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Biomedical subjects

I Vivas

Publications and source records attributed to I Vivas.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

An experience with the Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) system in the management of non-palpable breast lesions.

Our objective was to evaluate our experience with the Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation system (ABBI) in non-palpable breast lesions in a prospective study from July 1998 to November 2000. The ABBI system was included in a protocol for BIRADS 4 non-palpable, small (<15 mm) breast lesions. Digital radiographs of both specimen and biopsy cavity were obtained to validate the procedure. A total of 255 ABBI biopsies were performed in 254 patients. In 251 cases the lesions were successfully removed (98.4%). Mammographic lesions consisted of 176 cases of microcalcifications (69%), 51 cases of architectural distortions (20%) and 28 cases of nodules (11%). Seventy-two carcinomas were diagnosed (28.2%). Affected margins were found in 41 cases (56.9%). Residual tumour was seen in 31 patients (43%). Seventeen borderline results and 33 benign architectural distortions obviated further procedures. The complication rate in 10 cases was as follows: 3 wound infections; 4 haematomas; and 3 vasovagal reactions. The main utility of the ABBI system is to allow a reliable diagnosis in complex lesions, such as small clusters of microcalcifications and especially architectural distortions. Surgery can be avoided for borderline cases if the lesion is completely removed and free margins are obtained in the pathology study. Therapeutic use is controversial and can be applied only in selected cases.

Adult↗

Calcified filariasis of the breast: report of four cases.

Circumscribed to endemic areas throughout tropical countries, filariasis is a rare and unknown disease in Europe. We report four cases of calcified filariasis involving the breast, supporting the diagnosis on the typical mammographic appearance of the calcified worms and the past history of filarial infection. Few reports have been published in the radiology literature about this infrequent manifestation of the parasitation. The purpose of this article is to show the mammographic characteristics of this disease that soon will be seen frequently in developed countries due to the increasing population from the endemic areas.

Breast Diseases↗

T-helper cell response to woodchuck hepatitis virus antigens after therapeutic vaccination of chronically-infected animals treated with lamivudine.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Immunotherapy of patients chronically-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) may have the risk of fulminant hepatitis. This risk might be diminished if immunotherapy was carried out under conditions of low viremia. METHODS: Five woodchucks chronically-infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV), a virus closely related to HBV, were treated with lamivudine for 23 weeks. At week 10, when viremia had decreased by 3-5 logs, three woodchucks were vaccinated with woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen (WHsAg) plus the T-helper determinant FISEAIIHVLHSR. RESULTS: It was found that the administration of lamivudine only, had no effect on the T-helper response against WHV antigens. By contrast, vaccination induced T-helper responses against WHV antigens, shifting the cytokine profile from Th2 to Th0/Th1, but was without effect on viremia, WHsAg levels, or anti-WHs antibodies. Analysis of liver biopsies showed that lamivudine administration may have reduced hepatic inflammation. By contrast, vaccination clearly enhanced hepatic inflammation. After lamivudine withdrawal, viremia returned to high levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that therapeutic vaccination of chronically-infected woodchucks under conditions of low viremia shifts the cytokine profile against viral antigens towards Th0/Th1. This shift may prevent the efficient induction of anti-WHs antibodies.

Animals↗

Central venous catheter placement in the inferior vena cava via the direct translumbar approach.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical aspects and efficacy of placing tunneled central venous access catheters (CVA) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) via a direct translumbar approach. Between August 1994 and July 1998, 50 CVA (Hickman 13.5 F) were placed in the IVC via a direct translumbar approach in 46 patients (10 males, 36 females) with a mean age of 39.9 years (age range 10-87 years). The indications were chemotherapy administration plus leukoaphoresis (n = 39), bone marrow transplantation (n = 2) and hemodialysis (n = 5). The reasons for placing the CVA in the IVC were cosmetic (n = 34), supradiaphragmatic venous thrombosis (n = 8), previous catheter infection (n = 2), and non-functioning arteriovenous fistula (n = 2). There were no immediate complications. The mean period of time the CVA was in place was 3 months (15 days to 15 months), during which the function was excellent. The commonest late complication was infection (4 local, 6 bacteremia). Others included: pain (n = 2), ureteric fistula (n = 1), pericatheter fibrin sheath formation (n = 6) and catheter-tip impaction (n = 2). Two catheters were damaged due to postprocedural inappropriate manipulations and two others fell off due to incorrect fixation. Due to these complications, it was necessary to remove ten catheters, replace an additional four and reposition two. Direct translumbar catheterization of the IVC is a safe and effective way of placing a long-term CVA with a moderate complication rate.

