A GIANT ANEURYSM OF PROPER HEPATIC ARTERY IN A CRYOGLOBULINEMIC PATIENT ON HEMODIALYSIS: A CASE REPORT.

2014

Introductrion. Hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) are unusual vascular lesions often associated with many different pathological conditions. Most of reported cases are described in association with connective tissue diseases, such as polyarteritis nodosa and systemic lupus erythematosus. Case report. We observed a 52-year-old man with hypertension and HCV-related cryoglobulinemia complicated by end stage renal disease on replacement therapy by hemodialysis. He was admitted to our hospital because of the worsening of blood pressure values (170/110 mmHg) associated to new onset abdominal pain. After an initial physical examination, that showed a periumbelical bruit associated to a pulsatile mass…

Giant hepatic hydatid cyst as a cause of small bowel obstruction.

2006

Today, giant hydatid cysts are fairly rare even in endemic areas. We describe a case of an extremely large hydatid cyst of the liver that was causing massive compression of the neighboring organs, giving rise to a subocclusive syndrome of the intestine. After considering the various approaches available for the treatment of this disease, it was decided that radical surgery was still the best therapeutic choice, especially when extremely large cysts are involved. In particular, in clinical situations where it is difficult to perform radical surgical procedures, less aggressive surgery followed by drug treatment should be the treatment of choice.

Retroaortic left renal vein joining the left common iliac vein

2000

Retroaortic left renal vein joining the left common iliac vein is a rare congenital anomaly in the development of the inferior vena cava. To our knowledge, only one case has been reported in the literature; however, its imaging features have never been described. A 27-year-old male presented with a 1-year history of recurrent right flank pain, dysuria, hematuria, and fever (39 degrees C). Computed tomography and MR venography showed a retroaortic left renal vein joining the left common iliac vein. We present the CT and MR venography findings and discuss their feasibility in showing this congenital anomaly.

Benign focal liver lesions: spectrum of findings on SonoVue-enhanced pulse-inversion ultrasonography.

2005

The prevalence of benign focal liver lesions (BFLL) is high both in the general population and in patients with known malignancies. The gray-scale ultrasound (US) technique is usually the first-line imaging modality used in the radiological workup of such lesions, but unfortunately it lacks specificity. Furthermore, Doppler examination may often be unsatisfactory owing to motion artefacts, or when small or deeply located lesions are evaluated. Recently, microbubble-based contrast agents used in combination with gray-scale US techniques, which are very sensitive to nonlinear behavior of microbubbles, have led to a better depiction of both microvasculature and macrovasculature of focal hepati…

MRI in the Diagnosis of Right Ventricular Dysplasia

2006

ARVD is part of the group of cardiomyopathies characterised pathologically by fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium and clinically by right ventricular arrhythmias of the LBBB pattern. Pathogenesis, prevalence, and aetiology are yet not fully known. The diagnosis of ARVD is based on the presence of structural, histological, electrocardiographic, and genetic factors. Therapeutic options include antiarrhythmic medication, catheter ablation, implantable cardioverter defibrillation, and surgery. Angiography and echocardiography lack sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of ARVD. MR imaging allows a three-dimensional evaluation of especially the right ventricle, and p…

Acute appendicitis and situs viscerum inversus: radiological and surgical approach—a systematic review

2023

Abstract Introduction Acute appendicitis is one of the most frequent intra-abdominal diseases requiring emergency surgical consult and treatment. The diagnosis of this condition is based on clinical features and radiologic findings. One-third of patients with acute appendicitis present unusual symptoms. There are several circumstances that may cause misdiagnosis and unclear prognostic prediction. Among these, situs viscerum inversus totalis and midgut malrotation can be challenging scenarios, leading to a delay in treatment, especially when these conditions are unknown. We decided to carry on a systematic review of published cases of acute appendicitis in the context of anatomical anomalies…

Imaging findings of liver resection using a bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical device—Initial observations

2010

Abstract Objective To assess contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and serial changes of the treated area at follow-up in patients who underwent liver resection using a bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical device. Methods Imaging findings of 27 patients with resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) ( n  = 24) and metastases ( n  = 3) (mean size: 2.6 cm), were retrospectively evaluated. Two readers assessed: the (a) presence, (b) thickness, (c) shape and (d) echogenicity (CEUS)/attenuation (CT)/signal intensity (MR imaging) at coagulated site and the (e) presence of residual tumor of the bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical de…

Liver haemangiomas undetermined at grey-scale ultrasound: contrast-enhancement patterns with SonoVue and pulse-inversion US.

2005

The objective of this study was to describe the spectrum of contrast-enhancement patterns of hepatic haemangiomas undetermined at grey-scale ultrasound (US) on SonoVue-enhanced pulse-inversion (PI) US. Twenty patients (11 women, nine men) with 35 haemangiomas (size range: 1-7 cm; mean: 3.1 cm) undetermined at baseline US underwent PI at low M.I. (0.05-0.08) after i.v. injection of SonoVue. All haemangiomas were confirmed by typical helical computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. US examinations were videotaped and then reviewed by two experienced radiologists blinded to the final diagnosis. Readers evaluated by consensus the baseline echogenicity and the d…

Contrast-enhanced versus baseline ultrasonography in the characterization of benign focal hepatic lesions

2006

Focal hepatic intrinsically hyperattenuating lesions at unenhanced CT: Not always calcifications.

2021

Due to the growing use of CT, there has been an increase in the frequency of detecting focal liver lesions. Intrinsically hyperattenuating hepatic lesions or pseudolesions are not uncommon at unenhanced CT. Hyperattenuating hepatic lesions can be divided into non-calcified and calcified. Causes of intrinsic hyperattenuation include hemorrhage, thrombosis, and calcifications. Focal liver lesions can show hyperattenuation on unenhanced CT in case of severe liver steatosis. Recognition of etiologies associated with hyperattenuation on unenhanced CT can help the radiologist in characterizing focal liver lesions and pseudolesions. In this paper, we describe the spectrum of intrinsically hyperatt…

Computerised tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A practical approach

2017

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common head and neck cancer. This review describes the state-of-the-art computerised tomography and magnetic resonance imaging protocols of the neck and the normal larynx anatomy, and provides a practical approach for the diagnosis and staging of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Whole-body MRI in the early detection of multifocal osteonecrosis

2017

Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy: Surgical technique and perioperative clinical outcomes in a single center

2015

Abstract Introduction Pancreatic cancer is the fourth cause of death from cancer in Western countries. The radical surgical resection is the only curative option for this pathology. The prevalence of this disease increases with age in population. The causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown, but we consider risk factors like smoke and tobacco usage, alcohol consumption coffee, history of diabetes or chronic pancreatitis. In this study we report our experience in the treatment of resectable pancreatic cancer and periampullary neoplasms with particular attention to evaluate the evolution of surgical technique and the clinical postoperative outcomes. Methods In our Department between January 20…

Whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (WB‐MRI) in lymphoma: State of the art

2019

The improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology and the concern related to the increased cancer risk in patients with lymphoma, also due to radiation exposure associated with imaging examinations, have led to the introduction of whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) as a radiation-free alternative to standard imaging procedures. WB-MRI seems a less histology-dependent functional imaging test than 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT (18 F-FDG-PET/CT). In patients with FDG-avid lymphomas, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), 18 F-FDG-PET/CT remains the imaging reference standard for staging, with WB-MRI potentially being a complementar…

The Changing Epidemiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma :  Experience of a Single Center

2019

Aims. To analyze the main etiological factors and some clinical features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at diagnosis and to compare them with those we described ten years ago. Materials and Methods. We compared two groups of patients with HCC, Group 1 consisting of 132 patients (82 M, 50 F) diagnosed in the 2003–2008 period and Group 2 including 119 patients (82 M, 37 F) diagnosed in the 2013–2018 period. For all patients, age, sex, viral markers, alcohol consumption, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, and the main liver function parameters were recorded. The diagnosis of HCC was based on AASLD, EASL guidelines. The staging was classified according to the “Barcelona Clin…

Small solid renal masses: Characterization by diffusion-weighted MRI at 3 T

2013

AIM: To describe the appearance of small solid renal lesions (≤3 cm) on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to determine whether ADC measurements may help to differentiate benign from malignant small solid renal masses. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty-five patients with 47 small renal masses (23 malignant, 24 benign) who underwent 3 T MRI of the kidney using diffusion-weighted sequences (b values of 0 and 1000 s/mm(2)) were retrospectively evaluated. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of diffusion-weighted images was performed. RESULTS: Most lesions were hyperintense to kidney on high b-value diffusion-weighted images and hypointense on apparent diffusion coefficient (A…

Role of preoperative CT angiography with multimodality imaging reconstruction to perform laparoscopic Complete Mesocolic Excision (CME) and Central V…

2022

Background: The concept of complete mesocolic excision (CME) and central vascular ligation (CVL) in right colonic resections appears to improve the oncological outcomes. The highest rate of complications reported in the literature in patients undergoing CME is related to difficult surgical manuevers and intraoperative bleeding due to the central vascular dissection. Methods: We used preoperative findings obtained with the CT angiography, multiplanar reformation (MPR), maximum intesity projection (MIP) and 3D volume rendering (VR) technique to verify if this preoperative radiological assessment had significant benefits regarding the difficulty of dissection of the embryological planes, the i…

The Relationship between COVID-19 and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: A Large Spectrum from Glucocorticoid Insufficiency to Excess-The CAPISCO I…

2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly heterogeneous disease regarding severity, vulnerability to infection due to comorbidities, and treatment approaches. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis has been identified as one of the most critical endocrine targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that might significantly impact outcomes after infection. Herein we review the rationale for glucocorticoid use in the setting of COVID-19 and emphasize the need to have a low index of suspicion for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency, adjusting for the glucocorticoid formulation used, dose, treatment duration, and underlying health problems. We a…

Aortic valve and vascular calcium score in pre-TAVI CT: correlation with early post-procedural complications

2023

Abstract Purpose The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of early complications after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and their correlation with the Calcium Score (CS) of the aortic valve, aorta and ilio-femoral arteries derived from pre-procedural computed tomography (CT). Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed 226 patients (100 males, mean age 79.4 ± 6.7 years) undergoing 64-slice CT for pre-TAVI evaluation from January 2018 to April 2021. The population was divided into CS quartiles. Results Overall, 173 patients underwent TAVI procedure, of whom 61% presented paravalvular leak after the procedure, 28% presented bleeding or vascular complications, 25…

T2 Mapping of the Sacroiliac Joints in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis

2020

Purpose: To test whether T2 mapping of the sacro-iliac joints (SIJs) might help identifying patients with spondyloarthritis. Method: This study included 20 biologic-naive patients with axial spondyloarthritis (10 females; mean age: 38 ± 9years; range, 19–47) and 27 controls (16 males; mean age = 39 ± 13years; range = 28–71) who prospectively underwent SIJs MRI at 1.5 T, including a multislice multiecho spin-echo sequence. Standard MRIs were reviewed to assess the SIJs according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria and SPondyloArthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) MRI index. T2 maps obtained from multiecho sequences were used to draw regions…

Whole-body diffusion-weighted MR and FDG-PET/CT in Hodgkin Lymphoma: Predictive role before treatment and early assessment after two courses of ABVD

2017

Abstract Purpose To evaluate whether imaging features of pathologic lymph nodes on whole-body diffusion-weighted MR have a predictive role before treatment and may assess the response after two courses of chemotherapy in comparison to FDG-PET/CT in Hodgkin Lymphoma. Materials and methods We reviewed the whole-body MR and FDG-PET/CT performed on 41 patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma before and after two Doxorubicin-Bleomycin-Vinblastine-Dacarbazine (ABVD). Responder and non-responder lesions were identified on interim-FDG-PET/CT performed after two ABVD. We used Multivariate Generalized Estimating Equations model to assess statistical association between being-responder and baseline-Maximum Stan…

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings having histology as reference standard.

