Search

Peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis is a quite rare condition that can lead to misdiagnosis, particularly in adults. We describe the case of a 48-year-old woman with multiple stenoses, challenging anatomy and Eisenmenger-like presentation, who was treated percutaneously with a coronary technique.

A child with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) with headache was submitted to magnetic resonanace imaging and a pseudovasculitic lesion was found. Vascular lesions are uncommon in patients with NF1 and our case highlights an even more rare feature of this form of vascular disease.

In developing countries, tuberculosis (TBC) is commonly associated with inadequate socio-economic and sanitary conditions. Currently, in Western countries, TBC is often linked with HIV infection, an ageing population or trans-global migration. Approximately two out of ten TB cases worldwide are extra-pulmonary, of which abdominal tuberculosis accounts for 11%-16%. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex involves the abdomen as primary or secondary localization (hematogenous spread or from pulmonary foci or infected neighbouring organs). Abdominal TBC can infect the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, mesentery, abdominal lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and pancreas. Diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis is difficult because of vague and non-specific clinical features and due to the differential diagnosis with other granulomatous diseases such as Crohn's Disease. It is of great importance for clinicians to pay great attention to tubercular aetiology as a possible cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. Here we describe the clinical case of a young immigrant patient with intestinal TB for whom the wrong initial diagnosis led to a delay in the correct diagnosis and a worsening of the already serious general conditions.

A 67-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease (polycystic kidney disease) who had been on dialysis for 10 years came to our department for a second opinion about upper left arm edema homolateral to the arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Because of the suspicion of venous stenosis she had already been submitted to angiographic examination of the AVF which, however, did not show any occlusive process. In addition to the kidney problem, the clinical history included dilated cardiomyopathy, and 2 years earlier a biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) had been placed. The patient had never had a central venous catheter (CVC). She presented a typical superior vena cava syndrome picture with arm, neck and hemifacial edema and superficial cutaneous venous reticulum. The venous pressure during extracoroporeal circulation was high and blood recirculation was documented. Angio-CT was performed to look for a compressive process in the chest, but this was excluded. We then performed a new trans-AVF angiography to study extensively the axillary-subclavian-superior vena cava district. At first, no stenosis or thrombosis was observed, but the presence of ICD and its leads (left-sided implanted) in the anonymous vein created obstacles to diagnosis. Repeated injections of contrast medium and focusing imaging on the leads route allowed us to highlight a venous stenosis in the anonymous vein. Transluminal angioplasty was successfully carried out during the same procedure. 1) In hemodialysis patients the appearance of signs of intrathoracic vein drainage obstacles is not always associated with previous CVC implantation; 2) in the hemodialysis patient, any device (PM, ICD) should be implanted contralaterally to the fistula arm in order to avoid the risk that a venous stenosis may cause AVF dysfunction.

Oral cavity infection by protozoarian agents may lead to pathologies such as stomatitis and gengivitis. An higher incidence has been reported in immunocompromised patients and in patients with dental disorders. Entoameba gingivalis localizes into oral cavity and in particular into interstitial and interdental spaces. Infection propagation to bronchial or lung parenchyma represents a complication. In this report the Authors, starting from a recently treated case, discuss on the incidence, complications and surgical management of lung infection by Entoameba gingivalis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of cutting-balloon angioplasty (CBA) in the treatment of anastomotic stenoses of peripheral arterial bypass grafts., Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients (12 men and five women; age range 54-79 years, mean age 66.5) with stenosis or occlusion at the proximal or distal anastomoses of peripheral bypass grafts were treated with CBA. The diagnosis of stenosis was based on clinical and colour-Doppler ultrasound findings and confirmed by angiography with measurement of the intraluminal transstenotic pressure gradients. The diameter of the selected cutting balloon was 1-mm smaller than the vessel distal to the anastomosis and, in the event of suboptimal outcome, the procedure was completed with repeat dilatation with a larger standard balloon (+1 mm)., Results: Technical success was obtained in 100% of cases. In three patients, CBA was performed after locoregional thrombolysis. No patient required stent placement or emergency surgery due to the presence of residual stenosis, suboptimal outcome or dissection. No complication occurred either during or after the procedure. During a mean follow-up period of 10.4 months (range 5-21 months), two restenoses developed at 9 and 7 months, which were treated with the same technique; in one patient with recurrent bypass occlusion at 5 months, a new bypass was created surgically owing to contraindications for locoregional thrombolysis. Cumulative primary patency at 12 and 18 months was 82.35%, whereas the two cases of restenoses treated with repeat CBA underwent further follow-up at 10 and 7 months, respectively., Conclusions: Our data confirm the efficacy of CBA in the treatment of anastomotic stenoses of peripheral arterial bypass grafts.

