Ultrasound-guided percutaneous sclerosis of congenital splenic cysts using ethyl alcohol 96% and minocycline hydrochloride 10%: A pediatric series

INTRODUCTION

The management of congenital splenic cysts continues to evolve. In the past the standard treatment was splenectomy, but increased knowledge about the spleen's immunologic function has led most pediatric surgeons to preserve splenic tissue. A great number of studies using sclerosing substances have been published, but to date reports in children have been limited. Our study concerns a group of 15 children with congenital splenic cysts treated with percutaneous drainage and sclerosis with alcohol. We performed the procedure under general anesthesia and checked radiologically for possible leakage.

METHODS

In 2000 our group started managing pediatric patients with splenic cysts. During the first eight years surgery was the treatment of choice. From April 2008 to December 2014, a prospective study was conducted on 15 consecutive patients treated with percutaneous sclerotherapy. The outcomes regarding cystic dimensional variations before and after treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 20% of patients complete disappearance of the cystic lesion was achieved. In 67% of the patients the maximum diameter of the cyst was reduced to below 50mm.

CONCLUSION

Our results should encourage the use of this treatment because it is a valid and safe option in childhood. The high success rate achieved with percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy of cystic lesions supports our results.

Local control in metastatic neuroblastoma in children over 1 year of age

BACKGROUND

Local control is always considered in metastatic neuroblastoma (NBL). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of radical surgery on survival in children over 1 year of age.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients older than 1 year of age with metastatic NBL were treated with conventional plus high-dose chemotherapy with or without addition of local radiotherapy (RT, 21Gy). Surgery was classified as radical surgery (complete resection and gross total resection) or non-radical surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to calculate the probability of progression free and overall survival (PFS and OS) and for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The 5-year PFS and OS for patients with radical surgery were 26% (95% CI 14-40%) and 38% (95% CI 23-53%) respectively, while the PFS and OS for patients without radical surgery were 33% (95% CI 10-59%) and 31% (95% CI 10-55%) (respectively, P 0.85 and P 0.42). The 5-year PFS and OS for patients who received RT were 36% (95% CI 19-53%) and 46% (95% CI 26-64%) respectively, while the 5-year PFS and OS for patients who did not receive RT were 22% (95% CI 9-38%) and 27% (95% CI 13-42%) respectively (P 0.02 for PFS). Multivariate analysis confirmed the role of well-known prognostic factors, such as the presence of MYCN amplification, age and response before high-dose chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the degree of resection does not influence survival in metastatic NBL patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy; local RT contributes to local disease control.

Selective arterial embolization of giant renal tuberous sclerosis

Different minimally invasive methods have been proposed to treat renal manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), in order to preserve kidney parenchyma and avoid nephrectomy. The case of a boy with bleeding giant angiomyolipoma treated by selective arterial embolization is discussed. The extensive renal lesions resulted significantly decreased, with resolution of arterial hypertension and abdominal symptoms. Differential renal function increased from 26.6% to 32.6%. Renal involvement in TSC requires careful parenchymal-sparing procedures. Selective embolization of the main renal lesions should be considered as first line therapy.

Short topotecan-based induction regimen in newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma

PURPOSE

Topotecan is an active drug in relapsed neuroblastoma. We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of a topotecan-based induction regimen in newly diagnosed neuroblastoma.

METHODS

Patients older than 1 year with either metastatic or localised stage 2-3 MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma received 2 courses of high-dose topotecan (HD-TPT) 6mg/m(2) and high-dose cyclophosphamide (HD-CPM) 140 mg/kg, followed by 2 courses of ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) every 28 days. After surgery on primary tumour, a fifth course with vincristine, doxorubicin and CPM was given, followed by high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support. Response was assessed in accordance with the International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria.

RESULTS

Of 35 consecutive patients, 33 had metastatic disease. The median length of induction phase was 133 days (range 91-207) and time to high-dose chemotherapy was 208 days (range 156-285). The median tumour volume reduction was 55% after two HD-TPT/HD-CPM courses and 80% after four courses. Radical surgery was performed in 16/27 patients after chemotherapy. After the fifth course, 29/34 patients (85%) had achieved a partial remission (12) or a CR/very good partial remission (17). CR of metastases was achieved in 13/32 (41%) and bone marrow was in complete remission in 16/24 patients (67%). Grade 4 neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia occurred in 100% of HD-TPT/HD-CPM and in 95% of ICE courses, while non-haematological toxicities were manageable.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that our induction regimen is feasible and well tolerated. A major response rate of 85% with 41% complete metastatic response confirms this regimen as effective induction in high-risk neuroblastoma.

Is juvenile liver biopsy unsafe? Putting an end to a common misapprehension

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous needle biopsy of the liver is the most common procedure used in clinical hepatology for histopathological examination and assessment of liver disease, and remains the cornerstone in the evaluation and management of parenchymal liver diseases. Liver biopsy is generally regarded as a safe procedure, but mortality rates up to 1:10,000 have been reported. In 2003, our group showed that routine use of US as a guide to liver biopsy reduces the rate of complications and provides a higher diagnostic yield.

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience of US-guided liver biopsy in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all 421 liver biopsies performed in our department from October 2003 to December 2008. All samples had been obtained by the US-guided technique. All patients had a liver US examination performed prior to the procedure by the same radiologist performing the biopsy.

