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Biomedical subjects

Martin G Mack

Publications and source records attributed to Martin G Mack.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Peripheral artery stent visualization and in-stent stenosis analysis in 16-row computed tomography: an in-vitro evaluation.

The accuracy of 16-row multidetector CT in the visualization of different peripheral artery stents and in the appraisal of in-stent stenosis was assessed. Nine different stent types (nitinol and stainless steel) with three diameters (6, 8 and 10 mm) were used; altogether 27 stents were analyzed in a barrel-shaped vascular model. Low-grade (<40%) and high-grade (>60%) in-stent stenoses were simulated by polyurethane sticks (70 HU) of differing diameters (2-6 mm). Imaging was performed with 16x0.75-mm detector collimation, 130 mAs, 120 kV, 12-mm table feed/rotation, 1.0-mm slice thickness and 0.5-mm increment. The stent diameter, strut thickness, in-stent attenuation values, degree and degree of in-stent stenosis were evaluated. Nitinol stents showed significantly (P<10-6) less stent lumen narrowing, artificial strut thickening and overestimation of the degree of in-stent stenoses than stainless steel stents. In-stent attenuation values and artificial strut thickening were significantly (P<10-6) lower in 10- and 8-mm stents than in 6-mm stents. Stent lumen narrowing was significantly less in 10-mm stents than in 8-mm (P<10-4) or 6-mm (P<10-6) stents. In-stent stenoses were significantly overestimated, irrespective of the stent diameter. In 6-mm stents overestimation was significantly higher than in 8-mm (P<0.01) or 10-mm stents (P<10-6). Under in-vitro conditions 16-row MDCT allowed an accurate identification of in-stent stenosis, but significantly overestimated the effective degree of the stenosis.

Constriction, Pathologic↗

Percutaneous interventional reconstruction of the iliac arteries: primary and long-term success rate in selected TASC C and D lesions.

We report the primary and long-term outcome of patients with selected TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) C or D lesions of the iliac arteries after percutaneous interventional reconstruction. Between 1999 and 2001, 89 patients with peripheral arterial disease categorized as TASC C (n=37) and D (n=52) underwent percutaneous interventional reconstruction and stent implantation. Patients were followed for 1-62 months (mean 36 months). Patency rates were assessed by Duplex ultrasound and ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement. The primary technical success rate was 96.9% with an overall complication rate of 5.6%. The ABI improved from an average of 0.51+/-0.15 before intervention to 0.79+/-0.16 on the day following intervention and to 0.81+/-0.17 within 3 years after intervention. Clinical improvement was observed in 97.3% of the patients in the TASC C group and in 88.5% in the TASC D group. Eighty of 89 patients (89.9%) remained patent at 3-year follow-up. In five patients the reintervention was successful. The secondary patency rate was 95.5%. The patency rates were similar in our selected TASC C and D patients to those so far published for TASC A and B, with low complication rates. Therefore, percutaneous intervention can be recommended for these patients.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Predicting basal cochlear length for electric-acoustic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of predicting electrode insertion depth necessary in cochlear implantations for electric-acoustic stimulation by means of preoperative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). DESIGN: Human temporal bone study with evaluation of cochlear dimensions. SETTING: Tertiary care medical center. METHODS: Eight fresh human temporal bones were scanned, and basal cochlear structures were reconstructed and measured. Standard cochlear implantations with a free-fitting array were performed, and the bones then underwent histologic analysis using a technique that allows sectioning of undecalcified bones. After embedding, all bones underwent conventional radiologic analysis with further insertion measurements. Preimplantation HRCT data were compared with radiologic and histologic data. RESULTS: Preimplantation HRCT-based measurements correlated very well with postimplantation radiologic data. A mean failure of 0.3 mm was found. Mean values for the first 360 degrees ranged from 18.8 to 22.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Preimplantation HRCT-based prediction of cochlear implant insertion depths is both feasible and accurate. It is especially useful when aiming for hearing preservation, where insertion depths of 360 degrees are necessary.

Adult↗

MR-guided laser ablation.

MR-guided LITT is a safe and effective treatment modality that improves survival in well-selected patients who have liver metastases. A major advantage of MR-guided LITT is that it can be easily performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting with a low complication rate.

