[Radiological placement of peripheral central venous access ports at the forearm. Technical results and long term outcome in 391 patients]. / Radiologische Implantation zentralvenöser Portsysteme am Unterarm. Implantationsergebnisse und Langzeit-Follow-up bei 391 Patienten.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze the technical result and long term outcome of central venous arm ports placed by radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Over a 5-year period, 399 arm ports were implanted by radiologists in 391 patients. The system consists of a low profile titanium chamber and a silicone catheter. Ports were placed at the forearm after puncture of a vein proximally to the elbow under fluoroscopic guidance. In a retrospective analysis the technical results and the long term outcome were evaluated. Complications were documented according to the standards of the society of interventional radiology. RESULTS: In 391 patients a total of 98 633 catheter days were documented (1 - 1325 days, mean 252 days). Primary technical success was 99.25 % (396 / 399) with a 100 % secondary technical success rate. No severe procedural complications, e. g. pneumothorax or severe hemorrhage, were found. A total of 45 complications occurred (11.28 %, 0.45 / 1000 catheter days), including 8 portal pocket infections (27 - 205 days, mean 115 days). Fifteen ports were explanted because of complications. The complication rate corresponds to the data from subclavian ports and is less than the complication rates published in large surgical trials. CONCLUSION: Implantation of central-venous arm ports by radiologists is safe and minimally invasive. No severe immediate procedural complications occur due to the peripheral implantation site. Long term complication rates are comparable to other studies of radiological or surgical port implantation at different sites.

[CT-guided percutaneous gastrostomy: success rate, early and late complications]. / CT-gesteuerte perkutane Gastrostomie: Technischer Erfolg, Früh- und Spätkomplikationen.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) are the standard methods of ensuring long-term enteral food intake in patients with dysphagia caused by neoplasia or neurological disorders. High-grade obstructions of the upper digestive tract or inadequate transillumination can prevent PEG. CT-guided percutaneous gastrostomy (PG) represents a special technique for enabling gastrostomy in patients for whom the endoscopic method is impossible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results and complications of CT-guided percutaneous gastrostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT-guided PG was performed in 83 patients, mostly with malignancy of the upper respiratory or digestive tract. Medical records for these patients were reviewed, and the results and complications of the CT-guided PG were analyzed retrospectively. Complications were grouped into four categories: Major and minor complications as well as early and late complications. RESULTS: In 95.2 % of all cases (79/83), CT-guided PG was successful in the first attempt. Within the first 3 days, 5 major complications including 4 tube dislocations and one case of peritonitis were found in 4/79 patients (5.1 %). One of these patients experienced two early major complications. Early minor complications, mainly local skin irritations and temporary stomach ache, were observed in 31 patients (39.2 %). Three days after CT-guided PG, 4 cases of major complications were documented, yielding a total rate of major complications was 8.7 % (7/79). Hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion or perforation after gastrostomy was not observed. 29.1 % of the patients (23/79) experienced late minor complications. CONCLUSION: CT-guided percutaneous gastrostomy represents a relatively safe method with a high success rate for enabling gastrostomy in patients with high-grade obstructions of the upper digestive tract or inadequate transillumination. Standard complication classification provides an important basis for quality assessment and disclosure of risks. A classification of complications after gastrostomy is presented for this purpose.

[Acceptance analysis of a digital picture distribution in a filmless university hospital]. / Akzeptanzanalyse einer digitalen Bildverteilung in einem filmlosen Universitätsklinikum.

PURPOSE: A prospective evaluation before and after the introduction of PACS should evaluate the level of acceptance by the referring physicians and indicate possible weaknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a hospital with 816 beds, questionnaires were sent to all referring physicians before and after the introduction of PACS to inquire how the physicians deal with radiological images. RESULTS: Without PACS, 62 % of the referring physicians spent up to one hour per day searching for radiological images. With PACS, 52 % needed less time to find the correct images. 63 % believe that the radiological image demonstration is more informative due to PACS. The possibility to view radiological images was criticized by 29 % of the referring physicians at the ambulatory units and 34 % at the wards. Before PACS, the service of the department of radiology was considered to be very good by 20 % of the physicians. After PACS, this value increased to 31 %. 93 % of the physicians questioned would recommend the introduction of PACS to other hospitals. CONCLUSION: Digital image distribution that takes into account the demands of referring physicians can achieve high acceptance and improve workflow. The quality of the computer monitors in the operating rooms, wards and ambulatory units should be improved.

