Hysterosalpingography in infertility investigation protocol: is it still useful?

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: to assess the radiological findings of women undergoing hysterosalpingography (HSG) as initial infertility investigation protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study on infertile women who underwent HSG at Institute of Radiology of Sassari University, Italy. RESULTS: The present case series included 2,845 HSG, performed from January 1997 to March 2014. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 48 years. The negative exams (tubal patency) were 2,039 out of 2,845 (71.67%). CONCLUSION: A technique of diagnostic imaging for the evaluation of infertility should be non-invasive, not expensive, rapid, of simple execution, and also be able to provide information on tubal patency and pelvic diseases. For these reasons, HSG today remains a useful diagnostic investigation tool in the diagnostic work-up of infertile patients.

Management of breast lobular carcinoma in situ: radio-pathological correlation, clinical implications, and follow-up.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To show management of patients with breast lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is the retrospective review of 65 patients, between 1996 and 2012, with isolated LCIS of the breast, evaluated through clinical examination, ultrasound, and mammography at the first examination and follow-up. RESULTS: In 53 patients (81.54%), clinical examination was negative. In 14/65 (21.54%) cases, ultrasound was positive and led to biopsy. The clusters of tiny calcifications were the predominant mammographic pattern (45 cases, 69.23%). Forty-six patients (70.77%) underwent surgical biopsy after guided stereotactic placement of metallic marker (hook-wire), 12 (18.46%) by stereotactic vacuum biopsy (SVB), 5 (7.69%) by core needle biopsy (CNB) under ultrasound guidance, two (3.08%) patients CNB with clinically palpable nodules. Fourteen (21.54%) women underwent a quadrantectomy or total mastectomy after the first diagnosis; in this latter group follow-up was negative. Among the 51 patients (78.46%) who did not undergo quadrantectomy or total mastectomy, five relapses occurred, respectively, three LCIS and two infiltrating ductal carcinomas (IDC). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 144 months. CONCLUSION: LCIS is a risk factor for invasive carcinoma and should be managed with careful follow-up, but if there is a discrepancy between pathology and imaging, surgical excision is mandatory.

A case series study on complications after breast augmentation with Macrolane™.

BACKGROUND: The use of Macrolane™ seems to have several advantages compared to the other standard methods for breast augmentation: it is faster, less invasive, and requires only local anesthesia. Nevertheless, various complications associated with the use of Macrolane™ have been described, e.g., encapsulated lumps in breast tissue, infection, and parenchymal fibrosis. We report the results of our case series study on the clinical and imaging evaluations of patients who came to our attention after breast augmentation with Macrolane™ injection and evaluate the effect of this treatment on breast cancer screening procedures. METHODS: Between September 2009 and July 2010, seven patients, treated elsewhere with intramammary Macrolane™ injection for cosmetic purposes, presented to our institution complaining of breast pain. In all patients, Macrolane™ had been injected under local anesthesia in the retromammary space through a surgical cannula. RESULTS: On mammography, nodules appeared as gross lobulated radiopacities with polycyclic contours. On breast ultrasound, the nodules showed hypo-anaechogenic cystlike features. In all cases, image analysis by the radiologist was hindered by the presence of the implanted substance, which did not allow the complete inspection of the whole breast tissue. CONCLUSIONS: From our experience, although safe in other areas, injection of Macrolane™ into breast tissue cannot be recommended at this time. Our study, along with other reports, supports the need to start a clinical trial on the use of injectable fillers in the breast to validate their safety and effectiveness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

CT-guided cryoablation of both breast cancer and lymph node axillary metastasis.

Breast conservation is a major goal of cancer treatment. Many different minimally invasive options have been considered such as cryoablation. This technique is the best visualized of all ablation techniques due to the phase change during ice formation. We describe a case of breast cancer with lymph node axillary metastasis treated by CT-guided cryoablation. Cryoablation may have unique benefits for cost-effective outpatient breast cancer therapy using only local anesthesia and/or mild sedation.

