Cone beam CT evaluation of skeletal and nasomaxillary complex volume changes after rapid maxillary expansion in OSA children.

Objective: The first objective of this study was to evaluate skeletal changes and changes in dimensions and volume of the upper airways before and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) therapy in children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), by Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT). The second objective was to evaluate if RME therapy could improve both the patency of the nasal airways and the Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS).

Methods: 19 children with OSA and malocclusion took CBCT scans with a Dentascan and 3D reconstruction program before (T0) and 4 months after (T1) RME.

Skeletal changes after rapid maxillary expansion in children with obstructive sleep apnea evaluated by low-dose multi-slice computed tomography.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the skeletal effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) therapy performed using teeth as anchors, in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) children, by low-dose computed tomography (CT) of the midpalatal suture opening, maxillary base width, nasal cavities width, first molar angulation and, unlike most studies in the literature, on the pterygoid processes distance.

Methods: Fourteen children (mean age 8.68 years) with OSA presenting a malocclusion characterized by upper-jaw contraction had 16-Multislice CT (MSCT) scans taken before (T0) and after (T1) RME.

Postarthroscopy Imaging in Femoroacetabular Impingement: Persistent Pain May Be Due to an Insufficient Correction of Preoperative Abnormalities.

 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of correction of abnormal radiographic parameters on postoperative pain in a group of patients treated arthroscopically for femoracetabular impingement (FAI).  A retrospective study was performed on 23 patients affected by mixed-type FAI and treated arthroscopically. There were 11 males and 12 females with a mean age of 46.

Diagnosis and treatment of paranasal sinus fungus ball of odontogenic origin: case report.

In recent years the incidence of fungal sinusitis has increased considerably, due both to increased survival of patients at risk and to improved diagnostic equipment. The pathogen responsible in most cases is the Aspergillus in its forms Fumigatus, Flavus and Niger. The diagnosis is often delayed because the symptoms, characterized by headache, cough, and facial algia, are generally similar to that of chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis.

Efficacy of systemic thrombolysis within 4.5 h from stroke symptom onset: a single-centre clinical and diffusion-perfusion 3T MRI study.

Purpose: The efficacy of thrombolytic treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) within 3 h from stroke onset has been extensively supported by randomised placebo-controlled multicentre trials. In our single-centre study, we investigated the efficacy of intravenous (IV) administration of rt-PA within 4.5 h of stroke onset, in terms of clinical and radiological outcome, using a 3T magnetic resonance (MR) scanner in a cohort of patients similar to that of multicentre clinical trials.

Three-dimensional evaluation of masseter muscle in different vertical facial patterns: a cross-sectional study in growing children.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the anatomical three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of masseter muscle in growing subjects with different vertical patterns by using an ultrasound (US) method. The sample comprised 60 prepuberal subjects (33 males, 27 females) with a mean age of 11.5 ± 1.

Osteoporosis detection by 3T diffusion tensor imaging and MRI spectroscopy in women older than 60 years.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the cancellous bone quality of postmenopausal women (age >60 years) by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in combination with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). 20 postmenopausal women older than 60 years were introduced to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination in femoral neck and to an MRI spectroscopy and DTI evaluation at 3T. We observed that fat fraction (FF) can discriminate healthy and osteoporotic patients.

Diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessment of cancellous bone quality in femoral neck of healthy, osteopenic and osteoporotic subjects at 3T: Preliminary experience.

Unlabelled: We assessed the potential of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in combination with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), in cancellous bone quality evaluation of the femoral neck in postmenopausal women.

Introduction: DTI allows for non-invasive microarchitectural characterization of heterogeneous tissue. In this work we hypothesized that DTI parameters mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of bone marrow water, can provide information about microstructural changes that occur with the development of osteoporosis disease.

Cone Beam CT use in the pre-prosthetic evaluation of endodontically treated of the rear maxilla.

With our study we wanted to compare the diagnostic accuracy of conventional radiography (orthopanoramic and intraoral radiography) and Cone Beam CT (CBCT) for the diagnosis of periapical lesions on the posterior elements of the upper maxilla endodontically treated.The images were analyzed by a radiologist and an endodontist whose interpretation of radiological examinations is unique. Were examined 34 molars (23 first molars and 13 second molars) with a total of 102 roots.

Three-dimensional densitometric analysis of maxillary sutural changes induced by rapid maxillary expansion.

Objective: This prospective study evaluated the density of the midpalatal and transverse sutures as assessed by low-dose CT before rapid maxillary expansion (T0), at the end of active expansion (T1) and after a retention period of 6 months (T2).

Methods: The study sample comprised 17 pre-pubertal subjects (mean age 11.2 years) with constricted maxillary arches.

Lumbar spine MRI in upright position for diagnosing acute and chronic low back pain: statistical analysis of morphological changes.

Background: Patients with low back pain frequently demonstrate recumbent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alterations not always related to homogeneous clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and quantify the statistical significance of variations of some anatomical parameters of the lumbosacral spine and reveal occult disc pathologies from recumbent to upright position in patients with acute and chronic low back pain.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-seven patients complaining of low back pain (27 women, 30 men) underwent dynamic lumbosacral MRI with a 0.

Rapid maxillary expansion: effects on palatal area investigated by computed tomography in growing subjects.

Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the palatal area as assessed by low-dose CT before treatment (T0), at the end of active expansion (T1) and after a retention period of 6 months (T2).

Materials And Methods: The study sample comprised 17 prepubertal subjects (mean age 11.2 years) with constricted maxillary arches.

