PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Musante

Publications and source records attributed to F Musante.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Tubular carcinoma of the breast: pathological, clinical, and ultrasonographic findings. A review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Tubular carcinoma of the breast is a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The aim of this paper is to analyse its clinical and imaging findings and to review the radiological literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 560 consecutive histologically proven carcinomas of the breast was made. RESULTS: Sixteen pure (tubular component >90%) tubular carcinomas were found in 14 women (mean age 55 years). Three lesions were palpable. At mammography, five were not detected, three presented as spiculated masses, two as masses with irregular margins, two as spiculated masses with microcalcifications, two as distortions, one as a cluster of microcalcifications and one as asymmetric density. At ultrasonography, two lesions were not detected; the remaining presenting as hypoechoic nodules with irregular (13) or well-defined (one) contours. Fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosed 11 carcinomas and two "atypical cells". In three, core biopsy was made: in the first, a complex sclerosing lesion with atypical cells was suggested, in the second differential diagnosis between tubular carcinoma and sclerosing adenosis was proposed and in the third a tubular carcinoma. The mean diameter of the lesions at histopathology was 9.7+/-4.9 mm. Metastatic nodes were found in one patient only. CONCLUSIONS: Tubular carcinoma presents as a small, nonpalpable lesion, with nonspecific imaging patterns. Nodal metastases are rare.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Assessment of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia: multislice computed tomography signs and clinical performance in a group of patients with surgical correlation.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to describe signs and performance of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in patients with acute mesenteric infarction (AMI). METHODS: MSCT examinations of 26 patients with AMI and of 34 patients with acute abdomen and surgical diagnosis excluding AMI were retrospectively analyzed. All studies were performed with arterial and portal venous phase scans, 2.5 mm thickness, 1.25 mm image interval. All abnormal findings at MSCT in patients with AMI were recor- ded. Patients with MSCT evidence of mesenteric artery occlusion or pneumatosis or venous gas or, alternatively, bowel thicken-ing associated with lack of wall enhancement or venous thrombosis or parenchimal infarction were considered to be affected by AMI. RESULTS: AMI was due to mesenteric artery thrombosis in 17 patients, mesenteric vein thrombosis in 7, and nonocclusive ischemia in 2. In 16/17 patients arterial thrombosis was visualized, in 7/7 venous thrombosis was found. Portal or mesenteric vein gas was seen in 5% and pneumatosis in 38%; bowel wall thickening associated with other signs was found in 31%. Sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MSCT allows an accurate assessment of the mesenteric circulation and the bowel wall. This makes possible optimal visualization of signs of AMI resulting in a good clinical performance.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

MR versus multislice CT cholangiography in evaluating patients with obstruction of the biliary tract.

BACKGROUND: We compared magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) with multislice computed tomographic (MSCT) cholangiography in the assessment of patients with bile duct obstruction. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with clinical or biochemical signs of biliary obstruction were prospectively studied. MRC was performed with fast spin-echo and single-shot fast spin-echo sequences. Source images, maximum intensity projection, and multiplanar reconstruction were evaluated. MSCT cholangiography was performed without biliary contrast agent, with intravenous injection of 150 mL of iodinated contrast material at 4 mL/s, 2.5-mm slice thickness, 7.5-mm/s table speed, and 1.25-mm reconstruction interval. Axial, multiplanar, and minimum intensity projection reformatted images were evaluated. MRC and MSCT findings were compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP; 20 patients), percutaneous cholangiography (eight patients), intraoperative cholangiography (two patients), surgery (11 patients), and cytology (11 patients) with respect to cause and site of obstruction. RESULTS: With regard to presence and site of obstruction, agreement was observed across MRC, MSCT cholangiography, and reference investigations in all cases. Concerning cause, the correct diagnosis was made by MSCT cholangiography in 34 of 36 patients. Two cases of common bile duct lithiasis, diagnosed on MRC and ERCP, were missed by MSCT cholangiography. CONCLUSION: MSCT cholangiography can be considered a possible noninvasive alternative to MRC.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Value of an early arteriographic acquisition for evaluating the splanchnic vessels as an adjunct to biphasic CT using a multislice scanner.

Our objective was to assess the clinical value of an early arterial scan for assessing the hepatic and mesenteric vasculature in patients with suspected primary or metastatic hypervascular liver disease undergoing multislice computed tomography. In 42 patients a very early arteriographic scan was performed before standard arterial and portal venous scans. Technical parameters of the very early acquisition were: 2.5-mm image thickness; table speed 15 mm/s; pitch 6; 120 kVp; 300 mA; 8.9-s scan time; cranio-caudal acquisition direction; 1.25-mm image interval reconstruction;16-s delay after injection of 110 ml of iodinated contrast agent at 5 ml/s; scan volume focused to image hepatic, splenic, and superior mesenteric arteries (SMA). Standard arterial and portal venous phases were performed with 5-mm image thickness, 15-mm/s table speed, pitch 6, 8- to 10-s scan time, 30- and 70-s delay. The three phases were performed during three different breath-holds. Axial, multiplanar reformatted, maximum intensity projection, and volume-rendering images were evaluated. Image quality was scored, and vascular abnormalities were recorded. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 17 patients. In 36 of 42 patients good-quality CT angiograms were obtained. In 9 patients 12 vascular abnormalities were found, all confirmed at DSA: 3 right hepatic arteries originating from the SMA, 2 left hepatic arteries from the gastric artery, 2 stenoses of the SMA, 1 independent origin of the hepatic and splenic arteries, 2 arteriovenous fistulas, and 2 aneurysms of the common hepatic artery and the SMA. This technique could add important information about vascular splanchnic anatomy which would be particularly useful for surgeons and interventional radiologists.

