Intestinal occlusion by stenotic neuroendocrine tumours of left colon and concomitant association with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumours: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The association between Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) and Neuroendocrine Tumours (NET) is very rare. These tumours have various clinical expressions and sometimes are asymptomatic. Synchronous NETs and GISTs have been already described in literature in few case reports. On the other hand, there is no mention of concomitant presence of discending colon NEC-G3 and small intestinal GIST. PRESENTATION OF CASE: we presented a case of a patient with clinical evidence of intestinal occlusion and radiological and intraoperative aspects of an adenocarcinoma of the left colon with a single metastasis on small bowel. The pathology analysis of the tumour showed a stenotic left colon NEC-G3 and a small bowel GIST. DISCUSSION: In this case report GIST was surgically treated as a small bowel ripetitive lesion and NET as a left colon adenocarcinoma. These tumours may have a similar presentation in terms of symptoms, endoscopic findings and imaging results. CONCLUSION: Concomitant NEC and GIST is rare but it is important to investigate patients before surgery in order to distinguish these from other tumours because of the different prognosis.

Medición de factores de riesgo biológico de caries dental en pacientes pediátricos / Assessment of biological risk factors of dental caries in pediatric patients

La caries dental es una enfermedad infecciosa, multifactorial, transmisible y de mayor prevalencia dentro de la morbilidad bucal. La medición del grado de riesgo es la base de la planificación y de la atención, ya que permite agrupar aquellos individuos , comunidades o poblaciones que tienen una mayor probabilidad de sufrir un daño. Objetivo: conocer los resultados de la aplicación de un programa de atención clínica en la reducción del nivel de riesgo biológico de caries dental en una población pediátrica. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico evaluativo sobre una cohorte de 1002 historias clínicas de pacientes de ambos sexos, ingresados al Programa de Atención Odontopediátrico Integral del Hospital de Odontología Infantil Don Benito Quinquela Martín, durante el período de junio a diciembre de 2012. Resultados: sexo masculino: 464 (46,3 por ciento). Grupo 8-11 años: 49,8 por ciento. Indice de O´Leary: valor inicial promedio 35,87; valor final 13,06. Indice de placa: valor inicial promedio 0,46; valor final 0,18. Indice gingival: valor inicial promedio 0,30; valor final 0,09. Frecuencia de cepillado: valor promedio 2,16 veces. Momentos de azúcar: valor promedio 4.32. Conclusiones: la aplicación de un programa de atención clínica con un fuerte componente preventivo, elaborado a partir de la categorización del nivel de riesgo de caries dental, demostró una reducción en los indicadores de riesgo biológico de la población en estudio.

"Syndrome in syndrome": Wernicke syndrome due to afferent loop syndrome. Case report and review of the literature.

Wernicke syndrome is a rare neurological pathology due to a deficit in vitamin B1. The syndrome is common among alcohol abusers, patients with malignant tumor or gastrointestinal diseases, those who undergo hemodialysis or long-term peritoneal dialysis, pregnant women with hyperemesis, women who breast-feed, patients with hyperthyroidism or anorexia nervosa or gastric or jejunal-ileal bypass surgery for obesity, patients submitted to gastric surgery or prolonged total parenteral nutrition or prolonged intravenous therapy. We report a case of Wernicke syndrome due to afferent loop syndrome characterized by incoercible vomiting.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: diagnostic value and utility in the follow-up of patients with acute myocarditis mimicking myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the differential diagnosis between active myocarditis and myocardial infarction in patients with clinical symptoms mimicking acute myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2007, 23 consecutive patients (21 men and 2 women) presenting with electrocardiographic abnormalities mimicking acute myocardial infarction and a clinical suspicion of acute myocarditis (fever, chest pain and elevated troponin levels) underwent contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI within a week of admission. All patients also underwent coronary angiography, which demonstrated the absence of significant coronary artery lesions. The mean follow-up period was 2+/-4 months. RESULTS: Cardiac MRI with injection of contrast material showed late subepicardial and intramyocardial enhancement in all patients. Subendocardial late enhancement, a typical pattern of myocardial infarction, was never seen. In addition, in agreement with the literature, there was prevalent involvement of the lateral segments of the left ventricular wall. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac MRI could be a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of acute myocarditis, as it can demonstrate specific patterns that help rule out acute myocardial infarction.

