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Smartphone-based technology for electrocardiographic recording is now part of the new concept of mobile health in both human and veterinary medicine. Although smartphone-based ECG for electrocardiographic screening in dogs is reliable, one-lead ECG devices have mainly been evaluated. This prospective study assessed the feasibility and the diagnostic reliability of a new smartphone-based six-lead electrocardiograph (smECG) in dogs, in comparison to a standard six-lead electrocardiograph (stECG). All ECG tracings were blindly reviewed by an expert operator, who judged whether tracings were acceptable for interpretation, performed the electrocardiographic measurements, and assigned a diagnosis. The agreement in the electrocardiographic interpretation and diagnosis between smECG and stECG was assessed using the Bland-Altman test and Cohen's k test. The study included 108 client-owned dogs. The tracings obtained by the smECG were interpretable in 100 % of cases. No clinically relevant differences between smECG and stECG were found in the assessment of heart rate, interval duration, and QRS mean electrical axis. The smECG tended to underestimate the amplitude of the P and R waves. Perfect agreement was found in the detection of sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular blocks, and bundle branch blocks. Our study suggests that the tested smartphone-based six-lead ECG is a clinically reliable device for the assessment of heart rate and heart rhythm in dogs, and thus could be used in a clinical setting in dogs and for telemedicine., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease with increasing incidence and prevalence in western countries. It can cause severe pain and functional limitations, thereby representing a threat for patients' quality of life and a burden for national health systems. Intra-articular injections with hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been used for decades in order to reduce the symptoms caused by osteoarthritis. In recent years, a combination of HA and PRP has been introduced in clinical practice with the aim to minimize the clinical presentation of osteoarthritis and potentially delay articular degeneration., Materials and Methods: Sixty cases with grade II-III knee osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification were included in a prospective study, focused on the evaluation of clinical and functional outcomes after intra-articular knee injections. Cases were randomly divided into three groups. Twenty cases (Group A ) were injected with HA, 20 (Group B ) had PRP, and the remaining 20 (Group C ) received a combination of HA and PRP. Basal WOMAC score and VAS score were recorded before the treatment and repeated within 3 and 6 months after the treatment., Results: At 6-month follow-up, Group C (PRP + HA) was the one with the lowest WOMAC and VAS mean values. It was also the only group that reported a reduction in the two values both in the first three months and in the following three months. No major complication was recorded., Conclusion: The combination of platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid can be effective in the treatment of grade II-III knee osteoarthritis in a short-to-mid-term scenario. It represents an innovative and valuable alternative to the administration of its two components alone., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Gianluca Ciapini et al.)

Purpose: Gait analysis was used to evaluate knee kinematics in patients who underwent successful primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using two modern bi-cruciate substituting designs. The knee joint was balanced intraoperatively using real-time sensor technology, developed to provide dynamic feedback regarding stability and tibiofemoral load. The authors hypothesized that major differences exist in gait parameters between healthy controls and post-TKA patients., Methods: Ten patients who underwent successful TKA using bi-cruciate substituting designs were evaluated at a minimum of 9 months postoperatively using three-dimensional knee kinematic analysis; a multi-camera optoelectronic system and a force platform were used. Sensor-extracted kinematic data included knee flexion angle at heel-strike (KFH), peak midstance knee flexion angle (MSKFA), maximum and minimum knee adduction angle (KAA) and knee rotational angle at heel-strike. Multiple gait analysis data from the study group were compared to a group of ten healthy controls who were matched by age, sex and BMI. Clinical outcome in the TKA group was also measured using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)., Results: Clinically, at final follow-up, a statistically significant difference in pain, general symptoms, and activities of daily living was seen between the groups. From a gait analysis standpoint, TKA patients had significantly less rotation at heel strike (p = 0.04), lower late stance peak extension moments (p = 0.02), and less Knee Adduction Angle excursion during swing phase (p = 0.04) compared to the control group. No statistically significant difference was observed for knee flexion angle at heel strike, knee adduction moment, or peak knee flexion moment between the groups., Conclusions: Modern bi-cruciate substituting TKA designs failed to reproduce normal knee kinematics. The lack of full knee extension during the stance phase, absence of the "screw-home mechanism" typical of an ACL functioning knee, and the reduced fluctuation in knee adduction angle during the swing phase still represent major proprioceptive and muscular recruitment differences between normal and replaced knees., (© 2023. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Aim and Objective: Multifocal fractures of the humerus are rare. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment and propose a modification to the Maresca-Pascarella classification. A flowchart for surgical treatment is provided., Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with multifocal humeral fractures were treated and evaluated. The Maresca-Pascarella classification was used. All were treated using with either plates and screws, external fixation or intramedullary nailing. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the QuickDASH test, the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS)., Results: There were 12 Type A, 17 Type B, 1 Type C and 1 of combined fractures of the proximal and distal epiphysis. Of the 31 patients, 5 were lost to the follow-up (FU), 1 died of pulmonary embolism (PE) and the remaining 25 had a mean FU of 19.8 (7-35) months. Three patients had radial nerve damage and 1 went to a non-union that required further surgical intervention. The mean QuickDASH score was 15.7, the average UCLA shoulder score was 26.3 and the mean MEPS elbow score resulted to be 83.0., Conclusion: Although multifocal fractures are severe injuries, patients are able to recover good functionality if treated judiciously., Clinical Significance: We proposed a standardised surgical approach based on the fracture characteristics, site and a modified Maresca-Pascarella classification., How to Cite This Article: Scaglione M, Casella F, Ipponi E, et al . Multifocal Humeral Fractures: Clinical Results, Functional Outcomes and Flowchart of Surgical Treatment. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2022;17(2):81-87., Competing Interests: Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None, (Copyright © 2022; The Author(s).)

