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Biomedical subjects

A Bernasconi

Publications and source records attributed to A Bernasconi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Thoracic manifestations of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)].

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) seems to be related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is characterized by severe T-helpers lymphocyte dysfunction. Many of the AIDS patients (47-70%) develop pulmonary manifestations, both infectious and neoplastic, in the course of their disease. In the Department of Infectious Diseases of our Hospital are studied many patients HIV+. Every year 246 seropositive new patients have been discovered. Among them we have studied 25 subjects with respiratory disease, by chest radiographs; successively, according to clinical picture, we have performed thoracic computed tomography, Gallium scintigraphy, fiberoptic bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy (TBB), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); the majority of these patients (68%) had AIDS, only 28% had ARC and 4% had PGL. In our experience, the diagnosed diseases were mainly infections (92%), and most frequently (52%) due to Pneumocystis carinii, alone or in association with other etiologic agents. We have not found pathognomonic radiographic abnormalities, but chest X-ray evaluated with clinical and laboratory data, may often be useful to obtain diagnostic indications and in order to determine a more specific and aggressive diagnostic approach.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1988

[Exogenous lipid pneumonia. Clinico-radiologic characteristics].

Exogenous lipid pneumonia (ELP) is caused by the aspiration of animal, vegetal or, more often, mineral oils. Even though it may also be acute, ELP is most frequently a chronic disease, affecting people with predisposing factors, such as neuromuscular disorders, structural abnormalities and so on; very often exogenous lipid pneumonia is found in tracheotomized patients. The pathology of lipid pneumonia is a chronic inflammatory process evolving in foreign-body-like reaction, and eventually in "end-stage lung" condition. Clinically, most patients are asymptomatic; few cases only present with cough, dyspnea and chest pain. Eight cases of ELP, studied over the past 3 years, are described in this paper. All the patients were examined by chest radiographs and standard tomograms; 3 patients underwent CT. X-ray features were mono/bilateral consolidation of the lower zones, with air bronchogram and variable reduction in volume. CT density was not specific for fat tissue. In all cases the diagnosis was confirmed at biopsy. In 5 patients, followed for at least one year, clinical-radiological features showed no change. Thus, complications of ELP (especially malignant evolution) could be excluded. The authors conclude that lipid pneumonia must be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with history of usage of oils and compatible X-ray findings. The usefulness of an accurate follow-up is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal masses during fiber-bronchoscopy].

The authors present their own experience in the diagnosis of thoracic adenopathies and mediastinal masses by transbronchial needle aspiration (Wang needle). The diagnostic usefulness and safety of the method is stressed. Radiology plays an important role in choosing biopsy site (by CT), in monitoring the procedure by fluoroscopy and looking for complications following completion of the examination.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

[Echographic diagnosis of acute rejection of the transplanted kidney].

After a general review of the US findings in acute renal allograft rejection, the results are discussed of a retrospective sonographic-histologic study in 17 patients affected by acute rejection. The high sensitivity of sonography in detecting acute rejection is confirmed, but echographic studies were unable to differentiate between vascular and cellular sub-types of rejection and to provide a prognostic evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Chests x-ray in status asthmaticus. Relations between radiological abnormalities and impaired respiratory function].

The chest radiographs of 78 adult asthmatic patients admitted with severe acute asthma over a three-years period were reviewed. Radiographic findings were compared with functional data. Overinflation was demonstrated in 32% of chest X-rays. In four patients the presence of atelectasis was shown. On admission only PaO2 was significantly lower in patients with radiological abnormalities than in patients with normal chest radiographs. The usefulness of chest radiographs in patients with acute asthma is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Radiologic diagnosis in malignant pleural mesothelioma].

The authors summarize clinical findings and radiological aspects of pleural malignant mesothelioma. This tumor, previously uncommon, is now observed with increasing frequency in developed countries (pathogenetic relationship with asbestos fibers inhalation is proved). Common and uncommon findings are described and 8 new cases are presented. Differential diagnosis between malignant mesothelioma and other primary or secondary pleural tumors is difficult and always requires a confirmation by multiple biopsies and/or thoracotomy. The usefulness of CT study in the accurate staging of mesothelioma is particularly emphasized. In this field CT may completely replace the conventional tomography.

