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Scurvy is a well-known clinical condition caused by vitamin C deficiency. Although considered a rare disease in high-income countries, it has been recently increasingly reported in children, especially in those with abnormal dietary habits, mental or physical disabilities. We performed an extensive review of the literature analyzing studies published in the last 20 years focusing on clinical features, differential diagnosis and diagnostic delay. Fifteen articles were selected, collectively reporting a total of 166 children. Because of the wide clinical spectrum (musculoskeletal complaints and/or mucocutaneous lesions or systemic symptoms), scurvy can mimic several conditions, including autoimmune diseases, infections, and neoplasia. In addition, frequent findings such as normal nutritional status, anemia or elevated inflammatory markers may guide clinicians towards the abovementioned misdiagnoses. Scurvy should be considered in patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints, not only in those with risk factors but also in healthy children. A focused dietary history and a careful physical examination, assessing other signs of vitamin C deficiency, are mandatory in these patients. When suspected, the dosage of serum vitamin C is the diagnostic gold standard; furthermore, imaging studies, performed by an expert radiologist, can reveal the typical features of scurvy. Only early diagnosis can avoid unnecessary investigations and potentially fatal complications of the disease.

Background The administration of endocrine therapy for 5 years substantially reduces recurrence rates during and after treatment in women with early-stage, estrogen-receptor (ER)–positive breast cancer. Extending such therapy beyond 5 years offers further protection but has additional side effects. Obtaining data on the absolute risk of subsequent distant recurrence if therapy stops at 5 years could help determine whether to extend treatment. Methods In this meta-analysis of the results of 88 trials involving 62,923 women with ER-positive breast cancer who were disease-free after 5 years of scheduled endocrine therapy, we used Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses, stratified according to trial and treatment, to assess the associations of tumor diameter and nodal status (TN), tumor grade, and other factors with patients’ outcomes during the period from 5 to 20 years. Results Breast-cancer recurrences occurred at a steady rate throughout the study period from 5 to 20 years. The risk of distant recurrence was strongly correlated with the original TN status. Among the patients with stage T1 disease, the risk of distant recurrence was 13% with no nodal involvement (T1N0), 20% with one to three nodes involved (T1N1–3), and 34% with four to nine nodes involved (T1N4–9); among those with stage T2 disease, the risks were 19% with T2N0, 26% with T2N1–3, and 41% with T2N4–9. The risk of death from breast cancer was similarly dependent on TN status, but the risk of contralateral breast cancer was not. Given the TN status, the factors of tumor grade (available in 43,590 patients) and Ki-67 status (available in 7692 patients), which are strongly correlated with each other, were of only moderate independent predictive value for distant recurrence, but the status regarding the progesterone receptor (in 54,115 patients) and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) (in 15,418 patients in trials with no use of trastuzumab) was not predictive. During the study period from 5 to 20 years, the absolute risk of distant recurrence among patients with T1N0 breast cancer was 10% for low-grade disease, 13% for moderate-grade disease, and 17% for high-grade disease; the corresponding risks of any recurrence or a contralateral breast cancer were 17%, 22%, and 26%, respectively. Conclusions After 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy, breast-cancer recurrences continued to occur steadily throughout the study period from 5 to 20 years. The risk of distant recurrence was strongly correlated with the original TN status, with risks ranging from 10 to 41%, depending on TN status and tumor grade. (Funded by Cancer Research UK and others.)

Background In microvascular transfer of fibular osteocutaneous flap for mandible reconstruction after cancer ablation, good bone union is necessary to allow timely radiation therapy after surgery. As the area of bone contact between fibula and the original mandible at the edge of the mandibular defect is small, a periosteal excess at both ends of the fibula covering the bone junction can be used to increase the chance of bone union. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a periosteal excess surrounding both ends of the fibula flap can provide better blood supply and, therefore, ensure bone union and wound healing at 6 weeks after surgery and before radiation therapy initiation. Patients and methods The transfer of fibular osteocutaneous flap with periosteal excess was only applied to reconstruct segmental mandibular defects. As a consequence, only cases in which osteotomy of fibula was not performed were included in this study. A total of 34 fibular flaps without osteotomies were performed between 2000 and 2008; 17 with and 17 without the periosteal excess. The bone union was evaluated in terms of osseous callus formation using X-rays and CT three-dimensional images at 6 weeks after surgery, and results were assessed by three independent radiologists. Results There was a significant difference between reconstructions with and without the periosteal excess in terms of bone union (P = 0.022). With reference to postoperative complications, the group reconstructed without periosteal excess presented a higher number of complications, mainly consisting of partial and total flap necrosis, respectively six (35.29%) and two (11.76%) cases. In the group reconstructed with periosteal excess, no loss of the skin island has occurred. A significant difference was observed in terms of partial flap necrosis (P = 0.024), while the other complications did not reveal a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusions The use of a periosteal excess at both ends of the fibula flap provides better blood supply and is, therefore, able to ensure good bone healing and skin paddle survival regardless of the radiotherapy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In literature an elevated number of isolated cases of endometriosis in post-laparoscopic scar or laparoscopic trocar tract are described. Actually no theory can completely account for endometriosis, and it is most likely that a combination of events is responsible for it. The case of a 37-year-old woman with a nodular mass in the right hypochondrium is reported. The nodule appeared after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgical excision was performed and microscopic analysis showed skeletal muscle and fibrous connective tissues with a typical glandular proliferation as in endometriosis. Endometrioma etiology is far to be cleared; the most practical and popular explanation is direct implantation. Our case may be explained according to this theory but it is difficult to achieve definitive conclusions due to the rarity of endometrioma and to the lack of information.

