Publications (24)26.93 Total impact
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Article: Transsphenoidal adenomectomy for GH-, PRL- and ACTH-secreting pituitary tumours: outcome analysis in a series of 125 patients.
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ABSTRACT: Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is a well recognised treatment for secreting pituitary adenomas, however a very wide variation of clinical outcomes and recurrence rates has been reported, depending on the different criteria used to define the cure. We reported the clinical outcome of a large series of patients operated on for a secreting pituitary adenoma according to the most recent stringent criteria of biochemical remission nowadays accepted. One hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients with a secreting pituitary adenoma (42 PRL-, 67 GH- and 16 ACTH-secreting adenomas) who were operated on by the two same neurosurgeons were considered for the study. Biochemical remission of disease was achieved in 56% of patients; 78% for patients with microadenoma and 47% for patients with macroadenomas, respectively. No cases of mortality or major immediate postoperative complications were observed. Tumour size, high hormone levels and dural invasion were significantly correlated to a poor surgical outcome. The recurrence rates ranged between 0 and 24%, being higher for PRL-secreting tumours. In conclusion, TSS is safe and effective in secreting pituitary tumours. It is still the first treatment for GH- and ACTH-secreting adenomas, whereas in patients with prolactinomas, surgery should be reserved for cases of resistance or intolerance to dopamine agonists.Neurological Sciences 01/2005; 25(5):251-6. · 1.32 Impact Factor -
Article: Solitary brain metastases from uterus carcinoma: report of three cases.
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ABSTRACT: Solitary brain metastases from uterine carcinoma are uncommon. Intracranial metastases from uterus usually occur in widely disseminated disease. We report three cases of solitary brain metastasis from uterine cancer. In one of these patients metastasis was detected prior to diagnosis of primitive cancer. In a review of the literature only seven cases of solitary brain metastasis preceding the diagnosis of uterine cancer have been documented.Journal of Neuro-Oncology 02/2004; 66(1-2):175-8. · 3.21 Impact Factor -
Article: Use of spiral computerized tomography angiography in patients with cerebral aneurysm. Our experience.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose is to highlight the usefulness of CT angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Thirty-one patients with subarachnoid haemorrhages were subjected to CT angiography and in those cases where this test did not reveal the aneurysm or did not supply sufficient information relating to it, subsequently a digital subtraction angiography was also performed. Each aneurysm-positive CTA was re-processed using the 3-D techniques, with the neuro-radiologist and the neuro-surgeon working in close co-operation. In 27 cases the CTA diagnosed an aneurysm, and in the 4 cases where no vascular malformations were revealed, also the traditional angiography did not show any pathology. In 17 out of 18 cases operated on in order to clip the aneurysm, the CTA supplied all the information needed for the surgery and it was possibile to reconstruct images similar to those of the surgical field. This led to improvement in the programming of the surgical intervention; in 1 case only was it also necessary to perform the DSA before the operation. CT angiography, because it is non-invasive, easy to perform, diagnostically reliable, and because the 3-D re-constructions offer the chance to create images of the possible operating field, is the first-choice test to be adopted in the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhages, even though in some cases the use of the traditional angiography is still necessary and should be carried out whenever the CTA does not reveal vascular malformations.Journal of neurosurgical sciences 04/2002; 46(1):4-9; discussion 9. · 0.40 Impact Factor -
Article: Frontotemporal orbitozygomatic craniotomy to exposure the cavernous sinus and its surrounding regions. Microsurgical anatomy.