Introduction: Although Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a successful procedure, a significant number of patients are still unsatisfied, reporting instability at the mid-flexion range (Mid-Flexion Instability-MFI). To avoid this complication, many innovations, including load sensors (LS), have been introduced. The intraoperative use of LS may facilitate the balance of the knee during the entire range of motion to avoid MFI postoperatively. The objective of this study was to perform a Gait Analysis (GA) evaluation of a series of patients who underwent primary TKA using a single LS technology., Methods: The authors matched and compared two groups of patients treated with the same posterior stabilized TKA design. In Group A, 10 knees were intraoperatively balanced with LS technology, while 10 knees (Group B) underwent standard TKA. The correct TKA alignment was preoperatively determined aiming for a mechanical alignment. Clinical evaluation was performed according to the WOMAC, Knee Society Score (KSS) and Forgotten Joint Score, while functional evaluation was performed using a state-of-the-art GA platform., Results: We reported excellent clinical results in both groups without any statistical difference in patient reported outcome measurements (PROMs); from a functional standpoint, several GA space-time parameters were closer to normal in the sensor group when compared to the standard group, but a statistically significant difference was not reached., Conclusions: Gait Analysis represents a valid method to evaluate TKA kinematics. This study, with its limitations, showed that pressure sensitive technology represents a valid aid for surgeons aiming to improve the postoperative stability of TKA; however, other factors (i.e., level of intra-articular constraint and alignment) may play a major role in reproducing the normal knee biomechanics.

