[Lesions of the colon secondary to pancreatitis]. / Le lesioni del colon secondarie a pancreatite.

Pathological involvement of the colon secondary to acute and chronic pancreatitis is a rare complication of major clinical interest. Contiguity with the tail of the pancreas and certain anatomical relationships, particularly at the level of the peritoneal reflections, explain the involvement of, particularly, the left corner of the colon and the adjacent part of the transverse colon. The clinical forms may be listed as follows: 1) Adynamic ileus of the transverse colon associated, on direct radiological examination, with the picture of proximal colon distension with clear-cut interruption at the level of the transverse colon or left flexure. 2) Stenosis of the left flexure due to pericolitis and to the fibrosclerosing process that may take in other contiguous organs also. 3) Fistula of the left flexure or of the adjacent part of the transverse colon due to parietal necrosis and vascular impairment. Also described is an association of fistula and massive haemorrhage for erosion of the colon and of the splenic artery by pancreatic pseudocyst. Two clinical cases are presented along with the basic elements of pathology, diagnosis and therapy.

[Ménétrier's disease. Apropos of 2 personal cases]. / La malattia di Ménétrier. A proposito di 2 osservazioni personali.

Two cases of Ménétrier's disease are presented. Gastric resection was adopted due to necessity in one case, and total gastrectomy in the other. Gastric and digestive exploration, particularly gastroscopy, are regarded as indispensable diagnostic steps. Total gastrectomy is the treatment of choice. This prevents further protein loss and possible malignant degeneration.

[Spontaneous rupture of the subdiaphragmatic esophagus]. / Rottura spontanea dell'esofago sottodiaframmatico.

Personal experience with an extremely rare clinical picture, spontaneous rupture of the subdiaphragmatic oesophagus is reported. In the case in question, the laceration occurred in a free peritoneum, unlike what occurred in the first reported case, that of Strauch and Lynch in 1965, where the lesion was retroperitoneal. On the basis of this experience, certain pathogenetic and diagnostic factors are discussed, but most attention is paid to the surgical treatment of this exceptional lesion.

[Hemobilia caused by rupture of a false aneurysm of the left branch of the hepatic artery]. / Emobilia da rottura di falso aneurisma del ramo sinistro dell'arteria epatica.

The pathogenetic and diagnostic features of false aneurysm of the left branch of the hepatic artery are discussed in the light of a personal case. It is felt that ligation of the vessel constitutes the treatment of choice, whereas hepatic resection should be undertaken in the case of very peripheral aneurysms.

[Embolisms of the upper extremities]. / Embolie degli arti superiori.

6 cases of upper extremity embolism observed over the past three years are reported. Fogarty embolectomy was carried out in all patients, favourable revascularization results being obtained in 5. Forearm amputations was necessary in 1 case owing to the presence of ischaemic lesions that were already advanced at admittance, further proof that results depend above all on the vitality of the extremity rather than on the duration of the arterial occlusion.

[Benign tumors of the stomach]. / I tumori benigni dello stomaco.

Personal experience in cases of benign tumour of the stomach is presented. Diagnosis cannot be based on the clinical evidence alone, but must be supported by radiological examination and, more particularly, by endoscopic biopsy. Endoscopic resection and continuous follow-up examinations provide an alternative to radical surgery and gastrotomic resection.