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Biomedical subjects

C Foti

Publications and source records attributed to C Foti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dose to cardiologists in haemodynamic and electrophysiology cardiac interventional procedures.

Interventional cardiac procedures can be complex and involve extensive use of low dose rate fluoroscopy and high dose rate in image acquisition mode; hence, staff may receive significant radiation exposure. Radiation exposure to operators was assessed in 173 procedures. Fluoroscopy time, number of acquired images and dose-area product were recorded and occupational dose assessed with thermoluminescence dosemeters. The effective dose to the operator was compared with relevant literature data: values found were generally lower than those reported for other interventional cardiology laboratories. This is probably because of the strict radiation protection policy in our centre. Higher effective doses were found for defibrillator implantation and percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography procedures; for other cardiac procedures, effective dose was lower. Yearly extrapolated occupational doses to cardiologists are lower than the regulatory dose limit and in the lower band of doses reported in the literature.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Reactivity to euro coins and sensitization thresholds in nickel-sensitive subjects.

BACKGROUND: The 1- and the 2-euro coins consist of nickel alloys, which release nickel. The nickel released by far exceeds the amount allowed by the European Union Nickel Directive referring to products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. As there is only temporary contact with the skin, the clinical relevance of nickel-containing coins with regard to nickel dermatitis is a matter of debate, although there is evidence that the nickel released from the coins affects some nickel-sensitive subjects through occupational exposure. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to study skin reactivity to euro coins, and to correlate the frequency and intensity of coin patch test responses to sensitization thresholds to nickel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four nickel-sensitized and 30 non-nickel-sensitized subjects were patch tested with serial dilutions of nickel sulfate (5, 1, 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01 and 0.005% in distilled water) and with coins. Italian coins (500, 200, 100 and 50 lira) and euro coins (2 and 1 euros, 20 and 5 euro cents) were used for patch testing and compared. RESULTS: The application of 1- and 2-euro coins to the skin induced eczematous reactions, being more frequent and intense in comparison with those provoked by other coins. A correlation between intensity of responses to coin patch tests and sensitization threshold to nickel was observed. Patients with the strongest reactions to 1- and 2-euro coins showed positive responses to the lowest nickel concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The nickel content in euro coins represents a possible health hazard, especially for highly nickel-sensitive subjects. We recommend that nickel sulfate patch tests should be performed at different concentrations to determine sensitization thresholds at least in individuals with occupational exposure to coins.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Alternative glucocorticoids for use in cases of adverse reaction to systemic glucocorticoids: a study on 10 patients.

BACKGROUND: Reactions to systemically administered corticosteroids are rare, despite their widespread use. OBJECTIVES: To identify alternative glucocorticoids for emergency use in patients with adverse reactions to systemic glucocorticoids. METHODS: Ten patients were identified as having adverse reactions after the use of systemic corticosteroids. Skin prick tests and intradermal tests to hydrocortisone (HC) and methylprednisolone (MP), and intradermal tests to betamethasone and dexamethasone, were performed in all patients, and oral challenge tests to betamethasone (n=10) and deflazacort (n=6). RESULTS: Skin prick tests were negative in all patients, whereas intradermal tests to HC and MP were positive in eight; two patients showed only an isolated cutaneous sensitivity to MP. Intradermal tests to betamethasone and dexamethasone were negative, and oral challenge tests were negative in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the possibility of an IgE-mediated mechanism for allergic reactions to HC and MP, probably due, at least in part, to a steroid-glyoxal. We suggest that betamethasone and deflazacort could be reserved for emergency use in patients with adverse reactions to other corticosteroids.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Eyedrop-induced allergy: clinical evaluation and diagnostic protocol.

