La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Jul 2004
Comparative StudyContrast enhanced ultrasound with second generation contrast agent in traumatic liver lesions.
To evaluate the accuracy of second generation contrast enhanced US (Sonovue) in the diagnosis and staging of traumatic hepatic lesions, compared with conventional US and spiral CT. ⋯ In isolated blunt abdominal trauma CEUS is more accurate than conventional US in determining the number and size of lesions and detecting capsular involvement. This has a strong impact on diagnosis as the number of false negatives is reduced and on prognosis as the lesions are more accurately graded, and there is close correlation with spiral CT. CEUS can be used as a first approach in mild isolated abdominal trauma, in paediatric patients and in the follow-up, whereas CT is the method of choice in severe trauma and in multiple traumas.
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La Radiologia medica · Jul 2004
Alterations in hepatic uptake and distribution of organ-specific superparamagnetic MRI contrast media: clinical findings and classification according to pathogenesis.
The aim of this study was to classify the alterations in the liver uptake and distribution of superparamagnetic contrast media that could potentially lead to diagnostic errors. These alterations, referred to as SPIO-LUDA for convenience, may be caused by a variety of disorders, such as cirrhosis, vascular thrombosis, hepatitis and liver steatosis, that interfere with the normal uptake of the contrast material. These conditions can give rise to focal or diffuse areas of hyperintensity or hypointensity which may mimic the presence of neoplastic lesions or hinder the detection or characterisation of neoplasms. ⋯ SPIO-LUDA constitute a diagnostic challenge. The recognition and correct interpretation of these alterations are fundamental for avoiding confusion with other diseases and to obtain further clues for the interpretation of abnormal patterns detected at MRI or other imaging modalities.
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La Radiologia medica · Jul 2004
CT and functional respiratory tests. Evaluation of efficacy of bronchodilator therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To evaluate changes in qualitative and quantitative parameters at high resolution CT (HRCT) and in respiratory function indexes (RFI) after bronchodilator administration in COPD patients. ⋯ Our study confirmed the usefulness of bronchodilators and the need for a multiparametric and comparative (radiological and functional) approach to COPD, as well as the usefulness of HRCT in evaluating the response to visible airway physiologic stimulus and extension, and reversibility of air trapping.
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 2004
Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the knee joint: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using standard and dynamic paramagnetic contrast media. Report of 52 cases surgically and histologically controlled.
Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare proliferative disorder of the synovial membrane, exhibiting benign behaviour from a biological point of view. This kind of synovial hyperplasia leads to the formation of villi and nodules characterized by deposit of intracellular haemosiderin. It primarily involves young adults, the peak age being between the second and fourth decade of life. It may appear either in a diffuse or a localized (nodular) form. The joint most affected is the knee and diffuse PVNS is the most common form. Diagnostic imaging techniques, particularly MRI, allow lesion identification, suggesting a diagnosis. However, such diagnosis can be confirmed only on histology as the final diagnosis of PVNS, and therefore the possibility of differential diagnosis with other haemorrhagic and chronic hyperplastic synovites, is based on the detection of intracellular haemosiderin components. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of MRI, which might be completed with the intravenous injection of contrast medium, in the characterization of such pathological picture. ⋯ PVNS of the knee presents a difficult differential diagnosis. In many cases, only MRI is able to identify the presence of haemosiderin precipitates within the nodules characterizing the lesion. The use of standard and dynamic contrast media seems unable to provide additional diagnostic information. Thus, the diagnosis still pertains to histology.
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 2004
Comparative Study Clinical TrialAcute traumatic acromioclavicular joint lesions: role of ultrasound versus conventional radiography.
To assess the diagnostic potential of ultrasound as compared to conventional radiography in quantifying the anatomic and structural damage and determining the grade of acute traumatic lesions of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. ⋯ If appropriate methodology and adequate transducers are used, ultrasound is an accurate and reliable technique for the evaluation of acute AC joint injuries, complementing and correlating well with conventional radiography.