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S Solfanelli

Publications and source records attributed to S Solfanelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Functional significance of the decreased attenuation sign on expiratory CT in pulmonary sarcoidosis : report of four cases.

We describe four patients with proven sarcoidosis and minor pulmonary involvement according to high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings in whom the recently described sign of decreased attenuation on expiratory HRCT scan appeared associated with the reduction of the single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the DLCO adjusted for alveolar volume. These alterations were, in part, reversible under steroid treatment. Major indexes of airway obstruction (FEV(1)/vital capacity ratio and FEV(1)) were normal, while the maximum expiratory flow at 25% above the residual volume of FVC was reduced. These observations suggest that an expiratory HRCT mosaic pattern and diffusion impairment may be early findings in pulmonary sarcoidosis and may be useful for its detection and follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Interstitial lung fibrosis and rheumatic disorders in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

A possible aetiopathogenetic role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been reported in various immune-mediated disorders, such as mixed cryoglobulinaemia, which may be complicated by interstitial lung involvement; moreover, different viruses, including HCV, have been correlated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Here, a cohort of eight HCV-positive patients (M/F = 4/4, mean age 61 +/- 8 S.D. yr) with interstitial lung fibrosis and a variable number of rheumatic disorders are described. Interstitial lung involvement appeared medially 4.5 +/- 3.2 S.D. yr after the clinical onset of chronic hepatitis. During the clinical follow-up, some rheumatic symptoms were also recorded: articular involvement (four patients): mild sicca syndrome (one patient); severe polymyositis and cranial neuropathy (one patient); serum cryoglobulins and/or autoantibodies (eight patients). In all patients, a moderate (four patients) or severe (four patients) lung fibrosis was evaluated by means of high-resolution computed tomography. The presence of parenchymal radiotracer uptake on 67Ga scan (7/7 patients) and increased percentages of neutrophils (4/4 patients) and lymphocytes (2/4) at bronchoalveolar lavage suggested an active lung involvement. Different degrees of reduction of single breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) (mean value 57.6 +/- 15%, range 37-80) were observed in all cases, while spirometric abnormalities, consistent with a global restrictive pattern, were less frequently found. In all cases, anti-HCV antibodies and HCV viraemia were demonstrated: viral genome was also detected in peripheral lymphocytes from 4/4 subjects and in one case in lung biopsy specimens. A desquamative interstitial pneumonia pattern was demonstrated in two cases by lung biopsy. The present work supports the hypothesis that HCV chronic infection could represent a trigger factor for interstitial lung fibrosis and various rheumatic disorders.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Sarcoidosis: single bulky mesenteric lymph node mimicking a lymphoma.

A previously healthy man presented with acute abdominal pain that extended from the left lumbar area to the left iliac fossa and to the omolateral testicular region. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan showed a bulky mesenteric mass and mesenteric, paraaortic, and paracaval lymph nodes. Biopsy specimens of the mass revealed non caseating granulomas. Chest CT scan and 67Gallium thoracic scan demonstrated lymph node and parenchymal pulmonary involvement. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) confirmed the presence of a low intensity alveolitis. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) level was elevated. Two years after steroid therapy, markers of disease activity and abdominal ultrasonography are in the normal range.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Trichinella spiralis: modifications of the cuticle of the newborn larva during passage through the lung.

A scintigraphic method was developed to study the distribution of radioactivity after iv injection of 131I-labeled Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae into normal rats. It was found that the radioactivity was immediately retained in the lungs and thereafter slowly released, with a mean transit time in excess of 9 hr, as calculated by image analysis. At various times after iv injection of newborn larvae into normal mice, the lungs were removed and parasites were recovered and counted. Fifty to seventy percent of the larvae injected were recovered after 30 sec, between 10 and 30% after 1 min, and less than 4% at 15 min. These results indicate that during the very rapid passage of newborn larvae through the lungs, labeled components of the cuticle are detached and retained. It is suggested that the modifications produced in the cuticle of the newborn larva during its passage through the lung may increase its resistance to the nonspecific defense mechanisms of the host.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Sarcoidosis in Tuscany. A preliminary report.

