[Infection with fasciola hepatica - a case series]. / Fasciola-hepatica-Infektionen in der Schweiz - eine Fallserie.

AIM: Described are the clinical and, especially, the contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic presentation and recovery of four cases of fascioliasis occurring between December 2008 and February 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A detailed history, clinical examination and laboratory investigation were followed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the liver and serological evidence for the presence of antibodies. A final contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed 6 weeks after treatment with triclabendazole. RESULTS: The patients displayed a variety of symptoms ranging from vasospastic myocardial infarction diagnosed via coronary angiography and a first-time occurrence of migraine as a result of hypereosinophilia to fever with weight loss and tumor-like liver lesions. The contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic hepatic changes in fascioliasis are characterized by segmental arterial hyperemia with emphasis on the liver periphery and subcapsular canalicular sparing corresponding to parenchymal necrosis and hemorrhage. In the later phases areas with inflammatory changes were unmasked due to phlebitis of the small portal vessels and granulomatous parenchymal changes. All four patients were successfully treated with triclabendazole without experiencing any serious side effects. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is well suited for the diagnosis and monitoring of hepatic fascioliasis.

[Contrast medium sonography of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic system]. / Kontrastmittelsonographie neuroendokriner Tumoren des gastroenteropankreatischen Systems.

Ultrasonography is at present the primary diagnostic imaging method in patients with abdominal complaints. The innovations in echo enhancers in the last decade in connection with improved software and hardware have substantially extended the diagnostic spectrum of ultrasonography. Thus contrast-enhanced sonography with pulse inversion technology at low mechanical index allows a continuous evaluation of the perfusion of organs and tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors represent a heterogeneous group of endodermal/epithelial tumors, which are often hypervascularized. The morphology and the perfusion behavior of neuroendocrine tumors should be known because the therapeutic options differ substantially from those of other tumors. Contrast-enhanced sonography has already proven to be a valuable alternative in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasms and their metastases in relation to the established radiological procedures.

Vascular complications in acute pancreatitis assessed by color duplex ultrasonography.

We determined the sensitivity of computed tomography and color duplex ultrasonography in the detection and characterization of vascular complications in acute pancreatitis. The relationship of these complications with the etiology and activity of the disease was assessed. In a prospective study, 189 patients with acute pancreatitis seen in the Department of Gastroenterology. Charité Hospital in Berlin over a period of 38 months underwent color duplex ultrasonography every second day for 3 weeks and thereafter at least once a week for 2 months. Dynamic computed tomography was performed within 72 hours after admission, and follow-up computed tomography scans were obtained. In 45 patients (23%), at least temporary thromboses of portal venous vessels were demonstrated by color duplex ultrasonography. The incidence of venous thromboses was 30% in severe acute pancreatitis with fluid collections without necroses and 57% in necrotizing pancreatitis. In 27 of those 45 patients, a formation of collaterals was documented. In 13 patients, arterial pseudoaneurysms were demonstrated. Vascular complications were significantly more frequent in alcohol-induced than in gallstone-induced pancreatitis. Only 62% of all sonographically diagnosed thromboses and only 32% of all collaterals were demonstrated by computed tomography. The prevalence of vascular complications in acute pancreatitis was much higher as suspected. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding was lower than previously reported. Color duplex sonography is the method of choice for the detection of vascular complications in acute pancreatitis.

[Visualization of the pancreatic ducts by ultrasound tomography in pancreatic diseases with bile duct obstruction]. / Pankreasgangdarstellung durch Ultraschalltomographie bei Pankreaserkrankungen mit Gallenwegsverschluss.

The sonographic findings in 274 patients with biliary obstruction and/or dilatation of the pancreatic duct of more than 4 mm were evaluated (128 common duct stones, 82 carcinoma of pancreas, 64 chronic pancreatitis). Carcinoma of the pancreatic head caused a greater degree of dilatation of the common bile duct (average diameter 18.3 mm) than did chronic pancreatitis (10.5 mm) or biliary stones (14.2 mm). Dilatation of the pancreatic duct greater than 4 mm occurred with approximately equal frequency with carcinomas (59%) and chronic pancreatitis (64%); it was found in only 1.6% of biliary duct stones. Dilatation of intra-and extra-hepatic bile ducts and hydrops of the gall bladder was significantly higher with carcinoma of the pancreas than in chronic pancreatitis.

