Sustained response to infliximab treatment in two cases of early rheumatoid arthritis that has been maintained after drug withdrawal

The authors report two cases of active seropositive rheumatoid arthritis who were treated in an early phase of the disease with infliximab plus methotrexate obtaining a clinical remission. The benefit was maintained after the discontinuation of the anti-TNF alpha inhibitor for adverse events, indicating that the early administration of the drug may be followed by a sustained remission

Adherence to recommendations for cervical and breast cancer screening in systemic sclerosis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the adherence of systemic sclerosis (SSc) female patients to cervix and breast cancer screening procedures, as suggested by local guidelines. A cohort of 84 SSc women was asked if they had undergone mammography and Pap test during the previous 2- and 3-year intervals, as indicated according to the Italian recommendations. The results were compared with those collected in patients affected by other chronic rheumatic disorders and in the general population. More than 85% of SSc women declared to comply with an age-related cervix and breast cancer screening schedule. The data were similar to those collected in patients affected by other chronic rheumatic disorders, whereas the subjects belonging to the general population reported to undergo breast cancer screening more frequently. Among SSc women, neither the educational level, nor the lung and skin involvement influenced their cancer screening program compliance. Only a positive history of ischemic digital ulcers seemed to interfere with mammography. Our study reported a very high percentage of SSc female patients who adhered to programs for the early detection of cervical and breast cancer. The significant adherence to guidelines may be due to the schedule adopted by the local health public service, which regularly invites eligible subjects by mail to undergo cancer screening at no charge

Correction to: The Italian version of the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR)

The family name of author Francesco La Torre was incorrect in the published article. The correct family name should read as La Torre F

VATS bilaterale con sospensione sternale per timectomia radicale in paziente miastenica con neoformazione intraventricolare sinistra

Nei pazienti miastenici la chirurgia mininvasiva offre importanti benefici in termini di morbidit\ue0 postoperatoria. Presentiamo un caso di un approccio VATS bilaterale con sospensione sternale per timectomia radicale in una paziente affetta da miastenia gravis e con una massa intraventricolare sinistra

Timectomia con tecnica combinata sottoxifoidea e toracoscopica bilaterale con sospensione sternale

Scopo del lavoro: Dimostrare la fattibilit\ue0 della timectomia con tecnica combinata sottoxifoidea e toracoscopica bilaterale con sospensione sternale. Conclusioni: La combinazione di un accesso sottoxifoideo e di un sistema di sospensione sternale con fettuccia di stoffa consente una migliore visualizzazione dello spazio mediastinico anrteriore. L\u2019accesso toracoscopico bilaterale consente di effettuare una resezione radicale dal punto di vista oncologico, garantendo al tempo stesso un ottimo risultato estetico

Outcome dopo segmentectomia polmonare VATS per noduli <2 cm: esperienza monocentrica

Il riscontro del nodulo polmonare solitario \ue8 ad oggi molto frequente ma di non sempre facile gestione. L\u2019approccio VATS miniinvasivo ha reso pi\uf9 semplice affrontare questi casi. In questo scenario la possibilit\ue0 di una resezione sublobare anatomica aggiunge la possibilit\ue0 di risparmio parenchimale. Scopo del nostro lavoro \ue8 il confronto dei pazienti sottoposti in VATS a segmentectomia anatomica con quelli sottoposti a lobectomia polmonare per noduli di dimensioni inferiori a 2 cm

Anti TNFalpha blockers, autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases

Anti-TNFalpha blockers are extensively used in the management of chronic inflammatory disorders. Their administration may be associated with the generation of autoantibodies; this review focuses on the autoimmune phenomena linked to anti-TNFalpha inhibition, on the hypothesized pathogenetic mechanisms and on the clinical implications. While the development of antinuclear and, less frequently, of anti-DNA antibodies is a common finding, the onset of autoimmune diseases during anti-TNFalpha blocker treatment is a rare event, which needs to be promptly recognized in order to plan the appropriate management. Moreover the specific autoantibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis are considered before and after biotherapy. Similarities and differences among infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab concerning induced autoimmune phenomena are underlined

Bone mass density and body composition in patients affected by ssc-preliminary results

Preliminary results of Bone mass density and body composition in patients affected by ss