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BACKGROUND: Fungal infections are still a relevant challenge for clinicians involved in the cure of patients with cancer. We retrospectively reviewed charts of hospitalized patients with hematological malignancies (HMs), in which a documented fungemia was diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2015 at 28 adult and 6 pediatric Italian Hematology Departments. METHODS: During the study period we recorded 215 fungal blood stream infections (BSI). Microbiological analyses documented that BSI was due to molds in 17 patients (8%) and yeasts in 198 patients (92%), being Candida spp identified in 174 patients (81%). RESULTS: Mortality rates were 70% and 39% for mold and yeast infections, respectively. Infection was the main cause of death in 53% of the mold and 18% of the yeast groups. At the multivariate analysis, ECOG ≥2 and septic shock were significantly associated with increased mortality, and removal of CVC survival was found to be protective. When considering patients with candidemia only, ECOG >2 and removal of CVC were statistically associated with overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although candidemia represents a group of BSI with a good prognosis, its risk factors largely overlap with those identified for all fungemias, even though the candidemia-related mortality is lower when compared to other fungal BSI. Management of fungal BSI is still a complex issue, in which both patients and disease characteristics should be focused to address a personalized approach. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This chapter is a broad introduction and overview of the clinical aspects of osteosarcoma. This includes an overview of classical osteosarcoma and its epidemiology, localization, symptoms, and methods of diagnosis. We then discuss details of osteosarcoma staging according to the Enneking's classification. We use the World Health Organization (WHO) nomenclature to discuss the histopathologic features, focusing on microscopy findings, differential diagnosis, and biology of classical osteosarcoma. All three main modalities of treatment are discussed, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation-therapy. We then offer a brief overview of the less common variations of osteosarcoma that may be seen in the clinic. This overview is meant to offer a survey of osteosarcomas and clinical approaches, and serves as an introduction to the other chapters in this book.

Correct definition of the level of risk of invasive fungal infections is the first step in improving the targeting of preventive strategies. We investigated the potential relationship between pre-hospitalization exposure to sources of fungi and the development of invasive fungal infections in adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia after their first course of chemotherapy. From January 2010 to April 2012, all consecutive acute myeloid leukemia patients in 33 Italian centers were prospectively registered. Upon first admission, information about possible pre-chemotherapy risk factors and environmental exposure was collected. We recorded data regarding comorbid conditions, employment, hygienic habits, working and living environment, personal habits, hobbies, and pets. All invasive fungal infections occurring within 30 days after the first course of chemotherapy were recorded. Of the 1,192 patients enrolled in this study, 881 received intensive chemotherapy and were included in the present analysis. Of these, 214 developed an invasive fungal infection, including 77 proven/probable cases (8.7%). Of these 77 cases, 54 were proven/probable invasive mold infections (6.1%) and 23 were proven yeast infections (2.6%). Upon univariate analysis, a significant association was found between invasive mold infections and age, performance status, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking, cocaine use, job, hobbies, and a recent house renovation. Higher body weight resulted in a reduced risk of invasive mold infections. Multivariate analysis confirmed the role of performance status, job, body weight, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and house renovation. In conclusion, several hospital-independent variables could potentially influence the onset of invasive mold infections in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Investigation of these factors upon first admission may help to define a patient's risk category and improve targeted prophylactic strategies. (Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT01315925)

Cementless acetabular fixation using modular porous tantalum implants aftre pelvic radioation therapy

Nel libro si è cercato di impostare una riflessione sul tema della ricostruzione giudiziale dei crimini di guerra nazifascisti in Italia che ponesse in evidenza tre aspetti fondamentali: la genesi e lo sviluppo dell'attività giudiziaria italiana (dall'immediato dopoguerra a oggi); l'analisi e la valorizzazione del testimone-persona offesa; il collegamento con l'attualità dell'odierno diritto internazionale e umanitario.

Distal femur reconstructions with modular prostheses : The Rizzoli experience

Desmoplastic Fibroma of Bone: Curettage is Treatment of Choice

Porous tantalum implants in primary and revision tumour surgery of the pelvis and lower extremity

Pelvic resection for bone tumors with and without reconstruction: analysis of 231 cases

Pelvic resection for bone tumours with and withourt reconstruction: the Rizzoli experience

How to choose reconstruction for bone defects of knee sarcoma surgery

[No abstract available]

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare, complex disease, nowadays poorly understood yet. The lack of firm recommendations about this issue is a great limitation which makes any therapeutic decision controversial. The case described is that of a young, otherwise healthy woman, who presented with an ostial dissection of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Due to patient’s stable clinical and hemodynamic parameters, we used a cautious approach based on watchful waiting and medical therapy, postponing stenting in order to achieve a partial vessel reopening with a more comfortable access to PCI.

Despite several advantages of the transradial over the transfemoral approach, the use of transradial access for coronary interventions in daily practice is still low. Major limitations are the technical and anatomical issues related with right radial artery access. The left radial approach may have an advantage from the point of view of the vascular anatomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of routinely using the left radial compared to the right radial approach.This is a prospective single center study comparing left radial to right radial access for coronary artery catheterization. The overall in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE), procedural success rate, bleeding, vascular and procedural complications, fluoroscopy time, number of catheters, and amount of contrast agent used were assessed.A total of 1,032 coronary angiograms were performed: 420 were performed using the right radial artery and 612 the left radial artery. No differences were observed in MACCE and success rate between the two groups. No cases of major or minor bleeding and vascular complications requiring surgical intervention were reported. Fluoroscopy time and the number of catheters used were significantly less in the left radial group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively), while the volume of contrast was similar (P = 0.264).The left radial approach in our series was demonstrated to be safe and feasible in daily practice, and in this study was associated with a reduction in fluoroscopy time and number of catheters used.