Search

Osteoma is a benign bone forming tumor predominantly arising on the surface of craniofacial bones. While the vast majority of osteomas develops sporadically, a small subset of cases is associated with Gardner syndrome, a phenotypic variant of familial adenomatous polyposis caused by mutations in the APC gene resulting in aberrant activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling. In a sequencing analysis on a cohort of sporadic, non-syndromal osteomas, we identified hotspot mutations in the CTNNB1 gene (encoding β-catenin) in 22 of 36 cases (61.1%), harbouring allelic frequencies ranging from 0.04 to 0.53, with the known S45P variant representing the most frequent alteration. Based on NanoString multiplex expression profiling performed in a subset of cases, CTNNB1-mutated osteomas segregated in a defined "WNT-cluster", substantiating functionality of CTNNB1 mutations which are associated with β-catenin stabilization. Our findings for the first time convincingly show that osteomas represent genetically-driven neoplasms and provide evidence that aberrant WNT/β-catenin signaling plays a fundamental role in their pathogenesis, in line with the well-known function of WNT/β-catenin in osteogenesis. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis underlying osteoma development and establishes a helpful diagnostic molecular marker for morphologically challenging cases.

Due to substantial advances in all medical disciplines, interdisciplinary cooperation is of major relevance in modern medicine. Given the rarity of benign and malignant bone tumours, diagnosis and therapy of these lesions is especially challenging. Focusing on typical cases, it is the aim of this article to illustrate the necessity of interdisciplinary cooperation.The scope of this article is to highlight the particular significance of interdisciplinarity in the diagnosis of bone tumours. To this end, we illustrate the interdisciplinary approach in typical clinical cases.The article demonstrates that a combined clinico-radiological approach is essential in the diagnosis of leave-me-alone lesions, and it underlines the essential role of an interdisciplinary correlation of clinical context, radiology and pathology in the interpretation of bone tumour biopsies. It documents the experience that all clinical aspects and diagnostic findings need to be synoptically integrated in a joint interdisciplinary tumour board to eventually find the correct diagnosis.It is generally accepted that the diagnosis of a bone tumour can often not be made by the pathologist alone but essentially requires interdisciplinary cooperation.Die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit war und ist insbesondere in der Gegenwart – bedingt durch den enormen Wissensfortschritt in der Medizin – von herausragender Bedeutung. Die Diagnostik und Therapie von benignen und malignen Knochentumoren stellt alle beteiligten Fachdisziplinen aufgrund der Seltenheit dieser Tumoren häufig vor Herausforderungen. Das Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, die Bedeutung der Interdisziplinarität in der Diagnosefindung von Knochentumoren herauszuarbeiten.Es handelt sich um eine Übersichtsarbeit zur Bedeutung der Interdisziplinarität bei der Diagnostik von Knochentumoren. Aufgrund der nur umschriebenen Literatur zu diesem Thema veranschaulichen wir anhand von Fallbeispielen die Notwendigkeit der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit.Dieser Artikel verdeutlicht, dass eine interdisziplinäre klinisch-radiologische Betrachtung von „leave-me-alone lesions“ und eine klinisch-radiologisch-pathologische Korrelation von biopsierten Knochentumoren erfolgen muss. Alle Befunde müssen im Rahmen einer gemeinsamen interdisziplinären Konferenz in ein diagnostisches Gesamtbild eingefügt werden, sodass nicht selten die Diagnose am Ende interdisziplinär erarbeitet wird.Für den „Kliniker“ ist es unabdingbar zu wissen, dass die Diagnose eines Knochentumors oft nicht allein durch den Pathologen gestellt werden kann und zwingend der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit bedarf.

Zusammenfassung Einleitung Die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit war und ist insbesondere in der Gegenwart – bedingt durch den enormen Wissensfortschritt in der Medizin – von herausragender Bedeutung. Die Diagnostik und Therapie von benignen und malignen Knochentumoren stellt alle beteiligten Fachdisziplinen aufgrund der Seltenheit dieser Tumoren häufig vor Herausforderungen. Das Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, die Bedeutung der Interdisziplinarität in der Diagnosefindung von Knochentumoren herauszuarbeiten. Methoden Es handelt sich um eine Übersichtsarbeit zur Bedeutung der Interdisziplinarität bei der Diagnostik von Knochentumoren. Aufgrund der nur umschriebenen Literatur zu diesem Thema veranschaulichen wir anhand von Fallbeispielen die Notwendigkeit der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit. Ergebnisse und Diskussion Dieser Artikel verdeutlicht, dass eine interdisziplinäre klinisch-radiologische Betrachtung von „leave-me-alone lesions“ und eine klinisch-radiologisch-pathologische Korrelation von biopsierten Knochentumoren erfolgen muss. Alle Befunde müssen im Rahmen einer gemeinsamen interdisziplinären Konferenz in ein diagnostisches Gesamtbild eingefügt werden, sodass nicht selten die Diagnose am Ende interdisziplinär erarbeitet wird. Schlussfolgerung Für den „Kliniker“ ist es unabdingbar zu wissen, dass die Diagnose eines Knochentumors oft nicht allein durch den Pathologen gestellt werden kann und zwingend der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit bedarf.

