Ipilimumab plus nivolumab in avelumab-refractory Merkel cell carcinoma: a multicenter study of the prospective skin cancer registry ADOREG.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, highly aggressive skin cancer with neuroendocrine differentiation. Immune checkpoint inhibition has significantly improved treatment outcomes in metastatic disease with response rates to programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibition of up to 62%. However, primary and secondary resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition remains a so far unsolved clinical challenge since effective and safe treatment options for these patients are lacking.

Supraspinatus muscle elasticity measured with real time shear wave ultrasound elastography correlates with MRI spectroscopic measured amount of fatty degeneration.

Background: Fatty Degeneration (FD) of the rotator cuff muscles influences functional and anatomical outcome after rotator cuff repair. The MRI based estimation of fatty degeneration is the gold standard. There is some evidence that Ultrasound elastography (EUS) can detect local differences of tissue stiffness in muscles and tendons.

Partial segmental thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum (PSTCC) diagnosed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a case report.

Background: Partial segmental thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum (PSTCC) is a rare disease predominantly occurring in young men. Cardinal symptoms are pain and perineal swelling. Although several risk factors are described in the literature, the exact etiology of penile thrombosis remains unclear in most cases.

Endovascular treatment of popliteal artery segments P1 and P2 in patients with critical limb ischemia: initial experience using a helical nitinol stent with increased radial force.

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy, safety, and midterm patency of a helical, self-expanding nitinol stent after failed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of popliteal artery segments P1 and P2 in patients with chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI) or lifestyle-limiting claudication.

Methods: Between February 2009 and March 2011, 40 patients (23 men; mean age 77±10 years) classified as Rutherford category 3 (n = 10) or 4/5 (n = 30) underwent PTA of the proximal and mid popliteal artery followed by implantation of a SUPERA stent for elastic recoil, residual stenosis, or flow-limiting dissection. All patients had an elevated operative risk.

Wasp venom immunotherapy induces activation and homing of CD4(+)CD25(+) forkhead box protein 3-positive regulatory T cells controlling T(H)1 responses.

Background: Despite a growing interest in CD4(+)CD25(+) forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)-positive regulatory T (Treg) cells, the fundamental parameters of the activation and homing of these cells during wasp venom immunotherapy (VIT) are largely unknown.

Objective: We investigated longitudinally the phenotype and function of Treg cells in a well-characterized homogeneous group of patients with wasp venom allergy during VIT.

Methods: In 30 patients peripheral Treg cells were ex vivo monitored for their activation status and homing capacities by means of flow cytometric analysis before and after 1 and 6 months of VIT.

Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced sonography of hepatic tumors.

Liver tumors are defined using quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound compared to histological diagnosis, respectively, long-term follow-ups. Forty-two focal liver lesions in 39 patients were examined by contrast harmonic imaging over a period of 2 min after bolus injection of 10-ml galactose-based contrast agent. Vascular enhancement was quantified by using a dedicated software that allowed us to place representative regions of interest (ROI) in the center of the lesion, in the complete lesion, in regular liver parenchyma and in representative liver vessels (artery, vein and portal vein).