[The role of palliation in peri-ampullar tumors in the elderly]. / Il ruolo della palliazione nei tumori periampollari in età geriatrica.

Authors wonder about the actual part of the palliative practices in periampullar cancers of the geriatric age, and the choice criteria of the different surgical options that are practicable. They reaffirm that the common radical operation is the pancreaticoduodenectomy, even if, as it is verifiable in the relevant literature and in our series of cases, it is practicable only a few times. The necessity of amending the toxic-septic condition of the neoplastic cholestasis, which certainly is more unfavourable during the geriatric age, gives to the palliative procedures a better role, because few patients could be treated with a curative intention. Authors report their experience and their results about the icterus regression, mortality, morbidity and the average survival rate. About the surgical palliative options of the bilio-digestive shunts, they give the same importance to the gallbladder jejunostomy and to the common bile duct jejunostomy, granting to the first their preference in the geriatric age for the simplest and rapid execution. They point out the necessity of the gastrojejunostomy in all the present or incipient jejuno's obstruction, because of the surgical action importance, and to avoid another operation. They give, even in the geriatric age, their preference to the surgical palliative treatments, proposing to reserve the endoscopic and radiologic practices to the patient undergoing an operation for the precarious general state, for the high operating risk and the modest residual life. In fact, the non surgical treatments are suitable to amend the neoplastic cholestasis, but they aren't equivalent to the surgical palliative, that is more effective for the greater survivals, a better life's quality, a smaller mortality and morbidity.

Microsatellite instability and mutation analysis among southern Italian patients with colorectal carcinoma: detection of different alterations accounting for MLH1 and MSH2 inactivation in familial cases.

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is due to defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and has been detected at various rates in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The role of MSI in colorectal tumorigenesis was assessed further in this study by both microsatellite analysis of two CRC subsets [unselected patients (n = 215) and patients <50 years of age (n = 95)], and mutation screening of the two major MMR genes MLH1 and MSH2 among familial CRC cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PCR-based microsatellite analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tissues. In CRC families, MLH1/MSH2 mutation analysis and MLH1/MSH2 immunostaining were performed on germline DNA and MSI+ tumour tissues, respectively. RESULTS: The MSI+ phenotype was detected in 75 (24%) patients, with higher incidence in early-onset or proximally located tumours. Among 220 patients investigated for family cancer history, MSI frequency was markedly higher in familial [18/27 (67%)] than in sporadic [32/193 (17%)] cases. Three MLH1 and six MSH2 germline mutations were identified in 14 out of 36 (39%) CRC families. Prevalence of MLH1/MSH2 mutations in CRC families was significantly increased by the presence of: (i) fulfilled Amsterdam criteria; (ii) four or more CRCs; or (iii) one or more endometrial cancer. While MSH2 was found mostly mutated, almost all [8/9 (89%)] familial MSI+ cases with loss of the MLH1 protein were negative for MLH1 germline mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Both genetic (for MSH2) and gene-silencing (for MLH1) alterations seem to be involved in CRC pathogenesis.

Prevalence and prognostic role of microsatellite instability in patients with rectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Association between microsatellite instability (MSI) and favorable postoperative survival in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy has been indicated. To evaluate whether an analogous positive prognostic role of MSI could be present in rectal carcinoma (RC; most RC patients receive adjuvant radiotherapy), PCR-based microsatellite analysis of archival RCs and statistical correlation with clinico-pathological parameters were performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: DNA from paraffin-embedded paired samples of tumors and corresponding normal tissue from 91 RC patients was analyzed for MSI using five microsatellite markers (tumors were classified as MSI(+) when two or more markers were unstable). RESULTS: Seventeen (19%) RC patients exhibited a MSI(+) phenotype. Prevalence of instability was found in patients with earlier RC onset (28% in cases with diagnosis age < or =55 years versus 15% in cases >55 years), whereas similar MSI frequencies were observed in patients with different disease stage or receiving different adjuvant therapies. While MSI was detected in seven (64%) of 11 familial patients, a remarkably lower MSI incidence was observed in sporadic cases (10/80; 12.5%). A significant association with better disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was found for MSI(+) patients (median DFS/OS, 30/32 months) in comparison to MSI(-) ones (median DFS/OS, 18/21 months) (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MSI was demonstrated to be a strong molecular prognostic marker in rectal carcinoma, independent of the administered treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or both).