Introduction: Viscosupplementation is a well-known strategy for managing early stages knee Osteoarthritis. However, despite its effectiveness in reducing symptoms, it has not yet been found to have an effect on joint cartilage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new product with gel-like behaviour and its in vivo effects on joint cartilage., Methods: 20 patients were treated by 2 consecutive injections of hyaluronan derivative Hymovis® at one-week interval. Clinical evaluation was performed before the treatment and at each time point during the follow-up using WOMAC and VAS. A 7 T magnet was used for cartilage evaluation at each MRI time point: T2 Relaxation Time (RT), T2∗ RT and cartilage parameters were evaluated before the first injection, after 45 days and at 6 months follow-up. Statistical analysis was obtained for each reported data., Results: We report significantly reduction in symptoms with an increase in knee and global activity functions. The T2 RT for lateral tibial compartment and T2∗ RT for Patello-Femoral compartment significantly decreased. A T2 RT reduction was observed in all knee compartments except for the medial tibial one, while a T2∗ RT reduction was observed in all knee compartments. We report an increase in cartilage volume and thickness in most of patients with a reduction of cartilage defects in 9 patients, but we didn't find MRI signals clearly referable to cartilage regeneration., Conclusions: MRI results have confirmed the possibility to employ 7T magnets to evaluate early changes in cartilage structure in vivo . HA VS has provided good clinical outcomes and an improvement in the global assessment of the knee joint, but it doesn't seem to significantly modify the cartilage over the time., Competing Interests: Economical support related to product studied, MRI costs, analysis of data and in the writing of the report was provided by Fidia Farmaceutici SPA, Abano Terme, PD, Italy. All the Authors state, however, that Fidia Farmaceutici SPA didn't solicit this research project or protocols with investigators or institutions. Fidia Farmaceutici SPA wasn't responsible for the initiation of the study and didn't participate in the scientific design of the trial, in the creation of the protocol, management of the study and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication., (© 2021 Delhi Orthopedic Association. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aim of the Work: since 2003, a series of so called 'micro-posterior' approaches have been developed in the orthopaedic surgery to perform total hip replacement. These techniques present several theoretical advantages compared to the classic postero-lateral approach: reduction in blood loss, post-operative pain, and length of stay but also improving functional outcomes. In our hypothesis these goals could also be obtained in patients with femoral neck fractures, especially in the elderly with several comorbidities., Methods: In our series we performed 50 consecutive cemented hemiarthroplasties through SuperPATH approach. At the latest follow-up (FU) 41 patients were included in the study. Clinical and radiological evaluation was performed before the surgery and at the latest FU using VAS score, Harris Hip Score (HHS) and conventional AP and LL X-rays., Results: We didn't report any intra-operative complication (i.e. periprosthetic fractures, vasculo-nervous injuries or dislocations) or any case with a dysmetria greater than 1 cm. Mean blood transfusion units were 0.8 during surgery (0 - 4) and 1,6 after surgery (0-4). We reported a mean length of stay of 9.7 days (range 7-15) mainly due to our patients' high comorbidity rate. At the last one-year FU no cases of dislocation, infection and clinical or radiographical signs of prosthetic loosening were recorded. All our patients returned to the same activity level before femoral fracture occurred, according to HHS., Conclusion: The SuperPATH is a real minimally invasive approach with a low rate of intra- and post-operative complications. It is related to a reduced dislocation rate and potentially to a reduced infection rate compared to the conventional surgical approaches, allowing, furthermore, a faster functional recovery. According to our experience the advantages of this type of approach can be obtained in the trauma field too.

Background and Aim of the Work: Patellar tendon rupture is a rare complication after Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) which often requires surgical treatment. Patients with chronic lesions or tendon degenerations showed good results when treated using autografts or allografts, but these techniques showed poor outcomes at long-term follow-up (FU). Moreover, allografts have high costs and limited availability, not to mention the increased risk of immune reactions and infections. Recently, the use of synthetic ligaments for patellar tendon reconstruction has taken hold with encouraging results. We report our experience in the treatment of patellar tendon ruptures after TKA using the Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System-LARS®., Methods: Clinical evaluation was performed using the Knee Society Score and recording extensor lag. Instrumental evaluation was performed using ultrasound imaging to assess patellar tendon thickness and using conventional x-rays to assess prosthesis' mobilization signs and patella's height., Results: At the final FU, 6 knees were included in our study. Patient's mean age was 66.7. Patellar tendon reconstruction occurred after a mean time of 4 months from the previous surgery. The mean FU was 44,2 months. The mean Knee Score was 63.3 and the mean Function Score was 35. In 4 knees the extensor lag was < 10° while in 2 knees it was > 20°. The mean ISI was 1.16, while the average increment in tendon thickness was 127.12%., Conclusions: In our opinion, synthetic ligaments can be successfully employed for the reconstruction of patellar tendon breakage after TKA and rTKA in selected patients, in order to quickly return them to their activity of daily living.

