Aktuelle Radiologie 

About: Aktuelle Radiologie is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Magnetic resonance imaging & Angiography. It has an ISSN identifier of 0939-267X. Over the lifetime, 322 publications have been published receiving 1136 citations.

Optical mammography in preoperative patients

Abstract: AIM Research concerning alternative methods of breast imaging that may supplement or even replace mammography appears interesting for further improvement of diagnostic accuracy, for possible cost reduction and increased patient acceptance and compliance. METHOD/PATIENTS 119 pre-operative patients (59 carcinomas, 60 benign lesions) were examined on a prototype breast scanner in this fundamental research project. Images of the compressed breast that display light transmission and phase shift at wavelengths of 690, 750, 790 and 860 nm were obtained with scanning steps every 2 mm. Based on these images we could calculate further images. RESULTS Images displaying the division of two original transmission images appeared most useful, whereas phase images generally did not yield relevant additional information. A total of 51 out of 59 carcinomas (mean diameter: 21 mm) were visualised and diagnosed. Specificity in respect of lesion diagnosis was 28%. If surrounding tissue was included in the evaluation, the specificity dropped to 9%. DISCUSSION The method is not sufficiently developed and well-tried for clinical use. Future research might consider the development of tumour-specific contrast media.

The splenic steal syndrome and the gastroduodenal steal syndrome in patients before and after liver transplantation

Abstract: The study describes new pathologic entities, the splenohepatic steal-syndrome and the gastroduodenal steal-syndrome, which could be demonstrated by angiography in 17 patients before and after liver transplantation. After the first observation of a splenohepatic steal-syndrome in a patient with unexplained elevation of hepatic enzymes after liver transplantation, a prospective angiographic study was performed, including all liver transplant recipients and patients after liver transplantation with unexplained impaired liver function tests. 9 splenohepatic steal-syndromes could be demonstrated before and 7 after hepatic transplantation, one gastroduodenal steal was seen after liver transplantation. The different therapeutic modalities are discussed.

The venous aneurysm

Abstract: Venous aneurysms are rare: only 311 cases of venous aneurysms and 56 cases of aneurysms in vein transplants have been reported since 1939 to date. 62% of the patients suffering from venous aneurysms were less than 40 years of age. The most frequently involved vessels were the internal jugular vein (n = 56), the portal vein (n = 28), the v. saphena magna (n = 30) the popliteal vein (n = 23), the azygos vein (n = 22) and the vena cava superior (n = 20). The diameters of the aneurysms were between 1 and 16 cm. Symptoms, if at all noticeable, depend on the localisation of the aneurysm, but they are unspecific in the majority of cases. The most frequent finding was the space- occupying growth seen in 190 patients (52%). Pulmonary embolisms originating from venous aneurysms were seen in 19/311 (6.1%), a rupture of an aneurysm in 4/311 (1.2%) of the venous aneurysms and 5/56 (8.9%) of the aneurysms in transplant veins, respectively. and were fatal in 1 (0.3%) and 2 (3.6%) of the cases, respectively. Of the 205 patients who were operated on, 3 (1.5%) died from intraoperative complications.

Risk of hyperthyroidism in examinations with contrast media

Abstract: Investigations with contrast media inevitably lead to the patient being exposed to large amounts of iodine. Under certain preconditions this gentails danger for the patient by causing either iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, which is difficult to treat, or even a thyrotoxic crisis. Patients with normal thyroid function and size have only minute changes of thyroid hormones and TSH within the normal range and are not at risk. Patients with unknown hyperthyroidism--independent of the etiological form--and patients with functional autonomy are at risk of exacerbation of pre-existing hyperthyroidism or development of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism. This development depends on two factors: a) the volume of autonomous tissue and b) the quantity of iodine exposure. Besides contrast media, other sources of iodine excess are possible, such as iodine-containing disinfectants, secretolytic agents, antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, eye drops and ointments, geriatrics, skin ointments, toothpaste etc. The development of hyperthyroidism can be prevented by combined treatment with antithyroid drugs and perchlorate in the case of preexisting hyperthyroidism or the urgent clinical suspicion of thyrotoxicosis or with perchlorate alone, when the patients is euthyroid and does not have a large nodular goitre.

[Tumor follow-up using sonography and computed tomography in the abdominal region of patients with malignant melanoma].

Abstract: In this study we evaluated the use of computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) in detecting abdominal metastases. In 849 patients with malignant melanoma 809 CT scans and 4,014 ultrasound studies were performed. In 37 patients we detected a total of 56 metastases. US was found to have a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 98%. CT reached a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 94%. Because of high specificity of US we believe it is the method of choice for the routine follow-up of patients with malignant melanoma. Since there are differences in sensitivity, CT will remain absolutely necessary asa "back-up" method.