Clinical performance of Siemens digital breast tomosynthesis versus standard supplementary mammography for the assessment of screen-detected soft-tissue abnormalities: a multi-reader study.

AIM: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of standard screening images plus single-view digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), using Siemens DBT equipment, with standard screening images plus supplementary mammographic views in non-calcific, screen-detected mammographic abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were unselected women aged 50-69 years recalled within a population-based European breast screening programme for assessment of soft-tissue mammographic abnormalities. Supplementary mammographic views (SMVs) and DBT were performed in all cases. A range of equipment was used for screening and supplementary mammography, but all DBT examinations were performed using the Siemens Mammomat Inspiration. A retrospective multi-reader study including 238 cases for whom either histology or at least 2 years' follow-up was available was performed with eight suitably accredited UK breast screening personnel reading all cases under both conditions, with temporal separation. Readers were blinded to case outcomes and findings from other examinations. Diagnostic accuracy using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was compared between screening plus SMV images and screening plus DBT images. The study was powered to detect a 3% inferiority margin in diagnostic accuracy between methods. RESULTS: The final sample with complete data available for analysis included 195 benign cases (1,560 reads) and 35 malignant cases (280 reads). The DBT method yielded a slightly higher area under the curve (AUC) value than the SMV method (0.870 versus 0.857), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.4890), indicating that the methods have equivalent accuracy. CONCLUSION: Siemens DBT demonstrates equivalent diagnostic accuracy according to ROC curve analysis when used in place of SMVs in screen-detected soft-tissue mammographic abnormalities.

Conclusions for mammography screening after 25-year follow-up of the Canadian National Breast Cancer Screening Study (CNBSS).

UNLABELLED: Twenty-five-year follow-up data of the Canadian National Breast Cancer Screening Study (CNBSS) indicated no mortality reduction. What conclusions should be drawn? After conducting a systematic literature search and narrative analysis, we wish to recapitulate important details of this study, which may have been neglected: Sixty-eight percent of all included cancers were palpable, a situation that does not allow testing the value of early detection. Randomisation was performed at the sites after palpation, while blinding was not guaranteed. In the first round, this "randomisation" assigned 19/24 late stage cancers to the mammography group and only five to the control group, supporting the suspicion of severe errors in the randomisation process. The responsible physicist rated mammography quality as "far below state of the art of that time". Radiological advisors resigned during the study due to unacceptable image quality, training, and medical quality assurance. Each described problem may strongly influence the results between study and control groups. Twenty-five years of follow-up cannot heal these fundamental problems. This study is inappropriate for evidence-based conclusions. The technology and quality assurance of the diagnostic chain is shown to be contrary to today's screening programmes, and the results of the CNBSS are not applicable to them. KEY POINTS: • The evidence base of the Canadian study (CNBSS) has to be questioned.• Severe flaws in the randomization process and test methods occurred. • Problems were criticized during and after conclusion of the trial by experts.• The results are not applicable to quality-assured screening programs. • The evidence base of this study must be re-analyzed.

Accuracy in detecting and measuring residual fragments with the Uro Dyna-CT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Residual calculi after stone therapy need to be treated if they are clinically significant, mainly depending on the size of the calculi. There are different ways to detect and measure the size of residual calculi as for example KUB or computed tomography. The Uro Dyna-CT (Siemens Healthcare solutions, Erlangen, Germany) allows cross-sectional imaging and 3D reconstructions during endourological interventions. In this ex vivo study, we investigate the accuracy of imaging residual calculi with the Uro Dyna-CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven artificial stones (plaster of Paris) were scanned with the Uro Dyna-CT by a special urolithiasis protocol and post-image processing with 3D-reconstruction and cross-sectional imaging was performed. The major diameter of each stone was measured at the dedicated workstation by one investigator. The same stones were measured randomized with a digital caliper (real size). Finally, the two measurements were compared. The paired t test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, the F Test, a reference area for differences, the intraclass correlation coefficient, the Maloney-Rastogi test and the Bland-Altman analysis were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The range of stone sizes was 3-5 mm. We did not find significant differences in the size of the stones measured with the Uro Dyna-CT and the digital caliper (paired t test p = 0.3597) and we showed a good correlation between the two measuring methods (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.4465; p = 0.0088). CONCLUSION: Renal calculi can be measured highly accurately with the Uro Dyna-CT. Whether this technique will lead to less residual fragments after stone treatment needs to be shown in further studies.

