Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Mallarini

Publications and source records attributed to G Mallarini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A novel Cx32 mutation causes X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with brainstem involvement and brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy abnormalities.

The objective of this study was to study genetic and phenotypic features of a family with X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth consisting of a healthy father, affected mother, two affected sons and one healthy one. A detailed electrophysiological and neuroimaging study, along with sequencing of the Cx32 gene, was performed in all family members. A novel Cx32 123 G>C mutation, determining an aminoacid variation (Glu41Asp), was found in the mother and the affected sons. An alteration in brainstem evoked potentials was found in the mother and one affected son. The affected son, who underwent magnetic resonance imaging, showed symmetrical hyperintensities in paratrigonal white matter, not found in his heterozygous mother, while both subjects exhibited alterations in brain metabolite ratios derived from localised proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These data extend previous findings about central nervous system involvement in Cx32 mutated subjects and further support a functional role of the protein expression in oligodendrocytes.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of conventional color Doppler imaging and power doppler imaging for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer: results of a European study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of conventional color Doppler (CCD) imaging and power Doppler (PD) imaging in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. METHODS: Six hundred fifty-six consecutive women with adnexal masses scheduled for surgery in two European university departments of obstetrics and gynecology underwent preoperative transvaginal ultrasound. The scanning procedure was the same in the two institutions: after B-mode sonography, a CCD/PD imaging scan was performed before pulsed Doppler evaluation. Using both modalities of color Doppler, malignancy was suspected when arterial flow was visualized in an echogenic portion defined as malignant by B-mode. To avoid the risk of bias due to the absence of blindness of the examiner after the first Doppler evaluation, at one institution 328 consecutive women with an adnexal mass were evaluated using only CCD imaging, whereas at the second institution the ultrasonographic evaluation of the same number of masses was performed using PD imaging, and the results were compared prospectively. RESULTS: The age, the rate of postmenopausal women, and the rate of ovarian cancer were similar in the two institutions. The false-positive rate of B-mode imaging was similar in the two institutions (17 versus 18%), while the false-positive rates of CCD and PD imaging were 4.6 and 7.4%, respectively. Although the overall diagnostic accuracy of two techniques seems comparable, with a similar value of K (0.81 versus 0.84), a significantly lower sensitivity in differentiation of benign from malignant ovarian lesions was found using CCD (87 versus 100%). CONCLUSIONS: At least one of the two Doppler techniques should be used in conjunction with B-mode imaging in order to decrease the false-positive rate of B-mode used alone but CCD imaging showed a higher false-negative rate.

Adult↗

Computerized tomography in the management and follow-up of extensive periapical lesion.

Radiographs are good diagnostic aids in endodontics, although they have limitations. The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of computerized tomography in differential diagnosis, treatment planning, follow-up and overall clinical management of complex periapical lesions. A clinical case of an extensive symptomatic periapical lesion of the upper jaw is presented, in which the use of computerized tomography allowed evaluation of the true extent of the lesion and its spatial relationship to important anatomical landmarks. Computerized tomography also provided specific information about the type of lesion and the degree of bone repair which had taken place 18 months after non-surgical treatment had been completed.

Adult↗

Transvaginal ultrasound and computed tomography combined with clinical parameters and CA-125 determinations in the differential diagnosis of persistent ovarian cysts in premenopausal women.

The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and transvaginal ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of persistent cystic ovarian lesions. The candidates for this study were 161 premenopausal non-pregnant women with an adnexal mass. After a 3-month follow-up, 83 masses persisted and were examined by both techniques before surgery. We also evaluated the CA-125 plasma levels. The CT and ultrasonographic diagnoses were then compared with the histopathological diagnosis. The overall agreement between the test results and the actual outcome was calculated by means of the kappa statistic. Transvaginal ultrasonography has a closer accuracy in the diagnosis of serous cysts and serous cystadenoma, ovarian carcinoma and endometrioma (value of kappa: 0.78, 0.73 and 0.80, respectively) than CT, even if the latter is associated with clinical and biochemical parameters such as patient's age and CA-125 plasma levels. Only in the diagnosis of cystic teratoma, is transvaginal ultrasonography less accurate than CT. In conclusion, in premenopausal women, transvaginal ultrasonography remains a cost-effective method in the diagnosis of most cystic ovarian lesions.

Adolescent↗

[Palliative treatment of esophageal neoplastic stenoses with self-expanding metallic stents].

Thirty Strecker nickel-titanium self-expanding metallic stents were implanted in 20 patients with esophageal strictures and inoperable neoplasms in the Departments of Radiology of the University School of Medicine of Ferrara, Genoa, Novara and Rome, from March 1992 to April 1993; follow-up ranged 1 to 13 months. Thanks to the stents, esophageal strictures could be dilated, significantly reducing dysphagia and allowing the patients to return on to a solid diet. Radiological and endoscopic exams proved the efficacy of the stents in all but 2 patients in whom the tumors had invaded the stent lumen and caused obstruction. In all cases the stents were highly biocompatible and well tolerated. Neither major complications, such as perforation or bleeding, were observed, nor minor ones, such as fever or migration from the site of implant, which may occur with plastic prostheses. To conclude, self-expanding metallic stents used in clinical trials for 13 months proved an effective method in the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal strictures.

