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Biomedical subjects

D Farina

Publications and source records attributed to D Farina.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

MRI measures and their relations with clinical disability in relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

To further evaluate the relationship between clinical disability and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) lesion burden, we examined 85 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (54 relapsing-remitting and 31 secondary progressive). This cross-sectional study reports on the correlations between total and infratentorial lesion volume on both T1 and T2 weighted images, and overall physical disability measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale, ambulation index and individual functional systems. Assessment of the hypointense lesion load on T1 weighted images rather than the hyperintense lesion load on T2 weighted images at brain MRI was shown to be useful for differentiating relapsing-remitting from secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. A weak relationship between disability and total lesion volume on both T1 and T2 weighted images was found in relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. In secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis, infratentorial lesion volume on T2 weighted images represents the only marker of disability. Finally, the presence of cerebellar, brainstem and mental impairment was significantly associated to a greater total lesion volume on MRI, while no relationship was found with other functional systems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Magnetic resonance and computed tomography compared in the staging of rhinosinusal neoplasms. A cost-effectiveness evaluation].

This study was aimed at comparing CT and MRI in the preoperative staging of sinonasal malignancies and at developing the most cost-effective diagnostic strategy to determinate resectability and choice of surgery and to assess surgical demolition extent. Forty-nine patients with sinonasal tumors were examined during a 10 years' period, with CT (20 patients), MRI (13 patients) and combined CT and MRI (16 patients); 42/49 patients underwent surgical resection (16 patients with craniofacial resection and 6 with orbital exenteration). Cost-effectiveness of the two techniques was assessed comparing five protocols using CT and MRI either alone or combined. In 40/98 orbits the tumor was in contact with a bone wall. MRI was more accurate than CT in assessing orbital invasion (100% sensitivity, 94% specificity, 86% positive predictive value and 100% negative predictive value, vs. 50%, 93%, 75% and 82%, respectively, for CT). MRI showed the tumor in contact with the skull base in 24/49 patients and CT in 23/49 patients, with no statistically significant difference between the two techniques. Dural infiltration, however, was better demonstrated with MRI in 3 patients with minimal bone erosion of the nasal vault. In 5 patients CT and MRI showed pterygopalatine fossa invasion (4 true positives and 1 false positive for both techniques). Since the final decision about orbital exenteration needs accurate surgical mapping, CT appears to yield all the pieces of information necessary for surgical planning. The most cost-effective protocol seems to be a CT examination for all patients. MRI is needed only for better prognostic assessment in the patients with minimal bone erosion of the floor of anterior cranial fossa. In fact, dural invasion, which is a markedly negative factor for survival, may be missed by CT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Computerized tomography in the surgical planning of supraglottic carcinoma: analysis of cost-effectiveness in 69 patients].

This study was aimed at investigating the role of CT in the surgical planning (partial vs. total laryngectomy) of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma. Sixty-nine patients affected with supraglottic cancers were reviewed to assess the accuracy and the clinical role of CT and laryngoscopy. The detection rates of tumor spread to the glottis, to thyroid and arytenoid cartilages, pyriform sinus and base of the tongue were compared and correlated with surgical and pathologic data. Thirty-one patients underwent supraglottic laryngectomy and 38 had total laryngectomy. Endoscopy correctly assessed the glottis in 54/69 patients (78.2%) and CT in 52/69 (75.3%). The two techniques were in agreement in 47/69 patients: 42/47 (89.4%) had a correct diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values in assessing neoplastic invasion at the glottic level were, respectively, 68.4%, 90.3%, 78.2%, 89.6%, 94.1% and 86.6% when endoscopy and CT were in agreement. In deciding the feasibility of supraglottic laryngectomy, the results of endoscopy alone did not differ significantly from those of CT and endoscopy in agreement (X2 = 3.255, p > 0.05), whereas the negative predictive value of CT was significantly lower than that of the two techniques in agreement (X2 = 4.55, 0.05 > p > 0.025). In our experience, CT did not significantly change the surgical treatment planned on the basis of endoscopic findings. Therefore, when assessing the feasibility of partial laryngectomy for supraglottic carcinoma, CT cannot be considered a cost-effective tool. Nine of 33 (27.2%) patients treated with total laryngectomy had local recurrences at the hypopharynx, probably because the primary tumor was underestimated at both preoperative staging and during surgery.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1995

The relationship between calcium, phosphorus, and sodium intake, race, and blood pressure in children with renal insufficiency: a report of the Growth Failure in Children with Renal Diseases (GFRD) Study.