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.

The Urological Dyna-CT: ex vivo feasibility study of interventional cross-sectional imaging in the endourological operation room.

BACKGROUND: Imaging of the urinary tract and its surrounding tissue still remains challenging, since standard imaging in the urological operation room consists of fluoroscopy and plain X-rays. The combination of a ceiling-mounted X-ray system and a new urological intervention table now allows cross-sectional imaging and 3D reconstruction to be performed in the endourological operation room (Urological Dyna-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The imaging quality of the Artis Zee Ceiling (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) was assessed using slice images of an ex vivo pig kidney model prepared with artificial stones (plaster of Paris). We compared the image quality of three different examination protocols with this model. 3D reconstruction quality was illustrated by means of retrograde filling of one pig`s urinary tract with a diluted contrast medium. RESULTS: Interventional stone detection and localization is possible with a 5 s low-dose Urological Dyna-CT. Detailed imaging of the collecting system by retrograde pyelography is possible with a high image quality. CONCLUSION: The combination of an Artis Zee(®) Ceiling (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) with our newly developed urological intervention table we call the Urological Dyna-CT. In addition to such standard procedures as fluoroscopy or plain X-rays, cross-sectional imaging and 3D reconstruction of the urinary tract are possible and provide fast and excellent urological imaging.

New developed urological protocols for the Uro Dyna-CT reduce radiation exposure of endourological patients below the levels of the low dose standard CT scans.

PURPOSE: Cross-sectional imaging by computed tomography (CT) is associated with higher radiation dose compared to plain X-ray. The Uro Dyna-CT provides CT-like images in the endourological operating room. Our aim was to reduce the radiation exposure of endourological patients with the Uro Dyna-CT and optimize the cross-sectional image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the hard contrast protocol, two artificial stones were placed in a Rando-Alderson phantom's left kidney region. Relevant parameters of the standard abdomen protocol were changed. After each modification, two urologists subjectively evaluated the image quality. We developed two customized protocols (standard, low-dose) for hard contrast imaging. To optimize the examination protocol for soft tissue imaging a standardized cone beam phantom was used. Parameters of the preset high-resolution protocol were changed to develop a protocol with similar objective image quality but lower radiation dose. To evaluate the effective radiation dose we embedded 129 thermoluminescence dosimeters in the kidney and ureter region of the Rando-Alderson phantom and performed each protocol five times (stone, soft tissue) and ten times (low-dose protocol). Mean effective dose values per 3D-examination were calculated. RESULTS: We detected a dose area product (DAP) 776.2 (standard) and 163.5 µGym(2) (low-dose) for the stone protocols with an effective dose of 1.96 and 0.33 mSv, respectively. The soft tissue protocol produced a DAP of 5,070 µGym(2) and an effective dose of 7.76 mSv. CONCLUSION: Our newly developed examination protocols for the Uro Dyna-CT provide CT-like image quality during urological interventions with low radiation dose.

Laser-guided percutaneous kidney access with the Uro Dyna-CT: first experience of three-dimensional puncture planning with an ex vivo model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Safe and successful puncture of the kidney's collecting system is essential for acute therapy of hydronephrosis or as part of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The procedure is technically challenging and might lead to major complications. We describe the feasibility of a laser guidance system and three-dimensional puncture planning in the endourological operation room. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Uro Dyna-CT of the biological model was performed with the Artis Zee(®) Ceiling (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) to gain multiplanar reconstructions. 10 punctures were performed with the syngo iGuide(®) laser guidance system. Puncture success was depicted with antegrade contrast filling of the collecting system and fluoroscopic control. Puncture time, tract length, and fluoroscopy time was documented. RESULTS: Data acquisition (8 s) and 3D rendering (48 s) was possible in approximately 1 min. Median time for planning the punctures was 7 [5-15] min. Median puncture time was 4.6 [2-10.2] min. Median tract length was 4.96 [4.33-6.5] cm. Median fluoroscopy time was 0.4 [0.2-1] min. 9 of 10 punctures were successful. A second puncture was needed to gain access to the collecting system in one case, and one puncture was broken up. CONCLUSION: The tested laser guidance system was feasible to perform successful percutaneous punctures of the kidney in this ex vivo study. Handling was intuitive and time within acceptable limits. Due to the requirement of multiplanar reconstructions with higher radiation exposure to the patient than with standard fluoroscopy, this technique should be limited to complex cases.

