INTRAPAROTID FACIAL NERVE SCHWANNOMA MRI FINDINGS

Sialographic findings in Wharton duct evagination

Ductal evagination is a rare condition affecting the Wharton duct. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence, imaging features and clinical significance of ductal evagination in patients undergoing submandibular gland sialography. The sialographic findings and reports of 322 patients undergoing submandibular gland sialography during the period 1998-2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Ductal evagination was identified on sialograms as a unique diverticulum, filled with contrast medium, of the Wharton duct, with a narrow neck and a blind end. A ductal evagination was found in 5/322 patients with swelling and pain in the submandibular gland. It was always located in the middle tract…

GOTeC: INTERDISCIPLINARY TUMOR BOARD FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS OF HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Awareness of radiation protection issue in paediatric trainees. A questionnaire study.

Presacral Myelolipoma

Many reports have described adrenal myelolipomas but there have been only a few reports of extra-adrenal myelolipomas. We describe a 74-year-old woman who came to our observa- tion for MRI of the lumbar spine for typical lumbar back pain. In addition to signs of mild scoliosis and spondylo disc arthrosis, MR imaging revealed a presacral mass showing a heterogeneously high signal in all pulse sequences and almost completely suppressed on inversion recovery sequences for fat tissue. CT imaging confirmed the fatty nature of the lesion and no signs of bone involvement. These findings were most consistent with a diagnosis of a rare presacral myelolipoma as confirmed at histopathologic analysis. …

The burnout phenomenon among student radiographers: a single centre experience

Burnout syndrome is a condition that may occur not only for staff in human service sectors/jobs, involving intensive interactions with others, but also people that are engaged in activities psychologically similar to work, such as students. Radiographers in training suffer double stress, first linked to the status of being a university student and secondly as early career workers who have relations with the public of the health system. Aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence and levels of burnout syndrome among radiographers in training in an University Hospital.In order to gain a better understanding of nature of the burnout syndrome a modified version of Maslach's questionnaire…

MORBIDITY OF SALIVARY GLAND DIGITAL SIALOGRAPHY USING A NON-IONIC DIMERIC CONTRAST MEDIUM

Sialography is considered a low invasive procedure, due to cannulation of salivary duct orifice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morbidity of sialography using a nonionic dimeric contrast medium. METHODS: A questionnaire was proposed to 90 patients who underwent parotid and submandibular sialography to reveal related symptoms as: pain, swelling, impairment to daily activities and taste alteration. Pain and swelling intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Fifty-two out of ninety questionnaires were returned. Sialography was performed in 30/52 patients in the submandibular gland, 22/52 in the parotid gland. Pain during sialography was complained by 28/52…

X-ray CT imaging as a scientific tool to study the capillary water absorption in sedimentary rocks used in cultural heritages

This paper proposes the X-Ray CT imaging as appropriate tool for investigating the capillary water absorption in sedimentary rocks. This technique, in fact, provides information useful for deeping the knowledge about of the porosity and the kinetics of the water capillary absorption in porous materials. The possibility to improve in non invasive manner, the understanding of this phenomenon, constitutes a fundamental aspect to take actions in the restoration and conservation of lapideous artifact and monuments from cultural heritages. The investigated sedimentary rocks come from different Sicilian quarries and were used for the building of the Greek temples in the archaeological areas of Agr…

Unusual spontaneous salivary fistula: A retrospective review of the last 12 years

Role of imaging in the preoperative assessment of pelvic and extrapelvic endometriosis: a pictorial essay

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ): run dental management designs and issues in diagnosis

Recently, jawbone osteonecrosis has been largely reported as a potential adverse effect of bisphosphonate (BP) administration. Because of the peculiar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of the BF (mainly for i.v. administration), their efficacy and large use, some major issues have to be taken into account extendedly both by oncologists and by dentists: 1) therapeutic dental protocol for patients with diagnosis of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ); 2) dental strategies for patients in former or current i.v. BF treatment and in absence of BRONJ signs; 3) strategies for patients before i.v. BF treatment. Clinical features and guidelines for the management of th…

Intratumoral Haemorrhage Causing an Unusual Clinical Presentation of a Vestibular Schwannoma

We present a case of an elderly woman with no history of audiological disease with sudden onset of visual and hearing deficits associated with systemic clinical signs. On examination she had impairment of right CNs from V to X. CT and MR imaging demonstrated a cystic vestibular schwannoma with a rare intralesional fluid-fluid level correlated to a recent bleed. We include high quality MR images to show the acute impairment of the cranial nerves next to the tumour after acute bleeding. Our case report includes a voxel-based morphometry (VMB) analysis of the tumour that, as far as we know, has never been done before for such a tumour. VBM analysis was performed to calculate the hypothesized …

Moderate hypofractionated helical tomotherapy for prostate cancer in a cohort of older patients: a mono-institutional report of toxicity and clinical outcomes.