[Acute pancreatic necrosis complicated by infection and gastro-intestinal translocation: pathogenesis correlation and therapeutic implication]. / Necrosi pancreatica acuta infetta e translocazione batterica intestinale: correlazioni patogenetiche e implicazioni terapeutiche.

The authors define pathogenetics correlations as a acute necrotizing pancreatitis complicated by infection and bacterial translocation. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis infection occurs for gastrointestinal bacterial translocation due to structural and functional modifications of intestinal mucosa. These modifications are results of mucosa ischemic-reperfusion system caused by systemic emodynamic instability in micro- and macro-circulation of splanchnic district. Emodynamic systemic instability has a central role in different multiple physiopathologic phenomena (ipovolemic shock; pancreatic shock, SIRS), which is caused by acute pancreatic necrosis and carries to common way established by severe systemics emodinamics modifications; these changes promote growth of adverse events which conduce by means of process previously described to bacterial translocation and infection of acute pancreatic necrosis. Indeed, emodynamic systemic instability of any etiology, can determine for one way bacterial translocation and on the other acute ischemic pancreatitis; both phenomena concur lead to cause beginning of acute necrotizing pancreatitis complicated by infection. The authors confirm that improved knowledge of acute pancreatic necrosis complicated by infection and own pathogenetic correlations with bacterial translocation, allows the realization of therapeutic measures aimed to prophylaxis of infection of acute pancreatic necrosis. Central emodynamic stability regularization of splanchnic perfusion and antibiotic prophylaxis, have a central role in prophylaxis of infection of acute pancreatic necrosis. Antibiotic is given by systemic (imipenem e.v.) and selective decontamination of gastrointestinal tract (SDD). SDD provides for oral antibiotic prophylaxis (PTA protocol) and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (cefotaxime and gentamicin), in addition to microbiologic and gastrointestinal monitoring. If on the one hand the role of SDD about mortality reduction is not clear, however, on the other it is well recognized capacity of reduction the intercurrents and pulmonary infections. Other Authors think that SDD is insignificant on early mortality, whereas, is a good option to reduce late and overall mortality of acute pancreatic necrosis complicated by infection.

[Early colorectal reoperation: risk factors]. / Reinterventi precoci in chirurgia colorettale: fattori di rischio.

The aim of the study was to analyse the risk factors in colorectal reoperation. Over the period from January 1987 to December 1999, 371 patients (191 male and 180 female, aged from 16 to 88 years) underwent colorectal surgery. Eighteen reoperations (12 male, 6 female, aged from 20 to 74 years; median age: 52.6 years) were performed. These included reoperations performed within 30 days of the first operation (or patient admission). The overall incidence of reoperation after colorectal surgery was 4.8% (18/371). In 14 of 18 patients (77%) anastomotic dehiscence was the indication for reoperation. In our experience, the mortality rate was 16.6% (3/18), in agreement with other reports in the literature. Analysis of risk factors in colorectal reoperation poses several methodological problems because we have no randomized multicentre studies that analyse risk factors in colorectal reoperation and the related surgical mortality.

[The dehiscence of colorectal anastomoses: the risk factors]. / Le deiscenze nelle anastomosi colo-rettali: fattori di rischio.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of emergency and elective colorectal resective surgery; to identify general and local factors that influence the anastomotic leak rate. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 200 selected consecutive patients (115 males and 85 females, medium age 50.6 years, range 16-87) underwent resective colorectal surgery between 1990 to 1997. 154 (77.0%) were operated in elective surgery and 46 (23.0%) in urgency, for carcinoma, diverticular disease, mesenteric infarction, chronic intestinal disease, dolicosigma, anastomotic leakage, familiar polyposis or lesions by firearm. The operations consisted in 58 right colectomy, 28 left colectomy, 6 resection of the transverse and 29 of the sigmoid colon, 40 anterior resection, 12 total colectomy, 19 closing of colostomy, 6 by-passes. Anastomoses were performed in 88 cases by manual and in 110 by mechanical sutures. RESULTS: We observed 12 (6%) anastomotic leakages. Mortality rate was 1.0%. 13%.0 of these patients were underwent before to emergency and 3.9% to elective surgery; 5.7% by manual and 6.4% by mechanical suture. Diagnosis of leakage was made by clinical features, blood vessel examinations and abdominal TC scan. DISCUSSION: The risk factors of anastomotic leakage are general or local. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, perioperative transfusion, level of serum albumin, use of corticosteroid in the first group and sepsis, bowel obstruction, anastomotic level and tension and poor blood supply in the second, appear the most important causative factors in the development of anastomotic leaks. CONCLUSION: The incidence of dehiscence in colo-rectal surgery was seen significatively lower when anastomoses were performed in ideal circumstances than in the presence of one or more unfavorable factors. Healing remains a process depending more on the patient than on any aspect of the surgical technique.