BACKGROUND: In the last few years, adverse reactions to mydriatic eyedrops have been investigated. However, is not still available a standardized protocol, capable of identify the pathogenetic mechanism. In the light of these findings we have evaluated the reliability of a protocol with well established concentration of specific allergens. METHODS: The diagnostic method includes the application of patch test series Gruppo Italiano Ricerca Dermatiti da Contatto e Ambientali (GIRDCA), medicaments, corticosteroids, local anesthetics, main eyedrops' excipients, pure active principles and extemporaneous preparations with mydriatic eyewashes. At the same time, skin prick test with a solution of atropine sulfate at 1 per thousand and an intradermal test with injection of atropine at 0.01 per thousand were carried out. RESULTS: After patch tests were removed, we detected seven positiveness to the phenylephrine, two to the benzalkonium chloride, one to thiomersal, one to the ethylendiamine and one to the atropine sulfate 1 per thousand. With intradermal tests we obtained three positiveness in patients who reported adverse reactions to atropine. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that phenylephrine is frequently responsible for allergic conjunctivitis (53.8%). In the case of atropine, even though the limited number of patients suggests to perform more extensive studies, it emerges that our diagnostic protocol is safe and might be able to screen allergic reactions in the field of ophthalmopathies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising on chronic osteomyelitis.

We present a case of a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the skin (MFH) arising on chronic osteomyelitis in a 67-year-old woman. Although this condition seems to be a predisposing factor for the onset of the malignancy, MFH complicating chronic osteomyelitis is generally localized at the level of the bone tissue. In the case we report the neoplasm was primitively localized at the dermal and subcutaneous level and presented as a rapidly growing mass.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Aminoethylethanolamine: a new allergen in cosmetics?

Amphoacetates are organic compounds used in many industrial applications and in cosmetic formulations for the skin, hair and mucosa, as surfactants, mild foaming and cleansing agents in concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 50%. Despite the fact that they have been in use for many years, cases of contact allergy to them are extremely rare. We describe 4 patients who developed an eczematous reaction after use of detergents containing amphoacetates. Patch testing showed positive reactions to sodium lauroamphoacetate (Miranol HM Special, Rhodia, England) as is or diluted at decreasing concentration (10%, 5% and 1%) in water and to aminoethylethanolamine (AEE) at the concentration of 1% in various vehicles (ethanol, acetone, and sodium laurylethersulfate 1% aqueous solution) and at decreasing concentrations ranging from 1% to 0.005% in water. AEE is one of the reagents used in the synthesis of amphoacetates. This molecule, that is structurally an ethylenediamine derivative, has sensitizing power and is reported as a cause of occupational contact allergy in cable jointers. Combined eczematous reactions to AEE and sodium lauroamphoacetate can be consequent to the presence of the former substance as an impurity in amphoacetates-containing products, as demonstrated by ion chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Allergic contact dermatitis from ciclopirox olamine.

A 50-year-old man with interdigital tinea pedis developed an allergic dermatitis spreading from the toes to the lower shins. Patch tests were strongly positive to ciclopirox olamine 1% pet. Sensitization to this topical antifungal agent has rarely been reported in the literature.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Tinea barbae associated with erythema nodosum in an immunocompetent man.

We describe the case of a 45-year-old man with atopy who developed marked inflammatory lesions on the bearded area of the face caused by Tricophyton rubrum, an anthropophilic fungus not frequently correlated with kerion of the face. After starting therapy with griseofulvin, he developed typical lesions of erythema nodosum on both legs. We discuss how these lesions could be correlated with the kerion of the face.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2001

Staff dosimetry protocols in interventional radiology.

Assessment of effective dose (E) for workers performing interventional radiology is particularly problematic due to the conditions of partial body exposure, so very few estimates of E are found in the literature. Two simple algorithms (the Rosenstein-Webster and the Niklason algorithms) are available that combine the readings of two dosemeters, one worn under the protective apron and one on the neck outside the apron, to estimate E for the range of imaging conditions typical of medical fluoroscopy. The algorithms are reviewed and their suitability for estimating E for personnel performing interventional radiology is analysed by comparison with the most recent experimental data. It can be concluded that the Niklason algorithm's estimates are in better agreement with the experimental assessments of E.

Algorithms↗