[Pseudomyxoma peritonei associated with mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix]. / Pseudomixoma peritoneale associato a cistoadenoma mucinoso dell'appendice.

The authors report a case of a male 86 years old patient with peritoneal pseudomyxoma associated to cystoadenoma of the appendix. Preoperative CT scan showed the presence of a mass in the appendiceal site containing a gelatinous fluid collection and calcifications. Notwithstanding, diagnosis of pseudomyxoma was preoperatively considered less probable due to the rarity of the affection and the advanced age. At laparatomy was revealed the presence of the large mass observed at CT scan, involving the caecum and occupying the retroperitoneal space along the ascending colon. Mucinous ascites was present without invasive mucinous implants in the peritoneum. Operation consisted in a right hemicolectomy with total removal of the retroperitoneal mass and evacuation of the mucinous ascites. Histology confirmed the clinical diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei associated to cystoadenoma of the appendix. The case is of paradigmatic interest as being quite correspondent to the classical Ronnett's definition of pseudomyxoma: a clinicopathological entity characterized by mucinous ascites and non-invasive mucinous implants with a characteristic distribution and containing histologically benign mucinous epithelium derived from an appendiceal mucinous adenoma and having a benign course. According to such definition, the authors stress the importance of an appropriate classification of the observed cases of pseudomyxoma, under whose term is often collected a heterogeneous group of pathological lesions, in order to better evaluate the prognosis and treatment.

[Local recurrence after gastrectomy for cancer. Presentation of 2 clinical cases]. / La recidiva locale dopo gastrectomia per cancro. Presentazione di due casi clinici.

The Authors report two cases with local recurrence after partial gastrectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma. The Authors suggest that chemo and/or radiotherapy associated with surgical treatment can improve the prognosis in some patients with recurrence. Response to chemotherapy and time elapsing before recurrence appears may select this group of patients.

[Arterial hypertension. Medico-social and medico-legal problems]. / L'ipertensione arteriosa. Problemi medico-sociali e medico-legali.

After a brief mention of the incidence and clinical signs of hypertensive disease, stress is laid on certain social and legal medicine aspects relating above all to various prevention and medical education intervention and to rehabilitation. For an evaluation of the working capacity of the hypertense, a classification is proposed which can also be utilised for the purposes of judging pensionable invalidity as well as for assessing the risk increase coefficient for life insurance. The higher mortality percentage in relation to the seriousness of the diseases is pointed out.

[Thalassemia in eastern Sicily. Medicosocial and medicolegal aspects]. / La talassemia nella Sicilia Orientale. Rilievi medico-sociali e medico-legali.

Data relating to the incidence of thalassaemia in Eastern Sicily are presented. Emphasis is placed on the medicosocial aspects of the disease, and the importance of effective prophylaxis based on the screening of carriers, and the proper health education of the general population. The medicolegal aspects of thalassaemia are also examined, with reference to the juridical and ethical features of transfusion, and to the possibility of employing the hereditary characteristics of the trait in the biological investigation of paternity and maternity.