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Biomedical subjects

L Pescarini

Publications and source records attributed to L Pescarini.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor of the kidney.

A juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT) was found in a 40 year old woman. For 5 years she had mild hypertension, responding to classical anti-hypertensive treatment, then she became severely hypertensive. Two renal angiographies and a CT scan were reported as normal. A second CT scan and third selective renal angiography were diagnostic, associated with lateralization of renin in renal vein measurement. Light, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry of the resected tumor confirmed the diagnosis of renin-secreting juxtaglomerular cell tumor of the kidney.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[A multicenter study for the evaluation of the diagnostic efficiency of mammography and echography in nonpalpable breast neoplasms].

The Breast Section of the Italian Society of Radiology set up a cooperative study which included 17 Departments of Radiology and Breast Diagnosis in order to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US versus mammography in nonpalpable breast lesions. From January 1, 1989 to december 31, 1990, 400 nonpalpable breast lesions (142 benign lesions, 59 in situ and 199 infiltrating carcinomas) were detected by mammography and/or US; they had questionable/suspicious findings which called for further investigation by means of cytology and/or histology. US proved much less sensitive in non-palpable carcinomas than mammography (49.2% vs 93.8%), also in younger women, and failed to detect 50% of the benign/malignant nonpalpable lesions identified by mammography. US sensitivity was directly related to lesion diameter and probe frequency: 38.7% in infiltrating carcinomas < or = 5 mm vs 56.8% in those > 10 mm; 12% in the patients examined with a 5-MHz probe vs 57.7% in those examined with a > or = 7.5-MHz probe. Furthermore, the most significant US patterns of nonpalpable lesion were irregular contours, posterior attenuation and irregular internal echoes, while an irregular skin line and Cooper ligaments had no significant relation with carcinoma. Thus, breast US cannot be used as a screening test on asymptomatic patients not even on young women with radiologically dense breasts. On the contrary, US performed with high-frequency probes is useful in the assessment of nonpalpable lesions identified by mammography, and allows, in many cases, US-guided cytology and preoperative localization.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[A comparison between echography and computed tomography in assessing neoplastic recurrences in superficial soft tissues].

Thirty-seven superficial soft-tissue recurrences were evaluated with ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) to assess the correct diagnostic approach. US and CT examinations were performed at the same time. High-frequency US probes and a third-generation CT scanner were employed; all the lesions underwent also histology or cytology. US correctly identified as recurrences or fibrous tissue all the 37 lesions, whereas CT diagnosed 30 lesions only. Seven of the 14 recurrences < 2 cm diameter were not demonstrated. In conclusion, US provides more reliable information than CT relative to small lesions, which suggests that US must be performed just after therapy. Nevertheless, when bone involvement is suspected, CT is required and its use is also suggested to monitor distant metastases.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1992

[Quality control of stereotaxic cytologic test of non-palpable lesions of the breast].

The authors compare the accuracy and other indicators of efficiency of ten centers (1,784 total cases) performing stereotaxic cytology and adhering to a multicentric study aimed at validating a quality control system for this diagnostic procedure. The results from single centers were compared with average results. No significant differences were observed for most centers from the average sensitivity (86%), specificity (91%), positive predictive value of a dubious (57%) or positive (96%) cytologic report, inadequacy rate on malignant (6%) or benign (11%) lesions, and benign/malignant biopsy ratio (0.63). Some significant differences from the average values indicated the need for some centers to review different phases of the diagnostic process, namely to verify the accuracy of sampling sites (low sensitivity with good specificity and predictivity), to review the criteria for cytologic diagnosis (specificity less than 90%, low predictive value or higher predictive value for dubious compared with positive reports), to optimize the impact of cytology on the final decision (lack of reduction of benign/malignant biopsy ratio). Periodic check of the above parameters is proposed as a routine quality control of this diagnostic procedure.

Breast Diseases↗
PubMed1988

Pancreatic cancer: CT scan.

The results of 72 cases of histologically confirmed pancreatic neoplasm are reviewed. By applying a semeiological scheme, which considers intra and extrapancreatic alterations, it is shown that the possibility of a pre-invasive diagnosis on CT is still limited, and requires further confirmation. CT examination is unique for demonstrating the extension of the lesion, and provides truly probative findings for a specific diagnosis, especially when signs of direct local or distant invasion appear.