Angiography↗
PubMed2002

Pictorial essay: magnetic resonance imaging of adrenal masses.

In many cases, adrenal lesions are incidentally discovered during ultrasonography or computed tomography in the staging or follow-up of patients with primary malignancies. The most important issue in the radiological management of adrenal masses is the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions. Magnetic resonance (MR) plays an important role in the characterization of such lesions. Our aim was to present the MR techniques and to review the MR features of most common adrenal masses.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Multislice CT cholangiography without biliary contrast agent: technique and initial clinical results in the assessment of patients with biliary obstruction.

Our objective was to describe our technique for multislice CT cholangiography without cholangiographic contrast agent, and to present our preliminary clinical results. Thirty-seven patients with suspected biliary obstruction were studied. A multislice CT unit was used with the following technical parameters: 2.5-mm collimation; 7.5-mm/s table speed; pitch 6; 0.8-s rotation time; 300 mA; 120 kVp; 18- to 24-s scan time; scan volume ranging from the hepatic dome to below the pancreatic head; 70-s delay after injection of 150 ml of iodinated contrast agent at 4 ml/s. No biliary contrast material was given; oral iodinated contrast agent was administered to opacify bowel loops. Axial, multiplanar reformatted, and minimum intensity projection images were evaluated. The CT findings were compared with the gold standard techniques: endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) in 30 patients, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in 5, and intraoperative cholangiography in 2. In 5 patients with ampullary lesions biopsy was made during ERCP, 9 underwent surgery, and 11 US-guided fine-needle aspiration. Bile ducts appeared hypodense within the surrounding enhanced structures. Regarding the site of obstruction, agreement between multislice CT and conventional cholangiography was observed in all cases. One patient presented negative findings on both CT and ERCP. In 31 of 36 (86%) patients, multislice CT cholangiography without cholangiographic contrast agent correctly assessed the cause of bile duct obstruction. Multislice CT cholangiography without cholangiographic contrast agent seems to be a promising diagnostic tool in the assessment of patients with bile duct obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Carotid body tumors: US evaluation.

The ultrasound (US) findings in 20 patients with 23 carotid-body chemodectomas were reviewed. Twenty-two of 23 tumors could be seen at US; the remaining lesion could not be differentiated from surrounding enlarged lymph nodes resulting from thyroid cancer. The lesions were solid, slightly heterogeneous masses that ranged in size from 1.2 to 5.0 cm and were located within the carotid bifurcation. Pulsed Doppler analysis of blood flow within the tumor mass was possible in eight patients with nine chemodectomas, and low-resistance waveforms were obtained from multiple sites within the mass in all cases. The diagnostic possibility of a chemodectoma has to be considered when a solid mass is detected within the carotid bifurcation. On the basis of these findings, as US diagnosis was possible in 18 of 20 patients in the authors' series. Doppler analysis of the mass to evaluate intratumor blood flow is helpful in differentiating chemodectomas from other solid, nonhypervascular masses.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Chest wall involvement by lung cancer: computed tomographic detection and results of operation.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate: (1) the role of computed tomographic scanning in predicting chest wall invasion by peripheral lung cancer and (2) the results of operation according to the depth of chest wall involvement and other potential indicators of long-term survival. One hundred twelve patients with non-small cell lung cancer adjacent to the pleural surface who underwent computed tomographic scanning and subsequent thoracotomy were entered into this study. Tumor invasion was confined to the visceral pleura in 53 patients, to the parietal pleura in 18 patients, and to intercostal muscles in 25 patients; invasion extended beyond this layer in 16 patients. The computed tomographic criteria for chest wall invasion were (1) obliteration of the extrapleural fat plane, (2) the length of the tumor-pleura contact, (3) the ratio between the tumor-pleura contact and the tumor diameter, (4) the angle of the tumor with the pleura, (5) a mass involving the chest wall, and (6) rib destruction. The computed tomographic criteria 1 and 3 were significantly related to pathologic findings. Sensitivity was 85% for criterion 1 and 83% for criterion 3, specificity being 87% and 80%, respectively. Long-term survival of patients with T3 disease critically depended on the lymph node state and completeness of resection. The adenocarcinoma cell type and the T4 category were unfavorable prognostic factors. The depth of chest wall invasion did not affect survival, except for extensive rib and soft tissue infiltration. En bloc resection yielded better results than discontinuous resection.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Myelolipoma of the adrenal gland: sonographic and CT features.

