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Acute cholecystitis is the most common complication of cholecystolithiasis. With some 64,000 patients per year requiring surgical inpatient treatment it remains a prevalent surgical disease. The presentation varies between mild, severe and life-threatening forms and predominantly in old and morbid patients. Gallbladder perforation is a possible complication which is often only diagnosed during surgery. Typical clinical symptoms are pain in the upper abdomen, fever and leucocytosis. Ultrasonography may often be used to confirm the clinical diagnosis.

We present the case of an Afghan woman with a renal segmental artery false aneurysm of the right kidney due to a shell splinter injury. Stent-assisted coil embolization of the aneurysm is described in detail.

This article focuses on the percutaneous treatment options of venous thromboses and occlusions. Interventional therapy modalities for mediastinal, brachial, axillar, cerebral, and mesenteric thromboses are reviewed. Stenoses of the superior vena cava are most often caused by mediastinal malignomas. Balloon angioplasty together with stent implantation is an effective method for revascularisation in cases of upper venous congestion. Benign central venous stenoses are common in dialysis patients for whom interventional therapy using balloon angioplasty has proven excellent results. In the treatment of insufficient dialysis access, percutaneous techniques represent the first-choice option. Regarding cerebral and mesenteric thrombosis, interventional therapy is restricted to selected individual cases.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and varicosis are common diseases of veins. Blood flow analysis und morphologic parameters are the basis in the diagnosis of varicosis. Ultrasound is the preferred method in the diagnosis of varicosis. However, also today, phlebography is an important diagnostic tool. Venous anomalies are another topic covered in the second part of this review. Primary venous tumors are rare. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the preferred methods to demonstrate the origin and extent of this disease.

Diseases of the venous system are common. A variety of diagnostic imaging methods are available. Of these, ultrasound with color-coded duplex sonography is the preferred method in the diagnosis of vein diseases, especially in patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and varicosis. Compression sonography is a very accurate test in the diagnosis of DVT of the lower and upper extremities in symptomatic patients. Still today, phlebography is an important tool in the diagnosis of venous diseases. Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in disorders of the superior and inferior vena cava and of the iliac vein. Today, the role of MR venography in vein diseases is limited.

As an alternative to surgery, endovascular therapy with stent grafts has become the second main treatment option for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Unlike surgery, endovascular treatment with stent grafts is also applicable in patients unfit for open repair. Despite current improvements in endovascular repair devices, significant anatomic barriers still exclude this technique for a large number of patients. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound are essential for diagnostics, preintervention planning, and postintervention follow-up of abdominal aneurysms treated with stent grafts. This review covers etiology, pathology, and diagnostic aspects. Materials and methods for endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms are presented in detail, and clinical results and complications are discussed.

Vascular embolizations are complex and sophisticated procedures and can be a powerful alternative or useful adjunct to surgery in many clinical situations. Hemorrhage, vascular malformations, and tumors are the main indications for embolization procedures. Establishing the correct indication for intervention as well as the proper embolic agent and the most suitable catheterization technique requires advanced knowledge in interventional radiology, and an interdisciplinary approach is a prerequisite. A broad spectrum of microcatheters and embolization materials is available for these therapies. The desired level of occlusion and the individual vascular territory determine the choice of mechanical devices, particles, or liquid substances. Sclerosing agents and thrombin are used in special situations such as varicoceles and pseudoaneurysms.

Peripheral arterial disease is a main cause of morbidity in industrialised countries. It chiefly affects older people. The most common causes are atherosclerosis and vasodilatatory abnormalities. In the presence of unexplained leg symptoms, peripheral arterial disease can be diagnosed or ruled out by non-invasive diagnostic methods such as history, clinical examination and the measurement of ankle and brachial artery pressure by Doppler ultrasound, as well as by calculating the ankle brachial index. Colour coded duplex sonography, computer tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and arteriography are the imaging modalities used. Current diagnostic strategies are analysed for the different peripheral artery diseases.

