Structured Reporting of Whole-Body Trauma CT Scans Using Checklists: Diagnostic Accuracy of Reporting Radiologists Depending on Their Level of Experience.

Purpose:  Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of a checklist-style structured reporting template in the setting of whole-body multislice computed tomography in major trauma patients depending on the level of experience of the reporting radiologist.

Materials And Methods:  A total of 140 major trauma scans with the same protocol were included in this retrospective study. In a purely trial-intended reading, the trauma scans were analyzed by three radiologists with different levels of experience (resident, radiologist with 3 years of experience after board certification, and radiologist with 7 years of experience after board certification).

Morphometric characteristics of anencephalic skulls - A comparative study.

Anencephaly is the most severe form of a neural tube defect resulting from the incomplete occlusion of the anterior neuropore in the fourth week of development and associated with a severely underdeveloped brain mass. As desmal ossification of the neurocranium is induced by the presence of soft tissues (brain), no bone develops as direct consequence of the missing brain. The cranial base, by contrast, is formed by chondral ossification, which is genetically determined, and thus present also in anencephaly.

Analysis of Thrombotic Deposits in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenators by High-resolution Microcomputed Tomography: A Feasibility Study.

Coagulative disorders, especially clotting during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, are frequent complications. Direct visualization and analysis of deposits in membrane oxygenators using computed tomography (CT) may provide an insight into the underlying mechanisms causing thrombotic events. However, the already established multidetector CT (MDCT) method shows major limitations.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Axial Skeleton in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: Distribution Pattern of Inflammatory and Structural Lesions.

Purpose: Spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the musculoskeletal system driven by systemic enthesitis and typically involving the axial skeleton, ie, the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The purpose of this study was to assess the distribution pattern of inflammatory and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in spondyloarthritis.

Methods: Retrospective study of 193 patients with axial spondyloarthritis who received MRI of the spine and the sacroiliac joints.

Correction of Pelvic Tilt and Pelvic Rotation in Cup Measurement after THA - An Experimental Study.

 Accurate assessment of cup orientation on postoperative pelvic radiographs is essential for evaluating outcome after THA. Here, we present a novel method for correcting measurement inaccuracies due to pelvic tilt and rotation.  In an experimental setting, a cup was implanted into a dummy pelvis, and its final position was verified via CT.

D-dimers Are a Predictor of Clot Volume Inside Membrane Oxygenators During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Thrombosis inside the membrane oxygenator (MO) is a critical complication during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The aim of this study was to prove if thrombotic clots manifest within the MO when D-dimer levels are elevated over a long-term period. Heparin-coated polymethylpentene MOs (n = 13) were exchanged due to high plasma D-dimer levels.

Efficiency of gas transfer in venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: analysis of 317 cases with four different ECMO systems.

Purpose: Polymethylpentene membrane oxygenators used in venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) differ in their physical characteristics. The aim of the study was to analyze the gas transfer capability of different ECMO systems in clinical practice, as the choice of the appropriate system may be influenced by the needs of the patient.

Methods: Retrospective study on prospectively collected data of adults with severe respiratory failure requiring vvECMO support (Regensburg ECMO Registry, 2009-2013).

Predicting knee rotation by the projection overlap of the proximal fibula and tibia in long-leg radiographs.

Purpose: Rotation of the lower limbs in long-leg radiographs has a significant impact on imaging the mechanical femorotibial angle, the femoral anatomic mechanical angle, the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) and the mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA). In this study, we assessed the rotation of the lower limbs in conventional radiographs and hypothesized that the relative position of the proximal fibula to the proximal tibia on long-leg radiographs is related to the rotation of the knee joint.

Methods: Radiological examinations in different rotational positions of the knee joint (incremental 40° internal to 40° external rotation) were imitated by 50 computed tomography scans (50 patients, 25 men and 25 women).

Analysis of thrombotic deposits in extracorporeal membrane oxygenators by multidetector computed tomography.

Oxygenator thrombosis is a serious complication in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and may necessitate a system exchange. Coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters, flow dynamics, and gas transfer performance are currently used to evaluate the degree of oxygenator thrombosis, but there is no technical approach for direct visualization and quantification of thrombotic deposits within the membrane oxygenator (MO). We used multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with three-dimensional postprocessing to assess the incidence of oxygenator thrombosis, to quantify thrombus extent, and to localize clot distribution.

Diagnostic significance of rib series in minor thorax trauma compared to plain chest film and computed tomography.

Background: Rib series (RS) are a special radiological technique to improve the visualization of the bony parts of the chest.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of rib series in minor thorax trauma.

Methods: Retrospective study of 56 patients who received RS, 39 patients where additionally evaluated by plain chest film (PCF).

D-dimers as an early marker for oxygenator exchange in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Purpose: Early markers of oxygenator dysfunction during prolonged use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are important for timely exchange to avoid sudden loss of function due to clot formation within the system. The measurement of D-dimers (DDs) in plasma might be a marker for early diagnosis of thrombus formation and dysfunction of heparin-coated membrane oxygenators (MOs).

Methods: This is a retrospective study on prospectively collected data of 24 adult acute respiratory distress syndrome patients requiring long-term veno-venous ECMO with at least 1 MO exchange.

Increased pulmonary artery diameter on chest computed tomography can predict borderline pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) often leads to dilatation of the pulmonary artery (PA), which can be measured on chest computed tomography (CT). While the predictive capability of PA dilatation is useful to distinguish PH (mean PA pressure ≥25 mmHg) from normal (mean PA pressure ≤ 20 mmHg), CT characteristics of borderline PH (mean PA pressure 21-24 mmHg) have not been described. We aimed to investigate whether patients with borderline PH already show PA dilatation and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of PA dilatation for borderline PH diagnosis.

