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Biomedical subjects

V Napoli

Publications and source records attributed to V Napoli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Renal artery stenosis. Doppler color study before and after angioplasty].

Doppler flowmetry can be successfully employed to assess arterial patency after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The aim of this study was to assess color Doppler sensitivity in detecting renal artery stenosis prior to percutaneous angioplasty (PTRA) and vessel patency after it. Eleven patients (7 males and 4 females) affected with renal artery stenosis, unilateral in 9 cases and bilaterally in 2, underwent color-Doppler evaluation 1 day before and 7 days after PTRA. The operator was unaware of dilatation results. A total of 13 stenoses were treated. The qualitative and quantitative parameters we employed were: a) broadening of the spectrum, b) peak systolic frequency > 4000 Hz, c) stenosis index > 50%. Before PTRA, mean systolic peak at the stenosis was 7978 (range 4050-12500 Hz), while stenosis index was 71.9% (range 48-89%). After PTRA complete recovery was observed in 5 cases, no improvement in 1 and incomplete recovery in 7. Doppler results were in agreement with those of angiography in 6/13 while partial agreement only was seen in 7/13. Our results, although obtained in a small and highly selected group of patients, would seem to support the value of color-Doppler for the follow-up of patients after PTRA.

Adult↗

Digital subtraction radiography in pediatric cystourethrography.

Digital subtraction radiography (DSR) was used to evaluate the anatomy and function of the bladder and urethra in 20 children with clinical urinary disturbances deriving from recurrent urinary tract infections. Following image subtraction, a complete study of bladder and urethra morphology and activity before and during voiding was obtained. Furthermore, DSR permitted a reduction in exposure doses given to children compared to conventional film-screen examinations. Results indicate the applicability of this technique for use on a wider scale and suggest its use as an alternative to other diagnostical techniques for the study of this subject.

Child, Preschool↗

[Computerized tomography of the orbit in Graves' ophthalmopathy. New observations].

In order to evaluate Graves' ophthalmopathy new CT parameters have been introduced such as: the diameters of the five extraocular muscles, the value of their addition, the grade of apical crowding, the enlargement of optic nerve sheaths and of the superior ophthalmic vein, and the anterior displacement of the lacrimal gland. On this subject we report our further experience after reviewing 68 cases in which the new ocular parameters were correlated with altered ocular motility and optic neuropathy. The results confirmed our previous study, dealing with several groups of patients, which at the moment seem to be 2, instead of 3 groups: a) patients with increase in both muscular and fatty tissue (54/68 cases); b) patients with main or exclusive increase in fatty tissue (14/68 cases). Relevant clinical signs were present only in the first group of patients, where the medial, inferior and superior muscles were affected in 53/55, 53/55 and 50/55 cases respectively. A muscle increase by nearly 50% was more frequently found in cases with altered ocular motility, an increase by 90% was often associated with optic neuropathy. In case of optic neuropathy apical crowding was often observed, mainly in coronal scans, together with significant enlargement of the optic nerve sheath and of the superior ophthalmic vein. As to proptosis, preseptal area and anterior displacement of the lacrimal gland, they demonstrated lower correlation with the reference symptoms, even though their occurrence was high in symptomatic patients.

Graves Disease↗

[Solitary intraductal papilloma of the breast. An echographic study of 12 cases].

Solitary intraductal papillomas (SIP) of the breast are relatively common lesions (incidence: 2-3%) originating from proximal ducts or from retroareolar lactiferous ducts. This work was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic reliability of US in the diagnosis of this condition and at discussing the differential diagnosis with similar focal lesions. Twelve cases of SIP were diagnosed with US among 31 selected female patients (aged 16-35 years) who had been referred for serohematic discharging breast and/or palpable nodules. All cases had surgical confirmation. US patterns typical of SIP were: 1) solid hypoechoic nodules with peripheral anechoic areas (7 cases); 2) small papillary excrescences within a cystic cavity, corresponding to papillary cystadenocarcinoma (4 cases); 3) periareolar overdistended ducts filled with dense material (1 case). Surgery was performed directly in 8 patients with positive cytology while mammography, ductography and fine-needle biopsy were performed in the extant 4 patients with negative or questionable cytologic findings. US combined with cytologic samples allowed the correct diagnosis to be made in 8 of 12 cases (66%): this is noteworthy when considering the low reliability of mammography in young patients and the poor tolerance to ductography in general. US allows the differential diagnosis with other focal lesions and subsequently helps shorten the diagnostic route.

Adolescent↗

[Double-contrast enema. Study of the mucosal pattern and the organ profile with conventional and digital methods].

