[Experiences with power-injectable port systems: complications, patient satisfaction and clinical benefit]. / Komplikationsrate, Patientenzufriedenheit und klinischer Einsatz nach Implantation eines Portkathetersystems mit Zulassung zur Hochdruckinfusion.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of complications, patient satisfaction and clinical benefit of port systems with authorization for high pressure injection of contrast agent during CT/MR examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasound-guided insertions of central venous port catheters were performed through the lateral subclavian vein at a university teaching hospital. The radiological information system (HIS/RIS) was used to evaluate technical success and complication rates. Assessment of patient satisfaction and clinical benefit was carried out by a questionnaire during a telephone call 6 months after implantation of the port system. RESULTS: A total of 195 port systems in 193 patients were implanted. The catheter remained in place for a mean duration of 169 days (overall 29,210 catheter days). The technical success rate was 99.5 % and the overall complication rate was 17.4 % (24/138; 0.82 per 1000 catheter days). Follow-up revealed 13 early port explantations (9 %). Most of the patients reported high satisfaction in general (satisfied/very satisfied: 94 %). 34/209 contrast-enhanced CT/MRT scans (16 %) were performed using the port for contrast media injection. There were no complications during or after administration of contrast agent via the port system. CONCLUSION: The Powerport system is a safe alternative for peripheral i. v. contrast media injection during CT/MR scans, but has been infrequently used. Most patients reported high overall satisfaction with the port system.

[Misplacement of central venous catheters in the subclavian artery: safe retrieval with a percutaneous closure device (AngioSeal)]. / Fehllage zentraler Venenkatheter in der Arteria subclavia: zuverlässige Entfernung mit einem perkutanen Verschlusssystem (AngioSeal).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of retrieval of misplaced central venous catheters in the subclavian artery with a percutaneous closure device (AngioSeal). MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to the radiologic information system of a university hospital, 7 patients (6 women, 1 child) underwent removal of a misplaced central venous catheter (4 × 7 F, 1 × 8 F, 2 × 13 F) in the subclavian artery between January 2008 and June 2012 with the 8 F percutaneous closure device AngioSeal. The body mass index (BMI) of 7 patients was available, 3 of whom were obese (BMI 2 × 35.7 and 1 × 33.0). Both 13 F catheters were removed in a balloon-supported manner as described elsewhere. The Broviak catheter of a 21-month-old boy was removed by surgical support with preparation of the catheter to its vessel entry. Success control was done by a transfemoral DSA in 5 of the 7 patients. 2 patients received clinical follow-up. RESULTS: In all cases the misplaced catheter could be removed successfully. In all 7 patients, there was no arterial bleeding after catheter removal. Complications were not observed. CONCLUSION: Removal of misplaced central venous catheters in the subclavian artery by the percutaneous closure device AngioSeal is safe. Percutaneous catheter removal should be regarded as the method of choice, even in obese patients.

CT coronary angiography: coronary CT-flow quantification supplements morphological stenosis analysis.

BACKGROUND: Our rationale was to evaluate whether a 64-slice CT scanner allows accurate measurement of computed tomographic (CT) changes in coronary artery flow profiles and whether CT flow measurements are suitable for classifying the significance and hemodynamic relevance of a stenosis and thereby supplement as a functional parameter for morphological stenosis analysis. METHODS: A total of 50 patients prospectively underwent computed tomography coronary angiography (coronary CTA) in a multidetector CT scanner (Brilliance 64, Philips)±1 day before or after invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Immediately thereafter, 2 radiologists reviewed the imaging data to detect any vessel segments with morphology poorly evaluable by coronary CTA. A locally constant cyclical measurement was acquired in these coronary arteries in breath-hold technique during the passage of a 50ml bolus of contrast media. For analysis, time-density curves of the bolus passage were registered in the coronary artery and the aorta (internal reference), the up-slopes were determined and correlated with each other. The results were compared with the ICA findings. RESULTS: 47 of 50 CT flow measurements were evaluable. A good correlation was found between the degrees of stenosis and slope ratios in aorta and coronary artery (R(2)=0.92). The threshold corridor was 0.55-0.77 for distinguishing hemodynamically (≥70%) from non-hemodynamically relevant stenoses. CONCLUSIONS: CT-based coronary artery flow measurements (CTFM) correlate well with the angiographically determined degree of stenosis and can elevate by non-invasive means the diagnostic accuracy of coronary CTA. From both a clinically diagnostic and scientific standpoint, CTFM proves a suitable method for quantifying coronary blood flow.

