Luca Balzarini

Prof. Luca Balzarini


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

19Years (2008-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
18 April 2020 in La radiologia medica
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MKMargarita Kirienko
Margarita Kirienko
GNGaia Ninatti
Gaia Ninatti
LCLuca Cozzi
Luca Cozzi
EVEmanuele Voulaz
Emanuele Voulaz
NGNicolò Gennaro
Nicolò Gennaro
ACArturo Chiti
Arturo Chiti

24 March 2015 in CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
RCRoberto Luigi Cazzato
Roberto Luigi Cazzato
JPJean Palussiere
Jean Palussiere
XBXavier Buy
Xavier Buy
VDVincenzo Denaro
Vincenzo Denaro
SDSantini Daniele
Santini Daniele
ELEZIO LANZA
EZIO LANZA

16 October 2015 in Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SDSabrina Donzelli
Sabrina Donzelli
SPSalvatore Poma
Salvatore Poma
LBLuca Balzarini
Luca Balzarini
Alberto BorboniAlberto Borboni
Alberto Borboni
SRStefano Respizzi
Stefano Respizzi
Stefano NegriniStefano Negrini
Stefano Negrini
Scoliosis is a complex three dimensional (3D) deformity: the current lack of a 3D classification could hide something fundamental for scoliosis prognosis and treatment. A clear picture of the actually existing 3D classifications lacks. The aim of this systematic review was to identify all the 3D classification systems proposed until now in the literature with the aim to identify similarities and differences mainly in a clinical perspective. After a MEDLINE Data Base review, done in November 2013 using the search terms “Scoliosis/classification” [Mesh] and “scoliosis/classification and Imaging, three dimensional” [Mesh], 8 papers were included with a total of 1164 scoliosis patients, 23 hyperkyphosis and 25 controls, aged between 8 and 20 years, with curves from 10° to 81° Cobb, and various curve patterns. Six studies looked at the whole 3D spine and found classificatory parameters according to planes, angles and rotations, including: Plane of Maximal Curvature (PMC), Best Fit Plane, Cobb angles in bodily plane and PMC, Axial rotation of the apical vertebra and of the PMC, and geometric 3D torsion. Two studies used the regional (spinal) Top View of the spine and found classificatory parameters according to its geometrical properties (area, direction and barycenter) including: Ratio of the frontal and the sagittal size, Phase, Directions (total, thoracic and lumbar), and Shift. It was possible to find similarities among 10 out of the 16 the sub-groups identified by different authors with different methods in different populations. In summation, the state of the art of 3D classification systems include 8 studies which showed some comparability, even though of low level. The most useful one in clinical everyday practice, is far from being defined. More than 20 years passed since the definition of the third dimension of the scoliosis deformity, now the time has come for clinicians and bioengineers to start some real clinical application, and develop means to make this approach an everyday tool.

1 January 2008 in Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LMLorenzo Monti
Lorenzo Monti
EREva Renifilo
Eva Renifilo
MPManuel Profili
Manuel Profili
LBLuca Balzarini
Luca Balzarini
We present two cases of caseous calcification of the mitral annulus studied by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance; the diagnostic feature of this rare cardiac mass are described.

20 June 2021 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GCGuido Costa
Guido Costa
LCLara Cavinato
Lara Cavinato
CMChiara Masci
Chiara Masci
FFFrancesco Fiz
Francesco Fiz
MSMartina Sollini
Martina Sollini
Luca ViganòLuca Viganò
Luca Viganò
Non-invasive diagnosis of chemotherapy-associated liver injuries (CALI) is still an unmet need. The present study aims to elucidate the contribution of radiomics to the diagnosis of sinusoidal dilatation (SinDil), nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal metastases after chemotherapy (January 2018-February 2020) were retrospectively analyzed. Radiomic features were extracted from a standardized volume of non-tumoral liver parenchyma outlined in the portal phase of preoperative post-chemotherapy computed tomography. Seventy-eight patients were analyzed: 25 had grade 2–3 SinDil, 27 NRH, and 14 NASH. Three radiomic fingerprints independently predicted SinDil: GLRLM_f3 (OR = 12.25), NGLDM_f1 (OR = 7.77), and GLZLM_f2 (OR = 0.53). Combining clinical, laboratory, and radiomic data, the predictive model had accuracy = 82%, sensitivity = 64%, and specificity = 91% (AUC = 0.87 vs. AUC = 0.77 of the model without radiomics). Three radiomic parameters predicted NRH: conventional_HUQ2 (OR = 0.76), GLZLM_f2 (OR = 0.05), and GLZLM_f3 (OR = 7.97). The combined clinical/laboratory/radiomic model had accuracy = 85%, sensitivity = 81%, and specificity = 86% (AUC = 0.91 vs. AUC = 0.85 without radiomics). NASH was predicted by conventional_HUQ2 (OR = 0.79) with accuracy = 91%, sensitivity = 86%, and specificity = 92% (AUC = 0.93 vs. AUC = 0.83 without radiomics). In the validation set, accuracy was 72%, 71%, and 91% for SinDil, NRH, and NASH. Radiomic analysis of liver parenchyma may provide a signature that, in combination with clinical and laboratory data, improves the diagnosis of CALI.

25 June 2021 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
FFFrancesco Fiz
Francesco Fiz
GCGuido Costa
Guido Costa
NGNicolò Gennaro
Nicolò Gennaro
LBLudovico la Bella
Ludovico la Bella
ABAlexandra Boichuk
Alexandra Boichuk
Luca ViganòLuca Viganò
Luca Viganò
The impact of the contrast medium on the radiomic textural features (TF) extracted from the CT scan is unclear. We investigated the modification of TFs of colorectal liver metastases (CLM), peritumoral tissue, and liver parenchyma. One hundred and sixty-two patients with 409 CLMs undergoing resection (2017–2020) into a single institution were considered. We analyzed the following volumes of interest (VOIs): The CLM (Tumor-VOI); a 5-mm parenchyma rim around the CLM (Margin-VOI); and a 2-mL sample of parenchyma distant from CLM (Liver-VOI). Forty-five TFs were extracted from each VOI (LIFEx®®). Contrast enhancement affected most TFs of the Tumor-VOI (71%) and Margin-VOI (62%), and part of those of the Liver-VOI (44%, p = 0.010). After contrast administration, entropy increased and energy decreased in the Tumor-VOI (0.93 ± 0.10 vs. 0.85 ± 0.14 in pre-contrast; 0.14 ± 0.03 vs. 0.18 ± 0.04, p < 0.001) and Margin-VOI (0.89 ± 0.11 vs. 0.85 ± 0.12; 0.16 ± 0.04 vs. 0.18 ± 0.04, p < 0.001), while remaining stable in the Liver-VOI. Comparing the VOIs, pre-contrast Tumor and Margin-VOI had similar entropy and energy (0.85/0.18 for both), while Liver-VOI had lower values (0.76/0.21, p < 0.001). In the portal phase, a gradient was observed (entropy: Tumor > Margin > Liver; energy: Tumor < Margin < Liver, p < 0.001). Contrast enhancement affected TFs of CLM, while it did not modify entropy and energy of parenchyma. TFs of the peritumoral tissue had modifications similar to the Tumor-VOI despite its radiological aspect being equal to non-tumoral parenchyma.