Clinical validity of the elbow flexion test for the diagnosis of ulnar nerve compression at the cubital tunnel.

We evaluated the elbow flexion test in 216 elbows without compression of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel and without other neuropathies. We used Rayan's four positions as our test. The percentage of positive tests was only 3.6% at one minute, whereas evaluating the responses at three minutes we saw positive results in 16.2%. Therefore we find that if the test is performed for one minute it may be useful to help in diagnosing ulnar nerve compression at the cubital tunnel.

Pulmonary blood flow distribution in erect man in air and during breathhold diving.

We used intravenously administered 99mTc-labelled macroaggregates and a gamma camera attached to a computer for measuring distribution of pulmonary blood flow per unit lung volume in eight healthy subjects sitting erect in air and also during breathhold diving to 1 or 10 m of depth. We measured distribution of perfusion in the supine position and substituted regional lung volume with regional perfusion in the supine for calculating regional perfusion per lung volume erect in air and during diving. The perfusion per unit lung increased rectilinearly down the lung in subjects below 30 years of age but decreased in the lowermost regions in older subjects. This decrease showed a strong correlation to closing capacity. An age-related decrease in transpulmonary pressure may influence both basal perfusion and closing capacity. During submersion, perfusion became equal in all regions with the exception of the lung apex which became hyperperfused. Close to the diaphragm, small inconsistent changes were noted. Redistribution was the same at surface (1 m of depth) with the lung volume being close to total lung capacity and at 10 m of depth when lung volume was compressed to functional residual capacity. During breathhold diving, high intrapulmonary blood volume and pressure became more important for blood flow distribution than gravity or lung volume, while differences in regional hypoxic vasoconstriction and in transpulmonary pressure seem to explain interindividual variation.

[Sequential renal scintiscanning with 99mTc calcium gluconate. Possibilities and limitations]. / La scintigrafia renale sequenziale con tecnezio 99m calcio gluconato. Possibilità e limiti.

The methods used in the study of the kidney are discussed and sequential scintiscanning is suggested as a means of supplementing purely morphological data with morpho-functional data. An account of the modalities employed with a variety of radio-compounds and reasons are proffered for the choice of 99mTc calcium gluconate. Results obtained with this method are described. These include the acquisition of information concerning the function and shape of the renal parenchyma and urinary tracts. Organic classification of the results will be dealt with in a later paper. It is felt that the method proposed is a valuable diagnostic aid with interesting possibilities in the study of diseases of the urinary apparatus.

[Comparison between automatic substraction devices and computer subtraction in radioisotope pancreatography]. / Confronto fra dispositivi automatici di sottrazione e sottrazione al computer nella pancreatografia radioisotopica.

Reference is made to several indicative cases in a personal series. Their comparative examination with a scanner and a gamma camera computer showed that: a) noticeably different findings were given by the two methods with regard to cystic, neoplastic, and inflammatory lesions of the pancreas, whereas; b) computerised subtraction was much more sensitive in lesions due to cysts and pancreatitis, even though there was no significant difference between the two methods in the case of neoplasia.

[Writing a computer program for the radioisotope exploration of cerebral blood flow (author's transl)]. / Elaborazione al computer di un programma di studio radioisotopico del flusso ematico cerebrale.

After a brief review of the steps that lead to the first results in the radioisotope exploration of cerebral blood flow, the authors describe their own method utilizing a gamma ray camera and a computer. They outline the processes by which the data are acquired and elaborated. Last, they illustrate their own computer program in flow-chart form.

[Current role of pancreatic scintiscanning in the study of pancreatic symptomatology]. / Ruolo attuale della scintigrafia pancreatica nel contesto della semeiologia del pancreas.

A brief reference is made to the part once assigned to scintiscanning as a method of approach to diseases of the pancreas. It is felt that the lack of confidence now displayed in this technique is based preconceptions. A new diagnostic approach is therefore proposed and briefly described. The advantages and disadvantages of the diagnostic techniques included in the proposed scheme are examined. The view is expressed that a fresh assessment should be made of nuclear pancreatography, since it is still a fundamental diagnostic tool.

