Search

Several types of B-cell lymphomas, including both primary cutaneous lymphomas and systemic lymphomas, may affect the skin, with partially overlapping clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas does not include diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) and considers leg-type DLBCL the only primary cutaneous DLBCL. Here we report the case of a 72-year-old white woman with a primary cutaneous neoplasm comprised of large cells with round nuclei, irregularly clumped chromatin and one or more inconspicuous nucleoli. The immunohistochemistry demonstrated positivity for CD20 and MUM1, with no significant genetic translocations detected by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. After staging, we considered this neoplasm a primary cutaneous DLBCL with a non-germinal center phenotype, not otherwise specified, inconsistent with a leg-type DLBCL. Because of this view, we underscore the need for greater knowledge of the molecular landscape of B-cell lymphomas in order to reconsider the classification of such neoplasms in the skin.

Summary Background We evaluated the frequency of incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (mPTC) in thyroidectomies performed for benign diseases, to better characterize this nosologic entity and to assess the best treatment. Methods Between 2009 and 2017, a total of 1777 patients underwent surgery for benign thyroid disease. Patients with preoperative undetermined or positive for malignancy cytology were excluded, as well as incidental thyroid cancer larger than 1 cm. Results Total thyroidectomy was performed in 1649 patients (92.7%) and hemithyroidectomy in 128 (7.2%). Papillary thyroid cancer, sized between 2–10 mm, was found in 89 patients (5%), which were all by definition microcarcinomas (mPTC). In 11 patients mPTCs were multifocal and in 7 bilateral. Just 6 patients received hemithyroidectomy and later underwent radical surgery without complications. No tumor-related morbidity or mortality was observed. The χ2 test showed a statistically significant association between mPTC and non-toxic multinodular goiter. Discussion In the literature, the rates of incidental mPTC vary, due to various factors such as histopathological examination and sampling numbers. Regarding surgical treatment, some authors support a “conservative” approach for the positive prognosis, but considering that it can be associated with mortality, lymph node recurrence and metastasis, its treatment is still controversial. Conclusions Our experience confirms that total thyroidectomy in multinodular goiter is a safe procedure, which ensures endocrine control and oncologic complete tumor resection, in case of mPTC. In uninodular goiter, we recommend hemithyroidectomy; if mPTC is discovered, we suggest radical surgery especially in patients older than 50 years and with familial disposition for thyroid cancer and peripheral tumors larger than 5 mm and aggressive variants.

Administration of rituximab, one of the basic drugs for the therapy of B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases, during pregnancy has been suspected to cause developmental fetal events, particularly if given during the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, use in pregnancy is not permitted. Howe ver, several cases of pregnant women being treated with rituximab are reported herein; an exception is often made in cases with grave illness. We describe an exceptional case of a woman with non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type where rituximab was given as a single agent without interruption during two consecutive pregnancies. This case can certainly supply important indications on the safety of rituximab.

The prevalence of chronic pain is between 33% to 64% and is due to cancer pain, but it has also been observed in non-cancer patients. Chronic pain is associated with lower quality of life and higher psychological distress and depressive/anxiety disorders in patients without a history of disorder. In this study we evaluated in clinical practice the effectiveness of the intrathecal pump in 140 patients who underwent pain therapy at our Center. These patients were consecutively enrolled from January 2010 to July 2018. Follow-up was carried out over these eight years regarding the infusion modalities. Pain relief was obtained in 71 (50,7%) patients out of the 140 that experienced satisfactory pain control globally. Intrathecal therapy is one of the best options for chronic severe refractory pain. The greatest advantage of this therapy is due to the possibility of treating the pain with minimal dosages of the drug, avoiding the appearance of troublesome side effects.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a common disease in men aged >65 years. The role of physical activity (PA) in patients at risk or diagnosed with PCa represents an evolving issue. We aimed to summarize available evidences about the impact of PA on the pathophysiology and clinical outcomes of PCa. Methods: We performed a narrative review. Evidences about the role of PA in elderly patients in terms of PCa biology, epidemiology, oncological and functional outcomes, as well as in terms of impact on the outcomes of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were summarized. Results: Potential pathophysiological pathways hypothesized to explain the benefits of PA in terms of prostate carcinogenesis include circulating levels of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, sex hormones, and myokines. Clinically, emerging evidences support the hypothesis that PA is associated with decreased PCa risk, improved PCa-related survival, improved functional outcomes, and reduced ADT-related adverse events.

