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Biomedical subjects

M Zähringer

Publications and source records attributed to M Zähringer.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

[Endovascular gamma-irradiation for prevention or restenosis after angioplasty of femoropopliteal de-novo-stenoses-long-term results of a feasibility study].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance and efficacy of endovascular irradiation after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of de-novo femoropopliteal stenoses in a pilot study. METHODS: 6 patients received non-centered endovascular irradiation (12 Gray at surface of the vessel wall) immediately after angioplasty of de-novo femoropopliteal stenosis, 1 patient was given centered endovascular irradiation using 192-iridium (12 Gray at surface of the vessel wall) Centered irradiation was considered for two other patients. Duplex sonographies and interviews were performed the day before and after PTA and after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months up to 4 years. Intraarterial angiography was performed in symptomatic patients. RESULTS: Non-centered endovascular irradiation was possible in all patients without problems or complications. Centered irradiation was not possible in two patients with the cross-over approach. One thromboembolic complication occurred during centered irradiation. Both restenosis and new stenosis at the edge of irradiated distance occurred in 1/7 patients. No other side effects were observed during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In our pilot study endovascular irradiation after angioplasty of de-novo femoropopliteal stenosis was possible with low rates of complications and restenosis and taking vessel anatomy into account.

Adult↗

Image quality of digital chest X-rays: wet versus dry laser printers.

The aim of this study was to compare the image quality of digital chest x-rays (Thoravision) obtained with 2 "wet" laser imagers of different matrix sizes and a "dry" system. Fifty chest x-rays in 2 planes were printed out in normal (100%) and reduced (61%) format using 3 different systems: 2 "wet" laser imagers (Agfa Matrix LR 3300, 4256 x 5174 pixels, 315 dpi; Agfa Scopix LR 5200, 8512 x 10348 pixels, 630 dpi), and one "dry" system (Agfa Drystar 3000,4352 x 5295 pixels, 330 dpi). All tests yielded normal findings. Anonymous images were evaluated by 4 independent reviewers on record forms rating the detectability of predefined anatomic structures. When the image quality of diagnosis-relevant, anatomic structures was evaluated on digital chest x-rays reproduced in normal and reduced format, the wet laser imagers did not show significant advantages over the dry system, Agfa Drystar 3000. The Agfa Drystar 3000 system is a feasible alternative for reproducing digital images, particularly for decentralized archives.

Adult↗

[Comparison of digital selenium radiography with an analog screen-film system in the diagnostic process of pneumoconiosis according to ILO classification].

UNLABELLED: Comparison of digital selenium radiography with an analog screen-film system in the diagnostic process of pneumoconiosis according to ILO classification. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of digital selenium radiography in patients with pneumoconiosis. For this purpose chest x-rays by digital selenium radiography and analog screen-film system were compared according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis. METHOD: After approval of the study by the local ethic commission and the Federal German Office for Radiation Protection 50 patients were subjected to x-rays by digital selenium radiography (Thoravision; Philips Medical Systems, Hamburg, Germany) and analog screen-film system of the same day within the scope of an industrial medicine preventive checkup. Four investigators rated the chest x-rays according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated by chest x-rays according to ILO classification were rated similar by digital selenium radiography and analog screen film systems. Image quality of the digital pictures was rated significantly better. CONCLUSION: The use of digital selenium radiography in evaluating chest x-rays according to the ILO classification does not result in over- or underestimation of pulmonary pathologies. Hence, in the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, digital selenium radiography can replace the tested analog screen-film system.

Adult↗

Superselective embolization as palliative treatment of recurrent hemorrhage in advanced carcinoma of the head and neck.

We report a case of recurrent major hemorrhage in a patient with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Before and between the bleeding episodes, the functional level of the patient was remarkably high. Therefore, an attempt at bleeding control with superselective embolization with Ethibloc was made. Because of its specific characteristics, this substance is almost ideal for the purpose of palliative embolization. The material used and the technique of application are described in detail. After the procedure, no hemorrhage occurred for more than 4 months. We recommend superselective embolization, preferably with Ethibloc, for minimally invasive control of recurrent bleeding as palliative treatment in selected patients with advanced head and neck carcinoma, since significant benefit in terms of the quality of life may result.

