Sexuality in breast cancer survivors: sexual experiences, emotions, and cognitions in a group of women under hormonal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Earlier diagnosis and improved treatments have led to better outcomes in breast cancer, making quality of life a key issue. Sexuality represents a pillar of quality of life, although it is often neglected by both healthcare providers and patients when it comes to cancer. This study aims to explore the differences in sexual functioning, distress, psychopathology, emotions, and cognitions between breast cancer patients under hormonal treatment and controls. METHODS: Seventy-nine women (age range between 24 and 69 years) in hormonal therapy for breast cancer completed a self-reported protocol. A matched control group of 103 women was randomly extracted from an Italian general population database. Eight self-report questionnaires exploring biopsychosocial factors were administered. RESULTS: The current study showed an impaired sexuality in breast cancer patients compared to controls. Breast cancer women under hormonal treatment were characterized by diminished or absent sexual activity (chi2 = 36.16; p < 0.001), lower level of sexual functioning in all areas except for pain (F(1,180) = 8.1; p < 0.01), higher sexual (F(1,180) = 10.08; p < 0.001) and psychological distress (F(1,180) = 6.23; p < 0.05), higher scores in Difficulties in Identifying Feelings (F(1,180) = 7.31; p < 0.01) and Externally Oriented Thinking (F(1,180) = 6.64; p < 0.05), higher level of negative emotions related to sexuality (F(1,180) = 11.13; p < 0.001), and more rigid cognition towards peculiar aspects of sexuality, such as Failure Disengagement Thoughts (F(1,180) = 22.01; p < 0.001) and Age related Beliefs (F(1,180) = 5.7; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers do not usually assess those issues in their routine practice, so that sexuality remains an unmet need with remarkable effects on general health and quality of life.

Pulmonary embolism due to popliteal vein aneurysm: approach and surgical treatment - a case report.

Pulmonary embolism is the first presentation in 70-80% in patients with aneurysm of popliteal vein. We present a case of young man admitted in our hospital with respiratory distress, tachycardia and D-dimer >3000 mg/dL. The observation of pulmonary embolism required the placement of a caval temporary filter before the surgical treatment. The use of temporary filter is recommended in symptomatic patients for thromboembolic phenomena, and when ultrasound detects the presence of floating thrombus.

Double pathological fracture of mandibula caused by actinomycotic osteomyelitis: a case report.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic granulomatous infection that cause formation of abscesses and cutaneous fistula. In mandibular actinomycosis the alveolar bone and mandibular body are usually not involved and the pathogenetic mechanisms of the actinomycotic infiltration is unknown. The patients usually report pain at the alveolar arch with development of a purplish-red swelling firmly attached to the mandibula; the fibrous tissue produces the continued development of new cutaneous fistulas with oncoming pus-secretion. An uncommon case of actinomycotic osteomyelitis with a double pathological fracture of mandibula is reported. Ortopanoramic X-ray and computed tomography scan of the mandibula are effective and relevant diagnostic procedures to quantify the entity and site of the osteolitic areas and to define the precise position of fractures. In association with the intravenous infusion of benzilpenicillina, daily local irrigations of rifamicina have been performed. Moreover, the patient underwent surgical drainage of abscesses with accurate curettage of osteomyelitic lesions and several biopsies of the trabecolar bone and fistulas were taken. It has been also necessary to perform a mandibular blockage using a resinal plaque anchored on premolars. To reach a precise diagnosis, an histopathological examination togheter with batterioscopic-coltural examination is needed. Antibiotic therapy alone is not a sufficient therapeutic approach and surgical treatment must be quickly performed with clean up of the osteomyelitic lesions and contention of fractures by alveolar blockage for at least 40 days.

Neuromyelitis optica-IgG (aquaporin-4) autoantibodies in immune mediated optic neuritis.

The clinical course of immune mediated optic neuritis (ON) will depend on the specific underlying inflammatory disease. These disorders have traditionally been classified according to clinical and MRI findings. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) autoantibodies (neuromyelitis optica-IgG (NMO-IgG)) may have diagnostic and prognostic value in patients who present with isolated ON. In this prospective study, NMO-IgG was evaluated in 114 patients with ON in the following contexts: neuromyelitis optica (NMO), multiple sclerosis (MSON), chronic relapsing inflammatory ON (CRION), relapsing isolated ON (RION) and single isolated ON (SION). The proportion seropositive was 56% for NMO (n = 9), 0% for MSON (n = 28) and 5% for the remaining diagnostic categories (CRION (n = 19), RION (n = 17) and SION (n = 41)). Testing for NMO-IgG in patients with recurrent or severe ON who lack convincing evidence of MS may identify patients who would benefit from immunosuppression rather than MS directed immunomodulatory therapies.

