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Healthcare workers have an increased risk of tuberculosis infection compared with the general population. There have been few attempts to quantify the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection amongst German healthcare workers, due to inadequacy of the current tuberculin skin test (TST). Therefore, it was our aim to investigate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis in this cohort using a tuberculosis-specific ELISpot (T-SPOT.TB) test and to compare the performance of this test to that of the TST. Ninety-five healthy participants working in departments of radiology were examined by ELISpot, lymphocyte transformation test and TST. For cellular in-vitro tests, tuberculosis-specific peptides and purified protein derivate (PPD) were used as antigens. These tests were combined with a questionnaire on prior tuberculosis exposure. Out of 95 healthcare workers, only one (1%) was defined as positive by T-SPOT.TB, 92 (97%) by PPD-ELISpot, 78 (82%) by PPD-lymphocyte transformation test and 32 (34%) by TST. Multivariate analysis showed that the TST was significantly affected (P<0.0001 and P=0.001, respectively) by foreign birth and prior skin testing. The T-SPOT.TB test results were independent of foreign birth, prior skin testing and prior vaccination against tuberculosis. In contrast to the TST, T-SPOT.TB appears to be an accurate and useful tool to track tuberculosis infection in this at-risk group. With only one of 95 participants having acquired latent tuberculosis, these preliminary results argue for a low incidence of latent tuberculosis in German radiologists.

Purpose: This prospective study was undertaken to determine the success rate, complications, and outcome of carotid artery stenting (CAS) without the use of cerebral protection devices., Methods: During 12 months, 94 high-grade stenoses of the carotid artery in 91 consecutive patients were treated. Sixty-six (70%) of the stenoses were symptomatic and 28 (30%) were asymptomatic., Results: In all 94 carotid stenoses CAS was successfully performed. During the procedure and within the 30 days afterwards, there were 2 deaths and 3 major strokes in the 66 symptomatic patients, resulting in a combined death and stroke rate of 5 of 66 (7%). Only one of these complications, a major stroke, occurred during the procedure. In the 6-month follow-up, one additional major stroke occurred in a originally symptomatic patient resulting in a combined death and stroke rate of 6 of 66 (10%) for symptomatic patients at 6 months. No major complications occurred in asymptomatic patients during the procedure or in the 6-month follow-up period. At 6 months angiographic follow-up the restenosis rate with a degree of >50% was 3 of 49 (6%) and the rate with a degree of >or=70% was 1 of 49 (2%)., Conclusions: Cerebral embolization during CAS is not the only cause of the stroke and death rate associated with the procedure. The use of cerebral protection devices during the procedure may therefore not prevent all major complications following CAS.

We present a patient with a symptomatic, high-grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and contraindication for open surgery. Endovascular treatment was attempted, but stent placement was not possible. In view of good collateral flow to the related hemisphere, embolization of the stenosis of the ICA with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) was performed to occlude the vessel. No complications occurred during the procedure or in the 1-year follow-up period. In cases where open surgery or endovascular treatment of a stenosis of the ICA are contraindicated or not possible, therapeutic occlusion of the stenotic ICA could be an alternative treatment option in patients with good collateral flow.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the outcome of postprocedural cerebral diffusion-weighted (DW) MR lesions after carotid artery stent placement (CAS) and the incidence of new cerebral MR lesions 6 months after the procedure., Materials and Methods: DW and T2-weighted MR imaging of the brain and neurologic examinations were performed in 105 patients before and 24 hours and 6 months after CAS. In addition, a selective control angiography of the treated artery was performed after 6 months., Results: In 22 (21%) of 105 patients, DW MR images 24 hours after CAS showed 64 new neurologically silent lesions; 2 (3.1%) of these 64 lesions were also visible in T2-weighted MR images. The latter ones were still visible after 6 months. In the remaining 62 lesions, there were no abnormalities visible in DW and T2-weighted imaging at follow-up. In 2 (1.9%) of the 105 patients, new cerebral lesions were seen in T2-weighted images after 6 months; one patient was neurologically symptomatic. All others patients were neurologically unremarkable at 6-month follow-up., Conclusions: Most postprocedural DW lesions showed no manifestations at 6-month MR follow-up and were clinically silent. This indicates that these lesions are potentially reversible and of no major neurologic sequelae. In addition, follow-up 6 months after CAS showed a very low incidence of new cerebral lesions and neurologic events.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility and safety of angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting of extra- and intracranial vertebral artery (VA) stenosis., Methods: In 16 consecutive patients (9 men, 7 women; mean age 61 years, range 49-74 years) 16 stenotic VAs were treated with angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting. Eleven stenoses were localized in V1 segment, 1 stenosis in V2 segment and 4 stenoses in V4 segment of VA. Fourteen VA stenoses were symptomatic, 2 asymptomatic. The etiology of the stenoses was atherosclerotic in all cases., Results: Angioplasty was performed in 8 of 11 V1 and 2 of 4 V4 segments of the VA. In 3 of 11 V1 segments and 2 of 4 V4 segments of the VA we combined angioplasty with stenting. The procedures were successfully performed in 14 of 16 VAs (87%). Complications were asymptomatic vessel dissection resulting in vessel occlusion in 1 of 11 V1 segments and asymptomatic vessel dissection in 2 of 4 V4 segments of the VA. One patient died in the 24-hr period after the procedure because of subarachnoid hemorrhage as a complication following vessel perforation of the treated V4 segment., Conclusion: Angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting of extracranial VA stenoses can be performed with a high technical success rate and a low complication rate. In intracranial VA stenosis the procedure is technically feasible but complications can be life-threatening. The durability and procedural complication rates of primary stenting without using predilation in extra- and intracranial VA stenosis should be defined in the future.

