Age-related rhabdosphincter function in female urinary stress incontinence: assessment of intraurethral sonography.

Objective: To assess dynamic intraurethral sonography in the diagnostic evaluation of the function of the rhabdosphincter in female patients with urinary stress incontinence in relation to patient age.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with clinically proved urinary stress incontinence were investigated by means of intraurethral sonography with a 12.5-MHz endoluminal 9F catheter.

[Diagnosis of climbing related overuse injuries].

Sport climbing shows an enormous increase in participation, evolving to more popularity, including even school sport activity on high standards. Therefore the number of climbing related injuries is increasing and becomes a more frequently encountered medical problem. Typical climbing associated injuries involve predominantly the upper limb.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction with crossing vessels: contrast-enhanced color Doppler findings and long-term outcome.

Objectives: To evaluate, in the present long-term follow-up study, contrast-enhanced color Doppler imaging (CDI) findings and the clinical outcome of patients with crossing vessels at the obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ), who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty. In a previous study, contrast-enhanced CDI proved capable of detecting crossing vessels at the UPJ.

Methods: A total of 23 patients, who had undergone laparoscopic pyeloplasty and displacement of crossing vessels for UPJ obstruction at least 2 years before this study (mean 27 months), underwent contrast-enhanced CDI, intravenous urography, and renography.

The value of contrast-enhanced color Doppler ultrasound in the detection of vascularization of finger joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: A prospective study was performed to assess the usefulness of contrast-enhanced color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) in the evaluation of intraarticular vascularization of finger joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We investigated 198 finger joints in 46 patients with RA, and 80 finger joints in 10 healthy volunteers. Joints with varying levels of clinical activity of inflammation were classified as being active, moderately active, or inactive.

US findings in the scrotum of extreme mountain bikers.

Purpose: To sonographically investigate whether mountain bikers have a higher prevalence of scrotal abnormalities compared with that in nonbikers.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-five male mountain bikers (mean age, 25 years; age range, 17-45 years) and 31 healthy nonbikers (mean age, 24 years; age range, 15-37 years) were examined for scrotal findings at ultrasonography (US). Only male subjects with a history of extensive off-road biking (> or =2 h/d 6 d/wk; covered distance, >5,000 km/y) were assigned to the group of mountain bikers, whereas the control group did not engage in bicycling.

[Value of high-resolution ultrasound in the evaluation of finger injuries in extreme sport climbers].

Aim: To determine the value of high-resolution ultrasound in the evaluation of finger injuries and changes due to strain in the fingers of extreme rock climbers.

Methods: High-frequency ultrasound was performed on 208 fingers of 52 extreme rock climbers (mean age: 29.7 yrs) and on 80 fingers of 20 healthy volunteers (mean age: 28.

[Assessment of renal resistance index in children with vesico-ureteral reflux].

Aim: To assess the value of the renal resistive index (RI) in evaluating renal perfusion in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Method: We investigated 92 kidneys in 46 children with VUR with a mean age of 6 +/- 4 years. The RI was measured at the level of the interlobar-/arcuate-arteries using a color Doppler unit Acuson 128 XP/10 (Mountain View, Cal.

Crossing vessels at the ureteropelvic junction: detection with contrast-enhanced color Doppler imaging.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of imaging crossing vessels at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) preoperatively by means of contrast agent-enhanced color Doppler imaging (CDI).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-nine patients (13 female patients, 16 male patients; age range, 17-76 years; mean age, 45 years) with symptomatic UPJ obstruction were examined with CDI before and after intravenous infusion of the contrast agent. The type (i.

Intraurethral ultrasound: diagnostic evaluation of the striated urethral sphincter in incontinent females.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the striated urethral sphincter (rhabdosphincter) in incontinent females by means of intraurethral ultrasound (IUUS). Thirty-four incontinent and 11 continent female patients were examined by means of 12.5-MHz endoluminal ultrasound (US).

Transurethral ultrasound: evaluation of anatomy and function of the rhabdosphincter of the male urethra.

Purpose: A combined anatomic-sonographic study was undertaken to investigate whether the anatomical arrangement and the contractions of the rhabdosphincter of the male urethra could be visualized by transurethral ultrasound. Furthermore, this new technique was compared with standard urodynamic tests.

Materials And Methods: In 7 cadavers transurethral ultrasound was performed to define sono-morphological criteria of the rhabdosphincter, and the sonographic pictures were then compared to histological sections.

[Ultrasound diagnosis of the shoulder].

Sonography of the shoulder joint is a well-established technique in the hands of the experienced examiner, when using a standardized protocol. It has proved invaluable in assessing pathological soft tissue changes, especially after trauma. The static evaluation of anatomy and dynamic assessment of function are especially helpful in both preoperative staging and postoperative follow-up.

Anatomy of the eustachian tube as demonstrated by endoluminal ultrasonography.

Using a new application of the endoluminal approach, we were able to demonstrate the sonographic anatomy of the eustachian tube in vitro and in vivo and correlate it with the plastic-embedded specimen. Five adult normocephalic cadavers, two patients, and one specimen especially prepared for embedding in plastic were examined. A specifically developed device was used to insert the ultrasound transducer employing an endo-oral approach.

Blood pressure changes after extracorporeal shock wave nephrolithotripsy: prediction by intrarenal resistive index.

