[Subarachnoid pleural fistula and subsequent pneumocephalus as complication of vertebral body replacement of the thoracic spine]. / Pleurospinale Fistel und konsekutiver Pneumatozephalus als Komplikation eines Wirbelkörperersatzes an der Brustwirbelsäule.

A pneumocephalus caused by a subarachnoid pleural fistula following spinal surgery using an anterior approach is a rare complication, especially in vertebral body replacement. We report the case of a 66-year-old male suffering from metastatic prostatic cancer of the thoracic spine who underwent replacement of a vertebral body using a transthoracic approach. A pneumocephalus occurred 4 weeks postoperatively resulting in delirium.

[Pleural metastases of a typical bronchial carcinoid 7 years after lobectomy]. / Pleurales Rezidiv eines typischen pulmonalen Karzinoids 7 Jahre nach Operation.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial carcinoids are a rare differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodes. Because of their typical manifestation in the major bronchi, carcinoid tumours are visible regularly via bronchoscopy where they show a typical picture. In lymph node-negative disease a favourable outcome can be expected. Typically metastases develop in the lung, liver, brain, bone and adrenal glands. CASE REPORT: Seven years after lobectomy of a bronchial carcinoid, a slow-growing thickening of the pleura parietalis was noted in a 54-year-old male patient. No clinical signs of neuroendocrine activity were seen. The histological diagnosis of pleural metastases was established via trans-thoracic punctation. Pleural metastases of bronchial carcinoids are extremely rare. Only two other cases have been reported so far. Palliative cytotoxic chemotherapy was started. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative prognosis of bronchial carcinoids in lymph node-negative disease is excellent. Metastatic disease--as in the rare case of pleural metastases shown here--remains a therapeutic dilemma. Extensively evaluated concepts for adjuvant or palliative settings do not exist. Further research is needed.

[Progressive ischaemia of the hand caused by aneurysm]. / Progrediente Handischämie bei Hohlhandaneurysma.

Arterial aneurysmata of the hand represent a rarity. Post-traumatic aneurysms of the ulnaric artery are subsumed under the so-called hypothenaric or hammer syndrome. This report describes a 36-year-old patient with a symptomatic aneurysm of the superficial palmaric arc distal to the ulnaric artery outside of the Loge de Guyon. The branches of the communicating digital arteries were part of the aneurysm. Unable to recall any trauma to the left hand, the patient had an impaired blood supply to the left second, fourth, and fifth fingers. He complained of unpleasant paleness, cold sensation, and pain there. Particularly remarkable was the absence of an anastomosis of the superficial and profound arterial arcs. The therapy was microsurgical resection of the aneurysm with end-to-end anastomosis of the superficial palmaric arc and reinsertion of the communicating digital arteries 4 and 5. After release of a haematoma, the wound healed without any complications and the complaints ceased. The suggested therapy concerning a cardiac infarction 5 years prior to the treatment was: 300 mg of aspirin for 12 months followed by 100 mg as a permanent medication.

Computed direct magnification radiography of bone tumors.

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of computed direct magnification radiography in diagnosing bone tumors as compared with conventional radiography. Ninety-one patients with primary bone tumors and tumor-like lesions were radiographed with conventional and magnification techniques. All radiographs were analyzed by one orthopedic surgeon and two radiologists and the findings were correlated with histopathology. Two microfocal X-ray units were used for computed direct magnification radiography with a focal spot size of 20-130 microm. Using magnification versus conventional radiography, the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions as well as the individual tumor diagnosis was obtained with higher accuracy (85% versus 71% and 69% versus 51%, respectively, P<0.01). Margins of destruction, periosteal reactions, and matrix patterns were evaluated with higher accuracy by all observers (P<0.01). We conclude that computed direct magnification radiography may improve evaluation and diagnosis of bone tumors.

Diagnosis and treatment of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a rare but often fatal event after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Twenty patients with ongoing ileus after cardiac surgery despite maximal laxative treatment underwent selective mesenteric angiography. In cases of pathological radiographic findings, papaverine was continuously administered via an intraarterial perfusion catheter. RESULTS: Severe NOMI was confirmed in seven patients (mean lactate: 6.9 +/- 8.3 mg/dL), mild to moderate findings in another seven (mean lactate: 1.4 +/- 1.1 mg/dL). One patient had thromboembolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery; five patients demonstrated normal imaging findings. In nine of fourteen patients (64%) treated with papaverine, symptoms improved within hours (defecation occurred after 4-29 hours, mean 13 +/- 8.1 hours). No side effects or complications occurred in connection with the papaverine treatment. The clinical condition of five patients deteriorated. Four patients underwent laparotomy with creation of an ileostomy or colostomy, two of whom presented with severe intestinal ischemia and later died. One patient died prior to laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Selective mesenteric angiography with continuous papaverine administration is a simple, fast, and effective diagnostic and therapeutic tool to reduce the need for laparotomy for symptoms of ileus after open-heart surgery.

