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Background: A new, self-contained, digital, continuous pump-driven chest drainage system is compared in a randomized control trial to a traditional wall-suction system in cardiac surgery., Methods: One hundred and twenty adult elective cardiac patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery were randomized to the study or control group. Both groups had similar pre/intra-operative demographics: age 67.8 vs 67.0 years, Euroscore 2.3 vs 2.2, and body surface area 1.92 vs 1.91 m 2 . Additionally, a satisfaction assessment score (0-10) was performed by 52 staff members., Results: Given homogenous intra-operative variables, total chest-tube drainage was comparable among groups (566 vs 640 mL; ns), but the study group showed more efficient fluid collection during the early postoperative phase due to continuous suction (P = .01). Blood, cell saver transfusions and postoperative hemoglobin values were similar in both groups. The study group experienced drain removal after 29.8 vs 38.4 hours in the control group (ns). Seven crossovers from the Study to the Control group were registered but no patient had drain-related complications. The Personnel Satisfaction Assessment scored above 5 for all questions asked., Conclusions: The new, digital, chest drainage system showed better early drainage of the chest cavity and was as reliable as conventional systems. Quicker drain removal might impact on intensive care unit (ICU) stay and reduce costs. Additional advantages are portable size, battery operation, patient mobility, noiseless function, digital indications and alarms. The satisfaction assessment of the new system by the staff revealed a higher score when compared to the traditional wall suction chest drainage system., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Cardiac Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Aortic arch repair in newborns and infants has traditionally been accomplished using a period of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. To reduce neurologic and cardiac dysfunction related to circulatory arrest and myocardial ischemia during complex aortic arch surgery, an alternative and novel strategy for cerebro-myocardial protection was recently developed, where regional low-flow perfusion is combined with controlled and independent coronary perfusion. The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess short-term and mid-term results of selective and independent cerebro-myocardial perfusion in neonatal aortic arch surgery. From April 2008 to August 2015, 28 consecutive neonates underwent aortic arch surgery under cerebro-myocardial perfusion. There were 17 male and 11 female, with median age of 15 days (3-30 days) and median body weight of 3 kg (1.6-4.2 kg), 9 (32%) of whom with low body weight (<2.5 kg). The spectrum of pathologies treated was heterogeneous and included 13 neonates having single-stage biventricular repair (46%), 7 staged biventricular repair (25%), and 8 single-ventricle repair (29%). All operations were performed under moderate hypothermia and with a "beating heart and brain." Average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 131 ± 64 min (42-310 min). A period of cardiac arrest to complete intra-cardiac repair was required in nine patients (32%), and circulatory arrest in 1 to repair total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Average time of splanchnic ischemia during cerebro-myocardial perfusion was 30 ± 11 min (15-69 min). Renal dysfunction, requiring a period of peritoneal dialysis was observed in 10 (36%) patients, while liver dysfunction was noted only in 3 (11%). There were three (11%) early and two late deaths during a median follow-up of 2.9 years (range 6 months-7.7 years), with an actuarial survival of 82% at 7 years. At latest follow-up, no patient showed signs of cardiac or neurologic dysfunction. The present experience shows that a strategy of selective and independent cerebro-myocardial perfusion is safe, versatile, and feasible in high-risk neonates with complex congenital arch pathology. Encouraging outcomes were noted in terms of cardiac and neurological function, with limited end-organ morbidity., (© 2018 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Double-outlet left ventricle (DOLV) is an extremely rare type of ventriculoarterial connection, mostly reported anecdotally with wide variations in morphology, surgical strategy and clinical outcome. The aim of the present study was to define current morbidity and mortality of biventricular repair and discuss surgical management in infancy., Methods: Inclusion criteria were English literature publication; balanced ventricular development and completion of biventricular repair. Institutional experience was also reported. Study end points were survival and freedom from cardiovascular events. Univariate analysis to identify risk factors for complications was performed., Results: During a 45-year interval, 37 cases of DOLV were identified. Median age at repair was 48 months (range 0.3-336); seven patients were infants. Extracardiac repair was performed in 21 (57%) patients, right ventricular outflow patch in seven, pulmonary translocation in six, and intraventricular repair in three. There were three (8%) hospital deaths, due to right heart failure, and seven (21%) patients experienced 10 perioperative complications. Univariate analysis showed year of operation (P = 0.02) and outflow patch technique (P = 0.003) as risk factors for hospital morbidity and mortality. During a median follow-up of 26 months (range 1-192), there was one death and seven reoperations. Ten-year survival and freedom from adverse cardiovascular events were 87 ± 6 and 70 ± 10%, respectively., Conclusion: Although seldom reported in the past, repair of DOLV in infancy does not increase surgical risk. Early and late morbidity are mostly due to right heart complications and more common after right ventricular outflow patch repair. Paucity of follow-up information may underestimate actual late adverse event rate.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lung computed tomography (CT) findings in fat embolism (FE) syndrome., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 19 CT examinations of 18 patients with FE syndrome, diagnosed clinically using the Gurd and Wilson criteria., Result: Fat embolism syndrome showed 3 patterns: negative examination, bilateral interstitial-alveolar involvement, and adult respiratory distress syndrome like. Frequent findings included consolidations (17 patients), mostly with gravity dependent distribution, and ground-glass opacities (17 patients), mostly with patchy distribution. Fifteen patients showed an overlapping random nodular pattern. Less common findings included lobular ground-glass opacities and lobular consolidations, smooth septal thickening, thickening of the bronchial wall, and areas of crazy paving. The extension of the consolidations correlates with the duration of assisted ventilation., Conclusions: In FE syndrome, pulmonary CT findings are ground-glass opacities and dependent consolidations, associated with other variably overlapping signs, such as lobular opacities, random nodules, septal thickening, and bronchial wall thickening.