RESULTS

US guidance allowed constant visualization of the needle leading to appropriate tissue sampling in all 421 children (including 221 obese children), and in 79% of children with only one pass. Pain in the right upper quadrant after liver biopsy was experienced by 36% of patients.

CONCLUSION

US-guided percutaneous biopsy of the liver in children, performed in a specialized tertiary care paediatric centre by experienced and skilled physicians, can be considered safe and effective.

[Celiac artery aneurysm: urgent surgical case report]

Visceral artery aneurysm account for up to 5-10% of overall artery aneurysm. Celiac artery aneurysm are reported in 4% of these patients. The most common etiologic findings are atherosclerosis and tunica media infective degeneration. The radiological imaging led to more accurate morphological and anatomical definitions of this pathology and improved elective and urgent surgical treatment of selected patients. The Authors report a case of celiac artery aneurysm.

Blind and ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in children

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous biopsy of the liver is the most commonly used procedure to obtain tissue for histopathological assessment of liver disease. Although, intuitively, image-guided liver biopsy might be expected to reduce the risk of bleeding, haematoma caused by a penetrating injury of a branch of the hepatic artery or portal vein, and puncture of the gallbladder, no trial has been large enough to show reduced mortality or morbidity with US guidance, and the mechanisms by which the use of US can reduce the risk of bleeding remain speculative.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the mortality and morbidity of blind liver biopsy with that of US-guided liver biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of our experience of 140 procedures over a 16-month period.

RESULTS

In the blind group, biopsy was unsuccessful in ten children (95% CL 7.3-25.4); no tissue was obtained in eight children and an inadequate sample was obtained in two. Three children (95% CL 9.2-14.7) suffered significant haemorrhage (indicated by a drop in haemoglobin of >20 g/l) with intrahepatic ( n=1) and subcapsular ( n=2) haematomas detectable by US after biopsy. An adequate sample was obtained in all children in the US-guided group. There were no complications requiring treatment in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed a significant difference in the complication rate between liver biopsy undertaken with US guidance and liver biopsy performed blind ( P=0.002).

Acoustic intrameatal meningiomas

BACKGROUND

The sporadic finding of an acoustic intrameatal meningioma stimulated the authors to the present study. An analysis of the cases previously reported in the literature aimed to outline a preliminary account about biological, radiological and surgical specific hallmarks of these tumours.

METHODS

Eight previous cases of meningiomas, meeting the prerequisite of origin and situation within the internal acoustic canal, have been discovered in the known literature since 1975. A further case was recently observed in our experience. The cases in the series showed no sex prevalence and in most of them the age of incidence was comprised between the fifth and sixth decade of life. Hearing loss was the prevalent symptom, lasting 1 month to 7 years before presentation. Myelocisternography, myelo-CT or high resolution CT/MR revealed no specific radiological features to distinguish small intrameatal meningiomas from the more frequently occurring vestibular schwannomas, while CT scan with bone algorithm could point out valuable indirect details for differential diagnosis. Various surgical approaches, i.e. middle fossa, translabyrinthine and retromastoid, were utilized by the different authors.

RESULTS

Basing on apparent individual surgical preference, one of three different surgical routes (translabyrinthine, middle fossa, retromastoid) was chosen for 10 procedures in 9 patients. In all, except two cases the impression at surgery was of complete tumour removal.

CONCLUSIONS

The possibility for meningiomas to recur and invade the surrounding bone requires a differential diagnosis from vestibular schwannomas. In the absence of intrinsic distinctive signs, radiological evaluation of peritumoral bone alterations could help diagnosis. Although the various surgical routes have often proved effective, temporal bone invasion justifies more extensive approach even in small tumours.

Functional therapy in hemifacial microsomia: therapeutic protocol for growing children

PURPOSE

This study evaluates the skeletal response to functional orthodontic therapy in growing children with hemifacial microsomia (HM). A method of classification for mandibular growth subsequent to treatment is also suggested.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen growing children with unilateral HM were treated. Each patient was graded according to the skeletal, auricular, tissue (SAT) classification. Patients graded S4-S5 were excluded because the severity of the malformation made them unsuitable for functional orthodontic treatment. All patients initially underwent a period of treatment with an asymmetrical functional activator (AFA).

RESULTS

In 7 of 16 cases (43.7%) classified as S1-S2/T1, regardless of the value of A, functional therapy brought about mandibular growth greater on the side of the malformation (G3-G4), re-establishing structural and functional harmony of the entire stomatognathic apparatus. Of the five cases (31.2%) classified as S2/T2, four required surgical intervention at about 10 years of age after an initial period of functional therapy that produced mandibular growth classified G1-G2. In the other case, functional treatment was sufficient to correct the malformation. In four patients (25%) classified as S3/T3 or S3/T2, it was necessary to combine surgical treatment with functional therapy.

CONCLUSION

Use of the AFA in growing children with HM makes it possible to induce harmonious maxillomandibular growth. Statistically, in S1-S2/T2 cases, functional therapy brings about an overall resolution of the malformation whereas in more severe cases (S2/T2), it needs to be combined with orthodontics using fixed appliances and surgical intervention.