[Pathophysiology of gallstone formation]. / Pathophysiologie der Gallensteinbildung.

There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol and pigment stones. The pathogenesis is divided into three phases: supersaturation, nucleation and stone growth. Hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol, crystallization promoting and inhibiting factors, gallbladder hypomotility, arachidonyl lecithin, prostaglandins, mucin and calcium play an important role in the formation of gallstones. For the formation of pigment stones a decreased secretion of biliary acids, an increased secretion of unconjugated bilirubin into the bile and an infection of the biliary tract are the most important causative factors.

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatic metastases of adrenocortical cancer--a case report and review of the literature.

AIM: Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) has shown promise as a technique for treating solid tumors. This method has been suggested as an alternative to surgery in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the literature, and report the case of a patient with stage 4 ACC who received intraoperative and percutaneous RFA of two liver metastasis according to a standard ablation protocol. RESULTS: Post-interventional imaging in our patient demonstrated that after both interventions, a stellar-like structure of vital tumor tissue had remained within the coagulation necrosis. This was the starting point of a fast and progressive tumor recurrence. We suspect heat-sink effects of blood vessels in the highly vascularized metastasis to cause the tumor recurrence. In literature, there are only a few reports of RFA in ACC patients. In addition, there is no large randomized trial investigating the efficacy of RFA against surgery in those patients. CONCLUSIONS: Presently, RFA in ACC should be restricted to patients in whom surgery is contraindicated. It is necessary that strongly vascularized ACC metastases deserve a modified ablation protocol due to perfusion related cooling effects and to increase the efficacy of RFA.

Neuroendocrine tumors: characterization with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the ultrasonographic features of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and their metastases with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and to compare this to clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a period of 5 years, 82 patients with 83 histologically proven NET were prospectively examined using conventional US and pulse inversion US with a second generation contrast agent (SonoVue, Contrast Pulse Sequencing) focusing on the arterial (10-20 s p. i.), capillary (20-25 sec p.i.), portal venous (25-120 sec p.i.), and late phases (>120 sec p.i.). 69 patients had metastases in the abdominal tract, including eight patients with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas with high-grade behavior. In 31 patients the proliferation index (MIB-1) of the NET was < or = 2%, in 46 patients > 2%, in 6 patients > or = 20%. Thirteen patients had one primary lesion without metastases. RESULTS: In NET of the lung, stomach, and colon we found only hypoechoic or isoechoic liver metastases. NET of the small intestine and pancreas represented hypoechoic, isoechoic, and/or hyperechoic liver lesions, sometimes combined. Insulin producing tumors (6) had hypoechoic metastases. Necrotic areas (25/83) were detected after interferon therapy, embolization, systemic chemotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases, but did not develop after somatostatin receptor radionuclide therapy. In large NET (> 3 cm) with a proliferation index of > 2%, necrotic areas appeared spontaneously. In 93% (77/83) of the cases the NET and their metastases showed an early arterial influx of microbubbles. Rim-like contrast enhancement occurred during the capillary phase in 78% (65/83) of all lesions, and hypervascularization occurred during the arterial phase and at the beginning of the capillary phase in 95% (79/83). The hypervascularized tissue was found in the primary lesions, in liver, lymph node metastases and any kind of abdominal metastases. In liver metastases with a proliferation index >2%, tumor arteries showed a chaotic growth pattern. In 93% (77/83) the NET lesions appeared as dark "defects" at the beginning of the late phase. CONCLUSION: CEUS with CPS demonstrates typical NET imaging characteristics. Differences in imaging features may depend on their primary lesion, size, proliferation marker, and extent of the degenerative changes. In most cases real-time CEUS may replace other imaging techniques.

[Sonographic diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinomas by the use of contrast agents]. / Sonografische Diagnostik des hilären cholangiozellulären Karzinoms mittels Echosignalverstärker.

