Influence of three types of farm management on the seroprevalence of Q fever as assessed by an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

The influence of three types of farm management on the occurrence of Q fever in cattle was investigated by means of a serological study carried out in Irpinia in southern Italy. Twenty-one herds were permanently housed, 26 were housed in winter and turned out to graze in the spring, and six herds were kept outdoors throughout the year. Blood samples were taken from 1188 cattle and tested by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The overall seroprevalence of Q fever was 14.4 per cent. The herds which were housed in winter and turned out in the spring had the highest seroprevalence of 19.6 per cent, followed by the permanently housed animals with a seroprevalence of 13.2 per cent and the unhoused cattle had a much lower seroprevalence of 1.9 per cent.

[Nurse-patient relations at hospitals in the Anzio and Nettuno communities in Italy]. / Come vive il malato l'assistenza infermieristica nelle strutture ospedaliere di Anzio e Nettuno.

Social surveys have been carrying out since 1983, in Sociology Course at the Nursing School in Nettuno, Rome. The principle aim is the professional and the social enrichment of the students, as well as the importance of working in group. These research works, passing from nursing education to a post basic nursing degree, belong, by now, to the nursing training. The work presented concerns patient-nurse relationship at the Anzio and Nettuno hospitals. The survey gave patients the opportunity to have a special frame where it is easier to be in good terms with the nurses, especially with the students, who understood the usefulness of the work. By this experience students realized the importance to be understanding person in the nursing profession.

Specific demethylation of the CD4 gene during CD4 T lymphocyte differentiation.

The expression of CD4 during T cell development is a highly regulated process. Numerous regulatory elements have been identified including a promoter, two distinct enhancers and a silencer. Here we report a methylation site in the first intron of the CD4 gene that is specifically demethylated in cells which have previously, or are currently expressing CD4. In addition, this site becomes progressively demethylated as T lymphocytes differentiate from double-negative to double-positive to CD4 single-positive thymocytes, and finally to CD4 single-positive peripheral T lymphocytes. This specific and progressive demethylation suggests that this site represents another potential control region for the regulation of CD4.

Allele-specific expression of the mouse B-cell surface protein CD72 on T cells.

CD72 is a 45 000 Mr mouse B-cell surface glycoprotein involved in B-cell proliferation and differentiation. Expression of mouse CD72 is thought to be restricted to the B-cell lineage. We recently demonstrated that the monoclonal antibodies K10.6 and B9.689, previously defined as recognizing the mouse lymphocyte alloantigens Ly-19.2 and Ly-32.2, respectively, recognize specific alleles of CD72. Early studies using antibody-mediated cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that K10.6 and B9.689 react with B cells, several T-cell lines, and a subset of peripheral T cells. These findings led us to consider the possibility that CD72 might also be expressed on a subset of T cells. In this report we demonstrate that CD72 is constitutively expressed on a fraction of peripheral T cells isolated from strains of mice expressing the CD72(b) allele, but not the CD72(a) or CD72(c) alleles. Three days after activating T cells with concanavalin A or plate-bound CD3-specific mAb, CD72 is expressed on a larger fraction of peripheral T cells as well as a fraction of thymocytes from mouse strains expressing the CD72(b) allele. CD72 is expressed on both the CD4(+) and CD8(+) thymocyte and peripheral T-cell subsets. No CD72 expression is detected on activated thymocytes or peripheral T cells from mouse strains expressing the CD72(a) or CD72(c) alleles. Expression of CD72(b) on peripheral T cells was confirmed by northern blot analysis demonstrating CD72 mRNA expression. These results demonstrate that CD72 expression is not restricted to B lineage cells in mouse strains expressing the CD72(b) allele; instead, a population of T lineage cells in these mice also expresses CD72.

[Vestibular neurectomy by retrolabyrinthine approach in cases of untreatable Meniere's disease]. / La neurectomia vestibolare per via retrolabirintica nei casi di Malattia di Ménière intrattabili. Gruppo Otologico Piacenza.

We report on a series of 35 Ménière's disease patients, all of whom had undergone retrolabyrinthine vestibular neurectomy between 1987-1993. The overall success rate of vertigo relief was 96.7% with no serious or permanent complications resulting from the procedure. The current literature is reviewed and our results are compared with those of previous reports. The technical elements of the operation, regarding our approach and those of the others are analyzed with special attention given to the anatomical features of the region and their influence on success or failure. We conclude that the retrolabyrinthine approach for nerve section remains a safe and highly successful technique which continues to be widely used.

Normal hearing in acoustic neuroma patients: a critical evaluation.

A series of 128 acoustic neuromas (ANs) managed in our center in the last 6 years were evaluated. Sixteen cases (12.5%) were found to have normal pure tone audiograms. A comparatively younger age was an important characteristic of these patients. Tinnitus, dysequilibrium, and subjective hearing loss or distortion were their most common complaints. Pure tone audiometry showed a mean pure tone average of 14.5 dB. Speech discrimination score and performance intensity phonetically balanced index were very insensitive and showed very high false-negative results. Auditory brainstem responses proved to be a reliable test, being positive in 93.8% of cases. The mean tumor size did not show any significant difference when compared with acoustic neuroma cases with abnormal hearing. The combination of otologic and neurotologic symptoms in a young patient should prompt the clinician to investigation further even if hearing is within normal limits. A high index of suspicion is a prerequisite for the early diagnosis of such subtle lesions.