Angiography↗

Detection of porcine bone lesions and fissures: comparing digital selenium, digital luminescence, and analog film-screen radiography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to compare the diagnostic performance of a digital selenium detector (Thoravision) with that of analog film-screen systems and digital luminescence radiography in skeletal radiography for the detection of fissures and lesions in porcine bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred bones taken from domestic pigs (50 ribs and 50 femurs) were divided into two equal groups. Fissures and bone lesions were created in 50 bones and 50 served as controls. The bones were examined using film-screen systems, digital luminescence radiography, and digital selenium radiography at various doses. Digital selenium radiography exposure values were adapted to the image geometry differing from the reference methods with a detector focus distance of 2.15 m. Four radiologists independently evaluated image quality and detectability of fissures and lesions on a five-point scale of confidence. Statistical evaluation was based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Fissures and bone lesions were detected most reliably using the mammography film-screen system, but the difference in the results of the analog and digital reference images did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Compared with analog film-screen systems, the lower spatial resolution of the digital selenium and digital luminescence radiography systems does not affect detectability of fissures and bone lesions in porcine bone. Selenium is effective in skeletal radiography for detecting fissures and bone lesions. With digital selenium and digital luminescence radiography, the surface dose can be cut to half that required for 200-speed film-screen systems without losing any diagnostically relevant information.

Animals↗

[Indications and rate of repeat studies in the color duplex department of a radiology university clinic].

PURPOSE: Who refers patients for a color duplex ultrasonography (CDUS) in the routine work of a radiological university department and how frequent are repeat examinations? MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1110 patients had at least one CDUS examination between 5/97 and 5/98. The specialities of the referring physicians/primary examiners and the inpatient or outpatient status of the patients were documented at the first consultation. Additionally the patients were asked by the medical staff, whether, how often, and by whom ultrasonographic, CT, or MR examinations of the same organ system had been carried out during the last 4 weeks without evidence of any clinical changes. RESULTS: 97% of the 1118 patients were referred by one of the university departments. The arterial system was exclusively investigated in 58% and the venous system in 29% of the cases. 81% of the 651 arterial examinations were requested by the Departments of Vascular/Cardiac Surgery and Radiology. 75 repeated ultrasonographic examinations were documented in 67 (6%) of the 1118 consultations. Repetitions were documented in 8% of the arterial and in 3% of the venous examinations. X-ray angiographies were already done or planned in 105 of the 625 arterial CDUS (16%). Ultrasonographic referrals with parallel phlebographies (1% of 320 venous indications) as well as parallel CT and MR examinations (1% of the 1118 consultations, respectively) were the exception. CONCLUSIONS: In the described setting, CDUS was mainly used to assess the arterial vascular system prior to vascular surgery and radiological interventions. Repeat ultrasonographies alone (6%) and parallel examinations altogether (14%) were observed less frequently than expected.

Adolescent↗

[Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of intra-articular tibial plateau fractures: value of fracture classification and spectrum of fracture associated soft tissue injuries].

PURPOSE: To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray tomography in assessing the type of fracture, degree of comminution and amount of articular surface depression in acute tibial condylar fractures and to describe the associated soft tissue injuries diagnosed with MRI. METHOD: 27 patients with acute tibial plateau fractures were investigated using linear X-ray tomography and MRI employing T1-weighted and proton density turbo spin echo, STIR, and T2-weighted gradient echo images. Fractures were classified according to the AO classification system. The degrees of depression and comminution were measured and soft tissue injuries were recorded. RESULTS: Fractures were classified as type B1 in 7, as B2 in 6, and as B3 in 6 cases by MRI. More complex C-type fractures were diagnosed in 8 cases. MR and X-ray grading were consistent with the exception of two B3 fractures, which were graded as B1 by X-ray tomography. X-ray tomography under-estimated the degree of comminution 63% of the patients had either meniscal tears or complete ruptures of their cruciate or collateral ligaments. Ten meniscal tears were diagnosed in 9 of 27 patients. Complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament were seen in 4, and avulsions of the posterior cruciate ligament in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: MRI allows a detailed assessment of acute tibial plateau fractures and can replace conventional X-ray tomography. The high rate of fracture-associated soft tissue lesions makes MRI an especially valuable tool.