In 5-10% of patients it is not possible to achieve a complete endoscopic examination of the colon, because of obstructing cancer, excessive length of the colon, anatomical abnormalities or adhesions. Virtual colonoscopy is currently capable of investigating the colic lumen with a non-invasive technique, with high specificity and sensitivity. From January 2005 to July 2007 we treated 21 patients with obstructing neoplastic colorectal lesions, preventing a complete endoscopic examination. In all patients we performed a virtual colonoscopy, which revealed the presence of synchronous lesions (19%): a pedunculated polyp in two cases, a sessile polyp in one case and a right colonic vegetating lesion. In the 21 patients studied we performed a follow-up colonoscopy 3 months after the surgical treatment. No other endoluminal lesions were found, confirming the results of virtual colonoscopy. In our experience virtual colonoscopy presented 100% sensitivity and specificity. In this selected group of patients with obstructing lesions of the colon, virtual colonoscopy enables the surgeon to evaluate the entire colon, avoiding the execution of an intraoperative colonoscopy and possible surgical reintervention due to the finding of synchronous neoplastic lesions at postoperative follow-up endoscopy.

One hundred forty-five patients are receiving renal replacement therapy at our center: 127 are on hemodialysis, 18 on peritoneal dialysis. From 2000 through 2005 a total of 215 arteriovenous fistulas (57% distal, 31% proximal, 12% prosthesis) were created. After some time we felt the necessity to design a vascular access surveillance system because the uremic population was increasingly constituted by aged people, including many diabetics and people suffering from hypertension with generalized vascular disease. The system comprised objective examination of the access at every dialysis session; kinetic Kt/V every 3 months; and a recirculation test (GIT) every 6 months. When there were anomalies in one of the above test results, color Doppler was performed. Detection of major stenosis with altered velocity parameters was a clear indication for angiography, possibly followed by angioplasty (PTA). In the indicated period, 15 patients underwent this procedure, and PTA was performed in all of them, often with placement of an endovascular stent. The results showed a survival of 12 months in 85% of patients and 18 months in 71% of patients. On the whole these data are comparable with others in the medical literature. The incidence of restenosis can be considered acceptable: it occurred in 3 cases out of 15 and could be corrected by PTA. In conclusion, PTA plus stent implantation is a valid method allowing quick and reliable correction of stenosis; a vascular access surveillance protocol and color Doppler imaging allow patient selection for angiography. PTA is to be considered an intermediate phase in stenosis correction before suggesting a new vascular access intervention to the patient.