Adolescent↗

Liver metastases in rats: chemoembolization combined with interstitial laser ablation for treatment.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) for treatment of liver metastases in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All experiments were approved by the German government and the institutional animal research review board. After subcapsular liver implantation of colorectal cancer cells in 30 WAG rats (on day 0), the animals were randomly assigned to three interventional treatment groups. In the 10 rats in group A, TACE was performed: Fourteen days after cancer cell implantation and within 20 minutes after laparotomy and retrograde placement of a microcatheter into the gastroduodenal artery, these rats were injected with mitomycin (0.1 mg), iodized oil (0.1 mL), and degradable starch microspheres (5.0 mg). In the 10 rats in group B, LITT was performed: Also on day 14, the tumors in these animals were exposed to Nd:YAG laser light of 1064 nm at 2 W for 5 minutes. In the 10 rats in group C, combined treatment was administered: TACE was performed on day 14, and LITT was performed on day 21. Tumor volumes were measured before (on day 13) and after (on day 28) treatment with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and the mean tumor growth ratio (day 13 tumor volume divided by day 28 tumor volume) was calculated. RESULTS: The mean tumor volumes measured before and after the treatments were, respectively, 0.11 and 0.60 cm(3) in group A, 0.11 and 0.68 cm(3) in group B, and 0.11 and 0.35 cm(3) in group C. The mean tumor growth ratio was 5.42 in group A, 6.14 in group B, and 3.15 in group C. According to Bonferroni test results, compared with the rats in groups A and B (controls), the group C rats had significantly inhibited tumor growth (P < .01 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION: Use of combined TACE-LITT treatment, compared with the use of TACE or LITT alone, significantly inhibits tumor growth.

Analysis of Variance↗

Breast cancer metastases in liver: laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy--local tumor control rate and survival data.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the local tumor control rate and survival data for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided laser ablation of breast cancer liver metastases by using laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR-guided LITT was performed in 232 female patients with 578 liver metastases from breast cancer. Survival rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Indications for the procedure were defined for patients with no more than five metastases, none of which were larger than 5 cm in diameter, as follows: recurrent liver metastases after partial liver resection (8.2%), metastases in both liver lobes (45.2%), locally nonresectable tumors (19%), general contraindications for surgery (2.6%), or refusal to undergo surgical resection (25%). RESULTS: Local recurrence rate at 6-month follow-up after LITT was 2.3% (five of 213) for metastases up to 2 cm in diameter, 4.3% (seven of 162) for metastases 2-3 cm in diameter, 3.2% (two of 63) for metastases 3-4 cm in diameter, and 1.9% (one of 52) for metastases larger than 4 cm in diameter. No additional local tumor progression was observed beyond 6 months. The mean survival rate for all treated patients, with calculation started on the date of diagnosis of the metastases treated with LITT, was 4.9 years (95% confidence interval: 4.3, 5.4). The median survival was 4.3 years; 1-year survival, 96%; 2-year survival, 80%; 3-year survival, 63%; and 5-year survival, 41%. The mean survival after the first LITT treatment was 4.2 years (95% confidence interval: 3.6, 4.8). CONCLUSION: MR-guided LITT yields high local tumor control and survival rates in patients with liver metastases from breast cancer.

Adult↗

MR-guided transgluteal biopsies with an open low-field system in patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer: technique and preliminary results.

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and safety of MR-guided biopsies with a transgluteal approach in patients with uncertain or suspicious prostate lesions. Twenty-five patients with uncertain or suspicious focal prostate lesions detected by high-field MR imaging of the prostate gland using endorectal coil imaging were biopsied with a transgluteal approach in a low-field MRI system (0.2 T, Concerto, Siemens). The procedures were guided using T1-weighted FLASH sequences. The prostate gland was biopsied repeatedly with a coaxial technique through a 15-gauge pencil tip with a 16-gauge biopsy handy (median 3.8 samples per patient). Complications and biopsy findings were documented retrospectively. Using T1-weighted sequences biopsy procedures were performed successfully with MR guidance in all cases without any side effects or complications. The median intervention time was 11.3 min. Pathological findings revealed ten cases of hyperplasia or atrophy, three cases of prostatitis, ten cases of carcinoma and two cases of normal tissue. The clinical follow-up showed that in two patients prostate cancer was missed at MR-guided biopsy. Transgluteal MR-guided biopsy of the prostate gland is a safe and promising approach for histological clarification of uncertain or suspicious lesions.

