Alessandra Di Maria

Prof. Alessandra Di Maria

Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
orcid
President of SICOP (Italian Society of Ophthalmoplastic Surg...

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

30Years (1997-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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5 January 2018 in Orbit
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
FKFrancesco Klinger
Francesco Klinger
LMLuca Maione
Luca Maione
VVValeriano Vinci
Valeriano Vinci
ALAndrea Lisa
Andrea Lisa
FBFederico Barbera
Federico Barbera
Alessandra Di MariaAlessandra Di Maria
Alessandra Di Maria
Autologous fat grafting has been extensively and successfully adopted in a number of pathologic conditions in regenerative surgery especially on irradiated fields in order to improve pain symptoms and tissue trophism promoting scar release. In the present study, we report our experience with autologous fat grafting for the treatment of postirradiation fibrosis and pain on three consecutive patients undergoing orbital enucleation for locally advanced retinoblastoma (RB) and subsequent radiotherapy. We selected three consecutive patients who underwent orbital enucleation for locally advanced RB and subsequent local radiotherapy showing severe reduction in orbital volume and eyelid length and retraction due to fibrosis, spontaneous local pain exacerbated after digital pressure with no possibility to place an ocular implant. They underwent autologous fat grafting in the orbital cavity and results were evaluated by clinical examination at 5 and 14 days, and 1, 3, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. A significant release of scar retraction, reduction of fibrosis and orbital rim contraction together with an important improvement of pain symptoms was observed in all patients. The local changes observed enabled an ease placement of an ocular prosthetic implant (implant). No local or systemic complication occurred. Fat grafting is a promising treatment for patients showing radiotherapy related complication in the orbital area and it should be adopted by all oculoplastic surgeon in order to improve pain syndrome creating the ideal local conditions for the placement of an ocular prosthetic implant.
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24 September 1999 in Ophthalmologica
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
FNFelicita Norcia
Felicita Norcia
Alessandra Di MariaAlessandra Di Maria
Alessandra Di Maria
FPFausto Prandini
Fausto Prandini
CRCarla Redaelli
Carla Redaelli
The purpose of this study was the evaluation of retinal abnormalities during a treatment with natural interferon (IFN-α for chronic hepatitis C. Retinal hemorrhages and optic disk edema were found in a 40-year-old woman during IFN-α therapy. The disk edema and retinopathy resolved after the INF was discontinued. Although retinal abnormalities correlated with IFN therapy have been described recently by some authors, the pathogenesis is still unclear. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy occurring in a patient treated with IFN is a probable complication of the therapy.
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9 August 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Filippo ConfalonieriFilippo Confalonieri
Filippo Confalonieri
ARAntonio La Rosa
Antonio La Rosa
GOGiovanni Ottonelli
Giovanni Ottonelli
Gianmaria BaroneGianmaria Barone
Gianmaria Barone
VFVanessa Ferraro
Vanessa Ferraro
GPGoran Petrovski
Goran Petrovski
Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of hereditary retinal dystrophies characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptor cells, which results in debilitating visual impairment. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of emerging treatment modalities for RP, including gene therapy, mesenchymal-cell-based approaches, and supplementary interventions. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to February 2024. Studies reporting outcomes of treatment interventions for RP, including randomized controlled trials, non-randomized studies, and case series, were included. Data extraction and synthesis were performed according to predefined criteria, focusing on assessing the quality of evidence and summarizing key findings. Results: The search yielded 13 studies meeting inclusion criteria, encompassing diverse treatment modalities and study designs. Gene therapy emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, with several studies reporting favorable outcomes regarding visual function preservation and disease stabilization. Mesenchymal-cell-based therapies also demonstrated potential benefits, although evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Supplementary interventions, including nutritional supplements and neuroprotective agents, exhibited variable efficacy, with conflicting findings across studies. Conclusions: Despite the lack of definitive curative treatments, emerging therapeutic modalities promise to slow disease progression and preserve visual function in individuals with RP. However, substantial gaps in evidence and heterogeneity in study methodologies underscore the need for further research to elucidate optimal treatment strategies, refine patient selection criteria, and enhance long-term outcomes. This systematic review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence and highlights directions for future research to advance the care and management of individuals with RP.

9 January 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Filippo ConfalonieriFilippo Confalonieri
Filippo Confalonieri
VFVanessa Ferraro
Vanessa Ferraro
Gianmaria BaroneGianmaria Barone
Gianmaria Barone
Alessandra Di MariaAlessandra Di Maria
Alessandra Di Maria
BPBeáta Éva Petrovski
Beáta Éva Petrovski
GPGoran Petrovski
Goran Petrovski
Background: Subretinal macular hemorrhage (SRMH) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a relatively rare condition in ophthalmology characterized by blood collection between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Without prompt treatment, visual prognosis is poor. A plethora of treatment approaches have been tried over the past years ranging from intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy to direct subretinal surgery, with no conclusive superiority of one over the other. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the outcomes and treatment modalities of SRMH from inception to 14 June 2022, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). The level of evidence was assessed for all included articles according to the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results: A total of 2745 articles were initially extracted, out of which 1654 articles were obtained after duplicates were removed and their abstracts screened. A total of 155 articles were included for full-text review. Finally, 81 articles remained that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Even though there are solid results supporting a variety of treatments for SRMH, the best treatment modality has still not been conclusively demonstrated and further research is needed.
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28 July 2023 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Alessandra Di MariaAlessandra Di Maria
Alessandra Di Maria
Gianmaria BaroneGianmaria Barone
Gianmaria Barone
VFVanessa Ferraro
Vanessa Ferraro
CTCostanza Tredici
Costanza Tredici
SMSofia Manara
Sofia Manara
Filippo ConfalonieriFilippo Confalonieri
Filippo Confalonieri
Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of eyelid malignancy and it is considered to be dangerous due to its proximity to functionally essential organs. Early diagnosis and complete excision of the primary lesion are crucial to prevent infiltration and metastasis. The study aims to evaluate the extent of recurrence in subjects affected by BCC of the upper third of the face treated with surgical eradication and the frozen section technique with complete margin control (CMC-FS), in comparison with the gold standard Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Materials and Methods: The study included 111 patients with 111 biopsy-proven eyelid BCCs. On clinical examination, all lesions were removed with 2 mm margins clinically free of neoplasm. Prior to reconstruction, CMC-FS analysis of all surgical margins was performed on each tumor for histopathologic confirmation. Subsequently, all margins were presented for the permanent paraffin sections. Results: There were 69 primary carcinomas and 42 secondary carcinomas among the 111 samples. No recurrence occurred in 109 tumors followed-up for at least 5 years, with a total recurrence rate of 1.8%. The median time between lesion excision and diagnosis of recurrence was 20 months. Conclusions: at 5-year follow-up, CMC-FS guided excision of BCCs of the eyelids resulted in recurrence rates equivalent to MMS. Intraoperative microscopic control of all margins reduced the recurrence rate of the upper third of the facial BCCs, correlating with easier reconstruction with better esthetic and functional outcome.
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12 August 1998 in Ophthalmologica
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
Alessandra Di MariaAlessandra Di Maria
Alessandra Di Maria
CRCarla Redaelli
Carla Redaelli
ACAngelo Canevari
Angelo Canevari
GPGuido Pagnucco
Guido Pagnucco
MMMiryam Martinetti
Miryam Martinetti
PBPaolo E. Bianchi
Paolo E. Bianchi
This report describes a case of retinal vasculitis which occurred in hairy cell leukaemia and was localized only in the right eye. An immunogenetic study investigates the possible genetic association between vascular uveitis and hairy cell leukaemia.
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