The recent WHO classification of Bone Tumours (2020) has introduced several changes. Conceptionally, small round cell sarcomas are now summarized in a distinct chapter, acknowledging their occurrence in both, bone and soft tissue. In the light of new molecular findings some diagnostic categories, such as fibrohistiocytic tumors, have been abandoned, and a few new entities have been added to the classification. Finally, systematic changes were made with regard to the terminology employed in the classification of chondrogenic tumours, and modifications have been made with respect to the biological potential of some lesions. This article summarizes the major changes made, underscoring the elementary role of an interdisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of bone lesions.In der WHO-Klassifikation der Knochentumoren aus dem Jahre 2020 ist es zu einigen Änderungen gekommen. Konzeptionell wurden die klein-rundzelligen Sarkome in einem gesonderten Kapitel zwischen den Weichgewebs- und Knochentumoren gebündelt. Aufgrund neuerer molekularer Befunde wurden einzelne diagnostische Kategorien wie die der fibrohistiozytären Tumoren aufgegeben, andererseits wurden neue Entitäten in die Klassifikation mit aufgenommen. Schließlich wurden systematische Änderungen in der Terminologie der Klassifikation kartilaginärer Tumoren vorgenommen, und die Bewertung des biologischen Verhaltens einiger Läsionen wurde modifiziert. Diese Übersichtsarbeit stellt die wesentlichen Änderungen mit Fokus auf die bei der Diagnostik und Therapie ossärer Prozesse elementare interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zusammen.

PURPOSE Ewing 2008R3 was conducted in 12 countries and evaluated the effect of treosulfan and melphalan high-dose chemotherapy (TreoMel-HDT) followed by reinfusion of autologous hematopoietic stem cells on event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival in high-risk Ewing sarcoma (EWS). METHODS Phase III, open-label, prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial. Eligible patients had disseminated EWS with metastases to bone and/or other sites, excluding patients with only pulmonary metastases. Patients received six cycles of vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide induction and eight cycles of vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide consolidation therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to receive additional TreoMel-HDT or no further treatment (control). The random assignment was stratified by number of bone metastases (1, 2-5, and > 5). The one-sided adaptive-inverse-normal-4-stage-design was changed after the first interim analysis via Müller-Schäfer method. RESULTS Between 2009 and 2018, 109 patients were randomly assigned, and 55 received TreoMel-HDT. With a median follow-up of 3.3 years, there was no significant difference in EFS between TreoMel-HDT and control in the adaptive design (hazard ratio [HR] 0.85; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.32, intention-to-treat). Three-year EFS was 20.9% (95% CI, 11.5 to 37.9) in TreoMel-HDT and 19.2% (95% CI, 10.8 to 34.4) in control patients. The results were similar in the per-protocol collective. Males treated with TreoMel-HDT had better EFS compared with controls: median 1.0 years (95% CI, 0.8 to 2.2) versus 0.6 years (95% CI, 0.5 to 0.9); P = .035; HR 0.52 (0.28 to 0.97). Patients age < 14 years benefited from TreoMel-HDT with a 3-years EFS of 39.3% (95% CI, 20.4 to 75.8%) versus 9% (95% CI, 2.4 to 34); P = .016; HR 0.40 (0.19 to 0.87). These effects were similar in the per-protocol collective. This observation is supported by comparable results from the nonrandomized trial EE99R3. CONCLUSION In patients with very high-risk EWS, additional TreoMel-HDT was of no benefit for the entire cohort of patients. TreoMel-HDT may be of benefit for children age < 14 years.

Background Reliable diagnostic assessment of malignant bone lesions remains a challenge in all the medical disciplines involved. The high incidence of benign (mainly pediatric) bone lesions needs to be distinguished from the rare malignant counterparts. If clinical presentation and patient history are unable to exclude a malignant tumour, adequate imaging of the affected region is necessary. Objectives This article focuses on giving implementable advice in dealing with problems and questions arising in the diagnostic process of treating patients with suspected or confirmed bone sarcoma. Also, follow-up recommendations from a radiological point of view are presented. Methods Review and discussion of relevant literature against personal experiences in the medical imaging of patients with bone sarcomas. Results Interpretation of projection radiographic images usually succeeds in assessing a bone tumour's dignity by evaluating periosteal reaction, the formation of a tumour matrix and consideration of the Lodwick classification. A current adaptation of the classic Lodwick classification incorporates diagnostic possibilities of more recent imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET)) and is presented in this article. Plain radiographs are superseded by MRI as the primary imaging performed when depicting bone lesions with increasing frequency. The role of MRI in terms of primary diagnostics, staging, planning of biopsy tracts and tumour resections, evaluation of treatment response and follow-up are discussed. All diagnostic imaging techniques, including whole-body imaging methods, relevant in the diagnosis and therapy of bone sarcomas are presented in the sequence in which they appear during treatment. Conclusions Radiological imaging and expertise are important pillars in diagnosis and treatment of bone sarcomas. A variety of complementing imaging techniques provide a treatment-relevant basis significant for all medical disciplines involved.

Within medical age assessment practice, the indicator "medial clavicular ossification" constitutes crucial evidence capable of excluding age minority "beyond reasonable doubt" concerning age-disputed individuals doubtfully claiming children's rights during legal procedures. Yet, one of its characteristics affects the morphological variability including a fair amount of downright peculiar appearances. As a result, inexperienced examiners are tempted to classify actually not-assessable formations according to the two established developmental typologies of Schmeling et al. and Kellinghaus et al. being at the same time the most frequent systemic error of age-related clavicular taxation. Since a respective overview appears missing, the study extracts not-assessable shape variants of the medial collar bone from a large sample of 2820 male borderline-adults as seen from thin-slice, sternoclavicular computed tomography. The two already highlighted configurations "more than one, medial, secondary ossification centres" and "medial metaphyseal concavity" are found as the most commonly encountered features impeding reliable delineation of staging criteria. In accordance with previous literature, it is emphasized that "qualified" rating of extremitas sternalis claviculae within age assessment practice presupposes "knowledge about the diversity of [its] anatomic shape variants."

