Mario Barone | University of Messina (original) (raw)
Papers by Mario Barone
The clinical respiratory journal, Jan 12, 2015
Pertussis is a common and potentially serious disease affecting mainly infants and young children... more Pertussis is a common and potentially serious disease affecting mainly infants and young children. In its non-classic presentation, pertussis can be clinically indistinguishable from other respiratory illnesses. Pertussis today often remains under-diagnosed in adults. We report here a case of serologically confirmed pertussis in an 18-year-oldman presenting with pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and chest, and persistent attacks of coughing with apnea that required treatment in the intensive care unit. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema have never been described in adult patients with pertussis. Physicians should be aware that patients presenting with persistent cough and pneumomediastinum may have pertussis and include this in their differential diagnosis.
Cardiology Research and Practice, 2010
Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by thrombotic complications both... more Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by thrombotic complications both in the arterial and venous systems. We report the case of a 55-year-old patient affected by polycythemia vera, presenting with acute superior vena cava syndrome due to thrombosis of the upper part of the superior vena cava. Diagnosis was done clinically and by computed tomography scan and showed an unusual finding: an air bubble trapped in the brachiocephalic venous trunk. The patient underwent emergency surgery. Diagnosis and treatment of the case are discussed.
To investigate the value of computed tomography (CT) for depicting the relationship between carci... more To investigate the value of computed tomography (CT) for depicting the relationship between carcinomatous solitary pulmonary nodules and the bronchial tree and predicting the results of various bronchoscopic biopsy techniques, the authors retrospectively reviewed CT scans from 27 consecutive patients with solitary pulmonary nodules associated with a positive bronchus sign. All patients underwent bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsy. Macroscopic demonstration of the tumor-bronchi relationship was obtained in 18 patients. Five basic types of tumor-bronchus relationships were identified with CT: (a) bronchus cut off by the tumor, (b) bronchus contained within the tumor, (c) bronchus compressed by the tumor, (d) thickening and smooth narrowing of the bronchus leading to the tumor, and (e) thickening and irregular narrowing of the bronchus leading to the tumor. The diagnostic yield of transbronchial forceps biopsy and bronchial brushing was significantly higher in nodules characterized by a cut-off or contained bronchus. Transbronchial needle aspiration was performed in six patients, and results were positive in five, all of whom had a compressed or thickened bronchus. These results confirm that yield of transbronchial biopsy is determined by the type of tumor-bronchus relationship and the biopsy technique performed.
Journal of Cardiac Surgery, 2009
ABSTRACT (J Card Surg 2009;24:358)
Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, 2014
Pharmacological Research, 2010
Chest trauma is frequently followed by pulmonary contusion and sepsis. High mobility group box-1 ... more Chest trauma is frequently followed by pulmonary contusion and sepsis. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) is a late mediator of severe sepsis that has been associated with mortality under experimental conditions. We studied HMGB-1 mRNA expression in patients with lung injury and its relationship with the severity of trauma and survival.
Mycopathologia, 2010
Candida empyema thoracis can be a consequence of operation, gastropleural fistula, and esophageal... more Candida empyema thoracis can be a consequence of operation, gastropleural fistula, and esophageal perforation. Case report and review of the literature. A fatal case of a 45-year-old pregnant woman with Candida krusei empyema thoracis secondary to spontaneous esophagus perforation associated with candida esophagitis is reported. The case is contextualized among similar cases found through a PubMed search. A suspect of esophagus rupture should arise in the presence of a fungal empyema. Candida esophagitis should be always considered as a possible cause or con-cause of esophagus rupture. An empirical systemic antimycotic therapy should always be considered in an ideal multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with esophagus rupture.
Lung, 2007
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinum, develop... more Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinum, developing in the absence of traumatic, iatrogenic, or preceding pulmonary pathologies (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer). The aim of this study was to review our experiences with SPM, underlining its symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and followup, and defining a reasonable course of assessment and management. A retrospective case series was conducted to identify adult patients with SPM who were diagnosed and treated in our institution between 1998 and 2005. Eighteen patients (10 males) were identified (average age = 25 +/- 4.8 years). Acute onset of chest pain was the predominant symptom at presentation. All patients developed clinically evident subcutaneous emphysema and underwent chest computerized tomography. Fiber bronchoscopy and echocardiogram were used selectively (8 patients). The average hospital stay was 6 (+/-1.4) days. Sixteen patients were conservatively treated, and only two patients were treated with thoracic drainage due to a related pneumothorax. The disease followed a benign evolution in all patients and, as of today, no relapse has been reported. SPM is an uncommon pathology with a usually benign course. The authors discuss SPM. A diagnostic algorithmic approach is necessary to rule out severe secondary entities and consequences that need urgent treatment.