Background and aim of the work: In the orthopaedic and traumatological fields septic non-unions represent a severe complication, hard to manage and treat. Traditionally, the surgical technique consists in to two sequential steps: debridement with administration of local and systemic antibiotics associated with temporary stabilization of the fracture and subsequent reconstruction of bone and soft tissues. Recently, the use of some devices to treat septic non-union by one-step surgery have been introduced with encouraging resultsMethods: We reported our experience with a case treated by one-step procedure using a custom-made intramedullary antibiotic cement-coated carbon nail. We reviewed the literature and described the surgical technique employed in this case. Results: At 6 months from surgery the patient was able to perform full weight-bearing and carry out the normal activities of daily living. Serum inflammatory markers normalized and radiographic controls showed the presence of a mechanically good bone callus at the non-union site. The bone resection carried out determined a limb length discrepancy of 3 cm, that was corrected through a temporary shoe lift, currently well tolerated. The patient regained full ROM of the right knee. Conclusion: Intramedullary antibiotic cement-coated nail associated with systemic antibiotic therapy proved to be an effective treatment to control the infection and provide immediate stability at the septic non-union/fracture site, allowing a rapid functional recovery. It represents a valid option especially in patients who refuse external devices or surgical additional procedures, as in our case. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Introduction: The Pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has put a strain on the most of health systems all over the world. Many hospitals had to re-organize to deal with the emergency, so that the non-core activities have been suspended or cancelled, raising management problems. The aim of this multicentre study is to report the epidemiological orthopaedic and traumatological data between COVID and pre-COVID era and to analyse patients' needs and their management., Methods: We reported and compared traumatological and elective orthopaedic surgeries performed in three of the main hospital centres in Tuscany during COVID (March 2020) and pre-COVID (March 2019) era. We also reported the epidemiological data about the number of orthopaedic first aid visits at the main hub, analysing the main differences. For each centre, we reported the number, diagnosis, co-morbidities, treatment, hospital course, complications and outcomes of confirmed COVID 19 patients. We also indicated what kind of PPE were used by medical staff and patients at any visit., Results: The scheduled surgery drastically decreased in all the centres and the most of procedures were carried out for tumours, infections and implant mobilizations during the COVID time, delaying all the other ones. Trauma activities slightly decreased between the two time points: proximal femur fractures continued to engage our hospitals at the same pre-COVID volumes, while minor traumas drastically decreased. We report a decrease of 70.95% in orthopaedic first aid, with first-aid-visits/hospitalization ratio of 13.8 in the pre-COVID time vs 5.8 in the COVID time. A total of 5 confirmed COVID patients were treated for fractures and 4 of them healed without complications. We report just one case of death among COVID patients. All the medical staff members have worn the PPE and no one have developed COVID symptoms., Conclusions: The COVID-19 raised many important issues, such as the optimal management of patients requiring the treatment of conventional diseases during a pandemic. The flow of patients changes from one area to another during a pandemic and an integrated approach within the same geographical area could be useful to better allocate resources and manage the patients' needs. The preventive measures put in place in our country seem to work, but this first experience with COVID-19 crisis highlighted the chronic problems of our health system and we believe that we have to "learn the lesson" to be better prepared in the future., Competing Interests: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors., (© 2020.)

A new philosophy of science and medicine had spread throughout the 17th-century Italy: the "Scientific Revolution." Giovanni Alfonso Borelli (1608-1679) was one of the most charismatic and brilliant scientists of his generation in Europe. He extended to biology the rigorous analytic methods developed by his indirect mentor Galileo in the field of mechanics. In his masterpiece " De Motu Animalium ," Borelli analyzed structure, motion, balance, and forces concerning almost all the principal joints of the human body, in static and dynamic situations. In particular, he accurately studied the anatomy and biomechanics of the knee joint. He sustained that femoral condyles shift backward during flexion, allowing a wider range of movement. Furthermore, he observed that, when the knee flexes, the lateral condyle moves backward more than the medial condyle: this concept is nowadays known as medial pivoting. The aim of this article is to describe the life and work of this important Italian scientist and to present his unrecognized contribution to modern knee biomechanics.

Purpose  The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the subjective and functional outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the synthetic Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) ligament. Methods  Twenty-six patients were reviewed at an average follow-up of 11.6 years. Objective clinical evaluation was performed with stability tests. Patient-reported outcomes (Visual Analogue Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Cincinnati Knee Rating Scale) were used to assess subjective and functional outcomes. Results  Overall satisfactory results were obtained in 22 cases (84.6%). Four patients (15.4%) showed mechanical failure of the graft. No cases of synovitis or infection were reported. Conclusion  LARS ligament can be considered a safe and suitable option for ACL reconstruction in carefully selected cases, especially elderly patients needing a rapid postoperative recovery. Level of Evidence  Level IV, retrospective case series.