Diseases of the aorta are imaged using different modalities according to the cause and clinical situation. Current imaging strategies for the clinically most pertinent aortic diseases are analysed. These disease entities may be differentiated into congenital, acquired and inflammatory diseases. Traumatic and non-traumatic aortic aneurysms and dissections are emphasised in context with endovascular treatment options and subsequent follow-up.

Clinical radiology is a key to the management of bowel obstruction. Plain abdominal radiographs combined with history, clinical exam, and laboratory findings are essential for further individualized strategies. If the cause of obstruction is obvious after plain films and there is a need for emergent surgery, no further imaging is required. In all other cases, multislice CT with at least intravenous and rectal contrast is the method of choice due to its broad diagnostic spectrum. If CT is not available, contrast enema is recommended in suspected large bowel obstruction. Oral administration of water-soluble contrast agents has no significant value in the workup of bowel obstruction.

Since two decades transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of liver metastases has been investigated in numerous studies. However, no standardized therapeutic procedure exists so far. The present study retrospectively investigated survival, response and side effects after TACE of liver metastases in 21 patients with colorectal cancer and results are compared with previous literature. A total of 68 TACE procedures were performed. A suspension of degradable starch microspheres (DSM, Spherex) and Mitomycin C was applied selectively into hepatic arteries via a transfemoral approach. DSM effect a temporary arterial occlusion. Follow-up studies were performed by contrast enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT). The median survival was 13.8 months. Therapeutic response (according to WHO) was observed only in three patients. The progression free interval was 5.8 months. Patients developed a postembolization-syndrome (abdominal pain, fever, nausea) and increased transaminases in 27-43% of all interventions. A gastric ulcer occurred after four, cholecystitis after two TACE. As already shown in most previous studies, regardless of the used agents, also this investigation underlines the moderate therapeutic effect of TACE on colorectal liver metastases. So far, no significant survival benefit has been shown in the literature and the response rates are rather limited. In general, complications of TACE seem to be rare, but should not to be underestimated. Compared to TACE with long or permanent arterial occlusion, postembolization syndrome seems to be less pronounced using DSM. As TACE is rather a palliative therapeutic approach, DSM therefore might be more suited. Further studies on TACE of liver metastases should focus on to the patients' quality of life.

Introduction: Usually, standard radiographs are used for postoperative quality follow-up after ACL reconstruction. However, with the use of hamstring grafts and bioabsorbable implants, accurate assessment of the tunnel and implant position is impossible. The graft and its relation to anatomical landmarks cannot be evaluated directly. MRI is an alternative to radiography, permitting direct graft visualization and 3-dimensional assessment of the tunnel position, but it is expensive and time consuming for routine use. The aim of this study was to develop a simplified MRI protocol and to evaluate it for routine postoperative quality follow-up after ACL reconstruction., Materials and Methods: Various scanning protocols were tested in a series of 105 patients and evaluated for image sharpness, clarity of the structures, susceptibility to artefacts, applicability regarding precise analysis of graft and tunnel position, and time consumption. One simplified specific scan protocol was then defined and applied in a series of 60 consecutive patients after hamstring ACL replacement. The position of the femoral and tibial tunnels was measured in the sagittal, coronal and axial sections and classified according to Harner (femoral) and Stäubli (tibial). Impingement of the graft in the intercondylar roof was analysed according to Howell. The position of the bioabsorbable interference screws was assessed., Results: Scan protocol: T2-weighted gradient-echo sequences (GRE) with TR 246 ms, TE 11 ms, flip angle 25 degrees, 2 mm sections and a 256 x 256 matrix yielded the best image quality of tendon grafts and bone tunnels with tolerable time consumption (average scanning time per patient 1 min 40 s). Altogether 8-16 sections were obtained for every patient. Tunnel placement: 46/60 (77%) of the femoral tunnels were in zone 4, 13/60 (21%) at the border of zones 3 to 4, 1/60 (2%) in zone 3 in the sagittal plane (Harner). The femoral tunnels in the axial plane were at 10:30 o'clock in 32/60 (53%), at 11:00 o'clock at 24/60 (40%) and at 10:00 o'clock in 4/60 (4%) patients. The mean distance of the anterior border of the tibial tunnel from the anterior cortex was 39% (+/- 4.9%) related to the total sagittal diameter of the tibia. There was no graft impingement. The position of the interference screws was anterior to the grafts in all cases., Conclusion: Simplified MRI sequences can be used for postoperative quality follow-up after ACL replacement and are an alternative to standard radiographs giving more specific and precise information regarding tunnel position and screw placement. Analyzing the bone tunnels in a series of 60 patients demonstrated that correct assessment of tunnel placement after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is feasible using this simplified MRI technique.

