The neuronal biomarker NSE correlates with the volume of lung contusion in polytraumatized patients.

BACKGROUND: Severe injuries caused by accidents, like traumatic brain injury (TBI) or thoracic trauma (TT) continue to be the leading cause of death in younger people with relevant socio-economic impact. Fast and targeted diagnostics is essential for further therapy decisions and prognosis. The following study investigates NSE as a potential biomarker for lung injury after blunt TT. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a level-1 trauma center from 2014 to 2020. Serum levels of Neuron-specific Enolase (NSE) and Interleukins (IL-6, IL-10) in injured patients (n = 41) with isolated TT (AISthorax ≥ 3) compared to isolated TBI (AIShead ≥ 3) were assessed from day 0 to 5 after trauma. The extend of lung injury was quantified by Hounsfield scale in CT scans. RESULTS: 30 patients with TT (ISSmed = 20, age 50y ± 17, 83,3% male) and 11 patients with TBI (ISSmed = 25, age 54y ± 17,27,3% male) were included. After TT, NSE concentration increased initially after trauma with a peak value on the day of admission (8.51 ± 3.68 ng/ml) compared to healthy controls (4.51 ± 1.504 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Isolated thoracic trauma and TBI lead to equally strong NSE release ad the day of admission. There is a significant linear relationship (r = 0.636, p = 0.035) between serum NSE levels and severity of pulmonary contusion at the time of admission and after 24 hours. CONCLUSION: A significant NSE release after isolated thoracic trauma peaks on the day of admission. The extent of lung contusion volume (defined as alveolar parenchymal density) correlates with NSE serum concentration. Thus, NSE has predictive value for the extent of pulmonary contusion. However, according to these data, NSE seems to have no diagnostic value as a TBI biomarker in concomitant TT.

Cell-Based Therapy by Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells for Bone Augmentation of Plate-Stabilized Proximal Humeral Fractures: A Multicentric, Randomized, Open Phase IIa study.

Proximal humerus fractures are common in an aging population. The standard operative treatment is open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) using an angular stable plate. However, this procedure has complications such as a relatively high rate of secondary dislocation, humeral head necrosis or nonunion caused by delayed bony consolidation. Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMC) combined with a ß-TCP scaffold could support bone healing and is considered clinically safe. This multicentric, randomized, open phase IIa clinical trial (Clinical Trials. Gov Identifier: NCT02803177, Eudra CT No: 2015-001820-51) evaluated whether autologous BMC with ß-TCP in addition to ORIF reduces the incidence of secondary dislocations in patients with proximal humerus fracture. Ninty-four patients equally divided between verum group (BMC+ß-TCP) and control group (ß-TCP only) were targeted and calculated. At the time of planned interim evaluation, ie, enrolment of 56 patients, no statistical difference in secondary dislocations or complications was demonstrated in either group after an observation period of 12 weeks. Radiographic bone healing and DASH score to determine shoulder function were comparable between both groups. Bone marrow harvest and BMC transplantation did not result in any severe adverse events. Therefore, the study was terminated after the interim analysis, as no other result could be expected. From the study results, it can be concluded that the application of autologous BMC is well tolerated, and bone healing can be achieved. Augmentation of bone defects with ß-TCP could be shown to be feasible and might be considered in other clinical situations.

Secondary Angio-Embolization After Emergent Pelvic Stabilization and Pelvic Packing Is a Safe Option for Patients With Persistent Hemorrhage From Unstable Pelvic Ring Injuries.

