Dr. Toma studies various medical conditions with an emphasis on how they affect the body's tiny blood vessels and overall health. He has conducted significant research on systemic sclerosis, a disease that impacts blood flow and capillary structure in the fingers and eyes. His work also includes chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis, a painful bone condition in children, where he aims to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies. Additionally, he investigates advanced imaging techniques for monitoring acute rejection of liver transplants in young patients, focusing on making these procedures safer and less invasive.
Key findings
In patients with systemic sclerosis, there was a significant reduction in capillaries and blood flow, particularly noted with lower choroidal perfusion compared to healthy individuals.
In the study of chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis, 79% of affected children experienced pain, and symptoms lasted a median of 4 months before diagnosis, indicating difficulties in early detection.
The use of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging showed that a shear wave velocity of 2.03 m/s indicated acute rejection in liver transplants in children, reducing the need for invasive biopsies.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Toma study systemic sclerosis?
Yes, Dr. Toma investigates how systemic sclerosis affects blood flow and blood vessel structures in the body.
What treatments has Dr. Toma researched?
Dr. Toma has researched diagnostic techniques and imaging methods to monitor conditions like liver transplant rejection and chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis.
Is Dr. Toma's work relevant to children with liver transplants?
Yes, his research includes improving diagnostic options for acute rejection in young liver transplant patients.
What is chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis?
Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis is an inflammatory bone condition primarily affecting children, which Dr. Toma studies to enhance understanding and treatment.
How does Dr. Toma's research help in public health crises?
His study on institutional communication during the Covid-19 crisis highlights the importance of health literacy for better public understanding and response to health risks.
Publications in plain English
Peripheral and ocular microvascular alterations in systemic sclerosis: observations from capillaroscopic assessments, perfusion peripheral analysis, and optical coherence tomography angiography.
2024
Rheumatology international
Cutolo CA, Cere A, Toma P, Cannavacciuolo T, Toma C +10 more
Plain English This study looked at how blood flow and tiny blood vessel structures in the fingers and eyes of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) compare to healthy individuals. Researchers found that SSc patients had fewer capillaries and reduced blood flow in both the fingers and eyes, with significant differences from the healthy group; for example, choroidal perfusion was lower in SSc patients. This is important because it suggests that monitoring these microvascular changes could help improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for SSc.
Who this helps: Patients with systemic sclerosis and their doctors.
Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis - clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features.
2021
Pediatric radiology
d'Angelo P, de Horatio LT, Toma P, Ording Müller LS, Avenarius D +9 more
Plain English This study looked at a rare condition called chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO), which causes inflammation in bones, primarily affecting children. The researchers analyzed clinical data and MRI results from 75 kids diagnosed with CNO, finding that 79% had pain and most commonly affected bones were the femur, tibia, and pelvis. The study revealed that kids experienced symptoms for a median of 4 months before diagnosis, and that higher levels of inflammation in the blood were linked to more affected areas on MRI.
Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by providing better understanding of CNO and improving diagnosis and treatment.
The more you know, the better you act? Institutional communication in Covid-19 crisis management.
2021
Technological forecasting and social change
Viola C, Toma P, Manta F, Benvenuto M
Plain English The study examined how effective institutional communication was during the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy. Researchers gathered feedback from citizens and found that better health knowledge and communication led to more informed behaviors, highlighting that educated individuals were better at understanding health risks. Specifically, the study showed that those with higher health literacy were more likely to respond correctly to health guidelines.
Who this helps: This benefits patients and the general public by improving their understanding of health information during crises.
Diagnosis of Acute Rejection of Liver Grafts in Young Children Using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging.
2020
AJR. American journal of roentgenology
Monti L, Salsano M, Candusso M, Avolio AW, Soglia G +4 more
Plain English This study looked at a new imaging technique called acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging to see if it could help identify acute rejection of liver transplants in young children. Researchers found that a higher shear wave velocity (SWV) of 2.03 m/s indicated acute rejection, while those with normal liver function had an SWV of 1.23 m/s. This is important because ARFI imaging could reduce the need for more invasive liver biopsies, making things safer for pediatric patients.
Who this helps: This helps young patients with liver transplants by providing a safer diagnostic option.
Marco Salsano Alfonso Wolfango Avolio Manila Candusso Giovanna Soglia Marco Spada Lidia Monti Carlo Alberto Cutolo Andrea Cere Tommaso Cannavacciuolo Chiara Toma
Physician data sourced from the
NPPES NPI Registry
.
Publication data from
PubMed
.
Plain-English summaries generated by AI.
Not medical advice.