Lung Cancer, 2003
KEYWORDS ␣2-Integrin; Gelatinase A; CT; MRI; Lung
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 1994
We retrospectively reviewed CT and pathologic examinations in resected nodular bronchioloalveolar... more We retrospectively reviewed CT and pathologic examinations in resected nodular bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs) to correlate the histology with the appearance of the nodules on preoperative thin section CT images. Thin section CT scans of 11 patients with nodular BAC were reviewed by two observers. In each case, size, tumor-lung interface, and internal characteristics of the nodule were recorded and correlated with histopathologic examinations. Computed tomography showed a large bronchus leading to or contained within the nodule in 36%; spiculated, lobulated, or irregular borders in 82%; pleural retraction in 36%; internal inhomogeneity in 45%; and a zone of intermediate attenuation surrounding a higher attenuation nodule and separating it from the surrounding lung parenchyma (the CT halo sign) in 18% of the 11 BACs. In two lesions internal serpentine radiolucencies could be seen. Histopathologic studies showed this correlated with the air-containing glandular spaces of the tumor. The CT halo sign and serpentine radiolucencies should be added to the list of the CT findings of nodular BAC. However histologic examination is required to confirm the diagnosis of BAC.
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2011
Background: The pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (PIP) is a rare disease. It is still debated w... more Background: The pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (PIP) is a rare disease. It is still debated whether it represents an inflammatory lesion characterized by uncontrolled cell growth or a true neoplasm. PIP is characterized by a cellular polymorphism. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 8 patients with PIP treated by surgery between 2001 and 2009. Preoperative thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan was performed in all cases. All patients underwent preoperative bronchoscopy with washing and brushing and/or transbronchial biopsy and preoperative cytology examination Results: There were 5 men and 3 women, aged between 38 and 69 years (mean of 58 years). 3 patients (37%) were asymptomatic. The others had symptoms characterized by chest pain, shortness of breath and persistent cough or hemoptysis. 5 patients had neutrophilic leucocytosis. CT scan demonstrated solitary nodules (maximum diameter <3 cm) in 5 patients (62%) and lung masses (maximum diameter >3 cm) in 3 patients (37%). In 2 patients there were signs of pleural infiltration. Distant lesions were excluded in all cases. A preoperative histology examination failed to reach a definitive diagnosis in all patients. At surgery, we performed two lobectomies, one segmentectomy and five wedge resections, these being performed with videothoracoscopy (VATS), except for one patient where open surgery was used. Complete tumor resection was obtained in all patients. According to the Matsubara classification, there were 2 cases of organizing pneumonia, 5 cases of fibrous histiocytoma and one case of lymphoplasmacytoma. All patients were discharged alive from hospital between 4 and 7 days after surgery. At follow-up CT scan performed annually (range 11 to 112 months) (mean 58 months), there were no residual lesions, neither local nor distant recurrences. Conclusions: PIP is a rare disease. Many synonyms have been used for this disease, usually in relation to the most represented cell type. The true incidence is unclear. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult to reach, despite performing a bronchoscopy or a transparietal needle aspiration. Different classifications have been proposed for PIP. Either medical, radiation or surgical therapy has been used for PIP. Whenever possible, surgery should be considered the standard treatment. Complete surgical resection is advocated to prevent recurrence.
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2010
Bronchogenic mediastinal cysts (BMC) represent 18% of primitive mediastinal tumors and the most f... more Bronchogenic mediastinal cysts (BMC) represent 18% of primitive mediastinal tumors and the most frequent cystic lesions in this area. Nowadays, BMC are usually treated by VATS. However, the presence of major adhesions to vital structures is often considered as an unfavourable condition for thoracoscopic treatment. The authors report the thoracoscopic treatment of a BMC having dense adhesions to the aortic arch. Diagnosis and surgical treatment is described. Review of the literature and surgical options on this topic are discussed.
Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, 2014
A 65-year-old man presented with a nonspecific thymic neoplasm following blunt thoracic trauma. T... more A 65-year-old man presented with a nonspecific thymic neoplasm following blunt thoracic trauma. The lesion increased in size over 12 years, to reach 47 mm in diameter. After thymectomy, the lesion was described as an epidermoid lining cyst composed of thickened stratified squamous epithelium. We assume that this rare pathological condition was caused by skin tissue islands and fat migrating into the mediastinum.
