Showing papers by "Fabrizio Salvi published in 2000"

Progesterone receptor expression in orbital cavernous hemangiomas

Abstract: Orbital cavernous hemangiomas (OCH) have thick and highly cellular vascular walls. Ultrastructural studies have demonstrated the smooth muscle nature of these cells. Vascular neoplasms can modify their morphological and clinical features under hormonal stimulation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of smooth muscle markers and sex steroid receptors in 12 cases of OCH. Orbital cases were compared with cutaneous hemangiomas and subcutaneous angioleiomyomas. Smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin were localized in spindle cells of the vascular walls of all 12 cases studied. OCH showed immunohistochemical positivity with progesterone receptor (PR) antibody both in smooth muscular and in endothelial cells. For comparison, sex steroid receptors were studied in 10 cases of cutaneous cavernous hemangioma and in 10 cases of subcutaneous angioleiomyoma. PR was found in smooth muscle and endothelial cells of 6 out of 10 cases of subcutaneous angioleiomyoma and in none of the cases of cutaneous cavernous hemangioma. No positivity was obtained with estrogen receptor (ER) antibody in any of the cases tested. The present data suggest that OCH share morphological and immunohistochemical features with subcutaneous angioleiomyomas. Furthermore, immunohistochemical positivity with PR antibody indicates that OCH have to be added to the list of mesenchymal lesions that express sex steroid receptors.

Vanishing Balò-like lesions in multiple sclerosis

Abstract: Balo's concentric sclerosis is a rare demyelinating disorder characterised pathologically by concentric rings of alternating demyelinated and relatively myelin preserved white matter.1 Several recent reports have shown that MRI has the potential to depict in vivo the typical appearance of Balo's concentric sclerosis lesions, thus making it possible to recognise this condition antemortem.2-4 The figure presents the MRI obtained from a 31 year old patient with a 4 year history of clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.5 An MR examination performed at clinical onset of the …

Hypertension, hyperekplexia, and pyramidal paresis due to vascular compression of the medulla.

Abstract: MRI showed impingement of the vertebral artery on the left lateral medulla in two patients with arterial hypertension, exaggerated startle reflexes (hyperekplexia), and progressive spastic paresis. One patient underwent microvascular decompression with normalization of arterial hypertension, disappearance of hyperekplexia, and improvement of spastic paresis. The combination of arterial hypertension, hyperekplexia, and progressive spastic paresis should arouse suspicion of neurovascular compression of the lateral medulla.

Radiation-induced gadd45 expression correlates with clinical response to radiotherapy of cervical carcinoma.

Abstract: Background: Recent work has identified a category of genes devoted to the control of genomic stability and prevention of cellular evolution. They encode components of cell cycle checkpoint, i.e., regulatory pathways committed to ordered cell cycle transition and fidelity of replicated DNA under adverse environmental conditions, such as those following exposure to genotoxic agents. Gadd45 belongs to the class II family of DNA damage-inducible (DDI) gene, and its role in DNA repair has been proved in many experimental models. The aim of our study was to correlate gadd45 radio-induction with the responsiveness to radiotherapy of cervical carcinomas, a type of cancer most commonly treated with radiotherapy alone. Methods: By means of a competitive polymerase chain reaction strategy, we compared in 14 patients the gene expression levels before and during external beam radiotherapy, when a dose ranging from 18 to 25 Gy was delivered to the target. Results: We found a correlation between the lack of gadd45 induction and a good clinical response to radiotherapy, in terms of both local control and disease-free survival. Conclusion: Our results support the measure of the induction of gadd45, and possibly of other genes required for regulated G 1 -S checkpoint, as a method useful for prognostic evaluation of cervical carcinoma patients.

Acute multifocal cerebral white matter lesions during transfer factor therapy

Abstract: Transfer factor is an active substance of unknown structure present in dialysable leucocyte extract which is assumed to transfer cell mediated immunity in an antigen specific fashion.1The mechanisms of action of transfer factor are still far from clear; in vitro dialysable leucocyte extract increases macrophage activation and interleukin (IL) 1 production and enhances leucocyte chemotaxis and natural killer function. Transfer factor has been reported to stimulate the cell mediated antigen specific response in patients with various infections1; therefore, treatment with transfer factor has been suggested in patients with selective deficits in cell mediated immunity such as in some refractory neoplasms and chronic infections. Moreover, it has been used in the treatment of uveitis.2Administration of dialysable leucocyte extract has seemed to be free of hypersensitivity, long lasting side effects, or complications, except for transitory hyperpyrexia.1 We report on a patient in whom multiple cerebral white matter lesions developed after taking dialysable leucocyte extract orally for uveitis. A 28 year old man was admitted to hospital because of headache, mental confusion, and right hemiparesis. He had had recurrent bilateral uveitis from the age of 12 to 14 with residual cataract of the right eye. In January 1995 retinal vasculitis was diagnosed at fundoscopy and in July 1995 he started …

Injury of the lateral geniculate body in an amateur boxer

Abstract: A 26-year-old amateur boxer noticed a visual field defect without an apparent temporal correlation with a fight. Computerized perimetry showed right inferior homonymous quadrantopsia and congruous horizontal sectoranopia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a CSF-filled cavity in the left lateral geniculate body, which was surrounded by a rim of signal change without hemosiderin deposits. A signal change along the course of the left optic radiation consistent with wallerian degeneration was also present. Ischemia in the territories of the perforating branches of the anterior and lateral choroidal arteries due to vascular injury might be responsible for the lateral geniculate body lesion in this patient.