Experimental Examination of Conventional, Semi-Automatic, and Automatic Volumetry Tools for Segmentation of Pulmonary Nodules in a Phantom Study.

The aim of this study is to examine the precision of semi-automatic, conventional and automatic volumetry tools for pulmonary nodules in chest CT with phantom N1 LUNGMAN. The phantom is a life-size anatomical chest model with pulmonary nodules representing solid and subsolid metastases. Gross tumor volumes (GTVs) were contoured using various approaches: manually (0); as a means of semi-automated, conventional contouring with (I) adaptive-brush function; (II) flood-fill function; and (III) image-thresholding function.

Mixed reality combined with ALPPS for colorectal liver metastases, a case report.

Introduction: Improvement of treatments for patients suffering from colorectal carcinoma and extended liver metastases has increased the overall survival and enables more patients to undergo surgical therapy. If the future liver remnant (FLR) is expected to be low, Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a potential treatment with high feasibility and an increase in overall survival. The evolving mixed reality technology could support hepatobiliary surgery.

Don't fear the (small) bite: A narrative review of the rationale and misconceptions surrounding closure of abdominal wall incisions.

Background: The most common complications related to the closure of abdominal wall incisions are surgical site infections, wound dehiscence and the development of an incisional hernia. Several factors relating to the surgical technique and the materials used have been identified and analysed over the years, as mirrored in the current recommendations of the European Hernia Society, but some misconceptions still remain that hinder wide implementation.

Method: A literature search was performed in the PubMed and GoogleScholar databases on 15 July 2021 and additionally on 30 March 2022 to include recent updates.

Bronchial artery diameter in massive hemoptysis in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Massive hemoptysis is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and advanced pulmonary disease. Hypertrophied bronchial arteries are understood to cause massive hemoptysis when rupturing. Risk factors to predict massive hemoptysis are scarce and bronchial artery diameters are not part of any scoring system in follow-up of patients with CF.

Green Tea Extract to Prevent Colorectal Adenomas, Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Preclinical, epidemiological, and small clinical studies suggest that green tea extract (GTE) and its major active component epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) exhibit antineoplastic effects in the colorectum.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind trial of GTE standardized to 150 mg of EGCG b.i.

[Considerations for quality assurance of discussions with relatives in direct association with organ donation].

Background: Discussions with relatives are relevant and crucial aspects of the organ donation process and contribute to a consolidated and sustainable decision by the families of the deceased. Despite the great importance of family care, there is no systematic analysis of the quality of this communication, in contrast to the diagnosis of irreversible loss of brain function, organ retrieval and organ transplantation. For this reason, organ donation experts were interviewed about recurring characteristics of communication with relatives of the deceased.

Experimental examination of radiation doses from cardiac and liver CT perfusion in a phantom study as a function of organ, age and sex.

Cardiac and liver computed tomography (CT) perfusion has not been routinely implemented in the clinic and requires high radiation doses. The purpose of this study is to examine the radiation exposure and technical settings for cardiac and liver CT perfusion scans at different CT scanners. Two cardiac and three liver CT perfusion protocols were examined with the N1 LUNGMAN phantom at three multi-slice CT scanners: a single-source (I) and second- (II) and third-generation (III) dual-source CT scanners.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMINATION OF RADIATION DOSES OF DUAL- AND SINGLE-ENERGY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN CHEST AND UPPER ABDOMEN IN A PHANTOM STUDY.

The aim of this phantom study is to examine radiation doses of dual- and single-energy computed tomography (DECT and SECT) in the chest and upper abdomen for three different multi-slice CT scanners. A total of 34 CT protocols were examined with the phantom N1 LUNGMAN. Four different CT examination types of different anatomic regions were performed both in single- and dual-energy technique: chest, aorta, pulmonary arteries for suspected pulmonary embolism and liver.

Women in surgery: a web-based survey on career strategies and career satisfaction.

Women represent the majority of medical students in several countries. In any surgical specialty and above all in surgical leadership positions, women still remain disproportionally underrepresented. The objective of this study was to investigate female surgeons' career advancement and satisfaction with training.

Experimental study of potential adverse effects on the auditory system of rabbits exposed to short-term GSM-1800 radiation.

Purpose: The effects of the electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by a mobile phone on the central auditory system of rabbits are investigated in this paper. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements were performed before and after short-term exposure to EM radiation.

