Understanding leprosy in a nonendemic area: a pilot study on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs of medical professionals from North-Western Italy.

BACKGROUND: Describing knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about leprosy amongst Medical Professionals in a nonendemic area (Parma Province, North-Western Italy). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried among a sample of Medical Professionals (MP; No. 242) during June and July 2019 as an on-line self-administered questionnaire including 21 true/false items about epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical characteristics of leprosy. Effectors of better knowledge status (KS) and higher risk perception (RP) were assessed through calculation of respective multivariate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) in two logistic regression analysis models. RESULTS: A total of 102 questionnaires were retrieved (participation rate 42.1%; 67.6% of respondents < 50 year-old). Of them, 10.8% had previously interacted with at least one leprosy case. Knowledge status (KS) was unsatisfying (59.7% correct answers), and also RP was relatively low, as 91.2% of them acknowledged leprosy as a severe disease, but only 42.2% identified leprosy as highly communicable. Knowledge gaps affected particularly understanding of epidemiology and non-dermatological issues. Moreover, 30.4% of respondents ignored that a treated leprosy case may remain in the community before disease eradication. The main effector of KS was having interacted with a leprosy case (OR 4.881 95%CI 1.245-36.905), while RP was negatively associated with a better KS (OR 0.094 95%CI 0.027-0.334), and working as general practitioner (OR 0.133 95%CI 0.031-0.562). CONCLUSIONS: While individual expertise of European MP on leprosy slowly disappears, significant knowledge gaps and the high share of misconceptions collectively stress that refresher training may improve early diagnosis and management of incident cases.

Epidemiology of leprosy in Italy (1920 - 2019): a comprehensive review on existing data.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Incidence of leprosy in Italy has declined steadily over the last century, but available evidence remains fragmentary. Our review aims to summarize available data on the epidemiology of leprosy cases in Italy. METHODS: The following keywords were used to explore PubMed and Embase: leprosy, Hansen's disease, (Mycobacterium) leprae, Italy, without any chronological restriction. RESULTS: We identified a total of 39 reports, including 7 national reports, 11 international reports, 20 case reports. Notified leprosy cases were: 839 between 1925 and 1948; 434 between 1955 and 1979; 76 cases for the decade 1980-1989; 112 between 1990 and 1999; 62 between 2000 and 2009, and a total of 25 cases since 2009. Since 2003, 53% of all cases occurred in illegal residents. Focusing on individual cases, latency between early signs/symptoms and a proper diagnosis ranged between 2 and 20 years in 52.1% of individual cases. CONCLUSION: Imported cases of leprosy are responsible for most leprosy incidence in Italy, and social stigma, the unfamiliarity of healthcare professionals with such disorders, and difficulties of some high-risk groups to be appropriately assessed hint to a possible under-diagnosis. Professionals should be made more aware of the potential for leprosy incidence among patients from countries where the disease is endemic.

Atypical femoral fractures bilaterally in a patient receiving bisphosphonate: a case report.

Atypical femoral fractures are often associated with prolonged bisphosphonate use. The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) has set the diagnosis criteria for atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures by classifying them according to their major and minor criteria. Prolonged bisphosphonate use is correlated with AFF, but the pathogenetic mechanism that causes this kind of fracture has not been defined yet. We describe simultaneous bilaterally femoral fractures in a 76-year-old woman.

Distal radius fractures: surgical treatment with internal fixation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the efficacy of plates and screws with angular stability in osteosynthesis of fractures of the distal radius. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 52 patients undergone surgery for fracture of the distal radius at the Clinica Ortopedica dell'Università di Trieste; in half of the patients osteosynthesis was provided using Synthes' LCP plates, in the other half we utilized a multidirectional and angular stable plate ("Aptus Radius" by Medartis). Mean follow-up was 28 ± 10 months, patients were evaluated with DASH score (disability of arm shoulder and hand) and the modified Gartland Werley score. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of joint function, motility, volar and radial mean inclination. CONCLUSIONS: Based on clinical and radiological results using angular stability plates must be considered as the method of election in the treatment of fractures of the distal epiphysis of the radius; in particular, thanks to the broader technical capabilities that they allow, are particularly indicated in unstable fractures.

