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Background and study aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening aims to reduce mortality by detecting cancers at an early stage and removing adenomatous polyps at an acceptable cost. The aim of the current study were to assess the outcomes and costs of the first two biennial rounds of a population-based CRC screening program using the immunochemical fecal occult blood test (i-FOBT) in a northern Italian province. Methods: All residents aged 50-69 yearswere invited to take part in a biennial screening program using a 1-day i-FOBT, followed by colonoscopy in positive individuals. The i-FOBT uptake, compliance to colonoscopy, detection rate for cancer or advanced adenomas according to age and sex, and direct cost analysis were carried out separately for the 1st and 2nd rounds of screening. Results: In 78083 (1st round) and 81619 (2nd round) individuals whowere invited to screening, the participation rates were 49.7% and 54.4% and i-FOBT positivity rates were 6.2% and 5.8 %, respectively. Detection rates for cancer and advanced adenomas were lower in the 2nd screening compared with the 1st one (1.6‰ vs. 2.5‰ for cancers and 15.8‰ vs. 17.9‰ for advanced adenomas, respectively), whereas positive predictive values for cancer and advanced adenoma were similar in both rounds. In 165 adenocarcinomas detected, 52% were Dukes' stage A and 21% were stage B. All cost indicators were slightly higher in the 1st round of screening compared with the 2nd. The direct cost per cancer or advanced adenoma detection was similar in the two rounds (€1252 and €1260, respectively). Conclusions: Compliance and diagnostic yield of i-FOBT screening were satisfactory. Most detected cancers were at a very early stage. Program costs were reasonable and did not increase with repeat screening. Screening could contribute to decreasing the cost of CRC care by improving the stage at diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Reasons for performing study: Although well documented in racehorses, there is paucity in the literature regarding the prevalence of dynamic upper airway abnormalities in nonracing performance horses. Objective: To describe upper airway function of nonracing performance horses with abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance via exercising upper airway videoendoscopy. Methods: Medical records of nonracing performance horses admitted for exercising evaluation with a chief complaint of abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance were reviewed. All horses had video recordings of resting and exercising upper airway endoscopy. Relationships between horse demographics, resting endoscopic findings, treadmill intensity and implementation of head and neck flexion during exercise with exercising endoscopic findings were examined. Results: Dynamic upper airway obstructions were observed in 72% of examinations. Head and neck flexion was necessary to obtain a diagnosis in 21 horses. Pharyngeal wall collapse was the most prevalent upper airway abnormality, observed in 31% of the examinations. Complex abnormalities were noted in 27% of the examinations. Resting laryngeal dysfunction was significantly associated with dynamic arytenoid collapse and the odds of detecting intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) during exercise in horses with resting DDSP was only 7.7%. Exercising endoscopic observations were different from the resting observations in 54% of examinations. Conclusions: Dynamic upper airway obstructions were common in nonracing performance horses with respiratory noise and/or poor performance. Resting endoscopy was only helpful in determining exercising abnormalities with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Potential relevance: This study emphasises the importance of exercising endoscopic evaluation in nonracing performance horses with abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance for accurate assessment of dynamic upper airway function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary A case of paranasal sinus fibromatosis in an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding is reported. At admission the gelding underwent a unilateral frontal sinusotomy and a paranasal sinus mass was extensively debulked. The mass was diagnosed via histopathology as a desmoid fibromatosis with bone invasion, reactive osteoclastic osteolysis and osteoproliferation. The gelding had radiographic evidence of slow recurrence of the mass 8 months post operatively. The histopathological appearance and short-term outcome are presented for this previously undiagnosed condition of the horse. Recognition of paranasal fibromatosis and the resultant differentiation from other types of paranasal sinus neoplasia may allow for improved prognostication of equine sinus lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Reasons for performing study: Little information exists regarding talus fractures in the horse and there have been no previously published case series of racehorses diagnosed with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Objective: To describe the diagnosis, treatment and post injury performance of horses with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Methods: Medical records of 11 racehorses (8 Standardbreds and 3 Thoroughbreds) admitted between January 1992 and January 1999 were reviewed. Subject details, anamnesis, results of lameness examination, radiographs and nuclear scintigraphic findings were evaluated. Racing performance was assessed by comparing pre- and post injury race records. Results: Nuclear scintigraphic examination, performed in 8 of the 11 horses, revealed focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the proximal aspect of the affected talus. Fractures could best be seen on dorsal 10-20° lateral-plantaromedial oblique radiographs; all had raced pre-injury. All horses were treated conservatively and follow-up information was available for 8 horses, of which 7 raced after injury. Performance in 3 horses was improved, in 1 it was unchanged and in 3 horses performance declined. Conclusions: Horses with incomplete fracture of the talus have a good prognosis for return to racing after conservative management. Potential relevance: Incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus should be considered as a cause of hindlimb lameness in racehorses. Further research is necessary to determine the pathophysiology of these fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of primary headache (PH) in a multiple sclerosis (MS) sample vs. control healthy subjects was investigated at a neurological clinic in 2004-2005: 122 of 238 (51%) MS patients and 57 of 238 (23%) controls proved to be affected by headache. The groups did not differ for the rates of PH types. Headache types of MS patients were comparable to those of PH patients that were observed at the same institute in a case-control comparison. First symptoms of headache preceded those of MS in two thirds of cases. Headache features did not significantly change after MS onset. Comorbidity of MS and PH could be explained by some common clinical and biological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]