2017

Abstract Objective To investigate the correlation between MRI, clinical tests, histopathologic features of posterior tibial tendon (PTT) dysfunction in patients with acquired adult flatfoot deformity surgically treated with medializing calcaneal osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus tendon transposition. Materials and methods Nineteen patients (11 females; age: 46 ± 15 year, range 18–75) were pre-operatively evaluated using the single heel rise (HR) and the first metatarsal rise (FMR) sign tests. Two reviewers graded the PTT tears on a I–III scale and measured the hindfoot valgus angle on the pre-operative MRI of the ankle. The specimens of the removed portion of PTT were histologically ana…

Quantification of epicardial adipose tissue in coronary calcium score and CT coronary angiography image data sets: comparison of attenuation values, …

2016

The aim of the study was to compare epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) characteristics assessed with coronary calcium score (CS) and CT coronary angiography (CTCA) image data sets.In 76 patients (mean age 59 ± 13 years) who underwent CS and CTCA owing to suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), EAT was quantified in terms of density (Hounsfield units), thickness and volume. The EAT volume was extracted with a semi-automatic software.A moderate correlation was found between EAT density in CS and CTCA image data sets (-100 ± 19 HU vs -70 ± 24 HU; p  0.05, r = 0.55). The distribution of EAT was not symmetrical with a maximal thickness at the right atrioventricular groove (14.2 ± 5.3 mm in CS, 15.…

PI-RADS 3 Lesions: Role of Prostate MRI Texture Analysis in the Identification of Prostate Cancer

2021

Abstract Purpose To determine the diagnostic performance of texture analysis of prostate MRI for the diagnosis of prostate cancer among Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3 lesions. Materials and Methods Forty-three patients with at least 1 PI-RADS 3 lesion on prostate MRI performed between June 2016 and January 2019 were retrospectively included. Reference standard was pathological analysis of radical prostatectomy specimens or MRI-targeted biopsies. Texture analysis extraction of target lesions was performed on axial T2-weighted images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps using a radiomic software. Lesions were categorized as prostate cancer (Gleason score [GS] …

Radiological Follow-Up of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

2015

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic gastrointestinal diseases that typically affect the young working-age population. Patients with IBD, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, often develop complications during their clinical course. This is particularly true in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and biological signs of inflammation, despite being asymptomatic. In addition, it seems clear that the absence of symptoms does not imply an absence of inflammation. For all the above mentioned reasons, patients should be followed up and objectively evaluated. IBD are idiopathic diseases characterized by periods of remission and frequent exacerbations. To appreciate the impact of disease pr…

Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomographic colonography for the detection of advanced neoplasia in individuals at increased risk of colorectal cance…

2009

CONTEXT: Computed tomographic (CT) colonography has been recognized as an alternative for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk individuals, but less information is available on its performance in individuals at increased risk of CRC. OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of CT colonography in detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic individuals at increased risk of CRC using unblinded colonoscopy as the reference standard. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. Individuals at increased risk of CRC due to either family history of advanced neoplasia in first-degree relatives, personal history of colorectal adenomas, or positiv…

Imaging features of solid renal masses

2017

The widespread use of abdominal imaging techniques has increased the detection of solid renal masses over the past years. Imaging plays a crucial role in the management and surveillance and in determining which lesions need treatment. The "classical angiomyolipoma" is the only benign solid renal mass that can be characterized with confidence by imaging through the detection of a fat-containing lesion without calcifications. There is a large overlap of imaging features between benign and malignant renal masses that often makes difficult a correct characterization of these lesions. In this review, we discuss the imaging features of the main solid renal masses that may suggest a likely benign …

Integrated non-invasive approach to atherosclerosis with cardiac CT and carotid ultrasound in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

2017

The aim of the study was to compare the atherosclerotic disease in the coronary and carotid arteries in patients who underwent non-invasive imaging for suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD). 107 patients (64 men, age 59 ± 12) with atypical chest pain underwent cardiac CT (CCT) and carotid ultrasound (US) on the same day. Severity (obstructive or not-obstructive disease), location, shape, and composition of atherosclerotic plaques in the two districts were evaluated. Patients presented normal coronary arteries in 36 % (n = 38), not-obstructive CAD in 36 % (n = 39), and obstructive CAD in 28 % (n = 30), while had normal carotid arteries in 53 % (n = 57), not-obstructive disease in 44…

Esame radiologico del torace nell’invecchiamento cardiaco

2006

L’invecchiamento e un processo fisiologico, definito omeostenosi caratterizzato da un progressivo declino dell’omeostasi di diversi organi e apparati in assenza di segni e/o sintomi di malattia. Le modificazioni anatomo-patologiche a carico dell’apparato cardiocircolatorio iniziano a comparire gia dalla terza decade di vita con incremento del grasso pericardico, progressivo irrigidimento delle valvole cardiache con segni di insufficienza e/o stenosi. Nella parete cardiaca si puo documentare ipertrofia del miocardio con incremento volumetrico delle fibrocellule muscolari lisce, prevalentemente a carico del distretto sinistro. Analoghe modificazioni sono riscontrabili nella parete vasale del …

Response Assessment to Cancer Therapy

2021

Cancer generically refers to a group of diseases showing an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells potentially having the ability to invade, through the blood and lymph systems, nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Splenic tuberculosis in a patient with Crohn's disease on infliximab: Case report

2010

Whole-body MRI, FDG-PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy, for the assessment of bone marrow involvement in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma

2016

Purpose To compare whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), FDG-PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy (BMB), for the evaluation of bone marrow involvement (BMI) in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Two independent radiologists and one nuclear medicine specialist reviewed all WB-MRI and FDG-PET/CT scans prospectively performed on 104 patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma (53 males; 47 Hodgkin; mean age: 44 years; range, 15–86 years) between 2013 and 2015. The delay between imaging scans and BMBs was up to 10 days. The diagnostic accuracy of WB-MRI (1.5 Tesla MR scanner, with T…

Dedifferentiated retroperitoneal large liposarcoma and laparoscopic treatment: Is it possible and safe? The first literature case report

2019

Highlights • We describe a case report of large retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma totally treated by laparoscopic surgery. • In literature we found few cases of laparoscopic treatment only for Well-Differentiated liposarcoma. • To our knowledge this is the first description of Dedifferentiated liposarcoma completely treated with laparoscopic technique. • Literature review was performed to identify outcomes and advantages of laparoscopic approach for.

Whole-body MRI in patients with lymphoma: collateral findings.

2016

To assess the incidence of collateral findings detected on whole-body magnetic resonance (WB-MRI) scans performed on patients with lymphoma. 114 patients (65 male; median age 45.2 years, range 15–86) with histologically confirmed lymphoma (47 Hodgkin, 67 Non-Hodgkin) underwent WB-MRI. The collateral findings were classified into three classes, according to their clinical significance, as follows: not or low significant (class 1), moderately or potentially significant (class 2), and significant (class 3). A Chi-square (χ 2) test was performed to assess the statistical significance of differences in the incidence of collateral findings based on age (≤50 and >50 years old), gender and histolog…

A multicenter evaluation of a deep learning software (LungQuant) for lung parenchyma characterization in COVID-19 pneumonia

2023

Abstract Background The role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and characterization of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia has been widely recognized. We evaluated the performance of a software for quantitative analysis of chest CT, the LungQuant system, by comparing its results with independent visual evaluations by a group of 14 clinical experts. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ability of the automated tool to extract quantitative information from lung CT, relevant for the design of a diagnosis support model. Methods LungQuant segments both the lungs and lesions associated with COVID-19 pneumonia (ground-glass opacities and consolidations) and computes derived…

Clinical efficacy of α4 integrin block with natalizumab in ankylosing spondylitis

2016

We describe the impact of α4-β1/7 blockade with natalizumab, a recombinant humanised immunoglobulin (Ig) G4κ monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeted to the α4 subunit of the α4β1 and α4β7 integrins, on the gut and spine inflammation in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who developed multiple sclerosis after treatment with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-blocking agents. A 45-year-old man with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27-positive AS was admitted in January 2007. He had been diagnosed with AS 4 years earlier based on the presence of inflammatory back pain, peripheral arthritis, radiographic bilateral grade 2 sacroiliitis, HLA-B27 positivity. At that time, he had evidence of chronic int…

Valvular Heart Disease

2013

Valvular heart disease (VHD) refers to a wide spectrum of cardiac disorders that affect a large number of patients. Echocardiography is still considered the pivotal imaging method to evaluate the cardiac valves. However, echocardiography has some intrinsic limitations due to operator dependence and patient habitus. In the last two decades three-dimensional techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) have provided valuable assessment of VHD. MRI overcomes the limitation of the poor acoustic window of echocardiography without ionizing radiation. Nowadays, MRI aims to be considered as the reference standard for imaging cardiac valves because of the improved…

PERFORMANCE OF DIFFUSION KURTOSIS IMAGING FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF PROSTATE LESIONS USING 1.5T MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCANNER

2020

The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and apparent kurtosis coefficient (Kapp) for the characterization of prostate lesions on 1.5T MRI. This retrospective study included 34 patients with at least one lesion with PI-RADS score≥ 3. Performances of ADC and Kapp were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC). Lesions with Gleason score≥6 had significantly lower Kapp compared to benign lesions (p=0.025). The ADC-ratio was the only significantly different parameter between GS≥7 and GS=6 lesions (p=0.039). Kapp showed the largest AUROC for the diagnosis of GS≥6 prostate cancers (AUR…

Focal nodular hyperplasia in normal and fatty liver: a qualitative and quantitative evaluation with contrast-enhanced ultrasound

2004

The aim of this study was to describe gray-scale appearance of liver parenchyma and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) by pulse inversion (PI) ultrasound (US) at baseline and after contrast agent administration in patients with normal and fatty liver. Sixteen consecutive patients (12 women, 4 men) with 29 previously diagnosed FNHs (15 of 29 located in normal liver and 14 of 29 in fatty liver) underwent PI US before and after SH U 508A (Levovist) injection. Signal intensity values were measured within the FNHs and the adjacent liver parenchyma in selected images. Baseline echogenicity of fatty liver was higher (15.19 +/- 2.90 dB +/- SD) than normal liver (10.91 +/- 3.15 dB +/- SD; p<0.001). Aft…

CT and MR imaging of cystic renal lesions

2020

AbstractCystic renal lesions are a common incidental finding on routinely imaging examinations. Although a benign simple cyst is usually easy to recognize, the same is not true for complex and multifocal cystic renal lesions, whose differential diagnosis includes both neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions. In this review, we will show a series of cases in order to provide tips to identify benign cysts and differentiate them from malignant ones.

