Post-traumatic infection of the lower limb caused by rare Enterobacteriaceae and mucorales in a young healthy male.

Summary Enterobacter amnigenus and Leclercia adecarboxylata are Gram-negative aerobic bacilli of the family Enterobacteriaceae that have been isolated from water and, rarely, from various clinical specimens. Absidia is a filamentous fungus of the class Zygomycetes that is ubiquitous in nature and can cause infection, primarily in immunocompromised hosts. Here, we describe an infection of the left lower limb caused by E. amnigenus and L. adecarboxylata with subsequent isolation of Absidia spp. in a patient with multiple traumatic injuries after a major motor vehicle accident. The severity of the clinical picture made amputation necessary, despite aggressive anti-infective therapy with both antibacterial and antifungal agents. Prompt diagnosis and management are mandatory in order to minimize morbidity and even mortality, and reduce the social and economic cost

Risk assessment and prevention priorities in cultural heritage preservation

European Union has been promoting research actions on cultural heritage, recognizing and underlining its central role for the community policies and establishing its safeguard and valorisation as urgent priorities for the future. A research on rational tools for establishing seismic risk, intervention priorities, and decision-making on renovation of historical buildings and museums, just started at the University of Camerino, School of Architecture and Design, is described in this paper. The basic idea of the research is to develop a probabilistic methodology for the assessment of seismic risk of cultural Heritage starting from the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) approach, consisting of a general framework where the risk problem is decomposed into its three main features (i.e. seismic hazard, vulnerability and losses), analysed in a rigorous and consistent interdependent manner. The application of this methodology to cultural heritage requires investigations and original proposals on various open issues. This paper reports some results concerning the general methodology and preliminary analyses of a case study

Chronic constipation diagnosis and treatment evaluation: The "CHRO.CO.DI.T.E." study

Background: According to Rome criteria, chronic constipation (CC) includes functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Some patients do not meet these criteria (No Rome Constipation, NRC). The aim of the study was is to evaluate the various clinical presentation and management of FC, IBS-C and NRC in Italy. Methods: During a 2-month period, 52 Italian gastroenterologists recorded clinical data of FC, IBS-C and NRC patients, using Bristol scale, PAC-SYM and PAC-QoL questionnaires. In addition, gastroenterologists were also asked to record whether the patients were clinically assessed for CC for the first time or were in follow up. Diagnostic tests and prescribed therapies were also recorded. Results: Eight hundred seventy-eight consecutive CC patients (706 F) were enrolled (FC 62.5%, IBS-C 31.3%, NRC 6.2%). PAC-SYM and PAC-QoL scores were higher in IBS-C than in FC and NRC. 49.5% were at their first gastroenterological evaluation for CC. In 48.5% CC duration was longer than 10 years. A specialist consultation was requested in 31.6%, more frequently in IBS-C than in NRC. Digital rectal examination was performed in only 56.4%. Diagnostic tests were prescribed to 80.0%. Faecal calprotectin, thyroid tests, celiac serology, breath tests were more frequently suggested in IBS-C and anorectal manometry in FC. More than 90% had at least one treatment suggested on chronic constipation, most frequently dietary changes, macrogol and fibers. Antispasmodics and psychotherapy were more frequently prescribed in IBS-C, prucalopride and pelvic floor rehabilitation in FC. Conclusions: Patients with IBS-C reported more severe symptoms and worse quality of life than FC and NRC. Digital rectal examination was often not performed but at least one diagnostic test was prescribed to most patients. Colonoscopy and blood tests were the "first line" diagnostic tools. Macrogol was the most prescribed laxative, and prucalopride and pelvic floor rehabilitation represented a "second line" approach. Diagnostic tests and prescribed therapies increased by increasing CC severity

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Soft Tissue 27 Years after Radical Nephrectomy: A Case Report

Background and Objectives: Approximately 20–40% of patients affected with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develop either distant metastatic or locally recurring disease following radical nephrectomy. Soft tissue, skin, and the central nervous system are less common metastatic sites. We present the case of a patient who has received a diagnosis of RCC; it was found that she had no metastases at the time of nephrectomy but had metastases in the soft tissue and subcutaneous tissue of the scalp 27 years later. As far as we can tell, this is the longest period elapsed between primary renal tumor and subcutaneous/soft tissue metastasis; moreover, this case is the first report of a combined soft tissue/subcutaneous metastasis from RCC. Case presentation: A 73-year-old woman underwent right radical nephrectomy 27 years earlier for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). She presented at our unit because she noticed swelling in the left temporal region; after radiological exams, a benign lesion was suspected. The patient underwent surgical eradication, but the massive bleeding did not allow the removal of the lesion. A biopsy of the mass was performed and the histological examination was consistent with RCC metastases. Conclusions: Metastases from renal cell carcinoma to the subcutaneous and soft tissues are rare. It is essential to take into account RCC metastases in the differential diagnostic of the new starting mass of the head and neck, and the necessity for close and continuous surveillance of patients diagnosed with renal cancer even after a long disease-free period should be emphasized