Tissue pH in human kidney transplants during hypothermic ischemia.

Ex vivo NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate pH in 67 human kidney transplants. (1)H and (31)P spectra were recorded at 1.5 T during regular hypothermic storage in histidine-tryptophane-alpha-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution. Estimations of cytosolic pH from chemical shift differences between inorganic phosphate and phosphodiesters and of extracellular pH from the varepsilon1 and delta2 protons of histidine were based upon systematic titration studies. The possibility to predict acute tubular necrosis (ATN) by measuring pH was compared to results obtained with peak area ratios of phosphomonoesters (PME) and Pi and of the gamma-phosphorus of nucleoside 5'-triphosphate (gamma-NTP) and Pi. Cytosolic pH was 6.86+/-0.10 in kidneys showing immediate post-transplant function and 6.84+/-0.10 in those with ATN. Time-dependent studies demonstrated a monoexponential pH decay (velocity constant: 0.14+/-0.07 h(-1)). Extracellular pH varied between 7.40 and 7.15. Grafts with immediate function showed higher PME/Pi (2.24+/-0.57 vs. 1.77+/-0.50, p<0.05) and gamma-NTP/Pi (0.33+/-0.16 vs. 0.16+/-0.08, p<0.001). Intra- and extracellular pH can be monitored non-invasively during hypothermic transplant storage. The pH gradient between both compartments provides quantitative information about the buffer capacity of the preservation medium. Acidification is not a primary cause of ATN during regular HTK storage. The total nucleotide pool is a determinant of the reversibility of ischemic injury.

[The use of rapid sequences in craniocerebral MR diagnosis]. / Einsatz schneller Sequenzen bei der kraniozerebralen MR-Diagnostik.

MRI of the head is routinely performed with spin-echo sequences whereas gradient-echo sequences are still uncommon. Certain features of fast imaging sequences make them a promising tool for clinical investigations. The relative high signal-to-noise ratio/unit time demonstrates the usefulness of GE imaging as localising images. The extremely high contrast-flexibility is sometimes superior to SE imaging and may help to characterise structures and lesions. Flow dynamics are more clearly depicted than with SE sequences and lead to the dynamic evaluation of intracranial motion (CSF flow, blood flow). This information may be used in a special mode to achieve MR angiograms. Due to the very short repetition times, GE sequences are excellently suited to 3D application. This enables to reduce slice thickness to less than 1 mm with optional reconstructions in any virtual direction. In view of present developments in MR, GE imaging will be accepted in clinical diagnostic imaging in the near future.

[The MR tomographic findings in cranial manifestations of neurofibromatosis]. / MR-tomographische Befunde kranialer Manifestationen der Neurofibromatose.

Twelve patients with central neurofibromatosis underwent MR examination of the head. Among these, chiasma glioma was the most common CNS tumour (6/12). Seven patients had multifocal areas of increased T2-signal without mass effect predominantly involving the region of the basal ganglia. No corresponding CT abnormalities were present. These lesions may represent multifocal dysplasia and seem to be characteristic of central neurofibromatosis.

[The MR tomography of hemophilic osteoarthropathy with special reference to the synovial and chondrogenic changes]. / MR-Tomographie der hämophilen Osteoarthropathie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der synovialen und chondrogenen Alterationen.

52 knee and ankle joints of hemophiliacs were examined by MRI using FLASH and FISP-3-D sequences; and the degree of synovial hypertrophy and of cartilage destruction were assessed. Findings of synovial hypertrophy varied between thin membranes and tumorous tissue destroying the joint cartilage. Degree of cartilage destruction varied between focal signal decrease and total loss. In spite of recurrent joint bleedings no synovial or cartilaginous changes were seen in 31% and 29% of joints, respectively. Changes were more frequently seen and degree was more marked in the ankle than in the knee joints. With the exception of cysts, osseous destruction was more obvious with radiographs. MRI is suitable for the investigation of joints of hemophiliacs showing no osseous destruction.

[The color Doppler-guided compression therapy of pseudoaneurysms. The authors' own experiences and a review of the literature]. / Farb-Doppler-gesteuerte Kompressionstherapie von Pseudoaneurysmen. Eigene Erfahrungen und Literaturübersicht.