Nutritional data compiled during the Growth Failure in Children with Renal Diseases Clinical Trial were analyzed to determine the relationship between the dietary intake of divalent minerals and sodium, nutritional status, and serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and blood pressure in black versus white children. One hundred eighteen patients are included in this report; 25 were black (21%) and 93 were white (79%). Although more of the blacks were male, the age distribution, midarm circumference, midarm muscle circumference, blood pressure, and serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH concentrations were comparable in the two groups. Phosphorus intake was within the recommended daily allowance in both groups; in contrast, calcium intake was inadequate in all patients: 81% of the recommended daily allowance in whites, and 74% in blacks. Sixteen children were noted to be hypertensive during the observation period; six patients were receiving a variety of antihypertensive medications, including diuretics in two children. Linear regression analysis revealed that systolic and diastolic blood pressures were directly related to calcium and phosphorus intake in black patients. In white children, only dietary phosphorus intake and diastolic blood pressure were directly related. There was no relationship between sodium intake or GFR and blood pressure in the white or black children. PTH levels were directly correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in all children. The correlations between PTH and blood pressure were stronger in white versus black patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Black People↗
PubMed1994

[Pulmonary involvement in scleroderma assessed with high-resolution computerized tomography and functional tests].

This study was aimed at investigating and analyzing lung involvement in scleroderma patients with different imaging methods, toward a rational diagnostic approach. Twenty-four patients with systemic sclerosis were examined with pulmonary function tests (PFT), spirometry and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), chest radiography and high-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). Abnormal findings were present in 42% of cases on X-ray films and in 71% of cases on HRCT images. PFT was abnormal in the spirometries of 42% of cases and in DLCO tests in 50% of cases. The most common findings at HRCT were the small reticular and the ground-glass patterns. HRCT emerged as the most effective method to evaluate lung involvement in systemic sclerosis. In our series, HRCT allowed possibly curable lung lesions to be differentiated from incurable ones. However, HRCT is suggested in the patients with impaired pulmonary function to allow treatment choice; on the contrary, in the patients with no functional impairment, HRCT adds little information to clinical findings, showing only limited focal lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Long-term influence of dialysis treatment on beta 2-microglobulin, interleukin-2 R and tumour necrosis factor.

Recently much interest has been focused on the phenomena produced by the interaction between blood and dialytic membranes. The aim of this study was to evaluate beta 2-M, Il-2 and TNF changes in relation to the long-term use of different membranes (CU, PAN-AN69, PMMA, PS) and different dialytic treatments (HD, HDF, AFB). Plasma beta 2-M was significantly increased in patients dialysed with CU compared to synthetic membranes, and decreased in AFB compared to HD and HDF. Intradialytic changes of beta 2-M, corrected for haemoconcentration, resulted in a significant increase with CU and PMMA, while a decrease was found with PAN-AN69 and PS and during convective treatments, more evident during haemofiltration performed with sterile dialysate without acetate. I1-2R was increased in all patients compared to normal subjects, without any intradialytic change, regardless of the type of membrane used. TNF was in the normal range. The different decrease of beta 2-M observed with synthetic membranes, the stable intradialysis I1-2 R values during HD performed with membranes non-permeable to endotoxins and during AFB, and the absence of detectable TNF support the hypothesis that dialysate plays an important role in activating beta 2-M and cytokines, together with other factors.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Comparison of high-resolution arterial echography and angiography in the diagnosis of atheromatous lesions of the external carotid].

Personal experience about a correlative study on ultrasonographic and angiographic methods executed on carotid artery is reported. Usual techniques are described and result discordances are considered. Stenosis level is subdivided in four different types: normal, less than 45, 45-75%, greater than 75%. Authors examine in which stenosis range one technique can be superimposed on the other one and show limits and possibilities. Moreover complementary and interdependence position of these two techniques are stressed with respect to atherosclerotic disease study.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1988

Comparison trial of iron succinylprotein complex or iron gluconate complex in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

Forty patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia were randomly assigned to receive iron succinylprotein complex (containing 80 mg of elemental iron daily) or iron gluconate complex (containing 125 mg of elemental iron daily) for two months. Improvement, as measured by hematological variables, was noted in both groups, iron succinylprotein complex being superior to iron gluconate complex on some measures. Side effects were reported by two of the 20 patients treated with iron succinylprotein complex and by ten of the 20 patients treated with iron gluconate complex.

Adult↗