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H J Biersack

Publications and source records attributed to H J Biersack.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Imaging, anatomic, and surgical considerations for rectal organs and function following radical resection of a rectal carcinoma].

The distal quarter of the rectum is derived from the cloaca and can be viewed as a specialized "sensory organ". Only the proximal three quarters of the rectum stem phylogenetically from intestinal tissues. Therefore, only this upper portion has an associated mesorectum. A significant amount of data support the notion that profound differences exist between the enterogenic, upper segments and the cloacogenic, lower segment of the rectum: 1. differing supply with blood and lymph vessels, 2. embryologic and comparative anatomic findings, 3. the central support system provided by Denonvilliers' fascia, 4. specialized innervation, 5. malformations of the continence organ, 6. findings on magnetic resonance images and histologic macro sections, 7. findings on PET-CT images, 8. the muscular wall architecture of different portions of the rectum, 9. differences in basic function (storage vs continence), 10. location of most postoperative local recurrences of rectal carcinomas, even when complete mesorectal resection was performed, since hundred years.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2006

Unusual case of well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma lacking thyroglobulin expression while still concentrating radioiodine.

We present an unusual case of a well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma with bilateral lung metastases. Despite undetectable serum thyroglobulin (Tg) on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation and no immunohistochemical evidence of Tg expression in the primary tumour, the patient showed significant uptake of radioiodine in both lungs. After five cycles of high dose radioiodine therapy, the patient went into complete remission and therefore had an excellent response to radioiodine treatment. This case is a rare exception to the rule of Tg production as a prerequisite for differentiated thyroid cancers to concentrate radioiodine.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

[PET-CT studies of the support system and continence function of pelvic organs. The pivotal importance of Denonvilliers' fascia for surgical procedures].

Like all other organs in the chest or abdominal cavities, pelvic organs are not suspended by specialized ligaments such as those in the skeletomuscular system. In spite of this, the organs of the pelvis remain well suspended within their cavity even during evacuation. This support system for these organs consists of inconspicuous smooth muscle elements scattered throughout pelvic structural fat tissue and fascial structures, in particular Denonvilliers' fascia. We used PET-CT studies to identify spontaneous muscle activity in the pelvis, which is strongest at Denonvilliers' fascia. We were able to correlate continence function, filling, and evacuation of pelvic organs with this spontaneous muscle activity that leads to stiffening and relaxation of the muscular walls of these organs. During the course of different disease processes such as visceral prolapse, these pelvic support structures are prone to fail gradually. Surgical interventions should take the pelvic support system into account to avoid therapeutic errors.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

[Unspecific abdominal complaints: diagnosis with szintigraphy].

This case report describes a 65-year old man with symptomatic abdominal and pelvic splenosis. 50 Years ago he has had splenectomy after a road traffic accident. Ultrasound and CT revealed a bulky mass in the iliac fossa and multifocal intraabdominal nodules suggesting peritoneal carcinomatosis. Scintigraphy with Tc-99m-labelled heat damaged red blood cells led to definitive diagnosis. RBC-scintigraphy is a specific, easy performable diagnostic tool. It is cost-effective and can avoid other diagnostic procedures or explorative surgery.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2004

[Demonstration of increased natural spontaneous activity of cranioesophageal and laryngeal muscles by PET-CT].

The muscles of the cranioesophageal sphincter system feature continuous natural spontaneous resting activity. Thus, they resemble the anorectal sphincter system. We studied metabolic activity and morphology of the proximal sphincter system at rest in 23 individuals (14 females, nine males) using PET-CT scanning. We found that metabolic activity was significantly higher than in other muscle groups of the body at rest (P=0.001). In contrast to the horizontally oriented anal sphincters, the proximal sphincter system is developed as a vertical assembly of long, interlocking muscular tubes. These are innervated by five cranial nerves and three sensory organ nerves and form a functional unit that extends from the orbicularis oris muscle via the pharynx and larynx to the lower esophageal sphincter. The larynx shows only one active muscle, i.e., the posterior cricoarytaenoid muscle, that maintains airway patency. The lower esophageal sphincter can be visualized by PET-CT as a vertically oriented stretching sphincter. It features a spiral-shaped design made up of muscle maxima and minima which correlates well with its asymmetric muscle activity. This complex proximal sphincter system shows great developmental variability among different animal species. However, the general functional principle is similar in all.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[PET/CT imaging in head and neck tumors].

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of combined PET/CT examinations for detection of malignant tumors and their metastases in head and neck oncology. METHODS: 51 patients received whole body scans on a dual modality PET/CT system. CT was performed without i.v. contrast. The results were compared concerning the diagnostic impact of native CT scan on FDG-PET images and the additional value of fused imaging. RESULTS: From 153 lesions were 97 classified as malignant on CT and 136 on FDG/PET images, as suspicious for malignancy in 33 on CT and 7 on FDG-PET and as benign in 23 on CT and 10 on FDG-PET. With combined PET/CT all primary and recurrent tumors could be found, the detection rate in patients with unknown primary tumors was 45%. Compared to PET or CT alone the sensitivity, specifity and accuracy could be significantly improved by means of combined PET/CT. CONCLUSION: Fused PET/CT imaging with [F18]-FDG and native CT-scanning enables accurate diagnosis in 93% of lesions and 90% of patients with head and neck oncology.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Proof of natural spontaneous activity of pelvic and anal musculature by combined positron emission therapy and computed tomography. Importance for diagnosis and therapy].

