Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome due to donor-specific HLA-antibodies.

Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is a limiting factor for long-term survival in lung transplant recipients. Donor-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-antibodies (DSA) have been suggested as potential risk factors for CLAD. However, their impact on clinical outcome following lung transplantation remains controversial. We performed a single-center study of 120 lung transplant recipients transplanted between 2006 and 2011. Patient sera were investigated before and after transplantation. The sera were screened by means of Luminex(®) technology (Luminex Inc., Austin, TX, USA) for IgG-HLA-class I and class II antibodies (ab). Using single antigen beads, DSA were identified and correlated retrospectively with clinical parameters. After transplantation 39 out of 120 patients (32.5%) were positive for HLA-ab. The incidence of de novo DSA formation was 27 of 120 patients (22.5%). Eleven of 27 (41%) of de novo DSA-positive patients developed BOS compared to 13 of 93 (14%) DSA-negative patients (p = 0.002). Furthermore, the generation of de novo DSA was independently associated with the development of BOS in multivariable analysis [hazard ration (HR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-6.08; p = 0.046). Our results indicate that de novo DSA are associated with the development of BOS after lung transplantation. Monitoring of HLA-ab after transplantation is useful for identifying high-risk patients and offers an opportunity for early therapeutic intervention.

[New Applications and Indications for Contrast-Enhanced Sonography in Endovascular Aortic Repair]. / Neue Applikationen und Indikationen der Kontrastmittelsonografie im Rahmen des Aortenstentings.

After edovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) endoleaks may occur necessitating further therapy. Therefore a reliable method for follow-up imaging after EVAR for detection and control of endoleaks is of high importance. Contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) does not require the application of nephrotoxid contrast media and does not stress the patient. CEUS is increasingly used and enables a quick, non-invasive follow-up examination for patient after EVAR. In addition, interventions as therapy for endoleaks may be executed using ultrasound. Initial experience with CEUS-guided aortic stenting shows that the amount of contrast media as well as X-ray time may be reduced.

Resection of pulmonary metastases from colon and rectal cancer: factors to predict survival differ regarding to the origin of the primary tumor.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to determine differences in prognostic factors for survival of patients with pulmonary metastases resected in curative intent from colon or rectum cancer. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2006, prognostic factors after resection of pulmonary metastases in 171 patients with primary rectum or colon tumor were evaluated. Survival of patients after surgical metastasectomy was compared with that of patients receiving standard chemotherapy by matched-pair analysis. RESULTS: Median survival after pulmonary resection was 35.2 months (confidence interval 27.3-43.2). One-, 3-, and 5-year survival for patients following R0 resection was 88.8, 52.1, and 32.9 % respectively. Complete metastasectomy (R0), UICC stage of the primary tumor, pleural infiltration, and hilar or mediastinal lymph node metastases are independent prognostic factors for survival. Matched-pair analysis confirmed that pulmonary metastasectomy significantly improved survival. Although no difference in survival for patients with pulmonary metastases from lower rectal compared to upper rectal or colon cancer was observed, factors to predict survival are different for patients with lower and middle rectal cancer (R0, mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes, gender, UICC stage) compared with patients with upper rectal or colon cancer (R0, number of metastases). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that distinct prognostic factors exist for patients with pulmonary metastases from lower rectal compared with upper rectal or colon cancer. This supports the notion that colorectal cancer should not be considered as a single-tumor entity. Metastasectomy, especially after complete resection resulted in a dramatic improvement of survival compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

[Computed tomography angiography as the basis for optimized therapy planning before endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)]. / CT-Angiographie als Grundlage der optimierten Therapieplanung vor endovaskulärer Aneurysmaausschaltung (EVAR).

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the aorta is an accepted standard diagnostic procedure for preoperative evaluation and planning of endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (endovascular aortic repair EVAR). The CTA method delivers all relevant anatomical and morphological information on the underlying pathology of the aorta and pelvic axes. Various software solutions are available for multiplanar reconstruction of the CT data for exact measurement of the access routes and landing zones and are essential components of individualized operation planning. The synthesis of all CT-based information allows a safe and exactly targeted release of the stent graft in the aorta. Furthermore, the periprocedural radiation dose can be reduced by a precise preoperative planning of the positions to be irradiated during implantation.