The radiologic findings in 13 patients with pathologically proved adrenal myelolipomas were reviewed. All lesions involved the right adrenal gland; they ranged from 2 to 9 cm in diameter. Sonograms showed hyperechoic tumors in 11 cases (five homogeneous, six heterogeneous). Two myelolipomas composed primarily of myeloid tissue were hypoechoic. A propagation speed artifact was seen in seven lesions, all of which were composed primarily of fat and larger than 4 cm. CT identified fat-density tissues in all lesions. Contrast-enhanced CT showed positive attenuation values in the two predominantly myeloid tumors. CT appears to be sensitive for the diagnosis of adrenal myelolipomas. However, precontrast images are required to avoid errors.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1987

[Echography in the study of thoracic pathology. I--Indications and limitations].

The role of echography in the study of the thorax is evaluated: after reporting the technical limits due to the peculiar anatomy of this region, personal experience is presented. This method extremely precise to define the solid or liquid nature of tightly adherent to the chest wall lesions, but it is non specific to assess their benign or malignant behaviour. Ultrasounds have their on limits in drawing the extension of such lesions; these limits have been overcome by CT and MR. Finally the usefulness of the method in studying the diaphragm and its pathology is briefly described.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1987

[Echography in the study of thoracic pathology. II-- Guided biopsy].

The usefulness of ultrasonic studies for guiding the needle during biopsy of solid lesions or evacuation of saccate effusions and empyemas. Is a explained possible diagnostic protocol is then proposed which includes the ultrasonic examination in the diagnostic approach to parietal, mediastinic or diaphragmatic lesions.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1987

[Computerized tomography in Peyronie's disease. Clinico-radiological comparison].

The diagnostic capabilities of Computed Tomography (CT) in the study of Peyronie's disease are assessed. Twenty-four patients, with different symptoms and a variety of findings on physical examination (from normal to large painful plaques), were studied with third-generation CT equipment. CT defined the normal pattern of the albuginea, as a hyperdense (ranging from 80 to 100 HU) thin and regular line on the periphery of the corpora cavernosa. Pathologic features such as irregularities, disruptions and calcifications of the tunica can be identified; irregularities are shown as circumscribed zones of hyper or hypodensity, disruptions as small or large areas of complete absence of the thin regular line of albuginea. Calcifications are identified as hyperdense nodular or plaquelike areas of 200-300 HU. When physical examination and CT patterns are compared, the reliability of the method is revealed. It provides an accurate definition of the albugineal lesions, imaging all abnormalities detected on physical examination and demonstrating additional, non-palpable and doubtful lesions. Physical examination and CT findings concurred in 19 cases (79%), whereas disagreement was observed in 5 (12%). In 3 cases CT showed calcified plaques not revealed on physical examination; in 2 cases the plaques revealed by palpation were not confirmed by CT. Furthermore there may be a connection between CT aspects of the albuginea and the hystological findings in the disease: irregularities could represent the early stage, interruptions the mid-stage and calcifications irreversible final abnormalities. CT, being a non-traumatic, harmless diagnostic method, improves the clinical evaluation of the patient and can facilitate the choice of the most suitable therapeutic modalities, as well as the follow-up of their results.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Primary renal lymphoma.

A case of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the kidney is reported. Only 7 previously documented cases have been found in a survey of the relevant literature. Histogenetic hypotheses are reviewed. Ultrasound and computed tomography findings are described and the diagnostic role of these techniques is emphasized.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

The sonographic appearance of duodenal lesions.

The sonographic findings in 17 patients with duodenal tumors and in one patient with a benign ulcer and stricture of the duodenum were reviewed. An abdominal mass was detected sonographically in all patients; in 15 of 18 cases, such lesions presented high-level central echoes and hypoechoic periphery. Identification of the duodenal origin of the disease was possible by sonography in only 16 of 18 patients: by evaluation of the relationship of the mass with abdominal vessels in eight patients; by demonstrating that the lesion was continuous with a normal duodenum in seven patients; or by demonstrating the mass within the duodenum itself in one patient. Signs and symptoms of duodenal tumors are usually nonspecific, and sonography can be used as the first imaging method in these cases. A careful analysis of the relationship of the tumor to surrounding structures may allow correct identification of its origin.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1985

Sonographic appearance of fecal masses.

Fecal impaction, caused by incomplete evacuation of feces over an extended length of time, may lead to the formation of a fecaloma, a large, firm mass of stool. Sonography is commonly used as the first imaging procedure in patients presenting with abdominal masses. In the five cases cited, fecaloma was suspected by sonography in four cases; confirmation was obtained by rectal examination in three cases and by radiographic studies in two cases. A representative case report is presented of a 74-year-old woman who had a large pelvic mass detected on physical examination. Sonographically, the fecaloma had a highly echogenic surface and a posterior acoustic shadow. Radiographic examination showed a "soap bubble" appearance, suggestive of stool. Thus, fecaloma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with highly reflective and shadowing abdominal and/or pelvic masses.

Aged↗