Ionizing radiations in pregnancy and teratogenesis: a review of literature.

The present paper is a review of the data available in the literature concerning the prenatal exposure to radiation evaluating the reported teratogenic effect. We have particularly focused on the fetal effects of maternal ionising radiation exposure, both diagnostic and occupational, particularly in terms of congenital anomalies and birth weight. Ionising radiation represents a possible teratogen for the fetus, but this risk has been found to be dependent on the dosage and the effects correlatable to the gestational age at exposure. Recently, of particularly note is the fact that maternal thyroid exposure to diagnostic radiation has been associated with a slight reduction in the birth weight. Inadvertent exposure from diagnostic procedures in pregnancy doesn't usually increase the natural risk of congenital anomalies but creates a considerable state of maternal anxiety. Diagnostic radiological procedures should be avoided in pregnant women unless the information cannot be obtained by other techniques.

Cervical artery dissection: a 5-year prospective study in the Belluno district.

BACKGROUND: Artery dissection is an unusual cause of ischemic stroke, particularly frequent among young patients. The aim of this study was to collect epidemiological data on artery dissection in a hospital-based community, set up a diagnostic protocol and discover outcome predictors. METHODS: Among patients suffering from cerebral infarction resident in our country, those with clinical and radiological features suggestive of artery dissection were selected. Risk factors, investigative techniques and treatment were evaluated. Patients were subjected to clinical examinations and were regularly tested neuradiologically. RESULTS: Out of 895 ischemic stroke patients, 10 patients with cervical artery dissection (1.1%) were found. Seven patients were treated with anticoagulants and 3 received antiplatelet agents. One posttraumatic artery dissection patient died within a few days of the stroke. None of the patients suffered from a recurrence, while serious disability occurred in 4 of them. CONCLUSIONS: Artery dissection should be suspected in any cerebral infarction patient, especially in young patients without risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases. The treatment of choice consists of anticoagulants. An early clinical diagnosis, strongly supported by radiological tests, is mandatory to start the proper treatment and achieve the best possible outcome.

In vivo evaluation of intravascular stents at three-dimensional MR angiography.

The aim of this study was to assess in vivo patency of seven commonly used non-ferromagnetic plain stents as regards demonstration of the contained lumen at 3D gadolinium-enhanced MRA in a 0.5-T MR environment. Twenty-one patients with 22 stents (1 aortic, 18 iliac, 3 popliteal) were imaged with MRA. Stent-related artefacts were evaluated. Images were assessed for the presence and size of stent artefacts, luminal patency, and were correlated with stent metal mass, composition, configuration and angulation with respect to the magnetic field. Four different types of stent (Symphony, Wallstent, Memotherm, SMART) showed major artefacts preventing assessment of intradevice luminal patency or restenosis, in two stents (ZAV stent, Intracoil) minor artefacts allowed assessment of high-degree stenosis, and only one type of stent (Strecker) was perfectly imaged. Based on our limited experience, Gd-MRA appears well suited for the evaluation of only a minority of MR-compatible stents.