Epstein-Barr virus is associated with grey matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether the presence of anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies is associated with MRI measures of brain injury and neurodegeneration in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: 135 patients with MS (86 women, 49 men) underwent brain MRI and testing for antibodies against EBV. MRI measurements included gadolinium enhancing lesion volume, T1 and T2 lesion volumes and fractions of whole brain parenchyma (BPF), white matter and grey matter (GMF). The anti-EBV panel included anti-EBV early antigen IgG, anti-EBV nuclear antigen IgG and anti-EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG levels. The relationships between antibody levels and MRI measurements were assessed in regression analysis. Repeat measurements of anti-EBV VCA IgG and MRI measures were available for a subset of 50 patients after a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. RESULTS: GMF (R(2) = 0.24 for overall model, p = 0.002) and BPF (R(2) = 0.39 for overall model, p<0.001) showed negative associations with anti-EBV-VCA IgG levels. A greater decline in BPF over 3 years was significantly associated with increased 3 years prior time point anti-EBV VCA IgG levels (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the presence of anti-EBV antibodies is associated with MRI markers of GM atrophy in MS and with increased loss of brain volume over 3 years.

Interferon beta-1a slows progression of brain atrophy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis predominantly by reducing gray matter atrophy.

BACKGROUND: Brain atrophy, as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has been correlated with disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent evidence indicates that both white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) are subject to atrophy in patients with MS. Although neurological deficiencies in MS are primarily due to loss of WM, the clinical significance of GM atrophy has not been fully explored in MS. METHODS: We have undertaken a three-year, open-label study, comparing 26 patients who elected to receive intramuscular interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a) therapy, with 28 patients who elected not to receive therapy. Both groups had quantitative cranial MRI scans at study entry and after three years, and standardized clinical assessments every six months. Brain parenchymal fraction (BPF), GM fraction (GMF), and WM fraction (WMF) percent changes were calculated, and T2- and T1-lesion volumes (LVs) assessed. RESULTS: After three years, mean percent (%) change in BPF favored the IFN beta-1a treatment group (IFN beta-1a -1.3% versus the control group -2.5%, P=0.009), as did the mean percent change in GMF (+0.2 versus -1.4%, P=0.014), and the mean percent change in T1-LV (-9.3 versus +91.6%, P=0.011). At the end of the study, there was a significant within-patient decrease in BPF for both groups (P=0.02 for the IFN beta-1a treatment group, and P<0.001 for the control group), a significant within-patient decrease in WMF for the IFN beta-1a treatment group (P=0.01), and a significant decrease in GMF for the control group (P=0.013) when compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: Over a three-year period, treatment with IFN beta-1a significantly slowed the progression of whole-brain and GM atrophy, and of T1-hypointense LV accumulation, when compared with the control group.

Gastro-intestinal symptoms as clinical manifestation of peritoneal and retroperitoneal spread of an invasive lobular breast cancer: report of a case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Distant spread from breast cancer is commonly found in bones, lungs, liver and central nervous system. Metastatic involvement of peritoneum and retroperitoneum is unusual and unexpected. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 67 year-old-woman who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms which revealed to be the clinical manifestations of peritoneal and retroperitoneal metastatic spread of an invasive lobular breast cancer diagnosed 15 years before. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, the case presented is the third one reported in literature showing a wide peritoneal and extraperitoneal diffusion of an invasive lobular breast cancer. The long and complex diagnostic work up which led us to the diagnosis is illustrated, with particular emphasis on the multidisciplinary approach, which is mandatory to obtain such a result in these cases. Awareness of such a condition by clinicians is mandatory in order to make an early diagnosis and start a prompt and correct therapeutic approach.

[Cyst and pseudocyst of oral maxillo-facial region. Clinical and therapeutical considerations]. / Lesioni cistiche e pseudocistiche del distretto oro-maxillo-facciale. Considerazioni cliniche e terapeutiche.

