[Mediastinal metastasis of a tubal choriocarcinoma following ectopic pregnancy as a rare cause of thoracic pain]. / Mediastinale Metastase eines tubaren Chorionkarzinoms nach ektoper Schwangerschaft als seltene Ursache thorakaler Schmerzen.

We report on a 26-year old female patient with thoracic pain and dyspnea, in whom a large tumorous mass in the anterior mediastinum with a pleural effusion was diagnosed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. After rapid progression of tumor growth and detection of malignant cells within the pleural effusion operative intervention including resection of the tumor was performed. Histologic examination of the tumor revealed the typical morphology of a large mediastinal choriocarcinoma. The excessively high hCG-levels returned to normal values post-operatively. A thorough history making revealed an ectopic pregnancy which had made unilateral salpingectomy necessary. Although primary histologic examination of the tubarian tissue had shown no malignancy, a secondary look revealed a choriocarcinoma with identical histological features compared to the mediastinal tumor. Thus, final diagnosis of a mediastinal metastasis of a tubarian choriocarcinoma in ectopic pregnancy was made. We discuss this extremely rare disease and provide a short overview of the literature.

[Non-passable tumor-associated stenosis of trachea and stent-implantation -- an indication for Virtual CT-bronchoscopy]. / Stent-Implantationsplanung bei tumor-assoziierter, brochoskopisch nicht passierbarer Trachealstenose -- Eine Indikation für die virtuelle CT-Bronchoskopie.

We report about a male 50-year-old patient with known non-small cell lung cancer and tumor-associated stenosis of the right main bronchus already treated with Neodym-YAG-laser coagulation. Eight months later the patient was readmitted to hospital and revealed complete occlusion of the right main bronchus and subtotal stenosis of the distal trachea and the left main bronchus. Conventional tracheobronchoscopy failed to visualize the post-stenotic parts of the left main bronchus due to the length and degree of stenosis. Multidetector-CT-generated virtual tracheobronchoscopy was able to demonstrate complete intraluminal tumor extent thus making precise pre-interventional measurements for stent implantation possible. Furthermore, post-interventional re-evaluation by virtual tracheobronchoscopy confirmed correct position and patency of the stent located within the distal trachea and the left main bronchus. Our case report demonstrates a non-invasive and easy approach for evaluating the tracheobronchial system in a patient with tumor-associated airway stenosis including the possibility for viewing beyond post-stenotic segments.

[Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee joint]. / Pigmentierte villonoduläre Synovitis des Kniegelenks.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare proliferative disorder of the synovial membrane most frequently found in the knee. The etiopathology of the disease is still not understood. Present terminology differentiates between a localized (LPVNS) and a diffuse (DPVNS) form. Currently, MRI is the diagnostic imaging technique of choice. The localized form (LPVNS) can be cured definitely in almost all cases by partial arthroscopic synovectomy, whereas the treatment of the diffuse form (DPVNS) is discussed controversially concerning an arthroscopic or total synovectomy by open arthrotomy. We report a case rarely found in the literature of a patient suffering from a diffuse form of PVNS localized in the right knee joint. In this case PVNS acted as a locally aggressive and destructive lesion of immense extent invading femoral, tibial and fibular bone and the whole extending muscular system. We performed a radical synovectomy by open arthrotomy. By implanting a tumor prosthesis we prevented progression of the disease. Apart from adequate diagnosis, we recommend complete and aggressive resection of the affected tissue by performing an open arthrotomy.

[Prospective randomized trial of a modified standard multislice CT protocol for the evaluation of multiple trauma patients]. / Prospektive, randomisierte Evaluation eines modifizierten Mehrdetektor-CT-Protokolls in der Initialdiagnostik beim Polytrauma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether modification of a standard multislice CT (MSCT) protocol might improve the diagnostic work flow in patients with multiple trauma without relevant loss of image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2002 and September 2003, 80 multiple trauma patients underwent 4-slice CT encompassing head, thorax, abdomen/pelvis and spine. All patients were randomly assigned to either protocol A or B: Protocol A included serial scanning of the head (collimation 1 mm, 350/380 mAs/120 kV) and spiral scans of thorax, abdomen/pelvis and spine (collimation 2.5 mm, 220 mAs/120 kV) with gantry angulation and arm elevation; protocol B included spiral scanning of all body regions (collimation 2.5 mm, 300/150 mAs/120 kV) without gantry angulation or arm elevation. Time intervals, radiation exposure and results of the initial and final analysis were documented. RESULTS: In the investigated 64 male and 16 female patients (mean age 41.7 years), 88.7 % of the 407 pathologic findings were correctly identified on the initial images. Protocol B revealed a significant decrease in scan time (6.4 vs. 16.8 min., p < 0.001), time in the CT examination room (22.9 vs. 32.8 min.; p < 0.001), time until initial (25.3 vs. 35.8 min.; p < 0.001) and final image analysis (93.7 vs. 112.9 min; p < 0.005). No significant difference was found for patient transport time and image reconstruction time. Protocol B has a significantly lower effective radiation dose compared to protocol A (10.2 vs. 12.7 mSv, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Applying a modified MSCT protocol without gantry angulation and arm elevation can significantly decrease radiation exposure and examination time in multiple trauma patients without relevant loss of diagnostic image information and, consequently, has the potential of improving the diagnostic process and prognosis in multiple trauma patients.

[Neurological complications and loss of efficacy with intrathecal pain therapy]. / Neurologische Komplikationen und Wirkverlust unter intrathekaler Schmerztherapie. Drei Fallberichte und Auswertung der Literatur.

In a new guideline issued by the German Association for the Study of Pain, intrathecal opioid therapy is described as proven to be effective with relatively few side effects. We reviewed this statement by analysis of the available literature and critical evaluation of the clinical course in a few of our own patients (n=3). In these cases (as well as in a further eight patients), explantation and a switch to oral opioids led to distinctly better alleviation of pain and abatement of the unwanted effects. The problems we discuss do not appear to be rare instances, but by all means complications that are frequently described. The long-term efficacy of intrathecal opioids has not been adequately verified; moreover, their potency is not high. The frequency of undesired events is comparable to that of oral opioid medication, but serious neurological complications are possible. To avoid dose escalations and to recognize neurological complications in time, diligent monitoring by the surgeon or an experienced pain center is essential.

[Misdiagnosis of a Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava as a renal cell carcinoma]. / Fehldeutung eines Leiomyosarkoms der V. cava inferior als Nierenzellkarzinom.

Leiomyosarcoma of the vena cava inferior (VCI) is a rare mesenchymal malignant tumor of the retroperitoneum. About 200 cases have been described in the literature so far. Leiomyosarcomas may resemble other tumors including renal cell carcinoma, adrenal carcinoma, and hepatic adenoma. Thus, misinterpretation of a leiomyosarcoma of the VCI is a common problem. We present a 71-year-old female with a large subhepatic, retroperitoneal tumorous mass which was diagnosed to be a renal cell carcinoma by sonography and computed tomography. After application of magnetic resonance imaging and retrospective analysis of the CT scan, diagnosis could be revised. Laparotomy and en bloc resection of the tumor was performed; histopathological examination confirmed a leiomyosarcoma of the VCI. The postoperative course was unremarkable. Leiomyosarcoma of the VCI may resemble advanced stages of renal cell carcinoma. High-resolution imaging modalities (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) are able to precisely evaluate the typical imaging characteristics of leiomyosarcomas, thus determining correct diagnosis in affected patients. This is essential for successful operative therapy.