PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Stacul

Publications and source records attributed to F Stacul.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Impact of technology and technique on the performance of the intravenous D.S.A. of the carotid arteries.

Intravenous Digital Subtraction Angiography (i.v. D.S.A.) was performed at the carotid bifurcation level in 259 patients with clinical or physical findings of a Cerebrovascular Insufficiency (C.V.I.). The angiographic examinations have been performed during two different periods, basically differing for the technology of the digital equipment and for the technique used. The personal experience showed how these two factors are important in determining the quality of the image and therefore the accuracy of the i.v. studies. Images of good quality of the common and internal carotid arteries have been obtained in 73% and 54% of the cases of the first period and in 93% and 82% of the cases of the second period. The role of the i.v. D.S.A. in the management of the C.V.I. depends not only upon the quality of the images, but also upon the surgical policy and from the availability of ultrasounds.

Angiography↗
PubMed1986

[Percutaneous drainage of abdominal abscesses].

Percutaneous puncture with echographic guide was performed in 37 patients with suspected abdominal abscesses. The abscess has been confirmed in 31 cases and it has been related to previous surgery in 21. In 3 cases the 3 small cavities were evacuated by a single-stage aspiration; in the other cases different drainage catheters, in relation to the size and the content of the cavities have been employed. Benefits of proteolytic agents, irrigation with saline solution and permanent aspiration are stressed. Successful drainage avoiding surgery was achieved in 23/31 patients (74%), and positive results have been obtained in multiple abscesses, multilocular abscesses and infected haematomas as well. A partial success was achieved in 3 cases (10%): the patients were submitted to surgery after a clinical improvement. Two complications occurred (bowel perforation and small liver laceration). The percutaneous drainage turned out to be a technique of choice in the great majority of abdominal abscesses, and should be considered a good alternative to surgery, particularly in high risk patients.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1986

[Quality control in urography using non-ionic contrast media (iopamidol) and induced hydration].

A trial was carried out with the aim to overcome the limits of the non ionic contrast medium (cm) in the urographic evaluation of ureters and bladder (poor distention and high density). 200 urographies have been performed in patients with normal renal function (group 1: sodium iodamide; group 2: iopamidol; group 3: iopamidol with glucose solution; group 4: iopamidol and injection of glucose solution after 15'). The scores ascribed to the four groups have been compared: in the comparison between ionic and non ionic cm a slight advantage of iodamide is evident, particularly in the evaluation of calyces and ureters. By adding glucose solution to iopamidol after 15', an improvement in the quality of the urogram has been obtained, but not statistically significant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[3-dimensional craniofacial computerized tomography].

Computed tomography allows today to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) images from axial scans. The authors report their experience in cranio-facial pathology achieved in two Departments of Radiology (University of Trieste, Italy and University of Stanford, California). 3D images have been realized using two different softwares, one of which allows to reconstruct both soft tissue and bone structures. The applications in maxillo-facial traumas, cranio-facial malformations and head tumours are discussed. 3D images turned out to be very useful for the optimal visualization and for the spatial demonstration of the lesion and have potential applications in cranio-facial surgery and radiotherapy.

Facial Bones↗
PubMed1986

[Contrast media in venous digital angiography: ionic or non-ionic?].

Nonionic contrast media (cm) are more and more widely employed in vascular radiology. These cm are the choice in some conventional arteriographies owing to their better tolerability. In intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) the analysis of the personal material and of the literature allows to state that: the image quality with ionic and non ionic cm is similar; the tolerability of nonionic cm is slightly superior; the cardiac and renal toxicity of nonionic cm is slightly lower; reactions to nonionic cm take place with a lower frequency; the price of nonionic cm is considerably higher. Therefore nonionic cm seem to be slightly superior to ionic agents on the basis of these data and they should be theoretically preferred. The only doubt to their routine use in intravenous DSA is the high cost. Therefore we prefer to employ them in risk patients only, as ionic cm in current use are safe and cheap.

