[41-year-old patient after liver transplantation with acute abdominal pain].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to T Waggershauser.
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PURPOSE: Purpose of this study was the implementation of a new abdominal CT angiography protocol on a 16 detector-row CT scanner and the comparison to selective catheter angiography. METHODS: 76 patients with various vascular disorders underwent abdominal CT angiography on a recently developed 16 detector-row CT scanner using submillimeter slice collimation (16 x 0.75 mm). Results were compared with mesenteric and/or hepatic angiography in 17 patients performed during tumor embolization. Opacification was provided using individually tailored contrast application with a test bolus setting. To evaluate the contrast injection protocol density measurements within the vessel lumen were performed. RESULTS: Diagnostic image quality was achieved in all patients with angiographic comparison (n = 17). Within the hepatic and mesenteric vasculature up to 4th generation vessels could be identified. Compared to selective angiography CT angiography provided equivalent morphologic information up to the detectable vessel generation. With the applied contrast application regimen there were no significant differences in vessel enhancement along the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. CONCLUSION: 16 detector-row CT enables whole abdominal angiographic studies with submillimeter resolution in a single breath-hold. The improved spatial resolution enables for high quality 3D visualization. Compared to invasive angiography, 16 detector-row CT reveals equivalent morphologic information.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with variceal band ligation (VBL) in the prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. METHODS: Fifty-four cirrhotic patients (21 Child-Pugh class A, 27 class B, 6 class C) were randomized to TIPS (n = 28) or VBL (n = 26) within 2 months after control of esophageal variceal hemorrhage. Statistical analysis was performed on the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 2 years. Mortality risk at 1 and 2 years of follow-up was 7.8% +/- 5.3% and 19.9% +/- 8.8% in the TIPS group and 16.5% +/- 7.6% and 16.5% +/- 7.6% in the VBL group, respectively (n.s.); actuarial probability of remaining free from rebleeding was 83.7% +/- 77.4% and 71.4% +/- 10.4% in the TIPS group and 83.9% +/- 7.3% and 78.1% +/- 8.8% in the VBL group at 1 and 2 years, respectively (n.s.). Hepatic encephalopathy within 1 month after randomization was observed in 2 patients in the TIPS group and in 1 in the VBL group. CONCLUSION: TIPS is not superior to VBL in the prevention of variceal rebleeding. Furthermore, similar mortality rates in patients treated with TIPS or VBL negate TIPS as the preferred strategy for prevention of variceal rebleeding.
BACKGROUND: Providing high-quality clinical cases is important for teaching radiology. We developed, implemented and evaluated a program for a university hospital to support this task. METHODS: The system was built with Intranet technology and connected to the Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). It contains cases for every user group from students to attendants and is structured according to the ACR-code (American College of Radiology) 2. Each department member was given an individual account, could gather his teaching cases and put the completed cases into the common database. RESULTS: During 18 months 583 cases containing 4136 images involving all radiological techniques were compiled and 350 cases put into the common case repository. Workflow integration as well as individual interest influenced the personal efforts to participate but an increasing number of cases and minor modifications of the program improved user acceptance continuously. 101 students went through an evaluation which showed a high level of acceptance and a special interest in elaborate documentation. CONCLUSION: Electronic access to reference cases for all department members anytime anywhere is feasible. Critical success factors are workflow integration, reliability, efficient retrieval strategies and incentives for case authoring.
BACKGROUND: A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is increasingly being used for treatment of patients with refractory ascites and renal failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TIPS in patients with refractory ascites and organic or functional renal impairment. METHODS: A TIPS was placed for refractory or intractable ascites in 10 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and impaired renal function (serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/100 ml). Four of them had organic kidney disorders. The other six patients had functional renal impairment due to the underlying liver disease. RESULTS: TIPS was effective in reducing ascites in 8 of 10 patients, including all patients with organic renal disease. Furthermore, after TIPS the renal function improved in all patients. Serum creatinine and serum urea levels decreased significantly from 1.8 to 1.5 mg/100 ml (p < 0.05) and from 107 to 78 mg/100 ml respectively. CONCLUSION: TIPS may be useful in patients with functional and in patients with organic renal disease, resulting in improvement of ascites and renal function.
