The role of ecographic imaging in veterinary oncology

La ricerca svolta durante il Dottorato si è incentrata su due studi riguardanti l’applicazione dell’imaging ecografico nell’ambito dell’oncologia veterinaria. Nel primo studio è stata indagata la correlazione tra l’alterazione ecografica della milza honeycomb (HCP) e la diagnosi di linfoma nel gatto. Sono stati selezionati retrospettivamente 33 gatti con HCP ed un esame citologico o istologico della milza. Per ciascun soggetto sono state revisionate le immagini ecografiche al fine di descrivere l’aspetto della milza e confrontare la visualizzazione dell’HCP tra immagini ottenute con sonde lineari e sonde curvilinee. Parallelamente è stata condotta una revisione cito-istopatologica. In base ai nostri risultati l’HCP non è predittivo di linfoma splenico, ma si può associare anche a disordini linfoproliferativi benigni, a forme reattive ed a processi infiammatori acuti. Si raccomanda l’impiego di sonde ad alta frequenza per l’esame ecografico della milza nel gatto, per favorire la visualizzazione dell’HCP. Nel secondo studio, sono state confrontate l’utilità dell’ecografia bidimensionale (ECO2D) e dell’ecografia con mezzo di contrasto (CEUS) come guida per l’agoaspirazione (FNA) di masse addominali e toraciche e l’effetto di alcuni predittori sull’adeguatezza del campione citologico. Sono stati selezionati retrospettivamente due gruppi di cani e gatti con masse addominali e toraciche in cui l’FNA era stato eseguito con tecnica CEUS (43 soggetti) ed ECO2D (39 soggetti). I campioni citologici sono stati revisionati da due patologi che hanno formulato un giudizio dicotomico sull’adeguatezza. In base all’analisi di regressione logistica univariata e multivariata condotta, CEUS ed ECO2D sono ugualmente efficaci ai fini del campionamento citologico. Tra gli altri predittori, la sede anatomica della massa e la presenza di aree avascolari intralesionali hanno influito sull’adeguatezza. In presenza di aree avascolari la probabilità di ottenere un campione adeguato si riduce, pertanto a fronte di masse di dimensioni cospicue l’esecuzione di una CEUS prima della procedura di campionamento è sempre consigliabile.My research project focused on the role of ultrasound in dogs and cats with oncologic diseases and it included two studies. The aim of the first was to evaluate the relationship between the sonographic honeycomb pattern (HCP) of the spleen and cyto-histological diagnosis in cats, and to assess the influence of the type of transducer on HCP visualization. Abdominal ultrasounds of cats with HCP were reviewed to record spleen size, shape and margin appearance, other parenchymal alterations, lymphadenopathy. Images acquired with high-frequency and curvilinear transducers were compared to see if HCP was more consistent on high resolution images. A retrospective review of the corresponding splenic cyto-histopatologic samples was performed. Based on our findings, HCP in cats is not predictive of lymphoma and it can be associated with both benign and malignant disorders. The use of high-frequency transducers is recommended to properly recognize HCP or subtle changes in splenic parenchyma. The second study aimed to compare performances of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and bidimensional ultrasound (US) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of abdominal and thoracic masses and to determine the effect of the following independent predictors: location, size, presence of avascular areas within the mass, operator’s experience, on the adequacy of the cytological sample. Dogs and cats with masses were retrospectively selected and included into 2 groups: 43 patients were included in the CEUS-guided group and 39 in the US-guided group. The cytological samples were reviewed by two pathologists and a final interpretation of the cytological adequacy was provided. According to a univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis both CEUS and US guidance are suitable for FNA. Mass location and presence of avascular areas can also affect the adequacy. Thus, in case of large masses CEUS should be performed before FNA as presence of avascular areas may lead to inadequate sampling

Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the characterization of tumor thrombi in seven dogs