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate whether virtual endoscopy can be employed as a preliminary technique to shorten the time required for the subsequent endoscopic procedure and be proposed for treatment planning and, postoperatively, for evaluating response to treatment in patients with cancer or severe stenotic lesions., Materials and Methods: From December 2004 to October 2005, 25 patients with suspected obstructive tracheobronchial stenosis were studied by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and virtual bronchoscopic navigation, after a preliminary clinical and conventional radiology assessment., Results: Quality of the virtual endoscopy images was excellent in all cases. Out of the 25 patients, four were affected by benign lesions and 21 by malignant lesions. With regard to lesion site, virtual endoscopy proved to be as informative as real endoscopy. The virtual endoscope was able to cross severe stenoses with a residual lumen of 3 mm. Follow-up studies were performed in 15 patients treated with laser and cryotherapy. In all cases, evaluation of the degree of post-treatment stenosis was similar to that obtained with conventional endoscopy., Conclusions: Our study indicates that virtual bronchoscopy has a high diagnostic potential. The technique, with the integration of MPR images, can be proposed as a preliminary study to obtain accurate characterisation of stenoses, to shorten the time required for the subsequent endoscopic procedure and to plan the most appropriate treatment.

Over the last few years the use of endoscopically placed endoprostheses for benign and malignant digestive diseases has considerably developed. The endoscopic placement of prostheses is usually well tolerated by patients; it does not require anaesthesia and it is a relatively low-risk procedure. New self-expandable metallic prostheses allow to treat even very tight stenoses; they do not usually require dilatation, therefore reducing the risks involved in dilatation procedure. This study presents a review of experience with prostheses placement in digestive diseases. Indications, limits and complications will be discussed according to data reported in the international literature.

The aim of our study was to report our experience with complex haemodialysis access procedures for patients presenting central vein stenosis or obstruction. Between September 2002 and December 2003 we performed 12 procedures on 10 patients presenting central vein stenosis or obstruction; all of them presented contraindications to peritoneal dialysis. Saphenous veins were used 6 times, twice as loops to the femoral artery and 4 times as transpositions to the popliteal artery above the knee; 3 axillary artery to popliteal vein PTFE bypasses; and 1 brachial artery to internal jugular vein PTFE graft. The PTFE graft to the jugular vein has been patent and regularly needled with a follow-up of 4 months. Four saphenous vein fistulae were regularly used for dialysis; 2 were never needled. Five saphenous fistulae clotted after an average life span of 4 months (range: 3 weeks-9 months) and one is still patent and in use (5 months). Both femoral vein transpositions have been patent and have been needled 3 times a week with a follow-up of 10 and 4 months; one had to be revised surgically after 9 months. Of the 3 axillary artery to popliteal vein grafts, one had to be closed after a week because of severe steal syndrome and 2 have been patent (1 year and 8 month follow-up) and have been needled regularly ever since. Seventy percent of these patients has been dialysed line free through their fistula despite severe central vein stenosis or obstruction. Although the follow-up needs to be longer we discuss the surgical, radiological and dialysis features of these patients and propose management guidelines for cases of central vein stenosis or occlusion.

Purpose: Virtual stenting (VS) is a new tool in the 3D processing work station of rotational angiography (RA) systems. This tool enables the 3D visualization of a stent or stent-graft in the site of a stenotic, obstructive or aneurysmatic lesion to be treated. We report the preliminary results obtained with this software in the treatment of segmental stenotic, obstructive or aneurysmal lesions of the iliac artery., Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients under-went rotational angiography and 3D reformations for one or more stenoses (19 cases), obstructive lesions (2 cases) or aneurysms (2 cases) of the common and/or external iliac artery and were treated with stents in 22/23 of cases. In all cases, the VS tool was applied to the stenotic-obstructive lesion on the identified on the 3D angiogram obtained before the stenting procedure., Results: The measurements of the stents/stents-grafts (length, proximal and distal diameter) provided by the tool were compared to those of the stent deployed. In 22/23 procedures, the measurements of virtual stenting and those of the deployed stent showed a good level of concordance. The system failed to provide correct measurements in only one long and tortuous iliac aneurysm., Conclusions: The ''virtual stenting'' tool proved to be reliable and fast, and enabled a more objective selection of the stent to be deployed on a stenotic-obstructive lesion in almost all cases. In cases of aneurysms of marked tortuosity, the system tends to suggest an inappropriate stent. The possibility of manually defining the optimal stent path within the aneurysmal sac might be useful.

