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Biomedical subjects

M Stickel

Publications and source records attributed to M Stickel.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Imaging of aortic abnormalities with contrast-enhanced ultrasound. A pictorial comparison with CT.

Aortic abnormalities are commonly encountered and may represent a diagnostic challenge in patients with acute or chronic clinical symptoms. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with low mechanical index (low MI) is a new promising method in the diagnosis and follow-up of pathological aortic lesions. CEUS with SonoVue allows a more rapid and noninvasive diagnosis, especially in critical patients because of its bedside availability. This review compares CEUS findings with those documented on computed tomography angiography (CTA), allowing the reader to appreciate the usefulness of CEUS in this clinical situation.

Aortic Dissection↗

Cost analysis in interventional radiology--A tool to optimize management costs.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to analyze the methods to reduce cost in interventional radiology departments by reorganizing procurement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All products used in the Department of Interventional Radiology were inventoried. An ABC-analysis was completed and A-products (high-value and high turnover products) underwent a XYZ-analysis which predicted demand on the basis of ordering frequency. Then criteria for a procurement strategy for the different material categories were fixed. The net working capital (NWC) was calculated using an interest rate of 8%/year. RESULTS: Total annual material turnover was 353,000 euro. The value of all A-products determined by the inventory was 260,000 euro. Changes in the A-product procurement strategy tapped a cost reduction potential of 14,500/year euro. The resulting total saving was 17,200 euro. Improved stores management added another 37,500 euro. The total cost cut of 52,000 euro is equivalent to 14.7% of annual expenses. CONCLUSION: A flexible procurement strategy helps to reduce the storage and capital tie-up costs of A-products in interventional radiology without affecting the quality of service provided to patients.

Cost Control↗

A new bioassay including a small scale hepatocyte bioreactor for hepato-mediated toxicity testing in a target cell line.

New approaches for in vitro testing of hepato-mediated toxicity are undertaken to offer alternatives to in vivo animal testing. The described bioassay for hepato-mediated toxicity testing is based on a small scale hepatocyte-bioreactor with pig hepatocytes connected to a silicon sensor based microphysiometer system for monitoring of the extracellular acidification rate (EAR) of cells and the microphysiometer alone. EAR represents the metabolic activity of tested cells (hepatocytes and ZR 751 cells) under the influence of perfused media, compared to controls, which were set to 100%. Cyclophosphamide (CYCL), whose cytostatic effect is dependent on CYP 450 biotransformation was used as a model substrate. CYCL showed decrease of EAR in hepatocytes, but not in ZR 751 cells. Bioreactor supernatant including CYCL was pumped into the microphysiometer and EARs of the target ZR 751 cell line were recorded. After 7 h of bioreactor supernatant perfusion the ZR 751 cell line showed an EAR decrease of 18.68% +/- 10.18, as compared to controls (bioreactor supernatant from the identical set-up without CYCL). Thus the presented model of hepato-activated toxicity showed an EAR decrease in the ZR 751 cell line that reflected the toxic activation of CYCL by the bioreactor. This new bioassay serves as an example of future applications for hepatocyte bioreactors in automated toxicity testing devices, e.g. in preclinical drug studies or evaluation of hepato-mediated toxicity, not depending on cell destruction or further assays.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗

Treatment of secondary stent-graft collapse after endovascular stent-grafting for iliac artery pseudoaneurysms.

We report the case of a patient who developed an asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm in the left external iliac artery after transplant nephrectomy. The pseudoaneurysm most probably arose as a suture aneurysm from the external iliac artery after removal of the graft renal artery. Obviously we can not exclude the possibility it was a true aneurysm, although this seems much less likely. The pseudoaneurysm was detected during a routine CT scan and was treated interventionally with a stent-graft. One month later the asymptomatic patient underwent a vascular ultrasound examination including color Doppler, power Doppler, and B-flow as a routine control. An endoleak with collapse of the stent-graft was diagnosed. There was no evidence of stent infection. At a reintervention, the pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated using two uncovered Palmaz stents at the proximal and distal edge of the stent graft. Peri- and post-interventional ultrasound and CT angiography confirmed the exclusion of the aneurysm without an endoleak.

Adult↗

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in detection and follow-up of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with aorto-caval fistula and endovascular treatment.

An aorto-caval fistula is a rare complication of a symptomatic or ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysm having a frequency of 3-6%. Patients typically present with clinical signs of diffuse abdominal pain associated with increasing venous congestion and tachycardia, rapid cardiopulmonary decompensation with acute dyspnea, and an audible machinerylike bruit. Perioperative mortality is high, ranging from 20% to 60%. We report a case of an endovascular aortic repair in a patient with a symptomatic infrarenal aortic aneurysm and an aorto-caval fistula. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound seems to be a promising new diagnostic option for the diagnosis and preoperative treatment planning for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms with rupture into the inferior vena cava. It is in addition to computed tomography angiography. It might allow a more rapid and noninvasive diagnosis, especially for patients in intensive care because of its bedside availability. Because the examination is dynamic, additional information about blood flow between the aorta and inferior cava vein can be evaluated.

Angioplasty↗