Whole body magnetic resonance in indolent lymphomas under watchful waiting: The time is now.

2017

The indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas (i-NHLs) are characterised by ‘indolent’ clinical behaviour with slow growth and prolonged natural history. The watchful waiting (WW) strategy is a frequently employed treatment option in these patients. This implies a strict monitoring by imaging examinations, including 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) and CT. A major concern is radiation exposure due to regularly monitoring by conventional imaging procedures. Several studies have demonstrated the reliability of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) for lymphoma staging. WB-MRI could be useful for active surveillance in i-NHLs providing the …

A Novel System for Multi-level Crohn’s Disease Classification and Grading Based on a Multiclass Support Vector Machine

2020

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that can highly alter patient’s quality of life. Diagnostic imaging, such as Enterography Magnetic Resonance Imaging (E-MRI), provides crucial information for CD activity assessment. Automatic learning methods play a fundamental role in the classification of CD and allow to avoid the long and expensive manual classification process by radiologists. This paper presents a novel classification method that uses a multiclass Support Vector Machine (SVM) based on a Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel for the grading of CD inflammatory activity. To validate the system, we have used a dataset composed of 800 E-MRI…

Vesicoureteral reflux in young patients: Comparison of voiding color Doppler US with echo enhancement versus voiding cystourethrography for diagnosis…

2004

We assessed the accuracy of voiding color Doppler ultrasonography (US) with echo enhancement for diagnosis or exclusion of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) versus voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and evaluated patient tolerance of the echo-enhancing agent. One hundred twenty-two patients (ages range, 1 month to 17 years) with 244 ureterorenal units underwent voiding color Doppler US with echo enhancement, which was followed by VCUG on the same day. After US of the urinary tract, the bladder was filled with saline solution via catheter. Then an echo-enhancing agent was instilled, and color Doppler US was performed. Reflux was diagnosed when microbubbles appeared in the ureter or the pelvicalicea…

The Videofluorographic Swallowing Study in Rheumatologic Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

2017

Autoimmune connective tissue diseases are a heterogeneous group of pathologies that affect about 10% of world population with chronic evolution in 20%–80%. Inflammation in autoimmune diseases may lead to serious damage to other organs including the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal tract involvement in these patients may also due to both a direct action of antibodies against organs and pharmacological therapies. Dysphagia is one of the most important symptom, and it is caused by failure of the swallowing function and may lead to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss, and airway obstruction. The videofluorographic swallowing study is a key diagnostic tool in the…

EVALUATION OF MESENTERIC CHANGES WITH ELASTOSONOGRAPHY AND DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN PATIENTS WITH CROHN'S DISEASE: PRELIMINAR…

2016

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

Optimizing diagnostic approach to drug-induced liver injury

2018

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is often a trial even to expert clinicians, because sometimes diagnosis is not easy to be made. Guidelines of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) yielded in 2014, help to better understand the problem. The diagnosis of DILI is made through a detailed evaluation of clinical, serological, radiological and histological aspects. Biochemical data include liver function tests that allow to assess the pattern of damage, such as hepatocellular, cholestatic and mixed liver injury; serological data include testing for major and possibly minor hepatotropic viruses, non-organ specific autoantibodies. Clinical scenario might include jaundice, nausea, vomiting …

Post-operative computed tomography imaging evaluation of ascending aorta surgery

2021

Ascending thoracic aorta disease is often a life-threatening condition. Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are the most frequent ascending aorta diseases requiring surgical intervention. Surgical repair techniques of the ascending aorta are various; they include reconstruction of the ascending aorta by using a graft with or without a prosthetic valve, reconstruction with a composite artificial graft or using a biological graft, and reconstruction of the ascending aorta with a composite graft preserving the native valve and arch repair. The radiologist plays a key role in the identification of post-operative complications; differentiation from normal postoperative findings is fundamental.…

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and FDG-PET/CT for lymphoma staging: Assessment of patient experience

2017

Purpose: To compare patient experience of whole-body MRI and FDG-PET/CT performed for lymphoma staging. Methods: One-hundred-fifteen patients (59 males, 56 females; 53 Hodgkin, 62 non-Hodgkin; mean age: 43.8 years) with lymphoma underwent whole-body MRI and FDG-PET/CT for staging and filled a questionnaire regarding their experience of the examinations using a 4-point Likert scale (1, very good; 4,very bad). Differences were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Patients were asked to express their preference on both techniques. Preferences were compared on the basis of gender, age, and Ann Arbor stage using the chi-square test. A p-value ≤ .05 was considered significant. Results: Most…

MRI Enteroclysis and Enterography

2015

Magnetic Resonance is actually the most complete and less invasive imaging technique in the evaluation of Crohn’s disease. Compared to Computed Tomography and Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance allows both a morphological and qualitative evaluation of the disease at the same time, thus allowing an evaluation of its extension in the gastrointestinal tract and of its grade of activity, obtaining an accurate relation with the clinical status of the patient. This is possible thanks to its intrinsic characteristics, as multiplanarity, high contrast resolution, and the possibility to make a functional assessment; moreover, there is no use of ionizing radiation. For all these reasons, this technique h…

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: preoperative data, surgical technique and clinical outcomes

2019

Background: laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard treatment for adrenal lesions. The better clinical outcoms of laparoscopic technique are valid for treatment of small benign masses (&lt; 5-6 cm), instead there are still open questions in literature regarding the correct management of larger lesions (&gt; 6 cm) or in case of potentially malignant adrenal tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a referral surgical department for endocrine surgery. Methods: at the University Hospital Policlinico "P. Giaccone" of Palermo between January 2010 and December 2017 we performed a total of 81 laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We created a retr…

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation in adult: report of two rare cases and literature review

2019

Congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) are a heterogeneous group of congenital, non-hereditary lesions of the lung, cystic and non-cystic type with clear developmental anomalies and evident malformative changes, which derive from the excessive proliferation of the tubular bronchial structures. We described two rare cases of type IV CPAM detected in adult patients with different clinical presentation: one of these cases was symptomatic, complaining of cough and hemoptysis. Conversely, the other case was reported as incidental findings in patient with abdominal pain without respiratory symptoms. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan was performed showing voluminous cystic formations …

Delayed diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a 32-year-old man with knee pain

2016

A 32-year-old Bangladeshi male was admitted at our emergency department for trauma of the left knee. The radiographs showed absence of fracture, and presence of an indeterminate oval lucency in the proximal tibia. Further examinations were suggested, but the patient refused. 6 months later, the patient re-presented at our emergency department. A CT scan showed progression of musculoskeletal involvement and spread to the liver. This case underlines the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of indeterminate bone lesions in immigrant patients.

Clinical and prognostic value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in restaging of pancreatic cancer

2018

Aim The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to evaluate the clinical and prognostic effect of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT) in the restaging process of pancreatic cancer (PC). Materials and methods Data from patients treated for primary PC, who underwent18F-FDG-PET/CT for suspicious of disease progression, were collected. Accuracy was assessed employing conventional diagnostic procedures, multidisciplinary team case notes, further18F-FDG-PET/CT scans and/or follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic curve and likelihood ratio (LR+/-) analyses were used for completion of accuracy definition. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall sur…

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Clinical, Endoscopic, and Radiological Findings.

2018

Background. The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare entity presenting with upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction and weight loss. Studies to determine the optimal methods of diagnosis and treatment are required. Aims and Methods. This study aims at analyzing the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of SMA syndrome. Ten cases of SMA syndrome out of 2074 esophagogastroduodenoscopies were suspected. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan was performed to confirm the diagnosis. After, a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist personalized the therapy. Furthermore, we compared the demographical, clinical, endoscopic, and radiological parameters of these …

Can ECG-gated MDCT be considered an obligatory step to plan and manage a new chest-pain unit?

2007

The recent improvements in multi-detector computed tomography technology and its application in cardiac field allow to consider this non-invasive imaging technique as a promising comprehensive method for detecting significant coronary stenoses in a chest-pain unit. The possibility to use the ECG-synchronisation acquisition protocol, normally limited to the cardiac volume, for the entire thoracic vascular system should have the remarkable potential to reduce invasive and non-invasive procedures actually used to investigate acute chest pain and the number of unnecessary hospital admissions without reducing appropriate admissions in patients with chest pain.

Outcome of LR-3 and LR-4 observations without arterial phase hyperenhancement at Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI follow-up

2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the outcome of LR-3 and LR-4 without arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE), and identify which features could predict LR-5 progression on serial Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI follow-up. Methods: Forty-nine cirrhotic patients with 55 LR-3 and 19 LR-4 without APHE were evaluated. Observations were classified as decreased, stable or increased in category at follow-up. Observation size and LI-RADS major and ancillary features were evaluated. Results: Seventeen/fifty-five (31%) LR-3 and 8/19 (42%) LR-4 progressed to LR-5 at follow-up. Baseline LI-RADS major and ancillary features were not significantly different among LR-3 and LR-4. A d…

Atypical liver hemangiomas: contrast enhancement patterns with SH U 508A and pulse inversion ultrasound

2003

Multiple sclerosis: prevalence of the ‘central vein’ sign in white matter lesions on gadolinium-enhanced susceptibility-weighted images

2021

Aims To evaluate prospectively whether an intravenous gadolinium injection could improve the detection of the central vein sign on susceptibility-weighted imaging sequences obtained with a 1.5 T magnetic resonance scanner in patients with multiple sclerosis compared to unenhanced susceptibility-weighted images. Materials and methods This prospective, institution review board-approved study included 19 patients affected by multiple sclerosis (six men; 13 women; mean age 40.8 years, range 20–74 years). Patients had the relapsing–remitting clinical subtype in 95% of cases, and only one (5%) patient had the primary progressive clinical subtype of multiple sclerosis. T2-weighted images, fluid-at…

Osteonecrosis detected by whole body magnetic resonance in patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma treated by BEACOPP

2016

Objectives: The purpose of our retrospective review of prospectively acquired Whole Body Magnetic Resonance (WB-MRI) scans was to assess the incidence of osteonecrosis in patients who received different chemotherapies. Methods: We evaluated the WB-MRI scans performed on 42 patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma treated by three chemotherapy regimens (6ABVD, 2ABVD + 4BEACOPP, 2ABVD + 8BEACOPP), excluding patients with the main risk factors for osteonecrosis. Results: Six out of seven patients (86 %) who received eight BEACOPP and one out of five patients (20 %) treated by four BEACOPP presented osteonecrosis, with a statistically significant difference of frequency between the two groups of patients…

Challenges and advances for the treatment of renal cancer patients with brain metastases: From immunological background to upcoming clinical evidence…

2021

The introduction of checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment landscape, resulted in improvements in overall survival (OS) in metastatic patients. Brain metastases (BMs) are a specific metastatic site of interest representing a predictive factor of poor prognosis. Patients with BMs were usually excluded from prospective clinical trials in the past. Despite recent evidence suggest the efficacy and safety of ICIs, the BMs treatment remains a challenge; the immunotherapy responsiveness seems to be multifactorial and dependent on several factors, such as the genetic intratumor heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive role of the brain tumor microenvironment. This revie…

Patologie renali chirurgiche

2006

Osteonecrosis in Hodgkin lymphoma treated by BEACOPP

2018

Potential Myocardial Iron Content Evaluation by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Thalassemia Major Patients Treated with Deferoxamine or Deferiprone Dur…

2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the variations of heart magnetic resonance imaging in beta-thalassemia major patients treated with Deferoxamine B mesylate (DF) or Deferiprone (L1) chelation therapy is a useful tool of the indirect myocardial iron content determination. For this reason, a prospective study was carried out. Seventy-two consecutive patients with beta-thalassemia major (35 treated with DF and 37 with L1) were studied. The main outcome results were laboratory parameters including determination of the liver iron concentration (LIC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart and liver. The heart to muscle signal intensity ratios (HSIRs) were significantly incre…

Innovation in endocrine surgery: robotic versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Meta-analysis and systematic literature review.