Clinical evaluation of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of patients with sopraspinatus tendinosis under echographic guide: experimental study of periarticular injections.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of periarticular injection of hyaluronate into shoulders with supraspinatus tendinosis under echographic guide. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The subjects were 56 patients with clinical, echographic and magnetic resonance diagnosis of supraspinatus tendinosis. They were divided in two groups by random sampling; 28 patients were assigned in SH group (sodium hyaluronate) and 28 patients in SC group (sodium chloride). The test drug was 20mg sodium hyaluronate (2ml, Hyalgan, Fidia SpA, Abano T., P.M. 500-700.000, 20mg/2ml). RESULTS: Preliminary results showed that sodium hyaluronate presented the highest efficacy in the improvement of clinical symptoms and recovery of functional status in patients with supraspinatus tendinosis in fact the mean V.A.S. score (Visual Analogue Scale) at 1 month after the end of the infiltrative cycle was 8.0 in the SC group vs. 2.8 in SH group and these numerical data were substantially unchanged also after 3 and 4 months. CONCLUSION: Hyaluronate injection under echographic guide should be use not only as a lubricant but also to prevent articular cartilage degeneration and cover and protect the articular cartilage; indeed sodium hyaluronate can decrease inflammatory joint process.

Total hip prosthesis complication, periprosthetic infection with external fistulizing due to Enterobacter cloacae complex multiple drugs resistance: A clinical case report.

INTRODUCTION: The Enterobacter cloacae is a microorganism found in the intestinal flora of the majority of animals, including humans. Primary infections caused by E. cloacae are rare in immunocompetent patients, but are very common in hospital settings in newborns and immunocompromised patients, and can be aggravated by the insurgence of antibiotic resistance. The incidence of periprosthetic hip infections is just below 2%. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76year old woman with multiple comorbidities underwent surgical implantation of intermediary total hip prosthesis of the left hip, in a different health facility, in February 2014, after the basicervical fracture of the upper femur extremity due to trauma. After an episode of dislocation of the prosthetic implant, in September 2014, she underwent a surgical operation to implant the acetabular component. A month later not in our facility, following a re-hospitalization for the dislocation of the arthroprosthesis, an infection from E. cloacae complex was discovered. After 2 years of chronic infection she came to our attention; the clinical picture featured coxalgia and secreting fistula in the surgical wound. Following a specific antibiotic therapy, carried out intravenously over the course of a month, we decided to intervene removing the left hip arthroprosthesis and placing an antibiotic spacer following the direction deduced from the antibiogram study of August 2016. CONCLUSION: The patient was hospitalized in our facility and 2 months later she underwent another operation to remove the antibiotic spacer and to place a new total hip arthroprosthesis. Multiple swabs showed the complete healing from the infection, which was confirmed a couple of months later.

Receptor modifications in vulvar dystrophies before and after treatment with topical hormones: comparison between the dextran-charcoal technique and immunohistochemical evaluation.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The objective of the study was first to quantify estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) in dystrophic vulvar tissue before and after topical hormone treatment in an attempt to evaluate whether receptor modifications occurred. Second we compared quantitative analysis with immunohistochemical staining of the vulvar specimens. METHODS: We studied 115 vulvar specimens obtained from 75 consenting women ranging from 21 to 78 years of age. Of the patients, 12 had histologically normal vulvar skin, 45 had vulvar dystrophies that were not treated by topical steroid therapy, 28 patients had vulvar dystrophies that were treated by testosterone propionate (TP) 2%, 12 patients had vulvar dystrophies that were treated by progesterone in hydroalcoholic gel and 18 patients had vulvar malignant tumors. For immunohistochemical analysis we considered 25 cases of vulvar dystrophies: 11 cases of squamous hyperplasia (SH) and 14 cases of lichen sclerosus (LS). Among these 25 cases, 15 (5 SH and 10 LS) were treated with TP 2%. RESULTS: After treatment of the vulvar dystrophies with progesterone, the positivity of ERs decreased (58.3% vs 77.8%). After treatment of the vulvar dystrophies with TP 2%, the positivity of PRs significantly decreased (14.3% vs 68.9%) whereas after treatment with progesterone the positivity of PRs increased (83.3%). The immunohistochemical study showed some differences in comparison to the quantitative study. In fact we found low basal positivity especially for PRs (16% vs 68.9% of the quantitative study). This finding was due to the use of a cutoff of at least ++ in order to increase the specificity. After treatment with TP 2%, we observed an increase of immunohistochemical positivity for ERs even in cases that were negative before treatment and a lack of PRs even in cases that were positive before treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the efficacy of androgen therapy with TP 2% in vulvar dystrophies with increased trophism due to the increase of ERs.