Durability of pulmonary conduits (PCs) used for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) may be affected by a variety of factors. Among these, the technique used for PC implantation, whether in orthotopic or heterotopic position, strictly dependent upon the underlying anatomy, has been suggested to influence long-term outcome after RVOT repair. To determine the outcome of heterotopic implantation in infants and children treated at our institution, late results of heterotopic PC in non-Ross patients were analyzed and compared with data of orthotopic PC in age-matched pediatric Ross patients operated during the same time period. Between November 1991 and January 2015, 58 infants and children, 32 male and 26 female, with a median age of 9.4 years (range 1 day-18 years) underwent implantation of heterotopic PC (31 homografts [HG] and 27 xenografts [XG]) for reconstruction of RVOT. Median age in the XG group was significantly lower than in the HG group (0.9 vs. 13.4 years, P = 0.01), while male/female ratio was similar. Fifty (86%) patients had undergone one or more prior cardiac operations, while 32 (55%) required associated procedures during PC implantation. Comparison with data in 305 children and with a median age of 9.4 years, receiving orthotopic PC between 1990 and 2012 (Italian Pediatric Ross Registry), was undertaken. Descriptive, univariate, and Kaplan-Meier analysis defined outcome. There were three (5.2%) early and five (9.0%) late deaths, during a median follow-up of 7.6 years (range 2 months-23 years). Patients having XG had trend toward higher hospital mortality (2/27 vs. 1/31, P = 0.2), but similar late mortality (2/24 vs. 3/30, P = 0.3). Overall survival was 88 and 62%, while freedom from PC replacement was 49 and 21%, at 10 and 20 years, respectively. The latter proved significantly worse than freedom from orthotopic PC replacement, which was 94 ± 2 and 70 ± 9% at 10 and 20 years (P = 0.02). When stratified for type of heterotopic PC, late survival proved comparable (81 and 81% for XG vs. 92 and 60% for HG, at 10 and 20 years, respectively, P = 0.7). However, freedom from PC replacement was significantly higher in patients with heterotopic HG (21 and 5% for XG vs. 63 and 48% for HG, at 10 and 20 years, respectively, P = 0.001). RVOT repair using either XG or HG in heterotopic position is a safe procedure associated with low hospital mortality and satisfactory late survival. Freedom from reoperation is significantly lower than that observed in age-matched children having orthotopic HG. Freedom from reoperation in heterotopic XG is poorer than in HG, although different baseline demography may have influenced this finding., (Copyright © 2015 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in infants is associated with morbidity due to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Strategies to mitigate SIRS include management of perfusion temperature, hemodilution, circuit miniaturization, and biocompatibility. Traditionally, perfusion parameters have been based on body weight. However, intraoperative monitoring of systemic and cerebral metabolic parameters suggest that often, nominal CPB flows may be overestimated. The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of continuous metabolic monitoring to manage CPB in infants during open-heart repair. Between December 2013 and October 2014, 31 consecutive neonates, infants, and young children undergoing surgery using normothermic CPB were enrolled. There were 18 male and 13 female infants, aged 1.4 ± 1.7 years, with a mean body weight of 7.8 ± 3.8 kg and body surface area of 0.39 m(2) . The study was divided into two phases: (i) safety assessment; the first 20 patients were managed according to conventional CPB flows (150 mL/min/kg), except for a 20-min test during which CPB was adjusted to the minimum flow to maintain MVO2>70% and rSO2>45% (group A); (ii) efficacy assessment; the following 11 patients were exclusively managed adjusting flows to maintain MVO2>70% and rSO2>45% for the entire duration of CPB (group B). Hemodynamic, metabolic, and clinical variables were compared within and between patient groups. Demographic variables were comparable in the two groups. In group A, the 20-min test allowed reduction of CPB flows greater than 10%, with no impact on pH, blood gas exchange, and lactate. In group B, metabolic monitoring resulted in no significant variation of endpoint parameters, when compared with group A patients (standard CPB), except for a 10% reduction of nominal flows. There was no mortality and no neurologic morbidity in either group. Morbidity was comparable in the two groups, including: inotropic and/or mechanical circulatory support (8 vs. 1, group A vs. B, P = 0.07), reexploration for bleeding (1 vs. none, P = not significant [NS]), renal failure requiring dialysis (none vs. 1, P = NS), prolonged ventilation (9 vs. 4, P = NS), and sepsis (2 vs. 1, P = NS). The present study shows that normothermic CPB in neonates, infants, and young children can be safely managed exclusively by systemic and cerebral metabolic monitoring. This strategy allows reduction of at least 10% of predicted CPB flows under normothermia and may lay the ground for further tailoring of CPB parameters to individual patient needs., (Copyright © 2015 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has traditionally been and, for the most part, still is being performed using roller pumps. Use of first-generation centrifugal pumps has yielded controversial outcomes, perhaps due to mechanical properties of the same and the ensuing risk of hemolysis and renal morbidity. Latest-generation centrifugal pumps, using magnetic levitation (ML), exhibit mechanical properties which may have overcome limitations of first-generation devices. This retrospective study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO for cardiac indications in neonates, infants, and children, using standard (SP) and latest-generation ML centrifugal pumps. Between 2002 and 2014, 33 consecutive neonates, infants, and young children were supported using V-A ECMO for cardiac indications. There were 21 males and 12 females, with median age of 29 days (4 days-5 years) and a median body weight of 3.2 kg (1.9-18 kg). Indication for V-A ECMO were acute circulatory collapse in ICU or ward after cardiac repair in 16 (49%) patients, failure to wean after repair of complex congenital heart disease in 9 (27%), fulminant myocarditis in 4 (12%), preoperative sepsis in 2 (6%), and refractory tachy-arrhythmias in 2 (6%). Central cannulation was used in 27 (81%) patients and peripheral in 6. Seven (21%) patients were supported with SP and 26 (79%) with ML centrifugal pumps. Median duration of support was 82 h (range 24-672 h), with 26 (79%) patients weaned from support. Three patients required a second ECMO run but died on support. Seventeen (51%) patients required peritoneal dialysis for acute renal failure. Overall survival to discharge was 39% (13/33 patients). All patients with fulminant myocarditis and with refractory arrhythmias were weaned, and five (83%) survived, whereas no patient supported for sepsis survived. Risk factors for hospital mortality included lower (<2.5 kg) body weight (P = 0.02) and rescue ECMO after cardiac repair (P = 0.03). During a median follow-up of 34 months (range 4-62 months), there were three (23%) late deaths and two late survivors with neurological sequelae. Weaning rate (5/7 vs. 21/26, P = NS) and prevalence of renal failure requiring dialysis (4/7 vs. 13/26, P = NS) were comparable between SP and ML ECMO groups. Patients supported with ML had a trend toward higher hospital survival (1/7 vs. 12/26, P = 0.07) and significantly higher late survival (0/7 vs. 10/26, P = 0.05). The present experience shows that V-A ECMO for cardiac indications using centrifugal pumps in infants and children yields outcomes absolutely comparable to international registry (ELSO) data using mostly roller pumps. Although changes in practice may have contributed to these results, use of ML centrifugal pumps appears to further improve end-organ recovery and hospital and late survival., (Copyright © 2015 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals Inc.)

Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an innovative technique that employs microbubble contrast agents to demonstrate parenchymal perfusion. Although initial clinical application was focused on the liver pathology, a wide variety of clinical conditions can be assessed now with CEUS. CEUS is a well-tolerated technique and is acquiring an increasing role in the assessment of renal pathology because contrast agents are not excreted by the kidney and do not affect the renal function. CEUS demonstrated an accuracy similar to contrast enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (CEMDCT) in detecting focal lesions, with the advantage of the real-time assessment of microvascular perfusion by using time-intensity curves. The aim of this paper is to review the main indications of CEUS in the assessment of renal and urogenital pathology. Imaging examples are presented and described. Advantages and limitations of CEUS with reference to conventional US and CE-MDCT are discussed.

The increased use of ultrasound in patients with urological and andrological symptoms has given an higher detection of intra-testicular nodules. Most of these lesions are hypoechoic and their interpretation is often equivocal. Recently, new ultrasound techniques have been developed alongside of B-mode and color-Doppler ultrasound. Although not completely standardized, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and tissue elastography (TE), added to traditional ultrasonography, can provide useful information about the correct interpretation of incidentally detected non-palpable testicular nodules. The purpose of this review article is to illustrate these new techniques in the patient management.