Osteoma is a benign bone forming tumor predominantly arising on the surface of craniofacial bones. While the vast majority of osteomas develops sporadically, a small subset of cases is associated with Gardner syndrome, a phenotypic variant of familial adenomatous polyposis caused by mutations in the APC gene resulting in aberrant activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling. In a sequencing analysis on a cohort of sporadic, non-syndromal osteomas, we identified hotspot mutations in the CTNNB1 gene (encoding β-catenin) in 22 of 36 cases (61.1%), harbouring allelic frequencies ranging from 0.04 to 0.53, with the known S45P variant representing the most frequent alteration. Based on NanoString multiplex expression profiling performed in a subset of cases, CTNNB1-mutated osteomas segregated in a defined "WNT-cluster", substantiating functionality of CTNNB1 mutations which are associated with β-catenin stabilization. Our findings for the first time convincingly show that osteomas represent genetically-driven neoplasms and provide evidence that aberrant WNT/β-catenin signaling plays a fundamental role in their pathogenesis, in line with the well-known function of WNT/β-catenin in osteogenesis. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis underlying osteoma development and establishes a helpful diagnostic molecular marker for morphologically challenging cases.

Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer, is considered a prime example of the paradigms of a translocation-positive sarcoma: a genetically rather simple disease with a specific and neomorphic-potential therapeutic target, whose oncogenic role was irrefutably defined decades ago. This is a disease that by definition has micrometastatic disease at diagnosis and a dismal prognosis for patients with macrometastatic or recurrent disease. International collaborations have defined the current standard of care in prospective studies, delivering multiple cycles of systemic therapy combined with local treatment; both are associated with significant morbidity that may result in strong psychological and physical burden for survivors. Nevertheless, the combination of non-directed chemotherapeutics and ever-evolving local modalities nowadays achieve a realistic chance of cure for the majority of patients with Ewing sarcoma. In this review, we focus on the current standard of diagnosis and treatment while attempting to answer some of the most pressing questions in clinical practice. In addition, this review provides scientific answers to clinical phenomena and occasionally defines the resulting translational studies needed to overcome the hurdle of treatment-associated morbidities and, most importantly, non-survival.

Konventionelle Chondrosarkome treten als zweithaufigster, primar maligner Knochentumor vornehmlich im hoheren Erwachsenenalter auf. Im Kindes- und Jugendalter sind sie eine Raritat. In diesem Fallbericht wird der Diagnose- und Behandlungsverlauf eines 13-jahrigen Jungen mit symptomatischem, chondrogenem Tumor des rechten distalen Femurs vorgestellt, der histopathologisch einem epiphysaren, mittelgradig differenzierten Chondrosarkom (G2) zugeordnet werden konnte. Mogliche radiologische und histopathologische Differenzialdiagnosen, wie das Chondroblastom oder das chondroblastische Osteosarkom, werden erortert und die diagnostischen Behandlungsschritte sowie die Therapie des konventionellen Chondrosarkoms vor dem Hintergrund tumororthopadisch etablierter Behandlungsstandards diskutiert.

Background While the prognosis of patients with Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is improving, little is known about the frequency of pain and its risk factors in survivors of EwS. This study aims to analyse the prevalence and risk factors of pain and its predictive value for recurrence. Patients and methods In patients with remission after treatment of EwS, frequency and characteristics of pain within the first 5 years of follow up were assessed retrospectively. Results Of 80 patients, 37 (46%) presented with at least one episode of pain. Chronic pain (>3 months) was observed in 10 patients (13%). Experience of at least one episode of pain was associated with prior combined local treatment (surgery and radiation compared to surgery alone; odds ratio [OR] 5.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-34.9, P = .007). A total of 59 episodes of pain were observed, including 47 acute and 12 chronic episodes. Lower limb pain accounted for 46% (27/59) of all episodes of pain, and was associated with primary tumour of the pelvis or lower extremity (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.18-18.21, P = .025), which represented 64% (51/80) of all EwS. The positive predictive value of pain for recurrence was only 12%. Conclusion Pain is a common problem in survivors of EwS, which mostly affects the lower extremity, and should be regularly assessed. Interventions to reduce pain may be particularly important in patients with combined local treatment with surgery and radiation, who seem to be at considerably increased risk for pain. Patients presenting with pain should be examined for recurrence.

3T MRI has become increasingly available for better imaging of interosseous ligaments, TFCC, and avascular necrosis compared with 1.5T MRI. This study assesses the sensitivity and specificity of 3T MRI compared with arthroscopy as the gold standard. Eighteen patients were examined with 3T MRI using coronal T1-TSE; PD-FS; and coronal, sagittal, and axial contrast-enhanced T1-FFE-FS sequences. Two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated the images independently. Patients underwent diagnostic arthroscopy. The classifications of the cartilage lesions showed good correlations with the arthroscopy findings (κ = 0.8–0.9). In contrast to the arthroscopy, cartilage of the distal carpal row was very good and could be evaluated in all patients on MRI. The sensitivity for the TFCC lesion was 83%, and the specificity was 42% (radiologist 1) and 63% (radiologist 2). For the ligament lesions, the sensitivity and specificity were 75 and 100%, respectively, with a high interobserver agreement (κ = 0.8–0.9). 3T MRI proved to be of good value in diagnosing cartilage lesions, especially in the distal carpal row, whereas wrist arthroscopy provided therapeutic options. When evaluating the surgical therapeutical options, 3T MRI is a good diagnostic tool for pre-operatively evaluating the cartilage of the distal carpal row.

