Refine
Has Fulltext
- yes (31)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (31)
Year of publication
Document Type
- Journal article (26)
- Doctoral Thesis (5)
Keywords
- diagnosis (31) (remove)
Institute
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I (4)
- Institut für diagnostische und interventionelle Radiologie (Institut für Röntgendiagnostik) (3)
- Institut für Humangenetik (2)
- Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (2)
- Kinderklinik und Poliklinik (2)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie (Chirurgische Klinik I) (2)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie (2)
- Medizinische Fakultät (2)
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik (2)
- Physikalisches Institut (2)
In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein repräsentatives Kollektiv von 97 Schlafkrankheitspatienten aus Angola klinisch untersucht und von je 96 Patienten Blut- und Liquorproben gewonnen. Hauptfragestellungen waren, ob die PCR-Technik zur Diagnose und Stadieneinteilung der HAT beiträgt und ob sich aus dem qualitativen und quantitativen Nachweis von Immunglobulinen Zusammenhänge mit dem klinischen Bild der Krankheit herstellen lassen. Da mehrfach von Inkonsistenzen bei den Ergebnissen einer von Moser et al. (1989) als sehr sensitiv publizierten PCR berichtet wurde und die viel versprechenden Resultate der von Kabiri et al. (1999) beschriebenen PCR nicht reproduziert werden konnten, wurde eine von Matovu et al. (2001) publizierte PCR zum Nachweis von trypanosomaler DNA (TbAT1-Gen) verwendet. Je nach analysiertem Medium und verwendetem Purifikations-Kit ergaben sich analytische Nachweisgrenzen von 10 bis 10² Parasiten/10 µl PCR-Ansatz, entsprechend rechnerischer Nachweisgrenzen von ca. 5000 Trypanosomen/ml Blut und ca. 3000 Trypanosomen/ml Liquor. Von 96 Blutproben waren 20 positiv in der PCR (20,8%). Gemessen an den jeweiligen mikroskopischen Diagnostikmethoden kam dies einer Sensitivität von 31,1% und einer Spezifität von 92,3% gleich. Die Liquorproben von 55 Stadium-II-Patienten zeigten in 4 Fällen ein positives Resultat in der PCR (7,3%), entsprechend einer Sensitivität von 21,4% und einer Spezifität von 97,6%. Alle Liquorproben von Stadium-I-Patienten waren negativ in der PCR. Die Ergebnisse der Blut- und Liquorproben waren in über 99% der Fälle reproduzierbar. Es bestanden jeweils Zusammenhänge zwischen den Resultaten der PCR mit denen der herkömmlichen mikroskopischen Nachweismethoden wie LKP und Liquor-Mikroskopie. Neben der offensichtlich zu geringen analytischen Nachweisgrenze bei gleichzeitig niedriger Parasitämie der Patienten kommen auch Faktoren wie DNA-Verlust durch das benutzte DNA-Purifikationskit oder Gen-Deletionen der Trypanosomen als Ursache für die hohe Anzahl der falsch-negativen PCR Ergebnisse in Betracht. Die Resultate der hier angewendeten PCR trugen nicht zur Lösung des diagnostischen Problems der serologisch positiven, aber aparasitämen Patienten bei, lieferten jedoch Hinweise, dass die Parasitenlast im Blut bei Patienten im fortgeschrittenen Stadium höher ist als bei solchen im Anfangsstadium. Insgesamt stellt diese Methode aber keine Bereicherung in der Diagnosestellung oder der Stadieneinteilung bei der HAT dar und sollte speziellen Fragestellungen wie Melarsoprol-Resistenzbestimmungen vorbehalten werden. Der IFT wurde nach der von Wery et al. (1970) beschriebenen Methode in modifizierter Form durchgeführt. Im Serum fanden sich für spezifisches IgG hohe, für spezifisches IgM mittlere und für spezifisches IgA niedrige Titer. Die jeweiligen Titer waren in der vorliegenden Arbeit höher als in der Referenzliteratur, wahrscheinlich bedingt durch die Subjektivität der Endpunktlesung. Während insgesamt Patienten mit direktem Parasitennachweis signifikant höhere Serumspiegel an spezifischem IgM aufwiesen, konnte bei manchen Kranken trotz Trypanosomen-Präsenz kein spezifisches IgM im Serum oder Liquor nachgewiesen werden. Bei Patienten im fortgeschrittenen Stadium waren die Spiegel der einzelnen Antikörperklassen im Serum gegenüber denen von Patienten im Anfangsstadium signifikant höher. Dieses Phänomen könnte auf einer Akkumulation der spezifischen Immunglobuline gegen die ständig wechselnden Oberflächenantigene