Should 3K zoom function be used for detection of pneumothorax in cesium iodide/amorphous silicon flat-panel detector radiographs presented on 1K-matrix soft copies?

The purpose of the study was to evaluate observer performance in the detection of pneumothorax with cesium iodide and amorphous silicon flat-panel detector radiography (CsI/a-Si FDR) presented as 1K and 3K soft-copy images. Forty patients with and 40 patients without pneumothorax diagnosed on previous and subsequent digital storage phosphor radiography (SPR, gold standard) had follow-up chest radiographs with CsI/a-Si FDR. Four observers confirmed or excluded the diagnosis of pneumothorax according to a five-point scale first on the 1K soft-copy image and then with help of 3K zoom function (1K monitor). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for each modality (1K and 3K). The area under the curve (AUC) values for each observer were 0.7815, 0.7779, 0.7946 and 0.7066 with 1K-matrix soft copies and 0.8123, 0.7997, 0.8078 and 0.7522 with 3K zoom. Overall detection of pneumothorax was better with 3K zoom. Differences between the two display methods were not statistically significant in 3 of 4 observers (p-values between 0.13 and 0.44; observer 4: p = 0.02). The detection of pneumothorax with 3K zoom is better than with 1K soft copy but not at a statistically significant level. Differences between both display methods may be subtle. Still, our results indicate that 3K zoom should be employed in clinical practice.

[Diagnostic imaging of splenic disease]. / Bildgebende Diagnostik bei Milzerkrankungen.

Primary diseases of the spleen are relatively rare. More frequently, the spleen is involved secondarily in hematological, oncological, infectious, immunological, vascular, and other systemic diseases. The spleen is the most commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Anatomical and physiological basics are explained, in addition to embryological facts with resulting abnormalities, such as accessory and "wandering" spleen, and polysplenia. The most frequent primary and secondary diseases of the spleen, including rare diagnoses, are presented and illustrated. Hemangioma represents the most common primary benign tumor, and lymphoma the most common primary malignant tumor of the spleen. Diagnostic imaging does not a allow safe differentiation between Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. One section deals with the clinical value and diagnostic workup of incidentally detected lesions. Simple cysts and calcifications need neither clarification nor a follow-up examination. Atypical cysts should be controlled within 3-6 months. Additional clarification using CT or MRT should be reserved for cases with a strong suspicion of clinically relevant primary or secondary splenic disease.

[Reimbursement of radiologically guided vascular interventions within the DRG-system: what will change?]. / Vergütung radiologischer Gefässinterventionen im DRG-System: Was wird sich ändern?

PURPOSE: To evaluate reimbursement within the DRG-system ("diagnosis-related groups") compared with traditional reimbursement for interventional therapy of hospitalized patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reimbursement calculation was prospectively analyzed in two respects for 30 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the lower extremity arteries: (1) based on the DRG-system; (2) based on the traditional system. Additional evaluation was performed for five further, typical vascular procedures on the basis of real documentation and calculation data (stenting of the carotid artery, fibrinolytic therapy of basilar artery occlusion, stenting of renal artery stenosis, angioplasty of hemodialysis-shunt stenosis and aspiration thrombectomy of an infrapopliteal arterial occlusion). RESULTS: In our hospital, the introduction of the DRG system would reduce reimbursement by approximately 1100 euro per PTA patient. However, the other vascular radiological procedures can be expected to increase the payments by up to 4500 euro. CONCLUSION: To minimize imminent reduction of reimbursement for patients with peripheral PTA, complete documentation and economical patient management is mandatory. Payment may increase significantly for patients with the other reported vascular interventional procedures.

A patient with myelofibrosis complicated by refractory ascites and portal hypertension: to tips or not to tips? A case report with discussion of the mechanism of ascites formation.