[Emergencies in vascular surgery--a major challenge for the local infrastructure]. / Gefäßchirurgische Notfälle--eine große Herausforderung an die lokale Infrastruktur.

INTRODUCTION: Emergencies in vascular surgery are often life-threatening and require a timely and prompt treatment. Little information is available in the literature about which demands must be made for this on the personnel and infrastructural resources of a hospital. METHODS: All vascular surgical emergency operations of the Surgical University Hospital of Munich - Grosshadern over a period of 2 years were evaluated concerning the emergency category, the leading clinical symptomatology, the genesis, the affected stream area, the intervention time, as well as the need for postoperative intensive medical care. RESULTS: The prevailing procedures were arterial operations (76 %). Ischaemia with 37 % and bleeding with 29 % were the leading clinical symptomatology. Thrombotic events (34 %) showed the most frequent genesis followed by embolism (13 %), stenosis (11 %), aneurysms (10 %) and iatrogenic impairments (10 %). 68 % of the emergencies were treated outside of the daytime working hours. A total of 77 % of the patients needed intensive care treatment or observation after surgery. CONCLUSION: The spectrum and the frequency of emergencies in vascular surgery make high demands on local infrastructure of the hospital and require a fair number of intensive care beds and an adequate and highly trained staff. Only under these conditions can a high quality of treatment be guaranteed for the sometimes life-threatened patients.

[Impact of systematic lymph node dissection in the resection of pulmonary metastases of solid extrapulmonary tumours]. / Bedeutung der systematischen Lymphknotendissektion im Rahmen der Resektion pulmonaler Metastasen solider extrapulmonaler Tumoren.

BACKGROUND: The systematic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection for the treatment of pulmonary metastases has, until now, not attracted much attention. A possible advantage of systematic lymph node dissection is an improved staging and a better locoregional tumour control due to resection of tumour micrometastases and the disintegration of lymphatic vessels. Aim of the study was to investigate the impact of mediastinal and hilar lymphnode metastases on the prognosis of the patient. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1978 and 2006, 249  patients underwent resection of pulmonary metastases from renal cell (91), colorectal (89), breast (45) and head and neck cancer (24), in combination with a systematic mediastinal and hilar lymphnode dissection. Survival was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis. Lymph node metastases were histologically demonstrated in 25.3 % of all patients. They did not correlate with the tumour grading and lymph node status of the primary tumour or the number of pulmonary metastases. Patients with lymph node metastases had a significantly shorter median survival than patients without (18 vs. 53  months, p < 0.001). Patients who underwent a systematic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection showed a trend to a prolonged survival (39.1 vs. 31.9  months, p = 0.089). CONCLUSION: Mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastases are significantly correlated with decreased survival. Systematic mediastinal and hilar lymphadenectomy provides valuable information for the staging and prognosis of patients with pulmonary metastases of kidney, head and neck, breast and colorectal cancers and may help to distinguish those patients who might profit from a more aggressive surgical therapy or an adjuvant therapy.

Surgical management of splenic echinococcal disease.

BACKGROUND: Infection of the spleen with echinococcus is a rare clinical entity. Because the diagnosis of a splenic infestation with echinococcus is sometimes delayed, large hydatid cysts or pseudotumors may develop, demanding a differential surgical approach to cure the disease. METHODS: In a retrospective study 10 patients out of 250 with abdominal echinococcosis (4%) were identified to have splenic infestation, either limited to the spleen (n=4) or with synchronous involvement of the liver (n=4), major omentum (n=1), or the liver and lung (n=1). Only one patient had alveolar echinococcosis whereas the others showed hydatid cysts of the spleen. Surgical therapy included splenectomy in 7 patients or partial cyst excision combined with omentoplasty in 3 patients. In case of liver involvement, pericystectomy was carried out simultaneously. RESULTS: There was no mortality. Postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients. Hospital stay and morbidity were not influenced when splenic procedures were combined with pericystectomies of the liver. Mean follow-up was 8.8 years and all of the patients are free of recurrence at this time. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy should be the preferred treatment of hydatid cysts but partial cystectomy is suitable when the cysts are located at the margins of the spleen. Due to low morbidity rates, simultaneous treatment of splenic and liver hydatid cysts is recommended.