Reliable diagnostic assessment of malignant bone lesions remains a challenge in all the medical disciplines involved. The high incidence of benign (mainly pediatric) bone lesions needs to be distinguished from the rare malignant counterparts. If clinical presentation and patient history are unable to exclude a malignant tumour, adequate imaging of the affected region is necessary.This article focuses on giving implementable advice in dealing with problems and questions arising in the diagnostic process of treating patients with suspected or confirmed bone sarcoma. Also, follow-up recommendations from a radiological point of view are presented.Review and discussion of relevant literature against personal experiences in the medical imaging of patients with bone sarcomas.Interpretation of projection radiographic images usually succeeds in assessing a bone tumour's dignity by evaluating periosteal reaction, the formation of a tumour matrix and consideration of the Lodwick classification. A current adaptation of the classic Lodwick classification incorporates diagnostic possibilities of more recent imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET)) and is presented in this article. Plain radiographs are superseded by MRI as the primary imaging performed when depicting bone lesions with increasing frequency. The role of MRI in terms of primary diagnostics, staging, planning of biopsy tracts and tumour resections, evaluation of treatment response and follow-up are discussed. All diagnostic imaging techniques, including whole-body imaging methods, relevant in the diagnosis and therapy of bone sarcomas are presented in the sequence in which they appear during treatment.Radiological imaging and expertise are important pillars in diagnosis and treatment of bone sarcomas. A variety of complementing imaging techniques provide a treatment-relevant basis significant for all medical disciplines involved.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is an important treatment option for end-stage lung emphysema in carefully selected patients. Here, we first describe the application of low-flow venovenous extracorporeal CO2 removal (LFVV-ECCO2R) as bridge to LVRS in patients with end-stage lung emphysema experiencing severe hypercapnia caused by acute failure of the breathing pump. Between March and October 2015, n = 4 patients received single-site LFVV-ECCO2R as bridge to LVRS. Indication for extracorporeal lung support was severe hypercapnia with respiratory acidosis and acute breathing pump failure. Two patients required continuous mechanical ventilation over a temporary tracheostomy and were bed ridden. The other two patients were nearly immobile because of severe dyspnea at rest. Length of preoperative ECCO2R was 14 (1-42) days. All patients underwent unilateral LVRS. Anatomical resection of the right (n = 3) or left (n = 1) upper lobe was performed. Postoperatively, both patients with previous mechanical ventilatory support were successfully weaned. ECCO2R in patients with end-stage lung emphysema experiencing severe hypercapnia caused by acute breathing pump failure is a safe and effective bridging tool to LVRS. In such patients, radical surgery leads to a significant improvement of the performance status and furthermore facilitates respiratory weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Non‐ossifying fibroma (NOF) has been an intriguing entity since its first description. It is the most common bone tumour, is usually asymptomatic affecting children and adolescents, is composed of a heterogeneous cell population, and undergoes spontaneous regression after puberty. In a recent article in The Journal of Pathology, Baumhoer and colleagues demonstrate mutations activating the RAS‐MAPK pathway (KRAS, FGFR1 and NF1) in ∼80% of the tumours. Activation of the RAS‐MAPK pathway by somatic mutations is found in a plethora of tumour types, both benign and malignant, while germline mutations cause a wide range of syndromes collectively termed the RASopathies. Their findings indicate that NOF, for long thought to be reactive, should be considered a true neoplasm. Moreover, their data suggest that only a subset of cells in the lesion contain the mutation. A second cell population consisting of histiocytes and osteoclast‐like giant cells appears to be reactive. This intimate relation between WT and mutant cells is also frequently encountered in other benign and locally aggressive bone tumours and seems essential for tumourigenesis. The spontaneous regression remains enigmatic and it is tempting to speculate that pubertal hormonal signalling, especially increased oestrogen levels, affect the balance between mutant and WT cells. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

The Cooperative Ewing Sarcoma Study and the Late Effects Surveillance System of the Society for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology recommend a structured follow-up imaging protocol (FUIP) for patients with Ewing sarcoma (EwS) with decreasing frequency of imaging over the first 5 years. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of the FUIP for EwS patients regarding survival after relapse. A retrospective multicenter analysis on 160 eligible patients with EwS recurrence was performed. Potential survival differences following recurrence diagnosis between patients with protocol-detected and symptomatic relapse were investigated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Additional subgroup analyses were performed on the relapse type. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from diagnosis of relapse to last follow-up or death. In the multicenter analysis, recurrence was detected by FUIP in 77 of 160 patients (48%) and due to symptoms in 83 patients (52%). Regarding the entire study population, OS was significantly superior in patients with protocol-detected relapse compared to patients with symptomatic relapse (median, 2.4 vs. 1.2 years; P < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, patients whose lung recurrences were detected by the FUIP experienced longer survival after recurrence than those whose recurrences were detected symptomatically (P = 0.023). In the 83 symptomatic patients, pain was the most prevalent symptom of relapse (72%). FUIP may benefit survival in EwS relapse, especially in lung recurrence. Pain was the leading symptom of relapse

Background The Interdisciplinary Tumor Board (ITB) of the Cooperative Ewing Sarcoma Study (CESS) Group was investigated to assess its impact on the overall survival (OAS) of Ewing sarcoma (EwS) patients. The ITB functions as a reference center for the international institutions participating in the clinical trials of the CESS group, but is also available internationally to patients who have not been treated within an appropriate clinical trial. The value of tumor boards in terms of benefit for the patients and the health care system in general is not well documented and is also the subject of controversial discussions. A review of the representative literature is included. Methods Data were analyzed from 481 patients who had been registered into the European Ewing Tumor Working Initiative of National Groups (EURO E.W.I.N.G.-99) clinical trial via the CESS data center between 2006 and 2009; this included 331 patients with localized disease and another 150 individuals with metastases at diagnosis. Median follow-up time was 3.2 years. Results Improved OAS was observed for patients with metastases who had received recommendations from the ITB compared with those who had not received recommendations. In patients with localized disease, a recommendation from the ITB had no influence on OAS. Conclusion As a reference center for a rare disease, recommendations from our ITB impacted local therapy and led to higher OAS in patients with metastatic disease. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis that examines the value of a reference tumor board on a rare disease.