2017

Several studies in the last years demonstrated the better surgical outcome of laparoscopic approach to adrenal gland. Laparoscopic surgery is more difficult to learn and requires different psychomotor skills than open surgery, especially with regard to complex maneuvers requiring precision and dexterity. The development of robotic platform with three-dimensional vision and increased degrees of freedom of the surgical instruments has the aim to overcome these problems. We performed a systematic literature review with meta-analysis to evaluate preoperative data and surgical outcomes of robotic adrenalectomy compared with laparoscopic technique. In September 2016 we performed a systematic lite…

Role of cardiac computed tomography in the evaluation of coronary artery stenosis in patients with ascending aorta aneurysm detected at transthoracic…

2016

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in the evaluation of coronary artery stenosis in patients with ascending aorta aneurysm detected at transthoracic echocardiography. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with an aneurysm 45 mm or greater at transthoracic echocardiography who underwent CCT from 2012 to 2014 in our hospital. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of CCT for the assessment of coronary artery stenosis (<50% or ≥50% stenosis) in patients who underwent conventional coronary angiography. RESULTS We included 104 patients (73 men, aged 64 …

Survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: a comparison of BCLC, CLIP and GRETCH staging systems

2008

Summary Background  A major problem in assessing the likelihood of survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from a lack of models capable of predicting outcome accurately. Aim  To compare the ability of the Italian score (CLIP), the French classification (GRETCH) and the Barcelona (BCLC) staging system in predicting survival in patients with HCC. Methods  We included 406 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and HCC. Seventy-eight per cent of patients had hepatitis C. Independent predictors of survival were identified using the Cox model. Results  One-hundred and seventy-eight patients were treated, while 228 were untreated. The observed mortality was 60.1% in treated p…

Technical development in cardiac CT: current standards and future improvements—a narrative review

2020

Non-invasive depiction of coronary arteries has been a great challenge for imaging specialists since the introduction of computed tomography (CT). Technological development together with improvements in spatial, temporal, and contrast resolution, progressively allowed implementation of the current clinical role of the CT assessment of coronary arteries. Several technological evolutions including hardware and software solutions of CT scanners have been developed to improve spatial and temporal resolution. The main challenges of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) are currently plaque characterization, functional assessment of stenosis and radiation dose reduction. In this review, we will discu…

Large cavernous hemangioma of the adrenal gland: Laparoscopic treatment. Report of a case

2015

Highlights • Identify the preoperative radiologic features of adrenal hemangioma. • We examine the better surgical approach for adrenal tumors and adrenal hemangioma. • Controindication to laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Promoting a Syndemic Approach for Cardiometabolic Disease Management During COVID-19: The CAPISCO International Expert Panel

2021

Efforts in the fight against COVID-19 are achieving success in many parts of the world, although progress remains slow in other regions. We believe that a syndemic approach needs to be adopted to address this pandemic given the strong apparent interplay between COVID-19, its related complications, and the socio-structural environment. We have assembled an international, multidisciplinary group of researchers and clinical practitioners to promote a novel syndemic approach to COVID-19: the CArdiometabolic Panel of International experts on Syndemic COvid-19 (CAPISCO). This geographically diverse group aims to facilitate collaborative-networking and scientific exchanges between researchers and …

MRI evaluation to predict tendon size for knee ligament reconstruction.

2017

Background The aim of this study is to evaluate a possible correlation between specific anthropometric parameters and sizes of knee tendons commonly used for ACL reconstruction. We hypothesized that specific clinical and radiological knee measurements could be better tendon sizes predictors than age, gender, height and weight. Materials and methods 100 consecutive patients were enrolled and 77 patients met the inclusion criteria of the study. All patients underwent a MRI of the knee with a 1.5 T super conducting MR System. For each patient, anthropometric data such as gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and knee circumference were recorded. Specific MRI knee measurements were perf…

Clinical relevance of myocardial bridging detected by coronary CT angiography in patients with atypical chest pain

2019

Computer tomography features of pulmonary vascular involvement in Behçet's disease

2019

Behçet’s disease is a chronic and multisystemic inflammatory vascular disease of unknown etiology, affecting vessels of all kinds and sizes. The involvement of the vascular system is observed in approximately 5-30% of patients. The most frequent vascular manifestations are venous thrombosis followed by arterial aneurysms and arterial thrombosis. The identification of vascular involvement is very important for prognosis, indeed the rupture of an arterial aneurysm represents the leading cause of sudden death in patients with Behçet’s disease. Computed tomography (CT) plays a crucial role in the identification and in the follow-up of vascular involvement. In this paper, we report the case of a…

Whole-body MRI radiomics model to predict relapsed/refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma: A preliminary study.

2022

Purpose A strong prognostic score that enables a stratification of newly diagnosed Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) to identify patients at high risk of refractory/relapsed disease is still needed. Our aim was to investigate the potential value of a radiomics analysis pipeline from whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) exams for clinical outcome prediction in patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). Materials and methods Index lesions from baseline WB-MRIs of 40 patients (22 females; mean age 31.7 ± 11.4 years) with newly diagnosed HL treated by ABVD chemotherapy regimen were manually segmented on T1-weighted, STIR, and DWI images for texture analysis feature extraction. A machine learning approach based on the Extra T…

Evolution of indeterminate hepatocellular nodules at Gd-EOB-DPTA-enhanced MRI in cirrhotic patients

2018

To retrospectively analyze the evolution of indeterminate hepatocellular nodules in cirrhotic patients on serial Gd-EOB-DPTA-enhanced MRI, and to identify predictors of HCC development. This IRB approved study included 33 cirrhotic patients with 69 indeterminate hepatocellular nodules (mean diameter 1.1 cm) at baseline Gd-EOB-DPTA-enhanced MRI and a Gd-EOB-DPTA-enhanced-MRI follow-up of at least 2 years. Two radiologists evaluated size and signal intensity of each nodule at baseline and follow-up. Age, cirrhosis etiology, and HCC history were recorded. Data were compared between nodules that became HCCs at follow-up (HCC) and those that did not (no-HCC). On follow-up, 5/69 nodules became HC…

Seeding after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis: a prospective study.

2008

Abstract Background Neoplastic seeding of hepatocellular carcinoma may arise after radiofrequency ablation. Aims In order to clarify the real risk of seeding, we observed a prospective cohort of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation. Methods Ninety-three (22.9%) out of 406 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma superimposed to cirrhosis diagnosed at our Liver Unit (2000–2005) were selected for radiofrequency ablation according to the Barcelona 2000 EASL guidelines. Seventy-one patients were treated by a percutaneous approach and 22 at laparotomy. After radiofrequency ablation ultrasound scan was repeated every 3 months and spiral-computed tomography every 6 months. Results…

Predictive role of ankle MRI for tendon graft choice and surgical reconstruction.

2020

Purpose: Tendon transfers have become a common surgical procedure around the ankle. In this study, we sought to evaluate the existence of a correlation between specific anthropometric parameters and the size of some ankle tendons measured on MRI, in particular those mostly used as graft in ankle surgery. Methods: We recorded gender, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of 113 patients (57 females; mean age: 42 ± 18) who underwent ankle MRI. MRI measurements performed by a radiologist were: axial shortest diameter of Achilles (AT), posterior tibialis (PTT), flexor digitorum longus (FDLT), flexor hallucis longus (FHLT), peroneus longus (PLT), and anterior tibialis (ATT) tendons, intermal…

Advances in liver US, CT, and MRI: moving toward the future

2021

AbstractOver the past two decades, the epidemiology of chronic liver disease has changed with an increase in the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in parallel to the advent of curative treatments for hepatitis C. Recent developments provided new tools for diagnosis and monitoring of liver diseases based on ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as applied for assessing steatosis, fibrosis, and focal lesions. This narrative review aims to discuss the emerging approaches for qualitative and quantitative liver imaging, focusing on those expected to become adopted in clinical practice in the next 5 to 10 years. While radiomics is an emergin…

Working in the mirror: The safety and effectiveness of closure access leading venous advanced gain new ability in a patient with dextrocardia

2018

The evolution of devices in serious cardiac rhythm pathology management and in other medicine areas and its optimal management have progressively become a worldwide serious challenge. We present an upgrading to dual chamber im-plantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) without complications in a 68 year old woman through closure access leading venous advanced gain new ability, complementing the mechanical multiple venous entry-site approach extraction. This is another of the few cases present in literature about ICD in patients with dextrocardia and it focuses on the safety and effectiveness of our simple technique also in a patient with dextrocardia.

Role of apparent diffusion coefficient values in prostate diseases characterization on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

2019

BACKGROUND: To evaluate if normal and pathological prostate tissue can be distinguished by using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to understand if it is possible to differentiate among pathological prostate tissues using ADC values.METHODS:Our population consisted in 81 patients (mean age 65.4 years) in which 84 suspicious areas were identified. Regions of interest were placed over suspicious areas, detected on MRI, and over areas with normal appearance, and ADC values were recorded. Statistical differences between ADC values of suspicious and normal areas were evaluated. Histopathological diagnosis, obtained from targeted biopsy using MRI-…

CT imaging findings of epiploic appendagitis: an unusual cause of abdominal pain

2019

AbstractEpiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain, determined by a benign self-limiting inflammation of the epiploic appendages. It may manifest with heterogeneous clinical presentations, mimicking other more severe entities responsible of acute abdominal pain, such as acute diverticulitis or appendicitis. Given its importance as clinical mimicker, imaging plays a crucial role to avoid inaccurate diagnosis that may lead to unnecessary hospitalization, antibiotic therapy, and surgery. CT represents the gold standard technique for the evaluation of patients with indeterminate acute abdominal pain. Imaging findings include the presence of an oval lesion with fat-attenuation…

Post-COVID syndrome, inflammation, and diabetes

2022

The raging COVID-19 pandemic is in its third year of global impact. The SARS CoV 2 virus has a high rate of spread, protean manifestations, and a high morbidity and mortality in individuals with predisposing risk factors. The pathophysiologic mechanisms involve a heightened systemic inflammatory state, cardiometabolic derangements, and varying degrees of glucose intolerance. The latter can be evident as significant hyperglycemia leading to new -onset diabetes or worsening of preexisting disease. Unfortunately, the clinical course beyond the acute phase of the illness may persist in the form of a variety of symptoms that together form the so-called "Long COVID" or "Post-COVID Syndrome". It i…

Imaging features of adrenal masses

2019

Abstract The widespread use of imaging examinations has increased the detection of incidental adrenal lesions, which are mostly benign and non-functioning adenomas. The differentiation of a benign from a malignant adrenal mass can be crucial especially in oncology patients since it would greatly affect treatment and prognosis. In this setting, imaging plays a key role in the detection and characterization of adrenal lesions, with several imaging tools which can be employed by radiologists. A thorough knowledge of the imaging features of adrenal masses is essential to better characterize these lesions, avoiding a misinterpretation of imaging findings, which frequently overlap between benign …

Characterization of benign hepatic tumors arising in fatty liver with SonoVue and pulse inversion US.