Granulomatous lung diseases include a large number of conditions among granulomas are the pathological hallmark. Some of these conditions are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Differentiating infectious from noninfectious forms is a priority for the different specialists approaching these diseases, given the different implications for management and treatment. However, differential diagnosis is not always straightforward and the diagnosis of granulomatous disease, considering separately the clinical, radiological and pathological aspects, is at times incomplete or uncertain and requires multidisciplinary assessment. In this paper, we propose a combined HRCT-pathological approach to assess both the topographical and morphological features of the lesions. Based on topography, we can distinguish between granulomatous lesions distributed along the lymphatic vessels, with random distribution or centred on the airways. The prototype of the disease with lymphatic granulomas is sarcoidosis. In contrast, diseases exhibiting a random distribution of granulomas are those with haematogenous spread, the most typical of which is miliary tuberculosis (TB). Many diseases have distribution along the airways including hypersensitivity pneumonia and granulomatous bronchiolitis (including infections with bronchial spread, especially mycobacteriosis). The anatomical approach is completed by the assessment of the morphological aspects of the lesions and associated signs, reflecting both the possible mechanisms of spread and the different types of pathological and/or reparative tissue related to the disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the inflammatory involvement of lumbar interspinous bursae in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Methods: Ten consecutive, untreated new patients with PMR and pain in the shoulder and pelvic girdles were investigated. Seven patients with spondyloarthritis (4 with psoriatic spondyloarthrits, one with entheropatic spondyloarthritis, and 2 with ankylosing spondylitis) as well as 2 patients with spinal osteoarthritis and 2 patients with rheumatoid arthritis with lumbar pain served as controls. MRI of lumbar spine was performed in all PMR patients and controls. Nine patients (5 PMR patients and 4 controls) also had MRI of the thoracic spine., Results: MRI evidence of interspinous lumbar bursitis was found in 9/10 patients with PMR and in 5/11 controls. A moderate to marked (grade ≥2 on a semiquantitative 0-3 scale) lumbar bursitis occurred significantly more frequently in patients with PMR than in control patients (60% vs. 9%, p=0.020). In most of the patients and controls lumbar bursitis was found at the L3-L5 interspaces. Only 2 patients had bursitis at a different level (one patient had widespread lumbar bursitis, and one control at L2-L4). No interspinous bursitis was demonstrated by MRI of the thoracic spine in patients and controls., Conclusions: Inflammation of lumbar bursae may be responsible for the low back pain reported by patients with PMR. The prominent inflammatory involvement of bursae including those of the lumbar spine supports the hypothesis that PMR may be a disorder affecting predominantly extra-articular synovial structures.

Objectives: Plasma concentration of procalcitonin (PCT) and its value in the diagnosis of infection in paediatric patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are undefined. This study aimed to define the levels of PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) in paediatric cardiac ECMO patients and to determine their role in predicting infection, severity of organ dysfunction and clinical outcome., Methods: PCT and CRP plasma concentrations were measured daily in 20 consecutive infants and young children treated with veno-arterial ECMO. Each patient was examined daily for signs of infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). A total of 139 patient days were classified for infection and MODS., Results: The median PCT and CRP plasma concentrations were not increased during infection: 2.4 vs 8.8 ng/ml and 223.8 vs 240.6 mg/l, in patients with vs without infection, respectively. PCT, but not CRP, was significantly elevated during MODS (10.9 vs 1.85 ng/ml) (P = 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.984 for PCT (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.962-1.000) compared with 0.347 for CRP (95% CI, 0.211-0.484) (P = 0.001). Only PCT differed significantly in patients weaned from ECMO who survived (2.6 ng/ml) vs patients not weaned from ECMO (10.5 ng/ml) (P = 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.871 (95% CI, 0.786-0.956) compared with 0.261 for CRP (95% CI, 0.145-0.377) (P = 0.001)., Conclusions: Neither PCT nor CRP are reliable markers of infection in paediatric cardiac ECMO patients. However, high levels of PCT are associated with MODS. PCT may be used as a prognostic indicator of clinical outcome in this high-risk population.

We present the case of an 80-year-old man with two renal solid masses found at sonography, which were imaged by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, CT, and MRI and confirmed histologically. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings suggested a benign mass and a CT-guided biopsy yielded a diagnosis of extramedullary hematopoiesis., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The rate of resolution of a first episode of pulmonary embolism (PE) is uncertain. A baseline test indicating any residual PE is pivotal in aiding a more accurate diagnosis of recurrent PE. This study aimed to assess the rate and risk factors of residual PE with either multidetector computed tomography imaging (MDCT) or lung perfusion scan (LPS) using a cross-sectional study in which consecutive patients were enrolled with a first objectively documented episode of symptomatic PE, and who were considered for possible treatment withdrawal after at least 3 months of anticoagulation. A first cohort of patients (n = 80) underwent MDCT, while the subsequent cohort (n = 93) underwent LPS. The two cohorts had similar characteristics, and 98.3% of patients had non high-risk index PE. MDCT detected residual PE in 15% of subjects (12/80, 95% CI 8-25%) after a mean of 9 months of anticoagulation. No clinical characteristics were significantly associated with residual PE at MDCT. LPS detected residual PE in 28% (26/93, 95% CI 19-38%) of patients after a period of a mean of 9 months of anticoagulation with a significant association with increasing age and known pulmonary disease. Resolution of PE was high after a first episode of non high-risk PE treated with heparin followed by at least 3 months of anticoagulation. Age and coexistent pulmonary disease influence the presence of residual PE detected by LPS, but not by MDCT. Further studies are warranted in which the presence of residual embolism is detected by repetition of the same test that had been initially carried out.

