[DR (a-Se) versus CR (DLR)--is an improvement of the accuracy possible? A retrospective histologic analysis (n = 100)]. / DR (a-Se) versus CR (DLR)--ist eine Verbesserung der Treffsicherheit möglich? Eine retrospektiv klinisch/histologische Analyse (n = 100).

PURPOSE: A retrospective clinical-histological study to determine the diagnostic accuracy using high-resolution digital phosphor storage plates (CR) (hardcopy) and full-field digital mammography (DR) (hardcopy) for microcalcifications and focal lesions (BI-RADS category 4 or 5) (n = 100). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 01/2004 to 06/2004, 100 patients underwent digital storage plate mammography (CR) and, after diagnosis and preoperative wire localization, full-field digital mammography (a-Se) (DR) with the same exposure parameters. Five investigators retrospectively determined the diagnosis after the operation from randomly distributed mediolateral views (hardcopy reading). These results were correlated with the final histology. RESULTS: The accuracy of digital storage plate mammography (CR) and full-field digital mammography (DR) was 73% and 76% for all findings (n = 100), 74%, 78% for microcalcifications (n = 50) and 72%, 74% for focal lesions (n = 50). The overall results showed no difference. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate equivalence of high-resolution digital phosphor storage plate mammography (CR) and full-field digital mammography (a-Se) (DR).

Outcome of patients with pre-existing portal vein thrombosis undergoing arterialization of the portal vein during liver transplantation.

Arterialization of the portal vein is being propagated as a technical possibility in liver transplant recipients with pre-existing portal vein thrombosis. In our own small series, portal vein arterialization (PVA) was carried out in four patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. In three of these cases, the portal vein was anastomosed to the aorta via an interposed iliac artery, and in one case, directly to the hepatic artery. After PVA, all transplants showed regular initial function. Two patients died postoperatively after 19 and 50 days, of intra-abdominal haemorrhage and liver necrosis with thrombosis of the portal vein, respectively. A further patient had previously developed fibrosis of the liver, which led to the death of the patient 11 months after PVA. In the remaining patient, chronic rejection requiring re-transplantation developed 24 months after PVA had been performed. These unfavourable results prompt the conclusion that PVA cannot be recommended as a standard clinical procedure.