Musculoskeletal and adipose tissue hydatidosis based on the iatrogenic spreading of cystic fluid during surgery: report of a case.

Hydatidosis or echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus or E. multilocularis, which forms cysts in the liver and lung after penetrating the duodenal mucosa and entering the portal circulation. The liver and lung act as a filter but some embryos enter the general circulation and disseminate throughout the body.

Magnetic resonance colonography versus conventional colonoscopy for the detection of colonic endoluminal lesions.

Background & Aims: The most effective prophylaxis for colorectal cancer is endoscopic polypectomy. Prompted by the disadvantages of conventional colonoscopy (CC), we assessed the diagnostic ability of a promising alternative technique for detecting endoluminal masses: magnetic resonance colonography (MRC).

Methods: Seventy consecutive patients referred for CC underwent preliminary MRC.

[Can triphasic spiral CT provide data for the histologic characterization of liver masses?].

Spiral Computed Tomography (CT) has rapidly gained acceptance as the preferred CT technique for routine liver evaluation because it provides image acquisition at peak enhancement of the liver parenchyma during single breath hold. In this study, we evaluated a wide range of non cystic liver lesions with triphasic spiral CT technique, that allows imaging of the entire liver in arterial, portal and equilibrium phases. In particularly we focused on hemangioma, adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, hepatocarcinoma and metastases.

Pericardial cysts of the mediastinum.

Pericardial cysts are an uncommon benign disease. Their treatment, in the past, was based on excision by thoracotomy or, in selected cases, on percutaneous aspiration. The progress of video-assisted thoracoscopy gave new possibilities, but most surgeons still consider the thoracotomic approach as the treatment of choice.

Local staging of rectal cancer with transrectal ultrasound and endorectal magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with histologic findings.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the accuracy of endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging with transrectal ultrasound in staging rectal carcinoma.

Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients with rectal carcinoma, histologically proven by endoscopic biopsy, were staged with both endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound and then underwent radical surgery. The preoperative staging was compared with histologic findings of the operative specimen according to TNM classification.

[Virtual cystoscopy of bladder neoplasms. Preliminary experience].

Purpose: We investigated the comparative sensitivity of virtual and conventional cystoscopy in patients with urinary bladder cancer.

Material And Methods: Twelve patients (8 men and 4 women; mean age: 61 years, range: 49-73) with findings of bladder cancer at conventional cystoscopy were submitted to volumetric spiral CT of the urinary bladder. Before the examination, the urinary bladder was distended with 180-200 mL of air.

Association of trisomy 9p and band heterotopia.

Patients with the trisomy 9p syndrome and CNS abnormalities have been poorly assessed. We report a patient with trisomy 9p who showed band heterotopia on MRI. Abnormal neuronal migration is sufficiently frequent in patients with the trisomy 9p syndrome that brain MRI should be routinely considered in all patients with this syndrome.

[The role of MRI in the diagnosis and evaluation of extension of the disease and condition of patients with neurofibromatosis].

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF 1) and Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF 2) have been recently recognized to be distinct disorders through genetic linkages. MR imaging can be used to identify abnormalities of the head and spine in patients with these disorders. This review highlights some important but lesser known aspects of the two more common phakomatoses.

[The role of TC and MRI in the identification, characterization and staging of tumors of the spinal vertebrae].

The early detection and characterization of primary and metastatic spinal bone tumors permits early and appropriate surgical or nonsurgical intervention directed toward preserving life and function. The sensitivity and multiplanar capabilities inherent in Magnetic Resonance imaging make it the imaging procedure of choice in detecting and characterizing a spinal bone lesion. Spiral Computed Tomography with multiplanar reconstruction may be a useful supplementary procedure, especially when detailed bony anatomy, particular of the posterior elements, is required for surgical intervention.

[Volumetric spiral computerized tomography in the diagnosis, staging and programmed therapy of kidney tumors: comparison with conventional CT].

Introduction: The role of Spiral CT with bi-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction has considerably improved the location and definition of kidney masses, also those smaller than 1 cm, especially as compared with other diagnostic methods such as US and conventional CT.

Materials And Methods: This study has considered 23 patients, 7 women and 16 men, aged 23 to 85 years, who were divided into two groups; one group included 16 patients suffering from kidney neoplasm having a size smaller than 3 cm. All the patients were examined by means of conventional CT and subsequently with Spiral CT with bi-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction.

[Chronic periaortitis].

The authors, o the basis of a retrospective analysis of a series of 13 cases of chronic periaortitis, after a review of the literature about the subject, discuss about the most recent theories about pathogenesis, pathological anatomy, diagnosis and treatment of this condition. At first the authors stress the importance of adopting the term chronic periaortitis to describe any idiopathic fibrotic retroperitoneal process, as a consequence of the well established relationship between the atherosclerotic abdominal aorta an the development of this condition. Histological, immunohistochemical and immunological studies, consented to clarify the pathogenesis o the lesion.

[Triphasic spiral computerized tomography of the liver: vascular models of non-cystic focal lesions].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate if Triphasic Spiral CT (arterial, portal and equilibrium phases) can improve the characterization of noncystic focal lesions.

Material And Methods: Sixty-six patients with suspected focal liver disease underwent Triphasic Spiral CT. After the injection of 120-140 ml contrast material at 3 ml/s the liver was imaged in the arterial (scanning delay: 20-27 s), portal (scanning delay: 45-80 s) and equilibrium (scanning delay: 5-8 min) phases.

