Voluminous bleeding stomach GIST: reflections on etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms which, although rare (around 1% of the total number of malignant tumours), are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. In the past they were not very well known, whereas today, thanks to the remarkable progress made in the immunohistochemical and molecular fields, considerable knowledge has been acquired, offering new opportunities for classification and, above all, for a more adequate multidisciplinary treatment of this pathology. In this study, the authors report a case of a bleeding GIST of the stomach which they recently observed and discuss it in the light of recent reflections on the aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of these tumours in the literature.

Rare cases of bowel obstruction: internal hernias.

Internal hernias are a rare form of dislocation of the abdominal viscera, usually in the small intestine, in the peritoneal sacs or cavities, resulting from the defective coalescence of the peritoneal flaps due to abnormal rotation of the medium intestine in the second stage of embryogenesis. In this paper the authors describe three cases observed during the last twelve months: two cases were ascribable to left paraduodenal hernia and one to a transepiploic hernia. Special attention needs to be paid to knowledge of the rotation process of the primitive medium intestine and to understanding whether an internal hernia underlies the clinical picture, when occlusive patients have not previously undergone surgery and show no signs of external hernias. In the surgical treatment of paraduodenal hernias, special attention must be paid to incarcerated loops, in order to prevent severe vascular complications caused by potential lesions to the mesenteric vessels.

[Intrahepatic biliary papillomatosis: a case report]. / Papillomatosi biliare intraepatica: caso clinico.

The Authors describe a case of intrahepatic biliary papillomatosis, which extended from the left to part of the right hepatic biliary tract. Biliary papillomatosis is a rare disease characterised by obstruction and frequently by cholangitis. The diagnosis is possible only after the final pathological analysis. The patient was studied with MRI cholangiography, which showed amorphous material in the biliary tract. The surgical treatment was a left hepatectomy (primary therapy) and an intensive follow-up was recommended. Biliary papillomatosis may become a new indication for liver transplantation.

[Use of prostheses in the treatment of laparocele]. / L'utilizzo di protesi nel trattamento dei laparoceli.

Effective solutions to the problem of surgery for bulk laparoceles began to emerge with the introduction of synthesis materials that can be used to reinforce or replace the abdominal wall. The ideal prosthesis has yet to be found, though today a large number of laparoceles are treated with the use of polypropylene (Marlex) and PTFE (Goretex), which are considered the best materials for alloplasty with only a very limited number of recurrences and complications. The authors describe their experience over two distinct periods: in the first of these, from 1985 to 1994, 49 of 126 patients were treated with prostheses (39 using the Rives technique and 10 simple alloplasty); in the second period, from 1995 to 2000, 39 of 79 patients were treated with prostheses (12 using the Rives technique and 27 simple alloplasty). This prosthesis was used only to reinforce the abdominal wall with a modified technique. The mortality rate was nil. In the first period the complications presented by the 49 patients were 6 seromas and 3 infections; in the second period (39 patients) the complications observed were 3 seromas, resolved with conservative therapy, and one relapse due to the use of a Vycril prosthesis. One case of haematoma and one of subcuticular infection occurred, but neither of these required removal of the prosthesis.