PURPOSE: The common use of interventional angiographic techniques and the sensitive detection of this vascular complication by ultrasound are major factors contributing to the increasing incidence of femoral artery pseudoaneurysms. ultrasound-guided compression repair of femoral artery pseudoaneurysms was prospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 11 femoral artery pseudoaneurysms were detected in 10 patients who ranged from 45 to 79 years of age. In one patient two ipsilateral pseudoaneurysms occurred. All patients were considered to be candidates for ultrasound-guided compression repair. RESULTS: Successful compression repair was achieved in 9 of 11 pseudoaneurysms (82%) with a mean diameter of 2.2 +/- 1.0 cm. In two recurrent lesions (22%) definitive thrombosis required a second treatment. Compression was maintained between 10 and 40 minutes (mean 22 +/- 11 minutes). No complications have been observed. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided compression repair provides an efficient, noninvasive and safe treatment of femoral artery pseudoaneurysms. More than 80% of pseudoaneurysms can be occluded successfully. In recurrent lesions a second attempt is valuable.

[Tumorous space-occupying lesions of the tibia. A radiological analysis of 459 cases]. / Tumoröse Raumforderungen der Tibia. Eine radiologische Analyse von 459 Fällen.

The patients' age, location and radiography of 459 bone tumours and tumour-like lesions of the tibia were analysed retrospectively. 79.2% of all lesions were benign, and the portion of malignant tumours increased with increasing age. Predominantly malignant tumours were found in a distal central metadiaphyseal (100%), in proximal central epimetadiaphyseal (90%) and in a proximal central metadiaphyseal (63%) location. Lesions showing a growth rate according to Lodwick IA and those to IB were benign in 99.5% and in 95.4%, respectively. In contrast, tumours showing a grade II or III were malignant in 85.2% and 100% of cases, respectively. Through the construction of subgroups by combination of patients' age, location and growth rate special tumours were selected in that way, that they were predominantly found in that subgroups.

[The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the follow-up of patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS)]. / Der Stellenwert der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) für die Verlaufskontrolle bei Patienten mit transjugulärem intrahepatischem portosystemischem Stent-Shunt (TIPSS).

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with flow quantification in the portal vein for the follow-up of patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with TIPS (23 m, 13 f) were evaluated with MR of the liver parenchyma and quantification of flow in the portal vein. MR examinations were correlated with Doppler sonography and conventional angiography including measurement of the portal pressure gradient (PPG). In cases of re-interventions (dilatation/stent application) additional examinations with MRI and Doppler sonography were performed. RESULTS: MR flow measurements in the portal vein correlated with Doppler sonography (r = 0.69) whereas no correlation of both methods with the PPG was found. No threshold velocity in the portal vein could be determined to predict shunt stenosis. All shunt occlusions (n = 5) were diagnosed correctly by MRA. Thirty measurements before and after successful angiographic interventions revealed a significant increase in portal flow velocity and a significant decrease of the PPG. Magnetic resonance images enabled a reliable detection of procedural complications (parenchymal bleedings, n = 31; extra and subcaspular hematomas, n = 2 each) and newly occurring hepatocellular carcinomas (n = 2) in the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging in the follow-up of TIPS enables a morphological assessment of the liver and an accurate velocity mapping, but is not suited to predict shunt dysfunction as a single method.

[Localization dependent patterns of findings in chondroblastoma]. / Lokalisationsabhängige Befundmuster beim Chondroblastom.

In a retrospective study the radiographs of 48 chondroblastomas from the files of the Bone Tumour Registry of Westphalia were evaluated. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether chondroblastomas display localisation-dependent radiographic patterns. All radiographs were analysed using the Lodwick criteria. All chondroblastomas (mean age: 18 y., m:f = 1.25:1) showed a geographic pattern of bone destruction. 32 lesions affected long bones, 10 short bones, and 6 flat bones. Chondroblastomas localised in flat bones (Lodwick IA: 0%, IB: 33%, IC: 67%) demonstrated more aggressive patterns of bone destruction compared to lesions affecting long bones (Lodwick IA: 56%, IB: 31%, IC: 13%) or short bones (Lodwick IA: 40%, IB: 50%, IC: 10%). There was no difference between the three bone types in other radiographic patterns (periostitis, calcification, trabeculation).

[X-ray morphology of eosinophilic granuloma other than skull and spine]. / Röntgenmorphologie des eosinophilen Granuloms ausserhalb von Schädel und Wirbelsäule.

The radiological findings in 39 patients with a manifestation of eosinophilic granuloma (e.g.) other than skull and spine were evaluated. The localisation was found in the femur (26%), clavicula (20%) and ribs (20%). The lesions were located in 81% in the diaphysis and in 9.5% either in the epi-metaphysis or epi-metadiaphysis. Associated periosteal reactions were observed in 38% of the patients, and were solid in 25%, lamellar in 10%, and in 3% complex. The majority of the tumours were classified as Lodwick IB lesions (41%). Lodwick IC lesions were seen in 13%, Lodwick II lesions in 25.5% and Lodwick III lesions in 20.5% of the patients. In patients below the age of 20 years the eosinophilic granuloma is characterised by a Lodwick IB lesion without or with a solid periosteal reaction, which allows differentiation from Ewing's sarcoma or osteomyelitis. Contrariwise, in patients above 20 years of age the e.g. appears with a higher Lodwick grade. Hence, differentiation, X-ray morphology, between e.g., metastasis, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma does not seem possible.