Standardized ex vivo comparison of different upper urinary tract biopsy devices: impact on ureterorenoscopes and tissue quality.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of different biopsy forcipes on the deflection, irrigant flow, and optical characteristics of flexible ureterorenoscopes and to assess tissue quality for histopathologic evaluation in an ex vivo setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following five different biopsy forcipes were compared: Olympus (FB-56D-1; diameter 5Fr.), R. Wolf (829.601; 3Fr.), Karl Storz Medical (11275ZE; 3Fr.), Boston Scientific (Piranha; 505-160; 3 Fr.), and Cook BIGopsy (115CM; 2.4 Fr.). The devices were tested in 3 different ureterorenoscopes: Storz 11278 VU (Flex-X(2)), Storz 11278 V (Flex-X(C)), and Wolf Cobra (7326071/-6). Tissue samples were obtained from porcine upper urinary tracts. RESULTS: Baseline irrigation flow rates with empty channels were significantly higher in the Wolf Cobra than in Storz ureterorenoscopes (30.5 vs. 23 and 21 ml/min). The BIGopsy forceps allowed for higher flow rates in both Storz ureterorenoscopes (2.2 and 1.3, respectively) when compared to the other devices (0.5 and 0.6 ml/min). The Storz and Wolf biopsy forcipes resulted in the highest impairment of the deflection angle. In all 3 ureterorenoscopes, flow rates and deflection angle were least impaired by the BIGopsy. However, BIGopsy compromised the field of view (20 % reduction vs. 12 % by others). The largest sample of renal pelvis and ureter biopsies was obtained with BIGopsy and Storz(®) forcipes, respectively. The extent of artifacts and denuded urothelium were comparable in all samples. CONCLUSIONS: The various biopsy devices showed different impacts on irrigation flow, deflection, and field of view. The Cook BIGopsy best retains irrigation flow in single-channel flexible ureterorenoscopes and deflection. However, a smaller field of view may complicate handling and tissue acquisition.

Optimizing imaging quality in endourology with the Uro Dyna-CT: contrast agent dilution matters.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The implementation of the Uro Dyna-CT (Siemens Healthcare Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) with interventional 3D- and cross-sectional imaging necessitates the development of new standards for endourologic procedures such as the customized use of diluted contrast agent. Our aim was to find the ideal contrast agent dilution (CAD) for the interventional use of the Uro Dyna-CT in a standardized setting and prove the experimental findings in a clinical case. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrograde pyelographies were performed with 10 different CADs of Imeron 300 (Bracco, Konstanz, Germany) in 10 different pig's urinary tracts. Fluoroscopy, X-ray, 3D- and slice-image reconstruction was performed with the Uro Dyna-CT. Image quality was evaluated, blinded and randomized by 5 observers. Small plastic jars were filled with the CADs and 2 artificial stones (Plaster of paris). Images were evaluated by two observers. The ex vivo findings were transferred to a clinical setting in a complex percutaneous lithotomy procedure. Unweighted and weighted kappa coefficients were calculated to indicate the degree of observers' agreement. RESULTS: Twenty percent diluted contrast agent provides the best image quality and stone detection when interventional cross-sectional imaging is considered without limitations in fluoroscopy or X-ray quality. This was proved in a percutaneous lithotomy of an obese patient. CONCLUSIONS: Image quality of the Uro Dyna-CT can be optimized by the use of 20 % diluted contrast agent. This knowledge helps to provide high-quality 3D imaging in the endourological operation room.

Influence of endourological devices on 3D reconstruction image quality using the Uro Dyna-CT.

