Role of nitrites in the genesis of adenocarcinoma associated with Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is one of the complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a premalignant condition. It consists of a process of replacement of the squamous epithelium of the esophagus by intestinal columnar epithelium containing goblet cells, known as specialized intestinal metaplasia with goblet cells, and several factors have been related to its pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate an experimental model of duodenogastroesophageal reflux and the effect of ingestion of sodium nitrite solution on the genesis of adenocarcinoma associated with Barrett's esophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Twenty were not submitted to surgery and served as controls (10 animals ingesting only water and 10 ingesting water plus a solution of sodium nitrite), while the remaining 40 animals were submitted to side-to-side duodenogastroesophageal anastomosis (20 animals ingesting only water and 20 ingesting water plus the sodium nitrite solution). The Vienna classification for dysplasia and adenocarcinoma was used in the analysis of results. RESULTS: After 42 weeks of observation, Barrett's esophagus was found in 26.3% (5/19) of the animals submitted to surgery that had not ingested nitrites compared to 72.3% (13/18) of the animals in the group submitted to surgery and given nitrites. Six cases of adenocarcinoma (33.3%) were also found in this latter group. Barrett's esophagus was not found in any of the animals that were not submitted to surgery. Categories 2, 3 and 5 of the Vienna classification were only found in the animals submitted to surgery that also received sodium nitrite (66.7%). CONCLUSION: The ingestion of sodium nitrite associated with duodenogastroesophageal reflux plays an important role in the genesis of adenocarcinoma associated with Barrett's esophagus.

Phyllodes tumor of the breast: problems of differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach from an analysis of 17 cases.

Retrospective analysis of 17 cases of phyllodes tumor with a follow-up of almost 1 year revealed no close correlation between histological pattern and clinical course, since local relapse occurs even after histological findings of benign lesion in the primary tumor. Phyllodes and fibroadenoma patterns are often associated in the same patient and extensive surgery is not recommended owing to the fact that recurrences are observed both after subcutaneous mastectomy and after simple resection. We conclude that local control of the disease by wedge resection and strict follow-up may be the most rational approach.

Mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction: oncological considerations and evaluation of two different methods relating to 88 cases.

The authors consider 88 cases of mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction mainly performed using the skin expander plus prosthesis method or latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. At the same time, 53 patients underwent contralateral mastopexy for symmetry. The mean follow-up was 21 months (range 2-102). Progressive disease was observed in nine cases: one patient presented scar relapse, one axillary relapse, two contralateral tumor, two contralateral tumor and distant metastasis, three distant metastases and one death from distant metastasis. Reconstruction complications were capsular contracture in 12 cases, infection in nine, skin necrosis in two, skin expander breakage in three and implant dislocation in one. The final result was judged good in 54 cases, fair in nine, poor in 11 and unevaluable in 14. In conclusion immediate breast reconstruction does not seem to interfere with the disease or oncological therapy. After analysing separately, and comparing the results and complications of the two main techniques used, latissimus dorsi seems to be the most reliable method in the majority of cases but skin expanders can be a good technique in patients with small and firm breasts and without complicating risk factors.

Benign breast surgical biopsies: are they always justified?