A second hysterosalpingography reduces the use of selective technique for treatment of a proximal tubal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a second hysterosalpingography (HSG) can permit tubal patency, reducing the use of selective salpingography in patients with proximal tubal obstruction. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): The study population consisted of 360 infertile women. INTERVENTION(S): In patients with unilateral or bilateral proximal tubal obstruction, a second HSG was performed after about 1 month. In those cases with persistent obstruction, an immediate selective salpingography and tubal catheterization were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Tubal opacification. RESULT(S): Forty patients underwent a second HSG procedure for proximal tubal occlusion. Among these, 24 achieved bilateral tubal patency. Thus, repetition of a conventional HSG after 1 month avoided unnecessary salpingography in 60% of patients. CONCLUSION(S): In infertile women with proximal tubal obstruction, we believe it is best to perform a second HSG. HSG is easy to carry out and subjects patients to a lower dosage of radiation and fewer risks than selective salpingography. The latter technique should be reserved for unsuccessful cases.

Determining the best catheter for sonohysterography.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of six different catheters for performing sonohysterography (SHG) to identify those that offer the best compromise between reliability, tolerability, and cost. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Six hundred ten women undergoing SHG. INTERVENTION(S): We performed SHG with six different types of catheters: Foleycath (Wembley Rubber Products, Sepang, Malaysia), Hysca Hysterosalpingography Catheter (GTA International Medical Devices S.A., La Caleta D.N., Dominican Republic), H/S Catheter Set (Ackrad Laboratories, Cranford, NJ), PBN Balloon Hystero-Salpingography Catheter (PBN Medicals, Stenloese, Denmark), ZUI-2.0 Catheter (Zinnanti Uterine Injection; BEI Medical System International, Gembloux, Belgium), and Goldstein Catheter (Cook, Spencer, IN). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We assessed the reliability, the physician's ease of use, the time requested for the insertion of the catheter, the volume of contrast medium used, the tolerability for the patients, and the cost of the catheters. RESULT(S): In 568 (93%) correctly performed procedures, no statistically significant differences were found among the catheters. The Foleycath was the most difficult for the physician to use and required significantly more time to position correctly. The Goldstein catheter was the best tolerated by the patients. The Foleycath was the cheapest whereas the PBN Balloon was the most expensive. CONCLUSION(S): The choice of the catheter must be targeted to achieving a good balance between tolerability for the patients, efficacy, cost, and the personal preference of the operator.

Radial scar of the breast: mammographic enigma in pre- and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and the mammographic features of the lesions suggestive of radial scar (RS). METHODS: We reviewed 31883 mammograms of women in pre and postmenopause and we found 23 (0.072%) images suggestive of RS. Twelve out of 23 (52%) women were in premenopause and 11 out of 23 (48%) in postmenopause, respectively. Histologic diagnosis was made on the surgical biopsy specimen. RESULTS: We described mammographic features of these lesions. On 23 biopsy specimens of mammograms suggestive of RS, histology pointed out 11 (48%) radial scars, 3 (13%) sclerosing adenosis and 9 (39%) carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: In our case histories we found 11 (0.034%) radial scars among 31883 performed mammographies. Mammographic findings suggestive of RS provide remarkable diagnostic problems because numerous aspects at mammography suggestive of this lesion can be found also both in case of sclerosing adenosis and carcinomas making differential diagnosis impossible. The finding of mammographic features suggestive of RS imposes performance of targeted surgical biopsy for the correct diagnosis.

