Carotid body tumors: radioguided surgical approach.

Background: Carotid body tumours (CBTs) are very rare lesions which should be treated as soon as possible even when benign since small tumour size permits easier removal and lower incidence of perioperative complications and recurrence. Malignant forms are rare and they can be identified by lymph node invasion and metastases in distant locations. The need of reliable and effective diagnostic modalities for both primary CBTs and its metastases or recurrence is evident.

Imaging of carotid plaque angiogenesis.

Currently, characterization of the vulnerable plaque is a hot research topic as a more adequate strategy for preventing cerebrovascular events is being sought. Histological studies have recognized that plaque inflammation and the presence of adventitial vasa vasorum, intimal angiogenesis and plaque neovascularization are strong predictors of instability in atheromatous lesions of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular patients. The in vivo study of these features has been the focus of development of several new radiological imaging methods.

Education in vascular surgery: critical issues around the globe-training and qualification in vascular surgery in Europe.

In 1958, the Union Européene des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS), or European Union (EU) of Medical Specialists the European Union, was founded by the professional organizations of medical specialists in Europe. Among the objectives of the UEMS are to promote the highest level of patient care in the EU and to promote the harmonization of high-quality training programs within the various specialities throughout the EU. Within the 38 Specialist Sections of the UEMS are the European Boards, which are the working groups of the Specialist Sections.

Carotid body tumors: advantages of contrast ultrasound investigation.

Carotid body tumors are rare neoplasms that have to be considered in the evaluation of all lateral neck mass. Early surgical removal has been recommended to avoid possible cranial nerve injury, the most common perioperative complication. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRA) angiographies are the preferred pre-operative diagnostic imaging investigations, as well as the 111 In-pentetreotide scintigraphic scan, whereas the standard ultrasound investigations have poor sensitivity in characterizing of the blood flows of the parenchimal structure of the carotid body tumors.

Detection of carotid adventitial vasa vasorum and plaque vascularization with ultrasound cadence contrast pulse sequencing technique and echo-contrast agent.

Background And Purpose: Adventitial vasa vasorum and plaque vascularization have been established as predictors of unstable atheromasic lesions in cerebro- and cardiovascular patients. Ultrasound contrast agents provide reliable information on tissue perfusion and microcirculation. We used contrast ultrasound duplex scanning to identify carotid plaque vascularization.

Intraoperative gamma probe detection of head and neck paragangliomas with 111In-pentetreotide: a pilot study.

Aims And Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether intraoperative radiolocalization of head and neck paragangliomas with 111In-pentetreotide may increase surgical effectiveness, reducing the risk of recurrence.

Methods: Our study included eight patients with untreated, recently diagnosed paragangliomas (four unilateral and four bilateral tumors of the carotid body). After i.

Contrast-enhanced US in the assessment of the ilio-caval axis in deep venous thrombosis.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and the accuracy of a new technique in the evaluation of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the ilio-caval axis.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-eight patients with suspected DVT were prospectively examined with unenhanced and enhanced colour-Doppler ultrasonography, and ascending contrast venography. Thirty-five out of 38 patients underwent US phlebography, consisting in manual injection of Levovist (Schering Ag, Berlin, Germany) through a 21-G cannula in a suitable dorsal vein of the foot ipsilateral to the suspected DVT.

Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Objective: We evaluated the correlation between the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Methods: Fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were enrolled; 18 of the 51 patients had symptomatic disease, whereas 33 had asymptomatic disease. Detection of C pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and PBMCs was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Surgical approach to the third area of the internal carotid artery through vertical osteotomy of the mandibular ramus: case report.

Internal carotid artery (ICA) reparative techniques are nowadays widely standardized in traumatic as well as degenerative pathological conditions; therefore, the greatest difficulty encountered in the treatment of lesions at the expense of the most distal segment of the ICA is not a result of the application of these techniques as much as the difficulty in obtaining adequate exposure of the vessel and a sufficiently wide surgical field. In the past, lesions localized more toward the skull were considered to be surgically unreachable. During the last 20 years, however, various techniques have been suggested and attempted for the exposure of this difficult area.