We present an analysis of 37 interventions in the arteries of the lower limbs via a transbrachial arterial approach. Twenty-six patients (42-79 years) underwent 37 interventional procedures in the lower extremities (iliac n = 6, iliac + femoro-popliteal n = 1, femoro-popliteal n = 30) with a vascular approach via the brachial artery (33 left sided, 4 right sided, introducer sheath 4-7 F). The transbrachial approach was chosen to avoid puncture of femoral bypass graft material. Technical success could be achieved in 11/13 thrombolyses, 8/9 PTAs, 7/10 combinations of thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminar angioplasty (PTA) and in the placement of two stents. One patient suffered from periprocedural severe re-thrombosis due to insufficient anticoagulation during fibrinolysis, and twice thrombolysis was incomplete. One puncture-related false aneurysm of the brachial artery had to be corrected surgically. One transient ischemic attack (TIA) and four minor complications occurred. Transbrachial vascular approach for arterial interventions in iliac and femoro-popliteal pathologies is a reasonable alternative to the transaxillary access if transfemoral puncture has to be avoided. The technical success rate is comparable with the results of the transaxillary and transfemoral approach. To minimize, at least theoretically, the risk of cerebral complications, the left-sided approach should be preferred and intravenous heparin should be administered routinely.

Recurrent parotitis is rare in childhood. Its occurrence is characterized by recurrent episodes of swelling and pain in the parotid gland, which are usually accompanied by fever and malaise. Inflammation usually resolves spontaneously during adolescence. The disorder is a condition of unknown etiology. Sialectasis and stricturing occurs in the distal ducts, whereas inflammation of the gland and duct epithelium is probably caused by a low salivary flow rate. Which one can be considered the primary event or secondary change remains unknown. The main-stay of diagnosis is sialography, which depicts typical intraparotidal duct system lesions as strictures or ectasias and excludes sialolithiasis. We here report two 10-year-old male monovular twins who suffered from recurrent swelling and pain in only their left parotid glands. Symptoms were noted approximately every 6 weeks in both patients strictly. Characteristic sialectasis of the distal ducts was demonstrated by magnetic resonance-sialography. Our findings support the hypothesis that recurrent parotitis is caused by a congenital abnormality of the salivary gland ducts. Diagnostic imaging was performed by magnetic resonance imaging during the acute phase of the disease. This technique helps to make the diagnosis without retrograde application of a contrast agent.

Stenosis of the hepatico-intestinal anastomosis after hepaticojejunostomy is a common cause for recurrent cholangitis. In the following report a patient's history of recurrent cholangitis after hepaticojejunostomy performed because of bile duct injury is presented. Preoperative imaging revealed a stricture of the hepatico-intestinal anastomosis and a massive dilatation of the Roux-en-Y loop, so that a draining disorder was assumed. Laparotomy showed an anisoperistaltic Roux-en-Y loop. When assessing the differential diagnosis of recurrent cholangitis after hepaticojejunostomy, anisoperistaltic reconstruction should be considered.

Purpose: MR spectroscopy allows the acquisition of a two-dimensional array of spatially resolved proton spectra of the human brain, known as MR spectroscopic imaging. Here the examination protocol and clinical applications in focal brain lesions are presented., Method: An array of data is acquired from a tissue slice positioned in the brain. These data can be presented as a set of spectra, in which each spectrum is allocated to a specific position in the sample, or as a set of images or "metabolite maps"., Results: The NAA signal typical for neuronal tissue is decreased in the centre of brain tumours as well as in brain infarcts. The intensity of the choline signal is increased in solid tumour tissue, whereas it is reduced in infarcts., Conclusion: Spectroscopic imaging reveals metabolite alterations in and around focal lesions. The spatial resolution of spectroscopic imaging enables matching with other macro-morphological or functional imaging methods like positron emission tomography.