Background and Objective: To evaluate short-term efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept (Eylea; Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY) in serous foveal detachment (SFD) in dome-shaped macula (DSM)., Patients and Methods: A retrospective, noncomparative case series. Three monthly aflibercept injections were administered. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography central subfield thickness (CST), and subretinal fluid (SRF) at baseline and at 2 months and 4 months after the last injection were considered for statistical analysis., Results: The authors reviewed nine eyes affected by SFD in DSM. Mean BCVA improved from 0.42 LogMAR at baseline to 0.33 LogMAR at final follow-up (P = .06), and mean CST and SRF reduced from 347 μm to 295 μm (P = .09) and from 146 μm to 99 μm (P < .01), respectively. None of the considered eyes had resolution of the SRF., Conclusions: Three monthly aflibercept injections may improve BCVA and reduce CST and SRF in SFD of DSM. Further prospective studies are necessary to state the real efficacy of this approach. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:822-828.]., (Copyright 2017, SLACK Incorporated.)

A successful Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) requires stability, but rarely in primary TKA, a prosthesis with more constraint than a posterior-stabilizer (PS) is necessary. In patients with severe varus/valgus deformities with incompetent collateral ligaments or in knees that cannot be adequately balanced after ligaments release, a total-stabilizer (TS) prosthesis may be required. The purpose of our retrospective study is to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes at short mid-term follow-up in patients treated with a TS TKA. Between January 2013 and August 2016, 36 patients (38 knees) were treated with Stryker Triathlon TS cemented implants. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and at 1-year intervals thereafter. At final follow-up, 33 patients (35 knees) remained and were included in this study and followed with a mean follow-up of 26.6 months. Clinical evaluation was performed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC score) and the Knee Society rating system that is subdivided into a knee score (KS) that rates only the knee joint itself and a functional score (FS). Knee Score (KS) and Functional Score (FS) increased significantly from a mean pre-operative value of 48 and 45, respectively, to a post-operative value at last follow-up of 86 and 82, respectively. Also WOMAC score improved significantly: the mean pre-operative WOMAC score was 45, while the mean post-operative WOMAC score, at last follow-up, was 19. The difference between pre- and post- operative results was significant at statistical analysis. In our opinion, when the adequately prosthesis balancing isn’t possible, because of primary or secondary severe varus/valgus deformity or severe soft tissues retraction, an available option is to perform a total knee arthroplasty with a total stabilizer polyethylene insert. TS prosthesis gives more stability during the most of ROM and, in addition, Triathlon system provides surgeons the possibility to choose a more constrained implant, than a standard PS one, during surgical procedure saving the bone stock. Our experience with this kind of prosthesis has provided good clinical and radiographic outcomes at a short mid-term follow-up with a low-rate of complications.

Introduction: Femoral nerve compression caused by iliopsoas hematoma is a rare complication after hip surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case after hemiarthroplasty. In this case, iliacus hematoma resulted from spontaneous bleeding favored by anticoagulant therapy., Case Report: A 78-year-old female developed left groin pain associated with typical symptoms of femoral nerve palsy about 2weeks after left hip hemiarthroplasty[1, 2, 3]. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a left iliopsoas hematoma that was surgically drained. Inguinal pain was immediately relieved, while nerve palsy recovered only partially, but the quality of life drastically improved and she was able to walk using a walker without pain., Conclusion: Even if it is a rare condition, the formation of a hematoma of iliopsoas muscle should be considered in patients that present symptoms of femoral nerve palsy, especially if treated with heparin or other anticoagulant drugs. Surgical drainage of the hematoma is indicated when symptoms are severe and disabling, and in this way, surgery could improve quality of life., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: Nil

Introduction: Vascular complications after femoral fixation are rare and not only easy to recognize but also potentially life-threatening. The aim of this case report is to describe how a pseudoaneurysm of the deep femoral artery can complicate an intramedullary nailing after a pertrochanteric fracture and how it can be treated., Case Report: We report the case of a 90-year-old female who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the profunda femoris artery 16 days after intramedullary femoral nailing for a pertrochanteric hip fracture. Stenting of the artery was urgently performed with a consequent resolution of the symptoms., Conclusion: Diagnosis of vascular complications after hip surgery may be very challenging because symptoms are often nonspecific. Despite their rarity, it is important to know this type of complications to address the diagnostic pathway in the right direction and to treat them promptly., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: Nil

