Early alveolar and systemic mediator release in patients at different risks for ARDS after multiple trauma.

Alveolar IL-8 has been reported to early identify patients at-risk to develop ARDS. However, it remains unknown how alveolar IL-8 is related to pulmonary and systemic inflammation in patients predisposed for ARDS. We studied 24 patients 2-6h after multiple trauma.

Transhepatic preoperative portal vein embolization using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug: report of four cases.

The Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) is a device originally intended for arterial and venous embolization in peripheral vessels. From December 2004 to March 2007 we implanted a total of 8 AVPs in the portal venous system in our institution for preoperative portal vein embolization in 4 patients (55-71 years) prior to right hemihepatectomy. AVP implantation was successful in all patients.

Iatrogenic type A dissection after attempted stenting of a descending aortic aneurysm.

This case demonstrates an iatrogenic acute retrograde type A dissection of the aortic arch and ascending aorta during elective endovascular stenting of a proximal descending aortic aneurysm. This devastating complication necessitated emergent surgery with unfavorable postoperative outcome. Other than the known causes, the described retrograde type A dissection resulted from guidewire manipulation and iatrogenic creation of a false lumen, which was erroneously dilated and stented.

Insertion of virtual pulmonary nodules in CT data of the chest: development of a software tool.

The purpose of this study was to develop a software tool for the insertion of virtual lung nodules into CT data. Forty software-generated nodules were inserted at random locations and sizes on 20 multi-detector row CT studies of the chest (4 x 1-2.5-mm slice collimation).

Hybrid endograft for one-step treatment of multisegment disease of the thoracic aorta.

Purpose: At present, a two-step surgical approach is necessary to treat patients with coexistent pathologic conditions involving the proximal and descending thoracic aorta. A hybrid endograft is described here that enables such treatment during a single operation.

Materials And Methods: The Chavan-Haverich endograft consists of a Dacron vascular prosthesis with stainless-steel stents affixed at its distal end.

Initial experience from a combination of systemic and regional chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with nonresectable cholangiocellular carcinoma in the liver.

Aim: In nonresectable cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) therapeutic options are limited. Recently, systemic chemotherapy has shown response rates of up to 30%. Additional regional therapy of the arterially hyper vascularized hepatic tumors might represent a rational approach in an attempt to further improve response and palliation.

Assessment of sequential enhancement patterns of focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma on mangafodipir trisodium enhanced MR imaging.

Rationale And Objectives: Sequential contrast changes of mangafodipir trisodium (Mn-DPDP)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated in the differentiation of focal nodular hyperplasias (FNH) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).

Methods: Patients with FNH (n = 16) or HCC (n = 12) underwent MRI: T2-weighted fast spin echo before and T1-weighted gradient echo before and 1, 4, 14, and 22 hours after 5 micromol/kg Mn-DPDP. Homogeneity of enhancement and delineation of fibrous scars of FNHs were assessed qualitatively.

Kissing balloon technique for angioplasty of renal artery bifurcation stenoses.

This study evaluates long-term results after using the kissing balloon technique in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of bifurcation stenoses of the renal artery. Eight patients with proven renal artery stenosis and deterioration of renal function were treated, including one kidney transplant recipient. Follow-up ranged between 3 and 131 months.