Purpose or objective: To evaluate toxicity and outcomes of moderately hypofractionated helical tomotherapy for the curative treatment of a cohort of patients aged ≥ 75 years with localized prostate cancer (PC). Materials and methods: From January 2013 to February 2017, 95 patients with median age 77 years (range 75–88) were treated for PC. 39% were low risk, 33% intermediate risk (IR), 28% high risk (HR). Median iPSA was 9.42 ng/ml (1.6–107). Androgen deprivation was prescribed according to NCCN recommendations. All patients received 70 Gy in 28 fractions to the prostate; 61.6 Gy were delivered to the seminal vesicles for IR; whole pelvis irradiation with a total dose of 50.4 Gy was added i…

Serum and fecal pancreatic enzymes in beta-thalassemia major

This study, using indirect tests, demonstrated that exocrine pancreatic function is impaired in a proportion of patients with beta-thalassemia major (TM), though this impairment is generally mild or moderate.Impaired structure and function of the exocrine pancreas has been reported in patients with Beta-thalassemia major.In this study we measured fecal fats and serum and fecal pancreatic enzymes in 30 patients (13 M, 17 F) with TM, mean age 22.1 yr (range 14-39) and compared them with those of a matched group of healthy controls. Results were correlated with age, serum ferritin, blood transfusion, and various nutritional parameters. Enzymes assays included: serum pancreatic amylase (PA), li…

Subcutaneous rupture of hepatic hydatid cyst: CT findings.

Static magnetic fields generated by a 0.5T MRI unit affects in vitro expression of activation markers and interleukin release in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)

To investigate the effects of the static magnetic field (SMF) generated by a 0.5 T superconducting MRI unit on in vitro activation marker expression and interleukin release in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from healthy volunteers.PBMC samples were split into two groups: exposed and sham-exposed under isothermal conditions. PBMC were exposed for 2 h at 24 degrees C to the SMF of a 0.5 T superconducting MRI unit. Immediately after exposure, both samples were cultured for 24 h at 37 degrees C with or without mitogenic stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). PBMC were examined for expression of CD25, CD69 and CD71 by immunofluorescence analysis and supernatants were a…

Osteoporosis risk factors in HIV positive women with osteoporosis: A retrospective analysis

Multifactorial risk factors such as HIV/HCV co-infection and antiretroviral therapy (ARV) have been associated with osteoporosis in HIV+ women. We retrospectively analysed which known risk factors were associated with the diagnosis of osteoporosis, according to the WHO definition, in HIV positive women who were followed-up at the AIDS Centre of the University of Palermo, Italy between January 2011 and December 2014. Twenty-one HIV+ women with osteoporosis (13 HIV+ mono-infected and 8 HIV/HCV co-infected females) who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and liver stiffness assessment were included in the study. No significant differences between the HIV and HIV/HCV group were fou…

Sialodochoplasty in the treatment of salivary-duct stricture in chronic sialoadenitis: technique and results

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate peroral balloon angioplasty of salivary-duct strictures (sialodochoplasty) in chronic sialadenitis, analysing the technique, results and limitations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients underwent sialodochoplasty: seven for Stensen''s-duct strictures and two for Wharton''s-duct strictures. One patient had a double stricture of Stensen''s duct and another a salivary stone associated with a Wharton''s-duct stricture. All patients were subjected to preliminary sialography to evaluate stricture site, length and grade. Sialodochoplasty was performed after local anaesthesia and progressive dilation of the salivary-duct orifice. RESULTS: The stric…

Physics, Techniques and Review of Neuroradiological Applications of Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI)

In recent years many papers about diagnostic applications of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have been published. This is because DTI allows to evaluate in vivo and in a non-invasive way the process of diffusion of water molecules in biological tissues. However, the simplified description of the diffusion process assumed in DTI does not permit to completely map the complex underlying cellular components and structures, which hinder and restrict the diffusion of water molecules. These limitations can be partially overcome by means of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). The aim of this paper is the description of the theory of DKI, a new topic of growing interest in radiology. DKI is a higher or…

Imaging of “Malignant” External Otitis

“Malignant” external otitis or necrotizing external otitis (NEO) is a rare and severe infection of the external auditory meatus, causing destructive changes of the petrous bone, infiltrating inframastoid and intracranial tissues, with potentially lethal consequences. Five male diabetic patients, aged 61 to 85 years-old (mean age was 74 y.o), referred with biopsy-proven NEO, underwent CT and MRI studies for the assessment of the extension of the disease. Clinical data concerning the examined patients are summarized in table 1. Contrast-enhanced MRI does not seem to help in differentiating granulation from neoplastic tissues, as both demonstrate inhomogeneous enhancement. In conclusion, NEO …

MR imaging of pancreatic changes in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major.