Long-lasting response to vinorelbine in unresectable non-small cell lung carcinoma: a case with concomitant good quality of life.

The authors observed a long-lasting response to uninterrupted vinorelbine treatment in a 72-year-old patient with a stage IIIB unresectable non-small cell carcinoma. The progressive tumor mass reduction was assessed by computed tomographic scans over a 2-year period. In the literature, data of randomized trials confirm that the appeal of single-agent vinorelbine therapy in elderly patients is also good for the patient's quality of life during treatment.

[Locoregional staging of prostatic carcinoma: accuracy of magnetic resonance with endorectal coil in 75 patients treated with radical prostatectomy].

Introduction: We investigated the accuracy of MRI of the prostate with an endorectal surface coil in determing penetration of the prostatic capsule and invasion of seminal vescicles in prostate carcinoma.

Material And Methods: Endorectal coil MRI (1 Tesla) was performed in 300 patients with biopsy-proved cancer. The PSA levels were always calculated and all the patients were examined with transrectal ultrasound.

[Sensitivity of spiral volumetric TC in the diagnosis of hepatic metastases: advantages of the dual phase technic].

In this report the diagnostic possibilities of volumetric Spiral CT in hepatic metastases detection are discussed. Spiral CT presents numerous advantages when compared to the conventional one; these increase its sensitivity in hepatic metastases diagnosis of approximately 10% (Conventional CT sensitivity 80-85%; Spiral CT sensitivity 90-95%). "Dual phase" technique allows hypervascular metastases diagnosis, often isodense during portal venous phase, hence not detectable with conventional CT.

[The role of MRI in the valuation of disorders involving the bone marrow].

MR is the most accurate imaging technique in bone marrow evaluation since it allows to recognize and distinguish its red and yellow components. MR shows high sensitivity but low specificity. At present, its role in bone marrow diseases evaluation is that of depicting the extent of the disease process and monitoring the effects of treatment.

[Tumors of the nose, paranasal sinuses and facial bones: the role of computerized tomography and MRI in the assessment of the damage].

The authors examine the use of CT and MR comparatively in tumours of nose, paranasal sinuses and facial bones. Both CT and MR are much more useful to assess the real extent of the pathology than to give specific diagnose. The resolution of the images and the possibility of examining them on many different planes give evident advantage to MR as regards the evaluation of tumors in this region.

[Diagnostic imaging in the detection of parotid adenoma. Review of the literature and personal experience with the combined use of computerized tomography and MRI].

In this report we reviewed the role of Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance and 99Tc-Sestamibi Scintigraphy for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with biochemical evidence of hyperparathyroidism. We also report our personal experience with CT and RM.

111In-pentetreotide detection of gastrinoma before and after surgery.

Eighteen patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome were studied with 111In-pentetreotide SPECT in order to localize gastrinoma, the tumour responsible for this pathology. NMR imaging was also carried out. Eight patients were operated.

[Imaging technics in the evaluation of malformations, traumatic and expansive disorders of the orbital region].

In this paper the authors evaluate the usefulness of the new radiological techniques in the study of the orbital region. They describe the role of modern computerized imaging in the planning of their correction of malformative and traumatic diseases of the orbit. Furthermore, the authors evaluate the usefulness of US, CT, and MR imaging in the differential diagnosis of growing masses of the orbit.

[Magnetic resonance of the encephalon in 17 patients with ocular Behçet's disease].

Behçet's disease is a chronic relapsing disorder of unknown etiology characterized by oral aphthous ulcerations, uveitis, genital ulcerations and bone lesions. A variety of other signs including polyarthritis, vascular conditions (blood vessel occlusions and aneurysms), epididymitis, gastrointestinal, pulmonary and heart lesions may also occur. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is reported in 10-49% of cases and it is the first symptom of the disease in 5% of subjects.

[Non-seminomatous tumors of the testis: problems of radiological staging before and after treatment].

The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Risonance in the staging of the nonseminomatous germ cells tumours of the testis. The authors discussed the role of CT and MR imaging to value the detection of retroperitoneal metastases of the nonseminomatous germ cells tumours of the testis pre and post treatment.

[Radiologic staging after surgical, chemical, and radiation treatment of non-seminomatous tumors of the testis].

The aim of this work was to evaluate the clinic usefulness of Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (RM) in the staging after surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy of the nonseminomatous germ cells tumours of the testis. The Authors discussed the CT and MR dimensional criteria for the diagnosis of retroperitoneal metastases of the nonseminomatous germ cells tumours and delineated their CT and MR morphologic appearances in detail. The density of the residual mass on CT was classified as solid, cystic and half-cystic.

Correlates of leukoaraiosis and ventricular enlargement on magnetic resonance imaging: a study in normal elderly and cerebrovascular patients.

Several studies have repeatedly demonstrated that leukoaraiosis as well as ventricular enlargement are common findings in normal elderly and in stroke patients, although there is no general consensus on prevalence rate as well as on their clinical correlations. It is also controversial whether white matter changes and ventricular enlargement are reciprocally related. In this study we investigated the prevalence and extent of white matter hyperintensities and the degree of ventricular enlargement on magnetic resonance imaging in 50 normal elderly individuals (mean age 62.