Biomedical subjects

Vincenzo Consoli

Publications and source records attributed to Vincenzo Consoli.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Osteomyelitis: clinical update for practical guidelines.

Bone infections represent a diagnostic or therapeutic challenge for the infectivologist, orthopaedic surgeon, radiologist and nuclear medicine physician. Staphylococcus aureus is the major bacterium responsible for bone infections although Mycobacterium tuberculosis is emerging as an infectious agent in Italy because of immigration from Africa and Asia. Osteomyelitis requires long and expensive antibiotic treatment, including rifampicin administered parenterally for several weeks and the use of antimicrobial-impregnated cement in prosthesis substitution. Sometimes it is necessary to carry out surgical debridement of a necrotic bone or the consolidation of compromised bones and joint prosthesis implants. Radiographs and bone cultures are mainstays for the diagnosis of bone infections but are often useless in the lengthy management of these patients. Diagnosis of skeletal infections still includes conventional radiography but magnetic resonance imaging is essential in haematogenous and spinal infections. Bone scans are still useful in acute osteomyelitis whereas scintigraphy using labelled white blood cells is preferred in infections of peripheral bone segments or joint prosthesis. In the axial skeleton a combination of an agent for detecting inflammation ((67)Ga citrate) and a metabolic agent ((99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate) enables an infection and an area of increased metabolic activity to be distinguished. [(18)F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, where available, has a significant impact in the study of infections using radionuclides: high-resolution tomographic images represent an effective alternative to gallium in the assessment of inflammation of spine lesions but a comparison with morphological examinations (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) is essential.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

Clinical feasibility of two-step streptavidin/111In-biotin scintigraphy in patients with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis.

PURPOSE: Streptavidin accumulates at sites of inflammation and infection as a result of increased capillary permeability. In addition to being utilised by bacteria for their own growth, biotin forms a stable, high-affinity non-covalent complex with avidin. The objective of this investigation was to determine the diagnostic performance of two-step streptavidin/111In-biotin imaging for evaluating patients with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis. METHODS: We evaluated 55 consecutive patients with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis (34 women and 21 men aged 27-86 years), within 2 weeks after the onset of clinical symptoms. Thirty-two of the patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 24, computed tomography (CT). DTPA-conjugated biotin was radiolabelled by incubating 500 microg of DTPA-biotin with 111 MBq of 111In-chloride. Two-step scintigraphy was performed by first infusing 3 mg streptavidin intravenously, followed 4 h later by 111In-biotin. Imaging was begun 60 min later. RESULTS: Streptavidin/111In-biotin scintigraphy was positive in 32/34 patients with spinal infection (94.12% sensitivity). The study was negative in 19/21 patients without infection (95.24% specificity). The corresponding results for MRI and CT were 54.17% and 35.29% (sensitivity), and 75% and 57.14% (specificity), respectively. All statistical parameters of diagnostic performance (Youden's J index, kappa measure of agreement with correct classification, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood and negative likelihood) were clearly better for streptavidin/111In-biotin scintigraphy than for either MRI or CT. CONCLUSION: Streptavidin/111In-biotin scintigraphy is highly sensitive and specific for detecting vertebral osteomyelitis in the first 2 weeks after the onset of clinical symptoms, and is potentially very useful for guiding clinical decisions on instituting appropriate therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma: long-term results.

The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of osteoid osteoma (OO). From 1997 to 2001, RF ablation was performed on 38 patients with OO, diagnosed clinically and by radiography, scintigraphy, contrast-enhanced MRI, and CT. Treatment was performed via percutaneous (n=29) or surgical (n=9) access, under CT guidance in all cases, with an 18-gauge straight electrode. Patients were discharged within 24 h and followed up clinically (at 1 week and every 6-12 months) and with MRI (at 6 months) and scintigraphy (after 1 year). The technical success rate was 100%. Complications occurred in two patients, consisting in local skin burns. The follow-up range was 12-66 months (mean +/- SD, 35.5+/-7.5 months). Prompt pain relief and return to normal activities were observed in 30 of 38 patients. Persistent pain occurred in eight patients; two patients refused further RF ablation and were treated surgically; RF ablation was repeated in six cases achieving successful results in five. One patient reported residual pain and is being evaluated for surgical excision. Primary and secondary clinical success rates were 78.9 (30/38 patients) and 97% (35/36 patients), respectively. CT-guided RF ablation of OO is safe and effective. Persistent lesions can be effectively re-treated. Several imaging modalities are needed for the diagnosis of OO and for the follow-up after treatment, particularly in patients with persistent symptoms.

Adolescent↗