Depersonalization: An exploratory factor analysis of the Italian version of the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale.

BACKGROUND: "Depersonalization" (DP) is a common symptom in the general population and psychiatric patients (Michal et al., 2011 [1]). DP is characterized by an alteration in the experience of the self, so that one feels detached from his or her own mental processes or body (or from the world), feeling as being an outside observer of his or her own self, and loosing the experience of unity and identity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013 [2]). AIM: We performed an exploratory factor analysis of the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale Italian version (CDS-IV). METHODS: We enrolled 149 inpatients and outpatients of psychiatric services located in two Italian regions, Lazio and Campania. Patients were aged between 15 and 65 and diagnosed with schizophrenic, depressive or anxiety disorders. RESULTS: Four factors accounted for 97.4% of the variance. Factor 1 (10, 24, 26, 1, 13, 23, 9, 2, 5, and 11), called "Detachment from the Self", captures experiences of detachment from actions and thoughts. Factor 2 (19, 20, 27, 3, 12, 23, 22, and 11), called "Anomalous bodily experiences", refers to unusual bodily experiences. Factor 3 (7, 28, 25, 6, 9, and 2), named "Numbing", describes the dampening of affects. Factor 4 (14, 17, and 16), named "Temporal blunting", refers to the subjective experience of time. We did not find any specific factor that refers to derealization; this suggests that the constructs of depersonalization/derealization (DP/DR) were strongly related to each other. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the constructs of DP/DR subsume several psychopathological dimensions; moreover, the above mentioned factors were broadly consistent with prior literature.

[Laryngeal carcinoma: retrospective study of 82 cases]. / Carcinoma laringeo: studio retrospettivo di 82 casi.

Between 1988-93, 82 cases of laryngeal carcinomas were diagnosed and treated at the Hospital of Rovigo. All were retrospectively staged using the TNM system. The actuarial global and NED survival were respectively 65.85% and 58.54% for 5 years. In relation to the site the survival for 5 years was 66.04% for the supraglottic tumours, 70.83% for the glottic tumours, 50% for the subglottic tumours and 33.33% for the transglottic ones. The grade of differentiation was certified in all cases: 15 (18.3%) G1, 58 (70.7%) G2, 9 (11%) G3. The NED survival and the recurrences for 3 years were found to be 90% and 0% of G1, 64.10% and 15.38% of G2, 66.67% and 33.33% of G3. The NED survival and the recurrences for 3 years were stage I, 73.91% and 13.4%; stage II 63.64% and 18.18%; stage III 50% and 15%; stage IV 47% and 17.65%. On the basis of the results obtained from our study, we were able to formulate some considerations upon the use of therapy adopted.

Epirubicin, methotrexate and bleomycin in the management of recurrent squamous cell head and neck cancer. A GSTTC randomised phase II study.

53 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck recurrent after initial treatment were entered into a phase II trial of the epirubicin, methotrexate and bleomycin (EMB) combination. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the activity of this combination. Compliance to EMB and the possible non-cross-resistance to previous cisplatin-containing chemotherapy were secondary objectives. In order to avoid patient selection bias, the study involved randomisation between EMB and a cisplatin-methotrexate-bleomycin (DMB) combination (with EMB: DMB = 2:1). 23 out of 53 (43% +/- 13) EMB patients showed an objective response, lasting a median of 12 (range 4-39) weeks; interestingly, 5 out of 14 (36% +/- 25) patients pretreated with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil responded to EMB. The treatment compliance was good and a median of three courses was delivered. No patient refused the treatment after the initial cycle. Leukopenia (47%) and oral mucositis (42%) were the main side effects. DMB produced a response rate of 33% +/- 18 with a median duration of 5 (4-13) weeks. None of the patients previously treated with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil responded. 5 patients refused the treatment after the first cycle and a median of two cycles (0-5) was delivered. In conclusion, EMB produced results similar to cisplatin-containing regimens, with a mild to moderate toxicity and a good compliance; the possible non cross-resistance with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil deserves further evaluation.

[Transtracheal oxygen therapy with oxycath: introduction technic, complications, results in 12 treated patients]. / L'ossigenoterapia transtracheale con oxycath: tecnica di introduzione, complicazioni, risultati in 12 pazienti trattati.

Continuous oxygen therapy is essential in the treatment of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A transtracheal oxygen administration system is more effective in the rehabilitation of these patients than are traditional systems, nasal canula or Venturi mask devices. In the present work the authors describe a simple technique for introducing the transtracheal catheter. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and a Teflon catheter is inserted between the second and third tracheal rings. In a case study of 12 patients the complications encountered included purulent drainage of the skin tract and accidental displacement of the transtracheal catheter. No procedure related deaths were incurred. Subjectively, the patients experience a sensation of being able to breathe more easily, thus resulting in increased outdoor activity.

Steward's midline granuloma. A case report.

Steward's type of neoplastic disease is rare. Much has been discussed on the histopathology of this granuloma. Most authors define it as a neoplasm of the lymphoid system, and it is a subgroup of the "midline granuloma syndrome". We report a case of a 19-year-old first treated with chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and prednisone) and then with radiotherapy, with good results.