Since 1991 we have known that the entire abdominal musculature has a distinct resting tone. All other muscles lose their tension almost completely during the resting phase. Only the craniopharyngeal and anorectal sphincter systems retain natural spontaneous activity, which ceases only when a hollow organ is opened. This permanent natural spontaneous activity is extremely sensitive. For example, it increases during coughing and speech. With combined positron emission and computed tomography, it is possible to observe and measure this natural spontaneous activity in the adjacent musculature very clearly. This fact is important for understanding and therapy of the function and failure of sphincter systems.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Comparison of [18F]FDG-PET and L-3[123I]-iodo-alpha-methyl tyrosine (I-123 IMT)-SPECT in primary lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate L-3[123I]-iodo-alpha-methyl tyrosine (IMT)-SPECT and FDG-PET in pulmonary lesions suspected to be lung cancer. METHODS: Whole body PET (measured transmission corrected emission scans) was performed 45 minutes after i.v. injection of 222-370 MBq (6-10 mCi) 18F-FDG on a Siemens PET scanner (ECAT EXACT 47) including 5-6 bed positions. 123I-IMT-SPECT (chest) was performed after injection of 370 MBq (10 mCi) with a dual head camera (Picker Prism 2000) and commercially available reconstruction algorithms. Ten patients (6 male and 4 female) with suspected lung cancer were investigated. The results were compared to histological findings after surgery or bronchoscopic biopsies and CT. RESULTS: 123I-IMT-SPECT and FDG-PET were able to detect all 9 cases of lung cancer (1-8 cm in diameter). One case was true negative. Both imaging methods were true positive with respect to mediastinal lymph node metastases in one patient. The tumor/background ratio was higher with PET (8.20 vs. 2.84). CONCLUSION: Despite the limited number of patients it may be concluded that IMT-SPECT as well as FDG-PET are suited to correctly diagnose lung cancer. Nevertheless, FDG-PET, if available, seems to be better suited because of the higher tumor/background ratio and better resolution.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2002

Value of tumour marker S-100B in melanoma patients: a comparison to 18F-FDG PET and clinical data.

AIM: The S-100B protein is commonly used in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of malignant melanoma and its metastases and has recently been introduced as a tumor marker in peripheral blood, whereas 18F-FDG PET is currently the most sensitive in-vivo imaging method for melanoma staging. Thus, the efficiency of serum S-100B and 18F-FDG PET in the detection of metastatic disease in melanoma patients are compared. METHODS: Serum S-100B was measured with a commercially available immunoradiometric assay. As part of primary tumour staging whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F labeled fluorodeoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) was performed in 67 patients suffering from cutaneous melanoma with a tumour thickness > 0.75 mm and a Clark-level III-V. Final diagnosis based on histology, morphologic imaging results and/or clinical follow-up after at least six months. RESULTS: No evidence of disease was seen in 43 of 67 patients (64.2%), 11 patients (16.4%) presented with lymph node metastases, 13 patients (19.4%) had one or more distant metastases. Alltogether, 18 of 67 patients showed S-100B values > 0.2 microgram/l, including two patients without metastatic disease, 3 of 11 patients with lymph node metastases, and the 13 patients with distant metastases. One patient showed false-positive FDG-uptake in the mediastinum, but presented with S-100B values off curve. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that serum S-100B determination might be helpful in identifying melanoma patients with distant metastases. In comparison to 18F-FDG PET, the value of serum S-100B for lymph-node staging is limited.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Improved diagnosis of advanced bone marrow metastases by means of radiolabeled antigranulocyte antibodies.

Assessment of bone marrow metastases using Tc-99m-labeled antigranulocyte antibodies and Tc-99m-labeled nanocolloids is discussed in osseous metastasizing breast cancer. A 53-year-old patient with bone metastases of breast cancer (pT2 pN1biv cM1) developed leukocytopenia WHO Grade III following polychemotherapy. Bone marrow scintigraphy with Tc-99m labeled nanocolloids and Tc-99m-labeled antigranulocyte antibodies revealed pronounced bone marrow infiltration as the cause. Comparing both procedures, the images with antigranulocyte antibodies showed a clearly better bone marrow image, considerably higher contrast and almost no superimposition of the liver over the spine. In osseous metastasizing breast cancer, scintigraphy with Tc-99m-labeled antigranulocyte antibodies enables assessment of metastases in the entire bone marrow.

Bone Marrow Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Posterior cerebral artery Wada test: sodium amytal distribution and functional deficits.