Simultaneous cerebro-myocardial perfusion has been described in neonatal and infant arch surgery, suggesting a reduction in cardiac morbidity. Here reported is a novel technique for selective cerebral perfusion combined with controlled and independent myocardial perfusion during surgery for complex or recurrent aortic arch lesions. From April 2008 to April 2011, 10 patients with arch pathology underwent surgery (two hypoplastic left heart syndrome [HLHS], four recurrent arch obstruction, two aortic arch hypoplasia + ventricular septal defect [VSD], one single ventricle + transposition of the great arteries + arch hypoplasia, one interrupted aortic arch type B + VSD). Median age was 63 days (6 days-36 years) and median weight 4.0 kg (1.6-52). Via midline sternotomy, an arterial cannula (6 or 8 Fr for infants) was directly inserted into the innominate artery or through a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft (for neonates <2.0 kg). A cardioplegia delivery system was inserted into the aortic root. Under moderate hypothermia, ascending and descending aorta were cross-clamped, and "beating heart and brain" aortic arch repair was performed. Arch repair was composed of patch augmentation in five, end-to-side anastomosis in three, and replacement in two patients. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 163 ± 68 min (71-310). In two patients only (one HLHS, one complex single ventricle), a period of cardiac arrest was required to complete intracardiac repair. In such cases, antegrade blood cardioplegia was delivered directly via the same catheter used for selective myocardial perfusion. Average time of splanchnic ischemia during cerebro-myocardial perfusion was 39 ± 18 min (17-69). Weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved without inotropic support in three and with low dose in seven patients. One patient required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Four patients, body weight <3.0 kg, needed delayed sternal closure. No neurologic dysfunction was noted. Renal function proved satisfactory in all, while liver function was adequate in all but one. The present experience suggests that selective and independent cerebro-myocardial perfusion is feasible in patients with complex or recurrent aortic arch disease, starting from premature newborn less than 2.0 kg of body weight to adults. The technique is as safe as previously reported methods of cerebro-myocardial perfusion and possibly more versatile., (© 2011, Copyright the Authors. Artificial Organs © 2011, International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Central shunts may be associated with a high rate of thrombosis and pulmonary artery distortion., Methods: Between January 2000 and April 2010, 68 consecutive patients underwent side-to-side aorto-Gore-Tex central shunts (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). Median age at surgery was 31 days (8 to 122). Cardiac morphologies were tetralogy of Fallot (33), pulmonary atresia with collateral dependent lung circulation (20), and other (15). Shunt sizes ranged from 3 to 6 mm. The procedure was performed on cardiopulmonary bypass in 43 patients (63%)., Results: Six patients died during hospital stay (9%) of low output syndrome (3), sepsis (2), and stroke (1). Only one shunt needed early redo. Follow-up was 100% complete. After a median follow-up of 236 days (116 to 340), there were 7 late deaths related to sudden death (3), sepsis (2), reoperation (1), and lack of growth of pulmonary arteries with a patent shunt (1). Repair was completed in 42 patients and still pending in 12. Only one patient needed a late redo shunt (221 days). A larger shunt was performed in 5 patients after a median of 139 days (130 to 258). In the 45 patients who had serial assessment of pulmonary arteries sizes, Nakata index increased from 83 ± 62 mm(2)/m(2) to 153 ± 83 mm(2)/m(2) over a median period of 227 days (146 to 330), with equal growth observed in both pulmonary arteries (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Central shunts can be performed in neonates and children with minimal risk of shunt occlusion. Side-to-side aorto-Gore-Tex anastomosis seems to reliably warrant shunt patency and harmonious growth of pulmonary arteries., (Copyright © 2011 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Defining the site of recurrent disease early after definitive treatment for a localized prostate cancer is a critical issue as it may greatly influence the subsequent therapeutic strategy or patient management., Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching Medline from January 1995 up to January 2011. Electronic searches were limited to the English language, and the keywords prostate cancer, radiotherapy [RT], high intensity focused ultrasound [HIFU], cryotherapy [CRIO], transrectal ultrasound [TRUS], magnetic resonance [MRI], PET/TC, and prostate biopsy were used., Results: Despite the fact that diagnosis of a local recurrence is based on PSA values and kinetics, imaging by means of different techniques may be a prerequisite for effective disease management. Unfortunately, prostate cancer local recurrences are very difficult to detect by TRUS and conventional imaging that have shown limited accuracy at least at early stages. On the contrary, functional and molecular imaging such as dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), offers the possibility of imaging molecular or cellular processes of individual tumors. Recently, PET/CT, using 11C-choline, 18F-fluorocholine or 11C-acetate has been successfully proposed in detecting local recurrences as well as distant metastases. Nevertheless, in controversial cases, it is necessary to perform a biopsy of the prostatic fossa or a biopsy of the prostate to assess the presence of a local recurrence under guidance of MRI or TRUS findings., Conclusion: It is likely that imaging will be extensively used in the future to detect and localize prostate cancer local recurrences before salvage treatment.

Background: After weaning from mechanical circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ventricular assist devices, patients may recurrently deteriorate and require reinstitution of support. Potential benefits of this desperate strategy are not well documented., Methods: We reviewed the hospital records of all patients in whom second-run mechanical circulatory support was instituted from May 1988 to August 2010., Results: Second-run support was instigated in 26 (4.6%) of 567 patients who underwent short-term mechanical circulatory support. Underlying pathologies requiring support were cardiac in 20 patients (76.9%) and noncardiac in 6 patients (23.1%).The majority of patients were younger than 1 year old (73.1%, n=19). Fifteen patients (57.7%) survived second-run support, but only 7 patients (26.9%) survived to discharge from the hospital. After a median follow-up of 42.5 months (range, 16 to 66 months), 4 patients (15.4%) were alive, but 3 of them had various degrees of developmental delay., Conclusions: Selection of patients who can benefit from second-run support is a complex process with unpredictable results. Survival after second-run mechanical circulatory support in children is worse compared with single-run patients. Long-term prospects for survivors are so grim that this strategy should probably not be recommended., (Copyright © 2011 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

With the advent of microbubble contrast agents and contrast-specific techniques, contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has become a powerful additional tool for radiological imaging. When microbubbles are administered intravenously, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound (US) can approach those of computed tomography (CT) and magnetice resonance (MR) with the advantages of no radiation, lower cost and the possibility of their use in patients with renal failure or in intensive care units. Functional (perfusional) information can be obtained in addition to morphologic information, often making further imaging unnecessary. Nevertheless, CEUS requires expertise and adequate US equipment. In addition, subjects and organs unsuitable for US are also unsuitable for CEUS, which is not a panoramic imaging modality and consequently not a substitute for comprehensive whole-body imaging.

Acute colonic diverticulitis is a common cause of acute abdominal symptoms, especially in elderly patients. Sonography is frequently used as the initial imaging modality because of its ready availability. This pictorial essay aims to provide an overview of the sonographic features of acute colonic diverticulitis and of the more common differential diagnosis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the concordance of US and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) with CT in the assessment of solid organ injury following blunt trauma. Patients underwent complete US examination, including free fluid search and solid organ analysis. CEUS followed, using low-mechanical index techniques and SonoVue. CT was performed within 1 h. Among 156 enrolled patients, 91 had one or more abnormalities (n = 107) at CT: 26 renal, 38 liver, 43 spleen. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for renal trauma at baseline US were 36%, 98%, and 88%, respectively, after CEUS values increased to 69%, 99%, and 94%. For liver baseline US values were 68%, 97%, and 90%; after CEUS were 84%, 99%, and 96%. For spleen, results were 77%, 96%, and 91% at baseline US and 93%, 99%, and 97% after CEUS. Per patient evaluation gave the following results in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy: 79%, 82%, 80% at baseline US; 94%, 89%, and 92% following CEUS. CEUS is more sensitive than US in the detection of solid organ injury, potentially reducing the need for further imaging. False negatives from CEUS are due to minor injuries, without relevant consequences for patient management and prognosis.

The aim of the present study was to compare the duration of computer use assessed through a software package and through self-report by questionnaire. Applied in a large Public Administration the software package led altogether to a remarkable reduction in the number of workers reaching the duration of use which requires medical examination. Nevertheless, it highlighted that self-reporting of a considerable number of workers had underestimated the computer use. The consistency with Italian laws is also discussed.

