[Carpal lesions associated with dislocated fractures of the distal radius. A systematic screening of 104 fractures using preoperative CT and MRI]. / Karpale Begleitläsionen bei dislozierter distaler Radiusfraktur. Eine systematische Erfassung durch präoperative CT- und MRT-Untersuchung.

BACKGROUND: The functional outcome of surgically treated dislocated fractures of the distal radius is limited and does not correlate with radiographic results. Additional carpal lesions are assumed to be the cause. This study has evaluated which carpal lesions are associated with dislocated fractures of the distal radius. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive patients with dislocated fractures of the distal radius were included in the study. The injured wrist was examined by radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine additional carpal lesions. RESULTS: Radiographically 51 of the 104 fractures presented as type A according to the AO classification, 10 as type B and 39 as type C. The CT scan detected that only 5 of the 51 type A fractures were exclusively metaphyseal fractures. All type A fractures were associated with ligamental lesions in MRI. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study confirm the hypothesis that every dislocated fracture of the distal radius is a combined carpal trauma associated with additional osseous and/or ligamental lesions.

[A child's birthday with consequences]. / Ein Kindergeburtstag mit folgen.

Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency and if the foreign body cannot be detected radiologically or endoscopically further investigations are required. In this article the case of a radiolucent, ingested foreign body (mini-candleholder of a birthday cake) is presented. The foreign body could not initially be identified via X-ray and endoscopy due to its parapharyngeal localization but was finally visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which additionally uncovered the co-existence of acute mediastinal inflammation.

Fetal MR lung volumetry in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): prediction of clinical outcome and the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

BACKGROUND: Despite the ultrasound (US) based lung-to-head ratio (LHR) and first results of fetal lung volume (FLV) determination in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there is no reliable prenatal parameter for the clinical course and outcome of fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), in particular for the need of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). PATIENTS AND METHOD: MR FLV measurement was evaluated in 36 fetuses with CDH using T2-weighted half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) imaging. FLV and liver herniation, respectively, were correlated with survival and the need for ECMO therapy. A total of 18 healthy fetuses served as controls. MR FLV measurement was applied to predict survival and the need for neonatal ECMO therapy and to assess liver herniation as a prognostic parameter. RESULTS: On MRI there was a highly significant correlation of the FLV and patients' survival (p=0.0001) and ECMO requirement, respectively (p=0.0029). Compared to normal controls mean FLV in infants who died was 10% (9.4+/-5.8 ml) and 32% in surviving infants (25+/-9.7 ml). Liver herniation significantly decreased lung volume and negatively impacted clinical outcome (p<0.0005). CONCLUSION: The MR FLV is a strong predictor of survival in CDH patients. MR FLV measurements are also valuable to identify patients who may benefit from ECMO therapy. Upward liver herniation is the most important additional prognostic parameter.

[Fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnostics in congenital diaphragmatic hernia]. / Fetale Magnetresonanztomographie. Diagnostik bei kongenitaler Zwerchfellhernie.

Ultrasonography is the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of fetal or maternal anomalies. This method is safe, relatively inexpensive, easily accessible, and allows real-time imaging. Continuous technical improvements in ultrasonography in the last 10-15 years have led to improved diagnostic accuracy for fetal malformations. In cases of complex anomalies magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide additional information. MRI has evolved as a valuable diagnostic method for evaluating fetal pathology. Particularly with regard to similarity of liver and lung parenchyma in ultrasonography, diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can be difficult. Beside morphological aspects, e.g., herniation of abdominal contents into the chest, small amounts of compressed lung can be visualized on MRI. The feasibility of using volumetric measurement on MRI may be helpful to predict high-risk fetuses and facilitate decisions to assure adequate prenatal and postnatal management to improve postnatal outcome.

[Fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnostics in cases of congenital cystadenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM)]. / Fetale Magnetresonanztomographie. Diagnostik bei zystadenomatoider Malformation der Lunge (CCAM).

