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Diagnosis of benign liver tumors is experiencing exponential growth, mainly owing to the diffusion of more accurate imaging techniques. This monograph examines the epidemiology, histopathology and genetics of these tumors and provides a systematic overview of their evolution and differential diagnosis. Care is taken to document surgical indications accurately, with a view to assisting in the avoidance of useless interventions. Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques are described and illustrated, emphasizing the optimization of intra- and postoperative management in order to avoid potential complications and degeneration. In these chapters, attention is drawn to the ways in which the surgical management of benign liver tumors differs from that of malignant tumors. The book concludes by examining the role of interventional radiology in patients with benign liver tumors.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were monitored in samples from atmospheric particulate matter (PM) for more than two years ( July 2001-Dec 2003) in a background site of the urban area of Milan (Italy). Nine PAHs were sistematically analyzed in 24-h PM2.5 and PM10 samples by ultrasonic extraction and HPLC-FD analysis: BaA, CHR, BeP, BbF, BkF, BaP, BghiP, dBahA and IcdP. All of them were quite exclusively present in the particulate phase (96-100%). A strong seasonal trend was observed for PAHs concentrations, with maximum autumn-winter concentrations (Σ-9 PAHs (PM2.5) = 18.8 ± 6.9 ng m -3) and minimum spring-summer values (Σ-9 PAHs (PM2.5) = 1.2 ± 0.6 ng m -3).The same trend was observed for the PAHs relative contribution in atmospheric particles, with autumn-winter particles, which were about 6 folds richer in PAHs than spring-summer, mainly because of different meteorological conditions. Even if PAHs make up a very small fraction of particles (Σ-9 PAHs ≅ 0.2% of yearly PM concentration), high PAH concentration during winter indicate a different seasonal "toxicological quality" of atmospheric PM, as PAHs are known to be very toxic compounds which are considered to be responsible for evident health side effects in urban areas. The nine analyzed PAHs were strictly correlated to each other, and a quite constant PAH pattern was observed in the background urban site during all the year, with BaP (99/30/CE) being about 12% of total PAHs. The nine particulate-bound PAHs were usually distributed in fine particles ([PAHs]PM 2.5 >95%[PAHs]PM 10). Therefore PAH monitoring should focus mainly on this particle fraction (PM 2.5 or eventually PM1), which is also more harmful, being entirely within the respirable fraction of PM. Due to the extreme variability in PAH concentration, and to the complexity of host-particle interaction, caution is suggested before stating a predifinite role for PAHs (and related patho-physiological mechanisms), in the occurrence of pollution related health effects

To provide current information on the risks of endoscopic sphincterotomy for stone.In recent years (since the popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy), endoscopic sphincterotomy has been used increasingly for the management of bile duct stones in relatively young and healthy patients. The validity of this trend has been questioned using data on short-term complications derived from earlier decades that involved more elderly and high-risk patients.Seven academic centers collected data prospectively using a common database. Complications within 30 days of the procedures were documented by standard criteria.Of 1921 patients, 112 (5.8%) developed complications; two thirds of these events were graded as mild (3 days in hospital). There was no evidence of increased risk in younger patients or in those with smaller bile ducts. There was only one severe complication and there were no fatalities in 238 patients age60, with bile duct diameters of9 mm.Sphincterotomy for stones can be performed very safely by experienced endoscopists.