Dental agenesis in hemifacial microsomia

Hemifacial microsomia (HM) is an asymmetrical congenital deformity of the head and face caused by anomalous development of the structures derived from the first and second branchial arches. This study evaluates the incidence of agenesis and dental inclusions in HM patients. Sixty-three HM patients, 27 male and 36 female, ranging from 7 to 43 years had monolateral (61) and bilateral (2) presentation. From clinical examination, photographs, and various radiographs, the following manifestations were noted: 11 patients had tooth agenesis with at least one on affected side and 5 patients had dental inclusions. The greater the severity of HM, the greater likelihood of agenesis. Third molars were most commonly missing. Dental inclusions did not show a relationship to severity.

Severe ulcerative colitis, dural sinus thrombosis, and the lupus anticoagulant

Thromboembolic disease is a well-recognized but very uncommon complication of inflammatory bowel disease. The mechanisms of the increased risk of thrombosis are not well understood: although several coagulation abnormalities have been described in inflammatory bowel disease patients, it is not clear whether they actually contribute to hypercoagulation or whether they are nonspecific markers of inflammation. Antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant) have recently been associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, particularly cerebrovascular disease in young patients. We report the case of a 33-yr-old female with severe ulcerative colitis at first attack who developed thrombosis of the superior and inferior longitudinal dural sinuses. No risk factors for thrombosis or coagulation abnormalities were observed; however, lupus anticoagulant was detected in the serum. The patient was successfully treated with osmotic agents, prophylactic anticonvulsant, and antiplatelet therapy, combined with i.v. steroids. After 6 months, the colitis is in remission, and the neurological recovery is good even if not yet complete.

[Transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS): indications and results]

This study was aimed at describing some technical features of the transjugular portosystemic shunt (TIPS). December 1991 to November 1993, fifty-five TIPS were performed in our department. The right internal jugular vein, which is the most direct path to the inferior vena cava, was punctured in 48 cases, the left one in seven cases. The right suprahepatic vein was catheterized in 43 cases, and the median suprahepatic vein in 12 cases. The puncture of the portal vein was performed in 21 cases in the right portal branch, in the left one in 23 cases, and in the portal bifurcation in 11 cases. In all cases in which the puncture site was questionable, an X-ray exam with lateral or oblique projection was performed, to be sure that the needle had entered the intrahepatic portion of the portal vein. A landmark to locate the portal system, such as a catheter in the hepatic artery, a skin landmark or a metallic coil near the porta, were positioned in 30 patients. Particularly, in 20 patients, a 0.018-inch guidewire with platinum tip was placed at the bifurcation; in seven cases a 3F catheter was advanced over the guidewire, to visualize the portal bifurcation directly with contrast medium injection. In our experience, a total number of 83 stents were positioned in 55 patients: 53 Wallstents, 13 Palmaz stents, and 17 Strecker-Nitinol stents. One single stent was placed in 31 patients, two stents in 21 patients, three stents in two patients, and, finally, four stents were positioned in one patient. In our series the technical success rate was 100%. The use of a metallic landmark significantly decreased procedures duration, ranging 40 minutes to 2 hours, and, above all, it allowed for significantly fewer puncture attempts, which varied from a minimum of 1-2 in 80% of cases, to a maximum of 20 especially in these patients with ascitis and with small and hard liver.

Comparative stability study of wire osteosynthesis versus rigid fixation in the treatment of Class III dentoskeletal deformities

The study analyzed two samples of 10 patients with Class III dentoskeletal deformities and maxillary and mandibular involvement. Surgery was performed on both jaws at the same time, using different techniques for the stabilization of bone. In one group, osteosynthesis by wire fixation was performed (WF); and in the other group, bicortical screws were used for the mandible (RIF) and plates for the maxilla. At 20 and 40 days after the operation, radiocephalometric examinations were performed, and the differences in structural stability verified, by comparing the efficiency of the two methods of bone stabilization. Results indicate that in the postoperative period analyzed, dentoskeletal movements in the RIF group were inferior compared with the WF group. On the basis of these results, the advantages and the disadvantages offered by these two techniques of bone stabilization are analyzed.

Long-term control of the stability of skeletal structures in Class II dentoskeletal deformities after surgical-orthodontic therapy

This study analyzes long-term findings in a group of 10 patients with Class II dentoskeletal malrelationship and who have undergone orthognathic surgical procedures. Changes in cephalometric values relative to the bony structures of the upper jaw and of the mandible are discussed in detail. Patients were reexamined on average, 5.8 years after surgery to show possible modification of the skeletal regions in patients who underwent surgical-orthodontic treatment for malformation of the facial continuum. For each case we made a cephalometric analysis of the lateral cephalograms, as well as the superimposition of tracings relative to the various stages of treatment: at the end of preoperative orthodontic treatment, after surgery, and at the long-term control. Cephalometric values for all patients who took part in this long-term control were recorded and a structural assessment was made.

Circadian rhythm of peak expiratory flow in children passively exposed and not exposed to cigarette smoke

BACKGROUND

Because airway calibre shows a circadian rhythm and since exposure to passive smoking reduced lung function this study was undertaken to investigate whether passive smoking affects the circadian rhythm of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in schoolchildren.

