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A Ancona

Publications and source records attributed to A Ancona.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Digital stereotactic breast microbiopsy with the mammotome: study of 122 cases].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of vacuum-assisted biopsy (VB) with digital stereotactic Mammotome on dubious mammary lesions clinically and sonographically negative as an alternative to surgical biopsy diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From November 1999 to November 2000, 122 biopsies were performed using a vacuum suction aspiration device with digital stereotactic-guided Mammotome (Fischer prone table) on 116 patients between the age of 34 and 74 years (median 51 yrs). Sampling was performed with an 11 gauge probe. All patients were previously subjected to mammography in which dubious lesions were evidenced without clinical and sonogram confirmation. All lesions that were obviously benign or malignant were excluded. Mammography demonstrated isolated microcalcifications, small opacities and parenchymal distortions. Microcalcifications were then subdivided into lobular, rad-shaped, granular, mixed and pulverulent, according to Tabar's classification. The median diameter of lesions was 13 mm (range 3-50). The median number of Mammotome biopsy samples was 10.8 (range 3-19). All samples were radiographed and magnified. In 76 patients, the Mammotome biopies were incisional (only a part of the lesion was removed) and in 46 the biopsy was excisional (the entire lesion was removed). The biopsy site was marked with a non-magnetic metallic clip in 83 patients. Slight bleeding was noted during the procedure in two cases. Ultrasound visualization evidenced a hematoma at the biopsy site in one patient which was successfully resolved in one month with local therapy. No noticeable pain or patient intolerance to the procedure was observed. RESULTS: Histological probe sample examination was negative in 91 patients (74.6%) and positive in 31 patients (25.4%). The benign histologies included adenosis and epitheliosis (47 pts), sclerosing adenosis (7 pts), fibroadenoma (7 pts), fibrosis and fibrocystic mastopathy (30 pts). Of the 31 positive patients, 14 were infiltrating carcinomas (45%) and 17 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) (55%). All positive cases underwent surgery. The post-surgical histological examination confirmed all diagnoses of infiltrating carcinoma while the diagnosis of DCIS was confirmed in 15 cases; infiltrating microfoci associated with DCIS were evidenced in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: VB with digital stereotactic Mammotome was shown to be a valid method for dubious mamographic lesions in which cytology often supplies an inadequate or false-negative responses. This method distinguishes between benign and malignant lesions rapidly without discomfort to the patient, thus reducing the number of diagnostic surgical biopsies. Moreover, in positive cases, it offers the advantage of avoiding extemporaneous intraoperative procedures and the possibility to perform biological tests on the tumor before surgery (estrogen and progesterone receptors, HER-2 neu, grading, Ki 67, p53 ), thus providing patient benefits and a distinct reduction of costs. However, this method is purely diagnostic and is not sufficient for therapeutical purposes.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[A multicenter study for the evaluation of the diagnostic efficiency of mammography and echography in nonpalpable breast neoplasms].

The Breast Section of the Italian Society of Radiology set up a cooperative study which included 17 Departments of Radiology and Breast Diagnosis in order to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US versus mammography in nonpalpable breast lesions. From January 1, 1989 to december 31, 1990, 400 nonpalpable breast lesions (142 benign lesions, 59 in situ and 199 infiltrating carcinomas) were detected by mammography and/or US; they had questionable/suspicious findings which called for further investigation by means of cytology and/or histology. US proved much less sensitive in non-palpable carcinomas than mammography (49.2% vs 93.8%), also in younger women, and failed to detect 50% of the benign/malignant nonpalpable lesions identified by mammography. US sensitivity was directly related to lesion diameter and probe frequency: 38.7% in infiltrating carcinomas < or = 5 mm vs 56.8% in those > 10 mm; 12% in the patients examined with a 5-MHz probe vs 57.7% in those examined with a > or = 7.5-MHz probe. Furthermore, the most significant US patterns of nonpalpable lesion were irregular contours, posterior attenuation and irregular internal echoes, while an irregular skin line and Cooper ligaments had no significant relation with carcinoma. Thus, breast US cannot be used as a screening test on asymptomatic patients not even on young women with radiologically dense breasts. On the contrary, US performed with high-frequency probes is useful in the assessment of nonpalpable lesions identified by mammography, and allows, in many cases, US-guided cytology and preoperative localization.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

An epidemiological study on severe mental retardation among schoolchildren in Bologna, Italy.

