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.

Proposal of an ultrasonographic classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: Echinococcosis multilocularis Ulm classification-ultrasound.

Aim: To establish an ultrasonographic classification based on a large sample of patients with confirmed hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE).

Methods: Clinical data and ultrasonography (US) findings of 185 patients (100 males; 85 females; mean age at diagnosis: 51.4 ± 17.

Coffee consumption and NAFLD: a community based study on 1223 subjects.

Background: Objective of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the impact of caffeine consumption on fatty liver and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations in a random population sample.

Methods: All subjects (n = 1452; 789 women, 663 men; average age 42.3 ± 12.

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.

Parameters affecting different acoustic radiation force impulse applications in the diagnosis of fibrotic liver changes.

Aim: To analyze the virtual touch tissue quantification (VTTQ) and virtual touch imaging quantification (VTIQ) techniques, and identify possible factors that may influence VTTQ and VTIQ measurements.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-six (104 women/82 men) of 323 subjects met the inclusion criteria (age > 18 years, no history of chronic or gastrointestinal disease, body-mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m², a fasting period of at least three hours, no history of hepatotoxic pharmaceuticals, alcohol consumption < 24 g/d in men and < 12 g/d in women, and normal findings upon ultrasound examination of the abdomen). Measurements were taken at depths of 50 mm with VTTQ, 15 mm and 25 mm with VTIQ in the right hepatic lobe, and at 15 mm with only VTIQ in the left hepatic lobe.

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.

Diagnostics in cystic echinococcosis: serology versus ultrasonography.

Background/aims: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is the most widespread zoonosis worldwide. The objective of the present study was to compare diagnostic methods in the work-up of suspected cystic echinococcosis of the liver.

Materials And Methods: Data from a total of 68 patients were compiled and analyzed.

Association of adiponectin with hepatic steatosis: a study of 1,349 subjects in a random population sample.

Background: Objective of the present study was to examine the association between adiponectin and hepatic steatosis, and other biochemical and anthropometric parameters in healthy subjects.

Results: A total of 1349 subjects (age 18-65 years) underwent ultrasound examination of the liver. Mean adiponectin concentration for the study collective was 11.

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).

Prevalence of celiac disease in Germany: a prospective follow-up study.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of celiac disease in a randomly selected population sample.

Methods: A total of 2157 subjects (1036 males; 1121 females) participating in a population-based cross-sectional study underwent laboratory testing for tissue transglutaminase and antibodies to immunoglobulin A, endomysium and antigliadin. In a second step, all subjects who had been examined serologically were surveyed using a questionnaire that included questions specific to celiac disease.

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.

Screening for liver metastases in women with mammary carcinoma: comparison of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to compare conventional B-mode ultrasound (BMU), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of liver metastases at the primary staging and follow-up of women with histologically confirmed mammary carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Included in the study were 55 women (aged 57.5 ± 11.

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.

Vitamin C supplement use may protect against gallstones: an observational study on a randomly selected population.

Background: Animal experiments have shown a protective effect of vitamin C on the formation of gallstones. Few data in humans suggest an association between reduced vitamin C intake and increased prevalence of gallstone disease. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association of regular vitamin C supplementation with gallstone prevalence.

Determination of reference values for the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) on a cross sectional population sample.

Background: Aim of the study was to determine reference values for the soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) in a cross sectional population sample.

Methods: For the determination of reference values, using a standard calibrated fluorescence-immunoassay, the samples (990 females; 1060 males; 13 - 65 years old) were divided into five groups according to age and sex. Soluble transferrin receptor and ferritin were measured by a fluorescence-immunoassay with AIA-21 (TOSOH BIOSCIENCE, Tessenderlo, Belgium).

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth mimicking acute flare as a pitfall in patients with Crohn's Disease.

Background: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is characterized by excessive proliferation of colonic bacterial species in the small bowel. Potential causes of SIBO include fistulae, strictures or motility disturbances. Hence, patients with Crohn's Disease (CD) are especially predisposed to develop SIBO.

Ultrasonographically detected gallbladder polyps: a reason for concern? A seven-year follow-up study.

Background: The management of coincidental detected gallbladder polyps (GP) is still nebulous. There are few published data regarding their long-term growth. Objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and growth of gallbladder polyps in a survey of unselected subjects from the general population of a complete rural community.

Assessment of disease activity in alveolar echinococcosis: a comparison of contrast enhanced ultrasound, three-phase helical CT and [(18)F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

Background: Objective of the present study was to assess activity or vascularization of focal liver lesions in alveolar echinococcosis (AE) using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in comparison with contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and three-phase helical computed tomography (CT).

Methods: In this prospective study, 17 patients with confirmed AE of the liver were included (6 males, 11 females; average age: 59 +/- 16 years; average duration of disease: 10.5 years) and were then examined using FDG-PET, precontrast ultrasound (US), CEUS, and three-phase helical CT.