The authors briefly describe the commonest forms of mitochondrial myopathies particularly those associated with disorders of ocular motility. They report their series of four patients suffering from ptosis of the eyelid caused by mitochondrial myopathgies. The ptosis was corrected surgically in all cases by means of Muller's muscle adaptation technique. The authors discuss their results and the indication for this technique.

We have devised a low cost system to quickly infiltrate tumescent solution: we call it the "Tedde's system". This low-cost system offers an improvement in quality and quantity of the infiltration because all the procedure depends on the operators, reducing also the time of the infiltration and consequently of the whole surgical procedure. Moreover, this system can be applied to other surgical procedure that requires large infiltration volumes.

Lobular and ductal carcinomas in situ of the breast (LCIS and DCIS) origin from the ductal-lobular unit of mammary gland, but they are characterized for different morphologic patterns and evolution. In 1980 they represent 1.4% of diagnosis in breast biopsy, less of 5% of carcinomas of the breast. Actually in 7.5% of breast biopsy an in situ carcinoma is recognized (approximating 40% of breast cancers). Our purpose is to evaluate the different available strategies in the clinic management of DCIS and LCIS and, in case of surgical treatment, which reconstructive approach obtains satisfactory breast conformation.The study enclose 125 patients: 40 of them presented LCIS (32%) and 85 DCIS (68%). In 40 patients (32%) underposed to mastectomy was performed a reconstruction in cooperation with aesthetic surgeons. 35 of 40 women with LCIS are included in a follow-up programme, 5 of them had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.No recurrences were observed in patients affected by LCIS. Six patients underposed to wide excision for DCIS developed local recurrence, treated by mastectomy. No recurrences were observed in patients treated initially with mastectomy. Some complications correlated to reconstruction were detected.One of most controversial sights in breast pathology is the understanding of biological meaning of CLIS: in facts CDIS can be considered a pre-invasive cancer, CLIS is reasonably considerable only a risk indicator for developing breast cancer but it isn't a pre-neoplastic lesion. Very important is the reconstruction of the breast to improve the quality life of patients.

Surgery for breast cancer has changed in the last few decades in favor of more conservative approaches, without compromising loco‐regional control and survival. Common immediate complications fol ‐lowing breast surgery are hematoma, seroma, and wound infection.1Traditionally, surgeons have implemented the use of closed‐suction drains in this setting with the aim of preventing these complications, which can cause discomfort, morbidity, increased follow‐up visits,and possible delay in the beginning of adjuvant therapies.2 On the other hand, potential benefits of performing breast procedures without using a drain have been increasingly considered.3 There is lack of modern and official guidelines on use of drains in breast sur ‐gery, with no consensus regarding their management and the appro‐priate use of antibiotics in this setting. Almost all reports agree withthe use of drains after breast procedures, especially if they are asso‐ciated with reconstruction or axillar lymph node dissection (ALND), but an extreme variability is reported regarding practice patterns.4A national survey regarding the management of drains afterbreast cancer surgery was sent by email on January 2018 to all Breast Centers (BC) registered with Senonetwork Italia. Data col ‐lected by the administrative office of Senonetwork were de‐iden‐tified and exported for statistical analysis. A Steering Committeecomposed of general surgeons and plastic surgeons was appointedto coordinate the survey, which consisted of 22 multiple choicequestions, designed to inquire about surgeons' demographics, use of drains after breast procedures with and without reconstructionand/or ALND, antibiotic use and to characterize drain managementin their clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: The DyeVert™ system (Osprey Medical Inc., Minnesota, MN) may reduce contrast media (CM) volume during coronary procedures while maintaining fluoroscopic image quality. Here, we assessed whether the use of the DyeVert system reduces acute kidney injury (AKI) rate in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing invasive coronary procedures. METHODS: ACS patients scheduled for coronary procedure from January 2017 to December 2019 were included. Two groups were identified: (a) Control group (n= 339), including patients in which a conventional manual injection syringe was used; and (b) DyeVert group (n= 112), in which CM injection was handled by the DyeVert™ system. A propensity score matching was performed to reduce the effect of treatment selection bias and potential confounders. In all cases, a low-osmolar, nonionic CM was administered. The primary objective was the rate of AKI, defined as a serum creatinine increase ≥0.3mg/dl within 72 hr after CM exposure. RESULTS: CM volume was higher in the Control group than in the DyeVert group (130 [120–188] ml vs. 99 [69–136] ml; p&nbsp