The prevalence, causal origin of and impairments associated with severe mental retardation (SMR) were investigated among all school-age children (six to 13 years) living in the city of Bologna, Italy. 90 children (57 boys, 33 girls) with IQs less than or equal to 50 were identified. The prevalence of SMR was 4.2 per 1000 for males, 2.5 per 1000 for females and 3.4 per 1000 for both sexes. Causal origin was prenatal for 33.3 per cent, perinatal for 14.4 per cent, combined pre- and perinatal for 5.6 per cent and postnatal for 13.3 per cent. Another 12.3 per cent of the children with IQs less than or equal to 50 had autism or childhood psychosis, while there was no evident cause of mental retardation for the remaining 21.1 per cent. 50 per cent had at least one associated physical or neurological impairment other than mental retardation, with epilepsy and cerebral palsy predominating.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Contact dermatitis in hospital patients.

Contact dermatitis in hospital patients resulting from diagnostic and therapeutic procedures presents various causes and clinical aspects. Antiseptics are the most frequent cause of contact dermatitis in patients undergoing surgery. Thimerosal may cause allergic sensitization mainly in patients previously exposed to contact with different sources of these mercurials, such as tinctures and preservatives in other products. Iodine-containing solutions and quaternary ammonium compounds rarely sensitize. They may cause irritation under certain circumstances, however. Adhesive tapes formulated on a rubber and colophony base are rarely found nowadays in medical adhesives; however, some tapes and skin closures have still been found to contain them. Acrylate-based adhesives sensitize less frequently. Cardiology patients may present contact dermatitis from several different sources. Electrode gels and pastes may cause allergic contact dermatitis mainly from preservatives. Modern electrocardiographic equipment does not require the use of these products, so many of these problems are now easy to avoid. Adhesive-coated pregelled foam disks for holding long-term chest contacts may cause irritant dermatitis. Transdermal drug delivery systems such as nitroglycerin disks may cause irritation attributable to the acrylic adhesives. Silicone-based adhesive disks are a good alternative in this case. Sensitization to nitroglycerin itself is rare. Dermatitis originated from implantation of pacemakers is attributable either to epoxy resin or to the metal used for the casing of the pacemaker. Changing to a different material solves the problem. In other instances, the etiology remains unclear. Dermatoses in patients with stomas constitute an important problem not only because of their frequency but also because of the multiplicity of pictures involved. Irritant dermatitis from intestinal efflux in ileostomy patients is the most frequent problem. Allergic dermatitis may originate from the ostomy device, cementing materials, or topical medicaments. Individuals receiving hemodialysis have been reported to develop widespread dermatitis, probably secondary to rubber or metal components leached out from the hemodialysis apparatus. Systemic exposure to these compounds, although not certainly proved, seems to be the explanation. Allergic dermatitis at the puncture site on arteriovenous shunts has been demonstrated to be produced by epoxy resin adhesives present in catheters. Identification of the allergen allows one to find a safe alternative for these patients who depend on this procedure to survive. Contact dermatitis in hospital patients requires a precise diagnosis. Extensive patch testing is sometimes needed for establishing the cause, which in turn provides a more accurate prognosis and a rational treatment.

Adhesives↗
PubMed1987

Breast cancer diagnosis under the age of forty years.

The authors report on a multicentric consecutive series of 382 cases of primary breast cancer detected before the age of 40 years. Physical examination (PE) was always performed, whereas other diagnostic tests were performed in selected cases, namely mammography (M) in 334, fine needle aspiration cytology (CYT) in 188 and thermography (TH) in 123 cases. Single tests showed a high rate of false-negative/benign cases (PE, 0.23; M, 0.26; CYT, 0.37 and TH, 0.50), especially when the T1 subgroup was considered (PE, 0.34; M, 0.38; CYT, 0.42 and TH, 0.78). The poor results recorded for TH make its current diagnostic use highly questionable. The policy of extensive biopsy of all "dubious" benign lesions on PE allowed for the detection of 41 of 382 cancers and reduced the PE false-negative/benign rate to 0.12 for the total or 0.15 for T1 cancers, although about 80 unnecessary biopsies for each cancer detected were performed in this way. The association of PE to one or more tests resulted in even lower false-negative rates (0.06 for the total, 0.10 for T1 cancers). The authors criticize the aggressive policy of extensive biopsy recommendation based only on a dubious report on PE alone and stress the opportunity of the routine association of M and CYT to PE, since this combination seems to achieve a higher breast cancer detection rate even in this age group.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Allergic contact dermatitis from povidone-iodine.

A patient developed an erythematous papular, vesicular rash after application of povidone-iodine 10% solution used as a surgical antiseptic. Patch testing revealed positive responses to povidone iodine 10 and 5% in water; 25 controls were negative. Patch testing with iodine, 0.5% in ethanol gave negative results.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Occupational dermatitis from IPPD in tires.

A tire assembler developed contact dermatitis from IPPD, a rubber antioxidant. The lichenoid clinical pattern corresponded histologically to lichenified dermatitis. Tire assemblers appear to acquire contact dermatitis to this aromatic amine more frequently than any other workers in the tire manufacturing industry. Possible adjuvant factors and preventive measures are discussed.

Antioxidants↗