Comparison of 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M gadopentate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI in 471 patients with known or suspected renal lesions: results of a multicenter, single-blind, interindividual, randomized clinical phase III trial.

The purpose of this phase III clinical trial was to compare two different extracellular contrast agents, 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M gadopentate dimeglumine, for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with known or suspected focal renal lesions.

Characterisation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque: comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and histology.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify and characterise by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) carotid plaque constituents such as lipid-rich necrotic core, intraplaque haemorrhage and calcification in patients treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) using histological evaluation as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: Nineteen patients (13 men and six women) scheduled for CEA between March and August 2004 were imaged on a 1.5-T scanner (Magnetom Symphony, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany).

[Echographic assessment of cutaneous neoplasms].

A hundred and fifteen skin tumors were evaluated by means of US. Three variables were considered for each lesion--i.e.

[Integration of diagnostic methods in renal vascular pathology].

Modern technology allows us to study the renal vascular diseases by means of many diagnostic procedures. In the past the main diagnostic technique was Urography, whereas Angiography were performed only in few selected cases. The new Imaging Techniques totally changed the diagnostic approach to this kind of diseases.

[Intra-renal ultrasound and color Doppler: pathology or nephrologic significance].

Us-Doppler examination of the native kidney gives more detailed information on nephrological vascular disease. Since there is a close connection between renal functional units (nephrons) and vascular and interstitial compartments, alterations in intrarenal flow will obviously occur in all types of medical nephropathy, irrespective of the origin of the anatomopathological damage. Altered intrarenal flow occur with increased vascular impedance, in turn related to an increased resistance index (RI).

Disseminated pulmonary ossification.

A case of idiopathic disseminated parenchymal pulmonary ossification is presented. Discussion is based on the radiological and pathological findings, taking into consideration the two different forms of presentation (nodular and branching type) of this rather rare condition. The related bibliography is reviewed and discussed with particular emphasis on the aetiology and pathogenesis.

Diffuse pulmonary changes caused by gold salt therapy. Report of a case.

A case of diffuse reversible pulmonary injury, developed during gold salt therapy, is presented. The discussion deals with the difficulty of excluding other diseases capable of mimicking this clinical and radiological picture. The pathogenesis and evolution of this interstitial pneumonitis-like entity is discussed and the related literature is reviewed.

Angiography in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. A critical evaluation.

A critical "blind" evaluation of 129 randomly selected angiographic examinations was carried out including 37 control patients, 58 patients affected by proven chronic relapsing pancreatitis and 34 patients with cancer of the pancreas. In 48.5% of the control patients a completely normal angiographic picture was found.

[Current role of lymphography in the study of systemic lymphatic diseases].

The usefulness and reliability of lymphography for staging purposes in Hodgkin's disease are discussed with reference to a personal series.