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Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions have increased since the pre-industrial era, driven by the economic and population growth. In the last decades, significant efforts have been made to develop cleaner and more efficient technologies able to control GHG emissions. In the field of combustion burners, this commitment strongly relies on the development of new and detailed numerical models, which allow a deep investigation of complex burner performance and a significant reduction of full-scale experimental costs. The knowledge previously acquired on the TEA-C coal burner CFD study is here expanded in the framework of the Be4GreenS project, targeting to the development of a new generation of burners. The new implemented model accounts for the detailed chemical and kinetic characterization of the pulverized coal together with the exact inner volume geometry of the experimental combustion chamber and the actual extension of the heat exchanging and refractory surfaces. In addition, the secondary and tertiary air registers are here numerically investigated. The outcome from the CFD analysis is validated against the experimental data. The NOx formation analysis is also provided.

Due to an error in production the members of SICE CoDIG (Colon Dx Italian Group) listed in the Acknowledgments were not tagged correctly as authors in the XML of this article. This listing is presented again here:.

En este estudio se determinó los niveles de metales pesados (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr y Ni) en el tejido renal del delfín franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei, y se estableció la influencia de los parámetros ecológicos y biológicos sobre la bioacumulación de estos elementos. Se analizaron muestras de 38 ejemplares colectados entre 2004 y 2010 en el sur de Buenos Aires, Argentina. La edad de los animales y el estado de madurez sexual se determinaron por métodos histológicos, y los niveles de metales pesados por Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica. No se determinaron diferencias significativas para las concentraciones de Zn, Cu y Cd entre ambos sexos. Los niveles de Cd presentaron diferencias según el estado de madurez sexual y se relacionaron positivamente con la longitud, peso corporal y edad. Los niveles de Cd, Cu y Zn resultaron menores a los informados en estudios previos realizados en el norte de Buenos Aires y Uruguay.Heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr,Ni) concentrations were determined in the kidney tissue of the Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, and the influence of ecological and biological parameters on the bioaccumulation of these elements was established. Samples from 38 specimens, collected between 2004 and 2010 off southern Buenos Aires, Argentina, were analyzed. Histological methods were used to determine both the age and sexual maturity of the animals. Heavy metal concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No significant differences were found by sex for Zn, Cu, and Cd. However, Cd levels differed between maturity stages and were positively related to length, body weight, and age. The Cd, Cu, and Zn levels reported here in were lower than those included in previous studies done off northern Buenos Aires and Uruguay.

Long-term survival for adult patients with solid tumours continues to increase. For some cancers, the possibility of recurrence after a number of years is extremely low, and the risk of death becomes similar to that of the general population of the same sex and age. During the Fifth European Conference on Survivors and Chronic Cancer Patients held in Siracusa, Italy, June 2014, oncologists, general practitioners, epidemiologists, cancer patients and survivors, and patient advocates joined to discuss the possible use of the term “cured” in reference to some adult patients with solid tumours. The specific focus was the appropriateness of using the term in communicating with cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Initial results of the discussion, in concert with a review of the published literature on the subject, were later further discussed by all participants through electronic communication. The resulting final statement aims to suggest appropriate ways to use the word “cured” in the clinical and communicative setting, to highlight the potential impact of the word on patients, and to open a critical discussion concerning this timely and delicate matter.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in detecting tumour foci in patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and negative transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy.This prospective randomised trial was conducted on 150 patients who underwent [¹H]MRSI and DCE-MRI and targeted biopsies of suspicious areas on MRI associated with random biopsies.After the second biopsy, the diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma was made in 64/150 cases. On a per-patient basis, MRSI had 82.8% sensitivity, 91.8% specificity, 88.3% positive predictive value (PPV), 87.8% negative predictive value (NPV) and 85.7% diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for DCE-MRI was 76.5%, 89.5%, 84.5%, 83.7% and 82%, respectively. The combination of MRSI and DCE-MRI yielded 93.7% sensitivity, 90.7% specificity, 88.2% PPV, 95.1% NPV and 90.9% accuracy in detecting prostate carcinoma.The combined study with [¹H]MRSI and DCE-MRI showed promising results in guiding the biopsy of cancer foci in patients with an initial negative TRUS-guided biopsy.

