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Biomedical subjects

G Perri

Publications and source records attributed to G Perri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Pulmonary tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections in patients with AIDS].

Nowadays, the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is most certainly the major cause of the increased incidence of tuberculosis (TBC). A total of 138 patients (pts) with AIDS were referred to the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Hospital of Pisa, 1990-1991; 14 of them (10.1%) presented pulmonary TBC. In our study, we analyzed the chest films of the latter group of patients. Based on the X-ray patterns, the findings were classified as follows: hilar lymph nodes were observed in 4 pts (28.6%), isolated lymph nodes in 2 cases; associated with parenchymal involvement in 2 pts; acute alveolar TBC was seen in 4 cases (28.6%), with escavations in 3/4 (21.4%). Linear and reticular TBC were found in 4 pts (28.6%), and miliary interstitial involvement in 1 case (7%), extrapulmonary adenopathy in 4 pts (28.6%). In 4 pts (28.6%) chest X-ray findings were negative. All pts underwent serial chest X-rays in the course of therapy. HRCT was performed in 6 patients: our results are in agreement with those reported in literature. Thus, we can conclude that the major diagnostic findings in our series were: frequent isolated involvement of hilar lymph nodes, as observed in primary TBC; the infiltrates are most frequently located in the middle and basal lobes; escavations are uncommon; pleural effusion is unusual; in some pts chest X-ray findings may be negative.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Digital subtraction radiography in pediatric cystourethrography.

Digital subtraction radiography (DSR) was used to evaluate the anatomy and function of the bladder and urethra in 20 children with clinical urinary disturbances deriving from recurrent urinary tract infections. Following image subtraction, a complete study of bladder and urethra morphology and activity before and during voiding was obtained. Furthermore, DSR permitted a reduction in exposure doses given to children compared to conventional film-screen examinations. Results indicate the applicability of this technique for use on a wider scale and suggest its use as an alternative to other diagnostical techniques for the study of this subject.

Child, Preschool

Mineral metabolism and calcitriol therapy in idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis.

Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis is a rare cause of osteoporosis during childhood. We examined four children (three boys and one girl, ranging in age from 2.3 to 12.6 years) with idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. All of these patients had normal serum calcium, ionized calcium, phosphate, magnesium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, intact parathyroid hormone, and total and extractable calcitonin levels. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D values were low in three patients and slightly decreased in one. Three children were treated with calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) (0.50 micrograms/d in two and 0.25 microgram/d in the other). The fourth patient was not treated because of parental refusal. Therapy reduced the fracture rate. Follow-up at 6 and 12 months showed a significant increase in bone mineralization, which reached normal values in two children after 12 months of treatment. No side effects of calcitriol therapy were observed. The untreated patient did not show an improvement of bone mineralization in the same time.

Bone Density

[The echographic picture of the breast following quadrantectomy and radiation therapy].

Our experience moved from the clinical relevance of an eventual positive role of US in the follow-up of breast cancers treated with conservative therapy. This trial was suggested by the more and more frequent use of conservative therapy an by the diagnostic difficulties offered by the breasts treated with surgery and radiation therapy. Aim of the study is to analyze the diagnostic value of US in the identification of local relapse in a group of 60 patients with breast carcinoma (stages I and II) treated with conservative therapy. The patients were studied for at least 2 years following treatment, with clinical, US, and mammographic controls at 6, 12, and 24 months. The following clinical problems were considered: 1) study of the US patterns of the morphological and structural changes induced by conservative treatment; 2) observation of US and mammographic agreement in case of local relapse; 3) role of US in the follow-up of this kind of patients. US patterns and results at 6 months follow: cutaneous scar (60/60 cases), skin thickening (55/60), architectural distortion (asymmetry and amputation of the glandular cone, intramammary scar) (52/60), volumetric changes in the treated breast (50/60), skin asymmetry and retraction (50/60), "parenchymal fibrosis" (48/60), mass (8/60) and calcifications (3/60). As for the very few relapses (4 cases), US failed to reveal a ductal carcinoma which presented as microcalcifications. In our experience, US is a complementary exam to clinical and radiologic investigations, especially in the period immediately following therapy and in case of particular clinical problems, such as increased breast volume, mastitis, and appearance of a nodule.

Adult

[Double-contrast enema. Study of the mucosal pattern and the organ profile with conventional and digital methods].

A solid state digital system (FCR 101) was employed in our comparative evaluation of the image quality of conventional versus digital techniques in the study of colon by means of double-contrast enema. Sixty patients were examined with a single AP view, using digital radiography with 100% radiation dose and progressive 50% and 75% reductions; the radiographs thus obtained were then compared with the corresponding conventional ones. The examined parameters were organ profile and mucosal pattern. Each digital and conventional radiograph was evaluated by 2 independent radiologists and a value was given to each parameter i.e., 1 = good, 2 = sufficient, 3 = insufficient. Upon comparison of the average values obtained for digital and conventional radiographs in optimal conditions and with a dose reduced by 50%, the digital technique was seen to give a more detailed and accurate representation of both low-contrast mucosal pattern and of organ profile. With the dose reduced by 75%, a slight increase was observed in background noise which caused a slight loss in image definition, but this did not reduce image readability with respect to conventional radiographs. To conclude, the digital method with a 50% exposure reduction is to be preferred in the examination of the colon, especially in pediatric radiology; furthermore, since this technique allows better detailing at lower contrast, it is to be preferred in the study of the pathologic conditions affecting mainly/only the mucosal pattern--e.g., cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and so on. An exposure dose reduced by 75% may be used for following lesions previously diagnosed and when a less detailed depiction of the mucosal pattern is enough.

