Canavan's spongiform leukodystrophy (Aspartoacylase deficiency) with emphasis on sonographic features in infancy: description of a case report and review of the literature.

Canavan disease (CD; MIM 271,900) or spongy degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) is a lethal, rare autosomal recessive leukodystrophy, first described in 1931 (Canavan in Arch Neurol Psychiatry 25: 299-308, 1931). The clinical presentation includes severe neurologic impairment and macrocephaly with onset of symptoms at the age of 3-5 months. Biochemical and genetic fundamentals of the disease are elucidated.

Anxiety of patients undergoing CT imaging-an underestimated problem?

Rationale And Objectives: Prospective evaluation of anxiety in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) imaging using a standardized state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-S) and identification of possible risk factors.

Material And Methods: During a 9-month interval, patients undergoing CT were questioned using STAI-S. Additionally, 10 questions concerning specific procedure-related features (claustrophobia, radiation, administration of contrast, and so forth) were added.

Association between clinical signs assessed by manual segmental examination and findings of the lumbar facet joints on magnetic resonance scans in subjects with and without current low back pain: a prospective, single-blind study.

The relevance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings such as facet joint (FJ) effusion and edema in low back pain (LBP) is still unknown. Therefore, we prospectively evaluated the presence of these MRI findings in the lumbar spine (Th12-S1) and their association with pain evoked by manual segmental FJ provocation tests (spinal percussion, springing, and segmental rotation tests) in 75 subjects with current LBP (≥30 days in the past 3 months) compared with 75 sex- and age-matched control subjects. FJs were considered painful, if ≥ 1 provocation test triggered LBP.

[Analysis of image acquisition, post-processing and documentation in adolescents with spine injuries - comparison before and after referral to a university hospital].

Purpose: Systematic evaluation of imaging situation and standards in acute spinal injuries of adolescents.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of imaging studies of transferred adolescents with spinal injuries and survey of transferring hospitals (TH) with respect to the availability of modalities and radiological expertise and post-processing and documentation of CT studies were performed. Repetitions of imaging studies and cumulative effective dose (CED) were noted.

[Dispensing with sedation in pediatric MR imaging of the brain: what is feasible?].

Purpose: Feasibility study to evaluate whether a diagnostic pediatric MRI scan of the brain can be performed without sedation by using BLADE sequences with rotating blade-like k-space covering.

Materials And Methods: Between 01/09 and 12/10 all children with a planned MRI of the brain were included. After age-dependent preparation of the child the MRI was acquired with a parent closely attending.

Interventional radiology at the meetings of the German Radiological Society from 1998 to 2008: evaluation of structural changes and radiation issues.

Objectives: Evaluation of structural changes and the weight given to radiation exposure of interventional radiology (IR) contributions at the Congress of the German Radiological Association from 1998 to 2008.

Methods: All IR abstracts were evaluated for type of contribution, design, imaging modality, and anatomic region. Weight given to radiation exposure was recorded as general statement, main topic and/or dose reduction.

Multidetector-CT angiography in pulmonary embolism-can image parameters predict clinical outcome?

Objective: To assess if pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) can predict outcome in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of CTA studies of patients with PE and documentation of pulmonary artery (PA)/aorta ratio, right ventricular (RV)/left ventricular (LV) ratio, superior vena cava (SVC) diameter, pulmonary obstruction index (POI), ventricular septal bowing (VSB), venous contrast reflux (VCR), pulmonary infarction and pleural effusion. Furthermore, duration of total hospital stay, necessity for/duration of ICU therapy, necessity for mechanical ventilation and mortality were recorded.

[Prognostic pulmonary and thoracic findings in patients with unstable injuries of the thoracic spine].

Background: Instable fractures of the thoracic spine imply a substantial trauma to the chest. The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic analysis of the prognostic impact of CT findings of the chest wall, mediastinum, lungs, and pleural space on the mortality rate.

Method: All multiple injury patients with instable fractures of the thoracic spine and initial CT scans treated in our clinic from April 2004 to May 2007 were eligible.

Efficacy of CT-guided biopsies of the spine in patients with spondylitis--an analysis of 164 procedures.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of CT-guided spinal biopsy (CTSB) in patients with spondylitis considering patient characteristics, technical issues, antibiotic therapy, histopathological, and microbiological findings.

Materials And Methods: All CTSB procedures performed between 1995 and 2009 in patients with proven spondylitis were re-evaluated. Patient sex and age, antibiotic treatment, biopsy approach, number of specimens, length of needle path, laboratory results (CRP, WBC), and histopathological/microbiological findings were documented and compared to the final diagnosis of spondylitis.

Intra-individual, randomised comparison of the MRI contrast agents gadobutrol and gadoterate in imaging the distal lower limb of patients with known or suspected osteomyelitis, evaluated in an off-site blinded read.

Objective: To prove that 1.0 M gadobutrol provides superior contrast enhancement in suspicion of osteomyelitis of the feet compared with 0.5 M gadoterate.