METHODS

Twenty schoolchildren (12 boys and 8 girls, aged 10-11 years) exposed to passive smoking were matched for sex, age, and height with 20 children who had not been exposed to cigarette smoke. Exposure to passive smoking was assessed by questionnaire and by urinary cotinine concentrations. A portable spirometer was used to measure PEF at 16:00, 20:00, 22:00, 06:00, 08:00, and 12:00 hours on a consecutive Saturday and Sunday. The circadian changes in PEF were measured by the cosinor method.

RESULTS

Both groups showed diurnal fluctuation in PEF values with a noticeable circadian rhythm. PEF peaks were the same in the two groups and occurred around 15:00 hours. The cosinor mean was approximately 10% lower in children exposed to passive smoking and the amplitude was approximately 60% higher than in the unexposed children.

CONCLUSION

Passive smoking in children is associated with a reduction in the cosinor mean and an increase in the amplitude of the normal circadian rhythm of airway calibre. This increased PEF rhythm amplitude may be considered as an early indication of airway obstruction.

Classification and prognostic evaluation in multiple myeloma. A retrospective study of relationship of survivals and responses to chemotherapy to immunological types, 20 single prognostic factors, 15 clinical staging systems, and 6 morphological classifications

In a group of 136 completely followed up patients with multiple myeloma, the prognostic significance of the immunological myeloma types, of 20 different single prognostic factors, of 15 clinical staging systems, and of 6 morphological classifications was retrospectively investigated by means of the calculation of mean survivals, survival curves, and responses to chemotherapy. A univariate analysis was employed in order to correlate each prognostic parameter at presentation with the survival in the whole group; a multivariate analysis according to the Cox's hazards regression model was used in order to select the most powerful prognostic variables. The patients were grouped according to the myeloma immunological types, to the mean value of each single prognostic factor, and to each stage of the clinical and morphological systems. Causes of death were also related to immunological multiple myeloma types. All single variables, except age and serum calcium, presented a significant relationship with the survival, even if at different significance levels. Cox's regression model selected among them, serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin, percentage of bone marrow plasma cells, hemoglobinemia, lytic bone lesions, and Bence-Jones proteinuria as the most significant factors related to survival. Each clinical and morphological staging system divided groups of patients with significant differences in mean survivals, or in survival curves, or in response to therapy. Multiple myeloma type IgA and micromolecular, with Bence-Jones proteinuria, and type lambda were associated with a poor prognosis, with low therapeutical response, and with the development of fatal renal failure. All these parameters, together with new prognostic factors, are useful in the prognostic evaluation, and, when applied in different steps of the diagnosis and the therapy, allow of studying the clinical course of multiple myeloma under different perspectives, in order to have a more complete picture of the disease and of the single patient.

[Epidemiologic chronorisk of acute cardio-cerebrovascular diseases]

This review summarizes the accumulated data demonstrating that several cardio-cerebrovascular diseases do not occur with casual periodicity, but present a predictable critical time of ultradian, circadian, or infradian recurrence in their onset. In fact, during the last years, it has been clearly established that there is a prominent increase in a definite period of the day, of the week, and of the year in the frequency of onset of acute myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, stroke, and fatal pulmonary thromboembolism. Morning hours, week-end, and winter seem to be the periods at higher risk, since a number of physiological processes that could contribute to the onset of the disease are intensified. Also environmental and behavioural conditions could contribute to these peaks. Consequently, the periodicity in the occurrence of these diseases may be due to the relationships between the exogenous factor rhythms, the endogenous biological rhythms, and the disease. These epidemiological and chronopathological observations suggest the introduction of time as a measurable structure for the clinical risk, and the term "chronorisk" as a predictable condition of temporally periodic or permanent risk for human health, which is generated by a temporal-quantitative disorder in the physiological course of the biological oscillating functions. The temporal recurrences in the onset of the acute diseases are not only epidemiological data, but, since the reasons for these rhythm changes in pathology are likely multifactorial, the study of such rhythms will probably help in the understanding of the pathogenesis and the triggering mechanisms. Moreover, further investigations of these rhythmicities may help the planning of more effective preventive therapy.

Diurnal variations of serum beta 2-microglobulin in multiple myeloma

The chronobiological circadian behaviour in serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin has been investigated in three groups of subjects: (A) 6 healthy controls; (B) 6 patients with untreated multiple myeloma; (C) 6 patients with multiple myeloma in complete remission after polychemotherapy. From all subjects, under the same standard life conditions, venous blood samples were drawn at 4-hour intervals starting from midnight during the span of a whole day. Circulating serum beta 2-microglobulin levels were determined by RIA method. The time-related data were analyzed by chronograms and the "mean-group cosinor" method. A significant circadian rhythm for serum beta 2-microglobulin was detected in the control group, with a peak in the morning hours, and in untreated patients, with a peak in the afternoon hours. No significant rhythm was found in treated patients with multiple myeloma. A significant mesor reduction was noted in patients with complete remission, correlated with the absence of circadian rhythm, in respect to untreated patients. These data suggest that serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin could be related to the neoplastic plasma cell proliferation and to the effect of therapy, and that the circadian evaluation could be used as a guide in monitoring myeloma patients.