To evaluate the performance of a prospectively defined follow-up imaging protocol that includes FDG-PET(/CT) to detect tumour recurrence in Ewing sarcoma (EwS) before becoming symptomatic.Imaging results and clinical data during follow-up were retrospectively analysed from all patients treated successfully within the EURO E.W.I.N.G. 99 trial at the University Hospital Münster, Germany. All patients received follow-up imaging according to a comprehensive protocol that included regular X-ray, CT, MRI, bone scan and PET(/CT), albeit not all on the same day and with varying intervals for the different modalities.80 of 105 patients underwent follow-up at our institution after complete remission. 30 patients had recurrent tumour during the follow-up period of 3.6 years on average. 19 recurrences (63%) were detected by scheduled imaging before the advent of clinical symptoms. The majority of these recurrences (8 out of 19; 42%) was detected first by PET/ CT (and confirmed with additional imaging thereafter), even though the total number of PET/CTs was comparatively low (138) and PET/CT was not systematically scheduled before other imaging techniques. Recurrences detected by bone scan were also detectable by PET.The implemented follow-up protocol was effective in the detection of EwS recurrence before the advent of symptoms. Most cases of those detected before onset of symptoms were detected by PET/CT first. This hybrid imaging modality should therefore be considered in the routine follow-up of EwS patients, as is standard in our hospital. In combination with PET, low-dose chest CT seems to be sufficient in the detection of small pulmonary nodules.ZIEL:: Evaluation eines prospektiv definierten bildgebenden Nachsorge-Protokolls einschließlich FDG-PET(/CT) zur Erkennung von Rezidiven eines Ewing-Sarkoms (EwS) vor dem Auftreten von Symptomen.Die Ergebnisse der Bildgebung und klinische Daten im Rahmen der Nachsorge wurden retrospektiv bei allen Patienten erhoben, die erfolgreich innerhalb der EURO E.W.I.N.G 99 Studie am Universitätsklinikum Münster behandelt wurden. Alle Patienten erhielten eine Nachsorge gemäß einem umfassenden Bildgebungs-Protokoll, welches regelmäßige Röntgenuntersuchungen, CT, MRT, Skelett-Szintigraphie und PET(/CT) beinhaltete, die allerdings nicht alle am selben Tag und mit unterschiedlichen Intervallen für die einzelnen Modalitäten durchgeführt wurden.80 von 105 Patienten erhielten eine Nachsorge in unserem Zentrum nach kompletter Remission. 30 Patienten erlitten ein Rezidiv innerhalb der Nachsorgeperiode von durchschnittlich 3,6 Jahren. 19 Rezidive (63 %) wurden durch die vorgegebene Bildgebung vor dem Auftreten von Symptomen entdeckt. Die Mehrzahl (8 von 19; 42%) der so entdeckten Rezidive wurde als erstes durch PET/CT-Untersuchungen erkannt (und danach durch andere Bildgebungsmethoden bestätigt), obwohl die Gesamtzahl der durchgeführten PET/CTs vergleichsweise gering war (138) und diese Untersuchung nicht systematisch vor anderen Bildgebungsverfahren terminiert wurde. Rezidive, welche durch die Skelett-Szintigraphie entdeckt wurden, waren auch in der PET erkennbar.Das implementierte Bildgebungs-Nachsorgeprotokoll erwies sich als effektiv darin, EwS-Rezidive vor Symptom-Manifestation zu entdecken. Die meisten der vor Auftreten von Symptomen detektierten Rezidive wurden zuerst durch die PET/CT nachgewiesen. Die PET/CT sollte daher in die Nachsorge von EwS-Patienten eingeschlossen werden, so wie es bereits in unserem Klinikum Standard ist. In Kombination mit PET scheint die Low-dose-ThoraxCT suffizient zur Erkennung kleiner pulmonaler Läsionen zu sein.

Purpose: The sacrum is a rare but unfavourable location for Aneurysmal Bone Cysts (ABCs), surgical procedures aiming to achieve local tumour control can be mutilating. Aim of this study was to evaluate whether selective arterial embolisation (AE) of ABC of the sacrum is an effective treatment and might be an alternative to surgical treatment options. Materials and Methods: Between 2007 and 2011 six patients (mean age 13.7 years, range 8 – 18 years) with an ABC of the sacrum were treated by AE. Follow-up was performed by MRI-scans as well as clinical examination (mean 36.5 months, range 14 – 56 months). Results: No treatment related complications have been observed. AE resulted in devascularisation of ABC and led to local tumour control in all patients. A partial consolidation was noticed in three patients. Pain relief was achieved in five of six patients, neurological deficits dissolved. In two patients more than one embolization was necessary. In one of these patients due to exacerbation of pain a surgical decompression was performed. Conclusion: AE of sacral ABCs can serve as an effective and safe treatment option. Thus it might be an alternative to potentially harmful surgical procedures. In case of ongoing tumour growth or pain recurrence AE can be repeated. In case of treatment failure surgical interventions are still possible. Key Points: • transarterial embolisation enables local tumour control in sacral ABCs • transarterial embolisation of sacral ABCs is a safe procedure • in case of tumour progression repetitive embolisations are possible and effective Citation Format: • Henrichs MP, Beck L, Gosheger G et al. Selective arterial Embolisation of Aneurysmal Bone Cysts of the Sacrum: a promising Alternative to Surgery. Fortschr Rontgenstr 2016; 188: 53 – 59

Dieser Beitrag stellt eine Diskussion uber das Berechnungsverfahren fur das Lebenszeitrisiko einer sehr kleinen Strahlenexposition (< 1 mSv effektive Dosis) dar. Derzeit wird das sog. lineare schwellwertlose Regressionsverfahren auch fur geringste Strahlenexposition herangezogen, obwohl es Hinweise auf eine Niedrigdosisschwelle gibt. Anhand einer Computertomographie der Sternoklavikulargelenke werden die wesentlichen Risikoeinflussfaktoren besprochen. Die Zunahme des Lebenszeitrisikos wird mit 0,0034 % angegeben.