Oral and maxillo-facial cysts are very common lesions that show different clinical and pathological aspects. The surgical treatment of these lesions is conditioned by many factors such as the lesion dimension, the involvement of vascular and neurological structures, the presence of recoverable teeth into the cyctic area, the conditions of the patient. For these reasons surgical treatment guidelines may greatly diverge in the various cases. There are three different kinds of treatment: cystotomy (Partsch I), cystectomy (Partsch II) and a combination of the two reported surgical treatments: at first Partsch I and in a second time Partsch II. The authors present two cases of maxillo-facial cysts that are characterized by different clinical aspects: a follicular cyst in a male, nine years old, and a retention cyst located in the tongue of a young female. Follicular cyst is a very common lesion of maxillary bones related to an impacted tooth; retention cyst is a rare soft tissue pathology. The analysis of these so different cases permits to formulate many interesting observations about the main aspects of diagnosis, treatment and management of patients affected by maxillo-facial cysts.

[Root-end filling materials. Proposal for a meta-analysis study]. / Materiali da otturazione retrograda. Proposta di studio metanalitico.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to identify a first choice Root-end Filling Material (RFM) as regards the apical sealing ability. METHODS: The method we have used is the so called Metanalysis. It consists of the selection of all experimental studies already existing in literature and of the statistical processing of their results, so that it is possible to achieve a wider statistical sample which could lead to the most conclusive results. In this study we have tried to apply the above mentioned method to scientific articles investigating apical sealing ability through two different experimental methods: the dye penetration method and the fluid filtration method. RESULTS: This study shows that it is not possible to perform all the steps required for the realisation of a metanalytic study. This situation is consequential on the lack of well overlapped studies concerning the experimental protocol. We have tried, however, to outline the characteristics of main Root-end Filling Materials, on the basis of what we had achieved by consulting the single studies found in literature. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to carryout experiments consisting of more similar research protocols both to realise their metanalytic comparison and to respect one of the main foundations in scientific research, that is the effective repetition rather than a mere theoretical one.

[Platelet rich plasma (PRP): potentialities and techniques of extraction]. / Plasma arricchito di piastrine (PRP): metodi di estrazione e potenzialità d'uso.

This paper describes the various techniques of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) extraction codified in recent years and their use potential is evaluated. PRP is one of the techniques with which at the moment it is attempted to modulate and facilitate the cure of a wound. The use of PRP is based on the theoretical premise that by concentrating platelets the effects of the growth factors (PDGF, TGF-beta, IGF-I and -II) so released will be increased. Marx's original technique is described above all. This prescribes the sampling of a unit of blood (450-500 ml) and the use of a cell separator. We then analysed the technique of Marx and Hannon in which the quantity of blood sampled is reduced to 150 ml, and the two simplified techniques of the Sacchi and Bellanda group. Finally, a new PRP extraction technique is described. We conclude that platelet gel allows access to autologous growth factors which by definition are neither toxic nor immunogenic and are capable of accelerating the normal processes of bone regeneration. PRP can thus be considered a useful instrument for increasing the quality and final quantity of regenerated bone in oral and maxillo-facial surgery operations.

[Role of aortofemoral bypass in the management of unilateral iliac occlusive disease. A follow-up study of 95 patients over a 25-year period]. / Terapia endoscopica del sanguinamento non varicoso del tratto digestivo superiore.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the results in a series of patients submitted to aortofemoral bypass due to an unilateral iliac occlusion. METHODS: Retrospective follow-up study. A total of 95 patients underwent, between 1975 and 2000, aortofemoral bypass because of unilateral iliac occlusion. Most of them (71 patients) were claudicants, Fontaine stage II b, while 12 complained rest pain and 12 suffered ischemic ulcers. Mean follow-up was 128 months (min 2.5 - max 292). RESULTS: Immediate success was obtained in 88 cases (92.6%), 7 patients were submitted to early redo with restored patency in 6 cases. One month global patency was gained in 98.9% (94 cases). The mean Ankle-brachial index (ABI) improvement was 0.35. At a mean follow-up of 128 months the cumulative patency was 90.8%. During the follow-up, 15 graft occlusions were observed, followed by 9 successful reoperations achieving a 5-year secondary patency of 92.1%. The contralateral iliac artery evolved toward an occlusion in 10 patients (10.5%) during a long time observation (104 months average). CONCLUSIONS: The unilateral aortofemoral bypass confirmed an excellent long term outcome regarding effectiveness and graft related complications. The low contralateral occlusion rate, in our series, does not justify a more aggressive approach as first surgical option.

[Gorlin's syndrome. Case report]. / Sindrome di Gorlin. Presentazione di un caso clinico.

