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Biomedical subjects

G Sallustio

Publications and source records attributed to G Sallustio.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Lymphatic system: morphofunctional considerations.

The lymphatic system, consisting of the lymph nodes and the lymphatic vessels as well as the spleen and various sites of lymphoid tissue, is deputed to important tasks: the immune response, the transport of lipids absorbed at the intestinal level and the reabsorption of water and other substances from the interstitial spaces; the lymph nodes in particular are involved in immunity and lymph filtration-depuration. Therefore, the knowledge of lymph node cellular architecture as well as of the structure and course of lymphatic vessels is of great importance. The pathologic processes that affect the lymphatic system can involve the canalicular and/or nodal part, resulting in patterns directly correlated with their respective function: lymphedema and lymphagitis on one hand, and disorders induced by accumulation, inflammation and tumors, on the other.

Humans↗

Combined diagnostic imaging of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in lung cancer.

The identification and characterization of lymphadenopathies is one of the fascinating challenges of modern diagnostic imaging. At present, the real problem is the distinction between normal and pathologic signs. For twenty years, the differentiation was based on the dimensional criterion, namely a short axis < 1 cm, however it was shown to be inadequate. After an overview of the anatomy, ATS classification, the role of N factor in lung cancer (60% of N0 patients survive at 5 years) while only 20% of N2 patients survive), the new signs evidenced on CT are analyzed and interpreted. With thin section, late phase CT, a retrospective study and a perspective study were carried out on densitometric changes in lymph nodes correlated with histology findings. The role of intranodal hypodensity, peripheral rim and adipose tissue was stressed. The results of these studies were concordant with histology findings and confirmed the better accuracy in staging and the impact on survival of extranodal spread detected, based on radiologic criteria.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

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↗

Combined modality staging of low risk rectal cancer.

The work-up conducted in order to reach a correct diagnosis based on a combined modality staging in patients with low risk rectal cancer, is presented. The diagnostic accuracy of each imaging technique is analyzed by the comparison of the radiologic TN with the histologic TN in 13 patients directly referred to surgery based on combined modality staging. Control with histologic findings has staged as T1-T2 13 patients directly referred to surgery, while only a patient was shown to have microinfiltration of perirectal fat. As for T, diagnostic accuracy was 90% for transrectal US, 66% for MRI, 61% for CT. Accuracy of transrectal sonography in the differentiation of T1 from T2 was 70% with a trend towards overstaging. None of the procedures has suggested the presence of metastatic lymph nodes while on histology small neoplastic foci were evidenced in a normal-sized perirectal lymph node. The high diagnostic accuracy of US in the definition of T in rectal cancer is confirmed. It is underlined that no procedure enables the detection of neoplastic microinfiltration of normal lymph nodes.

Humans↗

The reasoned combined modality imaging of rectal anatomy.

An accurate analysis of the rectal anatomy and of its "setting" is carried out. The various anatomical structures are defined by the available imaging procedures to supply information on a reasoned combined modality imaging of rectal anatomy.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

Carcinoma of the pancreatic head area. Diagnostic imaging: computed tomography.

CT is at present considered the most accurate procedure in the staging of tumors of the pancreatic head area. Accuracy is based on a rigorous exam performed either with a conventional equipment or with spiral CT. Basic signs and symptoms and staging criteria according to TNM classification are analyzed. Comparison with other imaging methods is made based on a review of the literature. The role of a high resolution procedure is stressed especially in case of vascular infiltration, the determining factor to indicate resectability. In this respect CT is still to be considered the most reliable method.

Humans↗

Chest radiograph in pulmonary embolism.

Chest radiograph plays a major role in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism because it frequently allows the visualization of the radiologic signs of pulmonary embolism without or with infarct while at the same time the presence of other diseases which mimic it, can be detected. Combined with other investigations this finding allows the precise diagnosis of a higher number of diseases while other diagnostic exams can be selected. Numerous radiologic signs are visualized. They involve the vascularization, the parenchyma, the pleura and diaphragms. They allow to distinguish between embolism with infarct from embolism without infarct. They require a global interpretation to attribute a diagnostic role to chest radiograph. This should be carefully performed to represent a valid support to the diagnostic approach.

Humans↗

Chest radiograph and functional radiology.

In the course of the years the concept of functional radiology has gradually been developed. It represents the integration of chest radiography with some basic concepts of respiratory pathophysiology. The correlation between the higher vascularization at the bases of lung as compared to the apex with the gravitation factor was the initial reference. From this data, combined with physiologic parameters, over the years, relatively simple but diagnostically significant semeiotic findings were achieved. The different combinations of acquired "morphofunctional" signs allow the differential diagnosis in a number of organic and hemodynamic alterations, adding to conventional "morphologic" radiology. New contributions to the functional radiology of the lung might come from procedures as high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) which with the dynamic study supplies morphologic and densitometric information to be correlated with changes in pulmonary flow and ventilation/perfusion ratio.

Hemodynamics↗

High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and new perspectives in functional radiology of the lung.

Computed Tomography (CT) with the advent of new techniques as high resolution computed tomography (HRTC) and spiral CT with 3D reconstructions (3D CT) allows a new morphologic-qualitative as well as functional-quantitative evaluation of pulmonary perfusion and ventilation. HRCT allows the identification of secondary lobule and a detailed morphologic and comparative analysis of minute distal anatomical structures with combined densitometric evaluation of lung parenchyma on perfusion. In particular, a new, more specific significance could be attributed to changes in density of lung parenchyma (mosaic pattern) with associated assessment of the vessel number, caliber and distribution, and a comparative evaluation of vessels and density between healthy and impaired areas. The "optical" HRCT evaluation on serial axial scans in inspiration and expiration allows the functional assessment of compartments which require spirometry and tests of respiratory function. Spiral CT allows volumetric acquisitions in a single breath which can be reconstructed and processed according to single requirements. 3D tailored reconstruction of spiral CT exam in maximum inspiration and expiration with a dedicated densitometric window (-1024/+ 100 HU) allows the calculation of total lung volume (TLV), of both lungs, of a single lung or selected sections. With the "air" densitometric window (-1024/-400 HU) the total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) are calculated. The ratio between these values and the corresponding TLV represents the lung aeration index (LAI). 3D reconstruction with fixed densitometric value corresponding to median air density (peak of histogram) allows the scintigraphic-like "alveolographic" reconstruction of lung ventilation. Combined 3D CT and HRCT evaluation possibly from a single spiral CT exam, is used in the morphologic-functional diagnosis of respiratory pathophysiology.

Lung↗

Diagnostic imaging of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Pulmonary tuberculosis in its primary and postprimary form is a widespread disease. Radiologic and CT findings in the acute phase of the disease, its many different aspects, as well as the alterations observed following the outcomes of tuberculosis at the parenchymal and pleural level, are examined.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