Adult↗

MRA in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Considerations of clinical effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To establish in which clinical contexts cerebral MR angiography (MRA) is routinely carried out in a neurological university department and to describe its clinical impact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records, reports of findings and documentation of imaging examinations carried out in all 69 patients referred to the Department of Radiology from the Department of Neurology between 1995 and 1998 for cerebral MRA were evaluated. The clinical impact of all imaging findings was assessed on the basis of the medical records. RESULTS: Circulatory disturbances in the vertebrobasilar arteries (n = 34) were the most frequent indication for investigation. MRA followed CT or duplex sonography in 66 of the 69 patients with a mean delay of 8 days. MRA was considered diagnostically inferior to conventional MR in 11 cases, comparable in 30 and superior in 25. Comparing MRA and duplex sonography, the corresponding figures were 12, 29 and 23. In retrospect, 56 MRAs were judged unnecessary. CONCLUSION: Controlled clinical studies on optimal use of MRA are needed to avoid wasting resources and to exploit the method's full diagnostic potential in appropriate cases.

Adult↗

[Peripheral ischemia and persistent sciatic artery--interdisciplinary management].

Persistent sciatic artery as a rare entity results from lack of regression of the femoral artery blood supply of the leg and is often combined with an abnormally developed superficial femoral artery. We describe the case of a complete, persistent sciatic artery with peripheral ischemia caused by thrombo-embolism from buttock aneurysmal formation. Combined therapy of catheter fibrinolysis, followed by proximal and distal ligation of sciatic artery and peripheral bypass procedure, restored regular leg perfusion.

Aged↗

[Frequency of repeated examinations in the ultrasonographic section of a radiological university department].

PURPOSE: What is the percentage of repeat examinations in the ultrasonographic section of a radiological university department? METHODS: All 4116 patients, who were first examined in the sonographic section of the Radiologic Department of the University of Cologne from 5/97 to 5/98, were asked by the medical staff, whether, how often and by whom ultrasonographic, CT or MR examinations of the same organ system had been carried out during the last 4 weeks without evidence of clinical changes. The data were documented using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Sonographic repeated examinations documented in 443 (10.8%) of the 4116 consultations. The proportion of in- to outpatients with repeat examinations was 26.0% to 74.0%. Contrarily, the repeated ultrasonographies were done by practitioners in 62.3% and by the university staff in 33.2% (radiology 48.2%). With regard to the 4116 consultations, the abdomen (81.1%) was the organ system most often examined repeatedly. Computed tomographies were already done or planned in 305 of 4116 patients (7.4%) and MR-tomographies were already done or planned in 57 patients (1.4%). CONCLUSION: The rate of repeated ultrasonographic examinations in a radiological university hospital was 19.6%.

Abdomen↗

[Digital selenium radiography: a comparison of the picture quality of thoracic images in normal and reduced image formats based on the structural anatomical details].

PURPOSE: Is there a loss of information when using selenium radiographic images displayed with reduced image format compared to full format? METHOD: Digital selenium radiographic chest images in two planes were obtained in 35 patients for medical reasons. The digital data sets of each patient were separately displayed in full format on two different films and were printed in reduced format on one film. The format was reduced to 61% of the full format using an acquisition matrix of 2166 x 2488 pixels, an image display matrix of 4000 x 5000 pixels and a film format of 43 x 49 cm. All images were anonymously evaluated by four independent readers using a questionnaire concerning anatomic structures. RESULTS: Format reduction did not result in a loss of information in diagnostically relevant anatomic details. CONCLUSIONS: Displaying digital selenium radiographic data sets of thoracic view in two planes on one film presumably does not lead to a loss of diagnostic information. This procedure may help to reduce film costs.

Adult↗

[Can digital selenium-based radiography in thoracic diagnosis replace the analog x-ray imaging technic?].

