Salivary gland echography in primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

A series of different ultrasonographic abnormalities detected by salivary gland echography (SGE) were investigated for their discriminant power for Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in 53 patients with either primary SS (n = 27) or secondary SS (n = 26), as well as in 90 controls. Among the controls, 26 suffered from dry mouth and/or recurrent or persistent swelling of at least one parotid or submandibular gland due to other selected disorders, while 64 were healthy, asymptomatic subjects. Mild, evident or gross inhomogeneous parenchymal patterns were the only variables selected by stepwise discriminant analysis, when comparing patients to controls. However, a mild submandibular inhomogeneity did not prove useful for such a discrimination. Based on these data, a simplified evaluation and standardised quantification of salivary involvement, as detected by SGE, is proposed using an echographic score (range 0 to 6) which assigns points to the different degrees of glandular inhomogeneity. Score values above 0 showed a sensitivity of 88.8% in primary SS and of 53.8% in secondary SS, as well as a specificity of 84.6% and of 92.2% with respect to either symptomatic or healthy controls. The lower sensitivity of SGE for patients with secondary SS presumably was a result of their milder salivary involvement.

[Evaluation of expansive myelo-vertebral pathology using different radiologic modalities, magnetic resonance excluded]. / Valutazione della patologia espansiva mielo-vertebrale mediante le differenti modalità radiologiche, RM esclusa.

The authors review their personal experience in tumors of the spine and the spinal cord, based on 30 cases evaluated with plain x-ray film of the spine, plain Computed Tomography (CT), myelography and myelo-CT. The value of both plain film of the spine and CT in tumoral lesions involving the skeleton is assessed; however, as far as nervous structures are concerned myelography and myelo-CT are necessary. Both myelography and myelo-CT showed high sensitivity (96%), thus allowing the definition of intra- extra-thecal extension of the tumor, and its relationships with the spinal cord and surrounding structures. Myelo-CT turned out to be extremely useful in myelographic stop: the upper extension of the lesion could be defined in 85% of cases. However, the contribution of myelography and myelo-CT was relatively limited when positive findings were present at CT. The evaluation of the density of the lesions proved to be of limited value since no significant differences could be recognized in different tumors. Finally, a diagnostic protocol is proposed for patients with spinal neurologic symptoms, based upon the clinical level of the lesion.

[Mammographic diagnosis based on oblique projection. Personal experience]. / Diagnostica mammografica basata sulla proiezione obliqua. Esperienza personale.

It is widely known that an early detection of breast cancer, when still asymptomatic, can improve the prognosis. Screening is thus suggested, and mammography should be the methodology of choice. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the best mammographic approach to the screening of breast cancer. Since January 1st, 1986, we have changed our mammographic procedures: the results obtained have been compared with those previously acquired. Through the evaluation of the different parameters we observed that: 1) the best results in patients screened for the first time can be obtained by using the cranio-caudal and the oblique mammographic views; 2) in the follow-up the oblique view can be used alone--which must then be compared with the oblique view of the first exam. This new mammographic approach makes it possible for us to reduce the exposure-dose to the patient and to the population, as well as the time and the cost of the screening. Moreover, the number of examinations can be increased by 20%. These results are extremely interesting, since mammography is now as sensitive as ever.