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Background: Osteoporosis is the most wide-spread metabolical illness in the world, affecting from 30-40% of white women and 13% of white men over 50 years of age. Recently, the DEXA technique (Dual Energy X-ray Absortiometry) has proven to be a method, which is accurate, precise, low-cost, low-risk in terms of exposition to radiation and fast in terms of execution times., Methods: The results obtained by comparing 54 DEXA examinations with the same number of conventional X-ray examinations are presented. 54 women in menopause were submitted to a computerized bone mineral evaluation with a 2.0 version DEXA EUROMOX TBS at the level of the lumbar region (L1-L5) and the left femur, at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the University of L'Aquila. During the same session the women were subjected to X-rays of the lumbar column, pelvis and femurs., Results: A diagnosis of osteoporosis was reported in 59% of the women in both the lumbar and femoral regions with DEXA, while conventional radiography showed osteoporosis in 33% of the examinations of the spinal column and in 51% of the femurs., Conclusions: Thus, it was demonstrated that the presence of a disorder at the level of the spinal column can lead to an interference in the diagnosis, while the association of the femoral region, which is less subject to related disorders leads to a more accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis in doubtful cases.

The inferior vena cava is formed through a complex process of embryogenesis from the sixth to the tenth week of gestation. Improper completion of the process of embryogenesis may result in four anatomic anomalies: 1) duplication of the inferior vena cava; 2) left-sided inferior vena cava; 3) retroartic left renal vein and 4) circumaortic left renal vein. The Authors report the cases of two patients in which duplication of the inferior vena cava and retroartic left renal vein were respectively observed. The importance to avoid injuries and subsequent bleeding from these anomalous structures during surgical operations is stressed. Moreover, a correct preoperative diagnosis may reduce these complications.

The anterior approach to the vertebral column is indicated in the tumors or traumas of the vertebral body with prevalent anterior expression. This method allows to control easily all the structures in front of the rachis. Furthermore, the current reconstructive techniques require the exposure of a long tract of the vertebral column. The Authors report their experience with the anterior approach in 22 patients (9 males, 13 females) affected by different pathologies: 10 primary tumors divided as follows: 4 sacral chordomas, 1 L1 chordoma, 2 sacral neurinomas, 1 L5 malignant melanotic schwannoma, 1 D9 osteoblastoma, 1 D6 intraspinal cavernoma, and 1 D3 myeloma; 4 metastatic tumors (2 D10, 1 L4 and 1 L5); 5 fractures of the vertebral body (1 L1, 1 L1-L2, 2 L4 and 1 L5); 2 echinococcal cysts respectively arising from the D11 body, the sacrum and ilium. The Authors overall performed 8 thoracotomies, 6 for dorsal location; in 1 case of L1-L2 fracture a thoracophrenolaparotomy was performed; in 7 cases involving the L3-L5 segment an abdominal anterolateral extraperitoneal approach was followed; finally in 6 cases a transperitoneal laparotomy to approach the sacrum and ilium was performed.

Primary bone location of hydatid disease is extremely rare. The clinical case herein reported represents a primitive bone location of echinococcus in the ileal and sacral area. The aspecific symptoms did not allow for a preoperative diagnosis. The latter was possible only after a CT scan performed for other reasons. The patient underwent a CT scan and MIR which showed a diffuse involvement of the ilium and sacrum along with the presence of two cysts (anterior and posterior). Surgery was performed through an anterolateral extraperitoneal and posterior access in the gluteal region. Asportation "en bloc" of the cysts was not possible. Therefore, they were opened, aspirated and washed with hypertonic solution (33% NaCl). Following surgery Albendazole was prescribed to the patient. At 22 days from surgery, a CT scan confirmed the disappearance of the cysts along with the presence of bone lesions.

Brain tumors which manifest themselves neurologically in the first year of life can be declared "congenital". They are considered to be rare. Of a total of 440 central nervous system neoplasms in children, operated between 1951 and 1978, 24 (5,4%) congenital tumors were noted. The Authors report a clinical picture and the follow-up. The histology and topographical distribution of this series of tumors is compared to the literature data. The frequency of supratentorial tumors (15 cases; 62,5%) was much higher than that of infratentorial masses (9 cases); 37,5%). The high incidence of astrocytomas, choroid plexus papillomas and medulloblastomas is emphasized.

Urodynamic test has a main role in: 1) making a precise diagnosis in presence of urinary symptoms not clearly interpretable by other means; 2) assessing the characteristics of neurogenic bladder for a correct treatment; 3) detecting an underlying, previously not diagnosed neurologic disease in patients with voiding abnormalities. This report concerns 10 patients with urinary symptoms in whom the urodynamic tests allowed to suspect a neurogenic problem. Seven pts. showed an areflexic bladder with positive betanechol supersensitive test, 3 pts. had detrusor hyperreflexia, while in 2 cases there was a low compliant bladder. All the patients with detrusor hyperreflexia had also detrusor sphincter dyssynergia, while 5 out of 7 pts. with detrusor areflexia showed a denervated perineal floor. The final neurologic diagnoses were 4 protruded discs, 2 multiple scleroses, 1 cerebral tumor, 2 spinal tumors, 1 cervical spondylosis.

The authors refer a new case of Cysticercus racemosus in man. The description of scolex morphology is given and the name C. racemosus, generally accepted for these larval formae, is discussed.