Assessing the role of sow parity on PRRSv detection by RT-qPCR through weekly processing fluids monitoring in breeding herds.

The use of processing fluids to monitor the breeding herd's porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) status has gained industry acceptance. However, little is known about PRRS virus RT-qPCR detection dynamics in processing fluids and factors that may contribute to maintain PRRS virus in the herd after an outbreak. This study aimed to describe weekly RT-qPCR processing fluid results in breeding herds after an outbreak and to evaluate the proportion of RT-qPCR positive results among parity groups.

MR-arterioportography: a new technical approach for detection of liver lesions.

Aim: To evaluate the benefit and effectiveness of MR-arterioportography (MR-AP) to achieve the highest sensitivity for detection and evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Twenty liver cirrhosis patients with suspected HCC were included before transarterial chemoembolization. In all patients double-enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed.

Severe acute pancreatitis requiring drainage therapy: findings on computed tomography as predictor of patient outcome.

Background/aims: To evaluate whether morphologic features on computed tomography (CT) correlate with outcome of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: 80 patients with SAP requiring percutaneous drainage therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Twelve CT features beyond the CT severity index (CTSI) were studied.

Ultrasound-arterioportography (US-AP): A new technical approach to perform detection of liver lesions.

Purpose: To show the feasibility of a combination of the advantages of modern contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with the technique of arterioportography to achieve the highest sensitivity of all different modalities.

Material And Methods: Ten patients (9 m, 1 f, age 52-73 years) with suspected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhosis (8 ethyl toxic, 2 hepatitis) were included before transarterial chemo-embolization (TACE). In all patients during a 6-week period a double enhanced MRI (Gd-DTPA and SPIO) was performed.

Image fusion with volume navigation of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for post-interventional follow-up after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC): Preliminary results.

Aim: The assessment of the immediate post-interventional microcirculation and perfusion following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with new real time imaging fusion technique (VNav) of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) compared to follow-up.

Material: Following TACE an image fusion of CEUS with CT or MRI of the liver was performed in 20 patients (18 men, 2 women; age 29-75 years) with confirmed hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) to evaluate the post-interventional tumor vascularization and perfusion of HCC tumor lesions. Image fusion with CEUS performed immediately was compared with the result at the end of TACE (DSA), with post TACE CT (non-enhanced CT within 24 hours) and with follow up CT (enhanced CT after 6 weeks) after embolization.

Characterization of microvascularization of liver tumor lesions with high resolution linear ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) during surgery: First results.

Aim: Evaluation of high resolution linear ultrasound and intra-operative linear contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and its benefit for the detection and characterization of tumor lesions.

Material And Methods: Twenty patients were investigated preoperatively regarding tumor detection using CT (n = 8) or MRI (n = 12) and image fusion (VNav) (n = 3). All patients had surgery for their hepatic tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC), metastasis, and adenoma).

MRI enterography: the future of small bowel diagnostics?

MRI plays an increasing role in small bowel imaging of Crohn's disease. MR enterography (MRE) without nasojejunal intubation and radiation exposure offers similar results compared to MR enteroclysis (with intubation) and should be therefore the preferred method. Sensitivity and specificity is comparable to that of CT enterography.

Multidetector computed tomography mesentericography for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of 16-row multidetector computed tomography (CT) mesentericography in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Materials And Methods: The radiological information system database was used to retrospectively identify all patients in whom CT mesentericography (CTM) was performed for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding between July 2002 and September 2006. A subsequent prospective study was conducted between October 2006 and September 2009 to evaluate CTM in patients with major obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

[Cost analysis of contrast-enhanced cranial MRI at a German university hospital].

Purpose: Detailed evaluation and cost analysis of a cranial contrast-enhanced MRI (c-ceMRI) in outpatients, inpatients, patients in an intensive care unit and children under anesthesia.

Materials And Methods: Based on a detailed process-oriented model, we calculated the cost of a cranial MRI for the four situations mentioned above. A comprehensive evaluation of the overhead and personnel costs was performed.

Primary percutaneous aspiration and thrombolysis for the treatment of acute embolic superior mesenteric artery occlusion.

Objectives: To evaluate technical success rate and clinical outcome of patients with acute embolic superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion who were treated with primary percutaneous revascularization.

Methods: At three medical centers the radiological information system databases were used to identify all patients in whom primary percutaneous revascularization for the treatment of acute embolic SMA occlusion was attempted between 2001 and 2010. Percutaneous treatment was performed in 15 patients (median age 80 years, range 49-88 years).

Sono-hepatic-arteriography (Sono-HA) in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate sono-hepatic-arteriography in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 15 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing TACE who presented in our institution from February 2006 to May 2008. All patients underwent a conventional B-mode ultrasound examination using a high-end machine and a multi-frequency transducer (2.

Cerebral lesions in patients with connective tissue diseases and systemic vasculitides: are there specific patterns?

This study was performed to evaluate whether specific patterns of cerebral lesions can be identified in different rheumatic disease entities. In 132 patients with different connective tissue diseases and vasculitides (systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], systemic sclerosis [SSc], mixed connective tissue disease [MCTD], Wegener's granulomatosis [WG], immunocomplex vasculitides, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome [APS]), cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed. Patients were examined clinically, and laboratory parameters including autoantibodies were determined.

[PACS: acceptance by orthopedic surgeons].

Purpose: The goal of the study was to evaluate the acceptance of a web-based picture archiving and communication system (PACS) by orthopedic surgeons 1 year after implementation.

