Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Canini

Publications and source records attributed to R Canini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Thoracic lymphoma and AIDS].

During the past 4 years, 122 patients with AIDS and 20 with thoracic lymphoma associated to AIDS were observed. There were 18 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, mostly at a high grade and a high b-cell stage (Burkitt's or Burkitt-like lymphoma) (16 cases). This prevalence reflects the general increase in the number of neoplasms secondary to immunosuppression, which goes along with the improvement of prevention and the control of opportunistic infections. Out of these 20 lymphomas in AIDS, 5 (25%) produced thoracic lesions; in 4 cases, the initial site of the disease was in a thoracic site. The frequency of such expressions is greater that reported in the literature. The radiological appearances are atypical relative to the classical signs of lymphoma in the general population, with predominantly nodular forms (60%) or peripheral, fast-growing masses that are likely to invade the thoracic wall. Isolate lymph node invasion is possible, as well as pleural effusion. Though not pathognomonic, this appearance is highly suggestive of lymphoma in AIDS (LDS) in HIV-positive patients. In all patients with pulmonary lymphoma, CT showed bilateral lesions in a greater number than plain radiography had shown, with morphological and CT appearances that allowed a correct approach of the diagnosis and an appropriate choice of the site of biopsy.

Adult↗

[Destructive spondylopathy in the dialysis patient. The diagnostic role of magnetic resonance].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to study 7 long-term hemodialysis patients affected with destructive amyloid spondyloarthropathy. In the appropriate clinical setting, MRI proved to be more useful than conventional radiography or CT and more definitive in excluding infections. Indeed, MRI can replace more invasive procedures in making the correct diagnosis. Different than what is reported in literature, a high incidence of odontoid lesions (C2) was observed in our series, with extraosseous and extradural deposits of soft tissue masses (amyloid pseudotumors), subluxation, odontoid invagination and medullary compression. Bone lesions, involved disks and amyloid pseudotumors typically exhibited low-intensity signal on both T1- and T2-weighted sequences and no enhancement following Gd-DTPA injection. The use of MRI is thus suggested, especially at cervical level, also in case of relatively mild symptoms.

Aged↗

[Thoracic lymphoma in AIDS].

Over the last 4 years, we observed 122 patients with AIDS and 20 with AIDS-related lymphomas (ARL) in the chest. Eighteen of the latter were non-Hodgkin's forms, mostly high-grade and high-stage B-cell (Burkitt or Burkitt-like) types (16 cases.) This prevalence reflects the overall increase in neoplasms secondary to immunodepression, which is parallel to improved prevention and control of opportunistic infections. Of 20 ARLs, 5 (25%) presented thoracic lesions; in 4 of them the onset of the disease was localized in the chest. The incidence of such manifestations is higher than that reported in the literature. Moreover, radiological features are quite atypical relative to the "classical" signs of lymphoma in the general population, with predominant (60%) nodules or quickly-growing peripheral masses which may subsequently invade chest walls. Isolated nodal enlargement is also a possible finding, as well as pleural effusion. This pattern, though not pathognomonic, is highly suggestive--in HIV-positive patients--of ARL. In all the patients with pulmonary lymphoma CT demonstrated bilateral lesions--more than conventional X-rays--with morphologic and densitometric features which helped make the correct diagnosis. Moreover, CT was helpful in choosing the appropriate site for biopsy.

Adult↗

[Endorectal echography as a guide to the surgical approach to tumors of the median-lower rectum].

