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Biomedical subjects

G Lo Presti

Publications and source records attributed to G Lo Presti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Quality of life evaluation in a randomised trial of chemotherapy versus bio-chemotherapy in advanced melanoma patients.

This study analyses the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of advanced melanoma patients, in a randomised trial comparing bio-chemotherapy (bio-CT) versus chemotherapy (CT). The trial enrolled 178 patients and the median survival was not statistically different between the two arms. HRQOL was assessed at baseline and before each cycle of therapy, using the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) questionnaire completed with 140 patients. At baseline, overall quality of life and psychological distress scores were the most impaired, compared with the normal population. During treatment, the difference between the two arms in the changes from baseline was statistically significant (P=0.03) only in the overall quality of life score, with a decrease of 6.28 points in the bio-CT arm. The mean values decreased significantly in all domains in bio-CT arm, but only in activity level and physical symptom distress scores in the CT arm. Testing HRQOL variables and prognostic clinical factors in a Cox model, only the serum level of lactic dehydrogenase, baseline overall quality of life and the physical symptom distress scores remained significant independent prognostic factors for survival. A score of less than 75 points in the overall quality of life and in the physical symptom distress domains was associated with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 2.31 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.09-4.90) and 1.92 (95% CI: 1.10-3.36), respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Magnetic resonance study of patellofemoral cartilage with a fat-suppressed T1-3D gradient-echo sequence: a comparison with other acquisition technics at medium field strength].

PURPOSE: We compared GRE T1 3D FS sequence with other acquisition techniques available on medium field strength MR units (.5 T) in patellofemoral cartilage studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The imaging protocol scheduled Spin Echo (SE), Inversion Recovery (STIR), Gradient Echo (GRE), Turbo Spin Echo (TSE), Turbo-Inversion Recovery (Turbo-STIR), Gradient Spin Echo (GRASE) and Echo Planar (EPI) sequences, in some cases combined with Fat Suppression (FS) or Magnetization Transfer Contrast (MTC) sequences when suitable. In vitro studies were carried out for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) evaluation, and in vivo on 10 healthy volunteers for contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) evaluation between cartilage, bone marrow and fluid. The exams were carried out on MR equipment operating at .5 T, with 15 mT/m power gradients. RESULTS: In both in vitro and in vivo studies, GRE T1 3D FS sequences yielded better results in SNR and CNR than other sequences. The GRE T1 3D FS technique combines the advantages of the increased resolution of 3D images with the increased dynamic range of fat suppressed images, for better CNR between cartilage, fluid and bone marrow. CONCLUSION: GRE T1 3D FS sequences are the MR acquisition technique of choice in the assessment of the hyaline cartilage of the knee, even at medium field strength.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Angiography with magnetic resonance in the study of portal hypertension. Clinical applications].

The role of MR angiography (MRA) was investigated in 31 patients with portal hypertension. The 2D time-of-flight (TOF) technique was used. All patients underwent CT first. MR angiograms were compared with DSA images in 15 cases and to duplex or color Doppler US scans in 16 cases. In 5 low-grade portal hypertension cases MRA showed splenoportal trunk enlargement and portal vein verticalization. In 26 patients with high-grade portal hypertension MRA allowed portosystemic shunts extent to be evaluated. Portal flow reduction or inversion and left gastric vein enlargement were always demonstrated by MRA in the patients with esophageal varices and azygos vein enlargement. MRA always correctly visualized cavernoma (5 cases) and portal vein thrombosis (9 cases). The diagnostic yield of MRA was greater than that of CT and SE MR sequences in 91% of cases. MRA provided the same information as (or more than) DSA and duplex US in 66% of cases.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

[Role of MR in characterizing expansive lesions of the adrenal gland].

Five patients with adrenal tumors (20 metastases, 12 adenomas, 8 myelolipomas, 6 primary tumors, 4 pheochromocytomas, and 1 hyperplasia) were studied by means of MRI with SE sequences. Twenty of them underwent dynamic study with GE sequences after i.v. injection of paramagnetic contrast media. Sixteen of 20 metastases exhibited low signal intensity on T1 and high signal on T2. One patient had low signal on both T1 and T2. Two lesions in patients with melanoma showed high signal in T1; in 1 case, the lesion exhibited a hemorrhagic area. Signal from adenomas was low in T1- and T2-weighted pulse sequences in 10/12 patients, while in the extant 2 cases signal was higher in T2. Myelolipomas had hyperintense signal on T1-weighted images in 5 cases and isointense signal with the renal cortex in the extant 3 cases. Pheochromocytomas and primary tumors appeared hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2. In 3 CT questionable cases, MRI showed the adrenal origin of the lesion. Dynamic study with GE sequences after Gd-DTPA injection showed low enhancement and fast washout in adenomas, while malignant lesions had higher enhancement and slower washout. In our study, MRI allowed to correctly characterize 11/12 adenomas, with only 1 false negative in a metastatic lesion.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

[Magnetic resonance angiography in the study of abdominal neoplasms. Preliminary experience].

This study was designed to evaluate MRA imaging as a potential non-invasive method to study vascular infiltration in patients with abdominal neoplasms. Forty-three patients with abdominal tumors proven by CT and/or MRI were examined with MRA and subsequently with angiography. Of 15 cases of liver tumor, MRA allowed poor intratumoral vascularization to be demonstrated in 1 patient only, but it always provided a characteristic sign--i.e., the complete absence of flow in the hepatic segments infiltrated by the tumor and the evidence of pericapsular neovascularization. In 8 cases portal vein involvement was observed (4 cases of compression/dislocation, 2 cases of infiltration and 2 of thrombosis). In all cases MRA allowed the relationship between tumor and venous structures to be evaluated. It also demonstrated collateral vessel formations in 8 patients with cancrocirrhosis. Two cases of thrombosis and 3 infiltrations of the vena cava were demonstrated. Neither hepatic artery nor intrahepatic arterial vascularization could be correctly evaluated. Of 10 cases of renal tumors and in 3 of adrenal tumors, renal vein infiltration was seen in 4 cases and compression in 3, with only 1 false-positive finding. In these patients and in those with retroperitoneal masses, MRA provided valuable information on the relationship between tumor and vascular structures and was useful in detecting collateral vessels. In our experience, MRA is to be considered as a complementary technique to be performed after CT or MRI when additional information is needed as to the relationship between tumor and vascular structures. In the preoperative evaluation of abdominal neoplasm, angiography remains the gold standard, in spite of its invasiveness.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