der Trypanosomen im Laufe der Krankheit beruhen. Die Höhen der jeweiligen spezifischen Antikörperspiegel im Serum standen nicht in Zusammenhang mit pathologischen Befunden bei der Untersuchung von Körpertemperatur, Blutdruck, Puls, Lymphadenopathien, Hepato- oder Splenomegalien, Bauchschmerz und Untergewicht. Das Fehlen eines Vergleichskollektives, die große Symptom-Variabilität und die Subjektivität einiger Untersuchungsmethoden erschwerten dabei allerdings die Objektivierung des klinischen Zustandes im Hinblick auf allgemeingültige Aussagen. Interessante Nebenfunde in dieser Arbeit waren die nach wie vor ungeklärt hohe Prävalenz von Untergewicht, Hinweise auf Kreislaufregulationsstörungen und der Zusammenhang des Auftretens des Winterbottom-Zeichens mit der Zugehörigkeit zum Stadium II. Im Liquor konnte nur in wenigen Fällen bei Stadium-II-Patienten spezifisches IgG nachgewiesen werden. Das Vorkommen dieses Immunglobulins stand jedoch im Zusammenhang mit pathologischen Ergebnissen der Patienten in den Stand- und Gangversuchen. Aufgrund des Vorteils der einfachen und schnellen Durchführbarkeit könnten sich diese Untersuchungen als sinnvolle Diagnostikergänzung in der Neuroinflammationsdetektion bei der HAT erweisen. Spezifisches IgM und IgA lagen im Liquor bei allen Proben unter der Testgrenze und bieten keine Anhaltspunkte für eine sinnvolle Verwendung als Diagnostik- oder Verlaufsparameter.
Automated analysis of the inner ear anatomy in radiological data instead of time-consuming manual assessment is a worthwhile goal that could facilitate preoperative planning and clinical research. We propose a framework encompassing joint semantic segmentation of the inner ear and anatomical landmark detection of helicotrema, oval and round window. A fully automated pipeline with a single, dual-headed volumetric 3D U-Net was implemented, trained and evaluated using manually labeled in-house datasets from cadaveric specimen (N = 43) and clinical practice (N = 9). The model robustness was further evaluated on three independent open-source datasets (N = 23 + 7 + 17 scans) consisting of cadaveric specimen scans. For the in-house datasets, Dice scores of 0.97 and 0.94, intersection-over-union scores of 0.94 and 0.89 and average Hausdorf distances of 0.065 and 0.14 voxel units were achieved. The landmark localization task was performed automatically with an average localization error of 3.3 and 5.2 voxel units. A robust, albeit reduced performance could be
attained for the catalogue of three open-source datasets. Results of the ablation studies with 43 mono-parametric variations of the basal architecture and training protocol provided task-optimal parameters for both categories. Ablation studies against single-task variants of the basal architecture showed a clear performance beneft of coupling landmark localization with segmentation and a dataset-dependent performance impact on segmentation ability.
The ability to spell words correctly is a key competence for educational and professional achievement. Economical procedures are essential to identifying children with spelling problems as early as possible. Given the strong evidence showing that reading and spelling are based on the same orthographic knowledge, error-detection tasks (EDTs) could be considered such an economical procedure. Although EDTs are widely used in English-speaking countries, the few studies in German-speaking countries investigated only pupils in secondary school. The present study investigated N = 1,513 children in elementary school. We predicted spelling competencies (measured by dictation or gap-fill dictation) based on an EDT via linear regression. Error-detection abilities significantly predicted spelling competencies (R² between .509 and .679), indicating a strong connection. Predictive values in identifying children with poor spelling abilities with an EDT proved to be sufficient. Error detection for the assessment of spelling skills is therefore a valid instrument for transparent languages as well.
Skin Tumors in Childhood
(2011)
Background:
Dermatologists, paediatricians, and general practitioners are often consulted by worried parents for the evaluation of a cutaneous tumor.
Methods:
Selective literature review.