[Palliative treatments in obstructive jaundice due to periampullary neoplasms]. / I trattamenti palliativi dell'ittero ostruttivo da neoplasie periampollari.

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of the palliative procedures, surgical and endoscopical or radiological, in the treatment of patients affected by obstructive jaundice resulting from periampullary tumors. SUBJECTS: Patients with jaundice by periampullary tumors undergoing to surgery or to endoscopical or radiological procedures from january 1987 to april 1998. RESULTS: Jaundice has come down in all patients after surgery. Mortality after surgery was 5.2% (5.9% in geriatric patients); morbidity 15.8% (17.6% in geriatric patients) survival 10.4 months after surgery (8.8 months in geriatric patients) versus 3.1 months after non surgical procedures. DISCUSSION: In all patients periampullary tumors are more frequent than hepatic hilum and common bile duct tumors. We have performed surgical and not surgical palliative procedures more frequently than curative resection (DCP), especially in geriatric patients (94.5% versus 79%). In geriatric patients we have chosen, between bile-digestive by-passes, the cholecysto-jejunal anastomosis because it is easier and faster to carry out than choledochojejunal anastomosis with the same results as well as from literature data. We have always performed a gastroenteric anastomosis in association with palliative surgical procedures to prevent or to solve a duodenal obstruction. This additional treatment didn't show an increasing of mortality and morbidity as well as from literature data. CONCLUSIONS: We have reserved the palliative non surgical procedures only to high surgical risk patients. In the other cases we have chosen palliative surgery for better long-term results and quality of life in the general series patients as well as in geriatric patients.

[Hemorrhagic emergency due to esophagogastric varices in the portal hypertension patient]. / L'urgenza emorragica da varici esofagogastriche nel paziente iperteso portale.

High gastrointestinal hemorrhage represents the more frequent (12-71.1%) and heavy complication of hepatic cirrhosis and correlates to portal hypertension; it is weighed by global mortality which sways from 30 to 50%. High gastrointestinal hemorrhage gives, therefore, a serious of diagnostic and therapeutic problems not easy to guide for at least 3 reasons: numerous causes of bleeding; hepatic failure; the marigold possible therapies. Aim of this work is to clarify some diagnostic and therapeutic features about high gastrointestinal hemorrhage in cirrhotic patient, because such eventuality often presents dramatic aspects, which endangers the patient's life. Our experience shows a casuistry referred to the period of time which goes from 1987 to 1998 and that comprehend 143 examined patients: 91 of them have been submitted to medical treatment (endoscopic sclerotherapy, glupressin e/o somatostatin); in 52 cases it has been possible to realize a surgical treatment, different from the elective therapy (33 pz) and emergency therapy. Immediate hemostatic effect obtained in both the conditions, has been satisfying with best results at a distance of three years and five years given by devascularization. As matter stands our preference of the devascularization surgical treatment, it seems appropriate to pay attention to the operation of mesocaval anastomosis which, either in our very brief experience (3 cases) or by international literature, seems to offer encouraging results.

[Emergencies in gastroesophageal varices hemorrhage in the patient with portal hypertension]. / L'urgenza emorragica da varici esofago-gastriche nel paziente iperteso portale.

