La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Sep 1995
Comparative Study[High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) versus bronchoscopy in predicting the need for bronchial embolization in hemoptysis].
September, 1992, through May, 1994, thirty patients with hemoptysis were examined with CT, HRCT and bronchoscopy. Our study was aimed at comparing CT and HRCT with fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the identification and assessment of hemoptysis causes and of lesion shape and extent. These data are of basic importance for the interventional radiologist when an intravascular treatment is scheduled. ⋯ In 97% of patients, CT and HRCT allowed the diagnosis of lesion type, extent and site, while bronchoscopy did the same in only 35% of patients, because of its lack of accuracy in identifying and characterizing peripheral lesions. Our results suggest that CT and HRCT should be performed after bronchoscopy and before bronchial embolization. Confirming literature data, our study proves CT and HRCT to play a basic role in the diagnosis of the inflammatory conditions causing hemoptysis.
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La Radiologia medica · Jul 1995
Comparative Study Clinical Trial[Quantification of pulmonary emphysema with computerized tomography. Comparison with various methods].
Computed Tomography (CT) has been proved to be the most accurate imaging modality to diagnose emphysema in vivo. Our study was aimed at comparing different CT methods for pulmonary emphysema quantification in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Forty-six consecutive inpatients affected with COPD underwent high resolution CT (HRCT). ⋯ The expiratory measurements were better than the inspiratory ones while the analysis of both CT number and pixel index gave comparable results. Only the CT expiratory quantitative data allowed to differentiate the patients affected with COPD from the controls. In conclusion, the severity of emphysema as expressed by CT correctly reflects the functional impairment of patients with severe COPD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 1995
Review[Computed tomography in gunshot trauma. I. Ballistics elements and the mechanisms of the lesions].
The knowledge of wound ballistics and of wounding mechanisms is mandatory for the radiologist to interpret the CT findings of gunshot wounds. The severity of a bullet wound depends on the characteristics of the tissue it goes through, i.e., tissue elasticity, density, thickness of the wounded body part, the type of tissue, its specific gravity, internal cohesiveness and anatomical relationships, as well as on missile characteristics, i.e., mass, shape, fragmentation and deformation. Bullet velocity is certainly a major factor in wounding, but it is only one factor. ⋯ Bullet "yaw" is defined as the angle between the long axis of the bullet and its flight path. The yaw is directly proportional to tissue crushing and stretching: the wider the yaw, the most severe tissue crushing and stretching and, therefore, the more severe tissue damage. The basic knowledge of these concepts is of the utmost importance to understand the CT findings of gunshot wounds and can help physicians study and treat gunshot wounds.
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 1995
Comparative Study[Computed tomography in the diagnostic approach to acute mesenteric ischemia].
Intestinal ischemia is an uncommon disorder, whose incidence is nevertheless increasing and whose mortality remains high. The major cause of its poor prognosis is represented by the diagnostic delay depending on the poor specificity and late onset of the various clinical, biohumoral and radiographic signs associated with bowel infarction. ⋯ With CT, diagnostic accuracy is fairly increased in acute mesenteric insufficiency. CT allows this condition to be detected earlier than conventional radiology and permits the early recognition, in a larger number of cases, of the patients who will benefit most from a surgical or radiologic treatment.