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the indications for open surgical biopsy of breast lesions resulting in a benign histologic report. METHODS: A consecutive series of 754 benign breast biopsies was collected from six Italian centers previously participating in a multicenter study on the benign/malignant biopsy ratio. Histologic diagnosis, diagnostic tests performed, final clinical diagnosis and the indication for surgical biopsy were compared. RESULTS: Fibrocystic alterations represented the most frequent histologic type (43.2%), followed by fibroadenomas (34.5%). Atypical hyperplasia, phyllode tumors and cancer-like lesions (radial scar, sclerosing adenosis) accounted for a minority of cases. The diagnostic approach was different among centers, with mammography, ultrasonography or cytology being underused in some of them. Suspicion of cancer was an indication for surgical biopsy in 66.7% of cases. In the remaining cases the final report was negative or benign, but biopsy was advised for growing lesions (11.3%) or for cosmetic (3%) or psychological reasons (8.2%). In 4% of cases surgical biopsy was presumably advised for the concurrent influence of high-risk conditions such as previous breast cancer (0.7%), family history of breast cancer (2%) or contralateral synchronous breast cancer (1.3%). In 6.8% of the cases biopsy was advised elsewhere for unknown reasons. The indications for biopsy differed among centers, with one center having a low rate of suspicious cases (37%) and a high rate of reported "cosmetic" or "psychological" reasons (47%). CONCLUSIONS: Leaving aside differences in diagnostic approach and aggressiveness, two thirds of all lesions were biopsied in order to exclude cancer. The routine use of a more complete diagnostic protocol and/or alternative methods to obtain a histologic diagnosis (e.g. core biopsy) might substantially reduce the need for open surgical biopsy.

Time trends of benign/malignant breast biopsy ratios a multicenter Italian study.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Although they have been decreasing over time due to improved specificity of diagnostic assessment, benign biopsies of the breast are still common. Benign biopsies should be regarded as negative events, due to their economical and psychological cost and their possible negative impact on cosmesis and on further diagnostic evaluation. METHODS: Retrospective data on benign/malignant breast biopsies ratio (B/M) were collected in 9 Italian centers for a period of 10-15 years. The time trend of B/M and its association to age or to single centers was evaluated. RESULTS: Overall 31,001 cases were considered. A strong association of B/M to age was evident (average B/M values were 5.0, 1.3, 0.6, and 0.2 for women aged < 40, 40-49, 50-59, and > 59 years). A significant trend of decreasing B/M over time was observed only for one center. Age standardized B/M was significantly different (P < 0.000001) between centers, ranging between 0.34 and 1.69. Multivariate analysis confirmed an independent significant association of age and center to B/M. CONCLUSIONS: Marked differences in B/M are evident between centers, which cannot be explained by the confounding effect of age or by any apparent difference in the diagnostic protocol. The observed differences are likely ascribed to individual variations in diagnostic aggressivity. A progressive increase of the predictive value of calls for surgical biopsy may be achieved over time and centers with a high B/M should make every effort to optimize their performance. Acceptable (< 40 = 5, 40-49 = 1.5, 50-59 = 0.75, > 59 = 0.3) and desirable (2.5, 0.75, 0.35, 0.15) age specific reference standards for B/M are proposed.

[Our experience wit congenital anomalies of the bile ducts (with presentation of 13 clinical cases)]. / La nosta esperienza in tema di anomalie congenite delle vie biliari.

Thirteen cases of congenital anomalies of the bile passages are described, as observed in the Verona Surgical Clinic during the period 1970-75, out of a total of 908 operations on the biliary passages and hence with a frequency of about 1.6%. They consisted of one case each of agenesis of the gall-bladder, septal gall-bladder, clepsydra gall-bladder, Hartmann's sac, diverticulum of the gall-bladder, outlet of the right hepatic in gall-bladder, outlet of cystic duct in third duodenal portion, accessory cholecystobiliary ducts, three cases of outlet of cystic duct in right hepatic duct, and two cases of common choledocho-wirsunghian canal. After a brief description of the individual types of anomaly, the main data in the relevant literature are considered, with a review of the semeiological and therapeutic aspects of the most frequent anomalies.

[Incidence of recurrent nerve paralysis in personal cases of thyroid surgery]. / Incidenza della paralisi ricorrenziale nella nostra casistica di chirurgia tiroidea.

The authors review their series of thyroid operations, totaling 383 cases in the last seven years. In that series the incidence of recurrent nerve lesions leading to permanent sequels was 1.07% (all treated without surgical preparation of the nerve); an additional 0.53% of the patients developed transient paralysis of the recurrent nerve--of which the authors discuss the possible etiology. The authors conclude by stating the need for careful recognition of the recurrent nerve in all surgical procedures involving the thyroid gland, except some enucleo-resections; they confirm the importance of branches of the inferior thyroid artery and the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage as reference points.