2007

Background: We describe the spectrum of contrast-enhancement patterns of benign hepatic tumors arising in fatty liver on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US). Methods: Sixteen patients (12 women and four men) with 27 benign hepatic tumors (17 hemangiomas, eight focal nodular hyperplasias, and two hepatocellular adenomas) arising in fatty liver underwent baseline and pulse inversion US after administration of SonoVue. Two experienced radiologists evaluated baseline echogenicity and dynamic enhancement pattern of each lesion in comparison with adjacent liver parenchyma. Results: After administration of SonoVue, in the arterial phase 13 of 17 hemangiomas showed peripheral globular enhancement and…

Re: Small solid renal masses: characterization by diffusion-weighted MRI at 3 T. A reply.

2014

Role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in local complications of acute pancreatitis

2019

Acute pancreatitis (AP) represents a pancreas inflammation of sudden onset that can present different degrees of severity. AP is a frequent cause of acute abdomen and its complications are still a cause of death. Biliary calculosis and alcohol abuse are the most frequent cause of AP. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are not necessary for the diagnosis of AP but they are fundamental tools for the identification of the cause, degree severity and AP complications. AP severity assessment is in fact one of the most important issue in disease management. Contrast-enhanced CT is preferred in the emergency setting and is considered the gold standard in patients with AP.…

Clinical and Prognostic Value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the Restaging Process of Recurrent Cutaneous Melanoma

2020

Background: Several studies on 18F-FDG-PET/CT have investigated the prognostic role of this imaging modality in different tumors after treatment. Nevertheless, its role in restaging patients with recurrent CM still needs to be defined. Objective: The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the clinical and prognostic impact of 18F-FDG-PET/CT on the restaging process of cutaneous melanoma (CM) after surgery in patients with suspected distant recurrent disease or suspected metastatic progression disease. Materials and Methods: 74 patients surgically treated for CM underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT for suspected distant recurrent disease or suspected metastatic progression disease.…

Whole-body magnetic resonance for staging and response assessment of lymphoma in a pregnant woman treated with antenatal chemotherapy

2017

A 32-year-old pregnant female presented with bilateral supraclavicular swelling, diffuse itching and right shoulder pain. After lymph nodal biopsy, a diagnosis of nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's lymphoma was obtained. A multidisciplinary team decided to start chemotherapy before the delivery, and whole-body MRI was used to stage the disease and evaluate the response after antenatal chemotherapy. This case shows that whole-body MRI is an attractive procedure that avoids radiation exposure and contrast administration, and enables staging and follow-up of a pregnant patient without risk to the fetus.

Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic Complete Mesocolic Excision (CME) for Right-sided Colon Cancer

2020

OBJECTIVE The aim of this prospective clinical study is to compare short-term outcome of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy using the Complete Mesocolic Excision (CME group) with patients who underwent conventional right-sided colonic resection (NCME group). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Although CME with central vascular ligation in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy is associated with a significant decrease in local recurrence rates and improvements in cancer-related 5-year survival, there may be additional risks associated with this technique because of increased surgical complications. As a result, there is controversy surrounding its use. METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, several prim…

Mortality in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma predicted by six scoring systems: None is the winner

2007

Caecal leiomyoma detected by whole-body MRI in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma: first case report

2017

Introduction. Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is one of the most curable malignant diseases. Modern treatments, like the combined radiochemotherapy and stem cell transplantation, have increased the number of malignant disease survivors. However, HL survivors are at risk of long-term effects, including the development of solid tumors. Secondary neoplasms are a major cause of late morbidity and mortality following treatment for HL. Case report. We report the case of a male patient, treated for HL by chemotherapy, who developed a large leiomyoma of the cecum one year after the treatment. A whole-body Magnetic Resonance (WBMRI) scan performed during the follow-up allowed the detection of this incidental …

Forty-slice MDCT enteroclysis: evaluation after oral administration of isotonic solution in Crohn's disease.

2007

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) enteroclysis after oral hyperhydration with isotonic solution in detecting bowel wall alterations in patients with Crohn’s disease. Materials and methods. Twenty-eight patients with a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease established by ileocolonoscopy and histology were enrolled in the study; 15 patients with negative ileocolonoscopy served as controls. In all cases, MDCT enteroclysis was performed after oral administration of 2,000 ml of isotonic solution and intravenous administration of N-butylscopolamine. Axial, isotropic multiplanar and volume-rendered reconstructions were used to evaluate…

Value of serial magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of brain metastases volume control during stereotactic radiosurgery

2016

AIM To evaluate brain metastases volume control capabilities of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) through serial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging follow-up. METHODS MR examinations of 54 brain metastases in 31 patients before and after SRS were reviewed. Patients were included in this study if they had a pre-treatment MR examination and serial follow-up MR examinations at 6 wk, 9 wk, 12 wk, and 12 mo after SRS. The metastasis volume change was categorized at each follow-up as increased (> 20% of the initial volume), stable (± 20% of the initial volume) or decreased (< 20% of the initial volume). RESULTS A local tumor control with a significant (P < 0.05) volume decrease was observed in 25 meta…

GI/Liver/Biliary/Pancreas

2009

Coronary artery anomalies: incidence, pathophysiology, clinical relevance and role of diagnostic imaging

2006

Conventional coronary angiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies. Coronary anomalies are relatively rare findings in patients undergoing conventional coronary angiography for suspected obstructive coronary artery disease. Recently, the increasing performance of diagnostic techniques, such as electron beam tomography (EBT), magnetic resonance (MR) and, more recently, multislice computed tomography (MSCT), has enabled their application to cardiac imaging. MSCT, in particular, has a prominent role in coronary imaging due to its spatial and temporal resolution and three-dimensional capabilities. We report the incidence and pathophysiology of coronary artery …

TAVI imaging: over the echocardiography

2020

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a common valvular heart disease. Recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has changed the treatment of severe AS in elderly patients with contraindications to traditional surgical replacement. Echocardiography is conventionally used as the first imaging modality to assess the presence and severity of AS and to provide anatomical and functional information. Nowadays, imaging techniques play a crucial role in the planning of TAVI to define suitable candidates. Computed tomography (CT) is essential to display the anatomy of the aortic valve complex (including aortic annulus, Valsalva sinuses, coronary arteries ostia, sinotubular junction), thoracoa…

Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy and preoperative predictive factors

2021

AbstractLaparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard technique for treatment of gallbladder disease. In case of acute cholecystitis we can identify preoperative factors associated with an increased risk of conversion and intraoperative complications. The aim of our study was to detect preoperative laboratory and radiological findings predictive of difficult LC with potential advantages for both the surgeons and patients in terms of options for management. We designed a retrospective case–control study to compare preoperative predictive factors of difficult LC in patients treated in emergency setting between January 2015 and December 2019. We included in the difficult LC group the surge…

Influence of heart rate in the selection of the optimal reconstruction window in routine clinical multislice coronary angiography

2008

Purpose. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of heart rate on the selection of the optimal reconstruction window with 40-slice multidetector-row computed tomography (40-MDCT) coronary angiography. Materials and methods. We studied 170 patients (114 men, age 60 +/- 11.3 years) with suspected or known coronary artery disease with 40-MDCT coronary angiography. Patients [mean heart rate (HR) 62.9 +/- 9.3 bpm, range 42-94 bpm] were clustered in two groups (group A: HR &lt;= 65 bpm; group B: HR &gt;65 bpm). Multiphase reconstruction data sets were obtained with a retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated 40-MDCT coronary angiography scan from 0% to 95% every 5% of the R-R interval.…

Molecular and pro-inflammatory aspects of COVID-19: The impact on cardiometabolic health

2022

Obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) often cluster together as "Cardiometabolic Disease" (CMD). Just under 50% of patients with CMD increased the risk of morbidity and mortality right from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as it has been reported in most countries affected by the SARS-CoV2 virus. One of the pathophysiological hallmarks of COVID-19 is the overactivation of the immune system with a prominent IL-6 response, resulting in severe and systemic damage involving also cytokines such as IL2, IL4, IL8, IL10, and interferon-gamma were considered strong predictors of COVID-19 severity. Thus, in this mini-review, we try to describe the…

T2-mapping of the sacroiliac joints at 1.5 Tesla: a feasibility and reproducibility study

2018

Objective: To evaluate the reproducibility of T2 relaxation time measurements of the sacroiliac joints at 1.5 T. Materials and methods: Healthy volunteers underwent an oblique axial multislice multiecho spin-echo sequence of the sacroiliac joints at 1.5 T. Regions of interest were manually drawn using a dedicated software by two musculoskeletal radiologists to include the cartilaginous part of the sacroiliac joints. A senior radiologist performed the measurement twice, while a resident measured once. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was tested using the Bland-Altman method. Association between sex and T2 relaxation times was tested using the Mann-Whitney U test. Correlation between…

A xanthogranulomatous process resembling residual disease on endof- treatment 18f-FDG-PET/CT and Whole Body Magnetic Resonance performed on a primary…

2016

We report the case of a woman, affected by breast diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma, who developed a xanthogranulomatous process wrongly interpreted as residual disease on 18F-FDG-PET/CTand Whole Body Magnetic Resonance after treatment with ibrutinib plus standard immunochemotherapy. Newer drugs, such as immunomodulatory agents and checkpoint inhibitors, have demonstrated high effectiveness on lymphoma, but are associated with unclear imaging features such as tumor flare or pseudo-progression, related to inflammatory reactions. Wide imaging techniques availability improves diagnostic possibilities. However, the awareness of the adopted treatment strategy and its possible implications on imaging…

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) in oncology: an Italian survey.

2019

Purpose: To perform a survey among all members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM) to assess how whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is performed in oncologic patients in Italy. Methods: On March 2019, we administered an online poll to all SIRM members about their use of WB-MRI in 2018 asking 15 questions regarding oncologic indications, imaging protocol, use of contrast media, experience in WB-MRI, duration of scan time and reporting time. Results: Forty-eight members participated to the survey. WB-MRIs/total MRIs ratio was 1%. Lymphoma was the most common indication (17/48, 35%), followed by myeloma and prostate cancer, with these three tumors representing the most c…

Imaging of atherosclerotic plaque with non invasive Multislice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography

2011

Iperplasia nodulare focale: detenzione dell’aspetto a “ruota di carro” e della cicatrice centrale all’ecografia con mezzo di contrasto

2007

CONFRONTO TRA RM WHOLE BODY E PET/TC NELLA STADIAZIONE DEI LINFOMI FDG-AVIDI.

