Successful management of peri-implantitis around short and ultrashort single-crown implants: a case series with a 3-year follow-up

Introduction and Aim. In case of peri-implantitis, resective surgery is contraindicated for short and ultrashort implants, limiting the treatment options to regenerative surgery or to implant removal. 'is retrospective case series presents the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a surgical regenerative procedure to treat peri-implantitis around short and ultrashort implants. Materials and Methods. The study is a retrospective evaluation of patients suffering from peri-implantitis and those who underwent access flap surgery, concomitant chemical and mechanical decontamination of implant surface, and bone grafting using a self-hardening mixture of bone substitutes and biphasic calcium sulfate. No membranes were applied to cover the grafting material, and primary tension-free closure was achieved. The retrospective protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee for Clinical Sperimentation (CESC) of Verona and Rovigo, Italy (based in the University of Verona) (Prog. 1863CESC. Date of approval: 2018-07-04). Results. 15 patients (17 implants) have been diagnosed with peri-implantitis after a mean follow-up of 24 months after loading. Implant length was between 5 and 8 mm. 8 patients (10 implants) had a history of periodontitis. At baseline, the mean PD (probing pocket dept) at the deepest site was 8.12 mm, with an average mBI (modified bleeding index) of 2.35 and a mean BD (bone defect depth) of 3.04 mm. At the 3-year follow-up, the CSR was 100%, the mean mBI was 0.88 (average reduction: - 1.47), the mean PD was 3.35 mm (mean PD reduction: 4.77 mm), and the mean bone defect was reduced by 1.74 mm, with a mean bone fill of 55%. Conclusions. The results of the present case series suggest that if accurate surface decontamination is achieved, high survival rate and good clinical and radiographic results can be obtained after 3 years. However, only the histological examination could confirm the growth of new bone in direct contact with the implant surface or if the grafted material only fills the space left by the peri-implant defect

Quantitative aortography for assessment of aortic regurgitation in the era of percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a shortcoming that can erode the clinical benefits of transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) and therefore a readily applicable method (aortography) to quantitate PVL objectively and accurately in the interventional suite is appealing to all operators. The ratio between the areas of the time-density curves in the aorta and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-AR) defines the regurgitation fraction (RF). This technique has been validated in a mock circulation; a single injection in diastole was further tested in porcine and ovine models. In the clinical setting, LVOT-AR was compared with trans-thoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. LVOT-AR > 17% discriminates mild from moderate aortic regurgitation on echocardiography and confers a poor prognosis in multiple registries, and justifies balloon post-dilatation. The LVOT-AR differentiates the individual performances of many old and novel devices and is being used in ongoing randomized trials and registries

NVT ALLEGRA transcatheter heart valve for valve-in-valve procedures in failing surgical aortic bioprostheses: let us wait and see

transcatheter heart valve for valve-in-valve procedures in failing surgical aortic bioprosthese

Imaging and functional assessment of bioresorbable scaffolds

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BRS) are novel devices designed to provide transient vessel support to drug-delivery capability without the potential long-term limitations of metallic drug-eluting stents. The technology, heralded as the latest revolution in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention, could overcome many of the long-term safety concerns associated with metallic stents and possibly even convey a further clinical benefit. However, despite its theoretical advantages, the safety and efficacy of the first generation BRS remain unclear in all-comer patient populations. Invasive imaging modalities and methodologies were developed to guide BRS implantation and monitor the interaction between the scaffold and the vessel at long-term follow-up. These tools are helpful to avoid some of the pitfalls associated with BRS implantation and may improve the clinical outcome of these devices. The present review aims to report the most recent data regarding multi-imaging modalities as guidance and follow-up of coronary interventions involving the use of BRS

Serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) after primary vaccination with BNT162b2

We retrospectively analyzed 37 male healthy employees (mean age: 61±8 years) of the Pederzoli Hospital in Peschiera del Garda (Verona, Italy) who completed a primary vaccination cycle with the COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2. Blood samples were drawn by standard venipuncture immediately before the first BNT162b2 dose, 21 days thereafter and thus immediately before the second BNT162b2 dose, and 1 month after the second vaccine dose (i.e., 50 days after the first BNT162b2 dose). Serum PSA levels were not significantly different from baseline (median: 0.9 ng/mL; IQR: 0.61-1.88 ng/mL) after the first BNT162b2 dose (median: 0.7 ng/mL; IQR: 0.48-1.26 ng/mL; p=0.074), and were even lower than at baseline after the second BNT162b2 dose (median: 0.7 ng/mL; IQR: 0.39-1.29 ng/mL; p=0.001). Our results suggest that the BNT162b2 vaccine may also have a beneficial effect on prostate biology and function, by reducing circulating PSA levels

Secondary tracheoesophageal puncture with the blind technique: 10 years’ experience

Propose: The aim of the present article is to propose an alternative technique to the traditional secondary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy, describing the procedure step-by-step, analyzing the complications and long-term results. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent secondary TEP with the blind technique using a rigid hysterometer. The main steps in this technique are described and illustrated. Patient demographics and surgical outcomes were assessed. Results: Thirty-two patients were enrolled in this study. In all but one case, risk factors that could hinder rigid esophagoscopy were identified (37.5% neopharyngeal/esophageal post-surgical issues, 81.3% prior radiotherapy, 21.9% cervical arthrosis, and 12.5% prior coloplasty or gastric transposition). No intra- or postoperative surgical complications were noted. Conclusion: The blind technique offers an alternative method to perform a secondary TEP safely and efficiently in patients with unfavorable anatomical or clinical conditions, lowering the risk of procedure-related complications