[Chemical rhizotomy using phenol in the treatment of perineal pain of neoplastic origin]. / Rizotomia chimica con fenolo nel trattamento delle algie perineali di origine neoplastica.

The Authors report the results obtained in 53 patients treated with intrathecal injections of 5% phenol in glycerin for the control of serve pain caused by rectal and genital cancer. The method used for determining the sensory roots to be blocked and the technique of drug administration are described. The effects of subarachnoid phenol blockade have been evaluated on the basis of pain relief (measured by the visual analogue test) and improved general well being. The observed results indicate that this is one of the most effective and safest procedures in the management of perineal cancer cancer pain.

[Catheterization of the subclavian vein by the supra- and subclavicular routes. Retrospective study in 105 patients]. / Cateterizzazione della vena succlavia per via sovra e sottoclaveare. Studio retrospettivo di 105 pazienti.

Central venous catheterisation via the supraclavicular and subclavicular route was performed in 61 and 44 cases respectively at the department's intensive therapy unit. A statistical assessment was made of the modalities of application, complications, time of indwelling, and reasons for removal. A large number of more serious complications (pneumothorax, haemothorax, arterial puncture) were noted with the supraclavicular technique, whereas subclavian catheterisation permitted longer residence times and was rarely responsible for serious disturbances, even though there were more instances of poor positioning. A preference is expressed for the second method. Mention is also made of employment of the internal jugular in recent cases, though these are not yet sufficiently numerous to enable any conclusions to be drawn.

[Althesin-induced EEG changes in patients with central nervous system lesions]. / Modificazioni EEG indotte dall'althesin nei pazienti con lesioni del sistema nervoso centrale.

The EEG changes produced by Althesin (75 microliter/kg intravenously administered over 60 sec) were evaluated in 18 unpremedicated patients wih CNS diseases who were scheduled for cerebral angiography. Three parameters were analyzed: the EEG patterns of anaesthesia, the appearance of a fast activity during stabilized burst suppression (Level V), and enhancement of the registered epileptiform abnormalities. The EEG depth of anaesthesia was correlated with the EEG pattern at rest and the preexisting neurological signs. The 15 Hz fast activity which occurred during the suppression phase of Level V was recorded unilaterally over the healthy hemisphere, while it was observed bilaterally in a case involving lesion of the midline structures. The exaltation of the epileptiform EEG discharges following Althesin administration suggests that this agent might be utilized as a convenient provocative test in the diagnosis of epilepsy.

[Anesthesiological indications in proctological surgery]. / Indicazioni anestesiologiche nella chirurgia proctologica.

A brief anatomical introduction is followed by the expression of personal views on the anaesthesiological techniques to be employed in proctological surgery in the light of a series of 258 cases.