Results:
Only 1-2% of skin tumors excised in children turn out to be malignant when examined histologically. Warning signs of malignancy include rapid growth, firm consistency, diameter exceeding 3 cm, ulceration, a non-movable mass, and presence in the neonatal period. The more common malignant skin tumors in adults-basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma-are very rare in childhood. Congenital melanocytic nevi and sebaceous nevi bear a lower malignant potential than previously believed; nevertheless, their excision is often indicated. A Spitz nevus can mimic a melanoma both clinically and histologically. Some benign skin tumors of childhood tend to regress spontaneously within a few years but may cause complications at particular locations and when multiple. For infantile hemangiomas requiring systemic treatment because of imminent obstruction or ulceration, propranolol seems to have a far more favorable risk-benefit ratio than corticosteroids.
Conclusion:
Physicians need specialized knowledge in order to decide whether a skin tumor in a child should be excised, non-surgically treated, or further evaluated, or whether it can be safely left untreated because of the likelihood of spontaneous remission.
Objectives: Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), the most severe form of chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO), is an autoinflammatory bone disorder. In the absence of diagnostic criteria or biomarkers, CNO/CRMO remains a diagnosis of exclusion. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers for diagnosing multifocal disease (CRMO).
Study design: Sera from 71 pediatric CRMO patients, 11 patients with osteoarticular infections, 62 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 7 patients with para-infectious or reactive arthritis, and 43 patients with acute leukemia or lymphoma, as well as 59 healthy individuals were collected. Multiplex analysis of 18 inflammation- and/or bone remodeling-associated serum proteins was performed. Statistical analysis included univariate ANOVA, discriminant analysis, univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and logistic regression analyses.
Results: For 14 of 18 blood serum proteins, significant differences were determined between CRMO patients, at least one alternative diagnosis, or healthy controls. Multi-component discriminant analysis delivered five biomarkers (IL-6, CCL11/eotaxin, CCL5/RANTES, collagen Iα, sIL-2R) for the diagnosis of CRMO. ROC analysis allowed further reduction to a core set of 2 biomarkers (CCL11/eotaxin, IL-6) that are sufficient to discern between CRMO, healthy controls, and alternative diagnoses.
Conclusion: Serum biomarkers CCL11/eotaxin and IL-6 differentiate between patients with CRMO, healthy controls, and alternative diagnoses (leukemia and lymphoma, osteoarticular infections, para-infectious arthritis, and JIA). Easily accessible biomarkers may aid in diagnosing CRMO. Further studies testing biomarkers in larger unrelated cohorts are warranted.
Seltene Erkrankungen (SE) werden durch die im deutschen Gesundheitssystem verwendete Diagnosenklassifikation ICD-10-GM (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health problems, 10th Revision, German Modification) nur zu einem kleinen Teil eindeutig erfasst. Daher sind Aussagen zur Häufigkeit von SE sowie zum speziellen Versorgungs- und Finanzierungsbedarf nicht möglich, was zu einer lückenhaften Datenlage als Entscheidungsgrundlage für Krankenkassen, Leistungserbringer und Gesundheitspolitik führt. Das Fehlen exakter Informationen behindert auch die wissenschaftliche Arbeit. Daher wird deutschlandweit ab 2023 die Verwendung der Alpha-ID-SE-Datei und der ORPHAcodes für die spezifische Erfassung von SE bei stationären Fällen verpflichtend.
Die Alpha-ID-SE-Datei verknüpft die ICD-10-GM-Kodes mit den international anerkannten ORPHAcodes für die Diagnose von SE. Kommerzielle Anbieter stellen zunehmend die benötigten IT-Tools zur Kodierung von SE zur Verfügung. An mehreren Universitätskliniken mit Zentren für SE wurden Lösungen etabliert, die eine vollständige Kodierung gewährleisten sollen. Hierzu gehören finanzielle Anreize für die kodierenden Bereiche, konkrete Nachfragen nach dem Vorliegen einer SE beim Kodiervorgang und eine semiautomatische Kodierung bei Patient*innen, die schon einmal mit einer SE an der Einrichtung betreut worden waren. Eine Kombination der verschiedenen Ansätze verspricht die höchste Wahrscheinlichkeit einer vollständigen Kodierung.
