Cerisoli M

Long-term results of surgically treated brainstem gliomas

SummaryLong-term results of 16 surgically treated brainstem gliomas are reported. The results have been reviewed with reference to the clinical and pathological criteria defined by Hoffman and co-workers (1980) in the attempt to differentiate a distinct group of benign tumours. A good correlation has been obtained.The usefulness of surgical treatment of brainstem gliomas has been stressed in view of the survival time as well the quality of survival.

Intramedullary spinal gliomas: Long-term results of surgical treatments

SummaryThe authors report the long-term results of surgical treatment of 29 intramedullary gliomas. The follow-up review ranged from 2 to 23 years (mean 11.7 years). The usefulness of surgical treatment has been assessed comparing pre- and post-operative findings.

Evaluation of cerebral blood flow changes by transfontanelle Doppler ultrasound in infantile hydrocephalus.

Doppler ultrasound investigation of cerebral blood flow velocity was performed in hydrocephalic infants through the anterior fontanelle. Systolic (S) and end-diastolic (D) frequency values recorded on the anterior cerebral artery were used to define the pulsatility index (PI) calculated from the equation PI=S-D/S. Comparison between systolic, end-diastolic and pulsatility index values of 50 normal infants and 10 hydrocephalic infants showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) for systolic and pulsatility index values. However, no significant difference was found for end-diastolic values. The authors believe that the phenomenon could be explained as an increase of the cerebrovascular compliance which counteracts the increase of the perivascular pressure in an attempt to maintain a normal cerebral blood flow. Therefore, the transfontanelle Doppler ultrasound technique may provide a useful and early tool in diagnosing cerebral blood-flow changesin hydrocephalic infants.

Long-term results of the surgical treatment of syringohydromyelia

SummaryLong-term results of 26 patients suffering from Syringohydromyelia are reported. The patients underwent laminectomy and myelotomy with marsupialisation of the intracord cavity.Two different long term objective examinations have been performed demonstrating favorable results in 65% of patients at the first examination (mean 8 years following the operation) and in 60% of these at a second examination (mean 14 years following the operation). The limitations of posterior fossa decompression and other surgical procedures have also been discussed.The absence of surgical mortality and the length of follow-up period of this series supported the conclusions that laminectomy and myelotomy with marsupialisation of the intracord cavity represents a reliable method to relieve the effects of associated foramen magnum abnormalities avoiding posterior fossa surgery.

Short-term and long-term evaluation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of panic disorder: fluoxetine vs citalopram

This double‐blind study evaluates the efficacy and tolerability of fluoxetine and citalopram in the acute and long‐term treatment of panic disorder in 42 patients meeting DSM‐IV criteria for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Fluoxetine and citalopram showed similar efficacy in the treatment of panic disorder patients. On the basis of HRSA and PASS mean score evaluation, fluoxetine was more rapid than citalopram in reducing generalized anxiety symptoms, spontaneous panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety. Fluoxetine appeared to be effective at a dosage of 10 mg/day, while citalopram reached the same efficacy at a dosage of 30 mg/day. Long‐term evaluation has demonstrated high rates of persistent full remission with both drugs. Copyright

PANIC DISORDER. A LONG-TERM TREATMENT STUDY : FLUOXETINE VS IMIPRAMINE

This double‐blind study evaluates the efficacy and tolerability of fluoxetine and imipramine in the acute and long‐term treatment of panic disorder in 38 patients meeting DSM‐IV criteria for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. On the basis of HRSA mean scores evaluation, fluoxetine was found to be quicker than imipramine in reducing generalized anxiety at the end of the first week of treatment. However, through PASS and CGI mean scores evaluation, no statistically significant differences were found at any time in the efficacy of fluoxetine and imipramine on the total number of panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety or phobia severity. Fluoxetine has also turned out to be better tolerated than imipramine and to be effective at dosages low enough to avoid the event of an activation syndrome. Long‐term evaluation has shown high rates of persistent remission with both drugs. Copyright

The subependymal veins of the posterior portions of the lateral ventricles

SummaryThe Authors studied the subependymal veins of the posterior portions of the lateral ventricles: medial atrial vein (MAV), direct medial vein (DMV), direct lateral vein (DLV), lateral atrial vein (LAV), and inferior ventricular vein (IVV).A detailed description of the normal radiological feature of these veins is reported.Percentages of visualization in normal angiography and diagnostic utilization are also reported.