To define risk and outcome of surgery in adults with congenital valve disease (CVD), experience between 2002 and 2005 with 371 CVD operations (288 males, aged 56 +/- 9 years) was compared with 2102 for acquired valve disease (AVD) (69 +/- 22 years, p = 0.02). Diagnosis included: bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), 337, s/p ToF repair, 11; atrio-ventricular valve dysfunction, 10; other, 13. Associated lesions were present in 259 patients (70% vs. 17%, p = 0.001): ascending aorta, 205; right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, 40; coronary artery, 34; mitral/tricuspid valve, 27; septal defect, 17; subaortic stenosis, 4; aortic arch, 4; other, 3. Fifty-two patients (14% vs. 2.5% AVD, p = 0.001) had undergone 75 prior operations (1.4/patient) and 14 (3.8% vs. 1.9% AVD, p = 0.04) required urgent/emergent surgery (endocarditis, dissection). Valve repair was done in 36 (10% vs. 3% AVD, p = 0.02) and replacement in 335: stentless solution (native, autograft, xenograft) was offered to 101 (29%) patients. In BAV, partial root replacement was associated in 63, complete in 77 and ascending aorta in 92. Three (0.8%) hospital deaths occurred (vs. 1.9% AVD, p = 0.2) due to endocarditis. Twenty-six patients (7.0% vs. 10.8% AVD, p = 0.003) experienced complications (cardiac, 7; neurologic, 6; respiratory, 5; renal, 3; sepsis/multiple organ failure (MOF), 2; hemorrhage, 8). Urgent/emergent surgery predicted hospital mortality (p = 0.001). During 5-year follow-up (average 2.6 +/- 1.8 years), there was one late cardiac death and three reoperations (98% free). Despite higher prevalence of associated procedures, reoperation and emergent indication, operative risk in CVD is lower than in AVD, possibly because of younger age. Stentless valve surgery, allowing normal life-style (e.g., exercise, pregnancy), is increasingly preferred.

We aimed to establish by using fast spin echo (FSE)-T2-weighted sequences with fat saturation if flexor tendon enthesitis is the primary lesion in spondyloarthritis (SpA) toe dactylitis. Consecutive patients showing toe dactylitis and meeting Amor criteria for the classification of SpA were enrolled. Dactylitic toes and their corresponding normal contralateral digits were studied by FSE-T2-weighted sequences with fat saturation. Twelve dactylitic toes belonging to ten SpA patients were studied. All dactylitic toes showed mild-to-moderate fluid collection in the synovial sheaths of flexor digitorum brevis and longus. Involvement of joint cavity was simultaneously seen in at least one joint of eight (66.6%) out of the 12 toes. A mild-to-severe peritendinous soft tissue edema was observed in all but one of the affected toes. In no dactylitic toe was bone edema observed either near the insertions of the flexor digitorum brevis and longus tendons or in other sites of the phalanges. No lesions were observed in the 12 contralateral clinically normal toes. In SpA toe dactylitis there is no evidence of enthesitis of the flexor digitorum brevis and longus tendons and joint capsules.

Purpose: To prospectively compare the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (US) with those of contrast material-enhanced US in the depiction of solid organ injuries in children with blunt abdominal trauma, with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) as the reference standard., Materials and Methods: The study protocol was approved by the ethics board, and written informed consent was obtained from parents. US, contrast-enhanced US, and contrast-enhanced CT were performed in 27 consecutive children (19 boys, eight girls; mean age, 8.9 years +/- 2.8 [standard deviation]) with blunt abdominal trauma to determine if solid abdominal organ injuries were present. Sensitivity, specificity, agreement, accuracy, number of lesions correctly identified, and positive and negative predictive values were determined for US and contrast-enhanced US, as compared with contrast-enhanced CT., Results: In 15 patients, contrast-enhanced CT findings were negative. Contrast-enhanced CT depicted 14 solid organ injuries in 12 patients. Lesions were in the spleen (n = 7), liver (n = 4), right kidney (n = 1), right adrenal gland (n = 1), and pancreas (n = 1). Contrast-enhanced US depicted 13 of the 14 lesions in 12 patients with positive contrast-enhanced CT findings and no lesions in the patients with negative contrast-enhanced CT findings. Unenhanced US depicted free fluid in two of 15 patients with negative contrast-enhanced CT findings and free fluid, parenchymal lesions, or both in eight of 12 patients with positive contrast-enhanced CT findings. Overall, the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced US was better than that of US, as sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 92.2%, 100%, 100%, and 93.8%, respectively., Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced US was almost as accurate as contrast-enhanced CT in depicting solid organ injuries in children., ((c) RSNA, 2008.)

Sonography is widely used in the initial diagnostic assessment of blunt abdominal trauma in adults and children. It has been formally incorporated worldwide into the routine armamentarium available for emergency diagnosis and treatment as a means of rapid detection of free abdominal fluid, normally referred to as FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma). However, there is some controversy regarding its value because free abdominal fluid may be lacking in patients with abdominal organ injuries from blunt trauma. More recently, a new ultrasound technique has been developed using contrast agents. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound performs better than the non-contrast-enhanced technique for the detection of abdominal solid organ injuries and can play an important role in the prompt evaluation of patients with blunt trauma. Furthermore, contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be used in the follow-up of patients who have solid organ lesions and are managed with nonoperative treatment, avoiding radiation and iodinated contrast medium exposure.

We report a 5-year-old child with pancreatic trauma from a blunt abdominal injury that was monitored with contrast-enhanced sonography. Unenhanced US failed to demonstrate the abnormality that was recognized by CT and MRI. The injury was well demonstrated by contrast-enhanced US which was therefore used for follow-up until its healing.

Objective: The objective of our study was to prospectively compare the diagnostic value of sonography and contrast-enhanced sonography with CT for the detection of solid organ injuries in blunt abdominal trauma patients., Subjects and Methods: Sonography, contrast-enhanced sonography, and CT were performed to assess possible abdominal organ injuries in 69 nonconsecutive hemodynamically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma and a strong clinical suspicion of abdominal lesions. Sonography and contrast-enhanced sonography findings were compared with CT findings, the reference standard technique., Results: Thirty-two patients had 35 abdominal injuries on CT (10 kidney or adrenal lesions, seven liver lesions, 17 spleen lesions, and one retroperitoneal hematoma). Sixteen lesions were detected on sonography, and 32 were seen on contrast-enhanced sonography. The sensitivity and specificity of sonography were 45.7% and 91.8%, respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 84.2% and 64.1%, respectively. Contrast-enhanced sonography had a sensitivity of 91.4%, a specificity of 100%, and positive and negative predictive values of 100% and 92.5%, respectively., Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced sonography was found to be more sensitive than sonography and almost as sensitive as CT in the detection of traumatic abdominal solid organ injuries. It can therefore be proposed as a useful tool in the assessment of blunt abdominal trauma.

