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Biomedical subjects

B Bertucci

Publications and source records attributed to B Bertucci.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effects of iodinated contrast media on common carotid and brachial artery blood flow and wall shear stress.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the intravenous contrast media iomeprol on wall shear stress, blood flow and vascular parameters in the common carotid and brachial artery. Thirty outpatients undergoing thoracic or abdominal spiral CT scans were studied. The internal diameter and flow velocity of the common carotid and brachial artery were evaluated by ultrasound, and blood viscosity was measured before and after low osmolality iomeprol (Iomeron 350) injection. The wall shear stress, blood flow and pulsatility index were calculated. To test the differences between groups, the Wilcoxon rank test and Mann Whitney U test were applied. Blood viscosity decreased slightly, but significantly after contrast media (4.6+/-0.7 vs. 4.5+/-0.7 mPa.s, P = 0.02). Contrarily, blood flow and wall shear stress did not change in the common carotid artery, but significantly decreased in the brachial artery (0.9+/-0.4 vs. 0.6+/-0.3 ml/s, P < 0.0001, and 41.5+/-13.9 vs. 35.3+/-11.0 dynes/cm2, P < 0.002, respectively), whereas the pulsatility index significantly increased in the brachial artery (5.0+/-3.3 vs. 7.5+/-5.3, P < 0.001). Iomeprol injection causes blood flow and wall shear stress reduction of the brachial artery; the rise in the pulsatility index suggests an increase in peripheral vascular resistance. Further investigation is needed to evaluate whether these modifications can be clinically relevant.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Absorbed dose rate estimation for protons, leptons and helium observed with AMS01 experiment in low earth orbit during STS-91 mission.

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS01), a high-sensitivity particle spectrometer, was successfully flown for 10 d in June 1998 (STS91) in the orbit of the International Space Station (51.7 degrees, -380 km). A high-statistics dataset of galactic cosmic rays were measured as a function of geomagnetic latitude, including the primary protons, leptons and helium as well as the trapped and quasi-trapped proton and lepton components. In this paper, the absorbed dose rate owing to the protons, leptons and helium are presented and compared with measurements made by other instruments flown on the same mission.

Body Burden↗
PubMed2001

[The value of the MR imaging in the evaluation of Müllerian duct anomalies].

PURPOSE: To reaffirm the role of MRI in the assessment of the M#159;llerian duct anomalies (MDAs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between November 1997 and April 2001, 22 patients, age range 18-40 years (mean 29 years) were investigated with MRI and US. The MRI study was performed with a 0,5 Tesla imager (Vectra, GE Medical System) with body-coil; neither oral nor intravenous contrast was used. We obtained SE T1-weighted, fast STIR with fat suppression and FSE T2-weighted sequences. Sagittal, paracoronal and paraxial images were acquired. The paraxial images were obtained to produce true coronal images of the uterus. In evaluating MDAs, imaging the uterus in its true coronal plane is essential to assess the external fundal contour. US examination was performed with an HDI 3000, ATL, using the trans-vaginal approach. The MDAs were subdivided according to the Buttram and Gibbons classification. RESULTS: There were 22 cases of laparoscopic and hysteroscopic proved anomalies; MRI allowed correct diagnosis of 21 uterine anomalies (accuracy, 95%) whereas U.S. was correct in 20 of 22 cases (accuracy, 92%). The MRI was excellent in depicting the uterine morphology in one case of unicornuate uterus with rudimentary horn non-comunicating with the main cavity and distended by hematometra and associated hematosalpinx. Further-more evaluating composition, thickness and extension of the uterine septum and aspect of the fundal contour, MRI allowed to differentiate definitively between bicornuate uterus and septate uterus. This is a very important distinction to do because it significantly affects patient treatment: a septate uterus requires hysteroscopic septectomy, while a bicornuate uterus does not requires surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Given its characteristics, MRI is a very accurate imaging modality in uterine evaluation and contributes significantly to treatment planning. Although ultrasonography remains the modality of choice for the initial study of patients who are suspected of having a MDAs, we propose, in accordance with many authors in the literature, to reserve MRI imaging for patients with a technically inadequate or indeterminate ultrasound examination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[The use of dynamic Doppler color ultrasonography of the penis in the study of erectile dysfunction].

