Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage due to valproic acid: Case report and review of the literature.

Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most frequently used antiepileptic drugs for the treatment of focal and generalized epilepsies, absence seizures, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). VPA has been demonstrated to have a negative effect on both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation systems and controversy exists about the clinical relevance of such hematological abnormalities. We describe a case of reversible lung hemorrage due to VPA. In English-language literature only two other similar cases (one of which fatal) have been described so far.

Nerve-sparing schwannoma removal from two infrequent origins.

Schwannomas of nerve sheath origin (Schwann cell) are the most common neurogenic thoracic tumors and they usually originate from an intercostal nerve, especially in the paravertebral region. Tumors that originate from other nerves such as the phrenic nerve, vagus, or sympathetic nerves are uncommon. We report two cases of schwannomas in rare locations. A 62-year-old woman had a giant schwannoma arising from the right phrenic nerve, and a 57-year-old woman had one from the left sympathetic nerve. Both tumors were completely removed with preservation of the nerves.

Tuberculosis a disease that created and shaped thoracic surgery.

Today it is incredible to think that an infectious disease, Tuberculosis (TB) as the disease that shaped Thoracic Surgery. The history of TB has so far evolved similarities with that of the mythological Phoenix, where the resurgence of this never completely eradicated "Insidious Disease" has now re-emerged and brought new challenges to modern medicine that of multi drug resistance. The probability of success, in treating complicated multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB pushing us back to the pre-antibiotic era, now depends on several factors: (I) optimal antibiotic management; (II) patient compliance; (III) multi-disciplinary teamwork; (IV) experience in carrying out "not-routine" surgical procedures; and finally (V) ability to offer long term patient hospitalization, frequently months, without bureaucratic and economical problems. The probability of good patient outcome is higher when all of these criteria are satisfied.

"Roman Sandal" modified method for securing the chest drain to the skin.

Chest drain insertion is a simple procedure with very low morbidity and mortality. The correct procedure provides for a good fixation of the drainage to the skin. An alternative "Roman Sandal technique" for securing the chest drain to the skin is proposed compared to the classical methods. The main feature of the method is the fact that a single suture acts as "tube fixing" and "wound closure" by creating an alpha-cross-wires into and around the wound. The new method is presented as more elegant, effective, quicker application and removal of the drainage and excellent cosmetic results.

Hepatic metastases from breast cancer.

The prognosis of patients with hepatic metastasis from breast cancer treated with systemic or regional chemotherapy is disappointing. When technically feasible, liver resection offers the best results. Eighteen patients out of 22 submitted to laparotomy underwent radical liver resection. Median follow-up from liver resection was 36 months. The median time interval between breast cancer diagnosis and disease recurrence was 35 months. Median disease-free survival and overall survival from liver resection were 66 and 74 months, respectively. Median survival time from breast cancer surgery was 88.5 months. Surgical treatment of liver metastases should be carried out on young and older patients alike when site of metastases is the liver alone. Neoadjuvant treatment and preoperative diagnostic laparoscopy should be planned in future experience.

[Nasogastric tubes: a lot of bother]. / Il tubo naso-gastrico: un grande fastidio.

The insertion of the nasogastric tube is one of the procedure that produces the most discomfort for the patients and practitioners. The AA, with the make use of their clinical experience and the data of the literature, report some personal reflections about the management of the nasogastric tube. The AA also analyse some variables (choice of the tube, approach to the patient, insertion of the tube, examination of the position, fixation and removal) that can influence on discomfort of the patient. The choice of the most right SNG is an important moment for the correct insertion; an effect we need to adjust the material and diameter of the tube to the prearranged use. The common practice demonstrates that the collaboration with the patient, obtained by "direct" and "indirect" strategies, gives more possibilities to immediately success of this procedure. The literature explains that it is possible to decrease the discomfort with topical anesthesia; still there are some points of view to clarify. From analyse of the different methods to check the position of SNG, the pH test of the aspirating fluid is the best solution. Once examination of right placement, we need to fix in different points (at least two). From personal experience the removal of SNG is better tolerate that the insertion because the patient is more conscious to be on the mend. The principal recommendation is to abstain from insertion of SNG if it is not closely necessary!

[A rare case of intestinal carcinoid tumour. Clinical considerations and therapeutic approach]. / Su di un raro caso di tumore carcinoide ileale. Considerazioni cliniche e di trattamento.

The AA report on a case of intestinal carcinoid tumour. The characters of these tumours to permit a specific clinical and therapeutic approach.

[Amyand's hernia. Case report]. / Ernia di Amyand. Caso clinico.

The authors report a case of Amyand's hernia and describe the pathophysiology, the diagnosis and the therapy in occurrence of this surgical condition.