Adolescent↗

Retroperitoneal fibrosis: typical and atypical manifestations.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a well described clinical entity that is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. RPF is characterized by replacement of the normal tissue of the retroperitoneum with fibrosis and/or chronic inflammation. However, aetiology, clinical presentation and radiological appearance in many cases are protean. Up to 15% of patients have additional fibrotic processes outside the retroperitoneum. In the abdomen, RPF may spread contiguously to involve multiple structures in both the retroperitoneum and the peritoneal cavity or multiple non-contiguous sites may be involved. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients (19 male, 11 female; age range 28-79 years) with biopsy proven RPF. Although we found RPF most commonly as an isolated fibrotic plaque in the lower lumbar region (18 patients), 12 patients (40%) presented with RPF in atypical locations (4 peripancreatic, 1 periduodenal, 7 pelvic). The RPF was non-malignant in 24 patients (21 idiopathic, 2 perianeurysmal, 1 ergot-derivative treatment) and malignant in six cases. We present a pictorial review of the varied appearances of RPF, concentrating on atypical sites. The radiological differential diagnosis and its appearance with various imaging modalities are discussed. Current concepts with respect to management, prognosis and treatment are summarized.

Adult↗

Total and lipid-bound serum sialic acid as markers for carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Concentrations of total sialic acid (TSA) and lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA) were determined in serum samples from 88 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, 26 normal subjects, and 44 patients with benign uterine or ovarian disease. TSA concentrations in patients with cervical cancer were found to correlate with advanced-stage disease. LSA concentrations were only increased in stage IV of the disease. Sensitivity of the test for stage IB was zero for TSA and 27% for LSA. The specificity of both markers was about 80% due to a low incidence of false-positive values in the pathologic control group. Measurements of TSA or LSA appear to be of no value for the early detection of cervical cancer or to complement the clinical staging of this tumor.

Adult↗

Doppler ultrasound for TIPS: does it work?

The role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of complications of portal hypertension such as variceal hemorrhage and ascites is well established. However, TIPS has a limited patency due to dysfunction consisting in occlusion or stenosis of the intrahepatic tract or stenosis of the outflow hepatic vein. Timing of dysfunction cannot be predicted, so routine surveillance and percutaneous intervention are continuously required to maintain TIPS patency. Trans-shunt venography is the gold standard technique in TIPS evaluation, but it is expensive and invasive. Doppler ultrasound (DU) has been the most commonly used noninvasive tool in TIPS patency. Despite many reported series, its role remains controversial. After more than 10 years of experience with TIPS, we followed our patients with DU and trans-shunt venography to establish Doppler criteria of dysfunction and its accuracy in assessing shunt dysfunction.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

CO(2) wedged hepatic venography: technical considerations and comparison with direct and indirect portography with iodinated contrast.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of CO(2) wedged hepatic venography (CO(2) WHV) by comparing it with direct transjugular (DP) and indirect arterial portography (IP). METHODS: Twenty-one CO(2) WHV and IP examinations were performed in 20 patients; 13 of them also underwent DP within 48 h of CO(2) WHV and IP. IP involved the injection of iodinated contrast into the superior mesenteric and splenic arteries. DP was performed from a transjugular approach, during transjugular intrahepatic portosystem shunt placement, with the injection of iodinated contrast into the superior mesenteric or splenic vein. The parameters evaluated were visualization of vessels and varices, portal vein thrombosis detection, and complications. RESULTS: CO(2) WHV depicted the splenic vein in 57%, the superior mesenteric vein in 62%, the main portal vein in 90%, the right portal vein in 95%, and the left portal vein in 90% of patients. It also demonstrated gastroesophageal varices in seven cases, a splenorenal shunt in one case, mesenteric varices in one case, and a recanalized umbilical vein in one case; other varices were also seen. CONCLUSION: CO(2) WHV is a good and safe technique for demonstrating the portal circulation. It may provide information not obtainable by IP and DP. However, IP provides better demonstration of the variceal network.

Adult↗

Limitations of percutaneous techniques in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis.

New therapeutic alternatives to portal vein thrombosis (PVT) include the percutaneous, transhepatic infusion of fibrinolytic agents, balloon dilatation, and stenting. These maneuvers have proven to be effective in some cases with acute, recent PVT. We have treated two patients with acute PVT via transhepatic or transjugular approaches and by using pharmacologic and mechanical thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Although both patients clinically improved, morphologic results were only fair and partial rethrombosis was observed. The limitations of percutaneous procedures in the recanalization of acute PVT in noncirrhotic patients are discussed.

Adult↗

Ascites due to anastomotic stenosis after liver transplantation using the piggyback technique: treatment with endovascular prosthesis.

Liver transplantation preserving the retrohepatic inferior vena cava, the so-called piggyback technique, is becoming more frequently used because it avoids caval cross-clamping during the anhepatic phase of surgery. However, hepatic venous outflow blockade causing ascites seems to be less infrequent after piggyback than with cavo-caval anastomosis. We report a 62-year-old patient who underwent liver transplantation using the piggyback technique and developed a stenosis in the anastomosis between the hepatic veins and the inferior vena cava leading to severe postoperative ascites. Ascites was unresponsive to diuretic therapy and was associated with renal function impairment. Since the etiology of the stenosis was mechanical (torsion), percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was unsuccessful. Finally, an autoexpandable prosthesis was placed across the anastomosis resulting in rapid and permanent (3 years of follow-up) resolution of ascites.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