Our objective was to assess the technical feasibility and the clinical results of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenting using a nitinol self-expanding stent (SMART stent). In 13 patients 13 high-grade stenoses of the internal carotid artery were treated via an implantation of a SMART stent. In all cases a predilation of the stenosis and a postdilation within the stent were performed. Follow-up examinations were carried out in all patients after a period of 6 months. In each case the implantation of the stent was performed without technical complications. In 12 of 13 cases the stent was placed in the patients' internal carotid artery, in 1 case from the internal to the common carotid artery (CCA). The average degree of stenosis of 78% (70-95%) was reduced to an average of 2.8% (0-21%). The 6-month follow-up angiography showed an average degree of restenosis of 11.8% (0-29%) in 8 of 13 patients. Duplex sonography in the remaining 5 patients demonstrated patent stents. One patient showed brief neurological symptoms during the intervention. No further complications occurred during follow-up time. Treatment of internal carotid artery stenosis with the SMART stent seems technically feasible, safe, and promises long-term patency.

Background and Purpose: Concern regarding the safety of stent implantation in the carotid artery exists because of the risk of cerebral embolization during the procedure. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of new areas of cerebral ischemia, as detected by using diffusion-weighted MR imaging after stent implantation in the carotid artery., Methods: Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the brain was performed in 67 patients with 70 high-grade stenoses of the carotid artery before and 24 hours after stent implantation., Results: The neurologic status of the patients was unchanged after 69 of 70 procedures. During one procedure, symptomatic cerebral embolization occurred. Diffusion-weighted MR images showed new ipsilateral lesions after stent implantation in 20 patients (29%), including the symptomatic patient, and new contralateral lesions in six patients (9%). Fifty-two of 59 postprocedural lesions occurred in the vascular territory supplied by the treated vessel. The occurrence of new postprocedural ipsilateral lesions was not significantly correlated with patient demographic data, characteristics of the stenoses, or details of the procedure., Conclusion: In 29% of the procedures, stent implantation in the carotid artery was associated with new areas of cerebral ischemia, as detected by using diffusion-weighted MR images; these findings indicated the occurrence of cerebral microemboli during such procedures. In all patients except one, the new lesions were clinically silent.

Background and Purpose: There has been concern regarding the safety of revascularization procedures of vessels supplying the brain vessels because of the risk of cerebral embolization during the procedure. We have observed a high incidence of hyperintense lesions on diffusion-weighted MR images of the brain after stenting at the carotid bifurcation. The hypothesis of this study is that diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the brain can reveal new diffusion abnormalities after angioplasty or angioplasty plus stenting of arteries supplying the brain, other than at the carotid bifurcation. Therefore, we prospectively obtained diffusion-weighted MR images of the brain before and after such revascularization procedures., Methods: Thirty-seven revascularization procedures were performed in 32 patients. Eleven interventions were performed at the distal internal carotid artery, two at the external carotid artery, two at the common carotid artery, five at the innominate artery, five at the vertebral artery, and 12 at the proximal subclavian artery. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the brain was performed before and 24 hours after the procedures., Results: After eight (22%) of 37 procedures, new hyperintensities were visible on the diffusion-weighted MR images. With six of these eight procedures, the hyperintensities occurred in the vascular territory supplied by the treated vessel. In total, 35 new cerebral lesions could be seen, 33 (94%) of which occurred in the vascular territory supplied by the treated vessel. None of the patients in whom new diffusion abnormalities were found had new neurologic symptoms or deficits. No new lesions could be seen after procedures at the subclavian artery., Conclusion: Revascularization procedures of arteries supplying the brain were associated with new lesions on the diffusion-weighted MR images of the brain after 22% of the procedures, provided that MR imaging could be performed, indicating the occurrence of cerebral microemboli during such procedures. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the brain can be used as a tool to assess the impact of modifications of procedural technique and/or the use of cerebral protection devices on the occurrence of such lesions.