During the surgical treatment of two patients with benign anastomotic colorectal stenosis, the Authors registered the presence of concomitant tenacious adherence of the anastomotic line to the sacral bone. Such event, according to the Authors, could represent one of the causes of failure and greater risk of perforation during the treatment with the different endoscopic therapies that, nevertheless, ought to be considered the gold standard in the therapy of benign structures. The Authors developed their hypothesis physiopathologic on the basis of personal experience and of the search a diagnostic procedure able to highlight the presence of a tenacious adherence with solid structures during the operative evaluation. If further studies focused on this subject will bring to satisfactory results, this would represent a further aid for the evaluation of the best therapeutic approach of the benign post anastomotic stenosis.

Background: The outcomes of endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant stenoses at the hepatic hilum were retrospectively evaluated., Methods: From January 1990 to June 2001, 583 patients, 368 males, average age 69+/-18.5 years, were recruited. Endoscopic procedure consisted of insertion of 1 ore multiple stents, plastic or metallic, across the stricture, under mild sedation., Results: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 518/583 (88.8%) patients and successful drainage in 474 (81.3%) patients. Early complications were observed in 101 (17.3%) patients with related-mortality of 17 (2.9%) patients. Late complications occurred in 39.9% of patients. Survival was of 189 days, on average., Conclusions: Endoscopic palliation should be the initial management of choice for malignant biliary stenoses at the hepatic hilum.

Primary radiation therapy may be recommended for patients with invasive bladder cancer, gynecological or prostatic cancer. When complications occur or in case of malignant recurrence, urinary diversion may be the best chance to restore an acceptable quality of life. The complication rate after this surgery is doubled. We report our experience in 32 patients submitted to urinary diversion after radiotherapy from 1985 to 2000: 2 enteric fistulas; 2 urinary fistulas; 5 stenosis of uretero-intestinal anastomosis were our complications. Radical cystectomy (24 cases) or anterior pelvic exenteration (8 females) preceded urinary diversion. Preoperative high-dose radiotherapy contributes to increased postoperative morbidity rates, particularly entero-enteric fistulas, uro-intestinal fistulas and stenosis of the uretero-intestinal anastomosis. In our experience, in most of the major urinary or enteric complications non surgical management was inefficient and surgical management was necessary.

Background: The outcome of endoscopic biliary stent insertion for postoperative bile duct stenosis was retrospectively evaluated., Methods: Fifty-seven patients with biliary stenosis from laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included from February 1992 to January 2000. One to three stents were inserted for an average of 12.4 months, with stent exchange every three months to avoid cholangitis caused by obstruction., Results: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 43/57 (75.4%) patients. Stent insertion failed in 10 patients with complete and four patients with incomplete biliary obstruction. Early complications occurred in four patients. Late complications occurred in 5/43 patients. Five patients experienced recurrence of stenosis., Conclusions: Endoscopic treatment should be the initial management of choice for postoperative bile duct stetiosis.