2016

Scopo Scopo del nostro studio è stato quello di comparare la RM whole body (RM-WB) con la PET/TC nella stadiazione dei linfomi FDG-avidi. Materiale e metodi 68 pazienti (37 maschi, età mediana 42 anni, range 15-86) con diagnosi istologica di Linfoma (37 Hodgkin, 16 Diffuso B a grandi cellule, 10 Follicolare, 5 Mantellare) sono stati sottoposti a RM-WB e PET/TC prima del trattamento. Sono stati valutati e confrontati sensibilità, specificità, valore predittivo positivo e negativo (PPV e NPV) della RM-WB e PET/TC, quest’ultima considerata come standard di riferimento. Lo stadio Ann Arbor (AA) ottenuto con RM-WB (sequenze DWIBS assiali, T1w e T2w-STIR coronali, senza mezzo di contrasto) e con …

DIGITAL CINERADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF SWALLOWING IN PATIENTS WITH AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

2007

Purpose. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of digital cineradiography in detecting swallowing disorders in dysphagic patients affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a view to planning an adequate therapeutic approach. Material and methods. From January 2005 to September 2006, 23 patients (10 men and 13 women; mean age 41.3±8.6 years) affected by ALS were evaluated with digital cineradiography to assess the grade of dysphagia. All patients were classified using the Hillel ALS Severity Scale (ALSSS). All examinations were performed with radiocontrolled equipment provided with a digital C-arm. Results. The cineradiographic technique enabled us to differentiate p…

Influence of the heart rate in the selection of the optimal reconstruction phase in clinical routine Multislice Coronary Angiography

2006

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of solitary thyroid nodules with contrast-enhanced ultrasound: Initial results

2007

ARRYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY: MULTISLICE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FEATURES

2004

Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Assessment of Splenic Hemangiomas

2009

Atypical liver hemangiomas: characterization with SonoVue and pulse-inversion US

2006

Aspetti normali e patologici delle valvole cardiache studiate mediante TC Multistrato cardiosincronizzata

2012

Valutazione semi-automatica dell’impregnazione post-contrastografica delle anse intestinali sede di malattia di Crohn, utilizzando diverse finestre t…

2008

Patologia congenita

2004

A SIR based method for pancreas iron burden measurement in MRI T2* GRE sequences.

2009

Hepatocellular cancer response to radiofrequency ablation: contrast-enhanced ultrasound

2008

OTTIMIZZAZIONE DEL MDC IN ANGIOGRAFIA CORONARICA MEDIANTE TC A 64 STRATI: USO DELLO IOMERON® 400 MG IODIO/ML

2007

Outlook and clinical perspectives of MDCT coronary angiography.

2012

Correlazioni tra rilievi HRCT e test funzionali nella interstiziopatia polmonare sclerodermica

2006

Risposta al trattamento mediante ablazione percutanea con radiofrequenza dell’epatocarcinoma: valutazione tramite ecografia con mezzo di contrasto (C…

2008

Prognostic outcome of routine clinical noninvasive Multidetector row Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Patients with suspected coronary art…

2011

The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of multidetector-row CT coronary angiography (MDCT-CA) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in a routine clinical context.A total of 125 patients (82 men, age 57.4±10.3 years) with suspected CAD underwent MDCT-CA. All patients were assessed for cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms and coronary calcium score. A 2-year follow-up study for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events was performed.According to the Morise pretest score, 76 patients (60.8%) were at intermediate risk. Patients with suspected CAD presented the following prognostic outcome (p0.0001): in 41 patients with normal coronary arteries at MDCT-C…

Whole-body MRI, FDG-PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy, for the assessment of bone marrow involvement in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma.

2016

To compare whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), FDG-PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy (BMB), for the evaluation of bone marrow involvement (BMI) in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma.This retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Two independent radiologists and one nuclear medicine specialist reviewed all WB-MRI and FDG-PET/CT scans prospectively performed on 104 patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma (53 males; 47 Hodgkin; mean age: 44 years; range, 15-86 years) between 2013 and 2015. The delay between imaging scans and BMBs was up to 10 days. The diagnostic accuracy of WB-MRI (1.5 Tesla MR scanner, with T1w, T2w-STIR, and DWI sequences…

Osteonecrosis detected by whole body magnetic resonance (WB-MRI) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma treated by BEACOPP

2016

Purpose: The purpose of our retrospective study was to assess the incidence of osteonecrosis in patients who received different chemotherapies. Methods and Materials: We evaluated the Whole Body Magnetic Resonance (WB-MRI) scans performed on 42 patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma treated by three chemotherapy regimens (6 ABVD, 2 ABVD + 4 BEACOPP, 2 ABVD + 8 BEACOPP), excluding the patients with main risk factors for osteonecrosis. Results: Six out of 7 patients (85.7%) who received 8 BEACOPP and 1 out of 5 patients (20%) treated by 4 BEACOPP presented osteonecrosis, with a statistically significant difference of frequency between the two groups of patients (p&lt;0.05); no injury has been reporte…

L'ESSENZIALE NELL'IMAGING RM DI DIFFUSIONE, COLLO

2011

The Know-how to Apply an Appropriate Reconstruction Filtering in MSCT Coronary Angiography.

2007

Assessment of volume and density of epicardial fat: comparison between CT calcium score and CT coronary angiography scans.

2015

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

Prognostic outcome of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with suspected coronary artery disease assessed with Multislice Computed Tomography Coronar…

2010

Imaging di diffusione: Principi tecnici

2010

Aorta addominale e vasi splancnici

2006

Caso 37 Patologia Aortica

2008

Clinical case

64-MDCT coronary angiography in women: a critical issue?

2007

CT and CT angiography scan technique.

2008

Contrast.enhanced ultrasonography of liver hemangiomas atypical at baseline US.

2004

Tomografia computerizzata e risonanza magnetica

2004

Radiological Features of Gastrointestinal Lymphoma.

2016

Gastrointestinal lymphomas represent 5–20% of extranodal lymphomas and mainly occur in the stomach and small intestine. Clinical findings are not specific, thus often determining a delay in the diagnosis. Imaging features at conventional and cross-sectional imaging must be known by the radiologist since he/she plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and disease assessment, thus assisting in the choice of the optimal treatment to patients. This review focuses on the wide variety of imaging presentation of esophageal, gastric, and small and large bowel lymphoma presenting their main imaging appearances at conventional and cross-sectional imaging, mainly focusing on computed tomography and magne…

Diagnosi di osteonecrosi mediante WB-MRI in paziente con Linfoma di Hodgkin resistente trattato con BEACOPP: Case Report.

2016

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a very common haematological neoplasm with high possibilities of response to treatment. On the other hand, therapies are often responsible for clinically relevant complications. Among these is osteonecrosis, generally determined by the high dosages of corticosteroids included in the chemotherapeutic protocols, which lead to bone ischemia through multifactorial mechanisms such as hypercoagulability and increase of intraosseous pressure due to hyperplasia of the adipose component. We report the case of a 29-year-old man with resistant Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy which determined the appearance of multifocal osteonecrosis detected by Magnetic Resonance whol…

Relazione tra decorsi miocardici e carico aterosclerotico coronarico studiata mediante angiografia coronarica con TC a 64 strati (AC-TCMS)

2008

ASPETTI RM DEL LIPOMA ARBORESCENTE DEL GINOCCHIO : NOSTRA ESPERIENZA

2005

Role of multidetector-CT enteroclysis (MSCT-E) in complications of advanced Crohn's disease (CD) patients

2007

Health technology assessment della TC del cuore: analisi globale e multidisciplinare della procedura diagnostica

2014

Osteonecrosis in Hodgkin lymphoma treated by BEACOPP

2018

contrast enhanced versus conventional ultrasonography in the characterization of benign focal hepatic lesions

2004

Imaging features of pancreatic metastases: A comparison with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

2018

Purpose: To compare imaging features of pancreatic metastases (PM) with those of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC). Methods: CT and MR scans of 24 patients with 54 PM and 30 patients with PDAC were reviewed to evaluate the imaging features, which were compared by using a Chi square test. Results: We found a statistically significant difference between PM and PDAC based on location (P < 0.001), margins (P < 0.001), arterial enhancement (P = 0.004), rim enhancement (P < 0.001), pancreatic duct dilatation (P = 0.01), common bile duct dilatation (P = 0.003), vascular involvement (P = 0.02), parenchymal atrophy (P < 0.001), peripancreatic fluid (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Imaging features mig…

Registro quinquennale dell’attività di un singolo centro in TC Coronarica: appropriatezza clinica e considerazioni prognostiche

2012

Cardio-RM nel paziente talassemico

2016

Magnetic resonance imaging (RM) today represents a method non-invasive and accurate imaging to determine levels of iron in various tissues, even at the myocardial level, and it comes used as a monitoring and management method for thalassemic patients, so that they can recognize early those alterations that will then lead to the appearance of heart failure, or the so-called "cardiomyopathy from accumulation of iron".

INCIDENZA DI NUOVI FOCI DI EPATOCARCINOMA (HCC) IN PAZIENTI SOTTOPOSTI AD ABLAZIONE CON RADIOFREQUENZA (RFA) DI HCC: RUOLO DELLA TC MULTIDETETTORE

2010

Centrifugal (inside-out) enhancement pattern of liver hemangiomas on contrast-enhanced US

2006

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): 40-row multislice computed tomography findings

2006

Forensic study of Neolithic and Punic skulls with MSCT

2013

Learning objectives Background Imaging findings OR Procedure details Conclusion References Personal Information

Gestione della dose in Cardio-TC

2016

Exposure to ionizing radiation for diagnostic investigations has aroused much concern in recent years both in scientific literature and in the media. The exposure has dramatically increased in the last two decades; in fact, CT represents 11% of diagnostic tests, but contributes 68% to the collective dose. On the other singing, a plethora of TC investigations, including screening of the thorax in smokers, virtual colonoscopy and the study of coronary, they are affirmed for the relative simplicity of execution and high diagnostic performance, sometimes alternatively to traditional and more expensive invasive techniques. Between these investigations, the Cardio TC (CTC) has achieved a remarkab…

CENTRIFUGAL (INSIDE-OUT) ENHANCEMENT OF LIVER HEMANGIOMAS: A POSSIBLE ATYPICAL APPEARANCE ON CONTRAST-ENHANCED US

2007

Diffusion-weighted MRI of colo-rectal liver metastases treated by new anti-angiogenetic chemotherapy

2009

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of spleen hemangiomas

2007

I traumi del fegato e delle vie biliari

2012

Ernie della parete addominale ed ernie interne: ruolo della tcmd nella gestione clinica del paziente.

2008

Prognostic value at 24 months of Multislice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in patients with atypical chest pain.

2009

Role of 64-slices MDCT-enterography in the evaluation of patients with suspected small bowel neoplasm.

