[A rare cause of polyhydramnios: Steinert's syndrome. A clinical case report]. / Una causa rara di polidramnios: la sindrome di Steinert. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

Steinert's syndrome is a systemic disease with autosome mother-to-child transmission, characterized by myotonia and muscular dystrophia. The syndrome's clinical characteristics include: respiratory and alimentation diseases, facial diplegia, generalized hypotonia, areflexia, atrophy, arthrogryposis, hydramnios, retard in psychomotor development, cataract and genital disorders. A case of pregnancy occurs in Steinert syndrome's patient with hydramnios as a predominant symptom, is presented. At birth, in the congenital neonatal form, there is grave, generalized hypotonia which causes a very quick death of the newborn. There are not many characters which can be found out by ultrasound: hydramnios, reduction of fetal tone and active movements, micrognathia. Consequently it is of the utmost importance in those cases an adequate prenatal genetic counseling and a correct obstetrical management.

[The use of an automatic stapler in abdominal hysterectomies. Our experience]. / L'uso della suturatrice automatica nelle isterectomie addominali. Nostra esperienza.

One hundred and four patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 (n = 56) included patients in whom used absorbable staples in vaginal cuff closure; group 2 (n = 48) included patients with classical abdominal hysterectomy. Operating time, facility and outcome 6 months later, were evaluated. Greater costs of absorbable staples compared with sutures can readily be counterbalanced by saving allowed by shorter operating time, no peritoneal contamination, minimal tissue trauma and better cuff healing.

[Echinococcal cysts with primary muscle localization: comments on a clinical case]. / Cisti da echinococco a localizzazione muscolare primaria: considerazioni su un caso clinico.

Primary muscular localization of echinococcosis is rare and unknown are the causes that determine it. The authors report a case recently observed and illustrate the etiopathogenetic hypothesis more accredited in the literature. It is concluded that surgical treatment is the best choice, although relapses are possible. Therefore, a long term follow up of the patients including clinical and serological investigations is advisable.

[Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus]. / La rottura spontanea dell'esofago.

The authors relate upon the so-called Boerhaave's syndrome or spontaneous perforation of the esophagus illustrating 2 cases recently observed. On the basis of their experience and of what has been reported by the literature on this subject the etiopathogenetic and pathophysiologic problems as well as the adequate treatment are debated. Particularly the nature of the lesion, which is a barotrauma lesion, the urgency of the surgical treatment, and the severity of the prognosis are pointed out.