Intragastric balloon for morbid obesity causing chronic gastric dilatation.

We describe the radiographic findings observed in a morbidly obese and diabetic patient with an intragastric air-filled balloon introduced as a therapeutic measure to reduce food intake. The balloon was associated with chronic gastric dilatation and had to be removed 3 months after insertion. However, together with diet and behavioural therapy, it proved effective in reducing body weight and ameliorating glycaemic control.

[AIDS: organizational and medico-legal problems].

The medical imaging of AIDS patients may turn out a major challenge for hospital organization, since the specific problems related to this syndrome in terms of abnormal changes and increased diagnostic burden are to be matched with infection control procedures. Data obtained from 12 radiology departments in Lombardia hospitals where an Infectious Disease Department is present may yield valuable indications about the optimization of resources and how to implement sound cost-benefit measures while taking care of patient needs. Professional exposure to HIV may be substantially reduced by educational and practical measures, whereas strict hygienic standards applied to hospital environment and individual patients are of great value in controlling nosocomial infections in this population of immunodepressed individuals.

Postoperative MR follow-up of type A aortic dissection.

Objective: We set out to study the efficacy of MRI in the demonstration of residual alterations and postsurgical complications of type A aortic dissection.

Materials And Methods: From October 1988 to December 1990, 28 patients, 18 patients with type I and 10 with type II aortic dissection, underwent MR examinations for postsurgical evaluation. Features evaluated included caliber of the aorta (a) above and (b) below the prosthesis; (c) redissection; (d) persistent intimal flap; (e) presence of abdominal vessels arising from the false lumen; and (f) status of thoracic supraaortic vessels.