PURPOSE: Imaging of hilar cholangiocarcinomas (Klatskin tumour) is very difficult as these tumours spread along the bile ducts and are hardly distinguishable from the surrounding liver parenchyma. Improved imaging techniques are useful for diagnosis and monitoring of new treatment strategies like photodynamic therapy. In a prospective study, we investigated whether contrast-enhanced sonography is useful in the imaging of Klatskin tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2004, 72 patients with suspected Klatskin tumour were admitted to our clinic. 47 patients with histologically confirmed hilar cholangiocarcinomas (Bismuth III/IV) were included in the study and investigated by standard B-mode sonography. Consecutively, patients were investigated by the use of an echo enhancer. 27 patients were investigated by Levovist (power-Doppler sonography, 2nd harmonic imaging, high MI), 20 patients were investigated by Sonovue (CPS, low MI). RESULTS: By use of baseline sonography, visualisation of a tumour and differentiation from normal liver parenchyma was possible in 17 of 47 (36%) patients. After application of contrast agents, tumours showed defects in comparison to the intense flow signal of the surrounding liver tissue during the portalvenous phase and could be discriminated from normal liver tissue allowing determination of tumour size and infiltration of liver parenchyma in all patients (100%). During the arterial phase, 42/47 (89%) of neoplasms showed hypovascularisation compared to surrounding liver tissue, 5/47 (11%) tumours were hypervascularised. During follow-up, metastatic tumour spread was observed in (20/47) 43% of patients, 25/47 (53%) patients developed ascites. CONCLUSION: Contrast agents allow improved imaging of hilar cholangiocarcinomas. The majority of hilar cholangiocarcinomas are hypovascularised.

[Sonography in prehepatic portal vein occlusion]. / Sonographie bei prähepatischem Pfortaderverschluss.

In a retrospective analysis, the sonographic findings of 125 patients with prehepatic portal hypertension (of these 76 with condition after varix bleeding) were evaluated. The main cause were portal venous thromboses after umbilical venous catheter; 98% of these patients had a case history of hemorrhages. Of 113 cases with portal vein thrombosis, 54% had a cavernomatous transformation of the portal vein, 87% of them had a varix hemorrhage. In 12 patients with isolated lienal vein stenosis, no hemorrhage had occurred so far. All portal vein thromboses were correctly diagnosed by sonography. Besides the detection of thromboses, only in 5% of all cases no sonographically identifiable collaterals of the portal system were present; such collateral vessels could be imaged in 94% of the patients with endoscopic detection of varices. Sonography can be used as a screening method in suspicion of portal hypertension of prehepatic origin.

[Ultrasonic diagnosis of gallstone diseases]. / Sonographische Diagnostik bei Gallensteinerkrankungen.

In the past decade the sonography has effected radical changes in the diagnostics of gallstone troubles and their complications. Today it is the method of choice in search for gallstones. Taking into consideration all advantages connected with the method and a sensitivity of more than 95% with an approximately 99 per cent specificity at present no other diagnostic method can compete with it. The reliability in the gallstone diagnostics above all depends on the experience of the investigator and the size of the concrement. Data in modern literature indicate a sensitivity of 70-90%, among our own patients it is in 376 cases nearly 86% (specificity 92%). In optimal technical and personal prerequisites the ultrasound diagnostics it is the initial method of choice also in the diagnostics of the bile ducts. The intravenous cholegraphy and ERC as complementary methods are used only in the second place.

[Ultrasonic diagnosis of bile duct calculi. A prospective study regarding the effects and the objective and subjective factors on accuracy in choledocholithiasis]. / Sonographische Diagnostik von Gallenwegskonkrementen. Eine prospektive Studie hinsichtlich der Auswirkungen objektiver und subjektiver Faktoren auf die Treffsicherheit bei Choledocholithiasis.