[Clinical experience in surgical-orthodontic treatment of patients with anterior skeletal open-bite]

After a short clinical classification of the various open-bite types, the Authors describe from the clinical and cephalometric point of view the main structural alterations responsible for the skeletal open-bite. Then they consider the orthodontic problems in the orthodontic surgical treatment of the skeletal open-bite. Finally they describe the combined orthodontic surgical treatment in two anterior skeletal open-bite clinical cases.

Circadian pattern of circulating plasma ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone in patients with beta-thalassemia

Plasma levels of ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone were measured for an entire day every 2 h, starting from midnight, in 4 healthy subjects, and in 4 patients with beta-thalassemia, without evidence for any endocrine disease. The subjects, after synchronized standard life conditions for 10 days, were held in constant supine position during the study. The data were analysed by the "cosinor" method. The results show significant circadian rhythms for the three biological variables in healthy subjects. In the thalassemic patients a significant circadian rhythm was detected only for cortisol and aldosterone. No rhythm was demonstrated for ACTH in the patient group. While no differences were found in mesors and acrophases for the three hormones between the two groups, a significant difference was observed regarding amplitudes. These data suggest that in beta-thalassemia, the secretion rhythmicity of ACTH is modified, whereas the adrenal cortex maintains its own physiologic rhythmicity in hormone secretion.

[Prognostic evaluation in multiple myeloma. Relationship between immunological types, single prognostic factors, clinical staging systems, morphological classification systems and survival]

The prognostic value of the multiple myeloma (MM) immunological type, of 20 different single prognostic variables, of 11 clinical staging systems, and of 6 morphological classification systems was evaluated in 121 patients (71 males and 50 females, 75 MM IgG, 26 MM IgA, and 20 MM micromolecular), who were followed from diagnosis to demise. The values of the prognostic variables related to diagnosis were correlated with survival by means of univariate analysis; multivariate analysis according to Cox's model was employed to select highly-significant parameters correlated with survival among these variables. Every patient was retrospectively staged according to each clinical and morphological system. Mean survivals were computed for each group on the basis of immunological type, mean value of each prognostic factor, clinical and morphological stage. Survival curves were computed and compared. All prognostic parameters showed a significant relationship with survival, even though p-value differed. Multivariate analysis according to Cox's model has indicated the following variables as significantly correlated with survival: bone marrow plasma cell percentage, degree of lytic bone lesions, hemoglobinemia value, and serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin. Each clinical and morphological staging system, as well as immunological types and mean value of single prognostic parameters, have divided patients into separate groups with significant differences in mean survival and in survival curves. All of these factors could be taken into account for correct prognostic evaluation, and, if they were applied in different steps of diagnosis and therapy, it would be possible to study the MM patient under different perspectives, in order to have a more complete picture of the disease and of the patient.

[Simultaneous presentation of multiple myeloma and acute myelomonocytic leukemia in the absence of previous chemotherapy. Description of a case and review of the literature]

A case of simultaneous occurrence of multiple myeloma and acute myelomonocytic leukaemia without previous chemotherapy is reported. A careful search of the literature disclosed 16 other cases of the same association. The possible relationships between these two haematopoietic neoplasms are discussed. On the literature and personal data, it is concluded that in course of multiple myeloma the association with an acute myeloblastic leukaemia is due to two possibilities: the first, more frequent, is the long-term effect of chemotherapy, while the second, rare, is that, by still unknown causes, a simultaneous neoplastic development of a plasma cell and myeloblastic clone occurs.

[The chronobiology of sudden cardiac death. The evidence for a circadian, circaseptimanal and circannual periodicity in its incidence]

The aim of the study was to verify if sudden cardiac death presents a circadian, circaseptan, and circannual periodicity in its incidence. For the study of distribution of sudden cardiac death by hour of the day, the day of the week, and month of the year, 269 cases (161 males and 108 females), that occurred during the years 1970 through 1987 were considered. Sudden cardiac death, that is, death within 1 hour of onset of symptoms, occurs with greater frequency in the morning hours, on the days from Saturday to Monday, and in the months from October to January. The rhythmometric analysis by "single cosinor" demonstrates significant (p less than 0.05) rhythms, with acrophases at 5:00 a.m., on Monday, and in November. No significant differences (p more than 0.05) were found between male and female groups. These data suggest that sudden cardiac death is an event with high "chronorisk" that is a phenomenon with a greater probability of occurring in a definite period of time. The periodicity in the incidence of sudden cardiac death may be due to relationships between exogenous factors and endogenous biological rhythms.

[Differentiated circadian chrono-risk of acute myocardial infarct]