There is no difference in the late results of destructive and conservative surgery in the treatment of rectal cancers, provided that preoperative staging is correct. Thirty-two patients with medium-low rectal cancer underwent endorectal US to evaluate local cancer spread; the aim was allow the correct surgical treatment to be carried out. US findings were compared with pathology: US diagnostic reliability was 93.75%, with 1 case of understaging (T2 as T1) and 1 case of overstaging (T2 as T3). Endorectal US, thanks to its high reliability, is therefore of basic importance because it allows the best local therapy to be chosen and risk margin to be determined. Moreover, US correctly evaluates the degree of parietal infiltration and local spread, thus helping preserve a more or less wide resection margin during destructive surgery. Therefore, endorectal US stands out as a basic research method in the correct preoperative staging of medium-low rectal cancers according to T, thus allowing a rational surgical approach and helping avoid not only unnecessary destructive surgery but also local recurrences.

Humans↗

[Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Radiologic aspects and the diagnostic role of computed tomography].

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is an uncommon disease affecting women of reproductive capacity. It is characterized by non-neoplastic proliferation of smooth muscle in the lungs and, occasionally, in lymph nodes and in the thoracic duct. The patients present with dyspnea, chylous pleural effusion, pnx, and hemoptysis. The authors evaluated 4 patients with biopsy-proven LAM, by means of CT. In all cases, CT revealed small well-defined cystic air spaces with smooth and thin walls, scattered in the lungs. CT was very useful because it was more sensitive and specific than conventional radiography. The CT appearance of LAM distinctly differed from that of other diseases than can produce cystic air spaces in the lungs, such as UIP, eosinophilic granuloma, centri-acinar emphysema, and bronchiectasis. Our experience confirms the clinical usefulness of CT in diagnosing LAM.

Adult↗

[Thoracic manifestations of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)].

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) seems to be related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is characterized by severe T-helpers lymphocyte dysfunction. Many of the AIDS patients (47-70%) develop pulmonary manifestations, both infectious and neoplastic, in the course of their disease. In the Department of Infectious Diseases of our Hospital are studied many patients HIV+. Every year 246 seropositive new patients have been discovered. Among them we have studied 25 subjects with respiratory disease, by chest radiographs; successively, according to clinical picture, we have performed thoracic computed tomography, Gallium scintigraphy, fiberoptic bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy (TBB), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); the majority of these patients (68%) had AIDS, only 28% had ARC and 4% had PGL. In our experience, the diagnosed diseases were mainly infections (92%), and most frequently (52%) due to Pneumocystis carinii, alone or in association with other etiologic agents. We have not found pathognomonic radiographic abnormalities, but chest X-ray evaluated with clinical and laboratory data, may often be useful to obtain diagnostic indications and in order to determine a more specific and aggressive diagnostic approach.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

[Echographic diagnosis of acute rejection of the transplanted kidney].

After a general review of the US findings in acute renal allograft rejection, the results are discussed of a retrospective sonographic-histologic study in 17 patients affected by acute rejection. The high sensitivity of sonography in detecting acute rejection is confirmed, but echographic studies were unable to differentiate between vascular and cellular sub-types of rejection and to provide a prognostic evaluation.

Adult↗

[Radiologic diagnosis in malignant pleural mesothelioma].

The authors summarize clinical findings and radiological aspects of pleural malignant mesothelioma. This tumor, previously uncommon, is now observed with increasing frequency in developed countries (pathogenetic relationship with asbestos fibers inhalation is proved). Common and uncommon findings are described and 8 new cases are presented. Differential diagnosis between malignant mesothelioma and other primary or secondary pleural tumors is difficult and always requires a confirmation by multiple biopsies and/or thoracotomy. The usefulness of CT study in the accurate staging of mesothelioma is particularly emphasized. In this field CT may completely replace the conventional tomography.

Asbestosis↗

[Echotomography of pathological masses of the mediastinum. Indications and limits].

The authors refer to the application of sonography in the evaluation of mediastinal masses. In this pathology, sonography is useful if neither air nor bone tissue are present between the transducer and the mass. Sector scans are obtained through the transgiugular line, the intercostal spaces, the hepatic and splenic windows, the sternal notch. The diagnostic value is due to the possibility to define the solid or liquid content of the investigated masses.

Diagnosis, Differential↗