Cumulative effective dose associated with radiography and CT of adolescents with spinal injuries.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the quantity and distribution of cumulative effective doses in diagnostic imaging of adolescents with spinal injuries.

Material And Methods: At a level 1 trauma center from July 2003 through June 2009, imaging procedures during initial evaluation and hospitalization and after discharge of all patients 10-20 years old with spinal fractures were retrospectively analyzed. The cumulative effective doses for all imaging studies were calculated, and the doses to patients with spinal injuries who had multiple traumatic injuries were compared with the doses to patients with spinal injuries but without multiple injuries.

Growth plate fractures of the distal tibia: is CT imaging necessary?

Purpose: Comparison of conventional radiographs (CR) of distal tibial growth plate fractures [Salter-Harris (SH) fracture types I-V/triplane fractures I-III] with computed tomography (CT) as the reference standard and assessment of diagnostic benefit of CT imaging in the affected patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all growth plate injuries of the distal tibia with complete pre-therapeutic imaging material (CR and CT including MPR) obtained between August 2001 and December 2006. The imaging material was randomised and presented to two radiologists.

Paediatric radiology and scientific contributions to radiation dose at the meeting of the German Radiological Society--an analysis of an 11-year period.

Aim: Evaluation of the emphasis on themes pertaining to paediatric radiology and radiation dose at the Meeting of the German Radiological Society from 1998 to 2008 in comparison to international data.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 9440 abstracts with documentation of type of contribution, imaging modality, and examined body region. Abstracts primarily dealing with paediatric radiology and those stating radiation dose were documented.

[Assessment of pedicle screws following dorsal instrumentation of the spine: a comparison of conventional radiographs with multidetector CT].

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of conventional radiographs (CR) for the assessment of pedicle screws in comparison with CT including MPR.

Materials And Methods: Comparison of CR and CT for the evaluation of screw length, extracorporal perforation (grade A: 0 - 2 mm, B: 3 - 4 mm, C: 5 - 6 mm, D: > 6 mm, relevant: grade C and D), screw contact/loosening, and subjective image quality (1: excellent to 4: non-diagnostic). The sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy (OA) were calculated with 4x4 contingency tables.

[Structure of the meeting of the german radiological society and scientific discourse pertaining to radiation dose and dose reduction: an analysis of 1998 - 2008].

Purpose: Evaluation of the emphasis of themes pertaining to radiation dose and dose reduction at the Meeting of the German Radiological Society from 1998 - 2008 in comparison to international data.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 9440 abstracts with documentation of study presentation character, type of imaging, and examined body region. Abstracts stating radiation dose or primarily dealing with radiation dose/dose reduction were documented.

Paediatrician awareness of radiation dose and inherent risks in chest imaging studies--a questionnaire study.

Objective: To assess paediatricians' knowledge regarding radiation exposure of chest imaging.

Materials And Methods: German paediatricians were surveyed using a questionnaire. Participants were asked to estimate effective dose (ED) of radiographs (CR) and computed tomography (CT).

[Vertebral fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a retrospective analysis of 66 patients].

Purpose: Retrospective analysis of vertebral fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) for the evaluation of associations with mortality, concurrent neurological deficits, and other complications.

Materials And Methods: Image analysis (conventional radiographs, CT, MRI) was applied to all patients with AS admitted between 1997 and 2007 due to vertebral fractures to determine fracture location and classification. Patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, neurological symptoms, and other complications were documented.

CT angiography in suspected pulmonary embolism: impact of patient characteristics and different venous lines on vessel enhancement and image quality.

Objective: The objective of our study was to compare image quality, patient characteristics, and different catheters in pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) performed with bolus tracking and z-axis automated tube current modulation (ATCM) in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients were referred to undergo pulmonary CTA with bolus tracking and ATCM. Besides patient characteristics, the type, position, size, and side of venous catheters were documented.

Image quality and radiation exposure at pulmonary CT angiography with 100- or 120-kVp protocol: prospective randomized study.

Purpose: To prospectively compare 16-section multidetector computed tomography (CT) at 100 and 120 kVp for image quality and radiation dose.

Materials And Methods: The study had institutional review board approval; written informed consent was obtained. Sixty patients were referred for evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism with CT angiography.

Management of the persistent ductus arteriosus in infants of very low birth weight: early and long-term results.

The hemodynamically relevant persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) impairs pulmonary and cardiac function. Frequently, PDA can be closed only via surgery. In this retrospective study, early and long-term results in very low birth weight newborns are evaluated.

Renal perforation and retroperitoneal hematoma: an unusual complication following cardiac catheterization.

Retroperitoneal hematoma (RPH) is a well-recognised, albeit rare complication of percutaneous transfemoral cardiac catheterization. We describe an unusual case of renal perforation and RPH following transfemoral cardiac catheterization for endomyocardial biopsy. Diagnosis was made based on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) which clearly depicted active renal hemorrhage in short acquisition time.