Some neoplasia-such as adrenal and thyroid glands tumors-have been associated with "tumor thrombi" both in humans and dogs. The detection and characterization of these venous tumor thrombi is important for both surgical planning and prognosis. In human medicine, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is considered an accurate diagnostic technique for differentiating malignant from benign portal vein thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinomas. Data regarding the characteristics of tumor thrombi in dogs are currently lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of CEUS for the characterization of malignant venous thrombosis in dogs. On the basis of our results, CEUS appeared to be useful in the detection of malignant intravascular invasion; contrast uptake of the thrombus was present in all cases. In addition, CEUS may clearly detect newly formed vessels within the thrombus, and arterial-phase enhancement and washout in the venous phase were the main features in malignant thrombosis in our dogs. As CEUS is an easy to perform, noninvasive technique, its application in the detection of malignant thrombosis in dogs may be used to improve the diagnosis in oncological canine patients. Tumors of adrenal and thyroid glands have been associated with vascular invasions-so-called tumor thrombi, both in humans and dogs. The detection and characterization of venous thrombi is an important diagnostic step in patients with primary tumors for both surgical planning and prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the characterization of tumor thrombi. Dogs with tumor thrombus who underwent bi-dimensional ultrasound (B-mode US) and CEUS were included. Seven dogs were enrolled in this retrospective case series. On B-mode US, all thrombi were visualized, and vascular distension and thrombus-tumor continuity were seen in three and two cases, respectively. On color Doppler examination, all thrombi were identified, seemed non-occlusive and only two presented vascularity. On CEUS, arterial-phase enhancement and washout in the venous phase were observed in all cases. Non-enhancing areas were identified in the tumor thrombi most likely representing non-vascularized tissue that could potentially be embolized in the lungs after fragmentation of the tumor thrombi. On the basis of these preliminary study, CEUS appeared to be useful for the characterization of malignant intravascular invasion

Proceedings of the Fifth Italian Conference on Computational Linguistics CLiC-it 2018

On behalf of the Program Committee, a very warm welcome to the Fifth Italian Conference on Computational Linguistics (CLiC-­‐it 2018). This edition of the conference is held in Torino. The conference is locally organised by the University of Torino and hosted into its prestigious main lecture hall “Cavallerizza Reale”. The CLiC-­‐it conference series is an initiative of the Italian Association for Computational Linguistics (AILC) which, after five years of activity, has clearly established itself as the premier national forum for research and development in the fields of Computational Linguistics and Natural Language Processing, where leading researchers and practitioners from academia and industry meet to share their research results, experiences, and challenges

CT measures of adrenal gland length and caudal pole diameter are reproducible in large breed dogs: A pilot study

Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly available to evaluate dogs with suspected adrenal disease, however, published studies describing the reproducibility of CT methods for quantifying adrenal gland (AG) measurements are lacking. This prospective, pilot, observer agreement study aimed to evaluate reproducibility and repeatability of two different methods of measurement of AGs on CT to establish a usable technique and define standard reference ranges. Multiplanar reformatted (MPR) CT images of both AGs of six large breed dogs were obtained with the MPR axis parallel to the spine and parallel to the long axis of the AG. Ten measurements were performed: maximal length and diameter at cranial and caudal poles on dorsal, sagittal, and transverse images; and minimal diameter of cranial and caudal poles on transverse images. Three observers with different levels of experience repeated these measurements three times for each dog. Intra- and interobserver variability were calculated through intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The differences in time to perform measurements between the two methods were tested with Student's t-test. Regardless of the measurement method used, length of AGs on dorsal and sagittal MPR images had the lowest intra- and inter-observer variability (ICC = 0.93-0.99), diameter of caudal pole on transverse plane showed low intra- and interobserver variability (ICC = 0.77-0.80) and diameter of cranial pole had the highest variability (ICC = 0.12-0.61). Although length was the less variable measurement, its use may be unrealistic in daily practice. Interestingly measurement of caudal pole on transverse plane was characterized by low intra- and interobserver variability. No difference in time performing the measurements was noted between the two methods

Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the characterization of tumor thrombi in seven dogs

