Diffusion-weighted MRI and PET-CT in the follow up of chronic periaortitis.

Aim of the present study is to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) parameters in the follow up of chronic periaortitis (CP), with a focus on changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and standardized uptake values (SUV). 127 patients with CP were treated in our urology between 2007 and 2017. We identified 14 patients with parallel abdominal MRI and PET-CT examinations before therapy and in the follow up resulting in a total of 56 examinations. Relative contrast uptake and diffusion-weighted MRI parameters were compared to SUV in the corresponding PET-CT examinationsand laboratory infection markers. All examined MRI and PET-CT parameters showed significant changes between basis and follow-up examinations. Median ADC values increased significantly (p < 0.001) in the follow up. SUVmax and the other MR parameter (contrast uptake, DWI-signal) declined significantly. We observed a strong negative correlation between ADC and SUVmax (rho: - 0.61; p < 0.001). In addition, we found an inverse correlation of ADC with the inflammation markers ESR (rho: - 0.64; p < 0.001) and CRP (rho: - 0.54; p = 0.001). MRI and PET-CT showed comparable results in the individual follow up of CP and compared to laboratory inflammation markers. Our data support MRI as first imaging modality due to absent radiation and the necessity of repetitive follow-up examinations in patients with CP.

[New (and old) aspects of retroperitoneal fibrosis]. / Neue (und alte) Aspekte der retroperitonealen Fibrose.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory disease of the rear abdomen and it is commonly associated with the complication of uni- or bilateral hydronephrosis. Despite the rarity of this disease, multiple publications concerning etiology, diagnosis, therapy monitoring and both medical and surgical therapy have been published in recent years. Recent research has focused on asbestos exposure as a possible risk factor, the meaning of IgG4-associated RPF, measuring disease activity using different radiological and nuclear medicine procedures, and new approaches to medical therapy. Goals of treatment were characterized as the correct diagnosis, preservation of renal function and freedom from stents, steroids and pain. On the basis of these goals, the most important insights and developments of the last 5 years regarding RPF are presented.

[Diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis]. / Diagnostik und Therapie der retroperitonealen Fibrose.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the posterior abdominal cavity. Hydronephrosis due to extrinsic compression of the ureter is the most frequent complication of the disease, which is why patients are often treated by urologists.On the basis of checklists the most important and fundamental facts of diagnosis (symptoms, hydronephrosis, laboratory parameters, diagnostic radiology, histology, renal function and measuring disease activity) and therapy (goals of therapy, medical and surgical therapy) are presented.

[Urethral pain syndrome: fact or fiction--an update]. / Das Urethralsyndrom: Fakt oder Fiktion--ein Update.

BACKGROUND: Urethral pain syndrome is a symptom complex including dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia and persistent or intermittent urethral and/or pelvic pain in the absence of proven infection. These symptoms overlap with several other conditions, such as interstitial cystitis bladder pain syndrome and overactive bladder. Urethral pain syndrome may occur in men but is more frequent in women. DIAGNOSTIC: The exact etiology is unknown but infectious and psychogenic factors, urethral spasms, early interstitial cystitis, hypoestrogenism, squamous metaplasia as well as gynecological risk factors are discussed. These aspects should be ruled out or confirmed in the diagnostic approach. Despite the assumption of a multifactorial etiology, pathophysiologically there is a common pathway: dysfunctional epithelium of the urethra becomes leaky which leads to bacterial and abacterial inflammation and ends in fibrosis due to the chronic impairment. THERAPY: The therapeutic approach should be multimodal using a trial and error concept: general treatment includes analgesia, antibiotics, alpha receptor blockers and muscle relaxants, antimuscarinic therapy, topical vaginal estrogen, psychological support and physical therapy. In cases of nonresponding patients intravesical and/or surgical therapy should be considered. The aim of this review is to summarize the preliminary findings on urethral pain syndrome and to elucidate the diagnostic and therapeutic options.

[Therapy of retroperitoneal fibrosis: functional therapeutic outcome]. / Therapie der retroperitonealen Fibrose : Funktionelle Behandlungsergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: The most frequent complication of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is an extrinsic compression of the ureter resulting in hydronephrosis. Because of the rareness of this uncommon chronic inflammatory disease, therapeutic results concerning the treatment of the obstructive uropathy are often known only for small study groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Else Kröner-Fresenius registry is a nationwide register of patients suffering from RPF in which all disease-related data are prospectively recorded. We performed a retrospective analysis of treatment outcome of different therapy strategies for all patients who underwent standardized treatment in our department since 2007. RESULTS: From April 2007 to January 2014 a total of 97 patients with RPF were treated in our department. The mean age was 54.9 years and the male to female ratio was 3.2:1 (74 males and 23 females). Assessment of 85 out of 97 cases revealed 78 patients and 118 renal units with hydronephrosis. Of these patients 46 received prednisolone, 35 patients tamoxifen and 4 patients a combination therapy. Successful removal of double J stents was possible in 49 out of the 78 cases (62.8%) and in 72 out of 118 renal units (61.0%). Of the patients 26.9% received final surgical treatment of ureter compression and 7.7% of patients were permanently treated with a double J stents. Patients treated with prednisolone were significantly younger (p=0.040) and decided for surgical therapy significantly earlier (p=0.041). Otherwise there were no differences in functional outcome of patients treated with either prednisolone or tamoxifen. CONCLUSION: Removal of double J stents was possible in 63% of patients regardless of the medicinal approach to therapy, which supports the strategy of using medicinal treatment before the application of surgical solutions. Nevertheless, surgical interventions were necessary in more than 25% of cases.

[Orthotopic liver transplantation for polycystic liver disease with massive hepatomegaly]. / Orthotope Lebertransplantation bei polyzystischer Leberdegeneration mit massiver Hepatomegalie.

HISTORY: A 51-year-old man (126 kg, 192 cm) with massive hepatomegaly causing cardiopulmonary symptoms was referred to our transplant center 14 years after initial diagnosis of polycystic liver disease. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Uneventful hepatectomy was followed by orthotopic liver transplantation using caval replacement. Donor liver came from a 73-year-old woman (extended criteria donor organ offer). A portocaval shunting was not established during transplantation although the explanted liver weighed 22 kg. 18 months after transplantation liver function is stable and the patient enjoys normal quality of life. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates the value and success of transplantation for patients suffering from enormous hepatomegaly due to polycystic liver disease.