Differentiating solitary brain metastases from high-grade gliomas with MR: comparing qualitative versus quantitative diagnostic strategies.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of MRI diagnostic algorithms with an ascending automatization, in distinguishing between high-grade glioma (HGG) and solitary brain metastases (SBM).

Methods: 36 patients with histologically proven HGG (n = 18) or SBM (n = 18), matched by size and location were enrolled from a database containing 655 patients. Four different diagnostic algorithms were performed serially to mimic the clinical setting where a radiologist would typically seek out further findings to reach a decision: pure qualitative, analytic qualitative (based on standardized evaluation of tumor features), semi-quantitative (based on perfusion and diffusion cutoffs included in the literature) and a quantitative data-driven algorithm of the perfusion and diffusion parameters.

MRI-based classification of the anatomical variants of the hippocampal head.

Purpose: The head of the hippocampus (H) is classically described as having two to four digitations both in ex vivo specimens and in vivo MR coronal images. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new MR-based classification of the anatomical variants of the hippocampal head in a large sample population of healthy subjects.

Methods: MR images of the brain of 238 young healthy subjects (138 men and 100 women; age range 18-39) were analyzed.

In vivo and in vitro results of an automated preloaded delivery system for IOL implantation in cataract surgery.

Purpose: To compare the corneal tissue trauma after the use of an automated preloaded injector and a manual injector and assess scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) features of both injector cartridges.

Setting: Ophthalmology Clinic and Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical study METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 patients for phacoemulsification were divided into two groups: implantation of intraocular lens was performed with AutonoMe automated delivery system (AutonoMe group: 20 eyes) and Monarch III injector system (Monarch group: 20 eyes).

The influence of different inositol stereoisomers supplementation in pregnancy on maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and fetal outcomes in high-risk patients: a randomized controlled trial.

To identify the effects of different dietary inositol stereoisomers on insulin resistance and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women at high risk for this disorder. A preliminary, prospective, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. Nonobese singleton pregnant women with an elevated fasting glucose in the first or early second trimester were studied throughout pregnancy.

Diagnosis of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in children presenting with Wilms tumor.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a genetic syndrome associated with overgrowth and cancer predisposition, including predisposition to Wilms tumor (WT). Patients with BWS and BWS spectrum are screened from birth to age 7 years for BWS-associated cancers. However, in some cases a BWS-associated cancer may be the first recognized manifestation of the syndrome.

Foveal avascular zone area and parafoveal vessel density measurements in different stages of diabetic retinopathy by optical coherence tomography angiography.

Aim: To investigate foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and parafoveal vessel densities (PRVD) by means of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in diabetic patients with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to assess the reproducibility of FAZ and PRVD measurements.

Methods: Sixty diabetic patients (60 eyes) with different stage of DR (graded according to the International Clinical Severity Scale for DR) and 20 healthy subjects underwent FAZ area and PRVD measurements using OCTA by two experienced examiners. FAZ area in all patients was also assessed using fluorescein angiography (FA).

Microvascular changes after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

Purpose: To evaluate superficial capillary plexus (SCP) changes occurring after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for the treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Methods: A total of 15 eyes of 15 patients affected by idiopathic ERM (eight males and seven females; mean age 59.8 ± 9.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in the Multimodal Imaging Evaluation of Interferon-Associated Retinopathy: A Case Report.

The authors present the case of a 59-year-old woman in treatment with interferon alfa-2b for stage IV melanoma and widespread metastases who presented with interferon-associated retinopathy. An ocular examination revealed multiple retinal cotton-wool spots and hard exudates. Interferon treatment was suspended.

Prematurity and brain perfusion: Arterial spin labeling MRI.

Purpose: Abnormal brain perfusion is a critical mechanism in neonatal brain injury. The aim of the present study was to compare Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) evaluated with ASL MRI in three groups of neonates: preterms without brain lesions on MRI (PN), preterms with periventricular white matter lesions (PNp) and term neonates with normal MRI (TN). The correlation between CBF and clinical outcome was explored.

Interference figures of polarimetric interferometry analysis of the human corneal stroma.

A rotating polarimetric 90°-cross linear-filter interferometry system was used to detect the morphological characteristics and features of interference patterns produced in in-vivo corneal stroma in healthy human corneas of 23 subjects. The characteristic corneal isogyres presenting with an evident cross-shaped pattern, grossly aligned with the fixation axis, were observed in all patients with centers within the pupillary dark area, impeding the exact determination of the center point. During the rotational scan in 78.

ADULT-ONSET FOVEOMACULAR VITELLIFORM DYSTROPHY EVALUATED BY MEANS OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY: A Comparison With Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Healthy Eyes.

Purpose: To investigate alterations of superficial and deep retinal vascular densities, as well as of choroidal thickness, in patients affected by adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD).

Methods: A total of 22 eyes (15 patients) affected by AOFVD were recruited in the study. Furthermore, 20 eyes of 20 healthy subjects and 20 eyes of 18 patients affected by intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were enrolled.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings in Stargardt Disease.

Background: to assess vessel density of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and choriocapillaris (CC) in advanced Stargardt disease (STGD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and correlate these findings with macular function using pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG).

Methods: Twelve patients (24 eyes) with advanced STGD underwent vessel densities and macular thickness measurements using OCTA. A control group of 24 healthy controls (24 eyes) was chosen for comparison.

