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Biomedical subjects

A Cinotti

Publications and source records attributed to A Cinotti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Low day 3 luteinizing hormone values are predictive of reduced response to ovarian stimulation.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate whether low day 3 luteinizing hormone (LH) values in the presence of normal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are predictive of poor response to ovarian stimulation. Two groups of women undergoing ovarian stimulation and differing only in the day 3 LH concentration (<3 mIU/ml, study group, n=30; >3 mIU/ml, control group, n=45) were retrospectively analysed. Study group patients developed a lower oestradiol peak (703+/-388 versus 955+/-400 ng/ml; P = 0.005) and a lower number of follicles >15 mm diameter at the time of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration (2.6+/-1.3 versus 3.6+/-1.8; P=0.004) than the control group. Conversely, a similar ratio of oestradiol: follicles >15 mm diameter was observed (256+/-118 versus 269+/-93; P=0.563). The number of follicles >10 mm at the time of HCG administration appeared to be lower in the study group, but this difference was not statistically significant (6+/-3.9 versus 7.8+/-4.3). Our data indicate that day 3 LH values <3 mIU/ml are predictive of poor response to ovarian stimulation.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1998

Extracorporeal lithotripsy of intrahepatic stones with associated strictures of intrahepatic biliary ducts.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intrahepatic stones are a frequent disease in the Eastern world but rare in Western countries. Treatment is complex and often requires surgical intervention. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a relatively recent technique, widely used in the treatment of stones in the gallbladder and common bile duct. It can also be used in the treatment of intrahepatic stones. The present study analyses the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in intrahepatic stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our study, we used extracorporeal lithotripsy in six cases of intrahepatic stones (mean age 53 years). In five of these cases deformities of the intrahepatic bile ducts were also present: stenoses and angulated strictures. The stones were in the right lobe of the liver in 5 patients, and in both lobes in 1 patient. Four patients had multiple stones and 2 a single stone, all varying in diameter from 6 to 25 mm. The stones were localized radiologically with contrast medium through a drainage tube. The technique does not require anaesthesia. An average of three lithotripsy sessions were necessary, with a mean total of 8050 shock waves per patient. RESULTS: Successful fragmentation was obtained in 5 out of 6 patients, while the remaining subsequently underwent surgery. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy proved to be effective, easy to perform and safe for the treatment of intrahepatic stones.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Diagnostic impact of ultrasonography in abdominal diseases].

The diagnostic accuracy of conventional radiography and ultrasound (US) in patients with acute or chronic abdominal pain was investigated by the authors in two prospective studies to assess the capabilities of the two imaging techniques. 262 patients (135 men and 127 women, age range: 25-83 years) were entered into the study within 8 months. The patients were divided into different groups according to clinical presentation (80 patients with acute and 182 with chronic pain) and to the referring physician (a hospital clinician for 127 patients and a general practitioner for 135 patients). For each technique the presence (positive result) or the absence (negative result) of abnormal imaging features related to clinical symptoms was recorded and the agreement of conventional radiography and US findings was assessed. Statistical analysis showed similar sensitivity of conventional radiography and US in the examination of acute hospitalized patients (54.3% positive results), chronic hospitalized patients (28.1% negative results) and chronic nonhospitalized patients (47.2% negative results). The results of our prospective studies showed poor diagnostic accuracy of the two techniques and clearly evidenced the improper use of diagnostic imaging methods by referring physicians, with a technical-oriented attitude in imaging examination requests. In the authors' opinion, a clinical-based approach by referring physicians with accurate patient selection might improve diagnostic accuracy, the cost/benefit ratio and the clinical effectiveness of imaging techniques.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1994

[Homogenized thoracic radiography].

The major obstacle to optimal radiographic depiction of the chest has always been its anatomical features and, in particular, the considerable difference in X-ray beam attenuation between pulmonary and mediastinal structures. At least 40% of this region cannot be visualized in an optimal way. Therefore, much technological work was done to overcome this limitation, which has recently led to the development of electronic (Amber) and mechanical (homogenization) filtration systems. This study was aimed at assessing the capabilities of mechanical filtration, in terms of anatomical representation and lower biologic cost, the latter intended as lower exposure and absorbed doses. Therefore, eight radiologists studied 40 negative radiographs, i.e., a homogenized radiograph and a non-homogenized one per patient, twenty patients in all. The statistical analysis of the radiographs demonstrated the homogenized technique to allow better visualization of all the anatomical structures examined, i.e., trachea, carina, right and left main bronchi, aorta, spine and retrocardiac region. In contrast, the two radiographic techniques yielded much the same results in the depiction of the pulmonary pattern. As for dosimetry, good results were also obtained, because the homogenizer made it possible to reduce both exposure and absorbed doses to the lung and thyroid, while in the mediastinal region the absorbed dose remained similar to that measured with the non-homogenized even though exposure dose was increased mildly.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

[Ultrasonographic semiology of biliary prostheses].

