Trends in lower extremity surgical and endovascular revascularization in Germany.

Background: We analyzed trends in lower extremity endovascular and open surgical procedures in hospitalized patients in Germany.

Patients And Methods: We used national statistics (DRG statistics) published by the Federal Statistical Office including data from almost all hospitals in Germany to calculate annual procedure rates of lower extremity endovascular and open surgical procedures in the years 2005 to 2008. Detailed lists of the OPS-codes 8 - 836, 5 - 381, 5 - 393 separated by the 6th number of the code were analyzed regarding procedures representing revascularization of peripheral arteries including the aorta.

Trends in amputations in people with hospital admissions for peripheral arterial disease in Germany.

Background: Using the information of the federal statistics, a detailed description of the hospitalisation rate for amputation in Germany was possible for the first time, and trends since 2005 can be reported.

Patients And Methods: Detailed lists of all amputations coded as minor amputations (OPS 5 - 864) and major amputations (OPS 5 - 865) performed in 2005 and 2008, divided into the 4th and 5th number of the OPS-code, were provided by the Federal Statistical Office.

Results: Despite an increase in total number of hospitalized patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease and neurovascular disease there is a relevant decrease in age adjusted major amputation rates per 100.

[Survival after laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy of colorectal liver metastases--a comparison of first clinical experiences with current therapy results].

Purpose: Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive procedure for local tumor ablation. This report discusses the long-term results of this therapy in non-surgical patients with colorectal liver metastases.

Materials And Methods: In total, we treated 163 colorectal liver metastases in 85 patients by MR-guided LITT.

MR-guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme: preliminary results in 16 patients.

We investigated the survival after laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy in 16 patients suffering from recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. The concept underlying the intervention is the cytoreduction of the tumor tissue by local thermocoagulation. All patients received standard chemotherapy (temozolomide).

[Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) -- an overview under special consideration of SBRT and LITT in the therapy of liver metastases].

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a high dose radiotherapy, the radiation dose is applicated one-time or in a few fractions exactly to the tumor or metastases under maximal separation from the normal tissue. Because of this a major expenditure of medical and technical efforts are necessary, a detailed description of the proceedings is following in the methodic part of this article. Indications of SBRT are especially medical irresectable lung tumors of early stages, primary liver/biliary tumors and pulmonary or liver metastases if there is an oncological benefit for the patients.