BACKGROUND: To determine dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and pharmacokinetics (PK) of oxaliplatin administered as hepatic arterial infusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with isolated hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer were treated every three weeks with increasing doses of oxaliplatin (4 hours; starting dose 25 mg/m2, escalation in steps of 25 mg/m2) in combination with folinic acid (1 hour, 200 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (2 hour, 600 mg/m2). RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (median age, 61 years) have been entered all of whom are fully evaluable. The DLT has been observed at dose level 6, i.e., at 150 mg/m2/cycle and consisted of leucopenia, obliteration of the hepatic artery, and acute pancreatitis. Overall, toxicity mainly consisted of nausea/vomiting (16 of 21 patients), anemia (16 of 21), upper abdominal pain (15 of 21), sensory neuropathy (10 of 21), diarrhea (9 of 21), and thrombocytopenia (9 of 21). The mean PK parameters were: terminal half-life of ultrafiltrable platin, 17.75 +/- 9.29 hours; renal elimination, 48.7% +/- 14.1% of the applied dose; renal clearance 135.55 +/- 45.32 ml/min. The mean area under the plasma-concentration curve (AUC) increased linearly from 3.22 +/- 0.61 microg x h/ml to 18.45 +/- 8.90 microg x h/ml through the first five dose levels (P = 0.0004). Ten of eighteen evaluable patients achieved a complete or partial response (59%). CONCLUSIONS: The recommended dose for phase II studies is 125 mg/m2 oxaliplatin.
PURPOSE: Evaluation of time efficiency in softcopy reading versus hardcopy reading of digital chest x-rays. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 130 normal and pathologic chest x-rays in two plains were analyzed by 4 experienced radiologist at both a digital workstation and the light box. Reading time and switch time between two patient folders were measured as well as the frequency of post-processing at the monitor. RESULTS: Reading time at the workstation slightly exceeded reading time at the light box; differences were not statistically significant. Post-processing (frequency between 2% and 83%) did not significantly prolong reading time. Mean switch time between two patient folders was 4.3 sec at the workstation and 13.7 sec at the light box. CONCLUSION: As compared to hardcopy reading, softcopy reading of digital chest x-rays does not significantly increase reading time. Switch time between patient folders can be reduced at the workstation by a factor of two to four.
PURPOSE: Principles, methods and results of percutaneous therapy in acute and chronic vascular alterations of the subclavian artery and its branches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 17 arteries in 15 patients have been treated. The patients suffered from stenoses (n = 6), occlusions (n = 7), aneurysms, (n = 2) or acute hemorrhage (n = 2). The lesions were located in the subclavian artery (n = 8), the axillary artery (n = 4) or the vertebral artery (n = 5). In all cases the procedures were performed via via a transfemoral approach. Balloon angioplasty was employed in 13 cases, in 6 cases bare stents and in 4 cases grafted stents were implanted. In one case additionally local lysis was performed. RESULTS: Primary technical success was achieved in all cases. No catheter complications did occur. In 13 Patients complete follow-up examinations could be performed. The life-threatening acute hemorrhages were stopped without recurrent bleeding. The aneurysms could be completely excluded without endoleaks. In 4 Patients of the stenosis-group re-stenosis occurred and following stent-implantation one occlusion after 6 months was observed. 8 patients are without clinical symptoms since the intervention. CONCLUSION: Stenotic and occlusive vascular alterations as well as aneurysms and the acute hemorrhage in supraaortic arteries can be effectively and safely treated by endovascular techniques using percutaneous groin access.
Budd-Chiari syndrome is characterized by obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow tract. Therapeutic options for chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome are limited. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with recurrence of chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome with total obstruction of all major hepatic veins. Due to worsening liver function over the course of 1 year, she had to be listed for liver transplantation. Because of therapy-refractory ascites, declining renal function and severe esophageal varices, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was placed, planned as a bridge to transplantation. Following TIPS, a marked recovery of liver function could be observed, accompanied by disappearance of ascites, esophageal varices, and normalization of kidney function. Therefore, the patient could be removed from the waiting list for liver transplantation. This case demonstrates for the first time that the use of TIPS in chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome may result in marked recovery of liver function.