Rapid palliation of malignant dysphagia is usually possible by means of the endoscopic implantation of a plastic prosthesis, but this device has a high morbidity rate. Recently, expandable metal stents have become available and may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate self-expanding metal stents compared with conventional plastic prosthesis in malignant strictures of the oesophagus and cardia. One hundred and thirteen endoscopic tube implantations were carried out in 120 patients with malignant stenosis of the oesophagus and cardia using a plastic prosthesis over the period 1980-1993 (72 cases) and self-expanding metal stents over the period 1993-2001 (48 cases). The underlying causes of strictures were oesophageal or cardial cancer in 108 cases and oesophageal invasion by lung cancer in 12. The indications for endoscopic intubation were advanced tumour stage and/or risk factors which made resection inadvisable. The stents used in the conventional group were the Celestin pulsion tube in 18, the Atkinson prosthesis in 23 and the Wilson-Cook tube in 27, while the Ultraflex stent was always employed in the other group. Dysphagia was scored according to the Atkinson and Ferguson classification and the preoperative median score (3.6) was comparable in the two groups. The technical success rate was 94.4% with the plastic prosthesis (68/72) and 93.7% with the self-expanding metal stents (45/48) because in 4 and 3 patients, respectively, it proved impossible to implant the stent. After intubation the dysphagia score was improved in both groups (median score = 0.9) and the functional success rates were 85.2% (58/68) and 88.8% (40/45), respectively, while 10 and 5 patients showed no improvement of symptoms. The early complication rate was 5.9% (4/68) in the conventional stent group (1 perforation, 2 severe bleedings and 1 stent proximal migration) and nil in the other group. Late complications occurred in 14 (20.6%) (7 food obstruction, 4 neoplastic obstructions and 3 dislodgements) and 9 patients (20%) (3 neoplastic obstructions, 1 food obstruction, 3 distal migrations and 2 bleedings), respectively, but all the complications were easily corrected. Three deaths occurred with the plastic prosthesis (4.4%), while the mortality was nil with the metal stents. The median survival times were 183 (range: 58-486) and 151 days (range; 25-545), respectively. Our experience suggests that endoscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents is effective and safe for the management of dysphagia in malignant strictures of the oesophagus and cardia and has to be preferred to conventional plastic prostheses for easier implantation. The technical and functional success rates are similar in both groups, but the acute complication and mortality rates of the Ultraflex prosthesis are lower as compared to the traditional prosthesis.

Diverticular disease is prevalently only of medical interest. Repeated episodes of diverticulitis, particularly in younger patients, and serious complications such as perforation, stenosis, fistula and haemorrhage demand surgical treatment. The timing and type of surgical operation are conditioned by the pathological picture and by the patient's general condition and age. The authors present a series of 586 patients admitted for diverticular disease, 84 of whom presented complicated diverticulosis. Nineteen cases (22.6%) underwent elective surgery in the form of an anterior rectal resection, while 65 of them underwent urgent surgery for complicated diverticulosis variously consisting in total colectomy, a Hartman's resection, a simple rectal resection or a left or right hemicolectomy.

Background: To describe personal experience on stenosis of the new bladder neck, a complication of radical prostatectomy. After a review of the literature, guidelines are proposed to avoid this complication, both from a prophylactic and treatment point of view., Methods: Between 1992 and 2000, 54 patients were submitted to radical prostatectomy, 18 of whom later presented stenosis in the new bladder neck. Mean age of patients was 65.6 years (range 55-76). According to TNM classification, 46 patients (85%) were stage pT2N0M0 and eight patients (15%) stage pT3N0M0, no significant correlation being found with PSA values. All patients were submitted to pre- and postmicturition retrograde cystourethrography, four weeks after surgery; patients presenting dysuric symptoms also underwent further retrograde cystourethrography and flowmeter examinations., Results: Of the 54 patients, 18 (33%) presented stenosis of the new bladder neck as a complication of radical prostatectomy. Of these 18 patients, 12 (22%) presented acute dysuria symptoms. In 14 cases, one-two cycles of urethral dilation were sufficient to improve flowmeter values. In the four remaining cases showing no improvement following urethral dilations, endoscopic resection was necessary in two and urethrotomy according to Sachse in the other two., Conclusions: Stenosis of the anastomosis of the new bladder neck is a complication of radical prostatectomy occurring within six months of surgery, no correlation being found with tumour stage, recurrence, or duration of catheter in situ. Of the 18 patients presenting stenosis in the series described, in 78%, cycles of urethral dilation were sufficient to successfully resolve the complication thus avoiding further surgery, which, on the other hand, was necessary in four patients, two submitted to endoscopic resection of the stenosis and the other two to incision according to Sachse.