Tumors of adrenal and thyroid glands have been associated with vascular invasions—so-called tumor thrombi, both in humans and dogs. The detection and characterization of venous thrombi is an important diagnostic step in patients with primary tumors for both surgical planning and prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the characterization of tumor thrombi. Dogs with tumor thrombus who underwent bi-dimensional ultrasound (B-mode US) and CEUS were included. Seven dogs were enrolled in this retrospective case series. On B-mode US, all thrombi were visualized, and vascular distension and thrombus-tumor continuity were seen in three and two cases, respectively. On color Doppler examination, all thrombi were identified, seemed non-occlusive and only two presented vascularity. On CEUS, arterial-phase enhancement and washout in the venous phase were observed in all cases. Non-enhancing areas were identified in the tumor thrombi most likely representing non-vascularized tissue that could potentially be embolized in the lungs after fragmentation of the tumor thrombi. On the basis of these preliminary study, CEUS appeared to be useful for the characterization of malignant intravascular invasion

Sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability of survey thoracic radiography for the detection of heart base masses in dogs

OBJECTIVE To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability of survey thoracic radiography (STR) for the detection of heart base masses (HBMs) in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 30 dogs with an HBM and 120 breed-matched control dogs (60 healthy dogs and 60 dogs with heart disease and no HBM). PROCEDURES In a blinded manner, 2 observers (designated as A and B) evaluated STR views from each dog for a mass-like opacity cranial to the heart, tracheal deviation, cardiomegaly, findings suggestive of pericardial effusion or right-sided congestive heart failure, and soft tissue opacities suggestive of pulmonary metastases. Investigators subsequently provided a final interpretation of each dog\u2019s HBM status (definitely affected, equivocal, or definitely not affected). RESULTS Considering equivocal interpretation as negative or positive for an HBM, the sensitivity of STR for diagnosis of an HBM was 40.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.5% to 57.5%) and 56.7% (95% CI, 38.9% to 74.4%), respectively, for observer A and 63% (95% CI, 46.1% to 80.6%) and 80.0% (95% CI, 65.7% to 94.3%), respectively, for observer B. The corresponding specificity was 96.7% (95% CI, 93.5% to 99.9%) and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.8% to 97.2%), respectively, for observer A and 99.2% (95% CI, 97.5% to 100%) and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.8% to 97.2%), respectively, for observer B. The presence of a mass-like opacity cranial to the heart or tracheal deviation, or both, was significantly associated with a true diagnosis of HBM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that STR is a highly specific but not a highly sensitive predict-tor of HBM in dogs

Recommendations for self-monitoring in pediatric diabetes: A consensus statement by the ISPED