The time of diagnosis impacts surgical management but not the outcome of patients with gallbladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Only 50% of gallbladder cancers (GBC) are recognized before operation and the remaining tumors are diagnosed during surgery or afterwards by the pathologist. These situations may demand substantial modifications of the proceeding during surgery as well as the need for reoperation in some cases. Therefore, the time of diagnosis may strongly influence the surgical management of GBC and the prognosis of the patients. METHODS: Records and follow- up of 152 patients with gallbladder carcinoma who underwent surgery between 1980 and 2004 were examined according to the time of diagnosis, TNM staging system, surgical procedures, morbidity and predictors of survival. There were 76 patients with preoperative diagnosis of GBC (50%; group1), 44 patients with intraoperative diagnosis (29%; group 2) and 32 patients (21%; group 3) with postoperatively incidental finding of GBC. In all cases radical resection of the GBC was intended, except in 5 patients from group 1. Surgical procedures comprised from simple cholecystectomy to multivisceral resections. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival rate was 7% with a significantly better median survival in group 3 (53.2 month), when compared to only 6.1 month (group 2) and 5.4 month (group 1), respectively. Findings at operation forced significant modifications of the surgical strategy in 85%. Complete resection of GBC was achieved in 38% of the patients. Stage- dependent survival was comparable between the groups following R0 resection. Tumor stage, in particular the nodal status and radicality of the procedure, but not the time of diagnosis were the most powerful predictors of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Complete tumor resection may provide long-term survival even in locally advanced GBC. Although the time of diagnosis of GBC causes significant changes of the intended procedures during and after surgery, it has no influence on the prognosis provided that radical (R0) resection was accomplished.

Imaging of endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). A pictorial comparison with CTA.

Endoleaks following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are common and present a diagnostic challenge in the follow-up after EVAR. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with low mechanical index (low MI) is a promising new method for the diagnosis and follow-up of endoleaks. CEUS with SonoVue allows a more rapid and noninvasive diagnosis, especially in critical patients owing to its bedside availability. This review describes the etiology, classification and importance of different types of endoleaks and compares CEUS findings with computed tomography angiography (CTA), allowing the reader to appreciate the usefulness of CEUS in this clinical situation.

[Imaging of endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)]. / Kontrastmittelverstärkter Ultraschall im Follow-up nach endovaskulärer Stentversorgung eines infrarenalen Bauchaortenaneurysmas.

Endoleaks following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are common and present a diagnostic challenge in the follow-up after EVAR. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a promising new method for the diagnosis and follow-up of endoleaks. CEUS with SonoVue allows a rapid and non-invasive diagnosis in the follow-up after EVAR. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional ultrasound compared to the multislice CT angiography is estimated to be 33-63% and 63-93%, respectively. These values can be increased through the use of CEUS in up to 98-100% (sensitivity) and 82-93% (specificity). This article describes the etiology, classification and importance of different types of endoleaks. The value of CEUS in this clinical scenario will be discussed.

Color duplex ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in comparison to MS-CT in the detection of endoleak following endovascular aneurysm repair.

The purpose of this study was to compare Color Duplex Ultrasound (CDU), Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) and Multislice Computed Tomography (MS-CT) angiography in the routine follow up of patients following Endovascular Repair (EVAR) of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).43 consecutive patients with AAA underwent endovascular aneurysm repair and were imaged with CDU, CEUS and MS-CT angiography at regular intervals after the procedure. Each imaging modality was evaluated for the detection of endoleaks. The presence of endoleaks was analyzed and the conspicuity of findings was assessed.CTA was used as gold standard in determining the presence of endoleaks. CDU was true positive for endoleaks in 5/43 patients (11.6%) and false positive for endoleaks in 2/43 patients (4.6%). The sensitivity of CDU was therefore 33.3% and its specificity 92.8%; the positive and negative predictive values were 0.71 and 0.72, respectively. CEUS was true positive for the detection of endoleaks in 15/43 patients (34.9%) and false positive in 2/43 patients (4.6%). The sensitivity of CEUS was therefore 100% and its specificity 93%; the positive and negative predictive values were 0.88 and 1. In the follow up the two false positive endoleaks in CEUS were confirmed as true positive endoleaks by CEUS and MS-CT. In our small patient group, contrast-enhanced ultrasound seemed to be more accurately in demonstrating endoleaks after EVAR than MS-CT angiography and may be considered as a primary surveillance modality whereas duplex ultrasound scanning alone is not as sensitive as CEUS and MS-CT angiography in detection of endoleaks. Especially in patients with contraindications for CT contrast agents (e.g. due to renal failure or severe allergy) CEUS provides a good alternative to MS-CT.