Cauda equina syndrome secondary to idiopathic spinal epidural lipomatosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Three cases of idiopathic epidural lipomatosis are reported. OBJECTIVES: Description of the relationship between spinal pathologic overgrowth of fat tissue and neurologic symptoms. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Idiopathic epidural lipomatosis is a very rare condition; it is usually secondary to chronic steroid therapy or endocrinopathic diseases. METHODS: Three men with a mean age of 58.5 years, who experienced intermittent claudication, bilateral radicular pain in both legs, and urinary dysfunction with hypoesthesia in the perineal region, were evaluated by plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging, the results of which demonstrated a pathologic overgrowth of fat tissue in the spinal canal with a marked impingement of the dural sac. Obesity, endocrinopathic diseases, and chronic steroid therapy were excluded for all patients. Surgical treatment was performed by wide multilevel laminectomies, fat debulking, and instrumented posterolateral fusion. RESULTS: After surgery there was a gradual improvement in symptoms and signs so that 2 years later the patients returned to daily activities and were neurologically normal. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal epidural lipomatosis can be a cause of back pain but rarely radicular impingement. Magnetic resonance imaging is the procedure of choice. The treatment must be performed early by wide surgical decompression.

The use of the Valtrac ring in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, for single, double, and triple anastomoses: a report of 50 cases.

The Valtrac biofragmentable anastomotic ring (V-BAR) technique has been widely used in clinical practice, particularly in anastomoses of the colon. The success of this method encouraged some surgeons to use it also in anastomosis of the small intestine. We are convinced that the method can be used successfully also in anastomosis of the small intestine and the upper gastrointestinal tract, particularly in cases of technically difficult and high-risk anastomoses. Between 1995 and 1998, we used the V-BAR in 35 patients, performing a total of 50 anastomoses. In 13 patients a double anastomosis was created in the same operation, and in one patient a triple anastomosis was created. In all we performed one end-to-end esophagojejunostomy, one gastrojejunostomy, six gastroileostomies, two duodenojejunal anastomoses, 13 end-to-end duodenoileostomies, one jejuno-jejunal anastomosis, 18 end-to-side ileoileal anastomoses, one ileocolic anastomosis, and seven colocolic anastomoses. Follow-up at between 2 and 36 months showed good overall results with regard to resumption of intestinal transit and canalization, even in those cases in which a double and triple suture was performed using the Valtrac ring. In our experience, the V-BAR can be used in upper gastrointestinal surgery with excellent results. Compared with manual sutures, the ring allows better and faster resumption of transit and canalization.

Pyloric atresia: an attempt at anatomic pyloric sphincter reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The standard method of surgical correction of pyloric atresia is gastro-duodenostomy. The authors report a case of pyloric atresia associated with junctional epidermolysis bullosa, treated with a new technique of pyloric sphincter reconstruction by gastric and duodenal mucosa cul-de-sacs advancement and end-to-end anastomosis. METHODS: The patient was a premature 2,100-g baby girl. X-ray showed gastric dilatation suggesting a congenital gastric obstruction. At surgery a pyloric atresia was found, with the appearance of a well-vascularized solid cord about 1.5 cm long. By longitudinal pyloromyotomy the cul-de-sacs of gastric and duodenal mucosa were reached and then isolated in the respective gastric and duodenal sides to obtain better mobilization. The mucosal cul-de-sacs, thus mobilized, were advanced easily into the pyloric canal, opened longitudinally, and were sutured together using end-to-end anastomosis. The longitudinal pyloromyotomy then was closed diagonally above the reconstructed pyloric neocanal. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful: oral feeding was started on the 11th postoperative day. At 4 year follow-up the child was well; no gastrointestinal disorders were present, confirmed by x-ray barium meal and by HIDA technetium Tc 99m hepatic scintiscan, which excluded any bilious duodeno-gastric reflux. CONCLUSION: This technique of pyloric sphincter reconstruction allows preservation of the pyloric sphincter, whose sphincter muscular layer, although hypoplastic, is present in cases of pyloric atresia.