Management of adrenal masses in patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a genetic overgrowth and cancer predisposition syndrome, associated with both benign and malignant adrenal findings. Literature review and an institutional case series elucidate the wide spectrum of adrenal findings in BWS patients. The altered expression of the 11p15 region is likely related to adrenal gland hyperplasia and growth dysregulation.

Immunohistochemical study of corneal inflammation after femtosecond laser clear corneal incisions or manual surgery.

Purpose: To use immunohistochemical staining to evaluate corneal inflammation and apoptosis induced after femtosecond laser incisions or manual incisions.

Setting: Ophthalmology Clinic, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.

Reproducibility and repeatability of foveal avascular zone area measurements using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in healthy subjects.

Purpose: To assess the reproducibility and repeatability of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area measurements using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) in healthy subjects.

Methods: Sixty-four eyes of 64 healthy volunteers were randomly subjected to FAZ area measurements using SS-OCTA by 2 examiners in 2 different sessions.

Results: The FAZ areas measured by the first and second observer were 0.

Multimodal Imaging of Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: Focus on Vascular Changes Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: To report morphologic features of idiopathic macular telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2 by means of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to compare these findings to fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), confocal blue reflectance (CBR), and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT). In addition, foveal vessel density and parafoveal vascular density (PFVD), and foveal retinal thickness and parafoveal retinal thickness (PFRT) were compared between MacTel 2 patients and normal aged-matched controls.

Methods: Eight patients (15 eyes) with MacTel 2 and 17 normal controls (17 eyes) underwent retinal multimodal imaging assessment and grading.

All laser cataract surgery compared to femtosecond laser phacoemulsification surgery: corneal trauma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate corneal tissue trauma after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and phacoemulsification (femtophaco surgery) compared to FLACS and nanolaser emulsification (all laser surgery). This is a prospective nonrandomized clinical study conducted at the Ophthalmology Clinic, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, involving forty-two eyes of 42 patients candidates to cataract surgery.

Perinatal MRI diffusivity is related to early assessment of motor performance in preterm neonates.

Preterm neonates represent a high-risk population for abnormal neuropsychological development. But presently, an accurate method for identifying those at risk is not available. This study evaluated the association between the microstructural organization measured with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in term-corrected preterm neonates and subsequent motor performance.

Myo-Inositol Supplementation to Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication characterized by increased insulin resistance, and by increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes affecting both the mother and the fetus. International guidelines describe optimal ways to recognize it, and the recommended treatment of patients affected to reduce adverse outcomes. Improving insulin resistance could reduce incidence of GDM and its complications.

Postoperative IOL Axial Movements and Refractive Changes After Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery Versus Conventional Phacoemulsification.

Purpose: To evaluate intraocular lens (IOL) axial movements and refractive changes during a 6-month follow-up period after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and conventional cataract surgery, investigate the influence of capsulorhexis features on postoperative IOL axial changes, and assess the prediction error for both techniques.

Methods: Eighty eyes of 80 candidates for cataract extraction were randomized into two groups: femtosecond laser (40 eyes) and manual (40 eyes).

Results: The overall anterior chamber depth variation was significantly lower in the femtosecond laser group compared to the manual group during follow-up (P<.

Advanced Morphological and Functional Magnetic Resonance Techniques in Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease that is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Recent data documented that glaucoma is not limited to the retinal ganglion cells but that it also extends to the posterior visual pathway. The diagnosis is based on the presence of signs of glaucomatous optic neuropathy and consistent functional visual field alterations.

Induced inflammation and apoptosis in femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomies and manual capsulorhexes: an immunohistochemical study.

Purpose: To evaluate cellular inflammation and apoptosis induced in the central portion of capsulorhexes/capsulotomies during cataract surgery, comparing a conventional manual technique and a femtosecond laser-assisted procedure at different energy settings using two laser systems.

Methods: Fifty-six capsulorhexes/capsulotomies were divided into four groups: the manual group (14 capsulorhexes) performed with the manual technique; the 7.0-µJ group (14 capsulotomies) (LensAR laser system; Lensar, Inc.

Optical coherence tomography and 3-dimensional confocal structured imaging system-guided femtosecond laser capsulotomy versus manual continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis.

Purpose: To compare the features of capsulotomy obtained during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with those of continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) obtained using a standard manual technique.

Setting: Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, University G. D'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.

Evaluation of corneal biomechanical properties modification after small incision lenticule extraction using Scheimpflug-based noncontact tonometer.

Purpose: To quantify the effect of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) on the corneal biomechanics using Scheimpflug noncontact tonometer (Corvis ST).

Methods: Twenty eyes of twenty patients, evaluated as eligible for surgery, with high myopia and/or moderate myopic astigmatism, underwent small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). All patients underwent Corvis ST preoperatively and postoperatively after 1 week, and 1 and 3 months to observe alterations of corneal biomechanical properties.

Circadian intraocular pressure patterns in healthy subjects, primary open angle and normal tension glaucoma patients with a contact lens sensor.

Purpose: To examine the circadian intraocular pressure (IOP) patterns in healthy subjects, in primary open angle and normal tension glaucoma (POAG; NTG) using a contact lens sensor (CLS; Sensimed Triggerfish, Lausanne, Switzerland).

Methods: This was an observational, nonrandomized study. Ten healthy subjects (Group 1, 10 eyes) and 20 glaucomatous patients [20 eyes, 10 with POAG (Group 2) and 10 with NTG (Group 3)] were enrolled.