Malignant obstructive jaundice: comparison of MRCP and ERCP in the evaluation of distal lesions.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis of malignant stenosis of the distal common bile duct.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one patients (12 males and 9 females, mean age 62 years) with a clinical suspicion of malignancy of the distal biliary tract and pancreatic head underwent tomographic RM evaluation and diagnostic MRCP, followed by diagnostic and, where possible, therapeutic ERCP. The images obtained with ERCP and MRCP were reviewed blind by two experts who evaluated the presence, site, signal features and locoregional extension of the tumours.

Mechanisms for linezolid-induced anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Background: Linezolid has been associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia. Mechanisms for neither have been elucidated.

Objective: To propose mechanisms for linezolid-induced anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Soft tissue liposarcoma: histological subtypes, MRI and CT findings.

Purpose: Liposarcoma is the second most common malignancy of soft tissues. The commonly accepted classification of liposarcoma includes five basic histological categories: well-differentiated, myxoid, round cell, dedifferentiated and pleomorphic liposarcoma. The clinical behaviour of liposarcoma closely reflects its histological appearance, so that to identify the histological subtypes is very important for both prognosis and therapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the hindfoot with surgical correlations.

The hindfoot is an anatomical region with a complex anatomy and it is very important from the biomechanical point of view. From the functional point of view the hindfoot may be divided into two different anatomical components: the talar foot and the calcaneal foot. Many bony and ligamentous structures, complexly linked together, form this anatomical region.

Cardiac MRI: comparison between single-shot fast spin echo and conventional spin echo sequences in the morphological evaluation of the ventricles.

Purpose: Black blood single shot FSE sequences (Nffse) employ 180 degrees RF refocalisation pulses preceded by an inversion RF double pulse associated to presaturation pulses. The latter produce signal void of the external volume, and possible reduction of the field of view without wrap-around artifacts along the phase coding direction. The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic possibilities of the Nffse sequences with those of conventional SE study of cardiac morphology.

[MR-angiography with contrast bolus vs digital angiography in peripheral arterial occlusive disease of the legs].

Purpose: Aim of our study was to compare MR Angiography and Digital Angiography in the diagnosis of peripheral vascular occlusive disease.

Material And Methods: Forty-five patients underwent both MRA and DSA examination of the peripheral arterial district. We employed a 1.

[Staging and re-staging of soft tissue sarcoma using MRI. Usefulness of contrast media].

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of paramagnetic contrast medium (Gadolinium) in the staging and re-staging of soft tissue tumors using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Material And Methods: Sixty patients affected by soft tissue sarcoma of different histotype were retrospectively evaluated. Age ranged from 23 to 78 years.

[Magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic focal lesions: dynamic contrastographic evaluation with gadolinium versus reticulo-endothelial hepato-specific contrast media].

Purpose: To compare the potentials of AMI-25 (Endoren) to those of Gadolinium with the dynamic contrast-enhanced technique in the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions.

Material And Methods: Forty patients with at least one focal liver lesion diagnosed at US underwent MRI. We used a 1.

[Groin pain in athletes: role of magnetic resonance].

Introduction: Aim of our work was to evaluate the diagnostic role and potentials of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the study of groin pain in athletes and in the differential diagnosis among the pathological conditions that cause this syndrome.

Material And Methods: MRI examinations were performed with a 1.5 T superconductive magnet, and a 0.

[Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast media bolus in the evaluation of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta].

Purpose: To investigate the potentials of 3D breath-hold contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) in the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment planning of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Material And Methods: Twenty-four patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm underwent MRA. We used a 1.

[Antero-posterior lesions of the superior glenoid labrum. Magnetic resonance evaluation].

Purpose: To assess MR potentials in the evaluation of superior glenoid labrum disease and possible associated conditions of the rotator cuff and of the anterior mechanism of the shoulder.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 51 patients (age range 18 to 53 years) with a diagnosis of anteroposterior lesion of the superior glenoid labrum. MR examinations were performed with a 0.

Prevalence of genotypic and phenotypic resistance to anti-retroviral drugs in a cohort of therapy-naïve HIV-1 infected US military personnel.

Objective: While transmission of drug-resistant HIV-1 has been reported, estimates of prevalence of resistance in drug-naïve populations are incomplete. We investigated the prevalence of genotypic mutations and phenotypic antiretroviral resistance in a cohort of HIV-1 infected U.S.

Musculoskeletal MRI: dedicated systems.

The "dedicated" MRI units have characteristics of high diagnostic accuracy and lower installation and management costs as compared with whole-body systems. The dedicated MRI units are easy to install. The low weight allows their installation also under unfavorable circumstances.

'When you were drinking' vs. 'in the past 12 months': the impact of using different time frames in clinical and general populations.