We report a case of congenital absence of the cervical and petrous part of the left internal carotid artery, the middle and proximal part of the basilar artery, and the V4 segment of the left vertebral artery associated with a left persistent trigeminal artery and a coarctation of the aorta. The left cerebral vessels are supplied via the anterior communicating artery and the left persistent trigeminal artery. The coexisting coarctation of the aorta led to a subclavian steal phenomenon. The alteration of the cerebral hemodynamics has to be taken in consideration when performing cerebral angiography and surgical correction in such a case.

Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with stent-grafts is increasingly performed. Recent studies have shown that stent-graft placement for AAA is technically feasible and can effectively exclude aneurysms from the circulation. However, complications related to the procedure, such as graft thrombosis, migration of the prosthesis, peripheral embolization, and leaks with incomplete exclusion of the aneurysmal sac, have been reported. We report a case of rectum and sigmoid colon necrosis with fatal outcome due to cholesterol embolization after implantation of a stent-graft for an infrarenal AAA.

Purpose: To determine the experimental parameters in an in vitro model that influence the thrombus-capturing efficacy of the Vena Tech-LGM filter., Materials and Methods: The Vena Tech-LGM filter was evaluated in an in vitro model of the vena cava with a computer-controlled flow system with a total of 5,200 thrombi. The influences of the following experimental parameters on the capture rate were analyzed with a multiple logistic regression model: type of testing (single, double, and multiple shot testing), thrombus diameter and length, IVC diameter and orientation, flow quality and quantity, flow velocity, and the length of the prepositioned thrombus., Results: A significant influence on the capture rate could be demonstrated for the type of testing, the thrombus diameter and length, the IVC diameter, and with double shot testing for the length of the prepositioned thrombus and the IVC orientation. The flow quality and the peak velocity were not significant. Based on these results, a protocol for in vitro testing of IVC filters was designed., Conclusions: Experimental parameters influence the thrombus-capturing efficacy of the Vena Tech-LGM filter and should be taken into account when in vitro testing is performed.

Rationale and Objectives: The authors develop a physiologic in vitro model of the inferior vena cava (IVC) for testing of filters., Methods: The model is driven by a centrifugal pump. A computer-controlled electromagnetic valve is used for generation of different flow patterns. Limitation of the pressure increase in case of IVC occlusion is achieved by a bypass circuit. A glycerin solution is used for perfusion. Artificial clots are made from polyacrylamide gel. Data acquisition includes continuous monitoring of flow and difference pressure over the filter and video recording of the testing events., Results: The model can generate constant and pulsatile flows. The pressure increase can be limited to 70 mm Hg in case of occlusion. Calculation of the flow velocities in the IVC is possible. A classification of thrombus capturing is presented. The testing of most of the results are reproducible., Conclusions: The in vitro model simulates the physiologic conditions in the IVC. It can be used for comparative testing of different filters and the evaluation of new filter designs.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between load-carrying on the head and the development of degenerative change in the cervical spine., Design and Subjects: A case-control study was performed with 35 individuals who had carried loads on their head (carriers) and 35 persons who never had carrier loads on their head (non-carriers). A scoring system was utilized for the assessment of the degenerative change in the cervical spine at the C3/C4, C4/C5, C5/C6 and C6/C7 levels on lateral cervical spine radiography. A total score was calculated by summing the scores for the single segments., Results and Conclusion: In 31 of the 35 (88.6%) carriers degenerative change was found in the cervical spine, but only in 8 of the 35 (22.9%) non-carriers (P < 0.01). The total score and the scores for segments C4/5, C5/C6 anc C6/C7 were significantly higher for the carriers than the non-carriers. It is concluded that the axial strain of load-carrying on the head exacerbates degenerative change in the cervical spine.

A case of cervical diastematomyelia and syringohydromyelia in a 16-year-old female myelomeningocele patient is reported. Progressive weakness of the upper extremity led to an MR examination of the brain and spine, which revealed hydrocephalus, Chiari II malformation, cervical diastematomyelia with a syringohydromyelic cavity in each hemicord and a large dural sac in the lumbar region. Operative therapy consisted of detethering and shunting of the two syringes. Soon after surgery her symptoms improved. The need for early complete MR imaging of myelomeningocele patients presenting with new symptoms is emphasized.

