La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Oct 2007
Comparative StudyRate of computed tomography pulmonary angiographies (CTPA) positive for pulmonary embolism and predictive scores.
In March 2005, the Simplified Wells Scoring System was introduced as a predictive tool for pulmonary embolism at Hairmyres Hospital in Scotland. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the Wells score in predicting the presence of pulmonary embolism in terms of rate of positive computed tomography pulmonary angiographies (CTPAs). ⋯ The rate of positive CTPAs did not change significantly after the introduction of the Wells score.
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La Radiologia medica · Sep 2007
Role of magnetic resonance tractography in the preoperative planning and intraoperative assessment of patients with intra-axial brain tumours.
This study was conducted to assess the possibility of identifying precise white matter tracts situated in proximity to intracranial tumours, to define the anatomical and topographical relations between the same white matter tracts and the tumour, to verify the possibility of integrating tractographic images in the context of a package of three-dimensional anatomical images to send to the neuronavigation system, to assess the impact of this information on surgical planning, and to analyse, both pre-and postoperatively, the patient's clinical conditions as an index of the functional integrity of the fibres themselves. ⋯ Magnetic resonance (MR) tractography offers the neurosurgeon an anatomical panoramic view that can improve surgical planning for the resection of intracranial tumours. Despite the high incidence of cases in which the lesion is responsible for changes that hinder the reconstruction of white matter tracts, the technique can change the surgical approach for corticotomy, defines the extent of resection and leads to some change in the procedure in 80% of cases. The improvement of pre-existing symptoms and the absence of new symptoms in the postoperative phase, in our opinion, confirms the value of the technique.
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La Radiologia medica · Mar 2007
Contrast-enhanced MR imaging in patients with BI-RADS 3-5 microcalcifications.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with microcalcifications classed as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS) 3-5. ⋯ Mammography and stereotactic biopsy still remain the only techniques for characterising microcalcifications. MRI cannot be considered a diagnostic tool for evaluating microcalcifications. It is, however, useful for identifying DCIS with more aggressive histological grades. An important application of MRI in patients with DCIS associated with suspicious microcalcifications could be to evaluate disease extension after a microhistological diagnosis of malignancy, as it allows a more accurate presurgical planning.
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The purpose of this study was to verify the value of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of the "crowned dens" syndrome, not only in crystal deposition diseases, but also in other rheumatic or nonrheumatic conditions. ⋯ CT is the gold standard in identifying crowned dens syndrome, as it is able to depict the shape and site of calcification and any bone erosions. Radiography of other joints (wrist, knee, pubic symphysis) may help to ascertain whether the disease is due to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate or hydroxyapatite crystals, and is therefore recommended for routine patient management. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is indicated for the study of neurological complications.
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La Radiologia medica · Mar 2007
Solitary pulmonary nodules: morphological and metabolic characterisation by FDG-PET-MDCT.
This study was done to analyse the additional morphological and functional information provided by the integration of [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography ([18F]-FDG-PET) with contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the characterisation of indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). ⋯ PET/CT allows accurate analysis of anatomical/morphological and metabolic/functional correlations of SPN, providing useful data for identifying and locating the disease, for differentiating between malignant and benign nodules and for establishing the aggressiveness and degree of vascularity of pulmonary lesions. Therefore, partly in view of the considerable reduction in time and cost of the single examinations, we believe that PET/CT will gain an increasingly dominant role in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to lung cancer, especially in the preclinical phase.