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis gives many diagnostic and therapeutic troubles especially when it occurs in patient admitted in an emergency setting. The Authors report two cases of PCI related to patients admitted into the Emergency Department (DEA II) with diagnosis of intestinal perforation, mode according to the radiological findings of free subfrenic air, but not confirmed at physical examination. The Authors discuss the role that imaging and physical examination play in evaluating this kind of patients, considering the etiopathogenetic hypothesis about this rare disorder.

The Authors report a case of appendicular mucocele admitted in an emergency setting in the Emergency Department (DEA II). The patient, 78 y-old man, went to attention complaining diffuse abdominal pain: physical examination revealed mild tenderness and right lower quadrant pain to palpation. Rx plain and CT scan demonstrated a right iliac fossa cystic lesion with mural calcification, adherent to the caecum. On basis of imaging, clinical and laboratory findings the patient underwent surgery postoperative diagnosis was mucocele of the appendix. The aim of this report is to discuss the role of imaging and clinical approach in treatment of appendicular mucocele, which is known to be so aspecific in presentation, especially when it occurs in an emergency setting.

To optimize the technique for the evaluation of molecular diffusion in the abdomen.Fifteen healthy volunteers, 6 males and 9 females, ranging in age between 24 and 31 years underwent an MRI evaluation of the upper abdomen, using a superconductive 1.5T magnet (maximum gradient strength, 25 mT/m; minimum rise time 600 ms), equipped with phased array abdominal multicoil. Diffusion study was performed with a single-shot Inversion Recovery Spin-Echo Echo-planar sequence (IR-SE-EPI) with the following parameters: TR = infinite; TE=101 ms; matrix 128 yen 128; receiver bandwidth 2080 Hz/pixel; slices: n.20; slice thickness: 8 mm; acquisition time: 5.41 s. For diffusion weighting the following b values were employed: b=30 mm/s2, b=300 mm/s2 e b=500 mm/s2. Both qualitative and quantitative (calculation of linear regression analysis and of apparent diffusion coefficient) image analysis was performed.Image quality was graded as diagnostic in all the cases. Image quality decreased with the increase of b values: at low b values, the anatomy of upper abdominal organs was easily recognized, whereas, at high b values, the same organs could not be adequately assessed unless the images were compared with those obtained with low b values. Magnetic susceptibility artifacts were observed in all the cases; no significant chemical-shift artifacts were observed as the fat saturation pre-pulse was employed. Quantitative analysis demonstrated an apparent diffusion coefficient of 1.58 s/mm2 for the liver, 1.61 s/mm2 for the spleen and 5,14 s/mm2 for the gallbladder. A statistically significant difference (p0.001) was observed between parenchymatous organs (liver and spleen) and gallbladder, presenting as a stationary fluid.Diffusion-weighted MR sequences may be implemented for abdominal studies, but the optimization of same parameters is slightly different compared with neuroradiologic applications. The potential applications are interesting above all as regards the characterization of focal liver lesions. Further developments are awaited in both sequence optimization (greater stability and lower sensitivity to magnetic susceptibility artifacts) and data analysis, with more complex algorithms able to better quantify the real diffusion coefficient.