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of an intravitreal ocriplasmin injection using anterior chamber paracentesis to release symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT)., Methods: Five patients with symptomatic VMT were enrolled. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including acquisition of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Before intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin, anterior chamber paracentesis was performed in the study eye to induce mild ocular hypotonia. Control visits were performed the day after the injection, at 1 week, and after 1, 2, and 3 months., Results: In 4 patients, we had complete release of VMT and visual improvement after the intravitreal ocriplasmin injection preceded by anterior chamber paracentesis. No adverse events were observed., Conclusions: In our small case series, anterior chamber paracentesis performed before intravitreal ocriplasmin seemed to increase the efficacy of the drug in the resolution of symptomatic VMT. Our success estimate is imprecise due to small sample size (95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.99) and no definitive conclusion can be reached. Further research is worth being conducted to assess the potential usefulness of paracentesis before ocriplasmin injection to increase vitreoretinal traction release rate.

Background: Few data on services for people with severe multiple sclerosis (MS) are available. The Palliative Network for Severely Affected Adults with MS in Italy (PeNSAMI) developed a home palliative care program for MS patients and carers, preceded by a literature review and qualitative study (here reported)., Objective: To identify unmet needs of people with severe MS living at home by qualitative research involving key stakeholders, and theorize broad areas of intervention to meet those needs., Method: Data were collected from: at least 10 personal interviews with adults with severe MS (primary/secondary progressive, EDSS≥8.0); three focus group meetings (FGs) of carers of people with severe MS; and two FGs of health professionals (HPs). Grounded theory guided the analysis of interview and FG transcripts, from which the areas of intervention were theorized., Results: Between October 2012 and May 2013, 22 MS patients, 30 carers and 18 HPs participated. Forty-eight needs themes were identified, grouped into 14 categories and four domains. Seven, highly interdependent intervention areas were theorized. Patients had difficulties expressing needs; experiences of burden and loneliness were prominent, chiefly in dysfunctional, less affluent families, and among parent carers. Needs differed across Italy with requirements for information and access to services highest in the South. All participants voiced a strong need for qualified personnel and care coordination in day-to-day home care. Personal hygiene emerged as crucial, as did the need for a supportive network and preservation of patient/carer roles within family and community., Conclusions: Unmet needs transcended medical issues and embraced organizational and psychosocial themes, as well as health policies. The high interdependence of the seven intervention areas theorized is in line with the multifaceted approach of palliative care. At variance with typical palliative contexts, coping with disability rather than end-of-life was a major concern of patients and carers.

Purpose: To evaluate the natural history of a case of retinoschisis with giant outer layer break and retinal detachment., Methods: A 42-year-old patient with a sudden paracentral scotoma in the visual field of the right eye underwent the following examinations: best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, ocular echography, and fundus photography., Results: The eye examination revealed inferotemporal retinoschisis-detachment with a giant outer retinal layer break and absence of foveal involvement. No breaks in the internal retinal layer were noted. No treatment was advised in the right eye. During the 3-year follow-up, a progressive reabsorption of subretinal fluid was detected and visual acuity remained unchanged., Conclusions: Deliberate nontreatment of a case of nonprogressive retinoschisis-detachment carries less risk of serious complications or loss of vision than does either surgical or prophylactic treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate central macular thickness (CMT) after cataract surgery in selected groups of patients. 
, Methods: The study comprised 4 groups-patients with epiretinal membrane, patients with high myopia, patients with diabetes without retinopathy, and healthy subjects-who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Central macular thickness was measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) using the 3D macular cube scan. The OCT evaluation was performed preoperatively and 1, 6, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 360 days after surgery. Visual acuity was measured preoperatively and after 6 and 360 days after surgery.
, Results: The study included 258 patients, 164 women and 94 men, with a mean age of 74 (SD 7.6) years. A statistically significant increase in CMT was observed from day 30 in patients with epiretinal membrane (p = 0.010) and diabetic patients (p = 0.026), reaching its maximum thickness at day 60 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001), while it was observed only on day 360 in healthy subjects (p = 0.018) and those with high myopia (p = 0.003). The correlation between CMT and visual acuity was statistically significant only in the diabetic group (r = 0.61, p<0.01).
, Conclusions: Following cataract surgery, CMT changes according to characteristic patterns in the different groups studied. These changes did not prevent an optimal recovery of visual function.