Unicondylar knee prosthesis: our experience.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with "all poly" tibial component and "metal back" from a clinical and functional point of view. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated prospectively 50 patients who underwent unicompartmental knee replacement at the Orthopedic Clinic of the University of Trieste. Patients were split into two groups (A and B); in patients from group A has been implanted a Mitus prosthesis (Link) with "all poly" tibial component, in patients from Group B has been implanted an Allegretto prosthesis (Zimmer) with a "metal back" tibial component. The mean follow-up was 36 months. All patients were evaluated using the Knee Society Score. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Knee Society Score (objective and functional) was found to be respectively 48 and 49 or the group A and group B; post-operative score was found to be of 95 and 94 respectively for Group A and group B. The average post-operative ROM was 125 degrees (range, 85-140 degrees) for group A and 130° (range 90°-145°) for group B. CONCLUSIONS: No differences were found between implants with "all poly" tibial component (thickness to be used must be greater than 6 mm) and those with the "metal back". We believe that to achieve positive results over time is important the carefully selection of the patients and the accurate positioning of components.

First metatarsophalangeal joint replacement with total arthroplasty in the surgical treatment of the hallux rigidus.

The hallux rigidus, especially in advanced stage, has always been a challenge as regards the surgical treatment. Over the years there have been various surgical techniques proposed with the aim of relieving pain, correcting deformity and maintain a certain degree of movement. For some years we have addressed the problem with the replacement metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty with Reflexion system. As far as our experience we have operated and monitored 25 patients (18 females and 7 males) of mean age 58.1 years, operated with this technique from June 2008 to June 2011. It reached an average ROM of 72° (extension and flexion 45° and 27°) with a good functional recovery in 8 patients, and this articulation was good (50° - 40°) in 12 patients and moderate in 5 with a articular range from 40°- 30°. The clinical results, according to our experience, appear to be favorable, as even patient satisfaction is complete.

Open surgical revision of radial nerve after humeral fracture in polytrauma.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The injury of the radial nerve is not uncommon in humeral shaft fractures. These lesions may be of different types and levels and their treatment changes depending on traumatic characteristic. The authors present a case report of a patient affected by a closed shaft humeral fracture, consequence of an high energy trauma, associated with motor palsy of the radial nerve in which an open surgical revision was performed. The nerve appeared medially displaced and entrapped within the fracture fragments and the fibrous tissue around the lesion and showed signs of posttraumatic suffering without disruption. The nerve was repositioned in its anatomical site after neurolysis and intramedullary nailing of the humeral fracture. The fracture healed after 4 months with full recovery of motor function of the radial nerve.We believe that, in shaft fractures of the humerus with radial nerve deficits, it is imperative to perform surgical exploration of the conditions of the radial nerve itself, in order to obtain a recovery of its functionality.

Proximal cut-out in pertrochanteric femural fracture.

The average age of population is increasing in parallel with the worldwide incidence of fractures of the proximal femur; among all of them, 45% is represented by pertrochanteric fractures. Many other significant co-morbidity and even mortality are associated to this fractures (osteoporosis, malnutrition, decreased physical activity, reduced visual acuity, neurological deficits, asthenia, balance disorders and altered reflexes). Due to osteoporosis, the greater frequency of these fractures  occurs to elderly women. Among a total of 630 patients with pertrochanteric fracture treated in the Orthopedic Clinic of Trieste from January 2003 to December 2011, 16 cases were about Cut-out (5 males and 11 females). The mean follow-up after the revision surgery was 18 months. The aim of the study was to understand if in pertrochanteric fractures the best osteosynthesis can be guaranteed by the placement of an intramedullary nail or by positioning of plate and screws. It was established that, using intramedullary nail, the best target is to have a good positioning of the method of synthesis with a "Tip-Apex Distance" (TAD) of less than 25 millimeters.

Periprosthetic fractures of the femur: our experience.

A frequent problem in Orthopedic surgery is represented by periprosthetic fractures in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). The incidence of this pathology has interested 1,5% in primary THA and till 6-8% in revision prosthesis during last 10 years. About this contest, the authors performed a study on 24 patients (6 males; 18 females) surgically treated for periprosthetic femoral fracture at the Orthopedic and Traumatologic Clinic, University of Trieste, Italy, in the period from January 2006 to December 2011. Periprosthetic fractures were classified following guide-lines of the Vancouver Classification System. Even the choice of treatment was based on Vancouver Classification System, on patient clinical conditions and patients age.

