Bone condition of the maxillary zygomatic process prior to orthodontic anchorage plate fixation.

Objectives: The clinical success of orthodontic miniplates depends on the stability of the miniscrews used for fixation. For good stability, it is essential that the application site provides enough bone of good quality. This study was performed to analyze the amount of bone available for orthodontic miniplates in the zygomatic process of the maxilla.

Assessing bone volume for orthodontic miniplate fixation below the maxillary frontal process.

Objectives: The maxillary bone below the frontal process is used for orthodontic anchorage; indications have included skeletally anchored protraction of the maxilla for treating Class III malocclusions or the intrusion of teeth in patients with a deep bite. This study was conducted to assess the condition of bone before cortically implanting miniplates in that area of the maxilla.

Patients And Methods: A total of 51 thin-sliced computed tomography scans of 51 fully-dentate adult patients (mean age 24.

Geometric accuracy of a newly developed cone-beam device for maxillofacial imaging.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the geometric accuracy of scans obtained with a newly developed cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device in comparison with a multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) scanner.

Study Design: Cone-beam scans were obtained with the preretail version of a newly developed compact size device with a scan volume of 15 x 15 x 15 cm. Conventional CT scans for comparison were performed with a 6-detector row CT scanner.

Successful treatment of chronic disseminated candidiasis with caspofungin and itraconazole in a patient with progressive acute leukemia and prolonged neutropenia.

Severe fungal infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neutropenic patients undergoing dose-intensive chemotherapy for malignant diseases. Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) is a life-threatening complication in neutropenic patients because of the lack of responsive hematopoietic precursor cells. Resolution of Candida organ lesions after hematopoietic reconstitution may take months.

Variability of size and shape of necrosis induced by radiofrequency ablation in human livers: a volumetric evaluation.

Background: Definite size and shape of radiofrequency-induced ablations (RFAs) cannot be evaluated intraoperatively. Instead, surgeons choose a radiofrequency device that is supposed to cause a necrosis of a determined size greater than the malignant lesion. The aim of this study was to measure the variability of the induced necroses postoperatively and to define a reproducible ablation volume in human liver.

Transbrachial thrombolysis, PTA and stenting in the lower extremities.

We present an analysis of 37 interventions in the arteries of the lower limbs via a transbrachial arterial approach. Twenty-six patients (42-79 years) underwent 37 interventional procedures in the lower extremities (iliac n = 6, iliac + femoro-popliteal n = 1, femoro-popliteal n = 30) with a vascular approach via the brachial artery (33 left sided, 4 right sided, introducer sheath 4-7 F). The transbrachial approach was chosen to avoid puncture of femoral bypass graft material.

Imaging of renal lesions: evaluation of fast MRI and helical CT.

The purpose of this study is to compare triphasic helical CT and fast MRI with respect to detection, characterization and staging of suspected renal masses. To achieve this triphasic helical CT (plain, corticonephrographic and tubulonephrographic phase) and MRI with fast T(1) weighted and T(2) weighted sequences were performed in 29 patients with a suspected renal lesion. Image quality, lesion characterization and lesion extent were assessed for both methods in all patients.

[Right portal vein ligation prior to extended right hemihepatectomy for synchronous colorectal liver metastases].

Introduction: A two-step procedure is suggested to reduce the overall operative risk in patients with colorectal cancer and large synchronous liver metastases, which demand an extended right hemihepatectomy for R0 resection.

Methods: The clinical course and volumetric evaluation of the liver is described in three patients in whom preliminary ligation of the right branch of the portal vein was performed at the time of colon resection.

Results: The size of the left lateral lobes increased by 9.

Lymph node size and metastatic infiltration in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Preoperative lymph node staging of lung cancer by CT relies on the premise that malignant lymph nodes are larger than benign ones. Lymph nodes > 1 cm in size are regarded as metastatic nodes. The surgical approach and potential application of neoadjuvant therapy regimens are dependent on this evaluation.