none165noScaramuzza, Andrea; Cherubini, Valentino; Tumini, Stefano; Bonfanti, Riccardo; Buono, Pietro; Cardella, Francesca; D’Annunzio, Giuseppe; Frongia, Anna Paola; Lombardo, Fortunato; Monciotti, Anna Carla Maria; Rabbone, Ivana; Schiaffini, Riccardo; Toni, Sonia; Zucchini, Stefano; Frontino, Giulio; Iafusco, Dario; Arnaldi, Claudia; Banin, Patrizia; Barbetti, Fabrizio; Beccaria, Luciano; Benelli, Marzia; Berardi, Rosario; Biagioni, Martina; Bianchi, Giuliana; Bizzarri, Carla; Blasetti, Annalisa; Bobbio, Adriana; Boccato, Stefano; Bontempi, Franco; Bruzzese, Mariella; Cadario, Francesco; Calcaterra, Valeria; Cannatà, Alessandra; Cappa, Marco; Cardani, Roberta; Cardinale, Giuliana Marcella; Carloni, Ines; Castaldo, Vincenzo; Cauvin, Vittoria; Cerutti, Franco; Cester, Anna Maria; Chessa, Margherita; Chiarelli, Francesco; Chiari, Giovanni; Chiumello, Giuseppe; Cicchetti, Mario; Cirillo, Dante; Citriniti, Felice; Citro, Giuseppe; Coccioli, Maria Susanna; Cotellessa, Mario; Crinò, Antonino; De Berardinis, Fiorella; De Filippo, Gianpaolo; De Giorgi, Giovanni; De Luca, Filippo; De Marco, Rosaria; Delvecchio, Maurizio; Faleschini, Elena; Federico, Giovanni; Fifi, Anna Rita; Fontana, Franco; Franzese, Adriana; Frezza, Elda; Frongia, Annapaola; Gaiero, Alberto; Galderisi, Alfonso; Gallo, Francesco; Gargantini, Luigi; Ghione, Silvia; Giorgetti, Chiara; Gualtieri, Antonella; Guasti, Monica; Guerraggio, Lucia; Iannilli, Antonio; Ingletto, Dario; Iossa, Carmine; Iovene, Brunella; Iughetti, Lorenzo; Kaufmann, Peter; La Loggia, Alfonso; Lazzaro, Nicola; Lenzi, Lorenzo; Lera, Riccardo; Lia, Rosanna; Lo Presti, Donatella; Lorini, Renata; Lucchesi, Sonia; Luceri, Sergio; Madeo, Simona Filomena; Maffeis, Claudio; Mainetti, Benedetta; Mammi, Francesco; Manca Bitti, Maria Luisa; Marigliano, Marco; Marinari, Alessandra; Marinaro, Anna Maria; Meloni, Gianfranco; Marsciani, Alberto; Mastrangelo, Lisa; Mastrangelo, Costanzo; Meschi, Franco; Minasi, Domenico; Minenna, Adelaide; Minuto, Nicola; Monciotti, Carlamaria; Morganti, Gianfranco; Mozzillo, Enza; Nugnes, Rosa; Paradiso, Emanuela; Pardi, Daniela; Pasquino, Bruno; Patrizia Patera, Ippolita; Pennati, Cristina; Pepe, Rossella; Piccini, Barbara; Perrotta, Angelo; Piccinno, Elvira; Pinelli, Leonardo; Piredda, Gavina; Pocecco, Mauro; Ponzi, Giuseppe; Prandi, Elena; Predieri, Barbara; Prisco, Francesco; Quinci, Maria; Ricciardi, Maria Rossella; Rigamonti, Andrea; Ripoli, Carlo; Sabbion, Alberto; Salardi, Silvana; Salvatoni, Alessandro; Salvo, Caterina; Salzano, Giuseppina; Saporiti, Anna; Sardi, Rita; Schieven, Eleonardo; Scipione, Mirella; Soci, Cristina; Soro, Miriam; Spallino, Luisa; Stamati, Filomena; Suprani, Tosca; Savastio, Silvia; Taccardi, Rosa Anna; Tarchini, Luis; Tomaselli, Letizia; Tonini, Giorgio; Torelli, Cataldo; Tornese, Gianluca; Trada, Michela; Valerio, Giuliana; Vanelli, Maurizio; Vanini, Roberto; Vascotto, Marina; Vergerio, Amedeo; Viscardi, Matteo; Zaffani, Silvana; Zampolli, Maria; Zanatta, Manuela; Zanette, Giorgio; Zanfardino, Angela; Zecchino, Clara; Zedda, Maria Antonietta; Zuccotti, Gian