Neoadjuvant accelerated concomitant boost radiotherapy and multidrug chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer: a dose-escalation study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the maximal and safely dose of preoperative radiotherapy and concurrently intensified chemotherapy regimen (raltitrexed plus oxaliplatin) in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. METHODS: Patients with cT3-T4 and/or cN≥1 or locally recurrent rectal cancer were sequentially assigned to 4 treatment schedules of chemoradiation: standard radiotherapy (50.4 Gy/5.5 wk) plus raltitrexed (cohort A), accelerated radiotherapy (55 Gy/5 wk) plus raltitrexed (cohort B), standard radiotherapy plus raltitrexed and oxaliplatin (cohort C), accelerated radiotherapy plus raltitrexed and oxaliplatin (cohort D). Patients were treated in cohorts of 6 to 12 per group. The maximal tolerated dose was exceeded if more than one-third of patients in a given cohort experienced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). DLT was defined as any grade ≥3 toxicity according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. RESULTS: Forty-six consecutive patients were enrolled. In cohort A, 6 patients received the planned treatment with no DLT. In cohort B, 1 of 8 patients experienced a DLT. In cohort C, a DLT occurred in 2 of 6 patients and therefore, a cohort expansion was required. Three of 16 patients treated at this dose level experienced a DLT. In addition, cohort D was expanded and DLT was found in 4 of 16 patients. Therefore, the maximal tolerated dose was not exceeded at any treatment level. CONCLUSIONS: An intensified regimen of chemoradiotherapy delivering raltitrexed and oxaliplatin concurrently with concomitant boost radiotherapy (55 Gy/5 wk) can be safely administered in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. On the basis of these results, this intensified regimen could be tested in a phase II study.

Presumptive myocarditis with ST-Elevation myocardial infarction presentation in young males as a new syndrome. Clinical significance and long term follow up.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocarditis may mimic myocardial infarction, since affected patients complain of "typical" chest pain, the ECG changes are identical to those observed in acute coronary syndromes, and serum markers are increased. We describe a case series of presumptive myocarditis with ST segment elevation on admission ECG. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1998 to 2009, 21 patients (20 males; age 17-42 years) were admitted with chest pain, persistent ST segment elevation, serum enzyme and troponine release. All but one patients had fever and flu-like symptoms prior to admission. No abnormal Q wave appeared in any ECG tracing, and angiography did not show significant coronary artery disease. Patients remained asymptomatic at long term follow-up, except 2 who experienced a late relapse, with the same clinical, electrocardiographic and serum findings as in the first clinical presentation. CONCLUSION: Presumptive myocarditis of possible viral origin characterized by ST elevation mimicking myocardial infarction, good short term prognosis and some risk for recurrence is relatively frequent in young males and appears as a distinct clinical condition.

Electrocardiographic features in critical pulmonary embolism. Results from baseline and continuous electrocardiographic monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) afflicts millions of individuals worldwide. Electrocardiography along with chest X-ray and arterial blood gas analysis represent the basic examinations to reinforce the clinical suspicion of PE. We describe the electrocardiographic (ECG) features in a series of patients with PE and a critical clinical presentation. METHODS: We report the ECG findings registered at baseline, 48 hours after admission and on continuous ECG monitoring in 51 patients with PE and critical clinical conditions. RESULTS: At admission, the following parameters were recorded: an S1Q3 pattern in 34 patients, a "septal embolic pattern" in 27, anterior lead T-wave inversion in 8, and a new right bundle branch block in 7. At 48 hours after admission a trend toward a regression of the S1Q3 and "septal embolic" patterns was noted together with evident T-wave inversion in the anterior leads. During continuous ECG monitoring no major arrhythmias were recorded, even in case of cardiopulmonary arrest. CONCLUSIONS: Critical PE induces transient ECG abnormalities reflecting right ventricular overload and/or strain. The patient's clinical status is usually not complicated by major ventricular arrhythmias, not even in case of cardiopulmonary arrest.