In order to identify a high-risk group for the development of arterial hypertension after extracorporeal shock wave nephrolithotripsy (ESWL), we correlated the increase in renovascular resistance induced by ESWL in 79 normotensive patients with changes in arterial blood pressure occurring 20 (+/- 3) months after therapy. Renal vascular resistance was measured as resistive index (RI) by duplex Doppler sonography in both kidneys. Mean RI before treatment was 0.

Age-related changes in resistive index following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Purpose: Changes in intrarenal vascular resistance after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) were studied with Doppler ultrasound techniques.

Materials And Methods: In 76 patients the resistive index was measured at an interlobar artery before and after ESWL in the treated and contralateral kidneys. The resistive index levels were compared to N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase levels in 40 patients.

Variability of Doppler parameters in the healthy kidney: an anatomic-physiologic correlation.

Contradictory results have been obtained in classifying various renal diseases when trying to use the resistive index measured by duplex Doppler technique in renoparenchymal arteries. These measurements may have been influenced by the lack of standardization of the anatomic site at which the renoparenchymal artery is sampled. To elucidate this influence, we measured the resistive index, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and pulsatility index in 120 healthy kidneys at three different positions of the renal vasculature.

[Eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells syndrome) with involvement of para-articular muscles and fascia].

A 62-year-old woman developed eosinophilic cellulitis of her right arm, accompanied by systemic signs (fever, leucocytosis) and massive restriction of the motility of her right shoulder joint. Sonography and computed tomography revealed massive cutaneous and subcutaneous oedema, and accumulations of fluid around the deep muscular fasciae, interstices and (less severe) within the joint. High-dose systemic corticosteroid treatment led to rapid clearing of the skin lesions, and joint motility was restored several weeks later.

Bone mineral densitometry in dialyzed patients: quantitative computed tomography versus dual photon absorptiometry.

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) increases risk of fractures, thus making it necessary to monitor patients suffering from chronic renal failure and consecutive disturbance of bone metabolism. In order to evaluate the reliability of available methods, bone mineral density of the lumbar spine assessed with single energy computed tomography (QCT) was compared with bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanteric region measured by dual energy photon absorptiometry (DPA) in 45 hemodialyzed patients with a mean hemodialysis duration of 35 +/- 26 months (SD). Depending on the measurement site and method 4-34% of dialyzed patients suffered from reduced BMD (z-score < -2).

[Magnetic resonance tomography in follow-up of hydatidiform mole].

The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied in a case of a gestational trophoblastic tumour. In addition to the tumour size, MRI made it possible to measure necrotic areas, which are assumed to be a sign of response to chemotherapy. Moreover, uterine zonal anatomy and subserosal uterine veins yielded important information on tumour biology.

Peyronie's disease: MR findings in 28 patients.

Induratio penis plastica (Peyronie's disease) is a chronic fibrotic process involving the penis. Proper treatment of the disease requires assessment of the degree of inflammation preceding or accompanying the fibrous Peyronie's plaques. Owing to its high tissue contrast and its multiplanar capability, MR imaging offers excellent visualization of penile anatomy.

[The value of nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in diagnosing invasive trophoblast disease].

13 patients between 19 and 35 years, 12 of them with histologically verified trophoblastic disease, were examined by MRI, to prove the diagnostic value of this method. In line with the excellent results of MRI described in the literature with respect to the differentiation of tissue characterisation, vascularisation and localisation of tumours, the response to chemotherapy was evaluated comparatively to HCG-titres (5 patients). The results showed, that a decrease of HCG-titres correlated with significant tumour reduction.

[The value of imaging procedures in the diagnosis and therapy follow-up of induratio penis plastica (Peyronie's disease)].

The diagnosis of penile induration (Peyronie's disease; IPP) requires an appropriate history, clinical examination, autophotography and plain films in cases of calcified plaques, but ultrasound is the modality of choice. Besides the benefit of an exact staging (Kelâmi method) high-frequency ultrasound probes offer the possibility of detecting nonpalpable plaques early detection of changes in the tunica albuginea. Evaluation of inflammatory changes and disappearance of hyperechoic signs around the plaques or an increasing density of the corresponding corpus cavernosum can be detected by ultrasound, but sometimes to a restricted extent.

[The value of sonography in the therapeutic supervision of induratio penis plastica (Peyronie's disease)].

The article reports on 18 sonographically examined patients with clinically verified Peyronie's disease (induratio penis plastica) who underwent a basic sonographical classification according to the system of Kelami. Four weeds after the initial sonography a control study was carried out in 17 patients. 10 of these received a treatment by local instillation with Ontosein, whereas seven patients remained without treatment.

[Ergospirometry and blood lactate data in the assessment of conditioning of soldiers in relation to physical activity within the scope of military service in the Austrian army].

21 soldiers completing their military service in the Austrian army were assessed before and at the finalizing of their basic military training, also to disarmament by spiroergometric and lactate tests according to their physical condition. Soldiers employed in fighting duties improved slightly in physical fitness at commencement of the basic training. By the time they reached disarmament there was significant improvement.

Double-contrast computed tomographic examination techniques in habitual and recurrent shoulder dislocation.

Preoperative planning of recurrent shoulder dislocation requires an accurate knowledge of bone and soft tissue lesions affecting the joint. A new method of double-contrast CT examination is presented which allows an accurate evaluation of the soft tissue structures important for the stability of the joint. Forty-two patients were examined with this technique, twenty-seven of whom (28 shoulders) were operated on, the procedure being selected on the basis of the CT findings.