In order to determine whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presents a circadian periodicity in its occurrence, the onset of AMI, evaluated by onset of clinical symptoms and pain, has been analysed in 520 patients with AMI. The definitive criteria of AMI were: typical chest pain, electrocardiographic findings, and plasma CPK-MB elevation. All cases of AMI were divided into subgroups according to sex (males = 369, females = 151), age (less than 60 years old = 254, more than 60 years old = 266), type of AMI (Q wave AMI = 407, non Q wave AMI = 113), previous pharmacological treatment (no treated = 373, treated = 147), history of arterial blood hypertension (normotensive = 403, hypertensive = 117). Cases of Q and non Q wave AMI were also subdivided according to treatment and hypertensive conditions. All AMI occurred outside hospital; silent AMI and reinfarctions were excluded by analyses. The data have been analysed by chronograms and by means of "single cosinor" method, both for total cases, and for each subgroup of AMI. The results show a diurnal variation in AMI occurrence regarding the whole group, with a peak from 4:00 am to noon and with a secondary small no-significant peak in the late evening, and the minimum in the afternoon. Rhythmometric analysis demonstrates a significant circadian rhythm (p less than 0.001) with acrophase at 7:52 am (from 6:08 am to 9:36 am). A statistically-significant circadian rhythm is demonstrated in each subgroup, except in hypertensive patients. Acrophases of males and females, and of patients aged over or under 60 years do not differ from that of the whole group, and between them (p greater than 0.05). The peak of non Q wave AMI occurs at 4:44 am, while the peak of Q wave AMI at 10:08 am: this difference is significant (p less than 0.001). There is also a significant difference between the acrophases of AMI in the treated and untreated groups (p less than 0.01), as well as between normotensive and hypertensive subjects (p less than 0.001). The previous treatment seems able to anticipate the maximum occurrence of AMI in the whole group and in the group of Q wave AMI. These results are very similar to previous observations and confirm the greater morning occurrence of AMI. The present data are discussed in respect with the literature observations, and the possible pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute and conditionate the morning increase and the different peaks in subgroups of AMI patients are discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Epidemiological chronorisk of stroke

A retrospective study was undertaken on onset of symptoms in 667 cases of stroke. All strokes occurred out of hospital. There were 382 males and 285 females, observed from 1971-1988. The 667 cases of stroke consisted of 508 cases of cerebral infarction and 159 cases of cerebral hemorrhage. The data, analyzed by the single cosinor method, demonstrate a significant circadian, circaseptan, and circannual rhythmicity in the occurrence of stroke. The peaks occur in the morning hours, in the weekend, and in winter. Cerebral hemorrhages do not have a circadian rhythmicity in their occurrence, while they do present circaseptan and circannual rhythmicity. Cerebral infarctions present circadian, circaseptan, and circannual rhythms. No difference was found between males and females. The possible factors involved in temporal distribution of stroke are discussed. These observations could be useful for a better understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of stroke.

[Prognostic factors in multiple myeloma. Selection using multivariate analysis]

In order to assess the prognostic value of 15 different prognostic variables for multiple myeloma and to select the variables with the best prognostic significance, the multivariate analysis according to Cox's proportional hazard regression model was employed for a group of 80 patients followed from first diagnosis to their demise. The significant prognostic variables were bone marrow plasma cell percentage, degree of lytic bone lesions, Bence-Jones proteinuria, and haemoglobinaemia. A scoring clinical staging system was also developed, assigning the score of 1 to each of the following features: bone marrow plasma cells more than 30%, lytic bone lesions of 2-3 degrees, presence of Bence-Jones proteinuria, and haemoglobinaemia less than 110 g/l. Therefore, the score for each patient ranges from 0 to 4, and the entire group of patients with multiple myeloma is subdivided into five clinical stages: stage I = score 0, stage II = score 1, stage III = score 2; stage IV = score 3, stage V = score 4. Significant differences exist between both mean survivals (p less than 0.01), and between the survival curves (p less than 0.0001) within the five scoring clinical stages.

[Atrial natriuretic peptide, renin-aldosterone system and arterial pressure. Analysis by circadian rhythm measurement]

Six voluntary, clinically healthy, non-smoking, male subjects were studied to estimate and eventually quantify the role of the circadian rhythm of atrial natriuretic peptide and of the renin-aldosterone system in the conditioning and genesis of the circadian rhythm of arterial blood pressure. After a week of standard life condition, during the span of a day, with the subjects in constant supine position, venous blood samples were drawn every four hours, while arterial blood pressure was measured every two hours. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, renin activity, and aldosterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. The time-related values of each variable were analysed by the "cosinor" method. The cosinor analysis shows a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) circadian rhythm for all variables studied. These data suggest an inverse relationship between the circadian rhythm of atrial natriuretic peptide and that of arterial blood pressure, with a chronological sequence in the atrial natriuretic peptide-plasma renin activity-aldosterone axis.

[Endocrine changes of the liver in the cirrhotic alcoholic: analysis of circadian rhythms of anteriopituitary, adrenocortical, and gonadal hormones]

Circadian rhythms of anteropituitary (ACTH, HGH, TSH, FSH, LH, PRL), adrenocortical (cortisol, aldosterone, DHEA-S), and gonadal (testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone) hormones were investigated in a group of male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, compared with group of male clinically healthy subjects. Each group consisted of six subjects. After a period of ten days of synchronized life conditions, venous blood samples were drawn every four hours during a whole day, the subjects resting in constant supine position. The plasma hormonal levels were determined by radioimmunoassay method. The results, analyzed by "cosinor" method, show a significant (p less than 0.05) circadian rhythm only for cortisol, aldosterone, and DHEA-S in the cirrhotic patients, while the control group exhibits a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) circadian rhythm for all hormones, except for 17 beta-estradiol. These data support the evidence of serious abnormalities in the biological time structure of anteropituitary and gonadal hormones in alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, while the adrenalcortex seems to maintain its own intrinsic circadian rhythmicity. On the basis of these results, the authors discuss the main mechanisms of the chronobiological hormonal abnormalities in alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Further investigations in this area may provide new insights into hormonal mechanism responsible for the endocrine abnormalities in the alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.