Für ein umfängliches Bild der SE im Gesundheitssystem und um dem speziellen Versorgungs- und Finanzierungsbedarf besser Rechnung tragen zu können, wäre auch im ambulanten Bereich eine möglichst spezifische und eindeutige Kodierung wünschenswert. Für komplexe SE und bisher undiagnostizierte Patient*innen wird zusätzlich eine strukturierte Erfassung des Phänotyps benötigt.
Acromegaly guidelines updated in 2010 revisited criteria of disease control: if applied, it is likely that a percentage of patients previously considered as cured might present postglucose GH nadir levels not adequately suppressed, with potential implications on management. This study explored GH secretion, as well as hormonal, clinical, neuroradiological, metabolic, and comorbid profile in a cohort of 40 acromegalic patients considered cured on the basis of the previous guidelines after a mean follow-up period of 17.2 years from remission, in order to assess the impact of the current criteria. At the last follow-up visit, in the presence of normal IGF-I concentrations, postglucose GH nadir was over 0.4 mu g/L in 11 patients (Group A) and below 0.4 mu g/L in 29 patients (Group B); moreover, Group A showed higher basal GH levels than Group B, whereas a significant decline of both GH and postglucose GH nadir levels during the follow-up was observed in Group B only. No differences in other evaluated parameters were found. These results seem to suggest that acromegalic patients considered cured on the basis of previous guidelines do not need a more intensive monitoring than patients who met the current criteria of disease control, supporting instead that the cut-off of 0.4 mcg/L might be too low for the currently used GH assay.
Providing adaptive, independence-preserving and theory-guided support to students in dealing with real-world problems in mathematics lessons is a major challenge for teachers in their professional practice. This paper examines this challenge in the context of simulations and mathematical modelling with digital tools: in addition to mathematical difficulties when autonomously working out individual solutions, students may also experience challenges when using digital tools. These challenges need to be closely examined and diagnosed, and might – if necessary – have to be overcome by intervention in such a way that the students can subsequently continue working independently. Thus, if a difficulty arises in the working process, two knowledge dimensions are necessary in order to provide adapted support to students. For teaching simulations and mathematical modelling with digital tools, more specifically, these knowledge dimensions are: pedagogical content knowledge about simulation and modelling processes supported by digital tools (this includes knowledge about phases and difficulties in the working process) and pedagogical content knowledge about interventions during the mentioned processes (focussing on characteristics of suitable interventions as well as their implementation and effects on the students’ working process). The two knowledge dimensions represent cognitive dispositions as the basis for the conceptualisation and operationalisation of a so-called adaptive intervention competence for teaching simulations and mathematical modelling with digital tools. In our article, we present a domain-specific process model and distinguish different types of teacher interventions. Then we describe the design and content of a university course at two German universities aiming to promote this domain-specific professional adaptive intervention competence, among others. In a study using a quasi-experimental pre-post design (N = 146), we confirm that the structure of cognitive dispositions of adaptive intervention competence for teaching simulations and mathematical modelling with digital tools can be described empirically by a two-dimensional model. In addition, the effectiveness of the course is examined and confirmed quantitatively. Finally, the results are discussed, especially against the background of the sample and the research design, and conclusions are derived for possibilities of promoting professional adaptive intervention competence in university courses.
Objective
To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test and the overnight 8 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) for the differentiation of Cushing’s disease (CD) and ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (ECS).
Methods
Retrospective study in 6 European centers. Inclusion criteria: patients with a) overt adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome at the time of dynamic testing, b) histopathological confirmed tumors and/or c) postoperative biochemical remission and/or adrenal insufficiency. Optimal cut-offs were calculated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis using CD as reference.
Results
469 patients were analyzed [78% females; median age 43 years (IQR 19)]. CRH test and overnight 8 mg DST were performed in 420 [CD, n=394 (94%); ECS, n=26 (6%)] and 237 patients [228 CD (96%), 9 ECS (4%)]. Both tests were performed in 205 patients (44%). The post-CRH %-increase at 30 minutes of both ACTH (cut-off ≥31%, sensitivity 83%, specificity 85%, AUC 0.81) and cortisol (cut-off ≥12%, sensitivity 82%, specificity 89%, AUC 0.86) discriminated best between CD and ECS. A test duration of >60 minutes did not improve diagnostic performance of the CRH test. The optimal cortisol cut-off for the %-suppression during the 8 mg DST was ≥55% (sensitivity 80%, specificity 78%, AUC 0.75).