BACKGROUND: A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is increasingly being used for treatment of patients with refractory ascites and functional renal failure. In contrast, organic renal disease is commonly considered a relative contraindication for TIPS placement. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of TIPS in patients with refractory ascites and organic or functional renal impairment. METHODS: A TIPS was placed for refractory or intractable ascites in 10 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and impaired renal function (serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/100 ml). Four of them had organic kidney disorders. Of these patients, three had moderate renal impairment, and one had end-stage renal disease and needed hemodialysis every other day. The other six patients had functional renal impairment due to the underlying liver disease. RESULTS: TIPS was effective in reducing ascites in 8 of 10 patients, including all patients with organic renal disease. Furthermore, after TIPS the renal function improved in all patients. Serum creatinine and serum urea levels decreased significantly from 1.8 +/- 0.1 to 1.5 +/- 0.1 mg/100 ml (P < 0.05) and from 107 +/- 13 to 78 +/- 14 mg/100 ml (P < 0.05), respectively. The renal function of the three patients with organic renal failure improved similarly, as observed in the six patients with functional renal failure. In the patient on hemodialysis, TIPS was effective in reducing the frequency of paracenteses. CONCLUSION: TIPS may be useful in patients with functional and in patients with organic renal disease, resulting in improvement of ascites and renal function.
To provide intraarterial chemotherapy of the liver in 30 outpatients with colorectal cancer metastases and other malignancies, 32 catheter-port systems were implanted percutaneously via the femoral artery. Mean patency was 229 days. Percutaneous placement was feasible and safe. Compared with surgical placement, the overall complication rate (12%) was comparable or less.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to visualize the arteries from the distal aorta to the ankle joint and to determine the accuracy of MR angiography for detecting stenoses and occlusions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease underwent digital subtraction angiography and were examined on a 1.5-T MR scanner. The transit time for contrast material was determined with a test bolus injection. A T1-weighted three-dimensional gradient-echo sequence with short TR and TE was used for a dynamic measurement at the level of the iliac arteries, the upper leg, and the lower leg arteries. For each level a single dose of gadolinium was injected into an antecubital vein with an MR power injector. Maximal-intensity-projection reconstructions were calculated after subtraction of the first measurement at each level. Two experienced MR radiologists who were unaware of the digital subtraction angiography results interactively evaluated both the MIP reconstructions and the single slices on a workstation, first independently and then in a consensus interpretation. RESULTS: With digital subtraction angiography, 80 hemodynamically significant stenoses and 39 occlusions were detected. For the stenoses and occlusions, a sensitivity of 100% was found for MR angiography. The specificity for the assessment of stenoses and occlusions was 98% and 94%, respectively, for the iliac arteries; 98% and 94%, respectively, for the upper leg arteries; and 94% and 95%, respectively, for the lower leg arteries. Most false-positive findings of occlusion were due to metal stents present in the iliac (n = 3) and upper leg (n = 4) arteries. CONCLUSION: The MR imaging technique that we used revealed the arteries from the distal aorta to the ankle and proved to be reliable at showing arterial stenoses and occlusions.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness, safety and acceptance of a new technique of percutaneous implantation of port-catheter-systems (PIPS) for locoregional intraarterial chemotherapy of the liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 50 patients with malignant hepatic disease, 52 percutaneously implantable port-catheter systems were implanted for intraarterial chemotherapy of the liver as an interventional radiological technique. A commercially available angiographic catheter was placed in the hepatic artery under fluoroscopic control via a transfemoral approach and connected to a Port-A-Cath situated in the groin. This procedure was done on an outpatient basis; no medical treatment was administered. RESULTS: Percutaneous placement of the port-catheter system was successful in all cases, also in those with a hepatomesenteric trunk. No peri- and post-interventional complications occurred. The median patency was 312 days (13-547 days). The catheter-related complication rate was 12%. The function could be restored by replacement or an interventional procedure in all but one case (2%). Infection and leakage did not occur. The system had been withdrawn without complications in 7/52 cases for a variety of reasons (e.g. hemihepatectomy, desire of the patient or clinician, dissection after intervention, replacement). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous placement of a port-catheter system is a safe and easy alternative to the surgical placement of port systems for hepatic intraarterial chemotherapy. Long-term complication rates are comparable. The option of easy withdrawal and interventional correction of dysfunction as well as lower costs are additional advantages.
PURPOSE: Percutaneous interventional radiologic and surgical techniques of port-catheter implantation are described and compared with regard to the technical procedure and results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 53 patients with various malignancies interventional radiologic implantation of port-catheter systems into the subclavian vein was performed to provide long-term intravenous access for chemotherapy. The technical procedure, operation time, complication rates and long-term patency were compared with those of surgically implanted systems. RESULTS: Implantation was successful in all cases. Mean operation time was 36 min (range 20-55 min). Mean function time was 189 days (range 7-518). Primary patency rate was 92.5% with a total complication rate of 15% (8/53). In three patients (5.7%) pneumothorax was observed but did not require further treatment. In two cases (3.8%) local infection occurred, and in one patient (1.8%) a non-complicated wound dehiscence. In 12/53 patients (22.6%) the system was withdrawn. Among these, withdrawal was due to complications in 4/53 (7.6%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Interventional radiologic implantation of long-term intravenous port-catheter systems is comparable to surgical placement with regard to both complication rate and long-term patency.