[Circadian rhythm of atrial natriuretic peptide, plasma renin and aldosterone activity in healthy subjects and in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis]

The circadian variations in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone (PA) have been investigated in a group of 6 patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver compared with a group of 6 healthy subjects. All studied subjects were kept for a week on standardized life conditions, with a defined daily intake of 120 mEq of sodium and 60 mEq of potassium. Venous blood samples were collected during a whole day at 6, 8, 12, 18, 20 and 24 hours, with the subjects resting in the clinostatic position during the study. Plasma levels of ANP, PRA and PA were determined by radioimmunoassay. The data were analyzed by the cosinor method. The results show that healthy subjects present a significant circadian rhythm for the three biological variables, while patients with cirrhosis of the liver present a significant rhythm for PA only. Acrophase and amplitude of PA do not present any difference between control and patient groups. The levels of PRA and ANP are significantly higher in the cirrhotic patients. These data suggest in cirrhosis a deep variation in the secreting rhythm of PRA and ANP with maintenance, even at higher levels, of intrinsic PA rhythm. This is a possible index of time-related alterations of water-electrolyte balance and cardiovascular processes in liver cirrhosis.

[Circadian rhythm in the incidence of sudden cardiac death]

Human mortality demonstrates a maximum incidence in the early morning, with a reduction in the late afternoon. In order to determine whether sudden cardiac death presents a circadian rhythm similar to that of overall human mortality, the time of the day has been analyzed in 269 cases of sudden cardiac death. The definitive criteria of sudden cardiac death were: death within 1 hour of the onset of symptoms and pathoanatomical findings. The cases of sudden cardiac death consisted of 161 males and 108 females, with ages ranging from 23 to 86 years, subdivided into 139 cases of acute myocardial infarction, 101 cases of coronary atherosclerosis, 12 cases of primary myocardiopathies, 4 cases of mitral valve prolapse and 13 cases with structurally healthy heart. All the deaths occurred outside the hospital, or immediately after resuscitation efforts had begun. The data were analyzed by means of chronograms, and with the "single cosinor" method, both for the total cases of sudden cardiac death, and for subdivisions into sex, pathoanatomical picture, and for age groups (less than 40, between 41 and 60, and more than 61 years). The results demonstrate a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) circadian rhythm of sudden cardiac death, with a peak from midnight to 8:00 am, and a minimum in the afternoon. Significant differences do not exist (p greater than 0.05) within the acrophases of sudden cardiac death between the 2 sexes, among the different age groups, or the pathoanatomical pictures of myocardial infarction and coronary atherosclerosis. No rhythm was detected regarding the sudden deaths by primary myocardiopathy, mitral valve prolapse, and "normal" heart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atrial natriuretic peptide-renin-aldosterone system in cirrhosis of the liver: circadian study

Plasma levels of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), plasma renin activity (PRA), and plasma aldosterone (PA) were measured for an entire day at 6:00 am, 8:00 am, 12:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:00 pm, and 12:00 am in 6 healthy subjects, in 10 patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver, and in 10 cirrhotics with ascites. The subjects, after synchronized standard life conditions lasting for 6 days were held in a clinostatic position during the study. The data were analyzed by the "cosinor" method. The results show significant circadian rhythms for the three biological variables in healthy subjects. In the compensated cirrhotic group, a circadian rhythm was detected only for PA. No rhythm was demonstrated in the ascitic patients. These data suggest that in cirrhosis of the liver, great variations in secretion rhythmicity for PRA and ANP are present, while maintaining the intrinsic PA rhythmicity, which is lost in patients with ascites. This progressive derangement in PA circadian rhythm in the ANP-PRA-PA system can be considered as an index of evolution in the natural history of cirrhosis of the liver.

[Circadian rhythm of human lymphocyte subpopulations]

Circadian rhythm of lymphocyte subsets was investigated in four healthy subjects, males, aged 35-58 years old. After a period of ambiental synchronization, venous blood samples were taken during a span of a day at 0.00 a.m., 4.00 a.m., 8.00 a.m., noon, 4.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. Lymphocyte subsets (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, OKB7, OKJa1) were determined by monoclonal antibodies method, and serum level of cortisol by radioimmunoassay method. The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was also calculated. Data were analyzed by chronograms (mean +/- 1SD) and by cosinor method. Results show a significant circadian rhythm for each lymphocyte subset and for serum cortisol levels. The lowest levels of all circulating subsets were seen between noon and 4.00 p.m. and the highest levels around midnight, inversely related with the circadian rhythm of serum cortisol. The OKT4/OKT8 ratio, on the contrary, was relatively constant during the day, without a significant circadian rhythm. These observations have laboratoristic, clinical, and therapeutic implications and should be considered in the course of immunological studies.

[Contemporaneous presentation of plasma cell leukemia and multiple myeloma. Description of a clinical case with a biclonal component]

A case of simultaneous evidence of plasma cell leukaemia and multiple myeloma is reported. Plasma cell leukaemia doesn't represent an evolution of multiple myeloma, but a primitive disease, because the two forms of plasma cell dyscrasia arose from two different neoplastic plasma cell populations. In fact, leukaemic plasma cell produced IgA and were PAS-positive, while myelomatous plasma cells produced IgG and were PAS-negative. From this case, some hypothesis on simultaneous development of the two types of plasma cell neoplasias are discussed.

