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Introduction: In departments with urological training of residents, part of the TURB procedures are performed as "teaching surgery". Does resection quality and early recurrence depend on the operator's experience?, Patients and Methods: From July 2007 to February 2012 254 second resections (TURB) after Ta high-grade and T1 high-grade bladder tumours were performed at our institution. The surgeons were stratified into "junior residents" (first and second year of training), "experienced residents" (3rd-5th year of training), board certified urologists, consultants and chief surgeons. We analysed the risk of recurrence at second resection and characteristics of the initial TURB., Results: 87 patients presented with a Ta high-grade tumour (34.3%) and 167 had a T1 high-grade lesion (67.7%). Most TURBs were performed by "experienced residents" (3rd-5th year) and the chief of department. The recurrence rate at second resection was 52.4%. A significant association with the recurrence rate was shown for the number of initial tumours, size and T-stage. No association was found for the training level of the surgeon. Additionally, there was no different detrusor rate for the surgeons, as a parameter for a correct, muscle-deep TURB. A bias that surgeons in training had more favourable tumours (solitary, less than 3 cm) could be excluded., Conclusions: In our data detrusor rate and recurrence risk at second resection are independent of the surgeon's experience. The results of "teaching-TURBs" are not inferior compared to TURBs performed by board certified urologists or consultants under the conditions of undisturbed communication and personal supervision., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

We have evaluated the results of second transurethral resections of the bladder (TURB) after T1 high-grade bladder cancer over a 4.5-year period.From July 2007 to February 2012, 2172 TURB procedures were performed at our institution, of which 1130 were initial resections owing to primary tumour or relapse. Of these, 258 revealed T1 high-grade bladder cancer, and here we investigated tumour characteristics of the initial TURB and results of the second resection.The incidence of T1 high-grade tumours was 22.8% (N=258). Of 167 patients who underwent a second resection, tumour was found in 58.1% (97 of 167). Tumours were mostly multifocal (61.9%) and smaller than 3 cm (69.1%). Histology of the second resection revealed Ta low-grade in 8.4%, Ta high-grade in 16.2%, T1 high-grade in 19.8% and an upstaging to T2 and more in 6.6%. A significant association with the recurrence rate was found for the number of tumours at initial TURB: patients with multiple tumours at initial TURB had a recurrence rate of 69.0% compared with only 46.3% of patients with solitary tumour. For tumour-size and detrusor muscle in specimen a non-significant association was shown.T1 high-grade bladder cancers show a relevant rate of tumour at second TURB which confirms the clinical guidelines of the EAU. A significant association for a tumour-free second TURB in our data was shown for solitary tumours. A non-significant association was shown for tumour-size and when detrusor muscle was present in the specimen. Currently there is no data to determine the best time interval before second resection., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Aims: The ability of angioscopy, angiography and sonography to evaluate arteriosclerotic vascular lesions were compared to determine if angioscopy is a valuable addition in the diagnostic armamentarium., Methods: An in-vitro study was selected to enable microscopic assessment of the arteries. Angiography was followed by sonography and endoscopy and finally the vessels were evaluated macro- and microscopically., Results: The configuration of the vascular stenosis (plaque-shape, semicircular-eccentric, circular-concentric) was more reliably defined with angioscopy as compared to angiography and sonography. Intense calcification of plaque was detected sonographically with a high sensitivity (90%) using the acoustic shadowing and high amplitude criteria. Angioscopy was superior in differentiating between simple and complicated plaques and the assessment of ulcerations, while the visualization of the entire vascular tree with potential collaterals remained the domain of angiography., Conclusions: Angioscopy seems to be valuable addition in the evaluation of arterial vascular disease. It can be used in the quality control after interventional radiology and surgery.

The authors report on a very rare case of an isolated primary nodular pulmonary amyloidosis with multiple emphysematous bullae in Sjögren's syndrome. The circular foci present in both lungs in disseminated form were immunohistochemically speaking amyloid deposits of the AL-lambda type. There were no pointers to other organ manifestations or monoclonal immunoglobulins in the serum and/or urine.

In a pig model, 13 kidneys were treated with a second generation lithotripter and examined by CT immediately and three weeks after ESWL. 9 (69%) acute traumatic lesions were seen in CT without, and 10 (77%) in CT with contrast in the 13 treated kidneys. After 3 weeks only 1 residual lesion persisted in CT contrast studies. On the histopathologic specimens residuals of bleeding were found in 3 (23%) of the 13 kidneys treated, which could not be seen in CT studies. CT is accurate in monitoring acute traumatic renal lesions after ESWL, but appears less reliable in chronic ones. Three weeks after ESWL traumatic renal lesions show marked regression.