Brain↗
PubMed1985

Criteria for choice and use of contrast media in intra-arterial D.S.A.

The authors investigated the optimal characteristics of contrast media for use in intra-arterial DSA. 209 injections in 108 patients were evaluated, most of them in the abdominal and peripheral regions. In order to decrease contrast media osmolarity and obtain an adequate mixing with blood, contrast media with low iodine concentration were injected using the same volumes and flow rates of conventional arteriography. Good results were obtained with ionic contrast media, 100 and 150 mgI/ml. depending on the area investigated. The low concentrations allowed the use of ionic agents with an osmolarity very close to that of the non ionic contrast media: the pain has been eliminated and the heat sensation reduced. Furthermore the comparison with the cost of nonionic agents shows a great saving.

Angiography↗
PubMed1985

Routine evaluation of arteriopathies of the lower extremities by digital subtraction angiography.

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 119 patients with lower extremity ischemia using a 14" amplifier. Four injections of contrast medium were usually necessary for a complete evaluation of this vascular region. Images of good quality were obtained in most cases; movement artifacts and a faint opacification accounted for any poor results, which occurred mainly under the knee. The technique of pixel shifting turned out to be very useful to remove movement artifacts. The "measuring field" allowed us to minimize the problem of the inhomo geneous saturation of the amplifier. In 8% of the cases an intra-arterial DSA has been performed after an unsatisfactory intravenous examination. Conventional angiography appears to be no longer necessary.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

[Digital radiology. Clinical experience].

The authors report the experience achieved at the Stanford University (USA) with a digital radiography system which allows the digitization of the film and of the images collected with photostimulable phosphors. The phosphor is essentially an intensifying screen where a latent image is stored after exposure to X-rays and is extracted by a laser scanning. The images collected with the digitized film and with the phosphor (chest, breast, bone) have been analyzed. The digitized film offers potential diagnostic advantages over the conventional film, because of the contrast manipulation and many other processing options. The possibility to recover the information of overexposed films appears very attractive. The photostimulable phosphors allow to get good quality images, with a consistent reduction of dose and costs. These plates offer the possibility, in the next future, to replace the conventional screen-film systems.

Female↗
PubMed1984

Digital subtraction angiography in postoperative evaluation of peripheral vascular disease.

The authors present the results of intravenous Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) in 41 patients examined after vascular surgery for peripheral disease. The digital technique has always been able to show the patency of the graft or the existence of complications (obstruction, stenosis, pseudoaneurysm), even in asymptomatic patients. The images were of good or excellent quality in 90% of the cases. The equipment with C-arm proved to be very useful for the oblique projections which were required in about 20% of the examinations.

Angiography↗
PubMed1984

The role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of tumours of the renal pelvis.

The authors have evaluated 22 patients with renal pelvis tumour (RPT) by means of excretory urography and ultrasonography. Six patients also underwent arteriography. The value of the three investigations in the diagnosis of the lesion, the nature, the pyelic origin and the extension are presented. It is concluded that urography remains the method of choice for the evaluation of RPT while ultrasonography may be considered complementary to urography in cases of non-functioning kidney, when the urographic filling device defect is uncertain and in the differentiation between the pyelic or parenchymal origin of the tumour.

Angiography↗
PubMed1983

Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of hydronephrosis in patients with normal renal function.

In order to define the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of hydronephrosis, 125 patients with normal renal function were examined after urography using high-resolution real-time scanning. The overall diagnostic accuracy of US in detecting hydronephrosis was 85.2%, with a specificity of 84.4% and a sensitivity of 89.9%. It is concluded that US may be considered the screening test of choice for the diagnosis of hydronephrosis. However, urography is still required for the evaluation of renal function, site, and nature of the obstruction when US shows a dilated collecting system and in the patient with a normal US but renal colic.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMed1983

Intra-arterial digital angiography of the liver. Preliminary results.

