histological features and problems concerning differential diagnosis.

[Surgical treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with argon plasma: a long-term follow-up in 157 patients]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de la hipertrofia de cornetes inferiores con plasma de argón: estudio a largo plazo con 157 pacientes.

Surgical treatment of the inferior turbinate in patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis that does not respond to medical treatment is a well established procedure. CO2 laser, YAG laser, KTP laser, conventional electrocautery, cryotherapy, chemosurgery and turbinectomy or submucosal turbinectomy have been performed for the removal of nasal obstruction. Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) is a new, innovative technique in Otorhinolaryngology which is based on high-frequency electrocoagulation with an argon-gas source. The shorter surgical times, the absence of hemorrhagic complications and, in rhinosurgery, not requiring any kind of nasal packing are remarkable. Between March and November 2000, a group of 157 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were treated using APC, at the Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Department of the Hospital of Dolo (Venice). The follow-up period was 24 months. Rhinomanometry was performed to objectively measure the nasal obstruction and to verify the postoperative improvement. The Student t-test was used for statistical data. After 24 months, 87% (p < 0.001) of patients reported to have a better nasal airflow than before the operation. None of the patients needed a nasal packing after APC surgery. We review and discus the indication, advantages, complications, controversies and long-term results of the treatment with APC in rhinosurgery.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la hipertrofia de cornetes inferiores con plasma de argón: estudio a largo plazo con 157 pacientes / Surgical treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with argon plasma: a long-term follow-up in 157 patients

La obstrucción nasal crónica es una alteración que se observa con frecuencia y que en muchos casos está causada por una hipertrofia de cornetes inferiores. Si hay una respuesta inadecuada al tratamiento médico conservador, debemos realizar una reducción en el tamaño de los cornetes. Existen varias técnicas: coagulación mono o bipolar, reducción parcial del cornete mediante el conchotomo o las tijeras, cirugía láser mediante Nd: YAG, CO 2 o KTP. La coagulación mediante plasma de argón (APC) es una técnica nueva basada en una corriente eléctrica de alta frecuencia y una fuente de gas argón. La rapidez en la realización de la técnica, la ausencia de complicaciones hemorrágicas, así como la no necesidad de ningún tipo de taponamiento la hacen muy interesante para cirugía nasal. Entre marzo y noviembre de 2000, un grupo de 157 pacientes con síntomas de obstrucción nasal debida a hipertrofia de cornetes inferiores fueron tratados mediante APC. Se realizaron revisiones a la semana y al 1, 3, 6, 12 y 24 mes. Se practicó una rinomanometría para verificar objetivamente si la hipertrofia de cornetes era debida a una hipertrofia mucosa. Después de 24 meses, el 87 por ciento (p menor 0,01) de los pacientes refirieron tener mejor flujo nasal que antes de la operación. Ningún paciente precisó taponamiento después de la cirugía. Se revisan y discuten las indicaciones, ventajas, complicaciones, controversias y resultados a largo plazo en el tratamiento con APC en rinocirugía (AU)

Surgical treatment of the inferior turbinate in patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis that does not respond to medical treatment is a well established procedure. CO2 laser, YAG laser, KTP laser, conventional electrocautery, cryotherapy, chemosurgery and turbinectomy or submucosal turbinectomy have been performed for the removal of nasal obstruction. Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) is a new, innovative technique in Otorhinolaryngology which is based on high-frequency electrocoagulation with an argon-gas source. The shorter surgical times, the absence of hemorrhagic complications and, in rhinosurgery, not requiring any kind of nasal packing are remarkable. Between March and November 2000, a group of 157 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were treated using APC, at the Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Department of the Hospital of Dolo (Venice). The follow-up period was 24 months. Rhinomanometry was performed to objectively measure the nasal obstruction and to verify the postoperative improvement. The Student t-test was used for statistical data. After 24 months, 87% (p < 0.001) of patients reported to have a better nasal airflow than before the operation. None of the patients needed a nasal packing after APC surgery. We review and discus the indication, advantages, complications, controversies and long-term results of the treatment with APC in rhinosurgery (AU)

Argon plasma surgery for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy: a long-term follow-up in 157 patients.

