PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Molino

Publications and source records attributed to C Molino.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Role of B-type natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular state monitoring in a hemodialysis patient with primary amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac involvement occurs in up to 50% of patients with primary or A amyloidosis (ALA) and is associated with very poor prognosis. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been proposed as a guide for treatment of heart failure patients and as an index of myocardial dysfunction in patients with ALA. Data about BNP dosage for cardiovascular monitoring of patients with ALA on renal replacement therapy are lacking. CASE: A 64 year old Caucasian man was admitted because of nephrotic syndrome in July 2003. Renal diagnosis was ALA. Melphalan and prednisolone were given but renal function worsened and in April 2004 standard bicarbonate hemodialysis was started. In March 2004 thalidomide was added to his therapy. During the follow-up ejection fraction was stable and was 65% on the contrary E/A ratio gradually increased and overtook 1. BNP plasma levels were increased and the values recorded during the follow-up were: 2505 pg/mL in October 2003 (normal reference values<100), 1827 in April 2004, 4006 in June 2004, 5000 in September 2004, 3750 in January 2005 and 1920 in April 2005. In September 2005 BNP was 3380 pg/mL. The patient was still alive after a follow-up longer than two years. CONCLUSION: In ALA patients a powerful prognostic role of BNP has been reported whose expression is increased in ventricular myocytes of patients with cardiac involvement. BNP level monitoring does not appear to be superior to standard echocardiography in evaluating cardiovascular status of uremic patients with ALA.

Amyloidosis↗

Possibilities at present for the application of lumbar sympathectomy in chronic occlusive arterial disease of the lower limbs.

BACKGROUND: Research on the limitations of the validity of lumbar sympathectomy in surgical treatment of lower limb occlusive arterial disease is still of great interest today. METHODS: Our study deals with 385 patients who underwent the surgical removal of a segment which includes the 2nd and the 3rd ganglion of the lumbar sympathetic chain in the period between the month of January 1989 and the month of December 1998. RESULTS: Results were good in 63.6% of patients and stationary in 10.53% of cases; in 26% of cases lumbar sympathectomy was not valid. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory results were recorded, as will be shown in this text, on patients experiencing a period of rest pain, patients with ischaemic dystrophic lesions and those with very advanced intermittent claudication equally favourable results were seen in diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Technetium-99m-HMPAO-labeled leukocyte imaging in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies.

OBJECTIVE: Gut inflammation is frequent among patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SSp). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of positive abdominal findings in patients with SSp who did not have clinical symptoms or signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This represents a new indication for abdominal 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy. METHODS: Eighty-six patients (59 with SSp and 27 controls) were prospectively imaged with 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled leukocytes. RESULTS: Leukocyte imaging was positive in 33 patients with SSp (56%), 27 of these patients scored between 2+ and 4+ (51%). Four (15%) control patients also had positive findings. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence linking SSp with intestinal inflammation. SSp may be an important new indication for 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled autologous leukocyte scintigraphy.

Adult↗

Congenital dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts (Caroli's disease).

Caroli's disease (congenital dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts) was diagnosed in an 11-year-old girl with the aid of intravenous cholangiography. Recurrent abdominal pain, fever, and intermittent obstructive jaundice are the most common symptoms and usually develop during childhood or young adulthood. Operative cholangiography has been the most valuable method of diagnosing the condition and determining the location and extent of the disease process.

Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic↗

[Computerized bone mineral measurement. Radiation protection and legal aspects].

We begin by defining the standard units utilized in dosimetry and we illustrate the risks related to the interaction of ionizing radiation with living matter. Next we summarize the basic elements of radioprotection such as the physical and medical control of the employees and the inspection by the official authorities. Finally we consider the specific aspects of radioprotection in bone mineral measurement, in relation both with dosimetry and with the existing legislation on the matter.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Breast cancer detection with sestamibi-Tc-99m and Tl-201 radionuclides in patients with non conclusive mammography.

Early diagnosis of breast cancer using breast examination, mammography and ultrasonography is highly accurate, but radiologically dense breast represent a challenge for the mammographic detection of early stage tumors. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical value of scintigraphic techniques in the early diagnosis of breast cancer when other methods give non-conclusive results. The study includes 160 women with clinical suspicion of breast cancer and non-conclusive findings in mammography, randomized either to scintigraphic scans with Sestamibi Tc 99m or Tl 201. Up to date, 64 women have been enrolled, 46 in Tl-201 and 18 in Sestamibi Tc 99m. Results obtained show 73% sensitivity and 94% specificity with Tl 201 and 77% sensitivity and 100% specificity with Sestamibi Tc 99m. In this group, diagnostic accuracy improves when the tumors are bigger than two centimetres in diameter or when they are palpable. These preliminary results show that scintigraphic breast examination seems useful when other diagnostic methods provide non-conclusive results.

Breast Diseases↗