A solid state digital system (FCR 101) was employed in our comparative evaluation of the image quality of conventional versus digital techniques in the study of colon by means of double-contrast enema. Sixty patients were examined with a single AP view, using digital radiography with 100% radiation dose and progressive 50% and 75% reductions; the radiographs thus obtained were then compared with the corresponding conventional ones. The examined parameters were organ profile and mucosal pattern. Each digital and conventional radiograph was evaluated by 2 independent radiologists and a value was given to each parameter i.e., 1 = good, 2 = sufficient, 3 = insufficient. Upon comparison of the average values obtained for digital and conventional radiographs in optimal conditions and with a dose reduced by 50%, the digital technique was seen to give a more detailed and accurate representation of both low-contrast mucosal pattern and of organ profile. With the dose reduced by 75%, a slight increase was observed in background noise which caused a slight loss in image definition, but this did not reduce image readability with respect to conventional radiographs. To conclude, the digital method with a 50% exposure reduction is to be preferred in the examination of the colon, especially in pediatric radiology; furthermore, since this technique allows better detailing at lower contrast, it is to be preferred in the study of the pathologic conditions affecting mainly/only the mucosal pattern--e.g., cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and so on. An exposure dose reduced by 75% may be used for following lesions previously diagnosed and when a less detailed depiction of the mucosal pattern is enough.

Adult↗

[Impact of high resolution computerized tomography on the clinical assessment of pulmonary interstitial diseases].

Our purpose is to define the morphological patterns of interstitial lung disease on CT and to evaluate the diagnostic impact of high-resolution technique (HRCT). Sixty-six consecutive patients with proven interstitial lung disease were considered in our study. The basic morphological patterns include: a) large reticular pattern (10-25 mm); b) small reticular pattern (2-3 mm); c) intermediate reticular pattern (5-10 mm) with cystic dilatation of distal airspaces; d) nodular pattern; e) high-density parenchymal areas. Topography of the involved areas (peripheral, middle and axial compartments), and lesion distribution with reference to the secondary pulmonary lobule (centrilobular, perilobular, panlobular, bronchovasal) are additional diagnostic criteria. The identification and correlation of these three parameters proved very useful in limiting the range of diagnostic possibilities to interstitial disease, obviously considering clinical data. In our series a correct CT diagnosis was obtained in 57 of 66 cases (86.36%). In 24 of them (36.34%) diagnosis corrected a previous erroneous or generic clinical suspicion. Our data suggest that HRCT is indicated in interstitial lund disease when neither clinical nor radiographic findings allow a specific diagnosis to be made.

Diagnostic Errors↗

[Digital cystography in the evaluation of vesico-ureteral reflux in childhood].

The use of digital subtraction in voiding cystourethrography allows an accurate evaluation of the continence-micturition cycle. Fifty-two children with recurrent urinary tract infections were studied. The examination was easily performed, and it resulted useful in both detecting and characterizing vesicoureteral reflux. Even though it does not increase diagnostic sensitivity, digital voiding cystourethrography is useful in demonstrating the onset of vesicoureteral reflux, as related to the different phase of micturition. As far as radiation exposure is concerned, the technique, so far performed on children, appears to be a valid alternative to urodynamic studies.

Adolescent↗

Digital subtraction radiography in voiding cystourethrography.

Digital subtraction radiography (DRS) was utilized to evaluate the anatomy and function of the bladder and urethra. Images were obtained in 30 patients, following urography or retrograde cystography, with full bladder distention and during different phases of micturition. The technique permits good demonstration of several anatomical and functional parameters (lowering of bladder base; dynamic origin of trigonal canal; rotation of the urethra; bladder wall motion).

Humans↗

[Central segmental pancreatectomy in benign and borderline neoplasms of the pancreatic isthmus and body].

We report our experience with middle segment pancreatectomy for benign, cystic and borderline tumours of the neck and body of the pancreas. The guidelines for management of these tumours are unclear. Formerly they were usually resected with a pancreatico-duodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy including the spleen. However, such operations may cause high morbidity, a notable wastage of normal tissue and an unnecessary risk of diabetes mellitus and splenic loss. Four patients (age range: 34-72 years) with tumours of the neck or body of the pancreas underwent a middle segmental pancreatectomy. The cephalic stump was sutured with duct ligation. The distal stump was anastomosed with a Roux-en-Y jejunal loop. Neither pancreatic fistulas nor operative death occurred in any of the patients. In 3 patients with serous cystadenoma and in one with mucinous cystadenoma, the tumours measured 3.5 to 7 cm in size. These were located in the neck and body of the pancreas and could not be safely enucleated without compromising the pancreatic duct. All tumours were resected with clear margins. The mean operative time was 230 minutes and the median postoperative hospital stay 14 days (range: 10-23 days). The patients have been followed up for five years after surgery and all are disease-free. None of the patients became diabetic or presented exocrine insufficiency. Middle segment pancreatectomy may be an appropriate technique for selected benign or borderline pancreatic tumours in the neck and body of the pancreas. This procedure has an acceptable surgical risk when compared to that of major pancreatic resections and preserves pancreatic function and the spleen.

Adult↗