Background: Limited clinical data exist describing the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patient with extreme body weight. Thus, the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) recommends avoiding DOACs in patients with weight >120Kg, and on the contrary, no restrictions exist for underweight patients. Objective: To evaluate the effects of extreme body weight on DOAC activity and to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with an extreme body weight versus patients with a normal weight (61-119Kg) treated with DOACs. Methods: Single tertiary care Italian centre multidisciplinary registry including nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients treated with DOACs. Based on weight, three subcohorts were defined: (i) underweight patients (≤60Kg); (ii) patients with a normal weight (61-119Kg, as control group); and (iii) overweight patients (≥120Kg). Primary efficacy endpoint was 2-year rate of thromboembolic events. Primary safety endpoint was 2-year rate of major bleeding. Event-free survival curves among groups were compared using Cox-Mantel test. Results: 812 NVAF patients were included, 108 patients weighed ≤60Kg (13%, underweight), 688 weighed between 61 and 119Kg (85%, normal weight), and 16 weighed ≥120Kg (2%, overweight). In particular, among underweight patients, dabigatran was prescribed in 26% patients, apixaban in 27%, rivaroxaban in 28% and edoxaban in 22% ones. Instead, among overweight patients, 44% were treated with dabigatran, 25% with apixaban, 25% with rivaroxaban and 4% with edoxaban. Underweight patients were older, more frequently women, with lower creatinine clearance and a history of previous strokes, resulting in higher CHA2DS2-VASc score than in both remaining groups. Up to 2years, no statistically significant difference was observed between the three groups of weight for thromboembolic events (P=.765) and for overall bleeding (P=.125), but a trend towards decreased overall bleeding rates was noticed as weight increased (24.1% vs 16.7% vs 12.5%, respectively). Conclusion: In this tertiary care centre registry, 15% of patients treated with DOACs presented an extreme weight. Compared to patients with a normal weight, no significant rates of thromboembolic events were observed for underweight or overweight patients. A trend towards decreased overall bleeding frequency as weight increased was highlighted up to 2years. The present results should be considered as preliminary and hypothesis generating.

What is the optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains one of the most doubtful and demanding topics in cardiology. As of today, there are no trial powered to prove the efficacy of double versus triple antithrombotic therapy in terms of ischemic coronary events prevention after PCI. Until further evidence on this topic becomes available, we recommend a personalized strategy, with a careful individual assessment of the patient ischemic and bleeding risk.

This paper investigates the effect of socio-economic status on interregional mobility and mortality among cancer patients. The cohort under analysis comprises patients residing in Sicily (Italy), who were diagnosed with lung and colon cancer between 2010 and 2011. The data was collated from the hospital discharge records of the Sicilian Region and the Regional register of the causes of death, by considering all those patients for whom information relating to socio-economic status was available. First, graphical models were applied to highlight the multivariate structure of association among socio-economic status, interregional mobility and 3-year mortality. Secondly, mediation analysis quantified the direct and indirect effect of socio-economic status relating to mortality. The results revealed that socio-economic status is associated directly and indirectly with mortality due to lung cancer, mediated by interregional mobility. On the other hand, the association of socio-economic status with mortality from colon cancer is only indirect, and also mediated by interregional mobility. The authors of this research hold that the extent of patient mobility and its relation to mortality call for a reconsideration of health policy.

The development of a capsule around an implant is part of the physiological response to a foreign body. Capsular contracture is the most specific and frustrating complication of augmentation mammaplasty, and a lot of studies have been devoted to it. The aim of the current study is to examine the fine architecture of the contracted capsule around textured implants in humans. Eight capsules from augmented and contracted breasts with gel-filled, textured-surface silicone implants were studied after standard preparation for light and scanning electron microscopy, and after partial digestion in sodium hydroxide. Two capsules from contracted breasts around smooth implants and two noncontracted capsules around textured implants were prepared and studied in the same fashion as controls. A multilayer structure of the contracted capsule was seen, and the architecture of the various layers is described. The inner surface presents irregular craterlike depressions. The arrangement of collagen fibers varies in capsule layers. The effect of a textured-surface implant on the mechanism of capsule contraction based on the observed capsular architecture is that only part of the capsule is effective mechanically in producing a contracting force. A thin vascular layer was identified near the inner surface in contracted capsules around textured implants, and the authors' think that this layer is probably the key structure in the histological development and growth of the capsule.

To reconstruct the airways in the case of serious nasoseptal deviation it is preferable to remove the cartilaginous septum, reshape it, and put it back. This may be done through an open rhinoplasty approach with a transcolumellar scar resulting in wide visual access to the septal structures. As the transcolumellar scar may give problems in some cases, it might be helpful to use an extended paramarginal incision. A traditional open rhinoplasty approach was used in eight patients and the extended paramarginal incision technique in 19 patients. Two of the eight patients who had the open rhinoplasty technique developed unsatisfactory transcolumellar scars. Of the 19 patients who had paramarginal incisions no patient developed late problems. The paramarginal approach was superior to the traditional open rhinoplasty approach despite the slightly better visualisation with open rhinoplasty.