US was used to study 60 patients with different types of plastic (Home-made, Lunderquist, Miller, Carey-Coons, Lammer) and metallic (Z-stent, Wallstent) biliary stents, from October 1990 to March 1993. The optimal US approach was assessed, together with several US features which are typical of each type of endoprosthesis. As far as plastic endoprostheses are concerned, independent of manufacturing differences, the typical US pattern on longitudinal scans is a hyperechoic double line while, on transverse scans, the prosthesis cylinder is represented by short hyperechoic lines, resembling the mathematic equal sign. According to the different types, metallic stents appear as thin hyperechoic lines or narrow gratings on longitudinal scans and as hyperechoic spots following a circular pattern or as a hyperechoic ring on transverse scans.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1990

[Changes in the small and large intestines in systemic sclerosis].

A series of 21 subjects (2 males and 19 females) affected with systemic sclerosis, was examined by small bowel (oral and intubation methods) and colon enema. The underlying process responsible for abnormalities in the small bowel and colon in systemic sclerosis is a variable and pacthy destruction of the muscularis propria, that produces the structural and functional changes detected on X-ray. Pathologic condition is the same affecting the esophagus. The scout film of the abdomen often reveals colonic distension and fecal impaction, so that it may be quite difficult to prepare adequately the patients for a barium enema. Peristalsis may be virtually absent in short segments, and transit time may be several time longer than that in normal patients. For these reasons, intestinal pseudo-obstruction may appear in systemic sclerosis. The observed radiographic changes are: 1) in the small bowel: a) dilatation of the gut, especially in its proximal portions (duodenum and jejunum), in which the valvulae conniventes are straightened, normal or thinned; b) presence of diverticula, 2-4 cm in diameter, with hemispherical shape without the neck-like opening into the bowel lumen; 2) in the colon, the characteristic finding is an increase in size of individual haustra, forming sacculations or pseudo-diverticula, usually on the antemesenteric border of the transverse colon, better demonstrated on post-evacuation film. Moreover, loss of colonic haustration is also observed associated to colonic elongation and dilatation.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Comparison between phantoms for quality control in xeromammography].

An indicator of operating technique (phantom) is very useful for quality control in diagnostic radiology. We tested experimentally that the "Random Phantom" is the most suitable between those commercially available for xeromammography. In fact this indicator points out image quality alterations caused even by very small variations of the physical parameters affecting image quality. We did not test the phantoms for mammographic technique but we believe that the "Random" is the most suitable in this field too.

Humans↗
PubMed1985

Levobunolol vs timolol for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

A group of 162 patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were treated twice daily for up to 15 months with one of the following topical ophthalmic solutions: 0.5% levobunolol, 1% levobunolol, or 0.5% timolol. Overall mean reductions in intraocular pressure were 8 mm Hg for patients receiving 0.5% levobunolol or timolol and 8.2 mm Hg for patients receiving 1% levobunolol. There were no significant differences between levobunolol and timolol in mean reductions in intraocular pressure, percent of patients with adequately controlled intraocular pressure, or life-table estimates of the probability of successful treatment.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1982

[Xeroradiography in the study of dysmetabolic arthropathies].

70 patients affected by methabolic joint diseases are reviewed. Xeroradiography has been performed in hand, foot and knee for studying soft tissue and bone lesions in 12 subjects affected by chronic gout and 5 by CPPD. Results show that xeroradiography is more effective than X-ray films in outlining soft tissue masses, especially little dystrophic meniscal calcifications, and initial lesions in bone.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Diplopia in the aged: etiology and management.

A description of diplopia, its causes, compensating mechanisms, and therapy is presented. Diplopia may be of benign origin, e.g., presbyopia or convergence insufficiency, but in the elderly it can be a warning of a severe local disorder or systemic disease. Early medical diagnosis should be a prime objective. Most of these disorders, if identified in time, can be cured or at least relieved by appropriate medical and surgical treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

[Radiology of the thoracic duct in liver cirrhosis (author's transl)].

The authors on the ground of the lymphographic patterns of 54 cirrhotic patients have emphasized the morpho-functional alterations of the thoracic duct of this patients on the basis of three different parameters: 1) morphology of the thoracic duct; 2) dilatation of the thoracic duct; 3) mouth of the thoracic duct.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Trace metals in a family with sex-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

Lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc levels were examined in RP patients, carriers, and controls in a family with sex-linked RP. The mean plasma copper concentration was significantly higher in the RP patients and carriers than in the controls. The mean plasma zinc concentration was significantly higher in the carriers than in the RP victims or controls. The mean plasma zinc/copper ratio was significantly lower in the RP victims than in the controls or carriers. These findings may help explain the onset of RP in some sex-linked carriers and may be of diagnostic value.

Copper↗