[Effects of endovascular therapy for renal artery stenosis on blood pressure and renal function: retrospective analysis of an unselected patient collective from 1994 to 2007]. / Auswirkungen der endovaskulären Therapie von Nierenarterienstenosen auf Blutdruck und Nierenfunktion : Retrospektive Auswertung bei einem nicht-selektierten Patientenkollektiv von 1994-2007.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective analysis of the long-term success rates of endoluminal therapy of renal artery stenosis in a university hospital was carried out. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preinterventional and postinterventional data contained in the clinical records of all 104 patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA, 25 patients) or stent PTA (79 patients) from 01 January 1994 to 31 December 2007, were documented using an electronically structured questionnaire and a time period classification. Subgroup analyses and statistical calculations were done using t-tests for joint random samples. RESULTS: At day 1 postintervention all patients showed a statistically significant decrease in mean systolic blood pressure (all patients: p=0.002, stent PTA group: p=0.023, PTA group: p=0.022). The significant decrease in mean systolic blood pressure persisted in years 1 and 2 postintervention (all patients: p=0.009 and 0.007, stent PTA group: p=0.039 and 0.015, respectively). Mean blood pressure values remained constant during the other time periods analyzed. In patients with a stent PTA carried out between 2001 and 2007 there was no significant reduction of prescribed antihypertonic drugs (p=0.023 and p=0.046, respectively). Mean serum creatinine concentrations decreased during years 1 and 2 postintervention and increased starting in year 3. In patients with elevated serum creatinine levels prior to the intervention the increase in mean serum creatinine level started in year 5. CONCLUSIONS: Endoluminal therapy of arteriosclerotic renal artery stenosis delays further deterioration of renal function and stabilizes blood pressure as well as the number of prescribed antihypertonic drugs. This can be considered a response to treatment in view of the mostly chronic progressive course of the disease.

[Perforation of the hypopharynx after esophagogastroduodenoscopy]. / Hypopharynxperforation nach Ösophagogastroduodenoskopie.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 57-year-old immunocompromised man (OKT3 therapy following rejection reaction after renal transplantation) was presented to the ENT clinic because of progredient dysphagia and pain in the neck region. Twelve hours before, a esophagogastroduodenoscopy had been performed in an external clinic. INVESTIGATIONS: There was palpable crepitation over the area of the larynx. Laboratory tests showed an increase of CRP and leucocytosis. Computed tomography with contrast agent showed a pronounced emphysema of the neck and extravasation on the level of the larynx. An x-ray with esophagramm showed a leakage of contrast agent at the hypopharynx. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The patient received 1 × 2 g Ceftriaxon and 3 × 400 mg Metronidazol intravenously. Endoscopy with rigid instruments showed a 0.5 cm slit-like lesion of the left sinus piriformis with putrid secretion. Via a trans-cervical approach a parapharngeal abszess of 2 cm was explored and treated with drainage and lavage. The upper esophageal sphincter was slitted and the pharynx perforation multilayered closed from outside. A CT scan after 24 hours showed decreasing emphysema with signs of an absczess. The further clinical course was uneventful. After 3 months a bland cervical scar and normal ENT status could be observed at a patient free of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Perforation of the upper aerodigestive tract is a rare complication of a flexible esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Early diagnosis and treatment is needed to prevent the development of sepsis, an abscess or a mediastinitis as potential life threatening effects with a poor prognosis. Depending on the defect size and the overall situation a conservative or surgical management should be followed. Special attention should be paid to immunocompromised patients after a esophagogastroduodenoscopy as clinical signs of a perforated aerodigestive tract may be reduced or missing.

[Sticking guide wire. Problems with a high-flow catheter]. / "Der Draht hakt". Probleme mit einem "High-flow"-Katheter.

In the case presented an intravenous line for large volume infusion rates was to be placed in a patient with an aortic aneurysm during clinical preoperative care. After a high-flow catheter had been placed without any problems retraction of the guide wire was found to be impossible. Computer tomography revealed that the reason was a kink in the catheter resulting in the guide wire being nipped off. Fortunately both catheter and guide wire could be removed completely without any further complications.

[Embolization of a renal artery aneurysm. Effect of an ESWL?]. / Embolisation eines Aneurysmas der A. renalis. Folge einer ESWL?

The development of a peripheral aneurysm of the renal artery as a result of an ESWL is a rarely described complication. We discuss in the presented case the diagnosis and successful endovascular treatment of a complicated aneurysm of a renal segment artery with complete preservation of the renal parenchyma.