Heart involvement in lymphomas. The value of magnetic resonance imaging and two-dimensional echocardiography at disease presentation.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with mediastinal lymphoma were studied with chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and two-dimensional echocardiography at presentation to define the extent of the disease in the paracardiac area. RESULTS: Involvement of cardiac structures was present in 23 of 36 patients (64%). Pericardial contiguity was detected in 23 of 23 patients (100%) by MRI and in 18 of 23 patients (78%) by echocardiography. Pericardial effusion, present in 17 patients (74%), and pericardial infiltration, present in 7 patients (30%), were detected by both techniques in 71% and 86%, respectively. Myocardial infiltration was identified in two of two patients (100%) by MRI and in one of two patients (50%) by two-dimensional echocardiography. Extrapericardial disease was identified in 100% of patients by MRI but only in 30% of patients by echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: Extracardiac and intracardiac involvement is a frequent event in mediastinal lymphomas and should be carefully evaluated with different imaging modalities, mainly MRI, for correct diagnosis and proper management.

[Research on the socioeconomic risk factors in pregnancy and delivery]. / Ricerca sui fattori socio-economici di rischio nella gravidanza e nel parto

PIP: The effects of various socioeconomic factors on the outcome of pregnancy and delivery in Italy are investigated. Variables considered include marital status, area of residence, educational level, occupation, income, and attitude toward pregnancy. Methods for accurate evaluation of risk factors are discussed. The need for physicians to consider the social and psychological aspects of pregnancy and delivery is emphasized. Data are for women interviewed at the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Clinic of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.^ieng