Traumatic brain injury is an important health concern in equestrian sports. Nevertheless, the use of safety helmets, especially in recreational riding, is reported to be rare. The purpose of this study was to perform the first matched-pairs analysis of traumatic brain injury with regard to the use of helmets.In a multicenter retrospective database analysis 40 patients (mean age: 35 ± 17.13 years; 34 female6 male) were combined in 20 matched pairs based on age group, gender and trauma mechanism. Admission trauma computed tomography was qualitatively analyzed for the presence or absence of fractures or intracranial hemorrhage. Quantitatively, in patients with intracranial hemorrhage dedicated volumetry of the blood volume was performed. Odds ratio and relative risk were calculated for the endpoints fractures and intracranial hemorrhage. Crude risk ratio and lesion volume differences between helmeted and unhelmeted riders were compared.Concerning skull fractures, in this cohort 6 patients (85.7% of all patients with fractures) did not wear a helmet and only one (14.3%) wore a helmet (p = .068).and fractures were considered more complex in the unhelmeted subgroup. Intracranial hemorrhage occurred significantly more often in the unhelmeted subgroup (10 vs. 2; p = .008). Moreover, the total lesion volume with 19.31 ± 23.93ml in the unhelmeted subgroup, presenting with intracranial hemorrhage, was significantly higher than in the control group (0.65 ± 0.35ml; p = .002). Odds ratios were 9 for intracranial hemorrhage (p = .014) and 8.14 for skull fractures without helmet (p = .09). Altogether, the relative risk for intracranial bleeding for unhelmeted riders was 5-fold higher and the relative risk reduction was 96% by wearing a safety helmet.Under consideration of comparable trauma mechanisms, horseback riders that do not wear a safety helmet are at risk to suffer significantly more severe brain injury than helmeted riders. Therefore, safety helmets are recommendable for all horseback riders.

In the past, numerous studies have documented the possibility of intraindividual differing appearances of the paired age-marker “medial clavicular ossification” in borderline adults. However, the extent of the divergences is rarely mentioned. Against that the article describes this phenomenon from a large sample of 2595 male persons by means of thin-slice CT imaging of the sternoclavicular regions. For determining the ossification stage of the medial clavicles, the two accepted classifications by Schmeling et al. (five main stages) and Kellinghaus et al. (six substages) were applied and buildings deviating from that labelled as atypical “norm variants”. The longstanding observation could be confirmed that intraindividual stage discrepancies of this age indicator are generally moderate and do not exceed one main stage or two substages of the respective classifications. It is concluded that stage determination should be scrutinized, if a dissimilarity seems to show larger differences.

To explore the possibility of determining majority via a morphology-based examination of the epiphyseal-diaphyseal fusion by 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a prospective cross-sectional study developing and applying a new stage classification was conducted. 344 male and 350 female volunteers of German nationality between the ages of 12-24 years were scanned between May 2013 and June 2015. A 3.0 T MRI scanner was used, acquiring a T1-weighted (T1-w) turbo spin-echo sequence (TSE) and a T2-weighted (T2-w) TSE sequence with fat suppression by spectral pre-saturation with inversion recovery (SPIR). The gathered information was sifted and a five-stage classification was formulated as a hypothesis. The images were then assessed using this classification. The relevant statistics were defined, the intra- and interobserver agreements were determined, and the differences between the sexes were analysed. The application of the new classification made it possible to correctly assess majority in both sexes by the examination of the epiphyses of the knee joint. The intra- and interobserver agreement levels were very good (κ > 0.80). The Mann-Whitney-U Test implied significant sex-related differences for most stages. Applying the presented MRI classification, it is possible to determine the completion of the 18th year of life in either sex by 3.0 T MRI of the knee joint. • Based on prospective referential data a new MRI classification was formulated. • The setting allows assessment of the age of an individual’s skeletal development. • The classification scheme allows the reliable determination of majority in both sexes. • The staging shows a high reproducibility for instructed and trained professional personnel. • The proposed classification is likely to be adaptable to other long bone epiphyses.

Evaluation of the degree of ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis plays a crucial role in determining with an adequate degree of probability whether legally relevant age boundaries after the age of 17 have been crossed. In view of the need to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure, establishing non-X-ray methods for investigating the clavicle has long been a key objective in forensic age assessment research. Based on magnetic resonance imaging examinations in a large sample of healthy subjects, the current study for the first time presents statistical measures which allow inferences to be drawn for forensic age assessment in both sexes. We undertook a prospective study of a reference sample of 334 female and 335 male German volunteers aged from 12 to 24 using a 3-T MRI scanner. A 3D FFE (fast field echo) T1-weighted sequence with fat saturation was acquired. To stage ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis, we used the clavicular ossification staging systems described by Schmeling et al. and Kellinghaus et al. Ossification stage IIIc offers a means in both sexes of demonstrating that the age of 18 has been attained prior to complete ossification of the epiphyseal plate. In both sexes, if a subject has reached ossification stage IV, it can be stated that he or she has attained the age of 21. Magnetic resonance imaging is a valid diagnostic procedure for determining the ossification stage of the medial clavicular epiphysis.