PURPOSE: To find out the diagnostic value of digital selenium radiography, we compared the image quality of chest x-ray images from 50 patients who had been examined via conventional chest x-ray and digital selenium radiography of the chest. METHOD: 50 patients with a malignant melanoma underwent chest x-ray within 3 months in conventional technique and with digital selenium radiography (Thoravision: Philips Medical Systems, Hamburg, Germany). In this period none of the patients showed a difference in respect of clinical status or radiological diagnosis. Simultaneous examinations on the same day were not performed to avoid unnecessary exposure to x-rays. The digital and conventional images were compared by 4 radiologists with regard to image quality by the detection of defined anatomic structures. RESULTS: Image quality of digital selenium radiography was considered superior to that of conventional chest x-rays in the mediastinum, the retrocardiac and retrodiaphragmatic areas, the superior and inferior lobes of the lung especially near the parietal pleura, and the chest wall. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to analogous techniques there is no loss of image information when employing digital selenium radiography in chest x-rays. On the contrary, new assessment criteria may be gained. We conclude that digital selenium radiography offers diagnostic advantages in chest x-ray examination.

Adult↗

[Diagnostic value of digital projection radiography in comparison with conventional roentgen technique].

Digital projection radiography provides digital data in x-ray examinations, which used to be carried out by examinations screen-film system combinations. The technological basis and clinical performances of digital luminescent radiography (DLR) and digital radiography are reviewed. Digital projection radiography does not allow to reduce selenium exposure significantly, compared to screen-film system combinations. Digital luminescent radiography can be used for the entire spectrum of analogous projection radiography the only exception being extremely subtile structural changes. The clinical experiences with digital selenium radiography achieved so far in chest x-rays are promising and the technique is expected to be increasing used in other anatomic regions as well.

Humans↗

[Macrophage precursors as cytotoxic effector cells (author's transl)].

We have shown previously that in liquid cultures of mouse bone marrow cultured in the presence of fibroblast-conditioned medium macrophage precursor cells are generated which show K- and NK-activity. We have now presented evidence that macrophage precursor cells are released from the bone marrow into the periphery under in vivo conditions. Both in the corynebacterium parvum-induced mouse peritoneal exsudate and in the spleen of nu/nu mice the existence of macrophages precursor cells can be demonstrated. If these cells are eliminated by the use of the alloantimacrophage serum Mph 1.2 + C' the NK-activity of both populations is greatly reduced. Also human peripheral blood leucocytes contain macrophage precursor cells in varying amounts. After complete depletion of mature macrophages from peripheral blood macrophage precursor cells mature to typical adherent macrophages within a culture period of 5 days. These macrophage precursor cells resemble morphologically medium-sized lymphocytes. They are nonadherent and nonphagocytic and stain negative for nonspecific esterase.

Animals↗

Abdominal lymphoma staging: is MR imaging with T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence a diagnostic alternative to contrast-enhanced spiral CT?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of MR imaging in abdominal lymphoma staging, in comparison with that of the established spiral CT, within the context of a prospective study. METHODS: 50 patients with non-Hodgkin (n = 27) and Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 23) were examined with a plain T2-weighted TSE sequence (parameters: TE 90 ms, TR >2.500 ms, slice thickness 8 mm, slice interval 0.8 mm, ETL 20, NEX 4), and with spiral CT following oral and intravenous administration of contrast agent. RESULTS: Both CT and MR imaging agreed in showing abdominal lymphomas in 34/50 cases. The size of the detected lymphomas was between 1.5-9 cm (mean: 4.3 +/-2.2 cm). In the analysis of the individual lymph node sites, CT showed involvement of the paraaortic lymph nodes in 29/50 patients, compared with 28/50 in MRI, and involvement of the portal lymph nodes in 15/50, compared with 12/50. Both techniques showed the iliac lymph nodes in 21/50 patients, the inguinal lymph nodes in 10/50, and the mesenteric lymph nodes in 11/50. Both techniques also showed focal organ lesions in 12/50 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In the staging of abdominal lymphomas, MR imaging with a T2-weighted TSE sequence can be regarded as equal to spiral CT in the detection of lymph adenopathy and the demonstration of focal organ lesions. In addition to the absence of ionizing radiation, the advantage of MR imaging is that there is no necessity for oral or intravenous administration of contrast agent.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