Introduction: In patients with severe pelvic ring injuries, exsanguination still is the leading cause of death in the early post-injury phase. While mechanical pelvic ring stabilization and pre-peritoneal pelvic packing are mainly addressing venous bleeding, angio-embolization aims to control arterial bleeding. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the rate of postoperative angio-embolization after mechanical pelvic ring injury stabilization and pre-peritoneal pelvic packing. Bleeding sources detected in the angiography and the patient's outcome were investigated. Patients and Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study at a single academic level I trauma center, reviewing all patients with pelvic ring injuries admitted from 01/2010 to 12/2019. Patients with emergent mechanical pelvic ring stabilization (supraacetabular external fixator and/or pelvic C-clamp) and direct pre-peritoneal pelvic packing were further analyzed. Patients that underwent postoperative angio-embolization were compared with those that did not. All postoperative angio-embolizations were evaluated with regards to bleeding sources and type of embolization. Results: During the study period, a total of 39 patients required immediate mechanical pelvic stabilization and direct pre-peritoneal pelvic packing. Of these, 12 patients (30.8%) underwent a postoperative angio-embolization. The following vessels were identified as bleeding sources: superior gluteal artery (n = 6), obturator artery (n = 2), internal pudendal artery (n = 2), unnamed branches of the internal iliac artery (n = 3). A selective embolization was successful in 11 patients; in 1 patient, an unilateral complete occlusion of the internal iliac artery was performed to control the bleeding. Mean time from hospital admission to the surgical procedure was 52.8 ± 14.7 min and the mean time from admission to angio-embolization was 189.1 ± 55.5 min. The in-hospital mortality rate of patients with angio-embolization was 25.0% (n = 3). Of these, 2 patients died due to multiple organ failure and 1 patient due to severe head injury. Conclusion: Secondary angio-embolization after external pelvic fixation and pre-peritoneal pelvic packing was effective in controlling ongoing bleeding. The most frequently detected bleeding vessel was the superior gluteal artery, which is difficult to surgically address, further highlighting the importance of angio-embolization in the management algorithm.

Thermal Ablation of Lung Tumors: Focus on Microwave Ablation.

Background Image-guided thermal ablation can be used for the treatment of medically inoperable primary and metastatic lung cancer. These techniques are based on the heating up or freezing (cryoablation) of a volume of tissue around a percutaneous applicator that induces necrosis of the tumor. Method The English-language literature concerning thermal ablation of the lung was reviewed. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most widely performed and investigated of these techniques. Microwave ablation (MWA) represents a relatively new alternative that shares the same indications and is conducted in a very similar fashion as RFA. It has been experimentally and clinically shown that MWA produces larger, more spherical ablation zones over shorter periods of time compared to RFA. Seven different MWA systems are available in Europe and the USA with significant differences in the size and shape of the produced ablation zones. Results The types of complications caused by MWA and their rates of occurrence are very similar to those caused by RFA. The local progression rates after MWA of lung malignancies vary between 0 % and 34 % and are similar to those in the RFA literature. Conclusion Despite technical improvements, the current generation of MWA systems has comparable clinical outcomes to those of RFA. Key Points · MWA is a safe technique that should be considered one of the treatment options for medically inoperable lung tumors. · As thermal ablations of lung tumors are becoming more frequent, radiologists should be acquainted with the post-ablation imaging characteristics. · Although MWA has some theoretical advantages over RFA, the clinical outcomes are similar. Citation Format · Vogl TJ, Nour-Eldin NA, Albrecht MH et al. Thermal Ablation of Lung Tumors: Focus on Microwave Ablation. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2017; 189: 828 - 843.

Volumetric analysis of bone substitute material performance within the human sinus cavity of former head and neck cancer patients: A prospective, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In numerous animal and human studies, it could be detected that in bone augmentation procedures, material's physicochemical characteristics can influence the cellular inflammatory pattern and therefore the integration in the host tissue. Histological, histomorphometrical, and clinical analyses of the integration of the biomaterial in the surrounding tissue are well established methodologies; however, they do not make a statement on volume and density changes of the augmented biomaterial. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to assess the volume and density of a xenogeneic (Bio-Oss®, BO) and a synthetic (NanoBone®, NB) bone substitute material in split-mouth sinus augmentations in former tumor patients to complete histological and histomorphometrical assessment. METHODS: Immediately and 6 months after sinus augmentation computed tomography scans were recorded, bone grafts were marked, and the volume was calculated with radiologic RIS-PACS software (General Electric Healthcare, Chalfont St. Giles, Great Britain) to determine the integration and degradation behavior of both biomaterials. RESULTS: Radiographic analysis revealed a volume reduction of the initial augmented bone substitute material (i.e. 100%) to 77.36 (±11.68) % in the BO-group, respectively, 75.82 (±22.28) % in the NB-group six months after augmentation. In both materials, the volume reduction was not significant. Bone density significantly increased in both groups. CONCLUSION: The presented radiological investigation presents a favorable method to obtain clinically relevant information concerning the integration and degradation behavior of bone substitute materials.