High gastrointestinal hemorrhage represents the more frequent (12-71.1%) and heavy complication of hepatic cirrhosis and correlates to portal hypertension; it is weighed by global mortality which sways from 30 to 50%. High gastrointestinal hemorrhage gives, therefore, a serious of diagnostic and therapeutic problems not easy to guide for at least 3 reasons: numerous causes of bleeding; hepatic failure; the marigold possible therapies. Aim of this work is to clarify some diagnostic and therapeutic features about high gastrointestinal hemorrhage in cirrhotic patient, because such eventuality often presents dramatic aspects, which endangers the patient's life. Our experience shows a casuistry referred to the period of time which goes from 1987 to 1998 and that comprehend 143 examined patients: 91 of theme have been submitted to medical treatment (endoscopic sclerotherapy, glupressin e/o somatostatin); in 52 cases it has been possible to realize a surgical treatment, different from the elective therapy (33 pz) and emergency therapy. Immediate hemostatic effect obtained in both the conditions, has been satisfying with best results at a distance of three years and five years given by devascularization. As matter stands our preference of the devascularization surgical treatment, it seems appropriate to pay attention to the operation of mesocaval anastomosis which, either in Our very brief experience (3 cases) or by international literature, seems to offer encouraging results.

A catastrophic complication of systemic lupus erythematosus: massive mesenteric infarction.

The AA reports a case of a 64-year-old female patient affected for 3 years by systemic lupus erythematosus who developed a massive perforating mesenteric infarction. An immediate surgical treatment with resection of the small bowel and right colon followed by a side-to-side primary anastomosis between the remaining jejunum and transverse colon were performed. The patient died 15 days after surgery due to recurrence of a mesenteric and pulmonary thromboembolia.

[Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the stomach (a rare case of extensive spread to the entire organ)]. / Linfoma non-Hodgkin primitivo dello stomaco (su un raro caso di estesa diffusione all'intero viscere).

Primary gastric lymphoma is the most frequent extra nodal primary site for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and is itself uncommon. Moreover, a massive infiltration of all stomach (from cardias to antrum) simulating a linitis plastica, it's rare. We present a case report of this atypical presentation of primary gastric NHL in a 73 year old females. The patient came to our observation complaining of dyspepsia, epigastric pain and vomiting from 7 months associated with weight loss and asthenia. Physical examination revealed an epigastric palpable mass. Computed tomographic findings has been necessary to confirm that the massive infiltration of gastric wall (from cardias to pylorus) was ascribed to lymphoma. Dawson's criteria was respected to define primary gastric NHL and was performed a total gastrectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy. The histopathological evidences have confirmed clinical diagnosis of primary gastric NHL. Preoperative diagnosis to clarify the nature of lesions (primary or not) and accurate staging of neoplasm before the operation are indispensable for a correct therapeutic approach; in according to the Ann Arbor classification modified by Musshoff our cases was stage IIE and radical gastrectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy was performed. Surgical resection is generally considered to have a definitive role in the treatment of primary gastric lymphoma specially for the stage IE and IIE.

[Splenic trauma: splenectomy in every case?]. / I traumi splenici: splenectomia in ogni caso?

The authors report their experience in the conservative treatment of splenic traumas observed in the period 1987-1997. They point out the difference in the incidence of splenectomy in comparison with conservative treatment (p < 0.001) and nonoperative management (p < 0.05) in the two periods examined (1987-92 and 1993-97). They stress the manifold functions of the spleen and his role in the immunitary defense above all in pediatric age, and emphasize, on the base of their experience, the conservative treatment of traumatic splenic injuries in patient carefully selected. This curative strategy is supported by the notable contribution offered by sophisticated methods of radiological imaging (echography, CT, angiography) and by the commercialization of substances at high stick capacity (Tissucol). The lack of complications at short and middle term (reoperation for restart of the hemorrhage and ischemic necrosis after ligature of the splenic artery) induces the authors to consider the conservative treatment of the splenic traumas, in the cases in which it is pursuable, an ideal therapeutic solution.

Noninvasive detection of vascular dysfunction in alcoholic patients.