Aim: Different time frames have been used to ask about drinking in clinical and general populations. Surveys of clinical populations have asked about the quantity and frequency of drinking within the context of "when you were drinking". In general population surveys, the customary practice has been to ask about a period of time such as "the last 12 months".

Drug resistance patterns, genetic subtypes, clinical features, and risk factors in military personnel with HIV-1 seroconversion.

Background: Regular testing of military personnel identifies early HIV infection; this identification provides a sentinel cohort in which to describe the evolving molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 transmission.

Objective: To describe the prevalence and epidemiologic correlates associated with the acquisition of non-subtype B and drug-resistant HIV infections.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Age as a risk factor in cervicofacial reconstruction.

The Authors report their experience from January 1980 to January 1998 with 392 reconstructive flaps for the oncological reconstruction of the cervicofacial district. One hundred and forty-two were conventional flaps, 187 were myocutaneous or pedicled muscular ones and 63 were microvascular. Ninety percent of the patients had Stage IV disease, 80% were tumors involving the oral cavity structures, 40% of the patients had received preoperative radiotherapy; 35% of the cases were recurrences.

Superior thyroid artery lesion after US-guided chemical parathyroidectomy: angiographic diagnosis and treatment by embolization.

A 71-year-old woman presented with a life-threatening thyroid hemorrhage after US-guided chemical parathyroidectomy. The diagnosis was made by angiography followed by immediate embolization of a pseudoaneurysm of the left superior thyroid artery. Embolization controlled the hemorrhage, obviating the need for surgery.

[Anterior cruciate ligament tears in athletes: assessment and clinico-diagnostic control with a dedicated system].

Introduction: We investigated the MR signs of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and tried to assess the patterns of both the acute and the chronic phases since more MR examinations are currently performed of the knee joint in the hyper and acute post-traumatic stage.

Material And Methods: December, 1994, through September, 1997, a hundred and 89 sportsmen with a history of hyper and acute knee trauma were submitted to MRI: one hundred and four of them were followed-up for 3-6 months. The MR examinations were performed with a dedicated unit (Artoscan, Esaote Biomedica, Genoa) using T1-weighted SE, T2-weighted GE and Turbo ME sequences on the sagittal, coronal and axial planes, respectively (3-5 mm slice thickness).

Incidence of postoperative infection or positive culture after facial laser resurfacing: a pilot study, a case report, and a proposal for a rational approach to antibiotic prophylaxis.

Background: Laser skin resurfacing (LSR) has emerged as a popular procedure for facial rejuvenation; however, there are no clear guidelines regarding systemic antibiotic prophylaxis.

Objective: We attempt to provide practical guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis in LSR based on our experiences, pharmacology, and a review of the literature.

Methods: In a pilot study, four consecutive full-face LSR patients were treated without oral or topical antibiotics.

Diagnostic imaging of malignant cartilage tumors.

We compared the diagnostic capabilities of CT and MRI in the study of malignant cartilage tumors. Information about the characterization and the intra-/extraosseous spread of these lesions is of primary importance in the preoperative planning. Besides peripheral chondrosarcomas, arising from an osteochondroma and central chondrosarcomas, which are the most common malignant cartilaginous tumors, we also considered secondary, periosteal, dedifferentiated, clear cells and mesenchymal chondrosarcomas.

Ankle impingement syndromes.

The ankle impingement syndrome is a frequent condition in both athletes and the normal population. We investigated this painful syndrome from both a clinical and a diagnostic viewpoint. Depending on what ankle tissue impinges on the other, it is possible to distinguish bone impingement, soft tissue impingement and peripheral nerve entrapment.

Joint impingement syndrome: clinical features.

Joint impingement is a painful syndrome caused by the friction of joint tissues, which is both the cause and the effect of altered joint biomechanics. From the anatomical and clinical viewpoints, these syndromes are classified as bone impingement, soft tissue impingement and entrapment neuropathy, depending on what joint portion impinges on the others. We considered the most important impingement syndromes of the upper and the lower limbs from the clinical viewpoint.

Ruptured suprarenal artery aneurysm: angiographic diagnosis and treatment by selective embolization.

The case of a 78-year-old man with retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to a ruptured right inferior suprarenal artery aneurysm is presented. The diagnosis was made by angiography which allowed immediate embolization of the neck of the aneurysm, controlling hemorrhage and obviating the need for surgery. The patient made a full recovery with no evidence of further hemorrhage.

[Treatment of superior vena cava syndrome by metal stents. Preliminary experience].

This study was aimed at verifying the feasibility of stent placement in superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). From April, 1993, to February 1995, fifteen patients (12 men, 3 women, age range: 48-72 years, average age: 58 years), were treated for malignant stenoses involving superior vena cava in 9 cases, right innominate vein in 3, left innominate vein in 2 and subclavian veins in 1. All patients had been submitted to CT angiography and digital venography to assess side, length and type of the stenosis.