In progress identification of radon prone areas: Toscana and Veneto.

Two studies aimed at defining radon prone areas in Toscana and Veneto, based on indoor measurements, are merged in this paper to extract the key points for a possible general methodology. In territorial units, the geometric mean (GM) and standard deviation (GSD) are evaluated from empirical data and the fraction of dwellings above the reference level (RL) is derived according to a log-normal model. In Toscana the sampling base is made of nearly 1,000 measurements (dwellings and kindergartens), apportioned according to the lithological classes (22) of the region. In Veneto 1,230 measurements in dwellings of the upper part of the region (estimates are given for the south), have been assigned to 6 x 5 km2 sequential units of the territory: the detection floor has been considered and results are referred to the regional mean dwellings condition with respect to the floor. Empirical GM and GSD values are corrected to increase statistical power based on two different methods. Maps of the percentages of dwellings with more than 200 Bq x m(-3) are presented. Areas with magmatic rocks in southern Toscana and northern parts of Vicenza and Belluno provinces in Veneto clearly emerge with more than 10% of dwellings above 200 Bq x m(-3). Efforts are required to establish proper confidence limits for estimates and to trace radon maps upon an administrative basis.

[Hematomas of the abdominal rectus muscle]. / Ematomi del muscolo retto dell'addome.

The authors report their experience in relation to a series of 12 cases of hematoma of the rectus abdominis (ER) observed over the course of 13 years at the 2nd Division of General Surgery at Vicenza Hospital: 7 were spontaneous, 2 post-traumatic, 1 occurred during anti-coagulant treatment, 1 in a patient with altered coagulation levels due to liver cirrhosis, and 1 was post-operative. Clinical symptoms were sub-acute in 8 cases and were characterised by abdominal pain in all cases, the appearance of an abdominal mass in 4 cases and by ecchymosis in 3 cases. Symptoms were acute in 4 cases with signs of impaired general conditions and anemia. Echography made a decisive contribution to the diagnosis in this pathology and, based on the author's experience, when it was used it prevented the use of surgery. Computerised axial tomography, although it contributed a few precise findings to the diagnosis of ER, was rarely useful. Eight patients were operated: 2 due to collapse and anemia, 4 due to failure to identify the disease, 1 due to persistence of the parietal mass, and 1 due to infection of the hematoma. In the 4 cases which were not operated, the course of the disease was more favourable. The sole death was an elderly cardiopathic patient due to postoperative complications following general surgery. The most suitable therapeutic approach, in those cases where an accurate diagnosis of ER has been made, is to refrain from any form of treatment and to monitor symptoms until they resolve, which will occur spontaneously after 20-30 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Rectal cancer in the elderly patient: the results of surgical therapy]. / II cancro del retto nel paziente anziano: risultati della terapia chirurgica.

The study was carried out on 100 patients over 70 suffering from rectal cancer. The operative death-rate resulted higher in wider resections than in more limited ones, though the former showed a lower incidence of relapse and higher survival rates. Operative death-rate was more strictly related to the presence of cardiorespiratory alterations than to age per se. As a consequence, in Authors' opinion, surgical therapy is not to be completely rejected in old-aged patients; on the contrary it should be discussed according to the patient status. With the increase of the population mean age rectal cancer diagnosis in old patients has become more frequent; nowadays, improvements in anaesthesia and reanimation practice allow a considerable decrease in surgical risks with a corresponding increased possibility of a radical surgical therapy.

[Surgical anatomy, diagnosis and treatment of spigelian hernia]. / Anatomia chirurgica, diagnosi e trattamento dell'ernia di Spigelio.

In reporting 11 cases of Spigelian hernia observed, the Authors describe pathological findings of this rare disease. Aetiopathogenesis as well as indication for surgery and surgical technique are stressed.

[Primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum: a clinical case and review of the literature]. / L'adenocarcinoma primitivo del duodeno: caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

A case of primary duodenal adenocarcinoma recently observed gives the Authors the chance to review the literature. Diagnosis is often delayed because symptomatology is usually vague and non specific, a fact that is even more in contrast with diagnostic techniques, which, on the contrary, are handy and easily performed (endoscopy, duodenography). Surgical resection is the only proposable treatment while no local and distant diffusion has yet showed, otherwise the operation is limited to a digestive and/or biliary derivation. Anyhow, prognosis remains severe.