Giovanni Balestrucci

Dr. Giovanni Balestrucci

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5 June 2023 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
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ARAlfonso Reginelli
Alfonso Reginelli
GGGiuliana Giacobbe
Giuliana Giacobbe
MCMaria Teresa Del Canto
Maria Teresa Del Canto
MAMarina Alessandrella
Marina Alessandrella
GBGiovanni Balestrucci
Giovanni Balestrucci
VMVittorio Miele
Vittorio Miele
Peritoneal carcinosis is a condition characterized by the spread of cancer cells to the peritoneum, which is the thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. It is a serious condition that can result from many different types of cancer, including ovarian, colon, stomach, pancreatic, and appendix cancer. The diagnosis and quantification of lesions in peritoneal carcinosis are critical in the management of patients with the condition, and imaging plays a central role in this process. Radiologists play a vital role in the multidisciplinary management of patients with peritoneal carcinosis. They need to have a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition, the underlying neoplasms, and the typical imaging findings. In addition, they need to be aware of the differential diagnoses and the advantages and disadvantages of the various imaging methods available. Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis and quantification of lesions, and radiologists play a critical role in this process. Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and PET/CT scans are used to diagnose peritoneal carcinosis. Each imaging procedure has advantages and disadvantages, and particular imaging techniques are recommended based on patient conditions. Our aim is to provide knowledge to radiologists regarding appropriate techniques, imaging findings, differential diagnoses, and treatment options. With the advent of AI in oncology, the future of precision medicine appears promising, and the interconnection between structured reporting and AI is likely to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for patients with peritoneal carcinosis.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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FUFabrizio Urraro
Fabrizio Urraro
GPGiulia Pacella
Giulia Pacella
NGNicoletta Giordano
Nicoletta Giordano
SSSalvatore Spiezia
Salvatore Spiezia
GBGiovanni Balestrucci
Giovanni Balestrucci
Gianluca CostaGianluca Costa
Gianluca Costa
Background: Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is the most worrisome complication after a major hepatectomy and is the leading cause of postoperative mortality. The most important predictor of PHLF is the future liver remnant (FLR), the volume of the liver that will remain after the hepatectomy, representing a major concern for hepatobiliary surgeons, radiologists, and patients. Therefore, an accurate preoperative assessment of the FLR and the prediction of PHLF are crucial to minimize risks and enhance patient outcomes. Recent radiomics and deep learning models show potential in predicting PHLF and the FLR by integrating imaging and clinical data. However, most studies lack external validation and methodological homogeneity and rely on small, single-center cohorts. This review outlines current CT-based approaches for surgical risk stratification and key limitations hindering clinical translation. Methods: A literature analysis was performed on the PubMed Dataset. We reviewed original articles using the subsequent keywords: [(Artificial intelligence OR radiomics OR machine learning OR deep learning OR neural network OR texture analysis) AND liver resection AND CT]. Results: Of 153 pertinent papers found, we underlined papers about the prediction of PHLF and about the FLR. Models were built according to machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) automatic algorithms. Conclusions: Radiomics models seem reliable and applicable to clinical practice in the preoperative prediction of PHLF and the FLR in patients undergoing major liver surgery. Further studies are required to achieve larger validation cohorts.

22 January 2023 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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VNValerio Nardone
Valerio Nardone
ARAlfonso Reginelli
Alfonso Reginelli
GMGiuseppina De Marco
Giuseppina De Marco
GNGiovanni Natale
Giovanni Natale
VPVittorio Patanè
Vittorio Patanè
SCSalvatore Cappabianca
Salvatore Cappabianca
Treatment-induced cardiac toxicity represents an important issue in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and no biomarkers are currently available in clinical practice. A novel and easy-to-calculate marker is the quantitative analysis of calcium plaque in the coronary, calculated on CT. It is called the Agatston score (or CAD score). At the same time, other potential predictors include cardiac ultrasonography and anamnesis of the patients. Our work aimed to correlate cardiac biomarkers with overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients. We retrospectively analyzed patients with NSCLC discussed in the Multidisciplinary Tumor Board of our Institute for the present analysis between January 2018 and July 2022. Inclusion criteria were the availability of basal CT imaging of the thorax, cardiac ultrasonography with the calculation of ejection fraction (EF), and complete anamnesis, including assessment of co-pathologies and pharmacological drugs. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively collected, and the CAD scores was calculated on a CT scan. All of these parameters were correlated with overall survival (OS) with univariate analysis (Kaplan–Meier analysis) and multivariate analysis (Cox regression analysis). Following the above-mentioned inclusion criteria, 173 patients were included in the present analysis. Of those, 120 patients died in the follow-up period (69.6%), and the median overall survival (OS) was 28 months (mean 47.2 months, 95% CI, 36–57 months). In univariate analysis, several parameters that significantly correlated with lower OS were the stage (p < 0.001), the CAD grading (p < 0.001), history of ischemic heart disease (p: 0.034), use of beta blocker drugs (p: 0.036), and cardiac ejection fraction (p: 0.005). In multivariate analysis, the only parameters that remained significant were as follows: CAD score (p: 0.014, OR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.04–1.83), stage (p: 0.016, OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05–1.53), and cardiac ejection fraction (p: 0.011, OR 0.46, 95% CI: 0.25–0.84). Both CAD score and ejection fraction are correlated with survival in NSCLC patients at all stages of the disease. Independently from the treatment choice, a cardiological evaluation is mandatory for patients with NSCLC.

