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Lorenzo E Derchi

Publications and source records attributed to Lorenzo E Derchi.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Acute obstruction of the afferent loop caused by an enterolith.

Afferent loop obstruction is a relatively rare but significant complication of Billroth II gastrojejunostomy. We report the imaging findings in a patient in whom obstruction presented acutely and was due to the presence of an enterolith. CT showed dilatation of both the main pancreatic duct and the biliary ducts, and a markedly dilated afferent loop within which a 5-cm mass was present. The lesion had a heterogeneous, laminated appearance and did not show any contrast enhancement. Edema of fatty tissues surrounding the pancreatic tail, which extended to the left pararenal spaces, a small amount of free peritoneal fluid surrounding the spleen, and an aneurysm of the splenic artery of about 3 cm were also present. The diagnosis of afferent loop obstruction has to be considered in patients with previous Billroth II gastrojejunostomy who present with acute abdominal pain and laboratory findings indicating pancreatitis. Although rarely, an enterolith can be the cause of obstruction. CT allows to establish the diagnosis.

Afferent Loop Syndrome↗
PubMed2006

Benign lymphoepithelial parotid lesions in vertically HIV-infected patients.

Benign lymphoepithelial parotid lesions (BLL) are frequently reported in HIV-infected patients, although their clinical and prognostic significance in HIV infection has not been clearly defined. Ultrasonography (USG) has been shown to be a reliable method in monitoring the progression of such lesions. The purpose of this study was to describe the spectrum of sonographic and Doppler findings and to monitor any clinically evident physical change of parotid glands in a cohort of congenitally HIV-infected patients taking antiretroviral therapy. USG findings-based on their severity-have been grouped in three different patterns (0, 1, 2). Our cohort consisted of 51 patients with HIV in various Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stages and being given different antiretroviral protocols. The median USG follow-up was 36 months. The most frequent USG pattern was aspecific parotid gland enlargement (type 0, 45,1%). Patients with either lower CD4+ % (p < 0.20) and higher absolute and percent CD8+ cell count (p < 0.001 and p < 0.003) presented more frequently a type 2 USG pattern. None of them had any symptoms ascribed to "sicca syndrome" and only one patient developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during the follow-up, although his USG pattern at baseline was type 0. In summary, the spectrum of USG findings of BLL in vertically HIV-infected patients is broad. Because of the reported, although rare, possible malignant transformation of BLL in HIV-infected children, it is advisable to perform-even in asymptomatic patients-USG at least once per year or in concomitance with any physical modification of the parotid lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Mild renal dysfunction and renal vascular resistance in primary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Mild renal dysfunction (MRD) is an often overlooked but relatively common condition in patients with primary hypertension (PH), and is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Whether MRD is also associated with abnormalities in renal vascular resistance is currently unknown. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-one untreated patients with PH were studied. The MRD was defined as a creatinine clearance >or=60 mL/min but <90 mL/min (Cockcroft-Gault formula) or the presence of microalbuminuria. Albuminuria was measured as the albumin-to-creatinine ratio in first morning urine samples. Renal resistive index (RI) was evaluated by ultrasound Doppler of the interlobar arteries. RESULTS: The prevalence of MRD in our cohort was 63%. Patients with MRD were older, had higher mean blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure, and total cholesterol, longer history of hypertension, and were more likely to be men. Renal RI was positively related to female gender, age, systolic BP, pulse pressure, total cholesterol, albuminuria, and to carotid wall thickness and cross-sectional area, whereas it was inversely related to diastolic BP and creatinine clearance. Patients with the highest renal resistance (upper quartile, >or=0.63) showed a greater prevalence of renal dysfunction (P=.0005). After adjusting for age, pulse pressure, and LDL-cholesterol, we found that the risk of MRD increased twofold (P=.04) when renal RI was >or=0.63. CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in creatinine clearance and the presence of microalbuminuria are associated with increased renal vascular impedence, as well as with signs of extrarenal arterial stiffness.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Bilateral epidermoid cysts of the testis: sonographic and MRI findings.

Epidermoid cysts of the testis are rare benign lesions, without malignant potential, that can be managed conservatively with cyst enucleation and testis-sparing surgery. Bilateral epidermoid cysts in the testes have been reported very infrequently. We report the sonographic and MRI findings in a patient who presented with a palpable nodule in only 1 testis, but in whom sonography showed bilateral lesions. On sonography, the cysts had an internal "onion-ring" structure; color Doppler signals were absent. On MRI, the cysts had a laminated appearance, with alternating low- and high-signal-intensity areas on T2-weighted images. These imaging findings and the negative results of laboratory tests for tumor markers suggested the correct diagnosis, and testis-sparing surgery could be performed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Sonographic evaluation of brachial plexus pathology.

