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Francesco Lassandro

Publications and source records attributed to Francesco Lassandro.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Gastric traumatic injuries: CT findings.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric blunt traumatic injuries are uncommon and their radiological appearance has been infrequently reported in medical literature. These injuries are difficult to diagnose preoperatively, though they require immediate recognition to minimize their otherwise high mortality and morbidity. The aim of our study is to describe the radiological appearance of blunt gastric traumatic injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of a 25 patients series observed between January 1997 and May 2005. RESULTS: We observed rupture of the stomach in 20% of cases, in 44% of cases a partial lesion of the stomach, in one case a necrotic post-traumatic volvulus, five patients (20%) had benign portal pneumatosis, in three patients the stomach was secondarily involved because of a diaphragmatic hernia. The fundus resulted to be the most frequently damaged part of the stomach (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Blunt traumatic injuries need a careful and systematic approach given their economical and social relevance. For these reasons uncommon lesions require attention and may be important to search for specific findings of gastric lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

MDCT imaging of post interventional liver: a pictorial essay.

In this pictorial essay, we consider the post operative MDCT findings after liver resection, transplantation, surgical managed major trauma and radiofrequency ablation of focal lesions. Common complications such as fluid collections, hemorrhage, biloma, vascular disease, hematoma, abscesses will be also considered.

Hepatectomy↗
PubMed2005

Role of helical CT in diagnosis of gallstone ileus and related conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Small-bowel obstruction from gallstone impaction is a pathological entity frequently observed in elderly patients with a history of cholelithiasis or cholecystitis. Diagnostic imaging plays a great role in the management of patients with suspected gallstone ileus and overall in the correct predictive diagnosis: in the last years, some experiences in radiologic diagnosis of this entity by sonography, abdominal plain film and CT, and occasionally MRI have been reported. Some questions related to gallstone ileus are to be considered: one of them is the possibility of recurrence, which increases the operatory risk in these patients. Recurrence may be due either to the presence of overlooked stones that were already in the bowel at the time of surgery but not identified and not removed or to the migration of other stones in patients not previously cholcystectomized. In cases of acute abdomen, establishing an effective conservative therapy may be a critical point. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the capabilities of helical single-detector and MDCT scanners to allow a correct diagnosis of this disease. CONCLUSION: Helical single-detector and MDCT may improve the diagnosis of gallstone ileus, providing important information regarding the exact number, size, and location of ectopic stones and the site of intestinal obstruction or direct visualization of a biliary-enteric fistula, to help clinicians in the therapeutic management of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Gallstone ileus analysis of radiological findings in 27 patients.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively compared the clinical value of plain abdominal film, abdominal sonography and abdominal CT in diagnosing gallstone ileus in 27 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 patients (23 women and 4 men, age range 58-96 years; mean age 71.5 years) with surgically proven gallstone ileus were submitted to plain film, sonography and CT of the abdomen. Abdominal plain films were performed in 19 cases in upright position (postero-anterior projection), in eight cases in supine position. Abdominal US were performed with 3.5 and/or 7.5 MHz probes. CT was performed with a helical unit (slice thickness 4mm, reconstruction interval 4mm, pitch 1.5), after intravenous contrast agent (120 ml) infusion (3 ml/s, 55 s acquisition delay from bolus starting) and using a power injector. The following findings were searched on: pneumobilia, air in gallbladder, cholecysto-digestive fistula, extraluminal fluid, bowel loops dilatation, intestinal air-fluid levels, ectopic stones. RESULTS: Plain abdominal films showed the following findings: air-fluid levels (77.78% of cases), bowel loops dilatation (88.89%), site of obstruction (44.4%), pneumobilia (37.04%), air in gallbladder (3.70%), ectopic stone (33.33%). Abdominal sonography demonstrated bowel loops dilatation (44.44%), extraluminal fluid (14.81%), ectopic stones (14.81%), gallbladder abnormalities, (37.04%), pneumobilia (55.56%). CT findings retrospectively observed were: bowel loops dilatation (92.59%), air-fluid levels (37.04%), bilio-digestive fistula (14.81%), pneumobilia (88.89%), ectopic stone (81.48%), extraluminal fluid (22.22%). The Rigler's triad, that is pneumobilia, bowel mechanical obstruction and ectopic stone detection was observed 4 times with RX (14.81%), 3 times with US (11.11%) and 21 times with CT (77.78%). CONCLUSIONS: Air-fluid levels and bowel loop dilatation were the radiological findings more frequently observed in our series. Plain abdominal film allowed us mainly to identify signs of obstruction, US were more effective in disclosing biliary pathology, CT allowed us to correctly diagnose biliary ileus with much higher accuracy.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Comparison between the site of multislice CT signs of gastrointestinal perforation and the site of perforation detected at surgery in forty perforated patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the site of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) signs of gastrointestinal perforation and the site of perforation at surgery in forty perforated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1 and July 31, 2003, a total of 40 patients (23 men and 17 women) underwent surgery for gastrointestinal perforation. In all cases, plain radiography of the abdomen was integrated by MSCT with the following parameters: 0.5 seconds gantry rotation time, 2.5-5.0 mm slice thickness, 3.75 reconstruction interval, 120 kV, 250-300 mAs, pitch 1.5, after intravenous administration of 140 ml of contrast agent at 3 ml/s with an automatic injector and a delay time of 70 seconds from the injection of the contrast agent. The MSCT findings were: free air and free fluid observed in supramesocolic compartments and/or in inframesocolic compartments and bowel wall discontinuity. The sites of the MSCT findings were compared with the site of perforation observed at surgery. RESULTS: Free air was detected in 60%, free intraperitoneal fluid in 92.5%, and a combination of both findings in 57.5% of the 40 cases examined. There were no cases of bowel wall discontinuity. In nine patients with gastroduodenal perforation, free air and free fluid were detected in combination and free air was localised in supramesocolic compartments in all cases; in two patients with jejunal perforation, free intraperitoneal fluid was observed both in supramesocolic and inframesocolic compartments; in six patients with acute perforated appendicitis, free air was never detected, while free fluid was observed in all cases in inframesocolic compartments; in six patients with isolated sigmoid perforation free air was observed in four cases in supramesocolic compartments while free fluid was seen in both supramesocolic and inframesocolic compartments. CONCLUSIONS: MSTC is the most reliable diagnostic method with which to assess gastrointestinal perforation as it allows detection of even small amounts of free air in the abdomen, which are a sign of perforation. In our study, the comparison of the sites of MSCT signs of perforation with those observed at surgery showed that in gastroduodenal perforations free air and free fluid are present in combination and free air is localised in supramesocolic compartments; in acute perforated appendicitis free air is absent, while free fluid is present in inframesocolic compartments; in isolated sigmoid perforations free air, if present, is localised in supramesocolic compartments, while free fluid is seen in both compartments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Regarding three cases of descending necrotizing mediastinitis: spiral CT assessment.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a rare and life-threatening complication of deep neck space infection which occurs when infection spreads from the deep spaces of the neck, propagating within the soft tissue into the mediastinal spaces. The disease has a high mortality rate due to frequent delay in diagnosis and treatment. Computed Tomography (CT) is important in determining the level of infection, showing the presence and extension of fluid collections (with or without gas bubbles) and diffuse soft-tissue infiltration of the mediastinal fat, and indicating the best surgical approach and progress of treatment. Three cases of DNM evaluated with spiral CT from June 1999 to June 2001 are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Portomesenteric vein gas: diagnostic and prognostic value.

