Fragility Fractures of the Pelvic Ring - Does the Evidence of Oedema Lead us to More Surgeries?

Introduction: The choice of therapy for fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) is largely determined by the diagnosed fracture morphology. It is now unclear whether the change in diagnostic options - sensitive detection of fracture oedema in the sacrum using MRI and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) - has an impact on the therapeutic consequences. The aim of this retrospective study was therefore to evaluate the change in the diagnostics used and the resulting therapy regimen in our patient population.

The novel TRAIL-receptor agonist APG350 exerts superior therapeutic activity in pancreatic cancer cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has raised attention as a novel anticancer therapeutic as it induces apoptosis preferentially in tumor cells. However, first-generation TRAIL-receptor agonists (TRAs), comprising recombinant TRAIL and agonistic receptor-specific antibodies, have not demonstrated anticancer activity in clinical studies. In fact, cancer cells are often resistant to conventional TRAs.

Real-time, ray casting-based scatter dose estimation for c-arm x-ray system.

Objectives: Dosimetric control of staff exposure during interventional procedures under fluoroscopy is of high relevance. In this paper, a novel ray casting approximation of radiation transport is presented and the potential and limitation vs. a full Monte Carlo transport and dose measurements are discussed.

Estimation of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Visceral Adipose Tissue Volume by a Single Magnetic Resonance Imaging Slice in Healthy Elderly Adults.

Background: Assessing skeletal muscle (SM) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) by a single MRI slice at lumbar vertebra (L) 3 can replace whole-body MRI in young and middle-aged adults. However, this technique has not been proven in older adults.

Objective: The aim of this analysis was to reinvestigate the best estimate for SM and VAT in an independent population of healthy elderly people.

Associations between body composition, physical capabilities and pulmonary function in healthy older adults.

Background/objectives: There are positive associations between pulmonary function (PF) and fat-free mass as well as muscle strength. Contrarily, negative associations were found with indirect measures of visceral adipose tissue (VAT). We aimed to differentiate between associations of body composition and PF by assessing mediating and moderating effects of physical capabilities.

Age-Dependent Changes in Resting Energy Expenditure (REE): Insights from Detailed Body Composition Analysis in Normal and Overweight Healthy Caucasians.

Age-related changes in organ and tissue masses may add to changes in the relationship between resting energy expenditure (REE) and fat free mass (FFM) in normal and overweight healthy Caucasians. Secondary analysis using cross-sectional data of 714 healthy normal and overweight Caucasian subjects (age 18-83 years) with comprehensive information on FFM, organ and tissue masses (as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)), body density (as assessed by Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP)) and hydration (as assessed by deuterium dilution (D₂O)) and REE (as assessed by indirect calorimetry). High metabolic rate organs (HMR) summarized brain, heart, liver and kidney masses.

Gender-Specific Associations in Age-Related Changes in Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) and MRI Measured Body Composition in Healthy Caucasians.

Background: The effect of gender as well as gender-specific changes of fat free mass (FFM) and its metabolic active components (muscle mass and organ masses [OMs]) and fat mass (FM) on age-related changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) are not well defined. We hypothesized that there are gender differences in (1) the age-specific onset of changes in detailed body composition (2); the onset of changes in body composition-REE associations with age.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging database of 448 Caucasian participants (females and males) with comprehensive data on skeletal muscle (SM) mass, adipose tissue (AT), OMs, and REE.

Press-fit fixation using autologous bone in the tibial canal causes less enlargement of bone tunnel diameter in ACL reconstruction--a CT scan analysis three months postoperatively.

Background: Bone tunnel enlargement is a phenomenon present in all anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)- reconstruction techniques. It was hypothesized that press-fit fixation using a free autograft bone plug reduces the overall tunnel size in the tibial tunnel.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study twelve patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using an autologous quadriceps tendon graft and adding a free bone block for press-fit fixation (PF) in the tibial tunnel were matched to twelve patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft and interference screw fixation (IF).

What is the best reference site for a single MRI slice to assess whole-body skeletal muscle and adipose tissue volumes in healthy adults?

Background: Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for the assessment of skeletal muscle (SM) and adipose tissue volumes. It is unclear whether single-slice estimates can replace whole-body data.

Objective: We evaluated the accuracy of the best single lumbar and midthigh MRI slice to assess whole-body SM, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT).

Association of a lifestyle index with MRI-determined liver fat content in a general population study.

Background: In prior studies, lifestyle indices were associated with numerous disease end points, but the association with fatty liver disease (FLD), a key correlate of cardiometabolic risk, is unknown. The aim was to investigate associations between a lifestyle index with liver fat content.

Methods: Liver fat was quantified by MRI as liver signal intensity (LSI) in 354 individuals selected from a population-based cohort from Germany.

In vivo abdominal magnetic resonance elastography for the assessment of portal hypertension before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt implantation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and in vivo viscoelasticity of the liver and spleen before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) implantation.

Materials And Methods: Ten patients with portal hypertension were examined twice by 3-dimensional multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography as well as prior and subsequent TIPS intervention; HVPG was also measured during TIPS placement. Five harmonic vibrations (25-60 Hz) were transferred to the abdominal region and recorded for the reconstruction of 2 viscoelastic constants, |G*| and φ, corresponding to the magnitude and the phase angle of the complex shear modulus G* of the liver and spleen.

Therapy response evaluation of malignant lymphoma in a multicenter study: comparison of manual and semiautomatic measurements in CT.

Purpose: Comparison of manual one-/bi-dimensional measurements versus semi-automatically derived one-/bi-dimensional and volumetric measurements for therapy response evaluation of malignant lymphoma during CT follow-up examinations in a multicenter setting.