Introduction SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that causes a potentially deadly syndrome that affects especially the respiratory tract Kidney-transplanted patients are immunosuppressed and more susceptible to viral infections We have examined our transplantation activity to explore the future role of kidney transplantation from deceased and living donors in COVID-19 era Patients and Methods The activity of our transplant center of Naples (one of the two transplant centers in Campania, South Italy) continued during the COVID-19 pandemic We have analysed the kidney transplants carried out between March 9 and June 9, 2020, comparing these data with the numbers of procedures performed in the two previous years Moreover, we have considered the possibility of performing living donor transplants during a worldwide pandemic Results From March 9, 2020, when the Italian lockdown begun, till June 9, 2020, five kidney transplants have been performed at our transplant center in Naples, all from deceased donors The donors and the recipients have been screened for COVID-19 infection, and the patients, all asymptomatic, followed strict preventive measures and were fully informed about the risks of surgery and immunosuppression during a pandemic All the transplanted patients remained COVID negative during the follow-up The number of transplants performed has been constant compared to the same months of 2018 and 2019 In agreement with the patients, we decided to postpone living donor transplants to a period of greater control of the SARS-CoV-2 spread in Italy Conclusion Deceased donor kidney transplantation should continue, especially in a region with moderate risk, like Campania, with a more careful selection of donors and recipients, preferring standard donors and recipients without severe comorbidities Living donor transplantation program, instead, should be postponed to a period of greater control of the SARS-CoV-2 spread, as it is an elective surgery and its delay does not determine additional risks for patients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of BioMed Research International is the property of Hindawi Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a connective disease of the auto-inflammatory/auto-immune type of the retroperitoneum with unknown etiology and pathological mechanism. The manifestations of the pathology can be local or systemic. Amongst the local symptoms, the dull and constant pain in the hips, back or abdomen is the most frequent. We report here a case of a 47-year-old woman, whose pathogenic mechanism could be related to an “IgG4-related disease” disorder as suggested by an increased serum level of this subclass of IgG and the positive immunohistochemistry. The diagnosis is not easy, because this pathology generates masses; adenomegalies with retro peritoneal development, that makes it similar to lymphomas or metastases from ovarian tumors.

Patient: Female, 53-year-old Final Diagnosis: Necrotizing fasciitis Symptoms: Breathlessness • fever • myalgia • septic shock Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Plastic Surgery Objective: Rare disease Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infection that involves the deep fascia and the surrounding tissue, but rarely involves the female breast. The most common treatment for necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is total mastectomy. However, the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), after surgical debridement, is reported to promote the more rapid development of granulation tissue, before reconstructive surgery. This report presents the case of a 53-year-old woman with necrotizing fasciitis of the breast who underwent combined timed surgery and conservative management. Case Report: A 53-year-old woman presented with necrotizing fasciitis of the right breast, involving the right lateral chest wall and flank. She was referred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital with septic shock. After hemo-dynamic stabilization was achieved, she underwent surgical debridement. Excised breast tissues were sent for histology, and intraoperative swabs were collected and sent for microbiological examination. Intravenous antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy commenced. The patient was managed with NPWT dressings, followed by reconstructive breast surgery. The right chest and flank completely healed. Conclusions: This case has shown that early diagnosis and management of necrotizing fasciitis of the breast can be life-saving and may allow for breast conservation. Early aggressive debridement combined with NPWT dressings and reconstructive breast surgery resulted in successful wound healing and preservation of the breast with a satisfactory cosmetic outcome.

Aims. We aimed to summarize available lines of evidence about intraoperative and postoperative donor outcomes following robotic-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (RALDN) as well as outcomes of graft and recipients.Methods.A systematic review of PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases was performed in May 2018. The following search terms were combined: nephrectomy, robotic, and living donor. We included full papers that met the following criteria: original research; English language; human studies; enrolling patients undergoing RALDN.Results. Eighteen studies involving 910 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean overall operative and warm ischemia times ranged from 139 to 306 minutes and from 1.5 to 5.8 minutes, respectively. Mean estimated blood loss varied from 30 to 146 mL and the incidence of intraoperative complications ranged from 0% to 6.7%. Conversion rate varied from 0% to 5%. The mean hospital length of stay varied from 1 to 5.8 days and incidence of early postoperative complications varied from 0% to 15.7%. No donor mortality was observed. The incidence of delayed graft function was reported in 7 cases. The one- and 10-year graft loss rates were 1% and 22%, respectively.Conclusions.Based on preliminary data, RALDN appears as a safe and effective procedure.

Background Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has a significant role in downstaging cancer. It improves the local control of the disease and can make conservative resection of rectal cancer possible. Methods We enrolled 114 patients with subperitoneal rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradio-therapy and radical excision with total mesorectal excision (TME). The primary endpoint was oncological outcomes and the secondary endpoint was surgical outcomes.We evaluate the experience of a multidisciplinary team and the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in integrated treatment of cancer of the subperitoneal rectum. Results Surgical procedures performed were abdominal perineal resection in 4 cases (3.5%), anterior resection in 89 cases (78%), Hartmann’s procedure in 5 cases (4.4%), and ultralow resection with coloanal anastomosis and diverting stoma in 16 patients (14%). Local recurrence occurred in 6 patients (5.2%), the overall survival was 71.9% at 5 years and disease-free survival was about 60%. Conclusions The effect of pathological downstaging amounted to 58.8%, including cPR. The pathologic complete remission occurred in 8.8% of cases. The outcomes of neoadjuvant therapy can be achieved when this treatment is associated with correct surgical technique with TME and the prognosis is defined by an anatomopathological examination performed according to Quirke’s protocol.

Virtual Reality (VR) as a tool for pain reduction is the research topic of several clinical trial for Randomized Controlled Trials despite its wide use in the daily clinical practice for non- pharmacological reduction of pain in some countries. At present, there are no published reviews of VR-efficacy of pain reduction in pediatric patients. That is why we made a systematic review of the efficacy of VR as a tool for pain reduction in children and adolescents. Electronic databases and gray literature published between 2014 and 2019 were analyzed. A total of 9 studies were eligible according to the established inclusion criteria. Results show that virtual reality is a valid tool for non-pharmacological pain reduction and that this approach is to be preferred to the standard reduction techniques currently in use. However, more studies using standardized experimental methodologies are needed to provide more systematic comparison and quantitative synthesis.