[Necrotizing fasciitis in the head and neck region-three case reports and a review of the literature]. / Nekrotisierende Fasziitis der Kopf-Hals-Region ­ 3 Fallberichte und Literaturübersicht.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening, usually bacterial, soft tissue infection that rarely affects the head and neck region. Rapid progression and systemic illness are typical for the disease and complicate diagnosis. Immediate surgical and antimicrobial therapy is required. Three cases of cervicofacial NF are presented in this case report. All patients showed a rapidly progressing, painful swelling and redness in the cervicofacial region. After diagnosing NF based on clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, and CT, the patients were treated with systemic antibiotics and multiple extensive debridements. Two of the three patients died within 48 h from systemic illness with septic organ failure; one patient was discharged after intensive care treatment and reconstruction of the tissue defects caused by debridement. NF is a fast-developing soft tissue infection associated with high mortality and morbidity, and is often recognized too late. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs such as progressive diffuse swelling, pain, erythema, and early systemic illness. Laboratory parameters (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis [LRINEC] score) and imaging via CT or MRT are helpful. CT/MRT images can show soft tissue swelling with pathognomonic gas formation. Immediate surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapy are critical for survival. Intravenously administered immunoglobulins and hyperbaric pressure therapy should only be used as supplementary treatments.

[CT and MRI of the liver: when, what, why?] / CT und MRT der Leber: wann, was, warum?

The detection and differential diagnostic clarification of liver pathologies play an important role in almost all medical disciplines. Because of its superior soft tissue contrast, the availability of liver-specific contrast agents and functional techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method of choice for the diagnostics of focal and diffuse liver pathologies. In addition to its superior detection and differentiation capabilities, MRI can provide prognostic information and enable early assessment of the therapy response for malignant liver lesions using functional techniques, especially diffusion imaging. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging method of choice for the detection of traumatic liver injury. Despite the increasing availability of functional techniques in CT, MRI remains the overall modality of choice in liver imaging.

Clinical value of imaging for lymph nodes evaluation with particular emphasis on ultrasonography.

Enlarged or irregular lymph nodes (LNs) are clinical and imaging findings in a large variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. A comprehensive diagnostic work up is usually necessary in order to differentiate the benign or the malignant nature of the altered LNs. The diagnosis has to be made using all clinical information and, if necessary, assessed LNs need to be biopsied and further, histologically or microbiologically characterized. However, imaging techniques, and particularly ultrasonography (US), are essential on the way to the final diagnosis, from initial detection and characterization to follow-up of biopsy guidance. Computed-tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are of great value for oncological diseases staging and treatment monitoring. Imaging techniques are helpful in distinguishing between benign and malignant LNs disease as well as between LNs metastases and lymphoma in most cases. Furthermore, imaging can define the extent and distribution of malignant diseases. It may assist, through the use of particular techniques such as elastography, to identify the most suspicious LN to be biopsied and to guide targeted biopsies from the most suspicious areas. It also serves as the main tool for the evaluation of treatment response in malignant diseases. The quality of LNs imaging has remarkably improved in recent years. New methods, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), elastography, positron emission tomography (PET)/PET-CT, as well as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in MRI, have already led to substantial changes in clinical practice. This review describes the most recent imaging techniques for LNs assessment, and their particular clinical value, with a special emphasis on the role of US techniques. Strengths and weaknesses of different imaging tools are discussed comprehensively, highlighting the importance of a corroborative attitude for successful management of each particular case.

Fast Abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

UNLABELLED: Abdominal imaging is the driving force that necessitates the development of numerous techniques for accelerated image acquisition in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Today, numerous techniques are available that enable rapid, high spatial resolution acquisition for both T1 and T2 weighted images. These techniques open new opportunities in the detection and classification of numerous pathologies in the abdomen. However, there is still ongoing progress in the development of fast and ultrafast sequences and promising techniques are currently close to clinical application. With these 4D-technologies, MRI is becoming the central imaging modality for dynamic, motion-compensated imaging of the parenchymal abdominal organs such as liver, pancreas and kidney. KEY POINTS: • Fast imaging techniques are especially valuable in the upper abdomen, as this region is particularly affected by respiratory motion.• Parallel imaging and k-space-based acceleration techniques are the basic components of fast 3 D sequences.• By further accelerating 3 D imaging with high spatial resolution, 4 D techniques become available. Citation Format: • Budjan J., Schoenberg S. O., Riffel P. Fast Abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2016; 188: 551 - 558.

The value of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in interdisciplinary treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the value of dynamic pelvic floor MRI relative to standard clinical examinations in treatment decisions made by an interdisciplinary team of specialists in a center for pelvic floor dysfunction. METHODS: 60 women were referred for dynamic pelvic floor MRI by an interdisciplinary team of specialists of a pelvic floor center. All patients were clinically examined by an urologist, gynecologist, a proctological, and colorectal surgeon. The specialists assessed individually and in consensus, whether (1) MRI provides important additional information not evident by physical examination and in consensus whether (2) MRI influenced the treatment strategy and/or (3) changed management or the surgical procedure. RESULTS: MRI was rated essential to the treatment decision in 22/50 cases, leading to a treatment change in 13 cases. In 12 cases, an enterocele was diagnosed by MRI but was not detected on physical exam. In 4 cases an enterocele and in 2 cases a rectocele were suspected clinically but not confirmed by MRI. In 4 cases, MRI proved critical in assessment of rectocele size. Vaginal intussusception detected on MRI was likewise missed by gynecologic exam in 1 case. CONCLUSION: MRI allows diagnosis of clinically occult enteroceles, by comprehensively evaluating the interaction between the pelvic floor and viscera. In nearly half of cases, MRI changed management or the surgical approach relative to the clinical evaluation of an interdisciplinary team. Thus, dynamic pelvic floor MRI represents an essential component of the evaluation for pelvic floor disorders.

[Infectious diseases and injuries of bladder and urinary tract]. / Infektionskrankheiten und Verletzungen der Harnblase und der ableitenden Harnwege.

Urinary tract infections are the most common infectious diseases in Germany. In most cases clarification does not rely on imaging techniques other than sonography and is made mostly based on clinical symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used in selected cases to find the cause and detection or exclusion of complications, e.g. recurrent or atypical and complicated courses. The method of choice for clarification of urolithiasis is CT. Using low-dose techniques, detection or exclusion of urinary stones can be achieved with a high sensitivity and specificity as well as an acceptable level of radiation exposure. Native stone CT supplies additional fundamental information that can substantially influence further therapy planning. The diagnosis of ureteral injuries is clinically and radiologically not trivial and clarification is aided by urographic contrast media. The method of CT cystography has an important role in the diagnostics of urinary bladder injuries.

[Oncological diseases and postoperative alterations of the bladder and urinary tract]. / Onkologische Erkrankungen und postoperative Veränderungen der Harnblase und der ableitenden Harnwege.

In the challenging evaluation of upper urinary tract malignancies multidetector computed tomography (CT) has become the standard imaging method. Cross sectional imaging not only allows the detection and visualization of the tumor itself but also provides nodal and metastasis staging in one examination (one-stop-shop). The majority of urothelial carcinomas are located in the urinary bladder. In this case, CT and more recently magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also deliver decisive information regarding TNM classification. A combination of clinical, histological, morphological and functional parameters allows both risk stratification and a targeted therapy based on the individual tumor stage.