Anorectal strictures may occur after anorectal surgery and in particular after surgical haemorrhoidectomy. Anal examination under general anaesthesia was recommended to evaluate the stricture and to choose the appropriate technique. The house advancement flap has been recently proposed for postsurgical anal stenosis repair. The house flap receives its blood supply through unnamed vessels extending through a fatty pedicle from the underlying external sphincter muscle and not from a skin or mucosal bridge like the other common flaps (Y-V and mucosal advancement flap). The aims of this study were firstly to report a case of post-haemorrhoidectomy anal stenosis in a 68-year-old man treated in our institution by house advancement anoplasty and secondly to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new technique. The technique was totally successful in alleviating anal stenosis and maintaining faecal continence. House advancement anoplasty should be part of the armamentarium of colon and rectal surgeons for treating severe anal stenosis.

Anastomotic strictures complicating colorectal anastomoses can be difficult to treat. This condition must not be considered as an uncommon complication. In 20% of patients it may be a serious state that may require a therapy. Two patients treated successfully without complication with the transanal use of an CEEA stapler are presented. The staple cutter is safe and easy to use, and except for a conventional anoscope, no special equipment, including fluoroscope, is needed. On the basis of the successful results obtained, the procedure using staple cutter is recommended for the treatment of anastomotic stricture of the rectum.

Background: Surgeons variously estimate usage of mechanical staplers in digestive surgery especially about the increase of the incidence of late complications like stricture (as some authors refer). We report a histomorphological aid to the comparison of staplers and hand-sewn sutures. Our aim was to observe at long term the healing process in the sutured tissue in the canine gastro-enteric tract., Methods: We describe three histological pieces: one manual suture in a dog which was euthanatized and necropsied 5 months after operation and two mechanical sutures performed in two different dogs: one died because of a gastric torsion 18 months after the operation while the other was euthanatized 5 months after the operation. The histomorphological study has been carried out with a peculiar cutting (Exact) and including method which lets the staples in situ., Results and Conclusions: Compared analysis showed that cicatrization goes on better in stapled than in hand sutured tissue.

This study was aimed at stressing the role of US of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist as the initial diagnostic approach in the study of De Quervain's syndrome, thanks to the high diagnostic yield of this technique. We report on 14 cases of De Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis whose onset of the symptoms ranged 3-24 months before the US exam. The patients were subdivided into three groups, according to disease stage and US patterns; 5 patients were in group 1, six in group 2 and 3 in group 3. The most frequent US findings were: thickening of the tendons, which appeared as separate structures or as a single structure (pseudofusion); diffuse or, in most cases, focal thickening of the sheaths; changes in tendon echogenicity; impaired tendon sliding, which was reduced or absent due to fibrous adhesions and compression by the sheaths. Diffuse tendon and sheath thickening was prevalent in group 1, where the onset of symptoms ranged 3-10 months earlier. Focal sheath thickening and tendon pseudofusion were prevalent in group 2, where the onset of symptoms ranged 8-15 months earlier. Tendon degeneration and fibrous adhesions between tendons and sheaths, as well as the US changes observed in group 2, were found in group 3 where the onset of symptoms ranged 18-24 months earlier. These US changes were not influenced by medical therapy, with the exception of local injections of corticosteroids. To conclude, we propose a classification of De Quervain's syndrome into three stages, according to the US signs characterizing the different stages of disease evolution and the time of onset of the symptoms.

Pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of postoperative bile duct injuries are reviewed. Treatment options are discussed in relation to the time of diagnosis. Lesions detected during the same operation must be immediately repaired through an end-to-end biliary anastomosis or a bilioenteric anastomosis. In limited lesions of the bile duct a T-tube placement should be sufficient. Bile duct lesions recognized postoperatively can be managed through a multimodal surgical, endoscopic, and radiologic approach. In the early postoperative period, surgery is indicated when a complete section of the biliary tract or a severe peritonitis is recognized, or when endoscopic and radiologic treatment has failed. Surgery is also the treatment of choice in the late complete stenosis of the bile duct. Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunostomy is the most common surgical procedure for the treatment of bile duct lesions and strictures. However, in high bile duct lesions, especially if the risk of anastomotic dehiscence is increased the Authors emphasize the Rodney-Smith technique for the reconstruction of the biliary tract.