Aged↗

Interventional radiology in Carney triad.

Interventional therapeutic methods are presented in Carney triad, which is a syndrome defined as the simultaneous presence of gastric leiomyosarcoma, extra-adrenal paraganglioma, and pulmonary chondroma. The paragangliomas in the carotid bifurcation and the mediastinum were successfully treated via transarterial embolization with particles. Three intrapulmonary chondromas were ablated using MRI-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) after previous devascularization via transvenous pulmonary particle embolization. In summary, interventional techniques could be a therapeutic option in patients suffering from Carney triad.

Adult↗

Interstitial photodynamic laser therapy in interventional oncology.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-investigated locoregional cancer treatment in which a systemically administered photosensitizer is activated locally by illuminating the diseased tissue with light of a suitable wavelength. PDT offers various treatment strategies in oncology, especially palliative ones. This article focuses on the development and evaluation of interstitial PDT for the treatment of solid tumors, particularly liver tumors. The PDT is mostly used for superficial and endoluminal lesions like skin or bladder malignancies and also more frequently applied for the treatment of lung, esophageal, and head and neck cancer. With the help of specially designed application systems, PDT is now becoming a practicable option for solid lesions, including those in parenchymal organs such as the liver. After intravenous treatment with the photosensitizer followed by interstitial light activation, contrast-enhanced computed tomography shows the development of therapy-induced necrosis around the light-guiding device. With the use of multiple devices, ablation of liver tumors seems to be possible, and no severe side effects or toxicities related to the treatment are reported. PDT can become a clinically relevant adjunct in the locoregional therapy strategies.

Humans↗

MR-guided ablation of head and neck tumors.

Interstitial laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive technique for lo-caltumor destruction within solid organs using optical fibers to deliver a high-energylaser to the target lesion. MR imaging is used both for placement of the laser in the tumorand for monitoring progress of thermocoagulation caused by the laser. The success ofLITT is dependent on the delivery of the optical fibers to the target area, real-time mon-itoringof the effects of the treatment, and subsequent evaluation of the extent of thermaldamage. The key to achieving these objectives is the imaging methods used. The thermo-sensitivityof certain MR sequences is the key to real-time monitoring, allowing accurateestimation of the extent of thermal damage.

Journal Article↗

Colorectal carcinoma metastases in liver: laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy--local tumor control rate and survival data.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the local tumor control and survival data for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) of colorectal liver metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging-guided LITT was performed in 603 patients (mean age, 61.2 years) with 1,801 liver metastases of colorectal cancer. Survival rates were calculated by means of the Kaplan-Meier method. Local tumor control and tumor volume were evaluated with nonenhanced and contrast material-enhanced MR imaging. Indications for the procedure were defined for patients with five or fewer metastases, none of which were larger than 5 cm in diameter. The indications included recurrent liver metastases after partial liver resection in 37.6% of study patients, metastases in both liver lobes in 32.5%, locally nonresectable lesions in 11.3%, general contraindications for surgery in 4.6%, and refusal to undergo surgical resection in 13.9%. RESULTS: Local recurrence rate at 6-month follow-up was 1.9% (nine of 474) for metastases up to 2 cm in diameter, 2.4% (13 of 539) for metastases 2.1-3.0 cm in diameter, 1.2% (four of 327) for metastases 3.1-4.0 cm in diameter, and 4.4% (13 of 294) for metastases larger than 4 cm in diameter. The mean survival rate for all treated patients, with calculation started on the date of diagnosis of the metastases (which were treated with LITT) was 4.4 years (95% CI: 4.0, 4.8) (1-year survival, 94%; 2-year survival, 77%; 3-year survival, 56%; 5-year survival, 37%). Median survival was 3.5 years (95% CI: 3.0, 3.9). Mean survival after the first LITT treatment was 3.8 years (95% CI: 3.4, 4.2). Median survival was 2.9 years (95% CI: 2.4, 3.3). CONCLUSION: MR imaging-guided LITT yields high local tumor control and survival rates in well-selected patients with limited liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma.