The bronchus sign on CT represents the presence of a bronchus leading directly to a peripheral pu... more The bronchus sign on CT represents the presence of a bronchus leading directly to a peripheral pulmonary lesion. We investigated the value of this sign in predicting the results of transbronchial biopsy and brushing in 33 consecutive cases of proved peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma studied with thin-slice CT (2-mm-thick sections). The bronchus sign was seen on CT in 22 patients and
The clinical respiratory journal, Jan 12, 2015
Pertussis is a common and potentially serious disease affecting mainly infants and young children... more Pertussis is a common and potentially serious disease affecting mainly infants and young children. In its non-classic presentation, pertussis can be clinically indistinguishable from other respiratory illnesses. Pertussis today often remains under-diagnosed in adults. We report here a case of serologically confirmed pertussis in an 18-year-oldman presenting with pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and chest, and persistent attacks of coughing with apnea that required treatment in the intensive care unit. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema have never been described in adult patients with pertussis. Physicians should be aware that patients presenting with persistent cough and pneumomediastinum may have pertussis and include this in their differential diagnosis.
Cardiology Research and Practice, 2010
Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by thrombotic complications both... more Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by thrombotic complications both in the arterial and venous systems. We report the case of a 55-year-old patient affected by polycythemia vera, presenting with acute superior vena cava syndrome due to thrombosis of the upper part of the superior vena cava. Diagnosis was done clinically and by computed tomography scan and showed an unusual finding: an air bubble trapped in the brachiocephalic venous trunk. The patient underwent emergency surgery. Diagnosis and treatment of the case are discussed.
To investigate the value of computed tomography (CT) for depicting the relationship between carci... more To investigate the value of computed tomography (CT) for depicting the relationship between carcinomatous solitary pulmonary nodules and the bronchial tree and predicting the results of various bronchoscopic biopsy techniques, the authors retrospectively reviewed CT scans from 27 consecutive patients with solitary pulmonary nodules associated with a positive bronchus sign. All patients underwent bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsy. Macroscopic demonstration of the tumor-bronchi relationship was obtained in 18 patients. Five basic types of tumor-bronchus relationships were identified with CT: (a) bronchus cut off by the tumor, (b) bronchus contained within the tumor, (c) bronchus compressed by the tumor, (d) thickening and smooth narrowing of the bronchus leading to the tumor, and (e) thickening and irregular narrowing of the bronchus leading to the tumor. The diagnostic yield of transbronchial forceps biopsy and bronchial brushing was significantly higher in nodules characterized by a cut-off or contained bronchus. Transbronchial needle aspiration was performed in six patients, and results were positive in five, all of whom had a compressed or thickened bronchus. These results confirm that yield of transbronchial biopsy is determined by the type of tumor-bronchus relationship and the biopsy technique performed.
Journal of Cardiac Surgery, 2009
ABSTRACT (J Card Surg 2009;24:358)
Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, 2014
Pharmacological Research, 2010
Chest trauma is frequently followed by pulmonary contusion and sepsis. High mobility group box-1 ... more Chest trauma is frequently followed by pulmonary contusion and sepsis. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) is a late mediator of severe sepsis that has been associated with mortality under experimental conditions. We studied HMGB-1 mRNA expression in patients with lung injury and its relationship with the severity of trauma and survival.
Mycopathologia, 2010
Candida empyema thoracis can be a consequence of operation, gastropleural fistula, and esophageal... more Candida empyema thoracis can be a consequence of operation, gastropleural fistula, and esophageal perforation. Case report and review of the literature. A fatal case of a 45-year-old pregnant woman with Candida krusei empyema thoracis secondary to spontaneous esophagus perforation associated with candida esophagitis is reported. The case is contextualized among similar cases found through a PubMed search. A suspect of esophagus rupture should arise in the presence of a fungal empyema. Candida esophagitis should be always considered as a possible cause or con-cause of esophagus rupture. An empirical systemic antimycotic therapy should always be considered in an ideal multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with esophagus rupture.
Lung, 2007
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinum, develop... more Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinum, developing in the absence of traumatic, iatrogenic, or preceding pulmonary pathologies (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer). The aim of this study was to review our experiences with SPM, underlining its symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and followup, and defining a reasonable course of assessment and management. A retrospective case series was conducted to identify adult patients with SPM who were diagnosed and treated in our institution between 1998 and 2005. Eighteen patients (10 males) were identified (average age = 25 +/- 4.8 years). Acute onset of chest pain was the predominant symptom at presentation. All patients developed clinically evident subcutaneous emphysema and underwent chest computerized tomography. Fiber bronchoscopy and echocardiogram were used selectively (8 patients). The average hospital stay was 6 (+/-1.4) days. Sixteen patients were conservatively treated, and only two patients were treated with thoracic drainage due to a related pneumothorax. The disease followed a benign evolution in all patients and, as of today, no relapse has been reported. SPM is an uncommon pathology with a usually benign course. The authors discuss SPM. A diagnostic algorithmic approach is necessary to rule out severe secondary entities and consequences that need urgent treatment.