Dynamic MR defecography with an open-configuration, low-field, tilting MR system in patients with pelvic floor disorders.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to explore the capabilities of an open-configuration, low-field, tilting, magnetic resonance (MR) system for investigating pelvic floor disorders and to compare the results obtained with the patient in the semiorthostatic and supine positions.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen female patients with a diagnosis of pelvic floor disorder (physical examination and conventional defecography) underwent dynamic MR defecography (MRD) with a 0.25-T tilting MR system (G-scan, Esaote).

Comparison of different dose reduction system in computed tomography for orthodontic applications.

TO CORRELATE DIFFERENT CT SYSTEM: MSCT (multislice computed tomography) with different acquisition parameters (100KV, 80KV), different reconstruction algorithm (ASIR) and CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) examination in terms of absorbed X-ray dose and diagnostic accuracy.80 KV protocols compared with 100 KV protocols resulted in reduced total radiation dose without relevant loss of diagnostic image information and quality. CBCT protocols compared with 80 KV MSCT protocols resulted in reduced total radiation dose but loss of diagnostic image information and quality although no so relevant.

Jaw expansive lesions: population incidence and CT dentalscan role.

Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the incidence of different expansive lesions and the advantages of the clinical employment of Dentalscan to study bones lesions and to establish a common diagnostic path.

Materials And Methods: Since January 2005 to November 2009, 3200 patients, not selected for sex or age, have undergone a CT "Dentalscan" in the department of Diagnostic Imaging, Tor Vergata University Hospital (PTV), a suspect bone pathology was found in 704 of them through the XR-orthopantomograpy (OPT). CT images were obtained with General Electric CT Light Speed multislice.

Orthodontics and obstructive sleep apnea in children.

Children who suffer from respiratory problems and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) commonly exhibit disturbances of craniofacial morphology. A significant number have nasal obstruction associated with a narrow maxilla; maxillary constriction may increase nasal resistance and alter the tongue posture, leading to narrowing of the retroglossal airway and OSA. Sixty children with a case history of oral breathing, snoring, and night time apneas were studied.

Modifications of midpalatal sutural density induced by rapid maxillary expansion: A low-dose computed-tomography evaluation.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the density of the midpalatal suture as assessed by low-dose computed tomography (CT) before rapid maxillary expansion (RME) (T0), at the end of active expansion (T1), and after a retention period of 6 months (T2).

Methods: The study sample comprised 17 prepubertal subjects (mean age, 11.2 years) with constricted maxillary arches and unilateral or bilateral posterior crossbite.

Is 3T-MR spectroscopy a predictable selection tool in prophylactic vertebroplasty?

This study was designed to confirm relationships between decrease of bone mineral density and increase of marrow fat and to delineate, through MR spectroscopy, vertebral body at high risk for compression fracture onset to justify prophylactic vertebroplasty. We enrolled 127 women: 48 osteoporotic, 36 osteopenic, and 43 normal subjects, who underwent DXA and MR examination of spine. Then, we selected 48 patients with at least two acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures with interposed normal "sandwich" vertebrae; all patients underwent MR examination of spine.

[Clinical correlations between lumbar superficial veins and Batson's epidural plexus congestion in chronic low back pain: analysis of two case reports].

Batson's epidural venous plexus plays a crucial role for the generation of vascular back pain, in particular in those conditions characterized by venous congestion, such as heart failure or pregnancy. Except some rudimentary cuspids, the vertebral venous system is considered to be a valveless anastomotic system; as a result the blood is supposed to flow in either direction depending on changes of cardiovascular conditions during the day. Within the narrow boundaries of the neural canal, the epidural veins can therefore get congested, inducing low back pain.

Role of interventional radiology in pudendal neuralgia: a description of techniques and review of the literature.

Purpose: The authors sought to evaluate indications, technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided pudendal nerve infiltration in patients with chronic anoperineal pain by reviewing the role of the CT technique in their personal experience and in the recent interventional literature.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-eight women, mean age 50 years, and with a diagnosis of pudendal neuralgia on the basis of clinical and electromyographic criteria were enrolled in the study. CT-guided pudendal nerve injections were performed during three consecutive sessions held 2 weeks apart.

Immediate and post-retention effects of rapid maxillary expansion investigated by computed tomography in growing patients.

Objective: To determine by low-dose computed tomography (CT) protocol the dental and periodontal effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME).

Materials And Methods: The sample comprised 17 subjects (7 males and 10 females), with a mean age at first observation of 11.2 years.

Post-retention effects of rapid maxillary expansion on nasal cavity and on periodontal structures.

Aim: The aim of this study was to apply low-dose CT scans to evaluate the treatment and post-retention effects of RME on nasal cavity and periodontal effects.

Materials And Methods: CT scans of 17 subjects (7 males 10 females, mean age 11.2 years) were taken before RME (T0), at the end of the expansion phase (T1), and after a retention period of 6 months (T2).

Low-dose CT protocol for orthodontic diagnosis.

Aim: This was to correlate the dosimetric evaluation with high diagnostic accuracy by suggesting a protocol that significantly reduces the dose administered by a Dentascan exam without affecting diagnostic accuracy.

Materials And Methods: 17 patients were selected consecutively (7 males and 10 females) of a mean age of 11.2 (8-14 years) who sought orthodontic treatment.

Role of diagnostic imaging to malignant sinus tumors in presurgical staging.

The aim of this study is to describe the current role of imaging in pre-surgical planning, reporting 25 cases of paranasal sinus tumors examined in our Institute. Between June 2006 and May 2008, we identified 25 patients with malignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses. All of the patients were evaluated with CT and/or MR exams.