[The magnetic resonance tomography of Ewing's sarcomas: the morphology and tumor extension]. / Magnetresonanztomographie von Ewing-Sarkomen: Morphologie und Tumorausdehnung.

PURPOSE: The morphology and delineation of Ewing sarcoma in magnetic resonance imaging was investigated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Magnetic resonance images (spin-echo techniques; T1-w pre/post gadolinium, T2-w) of 59 patients as part of a multicenter study were evaluated retrospectively. Qualitative image analysis was performed: signal intensity (point of reference extraosseous: muscle, intraosseous: bone marrow), enhancement patterns, lesion delineation and differentiation between tumor and oedema. RESULTS: Signal intensity: T1-w: extraosseous: 75% isointense, intraosseous: 92% hypointense; T2-w extraosseous: 100% hyperintense, intraosseous: 93% hyperintense. Enhancement pattern: 97% both extra- and intraosseous. Best delineation intraosseous in T1-w (53% good, 36% very good), extraosseous in gadolinium enhanced T1-w (46% good, 37% very good) and T2-w (55% good, 33% very good). Differentiation between tumour and oedema was intraosseous not possible, extraosseous in T2-w in 61%. CONCLUSION: Morphology of Ewing sarcoma in magnetic resonance imaging is rather uniform. The lesion is intra- and extraosseous sharply delineated, though tumour and oedema can be rarely differentiated.

[Cortical necrosis of the transplanted kidney. MR tomographic confirmation of the diagnosis?]. / Die Rindennekrose der Transplantatniere. MR-tomographische Sicherung der Diagnose?

Cortical necrosis is a rare complication of renal transplants, which requires urgent diagnosis and management to avoid unnecessary immunosuppression. Seven renal transplants with suspected cortical necrosis were evaluated by Doppler-US, 99mTc-DTPA-perfusion study and Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MRI. In four transplants, cortical necrosis was confirmed by angiography and histology. In diagnosing cortical necrosis with preserved medullary perfusion (n = 2) dynamic MRI was superior to the other modalities. Totally necrotic renal transplants (n = 2) were reliably diagnosed by all imaging methods.

[The place of magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of diseases of the shoulder joint]. / Stellenwert der Magnetresonanztomographie in der Diagnostik von Schultergelenkerkrankungen.

In a prospective study 43 patients with shoulder pain were examined by sonography and MRI. The findings were controlled by plain radiography, arthrography, and CT arthrography. Joint effusions and humeral head defects were equally identified by MR and sonography. In the diagnosis of labrum lesions, rotator cuff lesions, subacromial spurs, and synovial inflammatory disease sonography was not as accurate as MR. A special MR scoring system improved the diagnosis of an impingement syndrome.

[A comparison between digital luminescence radiography and conventional myelography]. / Vergleich zwischen digitaler Lumineszenzradiographie und konventioneller Myelographie.

The potential of digital luminescence radiography in replacing conventional myelography was analyzed using ROC methodology. 95 conventional (CR), digital (DR) and edge enhanced digital (EDR) myelograms (49 disk herniations, 46 normal) were read independently by 5 radiologists; and a ROC analysis was performed. Higher confidence levels were used in making both correct and incorrect diagnoses with DR and EDR than with CR. However, no statistically significant differences between AUC (area under the curve) values obtained with the different techniques, were noted. The separate analysis of cervical and lumbar myelograms showed no significant differences between the different techniques. With DR and EDR, the sensitivity of 4 of 5 readers was somewhat higher in the lumbar but lower in the cervical region than with CR. Replacement of conventional by digital luminescence myelography seems possible; however, some decrease of sensitivity in the cervical region must be accepted.

Kinetics of metabolism in human kidney transplants measured by dynamic 31P NMR spectroscopy.

The technique of ex vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy has been used for the investigation of metabolic turnover in 15 cadaveric human kidneys obtained from brain-dead donors for transplantation. Measurements were carried out at 1.5 T time-dependently during regular hypothermic storage in histidine-tryptophan-alpha-ketoglutarate solution. The minimum delay between explanation and spectroscopy was 2 h 41 min. In one case of a discarded organ the measurements could be extended over a period of 161 h 35 min. A detailed kinetic model describing monoexponential ischemic phosphate turnover, which accounts for various interrelations of the NMR visible metabolites, has been derived. Averaged velocity constants of the decays of nucleotides and phosphomono- and -diesters ranged from 0.0047 to 0.294h-1 at approximately 4 degrees C. Intracellular pH decreased monoexponentially with an averaged velocity constant of 0.31 h-1.