Injection Treatments for Vulvovaginal Atrophy of Menopause: A Systematic Review

Background Injection treatments have been proposed as novel treatment options for Vulvovaginal Atrophy of Menopause (VVA) also known as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). However, to date data about these treatments are poor.Objective To assess all available injection treatments for VVA.Methods A systematic review was performed by searching five electronic databases for peer-reviewed studies that assessed injection treatments for VVA.Results Eight studies (7 observational and 1 randomized) with 236 women were included.Assessed injection materials were: autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) + hyaluronic acid (HA), not cross-linked HA plus calcium hydroxyapatite (NCLHA + CaHA), micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), hyaluronan hybrid cooperative complexes (HCC), crosslinked HA, microfat and nanofat grafting + PRP, and PRP alone.Improvement in GSM symptoms after treatment was assessed through Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) for GSM symptoms or patient satisfaction, several validated questionnaires (FSFI, VHI, FSD, SF12, ICIQ UI SF, PGI-I, FSDS-R, VSQ), symptoms severity, changes in vaginal mucosa thickness, flora, pH, and expression on vaginal mucosal biopsies of Procollagen I and III and ki67 immunofluorescence or COL1A1 and COL3A1 mRNA.Injection treatments showing significant improvement in GSM-related symptoms were: (i) HCC in terms of VAS for GSM symptoms and FSFI score; (ii) Crosslinked HA in terms of VAS for GSM symptoms, FSFI and VHI score, COL1A1 and COL3A1 mRNA expression on vaginal mucosal biopsies; (iii) NCLHA + CaHA in terms of FSFI score; (iv) PRP + HA in terms of VHI, FSD and SF12 score; (v) microfat and nanofat grafting + PRP in terms of VHI score and FSDS-R score; (vi) PRP alone in terms of VHI and VSQ scores.Conclusions All assessed injection treatments except for MFAT seem to lead to significant improvement in VVA symptoms on validated questionnaires. Further studies are necessary in the field

Lower Extremity Trauma: A Multidimensional Reconstructive Approach with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Background: Distal lower extremity reconstruction is challenging. This study aims to propose a protocol for the treatment of traumatic soft tissue defects. The key concept is to combine the surgical armamentarium of the reconstructive surgeon with the advantages provided by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data of 57 patients affected with unilateral or bilateral lower extremity trauma distal to the knee and involving soft tissues with no indication of immediate reconstruction between 2010 and 2021. Before the reconstructive procedure, all the patients underwent a stick swab procedure for the collection of microbiological samples and debridement. Patients were divided into two treatment groups and only one group underwent a combined therapeutic procedure with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was employed only if deemed necessary according to the defect’s depth and wound exudate. Surgical techniques, outcomes, and complications were discussed. Results: All patients achieved a complete recovery with no major complications and only minor complications observed. The study group treated with HBOT had a lower complication rate and lower percentages of minimal and partial graft loss compared with the same complications observed in the control group. No patients experienced HBOT-related complications. Significant reductions in the time to complete healing and the time from reconstruction to healing were found (p = 0.002 and p Conclusions: A lower complication rate was observed in the group treated with HBOT. The administration of HBOT prior to soft tissue reconstruction significantly reduced the time to complete healing and the time interval from skin grafting to healing. However, prospective studies and randomized trials with larger cohorts should be designed to investigate the efficacy of HBOT for the treatment of lower extremity injuries with extensive soft tissue defects

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Soft Tissue 27 Years after Radical Nephrectomy: A Case Report

: Background and Objectives: Approximately 20-40% of patients affected with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develop either distant metastatic or locally recurring disease following radical nephrectomy. Soft tissue, skin, and the central nervous system are less common metastatic sites. We present the case of a patient who has received a diagnosis of RCC; it was found that she had no metastases at the time of nephrectomy but had metastases in the soft tissue and subcutaneous tissue of the scalp 27 years later. As far as we can tell, this is the longest period elapsed between primary renal tumor and subcutaneous/soft tissue metastasis; moreover, this case is the first report of a combined soft tissue/subcutaneous metastasis from RCC. Case presentation: A 73-year-old woman underwent right radical nephrectomy 27 years earlier for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). She presented at our unit because she noticed swelling in the left temporal region; after radiological exams, a benign lesion was suspected. The patient underwent surgical eradication, but the massive bleeding did not allow the removal of the lesion. A biopsy of the mass was performed and the histological examination was consistent with RCC metastases. Conclusions: Metastases from renal cell carcinoma to the subcutaneous and soft tissues are rare. It is essential to take into account RCC metastases in the differential diagnostic of the new starting mass of the head and neck, and the necessity for close and continuous surveillance of patients diagnosed with renal cancer even after a long disease-free period should be emphasized

Reply to De Luca et al. Comment on "Marra et al. Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Soft Tissue 27 Years after Radical Nephrectomy: A Case Report. Medicina 2023, 59, 150"

: We appreciated the comments of De Luca and colleagues [...]