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Biomedical subjects

C Bartolozzi

Publications and source records attributed to C Bartolozzi.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[The incidence of disk changes in volleyball players. The magnetic resonance findings].

In order to evaluate the to potential hazards related to athletic functional overload on the intervertebral disk we studied with MRI the incidence of intervertebral disk abnormalities in a group of 45 volunteers who had been playing professional volleyball for 3-7 years. As a control group we examined with MRI 30 professional swimmers as well. Among the volley-ball players the incidence of intervertebral disk alterations was 44.4%; they were represented by 8 cases of disk degeneration, 11 cases of bulging and 9 disk herniations (in 8 patients the simultaneous presence of more than one lesion was observed). In the control group the incidence of such lesions was 20%. The obtained results were correlated with the clinical findings and the age of the athletes. Among the 26 athletes with back pain only 13 had positive findings at MRI, while among the 19 asymptomatic athletes 7 showed lesions detectable with MRI. As for age, we observed that the younger athletes (17-19 years) had positive MRI findings in 38.5% of cases, while the players in the age group ranging from 23 to 26 years, had positive MRI findings in 56.2% of cases. The analysis of the different types of training of the volley-ball players and the control group, showed that 19 volley-ball players who followed appropriate training procedures had positive MRI findings in 21.1% of cases (in the control group the percentage was 20%). Among the 26 athletes who were trained with exercises that caused significant functional overload, 16 had intervertebral disk lesions at MRI (61.5%). Moreover, our data showed that the correlation of the incidence of disk lesions with the type of training (and relative varying degree of overload) is definitely more important than the one existing with the age of volley-ball players and the overall period of their athletic activity. MRI proved to be a useful technique for the early assessment of the intervertebral disk damage caused by an incorrect training in young athletes, even when asymptomatic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[The significance of echographic signs in pathology of the rotator cuff].

Fifty-two patients, 17 acute and 35 chronic, underwent US of the shoulder. The first class of patients had clinical history of blunt trauma occurred 2 to 30 days before examination. The second class of patients included 15 patients with history of trauma occurred 3 months (or more) before examination and 20 patients affected with impingement syndrome. As to the US signs of rotator cuff tear reported in the literature, the results of the study, supported by arthrographic (21 cases), MR (2 cases) and surgical (24 cases) findings, indicate that their presence and significance differ in the acute and in the chronic patient and that: 1) Focal discontinuity, appearing as a hypoechoic area, is demonstrable only in the acute patient. The sign is due to a tear filled with blood and/or bursal liquid and holds high diagnostic accuracy. It is rare that an acute lesion appears as a hyperechoic linear density--which has doubtful diagnostic accuracy. 2) Non-visualization of the cuff is observable in both the acute and the chronic patient and indicates rupture in both of them. This sign has high diagnostic accuracy. 3) Thinning of the cuff is also observable both in the acute and in the chronic patient. Nevertheless, while in the former the sign can be regarded with confidence as indicating a tear in almost all cases, in the latter it may be due either to a tear or to degeneration. Arthrography or MR Imaging are therefore advisable in this group of patients, especially if surgical treatment is considered.

Arthrography↗
PubMed1991

[The echo-guided percutaneous injection of ethanol: a therapeutic alternative in the "autonomous thyroid nodule". Our experience].

The authors report their experience on the therapeutic value, in terms of efficacy and tolerance, of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of autonomous thyroid nodules (ATN). A group of 15 patients, 13 in clinical pretoxicity and 2 in initial thyrotoxicosis, were submitted to fine-needle ethanol injection (95%) performed under US guidance. The amount of injected alcohol was measured on the basis of the volume and diffusion of alcohol itself within the nodule, in the whole of 79 injections given. Follow-up lasted 3-15 months. Thyroid scanning demonstrated a complete or partial recovery of extranodular parenchymal function in 80% and 20% of cases, respectively. In all cases a volume reduction greater than 50% was obtained, with an initial sharp fall, already after the first month, thanks to early alcohol cytotoxicity. In the 2 patients with toxic ATN serum, normal values of free hormones have been observed ever since the third weekly injection. Good tolerance to treatment was observed, and no permanent complications. In agreement with other authors, we believe our experience to show that PEI represents a new therapeutic approach in patients with ATN. PEI will certainly play a preferential role, relative to other conventional therapies, in the management of clinical pretoxic ATN, regarding which no uniform treatment protocol exists yet.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1991

[Problems and errors of magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of renal masses].