Adult↗

Liver metastases: neoadjuvant downsizing with transarterial chemoembolization before laser-induced thermotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a treatment protocol with repeated transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) in patients with unresectable liver metastases that are too large for LITT alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty-two patients who had unresectable liver metastases, with the largest lesion as large as 80 mm in diameter, and no more than four lesions were treated with repeated TACE between March 1999 and December 2001. TACE was performed with a maximum of 10 mg/m2 mitomycin for chemotherapy and a maximum of 15 mL/m2 of iodized oil and microspheres for vessel occlusion. Tumor volume before and during treatment was measured at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. If the diameter of the tumor decreased to less than 50 mm, the patients were treated with MR imaging-guided LITT 4-6 weeks following embolization. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (62 with metastases from colorectal cancer, 14 with metastases from breast cancer, and six with metastases from other primary tumors) responded to TACE, with a mean reduction in tumor size of 35% +/- 14 (SD), and were treated with LITT. Each patient underwent two to seven TACE treatments (mean, 4.3) prior to LITT. In 47 patients, no reduction in tumor size was achieved, which led to further follow-up. In 33 patients, disease progression was found, with either an increasing size of the lesions (n = 18) or newly developing metastases (n = 15), and these results led to further TACE treatments or change to systemic chemotherapy. Median survival of patients who responded to this combined treatment was 26.2 months; in patients treated with only TACE, median survival was 12.8 months (range, 0.3-29.4 months). CONCLUSION: With repeated TACE, reduction in size of primary unresectable hepatic metastases is achieved in 50.6% of cases and allows local ablative treatments such as MR imaging-guided LITT.

Adult↗

Multidetector-row CT: cardiosurgery indications.

This article critically evaluates the role of multidetector-row CT before and after cardiosurgical procedures. In addition, technical aspects, such as scan protocols, optimal image reconstruction intervals, image reformation techniques, and data evaluation, are presented and briefly discussed.

Aortic Valve↗

MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy with a cooled power laser system: a case report of a patient with a recurrent carcinoid metastasis in the breast.

We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with a palpable recurrent metastasis of a neuroendocrine carcinoma to the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. For the treatment of this lesion, MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy was performed with a cooled power laser system (Nd:YAG-Laser). An open 0.2-T MR unit was used for the monitoring of the laser energy delivery to the breast; thus, a thermosensitive fast low-angle shot 2D sequence for MR thermometry was used, so the ablation of the tumor and the increase of laser-induced necrosis could be interactively visualized with the repetitive use of this sequence. The postinterventional MR control exams 1 day and 4 months after laser-induced thermotherapy at the 1.5-T MR unit (Magnetom Symphony Quantum, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) verified the complete ablation of the tumor without any signs of residual or relapsing tumor.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Clinical impact of MRI in acute wrist fractures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of MRI in the early diagnosis of wrist trauma. High-resolution MR imaging was performed on a 1.5-T unit (Symphony Quantum, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) using coronal and axial T1- and T2-weighted fat-saturated turbo-spin-echo sequence via a dedicated wrist coil within a mean of 6.6 days after initial radiographs in 54 patients (56 wrists) with clinical suspicion of wrist fractures and normal plain or indistinct radiographs. Initial radiographs were evaluated independently by two senior radiologists and the hand surgeon without knowledge of the MRI findings. The initial treatment protocol was based on evaluation of plain films and clinical findings by the hand surgeon. Treatment protocol was changed after MRI examination if necessary. In 31 of 56 wrists MRI findings resulted in a change of diagnosis. There were false-positive diagnoses on plain radiographs in nearly one half ( n=25) of the patients. False-negative diagnoses on plain radiographs resulted in 6 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging detected additional injuries of soft tissue in more than one third ( n=20). In 22 of 56 wrists the period of immobilization could be shortened or ended, in 12 of 56 it was prolonged, and in 3 of 56 a surgical intervention was necessary. In 19 wrists MRI had no therapeutic consequences. Our data demonstrate the high clinical impact of MRI in the detection of acute wrist fractures. We recommend MRI of the wrist immediately on the day of trauma if there is clinical suspicion and normal plain radiographs. Accurate diagnosis by MRI examination within the first days following trauma may reduce economic costs due to shortened immobilization time in cases with a suspected fracture but plain radiographs.

Acute Disease↗