A radiographic comparison of human airway anatomy and airway manikins--Implications for manikin-based testing of artificial airways.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective, single-center, observational study was to investigate the accuracy of modeling and reproduction of human anatomical dimensions in manikins by comparing radiographic upper airway measurements of 13 different models with humans. METHODS: 13 commonly used airway manikins (male or female anatomy based) and 47 controls (adult humans, 37 male, 10 female) were investigated using a mediosagittal and axial cervical spine CT scan. For anatomical comparison six human upper airway target structures, the following were measured: Oblique diameter of the tongue through the center, horizontal distance between the center point of the tongue and the posterior pharyngeal wall, horizontal distance between the vallecula and the posterior pharyngeal wall, distance of the upper oesophageal orifice length of epiglottis distance at the narrowest part of the trachea. Furthermore, the cross-section of the trachea in axial view and the cross-section of the upper oesophageal orifice in the same section was calculated. All measurements were compared gender specific, if the gender was non-specified with the whole sample. RESULTS: None of the included 13 different airway manikins matched anatomy in human controls (n = 47) in all of the six measurements. The Laerdal Airway Management Trainer, however, replicated human airway anatomy at least satisfactorily. CONCLUSION: This investigation showed that all of the examined manikins did not replicate human anatomy. Manikins should therefore be selected cautiously, depending on the type of airway securing procedure. Their widespread use as a replacement for in vivo trials in the field of airway management needs to be reconsidered.

Multi-detector row CT coronary angiography: influence of reconstruction technique and heart rate on image quality.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate to what extent image quality in 16-detector row computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography is a function of the heart rate and the image reconstruction technique used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients (49 men, 21 women; mean age, 59.1 years +/- 5.8 [standard deviation]) consecutively underwent multi-detector row CT coronary angiography; 49 patients additionally underwent coronary angiography. Image reconstruction was based on both relative and absolute timing. A total of 20 equidistant relative and absolute image reconstructed intervals were assessed by applying a four-step grading scale. Cluster and discrimination analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and Wilcoxon and chi2 tests were used for statistical analysis. Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. RESULTS: Though significantly (P < .001) better image quality was observed for image reconstruction based on absolute timing and in patients with lower heart rates, influence on diagnostic accuracy was not significant. Irrespective of the reconstruction technique used, best image quality was observed in patients with a low heart rate for middiastolic reconstruction intervals (starting points: 61% of R-R interval [range, 40%-75%] and 599.3 msec after R [range, 450-840 msec]) and in patients with a high heart rate for end-systolic or early-diastolic intervals (starting points: 27.3% of R-R interval [range, 10%-45%] and 202.3 msec after R [range, 82-336 msec]). With regard to the vessel section and reconstruction technique, cutoff heart rates of the intervals were 64.0-68.5 beats per minute. Patients with stenoses of more than 50% were identified with 86% sensitivity and specificity, and there was no significant difference between relative and absolute timing (P = .99). CONCLUSION: In multi-detector row CT coronary angiography, image quality depends on the choice of a suited reconstruction interval. In patients with high heart rates, the best image quality can be obtained with end-systolic and early-diastolic intervals; in patients with low heart rates, the best results are achieved with middiastolic intervals.