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Biomedical subjects

D Fiore

Publications and source records attributed to D Fiore.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Imaging of the thymus gland in myasthenia gravis (computerized tomography and magnetic resonance)].

Since thymectomy is nearly always indicated as a possible treatment of myasthenia gravis, we examined with Magnetic Resonance (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) 22 patients (21-62 years old) to identify the best methodological approach. MR images were obtained with a 1.5 T superconducting unit with slice thickness ranging from 6 to 8 mm and an interslice gap of 0.6 and 0.8 mm. Spin-echo images were acquired with repetition time (TR) < 700 ms and echo time (TE) of 20 ms and T2-weighted images with TR > 1800 ms and TE of 80 ms. The sections were obtained, with cardiac gating, on transverse and sagittal planes. CT was performed with contiguous 5-mm slice thickness, after intravenous bolus injection of contrast medium. All the patients underwent surgery of anterior mediastinum and histologic diagnosis was made. Both CT and MRI correctly identified the patterns of normal thymus or hyperplasia not associated with gland enlargement, the only two cases of hyperplasia with thymic enlargement and clearly demonstrated thymomas. MRI appears to be more accurate in the evaluation of the relationship between thymus and contiguous structures. If pericardial infiltration is suspected, sagittal MR scans yield accurate information on tumor spread. We recommend MRI of anterior mediastinum to rule out the presence of a thymoma and the possible involvement of contiguous structures.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1994

Bilateral Pancoast syndrome in a patient with metachronous primary lung cancer.

A rare case of double Pancoast tumor in a patient with metachronous primary cancer of the lung was treated with irradiation and operation. Both tumors were managed with pulmonary wedge resection and excision of involved chest wall. Six years after the first operation the patient is doing well without pain and respiratory failure.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

[Description of two cases of retrobrachiocephalic thymus gland].

We report two rare cases of thymus gland found behind the left brachiocephalic vein, in young women undergoing thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Our observations are included among the thymic anatomical variants. After a review of the literature on the subject, we discuss both the diagnostic role of new radiological techniques (CT, NRM) and the choice of surgical approach to these variants.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Rheumatoid nodules and cyclosporin A treatment.

The authors describe the appearance of rheumatoid nodules during cyclosporin A (CsA) therapy for RA. Their course was evaluated by sonography that revealed an increase in number and size of rheumatoid nodules. The relationship between CsA treatment and the onset of nodulosis is not clear and further studies are needed to assess the role of CsA treatment in the extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis such as rheumatoid nodules.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1994

[Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging to the diagnosis of 2 cases of cardiomyopathy].

Two cases of cardiomyopathy were studied by echocardiography, endomyocardial biopsy carried out during cardiac catheterization and magnetic resonance imaging. In accordance with echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging showed global thickening of the free and septal wall in the first case and apical thickening in the second case. The alteration of the tissue component described by magnetic resonance imaging is in agreement with the histologic description of endomyocardial biopsy. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful method for the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1992

[Isolated rupture of the right hemidiaphragm with complete herniation of the liver into the thorax. Considerations of diagnosis and therapy].

The Authors report a case of right diaphragmatic hernia due to road-traffic accident. They discuss the problems of early diagnosis because it is delayed for multiple associated lesions or a low index of suspicion. The ratio of laceration of the left side to that of the right is twenty to one. The clinical and diagnostic data best able to lead to a rapid preoperative diagnosis are considered. The Authors recommended early operative treatment and the thoracic approach; thoracoabdominal incisions are more suitable whenever abdominal lesions are coexisting. The Authors stress the use of safety belts with three point fastener which have significantly decreases cranial and abdominal lesions, particularly if associated with two rolls up.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1991

Spatial mapping of SEP in comatose patients: improved outcome prediction by combined parietal N20 and frontal N30 analysis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether SEP spatial mapping can improve outcome prediction in comparison to the conventional SEP recordings. Twenty patients comatose as a result of head injury or cerebral vascular disorders were submitted to 19-channel SEP mapping from median nerve stimulation. SEP recording were performed within the 4th hospital day in 18 cases and over one month from the insult in the remaining two. Nine patients (45%) showed a good recovery or a mild disability, 3 (15%) a severe disability and the rest (40%) died or remained in a vegetative state. Five patients (28%) had bilaterally normal SEP, 5 (28%) the absence of both parietal N20 and frontal N30, while the others (44%) had a dissociation N20/N30 (namely, preserved N20 with absent N30). The SEP mapping was significantly related to the outcome (P = 0.0087) and improved the outcome prediction in comparison to the conventional SEP recordings, allowing to check the presence of frontal N30: in patients with bilaterally present N20 the outcome appeared to depend upon the N30. SEP mapping proved to be a far superior prognostic indicator than the Glasgow Coma Scale. In 3 patients with midline shift on CT scan an abnormal spatial distribution of N20 was disclosed by SEP mapping. Our preliminary results suggest that SEP mapping may improve the assessment of comatose patients in comparison to the use of parietal derivations only.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Advanced carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus: CT, MR, and echo-endoscopy in the staging after chemotherapy].

