La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Jun 1998
[The recrudescence of spondylodiscitis due to migratory flows. The role of magnetic resonance as a method of first instance in diagnosis and follow-up].
We report 15 cases of spondylodiscitis due to infective processes of different etiology and stress the role of MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of this condition, whose high epidemiologic recrudescence is probably related to an increased westward migratory flow. ⋯ The role of MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of spondylodiscitis has been fully discussed in the literature. Our report is aimed at stressing the important role of MRI as the technique of choice for the diagnosis of suspected spondylodiscitis, especially considering the high recrudescence of this condition in Western populations which is probably related to increased westward migrations.
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La Radiologia medica · Jun 1998
Comparative Study[Focal liver lesions. A comparison between magnetic resonance under base conditions and after a superparamagentic contrast medium].
Superparamagnetic iron oxide (Spio) is a negative contrast material which is phagocytosed by reticuloendothelial cells. It significantly decreases the signal intensity of the organs where it is taken up selectively, especially on T2-weighted images. According to previous reports, it improves the visualization of focal liver lesions with(out) a low content of Kupffer's cells. We investigated the yield of Spio-enhanced MRI in the detection and characterization of focal liver lesions. ⋯ In our experience iron oxide was an effective contrast material. Spio-enhanced MRI improved the detection and characterization of focal liver lesions relative to baseline MRI. Several liver-specific contrast agents are now available or in an advanced experimental stage. Therefore, future studies could be aimed at assessing the effectiveness of iron oxide versus other contrast agents and at establishing the role of Spio-enhanced MRI versus spiral CT and CT during arterial portography.