[Traumatic thoracic aorta rupture: preclinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment options]. / Traumatische thorakale Aortenruptur: Präklinische Beurteilung, Diagnostik und Therapieoptionen.

Traumatic aortic rupture is a life-threatening injury which is frequently associated with blunt thoracic trauma or found coincidentally in heavily traumatized patients. Depending on the degree of disruption of the damaged aortic wall, vascular injury is associated with a high primary mortality rate and a significant risk of secondary aortic rupture. Early clinical signs which may indicate a ruptured thoracic aorta are left sided thoracic pain, reduced ventilation, tachycardia and dyspnoe as well as hypotension in the lower extremities. The primary aim for emergency treatment is to maintain vital organ function and to hemodynamically stabilize the patient. Surgical treatment was previously performed by either direct aortic suture or segmental alloplastic graft interposition using the clamp and sew technique with or without extra-anatomic shunts or extracorporeal circulation. However, endovascular stent graft implantation has now become another treatment option for traumatic aortic rupture. According to the reported data and our own experience there is increasing evidence that endovascular aortic repair might become the treatment of choice for patients with traumatic aortic rupture, with the option of an early, less invasive intervention thus avoiding thoracotomy. Regular follow-up is necessary to detect possible stent graft migration or leakage which could require additional endovascular or open surgical re-interventions.

Persistence of de novo donor specific HLA-Antibodies after lung transplantation: a potential marker of decreased patient survival.

The impact of de novo donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) on outcomes in lung transplantation is still a matter of debate. We hypothesize that differentiating DSA by persistent and transient appearance may offer an additional risk assessment. The clinical relevance of HLA-antibodies was investigated prospectively in 72 recipients with a median follow-up period of 21 months. The presence of HLA-antibodies was analysed by single antigen bead assay prior to and after (3 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months) transplantation. In 23 patients (32%) de novo DSA were detected. In 10 of these patients (44%) DSA persisted throughout the follow-up period whereas 13 of these patients (56%) had transient DSA. There was a trend towards lower one-year-survival in DSA positive compared to DSA negative patients (83% versus 94%; p=0.199). Remarkably, patients with persistent DSA had significantly reduced survival (one-year survival 60%) compared with both patients without DSA and those with transient DSA (p=0.005). Persistent DSA represented an independent prognostic factor for reduced overall survival in multivariate analysis (HR 8.3, 95% CI 1.8-37.0; p=0.006). Persistence of DSA during the first year after transplantation seems to be more harmful for lung allograft function than transiently detected DSA at an early stage. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Results of different operative procedures for patients with popliteal artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Long term results of four different operative procedures for the treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms were investigated either performed by short venous or segmental alloplastic interpositions or long femoro-popliteal below the knee bypass using alloplastic grafts or autologous vein. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 47 patients treated for 50 popliteal aneurysms (mean diameter +/- SD: 3.5 +/- 1.1 cm) were analyzed (follow-up: 40.2 +/- 4.9 months). RESULTS: Primary patency rate was 78% and secondary patency rate was 86% at 5 years. Frequency of operative reinterventions was higher in patients treated for acute ischemia and in patients treated with alloplastic interpositions or alloplastic bypass (p = 0.026). Secondary patency rates were higher in patients treated with autologous venous interpositions or venous femoro-popliteal bypass (p = 0.022). Times of secondary vascular patency were significantly shorter for patients treated with short alloplastic interpositions in comparison to long alloplastic femoro-popliteal bypass procedures, short venous interpositions or long venous bypass operations (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of patients with popliteal aneurysms autologous venous interposition is therefore recommended or as an alternative venous or alloplastic femoro-popliteal below the knee bypass.