[Iatrogenic rupture of the esophagus: presentation of several cases]. / Le rotture iatrogeniche dell'esofago: presentazione di alcuni casi.

Four cases of iatrogenic rupture of the oesophagus are presented. The site of the lesion was in the cervical tract in 1 case and in the thoracic tract in the other 3 cases. Their etiology was pneumatic endoscopic dilatation for achalasia in 2 cases, endoscopic insertion of a Celestin tube for carcinoma of the thoracic tract of the oesophagus in 1 case, and diagnostic endoscopy in the last one. Instrumental findings were relevant in all cases. All patients underwent surgery. In the patients suffering from achalasia, the rupture was repaired by a patch of the gastric fundus. The patient suffering from carcinoma underwent an oesophageal resection, the one with cervical perforation underwent a mediastinal drainage. There were no deaths or considerable post operating complications. In a patient suffering from achalasia gastro-oesophageal reflux was demonstrated after some months following the operation.

[A case of duodenal schwannoma (clinical study)]. / Su un caso di schwannoma duodenale (contributo clinico).

Taking a case of duodenal schwannoma, that they had observed, as a starting point, on the base of their experience and the data of literature, the authors discuss the epidemiological, of classification and anatomo-pathological aspects of this rare neoplastic form. They particularly outline the clinical aspect, the diagnostic pre-operating iter and the correct and radical surgical behaviour that must be practiced during laparatomy.

[Gastric metastasis of melanoma (report of a clinical case)]. / Metastasi gastrica da melanoma (presentazione di un caso clinico).

The Authors report a case of gastric metastasis from melanoma of the skin, occurring 6 years after removal of the primary neoplasm. The metastasis, which was characterized by conspicuous alimentary tract haemorrhage, called for emergency surgery consisting in a total gastrectomy with oesophago-jejunal anastomosis according to Roux. The Authors then go on to review the literature on the subject, stressing the frequency of gastrointestinal metastases in skin melanomas with an incidence affecting up to 60% of cases in autopsy series. After examining the main clinical aspects, endoscopic appearances and r-ray findings, the Authors deal at some length with prognosis, pointing out that isolated metastases may constitute a surgical indication in view of the cases of fairly good long-term survival reported in the literature.

[Benign pathology of the breast. Diagnostic protocol and therapeutic indications]. / La patologia benigna della mammella. Protocollo diagnostico ed indicazioni terapeutiche.

The frequency of benign mammary disease and the need to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors without the indiscriminate use of instrumental examinations and biopsies have prompted the Cooperative Interdisciplinary Group on Mammary Neoplasms to adopt the diagnostic protocol and propose a number of therapeutic indications. Though involving a progressive reduction in biopsies, the use of the protocol has not led to failure to recognize carcinomas, the number of identified malignancies being maintained within the anticipated limits.

[Parenteral and enteral nutrition in esophageal stenosis. Initial clinico-experimental results]. / La nutrizione parenterale ed enterale nelle stenosi esofagee. Prime risultanze clinico-sperimentali.

The Authors study the pre- and post-operative nutritional treatment of the patients suffering from oesophageal stenosis, principally neoplastic, waiting to undergo the radical operation. Although the compensation of the nutritional situation of these patients through the enteral and parenteral nutrition results difficult to be effected, the results encourage to apply this clinical practice everywhere a demolitive operation, always long, heavy, and burdened by a high morbidity and mortality, is foreseen.

[Treatment and prevention of postmastectomy lymphedema (our experience)]. / Il trattamento e la prevenzione del linfedema postmastectomia (nostra esperienza).