Thirteen patients affected with advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus were examined by means of CT, MR and endoscopic US (EUS) before and after chemotherapy. Eleven patients underwent esophagectomy and esophagogastroplasty. An intraesophageal prosthesis was positioned in 2 patients since chemotherapy had not modified tumour stage. Post-chemotherapy CT, MR and EUS parameters were compared with the corresponding pathologic findings. As for MR imaging, post-chemotherapy signal intensity variations in T1 and T2 sequences were also evaluated. MR imaging was more accurate than CT in depicting the involvement of mediastinal fatty layers, the relationships between mass and cardiovascular structures, and the cellularity. CT and MR exhibited limitations in identifying metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes, in which case EUS proved to be the most accurate technique. Both CT and MR failed to satisfactorily assess the infiltration of tracheobronchial tree, which was best demonstrated by endoscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Open clinical study on the efficacy and tolerance of acemetacin in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis].

The authors report the results of an open clinical study of 60 outpatients of whom 20 were suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and 40 from osteoarthritis. The study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of the new indole derivative acemetacin and at a comparison with etodolac. The drug studied was found to be effective and to be tolerated better than indomethacin, particularly the absence of the most unpleasant side-effect of indole compounds, i.e., headache, was noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Sensorimotor and auditory central conduction time in locked-in syndrome.

Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) following magnetic cortical stimulation, somatosensory evoked potentials from median nerve (SEP) and auditory brain-stem responses (ABR) were recorded in a patient with locked-in syndrome during the acute and chronic phases of the clinical course. During the acute phase both ABR and SEP were normal. The MEP from the right upper limb showed a delayed and low voltage potential, while that from the left upper limb was absent. The CT scan showed a ponto-mesencephalic hypodensity. In the chronic phase the MEP from the left upper limb had reappeared and showed a normal latency, while the one from the right upper limb worsened; at that time a new small left fronto-parietal hypodensity had appeared on CT scan. The combined use of MEP, SEP and ABR was able to confirm that the brain-stem damage involved the pyramidal but spared the lemniscal pathways, while MEP changes during the clinical course appeared to reflect both clinical and radiological findings.

Brain Stem↗
PubMed1988

Ordered interstrand and intrastrand DNA transfer during reverse transcription.

Retroviruses contain two copies of the plus stranded viral RNA genome. As a means of determining whether both of these RNA's are used in the reverse transcription reaction, cells were infected with heterozygous virus particles that varied in nucleotide sequence at two separate locations at the RNA termini. The DNA proviruses formed from a single cycle of reverse transcription were then examined. Of the 12 proviruses that were characterized, all exhibited long terminal repeats (LTR's) that would be expected to arise only if both RNA templates were used for the generation of minus strand DNA. In contrast, only a single minus strand DNA appeared to be used as template for the plus strand DNA in the generation of fully double-stranded viral DNA. These results indicate that the first strand transfer step in reverse transcription is an intermolecular event while that of the second transfer is intramolecular. Thus, retroviruses contain two functionally active RNA's, and both may be required for the generation of a single linear DNA molecule. Formation of heterozygotes during retrovirus infection would be expected to result in the efficient generation of LTR recombinants.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1987

The treatment of hemifacial spasm with percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the facial nerve.

The authors present their first results with the treatment of hemifacial spasm by controlled percutaneous thermocoagulation of the facial nerve. Seven patients have been treated to date with good immediate results on the movements, although a slight paresis of the homolateral facial musculature, aesthetically acceptable, persists after treatment. A long-term follow-up at more than 10 months was achieved in only 3 patients, who showed a complete regression of the spasm with partial disappearance of the facial hemiparesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Percutaneous thermocoagulation for sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia.

The authors describe percutaneous radiofrequency (rf) thermocoagulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion used to treat seven patients with sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia. The procedure was effective in relieving pain, without significant side-effects. All the patients have actually been free of pain during a follow-up of 6-28 months. The surgical technique and the rationale for its use are pointed out.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Staging of prostatic carcinoma. Accuracy of magnetic resonance].

Twenty-nine prostatic cancer patients were evaluated for staging purpose by Magnetic Resonance (MR). MR findings were correlated with the pathologic examination in 18/29 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Four MR staging parameters were evaluated individually: periprostatic fat; periprostatic venous plexus; seminal vesicles and pelvic adenopathy. MR correctly staged 16/18 patients, with one case of overstaging and one case of understaging. The diagnostic accuracy of MR in differentiating intracapsular stage B from extracapsular stage C was 87%, with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 87%. MR and CT results agreed in 4 of the 7 operated patients who were examined with both techniques; in 3 cases there was disagreement, and MR was correct.

Aged↗