Conclusion
The CRH test has equivalent sensitivity but higher specificity than the 8 mg DST and is therefore the test of first choice. The diagnostic outcome of ACTH and cortisol is well comparable, however, sampling beyond 60 minutes post-CRH does not provide diagnostic benefits.
In dieser Arbeit wurden die Diagnostik- und Behandlungsabläufe von 250 Patienten nach erlittener proximaler Femurfraktur in der Region Würzburg (Deutschland) untersucht. Auswertungsschwerpunkte waren die durchgeführte Diagnostik zur Abklärung einer Osteoporose, die Einleitung einer Pharmakotherapie und die Informationsübermittlung an den weiterbehandelnden Arzt. Aus den erhobenen Daten konnte eine Inzidenz für die Jahre 1993 und 1994 von 180 und eine Inzidenzdichte auf 100.000 Einwohner von 138,5 pro Jahr gemeinsam für Frauen und Männer hochgerechnet werden. Das mittlere Alter der untersuchten Patienten lag bei 76,3 Jahren, die 10%-Perzentile bei 59, die 90%-Perzentile bei 89 Jahren und der Median war 80 Jahre, und damit vergleichbar mit den anderen internationalen Studien. Die geschlechtsspezifischen Verteilung der Frakturen zeigte ein deutliches Übergewicht der Frauen (194 vs. 56 bei Männern). Bei allen Patienten unterblieb eine weitere Abklärung der Frakturursache während des stationären Aufenthaltes, obwohl die Diagnose Osteoporose zumindest hoch wahrscheinlich (241 Fälle) oder stationär festgestellt worden war (147 Fälle, radiologisch oder histologisch). - In keinem Fall wurde die zur Differenzialdiagnose erforderliche Laborroutine vollständig durchgeführt. - In 147 Fällen wurde die Diagnose einer Osteoporose durch den Radiologen (konventionelle Röntgenaufnahme) oder durch den Pathologen (Untersuchung des Femurkopfes) gestellt (in 127 Fällen radiologisch, in 58 Fällen histopathologisch). - Bei nur 20 der so festgestellten 147 Fälle (13,6 %) wurde eine Osteoporose-Therapie stationär eingeleitet und in nur 13 Fällen als Therapieempfehlung für den Entlassungsbericht übernommen. - Wurde die Diagnose durch den Radiologen oder Pathologen gestellt, so unterblieb in 2 von 3 Fällen jegliche Erwähnung im Entlassungsbericht. Wurde sie erwähnt, dann häufig nur in der Form des Röntgen- oder Histologiebefunds. - Die Diagnose Osteoporose wurde in 19,6 % der Entlassungsbriefe übermittelt und lag damit um ca. 5 % höher als der internationale Vergleich. - Wäre die stationär in 147 Fällen bereits festgestellte Diagnose jedes Mal übermittelt worden, hätte sich statt 19,6 % eine Quote von 58,8 % erreichen lassen. Eine Schenkelhalsfraktur steigert die Morbidität und Mortalität der betroffenen Patienten erheblich. Lediglich 23 von zuvor 195 Patienten konnten bei Entlassung aus der Akutklinik ohne Hilfe gehen, während die Zahl der vollständig immobilen Patienten von 2 auf 23 Patienten zum Zeitpunkt der Entlassung zunahm. 14 Patienten (5,6 %) starben im Krankenhaus oder im dokumentierten Beobachtungszeitraum. 26 Patienten (10,4 %) erlitten bereits ihre zweite proximale Femurfraktur, 12 (4,8 %) davon innerhalb nur eines Jahres und zwei sogar ihre dritte proximale Femurfraktur (0,8%). Die für den Patienten wirkungsvollen und das Gesundheitssystem kosteneffektiven Behandlungsmöglichkeiten machen eine weiterführende diagnostische Abklärung und Behandlung der proximalen Femurfraktur aus ethischen und sozioökonomischen Gründen erforderlich. Dies betrifft den Arzt der Akutversorgung und den weiterbehandelnden Arzt gleichermaßen. Die Behandlung sollte multimodal unter Einschluss einer adäquaten Pharmakotherapie erfolgen. Die aktuellen Therapieempfehlungen lassen sich auch für den nicht Osteologen verständlich und praktikabel aus den aktuellen Leitlinien z.B. der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Osteologie entnehmen und anwenden. Zu möglichen nicht medikamentösen Maßnahmen gehören Behandlungskonzepte mit Mobilisationstraining (Fallverhütung), Hüftprotektoren und Reduktion/Vermeidung von Sedativa (v. a. Benzodiazepine). Das Bewusstsein von Ärzten und Patienten muss für den Zusammenhang „Fraktur mit inadäquatem Trauma“ und „Osteoporose“ geschärft werden. Fortbildungen und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit können hier wertvolle Dienste leisten. Jede erlittene Fraktur mit inadäquatem Trauma sollte bei Arzt und Patient die Frage nach einer Osteoporose aufwerfen. Eine weiterführende Abklärung sollte gegebenenfalls eingeleitet und die Notwendigkeit einer Behandlung überprüft werden. - Diese Studie belegt, dass die Versorgung für den untersuchten Zeitraum völlig ungenügend ist. - Sie kann als Basis dienen, um Verbesserungen in diesem Bereich zu dokumentieren. - Sie zeigt, dass umfassende Anstrengungen erforderlich sind, das Bewusstsein für den Zusammenhang proximale Femurfraktur und Osteoporose zu schärfen und effektive Präventionsmaßnahmen (z.B. Verhinderung einer zweiten Schenkelhalsfraktur) einzuleiten.