False Negative Reactions↗
PubMed1987

Breast cancer diagnosis under the age of forty years.

The authors report on a multicentric consecutive series of 382 cases of primary breast cancer detected before the age of 40 years. Physical examination (PE) was always performed, whereas other diagnostic tests were performed in selected cases, namely mammography (M) in 334, fine needle aspiration cytology (CYT) in 188 and thermography (TH) in 123 cases. Single tests showed a high rate of false-negative/benign cases (PE, 0.23; M, 0.26; CYT, 0.37 and TH, 0.50), especially when the T1 subgroup was considered (PE, 0.34; M, 0.38; CYT, 0.42 and TH, 0.78). The poor results recorded for TH make its current diagnostic use highly questionable. The policy of extensive biopsy of all "dubious" benign lesions on PE allowed for the detection of 41 of 382 cancers and reduced the PE false-negative/benign rate to 0.12 for the total or 0.15 for T1 cancers, although about 80 unnecessary biopsies for each cancer detected were performed in this way. The association of PE to one or more tests resulted in even lower false-negative rates (0.06 for the total, 0.10 for T1 cancers). The authors criticize the aggressive policy of extensive biopsy recommendation based only on a dubious report on PE alone and stress the opportunity of the routine association of M and CYT to PE, since this combination seems to achieve a higher breast cancer detection rate even in this age group.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Duodenal and colonic involvement in neoplastic pathology. Anatomical and radiological considerations].

The authors present 3 cases of duodeno-colic involvement by malignant neoplasms and analyse the main radiological features. Benign and malignant duodenocolic fistulas are discussed and colic lesions caused by an extrinsic process. Guiding radioanatomical criteria are stated namely the alterations in the site of the principal lesion first and, afterwards, the morphological changes or displacement of the bowel.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

[Scrotum transillumination: method and results (author's transl)].

The results obtained from a continuous series of 48 patients have been critically appraised. The report of the diaphanoscopy appeared pathognomonic only in the event of hyper-diaphanous cystic formation and of varicocele. In all other types of pathology the report was aspecific, requiring a knowledge of the clinical picture for its interpretation, and sometimes absent (neoplasia in the initial phase). For these reasons the diaphanoscopy of the scrotum may be considered as part of a clinical examination and not as a complete (self sufficient) experimental examination.

Cysts↗
PubMed1976

[Transillumination of the breast].

The physical basis of the method, the procedure, the normal and pathological findings are described. On a series of 125 pathology cases observed, transillumination proved useful as a diagnostic aid in breast diseases.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Echography, computerized tomography and retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the diagnosis of focal pathology of the exocrine pancreas].

In spite of the improved imaging techniques currently available, mortality for pancreatic cancer is still high, and pancreatitis is often diagnosed only in its advanced stages. The authors investigated the value of different imaging techniques--i.e., US, CT, and ERCP--for an early diagnosis, when a more effective (curative?) treatment can be suggested. Fifty-six cases of pancreatic cancer and 36 cases of chronic pancreatitis were evaluated. The results indicate that ERCP, with the help of statistical methods, is superior to US and CT not only in evaluating early neoplastic or inflammatory lesions, but also for their differential diagnosis. In the latter case, ERCP can sometimes be used as a valid alternative to fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Specificity and sensitivity of ERCP in pancreatic pathology].

Fifty-three patients were examined by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Operative and/or instrumental-clinical findings indicated that 38 patients had pancreatic disease, consisting of 17 cases of neoplasia, 10 of chronic pancreatitis with benign stenosis, and 11 of chronic pancreatitis without stenosis. An analysis of Wirsung's duct and of the secondary ducts was carried out employing, in the latter case, linear discriminate analysis (Nix and Schmitz method). With this method, 16 of 17 patients (94%) were correctly assigned to group A (pancreatic neoplasia), thus indicating high sensitivity; 7 of 8 patients (88%) were assigned to group B (chronic pancreatitis with benign stenosis), and finally 7 of 10 patients (70%) were placed in group C (chronic pancreatitis without stenosis). Detection of a sample sign such as sharp and/or irregular stenosis of Wirsung's duct enabled a correct diagnosis of neoplasia in the cases examined; this criterion, however, is very specific but poorly sensitive. When it is absent, analysis of the secondary ducts is determinant. If the two criteria are applied together, an exact diagnosis of all forms of neoplasia is obtained.

Acute Disease↗