Purpose: Prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia (PIN) is considered a pre-malignant lesion and the main precursor of invasive prostatic adenocarcinoma. A PIN diagnosis established by prostate needle biopsy poses a difficult clinical management problem. We retrospectively reviewed our three-year experience in order to identify criteria for referring patients to repeat biopsy., Materials and Methods: We reviewed the repeat biopsy records of 72 patients in whom PIN had been detected on initial US-guided needle biopsy of the prostate. All the patients had a minimum of 6 biopsy cores taken, and they all had PSA > 4 ng/ml., Results: Adenocarcinoma was detected in 15 patients out of 50 (30%) with an initial diagnosis of low-grade PIN and in 10 patients out of 22 (45.4%) with high grade PIN, in 7 out of 18 (39%) in whom PSA levels had decreased during the observation interval, in 16 patients out of 46 (35%) in whom the PSA had increased and in 2 patients out of 8 (25%) with stable PSA., Conclusions: Our results seem to confirm that PIN can be considered a precursor of prostatic adenocarcinoma or a histological alteration often associated with it. Patients with low-grade PIN and particularly those with high-grade PIN should be regularly subjected to repeat biopsy at short intervals due to the high frequency of the final diagnosis of carcinoma. No agreement has been reached on the time interval between the first and the second biopsy. The PSA changes during the observation period are not a statistically significant parameter to suggest the repetition of prostatic biopsy.

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is proposed in the management of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Secondary PH related to a long-standing heart valve disease however may be refractory to iNO. Aim of this prospective study was to determine whether the combination of iNO plus dipyridamole (DP), a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5), may enhance and/or prolong the response to iNO in adult patients with secondary valve-related PH undergoing cardiac surgery, and attenuate rebound events related to its discontinuation., Methods: Responses in 27 patients, 11 male, mean age 72+/-11 years, with PH due to mitral and/or aortic valve disease, were studied in the Intensive Care Unit after cardiac surgery, during sedation and stable hemodynamic conditions. The effect of isolated iNO administration (40 ppm), iNO combined with DP (0.2 mg/kg i.v.), and DP alone (1 mg/kg/24 h) on pulmonary vascular resistance, mean pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac index, mixed venous O2Sat%, and mean arterial pressure were determined., Results: All patients showed at least a 10% decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance vs. baseline after administration of iNO [responders]. Inhaled NO and the combination of iNO/DP produced a reduction of pulmonary vascular resistance and mean pulmonary artery pressure (p<0.05). Cardiac index improved with a significant difference between iNO and the association iNO/DP versus baseline (p<0.05). This significant hemodynamic improvement versus baseline was maintained during isolated DP administration (p<0.05), but not during isolated iNO discontinuation. Mixed venous oxygen saturation showed an overall improvement of 17% (p<0.05)., Conclusions: Inhaled NO and DP infusion might represent a valuable association in the management of PH secondary to a heart valve disease in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Their beneficial hemodynamic effects might be particularly valuable in the management of patients with associated right ventricular dysfunction.

Ultrasonography (US) is the method of choice for the diagnosis of bladder disease. It is superior to other imaging techniques, such as urography and cystography, in depicting certain structures and abnormalities. US examination of the bladder should include a study of the ureterovesical junction and the structures round the vesical neck. The examination technique may be transabdominal, transrectal or transvaginal, or transurethral. The bladder pathology that can be studied by US includes cystitis, calculi, clots, diverticula, trauma and tumors. The sensitivity and the specificity of the method are very high and sometimes superior to cystoscopy. Sonography can be used to explore patients with stress incontinence and those with abdominal trauma. The ureterovesical junction may be clearly examined by US and the pathology of the papilla clearly defined.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of radiological upper gastroenteric studies to detect early and postoperative complications after gastric restrictive surgery for obesity., Materials and Methods: From October 1992 to October 2002, 650 patients submitted to vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) underwent radiological follow-up to assess the presence of both early and late postoperative complications. The patients were 546 (84%) women and 104 (16%) men whose average weight was 125 kg (range: 78 to 218 kg). The average female age was 37 years (range: 17 to 69 years) and the average male age 36 (range: 19 to 64 years). Preoperative mean body mass index was 46 kg/m2 (range 31-78 kg/m2). The patients underwent radiological upper gastroenteric investigation employing water soluble contrast material between the 4th and 7th postoperative day. All patients underwent another late examination every year after surgery., Results: At 10 years follow-up in 620 patients submitted to modified Mason VBG we observed the following early postoperative complications: 16 cases (2.6%) of oedema of the stoma, six cases (0.9%) of gastro-oesophageal reflux, one case (0.2%) of staple-line disruption, and one case (0.2%) of intragastric haemorrhage. Late complications in VBG included 26 cases (4.2%) of staple-line disruption, four cases (0.6%) of kinked stomas, six cases (0.9%) of pouch dilatations, two cases (0.4%) of stomal stenosis and one case (0.2%) of gastro-oesophageal reflux. In 30 RYGBP patients we observed the following early postoperative complications: one case (0.8%) of dilated pouch, one case (0.8%) of oedema of the anastomosis and one case (0.8%) of anastomotic leak. Late postoperative complications in the 30 RYGBP patients included three cases (2.5%) of stomal ulcers and one case (0.8%) of gastro-oesophageal reflux. We also examined the annual incidence of complications in late follow-up., Discussion and Conclusions: Both early and late radiological studies after gastric bariatric surgery enable the detection of postoperative complications and provided morphological and volumetric data after VBG and RYGBP. Post-operative complications (gastric perforation, stomal stenosis, etc.) need to be emphasised and the clinical approach modified to enable suitable weight loss.

Background: The Ross operation is an alternative to mechanical aortic valve replacement in the young. Early dilatation of the pulmonary autograft root exposed to the systemic circulation has been reported. To define the prevalence of, risk factors for, and consequences of late autograft dilatation, outcome in all consecutive patients operated since May 1994 was reviewed., Methods and Results: Ninety one patients, 77 males and 14 females, with at least 1 year of follow-up underwent cross-sectional clinical and echocardiographic examination. Age at operation was 27+/-10 years (range 6 to 49), and the indication was aortic regurgitation in 54 (59%) patients and bicuspid valve was present in 62 (68%). End-points of the study were freedom from autograft dilatation (root diameter >4 cm or 0.21 cm/m2), from (moderate) autograft regurgitation and from reoperation. Follow-up (4.0+/-1.9, range 1 to 8 years) autograft root diameters were anulus, 29+/-4 mm (18-39); sinus of Valsalva, 38+/-7 mm (24-53); sinotubular junction, 37+/-6 mm (23-54); and ascending aorta, 37+/-5 mm (27-54). Late autograft dilatation was identified in 31 (34%) patients and regurgitation in 13 (14%), 7 of whom had autograft dilatation. At 7 years, freedom from dilatation was 42+/-8%, freedom from regurgitation was 75+/-8%, and freedom from reoperation was 85+/-10%. Cox proportional hazard analysis identified younger age (P=0.05), preoperative sinus of Valsalva (P=0.02), root replacement technique (P=0.03), and absence of pericardial buttressing (P=0.04) as predictive of autograft dilatation, whereas female sex (P=0.002), follow-up sinus of Valsalva (P=0.003), and sinotubular junction diameter (P=0.02) as predictive of autograft regurgitation., Conclusions: Autograft dilatation is common late after the Ross procedure, particularly in younger patients, in those with preoperative aortic aneurysm, and those having root replacement without support of anulus and sinotubular junction. Bicuspid aortic valve is not a risk factor. Significant autograft valve dysfunction affects a minority of patients, but it is more prevalent in those with autograft dilatation.