Long-term results after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for first-time and recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: Few investigators have reported on results after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) with follow-up periods longer than 24 months. The aim of this study was to evaluate VATS for first-time and recurrent SP and to follow patients long-term. METHODS: One hundred nine patients were followed long-term after treatment of SP by VATS. Ninety-five patients had primary SP and 14 had secondary SP. Sixty-two patients had a first episode and 47 had a recurrence. In 72 patients leaks or ruptured blebs were identified and excised without subsequent pleurodesis. In 37 patients showing no ruptured bullae or leaks only pleurodesis was applied. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 53.2 months. Postoperative complications were rare. Three patients (2.7%) had a prolonged air leak. The long-term recurrence rate was 4.6%. Only those patients who had not received pleurodesis at the time of first treatment by VATS experienced recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate postoperative results show VATS to be a safe and reliable method in first-time and recurrent SP to obtain quick reexpansion of the lung. Long-term recurrence rates are acceptable and compare with results after open thoracotomy. Pleurodesis should be included in each procedure for adequate recurrence prevention.

Colorectal cancer patients before resection of hepatic metastases. Impact of (18)F-FDG PET on detecting extrahepatic disease.

AIM: Evaluation of the role of FDG-PET in comparison to conventional staging methods for detecting extrahepatic tumour deposits prior to resection of liver metastases. PATIENTS, METHODS: In our prospective study, 58 patients (24 women, 34 men; age 33-81 years) with liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma underwent FDG-PET. Images were acquired in 3D-mode including transmission scans and reconstructed iteratively. For conventional staging all patients underwent abdominal ultrasound, helical computed tomography (CT) of the thorax and abdomen, and colonoscopy/rectoscopy. A preliminary therapeutic decision was established without knowledge of the FDG-PET findings. Thereafter, it was revised or confirmed according to the results of FDG-PET. RESULTS: In 3/58 patients extrahepatic tumour deposits were concordantly identified with both conventional staging methods and FDG-PET. However, in one case, both conventional methods and FDG-PET were false positive regarding pulmonary metastases. In 12/58 patients, nothing but FDG-PET detected extrahepatic tumour masses, which were later confirmed either by histology or follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that in 21% of patients exclusively FDG-PET is an appropriate diagnostic tool to reveal extrahepatic metastases or local recurrence of colorectal carcinoma. Our results demonstrate that FDG-PET provides relevant additional information for accurate therapeutic planning as compared to the conventional combination of staging methods. Therefore, FDG-PET has to exert a decisive influence on the decision for resection of hepatic metastases.

Granulocyte activation by Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (HAG) is characterized by granulocytic and mononuclear cell infiltrates within infected gastric mucosa. Since the bacterium does not invade the epithelial layer, it must be assumed that components or products of the pathogen which permeate the epithelial barrier may initiate chemotaxis and activation of neutrophils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori water soluble protein (WSP) components on the induction of granulocyte adherence and activation. The results show that H. pylori WSP led to enhanced expression of the beta 2-integrin CD11b/CD18 on the granulocyte surface. Following upregulation of this adhesion molecule, activated granulocytes demonstrated increased adhesion to human endothelial cells (HUVEC) in culture. These observations support the hypothesis that in vivo neutrophil activation may be a direct result of H. pylori constituents promoting transendothelial migration into the lamina propria of infected gastric mucosa.

[Dissection techniques in liver surgery]. / Dissektionstechniken in der Leberchirurgie.

The first liver resection was performed in 1888. Since then a wide variety of dissection techniques have been introduced. The blunt dissection was replaced by novel methods, i.e. the CUSA technique and the Jet Cutter for major liver resections. These methods represent selective dissection techniques; whereas non-selective methods include the scalpel, scissors, linear stapling cutter, high-frequency coagulation, and the laser technique. The aim of this review article is the comparison of the different resection techniques in liver surgery, focussing on blood loss and resection time.