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ABSTRACT: The microsurgical anatomy of the cavernous sinus and its surrounding regions were examined via frontotemporal orbitozygomatic (FTOZ) craniotomy. Combined with other deep osteotomies, the possibility of exposing the petroclival region and basilar artery was also explored. The study was made on 20 sides of 10 cadaveric specimens fixed with formalin, with the help of the surgical microscope (magnification 5-15). The FTOZ was performed with frontotemporal and orbitozygomatic flaps. Extradurally, V2, V3, the trigeminal ganglion, the posterior vertical segment of the intracavernous ICA and the VI nerve were exposed by FTOZ craniotomy. By further removal of the petrous apex (Kawase's triangle), exposure could be extended to the petroclival region; with anterior modification of the microscopic light, in 50% of the specimens, exposure reached as low as the convergence of the vertebral arteries. The anterior part of the cavernous sinus and the orbital apex were examined by removing the anterior clinoid process, orbital roof and unroofing the optic canal. Intradurally, the intrapeduncular fossa (upper 1/3 of the clivus) was examined. The intracavernous cranial nerves and vessels were studied via lateral and superior wall approaches. By removing both the anterior and posterior clinoid processes together, in 80% of the specimens, the exposure could be carried as far as the midpoint of the basilar artery. FTOZ craniotomy could be used to treat lesions involving the cavernous sinus and its surrounding regions. Incorporated with the petrous apectomy, it could be used to expose the petroclival region and, in selected cases, exposure could be extended to the convergence of the vertebral arteries. Combined with anterior and posterior clinoidectomies, it could also be used to treat midpoint regions of the basilar artery.Journal of neurosurgical sciences 04/2001; 45(1):19-28. · 0.40 Impact Factor -
Article: Cavernous angiomas of the nervous system in Italy: clinical and genetic study.
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ABSTRACT: We performed a clinical and genetic study of patients affected by cavernous angiomas (CA) of the nervous system. We examined initial signs and symptoms in sporadic and familial cases. We obtained clinical, neuroimaging and genetic data on 15 Italian patients with CA of the nervous system with positive, doubtful or apparently negative family history. Genetic markers surrounding three different gene regions (7q, 3q and 7p) were analysed. In one small family, genetic linkage was consistent with all chromosome loci. In another family with the unusual association of cerebral and spinal CA, linkage with chromosome 7q and, likely, 7p was excluded, while linkage with locus 3q was possible. Our results indicate that Italian families with CA may show genetic heterogeneity. Non-specific and subtle onset symptoms hide the presence of CA within families. Patients with multiple CA may have silent cerebral lesions confirming the low penetrance of clinical signs in spite of radiological ones.Neurological Sciences 07/2000; 21(3):129-34. · 1.32 Impact Factor -
Article: Cavernous angiomas of the nervous system in Italy: clinical and genetic study
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ABSTRACT: We performed a clinical and genetic study of patients affected by cavernous angiomas (CA) of the nervous system. We examined initial signs and symptoms in sporadic and familial cases. We obtained clinical, neuroimaging and genetic data on 15 Italian patients with CA of the nervous system with positive, doubtful or apparently negative family history. Genetic markers surrounding three different gene regions (7q, 3q and 7p) were analysed. In one small family, genetic linkage was consistent with all chromosome loci. In another family with the unusual association of cerebral and spinal CA, linkage with chromosome 7q and, likely, 7p was excluded, while linkage with locus 3q was possible. Our results indicate that Italian families with CA may show genetic heterogeneity. Non-specific and subtle onset symptoms hide the presence of CA within families. Patients with multiple CA may have silent cerebral lesions confirming the low penetrance of clinical signs in spite of radiological ones.Neurological Sciences 01/2000; 21(3):129-134. · 1.32 Impact Factor -
Article: Total removal of an intramedullary cavernous angioma by transthoracic approach.
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ABSTRACT: Intramedullary cavernous angiomas are rare vascular malformations; all published cases have been surgically approached posteriorly by standard laminectomy. We describe the case of a 63-year-old man with an intramedullary cavernous angioma, anteriorly located in the thoracic spinal cord. The angioma was operated on by transthoracic approach and totally removed.The Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences 07/1998; 19(3):176-9. -
Article: [Epidermoid cyst of the cranial vault. Neuroradiological and therapeutic considerations].
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ABSTRACT: Intradiploic epidermoid cyst is a slow-growing tumor affecting only rarely the cranial bones. The authors describe a case of intradiploic epidermoid cyst of the cranial vault in which there was a predominantly intracranial extension. Roentgenographic and CT findings do not permit a differential diagnosis. Complete removal of the cyst and its capsule was accomplished, with complete recovery. Total removal oft the tumor and its capsule is associated with a very good long-term prognosis without recurrences.Minerva chirurgica 05/1998; 53(4):309-11. · 0.77 Impact Factor -
Article: [Intramedullary cervical neurinoma. A case report and review of the literature].
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ABSTRACT: A case of intramedullary neurinoma of the cervical spinal cord in a patient with no sign of von Recklinghausen's disease is reported. It was diagnosed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and treated surgically. Discussion examines etiology, role of diagnostic procedures and surgical treatment of this rare tumor.Minerva chirurgica 06/1997; 52(5):679-82. · 0.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Prognostic factors in intramedullary astrocytomas.