The reliability and diagnostic sensitivity of the sonographic identification of bile duct concrements is mainly determined by the examiner's competence and the size of the concrements, and secondly also by the diameter or patency of the bile ducts. Basing on the records of 175 patients on whom choledocholithiasis had been performed, a prospective study (reference: concrement removal after ERCP) showed that the sensitivity of the method is almost twice as high with an experienced examiner than with a less experienced physician (80% vs. 47%). In 231 other cases with extrahepatically conditioned cholestasis we found a 93% specificity of sonography in respect of excluding the presence of concrements. 93% of the concrements that were bigger than 10 mm were definitely diagnosed via sonography (71% sensitivity in case of concrements < 10 mm). If the proof of presence of concrements is differentiated according to bile duct width, it is seen that 85% of all concrements were visualised if the width of the ductus choledochus was > or = 8 mm and 71% in case of a width < 8 mm. The results of the study justify the use of sonography as a primary method in the diagnosis of concrements of the bile ducts; under certain conditions it is also possible to exclude the presence of stones. If findings do not agree with the clinical pattern of findings, or if the bile ducts cannot be visualised properly, diagnostic ERCP is indicated.

Perforation of a pancreatic pseudocyst induced by abdominal sonography.

A fifty-year-old man complained of abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, postprandial vomiting and loss of weight. Abdominal sonography revealed a chronic calcifying pancreatitis with a tubular stenosis of the common bile duct, dilatation of the pancreatic duct and multiple pancreatic duct stones. Distal of the pylorus there was an intramural pseudocyst, which had led to the obstruction of the duodenal lumen. Shortly after the ultrasound examination abdominal pain increased. In addition, an elevation of serum lipase levels was noted, but reclined rapidly the next day and was normalized a few days later. The patient was well the next morning, the symptoms of gastric retention disappeared and he had a good appetite. A CT of the abdomen two days later showed the chronic pancreatitis but could not confirm the pseudocyst and a subsequent repeat sonography revealed only a remnant of the pseudocyst. In conclusion it can be assumed that the intramural pseudocyst ruptured when pressure was applied with the ultrasound transducer to displace interfering colonic gas. Although it cannot be advised as a treatment measure for a pseudocyst, regression of a pseudocyst due to emptying into the gastrointestinal tract has to be expected.

[Benign or malignant thrombosis of the jugular vein? - Differentiation with colour-Doppler sonography]. / Benigne oder Maligne Jugularvenenthrombose? - Dopplersonographische Unterscheidung.

Thrombosis can lead to physical impairment and cost-intensive investigations. In some cases, a thrombosis is caused by infiltration of an adjacent tumour. It is therefore important to differentiate between a benign or malignant thrombosis. We report the case of a woman with a malignant thrombosis of the jugular vein. She was hospitalised for suspected malignant disease of unknown origin. Her family doctor had made the diagnosis of a "partially organised thrombosis". At sonography, vessels with an arterial blood flow were detected in the thrombus. A carcinoma of the thyroid gland was therefore suspected and confirmed by histology. This case report demonstrates that the differentiation between a benign and malignant thrombosis is possible with colour-Doppler sonography.

[Portal hypertension--current status of ultrasound diagnosis]. / Portale Hypertension--derzeitiger Stand der sonographischen Diagnostik.

Splenomegaly, ascites, and anatomy of intra- and extrahepatic portal vessels can reliably be detected by ultrasound in case of portal hypertension. The increased diameter of the portal vein and its roots is a not sufficient sensitive and specific finding in portal hypertension. However a marked variation of diameter at the superior mesenteric vein during in- and expiration is nearly exclusive. With the help of colour flow imaging or duplex sonography additional finding of blood flow in the portal system can be detected noninvasively and continuously. Quantitative blood-flow measurement in routine examinations is unnecessary and reserved to special questions. Reverse flow or significantly decreased blood flow velocity or the detection of portocaval collaterals are reliable findings in portal hypertension. In addition thrombosis of portal vessels and its hemodynamic consequences can be seen. Because underlying diseases e.g. liver cirrhosis or tumours are diagnosed in the same procedure ultrasound techniques are used in first line when portal hypertension is suspected. The findings are complementary to endoscopy of upper g.i.tract and lead on the one hand to a well-aimed use of CT scanning or x-ray splenoportography, and--on the other hand--make them dispensable in a low of cases.

[Sonographic diagnosis of bile duct calculi. Results of a prospective study of 222 cases of choledocholithiasis]. / Sonographische Diagnostik von Gallenwegskonkrementen. Ergebnisse einer prospektiven Studie von 222 Fällen mit Choledocholithiasis.