Materials And Methods: MSCT data sets of patients with malignant lymphoma were evaluated before (baseline) and after two cycles of chemotherapy (follow-up) at radiological centers of five university hospitals. The long axis diameter (LAD), the short axis diameter (SAD) and the bi-dimensional WHO of 307 target lymph nodes were measured manually and semi-automatically using dedicated software.

Dietary patterns associated with magnetic resonance imaging-determined liver fat content in a general population study.

Background: The association between diet and fatty liver disease (FLD) has predominantly been analyzed for single nutrients or foods, and findings have been inconsistent.

Objective: We aimed to compare associations of hypothesis-driven and exploratory dietary pattern scores with liver fat content.

Design: Liver fat was measured by using magnetic resonance imaging as liver signal intensity (LSI) in a population-based, cross-sectional study that included 354 individuals.

Nuclear death receptor TRAIL-R2 inhibits maturation of let-7 and promotes proliferation of pancreatic and other tumor cells.

Background & Aims: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL-R1) (TNFRSF10A) and TRAIL-R2 (TNFRSF10B) on the plasma membrane bind ligands that activate apoptotic and other signaling pathways. Cancer cells also might have TRAIL-R2 in the cytoplasm or nucleus, although little is known about its activities in these locations. We investigated the functions of nuclear TRAIL-R2 in cancer cell lines.

Liposomes and inorganic nanoparticles for drug delivery and cancer imaging.

Recently, there have been several advancements in material sciences and nanosciences. At the moment these new techniques are slowly entering into clinical settings in drug delivery and imaging. In this review, we will look more closely at the applications that are at the forefront of this translation and examine critical aspects that are involved in the process.

Safety and efficacy of directional atherectomy for the treatment of in-stent restenosis of the femoropopliteal artery.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of directional atherectomy with the Silver HawkTM device as first line treatment for in-stent restenosis of the femoropopliteal artery.

Methods: Over a period of 1.5 years in-stent restenosis of the femoropopliteal artery in 35 lesions (34 legs, 33 patients) was primarily treated with directional atherectomy.

Evaluation of a new Spin-echo diffusion-weighted sequence on a 0.35 T open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-system: first experiences within 3 h after acute stroke.

In acute stroke, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging helps to select patients who are eligible for thrombolysis, but is almost exclusively implemented on closed-bore scanners, which make monitoring of patients difficult. We developed and tested a cardiac gated Spin-echo diffusion-weighted sequence with prescan finetrim and motion correction on an open system with 0.35 T.

Noninvasive inductive stent heating: alternative approach to prevent instent restenosis?

Rationale And Objectives: To test noninvasive inductive heating of implanted vascular stents as an alternative approach for reduction or prevention of neointimal hyperplasia.

Methods: Calorimetric pretests were performed to get an orientation on the different parameters of influence for inductive heating of stents. The field strength was set to a maximum of 90 kA/m within a frequency range from 80 kHz to 320 kHz.

Vascular capsule for telemetric monitoring of blood pressure.

Purpose: Development and experimental evaluation of an intravascular monitoring system for telemetric measurement of blood pressure and heart rate.

Materials And Methods: The monitoring system consists of an implantable silicone capsule (diameter 2.3 mm), containing a dedicated microchip with pressure sensors and signal-processing circuits as well as an antenna for wireless data and energy transfer using 6.

Axial flow catheter pump for circulatory support.

Aim: The development of a percutaneously insertable catheter pump for temporary left ventricular and circulatory support in patients with acute ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Material And Methods: The expandable axial flow pump (introduction diameter 9-F, expanded diameter 6.5 mm) is mounted at the tip of a catheter, designed to be placed in aortic transvalvular position.

Real-time MR Guidance for inferior vena cava filter placement in an animal model.

It was the aim of this study to examine the feasibility of real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for MR-guided placement of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, which were placed in five pigs via a femoral approach. The introducer sheath and dilator were marked with Dysprosium rings. The procedures were performed under MR guidance with use of a 1.

MR-guided percutaneous drainage of abdominal fluid collections in combination with X-ray fluoroscopy: initial clinical experience.

The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of a hybrid interventional MR system, which combines a closed bore magnet with a C-arm fluoroscopy unit for percutaneous drainage of abdominal fluid collections. During the past 2 years, we have performed four drainage procedures in four patients (mean age 47 years). Three patients had abscesses (psoas muscle, kidney, subphrenic location) and the fourth patient had a recurrent splenic cyst.

Real-time MR fluoroscopy for MR-guided iliac artery stent placement.

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of real-time magnetic resonance (MR) guidance of iliac artery stent placement. Radial scanning together with the sliding window reconstruction technique was implemented on a 1.5 T magnet, yielding a frame rate of 20 images per second.

Morphological dissociation between visual pathways and cortex: MRI of visually-deprived patients with congenital peripheral blindness.

MRI was used to study possible morphological changes in the visual system in 12 patients suffering from congenital blindness of peripheral (ocular) origin. While their optical pathways showed degeneration, hypoplasia or atrophy in 7 out of 12 cases, the occipital cortex appeared normal in all cases. This dissociation between afferent pathways and the cortex is contrary to the assumption that visually deprived cortex may undergo degeneration.

MR-guided biopsy using a T2-weighted single-shot zoom imaging sequence (Local Look technique).

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the utility of a T2-weighted single shot turbo spin-echo technique--the so-called "Local Look" (LoLo) and more recently renamed "Zoom Imaging" technique--for MR-guided percutaneous interventions. We performed 28 procedures on 22 patients using a 1.5-T system for MR guidance.