A retrospective study was carried out by a computerized questionnaire in a sample of 109 sarcoidosis patients (43 men, 66 women) diagnosed between 1977 and 1990 in Pisa. 94% of the patients were resident in Tuscany. The onset of disease was earlier in the men than in the women; in 73% of the patients the symptoms were first noticed between February and July with two incidence peaks; 71% of them had never smoked; 10% of patients were symptom-free and the disease was discovered by chance; the other patients (90%) underwent chest X-ray because of joint symptoms (35%), erythema nodosum (34%), cough (28%), dyspnoea (27%), and fever (24%) which was often associated with other symptoms. Symptoms from the respiratory tract was present in 66 patients (61%); 58% of patients were resident in rural areas; the level of education was limited to primary school in 50% of the patients; as to the prevailing working positions, 27% were clerical workers, 24% manual workers, and 26% housewives.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lung involvement in systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma treated by plasma exchange.

Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma can present in some patients as pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. Until now ten cases with this particular clinical variant, all men, have been reported in the literature. The knowledge of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma presenting as lung interstitial involvement is important in clinical practice for an early diagnosis and correct therapeutic strategy. This work reports the clinico-serological features of two further cases, one a woman, of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma with prevalent lung involvement, and describes the effects of therapeutic plasma exchange.

Female↗
PubMed1990

Phase II feasibility study of high dose epirubicin-based regimens for untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer.

17 previously untreated patients with small cell lung cancer entered a phase II study testing the feasibility of incorporating high dose epirubicin (110 mg/m2, day 1) in combination regimens, including cyclophosphamide (1 g/m2, day 1), and etoposide (120 mg/m2, day 1) (courses 1, 3, 5) or cisplatin (60 mg/m2, day 1) and etoposide (120 mg/m2, days 1-4) (courses 2, 4, 6), every 3 weeks. Complete responders with limited or extensive disease received thoracic (40 Gy) and prophylactic cranial (30 Gy) irradiation. All patients were evaluable for toxicity and response. Myelosuppression and stomatitis were the dose-limiting side-effects. Maximum myelosuppression occurred as granulocytopenia and anemia, but a recovery by day 21 was observed in the majority of courses. Neutropenic fever occurred in 47 of 99 courses. Severe stomatitis was experienced in 25 courses and lasted generally 7-12 days. Acute cardiac toxicity was uncommon and represented by mild to moderate rhythm abnormalities. No change was noted in the mean QRS voltage on electrocardiogram (ECG) and no patient had a decline of greater than or equal to 20% in the cardiac ejection fraction and/or episode of overt heart failure at any stage of treatment. The overall objective response rate was 88%, with six (35%) complete and nine (53%) partial responses. With a median follow-up of 16 months, overall median survival was 13 months (range, 2-18+). This study demonstrates that epirubicin, at the present dose and schedule, is feasible in combination regimens and that cardiotoxicity is not dose-limiting and induced or enhanced by thoracic irradiation and/or cyclophosphamide.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Venous obstruction in permanent pacemaker patients: an isotopic study.

Isotope venography was used to study the venous circulation proximal to the superior vena cava in two groups of pacemaker patients, one with a single endocavitary electrode and the other with multiple pacing catheters. A control group of patients without pacemakers was also studied. Numerous abnormalities were found, especially in the group with multiple electrodes. These findings suggest that venous obstruction is a common complication of endocardial pacing.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗
PubMed1978

Chest tomography by gamma camera and external gamma source: concise communication.

To obtain tomographic images of the chest, we used a large-field gamma camera to detect the 90 degrees scattered radiations (180 keV) from a linear source of Hg-203 (279 keV). The primary beam traveling across the chest is scattered according to the relative density of tissues. Chest sections can be visualized at different depths on frontal and sagittal planes. The resolution of the technic is that of the gamma camera.

Gamma Rays↗