Background and Objective
This study evaluates whether Computer Tomography is an effective procedure for preoperative staging of patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.
Method
A sample of 37 patients was analyzed with contrast enhanced abdominal Computer Tomography, followed by surgical staging. All Computer Tomography scans were evaluated 3 times by 2 radiologists with one radiologist reviewing 2 times. The efficacy of Computer Tomography was evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Correlations were analyzed by abdominopelvic region to assess results of the Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) aggregating the 13 regions. Surgical findings were compared to radiological findings.
Results
Results indicate high correlations between the surgical and radiological Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Indices. Analyses of the intra-class correlation between the first and second reading of one radiologist suggest high intra-observer reliability. Correlations by abdominopelvic region show higher values in the upper and middle regions and relatively lower values in the lower regions and the small bowel (correlation coefficients range between 0.418 and 0.726, p < 0.010; sensitivities range between 50% and 96%; and specificities range between 62% and 100%).
Conclusion
Computer Tomography represents an effective procedure in the preoperative staging of patients with PC. However, results by abdominopelvic region show lower correlation, therefore suggest lower efficacy. These results are supported by analyses of sensitivity and accuracy by lesion size. This suggests that Computer Tomography is an effective procedure for pre-operative staging but less for determining a tumor's accurate extent.
Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients would benefit from a safe and effective tool to detect early-stage, regional lung disease to allow for early intervention. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe, non-invasive procedure capable of providing quantitative assessments of disease without ionizing radiation. We developed a rapid normalized T1 MRI technique to detect regional lung disease in early-stage CF patients.
Materials and Methods: Conventional multislice, pulmonary T1 relaxation time maps were obtained for 10 adult CF patients with normal spirometry and 5 healthy non-CF control subjects using a rapid Look-Locker MRI acquisition (5 seconds/imaging slice). Each lung absolute T1 map was separated into six regions of interest (ROI) by manually selecting upper, central, and lower lung regions in the left and right lungs. In order to reduce the effects of subject-to-subject variation, normalized T1 maps were calculated by dividing each pixel in the absolute T1 maps by the mean T1 time in the central lung region. The primary outcome was the differences in mean normalized T1 values in the upper lung regions between CF patients with normal spirometry and healthy volunteers.
Results: Normalized T1 (nT1) maps showed visibly reduced subject-to-subject variation in comparison to conventional absolute T1 maps for healthy volunteers. An ROI analysis showed that the variation in the nT1 values in all regions was <= 2% of the mean. The primary outcome, the mean (SD) of the normalized T1 values in the upper right lung regions, was significantly lower in the CF subjects [.914 (.037)] compared to the upper right lung regions of the healthy subjects [.983 (.003)] [difference of .069 (95% confidence interval .032-.105); p=.001). Similar results were seen in the upper left lung region.
Conclusion: Rapid normalized T1 MRI relaxometry obtained in 5 seconds/imaging slice may be used to detect regional early-stage lung disease in CF patients.