To evaluate sonographic accuracy in the diagnosis of choledochal calculi 490 patients with cholestasis were examined prospectively with real-time scanner before ERCP or surgery. Ultrasound detected duct stones in 177 of 222 patients (sensibility 80%) and their absence in 242 of 268 (specificity 90%). Dilated extrahepatic bile ducts were demonstrated via ultrasound in 84% of cases with choledocholithiasis, dilated intrahepatic bile ducts in 57%. Intestinal gas obscuring the distal common duct was the most important factor limiting the ability of ultrasound to detect duct stones.

[18-year-old patient with hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, nephrocalcinosis and normal iPTH values. Primary hyperparathyroidism]. / 18jährige Patientin mit Hyperkalziämie, Hypophosphatämie, Nephrokalzinose und im Normbereich gelegenen iPTH. Primärer Hyperparathyreoidismus.

We report an 18-year old woman with surgically proven primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and normal intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) serum levels. The reason for this rare biochemical presentation are possible biologically active amino-terminal parathyroid hormone polypeptide fragments not detected by the widely used two-site immunoradiometric parathyroid hormone assay (PTH IRMA). Diagnosis and therapy of primary hyperparathyroidism therefore should not exclusively rest on the finding of hypercalcemia coupled with an elevated iPTH level.

Sonographic findings in hepatic involvement of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

AIM: Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, or Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterised by angiodysplastic lesions (telangiectases and arteriovenous malformations) which affect many organs including the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. A broad spectrum of vascular and structural changes have been reported. Our objective was to systematically examine the prevalence of sonographic findings in hepatic involvement in patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). METHODS: We studied 22 consecutive patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia by ultrasonography in combination with colour-Doppler and pulsed wave-Doppler for liver involvement. The clinical diagnosis of HHT was based on the Curaçon criteria. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 22 patients had signs of hepatic involvement including prominent common hepatic artery (14 of 16), dilatation of the intrahepatic part of the hepatic arteries (15 of 16) and intrahepatic AV-shunts (16 of 16). Ectasia of the hepatic vein, fibrotic parenchymal changes, left accessory hepatic artery and focal hepatic lesions were found less frequently. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of liver involvement in HHT can be made by sonography with colour-Doppler. The main features of this involvement include prominent common hepatic artery, dilatation of the intrahepatic part of the hepatic arteries and intrahepatic AV-shunts.

[Biliary-digestive fistula with gallstone ileus--a sonographic diagnosis]. / Biliodigestive Fistel mit Gallensteinileus--eine sonographische Diagnose.

We demonstrate a patient with a fistula between the gallbladder and the small intestine combined with a gallstone ileus of the small bowel, diagnosed by ultrasound. Plain abdominal X-ray only revealed small bowel obstruction. All the typical diagnostic criteria of a biliodigestive fistula could be detected by ultrasound. The patient was operated and discharged a few days later. We demonstrate that biliodigestive fistulas can be diagnosed by ultrasound.

[Evaluation of Doppler sonographic criteria for the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinomas and regenerative nodules in patients with liver cirrhosis]. / Evaluierung dopplersonographischer Kriterien zur Differenzialdiagnostik von hepatozellulären Karzinomen und Regeneratknoten bei Leberzirrhose.

AIM: In order to improve the differentiation between hepatocellular carcinomas and regenerative nodules in patients with liver cirrhosis, Doppler-sonographic criteria for the tumours were evaluated. METHOD: Patients with histologically proven hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 35) and regenerative nodules (n = 10) were investigated by B-mode sonography as well as fundamental and echo-enhanced power-Doppler sonography focusing on specific properties of the tumours. The results were correlated to the histological findings. RESULTS: Hepatocellular carcinomas and regenerative nodules showed a different contrast behaviour with echo-enhanced power-Doppler sonography. The following features of hepatocellular carcinomas were frequently found: peritumoural signal detection in the early arterial phase, chaotic and centripetal contrast enhancement in the arterial phase, hypervascularization in the capillary phase, and loss of portalvenous blood flow. CONCLUSION: Hepatocellular carcinomas and regenerative nodules display different vascularization patterns in the echo-enhanced power-Doppler sonography. These characteristics can be useful for their differential diagnosis.