The aim of this study was to evaluate MR imaging changes of the pancreas in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major.Twenty patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major were examined using MR imaging at 0.5 T, with spin-echo T1-weighted, fast spin-echo T2-weighted, and gradient-echo T2*-weighted sequences. Image analysis was performed to assess pancreas-to-fat signal intensity ratios for all pulse sequences. Pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function and serum ferritin levels were assessed. Twenty healthy volunteers underwent MR imaging with the same three sequences and served as a control group.The pancreas-to-fat signal intensity ratio was significantly dec…

MRI findings in lingual venous malformations.

To describe the plain and enhanced MRI findings of lingual venous malformations and to discuss the importance of contrast medium in the differential diagnosis of high intensity lesions of the tongue on T(2) weighted images.The clinical records and MR images of eight patients affected by a lingual venous malformation were retrospectively reviewed. Patients presented with a palpable submucosal bluish-red soft mass in the tongue. MRI examinations were performed on a 0.5 T superconducting unit. Plain and enhanced SE (spin echo) T(1) weighted and FSE (fast spin echo) T(2) weighted images were acquired in axial, sagittal and coronal planes. Axial SPGR (spoiled gradient recalled echo) T(1) weighte…

MR imaging of pancreatic changes in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to evaluate MR imaging changes of the pancreas in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Twenty patients with transfusion-dependent β- thalassemia major were examined using MR imaging at 0.5 T, with spin-echo T1- weighted, fast spin-echo T2-weighted, and gradient-echo T2*-weighted sequences. Image analysis was performed to assess pancreas-to-fat signal intensity ratios for all pulse sequences. Pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function and serum ferritin levels were assessed. Twenty healthy volunteers underwent MR imaging with the same three sequences and served as a control group. RESULTS. The pancreas-to-fat sign…

HOW MUCH DANGEROUS IS CT ACCORDING TO PATIENTS AND HOW DOES DOSE BILL AFFECT THEIR PERCEPTION OF IONIZING RADIATION?

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

Late allergic reaction following sialography

SAFETY OF REPEATED MDCT WITH CONTRAST COMPOUND IN CASE OF PREVIOUS MILD OR MODERATE ADVERSE REACTION: A SINGLE CENTRE RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

STAFNE BONE CYST IN THE ANTERIOR MANDIBLE: AN UNUSUAL LOCATION

To describe clinical features of the anterior Stafne bone cyst. To supply radiologist a guide for diagnosis and classification of Stafne bone cyst.

A rare case of pedunculated bronchial hemangioma

We describe a rare case of pedunculated endobronchial hemangioma observed in a 60 years old patient complaining of chronic productive cough and accessional dyspnea which had been progressively worsening over 20 years. The lesion was first noticed at fiberoptic bronchoscopy; then computed tomography scan was performed and integrated with tridimensional reconstruction techniques. Pathology showed the picture of a vascular neoplasm, compatible with capillary hemangioma. The lesion was submitted to laser-assisted endoscopic removal in order to relieve the obstruction, leading to remission of symptoms.

Water capillary absorption in porous media in different wettability conditions studied by Quantitative MRI and X-ray CT

X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been successfully applied to study both the capillary properties of several samples of Lecce stone and the performances of treatments used for protection and conservation of historical stone artifacts. The presence of water inside the sample may be visualized by both MRI and X-ray CT. For the treated samples, the different dynamics of water absorption gives indirectly the efficacy of the polymer in the rock.

Barotraumatic blowout fracture of the orbit after sneezing: Cone beam CT demonstration.

A 40-year-old man with no history of trauma or previous sinus surgery complained sudden right diplopia after vigorous sneezing. The patient was submitted elsewhere to a MRI study for persisting diplopia, with inconclusive findings. One week later the patient was submitted to a maxillofacial cone beam CT (CBCT) in our Institution. A blowout fracture of the right orbital floor and lateral orbital wall with an intact orbital rim and a ipsilateral maxillary sinus effusion with an air liquid level, were detected at the CBCT study. Our conclusion, confirmed by the clinician, was the patient had a barotraumatic, isolated, pure blowout fracture of the right orbit consequence of the episode of vigor…