Image assessment with multislice CT coronary angiography

THALAMIC PARCELLATION FOR TARGET IDENTIFICATION INTRANS-CRANIAL MR-GUIDED FOCUSED ULTRASOUND (TCMRGFUS)THALAMOTOMIES: A PRELIMINARY PROBABILISTC TRACTOGRAPHYSTUDY

A critical review of non invasive procedures for the evaluation of body iron burden in thalassemia major patients

Stercorary aseptic peritonitis due to diastatic caecal perforation: Computed tomography findings

Caecal perforation is a complication secondary to colon obstruction. It may present with insidious clinical features and may be associated with chronic constipation. The event may become severe due to the peritonitic development. We present a case of caecal perforation associated with sub-occlusive carcinoma of the left colon and hypotonic colitis caused by chronic lavative abuse, demonstrated with Computed Tomography.

Presacral Myelolipoma

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

Analysis of signal-to-noise ratio for a 2-channels coil developed to enable transcranial Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (tcMRgFUS) with 1.5 T MRI scanners

Thalamic parcellation for target identification in trans-cranial MR-guided Focused UltraSound (tcMRgFUS) thalamotomies: a preliminary probabilistc tractography study

Background: Trans-cranial MR-guided Focused UltraSound (tcMRgFUS) allows a neurofunctional exploration of thalamic nuclei to confirm and optimize the target before inducing a permanent brain lesion. However, the choice of the target is based on stereotactic coordinates that do not take into account the anatomical variability of each single patient. Thus, the optimization of the treatment target is based on the patient's feedback during lower power sonications. The aim of this work is to retrospectively evaluate the possible role of thalamic parcellation for the identification of the intermediate ventral nucleus (VIM) in patients undergoing tcMRgFUS. Materials and Methods: A 1.5T MR scanner …

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

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

TRANS-FUSIMO: Preliminary in-vivo animal results of MR-guided Focused Ultrasound of liver under respiratory motion

Background: Treating liver tumors using FUS poses a great challenge due to the respiratory motion of the target and by the rib cage obscuring the anatomical location of the malignancy. In the EU FP7 project TRANS-FUSIMO (www.trans-fusimo.eu) a novel treatment software has been developed to support MR guided focused ultrasound treatment of liver lesions through electronic real-time beam steering of the ultrasound transducer. Prior to clinical use we conduct an in-vivo animal trial using the TRANS-FUSIMO treatment system (TTS) to evaluate the safety and the technical efficacy and efficiency of generation predefined necrotic lesions in the healthy liver. Material and Methods: The pre-clinical …

E-learning in radiology: an Italian multicentre experience.

Objective: The aim of this study was to design, deliver and evaluate an e-learning teaching programme for post-graduate radiodiagnostics training that would involve various post-graduate schools throughout Italy. Materials and methods: All of the Directors of Italian post-graduate schools of radiodiagnostics were sent an e-mail on 27 September 2010 informing them of our willingness to set up an e-learning project for the academic year 2010-2011 in the form of single-subject teaching seminars. The proposed subjects were the semeiotics of the various organs and apparatuses in the context of "Urgent/Emergency Pathology". After having received registrations, a calendar of lessons was planned to…

Transcranial Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (tcMRgFUS) at 1.5T: this is how we do it

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

FOCAL ACTIVE COLITIS AS A PREDICTOR OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: RESULTS FROM A SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE.

The term focal active colitis (FAC) is conventionally used to describe the presence of isolated cryptitis, characterized by an inflammatory infiltrate consisting of intraepithelial neutrophils and/or neutrophils invading the lumen of the criptae, with no other microscopic alteration of the colonic mucosa and, in particular, without the presence of signs of chronic inflammation. To date, only four studies, including one conducted in a pediatric population, have been performed to evaluate the clinical significance of this disease. The aim of this retrospective study on prospectively-collected data is to evaluate the clinical implications of the focal active colitis, since there still remains …

Ventricular arrhythmias in children: the uselessness of MRI.

NEURODEGENERATION IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: COMPARISON BETWEEN CLINICAL, NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL, MRI,AND OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY PARAMETERS

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) enables rapid, non-invasive in vivo measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, reflecting axonal density within the optic nerve. There is still lack of concordance about the use of OCT in clinical routine as a surrogate measure of brain atrophy. Objective: To investigate the role of OCT as possible predictor of disability, cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MATERIAL AND METHODS We recruited patients affected by MS according to validated criteria at the Neurological Department of the University of Palermo. Patients performed Stratus OCT- 3 Zeiss to assess RNFL and GCS measurements.…

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

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

TRANS-FUSIMO – A novel system for treatment support for FUS applications in moving abdominal organs

Computer based treatemnt support for FUS therapy of moviving abdominal organs is essential due to great intrinsic challenges: the target moves due to breathing and may be occluded by the rib cage. In the EU project TRANS-FUSIMO we have developed a sophisticated software system that connects to a FUS transducer and an MRI. This enables physicians to conduct safe, effective and efficient ablation of tumors in the moving liver.