Neurodegenerative diseases show an increase in prevalence and incidence, with the most prominent example being Alzheimer's disease. DNA damage has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis, but the exact mechanisms remain elusive. We enrolled 425 participants with and without neurodegenerative diseases and analyzed DNA damage in the form of micronuclei in buccal mucosa samples. In addition, other parameters such as binucleated cells, karyolytic cells, and karyorrhectic cells were quantified. No relevant differences in DNA damage and cytotoxicity markers were observed in patients compared to healthy participants. Furthermore, other parameters such as lifestyle factors and diseases were also investigated. Overall, this study could not identify a direct link between changes in buccal cells and neurogenerative diseases, but highlights the influence of lifestyle factors and diseases on the human buccal cytome.
Background
In spite of several research studies help to describe the heart in Fabry disease (FD), the cardiomyopathy is not entirely understood. In addition, the impact of blood pressure and alterations in geometry have not been systematically evaluated.
Methods
In 74 FD patients (mean age 36±12 years; 45 females) the extent of myocardial fibrosis and its progression were quantified using cardiac magnetic-resonance-imaging with late enhancement technique (LE). Results were compared to standard echocardiography complemented by 2D-speckle-tracking, 3D-sphericity-index (SI) and standardized blood pressure measurement. At baseline, no patient received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). After 51±24 months, a follow-up examination was performed.
Results
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher in patients with vs. without LE: 123±17 mmHg vs. 115±13 mmHg; P = 0.04. A positive correlation was found between SI and the amount of LE-positive myocardium (r = 0.51; P<0.001) indicating an association of higher SI in more advanced stages of the cardiomyopathy. SI at baseline was positively associated with the increase of LE-positive myocardium during follow-up. The highest SBP (125±19 mmHg) and also the highest SI (0.32±0.05) was found in the subgroup with a rapidly increasing LE (ie, ≥0.2% per year; n = 16; P = 0.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis including SI, SBP, EF, left ventricular volumes, wall thickness and NT-proBNP adjusted for age and sex showed SI as the most powerful parameter to detect rapid progression of LE (AUC = 0.785; P<0.05).
Conclusions
LV geometry as assessed by the sphericity index is altered in relation to the stage of the Fabry cardiomyopathy. Although patients with FD are not hypertensive, the SBP has a clear impact on the progression of the cardiomyopathy.
Intra- and interobserver reliability of glenoid fracture classifications by Ideberg, Euler and AO
(2018)
Background:
Representing 3%-5% of shoulder girdle injuries scapula fractures are rare. Furthermore, approximately 1% of scapula fractures are intraarticularfractures of the glenoid fossa. Because of uncertain fracture morphology and limited experience, the treatment of glenoid fossa fractures is difficult. The glenoid fracture classification by Ideberg (1984) and Euler (1996) is still commonly used in literature. In 2013 a new glenoid fracture classification was introduced by the AO. The purpose of this study was to examine the new AO classification in clinical practice in comparison with the classifications by Ideberg and Euler.
Methods:
In total CT images of 84 patients with glenoid fossa fractures from 2005 to 2018 were included. Parasagittal, paracoronary and axial reconstructions were examined according to the classifications of Ideberg, Euler and the AO by 3 investigators (orthopedic surgeon, radiologist, student of medicine) at three individual time settings. Inter- and intraobserver reliability of the three classification systems were ascertained by computing Inter- and Intraclass (ICCs) correlation coefficients using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, 95%-confidence intervals as well as F-tests for correlation coefficients.
Results:
Inter- and intraobserver reliability for the AO classification showed a perspicuous coherence (R = 0.74 and R = 0.79). Low to moderate intraobserver reliability for Ideberg (R = 0.46) and Euler classification (R = 0.41) was found. Furthermore, data show a low Interobserver reliability for both Ideberg and Euler classification (R < 0.2). Both the Inter- and Intraclass reliability using AO is significantly higher than those using Ideberg and Euler (p < 0.05). Using the new AO classification, it was possible to find a proper class for every glenoid fossa fracture. On average, according to Euler classification 10 of 84 fractures were not classifiable whereas to Ideberg classification 21 of 84 fractures were not classifiable.
Conclusion:
The new AO classification system introduced 2013 facilitates reliable grading of glenoid fossa fractures with high inter- and intraobserver reliability in 84 patients using CT images. It should possibly be applied in order to enable a valid, reliable and consistent academic description of glenoid fossa fractures. The established classifications by Euler and Ideberg are not capable of providing a similar reliability.