[Congenital cholesteatoma of the middle ear: a case series different from cases in the literature]. / Il colesteatoma congenito dell'orecchio medio: una casistica differente dalla letteratura.

We present 44 cases of congenital cholesteatoma of the middle ear. Twenty-one patients had a cholesteatoma located in the posterosuperior mesotympanum. This finding was in complete contrast to the commonly reported anterosuperior location, seen in only 2 cases in our study. The remaining 21 patients had a cholesteatoma involving either the entire mesotympanum and/or epitympanum. The posteriorly located congenital cholesteatoma might represent a completely different entity and originate from epithelial cell debris trapped in the posterior mesotympanum during development of the temporal bone. All but one patient were treated with a closed tympanoplasty. Eight patients underwent single stage surgery. A preplanned second stage procedure was performed in 33 patients, while 3 are presently awaiting the second stage. Residual disease was seen in 19 patients (57%) who had undergone second stage surgery. No patient has had recurrent disease this far. Thirty-eight patients (85%) had a preoperative air bone gap of 30 dB or more. Of the 33 patients evaluated for hearing results, 16 (48%) had a postoperative gap within 10 dB.

Modified Bondy technique.

Bondy operation is a type of modified radical mastoidectomy in which the mastoid cavity is exteriorized without disturbing the intact ossicular chain and pars tensa. It is indicated in cases of epitympanic cholesteatoma with intact ossicular chain, normal pars tensa, and good hearing. The advantages of the technique are one-stage surgery with preservation of preoperative hearing levels, which is not possible with any other procedure. This article presents the indications, technique, results, and complications.

[Meningoencephalic herniation into the middle ear]. / Ernie meningoencefaliche nell'orecchio medio.

Herniation of meningeal and/or encephalic tissue into the middle ear is a pathology which, even if rarely found by the otologist, can be life-threatening for the patient because of eventual infective intracranial complications. Four different etiological types are possible, infective, post-surgical, traumatic and spontaneous. From a pathogenic point of view, all types are characterized by a bony and dural defect localized in the tegmen through which meningeal and encephalic tissue can herniate. Symptomatology is often non-specific so that some cases are diagnosed during surgery. When there is strong suspicion of herniation neuroradiological assessment procedures must be carried out in order to make a correct pre-operative diagnosis, High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone in particular, can show the exact limits and location of the bone defect, while Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows the nature of the tissue in the middle ear to be determined. Surgery is the only appropriate therapy. Different approaches have been described amongst which the transmastoid with or without temporal minicraniotomy and the middle cranial fossa (MCF) are the most frequently reported literature. From June 1982 to March 1994, 27 consecutive cases underwent surgery at the Gruppo Otologico, Piacenza. As a result of the occurrence of postoperative meningitis in one case, a new surgical technique through the MCF was standardized. The main step of this procedure consist in leaving the herniated tissue in situ so as to make a barrier between the middle ear and subdural space. The technique is indicated either in the case of large, multiple or very anteriorly located bony defects or when there is an infection in the middle ear.

Benign osteoblastoma of the mastoid part of the temporal bone: case report.

Osteoblastoma is a benign bone lesion that mainly affects the long bones and rarely the temporal bones. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. This paper reviews the literature, discusses the differential diagnosis, clinical presentation, and CT scan findings of such a condition and details our experience with a young patient who had a temporal bone (mastoid process) osteoblastoma.

Meningoencephalic herniation into the middle ear: a report of 27 cases.

Meningoencephalic herniation into the middle ear is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that may require prompt surgical intervention. Preoperative diagnosis is based on a high index of suspicion. Sometimes, however, meningoencephalic herniation is discovered during surgery. High-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging should be performed to confirm the diagnosis and to evaluate the extension of the herniated tissue. This article discusses the diagnostic approach, management strategy, and surgical technique used in 27 patients with meningoencephalic herniation. In an attempt to avoid infective complications, the authors used the middle cranial approach in patients with large herniations.

Hearing preservation in vestibular schwannoma surgery: fact or fantasy?

This study reviews 57 papers dealing with the issue of hearing preservation in vestibular schwannoma surgery published in otolaryngologic and neurosurgical literature between the years 1977 and 1994. The authors', in this review, have made an attempt to verify whether the claims of hearing preservation are real, whether there is a price to be paid in terms of morbidity and whether there are univocal criteria for reporting results. The review shows that there is a wide disarray in reporting hearing results and the claims of hearing preservation are often unreal and misleading. On retabulating the results of a few series according to the minimal prerequisites for normal hearing (PTA < or = 30 dB and SDS > or = 70 per cent) and according to other various commonly reported criteria, it became evident that rates of hearing preservation differed a lot depending upon criteria. While any measurable hearing could be preserved in many cases, only a few had normal hearing preserved.