Aged↗

[Tubal catheterization with selective salpingography in the diagnosis and therapy of fallopian tube obstruction].

Fallopian tube catheterization with selective ostial [correction of osteal] salpingography is a new technique for the diagnosis of tubal factors of infertility and also for the treatment of proximal tubal occlusion (PTO). In this study, 246 women were considered, 20-42 years old, with primary or secondary infertility, who presented a unilateral or bilateral PTO at hysterosalpingography (HSG). Catheterization and selective salpingography have been successful in 93.9% of the cases. Failures (5.6%) have been ascribed to obstructive organic diseases, where it was impossible to overcome the stenosis with the catheter or the guide-wire. Twenty-six spontaneous pregnancies were obtained (15 full-term deliveries) and 17 patients became pregnant after GIFT (13 full-term deliveries). At follow-up, after 12 months 4 of 10 patients had normal tubes, while 6 patients presented a new unilateral or bilateral PTO. No major complications occurred; nevertheless, ectopic pregnancy is a possible event, because of the mechanically re-established patency in a nonfunctioning tube.

Adult↗

[The role of endorectal echography for determining the extent of an operation].

The paper discusses the usefulness of endorectal echotomography and adenolymphoscintigraphy--two new diagnostic methods which allow surgeons to know preoperatively tumor extension beyond the rectal wall and lymph nodes involvement. Though the statistical data presented are not numerous, it is hoped that, using these two diagnostic methods in cases of rectal tumors, surgeons will be able to choose better between local excision and abdominoperineal resection thus avoiding unnecessary and mutilating operations.

Adult↗

Experience with local rectal cancer excision in light of two recent preoperative diagnostic methods.

This study analyzes the usefulness of two diagnostic methods: endorectal echotomography and adenolymphoscintigraphy. Echotomography is an important means for determining the extent of a tumor beyond the rectal wall, whereas lymphoscintigraphy is useful in demonstrating the metastatic locations in lymph nodes. These two modes of evaluation may permit an evaluation of the extent of the tumor and the possible involvement of regional lymph nodes before a surgical operation. Although the case material is limited, the statistical data can lead one to believe that, in the near future, a reasoned choice will be possible between local excision and abdominoperineal resection. The study includes 60 endorectal echotomographies and 26 lymphoscintigraphies (20 with 99mTc colloid and six with 201-Tl colloid).

Adult↗

[Use of vasopressin in the treatment of acute hemorrhagic lesions of the stomach. Our experience].

Since bleeding from acute lesions of the gastric mucosa can cease spontaneously and the mortality rate of emergency surgery is high, conservative treatment is always preferable. Satisfactory results were obtained with continuous infusions of vasopressin in low doses (0.2 U/kg/hr for 8 hours) so that this treatment appears a valid alternative to more recent techniques (somatostatin).

Acute Disease↗

Redistribution of arterial blood flow in metastases-bearing livers after infusion of degradable starch microspheres.

Changes in intrahepatic arterial blood flow after intraarterial injection of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) were studied in four patients undergoing hepatic arterial chemotherapy. All four livers contained metastases, three from colorectal cancer and one from melanoma. Using a CT scanner with a dynamic program, 8 mm liver sections were studied in each patient before and after the DSM infusion (180(-6) in 3 min). Density plots were obtained from 12 tumoral and 12 parenchymal areas after 5 ml push arterial injections of nonionic contrast medium. The areas under the curves (ID) were calculated. The ID after DSM infusion was reduced by 94% in a single hyperdense colorectal metastasis and by a mean of c. 82% in ten parenchymal areas. By contrast, nine hypodense colorectal metastases showed an average ID decrease of c. 156%. The ID of two melanoma metastases was reduced after DSM (-48% and -68%), while the ID of two matched parenchymal areas showed an approximately similar degree of increase (+36% and +64%). Since ID after contrast injection can be assumed to be a function of blood volume, mutual changes of parenchymal and tumoral blood flow appear to take place in metastases-bearing liver after arterial infusion of DSM. This phenomenon may be of diagnostic and therapeutic value for intraarterial chemotherapy of liver tumors.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in angiodysplasias of the digestive tract].

After a review of recent literature on angiodysplasias of the digestive system, a diagnostic procedure based on personal experience is proposed for haemorrhagic patients. Criteria for the selection of treatment protocols are then proposed for cases where angiodysplasia is recognised as the cause of the bleeding.

Angiography↗

[Hemobilia].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aged↗