A case of spinal glioblastoma multiforme: immunohistochemical study and review of the literature.

A 31-year old female underwent subtotal resection of a spinal glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) at level D 10/11 in June 1997. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased MIB-1 labeling index and accumulation of p53 protein. Routine MRI in February 1998 showed multiple tumors of the lumbar spinal cord. At open biopsy, diffuse infiltration of multiple radices was seen. Histologically and immunohistochemically, the tumor was similar to the primary. In May 1998, MRI revealed multiple intracranial metastases and meningeal involvement. The patient died in June 1998, 13 months after the onset of symptoms. The lifes of patients with spinal gliomas are not endangered by direct compression of the brain stem, and systemic metastases are extremely uncommon with gliomas. Yet, survival times in the reported case and in the literature are not better than with cerebral localization. Analysis of the present case and a survey of the literature indicate that CSF involvement and consecutive intracranial seeding determine the prognosis of patients with spinal GBM. Thus, regular monitoring of CSF-cytology and/or spinal MRI appear to be advisable in spinal GBM.

[A versatile phantom for hemodynamic measurements with ultrasound Doppler equipment]. / Ein vielseitiges Phantom für hämodynamische Messungen mit Ultraschall-Doppler-Geräten.

The test object described comprises a blood simulating liquid pumped through tubes embedded in tissue-mimicking material. The main components of the system can be realised in different ways. They are largely exchangeable with each other. Water, reticulated foam or silicone rubber is used as bulk background material, blood vessels are simulated using latex or silicone tubes or heat-shrink sleeving; in the artificial blood, sephadex particles or silicone emulsion were used as scatterers. The suspension of scattering particles is driven by a roller pump or a membrane dosage pump. The features of the components are described and the applications of the different phantoms discussed.

[The findings of color Doppler sonography in breast tumors]. / Befunde der Farb-Doppler-Sonographie bei Tumoren der Brustdrüse.

UNLABELLED: 72 histologically confirmed tumours of the breast--37 carcinomas and 35 benign tumours--for which mammograms were also available were examined by colour Doppler sonography. Vascularisation of benign processes showed at most 2 vessels (with the exception of 3 sarcoma phylloides and one proliferative mastopathy). Vascularisation clearly in excess of benign processes was observed in only 15 of the 37 carcinomas. In 33 of the carcinomas there was no doubt concerning the diagnosis preoperatively, in the remaining 4 the high vascularity was taken as an indication for surgery. CONCLUSION: In rare cases colour Doppler sonography can provide additional information in the presence of 'vascular' tumours. It is not possible to differentiate between poorly vascularised carcinomas and benign tumours.

[Color-coded Doppler sonographic studies of the morphology and hemodynamics of the pelvic and leg arteries in normal subjects]. / Farbcodierte doppler-sonographische Untersuchungen zur Morphologie und Hämodynamik der Arterien des Beckens und der Beine bei gesunden Probanden.

An attempt has been made to demonstrate the morphology and haemodynamics of the arteries in the pelvis and lower limbs by means of angiodynography in 20 normal individuals. Problem areas for morphological evaluation are the pelvic vessels, the vessels in the distal adductor canal and the fibular artery in the calf. Haemodynamic studies are successful if the morphology can be adequately shown, but for flow measurements this is true only in the thigh. The results of quantitative haemodynamic analyses are detailed in tabular form (systolic flow -, late systolic reverse and diastolic flow velocity; deceleration; pulsation index; flow values).

[Phantom measurements of blood flow using color-coded Doppler sonography (Quantum Angiodynograph): accuracy and sources of error]. / Phantommessung des Blutflusses mit der farbkodierten Doppler-Sonographie (Quantum Angiodynograph): Genauigkeit und Fehlerquellen.

Flow measurements were carried out on a phantom simulating tissue, using systematic variations of various parameters and of relevant geometric factors. The effect of imaging and flow parameters on the accuracy of the measurements is described and the conditions are defined which are necessary for obtaining a high degree of accuracy. Large errors are introduced by measurements carried out with large Doppler angles or if the delimiters used for automatic vessel measurements have not been set up accurately.