Adult

[Impact of high resolution computerized tomography on the clinical assessment of pulmonary interstitial diseases].

Our purpose is to define the morphological patterns of interstitial lung disease on CT and to evaluate the diagnostic impact of high-resolution technique (HRCT). Sixty-six consecutive patients with proven interstitial lung disease were considered in our study. The basic morphological patterns include: a) large reticular pattern (10-25 mm); b) small reticular pattern (2-3 mm); c) intermediate reticular pattern (5-10 mm) with cystic dilatation of distal airspaces; d) nodular pattern; e) high-density parenchymal areas. Topography of the involved areas (peripheral, middle and axial compartments), and lesion distribution with reference to the secondary pulmonary lobule (centrilobular, perilobular, panlobular, bronchovasal) are additional diagnostic criteria. The identification and correlation of these three parameters proved very useful in limiting the range of diagnostic possibilities to interstitial disease, obviously considering clinical data. In our series a correct CT diagnosis was obtained in 57 of 66 cases (86.36%). In 24 of them (36.34%) diagnosis corrected a previous erroneous or generic clinical suspicion. Our data suggest that HRCT is indicated in interstitial lund disease when neither clinical nor radiographic findings allow a specific diagnosis to be made.

Diagnostic Errors

Bone densitometry of the peripheral skeleton with a new photon counting and imaging device.

We present a new method for the assessment of bone mineral content of the peripheral skeleton. The method employs a new photon counting and imaging area device, the multi-wire proportional counter. The system can work as a single photon absorptiometer at the energies of both I-125 and Gd-153. It can work also as a dual photon absorptiometer using one of the two pairs of isotopes (I-125, Gd-153) or (I-125, Am-241). Both the calcaneus and the forearm can be imaged in a few minutes, with either single or dual photon absorptiometry. To test this new method in a clinical environment we compared it with the standard dual photon absorptiometry of the forearm. The data collected in a cross-sectional study of bone mineral content and bone mineral density in a group of 76 patients show a good correlation between the two measurement techniques (r = 0.931). The multi-wire proportional counter, due to its imaging capabilities, has a much lower repositioning error. This allows its use in regions with a large gradient of bone mineral density, such as the calcaneus or the very distal site of the forearm, which recent data have indicated to be superior to more proximal measurements in identifying osteoporosis.

Absorptiometry, Photon

Single tooth implants.

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Dental Implantation, Endosseous

[Digital videoradiography applied to the study of stress urinary incontinence in women].

A digital videofluoroscopic unit was employed to evaluate 42 female patients with urinary stress incontinence, cystocele or endometrial neoplasms, using either voiding cystourethrography or colpo-cysto-urethrorectography (CCURG), with or without urethral metallic bead chain. The digital subtraction technique allowed the direct visualization (on a single frame) of the lowering of both bladder base and other pelvic structures, and of the modification of urethral angles during Valsalva and micturition. The demonstration of contrasted urethra during micturition and Valsalva in incontinent patients allowed CCURG to be performed without urethral chain, with encouraging diagnostic accuracy. The advantages of digital CCURG are emphasized.

Algorithms

[Digital cystography in the evaluation of vesico-ureteral reflux in childhood].

The use of digital subtraction in voiding cystourethrography allows an accurate evaluation of the continence-micturition cycle. Fifty-two children with recurrent urinary tract infections were studied. The examination was easily performed, and it resulted useful in both detecting and characterizing vesicoureteral reflux. Even though it does not increase diagnostic sensitivity, digital voiding cystourethrography is useful in demonstrating the onset of vesicoureteral reflux, as related to the different phase of micturition. As far as radiation exposure is concerned, the technique, so far performed on children, appears to be a valid alternative to urodynamic studies.

Adolescent

Ovarian steroids modulate the action of calcitonin in women.

Slow i.v. infusion of salmon calcitonin into normal women led to a transient increase in plasma concentrations of cyclic AMP and to a decrease in plasma calcium, which was maintained for at least 2 h. These responses were significantly reduced in the same patients after hysterectomy and ovariectomy. In contrast, maintenance of the ovaries at the time of surgery, or substitutive hormonal therapy, seemed to restore the sensitivity to exogenous calcitonin, suggesting a permissive role of ovarian steroids in the effect of calcitonin. The most likely explanation for this phenomenon is that these hormones influence either the number of calcitonin receptors or the coupling of the receptors to the functional unit of bone adenylate cyclase.

Adult

Digital subtraction radiography in voiding cystourethrography.

Digital subtraction radiography (DRS) was utilized to evaluate the anatomy and function of the bladder and urethra. Images were obtained in 30 patients, following urography or retrograde cystography, with full bladder distention and during different phases of micturition. The technique permits good demonstration of several anatomical and functional parameters (lowering of bladder base; dynamic origin of trigonal canal; rotation of the urethra; bladder wall motion).

Humans

[Echography of the knee in the hemophiliac].

The authors report their experience with ultrasound in the examination of the knee in 60 hemophiliacs over a 2-year period. The results prove US to be extremely useful in the demonstration of the hemarthrosis, as well as the synovial involvement, and the articular cartilage of femoral condyles.

Cartilage, Articular

[Renal amyloidosis. An echographic study of 7 cases].

Seven patients suffering from renal amyloidosis (2 primitive and 5 secondary) underwent US examination. The results show a strict correlation between US findings and the pathologic changes produced by this condition. US proves to be especially useful in the early stages of the disease: its results, together with the clinical data, may in fact be highly suggestive of the correct diagnosis. On the contrary, in the late stages of renal amyloidosis, when pathologic changes lead to progressive nephrosclerosis, US findings appear aspecific, since they are undistinguishable from the patterns observed in other renal medical disorders.

Amyloidosis