Portomesenteric pneumatosis has been traditionally associated with intestinal infarction and poor outcome; however, recent studies have questioned its clinical value. To assess its diagnostic and prognostic significance we have retrospectively evaluated 47 patients correlating the CT finding of portomesenteric vein gas with clinical data and outcome. Thirty-nine patients (83%) had surgical evidence of intestinal infarction, four had necrotic small bowel volvulus (8.5%), two had blunt trauma, one had necrotic gastric volvulus, and one a gastric mucosal lesion induced by a nasogastric tube. Fifteen patients survived (31.9%); only 8/39 patients with intestinal infarction survived. Portomesenteric pneumatosis is a reliable marker of intestinal infarction and poor outcome; however, in trauma patients this sign is associated with a better prognosis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Value of contrast-enhanced CT for managing mesenteric injuries after blunt trauma: review of five-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the value of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in the detection and management of mesenteric injuries after blunt trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 1995 and December 2000, 1,619 consecutive abdominal CT examinations were performed in the setting of major blunt trauma. Findings at CT were evaluated before patients were classified as having grade 1 or grade 2 lesions or none. Grade 1 represented the presence of minor injuries: mesenteric haziness, confined fluid, and/or small hematomas (<30 mm) within the mesenteric folds and abdominal injuries; grade 2 was appropriate to evidence of major injuries: moderate to large hematomas (>30 mm), active bleeding, hemoperitoneum, and further abdominal injuries. RESULTS: On the basis of the CT findings, 161 (9.9%) of 1,619 patients were classified as having grade 1 and 25 (1.5%) of 1,619 patients as having grade 2 injuries. Of the 161 (77.6%) patients with grade 1 injuries, 125 were managed conservatively, while 36 (22.4%) underwent surgery. Of the 25 (84%) patients with grade 2 injuries, 21 were treated surgically and 1 (4%) patient was followed medically. Three (12%) of the 25 patients underwent laparotomy after 24 h close clinical observation and monitoring. Initial CT findings in 1,433 (88%) of the 1,619 patients were negative for mesenteric injuries, and in 1,430 of these cases no delayed mesenteric hemorrhage was observed. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced CT has a critical role in the identification and exclusion of mesenteric injuries. Persistent, active extravasation of contrast material, in isolation or associated with further abdominal lesions, is a sign of a high likelihood of injury requiring urgent laparotomy. Haziness, isolated confined clotted mesenteric hemorrhage, and small hematomas within the mesentery are nonspecific findings and should be considered in the appropriate clinical context. Close clinical observation, monitoring, and surgical expertise are mandatory for appropriate management.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mainly abdominal "complex" polytrauma. Considerations on surgical strategy and clinical case report].

The Authors want to present un uncommon case of polytrauma managed with surgical treatment at the Trauma Center of the A. Cardarelli Hospital in Naples. Chest, abdomen, pelvis, and left lower limb have been severely injured. This case is so interesting because of the rareness of some lesions (i.e. diaphragm rupture) and the numerous lesions of internal organs (i.e. lungs, spleen, liver, pancreas, mesenterium) and of the bones (i.e. thigh-bone and pelvis). A very good outcome has been obtained for survival as well as for functionality and quality of life since we have strictly applied the rules for the management of the "complex" polytrauma.

Abdominal Injuries↗