PURPOSE: The urological Dyna-CT (Uro Dyna-CT) was established in clinical use for classical imaging as well as for interventional surgery. To evaluate whether irradiation artefacts may occur during interventional surgery, we analysed the impact of different instruments on 3D reconstruction in the Uro Dyna-CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten different endourological instruments [ureterorenoscope (URS)-fibrescope, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) working sheath] and accessory equipments such as ureteral catheter, guide wires and stents (DJ, MJ) were introduced in a porcine renal pelvis either retrograde via the ureter or transparenchymally. Subsequently, digital fluoroscopy, standard X-ray and an Uro Dyna-CT were performed. Three colleagues evaluated the image quality independent from each other. RESULTS: There were basically no limitations regarding image quality in digital fluoroscopy and standard X-ray. In the Uro Dyna-CT, only with the URS fiberscope and the PCNL working sheath, small artefacts and irradiations were detected, whereas ureteric catheter with and without wire, as well as the hydrophilic guide wire, showed no artefacts at all. The remaining material demonstrated minimal artefacts, which did not affect the image quality. CONCLUSIONS: The Uro Dyna-CT can be used for all interventional endourological procedures using the common armamentarium and instruments without significant limitation of image quality. There are only minor limitations according a PCNL working sheath and the rigid URS. These instruments should be removed out of the examination field before performing the computed tomography and be replaced afterwards by using a safety wire.

Influence of surgeon's experience on fluoroscopy time during endourological interventions.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Fluoroscopy time influences radiation exposure of both surgeons and patients during endourological interventions. Changes in fluoroscopy habits of endourological surgeons after being informed about their fluoroscopy times were evaluated depending on their endourological experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2010 to April 2011, 402 endourological interventions in 337 Patients were assessed. Evaluated interventions were ureter stent placement (USP), ureter stent change (USC) nephrostomy change (NC), ureterorenoscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Fluoroscopy time (FT) and operation time (OT) were recorded. For USP, USC and NC, the surgeons were divided into two groups: group I with >2 years of endourological experience and group II with <2 years experience. URS and PCNL only were performed by experienced surgeons. After 6 months, all surgeons were informed about their mean detected results. Both groups were compared, and changes in FT and OT in the second part of the study were analysed. RESULTS: Surgeons reduced their median fluoroscopy times up to 55 % after being informed about their fluoroscopy manners. Experienced surgeons reduced both operation and fluoroscopy times significantly for USP, USC and NC. For URS and PCNL, and OT and FT, the differences were not statistically significant. Inexperienced surgeons were not able to reduce both OT and FT significantly. CONCLUSION: If experienced surgeons are informed about their fluoroscopy time during endourological interventions, fluoroscopy times can be reduced significantly in easy procedures, which leads to less radiation exposure of surgeons and patients. Inexperienced surgeons have less possibility to influence their fluoroscopy manners.

Mouse Dax1 expression is consistent with a role in sex determination as well as in adrenal and hypothalamus function.

Duplications of a chromosome Xp21 locus DSS (Dosage Sensitive Sex reversal) are associated with male to female sex reversal. An unusual member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, DAX1, maps to the DSS critical region and is responsible for X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita. Here we describe the isolation of the mouse Dax1 gene and its pattern of expression during development. Expression was detected in the first stages of gonadal and adrenal differentiation and in the developing hypothalamus. Moreover, Dax1 expression is down-regulated coincident with overt differentiation in the testis, but persists in the developing ovary. Comparison of the predicted protein products of the human and mouse genes show that specific domains are evolving rapidly. Our results suggest a basis for adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males affected by adrenal hypoplasia congenita and are consistent with a role for DAX1 in gonadal sex determination.

Sox9 expression during gonadal development implies a conserved role for the gene in testis differentiation in mammals and birds.

Heterozygous mutations in SOX9 lead to a human dwarfism syndrome, Campomelic dysplasia. Consistent with a role in sex determination, we find that Sox9 expression closely follows differentiation of Sertoli cells in the mouse testis, in experimental sex reversal when fetal ovaries are grafted to adult kidneys and in the chick where there is no evidence for a Sry gene. Our results imply that Sox9 plays an essential role in sex determination, possibly immediately downstream of Sry in mammals, and that it functions as a critical Sertoli cell differentiation factor, perhaps in all vertebrates.

