[Modern tomography imaging techniques in urological diseases].

Background: Radiologic imaging is important for the detection, staging and follow-up of urological tumors. Basic therapy decisions for both oncological (surgical vs. systemic therapy, e.

Visualization of the epimysium and fascia thoracolumbalis at the lumbar spine using MRI.

Background: The fascia thoracolumbalis (FTL) is an important component for stabilization and motion control of the lumbar spine. It coordinates the traction forces of the autochthonous muscles of the back (AM) and connects them to the muscles of the abdominal wall, shoulder, and buttocks.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to describe the assessment of the normal FTL and epimysium of the AM in MRI and to identify patterns associated with pathological changes in the lumbar spine.

[Diagnostic value of a 3D-SPACE-sequence with compressed sensing technology for the knee joint].

Backround: SPACE (3D fast spin echo acquisition) sequences require long scan times for three-dimensional assessment of acute injury of the knee joint and are flawed due to geometric blurring. Their implementation into routine diagnostic imaging was not feasible until recently.

Objectives: By comparing conventional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) sequences to 3D (three-dimensional) sequences, it was investigated whether the compressed sensing (CS) technique is inferior to the established 2D sequences with shorter examination times.

MRI-guided core biopsy of the prostate in the supine position--introduction of a simplified technique using large-bore magnet systems.

Objectives: To introduce a simplified technique for MRI-guided core biopsies (MRGB) of the prostate in the supine position using large-bore magnet systems.

Methods: Fifty men with a history of negative transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies underwent MRGB in either a 1.5-T (13/50) or 3.

Characterizing mammographic images by using generic texture features.

Introduction: Although mammographic density is an established risk factor for breast cancer, its use is limited in clinical practice because of a lack of automated and standardized measurement methods. The aims of this study were to evaluate a variety of automated texture features in mammograms as risk factors for breast cancer and to compare them with the percentage mammographic density (PMD) by using a case-control study design.

Methods: A case-control study including 864 cases and 418 controls was analyzed automatically.

Association of mammographic density with hormone receptors in invasive breast cancers: results from a case-only study.

For many breast cancer (BC) risk factors, there is growing evidence concerning molecular subtypes for which the risk factor is specific. With regard to mammographic density (MD), there are inconsistent data concerning its association with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between ER and PR expression and MD.

Indications and long-term outcome after elective surgery for hepatocellular adenoma.

The management of hepatocellular adenoma (HA) is dependent on several parameters, which are influencing the decision for further management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation, indications, and long-term outcome of surgical treatment in a single-institution analysis. Forty-nine patients underwent elective hepatectomy for HA between 1990 and 2007.

Circulating micro-RNAs as potential blood-based markers for early stage breast cancer detection.

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules with relevance as regulators of gene expression thereby affecting crucial processes in cancer development. MiRNAs offer great potential as biomarkers for cancer detection due to their remarkable stability in blood and their characteristic expression in many different diseases. We investigated whether microarray-based miRNA profiling on whole blood could discriminate between early stage breast cancer patients and healthy controls.

Correlates of mammographic density in B-mode ultrasound and real time elastography.

The aim of our study involved the assessment of B-mode imaging and elastography with regard to their ability to predict mammographic density (MD) without X-rays. Women, who underwent routine mammography, were prospectively examined with additional B-mode ultrasound and elastography. MD was assessed quantitatively with a computer-assisted method (Madena).

Breast volumetry using a three-dimensional surface assessment technique.

Background: Breast volume is a relevant measure for the prevention and prediction of diseases and for aesthetic surgery. This study evaluated a new technique to determine breast volume and compared measures using a three-dimensional (3D) body surface scanner and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, with the latter used as the standard method.

Methods: Both MRI scans and body surface 3D scans were obtained from 22 women.

Assessment of breast cancer tumour size using six different methods.

Objectives: Tumour size estimates using mammography (MG), conventional ultrasound (US), compound imaging (CI) and real-time elastography (RTE) were compared with histopathological specimen sizes.

Methods: The largest diameters of 97 malignant breast lesions were measured. Two US and CI measurements were made: US1/CI1 (hypoechoic nucleus only) and US2/CI2 (hypoechoic nucleus plus hyperechoic halo).

