Enhanced contrast computed tomography (CT) was performed in 23 children treated for head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). The CT studies were retrospectively reviewed by two senior radiologists. Analysis of these CT studies revealed to separate groups of patients. One group (12 patients) had a post-therapeutic residue defined as soft tissue thickening at the original site, which remained stable over a period of 3 months and caused no mass effect on adjacent structures. Of these 12, eight showed enhancement at the area of thickening. Nine of these 12 patients relapsed. The other group (11 patients) demonstrated no post-therapeutic residue; only three of these patients relapsed. In this study the presence of a post-therapeutic residue was significantly associated with a poor prognosis, using a Fischer's test (P = 0.04).

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clustered breast microcalcifications: evaluation by dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MRI.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MRI in the diagnosis of isolated clustered calcifications of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-two patients underwent surgical biopsy for isolated clustered breast calcifications. Their mammograms showed round (n = 88) or linear/irregular (n = 84) microcalcifications. All patients had a preoperative Gd-DOTA-enhanced subtraction dynamic study. Any early contrast enhancement in the breast parenchyma concomitant with early enhancement of normal vessels was considered positive. RESULTS: Fifty-eight in situ carcinomas, 22 invasive carcinomas, and 92 benign lesions were found at histological analysis. Dynamic MR sequences showed early contrast enhancement in 76 of 80 malignant lesions (sensitivity 95%) and in 45 of 92 benign lesions (specificity 51%). Two invasive and two intraductal carcinomas did not show early contrast enhancement. Three independent observers agreed in rating early contrast enhancement in 143 of 172 lesions. CONCLUSION: Poor specificity limits the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MRI in distinguishing benign from malignant microcalcifications on mammography.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An in vivo model of femtosecond laser intrastromal refractive surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To develop an animal model for evaluation of femtosecond laser intrastromal refractive surgery. METHODS: Intrastromal photodisruption was performed in New Zealand Albino rabbits using a femtosecond laser system. This surgical pattern consisted of a 100 microm-tick pyramid of laser pulses starting 180 microm below the corneal surface. Animals underwent serial slit lamp examinations and corneal thickness measurements at 1,3,7,14, and 28 days, then monthly up to 1 year. RESULTS: Approximately 70 microm of central corneal thinning were seen at 1 week, remaining stable up to 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intrastromal photodisruption with femtosecond lasers produced consistent changes in corneal thickness without loss of corneal transparency. These changes were more stable than those produced with excimer laser procedures in a similar animal model.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Surgical treatment of 23 cases of sigmoiditis].

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Adult↗