An investigation on the structure and group vibrations of balenine molecule by matrix isolation IR spectroscopy, DFT and MP2 based calculations.

Stable conformers of neutral balenine were scanned through molecular dynamics simulations and energy minimizations using Allinger's MM2 force field. For each of the found minimum-energy conformers, geometry optimization and thermochemistry calculations were performed by using B3LYP, MP2, G3MP2B3 methods, 6-31G(d), 6-311++G(d,p) and aug-cc-pvTZ basis sets. The calculation results have indicated that balenine has about twenty stable conformers whose relative energies are in the range of 0-9.5 kcal/mol. Three of these are thought to provide the major contribution to matrix isolation IR spectra of the molecule. Our solvent calculations using the polarized continuum model revealed the stable zwitterion structures which are predicted to dominate IR spectra of balenine in water and heavy water (D2O) solvents. Pulay's SQM-FF method was used in scaling of the harmonic force constants and vibrational spectral data calculated for the neutral and zwitterion structures. These refined calculation data together with those obtained from anharmonic frequency calculations enabled us to correctly interpret the matrix isolation IR spectrum of balenine and the tautomerism-based changes observed in its KBr IR and solution (D2O) IR spectra. The results revealed the crucial role of conformation and zwitterionic tautomerism on the structure and vibrational spectral data of the molecule.

[Sophisticated surgical management of distinctive patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)]. / Differenziertes operatives Management unterschiedlicher Patienten mit benignem Prostatasyndrom (BPS).

Herein we describe four clinical scenarios. For the standard patient (prostate volume 30-80 ml, life expectancy >10 years) transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the standard of care, while endoscopic enucleation is a valuable alternative. Patients with a relevant middle lobe profit most from TURP, endourological enucleation procedures, or laser vaporization. In the case of the absence or a moderate-sized middle lobe and the absence of severe bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), minimally invasive procedures such as Rezum®, UroLift® or prostate artery embolization (PAE) can be offered. Patients have to be informed that long-term data on this specific indication are lacking. Particularly younger men requiring BPH surgery are interested in preserving ejaculatory function. In the presence of severe BOO, ejaculatory-protective TURP or endoscopic enucleation by preserving the pericollicular region or aquablation are the methods of choice providing an antegrade ejaculation in 60-90% of cases. Rezum®, AquaBeam®, and UroLift® enable preservation of ejaculation in almost 100%; data on PAE with this respect are more controversial. For patients with a small prostate and significant post void residual, a thorough preoperative work-up, including urodynamics and bladder/detrusor wall thickness measurement, is of great importance. Desobstructive surgery provides satisfactory short- and midterm outcome, yet the long-term outcome is disappointing and remains to be determined in greater detail. The broad spectrum of therapeutic options enables today an individualized minimally invasive or surgical management of BPH considering patient wishes, anatomical factors or urodynamic factors. The time of a "one therapy fits all" strategy is definitely history.

Transurethral resection of the prostate: defending its leading position in the management of benign prostatic enlargement.

UNLABELLED: Although challenged by medical therapy and numerous minimal-invasive treatment modalities, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still considered as the gold standard of interventional treatment of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). It is characterized by an immediate improvement in symptoms and voiding parameters and achieves long lasting RESULTS: While its efficacy is out of question, the associated peri- and postoperative morbidity remains a major point of criticism and has let to the introduction of numerous less invasive treatment options. On the other hand, this also brought various improvements in the technique of TURP aiming to improve treatment results and reduce perioperative morbidity. This review article gives an overview over the historical development, treatment results, associated complications and recent technical developments in TURP, highlighting especially the role of bipolar TURP.

[Urological infections and antibiotic management in geriatric patients]. / Urologische Infektionen und Antibiotikamanagement bei geriatrischen Patienten.

Both the demographic shift and progress in medicine are resulting in an increasingly longer life expectancy. It is presumed that a mean age of 90 years will be achieved within the next decade in many countries. Thus, geriatric medicine, which is committed to the specific needs of older, often frail and frequently comorbid patients, is becoming increasingly more important. The prevalence of infections of the genitourinary tract increases with age, simultaneously, a critical and conscious use of antibiotics is required in terms of antimicrobial treatment. The intention of the present review is to make the reader aware of the specific characteristics of urinary tract infections and asymptomatic bacteriuria in the older patient population in terms of epidemiology, spectrum of pathogens and resistance as well as the indications for and performance of antimicrobial treatment.