Since the impact of MRI on the diagnostic evaluation of renal masses is affected by the intrinsic complexity of the modality, the problems related to the specific knowledge, on the part of the radiologist, of the examination itself to make a correct diagnosis are carefully analyzed. The problems related to the technical features of the equipment are presented as well, with a special emphasis on the still inadequate spatial resolution of MRI, and on its long acquisition time and unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio. On the other hand, its good contrast resolution is mentioned, which will be further improved by the new gradient-echo sequence (GRE) and by the use of paramagnetic contrast media. As for diagnostic problems, the results are analyzed of a series of 62 patients showing US "solid" renal mass. MRI allowed lesion detection in 59/62 cases, with 95.1% sensitivity. False negatives were due solely to the poor image quality determined by motion artifacts. MRI did not provide significant information in the structural evaluation of the lesions when tissue characterization was concerned, but was helpful in the correct assessment of necrotic foci (thus allowing the calculation of viable neoplastic mass) and in the detection of collateral vessels. Finally, the spatial relationships of the mass could be easily assessed by MRI, thanks to both its multiplanarity and to its good capabilities in the visualization of vascular involvement.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMed1991

[Inflammatory aneurysms of the abdominal aorta: US and CT characteristics].

The authors report their experience with US and CT in 31 cases of inflammatory aneurysms out of a study population of 200 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. The work started with a case that had not been diagnosed at US, either due to the operator's poor knowledge of this pathologic condition or because of improper examination technique. The authors stress the importance of a high-frequency probe and proper gain settings which are often necessary for a good visualization of the anterior aortic wall. The correct diagnosis of the inflammatory nature of the aneurysm has been assessed by US ever since, in all cases except for very obese and meteoric patients. In our series, US diagnostic accuracy was 78%, versus 33% reported in literature. US was not accurate in evaluating adjacent structures involvement within fibrous tissues (ureteral narrowing, caval narrowing)--which CT did. Neither US nor CT exhibited reliable diagnostic accuracy in demonstrating enteric involvement within fibrous tissues.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Magnetic resonance imaging of aortic and mitral valve insufficiency. Comparison with Doppler echocardiography and angiocardiography].

Fourty-five subjects--10 normal volunteers and 35 patients with valvular insufficiency were examined with MRI and [20 of them with mitral (MI) and 15 with aortic (AI) insufficiency] were evaluated with MR imaging and with Doppler echocardiography (echo-Doppler); 22 of these patients were also studied with angiocardiography. The extent of regurgitation jet was classified as follows: minimal (1+), mild (2+), moderate (3+), and severe (4+), according to the max distance of regurgitant jet signal from valvular leaflets. In our series, MR imaging with FFE sequences always showed the regurgitant jet. High agreement was found between MR and echo-Doppler results (80% for MI, and 86% for AI). In 22 patients who underwent angiocardiography, we observed 73% agreement. Cine-MR imaging proved to be an accurate and sensitive technique to recognize and to evaluate severity of regurgitant valvular flow in patients with AI and MI. This technique may be useful in those patients in whom Doppler echocardiography is inadequate or impossible to perform.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Computerized tomography in post-operative recurrence of bronchial carcinoma].

