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Biomedical subjects

A Vecchioli

Publications and source records attributed to A Vecchioli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

[Multi-institution, multidisciplinary radiology and endoscopy trial of the diagnostic accuracy of the double contrast examination of the stomach surface].

In 12 X-ray and gastroenterology departments 1570 patients, clinically suspected to have a gastric pathology, have been examined by double contrast (surface) examination of the stomach followed by gastroscopy. Diagnostic accuracy was 93% in respect of endoscopic data, assumed correct by hypothesis. On the basis of a cost and benefit evaluation, made according to the well known criteria, a wider routine use of the double contrast technique is proposed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Crohn disease of the small bowel: MR enteroclysis versus conventional enteroclysis.

Enteroclysis has been suggested as the technique of choice for the evaluation of Crohn disease of the small intestine. Adequate distention of the entire small bowel with barium suspension allows the radiologic demonstration of mucosal abnormalities and provides functional information by defining distensibility or fixation of the small bowel loops. The principal disadvantage of conventional enteroclysis is the limited indirect information on the state of the bowel wall and extramural extension of Crohn disease, and its effectiveness may be hindered owing to overlapping bowel loops. Moreover, the radiation dose administered to patients, mostly at a young age, should be considered. Magnetic resonance (MR) enteroclysis is an emerging technique for small bowel imaging and was introduced to overcome the limitations of conventional enteroclysis and MR cross-sectional imaging by combining the advantages of both into one technique. MR enteroclysis has the potential to change how the small bowel is assessed because of the functional information, soft tissue contrast, direct multiplanar imaging capabilities, and lack of ionizing radiation.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of diagnostic imaging in abdominal lymphadenopathy.

Abdominal lymph node chains and route of lymph drainage of various organs (stomach, duodenum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, appendix, blind intestine, colon rectum) are analyzed according to their location. The role of conventional radiology and diagnostic imaging is evaluated in the study of abdominal lymphatic system with particular reference to lymphangiography and the new procedures of sonography, CT and MRI. Present methods used in inflammatory abdominal lymphadenopathy with special attention to tuberculous lymphadenitis, liver cirrhosis, neoplastic abdominal lymphadenopathy, colorectal and pancreatic cancer, are illustrated. Combined modality imaging is considered in gastric cancer based on the evolution of the classification of gastric lymph nodes. The role of sonography, endoscopic ultrasonography, spiral CT and MRI is assessed in gastric cancer N staging. A retrospective study is analyzed and perspectives for the application of a new CT protocol are proposed. PET potentialities in the study of abdominal lymph nodes are examined.

Abdomen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Malignant biliary hilar stenosis: MR cholangiography compared with direct cholangiography].

AIM: To assess the diagnostic value of three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) versus direct cholangiography such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in malignant biliary stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (15 female and 14 male) (mean age 62 years) with malignant biliary strictures underwent MRC and ERC. Breath-hold 3D steady state free precession MR cholangiography was performed on a 1.5-T imager in the patients before ERC. In 25 patients findings at ERC/PTC were considered the standard of reference: 19 patients underwent ERC, 5 PCT and 1 both ERC and PTC due to unsuccessful papilla cannulation during the endoscopic examination. In the 4 remaining patients the surgical specimen was considered the standard of reference. In the 29 patients studied, histology performed during direct cholangiography and the examination of the surgical specimens demonstrated that the malignant hilar stenoses were caused by hilar cholangiocarcinoma (n=7), cholangiocarcinoma of the distal VBP (n=1), gallbladder cancers (n=6), endometrial metastasis (n=2), ovary metastasis (n=1), colon metastasis (n=1), breast metastasis (n=1). The correct identification of biliary stenosis and extension of the tumor (according to the Bismuth classification) by MR cholangiography and ERC were independently assessed by two readers blinded to each other's report. The results were compared. RESULTS: Identification of biliary stenosis and neoplastic extension were accurate in respectively 29/29 (100%) and 26/29 (89%) cases with MR cholangiography. The comparison of ERC/PTC and MRC images yielded the following results: Bismuth Type I (6 vs 6), Type II (5 vs 8), Type III (13 vs 10), Type IV (5 vs 5). Our results indicate that MR is less capable of identifying the extension of small lesions at the primary confluence of bile ducts than are ERC/PCT. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: MR cholangiography is a non-invasive technique for biliary tract imaging. It does not require administration of contrast medium and allows complete visualisation of the biliary ducts. MR cholangiography allowed accurate diagnosis of malignant hilar stenosis providing equal information as direct cholangiography and may therefore obviate the need for ERC/PTC.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High resolution spiral computed tomography of the pancreas.

Computed tomography (CT) is a very useful tool in the assessment of pancreatic disease. Searching for subtle signs, as in chronic pancreatitis or staging of adenocarcinoma, high spatial and contrast resolution is needed. The high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) technique for pancreatic scans, and its evolution from dynamic CT to multislice spiral CT, is described. 2D and 3D dimensional reconstructions are depicted and their role in diagnosis is focused. Together with spatial resolution, contrast enhancement protocols are discussed, aimed to achieve optimal contrast between the lesion and normal parenchyma.

