[Importance of SPECT/CT for knee and hip joint prostheses]. / Stellenwert der SPECT/CT bei Knie- und Hüftgelenkprothesen.

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: Complications, such as loosening or infections are common problems after hip or knee arthroplasty. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: If conventional X-rays are equivocal bone scintigraphy is the classical second-line imaging modality. METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) offers metabolic and morphologic information in one imaging step and is becoming increasingly more available in larger hospitals. PERFORMANCE: The SPECT/CT procedure is a promising method and is increasingly being used in daily routine to evaluate joint arthroplasty. The additional benefit compared with classical conventional bone scintigraphy has to be evaluated in further prospective studies. ACHIEVEMENTS: In our hospital SPECT/CT regularly gives important additional information regarding prosthetic joint complications. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: SPECT/CT is increasingly being used as the second step imaging standard modality if conventional X-rays are equivocal.

Pseudoaneurysm rupture after liver injury in a 14-year-old boy.

Today, haemodynamically stable children with blunt liver trauma are treated conservatively and can be discharged from hospital within one week. We report on a 14-year-old boy with a blunt hepatic trauma grade III, who showed a pseudoaneurysm with active bleeding into the abdominal cavity after mobilisation on day 9. Supraselective angiography of the right hepatic artery was performed and 2 titanium coils and gelatine sponge particles were placed for embolisation. In view of this complication, we suggest carrying out colour Doppler sonographic imaging to rule out pseudoaneurysm in children with blunt hepatic trauma before they are discharged from hospital.

[Teleradiology for emergency cranial computed tomography]. / Teleradiologie bei notfallmässigen Schädel-CT-Untersuchungen.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with the teleradiologic service provided by a center hospital (CH) for emergency cranial computed tomography (CCT) in two regional hospitals (RH) during a 12-month period. The clinical and economic impact of teleradiology will be discussed as well as the acceptance by the clinicians of the regional hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2001, 213 CT-scans in 202 patients were performed and reported using teleradiology. Teleradiologic and final medical diagnosis were analysed by the medical reports. The transfer of the patients to a CH and their further treatment were checked. The referring physicians in the RH were asked to complete a questionnaire about the teleradiological support. RESULTS: 18 (9 %) patients had to be urgently transferred to a CH based on the CT findings in the teleradiological reports. 24 patients (11 %) were transferred to a center hospital during further treatment. 80 % of patients were treated in the RH. CONCLUSION: CT data transfer is reliable and efficient. Teleradiology reduces costs by avoiding unnecessary transport of patients for diagnostic procedures. Teleradiology improves patient management by reducing time from admittance to decide about further treatment. Teleradiology enables rapid selection of the best-equipped center hospital for the management of the patient's disease. Teleradiology is well accepted by the physicians in the RH. In the RH, teleradiology has become an indispensable standard procedure in the emergency diagnostic workup of cerebral trauma patients and in patients with acute unclear neurological symptoms.

[Diagnostic imaging in vascular diagnosis]. / Bildgebende Gefässdiagnostik.

Previously, vascular imaging was done exclusively using angiography (X-ray projectional imaging of vessels opacified by iodinated contrast media). Recently angiography especially is used in combination with angioplasty (percutaneous enlargement of a closed or stenotic vessel). There has been a change from invasive to non invasive procedures. New developments in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR) and ultrasound have reduced the indications for the invasive digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Further improvement especially im MR-angiography and colour-coded dopplersonography will cover all primary diagnostic vascular examinations.

[Lifelong heavy agricultural work and development of arthrosis of the hand--a case study]. / Lebenslange landwirtschaftliche Schwerarbeit und Arthroseentwicklung an der Hand--Eine kasuistische Untersuchung.