In patients with myelofibrosis, clinically significant portal hypertension is known to be predominantly presinusoidal; however, the exact mechanisms are still controversial. The pathophysiology is particularly enigmatic in those patients without histological and angiographic evidence of significant intra- or extrahepatic obstruction to portal blood flow, respectively. Moreover, ascites formation has been reported in such cases, but in general is rare in presinusoidal portal hypertension. Here we present such a patient in which ascites developed even in the presence of unchanged serum protein levels (oncotic pressure) and was refractory to sodium restricted diet and high-dose diuretic treatment. A discussion on the parameters influencing fluid exchange and ascites formation particularly emphasizing the potential importance of the hyperdynamic circulation in this case is given. Finally, the patient was treated by implanting a transjugular intrahepatic shunt (TIPS), exerting a diuretic effect sufficient enough to avoid re-formation of ascites for several months. However, ascites re-accumulated potentially due to the appearance of ectopic peritoneal myeloid metaplasia and the patient died soon afterwards. In conclusion, TIPS may be considered as rescue management for refractory ascites secondary to portal hypertension, but caution in respect to the presence and/or development of peritoneal or other ectopic haematopoesis has to be taken.

Selective intraarterial fibrinolysis of acute central retinal artery occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of our patients with central retinal artery occlusion after local fibrinolysis and to compare these data with results reported in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a period of 7 years, 22 patients (11 male, 11 female, mean age 64.6 +/- 12.1 years) were treated with super-selective local fibrinolysis. In 1 case, treatment was carried out via the maxillary-ophthalmic anastomoses due to preexisting occlusion of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery. The latency period from the onset of symptoms to the beginning of therapy was 7.6 +/- 1.8 h. Urokinase was used in 7 cases (300,000-1.1 million units) and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (20-40 mg) was applied in 15 patients. Visual acuity and fundus were examined before and after treatment. RESULTS: One patient (1/22 = 4.6%) recovered completely and regained a visual acuity of 20/20. Six patients (6/22 = 27.3%) showed a marked improvement with a range of visual outcome from 20/800 to 20/320. In 2 cases (2/22 = 9.1%) only a slight improvement was observed, with a visual outcome allowing detection of hand movements. In 13 cases (13/22 = 59.1%) no change in visual acuity as a result of treatment was observed. In 2/22 cases (9.2%) reversible neurological side-effects occurred, in 1 case suffered a stroke, and in another case intracerebral bleeding was observed. CONCLUSION: In our study, the recovery of visual acuity and the complication rate were not as positive as reported in the literature.

[Evaluation of radiological teaching programs in the Internet]. / Evaluation radiologischer Lernprogramme im Internet.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of web based training programs, which can be contacted from the homepages of radiological departments of German universities. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From June 2000 to January 2002 the 75 web based training programs of 57 providers,which can be contacted from the web pages of the radiological departments of German universities were evaluated in a prospective study. A medical student experienced in using the world wide web examined each training program three times in an interval of six months using the following criteria: availability of the web sites, target group, kind of training program, contents and structure and the technical solution. RESULTS: 51 of the 57 the homepages were fully available at each visit. 64 of the 75 web based training programs which could be connected from these sites were available at all three visits.One program was only partially available at one spot check. 8 of the 75 programs were designed for physicians and medically trained personal, 23 were made for medical students and 44 addressed both target groups (partially more than once mentioned). The number of the presented cases ranged between one single and 3700. In 31 of 75 training programs links to other teaching files were found. A complete presentation of cases was presented by 48 of the 75 web sites.5 of the 75 web sites offered physiological images for comparison. In 20 training programs the pathological changes were optically marked in the x-ray images. A logical and didactical structure was found in 24 teaching files, 14 gave the possibility to check the learning results. No provider made use of the possibility to pass credits to the students or physicians account with regard to official training programs. Multimedia techniques were used in 15 training programs.43 sites used data reduced preview images (thumbnails). The latest update of the site is mentioned in 55 of the 75 web sites. 19 of 57 providers had either no possibility of contact or did not answer to an e-mail. CONCLUSION: From the homepages of the departments of diagnostic radiology of German universities 75 teaching files can be contacted. There is a great variety in quantity and quality. Most sites offer collections of cases. A web based training program which is comparable in quality to a CD-ROM teaching program could not be found. No program used the possibility to give credits to the users with regard to official training programs.