[Endoscopic enucleation of the prostate]. / Endoskopische Enukleation der Prostata.

The spectrum of surgical procedures for the minimally invasive treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has significantly increased over the last two decades. The simple suprapubic prostatectomy (subtotal prostatectomy, SP) has largely lost relevance in current practice. On the other hand, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been further standardized and potentially made safer by the introduction of the bipolar technique and low-pressure systems.Transurethral (endoscopic) enucleation techniques (endoscopic enucleation of the prostate, EEP) are increasingly competing with the current gold standard TURP and are replacing SP for treatment of larger adenomas. This approach is especially related to the rapid development of laser technology, which has sustainably changed the face of modern BPH treatment in a similar way to stone therapy. This has been incorporated in the clinical patient management, clinical studies and standardization of numerous surgical techniques that are systematically described in this article. Additionally, efforts have also been made to use other energy sources, such as bipolar current in EEP. With respect to scientific objectivity, high-quality clinical trials are regularly published which further strengthen the position of EEP.

The contralateral lamina: a reliable guide in subaxial, cervical pedicle screw placement.

We have assessed the clinical observation that the angle of the contralateral lamina matches the angle required from the sagital plane for the placement of pedicle screws in the subaxial cervical spine. Fifty-four randomly chosen axial CT scans taken between December 2003 and December 2004 were examined. Subjects were excluded if the scan showed signs of fracture, tumour or gross abnormality. The digitised images were analysed on the Philips PACS system using SECTRA software. One hundred and sixty-eight individual vertebrae were assessed between C3 and C7. The following were measured; the angle of the pedicle relative to the sagital plane, the smallest internal and external diameter of the pedicles and the angle of the lamina. Angular measures had a CV% of 3.9%. The re-measurement error for distance was 0.5 mm. Three hundred and thirty-six pedicles were assessed in 25 females and 29 males. Average age was 48.2 years (range 17-85). Our morphologic data from live subjects was comparable to previous cadaveric data. Mean pedicle external diameter was 4.9 mm at C3 and 6.6 mm at C7. Females were marginally smaller than males. Left and right did not significantly differ. In no case was the pedicle narrower than 3.2 mm. Mean pedicle angle was 130 degrees at C3 and 140 degrees at C7. The contralateral laminar angle correlated well at C3, 4, 5 (R (2) = 0.9, C3 P = 0.002, C4 P = 0.06, C5 P = 0.0004) and was within 1 degrees of pedicle angle. At C6, 7 it was within 11 degrees . In all cases a line parallel to the lamina provided a safe corridor of 3 mm for a pedicle implant. The contralateral lamina provides a reliable intraoperative guide to the angle from the sagital plane for subaxial cervical pedicle instrumentation in adults.

[Mammography screening. Concept, quality assurance and interdisciplinary cooperation]. / Mammographie-Screening. Konzept, Qualitätssicherung und interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit.

In 2005/2006 the German National Mammography Screening Program was initiated and has now become established. The objective is to reduce breast cancer mortality and the early diagnosis and therapy of small cancers. The program follows the European guidelines and is controlled by over 30 parameters of quality. All trained members of the team document each step of the screening chain electronically. Histological assessment (HA) is recommended in up to 2% of examinations, 90% of HAs are performed by core needle biopsy (CNB) or by stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy (VABB). Open diagnostic biopsies are performed in <10% of all HAs and therapy is successful in some of the B3 lesions. Mammograms are interpreted by two independent readers. Recommendations of the regular interdisciplinary conferences, preoperative and postoperative, follow the European guidelines. About 45% of all breast cancers detected by screening are in-situ or less than 10 mm in size. The 17% alterations diagnosed by needle biopsy are B3 or B4 lesions and impose high demands on the pathologists and the interdisciplinary team. Due to the many early and discrete lesions counterchecking of representative biopsies is crucial. Problems may be caused by sampling error or partial volume effects. Interdisciplinary conferences and knowledge of the limitations of each discipline and method are needed to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.