[Differential diagnosis of pathological and pseudo-pathological shoulder. Clinico-ultrasonographic findings]. / Diagnosi differenziale tra spalla paralitica e pseudoparalitica. Nostra esperienza nell'integrazione clinico-ecografica.

Clinical examination for rotator cuff tears is rarely conclusive and very difficult is the differential diagnosis with lesions of the axillary nerve. In a little hospital we chose to use first non invasive and cheaper tools for this diagnosis. 24 patients were first evaluated by a physiatric MD, and radiological and ultrasound studies were then performed. Ultrasonography (US) was done with a high frequency probe (7.5 MHz). More than 85% of our patients had, in this way a quick, cheap and non invasive diagnosis, and moreover a quick rehabilitation treatment. Only 3 patients were later studied invasively by arthrography or electromyography with needle, their treatment started later. In 3 patients US demonstrates a normal rotator cuff, and so a diagnosis of nervous lesion. Four patients had a complete large tear of the rotator cuff. In 14 patients US shows small or partial tear. Our non invasive diagnosis was quick, cheap and therapy started earlier with better final results.

[Usefulness of ultrasonographic monitoring in muscle trauma for rehabilitation therapy]. / Utilità del monitoraggio ecografico nei traumi muscolari per il trattamento riabilitativo.

The authors studied the usefulness of Ultrasound imaging in the follow-up of post-traumatic muscle lesions, to allow correct rehabilitation therapy. Ultrasound (U.) made using high frequency probe (7.5 MHz) can distinguish the exact type of post-traumatic soft-tissue lesions both in contusion and stretching trauma. U. can differentiate both minor lesions such as contusions and strains and major lesions as partial and complete tears and ruptures. Minor lesions can be easily demonstrated by comparison with contralateral muscle structure. In case of major lesions U. can give an easy demonstration of possible associated lesions like hematomas and can also study their age and guide needle aspiration. More useful for a correct rehabilitation therapy approach is the U. follow-up study, so the therapy can be exactly tailored to patient's peculiar needs, and not on a possibly hazardous standardized therapy. U. imaging study follow-up has allowed us to achieve the best results in the cheapest way. The authors studied 252 patients which had major muscle lesions. U. follow-up studies allowed to value the evolution of those lesions and to decide the exact tailoring of rehabilitation therapy.

[Occult aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. Our echographic experience]. / Aneurismi occulti dell'aorta addominale. Nostra esperienza ecografica.

The authors report their experience in evaluating abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAA) by ultrasound examination. The incidence of this kind of disease is growing up in the last years and an earlier diagnosis increases the surviving possibilities of the patient affected, above all if symptomless, leading to a correct treatment: a semestral or annual follow-up of the aneurysms with a diameter smaller than 5 cm and surgery of the aneurysms with a diameter wider than 5 cm, because of high risk of rupture. The authors stress the importance of extending abdominal ultrasound examination to the aorta in all patients over 50 year old especially if affected by vascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes. In their experience the authors found 106 AAA; 61% of them with less than 4 cm diameter.

[The CT aspects of a case of chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint]. / Aspetto tomodensitometrico di un caso di condromatosi dell'articolazione temporo-mandibolare.

The CT picture of a case of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint is described. The distinctive feature of the case was the presence of ossified loose bodies surrounding the head of the condyle. Three-dimensional image reconstruction was also employed to obtain better overall visualization of the alterations.

[CT in the follow-up of rectal neoplasms]. / La T.C. nel follow-up delle neoplasie del retto.

CT-scans were performed in the follow-up of 124 patients surgically treated for rectal carcinoma. CT allowed direct visualization of possible local recurrences and infiltration of neighbouring structures chiefly muscles and bones; it can also prove post surgical abscesses, metastatic spreads to lymph nodes and other structures such as liver, lung and bones; many of these lesions cannot so quickly and safely be demonstrated by other investigations. CT is also very helpful in radiation therapy planning. A CT guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy can discriminate post surgical fibrosis from initial recurrences.

[Computerized tomography in the study of rupture of abdominal aneurysms]. / La tomografia computerizzata nello studio della rottura di aneurismi addominali.

The authors present the CT aspect of 3 patients with massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage, caused by leaking of aneurysms of the lumbar aorta (2 cases) and of the right iliac artery (1 case). CT is a first choice examination in studying suspect ruptured aneurysms; in fact it can show dimensions and place of the aneurysm, and it is also possible an exact evaluation of retro and intraperitoneal hematoma.

[Current role of angiography in the study of liver diseases]. / L'attuale ruolo dell'angiografia nello studio delle malattie epatiche.

The Authors remember that also nowadays the angiographic studies for hepatic neoplasms is still interesting. These methods must be used after other less invasive screening methods, such as scintigraphy, ecotomography and computed tomography. Angiographic studies are essential in presurgical planning. Some angiographic studies of primitive hepatic neoplasms are presented.

[Radiologic diagnosis of non-neoplastic liver masses]. / La diagnostica radiologica dei processi espansivi non neoplastici del fegato.

The Authors make a revue of radiological methods for the study of non neoplastic hepatic masses. They remember the usefulness of ecotomography, computed tomography and scintigraphy as initial screening; angiography is to be used at the end of the screening plan only if other methods don't have given a certain diagnosis or if an hepatic resection is planned, in fact angiography is necessary for a correct surgical planning. Some cases are presented with angiographic demonstration of non neoplastic hepatic masses.

[Angiography in the diagnosis of kidney neoplasms]. / L'angiografia nella diagnostica delle neoplasie renali.

After assessing the usefulness of the various X-ray techniques in the diagnosis and staging of renal neoplasias, an approach based initially on non-invasive studies like urography, ecotomography and TAC and then on invasive techniques is considered. Adequate preoperative angiography of renal neoplasias is considered very useful and the diagnostic features of angiographical investigations are described in terms of staging and therapeutic applications in possible endo-arterial embolism.