[Percutaneous therapy of inoperable biliary stenoses and occlusions with a new self-expanding nitinol stent (SMART)]. / Perkutane Therapie inoperabler maligner Stenosen und Verschlüsse der Gallenwege mit einem neu entwickelten selbstexpandierbaren Nitinolstent (SMART).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment of malignant biliary stenoses and occlusions using a new stent. METHODS: In a prospective study, 25 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were treated with SMART(R) stents. The handling and the quality of stent expansion were documented. Stent function was assessed 2 - 4 days after intervention by cholangiography and laboratory tests. A follow-up was performed three months, after stent placement. RESULTS: All lesions were treated successfully, with a total of 35 stents implanted. In 14 patients a further balloon dilatation was performed after stent placement (8 - 10 mm diameter/ 40 - 80 mm length). The mean serum bilirubin level decreased significantly from 11.6 mg/dl to 4.6 mg/dl after intervention (p < 0.05). The follow-up showed a mean serum bilirubin level at 4.0 mg/dl. In 4 cases (16 %) a further intervention (PTCD or stent) was performed. Six patients died due to tumor progression. The stents proved to be patent in 79 % (n = 15) of patients alive at the time of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of the SMART stent for the therapy of malignant biliary lesions yields good technical and clinical results.

[Contrast-enhanced MR angiography in the routine work-up of the lower extremity arteries]. / Kontrastmittelverstärkte MR-Angiographie der Becken- und Beingefässe in der klinischen Routinediagnostik.

PURPOSE: Prospective evaluation of the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced moving-table magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) as the sole routine tool for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and determination whether it can replace catheter arteriography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a time period of 23 weeks, 100 consecutive patients were evaluated. A total of 112 contrast-enhanced moving-table MR angiograms were performed at 1.5 Tesla. A dedicated vascular coil system was used. It was evaluated in which cases MR angiography was sufficient to determine the treatment plan and in which cases limited quality required additional examinations. RESULTS: In 93.75 % (105/112) of all examinations, the treatment plan was determined by MRA as the sole diagnostic tool. Twenty-two patients underwent surgery or percutaneous angioplasty based on MRA findings. Additional examinations due to impaired quality were performed in seven (6.25 %) cases: two MR angiographies of the pelvic arteries, one MR angiography of the calf, and four selective arteriographies because of venous overlay at the calf. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MR angiography can take the place of catheter angiography in the routine work-up of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Further assessment might be necessary in five to ten percent of the cases when the diagnostic quality is inadequate, mostly due to venous overlay in the lower leg.

[Evaluation of the Internet presence of diagnostic radiology units at German universities]. / Evaluation der Internetpräsenzen diagnostisch-radiologischer Institute deutscher Universitätskliniken.

PURPOSE: Analyzing the availability and the contents of the internet homepages of the radiological departments of German universities. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In June and July 2001 the internet homepages of 36 radiological departments of German universities were evaluated in a study. A medical student experienced in using the world wide web examined the websites concerning the following criteria: research, teaching, informations for patients, clinical topics and general information. Additionally an evaluation of the technical standard of the presentation was performed. RESULTS: 31 of the 36 radiological departments presented a homepage in the world wide web. The subject research was presented by 29 institutes. Also 29 departments provided information concerning teaching in their presentations. In 24 cases informations especially for patients were given. In all topics there is a huge variety of the quality and quantity of the provided information throughout the different institutions. 21 homepages available without restriction during the study period; 3 were nearly completely under construction. Multimedia techniques were only used in 2 homepages. The structural hierarchy of the webpages was in the average only two or three levels. Only 6 providers presented an additional version of their homepage in english. CONCLUSION: In the moment the possibility of internet-presentation is sub-optimal used by the responsible persons of the radiological institutions. The main emphasis is on research and teaching. There is nearly no use of multimedial elements in the presentations. Only a minority of the homepages can be read by international viewers because of the lack of an english version of the pages.

MR imaging of cranial nerve lesions using six different high-resolution T1- and T2(*)-weighted 3D and 2D sequences.