Diabetes and prognosis in a breast cancer cohort.

Purpose: Epidemiological studies indicated that type 2 diabetes mellitus may increase breast cancer risk and mortality. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the effect of diabetes on the clinical course and the prognosis of early stage breast cancer in relation to tumour and patient characteristics.

Methods: The cohort analyzed in this study consisted of 4,056 patients with invasive primary breast cancer.

Mammographic density as a risk factor for breast cancer in a German case-control study.

Mammographic percent density (MD) is recognized as one of the strongest risk factors associated with breast cancer. This matched case-control study investigated whether MD represents an independent risk factor. Mammograms were obtained from 1025 breast cancer patients and from 520 healthy controls.

Assessment of mammographic density before and after first full-term pregnancy.

Mammographic density (MD) has consistently been found as one of the strongest breast cancer risk factors. In our study, both qualitative and quantitative density measurements were performed in a hospital-based group of premenopausal women before and after first full-term pregnancy providing an opportunity for direct evaluation of the effects of one pregnancy on MD. Mammograms were obtained from 23 women before and after first full-term pregnancy and from 28 nulliparous controls.

Breast cancer risk assessment in a mammography screening program and participation in the IBIS-II chemoprevention trial.

It has been shown in several studies that antihormonal compounds can offer effective prophylactic treatment to prevent breast cancer. In view of the low participation rates in chemoprevention trials, the purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of women taking part in a population-based mammography screening program who wished to obtain information about the risk of breast cancer and then participate in the the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II (IBIS-II) trial, a randomized double-blind controlled chemoprevention trial comparing anastrozole with placebo. A paper-based survey was conducted in a population-based mammography screening program in Germany between 2007 and 2009.

Radiotherapy in early-stage Dupuytren's contracture. Long-term results after 13 years.

Background And Purpose: In early-stage Dupuytren's contracture, radiotherapy is applied to prevent disease progression. Long-term outcome and late toxicity of the treatment were evaluated in a retrospective analysis.

Patients And Methods: Between 12/1982 and 02/2006, 135 patients (208 hands) were irradiated with orthovoltage (120 kV; 20 mA; 4-mm Al filter), in two courses with five daily fractions of 3.

Calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder joint : predictive value of pretreatment sonography for the response to low-dose radiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: Calcifying tendonitis is a degenerative inflammatory joint disorder. Pain relief can be successfully achieved with low-dose radiotherapy. It is actually unknown which types of calcifying tendonitis respond to radiotherapy and which do not.

Peripheral intravenous power injection of iodinated contrast media: the impact of temperature on maximum injection pressures at different cannula sizes.

Rationale And Objectives: Modern computed tomographic scanners and examination protocols often require high injection rates of iodinated contrast media (CM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum injection pressures (MIPs) with different CM at different temperatures in the most common intravenous cannula (IVC) sizes.

Materials And Methods: Three IVC sizes, 22, 20, and 18 gauge, were evaluated.

Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery BLADE magnetic resonance imaging of the brain: an alternative to spin-echo technique for detection of brain lesions in the unsedated pediatric patient?

Rationale And Objectives: We compared contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain using different types of data acquisition techniques: periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER, BLADE) imaging versus standard k-space sampling (conventional spin-echo pulse sequence) in the unsedated pediatric patient with focus on artifact reduction, overall image quality, and lesion detectability.

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight pediatric patients (aged 3 months to 18 years) were scanned with a clinical 1.5-T whole body MR scanner.

[Radiotherapy for shoulder impingement].

Background And Purpose: Up to now, degenerative shoulder diseases were summarized by the term "periarthritis humeroscapularis". Actual shoulder diseases can be differentiated etiopathologically according to a primary and secondary impingement syndrome. Narrowing of the subacromial space, which is caused by an osseous shape variant, leads to primary impingement.

Contrast enhanced sonography of the gallbladder: a tool in the diagnosis of cholecystitis?

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate if contrast enhanced sonography (CES) can help to detect gallbladder inflammation and differentiate between acute and chronic cholecystitis.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-three patients with clinical suspicion of acute cholecystitis were examined with CES before cholecystectomy. Thirty patients with no history of gallbladder disease served as control.