In an experimental study on pigs, 28 stone-free kidneys were treated with a second generation lithotripter. Histologically, acute bleeding was seen after ESWL in 23 (82%) of the 28 treated kidneys. CT studies before and after contrast were correct in 20/28 (74%) cases. It was shown that extracorporeal shock waves cause renal bleeding that is only partially detected by computed tomography. It can be concluded that the CT findings seen in a high percentage of renal stone patients after ESWL represent bleeding. The incidence of renal bleeding after ESWL and thus the possible risk of hypertension has obviously been underestimated so far in clinical studies.

The value of MRI as a method for controlling treatment quantitatively was studied in four osteosarcomas and one Ewing sarcoma. Histologically proven change resulting from chemotherapy (2 patients) correlated with a significant increase in T2 of tumour tissue. In three other patients who did not respond to therapy, no change could be demonstrated. MRI appears to be valuable as a non-invasive method for monitoring treatment.

The angiographic findings in ten patients with renal oncocytoma are described. Characteristic features include: absence of encasement, vascular occlusions, arterio-venous shunts and contrast lakes (8/10). Spoke-wheel arrangement of tumor vessels (8/10). Homogeneous tumour contrast during the capillary phase (7/10). Sharp demarcation from the kidney and surroundings (9/10) and a peritumoral halo (4/10). If the suspicion of an oncocytoma is raised by CT examination of a space-occupying lesion (part I), angiography should be performed to confirm the diagnosis and help in planning surgical treatment.

The volume of 15 autopsied thyroid glands was determined by fluid displacement and compared with their sonographically obtained stereometric volumes. Maximum variation was 8.6%. Thyroid volumes were measured by ultrasound in 100 volunteers between ages 15 and 36. Total mean value was 19.8 ml. with a mean value of 22.1 ml. in the male group and 17.8 ml. in the female group. 20 volunteers had an additional scintigraphic examination. The thyroid volumes estimated by scintiscanning differed up to 85% with the volume measurements from sonography. Sonography scans were obtained from 6 autopsied thyroid glands and compared with the corresponding tissue slices. Tissue structures were reproduced with great accuracy by ultrasound.

A new cava filter has been tried in 23 dogs weighing between 16 and 23 kg. The filter consists of a stainless steel basket which can be introduced either antegrade or retrograde through a 10F teflon catheter and which can be removed again within the first four days. The filter was effective in holding back embolising thrombus. In the early stages, even without artificial embolisation, two out of five animals showed clot formation in the basket. After three or four months, all the filters were permeable and on only two occasions was a small amount of thrombus found.

Recanalisation of arteriosclerotic occlusions by means of laser angioplasty, Kensey catheter and the "hot tip" catheter is undergoing early, successful clinical trials. The thermo-cautery catheter described in this paper uses the well known technique of cutting with high frequency electric currents in order to achieve vascular recanalisation. Seven attempts were made to recanalise occlusions at post mortem; four were successful, but perforation occurred in three. Histologically we found a narrow rim of carbonisation of tissues surrounded by a zone of homogenisation and a transitional zone.

The possibility of percutaneous antegrade papillotomy under image intensifier control was investigated in eight dogs. It was successful in five animals. Successful papillotomy can be recognised radiologically and also by the feel of the catheter. The effect of papillotomy can be demonstrated by a fall of the pressure gradient existing between common bile duct and duodenum. The use of this method in patients is discussed.

The computer tomograms of 22 patients with renal oncocytomas were analysed retrospectively. Characteristic findings were: 1. solid round space-occupying lesions (22/22), 2. sharp demarcation from the kidney (20/22), 3. smooth margin (20/22), 4. hypodensity after intravenous contrast (20/20), 5. enhancement (19/19), 6. central hypodense nidus (16/22), 7. homogeneous beyond the nidus (11/22). In the presence of these criteria, the diagnosis of an oncocytoma may be suspected. Safe differentiation from a renal cell carcinoma may not always be possible.

One hundred and five carotid stenoses were examined by B-scan sonography (10 MHz) and the results compared with the macroscopic and histological appearances. The most important sonographic findings depended on surface structure, echo amplitude and the presence of acoustic shadows. From the therapeutic point of view, B-scan sonography is complementary to angiography by evaluating the morphology of the plaques, particularly if the indications for surgery are ill-defined.