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Biomedical subjects

A R Cotroneo

Publications and source records attributed to A R Cotroneo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Percutaneous treatment of varicocele].

Percutaneous occlusion of the spermatic vein has been performed in 104 patients with varicocele in the last five years. We report our long-term results on the first 87 cases with a follow-up of at least six months. The occlusion of the gonadal vein is generally induced by selective transcatheter injection of sclerosing agent. Our patients are always evaluated before and after sclerotherapy by telethermography and/or doppler examination. Furthermore spermiogram is obtained before and six months after therapy. We registered only four recurrences with no major complications.

Catheterization↗

Hepatic hemangiomas on 33 patients. Evaluation by ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computed tomography and angiography.

33 cases of hepatic hemangioma evaluated by various diagnostic tools (ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computed tomography and angiography) are reported. Nuclear medicine is the least sensitive and specific (only a report of a lacunar area). Ultrasound sensitivity is very high, also for lesions below 2 cm. Specificity initially very low, is now going to increase according to the operator's experience. Computed tomography shows good sensitivity and provides typical signs of hemangiomas, especially in the largest tumors. Angiography was not demonstrated in all cases (2 false-negative in lesions below 2 cm). In fact, in smaller hemangiomas often fibrotic tissue is predominant and vascular anomalies may not appear. When surgery is not performed, ultrasound is recommended as non-invasive follow-up.

Adult↗

Advanced carcinoma of the cervix treated by continuous pelvic arterial infusion with cytostatics and radiation therapy.

Regional chemotherapy by infusion of cytostatic drugs (methotrexate and adriamycin) into the hypogastric arteries has been used in 25 cases of advanced carcinoma of the cervix (IIIB and IV stage). A method for the percutaneous introduction of catheters into these arteries and their permanence for a period of time of 8-12 days is described. After chemotherapy there was such a satisfactory reduction in size of the tumour that patients could then be treated with radiotherapy and/or surgery.

Doxorubicin↗

[Uncommon locations of celomic cysts: a possible cause of error in mediastinal radiology (author's transl)].

Five cases of uncommon locations of mediastinal celomic cysts are presented. All cases were surgically proved. The importance of these locations in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses is stressed. The evaluation of their inner structure by computerized tomography is, without doubt, the best progress in radiological diagnosis of the mediastinum. This method allows, atraumatically, to confirm or exclude the cystic nature of the lesion in one with its precise spatial localization.

Adult↗

Xeroradiography of tenomuscular traumatic pathologic conditions of the limbs.

Due to its intrinsic technical features xeroradiography is particularly suitable for the documentation of soft tissue abnormalities. Indications and advantages of the method in the posttraumatic alterations of the tenomuscular system of the limbs are discussed. Several examples of acute or chronic diseases are presented. The authors prefer this technique to the traditional films in view of the obtainable graphic results; a better demonstration of the tenomuscular structures is obtained. Often comparison with the contralateral side is necessary; the performance of "functional' xeroradiograms is essential, especially in smaller lesions. Xerography is a useful complement of clinical examinations for an early diagnosis of lesions, for detection of clinically doubtful lesions and for the follow-up after treatment.

Achilles Tendon↗

Portosystemic arteriovenous fistulas.

The authors report the angiographic demonstration of arteriovenous fistulas in three patients. The fistula was believed to be spontaneous in one case, related to abdominal surgery and to abdominal trauma in the other two cases. The importance of angiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of this disease has been emphasized in the literature. Early diagnosis is valuable, either to prevent hepatic damage or to give an opportunity for recovery once it has taken place. Follow-up of the three patients has shown that hepatic function notably improved after surgery.

Adult↗

Gadobenate dimeglumine (BOPTA) enhanced MR imaging: patterns of enhancement in normal liver and cirrhosis.

To determine whether gadobenate dimeglumine (BOPTA) will adequately enhance cirrhotic liver parenchyma, and to document the enhancement patterns in cirrhosis, 14 cirrhotic and 20 non-cirrhotic patients were evaluated before and 60-120 minutes after gadolinium-BOPTA. Proof of liver cirrhosis was biopsy (6), surgical resection (3), and clinical follow-up (5). Enhancement effects were compared quantitatively by determining the liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal enhancement in both populations. Qualitatively assessment of the liver enhancement was performed and classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Quantitative analysis: cirrhotic liver parenchyma presented a higher increase in SNR values, relative to non-cirrhotic liver parenchyma, on postcontrast images. Likewise the signal enhancement of cirrhotic liver parenchyma was superior to non-cirrhotic liver on T1-weighted SE images (P = .02) and in-phase GRE images (P < .001). There was no statistical difference on out-of-phase GRE images. Qualitative analysis: on T1-weighted SE postcontrast images, cirrhotic liver parenchyma showed a homogeneous enhancement in 7 patients and heterogeneous in 7. Whereas on GRE images, cirrhotic parenchyma showed heterogeneous enhancement in 9 patients and homogeneous in 5 patients. The heterogeneous enhancement was due to the presence of hypointense nodules in 7 patients and hyperintense nodules in 2 patients. In conclusion, our study has shown that the hepatobiliary contrast agent Gd-BOPTA is effective in the cirrhotic liver, demonstrating an increased liver enhancement compared with non-cirrhotic patients.