VincenzoScaramuzza, Andrea; Cherubini, Valentino; Tumini, Stefano; Bonfanti, Riccardo; Buono, Pietro; Cardella, Francesca; D’Annunzio, Giuseppe; Frongia, Anna Paola; Lombardo, Fortunato; Monciotti, Anna Carla Maria; Rabbone, Ivana; Schiaffini, Riccardo; Toni, Sonia; Zucchini, Stefano; Frontino, Giulio; Iafusco, Dario; Arnaldi, Claudia; Banin, Patrizia; Barbetti, Fabrizio; Beccaria, Luciano; Benelli, Marzia; Berardi, Rossana; Biagioni, Martina; Bianchi, Giuliana; Bizzarri, Carla; Blasetti, Annalisa; Bobbio, Adriana; Boccato, Stefano; Bontempi, Franco; Bruzzese, Mariella; Cadario, Francesco; Calcaterra, Valeria; Cannatà, Alessandra; Cappa, Marco; Cardani, Roberta; Cardinale, Giuliana Marcella; Carloni, Ines; Castaldo, Vincenzo; Cauvin, Vittoria; Cerutti, Franco; Cester, Anna Maria; Chessa, Margherita; Chiarelli, Francesco; Chiari, Giovanni; Chiumello, Giuseppe; Cicchetti, Mario; Cirillo, Dante; Citriniti, Felice; Citro, Giuseppe; Coccioli, Maria Susanna; Cotellessa, Mario; Crinò, Antonino; De Berardinis, Fiorella; De Filippo, Gianpaolo; De Giorgi, Giovanni; De Luca, Filippo; De Marco, Rosaria; Delvecchio, Maurizio; Faleschini, Elena; Federico, Giovanni; Fifi, Anna Rita; Fontana, Franco; Franzese, Adriana; Frezza, Elda; Frongia, Annapaola; Gaiero, Alberto; Galderisi, Alfonso; Gallo, Francesco; Gargantini, Luigi; Ghione, Silvia; Giorgetti, Chiara; Gualtieri, Antonella; Guasti, Monica; Guerraggio, Lucia; Iannilli, Antonio; Ingletto, Dario; Iossa, Carmine; Iovene, Brunella; Iughetti, Lorenzo; Kaufmann, Peter; La Loggia, Alfonso; Lazzaro, Nicola; Lenzi, Lorenzo; Lera, Riccardo; Lia, Rosanna; Lo Presti, Donatella; Lorini, Renata; Lucchesi, Sonia; Luceri, Sergio; Madeo, Simona Filomena; Maffeis, Claudio; Mainetti, Benedetta; Mammi, Francesco; Manca Bitti, Maria Luisa; Marigliano, Marco; Marinari, Alessandra; Marinaro, Anna Maria; Meloni, Gianfranco; Marsciani, Alberto; Mastrangelo, Lisa; Mastrangelo, Costanzo; Meschi, Franco; Minasi, Domenico; Minenna, Adelaide; Minuto, Nicola; Monciotti, Carlamaria; Morganti, Gianfranco; Mozzillo, Enza; Nugnes, Rosa; Paradiso, Emanuela; Pardi, Daniela; Pasquino, Bruno; Patrizia Patera, Ippolita; Pennati, Cristina; Pepe, Rossella; Piccini, Barbara; Perrotta, Angelo; Piccinno, Elvira; Pinelli, Leonardo; Piredda, Gavina; Pocecco, Mauro; Ponzi, Giuseppe; Prandi, Elena; Predieri, Barbara; Prisco, Francesco; Quinci, Maria; Ricciardi, Maria Rossella; Rigamonti, Andrea; Ripoli, Carlo; Sabbion, Alberto; Salardi, Silvana; Salvatoni, Alessandro; Salvo, Caterina; Salzano, Giuseppina; Saporiti, Anna; Sardi, Rita; Schieven, Eleonardo; Scipione, Mirella; Soci, Cristina; Soro, Miriam; Spallino, Luisa; Stamati, Filomena; Suprani, Tosca; Savastio, Silvia; Taccardi, Rosa Anna; Tarchini, Luis; Tomaselli, Letizia; Tonini, Giorgio; Torelli, Cataldo; Tornese, Gianluca; Trada, Michela; Valerio, Giuliana; Vanelli, Maurizio; Vanini, Roberto; Vascotto, Marina; Vergerio, Amedeo; Viscardi, Matteo; Zaffani, Silvana; Zampolli, Maria; Zanatta, Manuela; Zanette, Giorgio; Zanfardino, Angela; Zecchino, Clara; Zedda, Maria Antonietta; Zuccotti, Gian Vincenz