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Maria Luigia Storto

Publications and source records attributed to Maria Luigia Storto.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery bypass graft with retrospectively ECG-gated four-row multi-detector spiral computed tomography.

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of four-row multi-detector CT (MDCT) in the evaluation of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in patients with at least a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafted to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), because of the conduit of choice in bypass surgery and the greater difficulty of evaluation with non-invasive diagnostic tools. Included in the study were 57 patients with a total of 122 grafts (95 arterial and 27 venous) who underwent MDCT (4x2.5-mm detector-collimation, 3-mm slice width, 1.5-mm reconstruction increment) with retrospective ECG gating. Twelve patients (21%) with high heart rates were given beta-blockers in order to obtain a heart rate </=70 bpm in all patients. The ECG-synchronized axial images, reconstructed in the mid-diastole, MPR, MIP and 3D-VR images were independently and blindly assessed by two radiologists for graft patency and presence of high grade stenosis. Conventional angiography was the standard of reference. MDCT correctly classified 92/94 patent grafts and 26/28 occluded grafts (sensitivity/specificity 93%/97.8%); sensitivity and specificity of MDCT for assessment of arterial grafts were 100 and 98.7% (77/78 patent grafts and 17/17 occluded grafts). Image quality was considered adequate for assessment of significant stenoses in 62/92 (67%) patent grafts, with a significant differences between LIMA and non-LIMA conduits (44/57 vs. 18/65; P=0.002), according to the coronary vessel area supplied (anterior>lateral>posterior-inferior wall; P=0.002). In the remaining 30 patent grafts (33%), the assessment of stenoses was hampered by surgical clips, calcifications and motion artifacts. Sensitivity and specificity of MDCT for detection of significant graft stenoses were 80 and 96%, respectively. Inter-observer agreement was good ( K=0.73). MDCT seems to be a valuable diagnostic tool for non-invasive assessment of patency of both venous and arterial grafts. An accurate evaluation of distal anastomoses and native coronary arteries may still represent a limitation of four-row MDCT, which will improve with the newest MDCT scanner.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Non-traumatic thoracic emergencies: acute chest pain: diagnostic strategies.

Acute chest pain may represent the initial and/or accompanying symptom in a variety of disease processes that may occur in the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, or musculoskeletal system. Although clinical history, risk factors, and physical examination are important factors in establishing the etiology of symptoms in patients presenting with acute chest pain, imaging modalities are frequently utilized. Noncardiac causes of acute chest pain are reviewed in this paper with special reference to the most recently published literature and emphasis on acute aortic diseases. Imaging modalities with indication of appropriateness, optimal technique and practical keys for interpretation are discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Helical CT with sagittal and coronal reconstructions: accuracy for detection of diaphragmatic injury.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study were to determine the accuracy of single-detector helical CT (including coronal and sagittal reconstructions) for the diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic injury, establish measurements for the thickness of the normal diaphragmatic crus, and describe an additional sign of diaphragmatic injury: active arterial extravasation of contrast material at the level of the diaphragm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT scans of 25 patients with surgically proven diaphragmatic injury and 22 patients with surgically confirmed uninjured diaphragms were blindly reviewed by five thoracic radiologists. Sagittal and coronal reconstructions were performed for 20 of the 25 patients with a proven diaphragmatic injury and for all the patients without a diaphragmatic injury. Scans were evaluated for findings suggestive of diaphragmatic injury and for associated injuries. Reviewers scored the usefulness of the reconstructed images for establishing the final diagnosis. Measurements of the right and left crura were performed to establish a threshold measurement that would enable radiologists to discriminate between a normal diaphragm and an injured diaphragm. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of helical CT were 84%, 77%, 81%, 81%, and 83%, respectively. Scans showing active arterial extravasation of contrast material enabled reviewers to correctly identify diaphragmatic injury in two patients. Reconstructed images confirmed the correct diagnosis in three patients but supported an incorrect diagnosis in two. The mean thickness of the diaphragmatic crura (right and left) was not significantly greater in patients with an injured diaphragm than in those with an uninjured diaphragm. CONCLUSION: Helical CT shows good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury. Coronal and sagittal reconstructions are of limited use in establishing or refuting this diagnosis. Active arterial extravasation of contrast material near the diaphragm should raise suspicion for injury. Crus measurements cannot be used to reliably distinguish between injured and uninjured diaphragms.

Adolescent↗