Uterine metastases from breast cancer in a patient under tamoxifen therapy. Case report.

The authors report a case of metastases of breast cancer confined to the uterus and cervical subserous leiomyoma in a postmenopausal woman under tamoxifen therapy for two years. After abnormal uterine bleeding, pathologic examination on biopsy of a cervical polyp revealed cervical involvement secondary to lobular breast cancer. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Pathologic examination of the surgical specimen revealed both invasion of breast origin and of the cervix until the isthmus, endometrium and cervical subserous leiomyoma. The adnexa uteri were not affected. The possibility of uterine metastases in patients suffering from breast cancer, either undergoing tamoxifen therapy or not, always has to be considered.

Effectiveness of "core biopsy" by the mammotome device for diagnosis of inflammatory carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of "Mammotome" device for the diagnosis of the inflammatory breast carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 6 patients, aged 43-79 years, with clinical evidence of inflammatory breast carcinoma. We compared two sampling techniques, a cytologic one by Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and a microhistologic one by "Mammotome". RESULTS: Cytologic sampling by FNA permitted certain diagnosis of malignant lesions in 2 out of 6 cases, while the "Mammotome" device confirmed the correct diagnosis in all 6 considered cases. CONCLUSIONS: The "Mammotome" device proved more useful in the diagnosis of inflammatory breast carcinoma than FNA and it can be a valide alternative to surgical biopsy.

E-learning in radiology: an Italian multicentre experience.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to design, deliver and evaluate an e-learning teaching programme for post-graduate radiodiagnostics training that would involve various post-graduate schools throughout Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All of the Directors of Italian post-graduate schools of radiodiagnostics were sent an e-mail on 27 September 2010 informing them of our willingness to set up an e-learning project for the academic year 2010-2011 in the form of single-subject teaching seminars. The proposed subjects were the semeiotics of the various organs and apparatuses in the context of "Urgent/Emergency Pathology". After having received registrations, a calendar of lessons was planned to be held between 10 November 2010 and 12 October 2011. The validity of the project was tested by means of a multiple-choice questionnaire covering the technical and didactic quality of the entire project, to be completed by the students. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of the universities in Italy participated in the project: Trieste, Udine, Verona, Milan-Bicocca, Novara, Varese, Genoa, Sassari, Rome Campus, the Catholic University of Rome, Chieti, Foggia, Catania, Modena, Florence, Palermo, Bologna, Pavia, Parma and Ferrara. The lessons were attended by a total of 10,261 post-graduate medical students, for an average of 513.1 students per lesson. Seventy percent of the students judged the didactic content "excellent", 25% "good", and 5% "satisfactory"; none said it was unsatisfactory. In terms of visual quality (particularly the details of the radiological images proposed in the form of slides and/or video clips), 73% judged it "excellent", 20% "good", 6% "satisfactory", and 1% "poor". The audio quality was judged "excellent" by 71%, "good" by 22%, "satisfactory" by 6% and "poor" by 1%. In relation to judgement of audio and video quality, it has to be underlined that this was greatly affected by the hardware/software configuration and the band speed and technology of the Internet connection. CONCLUSIONS: Technological evolution is overcoming all barriers, and technology is also having a positive impact on the approach to teaching. Our multicentre teaching experience merits the following considerations: the quality of the teaching product was certified by the students' judgements of its didactic content and the quality of reception; the economic cost of the teaching had a minimal impact on the post-graduate schools (€ 18 per lesson). In terms of breaking down national barriers, it is to be hoped that the coordination and integration of diagnostic imaging e-learning projects, with the participation of post-graduate schools in different European countries, can be developed not only in a spirit of "cultural sharing" and the exchange of teaching experiences.