The authors describe the different types of postoperative carcinoma recurrences, as seen on CT examinations of the chest, in 38 patients who underwent different surgical procedures for bronchogenic carcinoma (12 pneumonectomies, 22 lobectomies, 2 segmentectomies, and 2 atypical resections). The recurrences were classified as follows: 1) recurrence in the bronchial stump; 2) lymph node enlargement; 3) recurrence in the thoracic wall; 4) recurrence in the residual lobe; 5) pleural effusion; 6) nodule in the contralateral lung. The CT findings, correlated with those from plain chest radiographs and clinical symptoms, indicate a higher incidence of recurrences in the hilar region, either in the bronchial stump or as node enlargement. In the discussion, the problems faced after total and subtotal resection are separately analyzed. While after pneumonectomy plain chest radiographs fail to demonstrate the recurrence in most cases, so that CT is nearly always mandatory, after subtotal resection the diagnostic accuracy of conventional radiology appears higher since the residual parenchyma offers good natural contrast. Nevertheless, after subtotal resection, greater difficulties arise at a deeper radiological analysis due to lobar reassessment, the features of which are to be known.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗
PubMed1990

[Nuclear magnetic resonance in congenital cardiopathies in adults].

Magnetic resonance imaging is a newly developed diagnostic technique recently used for the study of the cardiovascular system. One of the most promising fields of application for magnetic resonance is the study of congenital heart diseases. Since it offers high contrast and resolution tomographic images of the heart, this technique appears particularly suitable for the anatomic assessment of cardiovascular malformations. In order to evaluate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of congenital heart diseases, we reviewed 21 cases of cardiac malformations (age: 9-81, mean: 48 +/- 23). Two dimensional echo-cardiography was performed on all of them. Out of the 21 patients, 13 were imaged to confirm previous diagnoses based on echocardiographic (8) or angiographic (5) data. Four more patients underwent a cardiac angiography after the magnetic resonance study. The remaining eight patients were imaged due to a poor echocardiographic examination (4) and for other reasons (4). Eight patients had an atrial septal defect, 1 had a patent foramen ovale, 2 had a ventricular septal defect, 1 had a corrected transposition of the great vessels, 2 had an aortic coarctation, 2 had a developmental venous abnormality, 5 had different congenital diseases of the aorta or of the pulmonary valve or artery. Image quality was optimal in 18 out of the 21 patients studied (85.7%). In the remaining 3 subjects image quality enabled a diagnosis. In all patients magnetic resonance imaging correctly depicted the cardiac malformation and in some cases furnished data on the severity of the disease. In 9 cases (4 atrial septal defects, 2 developmental venous abnormalities, 2 aortic aneurysms, 1 right pulmonary artery atresia) magnetic resonance imaging provided the diagnosis. These data indicate that magnetic resonance imaging may represent an important non-invasive diagnostic tool capable of offering valuable information on adult patients with suspected congenital heart disease. It is also possible to foresee that this technique will play an outstanding role as a non invasive alternative imaging technique whenever echocardiography cannot be performed is not satisfactory. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging should be considered a major diagnostic technique to be used for the anatomic study of the heart prior to resorting to angiography.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Demonstration of an acute myocardial infarction by nuclear magnetic resonance: comparison with 2-dimensional echocardiography in localization of the necrotic area].

In order to evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in man, we studied 15 normal volunteers and 22 patients with a recent AMI (13.5 +/- 7.7 days, range 4-28). To establish the ability of MRI in localizing the site of infarction we also performed a comparison between the segments of the left ventricle showing evidence of AMI by MRI and those presenting wall motion abnormalities by 2-dimensional echocardiography. By using strict criteria and 2 imaging planes MRI proved to be a reliable technique for the detection of AMI. MRI correctly identified AMI in 20 out of 22 subjects (90.9%). The site of AMI appeared as an area of increased signal intensity on spin echo images, particularly evident on late echoes: 15 patients had MRI findings compatible with transmural AMI and 5 patients with non-transmural AMI. The site of AMI as detected by MRI closely correlated with that indicated by 2-dimensional echocardiography, thus showing that MRI is a reliable tool for AMI localization. We also observed that the number of left ventricular segments judged as infarcted by MRI was significantly higher than that showing wall motion abnormalities. As MRI correctly identified the presence of 2 subendocardial lesions, not detected by echocardiography, it is suggested that MRI may be superior to echocardiography in detecting non-transmural lesions and the lateral extension of a transmural infarct. Our data show that MRI is a reliable tool for the detection and location of recent AMI in man. In particular MRI can locate AMI with a precision similar to that offered by 2-dimensional echocardiography.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Magnetic resonance in the study of spondylodiscitis].