An easy, cost-effective and time-conserving method of studying the vascular anatomy of the base of the skull.

In this work we present a simple, rapid, cost-effective and time-conserving method of studying the vascular anatomy of the base of the skull. This method is based on the injection of the arteries and veins with an appropriate coloring solution that possesses the property of rapid solidification. This technique of preparation of the coloring solution and the method of injection is described in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are also discussed.

Intratemporal hemangiomas involving the facial nerve: diagnosis and management.

Intratemporal vascular tumors involving the facial nerve are rare benign lesions. Because of their variable clinical features, they are often misdiagnosed preoperatively. This study presents a series of 21 patients with such lesions managed from 1977 to 1994. Facial nerve dysfunction was the most common complaint, present in 60% of the cases, followed by hearing loss, present in 40% of cases. High-resolution computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium, and a high index of clinical suspicion is required for preoperative diagnosis of these lesions. Early surgical resection of these tumors permits acceptable return of facial nerve function in many patients.

Revision stapes surgery: a critical evaluation.

Fifty-six revision stapes surgeries performed during the last 9 years were evaluated retrospectively for their preoperative symptoms, intraoperative findings, and postoperative results according to the causes of failure, at the Gruppo Otologico, Piacenza, Italy. The most frequent causes of failure were found to be prosthetic misalignments, a reaction to the surgical trauma in the form of excess fibrous tissue reaction or new bony regrowth at the oval window, and ossicular chain problems. The location of the pathology was found to be an important factor in the outcome. Sixty percent of cases resulted in 0- to 20-dB air-bone gap. The causes of these failures, management, and their prevention during primary surgeries are also discussed.

Surgical anatomy of the petrous apex as it relates to the enlarged middle cranial fossa approaches.

This work was designed to study the surgical anatomy of the petrous apex as it relates to the enlarged middle cranial fossa approaches, on 25 temporal bones. In this study we suggest dividing the petrous apex into two topographic areas: an anterior triangular and a posterior quadrangular area with respect to the posterior border of the Gasserian ganglion. Anatomic descriptions endorsed by relevant measurements of these areas are provided in this study.

Giant cell tumor of the lateral skull base: a case report.

Giant cell tumors of the temporal bone are very rare lesions. They should be differentiated from other giant cell lesions of bone, mainly reparative granulomas. A case with a very huge giant cell tumor of the temporal bone extending to the infratemporal fossa, temporomandibular joint, and greater wing of the sphenoid has been presented. Because of their tendency for recurrence, total removal is the treatment of choice for these tumors and was accomplished through the infratemporal fossa approach type B. A follow-up of 2 years and 9 months revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence.

The enlarged translabyrinthine approach for removal of large vestibular schwannomas.

This study was carried out to validate the enlarged translabyrinthine approach for the surgical management of large vestibular schwannomas. A retrospective review of the charts of 53 patients with large tumours removed via the enlarged translabyrinthine approach at the Gruppo Otologico, Piacenza, Italy, during the last five years was carried out. The ability to control large tumours and the achievement of total removal with low morbidity and very few complications, demonstrate that tumour size does not influence the use of the enlarged translabyrinthine approach for managing large tumours.

[Treatment of petrous bone cholesteatoma]. / Tratamiento del colesteatoma intrapetroso (CIP).

Cholesteatoma involving the petrous compartment of the temporal bone is rare and is a difficult surgical challenge for the neuro-otological surgeon. A series of 60 cases of petrous bone cholesteatoma is presented. The diagnosis, surgical treatment, results, and complications are discussed. Our present surgical attitude is based on closed obliterative procedures that allow a wide field exposure with radical removal excision, control and protection of vital structures, and management of problems related to the facial nerve. The treatment of dura mater involved by matrix is still unsolved. Regular follow-up with CT and MRI is mandatory.

[The extended middle cranial fossa approach: a morphometric analysis]. / Via della fossa cranica media allargata: una analisi morformetrica.

The extended middle cranial fossa (EMCF) approach calls for removal of the petrous bone from its subtemporal surface in order to well expose the internal auditory canal (IAC) and the posterior fossa dura (PDF) around its meatus, safeguarding, at the same time, all the important, closely related, anatomical structures (the Gasserian ganglion (GG) and its third trigeminal division, the internal carotid artery (ICA), the cochlea, the posterior labyrinth, the superior petrosal sinus (SPS), the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) and the jugular bulb (JB). The middle meningeal artery, on the other hand, could be divided when necessary. We dissected 25 temporal bones preserved in formaldehyde and those of five cadavers in order to define the limits of this approach. Measurements were taken so as to establish the limits of the approach as well as to determine the most appropriate angles and distances in working in this area. As previously suggested by the Senior Author (MS), we found it safer to start working medially in order to identify the IAC and then to extend the dissection laterally. The most constant angle proved to be that between the IAC and the SPS. The distances and areas found appear to be highly variable and difficult to rely upon. A thorough knowledge of this anatomy is of most importance for the surgeon who intends to use this approach.