Ethnobotany of dye plants in Southern Italy, Mediterranean Basin: floristic catalog and two centuries of analysis of traditional botanical knowledge heritage.

BACKGROUND: Since ancient times, man has learned to use plants to obtain natural dyes, but this traditional botanical knowledge (TBK) is eroding. In the late, during, and the early 1800s, there was an increase in research related to dye species, and this allowed the development of industry and economy in rural contexts of Southern Italy. Today, dyes are mainly obtained from synthetic products, and this leads to risks for human health related to pollution. METHODS: Starting from the literature, three catalogs of the dyeing species (plants, algae, fungi, and lichens) used in the Mediterranean Basin and mainly in Southern Italy have been created. Percentages of parts used and colors extracted from species have been recorded and analyzed. The plant species present in the catalogs have been verified in the territories of Southern Italy, and the data have been registered. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted, in the region of Southern Italy, to verify the erosion level of traditional botanical knowledge, linked to the ethnobotanical dyeing, over time. RESULTS: A total of 524 species were recorded among plants, algae, fungi, and lichens, and related parts used and extracted pigments. Most uses concern the stems and leaves, and the most frequent color is yellow. From the on-field survey operations, 283 plant species have been verified. These represent 64.31% of the species reported in the flora of the dye plants produced. The results, from the ethnobotanical survey, show that only 8.6% of TBK remained in the collective memory. CONCLUSIONS: This catalog is among the largest in this sector and is the basis for studies related to the restoration of an eco-sustainable economy which would allow the development of marginal areas present throughout Southern Italy.

A case of primary meningioma of the frontal sinus.

A case of right frontal sinus tumor which at histology turned out to be a psammomatous meningioma is reported. The occurrence of primary meningiomas within the paranasal sinuses is rare and probably related to the transformation of embryonic arachnoid cell remnants or ectopic meningocytes derived from pluripotential mesenchymal cells. A search of the literature disclosed 30 further cases of meningiomas primarily involving the paranasal sinuses: a short analysis of the latters is presented and some of the distinctive features of these unusual tumors, as compared to their intracranial counterpart, are emphasized.

Dumbbell tumor of the anterior skull base. Meningioma? No, adenoid cystic carcinoma!

BACKGROUND: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare neoplasm of the exocrine glands. Because of its tendency for skull base involvement and intracranial spread, ACC should be diagnosed promptly by the neurosurgeon, although discrimination from meningioma is often difficult. Radical resection of such tumors requires familiarity with complex craniofacial approaches. CASE DESCRIPTION: An unusual case of dumbbell-shaped ACC centered over the planum sphenoidale is presented. Regular margins and neuroimaging features suggested a preoperative diagnosis of meningioma. The lesion was gross, totally resected in a two-staged procedure through frontobasal and transfacial approaches, with good functional and aesthetic result. CONCLUSION: The epidemiologic, histologic, and clinical features of ACC are reviewed. ACC is rarely encountered by the neurosurgeon; however it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of skull base tumors. Interdisciplinary surgical approaches represent the major advance in the treatment of these complex neoplasms.

Non-acoustic neuroma tumor (NANT) of the cerebello-pontine angle: a 15-year experience.

Between 1980 and 1994, 145 patients affected by tumors of the CP angle underwent surgery at the Division of Neurosurgery of the San Camillo Hospital in Rome. The 56 (39%) "non-acoustic tumors" have been analyzed with regard to epidemiologic factors, clinical picture, neuroimaging findings in order to determine their distinctive diagnostic features. Moreover, the surgical outcome and follow-up results are presented and compared with those of the literature.

Pituitary abscess. A case report and review of the literature.

The pituitary abscess is a rare pathology which presents an high mortality and morbidity. The diagnosis of pituitary abscess has to be excluded in case of tumoral hypophyseal syndrome; a correct diagnosis leads to an early treatment and to a decreasing of the mortality and morbidity. Antibiotics have to be associated to neurosurgical treatment in order to reduce the pre- and post- operative infectious complications. A case of pituitary abscess is reported: the preoperative diagnosis has been based on the clinical symptoms (visual field defect and meningeal syndrome) and on the neuroradiological images (CT, MRI).

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas: is the role of dural arteriovenous malformations underestimated?

Two recent observations of spinal epidural hematomas (SEH) are presented: one of them was associated with iatrogenic coagulopathy, the other, apparently "spontaneous", required reoperation for early recurrence and was finally attributed to ruptured epidural arteriovenous malformation missed during the first procedure. Both patients underwent complete recovery. Although modern neuroimaging provides quick, noninvasive, and sensitive assessment of spinal epidural bleeding, we believe that preoperative spinal angiography is indicated in "spontaneous" SEH with subacute clinical course. Demonstration of underlying vascular anomaly would allow better surgical planning, complete obliteration of abnormal vessels, and prevention of recurrences. Essential epidemiological, pathogenetical, and clinical aspects of SEH are reviewed.

The durability of the result of anterior temporal lobectomy for epilepsy.

A retrospective study was made of the postoperative course of 90 patients submitted to "en bloc" temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy. Particular attention was paid to the pattern of recurrent seizures after operation. Follow-up periods of at least 5 years were available for 60 patients and a further 47 patients were followed up for periods of between 5 and 12 years after surgery. Three postoperative courses were observed, failure of the treatment in which the seizure frequency was changed by less than 75% (21% of the total), a partial relief of seizures in an intermediate group (21%) and a successful result in the remainder (58%) although only 25% of the total remained constantly fit-free. The recurrence of fits after a long fit-free interval is described and discussed.