Hemochromatosis is a multisystem disorder produced by the excessive accumulation of iron in visceral organs and the musculoskeletal system. Clinically the disease may be silent, but characteristic radiological features may point to the diagnosis. The increased iron stores in the organs involved, especially in the liver and pancreas, result in an increased attenuation at unenhanced CT and an decreased signal intensity at MR imaging. Hemochromatosis arthropathy includes degenerative osteoarthritis and chondrocalcinosis. The distribution of the arthropathy is distinctive, but not unique, frequently affecting the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of sequential transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with unresectable T3 and T4 HCC were treated by sequential TACE (median time interval between treatments 7 weeks) up to six times with an emulsion of lipiodol, epirubicin, and cisplatin. All TACE procedures were performed as unilobar or whole-liver chemoembolization., Results: An average of 3.9 TACE procedures were performed per patient. One primary and two secondary technical failures occurred. No procedural death was observed. After exclusion of the patient with the primary technical failure and 3 patients with extrahepatic disease, the survival rates for the remaining 17 patients at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were 70.6%, 52.9%, 44.1%, and 33.1%, respectively., Conclusion: Sequential TACE is a safe procedure in patients with unresectable advanced HCC and feasible in most cases. It seems to prolong the survival time compared with historical series of untreated patients.

Between January 1990 and January 1996, 39 consecutive patients with histologically improved pT3 or pT4 HCC tumors underwent curative resection (n = 19) or sequential transarterial chemoembolization (n = 20) with a median time interval of 7 weeks up to six times with an emulsion of Lipiodol, Epirubicin and Cisplatin. The 30-day mortality rate for all sessions of TA was 3.8% vs. 21.8% in the resection group (p < 0.05); the cumulative survival rate for the embolization group at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months was 72.3%, 50.1%, 41.2%, 35.4% vs. 42.1%, 31.6%, 31.6% and 14.2% following resection, which cannot be considered statistically significant. Patients with T3 and T4 HCC, treated with sequential embolization or resection, seem to have a comparable survival time.

Crossing of the physis by primarily metaphyseal, localized bone tumors and osteomyelitis in childhood was rarely observed. Therefore, the physis in childhood is considered to be a barrier against the spread of tumors and infection. We report five children, in whom MR imaging demonstrated early crossing of the physis and spread of the disease from the metaphysis to the epiphysis. Follow-up in three children with osteomyelitis showed that antibiotic therapy resulted in almost complete resolution of the changes in the physis, epiphysis and metaphysis. These observations challenge the concept of the physis as a barrier against the spread of tumors and infection.

A 66-year-old man presented with bilateral subclavian steal syndrome (SSS) due to proximal subclavian artery occlusions. He was treated by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) and stent implantation in the left subclavian artery and by PTA alone in the right subclavian artery. We could demonstrate that interventional treatment of symptomatic bilateral SSS is possible. If PTA alone is insufficient, stent implantation should be considered.

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare vascular anomaly that results from failure of an embryonal artery to the lower extremities to regress during fetal development. Aneurysm formation, thromboembolism, and arterial occlusions may complicate this abnormality. We report a patient with complete bilateral PSA and intermittent claudication who was treated by bilateral percutaneous angioplasty.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a well-established treatment for patients with subclavian artery stenosis and brachial or cerebral symptoms. Its efficacy for treatment of subclavian occlusions, however, is not yet established. We attempted to recanalize the subclavian artery in 46 patients with proximal subclavian artery occlusion and were successful in 38 (83%). In two patients, residual stenosis, and in five patients, thrombotic material on the arterial wall required subsequent implantation of a self-expandable stent. Two additional patients were left with residual stenoses because stents were not available at that time. There were no cerebral or brachial complications. During a mean follow-up of 33 months, occlusion recurred in one patient after 3 months and stenosis recurred in five.

A superior mesenteric vein aneurysm was diagnosed by ultrasound, computed tomography, and angiography in a 55-year-old woman. It was successfully treated by partial resection and reconstruction of the confluent veins.

Temperature versus time curves were registered during aortofemoral angiography in 48 patients. The cutaneous temperature was initially reduced in 46 of the patients. This phenomenon was interpreted as a temporary decrease of blood flow and can not be explained by hypertonicity of contrast media, but indicates additional pharmacodynamic effects. Reactive hyperemia depends on pathologic alterations of large and small vessels.