[Prognostic factors in IgG and micromolecular multiple myeloma. Retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive cases]

Clinico-pathological findings in 50 consecutive previously untreated patients with IgG and micromolecular multiple myeloma were reviewed. The clinical factors related with a shorter survival were: Bence-Jones proteinuria, high level of serum creatinine and serum calcium, low level of haemoglobin, widespread bone lesions, and plasma cell percentage in bone marrow more than 20%. This factor is significantly correlated with survival. The staging systems proposed by Durie and Salmon and by Merlini et al. are a precious reference in the evaluation of survival and treatment.

[Serum levels of magnesium in hepatic cirrhosis]

In a group of 50 patients with liver cirrhosis compared with a group of 50 clinically healthy subjects serum magnesium levels were determined. The patients were divided according the aetiology of liver cirrhosis and to the presence or not of ascite and cholestasis. The serum magnesium levels were related to the main laboratory tests used in liver cirrhosis. The patients present a significant decrease of serum magnesium levels in comparison to controls. The patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver and with ascite have significant lower magnesium levels in comparison with the patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis and with patients without ascite. There is a significant correlation between serum magnesium levels and serum levels of aldosterone, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and total pool of bile acids. Direct and indirect effects of alcohol, a secondary hyperaldosteronism, the use of diuretics, and hypoalbuminaemia could account for magnesium serum level decrease in liver cirrhosis.

Somatomedin-C levels related to gestational age, birth weight and day of life

Capillary blood samples on filter paper were assayed by means of an RIA method (Kit Nichols Institute USA) from 1096 newborns divided into full term, preterm and small-for-date infants. The somatomedin-C (Sm-C) mean value, which did not differ in the three groups, was 0.15 +/- 0.09 IU/ml. One hundred and ten (10%) showed Sm-C disc values less than or equal to 0.075 IU/ml, the minimum value measurable by our method. The day of life and birth weight had a significant influence on Sm-C levels. Gestational age did not have any significant effect. No significant interaction was found among the parameters considered. All the groups presented a progressive increase of Sm-C. Unlike preterm and small-for-date infants, in full term infants the latter increase seemed already to be evident from 5th day of life and reached higher levels from the 7th day of life onwards. In conclusion, Sm-C rates were reduced in the neonatal phase of life, but showed a tendency to rise later.

Relationships between growth factors (somatomedin-C and growth hormone) and body development, metabolic control, and retinal changes in children and adolescents with IDDM

We used the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method to determine somatomedin-C (SmC) basal values in 59 diabetic children and adolescents (20 prepubertal and 39 pubertal subjects; age range 2.75-20.16 yr; duration of diabetes 0.08-15.83 yr) and in 274 control subjects. In comparing diabetic subjects with controls, we considered only those 50 diabetic subjects who were age matched with the controls, i.e., those not over 16 yr chronological age. SmC basal levels in pubertal diabetic patients were no different from those of pubertal age-matched control children, whereas in prepubertal diabetic patients SmC was significantly lower than in the respective control children (P less than .001). No correlation was found between the z score for SmC (i.e., the number of standard deviations each SmC level is from the age- and sex-normalized mean) and duration of disease, velocity standard deviation score, severity of fluoroangiographic retinal changes, basal C-peptide values and HbA1 levels. No differences were encountered in mean SmC and SmC z-score values in the separate groups of poorly, fairly, and well-controlled diabetic children, in the groups with and without residual pancreatic activity, and in the group with and without retinal changes. In 16 of the pubertal diabetics and in 15 pubertal controls, serum glucose, growth hormone (GH), and SmC concentrations were determined during the night. The integrated nocturnal secretion of SmC was no different in diabetics than in controls, whereas the integrated nocturnal secretion of GH was significantly (P less than .025) higher in diabetics than in controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Percutaneous microcompression of the gasserian ganglion. New treatment for trigeminal neuralgia]

The authors discuss on technique and results of percutaneous microcompression of the trigeminal ganglion in patients complaining trigeminal neuralgia.

Differences in somatomedin-C between short-normal subjects and those of normal height

We evaluated basal somatomedin-C (SmC) levels in 98 subjects 2 to 16.6 years of age, with height less than 3rd centile (Tanner), and in 274 healthy controls 2 to 15.8 years, with height greater than 10th centile. Growth-retarded subjects were defined as short-normal when they had normal GH release (greater than 8 ng/ml) in at least one of three tests: arginine, L-dopa, and sleep. In control subjects, there was a significant positive correlation between SmC levels and chronologic age, bone age, and pubertal stage (pubic hair, breast or testicular volume). The same correlations were present in short-normal subjects, but SmC levels were significantly lower than in normal children. The percentage of subjects with very low SmC values (less than or equal to 0.25 IU/ml in those older than 6 years, and less than 0.1 IU/ml in those younger than 6 years) was higher in the short-normal group of children older than 6 years. In growth-retarded subjects, SmC values were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) in subjects with normal GH response in at least one of the two pharmacologic tests, compared with those with normal GH response only during sleep. We conclude that short-normal subjects have, on average, low SmC values, which might indicate insufficient GH release. Therefore, current criteria to define GH deficiency and children needing treatment may be too restrictive.