Heavy physical work load is a known determinant of osteoarthritis of the hip, which may account for the high risk observed among farmers. On the other hand, the data on influence of heavy manual work in the pathogenesis of hand osteoarthritis are still controversial. We examined 25 retired farm laborers who strenuously worked for more than 50 years. The investigation included a history of professional activity, clinical and radiological examination of the hands, hips and knees, MRI of hand and laboratory evaluation of 4 participants. Interestingly, the farm laborers with osteoarthritis of the hands, hardly complained. In many of the proximal interphalangeal joints, a discrepancy was observed between the clinical hypertrophic changes and the radiological osteoarthritis which was weak or absent. This difference was less pronounced in the distal interphalangeal joints. Furthermore the distribution pattern of the osteoarthritis of the hand was striking with an over-proportional involvement of the metacarpophalangeal joints and less pronounced of the intercarpal joints. Most often both hands have been affected and the typical localization of the metacarphophalangeal joint osteoarthritis was the first, second and third finger. In all but one participant we found at least unilateral osteoarthritis of the hip and compared to the hands, complaints were more severe. Our findings support the hypothesis that the distribution of osteoarthritis in the hand is affected by lifelong farming. As shown by the data on proximal interphalangeal joints, the periarticular tissue can adapt to the mechanical load in the strength grip.

[Digital mammography: experiences in its clinical application]. / Digitale Mammographie: Erfahrungen bei klinischer Anwendung.

TARGET: In 1989 in the Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne conventional film-screen mammography was replaced by digital mammography. With the support of a retrospective study, it was checked whether or not digital mammography represents an equally valid diagnostic procedure in daily routine. METHODS: 1204 patients were examined using digital mammography. A reevaluation of these patients was carried out using clinical and radiological routine controls. Additionally a radiological and histological examination was performed in 127 cases in which excisional biopsies had been done, paying particular attention to detail perception. RESULTS: The sensitivity of digital mammography achieved a total of 85%, whereas the accuracy was 81%. With additional use of ultrasound and galactography the sensitivity attained 91%. By reevaluation the sensitivity amounted to 87%, the accuracy remaining at 81%. The positive predictive value was especially high with 76% and 77%. CONCLUSION: Digital mammography offers satisfactory diagnostic performance.

FDG PET evaluation of granular cell tumor of the breast.

Granular cell tumor is a rare, usually benign neoplasm of neural origin that may arise in virtually any site and, when situated in the breast, can mimic breast carcinoma. We describe a case of granular cell tumor of the breast in a 57-yr-old woman. Clinical evaluation, mammography, sonography and MRI suggested a carcinoma with infiltration of skin and muscle. However, the tumor did not display increased glucose metabolism on PET. Clinical findings, imaging results, histological characteristics and surgical management are discussed.

Metabolic characterization of breast tumors with positron emission tomography using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of position emission tomographic (PET) imaging with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in differentiating between benign and malignant breast tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients, with suspicious breast lesions newly discovered either by physical examination or by mammography, underwent PET imaging before exploratory surgery. FDG-PET images of the breast were analyzed visually and quantitatively for objective assessment of regional tracer uptake. RESULTS: Primary breast cancer was identified visually with a sensitivity of 68% to 94% and a specificity of 84% to 97% depending on criteria used for image interpretation. Quantitative analysis of FDG uptake in tumors using standardized uptake values (SUV) showed a significant difference between benign (1.4 +/- 0.5) and malignant (3.3 +/- 1.8) breast tumors (P < .01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis exhibited a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 100% at a threshold SUV value of 2.5. Sensitivity increased to 92% with a corresponding specificity of 97% when partial volume correction of FDG uptake was performed based on independent anatomic information. CONCLUSION: PET imaging allowed accurate differentiation between benign and malignant breast tumors providing a high specificity. Sensitivity for detection of small breast cancer ( < 1 cm) was limited due to partial volume effects. Quantitative image analysis combined with partial volume correction may be necessary to exploit fully the diagnostic accuracy. PET imaging may be helpful as a complimentary method in a subgroup of patients with indeterminate results of conventional breast imaging.

[Evaluating the morphology of uncertain breast tumors using color coded Doppler ultrasound]. / Dignitätseinschätzung unklarer Mammatumoren mit Hilfe der farbkodierten Dopplersonographie.

