0000000000550377
AUTHOR
Manuel Belgrano
showing 7 related works from this author
Imaging techniques for the vulnerable coronary plaque
2007
The goal of this article is to illustrate the main invasive and noninvasive diagnostic modalities to image the vulnerable coronary plaque, which is responsible for acute coronary syndrome. The main epidemiologic and histological issues are briefly discussed in order to provide an adequate background. Comprehensive coronary atherosclerosis imaging should involve visualization of the entire coronary artery tree and plaque characterization, including three-dimensional morphology, relationship with the lumen, composition, vascular remodelling and presence of inflammation. No single technique provides such a comprehensive description, and no available modality extensively identifies the vulnerab…
Noninvasive evaluation of the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery with multislice CT in patients with chronic mesenteric ischaemia.
2008
This study sought to assess the role of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in patients with suspected chronic mesenteric ischaemia (CMI). Forty-five patients (29 men; mean age 68) underwent MSCT angiography of the abdomen for suspected CMI (main clinical finding: postprandial abdominal pain). The scan protocol was detectors/collimation 16/0.75 mm; feed 36 mm/s; rotation time 500 ms; increment 0.4 mm; 120-150 mAs and 120 kVp. A volume of 80 ml of contrast material was administered through an antecubital vein (rate 4 ml/s), followed by 40 ml of saline (rate 4 ml/s). Images were analysed on the workstation with different algorithms (axial image scrolling, multiplanar reconstructions, maximu…
3D reconstruction techniques made easy: know-how and pictures
2005
Three-dimensional reconstructions represent a visual-based tool for illustrating the basis of three-dimensional post-processing such as interpolation, ray-casting, segmentation, percentage classification, gradient calculation, shading and illumination. The knowledge of the optimal scanning and reconstruction parameters facilitates the use of three-dimensional reconstruction techniques in clinical practise. The aim of this article is to explain the principles of multidimensional image processing in a pictorial way and the advantages and limitations of the different possibilities of 3D visualisation.
Computed tomography coronary angiography vs. stress ECG in patients with stable angina
2009
PURPOSE: This study compared the role of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography (MSCT-CA) and stress electrocardiography (ECG) in the diagnostic workup of patients with chronic chest pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MSCT-CA was performed in 43 patients (31 men, 12 women, mean age 58.8+/-7.7 years) with stable angina after a routine diagnostic workup involving stress ECG and conventional CA. The following inclusion criteria were adopted: sinus rhythm and ability to hold breath for 12 s. Beta-blockers were administered in patients with heart rate>or=70 beats/minute. In order to identify or exclude patients with significant stenoses (>or=50% lumen), we determined posttest likelihood r…
Spectrum of collateral findings in multislice CT coronary angiography.
2007
Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of the noncardiac collateral findings during multislice computed tomography coronary angiography (MSCT-CA). Materials and methods. Six hundred and seventy patients undergoing MSCT-CA with 16-slice and 64-slice CT scanners for suspected atherosclerotic disease of the coronary arteries were retrospectively reviewed. All data sets obtained with a large field of view (FOV) were analysed by two radiologists using standard mediastinal and lung window settings. Collateral findings were divided according to clinical importance into nonsignificant, remarkable and compulsory to be investigated. Results. Eighty-five percent of patients re…
Analysis of different contrast enhancement patterns after microbubble-based contrast agent injection in liver hemangiomas with atypical appearance on…
2006
BACKGROUND: We describe different possible enhancement patterns in liver hemangiomas with atypical appearance on baseline ultrasound after microbubble-based contrast agent injection. METHODS: From a series of 253 consecutive lesions that were indeterminate on baseline ultrasound and then scanned after injection of air-filled microbubble contrast agent, 65 focal liver lesions were retrospectively selected on the basis of a diagnosis of liver hemangioma on multiphase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (n = 23), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 27), or histology (n = 15). Each lesion was scanned during arterial phase (30 s after microbubble injection) and late phase (5 min after injection). …
Assessment of left main coronary artery atherosclerotic burden using 64-slice CT coronary angiography: correlation between dimensions and presence of…
2009
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to correlate left main (LM) coronary artery dimensions with the presence of atherosclerosis by multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography (CA) and to assess coronary atherosclerotic plaques with a semiquantitative method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients (41 men, mean age 60+/-11) with suspected coronary artery disease underwent 64-MDCT coronary angiography. LM dimensions (length, ostial and bifurcation diameters), quantitative [location, Hounsfield unit (HU) attenuation] and qualitative (composition, shape) analysis of plaques within the LM were performed. All patients underwent conventional CA. RESULTS: Thirty …