The aim of this study was to optimize the protocol for multislice spiral CT angiography and to assess the ability of the technique to detect the anatomy of splanchnic vessels, using volume rendering as reconstruction algorithm.The anatomy of splanchnic vessels was studied in 19 patients (11 men, 8 women, age range 38-83 years) undergoing CT of the abdomen and pelvis. All examinations were performed with a multislice spiral CT scanner (Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) using the following parameters: collimation, 1 mm; slice width, 1 mm; table feed, 8 mm/sec; reconstruction interval, 1 mm; mAs, 120; kVp, 120. Before the study, the patients received 800 ml of water as oral contrast agent to opacify the stomach and small bowel. A nonionic contrast medium (130-140 ml; Xenetix 350, Guerbet, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, France) was infused intravenously at a rate of 3-5 ml/sec. Two scans of the abdomen and pelvis were obtained at 20-25 sec (arterial phase) and 60-65 sec (venous phase) after starting contrast medium injection. Image elaboration was performed using Vitrea 2.2 (Vital Images; Minneapolis, Minn., USA), a software with volume-rendering capabilities.All major arterial (celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery) and venous (portal vein, superior mesenteric vein, inferior mesenteric vein, and splenic vein) vessels could be evaluated with excellent detail in all patients. Side branches, including small collaterals, could also be easily visualized. Volume rendered images always provided better understanding of the 3D anatomic relationships among splanchnic vessels and surrounding organs.Multislice spiral CT angiography allows for optimal depiction of the anatomy of splanchnic vessels. It can be anticipated that the clinical applications of this imaging modality in the study of splanchnic vessels will be greatly expanded. However, further studies are necessary to rigorously compare the results of multislice spiral CT angiography with conventional angiography in terms of diagnostic accuracy.

To optimize scanning parameters for virtual colonoscopy utilizing a multislice Helical CT scanner in an in vitro study (using a homemade colonic phantom) and in a preliminary clinical study.A colonic phantom was built using a plastic tube and 12 plastiline polyps were placed inside. The colonic phantom was studied with a multislice Helical CT scanner. Axial images were obtained with the phantom parallel to the long axis of the moving table (in order to simulate the evaluation of ascending and descending colon): oblique images were acquired with the phantom at 45 degrees relative to the long axis of the moving table (in order to simulate the evaluation of sigmoid colon and colonic flexures). Four different scanning protocols were tested: 1) slice collimation, 5 mm; slice width, 7 mm; table speed, 25 mm; reconstruction index, 5 mm; 2) slice collimation, 2.5 mm; slice width, 3 mm; table speed, 15 mm; reconstruction index, 3 mm; 3) slice collimation, 1 mm; slice width, 1.25 mm; table speed, 5 mm; reconstruction index, 1 mm; 4) slice collimation, 1 mm; slice width, 1.25 mm; table speed, 4 mm; reconstruction index, 1 mm. Quantitative analysis consisted in evaluation of the number of identified polyps and polyp size along the longitudinal axis. Qualitative analysis consisted in the evaluation of image artifacts and quality of 3D reconstructed images (step artifacts and polyp geometry distortion). This preliminary clinical study was performed in 12 patients (7 men and 5 women) who underwent multislice Helical CT colonography. We selected patients with clinical indications for conventional colonoscopy or after unsuccessful conventional colonoscopy.Multislice Helical CT colonography was 100% sensitive in the detection of all polyps and in all scanning protocols. With oblique scans, only a 3-mm polyp was missed during protocol 1 (sensitivity: 92%). Polyp geometry distortion was observed on longitudinal reconstructions, whereas no distortion was seen on axial images. Image quality was graded as optimal for protocols 2, 3, and 4; protocol 1 was graded as good on transverse scans and as poor on oblique scans. In our preliminary clinical study, two colonic carcinomas and three polyps were identified.At present, the introduction of multislice technology in virtual colonoscopy permits to improve spatial resolution and image definition. The actual clinical advantage, in terms of increased diagnostic accuracy, needs further investigation in larger clinical studies.

Until recently, MR examinations of the pancreas were limited by motion artifacts, vascular pulsatility and poor spatial resolution. Today, new techniques have been developed, which allow to overcome these problems and provide additional information such as selective images of biliary and pancreatic ducts and vascular structures. MR examinations of the pancreas need to include either breath-hold or nonbreath-hold morphological T1- and T2-weighted images; a contrast agent is required when the study is performed with fast imaging which allow the acquisition of dynamic images in arterial and portal venous phases. Recently, a new liver-specific contrast agent (Mn-DPDP) has been demonstrated to provide selective pancreatic enhancement. As a complement to baseline sequences, MR cholangiopancreatography images can be acquired, possibly integrated by functional examination after secretin administration. Finally, contrast-enhanced MR angiography opens new perspectives for vascular studies, particularly for the locoregional staging of pancreatic cancer.