The male urethral imaging and pathology is not widespread in the radiology literature because this part of the urinary tract is easily studied by urologists with clinical or endoscopic examinations. Ultrasonography and MR imaging are increasingly being used in association with voiding cystourethrography and retrograde urethrography. The posterior urethra is being studied with voiding cystourethrography or voiding sonography which allows the detection of bladder neck pathology, post-surgical stenosis, and neoplasms. The functional aspects of the bladder neck and posterior urethra can be monitored continuously in patients with neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder. The anterior urethral anatomy and pathology is commonly explored by retrograde urethrography, but recently sonourethrography and MR imaging have been proposed, distending the lumen with simple saline solution instead of iodinated contrast media. They are being used to study the urethral mucosa and the periurethral spongy tissue which can be involved in the urethral pathologies such as strictures, diverticula, trauma, and tumors. Imaging has an important role to play in the study of the diseases of the male urethra since it can detect pathology not visible on urethroscopy. The new imaging techniques in this area, such as sonography and MR, can provide adjunct information that cannot be obtained with other modalities.

Retrograde urethrography is the method commonly employed in the detection of anterior male urethra pathology. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging have been proposed recently as new methods that can replace conventional radiography. Normal urethral anatomy can be easily studied after saline distention of the urethra, which creates high contrast relative to adjacent structures such as mucosa and corpus spongiosum. Sonourethrography with high-frequency probes has a high spatial resolution and has proved to be sensitive, specific, and accurate in the diagnosis of anterior urethral pathologies such as strictures, syringocele, tumors, and trauma. It has a major role in the selection of therapy in patients with bulbar strictures. Magnetic resonance imaging with a surface coil with a small field of view can detect penile and bulbar stenoses and tumor extension. After contrast administration, the activity of the inflammatory process in the spongiosum can be assessed and used to modify the urethroplasty technique. The clinical use of the new imaging modalities in the male anterior urethra is limited despite their demonstrated accuracy in diagnosis and presurgical staging of different diseases.

Objective: To establish by means of fast spin echo (FSE)-T2-weighted sequences with fat saturation if enthesitis of the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons is the primary lesion in spondylarthritis (SpA) finger dactylitis., Methods: Eleven dactylitic fingers and their corresponding normal, contralateral fingers, belonging to 6 patients who met the Amor criteria for SpA, were studied by FSE-T2-weighted sequences with fat saturation., Results: All dactylitic fingers showed moderate or severe fluid collection in the flexor tendon synovial sheaths. Involvement of the joint cavity was simultaneously present in at least one joint in 3 (27.3%) of the 11 fingers. A mild to moderate peritendinous soft tissue edema was observed in 5 (45.5%) of the 11 affected fingers. In no dactylitic finger was bone edema observed near the insertions of the flexor digitorum superficialis or profundus tendons or in other sites of the phalanges. No lesions were observed in the 11 contralateral, clinically normal fingers., Conclusion: In SpA dactylitis there is no evidence of enthesitis of the flexor digitorum tendons and joint capsules.

Background and Aim of the Study: A congenitally dysfunctioning bicuspid aortic valve may require surgical treatment in children and young adults. This retrospective study evaluated mid-term clinical results obtained with the Ross procedure in this patient group., Methods: Between July 1994 and December 2000, 55 patients (48 males, seven females; mean age 27+/-10 years; range: 7-49 years) underwent replacement of a diseased bicuspid aortic valve (stenosis in six cases (11%); insufficiency in 36 (65%); mixed lesion in 13 (24%)) with a pulmonary autograft. Mean NYHA functional class was 1.7. Five patients (9%) had healed endocarditis and six (11%) had previous cardiac surgery. The autograft was inserted as a subcoronary implant in two cases (4%), as a root in 40 (73%), and as a cylinder in 13 (23%). The right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with a cryopreserved pulmonary homograft in all cases. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 207+/-34 min and 162+/-18 min, respectively., Results: No early or late deaths had occurred at a mean follow up of 31+/-19 months. Two patients (4%) were re-explored for bleeding. Four patients (7%) experienced intraoperative coronary complications which resolved without sequelae. Two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of neoaortic valve competence at six months revealed no evidence of aortic valve regurgitation in 46 patients (84%), trivial regurgitation in seven (13%), mild regurgitation in one patient (2%), and moderate regurgitation in one patient. The latter patient (subcoronary implant) required reoperation. At six months, the degree of regression of left ventricular mass compared (versus preoperative) was 34+/-13% (p <0.05). Three patients (5%) showed mild dilatation (>4 cm) of the neoaortic root after two years follow up. All patients are currently asymptomatic, in NYHA class I, and enjoy a normal social lifestyle., Conclusion: The Ross procedure may be offered as a low-risk alternative in adolescents and young adults with a bicuspid aortic valve. Although the inclusion cylinder technique might help to prevent root dilatation, continued patient evaluation with regard to root sizing, evidence of neoaortic valve degeneration and homograft dysfunction is required in the long term.

The long-term outcomes of 292 patients having stented xenograft aortic valve replacement (AVR) (group 1) and 376 having stentless AVR (group 2) were compared. Patients in group 1 were older (75 +/- 9 years v 70 +/- 6 years, P =.01), had more advanced cardiac disease (New York Heart Association [NYHA] classification III-IV: 85% v 75%, P =.03), and more associated procedures (53% v 41%, P =.01). Early mortality was higher in Group 1 (6.2% v 2.6%, P =.02), primarily due to cardiac cause (5.4% v 1.5%, P =.009). During follow-up (37 +/- 30 months v 43 +/- 35 months, P = not significant [ns]), 66 late deaths were recorded (12% v 9%, P = ns). At 8 years, survival (70% +/- 5% v 81% +/- 3%, P =.01) freedom from cardiac death (85% +/- 1% v 92% +/- 3%, P =.02) and prosthesis-related death (79% +/- 5% v 95% +/- 2%, P =.004) was higher in Group 2, but freedom from structural deterioration was similar (92% +/- 5% v 93% +/- 3%, P = ns). Late functional status was equally satisfactory (NYHA classification I-II: 89% v 90%, P = ns). Stentless AVR may confer selective survival advantages. Because freedom from valve failure is similar to stented xenografts, extension of stentless AVR to patients without anatomic contraindications appears justified., (Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company)