Background:
Evidence that home telemonitoring for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) offers clinical benefit over usual care is controversial as is evidence of a health economic advantage.
Methods:
Between January 2010 and June 2013, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 study groups comprising usual care with and without an interactive bi-directional remote monitoring system (Motiva\(^{®}\)). The primary endpoint in CardioBBEAT is the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) established by the groups' difference in total cost and in the combined clinical endpoint "days alive and not in hospital nor inpatient care per potential days in study" within the follow-up of 12 months.
Results:
A total of 621 predominantly male patients were enrolled, whereof 302 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 319 to the control group. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was the leading cause of heart failure. Despite randomization, subjects of the control group were more often in NYHA functional class III-IV, and exhibited peripheral edema and renal dysfunction more often. Additionally, the control and intervention groups differed in heart rhythm disorders. No differences existed regarding risk factor profile, comorbidities, echocardiographic parameters, especially left ventricular and diastolic diameter and ejection fraction, as well as functional test results, medication and quality of life. While the observed baseline differences may well be a play of chance, they are of clinical relevance. Therefore, the statistical analysis plan was extended to include adjusted analyses with respect to the baseline imbalances.
Conclusions:
CardioBBEAT provides prospective outcome data on both, clinical and health economic impact of home telemonitoring in CHF. The study differs by the use of a high evidence level randomized controlled trial (RCT) design along with actual cost data obtained from health insurance companies. Its results are conducive to informed political and economic decision-making with regard to home telemonitoring solutions as an option for health care. Overall, it contributes to developing advanced health economic evaluation instruments to be deployed within the specific context of the German Health Care System.
In North Korea, the prevalence of hepatitis B is high due to natural factors, gaps in vaccination, and the lack of antiviral treatment. Aid projects are urgently needed, however impeded by North Korea's political and economical situation and isolation. The feasibility of a joint North Korean and German humanitarian hepatitis B prevention program was assessed. Part 1: Hepatitis B vaccination catch-up campaign. Part 2: Implementation of endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices (EVL) by trainings in Germany and North Korea. By vaccinating 7 million children between 2010 and 2012, the hepatitis B vaccination gap was closed. Coverage of 99.23% was reached. A total of 11 hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis patients (mean age 41.1 yr) with severe esophageal varices and previous bleedings were successfully treated by EVL without major complications. A clinical standard operating procedure, a feedback system and a follow-up plan were developed. The bi-modal preventive strategy was implemented successfully. Parts of the project can serve as an example for other low-income countries, however its general transferability is limited due to the special circumstances in North Korea.
Background: We report on a patient with genetically confirmed overlapping diagnoses of CMT1A and FSHD. This case adds to the increasing number of unique patients presenting with atypical phenotypes, particularly in FSHD. Even if a mutation in one disease gene has been found, further genetic testing might be warranted in cases with unusual clinical presentation.
Case presentation: The reported 53 years old male patient suffered from walking difficulties and foot deformities first noticed at age 20. Later on, he developed scapuloperoneal and truncal muscle weakness, along with atrophy of the intrinsic hand and foot muscles, pes cavus, claw toes and a distal symmetric hypoesthesia. Motor nerve conduction velocities were reduced to 20 m/s in the upper extremities, and not educible in the lower extremities, sensory nerve conduction velocities were not attainable. Electromyography showed both, myopathic and neurogenic changes. A muscle biopsy taken from the tibialis anterior muscle showed a mild myopathy with some neurogenic findings and hypertrophic type 1 fibers. Whole-body muscle MRI revealed severe changes in the lower leg muscles, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were highly replaced by fatty tissue. Additionally, fatty degeneration of shoulder girdle and straight back muscles, and atrophy of dorsal upper leg muscles were seen. Taken together, the presenting features suggested both, a neuropathy and a myopathy. Patient's family history suggested an autosomal dominant inheritance. Molecular testing revealed both, a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 1A (HMSN1A, also called Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy 1A, CMT1A) due to a PMP22 gene duplication and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) due to a partial deletion of the D4Z4 locus (19 kb).
Conclusion: Molecular testing in hereditary neuromuscular disorders has led to the identification of an increasing number of atypical phenotypes. Nevertheless, finding the right diagnosis is crucial for the patient in order to obtain adequate medical care and appropriate genetic counseling, especially in the background of arising curative therapies.