Two cases of Mirizzi's syndrome are reported. The syndrome consists of: external compression of the common bile duct due to a benign lesion (Type I)--presence of a cholecystobiliary fistula with impacted stones and partial or total obstruction of the hepatic duct (Type II). Clinical signs are non-specific and suggest at first sight an obstructive jaundice. Ultrasonography shows dilatation of the upper biliary tract with narrowing of the biliary tract below the dilatation. ERCP often proves mandatory for diagnosis. Therapeutical procedures are reported.

Congenital stenosis and/or hypoplasia of the pulmonary veins(s) is a rare cardiac malformation, whose treatment is difficult and not well defined, so conditioning an extremely poor prognosis. In fact, balloon angioplasty and surgery proved to be ineffective during a mid-term follow-up, thus not significantly modifying the natural history of this cardiovascular malformation. Although heart-lung transplantation is thought by someone to be the sole reliable treatment for congenital stenosis of the pulmonary vein(s), a recently available therapeutic option, the endovascular "stent" implantation during cardiac catheterization prompted to hope for a better outlook for these patients. However, this procedure is far from being an easy approach, due to technical problems that cause a high rate of failure and major complications. We report on two cases of pulmonary vein stenosis successfully treated by endoluminal "stent" implantation during open heart surgery, and suggest, and suggest that this safe and effective approach might be an alternative therapeutic option in the definitive or palliative treatment of this congenital cardiovascular malformation.

Between April 1986 and August 1994, 393 orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) have been performed at "12 de Octubre" Hospital. Among these ones we consider 274 OLT made in 223 adults and in 47 children (4 intraoperative deaths). The reconstruction of the biliary tract was performed with a choledocho-choledochostomy with T tube (CD-CD T) in 131 patients, a choledocho-choledochostomy without T tube or stent (CD-CD) in 75, a Roux-en-y-hepatico-jejunostomy (H-J) in 248, a hepatico-jejunostomy with stent (H-J St) in 13 and a choledocho-cholecisto-jejunostomy (CD-CC-J) in 3 patients. Thirthy six (13.3%) patients developed biliary complications (30 adults and 6 childrens). Fourteen (18.6%) occurred in CD-CD reconstruction and 13 (11.4%) in CD-CD T. The most common complications were leakage and stricture. Thirteen ERCP were performed in 12 patients (1 failed), all adults (CD-CD T: 3; CD-CD: 10). The main indication for ERCP was cholestasis and inability of non invasive methods ultrasound, scintigraphy and computerized tomography in determining the underlying etiology. ERCP was successful in all 12 patients: detecting strictures in 8, strictures + lithiasis in 1, stricture+lekage in 1 and leakage in 2. No complications were encountered after ERCP in our patients. ERCP is the method of choice in diagnosis of biliary complications in CD-CD biliary reconstruction.

The Authors report their experience in the treatment of 36 patients managed by side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy for common bile duct disease and followed for a period of five years. The main indication to surgery was a choledochal dilatation more than 1.5 cm. The surgical technique consisted in a single layer side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy with absorbable suture according to Roessner. There was no operative mortality and few post surgical complications (six patients, 15.78%) were registered; 25 patients (69.45%) were completely asymptomatic at five years, while in six cases (16.66%) significant symptoms were observed. In one case a biliary gastropathy with no metaplasia was documented.

The Authors report a case of ureterocystoneostomy sec. Paquin stenosis treated with endoscopic resection of ureteral coupling and of vesical wall with satisfactory results.