Pre-operative US examinations of the brachial plexus were performed with the purpose of exploring the potential of this technique in recognizing lesions in the region and defining their sonographic morphology, site, extent, and relations to adjacent anatomic structures, and comparing them to the surgical findings to obtain maximal confirmation. Twenty-eight patients with clinical, electro-conductive, and imaging findings suggestive of brachial plexus pathology were included in this study. There were four main etiology groups: post-traumatic brachial plexopathies; primary tumors (benign and malignant); secondary tumors; and post irradiation injuries. Twenty-one of the 28 patients underwent surgery. Advanced imaging (mostly MRI) served as an alternative gold standard for confirmation of the findings in the non-surgically treated group of patients. The US examinations were performed with conventional US units operating at 5- to 10-MHz frequencies. The nerves were initially localized at the level of the vertebral foramina and then were followed longitudinally and axially down to the axillary region. Abnormal US findings were detected in 20 of 28 patients. Disruption of nerve continuity and focal scar tissue masses were the principal findings in the post-traumatic cases. Focal masses within a nerve or adjacent to it and diffuse thickening of the nerve were the findings in primary and secondary tumors. Post-irradiation changes presented as nerve thickening. Color Doppler was useful in detecting internal vascularization within masses and relation of a mass to adjacent vessels. The eight sonographically negative cases consisted either of traumatic neuromas smaller than 12 mm in size and located in relatively small branches of posterior location or due to fibrotic changes of diffuse nature. Sonography succeeded in depicting a spectrum of lesions of traumatic, neoplastic, and inflammatory nature in the brachial plexus. It provided useful information regarding the lesion site, extent, and anatomic relationships; thus, the principal aims of the study were therefore met. Once the technique of examination is mastered, sonography should be recommended as part of the pre-operative evaluation process post-ganglionic brachial plexus pathology. Most disadvantages are related to the restricted field of view and inability to overcome bonny obstacles particularly in evaluating pre-ganglionic region. As sonography is frequently employed for investigation of the supraclavicular region, awareness of the radiologist to the findings described may enable the early recognition of pathologies involving or threatening to involve the brachial plexus.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Changes in renal resistive index and urinary albumin excretion in hypertensive patients under long-term treatment with lisinopril or nifedipine GITS.

INTRODUCTION: Increased renal vascular resistance and microalbuminuria are associated with hypertensive target organ damage and may be predictors of hypertensive nephrosclerosis. AIM: We investigated changes in renal resistive index (RI) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in a group of patients with primary hypertension before and during long-term antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: Thirty-two patients were randomized to receive antihypertensive treatment with either a calcium channel blocker (nifedipine GITS, up to 90 mg/day, n = 16) or an ACE inhibitor (lisinopril, up to 20 mg/day, n = 16), alone or in association with a diuretic (chlortalidone, 25 mg/day). Blood pressure, renal resistive index (by US Doppler) and UAE (mean of three nonconsecutive timed urinary collections, microg/min) were evaluated at baseline and over the course of 24 months of treatment. RESULTS: Both regimens effectively lowered blood pressure (mean blood pressure from 123 +/- 1.8 at baseline to 103 +/- 1.5 mm Hg at 24 months in the lisinopril group and from 122 +/- 1.9 at baseline to 104 +/- 0.8 at 24 months in the nifedipine group, p < 0.001 for both groups). Overall, blood pressure decrease was associated with a reduction in UAE and no change in RI throughout the study. However, despite similar blood pressure reduction, the two regimens showed different specific effects. Lisinopril was associated with a significant decrease in both UAE (33.8 +/- 16.2 at baseline and 9.1 +/- 2.1 at 24 months, p < 0.01) and renal RI (0.61 +/- 0.02 at baseline and 0.56 +/- 0.04 at 24 months, p < 0.05) while nifedipine GITS did not significantly influence UAE (35.7 +/- 12.2 at baseline and 31.2 +/- 12.1 at 24 months, n.s.) or RI (0.61 +/- 0.01 at baseline and 0.59 +/- 0.02 at 24 months, n.s.). CONCLUSION: Effective blood pressure control over a long period of time reduces the severity of organ damage, namely UAE while maintaining renovascular resistance in patients with essential hypertension. Different classes of antihypertensive agents might convey additional specific renal protection beyond blood pressure control. These data could be useful in devising individualized therapeutic strategies in hypertensive patients at increased renal risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Sonography of the median nerve in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to describe the features on high-frequency sonography of median nerves in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and determine whether sonography can help in the detection and characterization of the disease in these patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The median nerves of 24 patients with genetically proven Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (12 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A, seven with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2, and five with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type X) were prospectively examined at the right mid forearm with a 12-5-MHz transducer. Image analysis for each patient included measurement of both the cross-sectional area and fascicular diameter of the nerve. Correlations then were made with genetic and electrophysiologic features and with findings in a control group of 50 subjects. RESULTS: Sonography was found to be a reliable means of detecting the nerve hypertrophy and the fascicular swelling occurring in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The 1A type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease could be distinguished sonographically by a larger nerve area and fascicular diameter than those observed in patients with the other types of disease (including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 and X-linked type) and the control subjects. In patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and control subjects, linear regression analysis did not show a correlation between either the cross-sectional area or fascicular diameter of the nerve and the patient's height, body mass, sex, or electrophysiologic parameters. CONCLUSION: High-resolution sonography can be used to detect the hypertrophy of median nerves in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. It can be helpful in defining the Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A on the basis of the larger nerve sizes and fascicular diameters than those occurring in patients with other types of the disease. In an affected kindred, sonography is promising as a screening tool for identifying individuals who should undergo genetic assessments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Brachial plexus sonography: a technique for assessing the root level.

