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Biomedical subjects

R Lagalla

Publications and source records attributed to R Lagalla.

116 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Experimental studies on possible biological effects of ultrasonic diagnosis: ultrastructural analysis of rat embryo].

Within the limits of a systematic research on the biological effects of the ultrasounds, the authors refer on their personal experience on rat's embrions treated, for 120 seconds, with a ultrasonic beam having the common characteristics used in diagnostic investigations. The ultra-structural studies on the hepatic parenchyma substantially confirm the previous results obtained in the adult cavy, exposed for the same period of time, i.e. a diffuse cytoplasmic vacuolization and an unstable mitochondrial damage. Various suggestions are advanced on the particular sensibility that the mitocondria show because of the ultrasonic action. The authors explain the limits of their experimentation in this specific sector of the scientific research.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Achilles tendon disease in athletes. An ultrasonographic study with a 13-MHz probe].

The authors investigated the diagnostic potentials of 13-MHz small parts probes in identifying inflammatory and degenerative disorders of the Achilles tendon in 63 athletes (middle-distance runners) of both sexes, aged 16 to 32 years. The patients were divided into four groups and examined with 13-MHz sectorial probes to assess the comparative reliability of the former probe versus a 7.5-MHz linear probe. US examinations with the 13-MHz probe allowed early structure changes which had been missed with the 7.5 MHz probe to be demonstrated in 10 of 17 subjects in the control group. Patients in groups 2 and 3, with severe changes in tendon structure, had the same findings with the two probes relative to identification and framing of degenerative conditions. In 3 patients submitted to surgical follow-up (group 4), the 13-MHz probe allowed good demonstration of the repairing processes, consisting of gross hyperechoic areas and hypoechoic masses with blurred edges. In conclusion, the use of a 13-MHz probe may not be considered an alternative to that of a 7.5-MHz probe. Nevertheless, higher-frequency probes provide useful information in the early phase of structural injury, when no clinical correlations are found and US with conventional probes fails to provide adequate information.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A computer system for the systematization of MR findings in knee joint diseases].

An inexpensive, easy-access computer-based system is proposed, which was developed for the systematization of the clinical series of knee joint disorders studied with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The system is based upon the integration of multimedia technology and Data Base Management Systems (DBMS). The hardware configuration for this project included an Apple Macintosh workstation based on a Motorola 68040 microprocessor and a customized application developed by the authors with the 4th Dimension software. The MR images available only on film were digitized off-line with a solid-state Charge Coupled Device (CCD) scanner with back-light cover for transparency. Otherwise, MR images were acquired on-line through an Ethernet-based local area network from the MR unit or from a SparcStation-Advantage Windows workstation connected with the MR unit. Image post-processing was performed with the Adobe PhotoShop software. The system was devoted to the systematization and analysis of a clinical series of 800 MR studies of the knee. A mean of 10 significant MR images were stored for each examination with a standard image compression algorithm--the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG). This permitted us to save the system's storage space and at the same time to preserve image quality for consultation and teaching purposes, not for diagnosis which is made on the backboard or on the MR unit's or Advantage Window's monitor. Finally, MR findings were indexed with a customized check-list specific for knee joint disorders. On the basis of stored and selected information, it was thus possible to carry out a statistical analysis and to make detailed reports which are useful for scientific purposes, such as the preparation of lectures and papers. Moreover, the system was very useful for patients' follow-up and for the preparation of hypermedia teaching applications on knee joint disorders which are available on the Internet at our World-Wide Web server (URL: http://mbox.unipa.it/radpa/radpa ++ +.html). In conclusion, the system is a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for the multipurpose management of radiologic series.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Value of magnetic resonance in the diagnostic definition of neurotoxoplasmosis and in the assessment of the response to pharmacological treatment].

PURPOSE: We investigated the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of neurotoxoplasmosis and in the evaluation of drug treatment response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six AIDS patients (22 men and 4 women, mean age 26.7 years) with clinical suspicion of neurotoxoplasmosis were examined. A patient was considered to have neurotoxoplasmosis if there were signs of focal neurologic impairment and a positive/questionable response to the serum test for Toxoplasma gondii. MR images were acquired with T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) and inversion recovery (IR) sequences and with T2-weighted SE sequences. Gd-DTPA was administered in all cases. After the beginning of therapy with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine all patients were submitted to clinical and neuroradiologic follow-up for 60 days. RESULTS: MR examinations on admission demonstrated at least one brain lesion in all patients and multifocal involvement in 70% of cases. Enhancing lesions were found in 90% of patients (83% ring enhancement, 4% focal enhancement, 3% mixed patterns). The most frequent lesion sites were the basal ganglia and thalami (70%). The brain lesions were subdivided into 4 groups by their morphology and signal patterns. DISCUSSION: The time course of clinical and neuroradiologic responses demonstrates a rapid improvement after the first week of therapy, which stabilized after the second week. Pearson correlation between clinical and neuroradiologic treatment responses showed a nearly linear correlation (r = .97; p < .001). The diagnosis was then confirmed in all patients based on the positive response to the serum test for Toxoplasma gondii (IgG > 12 UI/mL) and/or clinical and neuroradiologic improvement after therapy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the accuracy of MRI in the detection of toxoplasmosis brain lesions and in the evaluation of treatment response.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