Vasodilation is impaired in various conditions, such as hypercholesterolemia and tobacco use. We evaluated brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) after blood pressure (BP) cuff occlusion using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound in 20 alcoholics, without any coexisting conditions such as smoking, hypertension, or cholesterolemia, after a 3-month period of abstinence. They were compared with a control group of 20 alcohol-free healthy subjects. We measured the diameter of the brachial artery under baseline conditions, during reactive hyperemia (with increased flow causing endothelium-dependent dilatation), and after administration of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), an endothelium-independent dilator. We performed an echocardiographic study (Esaote Au3) according to guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography to assess left ventricular mass (LVM), wall thickness, systolic stress, and diastolic function changes. FMD (% diameter change) was significantly less in the alcoholic patients than in the controls (6.03+/-3.67 v 13.7+/-4.65; P < .05), whereas no difference was noted after GTN administration (13.7+/-7.97 v 16.0+/-5.12, P = NS). Echocardiographic study showed no differences between the study group for LVM, wall thickness, and systolic stress; diastolic function expressed as E/A ratio inversion was significantly impaired. These data demonstrate an impairment of endothelial-dependent vasodilatation in chronic alcohol abusers, which may contribute to the excess prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in these individuals.

Assessment of the utility of the micronucleus test for petroleum-derived materials.

The micronucleus test is a commonly used in vivo assay for chromosomal damage and is an integral part of many mutagenicity testing strategies. The present report describes an assessment of the micronucleus test for the detection of mutagenic potential of petroleum-derived materials. To this end, studies were conducted with catalytically cracked clarified oil (CCCO). This material contains high levels of polycyclic aromatic constituents (PAC) and is a very potent inducer of mouse skin tumors. CCCO is also active in the Salmonella assay and other in vitro tests. As CCCO is the most potent of the various petroleum-derived materials in other assays, it was assumed to be the most easily detectable in the micronucleus test. CCCO was tested in standard mouse micronucleus tests utilizing oral and intraperitoneal injection for test material administration. All of these studies were negative, although DMBA, tested at roughly equivalent levels based on potency in the Salmonella assay, produced statistically significant increases in micronucleus frequency. In a second series of studies, aromatic fractions of CCCO were prepared and tested at up to acutely toxic levels. Results of these studies were also negative. Finally, another petroleum-derived material which is carcinogenic and contained PAC was tested in the micronucleus assay. It also produced negative results. Thus, it was concluded that petroleum-derived materials do not produce clastogenic effects in vivo in the mouse micronucleus test, despite the fact that some pure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are quite active in this assay.

[Our directions for the treatment of colorectal cancer]. / Nostri indirizzi nel trattamento del cancro colo-rettale.

Authors make a review of personal experience in colorectal surgery from 1998 to 1997 (18 year) and indicate the own opinion about oncological principle of colorectal surgery. Colo-rectal cancer is the most frequent tumor in West Countries (United States 156,000 new case/year, Europe 58,300 deaths/year). A Medline analysis using terms "colon and rectal cancer" prove a progressive increasing of interest about many problems regard prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of colorectal cancer. Prognosis of colorectal cancer depend on correct and complete stadiation. The most used classifications are Dukes classification, modified from Astler-Coller, and TNM classification of UICC. In the past years oncologic al principle of colorectal surgery was modified from a new debated concept of oncological radicality. The authors analyze own experience in comparison to Literature about the "no touch isolation technique", the principle of vascular ligation at the origin of vessels, lymphectomy extension, total mesorectal excision, surgical decision about advanced loco-regional cancer, surgical decision of complicated colorectal cancer (perforation and occlusion), the role of bilateral prophylactic ovariectomy, surgical treatment of liver metastasis, correct indication of T.E.M. and finally the role of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

[Appendiceal carcinoid. Clinical observations and therapeutic considerations]. / Il carcinoide dell'appendice. Osservazioni cliniche e considerazione terapeutiche.

The Authors report 3 cases of carcinoid of the appendix discussing the difficult preoperative diagnosis and the different therapeutical options. Between May 1998 and August 1999 36 appendicectomies were performed, in 18 males and 18 females (age 14-89 years; m. a.: 51.5 years). In 3 cases histological response was positive for carcinoid of the appendix. No postoperative mortality or morbility was reported. In one case, the malignancy of histological response made a second operation of typhlectomy necessary, without postoperative complications. The Authors analyze the biological peculiarities and the prognostic factors of appendiceal carcinoid tumors, as size of the tumor and the lymphatic or vascular infiltration of the mesoappendix (and the relative more aggressive surgical treatments) and recommend an appropriate postoperative follow-up since synchronous or metachronous bowel carcinomas are likely to occur.