Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Algorithms (CEUS-LIRADS/ESCULAP) for the Noninvasive Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma - A Prospective Multicenter DEGUM Study.

Background:  This prospective multicenter study funded by the DEGUM assesses the diagnostic accuracy of standardized contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients.

Methods:  Patients at high risk for HCC with a histologically proven focal liver lesion on B-mode ultrasound were recruited prospectively in a multicenter approach. Clinical and imaging data were entered via online entry forms.

Acoustic radiation force imaging of the thyroid-generation of reference values by Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification.

Objectives: To investigate potential subject-related confounding factors for thyroid acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography.

Methods And Materials: A total of 194 subjects participated in the study.

Results: The standard values in the right lobe were 2.

Proposal of a computed tomography classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Aim: To establish a computed tomography (CT)-morphological classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis was the aim of the study.

Methods: The CT morphology of hepatic lesions in 228 patients with confirmed alveolar echinococcosis (AE) drawn from the Echinococcus Databank of the University Hospital of Ulm was reviewed retrospectively. For this reason, CT datasets of combined positron emission tomography (PET)-CT examinations were evaluated.

Comparison of Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ), shearwave elastography and histology in patients with diffuse hepatopathies.

Background: Objective of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of novel ultrasonographic modalities in comparison with simultaneously performed liver biopsy.

Methods: The results of simultaneously performed examinations using Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ), Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification (VTIQ) and Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification (VTTQ) were compared with the findings of liver biopsy in patients with a wide variety of diffuse hepatopathies (n = 51). The histologically determined fibrosis stage according to Desmet and Scheuer was compared with quantitative measurements returned by the ultrasonographic imaging modalities.

Subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study of a random population sample aged 18 to 65 years.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common disorders of the liver worldwide. Recently, a correlation between thyroid dysfunction and NAFLD has been discussed. Objective of the present study was to investigate the association between thyroid dysfunction and hepatic steatosis.

Hepatobiliary complications of alveolar echinococcosis: A long-term follow-up study.

Aim: To determine the long-term hepatobiliary complications of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and treatment options using interventional methods.

Methods: Included in the study were 35 patients with AE enrolled in the Echinococcus Multilocularis Data Bank of the University Hospital of Ulm. Patients underwent endoscopic intervention for treatment of hepatobiliary complications between 1979 and 2012.

Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ): a new tool in sonographic examination of liver lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Purpose: Qualitative and quantitative acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) is a new, noninvasive sonographic imaging method based on B-mode. This prospective clinical pilot study aims to answer the question whether delineation and measurement of liver lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) can be improved by ASQ. Furthermore, this is the first pilot study to explore how ASQ parameters in HAE lesions develop.

Assessment of liver size by ultrasonography.

Background: To determine liver span sonographically in a randomly selected population sample and identify factors that affect liver size.

Methods: A total of 1,789 subjects (963 females, 826 males; mean age 41.8 ± 12.

Fasting time and lipid parameters: association with hepatic steatosis--data from a random population sample.

Background: Current guidelines recommend measuring plasma lipids in fasting patients. Recent studies, however, suggest that variation in plasma lipid concentrations secondary to fasting time may be minimal. Objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of fasting time on plasma lipid concentrations (total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides).

Sonographically guided puncture of the pancreas: incidence of complications, and risk factors.

Purpose: Data yielded by transabdominal ultrasound-guided puncture techniques are valuable for determining the malignancy of inoperable mass lesions of the pancreas. In this study we analyzed the incidence of complications and the risk factors.

Methods: A total of 430 punctures of the pancreas were performed for 281 patients.

Percutaneous ultrasonographically guided liver punctures: an analysis of 1961 patients over a period of ten years.

Background: Ultrasonographically guided punctures of the liver represent a decisive tool in the diagnosis of many diseases of the liver. Objective of the study was to determine the extent to which the complication rate for ultrasonographically guided punctures of the liver is affected by less comprehensively studied risk factors.

Methods: A total of 2,229 liver biopsies were performed in 1,961 patients (55.

Association of proinsulin and hepatic steatosis in a random, population-based sample.

Objective: Proinsulin may represent a predictive marker for assessing insulin resistance and reduced β-cell function. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between hepatic steatosis, proinsulin and other parameters in a random, population-based sample.

Design: Cross-sectional study, conducted in south-western Germany.

Physical exercise in southern Germany: a cross-sectional study of an urban population.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of physical exercise and self-assessment of physical fitness (PF) and their relationship to health- and behaviour-specific factors in a randomly selected sample of an urban population in southern Germany.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: In the southern German city of Leutkirch.

Benefit of early abdominal ultrasonography in non-surgical patients admitted to the emergency department: a pilot study.

Purpose: Ultrasonography plays a decisive role in emergency patients. The primary aim of this study is to assess whether early emergency ultrasonography alters the length of stay.

Methods: In a prospective study, patients admitted to the emergency department were divided into two groups.

The effect of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine consumption and vegetarian diet on gallstone prevalence.

Aim: To investigate the effects of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine consumption and of vegetarian diet on gallstone prevalence in an urban population sample.

Methods: A total of 2417 individuals underwent ultrasound examination and completed a standardized questionnaire as part of the EMIL study. Statistical analysis of the data considered the known risk factors of age, female sex, BMI, positive family history and potential confounders, such as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco consumption and vegetarian diet using multiple logistic regression with variable selection.

Pregnancy is not a risk factor for gallstone disease: results of a randomly selected population sample.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and selection of the study population for cholecystolithiasis in an urban population in Germany, in relation to our own findings and to the results in the international literature.

Methods: A total of 2 147 persons (1,111 females, age 42.8+/-12.

Prevalence of gallbladder stone disease in obese children and adolescents: influence of the degree of obesity, sex, and pubertal development.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of gallbladder stone disease (GD) in a collective of obese children and adolescents and to assess the role of potential influencing factors such as the degree of obesity, sex, age, and pubertal development.

Methods: Four hundred ninety-three obese children and adolescents (body mass index standard deviation score [BMI-SDS] > 2.0p) aged 8 to 19 years (218 males, 275 females) were included in the study and underwent ultrasound for detection of GD.