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ABSTRACT: This report presents a retrospective prognostic study of 65 patients with intramedullary astrocytoma surgically treated between 1953 and 1990. Median survival and statistical survival at 5 years were assessed in relation to clinical, histological and therapeutic factors for each patient. Results showed that factors positively influencing the prognosis are low histological grade of the tumour and good pre- and post-operative general conditions. Among the grade II astrocytomas, the fibrillary and protoplasmatic types presented longer survival times regardless of the type of removal performed. In anaplastic astrocytomas the simultaneous presence of certain morphological features indicative of higher malignancy negatively influenced survival. The degree of resection did not influence average survival within each histological grade.Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery 03/1997; 99(1):1-5. · 1.58 Impact Factor -
Article: Intramedullary astrocytomas and ependymomas in the pediatric age group: a retrospective study.
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ABSTRACT: A series of 45 pediatric patients underwent surgery for intramedullary astrocytoma or ependymoma at the Cook County Hospital or the Children's Memorial Hospital of Chicago (Northwestern University) and the Neurosurgical Department of Rome "La Sapienza" University. Results showed that intramedullary astrocytomas and ependymomas in children differ from one another in terms of prognosis, and particularly as regards surgical strategy as an element of therapeutic management. Gross total removal of 70% of the ependymomas was achieved, in comparison to 33% of the astrocytomas. In astrocytomas the extent of resection did not significantly influence prognosis. Neurological condition on admission, regardless of oncotype, was found to be extremely influential: patients operated in good condition tended to remain neurologically stable or improve in the long term, while those operated on while in poor condition did not show any improvement at all. No definitive conclusions were possible regarding the value of radiotherapy, because it was only performed in 6 of the 45 cases. The authors limited its use to highly malignant lesions in view of the well-known sensitivity of the spinal cord to radiation, especially in children.Child s Nervous System 01/1997; 12(12):776-80. · 1.54 Impact Factor -
Article: Intramedullary cavernous angiomas of the spinal cord: report of six cases.
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ABSTRACT: The authors report six cases of intramedullary cavernoma. Symptoms evolved by episodes of stepwise neurologic deterioration or slow progression. All patients had preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Removal of the cavernoma was total in all cases and in one a transthoracic approach was performed because of the ventral and superficial position of the lesion. At follow-up, ranging from 6 to 18 months, two patients improved, two were unchanged, and one had deteriorated. Prognosis was influenced by the length of clinical history and the severity of preoperative symptoms. The principal clinical and therapeutic aspects of cavernoma are discussed in light of the published data.Surgical Neurology 06/1995; 43(5):448-51; discussion 451-2. · 1.67 Impact Factor -
Article: Prolonged stabilization of multiple and single brain metastases from breast cancer with tamoxifen. Report of three cases.
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ABSTRACT: Cancer frequently metastasizes to the brain, and such lesions, whether multiple or solitary, have a poor prognosis, despite all efforts to treat them. There have been recent sporadic reports of brain metastases from breast cancer responding for some years to antiestrogens (particularly tamoxifen) or bromocriptine. We report three cases of brain metastasis from cancer--two multiple and one a solitary lesion. The long survival of the patients--two for 5 years and one for 6 years, with more than an acceptable quality of life - should prompt therapeutic trials to test tamoxifen and designed to assess its effects on a sizable number of patients.Tumori 11/1993; 79(5):359-62. · 0.86 Impact Factor -
Article: Spontaneous drainage of syringomyelia. Report of two cases.
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ABSTRACT: Two cases are reported of Arnold-Chiari type I malformation associated with syringomyelia, in which magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed spontaneous decompression of the syrinx. In one case axial MR imaging sections showed a communication between the syrinx and the spinal subarachnoid space, which supports the hypothesis that fissuring of the cord parenchyma is instrumental in the spontaneous resolution of syringomyelia. The MR imaging changes were not accompanied by variations in the patients' clinical course.Journal of Neurosurgery 08/1993; 79(1):132-4. · 2.96 Impact Factor -
Article: Meningiomas of Meckel's cave.