Experimental evaluation of accuracy of radiofrequency ablation using conventional ultrasound or a third-dimension navigation tool.

Background: Successful radiofrequency-induced ablation is dependent on correct placement of the device. The ultraguide system is a three-dimensional positioning system creating an overlay of the real-time ultrasound image and a virtual image of the device.

Methods: Tumor mimics were produced by injecting an agarose/cellulose/glycerol gel into pig livers on table.

[New biodegradable polylactide implants (Polypin-C) in therapy for radial head fractures].

Dislocated radial head fractures of the type Mason II are usually treated with screws and buttress plates. The implants are generally removed at a later date. Biodegradable implants can be applied successfully for the reduction of small radial head fractures subject to shearing forces and slight loads.

Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation using a 3D navigation tool for treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Background: Resection as the only potential cure for colorectal liver metastasis is limited by the size and the intrahepatic localization of lesions. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may extend the limitations of surgery.

Patients And Methods: 23 consecutive patients suffering from a total of 128 colorectal liver metastases were treated by resection and intraoperative RFA.

[Color duplex sonographic findings in an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of the vertebral artery].

The report describes a rare case of an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of the vertebral artery to the vertebral vein which arose after insertion of a central venous catheter via the jugular vein. We give special attention to the role of colour duplex sonography in the primary diagnosis of such fistulas. As can be seen from published reports with this non-invasive examination, the diagnosis of fistulas could not be established in all cases, where an abnormal communication between the vessels was later revealed by angiography.

Disseminated Neocosmospora vasinfecta infection in a patient with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

We report Neocosmospora vasinfecta infection following chemotherapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. N. vasinfecta, a plant pathogen, was identified by culture and genetic sequencing.

Atresia of the trachea following repeated percutaneous dilational tracheotomy.

Percutaneous dilational tracheotomy (PDT) and conventional tracheostomy are still competing methods to provide an airway for intensive care patients requiring assisted ventilation. Tracheal stenosis is a late complication for any tracheostomy and long-term intubation. However, late complications in PDT have not been extensively studied.

[Infection of deep soft tissues of the neck in intravenous drug abuse].

Background: Despite the availability of antibiotics deep neck space infections with anaerobic germs (Ludwig's angina) still carry the potential for significant morbidity and mortality with delayed treatment. Usually, odontogenic infections with involvement of the submandibular space are the source of deep neck space infections in adults, whereas in the pediatric population the most common cause is acute tonsillitis with involvement of the peritonsillar space. During the second half of this century intravenous drug abusers appeared as a new group of patients at risk for deep neck space infections.

[The MR tomographic imaging of uncomplicated secondary fracture healing exemplified by the distal radius fracture].

Purpose: To investigate the normal sequential MR-pattern of uncomplicated fracture healing within the first 6 weeks.

Methods: In 8 patients with distal radius fracture, 4 by 4 with and without intraarticular fracture, MR examinations were performed 3-4 days after the onset of fracture and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks using the following techniques: T1-weighted spin echo, T2-weighted spin echo, T2 proton density weighted, STIR (short inversion time inversion recovery), T2-weighted turbo spin-echo and fast field echo (FFE, gradient echo). Sequential examinations were analysed regarding 1) the appearance of fracture line, 2) development of bone marrow signal, and 3) signal changes in surrounding soft tissue.

Spiral CT angiography of the abdominal aorta. Comparison of iodixanol and ioversol.

Rationale And Objectives: Enhancement characteristics of a nonionic, dimeric, isotonic contrast medium (iodixanol [Visipaque]) were compared with a nonionic, monomeric contrast medium (ioversol [Optiray]) of the same iodine concentration in spiral computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the abdominal aorta.

Methods: Spiral CTA was performed in 78 patients referred for suspected renal artery stenosis (n = 35) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 43). A test bolus was used to time the scan delay, and all patients were injected with 150 ml contrast medium (320 mgI/ml) of either iodixanol (n = 40) or ioversol (n = 38).