The authors present a case of Gorlin's Syndrome, more satisfactorily defined as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCS), a rare genetic disorder characterized mainly by multiple basal cell carcinomas and odontogenic keratocysts and other less frequent skeletal, sexual and neurological manifestations. Patient 75 years old, male. Previously treated surgically for multiple cutaneous basal cell carcinomas, comes to our Department to remove a suspected asymptomatic keratocyst. Clinical examination reveals cutaneous alterations of hands and feet (webbed hands and feet), a little progenism and multiple nevi and basal cell carcinomas on the body and the head. The oral cavity is free of alterations or clinical signs. NBCS is probably caused by chromosomal abnormalities of chromosome 5 and 9. The abnormalities seen in the latter are similar to those seen in people exposed for long periods to UV radiation. These abnormalities could determine malignant cutaneous tumors removing anti neoplastic protection. The association with odontogenic keratocysts, however not clearly understood, appears in more than 90% of cases. All the other disorders are less frequent. Juvenile basal cell carcinomas, especially if associated with odontogenic keratocysts suggest, the hypothesis of NBCS; if confirmed, this diagnosis makes further familial investigations necessary, to diagnose other cases, at the time unknown.

[Gardner's syndrome. A case report]. / Sindrome di Gardner. Un caso clinico.

Gardner's syndrome is a congenital condition characterised by diffuse intestinal adenomatous polyposis (IAP) associated with maxillary osteomas, odontomas, hypertrophy of the retinal epithelium and skin tumours. It may affect subjects of all ages with equal frequency in males and females. The fact that diffuse adenomatous polyposis, the most serious clinical aspect of the syndrome, is treated surgically, has led to improved survival in patients and, consequently, an increased incidence in associated lesions, particularly maxillary osteomas. A personal case observed at the Odontostoma-tological Clinic of the University of Rome La Sapienza is reported.

Mandibular first and second molar. The variability of roots and root canal system.

The root and canal anatomy of mandibular first and second molars has normally recurring features, as well as a great number of atypias. Normally mandibular first and second molars have two roots, one is mesial and the other is distal, and at least three main canals. The roots of the second molar can change from one to three, the first molar can have also four roots; the canals can change from three to even six. The conventional root canal anatomy indicates the location of the initial access. The knowledge of both the normal and abnormal anatomy of molars shows the parameters under which root canal therapy is to be executed and can directly modify the probability of success. This is the reason why endodontists must be familiar with all abnormalities as well as their percentage. We present a review of the modern literature about the event of aberrances with references to the number and morphology in mandibular first and second molar root and root canals.

Outcome after early treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms of the popliteal artery are rare events with an estimated incidence of 0.1-2.8%. Their clinical importance depends on their propensity to cause thromboembolic complications or to rupture (18 to 31% of cases). This study was designed to assess the advantages of elective treatment of asymptomatic popliteal artery aneurysms so as to avoid the severe clinical manifestations that eventually arise if they remain untreated. METHODS: From 1980 to 1995, in our department we treated 28 popliteal aneurysms in 23 patients (19 elective operations and 6 emergencies). Three of the aneurysms proved amenable to fibrinolytic therapy alone. Follow-up lasted a mean 48 months (range 3 months to 15 years) in 20 patients (23 revascularizations). RESULTS: Global patency was 91.3%. Two thrombosed bypasses were treated by thrombolysis; in one case it did not resolve the ischaemia and the leg was amputated. In one case only, a graft became infected but this responded to conservative therapy with drainage and antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that popliteal aneurysms with good distal run-off should be repaired electively. Completely thrombosed aneurysms with coexistent limb-threatening ischaemia should be treated initially by thrombolysis. This will usually restore run-off and in some cases offers a valid alternative to emergency surgery for limb salvage.

[Topical infiltration of diclofenac sodium during extraction of impacted lower 3rd molars]. / Infiltrazione topica di diclofenac sodico durante l'estrazione di III molari inf. inclusi.

Somministrations with topical infiltration of a FANS (Diclofenac sodium) based on a new therapeutic scheme, were carried on by the Authors. Reduction of postoperative compliances and no side or general effects were noted.

[Mixed amalgam-composite restorations. A new conservative technique]. / Restauri misti amalgama-composito. Una nuova tecnica in conservativa.

The Authors used two different materials: amalgam and composite, for the restoration of the same dental element. This type of reconstruction, defined as "mixed-restoration" is analysed both theoretically, demonstrating the principles which allowed its realization, and from a practical view-point, through the presentation of three clinical cases which clarify the technique used.

[Ultrasonics in endodontics. Light microscope study]. / I subsuoni in endodonzia. Studio al microscopio ottico.

The purpose of this study was to study the efficacy of an endodontic cleansing procedure to remove the pulp and the dentin from the root canal system with a new endodontic instrument proposed by J.M. Laurichesse, the Shaper.