2010

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information

Malattia diverticolare e carcinoma del colon, esiste una correlazione eziopatogenetica?

2006

Imaging findings of hepatic Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH) in Gadoxetic Acid vs Gadobenate Dimeglumine-enhanced MR: preliminary results

2009

Prognostic value of clinical routine multislice computed tomography coronary angiography in patient with suspected or known coronary artery disease: …

2009

Virtual bronchoscopy in patients with central endobronchial stenosing lesions. Technique optimisation with single slice spiral CT.

2004

PURPOSE: To describe an original protocol for single slice spiral Computed Tomography (CT) virtual bronchoscopy in the evaluation of patients with central airway stenoses and compare the results with fibreoptic bronchoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients (4 female and 6 male; age range 22-60 years; mean age 44 years) with endobronchial disease diagnosed by fibreoptic bronchoscopy (8 malignant tumours, 1 benign tumour and 1 fibroid stenosis) underwent virtual bronchoscopy with single slice spiral CT. A panoramic spiral CT scan of the whole chest was first obtained. Once the area of interest had been identified, a new contrast enhanced scan was performed, from bottom to top, with the fo…

Tumori gastrointestinali stromali: Aspetti con tomografia computerizzata multidetettore (40-strati)

2006

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to describe the findings and evaluate the role of multidetector (40-slice) computed tomography (MDCT) in the preoperative assessment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). Materials and methods. Thirteen patients with histologically proven GIST (size: 4-30 cm; mean: 9 cm) underwent 40-slice MDCT after the ingestion of 1,000 ml of water. Images were obtained before and 70 s after intravenous injection of 120 ml of iodinated contrast agent. Two experienced radiologists reviewed the CT findings to evaluate lesion site, size, margins, attenuation, growth pattern, enhancement pattern, ascites, lymphadenopathy, direct invasion to adjacent organs and di…

Incidence of new foci of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role of MDCT

2009

Three-year follow-up of patients at intermediate probability of coronary artery disease assessed with Multislice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiogr…

2011

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information

ESAME RADIOLOGICO DEL TORACE NELL’INVECCHIAMENTO CARDIACO

2006

Preoperative assessment of GI stromal tumors with 40-row multislice CT

2006

Imaging della coartazione aortica mediante angiografia con Tomografia Computerizzata Multistrato cardiosincronizzata

2012

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the characterization of incidentally discovered focal liver lesions

2007

“Visual guidebook” of coronary atherosclerotic plaque features by Multislice CT Coronary Angiography

2009

Long-term prognosis of patients with a zero calcium score assessed by Multislice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography.

2011

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information

Valore prognostico della TC coronarica nella routine clinica: follow-up a 24 mesi in 166 pazienti con sospetta o nota aterosclerosi coronarica.

2010

Anatomic variants of the biliary tree at MRCP: still too rarely reported!

2015

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

Hepatocellular cancer response to radiofrequency tumor ablation: contrast-enhanced US

2008

Incidence of new foci of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of HCC: Role of multidetector CT

2009

Acute traumatic acromionclavicular jointlesions: role of ultrasound versus conventional radiography

2005

Potential myocardial iron content evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging in thalassemia major patients treated with Deferoxamine or Deferiprone dur…

2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the variations of heart magnetic resonance imaging in beta-thalassemia major patients treated with Deferoxamine B mesylate (DF) or Deferiprone (L1) chelation therapy is a useful tool of the indirect myocardial iron content determination. For this reason, a prospective study was carried out. Seventy-two consecutive patients with beta-thalassemia major (35 treated with DF and 37 with L1) were studied. The main outcome results were laboratory parameters including determination of the liver iron concentration (LIC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart and liver. The heart to muscle signal intensity ratios (HSIRs) were significantly incre…

CT anatomy of the heart and classification in coronary segments.

2008

Anatomia TC del cuore e classificazione in segmenti coronarici

2007

Role of MSCT scan in management of patients with primary epiploic appendagitis; our experience

2013

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information

Principi tecnici ed applicazioni dei filtri di ricostruzione in angiografia coronarica mediante TC Multistrato

2008

Riempimento centrifugo (”inside-out”) degli angiomi epatici: un possibile e atipico aspetto all’ecografia con mezzo di contrasto

2008

Confronto tra aterosclerosi coronarica mediante CardioTC e aterosclerosi carotidea mediante ecocolorDoppler

2014

Ruolo della RM whole body nell’identificazione di reperti incidentali in pazienti con linfoma.

2016

Scopo: Il dibattito in merito ai reperti incidentali sta divenendo emergente in molti settori radiologici, quali l’ambico cardiaco, addominale, neurologico, senologico, pediatrico, soprattutto con metodiche quali la RM e la TC. Lo scopo del nostro studio è stato di valutare l’utilità della Risonanza Magnetica Whole Body (RM-WB) nell’identificazione di reperti incidentali in pazienti con linfoma. Materiali e metodi: Sono state revisionate le RM-WB eseguite su 114 pazienti (65 maschi; età mediana 45,2 anni, range 15-86) con diagnosi istologica di linfoma (47 Hodgkin, 67 Non-Hodgkin). I reperti incidentali sono stati classificati in tre classi: non significativi (classe 1), moderatamente signi…

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the characterization of incidentally discovered focal liver lesions

2007

Nuove prospettive dell’imaging tiroideo : ecografia con mezzo di contrasto

2004

Forty-slice Computer Tomography in arrhytmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

2005

EVALUATION OF RESPONSE IN MALIGNANT TUMORS TREATED WITH TARGETED AGENTS.

2015

Learning objectives Background Findings and procedure details Conclusion Personal information References

PREVALENCE OF MYOCARDIAL BRIDGING AND CORRELATION WITH CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS STUDIED WITH 64-SLICE CT CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

2009

Ruolo dell’ecografia con mezzo di contrasto nella valutazione degli angiomi splenici

2007

Creazione di un plug-in per il software open-source di visualizzazione di immagini DICOM OsiriX per lo studio delle variazioni dimensionali e densito…

2014

Presentiamo la nostra esperienza riguardo la progettazione e l'utilizzo di un plug-in per il software open-source di visualizzazione di immagini DICOM (OsiriX 32-bit; GNU General Public License) per la valutazione dei criteri dimensionali e densitometrici di metastasi epatiche in TCMS.

Comparison between whole-body MRI and PET/CT in staging newly diagnosed FDG-avid lymphomas: our experience.

2015

To compare whole body RMI (WB-RMI) and FDG-PET/CT for staging newly diagnosed FDG-avid lymphoma

La pelvi operata: nuova anatomia e complicanza

2010

MR enteroclysis versus conventional enteroclysis in Crohn’s disease patients

2009

Learning objectives: To provide a detailed step-by-step description of the technique of MR enteroclysis (MRE). To illustrate the spectrum of MRE findings in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and their correlation with findings at conventional enteroclysis (CE). To discuss the advantages and limitations of MRE in patients with CD. Background: CE is the gold standard for small bowel pathologies. However, submucosal and mesenteric involvements, which are common in CD, cannot be assessed by CE. Therefore, the evaluation of the mucosa alone by CE may under-represent the extent and activity of the disease. Also, CE is associated with the risk of several complications, mainly exacerbation in seve…

Imaging dell'emottisi non traumatica mediante TC Multistrato

2014

Videofluorography swallow study of patients with systemic sclerosis

2009

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of the videofluorographic (VFG) swallow study in patients with systemic sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 23-month period, 45 women (mean age 58 years, range 27-76 years) with a known diagnosis of systemic sclerosis and a history of dysphagia underwent a dynamic and morphological study of the oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal phases of swallowing with videofluorography. All examinations were performed with a remote-controlled digital C-arm device with 16-in image intensifier, 0.6- to 1.2-mm focal spot range and maximum tube voltage of 150 kVp in fluorography and 120 kVp in fluoroscopy. Cineradiographic sequences were acquired for…

Caratterizzazione delle lesioni focali epatiche ipoecogene in pazienti con fegato steatosico: “performance” e livello di confidenza diagnostica dell’…

2007

The abnormal hepatic morphology: not always cirrhosis

2016

Learning objectives Background Findings and procedure details Conclusion Personal information References

Whole-body MRI in patients with lymphoma: collateral findings

2016

Whole body MRI (WB-MRI) is a non invasive technique increasingly used to stage (1-4) and follow-up (5-8) patients with malignancies such as lymphoproliferative disorders. It is now recognized as a promising tool that provides high quality anatomical imaging and a multiparametric approach of the ent

A mistaken case of non-q wave acute infarction

2012

Over the last few years, enormous progress has been made in Cardiovascular imaging. Myocarditis is today an underdiagnosed cause of acute sudden death, heart failure, and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Its diagnosis is frequently missed or delayed and it can simulate an acute coronary syndrome because of its clinical presentation and elevation of cardiac enzymes. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance has become the leading modality for its noninvasive diagnosis, and it often replaces endomyocardial biopsy in clinical practise.

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of hemangiomas of the spleen

2007

Myocardial bridging and associated coronary atherosclerosis studied by 64-slice CT Coronary Angiography.

2008

Role of contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in the Characterization of hypervascular focal liver lesions: spectrum of imaging findings

2008

Ruolo della Cardio TC in pazienti con aneurisma dell’aorta ascendente.

2016

The aim of our study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cardio CT (CTC) in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm displayed at Transthoracic Echocardiography (ETT).

MR findings of infero-medial displacement: A rare location of a free fragment of the medial meniscus of the knee

2004

Broncoscopia virtuale in pazienti con lesioni endobronchiali stenosanti: ottimizzazione della tecnica con TC spirale monostrato

2004

Ruolo dell’ecografia con mezzo di contrasto nella caratterizzazione delle lesioni focali epatiche scoperte incidentalmente

2007

Retrospective comparison of MDCT-CA and SPECT to detect significant coronary artery disease

2007

Gozzo semplice e nodulare

2004

Digital cineradiographic study of swallowing in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2006

Thyroid nodules: prevalence, gray-scale and color-doppler pattern in a random adult population screened by high resolution US.

2004

The Dual Pandemics of COVID-19 and Obesity: Bidirectional Impact

2022

: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been shown to disrupt many organ systems in the human body. Though several medical disorders have been affected by this infection, a few illnesses in addition may also play a role in determining the outcome of COVID-19. Obesity is one such disease which is not only affected by the occurrence of COVID-19 but can also result in a worse clinical outcome of COVID-19 infection. This manuscript summarizes the most recent evidence supporting the bidirectional impact of COVID-19 and obesity. It highlights how the presence of obesity can be detrimental to the outcome of COVID-19 in a given …

Characterization of hypoechoic focal hepatic lesions in patients with fatty liver: diagnostic performance and confidence of contrast-enhanced ultraso…

2007

Role of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in the Characterization of Incidentally Discovered Focal Liver Lesions

2007

Acute traumatic acromionclavicular joint lesions: usefulness of sonography versus conventional radiography

2004

CT and MR imaging of the inflammatory diseases

2005

Usefulness of SonoVue-enhanced Pulse-Inversion Ultrasonography to Assess Hepatocellular Carcinoma Response after Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal …

2006

IL PROCESSO DELL'IMAGING NELLA DIAGNOSTICA DELLA CARDIOPATIA ISCHEMICA - RISONANZA MAGNETICA.