Purpose: To describe functional and anatomic results obtained by treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) or intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche) in macular serous retinal detachment associated with tilted disk syndrome., Methods: Three eyes of 3 patients with symptomatic macular serous detachment associated with tilted disc syndrome (optic disc with an oblique axis, inferonasal crescent, and inferior staphyloma) were treated. In all patients, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was tested and fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed before and about 45 days after treatment. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including OCT at least 6 months after treatment. The first patient was treated with one low fluence (300 mW/cm2 for 83 seconds) PDT (6 months follow-up). The second patient was treated with 3 intravitreal injections of bevacizumab 1.25 mg (33 months follow-up) and the third patient was treated with 2 low fluence PDTs at 4 months and, after 1 year, 3 intravitreal injections of bevacizumab 1.25 mg (37 months follow-up)., Results: Before treatment, all patients complained of visual loss and metamorphopsia. The OCT showed in the macular area a focal neurosensory detachment with foveal involvement. The FA showed in the macular area multiple focal areas of hyperfluorescence due to pigment epithelium atrophy and in the second and third patient also a hyperfluorescent pinpoint with minimal leakage. After treatment in all eyes, symptoms did not change, BCVA remained stable, and in OCT the foveal neuroretinal detachment was changeless. In FA, no noticeable variation of the hyperfluorescence areas was appreciated. In the second patient, the hyperfluorescent point remained unvaried, and the same occurred in the third patient after the first PDT, while after the second PDT a new leaking dot disappeared., Conclusions: Macular serous retinal detachment was first described in 1998 as an uncommon complication of tilted disc syndrome showing angiographic and OCT features similar to a chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. In contrast to this pathology, in our patients treatment with PDT or intravitreal bevacizumab did not succeed, probably because of a different pathogenesis of macular serous detachment. Further investigations are needed to clarify the proper therapy of this disease.

Purpose: To describe the in-vivo confocal microscopy corneal findings in a patient with bilateral corneal deposits caused by an underlying monoclonal gammopathy., Methods: A 68-year-old man came to our center for an ophthalmologic examination. Besides visual acuity, the examination included slit-lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure, and fundoscopy. Confocal microscopy was performed using Confoscan 4 (Nidek Technologies Padova, Italy) with a 40× lens because of the presence of bilateral crystalline corneal deposits. Serological tests were also performed., Results: Every layer of the cornea is interested by deposits with high reflectivity,especially the epithelium and anterior stroma. The emathological tests evidenced a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance with high levels of Immunoglobulin M., Conclusion: Crystalline corneal deposits in monoclonal gammopathycan be usefully evaluated by confocal microscopy. These manifestations may be evaluated long before systemic signs of the pathology appear, so the early diagnosis is mandatory.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to determine the long-term visual and anatomic outcomes of photodynamic therapy in patients affected with choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 43 eyes of 43 patients. Patients with pathologic myopia were included if they had received photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization involving the center of the avascular foveal zone and if they had a follow-up of at least 5 years. We included only the cases for which both of the examiners of the FAs were in agreement concerning the subfoveal localization of choroidal neovascularization. Patients treated with other therapies such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or steroids in the study eye were excluded. Visual acuity was measured using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts. Anatomic outcome measures were the lesion size expressed as the greatest linear diameter and the chorioretinal atrophy that developed around the regressed choroidal neovascularization., Results: Average visual acuity was stable during the first year, tended to be worse at 2 years, whereas it was significantly worse at 3 years and afterward, reaching a loss of nearly 3 lines at 7 years. We found that neither the number of photodynamic therapy treatments nor baseline photodynamic therapy spot size influenced change of visual acuity during follow-up. Chorioretinal atrophy around choroidal neovascularization was detected in 83% of patients at the 5-year follow-up visit., Conclusion: The results showed that visual acuity decreased significantly after a long follow-up period mainly because of the development of chorioretinal atrophy.

Purpose: To report a case of retinal detachment in an eye with choroidal coloboma treated with pneumatic retinopexy and laser., Methods: Case report., Results: A 34-year-old woman who had had poor vision in her left eye since early childhood and high myopia in her right eye complained a sudden deterioration of vision in her left eye for 3 days. Fundus examination of the left eye showed a large choroidal coloboma, extending to the disc margin from 5-8 o'clock inferiorly and above the inferotemporal arcade, excluding the fovea and the parafovea. Superotemporal bullous detachment of the retina was also observed, including the macula. The patient underwent a pneumatic retinopexy with SF(6) gas (0.5 cc) injection into the vitreous cavity. The following day laser was applied around the margin of the choroidal coloboma. Three months later, visual acuity was 20/200 and fundus examination disclosed a completely attached retina., Conclusions: This case demonstrates the feasibility of using pneumatic retinopexy in selected cases.

