Minerva chirurgica
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At present video thoracoscopy is a primary diagnostic procedure in the diagnosis of pleural diseases, particularly when pleural effusions have unknown origin. ⋯ At last, is laid on the contribution of video thoracoscopy to determine the stage of malignant mesothelioma.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Octreotide in the treatment of advanced pancreatic tumor. Preliminary study].
Data from experimental studies suggest that octreotide, the long acting somatostatin analogue, improves survival of animals with pancreatic cancer. To assess the antitumour effect of octreotide, a randomized trial was performed comparing octreotide with supportive care in advanced pancreatic cancer patients. All patients, aged 59-75 years, were not liable to radical surgical treatment and were not submitted to other treatments (chemo and/or radiotherapy). ⋯ In conclusion octreotide therapy seems to confer a survival benefit and a better quality of life in advanced pancreatic tumour. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results and to clarify other questions about dose and somatostatin receptors in this kind of tumour.
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Comparative Study
[Hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy. Analysis of a consecutive, recent series].
We analyzed a recent and consecutive series of 254 thyroidectomies performed during the last year to verify the incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. 249 patients were included in the study and were divided into 2 groups according to the extension of the thyroidectomy. In the first group of 49 patients treated by lobectomy no one developed hypoparathyroidism. ⋯ Global incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism was statistically higher in total thyroidectomy vs subtotal thyroidectomy (17% vs 5.66%; p < 0.05); however persistent hypoparathyroidism incidence wasn't statistically higher in total thyroidectomy (5.4% vs 0%; p = n.s.). As far as thyroid disorders that require bilateral thyroidectomy Chi 2-test showed a trend of persistent hypoparathyroidism to be more frequent in patients operated on for Graves' disease and thyroid cancer than in other thyroid disorders.
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Intestinal injuries are pathologies frequently caused by toothpicks. In literature are reported serious damage to the cardiovascular system, lung and systemic fatal sepsis. In literature are also reported some deaths caused by delayed diagnosis. ⋯ Both patients had accidentally swallowed the toothpick. The clinical state was compatible with acute abdomen in a 59 year old psychopathic patient and acute appendicitis in a 27 year old patient. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the importance of a careful anamnesis for detecting the swallowing of a toothpick.
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Review Case Reports
[The ingestion of foreign bodies for the purpose of self-injury. The conservative treatment of 2 clinical cases].
Although not rare, the ingestion of foreign bodies becomes uncommon when it is done with intent to cause self-damage. When used for this purpose, foreign bodies usually take the form of liquid substances, such as caustic agents, detergents, poisons, etc. It is less rare in certain situations like psychiatric and prison settings. The author reports two cases of foreign bodies voluntarily swallowed by patients in prison.