The authors report the preliminary results of the intraarterial digital angiography of the liver. A series of 30 patients were examined comparing conventional and digital technique following the injection of the coeliac, splenic, hepatic and mesenteric arteries. The results obtained with the digital technique have been of good quality and sometimes even better in spite of significant dilution of the contrast medium. It is concluded that intraarterial digital angiography of the liver gives some advantages compared with the conventional technique, that is the use of a much lower concentrated contrast medium, the better visualization of the portal branches and its collaterals and the very low cost of the film material.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Percutaneous pyelostomy: technic and indications].

The authors evaluated the results of 24 percutaneous nephrostomies. Pelvic neoplasms involving ureters were the most frequent indications to the procedure (71% of the cases). In all patients the placement of a catheter was possible. The authors describe the techniques performed and evaluate their advantages and limits. The problems related to the use of nephrostomy in patients with widespread neoplasms and severely ill are discussed. The most frequent drawback was catheter dislodgement (25% of the cases). No serious complications occur. Percutaneous nephrostomy is a temporary or permanent form of urinary diversion in obstructive nephropathies, alternative to surgical nephrostomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Iopamidol in urography. A comparison between ionic and nonionic contrast media in patients with normal and impaired renal function.

The radiographic results obtained in urography with iopamidol, a new low osmolality contrast medium, given to 50 patients with normal renal function and 42 patients with impaired renal function, have been evaluated and compared with those obtained with ionic media of current use (meglumine sodium diatrizoate and sodium iothalamate). Based on this comparison, the authors believe there are no significant radiographic advantages to iopamidol.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1980

[Angiography in the evaluation of pancreatic carcinoma after the introduction of echotomography (author's transl)].

The authors refer the results of angiography in 46 patients with proven pancreatic carcinoma. Based on the prospective report there were 40 correct diagnoses, giving an overall accuracy of 86.95%. The incidence of the angiographic features has been investigated; basing on these findings the possibility of a radical surgery was suggested. 24 of these patients have undergone echotomography. The authors compare the results of the two investigations, concluding that these are complementary in diagnosis and prediction of resectability (invasion of great vessels, secondary deposits to the liver). Echotomography allows to recognize a large number of small dimension carcinomas, suggesting its use in the screening of those patients with suspected pancreatic neoplasm. Angiography is still essential to perform radical surgery.

Angiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trieste PACS project: a functional assessment.

A picture archiving and communication (PAC) system (CommView by AT&T and Philips) has recently been installed in the Radiology Department of the University of Trieste, Italy, and is currently under experimental evaluation. The current status of the system and the planned developments are reported. A major project at present is the evaluation of the impact of the PAC system on the radiology system on a functional basis, by applying in the medical field a modelling methodology developed to analyse manufacturing systems. Other research in progress is devoted to technical, clinical and ergonomic aspects, on the basis of a comprehensive assessment project.

Hospital Information Systems↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Modular project of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Preliminary clinical experience. II].

In the previous paper in this volume the PAC System installed in the Radiology Department of the University of Trieste has been described and its advantages and limitations have been analyzed, mainly from an operational point of view. This paper deals with the clinical evaluation of the system in ordinary operative conditions. A series of cases with specific characteristics was monitored in order to reveal different performances in both diagnostic process and conclusions using the PACS viewing console (DW) vs. conventional CRT film images on alternators. In a first test, 100 routine (not pre-selected) brain CT cases were independently analyzed by 4 radiologists, each of them giving 2 interpretations of the same case, one based on film and the other on PACS. The data were analyzed by conventional statistical methods, showing a substantial agreement of the results obtained with the 2 modalities. A second test concerned the evaluation of 100 lumbar intervertebral disks by CT, with the same procedure as above. Four radiologists were again asked to decide on film and PACS images about normality, protusion, or herniation of the disks. The results demonstrate the possibility of adequately reporting on the PACS monitor and stress the need of an adequate training period and the efficacy of the image processing capabilities of the system.

Brain Diseases↗