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic color Doppler sonography (D-CDS) in men with erectile dysfunctions (ED). Terminal microcirculation alterations and their correlation with erectile response after drug testing were investigated with power Doppler energy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 134 impotent patients were submitted to CDS during flaccidity: 8 of them (6%) had sparse hyperechoic spots inside the corpora. A standardized intracavernous injection of 10 micrograms alprostadil (PGE1) was followed by audiovisual sexual stimulation. If rigid erection was not achieved after 20 minutes, patients were randomized to redosing of either 10 micrograms PGE1 (phase 2a) or 10 micrograms PGE1 plus 1 mg phentolamine (phase 2b), with reassessment of power Doppler recordings after 20 minutes (peak systolic velocities and the resistive index, RI). RESULTS: A rigid erection (RI > .90) was achieved in 26% of patients after the first injection. As for the remaining patients, the RI was improved in 12% after phase 2a and in 34% after phase 2b (p < .05), with no differences in mean peak systolic velocities. Power Doppler showed two/three orders of distal branches of helicine arterioles with regular morphology, in most of the latter subjects. A negative correlation (r = .68, p < .001) was found between penile fibrosis and the degree of rigidity achieved after the first injection. CONCLUSIONS: Penile sonography in the flaccid state can show calcificic plaques and/or fibrosis of the corpora. Redosing of PGE1 plus phentolamine during D-CDS is a safe procedure and improves diagnostic accuracy in erectile dysfunctions, with significantly fewer non-responders than redosing of PGE1 alone. Power Doppler energy shows altered morphology of helicine arterioles otherwise missed at color Doppler and is thus recommended to make an accurate diagnosis in some men with erectile dysfunctions.

Erectile Dysfunction↗
PubMed1999

[The role of magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of the os trigonum syndrome].

PURPOSE: We investigated the yield of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in hindfoot conditions, particularly the os trigonum syndrome, which are very difficult to diagnose clinically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 7 consecutive patients complaining of hindfoot pain for more than 4 months (male:female = 1:6; age range 16-22 years, average 18.6). Three patients practiced competitive sports and 4 ballet. We performed conventional radiography (orthogonal projections) and then MRI with a 0.5 T superconductive unit with surface coils; MR images were acquired with T1-weighted spin-echo (SE), T2-weighted gradient-echo (GRE), and fast inversion recovery (FIR) fat-suppressed sequences with 4 mm thickness and 0 mm gap. RESULTS: In 2 cases the os trigonum had irregular margins with subchondral sclerosis and widened synchondrosis. In 3 patients we found flexor hallucis longus tenosynovitis, likely caused by tendon compression and displacement within its sheath; there were neither os trigonum marrow edema nor synchondrosis widening. One patient had os trigonum hypertrophy, mild synchondrosis widening and marrow edema, in the os trigonum and the posterior aspect of talus. One patient had the os trigonum, but no signs referable to the os trigonum syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: In the posterior impingement syndrome, our objective is to show inflammatory changes in the posterior capsule of the ankle joint, adjacent ligaments, tendons and chondrosynovial surface. In these cases, the yield of conventional radiography and CT is rather poor, while MRI provides important information on soft tissues involvement, synovial reaction, chondral and subchondral bone injuries and the association of flexor hallucis longus synovitis, if present. MRI also yields detailed information for correct therapeutic approach. In conclusion, for the (differential) diagnosis of hindfoot pain in clinically suspected os trigonum syndrome, MRI appears to be the technique of choice, after conventional radiography, thanks to its noninvasiveness, multiplanarity, and high spatial and contrast resolution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Magnetic resonance findings in chronic osteomyelitis fistula].

INTRODUCTION: Osteomyelitis is a common inflammatory process caused by an infection which is usually from gram-positive germs. Acute, subacute and chronic forms can be distinguished both clinically and radiographically, each of them presenting different patterns but which are not always easy to recognize. Besides clinical-laboratory data, imaging methods are also useful to make the diagnosis; in chronic forms, MRI has higher sensitivity in recognizing the active foci and the presence of sinus tracts than the other techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined nine patients with suspected chronic osteomyelitis with a sinus tract, all of them submitted to radiographic and MR examinations. MRI was performed with a .5 T magnet using a surface coil for joint studies; T1-weighted SE (TR 300-500, TE 20), T2-weighted GE (TR 500-700, TE 20, FA 35 degrees) and FIR sequences with fat suppression (TR 3000, TE 20, TI 100) were performed on the axial, sagittal and coronal planes. Three patients underwent CT too. RESULTS: Radiography showed the osteostructural changes as osteolytic and osteosclerotic areas. CT depicted not only the changes seen radiographically, but also increased bone marrow density. MRI demonstrated active foci of bone marrow appearing as low-intensity areas in T1, with increased intensity in T2 GE and fat-suppressed FIR images; it also depicted the sinus tracts as areas of decreased signal on T1 and of increased signal on FIR images. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience and in agreement with the literature data, we believe that MRI is more useful to diagnose the active foci of bone marrow and the sinus tracts in chronic osteomyelitis, especially with T1-weighted SE and fat-suppressed FIR sequences.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adult colocolic intussusception: demonstration by conventional MR techniques.

Intussusception is a rare condition in adults. We report a case of a 69-year-old woman referred to our institution for lower left quadrant abdominal pain, weight loss, and occasional episodes of constipation and rectal hemorrhage. The patient underwent plain radiography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis. The final diagnosis was colocolic intussusception due to a neoplastic lead point.

Aged↗