La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Jun 2008
Comparative StudyRole of whole-body [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and conventional techniques in the staging of patients with Hodgkin and aggressive non Hodgkin lymphoma.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the staging of Hodgkin's and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL and NHL), comparing it with conventional diagnostic methods, i.e. contrast-enhanced CT and bone marrow biopsy. ⋯ Our data confirm the high accuracy of FDG-PET/CT in staging HL and NHL. FDG-PET/CT should therefore be used routinely in the initial evaluation of both patient subgroups.
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Evaluation of the legal implications of error in radiology and therefore the assessment of criminal and civil liability in the practice of the profession requires an analysis of how the public perception of the right to health has radically changed. This change has initiated a defensive approach to medicine and radiology that tends to be oriented towards precautionary measures, with a proliferation of often unnecessary imaging studies. ⋯ A critical appraisal of the different types of error in radiology will help practitioners undertake the essential corrective measures. Through analysis of several cases derived from legal or insurance proceedings brought against radiologists, the most common forms of error are described, and their implications for criminal and civil liability are illustrated, although it is emphasised that the existence of an error does not always translate into the presence of malpractice.
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La Radiologia medica · Jun 2008
ReviewDiagnostic imaging in the study of visceral involvement of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, is an autosomal-dominant vascular disease characterised by mucocutaneous or visceral angiodysplastic lesions. Its diagnosis is exclusively based on clinical criteria. The brain, lungs and liver, in growing order of prevalence, are the most frequently involved organs. ⋯ Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, diffuse telangiectases or high-flow, low-pressure shunts between pulmonary arteries and veins can be studied with contrast-enhanced US, but multidetector CT seems to provide the most comprehensive evaluation of their angioarchitecture, whereas angiography has a predominant role in treatment. Liver involvement is frequent and characterised by the presence of intrahepatic shunts, disseminated intraparenchymal telangiectases and other vascular lesions. US is useful for detecting hepatic lesions but should be completed by more accurate imaging methods such as multidetector CT and MRI.