Hintergrund Zur Erhohung der Aussagesicherheit von Altersschatzungen bei lebenden Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen ohne Legitimation fur Rontgenuntersuchungen sind in den letzten Jahren rontgenstrahlenfreie bildgebende Verfahren in den Fokus des Forschungsinteresses auf dem Gebiet der forensischen Altersdiagnostik geruckt.

In various European countries the age of 17 years can play a key role in the context of subsequent immigration of further family members in cases of unaccompanied minor refugees. The present study investigated whether further subclassification of the clavicular substage 3a can serve as an additional criterion for determining if a person has reached 17 years of age. In this study the computed tomography scans of 36 autopsy cases with clavicular substage 3a were further subclassified according to a new classification system comprising the stages 3aa, 3ab and 3ac. The analysis revealed that the new stage 3ac occurred first at the age of 18.2 years in males and at 17.6 years in females. The presence of the new stage 3ac represents a potential criterion for indicating that the 17th year of life has been completed.

As superimposition effects often impede the evaluation of the ossification status of the medial clavicular epiphysis in standard posterior-anterior (PA) radiographs, additional oblique images (right anterior oblique, RAO, and left anterior oblique, LAO) are currently recommended to allow for reliable stage assessments. The present study examines the influence of the radiographic projection type on stage determination. To this end, 836 sternoclavicular joints were prospectively obtained during forensic autopsies of bodies aged between 15 and 30 years. Subsequently, three different radiographs (PA, RAO, and LAO) were taken from each specimen and separately evaluated as to the developmental stage of the medial clavicular epiphysis. A forensically established five-stage classification system was used. In 25 % of the cases, the medial clavicular epiphysis depicted in an oblique projection showed a different ossification stage than in the PA projection. In at least 10 % of the cases, a higher ossification stage was observed which would have significant disadvantages in criminal proceedings (ethically unacceptable error). In conclusion, the usage of the current radiographic reference data, which rely upon chest radiographs taken as PA projections, appears to be inadmissible for oblique projections. Projection radiography of the clavicle can therefore no longer be recommended for forensic age estimation practice. As to the question of whether an individual has achieved the age of 18 or 21, computed tomography of the clavicle must be regarded as the exclusive method of choice.

Background To guarantee equal chances for participants in U-20 football tournaments, it seems desirable to verify the ages given by players with questionable dates of birth. Objective To study the potential use of 3.0 tesla MRI of the clavicle in estimating the ages of U-20 football players. Methods The ossification stage of the medial clavicular epiphyses was evaluated prospectively in 152 male footballers in the age group from 18 to 22 years using 3.0 tesla MRI. Results Average age increased with any higher degree of fusion. The only footballer with full ossification of the medial clavicular epiphyseal plate was 21.2 years old. Conclusions The presence of a fully ossified clavicular epiphyseal plate appears to provide evidence of completion of the 20th year of life. The results of the pilot study need to be verified in a larger number of cases.

Knochentumoren, und hier insbesondere die Knochensarkome, gehoren im Vergleich zu den deutlich haufiger vorkommenden Knochenmetastasen zu den selteneren Lasionen des Skelettsystems. Trotz dieser relativen Seltenheit darf man sie als wichtige Differentialdiagnosen nicht auser Acht lassen. Ziel ist es, dem Leser einen Einblick in die Grundlagen der primaren Bildgebung der Knochensarkome zu geben und dies anhand zweier Beispiele (Osteosarkom, Chondrosarkom) zu verdeutlichen. Die Grundlage der bildgebenden Diagnostik der Knochensarkome bildet die Projektionsradiographie in 2 Ebenen. Hier lassen sich mittels Lodwick-Klassifikation, Konfiguration der Periostreaktion und einer moglichen Veranderung der Kortikalis wichtige Hinweise auf das biologische Verhalten eines Tumors sammeln. Eine Tumormatrix und die Lokalisation innerhalb des Skeletts bzw. innerhalb der Rohrenknochen liefern zusatzlich wichtige Informationen zur differentialdiagnostischen Eingrenzung. Das bildgebende lokale Staging erfolgt mittels Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) mit bestimmten, auf die Knochentumordiagnostik abgestimmten Untersuchungssequenzen. Zum Ausschluss moglicher Skip-Metastasen wird diese Lokaldiagnostik durch ein „Kompartment-MRT“ mit Darstellung des gesamten, tumortragenden Knochens bzw. der angrenzenden Gelenke erganzt. Die haufigsten Fernmetastasen treten insbesondere beim Osteosarkom und beim Chondrosarkom in der Lunge auf, so dass hier standardmasig eine Computertomographie (CT) des Thorax durchgefuhrt wird. Weitere bildgebende Methoden wie die CT des Tumors, die Positronenemissionstomographie-CT (PET-CT), die Skelettszintigraphie und das Ganzkorper-MRT erganzen die Diagnostik je nach Tumorart.

Osteofibrous dysplasia Campanacci is a rare benign bone tumor most frequently observed in young childhood. The exclusive localization in the tibia is very characteristic. The incidence of congenital primary bone tumors is an absolute rarity. We report a case of a newborn with a histologically proven osteofibrous dysplasia Campanacci at the tibia presenting a regular radiographic follow-up. After a small open biopsy and spontaneous minor fracture, the lesion rapidly remodeled within 1½ months and almost completely regressed with restutio ad integrum. Surgical intervention in this tumor entity at childhood age has been shown to have a high recurrence rate but due to lack of experience with newborns, guidelines do not exist. We analyze the radiologic and histologic differential diagnosis of juvenile adamantinoma and emphasize that congenital peripheral bone tumors should be treated conservatively when malignancy is excluded.