OBJECTIVE: Our study was intended to establish a technique to assess the level of the roots of the brachial plexus using high-resolution sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The skeleton of a cervical spine was examined in vitro to determine whether the vertebrae may be identified individually on sonography by means of the evaluation of their transverse processes. Then 20 healthy subjects and five patients who had undergone CT of the cervical spine were evaluated sonographically, and we attempted to identify the level of individual roots of the brachial plexus using the transverse processes as landmarks. To establish the reliability of this method, a blinded review of sonograms of the paravertebral area obtained at various levels was performed independently by three examiners. RESULTS: In vitro, sonography was reliable in depicting the level of the C7 vertebra because of the absence of the anterior tubercle from its transverse processes. In healthy subjects, this feature allowed us to establish the level of the roots outside the spine. In our series, the C4-C7 roots were visible sonographically in all cases, whereas the C8 and T1 levels were seen, respectively, in only 16 of 20 and eight of 20 cases. All examiners correctly identified the C7 level in the blinded review of sonograms. CONCLUSION: High-resolution sonography can reveal the level of the roots of the brachial plexus on the basis of the different morphology of the transverse processes of the vertebrae. Our study has implications for confirming the exact level of pathologic roots before surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sonography of entrapment neuropathies in the upper limb (wrist excluded).

The progressive refinement of broadband transducers with frequencies higher than 10 MHz and improved near-field resolution has enhanced the potential of sonography to evaluate a variety of nerve entrapment syndromes occurring in the upper limb, such as suprascapular neuropathy in the area of the spinoglenoid-supraspinous notch, the quadrilateral space syndrome (axillary neuropathy), radial neuropathy in the area of the spiral groove, the supinator syndrome (posterior interosseous neuropathy), the cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar neuropathy), and the Kiloh-Nevin syndrome (anterior interosseous neuropathy). In these settings, high-resolution sonography can depict changes in the nerve's shape and echotexture and can depict many extrinsic causes of nerve entrapment.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

US of the shoulder: non-rotator cuff disorders.

The most common indication for shoulder ultrasonography (US) is the diagnosis of rotator cuff disease. However, there is a spectrum of non-rotator cuff abnormalities that are amenable to US examination, including instability of the biceps tendon, glenohumeral joint, and acromioclavicular joint; arthropathies and bursites (inflammatory diseases, degenerative and infiltrative disorders, infections); nerve entrapment syndromes; and space-occupying lesions. Many of these conditions may be overlooked clinically or can even mimic rotator cuff tears, and US can help redirect the diagnosis if a complete shoulder examination rather than a simple rotator cuff assessment is performed. In addition, US can be remarkably helpful in guiding either needle aspiration procedures or local injection therapy in patients with synovial processes. Although radiography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and computed tomographic and MR arthrography are effective modalities for the evaluation of non-rotator cuff disorders, US is both less costly and less invasive and will likely be used more frequently in this setting as experience increases. Once adequate radiographs have been obtained to exclude apparent bone disorders, high-resolution US should be the first-line imaging modality in the assessment of non-rotator cuff disorders of the shoulder, assuming the study is performed with high-end equipment by an experienced examiner.

Arthritis↗