Chronic nasal obstruction is a common disorder, mostly caused by hypertrophic inferior turbinates. In cases of nonresponse to conservative medical management, the surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates is often required. Surgical techniques for the reduction of hyperplastic nasal turbinates include monopolar or bipolar coagulation, partial or total reduction of the turbinates with a conchotome or scissors and laser surgery with Nd:YAG, CO(2) or KTP. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new, innovative technique in otorhinolaryngology which is based on high-frequency electrocoagulation with an argon gas source. The fast and short surgery times, the absence of hemorrhagic complications and, in rhinosurgery, the complete abstention from any kind of nasal packing are remarkable. Between March and November 2000, a group of 157 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were treated using APC, at the Otorhinolaryngology Surgery Department of the Hospital of Dolo (Venice). The follow-up period was 24 months. Rhinomanometry was performed to objectively measure the nasal obstruction and to verify the postoperative improvement. The Student t test was used for statistical data. After 24 months, 87% (p < 0.001) of the patients reported to have a better nasal airflow than before the operation. None of the patients needed a nasal packing after APC surgery. The indication, advantages, complications, controversies and long-term results of the treatment with APC in rhinosurgery are reviewed and discussed.

[The application of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in surgical treatment of inferior turbinates]. / L'applicazione dell'Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) nella chirurgia dell'ipertrofia dei turbinati inferiori.

For over 20 years, argon plasma coagulation (APC) has been used in open surgery, in laparoscopy and in thoracoscopy for the haemostasis of superficial haemorrhages and for the resection of parenchymatous tissue. This technique is based on the use of a high-frequency current that ionizes an inert gas, the argon; the emission of this latter generates a thermocoagulative effect that is selectively exerted on the superficial surfaces of the mucosa involved. In otorhinolaryngology, it may be seen as a valid alternative to traditional surgical techniques, to a mono- or bipolar electric surgical knife, and to laser surgery. From March to November 2000, 157 patients affected by "inferior turbinate hypertrophy non-responsive to ordinary medical therapy" underwent devitalizing APC surgery. In 20% of the cases (30 patients), the operation was performed under local anaesthesia. In no case was a nasal tampon employed. Twelve months after the operation, 87% of the patients treated (136 cases) had fully resumed normal nasal respiratory functionality, with marked improvement in the air flow and reduction of the unilateral nasal resistance during rhinomanometric evaluation. There were post-operative complications in 2% of the patients (3 cases), all of which were successfully handled through APC (2 cases of epistaxis on the 7th and 9th post-operative day, and 1 case of turbino-septal synechia). In the 13% of the patients (21 cases) in whom the results had been partial or unsatisfactory, the cause of the limited efficacy of the treatment was connected with an improper use of the instrumentation, lack of compliance on the part of the patient, or a concomitant psycofunctional pathology. The statistical study, accomplished via Student's t test, confirmed that the difference between the unilateral nasal resistance values present before the procedure and those measured during the 1-month follow-up were highly significant (t = 11.126, p < .001). The same significant correlation was ascertained between the pre-operative nasal resistance values and those ascertained post-operatively, respectively at 3, 6 and 12 months (p < .001).

[Primitive carcinoid tumor of the middle ear: a case report and review of literature]. / Carcinoide primitivo dell'orecchio medio: caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine neoplasms. Their prognosis is nearly always favorable and they rarely affect the middle ear. An accurate review of the literature has shown that since 1980 only 37 cases of primary carcinoid tumor of the middle ear have been described. Diagnostic precision has increasingly improved over the years thanks to the use of modern immunohistochemical techniques and electron microscopy. The treatment of choice is surgical exeresis through a radical tympanomastoidectomy. Distant metastases have never been indicated. The authors present a case of primary tympanic carcinoid tumor, basically extended to the external auditory duct. They underline the clinical aspects, the difficulties in histopathological diagnosis and the treatment strategies applied.