Objective: Bicuspid aortic valve disease has been associated with histologic abnormalities of the aortic root. Recent reports have suggested similar alterations may exist in the pulmonary artery of patients with bicuspid aortic valve. The present study was undertaken to define the histologic condition of the aortic and pulmonary artery root in bicuspid aortic valve disease and the relationship with pulmonary autograft root dilatation after the Ross procedure., Methods: In 17 patients undergoing aortic root replacement with the pulmonary autograft, biopsy specimens of the aortic root and pulmonary artery trunk were collected. Clinical and histologic findings of patients with bicuspid aortic valves were compared with those with tricuspid aortic valves., Results: There were 9 patients (8 male, 1 female) with bicuspid aortic valve (group 1) and 8 (all male) with tricuspid aortic valve (group 2). Mean age was comparable (24.4 +/- 9.8 vs 23.6 +/- 10.8 years, P =.9). Aortic insufficiency as an indication for operation was more common in group 1 (9/9 vs 5/8, P =.007), whereas preoperative aortic root dilatation was equally prevalent (4/9 vs 1/8, P =.1). Prior aortic valve repair had been performed in 2 patients (1/9 vs 1/8, P =.9). Prevalence of cystic medionecrosis of the aortic wall was similar in the 2 groups (4/9 vs 3/8, P =.6). Cystic medionecrosis of the pulmonary artery trunk was found only in 1 patient with tricuspid aortic valve (0/9 vs 1/8, P =.3). During a mean follow-up of 26.5 +/- 12.2 months (32.1 +/- 12.7 vs 20.1 +/- 7.4 months, P =.04), prevalence of pulmonary autograft root dilatation (greater than 4.0 cm) was equally represented in patients with native bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valve (3/9 vs 2/8, P =.6)., Conclusions: Histologic abnormalities of the pulmonary artery root are rare and equally prevalent in young patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves. On the contrary, root dilatation is relatively common late after autograft root replacement but appears unrelated to bicuspid aortic valve disease or to pre-existing degenerative changes of the pulmonary artery root.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and the clinical characteristics of distal extremity swelling with pitting edema in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA)., Methods: This was a case-control study of consecutive outpatients with PsA (old and new diagnosis) observed over a 3-month period in three secondary referral centers in Italy. As controls we used the two consecutive rheumatic outpatients, excluding those with spondylarthropathies, observed after a PsA patient. The demographic and clinical features were assessed by clinical examination and review of the medical records., Results: A total of 183 patients with PsA and 366 controls were evaluated. Distal extremity swelling with pitting edema was recorded in 39/183 (21%) PsA patients and in 18/366 (4.9%) controls (p < 0.0001). In 8/39 (20%) patients this feature presented as a first, isolated manifestation of PsA, and in 8 others it was associated with other features of PsA at diagnosis. The upper and lower extremities were affected, predominantly asymmetrically, in 40% and 60% of the cases respectively. In patients with pitting edema compared to those without this feature, the frequency of Achilles enthesitis and plantar fasciitis, calculated together, was higher (p < 0.05) and the duration of arthritis was significantly lower (p = 0.02). In 7 patients the clinical evidence of a predominant involvement of tenosynovial structures was confirmed by MRI., Conclusion: Upper or lower distal extremity swelling with pitting edema due to tenosynovitis, usually unilateral, is a common feature in PsA patients and may represent the first, isolated manifestation of the disease.

Background: This study seeks to define the long-term results after Biocor PSB stentless aortic valve replacement (AVR) in elderly patients, including the effects of No-React treatment., Methods: We reviewed the outcomes of 106 consecutive patients, aged 70+/-6 years, having Biocor PSB (93 standard, 13 No-React) AVR between October 1992 and October 1996., Results: There were three early deaths (3%) and 15 late deaths (15%), during a mean follow-up of 5.8+/-1.6 years. At 8 years, survival was 82%+/-4% and freedom from cardiac death was 94%+/-3%. Freedom from valve failure was 92%+/-4% at 8 years (No-React: 92%+/-8% at 4 years). Replacement of the xenograft was required in 5 patients. Freedom from reoperation was 91%+/-4% at 8 years (No-React: 92%+/-8% at 4 years). Four bleeding and two embolic events were recorded: overall valve-related event-free survival was 81%+/-7% at 8 years (No-React: 76%+/-12% at 4 years). Age of long-term survivors averaged 77+/-5 years and their New York Heart Association status was 1.3+/-0.6 (versus 2.9+/-0.6 preoperatively, p = 0.01)., Conclusions: Satisfactory freedom from cardiac events and from valve deterioration added to uniform improvement in functional status despite advanced age and high prevalence of comorbid conditions make AVR with the Biocor PSB xenograft a valid long-term therapy for the elderly. No-React treatment does not influence xenograft durability.

The scrotum is a superficial structure and clinical examination is frequently not enough for making a specific diagnosis. In acute scrotal pain US can confirm the presumptive clinical diagnosis and provide additional relevant information. In testicular torsion, color-Doppler imaging has a central role since it has become possible to identify it at early stage by showing absence of perfusion in the affected testis before any gray-scale abnormality. Scintigraphy remains a satisfactory alternative in evaluating testicular torsion and should be used when color Doppler is inadequate, raising doubts about the suspected torsion. Diagnosis of torsion of testicular appendages is particularly difficult. Ischemic infarction shows a characteristic pattern at gray-scale and color Doppler imaging, whereas hemorrhagic ischemia may require MRI. Inflammatory diseases of the scrotum can be easily investigated by echo color Doppler and conventional radiography, and CT can be particularly useful in the detection of gas bubbles. In scrotal trauma, scrotal hematoma, hematocele, intratesticular hematoma, and testicular rupture can be identified using gray-scale US with very good reliability. Magnetic resonance imaging is indicated when a small tear of tunica albuginea is suspected but not visualized on US.

The penile blood vessels arise from the internal pudendal artery. After the arcuate ligament the artery is usually called the main penile artery. Afterwards the vessel is divided into the dorsal penile artery, which is thin, and the cavernosal artery, which enter the corpus cavernosum on the supero-medial surface of the penis. The branches of this artery are called the arteriae helicinas that subsequently divide in smaller vessels that communicate with the lacunae of the corpus cavernosum. The venous blood flow is drained into the venous plexus beneath the tunica albuginea. The emissary veins perforate the albuginea and the blood is drained by the venae circumflexae into the deep dorsal vein. Color-Doppler sonography allows actually to depict all these vessels and to study the blood flow in these structures with the exclusion of the lacunar spaces. To detect slow flows the technical parameters are very important and the Doppler angle must be always less than 60 degrees. During pharmacologically induced erection the peak systolic velocity in the cavernosal artery shows different values, according to the time of measurements. Initially high systolic velocity is detected (over 35 cm/s) and high diastolic flow (8-15 cm/s) due to low intracavernosal resistance. After veno-occlusive mechanism activation, an increase of flow is normally observed with peak systolic velocity up to 80-120 cm/s associated to progressive decrease of diastolic flow. In the initial phase of the erection the venous flow is characterized with elevated blood velocity in the circumflex and deep dorsal veins. Afterwards with progressive erection the venous flow reduces to disappear completely with full rigidity. Three dimensional US allows a better visualization of the morphology, number and distribution of the vascular tree of the penis.