Contrast Media↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP): morphology and function.

MRCP is able to non-invasively assess the pancreatic ducts, with moderate/high agreement with ERCP: There is however a high number of false negative results, mainly due to the small size of the main pancreatic duct, especially in the tail, and side branches. Secretin stimulates the exocrine pancreas with accumulation of fluid and bicarbonates in the ductal system, and subsequent enlargement. This increase in caliber improves the assessment of the morphology of pancreatic ducts and their abnormalities. MRCP accuracy in assessing ductal abnormalities, improves after secretin administration. Furthermore, dynamic MRCP during secretin administration is also able to afford the functional evaluation of the pancreatic flow dynamics. Papillary stenosis, either idiopathic or due to Santorinicele, is easily diagnosed by means of S-MRCP. Furthermore a noninvasive assessment of the pancreatic exocrine reserve can be performed with dynamic MRCP during secretin administration.

Cholangiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Imaging of acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is one of the most complex and clinically challenging of all abdominal disorders. It is classified according to clinical, morphologic and histologic criteria. The primary role of radiologic imaging in patients with suspected pancreatitis is to confirm or exclude the clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis. Second, if possible, the cause of the disease is established with the assessment of disease severity and detection of complications. Imaging can also provide guidance for percutaneous therapy. Sonography in acute pancreatitis is a good screening test in patients with suspected biliary pancreatitis and a mild clinical course. Contrast-enhanced CT is preferred for patients with acute pancreatitis because it can accurately diagnose and stage the disease and the necessary information for percutaneous management is provided. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis on MRI relies on the presence of morphologic and peripancreatic changes. Pancreatic necrosis and complications of acute pancreatitis such as hemorrhage, pseudocysts or abscesses are well-examined by MRI.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Imaging of chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by progressive, irreversible morphologic changes whose most common cause is excessive alcohol intake. Radiologic imaging plays a major role in the diagnosis, staging of disease severity, detection of complications and selection of treatment options. The sensitivity of US ranges from 60% to 70% while its specificity is higher reaching 80%-90% in the detection of abnormalities of main pancreatic duct. As for CT, its sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, in recent studies is 74% and 85% respectively. The performance of Magnetic Resonance cholangiopancreatography was shown to be enhanced by secretin stimulation with better visualization of ductal and parenchymal changes. However, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the most sensitive indicator of the presence and extent of the disease. Ductal abnormalities can be used to classify chronic pancreatitis.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with spiral CT and MRI.

Detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is crucial for accurate staging both with spiral CT and dynamic MRI; consequently an accurate technique is required and so-called pancreatic phase is recognized as the best one for tumor conspicuity. For vascular involvement optimal results have been achieved in assessing unresectability; vein involvement seems more difficult to be defined as it is sustained by a different spread compared to arterial involvement. Grading of vessel circumference contact represents the best tool in "venous" staging, but shape deformation and collateral veins dilation are also important signs. Lymph node staging is less accurate, lacking in specificity, but spiral CT demonstrated better results if compared with dynamic MRI. Assessment of liver metastases has been improved by the advent of spiral CT and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, while peritoneal staging seems to be unaffected. In conclusion, both spiral CT and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI are accurate in pancreatic adenocarcinoma staging, mainly for vessels and liver involvement; no definite differences have been established, because only a few studies have compared them both with state-of-art techniques. Therefore standardized multicentric trials are desirable. Up to now, the choice of which technique to employ should be based on local expertise; moreover, the aggressive approach of surgical equipes should be kept in mind.

Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical correlations of small bowel CT and contrast radiology findings in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVE: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical correlates of small bowel CT patterns in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), as compared to barium studies and endoscopic findings, as far as parameters of disease activity are concerned. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty five patients with pathologically proven CD were studied by means of helical single detector CT (13) or multidetector CT (22), after administration of low density contrast by mouth (13) or by nasojeunal tube (22). Eight hours later, all patients were studied with barium administered by mouth (13) or with barium and methilcellulose administered by nasojeunal tube (22). Clinical activity was assessed by CDAI score, ESR, CRP, alpha1 glycoprotein and fibrinogen levels. In twenty one patients, colonoscopy was also performed. RESULTS: Sensitivity of small bowel CT versus endoscopy was of 88% while sensitivity of barium studies was of 77% versus endoscopic findings, and it reached 100% for the combination of both exams. We found positive correlations between the detection at CT of "target sign" and a CDAI score > 150 or abnormal values of CRP, ESR, alpha1 glycoprotein. Abnormal ESR or fibrinogen levels were correlated with the detection of fistulas at CT scans. The diameter of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes was correlated with alpha1 glycoprotein values. No similar correlations were detected for contrast radiology findings. DISCUSSION: This study underscores the clinical usefulness of performing small bowel CT in adjunct to conventional diagnostic studies in Crohn's disease patients. CT findings (either by oral route or nasojeunal tube) correlate with parameters of disease activity.

Adult↗