Publications by authors named "Scharf G"

V-flow is a dynamic ultrasound technique that visualizes perfusion patterns by displaying dynamic arrows that change in response to the flow of erythrocytes. Furthermore, it provides quantitative values for the maximum and mean velocity of blood flow as well as a percentage value for turbulence. The aim was to enhance the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of thyroid lesions by combining V-flow with established ultrasound modes.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can be applied in breast cancer risk prediction and prevention by using patient history, scans, imaging information, and analysis of specific genes for cancer classification to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment. This scoping review aimed to identify the barriers encountered in applying innovative AI techniques and models in developing breast cancer risk prediction scores and promoting screening behaviors among adult females. Findings may inform and guide future global recommendations for AI application in breast cancer prevention and care for female populations.

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Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spread worldwide, causing a respiratory disease known as COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to examine whether Dipeptidyl-peptidase 3 (DPP3) and the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, CRP, and leucocytes are associated with COVID-19 and able to predict the severity of pulmonary infiltrates in COVID-19 patients versus non-COVID-19 patients. 114 COVID-19 patients and 35 patients with respiratory infections other than SARS-CoV-2 were included in our prospective observational study.

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In this case report we present a feline large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphoma, a rare morphologically distinct subtype of lymphoma, in a twelve-year-old female spayed domestic short hair cat, with high suspicion of leptomeningeal lymphomatosis due to magnetic resonance imaging findings and results of cerebral spinal fluid analyses. Diagnosis of LGL lymphoma was confirmed by means of blood cytology and polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangements.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate if CT findings in patients with pulmonary Post Covid syndrome represent residua after acute pneumonia or if SARS-CoV 2 induces a true ILD. Consecutive patients with status post acute Covid-19 pneumonia and persisting pulmonary symptoms were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were availability of at least one chest CT performed in the acute phase and at least one chest CT performed at least 80 days after symptom onset.

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Background: Partial splenic embolization (PSE) is a non-surgical procedure which was initially used to treat hypersplenism. Furthermore, partial splenic embolization can be used for the treatment of different conditions, including gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage. Here, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of emergency and non-emergency PSE in patients with gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage and recurrent portal hypertensive gastropathy bleeding due to cirrhotic (CPH) and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH).

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Background: Modern ultrasound (US) shear-wave dispersion (SWD) and attenuation imaging (ATI) can be used to quantify changes in the viscosity and signal attenuation of the liver parenchyma, which are altered in hepatic steatosis. We aimed to evaluate modern shear-wave elastography (SWE), SWD and ATI for the assessment of hepatic steatosis.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the US data of 15 patients who underwent liver USs and MRIs for the evaluation of parenchymal disease/liver lesions.

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Spontaneous peripheral dissections are rare, and in a substantial number of cases, the underlying aetiology remains unclear. We report the case of a 63-year-old male patient with a recent asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection who presented with sudden-onset intermittent abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed a dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and large-vessel vasculitis involving the SMA as well as the carotid, subclavian, axillary and femoropopliteal arteries.

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The development of acute thrombosis within the TIPS tract may be prevented by prophylactic anticoagulation; however, there is no evidence of the correct anticoagulation regimen after TIPS placement. The purpose of this single-center retrospective study was to evaluate the short-term occlusion rate of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE)-coated stents under consequent periprocedural full heparinization (target partial thromboplastin time [PTT]: 60-80 s). We analyzed TIPS placements that were followed up over a six-month period by Doppler ultrasound in 94 patients and compared the study group of 54 patients who received intravenous periprocedural full heparinization (target PTT: 60-80 s) without any other anticoagulation to patients with prolonged anticoagulation medication.

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Background: Ultrasound follow-up of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is challenging due to the bent course of the stent-graft.

Objective: Aim of this retrospective study was to assess to which extent the combination of HR flow with Glazing Flow improves hemodynamic assessment in the ultrasound follow-up of TIPS.

Methods: Comparative studies with CCDS and High Resolution (HR)-Flow with Glazing Flow were evaluated regarding image quality and artifacts on a 5-point scale (0 = cannot be assessed up to 5 = maximum image quality without artifacts).

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Purpose: To assess the prognostic power of quantitative analysis of chest CT, laboratory values, and their combination in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and chest CT performed between March 07 and November 13, 2020. Volume and percentage (PO) of lung opacifications and mean HU of the whole lung were quantified using prototype software.

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Background: Gas exchange in COVID-19 pneumonia is impaired and vessel obstruction has been suspected to cause ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Dual-energy CT (DECT) can depict pulmonary perfusion by regional assessment of iodine uptake.

Objective: The purpose of this study was the analysis of pulmonary perfusion using dual-energy CT in a cohort of 27 consecutive patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

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Background: Retrospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the retrieval of misplaced central venous catheters (CVCs) in subclavian arteries using the femoral closure device Angio-Seal™.

Methods: The clinical data of five patients (female,  = 2; mean age, 55.0 years ± 11.

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Background: CT is important in the care of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, CT morphology can change significantly over the course of the disease. To evaluate the CT morphology of RT-PCR-proven COVID-19 pneumonia in a German cohort with special emphasis on identification of potential differences of CT features depending on duration and severity of disease.

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Objective: CT is important in the care of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, specificity might be poor in the absence of a clinical and epidemiological context. The goal of this work was to systematically evaluate two novel CT features (sharp margin and geographic shape) of COVID-19 pneumonia.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate if CT performed in the early disease phase can predict the course of COVID-19 pneumonia in a German cohort.

Method: All patients with RT-PCR proven COVID-19 pneumonia and chest CT performed within 10 days of symptom onset between March 1st and April 15th 2020 were retrospectively identified from two tertiary care hospitals. 12 CT features, their distribution in the lung and the global extent of opacifications were evaluated.

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Fibrotic scarring drives the progression of heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, the development of specific treatment regimens to counteract fibrosis is of high clinical relevance. The transcription factor SOX9 functions as an important regulator during embryogenesis, but recent data point towards an additional causal role in organ fibrosis.

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Background: Spatial resolution in cardiac activation maps based on voltage measurement is limited by far-field interference. Precise characterization of electrical sources would resolve this limitation; however, practical charge-based cardiac mapping has not been achieved.

Methods: A prototype algorithm, developed from first principles of electrostatic field theory, derives charge density (CD) as a spatial representation of the true sources of the cardiac field.

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Maladaptive cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is increasingly contributing to the prevalence of chronic heart failure. Women show less severe remodeling, a reduced mortality and a better systolic function after MI compared to men. Although sex hormones are being made responsible for these differences, it remains currently unknown how this could be translated into therapeutic strategies.

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Advanced cancer induces fundamental changes in metabolism and promotes cardiac atrophy and heart failure. We discovered systemic insulin deficiency in cachectic cancer patients. Similarly, mice with advanced B16F10 melanoma (B16F10-TM) or colon 26 carcinoma (C26-TM) displayed decreased systemic insulin associated with marked cardiac atrophy, metabolic impairment, and function.

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