[Radiopaque hemithorax, with special reference to scintigraphic methods]. / L'emitorace radiopaco con particolare riguardo alle metodiche scintigrafiche.

Radioopaque hemithorax is frequently observed. The various situations in which it may occur are examined aetiopathologically, along with the general and specifically radiological methods used for its investigation. Particular attention is given to the employment of radio-isotopes for this purpose and the methods involved. Results obtained with perfusion are noteworthy, and even more so those achieved with positive tracers such as 67Ga citrate and 57Co Blm, especially in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion and mesothelioma through what is described as the "paradox effect".

[Surgical treatment of echinococcal cysts with double hepatic and pulmonary localizations]. / Sul trattamento chirurgico delle cisti da echinococco a doppia localizzazione epatica e polmonare.

On the basis of some personal cases and with reference to world literature on the subject, the surgical treatment of liver and lung localized echinococcus cyst is discussed. Special attention is paid to 1) thoracotomy which may in some cases become a thoraco-phreno-laparatomy, the only approach which leads to really effective control of the field; 2) problems of suction drainage, particularly as regards diaphragm mobility in cases of thoraco-phreno-laparatomy.

[Early diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by means of scintigraphy]. / Diagnosi precoce dell'embolia polmonare mediante scintigrafia.

The occasions on which lung embolism is likely to occur and proceed with or without initial clinical symptoms are described. Lung scintiscanning technique, complemented by special expedients and personal experience, is explained. It is felt that the method helps in the early detection of suspect or clinically silent forms, as well as in the corroboration or ruling out of a clinical diagnosis as soon as this is possible. Scintiscanning is also of assistance in showing the anatomopathological features and extent of the process. The technique is simple and readily tolerated, even by patients with slight respiratory or circulatory disturbances. On the other hand, it is not competitive with conventional and well-tried angiopneumography.

[Scintigraphic diagnosis of pancreatic diseases: random analysis of 100 patients]. / La diagnostica scintigrafica delle pancreopatie: analisi randomizzata di 100 pazienti.

After a brief statement on the procedure of selection of the patients, the article describes how the cases were studied, since some difficulties arose through the lack of homogeneity of the subjects. The cases are then commented and an effort is made to evidence the outstanding data which can be deduced, and in particular a study is made of the percentage of overall unreliability of scintillographic examination, the "false positives" and the "false negatives", which are rather low. The Authors conclude with the consideration that scintiscanning of the pancreas now constitutes a valid method of investigation of pancreatic pathology.

[Surgical technics indicated for spontaneous pneumothorax. Personal experience in 266 operations]. / Tecniche chirurgiche indicate per il pneumotorace spontaneo. Esperienza personale relativa a 266 interventi

The surgical techniques best suited for timely management of spontaneous pneumothorax are described. Results in 266 cases are discussed and compared with the recent literature. Reference is also made to a little known technique: photothermostimulation, and the results it offers are illustrated. Encouraging results have been obtained from rapid frottage of the parietal pleura and this is described. Emphasis is placed on the advisability of early operation to forestall possible surgical and anatomofunctional complications, to ensure good recovery of respiratory capacity, and to prevent mechanical sequelae involving the cardiorespiratory system.

[Semeiology of bronchogenic carcinoma. Limitations of explorative thoracotomy]. / Sulla semeiotica del carcinoma broncogeno. In particolare sulla "riserva" della toracotomia esplorativa

Modern methods of semeiological detection of bronchiogenic cancer are discussed in the light of experience gained in a hospital chest surgery centre. Emphasis is laid on the advantages offered by new advances in nuclear diagnosis and bronchial endoscopy. The limitations of exploratory thoractomy are explained. Attention is drawn to the by no means inconsiderable number of cases in which early knowledge of the nature of the process could not be obtained. A series of illustrative cases are presented.