AIM: The relationship between tumour vessel density and tumour vitality in breast carcinoma has been well established in histopathological studies. Our objective was to find out if colour-coded sonography is helpful in the evaluation of suspicious breast masses. METHOD: 106 patients were studied; in all cases a biopsy was obtained. Peripheral and central blood vessels in a lesion were counted and peak systolic velocities (PSV) were measured as well as the resistive index (RI). The grade of vascularisation was scored on a scale from I-IV indicating an increasing vessel count and increasing PSV. RESULTS: 83% of the carcinoma (n = 61) and 45% of the benign lesions (n = 45) showed vascularity grade III or IV (hypervascularity). The mean PSV of all carcinomas was 0.23 m/s, in benign lesions 0.14 m/s (p < 0.005). Although G3 carcinomas showed higher vascularisation than G2 carcinomas, the difference was not statistically significant. T3 + 4 tumours had significantly higher PSV than T1 + 2 carcinomas (p < 0.01). In 12 of 23 cases with unclear morphology in the B-mode, the additional finding of hypervascularity led to the misinterpretation of a benign lesion as a carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Although increased vascularity correlated with degree of malignancy the finding of hypervascularity did not help to distinguish a benign from a malignant lesion in individual cases. Consequently, it did not help to reduce the biopsy rate. In benign lesions with hypervascularity and borderline morphology, the risk of a false positive diagnosis is high.

[Diagnosis of recurrent intervertebral disk prolapse with nuclear magnetic resonance tomography]. / Diagnostik des Bandscheibenrezidivprolaps mittels Kernspintomographie.

Persisting low back pain after lumbar discectomy may have many reasons. Reoperation is likely to be successful if a recurrent disc prolapse is found. The sensitivity and validity of diagnostic tools used cannot as yet be considered to be optimal. For this reason in our study 130 patients who were supposed to have a recurrent disc herniation underwent MRI with and without application of Gadolinium DTPA. In all patients we saw enhancement in the spinal canal. Sensitivity of MRI as verified by reoperation was > 90%. Hence, we can recommend this diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of recurrent disc herniation.

[The MRT of the breast with 2D-spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences in diagnostically problematic cases]. / MRT der Mamma mit 2D-Spinecho- und Gradientenecho-Sequenzen in diagnostischen Problemfällen.

One or both breasts of 296 patients with equivocal clinical or mammographic findings were examined with MRI. T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (FFE) sequences were acquired before and after i.v. application of Gadolinium DTPA. 50 lesions with enhancement after Gd-DTPA were biopsied--26 carcinomas, 17 proliferating mastopathic tissues, 5 fibroadenomas and 1 abscess were found. Contrast enhanced MRI with 2D-SE and FFE sequences is an effective technique for evaluating suspicious breast lesions with high diagnostic accuracy.

[Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) in the diagnosis of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)]. / Die Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) in der Diagnostik des Failed Back Surgery Syndroms (FBSS).

MRT was performed, using a 0.5 and 1.5 Tesla magnet, on 150 patients with FBSS between three days and 23 years following lumbar disc surgery. T1-weighted spin echo sequences were obtained before and after the application of gadolinium (0.15 mmol/kg). In 67 patients the MRT findings were compared with surgical observations. MRT had a sensitivity of 94% in diagnosing recurrent prolapse, a specificity of 100% and accuracy of 94%. The ventral epidural scar tissue, the disc and the neighbouring vertebral bodies showed increased contrast uptake over a prolonged post-operative period.

[MRI as decisive diagnostic procedure in Perthes disease. Early diagnosis of femoral head necrosis in childhood]. / Die MRT als entscheidendes Diagnoseverfahren bei Morbus Perthes. Frühdiagnose der Hüftkopfnekrose im Kindesalter.

PROBLEM: In order to achieve better final results in Perthes disease, the diagnosis should be established as early and as accurately as possible. This is rarely achieved with conventional X-ray procedures. OWN EXPERIENCE: Since 1986, a total of 50 children with Perthes disease were submitted to MRI follow-up examinations employing T1 and T2-weighted coronary an sagittal sections and the results compared with the findings of conventional X-ray examinations. RESULTS: The authors developed their own MRI staging and typing scheme on the basis of the MRI extent of the necrosis. Catterall's group classification could not be translated to the MRI since the latter usually showed more extensive necrosis. Agreement was found only in group I. With the aid of MR imaging, it proved possible to diagnose a case of Perthes disease earlier, the total extent of the necrosis was established earlier, and also the final form of the epiphysis after completion of re-modelling was already predictable in stage II. The indication for treatment and intra-trochanteric osteotomy was established on the basis of the MR image. Further invasive investigations were not needed. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of Perthes disease, MRI should be given preference over other diagnostic procedures and, despite the greater expenditure of time and greater cost, should be routinely employed in this disease.