Lung fibrosis quantified by HRCT in scleroderma patients with different disease forms and ANA specificities

Objective: to define the prevalence of interstitial lung fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its relationship with the different clinical forms of disease and ANA specificities. Methods: fifty patients with SSc were submitted to pulmonary high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Lung abnormalities were evaluated according to Warrick's score that considers both the severity and the extent of fibrotic lesions. Results: pulmonary HRCT abnormalities were observed in 84% of SSc patients. Ground glass aspects (60%), irregular pleural margins (56%) and septal/subpleural lines (68%) were the most common lesions. The distribution of these abnormalities favoured the posterior basilar segments of both lungs. HRCT findings were significantly more frequent in males and in patients with the cutaneous diffuse form of SSc and with the specific antibody anti-Scl70. Conclusions: HRCT is a very useful method for the diagnosis of interstitial lung fibrosis in SSc. Warrick's score permits to quantify the HRCT findings and to evaluate their relationship with the disease clinical forms and ANA specificities

Local staging of rectal cancer: the current role of MRI

With the advent of powerful gradient coil systems and high-resolution surface coils, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently extended its role in the staging of rectal cancer. MRI is superior to endorectal ultrasound, the most widely used staging modality in patients with rectal tumors, in that it visualizes not only the intestinal wall but also the surrounding pelvic anatomy. The crucial advantage of MRI is not that it enables exact T-staging but precise evaluation of the topographic relationship of a tumor to the mesorectal fascia. This fascia is the most important anatomic landmark for the feasibility of total mesorectal excision, which has evolved into the standard operative procedure for the resection of cancer located in the middle or lower third of the rectum. MRI is currently the only imaging modality that is highly accurate in predicting whether or not it is likely that a tumor-free margin can be achieved and thus provides important information for planning of an effective therapeutic strategy, especially in patients with advanced rectal cancer

La TC polmonare ad alta risoluzione nelle diverse forme cliniche e specificit\uc3\ua0 anticorpali della sclerodermia

REUMATISM

Twin pregnancy following endoluminal exclusion of an iliac arteriovenous fistula

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the sustained efficacy of stent-graft exclusion of a pelvic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in a woman who became pregnant after treatment. CASE REPORT: An iatrogenic iliac arteriovenous fistula caused by redo surgery for a herniated disk in a 23-year-old woman was successfully treated with percutaneous endoluminal exclusion. Intravascular ultrasound was particularly useful for localization of the fistula during the procedure. The patient subsequently became pregnant, and serial Doppler studies were used to monitor the stent-graft until the uneventful delivery of twins by Caesarian section. At 36 months after endograft implantation, the patient has no complaints relative to the device. CONCLUSIONS: Uncomplicated twin pregnancy following stent-graft repair of an AVF in the pelvis appears feasible

Infrarenal aortic aneurysms excluded with endoluminal stent-grafts: a two year experience

I.F.= 1.251 (ISI 2007

RENAL ARTERY RUPTURE DURING ANGIOPLASTY: REPORT OF TWO CASES SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED WITH CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT

I.F. 2.16