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.
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La Radiologia medica · May 1998
[Iatrogenic lesions of the bile ducts in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Therapeutic potential of interventional radiology].
We investigated the efficacy of interventional radiology procedures in some patients with iatrogenic injuries of the biliary tree from laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ⋯ We obtained positive results with minimally invasive procedures costing less than another operation. Thus, we suggest that interventional radiology procedures become the method of choice in patients with iatrogenic injuries of the biliary tree after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
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La Radiologia medica · May 1998
Case Reports[New computerized tomography sign of intestinal infarction: isolated pneumoretroperitoneum or associated with pneumoperitoneum or late findings of intestinal infarction].
We retrospectively reviewed the CT findings of the acute abdomen patients examined in the last two years to investigate the frequency of a new CT sign of intestinal infarction, the pneumoretroperitoneum, and its association with other CT findings highly suggestive of this condition. ⋯ Pneumoretroperitoneum has been described as a complication of different benign or severe disorders; prompt recognition of its origin is essential since surgical and/or septic conditions may be involved. However, if the patient's history is negative for abdominal trauma, gastroduodenal ulcer or sepsis, pneumoretroperitoneum is generally cured with conservative treatment. Intestinal infarction or severe ischemia, a usually surgical conditions, should be considered among the different causes of pneumoretroperitoneum alone or associated with pneumoperitoneum or with highly suggestive late findings of infarction such as portal venous gas or pneumatosis intestinalis. This sign had a non-negligible incidence in intestinal infarction in our review (8.5%), but it should be known of and sought with specific window setting to enhance gas depiction on CT images to avoid false negatives.
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La Radiologia medica · May 1998
[Malpractice claims against radiologists. Analysis of the five-year period 1993-1997].
The insurance claims against Italian radiologists over a five-year period (1993-97) were anonymously evaluated, based on pertinent data provided by the Insurance Company of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology. ⋯ Legal claims against radiologists are a relevant phenomenon also in our country and represent an actual risk for radiologists' professional activity.