Endopyelotomy is, in our opinion, the most proper therapeutic strategy for the treatment of UPF post-surgery stenosis, as a traditional re-operation is often difficult to be carried out and not exempt from possible stenotic relapse. We report 2 cases of secondary stenosis and inferior caliceal stones associated. As a first step we subjected the patients to a percutaneous lithotomy of the calculi and we kept a trans-calyceal nephrostomy in situ for about 5 days. Among the different EPT techniques, we chose the "transurethral traction" Rippa-Franch set, as the dynamic combined transurethral traction of the cold-knife allows a smooth dissection of the strongest cicatrix pad, too. The stenting of the dissected UPF has been carried out for few days by means of a Korth's temporaneous nephrostomy and subsequently, at light-coloured urine, by using the definitive Korth endostent by subcutaneous anchorage. This internal stenting system seems to be the most suitable one, as the patient can stand it quite well for long periods of time (3-6 months) too and it is not burden with V-U refluxes that could jeopardize the good result of the operation. The easy performance and good results achieved by this way, persuade us to suggest this two combined techniques as an effective endourological solution for UPF post-surgery stenosis.

The Authors, starting from the observation of a case of stenosis of the celiac tripod, caused by compression "ab estrinseco", examine the physiopathological, clinical, aetiopathogenetic and therapeutical aspects of the pathology in question. In accordance with medical literature interpretative nosological doubts are also raised which, not with standing the improved research techniques, make it extremely difficult to suggest an accurate surgical procedure.

Tuberous sclerosis, first described by Bourneville in 1880, is a syndrome characterized essentially by mental deterioration, seizures and cutaneous sebaceous adenoma; an association with malformative lesions of the kidney and cardiovascular apparatus has been documented. Recently a case of a young woman with tuberous sclerosis has come to our observation; she was also affected by abdominal aortal aneurysm and stenosis due to compression of the truncus coeliacus; previously she operative elsewhere for right nephrectomy for breakage of nephric right arterial aneurysm: the histological examination of the removed kidney manifested the presence of a mesoblastic nephroma and afterward tuberous sclerosis was diagnosed. The angiomyolipomatosis evidence confirmed the suspicion of a notable inclination to polydistrict malformations in tuberous sclerosis.

Morphology of pancreas (either esocrine, either endocrine) was studied in 29 cases of surgically treated chronic pancreatitis (27 cases of chronic calcifying pancreatitis and 2 cases of chronic obstructive pancreatitis). Parenchymal sclerosis in chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) which represents the goal of our study was graded as mild (10 cases), moderate (10) and severe (7). Immunoperoxidase staining (PAP method) for insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polipeptide (PP), vasoactive intestinal polipeptide (VIP) and gastrin, was used to investigate endocrine pancreas. Acinar sclerosis and endocrine damage were closely related. Progression of sclerosis into islet appears to follow vascular pedicles producing a fragmentation into small cell groups as final result. In all cases of moderate or severe sclerosis, A/B cell ratio was increased due to the reduction of insulin positive cells. "Adenoma-like complexes", i.e., apparent concentration of islets, resulting from the loss of the acinar component, were observed in 7 cases with moderate or severe sclerosis. Nesidioblastosis was a prominent feature in all cases but one, with a positivity for insulin in 11 cases, for glucagon in 13, for somatostatin in 6 and for PP in 17. No positivity for gastrin was observed, while VIP was detected in a few ganglia. An increased amount of PP cells in islet and budding from the ducts was noticed and their presence outside the pancreatic head was demonstrable in 4 out of the 7 distal pancreatectomy specimens. Our data confirm the secondary involvement of the endocrine pancreas in the sclerotic acinar process.

The paper reports a case of post-stenotic aneurysm following an Inshua type II incarceration of the popliteal artery which was treated surgically, and associated with concomitant popliteal venous thrombosis, with complete remission of all clinical symptoms. The paper underlines the rarity of this pathology and the even rarer association with homolateral thrombosis of the popliteal vein. Anomalies which may occur following the incarceration of the popliteal artery are discussed, as are the causes for dilatory degeneration.