Biomedical subjects

G Braccini

Publications and source records attributed to G Braccini.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Pirenzepine versus scopolamine methyl bromide in double-contrast barium enema study of large bowel.

To evaluate the usefulness of pirenzepine for diagnostic double-contrast barium enema study of the large bowel, pirenzepine and scopolamine methyl bromide (SMB) were compared in a single, blind, randomized trial. Sixty consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Quantitative analysis of bowel distention was done by measuring the maximum diameter of the transverse colon before and after drug administration. Four independent observers blindly evaluated distention and mucosal coating of the large bowel and global quality of the images. No differences were found in the diagnostic performance between the two drugs. However, pirenzepine induced a slight but significantly larger distention of the large bowel (68 +/- 12 vs. 65 +/- 8 mm, p = 0.02). Heart rate and rhythm during the study were recorded by ECG. SMB induced tachycardia in all patients (from 72 +/- 15 to 98 +/- 24 beats/min, p < 0.01), whereas pirenzepine did not (from 76 +/- 13 to 78 +/- 20, p = NS). After SMB, one-patient exhibited faintness, and some patients complained of visual accommodation defects, dryness of the mouth, and dizziness. Pirenzepine had a diagnostic performance similar to SMB in avoiding adverse effects elicited by SMB.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasound versus plain film in the detection of pneumoperitoneum.

To evaluate ultrasound (US) versus conventional plain film radiography (CPF) in the detection of pneumoperitoneum, 30 patients with postsurgical pneumoperitoneum and a control group of 22 patients were studied using US and CPF. Sonograms and radiograms were obtained while patients were supine and in left lateral decubitus. The two orthogonal plain films of the abdomen were acquired with a horizontal X-ray beam. The epigastric region and right hypochondrium were investigated with ultrasonography. Four experienced, blinded radiologists examined 160 sonograms and 104 radiograms. Statistical analysis yielded a sensitivity of 75.7% for radiography versus 86% for ultrasonography, a specificity of 89.2% versus 83.5%, an accuracy of 81.5% versus 85%, a positive predictive value of 90.2% versus 87%, and a negative predictive value of 76.2% versus 83.5%, respectively. US could therefore be considered a reliable alternative imaging technique in the detection of pneumoperitoneum.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MR virtual endoscopy of the pancreaticobiliary tract: a feasible technique?

To evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) virtual endoscopy of the pancreaticobiliary tract by using MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) data sets as source images, we retrospectively reviewed MRCP data sets of 120 patients with Navigator software (GE/Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) that allowed display of inner views by surface rendering the internal wall of the bile ducts with simulated light and shadow.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Morphometric analysis of sonographic images by spatial geometric modeling.

A methodology able to derive spatial geometric models from input sequences of sonographic slices is proposed. The developed modeling procedure can be utilized to perform computer-assisted anatomic 3D analysis both on all echo space and selected subregions. The modeling procedure is mainly composed of three sequential phases: a) automatic acquisition and preprocessing of time sequences of 2D echotomograms; b) 3D reconstruction of images and computing of discrete distance maps of selected echoes according to predefined projective laws; and c) generation of a spatial geometric model of the examined object starting from the previously computed maps.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparison of colpocystourethrorectography and transrectal ultrasonography in the assessment of female urinary incontinence].

In order to investigate the diagnostic reliability of transrectal US in the study of female urinary incontinence, the authors compared the static images obtained by means of colpocystourethrorectography with the ones obtained with transrectal US. The study population included 30 patients suffering from urinary incontinence. US images were obtained both at rest and during Valsalva's maneuver, some minutes before cystourethrography and employing part of its preparation (vesical filling with 250 cc of iodine contrast medium and positioning of a metallic bead chain in the urethra). On static images obtained with cystourethrography and transrectal US both at rest and during Valsalva, 4 parameters were evaluated: anterior and posterior vesical angles, urethral axis angle, and distance between symphysis pubis and urethral-vesical junction. As for posterior vesical angle, urethral axis angle, and symphysis-junction distance, the statistical comparison of the results did non demonstrate any significant differences. Anterior vesical angle was not included because it is too difficult to measure by transrectal US. In our experience, transrectal US was capable of yielding accurate information similar to that obtained with colpocystourethrorectography.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The evaluation of a digital system for the automatic analysis of the density of abdominal radiograms].

This paper reports the results of the evaluation of an automatic system developed to analyze radiographic densities. This system, called RADEN, has been implemented at the Institute for Information Processing of the Italian National Research Council in Pisa. Forty-three pairs of abdominal X-ray films were obtained before and after the administration of ionic iodate contrast medium (i.i.c.m.) during urographic examinations. The 86 X-ray films were acquired and digitized using a computer-controlled optoelectronic device with a sampling step ranging 125 microns to 250 microns. The resulting images were arrays of 512 x 512 pixels, each one quantified on a byte (256 gray levels). The computing system included a high-performance personal computer equipped with a video RAM board having built-in facilities for image processing and with an optical disk to archive the images. Automatic and semi-automatic procedures were developed to segment, recognize and classify the images and to characterize three homogeneous regions--i.e., bone, water and air. The output data were compared with the area values of the air densities computed directly on the X-ray films by a radiologist. Furthermore, both data sets were compared with the scores given in a blind study by four observers. The subsequent statistic analysis showed the increase in air density areas after i.i.c.m. administration and the applicability of the implemented system to the automatic examination of abdominal radiographic densities. The results encourage to believe that the proposed approach could be employed as a first step for the development of quite a more complex system oriented to X-ray image understanding and to assisted diagnosis.

Contrast Media↗