Materials And Methods: One year after the implementation of a web-based PACS all physicians were surveyed with a standardized questionnaire. Questions included: speed of PACS, quality of clinicoradiological meetings, quality of monitors, PACS training, and performance.

Superselective arterial embolisation with a liquid polyvinyl alcohol copolymer in patients with acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Objectives: To evaluate the results of emergency embolisation in acute arterial bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract with a liquid polyvinyl alcohol copolymer from two centres.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 16 cases (15 patients) of acute arterial bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract where emergency embolotherapy was performed by using the copolymer when acute haemorrhage was not treatable with endoscopic techniques alone. Cause of haemorrhage and technical and clinical success were documented.

Semiquantitative characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)--perfusion with contrast-enhanced ultrasound and perfusion analysis.

Background: At the moment, there is only poor specificity of HCC-detection in tumors smaller than 2 cm in a cirrhotic liver. Thus, efforts have to be made to optimize the distinction between regenerative nodules and HCC.

Aims: The aim of our study was to describe the particular perfusion pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma using a specific quantification software.

Ultrasound-guided sacroiliac joint injection in patients with established sacroiliitis: precise IA injection verified by MRI scanning does not predict clinical outcome.

Objective: IA injections of SIJs with corticosteroids are often performed in patients suffering from low back pain due to active sacroiliitis. However, SIJ injections are technically demanding, and therefore the clinical outcome of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid SIJ injections was analysed in relation to the accuracy of the injection.

Methods: Ultrasound-guided injections were performed with 40 mg triamcinolone and 0.

Evaluation of malignant liver tumors: biphasic MS-CT versus quantitative contrast harmonic imaging ultrasound.

Purpose: It was the aim of our study to establish the extent to which contrast enhancement with SonoVue(R) in combination with quantitative evaluation of contrast-medium dynamics facilitates the detection of malignant hepatic tumors.

Materials And Methods: One hundred patients with histologically confirmed malignant or benign hepatic tumors (maximum size 5 cm) were analyzed. We used a high-end ultrasound machine (Logic 9, GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA), with a multifrequency curved array transducer (2.

BLADE in sagittal T2-weighted MR imaging of the cervical spine.

Background And Purpose: Image quality and diagnostic reliability of T2-weighted MR images of the cervical spine are often impaired by several kinds of artifacts, even in cooperative patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate if BLADE sequences might solve these problems in a routine patient collective.

Materials And Methods: TSE and BLADE sequences were compared in 60 patients for T2-weighted sagittal imaging of the cervical spine.

Detection and characterization of endoleaks following endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms using contrast harmonic imaging (CHI) with quantitative perfusion analysis (TIC) compared to CT angiography (CTA).

Purpose: To show the feasibility of the detection of endoleaks following endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms using contrast harmonic imaging (CHI) in comparison to computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Materials And Methods: 51 patients with suspected endoleaks, who underwent previous endovascular treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm, were examined using CTA and vascular ultrasound. Biphasic CTA in all cases and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 8 patients were evaluated by two radiologists in consensus and served as the standard of reference.

Optimized multidetector computed tomographic protocol for the diagnosis of active obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: a feasibility study.

Objective: The purpose of this feasibility study was to prospectively evaluate an optimized multidetector computed tomographic protocol for the diagnosis of active obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

Methods: Between October 2006 and February 2008, patients admitted for active OGIB were included in this prospective unicenter study. Water was administered orally and rectally as neutral luminal contrast material.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance for direct assessment of anatomic regurgitant orifice in mitral regurgitation.

Background: In patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), assessment of the severity of valvular dysfunction is crucial. Recently, regurgitant orifice area has been proposed as the most useful indicator of the severity of MR. The purpose of our study was to determine whether planimetry of the anatomic regurgitant orifice (ARO) in patients with MR is feasible by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and correlates with invasive catheterization and echocardiography effective regurgitant orifice [ECHO-ERO] by proximal isovelocity surface area.

[Evaluation of a liquid embolization agent (Onyx) for transcatheter embolization for renal vascular lesions].

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic outcome after endovascular treatment of renal vascular lesions using the liquid embolization agent, Onyx.

Materials And Methods: Between 2004 and 2008 nine patients with renal vascular lesions were treated with transcatheter arterial embolization using Onyx. The renal vascular lesions consisted of 4 AV-fistulas, a pseudoaneurysm, bleeding from a single subsegmental artery, diffuse parenchymal bleeding after trauma, septic embolizations and multiple aneurysms in endocarditis.

New real-time image fusion technique for characterization of tumor vascularisation and tumor perfusion of liver tumors with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, spiral CT or MRI: first results.

Aim: Evaluation and characterization of the vascularisation and perfusion of liver tumors by means of image fusion of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), multidetector-CT (MD-CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the ultrasound navigation technique.

Material: For interventional planning a real-time image fusion involving CEUS (LOGIQ E9, GE) was performed in 20 patients (12 men, 8 women, age 43-69 years, median 54) with histologically confirmed malignant liver tumors (9 x hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 5 x metastases, 2 x hemangiomas, 1 x cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC), 1 x lymphoma, 1 x neuroendocrine tumor, 1 x focal nodular hypoplasia (FNH)). In 17 patients the real-time CEUS was fused with contrast-enhanced MD-CT and in three patients with contrast-enhanced MRI (Gd-DTPA and liver-specific contrast medium Resovist.