16 January 2026 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GBGiovanni Balestrucci
Giovanni Balestrucci
VPVittorio Patanè
Vittorio Patanè
NGNicoletta Giordano
Nicoletta Giordano
ARAnna Russo
Anna Russo
FUFabrizio Urraro
Fabrizio Urraro
ARAlfonso Reginelli
Alfonso Reginelli
Background: Accurate preoperative staging is the cornerstone of therapeutic decision-making in gastric cancer (GC), yet standard modalities often fail to capture the full extent of disease, particularly in diffuse and poorly cohesive histotypes. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on diagnostic imaging for GC, evaluating the established roles of CT, EUS, and PET/CT alongside the emerging capabilities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted by searching indexed biomedical databases for studies published between 2015 and 2024. A structured literature search screening process identified 410 relevant studies focusing on T, N, and M staging accuracy, quantitative imaging biomarkers, and radiomics. Results: While Multidetector CT remains the universal first-line modality, its sensitivity declines in infiltrative tumors and low-volume peritoneal carcinomatosis. EUS retains superiority for early (T1-T2) lesions but may offer limited value in advanced stages. Conversely, MRI (leveraging diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and multiparametric protocols) indicates superior soft-tissue contrast, potentially outperforming CT in the assessment of serosal invasion, nodal involvement, and occult peritoneal metastases. Furthermore, emerging fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET tracers show promise in overcoming the limitations of FDG in mucinous and diffuse GC. Finally, radiomics and deep learning models are providing novel quantitative biomarkers for non-invasive risk stratification. Conclusions: Contemporary GC staging requires a tailored, multimodality approach. Evidence supports the increasing integration of MRI and quantitative imaging into clinical workflows to overcome the limitations of conventional techniques and support precision oncology.

22 December 2025 in Hearts
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GBGiovanni Balestrucci
Giovanni Balestrucci
VBVitaliano Buffa
Vitaliano Buffa
MCMaria Teresa Del Canto
Maria Teresa Del Canto
MBMaria Chiara Brunese
Maria Chiara Brunese
SCSalvatore Cappabianca
Salvatore Cappabianca
ARAlfonso Reginelli
Alfonso Reginelli
Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is a structural abnormality of the mitral valve increasingly detected with advanced cardiac imaging, particularly cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). However, the clinical impact of different degrees of disjunction and the lack of standardized measurement criteria remain controversial. This study aimed to describe a series of patients with MAD assessed by CMR and to discuss, in the context of current literature, potential cut-off values that may distinguish physiological from pathological MAD. We retrospectively identified all CMR examinations performed at our institution over a 6-month period in which MAD was visible in at least two cine steady-state free precession (SSFP) projections. For each patient, we recorded MAD extent, presence of mitral valve prolapse/regurgitation, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) pattern, and main clinical presentation. Nine patients (mean age 57 years; 5 men) were included. Larger MAD distances (>4 mm) were frequently associated with non-ischemic LGE in the basal lateral wall and with valvular abnormalities, whereas smaller disjunctions (≤3 mm) were often observed in patients without significant structural disease. Non-ischemic LGE was present in 6/9 patients, all with MAD > 5 mm. These observations, together with published data, support the hypothesis that small degrees of MAD may represent a frequent anatomical variant, while more extensive disjunction, especially when associated with fibrosis, may indicate a pathological substrate for arrhythmias. Standardized CMR-based criteria and validated MAD cut-off values are needed to improve risk stratification and to incorporate MAD assessment into routine clinical practice.