PURPOSE: To find a suitable high-resolution MR protocol for the visualization of lesions of all 12 cranial nerves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight pathologically changed cranial nerves (17 patients) were studied with MR imaging at 1.5 T using 3D T2*-weighted CISS, T1-weighted 3D MP-RAGE (without and with i.v. contrast medium), T2-weighted 3D TSE, T2-weighted 2D TSE and T1-weighted fat saturation 2D TSE sequences. Visibility of the 38 lesions of the 12 cranial nerves in each sequence was evaluated by consensus of two radiologists using an evaluation scale from 1 (excellently visible) to 4 (not visible). RESULTS: The 3D CISS sequence provided the best resolution of the cranial nerves and their lesions when surrounded by CSF. In nerves which were not surrounded by CSF, the 2D T1-weighted contrast-enhanced fat suppression technique was the best sequence. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of 3D CISS, the 2D T1-weighted fat suppressed sequence and a 3D contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE proved to be the most useful sequence to visualize all lesions of the cranial nerves. For the determination of enhancement, an additional 3D MP-RAGE sequence without contrast medium is required. This sequence is also very sensitive for the detection of hemorrhage.

Acute pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis following allogeneic transplantation -- the surgeon's dilemma.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is still a poorly understood phenomenon, currently considered to result from primary mucosal insult from varying causes. We report a case of severe PCI in a patient with chronic GVHD after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) performed to treat secondary AML. Post BMT, the patient suffered acute intestinal and cutaneous GVHD, eventually developing intestinal and biopsy-proven cutaneous chronic GVHD, which necessitated continuous steroid therapy. Chronic pancreatitis associated with GVHD was diagnosed by explorative surgery in February 2000 on the basis of increasing epigastric discomfort, tumour marker (CA 125) increase and the CT finding of a suspicious mass in the pancreas. Readmission occurred in April 2000 for rapid onset of inferior abdominal pain with distinct peritoneal signs. Relaparotomy, deemed necessary on the grounds of both clinical and radiological findings, revealed marked PCI of the ascending and transverse colon and attached mesentery in an otherwise intact gastrointestinal tract. Post-operative reconvalescence was uneventful, with no clinical or radiological recurrence of PCI in the following 10 months. In the context of a review of the relevant literature, this case report illustrates the complex underlying pathophysiology, and difficulty in making a differential diagnosis and treating PCI.

[Cost analysis of radiological interventional procedures and reimbursement within a clinic]. / Innerbetriebliche Leistungsverrechnung am Beispiel radiologischer Interventionen.

PURPOSE: Analysis of costs for vascular radiological interventions on a per patient basis and comparison with reimbursement based on GOA (Gebührenordnung für Arzte) and DKG-NT (Deutsche Krankenhausgesellschaft-Nebenkostentarif). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ten procedures most frequently performed within 12 months were evaluated. Personnel costs were derived from precice costs per hour and estimated procedure time for each intervention. Costs for medical devices were included. Reimbursement based on GOA was calculated using the official conversion factor of 0.114 DM for each specific relative value unit and a multiplication factor of 1.0. The corresponding conversion factor for DKG-NT, determined by the DKG, was 0.168 DM. RESULTS: A total of 832 interventional procedures were included. Marked differences between calculated costs and reimbursement rates were found. Regarding the ten most frequently performed procedures, there was a deficit of 1.06 million DM according GOA data (factor 1.0) and 0.787 million DM according DKG-NT. The percentage of reimbursement was only 34.2 (GOA; factor 1.0) and 51.3 (DKG-NT), respectively. CONCLUSION: Reimbursement of radiological interventional procedures based on GOA and DKG-NT data is of limited value for economic controlling purposes within a hospital.

[Thoracic computed tomography in intensive care patients - evaluation of clinical usefulness]. / Thorax Bildgebung bei Intensivpatienten - Lohnt der logistische Aufwand der Computertomographie?

PURPOSE: Computed tomography of intensive care patients requires transportation of the patient to the radiology department. This study analyses, whether this consumption of resources is justified by therapeutical and diagnostic consequences derived from helical computertomography of the chest. METHODS: 558 CT studies of the chest were compared with current bedside chest radiographs. The additional information of CT scans and their consequences were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: 388 (69.5 %) of these computed tomographies provided additional information compared with projection radiographs. 374 therapeutical procedures resulted from 266 (68.6 %) out of these 388 CT examinations. These therapeutical interventions were significantly more invasive than those 144 procedures derived from 170 (30.5 %) CT studies which did not show any additional findings compared with bedside chest radiographs. CONCLUSION: In more than two thirds (69.5 %) additional diagnoses were found with computertomography. Nearly one half of the CT studies resulted in additional findings and therapeutical consequences. Invasive therapeutical consequences were based on CT studies significantly more frequently than on bedside chest radiographs.