-
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology: official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology 06/2011; 106(6):547-8. · 2.83 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We describe a case of worsening paraparesis induced by spinal cord compression at T6-T7 levels associated with compensatory extramedullary haematopoiesis from a compound heterozygote for haemoglobin E and for β-thalassemia. An emergency T3-T9 laminectomy was performed with excision of the masses and complete rehabilitation of the patient.
World journal of radiology. 03/2011; 3(3):82-4.
-
Francesco Giuseppe Foschi,
Anna Chiara Dall'Aglio,
Giorgio Marano,
Arianna Lanzi,
Paolo Savini,
Fabio Piscaglia,
Carla Serra,
Carmela Cursaro,
Mauro Bernardi,
Piero Andreone,
Giuseppe Francesco Stefanini
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Ultrasonography is the first examination performed for screening of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can help discriminate between HCC and other lesions. Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL), even if rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions (FLLs). Few data are available in the literature about the role of CEUS in the diagnosis of PHL; we tried to determine whether CEUS could have a role in this setting.
we describe 2 cases of primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the liver associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The first patient was a 62-year-old man who was an HBV-inactive carrier, and the second was a 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and chronic HBV hepatitis.
in both cases, ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic liver lesion (4 and 3 cm, respectively) with irregular margins in segment 4 of the liver. On CEUS, these lesions were inhomogeneously hyperenhanced in the arterial phase and hypoenhanced in the portal and late phases. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in both patients showed slight hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and hypoenhancement in the remaining phases. Needle biopsy showed marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type in both patients.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and CT did not help us differentiate PHL from HCC; in fact, in both cases we saw the characteristic findings of primary HCC. Primary hepatic lymphoma is a rare condition, but it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of FLLs. We stress the important role of liver biopsy when imaging indicates HCC in patients without underlying cirrhosis.
Journal of ultrasound in medicine: official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine 09/2010; 29(9):1353-6. · 1.25 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects about 3% of the world's population and often leads to chronic liver disease. In some industrialized countries, HCV prevalence increases with age, but the optimal management of older patients has not been accurately defined. HCV infection can also lead to lymphoproliferative disorders, the most common being mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), and also for this condition that frequently affects elderly patients, the optimal therapeutic strategy is still debated. We report the case of a 77-year-old Caucasian woman with HCV-related chronic hepatitis and cutaneous manifestations consisting of urticaria and pruritus related to MC resistant to antihistamines. The patient underwent a treatment with interferon and ribavirin. Such a treatment led to early biochemical and virological response associated with the resolution of cryoglobulinemia and cutaneous symptoms. After the end of treatment, HCV replication relapsed, but cryoglobulinemia and cutaneous symptoms did not recur. In the absence of definite treatment guidelines in this particular context, our experience suggests that the presence of symptoms related to HCV-infection that deeply affect patient quality of life warrants antiviral therapy even beyond the age limits that currently exclude patients from treatment.
World journal of gastrointestinal pharmacology and therapeutics. 04/2010; 1(2):72-4.
-
Francesco Giuseppe Foschi,
Franco Trevisani,
Elisabetta Loggi,
Monica Parazza,
Cristina Melotti,
Enrico Bedeschi,
Lorenza Mingazzini,
Federica Mirici Cappa,
Matteo Cescon,
Pietro Andreone,
Gianluca Grazi,
Giuseppe Francesco Stefanini,
Mauro Bernardi
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Tuftsin activity (TA) is reduced in cirrhosis. This contributes to the defective phagocytic activity (PA) of neutrophil granulocytes and is related to the impairment of splenic function. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) cures cirrhosis and might restore TA. This study was aimed at determining if OLT restores TA and PA.
We measured in 9 cirrhotic patients, before and after successful OLT, TA by a bioassay and PA by chemiluminescence in which neutrophils of the patient were tested with both autologous (PA1) and pooled sera from healthy subjects (PA2). Splenic function was assayed by the pitted red cell count.
Before OLT, TA was reduced in 7 patients, and PA1 in all the patients. Pitted cell count was elevated in all the patients. After OLT (median 39 months; range 21-49), TA improved in all cases [median: from 8% (5-16%) to 20% (9-22%), p < 0.008], normalizing in 5 out of the 7 patients with low values. PA1 improved in all the patients [from 102 cpm (65-128 cpm) to 235 cpm (78-280 cpm), p < 0.008], normalizing in 5. Pitted red count decreased in 7 patients and normalized in 3 [from 3.3% (2.1-6.0%) to 2.4% (1.4-2.8%), p < 0.021]. Platelet count [from 55 x 10(3) (30-100) to 185 x 10(3) (93-286), p < 0.008] and leucocyte count [from 3.60 x 10(3) (1.81-5.23) to 5.53 x 10(3) (3.31-6.71), p < 0.008] also improved.
OLT improves TA and PA of cirrhotic patients. This effect is associated with an improvement of both functional hyposplenism and haematological hypersplenism. The restoration of natural defences against infections may mitigate the adverse effect of immunosuppressive treatment.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 08/2005; 137(3):258-62. · 2.40 Impact Factor