Aged↗

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: CTA evaluation of contraindications.

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is considered an acceptable alternative to open surgery in selected patients. Its feasibility depends mainly on anatomic factors that represent the important predictors of success and the most important exclusion criteria. Poor anatomic patient selection is generally associated with a higher risk for procedural complications and compromised long-term outcomes. Therefore pretreatment imaging is crucial for evaluating patient suitability for EVAR. Multidetector computed tomographic angiography represents the current standard of reference in the evaluation of the abdominal aorta and iliac axis anatomy because it provides all the details needed for selection of patients who are suitable for endograft and the choice of the appropriate device. This report identifies and reviews computed tomographic angiographic anatomic contraindications for EVAR.

Angiography↗

Sonographic and Doppler assessment of the inferior mesenteric artery: normal morphologic and hemodynamic features.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to evaluate prospectively the feasibility of sonographic and Doppler assessment of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and to provide data on its normal morphological and hemodynamic characteristics. METHODS: Sonography and Doppler study of the IMA were performed on 116 patients without splanchnic vessel pathology. Vessel diameter, systolic, diastolic, and time-averaged mean flow velocities, pulsatility index values, and flow volumes were correlated with patient age (< 50 years vs. > or = 50 years) using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Findings were verified by splanchnic angiography in 11 cases. RESULTS: Technically valid studies were obtained in 103/116 cases (88.8%). Flowmetric data showed high peripheral resistance (mean +/- SD: systolic flow velocity, 1.41 m/s +/- 0.48; minimal diastolic flow velocity, 0.10 m/s +/- 0.16; pulsatility index, 3.49 +/- 0.49). Mean flow volume calculated in 80 cases was 0.13 L/min +/- 0.06. Older subjects presented significantly higher time-averaged mean flow velocities and lower resistance than those younger than 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate for sonographic and Doppler study of the IMA is similar to that observed with larger splanchnic vessels. Knowledge of its normal characteristics is necessary for recognition of pathological conditions and for studies of its physiological behavior.

Adolescent↗

[Ovarian varicocele: percutaneous treatment. A preliminary note].

Incontinence of ovarian veins and development of adnexal varicosities (pelvic varicocele) seems to cause pelvic pain syndrome in about 50% of the cases. Whereas the diagnosis of male varicocele is usually clinical, the same diagnosis in a woman needs instrumental methods; therefore the number of diagnosed cases is lower than the real incidence of the disease. In the last 18 months 2 patients with ovarian varicocele and chronic pelvic pain have been successfully treated by percutaneous sclerotization of the gonadal veins with resolution of the pelvic pain syndrome. We preferred this interventional procedure to the surgical one, as is usually the case with male varicocele, where percutaneous therapy is considered the treatment of choice on the basis of long-term results, since its first attempt in 1977. Considering the effectiveness of this simple and non-surgical therapy for chronic pelvic pain, we stress the importance of correct and early diagnosis of pelvic varicocele.

Adult↗

Carcinoma of the pancreatic head area. Diagnostic imaging. Direct cholangiography: PTC.

The use of Chiba needle and a carefully performed procedure make percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) highly diagnostic, with a low incidence of complications. However, because of their anatomy, visualization of pancreatic ducts, mandatory for an accurate diagnostic approach to the carcinomas of the pancreatic head area is impossible and thus this limits the diagnostic indications for PTC. At present it is performed in case of failure of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) or in view of interventional maneuvers. In carcinomas of the pancreatic head area PTC pattern is characterized by a more or less tight stenosis of the distal common bile duct with upward dilatation of biliary tree. The morphological features, the site and extent of stenosis usually permit a differential diagnosis between malignancies and benign forms (pancreatitis) while for definitive differentiation of cholangiocarcinoma from carcinoma of the pancreatic head infiltrating the common bile duct or from ampullary carcinoma, PTC should be combined with other imaging procedures.

Cholangiography↗