Mammography and ultrasound imaging of preinvasive and invasive canine spontaneous mammary cancer and their similarities to human breast cancer.

Understanding the evolution of proliferative breast disease such as atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ is essential for clinical management of women diagnosed with these lesions. Therefore, an animal model that faithfully represents human breast disease in every aspect from spontaneity of dysplasia onset, histopathologic features, and genetics to clinical outcome is needed. Previously, we studied canine spontaneous atypical hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ (low, intermediate, and high grade) and reported their similarities to human lesions in histopathologic and molecular features as well as prevalence. To further validate the resemblance of these lesions to humans, we examined their mammographic and sonographic characteristics in comparison with those of human's as well as the potential of the human Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to predict canine disease. Nonlesional, benign, and malignant mammary glands of dogs presented to Sassari Veterinary Hospital were imaged using mammography and ultrasonography. The images where then analyzed and statistically correlated with histopathologic findings and to their similarities to humans. Our results showed that canine mammary preinvasive lesions, benign, and malignant tumors have mammographic abnormalities, including the presence, pattern, and distribution of macrocalcification and microcalcification, similar to their human counterparts. BI-RADS categorization is an accurate predictor of mammary malignancy in canine, with 90% sensitivity and 82.8% specificity. The similarities of mammographic images and the ability of BI-RADS to predict canine mammary malignances with high specificity and sensitivity further confirm and strengthen the value of dog as a model to study human breast premalignancies for the development of prognostic biomarkers.

Multidetector-row helical CT enteroclysis.

The authors illustrate the technique for small-bowel imaging using enteroclysis with multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT), underscoring the important role played by CT in the assessment of the small bowel thanks to the advent of first the spiral and later the multidetector technique. The paper makes a detailed comparison of the various methods that have been used in CT study of the small bowel and proposes a standardised technique to achieve correct distension of bowel loops and adequate evaluation of bowel wall vascularity, making reference to the well-consolidated experiences of the various Italian research groups. The paper accurately describes the different procedures required for CT assessment of the small bowel, from nasojejunal intubation to the selection of the most appropriate acquisition phases for assessment of bowel wall vascularity.

Interposition of fallopian salpinges in the treatment of sigmoidovaginal fistula, secondary to vaginal hysterectomy with failure of previous repair.

A 50-year-old woman, para 4, suffering from uterine fibromatosis and recurrent menometrorrhagia, underwent vaginal hysterectomy with preservation of salpinges. About 15 days after surgery, hydrosoluble contrast enema showed sigmoidovaginal fistula; after about two months there was failure of surgery repair by the rectal endoscopic technique. A month later, we performed repair surgery by the abdominal approach interposing fallopian salpinges between the sigmoid and the vagina. About two months later, a enema showed absence of fistula and today the women is free from disease.

Percutaneous treatment of hepatic cysts by aspiration and sclerotherapy.

We treated 35 patients who had hepatic cysts (30 congenital cysts, 5 hydatid cysts) with percutaneous puncture and sclerotherapy. After puncture and drainage of the cyst, a 95% alcohol solution was instilled as sclerosing agent into the cystic cavity. In all the patients, cyst puncture and drainage was successful. Follow-up in all cases was at least 12 months. In three uncooperative patients, cysts recurred due to incomplete sclerosis of the lining epithelium of the cyst wall. No major complications were encountered in all cases. All congenital cysts were treated on an outpatient basis. Patients with hydatid cyst were hospitalized for 48 h after puncture and aspiration. In our opinion, percutaneous drainage and sclerosis of congenital hepatic cysts can be considered an effective alternative to surgical treatment.