[Comparision of Clinical Versus Histopathological Staging in Patients with Oropharyngeal Carcinoma]. / Vergleich von klinischem und histopathologischem Staging bei Patienten mit Oropharynxkarzinom.

Despite all the progress in clinical diagnostics and multimodal therapy, the prediction of oropharyngeal carcinoma remains to be limited. Therefore, it is important to further improve clinical staging to set therapy modalities based on that.In a retrospective pseudonymized study over a 13 years period of time the clinical classification (cTNM) was compared with the histopathologic classification (pTNM) of 84 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and who were treated primarily with surgery. Furthermore, the existence of occult metastases as well as overall survival as a function of histopathologic extent of the tumor and regional infestation of lymph nodes were considered.The highest agreement between cTNM and pTNM was observed with computer tomography. A definite evaluation with histopathological reliability is not possible with cTNM. MRT examinations showed the tendency to estimate T -, N- and UICC-stage compared with the histopathologic findings. In the context of the examinations of survival probabilities, separated by sex and histopathologic T- and N-categories, a lower overall survival probability was seen for the higher T- and N-category.Despite all the progress in imaging diagnostics for patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma the cTNM, compared with pTNM, is only partially able to determine the TNM classification of the cancer with requested clinical accuracy. With the trend of decreasing predictions and in spite of present-day multimodal therapy it is essential to improve and optimize the pre-therapeutic clinical staging.

Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor of the Pineal Region in a Young Adult Male Patient: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) represents a highly malignant and aggressive embryonal neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS). Histologically it consists of rhabdoid cells with a varying combination of neuroectodermal, epithelial, and mesenchymal tissue. Histologic features and the poor clinical outcome indicate that this tumor corresponds to World Health Organization grade IV. AT/RT mainly occurs in children < 3 years of age and has only been rarely described in adults. It often arises from the posterior fossa of infants and has the tendency to spread through the subarachnoid space. In contrast to pediatric cases, most of the AT/RTs in adults are located in the cerebral hemispheres; infratentorial appearance or localization in the spinal cord is relatively uncommon. Likewise there are only a few reports of AT/RT in the pineal region. We present another interesting case of this tumor occurring in the pineal region of a 19-year-old man and discuss our case in the context of the current literature. The patient is alive 18 months since his initial diagnosis without any signs of tumor relapse.

CT-based 3-D visualisation of secure bone corridors and optimal trajectories for sacroiliac screws.

Sacroiliac screw (SI) fixation represents the only minimally invasive method to stabilise unstable injuries of the posterior pelvic ring. However, it is technically demanding. The narrow sacral proportions and a high inter-individual shape variability places adjacent neurovascular structures at potential risk. In this study a CT-based virtual analysis of the iliosacral anatomy in the human pelvis was performed to visualise and analyse 3-D bone corridors for the safe placement of SI-screws in the first sacral segment. Computer-aided calculation of 3-D transverse and general SI-corridors as a sum of all inner-bony 7.3-mm screw positions was done with custom-made software algorithms based on CT-scans of intact human pelvises. Radiomorphometric analysis of 11 CT-DICOM datasets using the software Amira 4.2. Optimal screw tracks allowing the greatest safety distance to the cortex were computed. Corridor geometry and optimal tracks were visualised; measurement data were calculated. A transverse corridor existed in 10 pelvises. In one dysmorphic pelvis, the pedicular height at the level of the 1st neural foramina came below the critical distance of 7.3mm defined by the outer screw diameter. The mean corridor volume was 45.2 cm3, with a length of 14.9cm. The oval cross-section measured 2.8 cm2. The diameter of the optimal screw pathway with the greatest safety distance was 14.2mm. A double cone-shaped general corridor for screw penetration up to the centre of the S1-body was calculated bilaterally for every pelvis. The mean volume was 120.6 cm3 for the left side and 115.8 cm3 for the right side. The iliac entry area measured 49.1 versus 46.0 cm2. Optimal screw tracks were calculated in terms of projected inlet and outlet angles. Multiple optimal screw positions existed for each pelvis. The described method allows an automated 3-D analysis with regard to secure SI-screw corridors even with a high number of CT-datasets. Corridor visualisation and calculation of optimal screw tracks trains the visual thinking of the surgeon and can improve pre-operative planning. Prospectively, the introduced method can be implemented in computer-assisted surgery applications involving pelvic trauma.