Visualization of thrombotic deposits in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation devices using multidetector computed tomography: a feasibility study.

Despite heparin coating and systemic anticoagulation, thrombotic clot formation is a serious complication in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We describe our first results of visualization of thrombotic deposits in ECMO devices using advanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). A bioline-coated polymethylpentene membrane oxygenator (MO) after 8 days of ECMO treatment (device 1) and a factory-sealed MO serving as an internal quality control (device 2) were analyzed with three-dimensional (3D) visualization volume rendering technique (VRT) using a 0.

Lone atrial fibrillation as a positive predictor of left atrial volume reduction following ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: We investigated predictors of left atrial volume reduction (LAVR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing AF ablation.

Methods And Results: Sixty patients with AF underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using a pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC). All patients underwent cardiac imaging by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to determine LAV 1 day before and 140 ± 9.

Identification of early complications following pancreas and renal transplantation using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)--first results.

Aim: Identification of acute and subacute complications following pancreas and renal transplantation using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in comparison with Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) or Ultrasound (US). The study evaluated whether CEUS could confirm the preliminary diagnosis or even provide additional information, relevant for the therapeutic strategy.

Material And Methods: Retrospective evaluation of 19 patients (13 male, 6 female, age 26-77 years, mean 53.

Esophageal tissue injury following pulmonary vein isolation using the PVAC: assessment by endoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: We investigate the frequency of esophageal tissue injury (ETI) following ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) using the pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) ascertained by esophageal endoscopy (ESE) and corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 41 patients with symptomatic AF presenting for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were included consecutively in two observational groups. Group A received MRI the day before and ESE plus MRI within 3-4 weeks following the ablation procedure using the PVAC.

Identification of early complications following liver transplantation using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). First results.

Aim: Identification of complications following liver transplantation using CEUS in comparison with MRI, CT, DSA or US. The study evaluated whether CEUS could confirm the preliminary diagnosis or even provide additional information, relevant for the therapeutic strategy.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of 23 patients (age 1 - 72 years) following liver transplantation.

Multidetector computed tomography for detection and characterization of pulmonary hypertension in consideration of WHO classification.

Objective: We evaluated the reliability of various multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) parameters for diagnosis and severity assessment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) with consideration of World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

Methods: A total of 172 patients were included in this retrospective study. One hundred fourteen patients had a diagnosis of PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mm Hg), and 58 patients without PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure <20 mm Hg) served as control subjects.

Predictive value of left atrial volume measured by non-invasive cardiac imaging in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: We investigate the role of left atrial volume (LAV) as a predictor of outcome following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with exclusive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: PVI was performed in 213 patients (80 females, aged 60 ± 10 years) with paroxysmal AF using either the pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC, n = 78) or conventional single-tip ablation (n = 135). LAV was assessed by multi-detector computed tomography (n = 39) or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (n = 174) prior to ablation.

Yellow nail syndrome: dystrophic nails, peripheral lymphedema and chronic cough.

A case involving a 41-year-old man with yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is reported. YNS is a rare disorder characterized by yellow, dystrophic nails, peripheral lymphedema and bronchiectasis with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. YNS is often misdiagnosed because the syndrome is not well known.

Evaluation of pulmonary vein stenosis after pulmonary vein isolation using a novel circular mapping and ablation catheter (PVAC).

Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVST) is a well-known complication of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Specific anatomically designed ablation catheters for antral PVI have not been evaluated with regard to the incidence of PVST. We investigated the incidence, severity, and characteristics of PVST after PVI with the Pulmonary Vein Ablation Catheter (PVAC) and phased radiofrequency technology.

Comparison of high-resolution ultrasound and MR-enterography in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To compare the results of high-resolution ultrasound (HR-US) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) examinations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: The reports of 250 consecutive cases with known IBD, who had an MRE and HR-US examination, were retrospectively analyzed. Using a patient-based approach we evaluated morphological disease features such as affected bowel wall, stenosis, abscess and fistula.

Influence of percutaneous abscess drainage on severe postoperative septic complications in patients with Crohn's disease.

Purpose: Severe postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications (IASC) such as an anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal abscess, and fistula are significantly associated with the presence of spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess at the time of laparotomy in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of severe postoperative IASC in patients undergoing intestinal resections with and without preoperative percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) before definitive surgery.

Methods: Using a prospective surgical database, we searched for patients with CD and spontaneous intra-abdominal abscesses who underwent intestinal resection at our hospital from May 2005 to February 2009.

Algorithm for efficient PKHD1 mutation screening in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD).

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is an important cause of childhood renal- and liver-related morbidity and mortality with variable disease expression. While most cases manifest peri-/neonatally with a high mortality rate in the first month of life, others survive to adulthood. ARPKD is caused by mutations in the Polycystic Kidney and Hepatic Disease 1 (PKHD1) gene on chromosome 6p12.

Clinical consequences of PKHD1 mutations in 164 patients with autosomal-recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD).

Background: ARPKD is associated with mutations in the PKHD1 gene on chromosome 6p12. Most cases manifest peri-/neonatally with a high mortality rate in the first month of life while the clinical spectrum of surviving patients is much more variable than generally perceived.

Methods: We examined the clinical course of 164 neonatal survivors (126 unrelated families) over a mean observation period of 6 years (range 0 to 35 years).