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Biomedical subjects

T Stefanopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to T Stefanopoulos.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Endovaginal color Doppler sonographic evaluation of ectopic pregnancy in women after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of endovaginal color Doppler ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in women after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and to correlate the sonographic findings with ss-hCG serum levels. Thirty-five patients had proven ectopic pregnancies and 4 other patients had heterotopic pregnancies. The diagnosis was disclosed correctly in all cases by endovaginal color Doppler US by identifying an adnexal mass with placental flow and a nongravid uterus called a "cold uterus". An intrauterine sac with "double ring sign" was found in all normal intrauterine pregnancies when the hCG levels exceeded 1000 IU/l but in none of the patients with ectopic pregnancy (EP). These findings suggest the efficacy of the discriminatory hCG serum level of 1000 IU/l in the investigation of EP. In conclusion, this study describes the diagnostic importance of transvaginal color Doppler US in correlation with hCG serum levels in the early detection of EP avoiding life-threatening complications and improving patient outcome.

Adult↗

The cerebral effects of carbon dioxide during digital subtraction angiography in the aortic arch and its branches in rabbits.

PURPOSE: We studied the neurotoxicity of carbon dioxide as a contrast agent in the central nervous system by performing CO2 digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the aortic arch and its branches in experimental animals. METHODS: Twenty-five rabbits underwent intraarterial CO2 DSA while under general anesthesia, during which 50 angiograms were obtained after administration of 3 mL/kg CO2. MR imaging was performed before and after the angiographic procedure. The animals were killed 12 hours later and their brains examined macroscopically and microscopically. RESULTS: Three animals died of a cause irrelevant to CO2. No animal had clinical symptoms of hemiplegia or stroke. Neither MR imaging nor macroscopic and microscopic examination of the brain revealed any ischemic infarct hemorrhage, thrombosis, or foci of necrosis. CONCLUSION: The absence of neurologic symptoms, the lack of pathologic findings at MR imaging, and the negative pathologic findings in the brain encourage further research on CO2 neurotoxicity of the central nervous system and support its application in the imaging of intracranial vessels.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

MRI and ultrasonographic findings in the investigation of lymphedema and lipedema.

METHODS: Twenty-four healthy subjects and 16 patients with lymphedema and lipedema were studied with MRI and ultratomography. RESULTS: In chronic lymphedema, ultrasonography revealed a statistically significant increase of the subcutaneous fat without difference in skin thickness as compared to the healthy subjects. MRI revealed in lymphedema a statistically significant increase of skin thickness + subcutaneous tissue + muscular mass (p = 0.048); in lipedema, a statistically significant increase of skin thickness and subcutaneous tissue (p < 0.0001) as compared to the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: MRI offers strong qualitative and quantitative parameters in the diagnosis of lymphedema and lipolymphedema, while ultrasonography is expected to improve its diagnostic efficiency with the aid of high frequency echo with more sophisticated resolution apparatus. Age, weight and height of the patient as well as duration of the disease do not seem to affect the above-mentioned parameters.

Adipose Tissue↗