Lung Cancer, 2003
KEYWORDS ␣2-Integrin; Gelatinase A; CT; MRI; Lung
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 1994
We retrospectively reviewed CT and pathologic examinations in resected nodular bronchioloalveolar... more We retrospectively reviewed CT and pathologic examinations in resected nodular bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs) to correlate the histology with the appearance of the nodules on preoperative thin section CT images. Thin section CT scans of 11 patients with nodular BAC were reviewed by two observers. In each case, size, tumor-lung interface, and internal characteristics of the nodule were recorded and correlated with histopathologic examinations. Computed tomography showed a large bronchus leading to or contained within the nodule in 36%; spiculated, lobulated, or irregular borders in 82%; pleural retraction in 36%; internal inhomogeneity in 45%; and a zone of intermediate attenuation surrounding a higher attenuation nodule and separating it from the surrounding lung parenchyma (the CT halo sign) in 18% of the 11 BACs. In two lesions internal serpentine radiolucencies could be seen. Histopathologic studies showed this correlated with the air-containing glandular spaces of the tumor. The CT halo sign and serpentine radiolucencies should be added to the list of the CT findings of nodular BAC. However histologic examination is required to confirm the diagnosis of BAC.
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2011
Background: The pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (PIP) is a rare disease. It is still debated w... more Background: The pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (PIP) is a rare disease. It is still debated whether it represents an inflammatory lesion characterized by uncontrolled cell growth or a true neoplasm. PIP is characterized by a cellular polymorphism. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 8 patients with PIP treated by surgery between 2001 and 2009. Preoperative thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan was performed in all cases. All patients underwent preoperative bronchoscopy with washing and brushing and/or transbronchial biopsy and preoperative cytology examination Results: There were 5 men and 3 women, aged between 38 and 69 years (mean of 58 years). 3 patients (37%) were asymptomatic. The others had symptoms characterized by chest pain, shortness of breath and persistent cough or hemoptysis. 5 patients had neutrophilic leucocytosis. CT scan demonstrated solitary nodules (maximum diameter <3 cm) in 5 patients (62%) and lung masses (maximum diameter >3 cm) in 3 patients (37%). In 2 patients there were signs of pleural infiltration. Distant lesions were excluded in all cases. A preoperative histology examination failed to reach a definitive diagnosis in all patients. At surgery, we performed two lobectomies, one segmentectomy and five wedge resections, these being performed with videothoracoscopy (VATS), except for one patient where open surgery was used. Complete tumor resection was obtained in all patients. According to the Matsubara classification, there were 2 cases of organizing pneumonia, 5 cases of fibrous histiocytoma and one case of lymphoplasmacytoma. All patients were discharged alive from hospital between 4 and 7 days after surgery. At follow-up CT scan performed annually (range 11 to 112 months) (mean 58 months), there were no residual lesions, neither local nor distant recurrences. Conclusions: PIP is a rare disease. Many synonyms have been used for this disease, usually in relation to the most represented cell type. The true incidence is unclear. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult to reach, despite performing a bronchoscopy or a transparietal needle aspiration. Different classifications have been proposed for PIP. Either medical, radiation or surgical therapy has been used for PIP. Whenever possible, surgery should be considered the standard treatment. Complete surgical resection is advocated to prevent recurrence.
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2010
Bronchogenic mediastinal cysts (BMC) represent 18% of primitive mediastinal tumors and the most f... more Bronchogenic mediastinal cysts (BMC) represent 18% of primitive mediastinal tumors and the most frequent cystic lesions in this area. Nowadays, BMC are usually treated by VATS. However, the presence of major adhesions to vital structures is often considered as an unfavourable condition for thoracoscopic treatment. The authors report the thoracoscopic treatment of a BMC having dense adhesions to the aortic arch. Diagnosis and surgical treatment is described. Review of the literature and surgical options on this topic are discussed.
Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, 2014
A 65-year-old man presented with a nonspecific thymic neoplasm following blunt thoracic trauma. T... more A 65-year-old man presented with a nonspecific thymic neoplasm following blunt thoracic trauma. The lesion increased in size over 12 years, to reach 47 mm in diameter. After thymectomy, the lesion was described as an epidermoid lining cyst composed of thickened stratified squamous epithelium. We assume that this rare pathological condition was caused by skin tissue islands and fat migrating into the mediastinum.
The bronchus sign on CT represents the presence of a bronchus leading directly to a peripheral pu... more The bronchus sign on CT represents the presence of a bronchus leading directly to a peripheral pulmonary lesion. We investigated the value of this sign in predicting the results of transbronchial biopsy and brushing in 33 consecutive cases of proved peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma studied with thin-slice CT (2-mm-thick sections). The bronchus sign was seen on CT in 22 patients and