Inadequate sodium amytal delivery to the posterior hippocampus during the intracarotid Wada test has led to development of selective tests. Our purpose was to show the sodium amytal distribution in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) Wada test and to relate it to functional deficits during the test. We simultaneously injected 80 mg sodium amytal and 14.8 MBq 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) into the P2-segment of the PCA in 14 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. To show the skull, we injected 116 MBq 99mTc-HDP intravenously. Sodium amytal distribution was determined by high-resolution single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In all patients, HMPAO was distributed throughout the parahippocampal gyrus and hippocampus; it was also seen in the occipital lobe in all cases and in the thalamus in 11. Eleven patients were awake and cooperative; one was slightly uncooperative due to speech comprehension difficulties and perseveration. All patients showed contralateral hemianopia during the test. Four patients had nominal dysphasia for 1-3 min. None developed motor deficits or had permanent neurological deficits. Neurological deficits due to inactivation of extrahippocampal areas thus do not grossly interfere with neuropsychological testing during the test.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Radiation exposure and radiation protection of the physician in iodine-131 Lipiodol therapy of liver tumours.

Intra-arterial iodine-131 labelled Lipiodol therapy for liver cancer has been investigated for safety and efficacy over a number of years, but data on radiation exposure of personnel have remained unavailable to date. The aim of this study was to assess the radiation exposure of the physician during intra-arterial 131I-Lipiodol therapy for liver malignancies and to develop appropriate radiation protection measures and equipment. During 20 intra-arterial administrations of 131I-Lipiodol (1110-1924 MBq), radiation dose equivalents (RDE) to the whole body, fingers and eyes of the physician were determined for (a) conventional manual administration through a shielded syringe, (b) administration with an automatic injector and (c) administration with a lead container developed in-house. Administration by syringe resulted in a finger RDE of 19.5 mSv, an eye RDE of 130-140 microSv, and a whole-body RDE of 108-119 microSv. The injector reduced the finger RDE to 5 mSv. With both technique (a) and technique (b), contamination of angiography materials was observed. The container allowed safe transport and administration of the radiopharmaceutical from 4 m distance and reduced the finger RDE to <3 microSv and the eye RDE to <1 microSv during injection. During femoral artery compression, radiation exposure to the fingers reached 170 microSv, but the whole-body dose could be reduced from a mean RDE of 114 microSv to 14 microSv. No more contamination occurred. In conclusion, radiation exposure was high when 131I-Lipiodol was administered by syringe or injector, but was significantly reduced with the lead container.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings in spondylodiscitis: preliminary results.

Nuclear medicine procedures can be helpful in diagnosing spine infections. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the findings of positron emission tomography with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FGD-PET) in the detection of spondylodiscitis. We performed FDG-PET in 16 patients with suspected spondylodiscitis. All the patients were operated and underwent histopathological examination. The FDG-PET findings were graded and evaluated by two independent nuclear medicine physicians. Of the 16 patients, 12 had a histopathologically confirmed spondylodiscitis. In all these 12 patients, FDG-PET was true-positive. In the four patients without spondylodiscitis, FDG-PET showed three true-negative and one false-positive result. In spondylodiscitis, the mean standard uptake value (SUV) of FDG was 7.5 (SD+/-3.8). The PET scans depicted the paravertebral soft tissue involvement in cases of spondylodiscitis. Our first results showed that FDG-PET is a very sensitive imaging procedure in the detection of spondylodiscitis. Compared to other nuclear medicine procedures, PET enables a rapid imaging with acceptable radiation dose and high spatial resolution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Case report: regional cerebral hypoperfusion induced by ventricular tachycardia - short-term hippocampal hypoperfusion and its potential relationship to selective neuronal damage.

BACKGROUND: Focussing on regional cerebral hypoperfusion during hemodynamically stable, but borderline hypotensive, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) experimental studies show (1) a reduction of cerebral blood flow (CBF) during tachyarrhythmias in contrast to the concept of CBF autoregulation, (2) a mediation of hypoperfusion by neuronal and humoral mechanisms, and (3) an involvment of microcirculation due to an ischemic stress response of the cerebral tissue. The clinical relevance of these observations remains still unclear. CASE REPORTS: Two patients with coronary artery disease, left ventricular dysfunction and sustained monomorphic VT underwent electrophysiological study. VT was induced and the tracer (99m)Tc-HMPAO was injected after 3 minutes of ongoing VT. Regional CBF during this life threatening arrhythmia was determined with brain SPECT. A scanning protocol was performed after termination of VT. The measurements were repeated at baseline during normofrequent sinus rhythm (SR) one week later. CBF during SR was significantly reduced in the temporal lobe in comparison to the conditions during stable VT, particularly in the left hippocampus. CONCLUSION: The reduction of hippocampal CBF due to cerebrovascular vasoconstriction and neuronal reflex mechanism previously observed in experiments during stable, sustained VT can be confirmed in a clinical scenario by high resolution (99m)Tc-HMPAO brain SPECT. This supports the hypothesis that repetitive stable VT can play a role in the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular insufficiency. Further clinical studies are needed to analyze the impact of tachyarrhythmias on cognitive and mnemic function.

Aged↗