[Preliminary report on a method for establishing the relation between the surface of a plantar load and the total projective surface of the foot: index of plantar load (IPL)]. / Comunicazione preliminare sul metodo per stabilire il rapporto tra la superficie del carico plantare e la superficie totale proiettiva del piede: indice del carico plantare (ICP).

The creation of a Plantar Load Index (PLI) is proposed, with a view to studying the plantar surface of the foot from a morphofunctional standpoint. This Index would provide information on the centesimal relationship between the surface load values and the total projective values of the foot, expressed in cm2. The measurements in question are homogeneous in nature and may, therefore, be easily related to one another. To obtain these values, the two surfaces are visualized, photographed together in a single photogram and analyzed by means of the computerized visual system (Zeiss Videoplan). Visualization is obtained by means of a thermochromatic variation plate which is placed on the stand of a reflexion podoscope and which is sensitive to the heat of the plantar skin and the suitably emitted infra-red rays. The heat of the skin in contact with the plate shows the load surface. The intra-red rays suitably emitted from above onto the plate and onto the back of the foot produce the general chromatic variation of the plate, also showing the perimetrical outline of the foot. The picture to be photographed will, then, be as follows: a continuous black edge formed from the outside by the colouring of the plate produced by the infra-red rays (the perimeter of the foot); more black, extending inwards, in varying degrees, when the skin is not touching the plate (the archer and furrows in the skin); coloured areas inside of the perimeter, showing the load surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Diagnostic imaging in the evaluation of pelvic complications in intestinal diseases]. / Diagnostica per immagini nella valutazione delle complicanze pelviche da malattie intestinali.

During 12 consecutive months, 680 patients with recent pelvic symptoms were examined with ultrasonography (US). In 44 patients we found evidence of intestinal disease; 19 of them exhibited pelvic complications--11 pelvic abscesses, 3 enterovesical fistulas, 2 enterovaginal fistulas and 1 enterovesicle fistula; in 11 cases the inflammation spread to the surrounding organs. Of these 19 patients, 8 had an intestinal disease in their case history, whereas symptom onset was recent in the other 11 patients. In the latter group US yielded the first diagnostic information showing a bowel disease and other diagnostic examinations with different techniques were therefore performed. In 15 patients US indicated which type of bowel disease had caused the pelvic complications, while in 4 patients US showed a bowel disease without differentiating diverticular disease from neoplasms. In all patients US results were compared with X-ray and CT findings. In 17 patients the diagnoses were confirmed at surgery. The results we obtained from this study indicate US as an accurate method to detect not only the various pelvic conditions but also to differentiate pelvic complications of intestinal conditions from diseases originating in the pelvic organs.

Meckel's diverticulum: imaging diagnosis.

Despite the availability and wide use of modern imaging techniques, the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum is difficult. The signs and symptoms vary from none to those of an acute abdomen or gastrointestinal bleeding. Findings on physical examination may be inconsistent because of the variable location of the diverticulum, and bleeding may occur with no appreciable physical findings. Finally, small diverticula are often concealed by overlying small-bowel loops on routine small-bowel barium studies. The purposes of this article are to review the use of available techniques for the imaging diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum, to discuss the relative advantages and indications for the various procedures, and to emphasize the role each plays in specific clinical circumstances. The embryology, anatomy, and clinical presentation of Meckel's diverticulum are also briefly discussed.