A method for computing general sacroiliac screw corridors based on CT scans of the pelvis.

Sacroiliac (SI) joint dislocations and sacral fractures of the pelvis can be stabilized by SI screws; however, screw insertion into a sacral isthmus region is risky for the adjacent neurovascular structures. Therefore, shape analyses of general SI screw corridors or safety zones are of great surgical interest; however, before such analyses can be conducted, a method for computing 3D models of general SI corridors from routine clinical computed tomography (CT) scans has to be developed. This work describes a method for determining general corridors in pelvic CT data for accurate screw placement into the first sacral body. The method is implemented with the computer language C++. The pelvic CT data are preprocessed before the presented algorithm computes a model of the 3D corridor volume. Additionally, the two most important parameters of the algorithm, the raster step and the virtual SI screw diameter, have been characterized. The result of the work is an algorithm for computing general SI screw corridors and its implementation. Additionally the influences of two important parameters, the raster step and the SI screw diameter, on corridor volume precision and computation time have been quantified for the test sample. We conclude that the method can be used in further corridor shape analyses with a large number of pelvic CT data sets for investigating general SI screw corridors and clinical consequences for the placements of the screws. Implementation of the presented software algorithm could also enhance performance of computer-assisted surgery in the near future.

Postmortal diagnosis of a Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome in a 75-year-old woman---a case report.

The Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome is characterized by various symptoms related to hemiatrophy of the cerebrum and hypertrophy of the ipsilateral calvarium and paranasal sinuses. Clinical findings include hemiparesis or hemiplegia, seizures and/or mental retardation. The present report discusses the very unusual case of a late-diagnosed Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome in a 75-year-old body donor who had suffered a left-sided stroke associated with the internal carotid artery in the course of tonsillitis at the age of 5.

Limitations of intraoperative adrenal remnant volume measurement in patients undergoing subtotal adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that a minimum of approximately one-third of one normal adrenal gland is required for sufficient adrenocortical stress capacity. Correlation between intraoperative measurement, determination of remnant size by computed tomography (CT), and adrenocortical stress capacity has not been examined so far. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with familial pheochromocytoma (n=13), sporadic pheochromocytoma (n=3), and adrenocortical tumors (n=6) who underwent unilateral or bilateral subtotal adrenalectomy (STAE, 28 adrenal remnants) were prospectively studied. Patients were examined in a multi-slice CT to determine residual adrenal tissue and by ACTH test 4 days and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was a slight significant correlation between intraoperative and CT calculated volumes (r=0.77; p<0.001). However, volumes assessed by CT were almost doubled compared with intraoperative determination (p<0.001). Although recovery of adrenal function could be observed, no significant changes of remnant volumes could be detected within 3 months. In patients with familial pheochromocytoma, there was a significant correlation between residual adrenal volume and stimulated cortisol levels (P<0.001). A distinct minimum of adrenal volume for intact adrenocortical stress capacity could not be exactly determined; however, in one patient with only 10% residual adrenal tissue intact stress capacity was found. CONCLUSIONS: Residual adrenal tissue of approximately 10-15% offers intact stress capacity. However, an exact determination of the size of an adrenal remnant after STAE has limitations. CT gives larger volumes compared with intraoperative determination. For calculation of a volume-function correlation of residual adrenal tissue, in clinical practice, the determination of relative adrenal residual volume is acceptable.

Nuchal cystic hygroma in five fetuses from 1819 to 1826 in the Meckel-anatomical collections at the University of Halle, Germany.

The Anatomical collection of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School of the University of Halle, Germany, comprises more than 8,000 specimens. Around 600 of them show congenital anomalies. The collection of abnormal human and animal fetuses began as the private collection of Johann Friedrich Meckel the Elder (1724-1774), his son Philipp Friedrich Theodor Meckel (1755-1803) and his grandson Johann Friedrich Meckel the Younger (1781-1833). Meckel the Younger founded the systematic science of developmental pathology. Radiographical techniques, computer tomographic (CT) methods, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) were used to diagnose abnormal human fetuses in the Meckel-anatomical collections. Cystic hygroma colli was found in five of the human fetuses originally described by JF Meckel the Younger in 1826 and one of his students in 1819 [Hencke, 1819]. CGH analyses were used to test whether the observed cystic hygroma colli could be caused by chromosomal aneuploidies. CGH-ratio profiles of all chromosomes were apparently normal. PCR-based sex determination tests on ancient DNA were used to determine the fetal gonosomal constitution. It is likely that the Meckel specimens are among the oldest fetuses in which Ullrich-Turner "phenotype" has been diagnosed.