Orthotopic liver transplantation is considered the treatment of choice in several hepatic conditions. The five-year patient survival rate is approximately 75%, thanks to progress in both surgical techniques and postoperative medical treatment. Biliary complications are one of the commonest causes of failure and their prompt identification is difficult due to their insidious clinical pattern and to the poor predictive value of a negative US examination. To date, invasive contrast cholangiography (endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography) may be the only way to identify anatomic abnormalities and it is therefore a necessary examination when biliary obstruction is suspected. The aim of our work was to assess the possible role of MR cholangiography in late biliary complications of liver transplanted patients.Twenty-three liver transplant recipients (11 men and 12 women, mean age: 51.1 years) were submitted to MR cholanglography using non-breath-hold, fat-suppressed three-dimensional turbo spin echo sequences, (TR = 3000 ms, TE = 700 ms, ETL = 128). Our patients presented with clinical, laboratory and US patterns doubtful for biliary obstruction. The diagnostic confirmation was obtained at percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (four cases), endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (eight cases), T-tube cholangiography (one case) or clinical follow-up (ten cases).No biliary tract abnormalities were detected at MR cholangiography in 11 cases. Twelve strictures were diagnosed in eleven patients (9 anastomotic, two nonanastomotic/intrahepatic and one nonanastomotic/extrahepatic, with associated anastomotic and nonanastomotic strictures in two cases). MR cholangiography correctly defined the stricture site and the dilation of the bile ducts above in all cases, with optimal correlation with contrast cholangiographic findings. The common bile duct below the stricture was visible in 9 of 10 patients with extrahepatic strictures on MR cholangiography and in 8 of 10 patients on contrast cholangiograms. The distal common bile duct was missed on both MR cholangiography and diagnostic percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in a patient only. The strictures were correctly graded in 8 of 10 patients, with two cases of overestimation. Other findings were a 1-cm stone proximal to the obstructed common bile duct, multiple intrahepatic stones in another case and common bile duct kinking at the anastomosis.MR cholangiography is a useful imaging method in the follow-up of liver transplant recipients which can assess the biliary obstruction and therefore permit to limit the use of invasive procedure only for interventional purposes.

The video-thoracoscopic treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax currently has the same role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in abdominal surgery. The Authors consider thoracoscopic approach and traditional thoracotomy examining advantages versus disadvantages, comparing 50 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated by thoracoscopy, from February 1992 up to February 1995, and 50 patients, previously treated by open surgery. Video-thoracoscopy has the same percentage of recurrences of thoracotomic approach but assures a quicker functional recovery and, above all, a remarkable reduction of pain.

The authors report the main characteristics and the goals of the development of the RIS of the II Chair of the Institute of Radiology, La Sapienza University, Rome. The system was developed with a commercial software (4th Dimension), for use with an Ethernet network and Macintosh Apple computers. One of the main problems was to obtain a user-friendly system. The main options of our system are: booking, registration, exam execution, reporting, archives and statistics and system administration. The main characteristics of our RIS is that it allows important images to be archived in limited number and at low resolution. The aim is to use images for consultation and teaching purposes, not for diagnosis which is made on the original images. Low resolution images permit to use limited storage space. Image quality is very similar to that of the original images for the equipment connected on line with the RIS--i.e., US and MR units in our institute. Conventional radiographic and CT images are digitalized by two scanners with maximum resolution of 4k x 4k x 11 bits. To date, good results have been obtained. Our RIS has been used by the medical and non-medical staffs, without any particular instruction and has allowed us to organize and make faster department management and reporting.

