Nuclear medical assessment of penile hemodynamics following revascularization surgery.

Variations of Hauri's penile revascularization have been in clinical use since 1983. The hemodynamics of the so-called three-vessel anastomosis remain uncertain despite successful, clinically reproducible results. The goal of this study was to depict the increased perfusion of the erectile system of the penis following revascularization by means of the inferior epigastric artery. Ten milliliters of heparinized peripheral venous blood was drawn from 10 patients prior to surgery. The radioactively tagged erythrocytes (1 mCi 99mTc) were reinjected via an additional incision in the donor vessel proximal to the anastomosis following completion of the three-vessel anastomosis and intracavernous injection of 20 micrograms PGE1. Once again, blood was drawn during the tumescence phase from both a peripheral vein and the corpora cavernosa within the normal circulatory duration and compared to the original specimen. Eight of ten patients displayed evidence of primary reperfusion of the corpora cavernosa via the inferior epigastric artery as the donor vessel. Using strict indications, revascularization of the penis is an effective mode of therapy for arterial erectile dysfunction.

[Clinical value of new rapid nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in preoperative assessment of hypernephroma. A prospective comparative study of CT and MR]. / Klinischer Nutzen der neuen schnellen Kernspintomographie in der präoperativen Beurteilung von Hypernephromen. Eine prospektiv vergleichende Studie zwischen CT und MR.

The new technique of rapid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a paramagnetic contrast agent provides excellent imaging of the kidneys and their lesions. MR imaging of this anatomical region at short breath holding intervals matches the well-known quality of computed tomography (CT) for the first time. MR and CT studies were performed on 36 patients with proven renal cell carcinoma. Different investigators evaluated the staging of the tumor by means of both techniques in a prospective study. In all patients a radical nephrectomy was performed. Surgical and pathological findings were compared. Though little difference was found in diagnostic value between the two systems, MRI results concerning the T-stage were better. Venous invasion was clearly shown by MRI without the use of contrast medium. Furthermore, sagittal and transaxial images provided a more direct assessment of the extent of the tumor and its demarcation to healthy parenchyma. Thus, MRI is helpful in planning of the surgical approach when organ-sparing excision of renal tumors is to be performed.