Between Wallenberg syndrome and hemimedullary lesion: Cestan-Chenais and Babinski-Nageotte syndromes in medullary infarctions.

In comparison with the lateral (Wallenberg), medial (Dejerine) and hemimedullary (Reinhold) medulla oblongata syndromes, the Babinski-Nageotte and Cestan-Chenais syndromes are much less familiar cerebrovascular disorders. While the Babinski-Nageotte syndrome is usually confused with the hemimedullary syndrome, reports of the extremely rare Cestan-Chenais syndrome are missing from the modern neurological literature. The pathological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlations of the Cestan-Chenais syndrome have not been shown so far. We compared clinical and MRI features of two patients exhibiting classical Babinski-Nageotte and Cestan-Chenais syndromes according to their original descriptions with those of three patients with lateral, medial and hemimedullary syndromes. Our study shows that Babinski-Nageotte syndrome includes all symptoms of the Wallenberg syndrome and additionally contralateral hemiparesis due to a spreading of the "Wallenbergian" lateral lesion to the pyramidal tract. The Cestan-Chenais syndrome includes all symptoms of the Babinski-Nageotte syndrome with the exception of the ipsilateral cerebellary hemiataxia because of sparing of the posterior spinocerebellar tract. The Babinski-Nageotte syndrome is neither clinically nor on MRI identical with hemimedullary syndrome. Hypoglossal palsy, an invariable symptom of hemimedullary lesion is not part of the Babinski-Nageotte syndrome. The contralateral hypesthesia is dissociated in the Babinski-Nageotte syndrome. The Babinski-Nageotte and Cestan-Chenais syndromes are intermediolateral medullary syndromes with all (Babinski-Nageotte) or nearly all (Cestan-Chenais) features of the lateral and some features of the medial medulla oblongata syndromes.

Call-Fleming postpartum angiopathy in the puerperium: a reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The postpartum angiopathy (Call-Fleming syndrome) is a rare, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Unlike in eclampsia, neither proteinuria nor hypertension have been observed in the Call-Fleming syndrome. CASE: A 17-year-old woman developed headache, seizures, confusion, cortical blindness, and denial of visual loss (optic anosognosia, Anton syndrome) on the first postpartum day. Transcranial Doppler demonstrated severely elevated blood velocities. Magnetic resonance angiography showed multifocal segmental narrowing of cerebral arteries. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed occipitotemporal edema. After symptomatic treatment, the clinical deficits disappeared completely within 2 weeks. The follow-up neuroimaging performed after 3 months was unremarkable. CONCLUSION: The case shows that the Call-Fleming syndrome is a reversible condition with excellent prognosis representing an important differential diagnosis of eclampsia, dural sinus thrombosis, and intracranial bleeding in puerperium.

Acrofacial dysostosis (AFD) with preaxial limb hypoplasia (Nager AFD) and club foot diagnosed in a fetus from 1812 in the anatomical collections at the University of Halle, Germany.

The Anatomical Collections of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Halle, Germany, comprise more than 8,000 specimens, about 600 of them congenital anomalies. The collection of abnormal human and animal specimens began with the private collections of Johann Friedrich Meckel the Elder (1724-1774), his son Philipp Friedrich Theodor Meckel (1755-1803), and his grandson Johann Friedrich Meckel the Younger (1781-1833). Meckel the Younger founded the science of developmental pathology in Germany. Radiographical techniques, computer tomographic methods (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and molecular cytogenetic techniques, for example, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) were used to diagnose abnormal human fetuses in the Meckel Collection. On examination of one of the human fetuses, originally described by JF Meckel the Younger in 1812 or earlier, we found striking clinical manifestations including mandibulofacial defects and preaxially malformed limbs. With respect to external findings, we propose that the condition is acrofacial dysostosis (AFD) with preaxial limb hypoplasia (Nager AFD) in combination with club foot, tibial torsion, and single umbilical artery. We used genetic analyses to test whether the observed limb malformations could be caused by aneuploidy. CGH-ratio profiles of all chromosomes were apparently normal. It is likely that Meckel's specimen is the earliest known fetus with Nager AFD.