TRANS-FUSIMO: preliminary in-vivo animal results of MR-guided focused ultrasound of liver under respiratory motion

Purpose: Treating liver tumors using Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is a great challenge. Prior to human applications, an in-vivo animal trial using the TRANS-FUSIMO treatment system (TTS) is ongoing in order to evaluate the safety and the technical efficacy and efficiency of generating predefined necrotic lesions. Methods and Materials: The trial includes a crossbred porcine model of thirty large white swine (all females; 55-85Kg) that will be treated using the TTS under general anaesthesia with intubation. All treatments haven been performed under ventilator-controlled breathing and using an improved non-clinical prototype FUS transducer integrated with a 1,5T MRI unit; a set of interventional …

Whole-body diffusion weighted MR and FDG-PET/CT in Hodgkin lymphoma: predictive role before treatment and early assessment aftrer two courses of chemotheraphy

To evaluate whether whole-body MR has a predictive role before treatment and may asses the response after two courses of chemotherapy in comparison to FDG-PET/CT

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after a positive emotional stress

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, is a cardiac syndrome mimicking an acute coronary syndrome and characterized by peculiar transient left ventricular wall motion in the absence of significant coronary lesions at coronary angiography. The pathogenic mechanisms linking emotional stress to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy still remain undefined. The onset of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be triggered by an acute, intense emotional stress. This is the first report reporting that not only negative stress but also positive stressful event may precede the syndrome.

Colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a single-center experience

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of CRC in a cohort of Caucasian patients with T2DM and the association with other variables previously known to be related with increased risk of CRC. We retrospectively evaluated the data of 741 consecutive Caucasian patients with T2DM who underwent colonoscopic screening in our tertiary referral center. A control cohort of 333 patients with thyroid disease was selected to evaluate the difference in the incidence of CRC. At a median follow-up of 132.5 months (range 33.3-175.7), 67 cases of cancer (prevalence 9%) occurred; among these, 14 cases …

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

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

Trans-cranial MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (tcMRgFUS): preliminary Italian (and world-first) experience at 1,5 Tesla.

PURPOSE: We present our preliminary results achieved with the first Italian installation of a trans-cranial MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (tcMRgFUS) certified system for functional neurosurgery. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the world-first tcMRgFUS system ever installed on a 1.5T MRI unit. Technical issues faced to achieve a safe and effective treatment will be discussed focusing on MR high-resolution live imaging and thermometry sequences optimization. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Patient enrollment was based on indication for functional neurosurgery and evidence of medication-refractory disease; a detailed medical history has been collected together with a complete clinical examin…

Abdominal Computed Tomography Angiography at 80kV: feasibility study.

preliminary evaluation of different dose reduction algorithms in abdominal Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) with standard scan protocols at 120kV vs. 80kV.prospective, randomized, crossover study. 60 consecutive patients who underwent CTA of the abdomen (Sensation 64, Siemens; Iomeprol 400 mgl/ml Bracco) for suspected or diagnosed Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) were enrolled in the study. A standard 120kV/200mAs scan protocol was acquired in all patients (reference tube current modulated with Automatic Exposure Control). In each patient a second scan with 80kV/300mAs (Group 1; n. 20), 80kV/400mAs (Group 2; n. 20), 80kV/500mAs (Group 3; n. 20) was acquired. We used the same scan/recons…

Ruolo dell’imaging di Risonanza Magnetica nella valutazione del controllo della risposta al trattamento radiochirurgico delle metastasi encefaliche

PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF RADIATION DOSE AND RISKS FROM CT: DO PATIENTS NEED A PERSONALIZED COMMUNICATION OF DOSE BILL?

Aims and objectives Methods and materials Results Conclusion Personal information References

Remodeled ostial atherosclerotic plaque in a single coronary artery demonstrated by computed tomography coronary angiography

Supplementary Material for: Analysis of Germline Gene Copy Number Variants of Patients with Sporadic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Reveals Specific Variations

Objectives: The rapid fatality of pancreatic cancer is, in large part, the result of diagnosis at an advanced stage in the majority of patients. Identification of individuals at risk of developing pancreatic adenocarcinoma would be useful to improve the prognosis of this disease. There is presently no biological or genetic indicator allowing the detection of patients at risk. Our main goal was to identify copy number variants (CNVs) common to all patients with sporadic pancreatic cancer. Methods: We analyzed gene CNVs in leukocyte DNA from 31 patients with sporadic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and from 93 matched controls. Genotyping was performed with the use of the GeneChip Human Mapping 500…