2009

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Diagnosis, Follow-up and Role of Radiomics in a Single Center Experience

2023

: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract and are the most common intestinal tumors. Usually GISTs are asymptomatic, especially small tumors that may not cause any symptoms and may be found accidentally on abdominal CT scans. Discovering of inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases has changed the outcome of patients with high-risk GISTs. This paper will focus on the role of imaging in diagnosis, characterization and follow-up. We shall also report our local experience in radiomics evaluation of GISTs.

Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI): A Reliable Indicator Of Visceral Fat Function Associated With Cardiometabolic Risk.

2010

Objective: To individuate a novel sex-specific index, based on Waist Circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI), Triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol (HDL), indirectly expressing visceral fat function. Research design and Methods: Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) was first modelled on 315 non-obese healthy subjects. Using two multiple logistic regression models, VAI was retrospectively validated in 1,498 primary care patients in comparison to classical cardio and cerebrovascular risk factors. Results: All components of metabolic syndrome increased significantly across VAI quintiles. VAI was independently associated with both cardiovascular (OR:2.45; 95%CI: 1.52-3.95; p&lt;0.001) and cerebrov…

Filtering Impact On Stent Imaging: The Appropiate Application To Reduce The Blooming Effect

2007

Prevalenza delle anomalie coronariche in 4000 pazienti con sospetta malattia coronarica sottoposti a TC del cuore

2016

The aim of this work is to retrospectively study the prevalence of coronary abnormalities in a large population of patients undergoing CT of the heart.

Usefulness of multiplanar reconstruction with multislice computed tomography to assess hepatocellular carcinoma response after transcatheter arterial…

2008

Spring ligament chronic injury on MR imaging

2004

“Handbook” per la valutazione preoperatoria con CardioRM dei pazienti con insufficienza mitralica post-ischemica.

2010

Alterazioni della morfologia epatica: non sempre cirrosi

2016

Review the CT and MRI characteristics of the cirrhotic liver; to recognize the pathological conditions that can mimic cirrhosis

Whole-Body MRI and 18F-FDG-PET-CT for Lymphoma Staging: Comparison of Patient Experience

2015

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus conventional two dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the evaluation of therapeutic resp…

2011

Digital cineradiographic study of swallowing in infants with neurologic disease: Our experience

2005

Confronto tra mezzi di contrasto con differente concentrazione iodica nell’imaging di placca coronarica mediante Tomografia Computerizzata Multistrat…

2012

Dynamic versus conventional ultrasonography in the assessment of patellar tendon disease

2004

Requisiti hardware e software: preparazione del paziente

2010

Comparison of iodinated contrast media for the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque attenuation values by CT coronary angiography: observations in an…

2013

Objective: To compare the influence of different iodinated contrast media with several dilutions on plaque attenuation in an ex vivo coronary model studied by multislice CT coronary angiography. Methods: In six ex vivo left anterior descending coronary arteries immersed in oil, CT (slices/collimation 64x0.625 mm, temporal resolution 210 ms, pitch 0.2) was performed after intracoronary injection of a saline solution, and solutions of a dimeric isosmolar contrast medium (Iodixanol 320 mgl ml(-1)) and a monomeric high-iodinated contrast medium (Iomeprol 400 mgl ml(-1)) with dilutions of 1/80 (low concentration), 1/50 (medium concentration), 1/40 (high concentration) and 1/20 (very high concent…

Usefulness of SonoVue-enhanced Pulse-Inversion Ultrasonography to Assess Hepatocellular Carcinoma Response after Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal …

2005

Prognostic Value of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease: Five Years’ Experience at a Single C…

2012

Mesenteric inflammation on multidetector computed tomography enterography in Crohn’s disease versus Crohn disease activity index: does a correlation …

2009

Valutazione del grado di attivita’ del morbo di Crohn tramite clisma-RM con sequenza in perfusione.

2010

Imaging dell’ischemia mesenterica mediante TC Multistrato

2016

Review the etiology and pathophysiology of mesenteric ischemia with an outline of the mesenteric circulation. Describe the TC protocol to be used for the study of mesenteric ischemia and the TC signs that characterize it.

Caratterizzazione delle lesioni focali epatiche ipoecogene in pazienti con fegato steatosico: “performance” e livello di confidenza diagnostica dell’…

2008

40-slice computed tomography enteroclysis after oral hyperhydration with isotonic solution in comparison with ileocolonoscopy in patients with Crohn'…

2006

Imaging ecografico post-terapia ablativa

2004

Spectrum of non-cardiac collateral findings in patients with suspected coronary artery disease assessed with Multislice Computed Tomography Coronary …

2009

MR imaging of perianal Crohn’s disease: Is contrast medium necessary?

2010

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information

MRI in perianal Crohn’s disease: STIR versus T1w postcontrast fat-sat imaging

2009

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MRI, comparing STIR images versus T1w post-contrast fat-sat images in patients affected by perianal Crohn’s disease (CD). Material and methods: From January 2007 to July 2008, 73 patients with perianal CD underwent pelvic MRI using an external phased array coil. All studies were performed with a 1.5T MRI scanner. STIR and T1w post-contrast fat-sat images were independently analysed by two expert radiologists. Perianal fistulas were classified according to the Parks surgical classification. All patients underwent examination under anesthesia (EUA) that was considered gold standard. Results: By analysing STIR, images documented 31 simple fistula…

Contrast-enhanced versus baseline US in the Characterization of benign focal hepatic lesions.

2004

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the characterization of incidentally discovered focal liver lesions

2009

Patologie renali chirurgiche

2006

Osteonecrosi individuate mediante RM whole body in pazienti con Linfoma di Hodgkin trattati mediante BEACOPP.

2016

Scopo: Il trattamento del Linfoma di Hodgkin (LH) ha condotto al raggiungimento di elevati tassi di sopravvivenza [1]. Il protocollo ABVD (Doxorubicina, Bleomicina, Vinblastina e Dacarbazina) è stato considerato per molto tempo il regime chemioterapico standard nei pazienti con LH [2], grazie a una ben documentata efficacia e una scarsa tossicità. Molti studi hanno dimostrato la maggiore efficacia del protocollo BEACOPP (Bleomicina, Etoposide, Doxorubicina, Ciclofosfamide, Vincristina, Procarbazina, Prednisone) rispetto all'ABVD [3], al costo di una maggiore tossicità. L'osteonecrosi [ON] è una possibile complicanza della chemioterapia che può compromettere la qualità di vita del paziente, …

Re: Small solid renal masses: Characterization by diffusion-weighted MRI at 3 T. A reply.

2014

No abstract available.

Hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia: detection of spoke-wheel sign and central scar at contrast-enhanced ultrasound

2007

Imaging findings of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia in Gd-EOB-DTPA vs Gd-BOPTA -enhanced MR: preliminary results.

2009

Esophageal cineradiography in patients affected by Sclerodermia

2007

Utility of 3 Tesla diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DWMR) imaging for the characterisation of small solid renal tumours

2012

Purpose: To determine the utility of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for the characterisation of small solid renal lesions. Methods and Materials: 26 patients (GFR 30-60 mL/min) with 39 small (1-3 cm) solid renal masses [16 RCCs (10 clear cell types; 6 other types); 18 AMLs (10 fat-containing; 8 minimal-fat) and 5 oncocytomas] were examined on a 3 T system using DW-SS-EPI (b-values 0, 1000 s/mm2). The ADC of the lesions and the ADC of kidney were evaluated. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ADC for differentiating clear cell RCCs from other type RCCs, AMLs and oncocytomas. Results: The mean ADC of the lesions [1.22± 0.27 28 mm…

Influence of heart rate in the selection of the optimal reconstruction phase in clinical routine multi-slice coronary angiography

2006

Thyroid nodules: prevalence, grey-scale, and color doppler pattern in a random adult population screened by high-resolution US

2004

64-detector Computed Tomography in Reoperative Assessment of Vascular Anatomy of Middle Colic Artery in Left-sided Colon Cancer

2007

Pitfalls nelle RM whole body con sequenze DWIBS eseguite in pazienti con linfoma.

2016

Obiettivi didattici: Illustrare i principali artefatti ed insidie nella valutazione della Risonanza Magnetica Whole Body (RM-WB) dopo revisione di 331 RM-WB eseguite in pazienti con linfoma. Introduzione: La RM-WB con imaging pesato in diffusione (DWI) è un esame che consente uno studio total body con elevata risoluzione di contrasto, evitando l’esposizione a radiazioni ionizzanti e la somministrazione di mezzo di contrasto [1]. Nel 2004 Takahara ha introdotto una sequenza DWI con tecniche di soppressione del segnale chiamata DWIBS [2]. Questa consente di acquisire rapidamente immagini di multiple aree del corpo sfruttando l’imaging parallelo SENSE che incrementa la risoluzione e riduce gli…

Ecografia con mdc di II generazione versus ecografia di base nella caratterizzazione delle lesioni focali epatiche benigne.

2004

Integrated non invasive approach to atherosclerosis with cardiac CT and carotid ultrasound in patients with suspected coronary heart disease.

2015

The aim of the study was to compare the atherosclerotic disease in the coronary and carotid arteries in patients who underwent non-invasive imaging for suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Confronto tra RM Whole Body, TC/PET e biopsia osteomidollare, nella valutazione dell’interessamento midollare in 104 pazienti con linfoma.

2016

Scopo: Parte della stadiazione dei linfomi prevede la valutazione dell'interessamento del midollo osseo (IMO) mediante biopsia osteo-midollare (BOM) [1]. Tuttavia, secondo le ultime linee guida, la BOM non è più indicata per lo studio dei linfomi di Hodgkin [2]. La TC/PET è la tecnica di imaging standard per la stadiazione dei linfomi FDG-avidi, mentre la TC è indicata nei pazienti con istotipi non FDG-avidi [1]. Molti studi hanno dimostrato affidabilità ed elevata accuratezza diagnostica della Risonanza Magnetica Whole Body (RM-WB) nella stadiazione dei linfomi [3,4]. Lo scopo del nostro studio è stato quello di confrontare RM-WB, TC/PET e BOM, nella valutazione dell’IMO in pazienti con li…

Neoplasia renale valutata tramite TCms e ricostruzioni 3D: presentazione di un caso.

2005

Late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in non-compacted ventricular myocardium (NCVM) as potential expression of the disease severity

2008

Patients with acute chest pain, elevated troponin and normal coronary arteries, could be the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance advantageous?

2013

Analisi retrospettiva degli aspetti dell’imaging radiologico in pazienti con TBC.

2016

The aim of our study is to evaluate the frequency and specificity of radiological imaging aspects in patients with suspected tuberculosis (TBC).

Prevalenza e rilevanza clinica dei reperti collaterali non coronarici in corso di Angiografia Coronarica mediante TCMS.

2010

Contrast-enhanced US of liver hemangiomas atypical at baseline US

2004

Left Ventricular Function Analysis by MDCT: cardiac phase, slice thickness, and number of short-axis sections really change accuracy and time consumi…

2007