By means of a case report the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and prognosis of a pseudo-aneurysm of the axillary artery after shoulder dislocation are demonstrated. The diagnosis of aneurysms of the axillary artery is difficult in some cases. It is important to mention a possible vascular injury in case of close reduction of the shoulder. Therefore in all patients with a penetrating or blunt trauma of the shoulder or the upper arm a thorough neurovascular examination is required. In patients with neurologic deficits or alteration of the pulse a duplex ultrasound examination should be performed and in dubious cases an additional arteriography is indicated.

In addition to generalized arteriosclerosis connective tissue disease, systemic vasculitis as well as genetic metabolic disease are described to be the cause of stenotic and aneurysmatic vessel wall alteration. Although these causes are rather unusual, they must be considered for the diagnosis of a generalized vascular disease with arterial occlusion as well as aneurysm formation to determine the appropriate procedure for the individual. Whereas operative treatment should be avoided as far as possible for patients with Behçet's disease or Marfan syndrome, it is rather indicated for any kind of juvenile arteriosclerosis with arterial stenosis as well as dilatation. In this way the patient described in the following could be treated successfully by operation even though the cause of the juvenile arteriosclerosis was inexplicable, and in addition to local complications also the threatening rupture of the aneurysm could be controlled.

Recently the intravenous enzyme replacement therapy with modified beta-glucocerebrosidase has become available for patients with M. Gaucher. We report here the considerable improvement of activity and vigor in a 5 year old girl with type 1 M. Gaucher administering 60 IU/kg every two weeks for 6 months. The platelet count increased from 82-96/nl to more than 150/nl and hemoglobin from 10.8 to more than 12 g/dl. Serum acid phosphatase decreased from 14.6 U/l to 5.9. U/l and angiotensin-converting enzyme from 327 to 102 U/l. The estimation of splenic volume by MRT showed a decrease by 40%, while liver size was not reduced within 6 months of therapy. MRT proved to be useful to demonstrate the bone marrow infiltration by Gaucher cells. The enzyme replacement therapy resulted in an objective response. No side effects have been observed so far. The extreme high treatment costs enforce a considerable dose reduction for maintenance therapy.

During a 4-year period of clinical application of the balloon-expandable Palmaz stent, a randomized trial comparing stent implantation and traditional balloon angioplasty of iliac arteries in arterial occlusive disease was started. The first long-term results, recorded after 2 years, indicate statistically significant differences in the complication rate (after stenting 2/62 and after angioplasty 5/69) and patency (greater than or equal to 70% of original lumen size upon stent implantation or balloon inflation: 95% after stenting and 72% after angioplasty). Clinical improvement after 2 years was 89% after stenting and 70% after angioplasty. Parallel to the clinical trials, experimental canine artery stenting was performed to evaluate differences in the long-term patency of stents exposed to restricted flow. Significant differences in neointimal healing were found between normally perfused stents and stents with artificially reduced flow: during the total observation period of 6 months the neointimal height was up to 200% higher in flow-restricted stents, while the histological composition of the neointima was the same as with normally perfused stents.

Digital subtraction sialography offers a new technique for the diagnosis of salivary gland disease. The basis of this technique is the removal of superimposed bony structures. Ninety-one patients (4-77 years old) with acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, chronic sialectasis, chronic sialolithiasis and tumours of various types underwent sialography using the digital subtraction technique. In addition, conventional sialography using a 100 mm camera and high resolution ultrasonography was performed. The results were compared with the histopathology and intraoperative findings. The digital subtraction technique is superior in recognition of inflammatory changes and chronic sialolithiasis, whereas ultrasonography is more sensitive in diagnosis and localization of tumours.