Is exon 5 of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene a prognostic marker in anaplastic glioma?

Chromosome 10 deletions are among the most common genetic changes in highly malignant glial tumors. It has been noted that loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 10q23 is a frequent alteration in a variety of human tumors and occurs in approximately 70% of all glioblastomas. By mapping of homozygous deletions on 10q23, a candidate tumor suppressor gene has been isolated, called PTEN for "phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10" and MMAC1 for "mutated in multiple advanced cancers-1." Mutations of this tumor suppressor gene PTEN/MMAC1 have been reported in anaplastic glial tumors. The objective of this paper was to individuate a prognostic marker in exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene for the high-grade malignant glioma with the most aggressive clinical behavior. In this study, we undertook sequence analysis of these exons in six selected patients with high-grade malignant gliomas who underwent radical aggressive tumor resection followed by radiotherapy within 3 weeks after surgery and subsequent chemotherapy. In them, the exon 5 sequence of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene is suggestive of a genetic survival marker in gliomas with high-grade malignancy.

[Anterior approaches to the spinal column: considerations of the surgical technic]. / Vie di accesso anteriori alla colonna vertebrale: considerazioni di tecnica chirurgica.

The anterior approach to the vertebral column is indicated in the tumors or traumas of the vertebral body with prevalent anterior expression. This method allows to control easily all the structures in front of the rachis. Furthermore, the current reconstructive techniques require the exposure of a long tract of the vertebral column. The Authors report their experience with the anterior approach in 22 patients (9 males, 13 females) affected by different pathologies: 10 primary tumors divided as follows: 4 sacral chordomas, 1 L1 chordoma, 2 sacral neurinomas, 1 L5 malignant melanotic schwannoma, 1 D9 osteoblastoma, 1 D6 intraspinal cavernoma, and 1 D3 myeloma; 4 metastatic tumors (2 D10, 1 L4 and 1 L5); 5 fractures of the vertebral body (1 L1, 1 L1-L2, 2 L4 and 1 L5); 2 echinococcal cysts respectively arising from the D11 body, the sacrum and ilium. The Authors overall performed 8 thoracotomies, 6 for dorsal location; in 1 case of L1-L2 fracture a thoracophrenolaparotomy was performed; in 7 cases involving the L3-L5 segment an abdominal anterolateral extraperitoneal approach was followed; finally in 6 cases a transperitoneal laparotomy to approach the sacrum and ilium was performed.

[The osseous location of echinococcal cysts: comments on a clinical case]. / La localizzazione ossea della cisti da echinococco: considerazioni su un caso clinico.

Primary bone location of hydatid disease is extremely rare. The clinical case herein reported represents a primitive bone location of echinococcus in the ileal and sacral area. The aspecific symptoms did not allow for a preoperative diagnosis. The latter was possible only after a CT scan performed for other reasons. The patient underwent a CT scan and MIR which showed a diffuse involvement of the ilium and sacrum along with the presence of two cysts (anterior and posterior). Surgery was performed through an anterolateral extraperitoneal and posterior access in the gluteal region. Asportation "en bloc" of the cysts was not possible. Therefore, they were opened, aspirated and washed with hypertonic solution (33% NaCl). Following surgery Albendazole was prescribed to the patient. At 22 days from surgery, a CT scan confirmed the disappearance of the cysts along with the presence of bone lesions.

[Aneurysm of the popliteal artery: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations]. / In tema di aneurisma dell'arteria poplitea: considerazioni diagnostiche e terapeutiche.

The authors settle the roles of the most recent diagnostic methodologies useful to frame the popliteal aneurysm pathology namely digital arteriography, N.M.R., and doppler-flowmetry. They emphasize, in an observed case, the adopted therapeutic criteria, that is basically interventional. The thinness of saphenous veins draws toward the employing of "Goretex".

[Spinal hydatidosis: state of current knowledge on its lesions and presentation of an unusual clinical case]. / L'idatidosi vertebrale: stato delle attuali conoscenze sulla lesione e presentazione di un caso clinico particolare.

Vertebral hydatidosis is a rare localization of echinococcosis. In fact, its incidence is less than 1% of the cases in the literature. The authors report a personal observation and describe main features of the disease.