Reciprocal communication of pericoronary adipose tissue and coronary atherogenesis.

Objective: Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) has been linked to underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) and proposed to modulate adjacent atherosclerotic plaque formation over pro-inflammatory pathways. In vitro and ex vivo studies support the bilateral communication of adipose tissue and vessel wall. We quantified PCAT and its dynamics in a low coronary risk cohort with a semi-automated software in serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Clinical Outcome Following Surgical Repair of Small Versus Large Orbital Floor Fractures Using Polyglactin 910/Polydioxanone (Ethisorb).

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of surgical management of small versus large, isolated orbital floor fractures (OFFs) using polyglactin 910/polydioxanone (Ethisorb). Covering a four-year period (2010-2013), all records concerning midfacial fractures with involvement of the orbit were screened. Isolated fractures of the orbital floor as well as combined injuries of the orbital floor and medial wall that had been treated surgically using polyglactin 910/polydioxanone (Ethisorb) were included.

Diagnostic Potential of Multimodal MRI Markers in Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders.

Background: The diagnostic potential of multimodal MRI approaches to discriminate among progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) and Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been well investigated.

Objective: To identify disease-specific neurodegenerative patterns and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dedicated MRI, iron concentration (R2*), microstructural integrity (mean diffusivity; MD and fractional anisotropy; FA) as well as volumes were analyzed in patients with PSP, MSA-P and PD.

Methods: 3T MRI of 18 PSP and 16 MSA-P patients were compared with 16 PD patients matched for age and disease duration as well as 21 healthy controls.

Extraforaminal Lumbar Disk Herniations Lead To Neuroplastic Changes: a Study Using Quantitative Sensory Testing.

Introduction: Extraforaminal lumbar disk herniations are characterized by distinct clinical features in comparison to paramedian lumbar disk herniations.

Methods: We applied the quantitative sensory testing (QST) protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain in 63 patients with a single lumbar disk herniation. They were categorized in 2 groups: (I) an intraspinal (group I; n = 47, 75%) and an extraforaminal (group E; n = 16, 25%).

Influence of vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulation on coronary artery disease: A CTA analysis.

Objective: Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are associated with increased vascular calcification which may lead to an elevated cardiovascular risk. If the direct anticoagulants (DOACs) have similar negative vascular effects is unknown. We evaluated the influence of different anticoagulation strategies on coronary artery disease (CAD) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Diagnostic potential of dentatorubrothalamic tract analysis in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Background: The differentiation of progressive supranuclear palsy-parkinsonism (PSP-P) from Parkinson's disease (PD) remains a major clinical challenge.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of observer-independent assessments of microstructural integrity within infratentorial brain regions to differentiate PSP-Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS), PSP-P and PD.

Methods: 3T MRI parameters of mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, grey and white matter volumes from patients with PSP-RS (n = 12), PSP-P (n = 12) and mean disease duration of 2.

Clinical and radiological effect of medialized cortical bone trajectory for lumbar pedicle screw fixation in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (mPACT).

Background: Spinal fusion with pedicle screw fixation represents the gold standard for lumbar degenerative disc disease with instability. Although it is an established technique, it is nevertheless an invasive intervention with high complication rates. Therefore, minimally invasive approaches have been developed, the medialized bilateral screw pedicel fixation (mPACT) being one of them.

The influence of surface EMG-triggered multichannel electrical stimulation on sensomotoric recovery in patients with lumbar disc herniation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RECO).

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration is one of the most common reasons for chronic low back pain and sensomotoric deficits, often treated by lumbar sequestrectomy. Nevertheless, the prognostic factors relevant for time and quality of recovery, of the surgical procedure, relative to conservative treatment, remain controversial and require further investigation. Surface electrical stimulation (SES) may be an influential intervention, already showing positive impact on motor and sensory recovery in different patient groups.

Effects of Hyperthyroidism on Coronary Artery Disease: A Computed Tomography Angiography Study.

Background: Changes in thyroid hormone concentration can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. Subclinical hyperthyroidism has been linked to an increase of cardiovascular heart disease, however, clinical effects and significance are still uncertain. Therefore, we analyzed coronary computed tomography angiographies of patients with overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism for quantitative parameters and plaque morphology.

Preoperative sport improves the outcome of lumbar disc surgery: a prospective monocentric cohort study.

A lumbar disc herniation resulting in surgery may be an incisive event in a patient's everyday life. The patient's recovery after sequestrectomy may be influenced by several factors. There is evidence that regular physical activity can lower pain perception and improve the outcome after surgery.

Gender differences after lumbar sequestrectomy: a prospective clinical trial using quantitative sensory testing.

Background: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) gained popularity to evaluate the time course of recovery in sensory dysfunction and the results of different treatment options. Concerning sex differences in lumbar spine surgery, female gender seems to play a major role as a negative prognostic factor in different spinal disorders. For this purpose, we hypothesised that there are also comparable differences in pain patterns in men and women after lumbar sequestrectomy using QST.

The value of quantitative sensory testing in spine research.

The improvement of pain and functionality is the major goal of a surgical intervention. Thus, the purpose of the present prospective study was to evaluate whether subjective sensory deficits in patients with lumbar radiculopathy caused by a lumbar disc herniation are related to clinical status, using several outcome scores and the quantitative sensory testing (QST) pre- and 12 months postoperatively. We applied the QST in 52 patients with a single lumbar disc herniation treated by lumbar sequestrectomy pre- and 12 months postoperatively.

Improvement of sensory function after sequestrectomy for lumbar disc herniation: a prospective clinical study using quantitative sensory testing.

Background: Previous studies have investigated sensory recovery in patients with lumbar disc herniation using rather subjective methods. There have been no reports on changes of sensory function in patients suffering from a preoperative sensory deficit using quantitative sensory testing (QST). The aims of this prospective study were (1) to assess the recovery of preoperative sensory dysfunction after lumbar sequestrectomy and (2) to quantify the strength of relationship between a sensory deficit and the patient's quality of life.

Gender Influences Radicular Pain Perception in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated gender differences in pain perception in quantitative sensory testing. Thus, we hypothesized that there are differences in men and women with lumbar disc herniation awaiting lumbar sequestrectomy. To elucidate the differences in pain perception between men and women, we carried out a prospective clinical monocentric trial using quantitative sensory testing.