Materials And Methods: Excitation was provided by a GSM-1800 emitter placed in contact with the (randomly selected) ear of the anesthetized rabbit/subject.

[Challenges in visceral medicine during COVID-19].

Background: The worldwide dissemination of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a relevant problem for the German healthcare system and the whole of society within only a few weeks. Because visceral medicine is at the focal point many adjustments in procedures are necessary.

Material And Methods: Necessary organizational structures and challenges in visceral medicine are described for urgent abdominal surgery after screening and for patients infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

[Management of late onset septic complications after IPOM implantation: case series from a hernia center].

Background: The intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) is for many surgeons a pragmatic solution for the operative treatment of extensive and complex abdominal wall hernias. A few years after mesh implantation we are now faced with a number of late complications of the IPOM procedure. Chronic septic complications, such as mesh infections and fistula formation have an outstanding position.

Improved survival in metastatic breast cancer: results from a 20-year study involving 1033 women treated at a single comprehensive cancer center.

Purpose: Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have changed profoundly over the past 25 years. The outcome improved dramatically and was well quantified for early stage breast cancer (EBC). However, progress in the treatment of metastatic disease has been less convincingly demonstrated.

A prospective comparison of growth patterns with radiomorphology in 232 lung metastases-basis for patient tailored resection planning?

Background: The histologic presence of aggressive local growth of pulmonary metastases is associated with an increased risk for local intrapulmonary recurrence after enucleation or wedge resection. Patient tailored resection planning is possible when morphologic pattern of aggressive growth could be identified based on preoperative CT scans.

Methods: Radiomorphology and microscopic growth characteristics from 232 pulmonary metastases from 87 patients were prospectively compared for the presence or absence of aggressive patterns of local intrapulmonary dissemination.

Long-term Survival after resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: Impact of UICC staging and surgical procedure.

Background/aims: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is a rare disease with unfavorable prognosis resulting in low survival rates. This study aims to retrospectively assess the beneficial histopathological features and surgical procedures in long-term survivors (i.e.

[Hemodynamic effects of cafedrine/theodrenaline on anesthesia-induced hypotension].

Background: There is insufficient knowledge about the hemodynamic effects of cafedrine/theodrenaline (caf/theo), a commercially available drug combination, to treat hypotension.

Methods: This prospective observational study investigated the hemodynamic effects of caf/theo on anesthesia-induced hypotension in 20 patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery. After induction of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil, a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) below 60 mm Hg (n = 12) was treated with 60 mg/3 mg caf/theo.

Comparison of the sixth and the seventh editions of the UICC classification for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The current seventh edition of the TNM classification for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) includes tumor number, vascular invasion, lymph node involvement but no longer the tumor size as compared to the sixth edition. The impact of the seventh edition on stage-based prognostic prediction for patients with ICC was evaluated.

Methods: Between 03/2001 and 02/2013, 98 patients with the diagnosis of an ICC were surgically treated at our center.

[Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Patients with Nosocomial Pneumonia - Update 2017 - S3 Guideline of the German Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, the German Society for Infectious Diseases, the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology, the German Respiratory Society and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy, the German Radiological Society and the Society for Virology].

Nosocomial pneumonia (HAP) is a frequent complication of hospital care. Most data are available on ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, infections on general wards are increasing.

Long-term follow-up of five yr shows superior renal function with everolimus plus early calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal in the PROTECT randomized liver transplantation study.

Background: The 12-month (M) PROTECT study showed that de novo liver transplant recipients (LTxR) who switched from a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppression to a CNI-free everolimus (EVR)-based regimen showed numerically better renal function. Here, we present the five-yr follow-up data.

Methods: PROTECT was a randomized controlled study in which LTxR received basiliximab and CNI-based immunosuppression ± corticosteroids.

[Klatskin tumor: long-term survival following surgery].

Background: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) is a rare tumor entity with an unfavorable prognosis despite optimal treatment.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate beneficial histopathological features and recommendations for surgery in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma to improve patients' long term survival.

Material And Methods: 192 patients suffering from perihilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent attempted tumor resection between 1998 and 2008 at our clinic.

Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsis in a pleural effusion smear with concomitant Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

Usually identification of the causative bacteria for an episode of sepsis is achieved using microbiological culture of blood or body fluid. In the case of pleural effusion and fever, a microscopic examination of the pleural effusion smear to identify the bacteria responsible should be performed immediately to optimize the selection of antibiotic therapy regimen.