We investigated the role of new MR Imaging techniques for the diagnosis, characterization and staging of hepatic hydatid disease. We examined 21 patients (30 hydatid cysts), 7 men and 14 women, ranging in age 26 to 74 years, with known hydatid disease. MR examinations were carried out on a 0.5T superconductive magnet (Philips Gyroscan T5, Philips Medical System) with the following imaging protocol: T1w (TR/TE/NEX: 300/10/4) SE, T2w (TR/TE/NEX: 3000/120/6) TSE and fat suppressed (SPIR technique) T2w (TR/TE/NEX: 3000/120/6) sequences. MR Angiography examinations were performed with 2D Time of Flight sequences (TR = 33 ms; TE = 6.9 ms; flip angle = 60 degrees; slice thickness = 4.0 mm with 2.0 mm overlapping; matrix = 256 x 256; number of slices = 45-50; acquisition time = 4 min 19 s), while MR cholangiography was performed with 3D, fat suppressed (SPIR) Turbo Spin-echo (TSE) sequences (TR = 3000 ms, TE = 700 ms, ETL = 12, acq. time = 5 min 48 s). MRI correctly detected all the hydatid cysts on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Characterization was correct in all the cysts larger than 3 cm, where typical signs consistent with hydatid disease were detected. MRA images always showed the inferior vena cava and the splenoportal system. The portal vessels were demonstrated only up to the first branches. In 3 cases an extrinsic compression of the inferior vena cava was diagnosed. MRC, performed in 7 cases, showed normal main bile duct caliber in 6 cases, while in another case, where a cyst ruptured inside the bile ducts, the communication between the cyst and the bile ducts was clearly demonstrated. In conclusion, MR Imaging is a valuable tool in the study of liver hydatid disease. Moreover, the availability of such new MR techniques as MRC and MRA, greatly improves the diagnostic role of MR imaging, especially when studying complications and before surgery.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography (MR-CP) in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. Sixty-two patients (mean age: 56.3 years) previously submitted to US, were examined with MRCP. MR exams were performed with an 0.5 T superconductive magnet (Gyroscan T5-II; Philips, Medical System, Best, NL) and a body coil. 3D-TSE sequences (TR/TE/ETL = 5.000/244/45 ms) were acquired, with 14 min 10 sec acquisition time. In the last 21 patients, acquisition time was reduced down to 3 min, by optimizing the parameters as follows: TR/TE/ETL = 3.000/700/128 ms. The images, obtained on the coronal plane, were then reconstructed with the MIP algorithm. MRCP images were studied both as MIP reconstructions and as single slices. The diagnosis was always compared with endoscopic or percutaneous findings. MRCP images were of diagnostic quality in all cases, with 91.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 96.8% diagnostic accuracy. MRCP had 100% positive predictive value and 95% negative predictive value. In conclusion, this technique is extremely useful to examine the patients with obstructive jaundice secondary to lithiasis.

From January '92 up to January '94 thoracoscopy was performed in 51 patients with recurrent pleural effusion: 49 of these patients underwent talc pleurodesis. 10 pleural mesotheliomas, 29 diffuse metastasic pleural involvement and 12 benign effusions were diagnosed. Intrapleural talc therapy allowed a definitive pleurodesis in 43 patients with a success rate of 87%.

The Authors report a case of thyroid carcinoma with tracheal involvement. Since the neoplastic invasion of the trachea was 3 cm long total thyroidectomy with sleeve tracheal resection and immediate reconstruction with end-to-end anastomosis were performed. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach is discussed and the Literature data reviewed.

A case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the inter-renal vena cava is reported. This tumor is rare and up to date no more than 100 cases have been reported. Surgical treatment consisted in the removal of vena cava from the iliac veins to the suprahepatic veins with right nephrectomy. Restoration of vena cava and left renal vein continuity was not necessary because of the presence of collateral venous circulation at the time of operation. Venous ligation was haemodynamically well tolerated and the patient is disease-free at one year from operation. However, despite surgical radicality, prognosis remains poor given the frequency of metastases reported in more than 35% of cases.