Purpose: To investigate the clearance of intravitreal infliximab with the use of different sampling techniques and immunoassay methods in rabbits., Methods: Infliximab (1.6 mg) was intravitreally injected into both eyes of 47 rabbits. Two approaches were used to collect the vitreous: the classic method and a microsampling technique. Whereas the classic method consists of collection of the whole vitreous after enucleation, the microsampling technique consisted of the aspiration of small (10-15 microL) samples with a 200-microL syringe. Samples were taken from 30 minutes to 40 days using both methods and were then compared. Infliximab concentration was estimated with competitive ELISA, dot blot analysis, and Western blot analysis., Results: The vitreous half-life of infliximab was estimated to be 6.5 +/- 0.6 days. The data indicated monoexponential decay reaching its conclusion after approximately 40 days. This decay was preceded by 4-day-long diffusion in the vitreous. Microsampling proved to be effective in the vitreous collection, giving statistically comparable signals (+/- 4%, P = 0.68) with respect to the classic procedure. ELISA proved to be the best analytical technique--especially if coupled with microsamplings--because of its lower detection limit, precision, and reduced amount of sample needed. No differences were observed between half-life values obtained by ELISA and dot blot analysis (P = 0.081) and Western blot analysis (P = 0.614)., Conclusions: The findings of this study added to the knowledge of infliximab clearance in the vitreous and confirmed the validity of a microsampling technique that was compared with the classic one. ELISA was found to be the best analytical technique when using microsampling.

Objectives: To analyse the relation between results of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire for aging males, and of quality of life (QOL) questionnaire SF-12 and cardiovascular risk factors., Methods: 1,927 men aged 55-85 years were interviewed by 56 general practitioners. During the interview the men were asked to fill in the AMS scale and the QOL questionnaire SF-12., Results: Of 1,927 men 1,806 men filled correctly the AMS questionnaire. The mean SF-12 mental index was respectively 55.9 in men with a total AMS score indicating no impairment, 50.9 mild, 42.8 moderate, and 32.8 severe impairment. The corresponding values for the physical index were 51.2, 46.7, 40.8 and 32.3. A history of diabetes was associated with an increased risk of reporting moderate/severe impairment: in relation to the total AMS score the odds ratio, (OR), of moderate/severe impairment in comparison with no impairment was 1.6 (95%CI 1.2-2.1). A history of myocardial infarction and hypertension increased the risk (respectively OR 1.4 (95%CI 1.1-18) and 1.7 (95%CI 1.2-2.4))., Conclusions: This study shows that higher AMS scores are associated with lower SF-12 indices and suggests that elevated values of the AMS score are associated with cardiovascular risk factors or diseases.

Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are rare mesenchymal benign tumors of embryonal white fat. They are found primarily in children less than 5 years of age. This tumor presents in two forms: a localized well-circumscribed lesion (lipoblastoma), or a multicentric type (lipoblastomatosis). The authors presents three cases, two of them with a buttock lesion, the last with a paravertebral one. It is recommended a complete but conservative excision of the tumor because there is a natural tendency to involution, although in the first year of life a local reexcision for recurrence is sometimes described.

Two anaesthetic techniques, the general balanced anaesthesia and the spinal one, have been compared in relation to their effects on neuropsychological functions as assessed by a neuropsychological test battery. Seventeen patients, who underwent different kinds of operations, have been kept under observation and checked up from a neuropsychological point of view 3 days before (time A) and 7 and 30 days after the operation (respectively time B and time C). No statistical significant differences in relation to the two anaesthetic techniques were found when comparing A, B and C assessment times. A decrease in cognitive performance at time B and a gradual return to basal condition were observed in patients who underwent general anaesthesia. Nevertheless the lack of statistical significance of the observed data leads to the need for further investigation.

The congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (MACP), represents the congenital lung malformation most frequent in pediatric age. After examining the embryology, the treatment and the evolution of the malformation we wish to report our experience of four cases of MACP in patients 2 month, 1, 2 and 3 years of age. Lobectomy has cured all patients with the exception of one; this child had a MACP of the lung associated with Rhabdomyosarcoma and died after one and half year of chemotherapy.