Asbestosis↗
PubMed1984

[Radiological evaluation of the state of hydration in uremic patients under periodic dialysis].

Seventy-four uremic patients in chronic hemodialysis were studied by X-ray of the thorax before and after the same dialysis. Radiological signs and variables (originally proposed by Milne) related to hemodynamics of pulmonary and systemic circulation were evaluated in relation to fluid subtraction. The study demonstrated the high sensitivity and the clinical value of thoracic radiography in the follow-up of these patients and particularly in the evaluation of fluid overload.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[The echotomographic study of renal transplants].

The authors emphasize the role of renal sonography in detecting post renal-transplant complications, such as fluid collections and hydronephrosis. Ultrasonic study proved also to be useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of renal allograft rejection. A total of 32 renal allograft patients were studied. Focal areas of decreased parenchymal echogenicity were the most striking sonographic finding in renal rejection. Cortico medullary demarcation was difficult to interpret and was inconsistently related to rejection.

Abscess↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Upper gastrointestinal involvement in diabetes mellitus: study of esophagogastric function.

The aim of our study was to evaluate in 18 diabetic patients (11 with and 7 without evidence of autonomic neuropathy as revealed by common cardiovascular tests) alterations indicative of autonomic nervous involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, independently of the presence of suggestive symptoms. All patients, without evidence of obstructive or mucosal pathology of the upper gastrointestinal tract, underwent the following: 1) study of gastric emptying time of nonabsorbable radiopaque markers (90, 120, 150 and 210 min); 2) study of gastric acid secretion: basal (BAO) and peak (PAO) acid output after sham-feeding (PAOSF) and peak acid output after pentagastrin (PAOPENT).PAOSF/PAOPENT ratio is an index of vagal integrity; 3) esophageal manometry. Our data confirm that a delayed gastric emptying of undigestible solids is a frequent finding in diabetic subjects. This was highly significant (p less than 0.01) at 150 min after a standard meal, in patients with signs of autonomic neuropathy and was often associated with asymptomatic esophageal motor abnormalities. No correlation was found with index of vagal integrity, hormonal pattern and degree of glycemic control. Autonomic neuropathy cannot be considered the only explanation for gastric and esophageal abnormalities in decompensated diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Duplex Doppler study of the transplanted kidney].

The authors examined 34 renal transplant recipients with Duplex US, i.e. real-time sonography associated with pulsed Doppler, thus obtaining morphological and structural data about transplanted kidneys as well as hemodynamic information. Special emphasis was put on intrarenal vascular impedance and the relative resistive index, first mentioned by Rifkin in 1987. US diagnosis was compared with the results obtained at both biopsy and clinical follow-up. Only long-term renal transplants were considered; the patients were examined for a rise in serum creatinine level or for the onset of other signs/symptoms related to renal allografts. Our results confirm the utility of pulsed Doppler US in the diagnosis of renal transplant rejection, and allow reference values to be established for the resistive index. In agreement with literature data and assuming 0.9 as a resistive index value, Duplex-Doppler US specificity in diagnosing acute rejection was 100%, and sensitivity was 50%. However, the authors believed it more useful to assume 0.8 as a reference value for the resistive index, for it allows more renal transplant rejection episodes to be diagnosed, both acute and chronic, with an acceptable combination of specificity, sensitivity and predictive value. While the differential diagnosis of acute and chronic rejection is hardly ever possible with Duplex US alone, the combined use of Duplex US and real-time US makes it nearly always possible. As far as intrarenal impedance is concerned, our results seem to disagree with the scattered literature data on the subject, and to point towards its possible significant (though not extreme) increase also in case of chronic rejection.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pulmonary edema in renal insufficiency].

Forty-nine cases of pulmonary edema in nephropatic patients were studied. The most frequent radiologic findings are discussed. The unreliability of a precise differentiation between "cardiac" and "renal" patterns of pulmonary edema in nephropatic patients is emphasized.

Acute Kidney Injury↗