Search results for " Stone"

Permanent stenting in “unextractable” common bile duct stones in high risk patients. A prospective randomized study comparing two different stents

2007

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and stone extraction is the treatment of choice for bile duct stones. Therefore, if ES and conventional stone extraction fail, further treatment is mandatory. Insertion of a biliary endoprosthesis is an effective option. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 30 high-risk patients (17 women and 13 men, mean age 82 years) affected by difficult common bile duct stones. The patients were randomly assigned preoperatively using closed envelopes (blind randomization) into two groups to receive insertion of polyethylene or hydrophilic hydromer-coated polyurethane stent, respectively. Follow-up was achieved by contacting referring physicians and patient's relat…

Digital Tomosynthesis: A New Technique for Imaging Nephrolithiasis. Specific Organ Doses and Effective Doses Compared With Renal Stone Protocol Nonco…

2014

Objective To determine organ-specific doses (ODs) and effective dose (ED) for digital tomosynthesis (DT) and compare it with our institutional renal stone protocol noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT). Methods A validated anthropomorphic male phantom was placed supine on a digital GE Definium 8000 radiological scanner. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed in 256 locations and used to measure OD. A routine DT study was performed consisting of 2 scout images and 1 tomographic sweep in a 14.2-degree arc over the phantom. Software is used to recreate a series of coronal images from the sweep. ODs were determined as the sum of the doses for the study. Equivalent doses were calculated by mu…

Treatment Response in Patients with Stones, and Low Urinary pH and Hypocitraturia Stratified by Body Mass Index.

2015

Obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for kidney stone formation. Obesity leads to insulin resistance which subsequently leads to low urinary pH. Low urinary pH is typically treated with potassium citrate. We determined if the response to potassium citrate for the treatment of low urinary pH and hypocitraturia varied when patients were stratified by body mass index.We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with urolithiasis and concomitant hypocitraturia and low urinary pH as unique abnormalities upon metabolic evaluation treated exclusively with potassium citrate. Based on body mass index the cohort was divided into the 4 groups of normal weight, overweight, obese and morbid…

A 9-Year Retained T-Tube Fragment Encased within a Stone as a Rare Cause of Jaundice

2008

Biliary diseases such as cholangitis may cause jaundice and liver damage. Here, we report on an unusual cause of jaundice in an 84-year-old man 9 years after cholecystectomy. Ultrasound analysis revealed unclear extrahepatic cholestasis and subsequent ERCP showed a large biliary stone sourrounding a T-tube fragment that had remained in the common bile duct for more than 9 years after surgery. The tip of the drainage and the stone could be successfully removed using Dormia baskets. This case suggests that plastic material accidentally left in the common bile duct favours the development of large biliary casts when present over long periods of time.

The CRATI project: New insights on the consolidation of saltweathered stone and the case study of San Domenico Church in Cosenza (South Calabria, Ita…

2019

This paper presents the results of a laboratory experimentation carried out on stone materials in the framework of the CRATI project (Knowledge and Restoration through Advanced Integrated Technologies) aimed at testing new products with consolidating properties by means of an integrated methodological approach. After the preliminary characterization of stone materials collected in the pilot site, the second stage of the activities within the project were focused on the formulation and testing of products for the conservation of the same materials against decay, especially salt crystallization, one of the most aggressive and common degrading processes. The San Domenico Church, located in the…

Behaviour in compression of lightweight fiber reinforced concrete confined with transverse steel reinforcement

2004

Abstract The compressive behavior of lightweight fiber reinforced concrete confined with transverse reinforcement consisting of steel stirrups or spirals was analyzed. Pumice stone and expanded clay aggregates were utilized to decrease the weight of the composite; hooked steel fibers were also added. The investigation was carried out by testing cylindrical and prismatic specimens of different sizes in compression using an open-loop displacement control machine, recording the full load–deformation curves. The influence of the dimensions and shape on the bearing capacity and on the ductility of the specimens confined with transverse steel reinforcements was analyzed. The results show the poss…

The growth of “black crusts” on calcareous building stones in Palermo (Sicily): a first appraisal of anthropogenic and natural sulphur sources

2008

Chemical, mineralogical and isotopic composition (34S/32S) analyses were carried out on “black crusts” developed on the old buildings of Palermo (Sicily) with the aim to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic sulphur sources. Furthermore individual samples of total suspended particulate (TSP) were collected and analysed in order to estimate the influence of air pollution on the decay process of calcareous stones in a typical southern Mediterranean coastal environment. SEM/EDS analysis, X-ray diffractometry, IR spectroscopy and liquid chromatography led to the compositional characterization of “black crusts” and airborne particulate matter in the city. Sulphur isotopic compositions of…

The dry stone wall of 'Paretone dei Greci': an anthracological approach

2011

International audience; Dry stone constructions are a common occurrence in many Mediterranean landscapes. One of these structures known as "Paretone dei Greci" (Taranto, Southern Italy), was subject to an archaeological investigation. Soil and sediment material within this wall, as well as those above and below it, were sampled and processed for archaeobotanical studies. In this manner it was possible to understand its building technique as well as giving it a chronological context. Through an anthracological analysis it was possible to insert the "Paretone" within the surrounding agricultural landscape, thus better highlighting its function in relation to the history of the territory

Nanostructured protective for historical-artistic stone materials: evaluation of effectiveness and persistence by non invasive techniques

2014

Nanotechnology in restoration: cleaning and consolidation of stonework

2011

Nanotechnology is a science that utilises methods and techniques to manipulate material on a size-scale smaller than a micrometre (normally between 1 and 100 nanometres) and has the aim of producing materials with particular chemical-physical characteristics. It constitutes a true multi-disciplinary sphere of investigation, involving numerous areas of research, ranging from molecular biology to chemistry, from the science of materials to (applied and basic) physics, to mechanical and electronic engineering. Nanotechnology’s present and future applications render this an issue of great current interest, bearing in mind not only its innovative character, but also its possible impact on indust…