PURPOSE: To compare Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography with conventional DSA in the preoperative evaluation of living kidney donors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 potential living kidney donors were examined with contrast-enhanced MR angiography after conventional angiography. The MR angiograms were evaluated for the number of renal arteries, the presence of early arterial branching and vascular pathologies by two independent readers. The results were compared with those of selective conventional angiography and intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Conventional angiography detected 14 accessory renal arteries. Reader A detected 13 of 14 accessory arteries with no false positive result (sensitivity 93%, specificity 100%). Reader B detected 11 of 14 accessory vessels with one false positive finding (sensitivity 79%, specificity 98%). Early arterial branching was detected by both readers in 9 of 12 vessels with no false positive result (sensitivity 75%, specificity 100%). None of the patients had additional vascular pathology. DISCUSSION: Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography is a non-invasive alternative to conventional angiography in the preoperative evaluation of living kidney donors. In order to achieve high accuracy in detecting accessory renal arteries and early arterial branching extensive experience with the method and the specific preoperative needs is required. Selective conventional angiography is still superior in detecting very small accessory vessels and early arterial branching.
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Renal effects of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) were compared in 6 patients without ascites (group 1), 11 patients with ascites responding to diuretic treatment (group 2), and 6 patients with refractory ascites (group 3). Seven days after insertion of TIPS, 24-hour urinary sodium excretion had increased in patients with ascites: 113 +/- 16 mmol to 170 +/- 30 mmol (P = .012) in group 2, and 22 +/- 8 mmol to 77 +/- 27 mmol (P = .050) in group 3. In group 3, fractional sodium excretion tended to increase from 0.26% +/- 0.14% to 0.62% +/- 18% (P = .081). The relative increase of urinary sodium excretion (to 444% +/- 122%) and fractional sodium excretion (to 413% +/- 127%) in group 3 was significantly (P < .05) higher than in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Creatinine clearance and 24-hour urinary volume were not significantly changed in either group. Patients with Child-Pugh class C had a more pronounced effect of TIPS on urinary sodium excretion (increase to 396% +/- 115% vs. 139% +/- 15%; P = .066) and on fractional sodium excretion (increase to 415% +/- 103% vs. 94% +/- 15%; P = .020) than patients with less-severe liver disease. Fractional sodium excretion of less than 0.35% before TIPS was found to be an indicator of renal response to TIPS. The effect of TIPS on urinary sodium excretion and on fractional sodium excretion was related to the patients' Child-Pugh score (r = .55; P = .007 and r = .68; P = .001, respectively) and inversely to their fractional sodium excretion (r = -.44; P = .047 and r = -.54; P = .012, respectively) before TIPS. These data demonstrate that TIPS affects renal sodium handling in patients with ascites, particularly in patients with refractory ascites. Severity of liver disease and fractional sodium excretion before TIPS are parameters to predict the extent of the renal response.
PURPOSE: To give an overview of various diagnostic techniques and indications for phlebography in different parts of the body. METHODS: Procedures of conventional phlebography of the lower and upper extremity and cavography are described and their indications in comparison to alternative techniques are discussed. The literature is reviewed with regard to specific advantages and disadvantages of the different methods. RESULTS: Conventional phlebography with iodine contrast media is still considered to be the gold standard in many regards. The diagnosis of acute and chronic thrombotic disease, venous vascular occlusions, hemodynamic malfunctions and anatomic variants of the venous system can readily be established with contrast phlebography. DISCUSSION: Main disadvantages of contrast studies of the venous system are radiation exposure and adverse effects of contrast media. Non-invasive methods such as ultrasound and MR-phlebography are becoming more and more popular and may replace venography. Other techniques such as CT-phlebography and the use of CO2 as contrast medium are under investigation. The latter can be indicated in the case of contraindications against iodine contrast media. CONCLUSION: When choosing diagnostic methods for the venous system, their sensitivity and specificity for specific diagnoses and vascular territories have to be balanced against the risks and disadvantages.