Spondylodiscitis is an uncommon pathologic condition whose diagnosis can be difficult due to its aspecific clinical and radiological signs, especially in its early phase. Seventeen patients were examined in order to evaluate MR diagnostic capabilities. They had cervical (2 cases), thoracic (3 cases) and lumbosacral (12 cases) spondylodiscitis. All patients previously underwent conventional X-ray examination and CT; bone scintigraphy was performed in 9 cases. The final diagnosis was reached by needle aspiration (10 cases), by blood culture (2 cases), or according to clinical evolution (5 cases). MR was highly sensitive in identifying the disease, also in its early stages. Moreover, MR allowed the definition of phlogistic process extent and its relationship with intersomatic disk: signal alterations were limited to the vertebral bodies and to the disk in 3 cases; endocanalar spread of phlogistic process was observed in 8 cases; extravertebral soft tissues were involved in 1 patient; involvement of both canal and paravertebral soft tissue was found in 5 patients. Signal alterations in vertebral bodies and disks, together with the good topographic evaluation obtained with MR imaging, allowed a reliable diagnosis of spondyloscitis to be reached.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Magnetic resonance and echocardiography in the investigation of cardiac tumour in an infant.

An intracardiac tumour in an asymptomatic female infant was diagnosed by means of echocardiography and magnetic resonance. The natural history of this pathology in patients showing no symptoms of cardiac involvement is still unknown. The development of these modern diagnostic techniques, however, has made it easier to carry out longitudinal follow-up studies aimed at obtaining useful information about the prognosis and growth potentialities of these tumours.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1988

Incidental finding of renal cell carcinoma with histological regressive aspects in a pregnant woman.

A renal cell carcinoma was incidentally discovered with sonography in a 32-year-old pregnant woman. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to provide further information about tumor stage without causing adverse effects on the fetus. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy at the third month of pregnancy and subsequently delivered a normal full-term child. Pathology revealed regressive aspects which can be possibly ascribed to high progesterone levels during pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Gadolinium DTPA in a MR study of expansive lesions of the cranial base].

Twenty-five patients were investigated by MR imaging in order to evaluate the diagnostic value of Gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA in skull-base tumors. The patients were studied with standard acquisition techniques (T1, mixed and T2-weighted images) without contrast medium. The images obtained were then compared with the T1-weighted images obtained after intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA. The contrastographic results in the different types of acquisition were evaluated. Thanks to the extraordinary increase in contrast resolution it provides, Gd-DTPA allowed the precise evaluation of the lesion and of its perfect spatial definition in all cases. Our experience demonstrated that Gd-DTPA considerably increases the sensitivity of the technique in this anatomical region. On the contrary, as regards the nature of the lesion, the signal did not significantly vary after the iv injection of Gd-DTPA in the various kinds of lesion. In addition to the important diagnostic advantages of Gd-DTPA, its excellent tolerability and the absence of side-effects must be stressed.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1988

[Magnetic resonance imaging in the study of brain changes due to carbon monoxide poisoning].

Five cases of carbon monoxide intoxication were studied with MR imaging. The main MR findings were discussed and compared with CT results. MR imaging demonstrated SNC lesions sooner and better than CT--its images corresponding to the anatomic-pathological patterns described in literature. However, severe MR limitations--i.e., the very long execution time and the difficult monitoring of the patients--prevent this methodology from being more extensively employed in this kind of pathology.

Accidents, Home↗