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ABSTRACT: A series of 16 patients with meningiomas of Meckel's cave is reported. Trigeminal neuralgia, typical or atypical, was the initial symptom in 10 patients (62.5%). At admission, trigeminal signs and symptoms were present in 15 patients (93.7%); in 7 patients (43.7%), trigeminal dysfunction was combined with the impairment of other cranial nerves. On retrospective analysis, these patients fall into two clinical groups that differ also in prognosis. Group 1 comprises eight patients with trigeminal signs and symptoms only. These patients had small meningiomas strictly affecting Meckel's cave. Total removal of the tumor was achieved in seven of eight patients, without adjunctive postoperative neurological deficits. In this group, there were no tumor recurrences. Group 2 comprises the other eight patients in whom trigeminal dysfunction was combined with impairment of other cranial nerves. These patients had large tumors arising from Meckel's cave and secondarily invading the cavernous sinus (five patients) or extending into the posterior fossa (two patients) or largely growing into the middle fossa (one patient). Total removal was achieved in only one patient, and a worsening of the preoperative neurological status was observed in four patients; there were three cases of tumor progression. A subtemporal intradural approach (used in the past in every case) is still used for the small tumors of Group 1 with good results. Since 1985, for tumors involving the cavernous sinus, we have employed a frontotemporal craniotomy with extradural clinoidectomy and superior and lateral approach to the cavernous sinus. When the tumor extends toward the posterior fossa, we use a combined temporosuboccipital-transpetrosal approach.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)Neurosurgery 01/1993; 31(6):1000-6; discussion 1006-7. · 2.79 Impact Factor -
Article: Brain oedema and intracranial hypertension treatment by GLIAS.
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ABSTRACT: The authors present their results regarding the use of a buffered solution of glycerol 30%-sodium ascorbate 20% (GLIAS) for the treatment of brain oedema and intracranial hypertension. GLIAS was perfused intravenously in 80 patients with several types of brain oedema. In every patients serum and urinary osmolarity, diuresis, main blood and urine parameters, and ICP were monitored. Following GLIAS infusion an increase in plasma osmolarity was observed, changing the average basal value plus 13.4% after 15 min., 10.5% after 30'. At the same time there was a reduction of ICP and improvement in cerebral compliance. In each case there was a decrease in intracranial hypertension and brain oedema without significant collateral effects.Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement 02/1992; 55:40-2. -
Article: Intramedullary metastasis of unknown origin: a case report.
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ABSTRACT: We report a case of cervicothoracic intramedullary metastasis with long survival. The patient is in satisfactory neurological condition 18 months after operation and has resumed her normal lifestyle. Despite meticulous examinations, the primary lesion could not be identified. We discuss the relevant published work.Neurosurgical Review 02/1992; 15(2):135-8. · 2.04 Impact Factor -
Article: [Primary Meckel's cave lymphoma. A case and review of the literature].
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ABSTRACT: A rare case of Meckel's cavity lymphoma is presented. Only two other cases of identical localization have been presented in the literature. The symptoms consisted of sensorimotor impairment of the Vth nerve associated with slight exophthalmos. C.T. scan showed a hyperdense lesion in Meckel's cavity. After total surgical removal, histological analysis diagnosed a B-lymphocyte non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient received both radiotherapy and chemotherapy and at one year follow up, the clinical course was good. The lesion had no clinical or radiological specificity. Its prognosis appears to be identical to that of other intracranial lymphomas.Neurochirurgie 02/1992; 38(6):368-71. · 0.34 Impact Factor -
Article: Long-term results of surgical treatment of cerebello-pontine angle epidermoids.
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ABSTRACT: The long term surgical results in a series of 17 epidermoids of the cerebello-pontine angle are reported. In 11 cases the capsule was removed subtotally and in 6 totally. The absence of mortality among the patients who underwent subtotal removal and the onset of recurrences, if any, only long after the first operation, justify subtotal removal when tight capsular adhesions are present.Acta Neurochirurgica 02/1990; 103(3-4):105-8. · 1.52 Impact Factor -
Article: [Tumors of the central nervous system induced by ionizing radiation. Update on their pathology and presentation of a case].
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ABSTRACT: Ionizing radiation-induced neoplasias are frequently described in literature but only 100 case about interested the central nervous system. The authors add a possible personal observation and line the main features of this association.Giornale italiano di oncologia 10(1-2):15-8.
Top Journals
Institutions
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1997–2005
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Sapienza University of Rome
- • Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Science
- • Department of Surgical Sciences
Roma, Latium, Italy -
IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed
Pozzilli, Molise, Italy
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