Despite advancing therapeutic strategies, congenital cystadenomatoid malformation of the fetal lung is still a potentially life-threatening anomaly. Antenatally, the development of hydrops as well as the natural history of the malformation is of particular therapeutic and prognostic importance. Postnatally, respiratory distress due to pulmonary hypoplasia counts as a crucial limiting factor. Owing to its feasibility and practicability, as well as a high sensitivity, antenatal ultrasound is still the screening method of choice for the detection of fetal thoracic malformations. However, particularly in cases of indistinguishable sonographic findings, fetal MRI is the modality of choice for proving the diagnosis and preliminary appraisal of intensive care therapy and extracorporal membrane oxygenation postnatally. Furthermore, fetal MRI often facilitates assessment and planning of intrauterine surgical procedures. These two features frequently require a close transfer to an expert neonatal centre.

[Correlation of duplex sonographic stenosis grading by means of cross-sectional analysis and MR-tomographic blood volume flow quantification in unilateral stenosis of the internal carotid artery]. / Korrelation von duplexsonographischer Stenosegraduierung mittels Querschnittsflächenbestimmung und MR-tomographischer Blutvolumenflussquantifizierung bei unilateraler Stenose der Arteria carotis interna.

PURPOSE: Correlation of duplex ultrasonographic grading of unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and ICA blood volume flow (BVF) quantification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a 2D cine phase-contrast MR technique, 62 patients with unilateral ICA stenosis at the level of the bifurcation between 50 % and 98 % and 20 age-matched normal controls were examined. BVF was measured in the stenosed ICA. Ultrasonographic grading of stenoses was based on cross-sectional duplex sonography (color Doppler flow imaging [CDFI], real-time compound imaging) and compared to the changes in BVF in the stenosed ICA. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in BVF in stenoses of the ICA up to 70 % and in normal controls. ICA stenoses greater 70 % began to be hemodynamically relevant. With increasing stenosis, a decrease in BVF in the ipsilateral ICA was determined with a high and linear correlation of r = - 0.83. Normal controls showed a BVF in an ICA of 247.0 +/- 32.0 ml/min, patients with 70 % stenosis a mean BVF of 225.3 +/- 32.2 ml/min (P = 0.4) without significant reduction, patients with 80 % stenosis a significant reduction of BVF to a mean flow of 184.0 +/- 53.8 ml/min (P < 0.005), patients with 90 % stenosis a reduction of the mean BVF in the stenosed ICA to 84.6 +/- 41.9 ml/min (P < 0.0005) and patients with stenoses > 95 % a mean BVF of only 26.0 +/- 4.0 ml/min (P < 0.0005). In patients with unilateral ICA stenosis greater than 81 %, a significant decrease of BVF in the stenosed ICA was documented. CONCLUSION: Comparison of ultrasonographic grading of unilateral ICA stenosis and BVF determination in patients with ICA stenoses demonstrate a high correlation between increase in the stenosis and decrease in the ipsilateral blood flow beginning at 70 % stenosis. ICA stenoses greater than 80 % are significantly hemodynamically relevant.

[Mimicry of a liver abscess as hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Mimikry eines Leberabszesses als hepatozelluläres Karzinom.

HISTORY: We report on a 82 year-old male who presented with chronic pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea and vomitus. An uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurred eight years and a hepatitis 60 years before. Clinical examination showed a normal abdominal status without palpable liver, spleen, enlarged lymph nodes or masses. He had no icteric skin and sclera. INVESTIGATIONS: The patient was afebrile without leukocytosis. The tumour markers CEA, CA 19 - 9 and AFP were negative. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed a normal homogeneous echotexture of the liver without signs of cholestasis or cirrhosis. In segment 6 a 3 cm large hypoechoic cystic formation with a central echogenic structure with acoustic shadowing was noted. Magnetic resonance revealed a 2.8 x 3.6 cm large lesion in the dorsal region of segment 6 of the liver, infiltrating the perihepatic fat. Pathologic lymph nodes and metastases were not found. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: At laparotomy, the tumour appeared to be malignant with invasion to the perirenal fat. Complete resection with negative margins included segment 6 of the liver and the adjacent fat (the kidney itself was not infiltrated). The cut specimen also showed signs of malignancy with central necrosis. However, histology of the resected specimen revealed a sterile liver abscess without malignancy, but with microscopic foreign bodies. The patient had an uneventful recovery without postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This case report demonstrates the difficulty encountered in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory processes and malignant tumours. Chronic inflammatory changes may mimic solid neoplasms. Despite adequate magnetic resonance imaging and thorough intraoperative examination, the correct diagnosis was finally found by histology. The most likely genesis of the abscess are lost gallstones during cholecystectomy.