The authors consider the incidence of arm lymphedema after mastectomy. Considering the temporary results which come from surgical practices, either from excision operations or lymphovenous anastomosis, they stress out the importance of the prevention measures and of the physiotherapeutic treatment. This is essential to keep lasting as long as possible the results of the operation when it is necessary because of serious functional deficit. Two cases of Thompson's operation are shown.

[Clinical results after proximal selective vagotomy (considerations on 42 cases)]. / Risultati clinici dopo vagotomia selettiva prossimale (considerazioni su 42 casi).

The authors report the results of a 6-8 year follow-up of 42 patients treated by selective proximal vagotomy with pyloroplasty for gastric or duodenal ulcer disease. On the basis of Visick's classification, the patients broke down into the following categories: Cat. 1: 66.6%; Cat. 2: 26.1%; Cat. 3: 2.3%; Cat. 4: 4.7%, with 92.7% belonging to the first two categories. These data are in agreement with other data reported in the literature, and show no significant differences as compared to follow-up one year after surgery.

[Primary lymphoma of the breast (apropos of a clinical case)]. / Il linfoma primitivo della mammella (a proposito di un caso clinico).

Taking as their starting point the observation of a case of primary lymphoma of the breast, the Authors point out that this tumour constitutes a rare disease in the context of non-Hodgkin lymphomas arising in sites other than the lymph nodes. They emphasize the clinical and instrumental diagnostic difficulties which the disease poses, as well as the uselessness of radical surgical therapy and the need for radio-chemotherapeutic management along with periodic follow-up. The Authors go on to explain how difficult it is to formulate a reliable prognosis for this type of tumour in view of the lack of homogeneity and the limited numbers of cases reported in the literature.

[Carcinoma of the male breast (our experience and a review of the literature)]. / IL carcinoma della mammella maschile (nostra esperienza e revisione della letteratura).

The authors consider their experience in male breast cancer. Making a review of the literature they point out the risk factors and the prognosis of this disease.

[Bullous emphysema of the lung (our experience)]. / Le bolle enfisematose del polmone (nostra esperienza).

Ten patients (9 males and 1 female; mean age: 44.8 yrs) with bullous lung disease were treated. Frequent patient-history findings were smoking and spontaneous pneumothorax. Nine cases were treated surgically either by bullectomy or atypical resection. In one case, an attempt at endobullous aspiration failed owing to the patient's very poor general condition. Among the postoperative complications in three cases we observed difficult pulmonary re-expansion and infection of the surgical wound with consequent pleural empyema in another.

[Spontaneous rupture of the stomach (case report)]. / La rottura spontanea dello stomaco (presentazione di un caso).

The Authors show a case of a 68 year old woman underwent a successful operation for spontaneous stomach heavage. The linear solution of continuity, 5-6 cms long, was sutured on the small gastric curve. The treatment consisted in suturing the lesion and performing a decompressive gastrostomy.

[Primary seminoma of the mediastinum: diagnostic and therapeutic approach]. / I seminomi primitivi del mediastino: approccio diagnostico e terapeutico.

The Authors show three cases of mediastinal seminoma, and discuss the epidemiologic, etiopathogenetic and clinical aspects of such neoplasms; they dwell upon the criteria allowing to define as primitive an extragonadal germinal tumour, and emphasize the importance of the multidisciplinary therapeutical approach in controlling these neoplasms, characterized anyhow in the pure forms by a remarkable sensitiveness to radium; promising looks the use of the tumoral markers (beta-HCG and AFP) for a diagnostical specification, for the choice of the treatment and for the evaluation of its effects.

[Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. Diagnostic problems and surgical therapy]. / La rottura traumatica del diaframma. Problemi diagnostici e di terapia chirurgica.

The Authors show 10 cases of traumatic disruption of diaphragm, subsequent to close or open trauma, all subjected to urgency operation. They discuss the problems concerning diagnosis and surgical tactics, and point out the frequency of visceral and osseous associated lesions and their importance in conditioning prognosis.