Recent in vivo studies were able to show the impairing effect of neoangiogenesis in degenerative tendon diseases. Clinical in vivo monitoring of angiogenesis in injured tendons therefore seems to be crucial for an accurate therapeutic approach. The aim of this study was to develop a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based technique for observing angiogenesis during tendon healing in vivo.Tendinopathy was induced by an in situ freezing model of rat patellar tendon and monitored after 7, 14, and 28 days. Animals were randomly divided into an imaging and immunohistochemical group. MRI with a 'blood pool' contrast agent was used to determine neoangiogenesis during tendon healing. MRI was compared to histochemical staining and quantification of blood vessels in injured and native tendons.MRI data revealed a peak in changes in the transverse relaxation rate (ΔR 2*), which is proportional to relative blood volume, 7 days after surgery and decrease until day 28. Histological microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis were also most evident at day 7 and decreased over time.The current results are demonstrating a time-dependent correlation between microvessel density and ΔR 2*. Thus, MRI-based evaluation of angiogenesis in the tendon might be a new promising technique for in vivo monitoring of angiogenesis and therapy response in the future.

To increase the reliability of forensic age estimations in living adolescents and young adults where there is no legitimation for X-ray examinations, it would be desirable to establish radiation-free imaging methods. In the present study, the ossification stage of the distal femoral epiphysis was determined retrospectively in 166 male and 124 female individuals in the age group 10 to 30 years using 3.0T MRI. When evaluating the ossification stage, a combination of the classifications proposed by Schmeling et al. and by Kellinghaus et al. was used. Within the study population, stages 3b, 3c and 4 did not occur in the male sex before the 14th birthday, although the validity of the results is distinctly limited relative to stage 3b in view of the small number of cases. In females, stages 3c and 4 did not occur before the 14th birthday. Stage 4 did not occur in males before the 18th birthday. Should this result be confirmed in future studies, there would be an additional criterion providing evidence that the age of 18 years has been completed.

Background: Novel treatment strategies in Ewing sarcoma include targeted cellular therapies. Preclinical in vivo models are needed that reflect their activity against systemic (micro)metastatic disease. Methods: Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) was used to monitor the engraftment and dissemination of human Ewing sarcoma xenografts in mice. In this model, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of T cells redirected against the Ewing sarcoma-associated antigen GD2 by chimeric receptor engineering. Results: Of 18 mice receiving intravenous injections of VH-64 Ewing sarcoma cells, all developed disseminated tumour growth detectable by WB-MRI. All mice had lung tumours, and the majority had additional manifestations in the bone, soft tissues, and/or kidney. Sequential scans revealed in vivo growth of tumours. Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background signal suppression effectively visualised Ewing sarcoma growth in extrapulmonary sites. Animals receiving GD2-targeted T-cell therapy had lower numbers of pulmonary tumours than controls, and the median volume of soft tissue tumours at first detection was lower, with a tumour growth delay over time. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging reliably visualises disseminated Ewing sarcoma growth in mice. GD2-retargeted T cells can noticeably delay tumour growth and reduce pulmonary Ewing sarcoma manifestations in this aggressive disease model.

Determining the ossification stage of the medial clavicular epiphysis by computed tomography represents the currently recommended methodology for the question of whether a living individual has completed the 18th or 21st year of life. In the present study, thin-slice CT scans of 1078 sternoclavicular joints were reconstructed in axial and coronal image series and evaluated according to the two classification systems established for age diagnostics using the clavicle. Both image series (axial and coronal) were analyzed separately. When comparing the results of axial and coronal view, a different ossification stage was found in 35.6% of the clavicles. The results suggest an influence of the imaging plane on the process of stage determination. In order to further approximate the three-dimensional and asymmetrical structure of the epiphyseal ossification center, the usage of at least two different reformation types may be recommended. In practice, only those reference studies should be applied which exactly employed the same number and orientations of the reformation types that are going to be used in the respective routine case.

Summary Aim: To evaluate the performance of a prospectively defined follow-up imaging protocol that includes FDG-PET(/CT) to detect tumour recurrence in Ewing sarcoma (EwS) before becoming symptomatic. Methods: Imaging results and clinical data during follow-up were retrospectively analysed from all patients treated successfully within the EURO E.W.I.N.G. 99 trial at the University Hospital Münster, Germany. All patients received follow-up imaging according to a comprehensive protocol that included regular X-ray, CT, MRI, bone scan and PET(/CT), albeit not all on the same day and with varying intervals for the different modalities. Results: 80 of 105 patients underwent follow-up at our institution after complete remission. 30 patients had recurrent tumour during the follow-up period of 3.6 years on average. 19 recurrences (63%) were detected by scheduled imaging before the advent of clinical symptoms. The majority of these recurrences (8 out of 19; 42%) was detected first by PET/ CT (and confirmed with additional imaging thereafter), even though the total number of PET/CTs was comparatively low (138) and PET/CT was not systematically scheduled before other imaging techniques. Recurrences detected by bone scan were also detectable by PET.Conclusions: The implemented follow-up protocol was effective in the detection of EwS recurrence before the advent of symptoms. Most cases of those detected before onset of symptoms were detected by PET/CT first. This hybrid imaging modality should therefore be considered in the routine follow-up of EwS patients, as is standard in our hospital. In combination with PET, low-dose chest CT seems to be sufficient in the detection of small pulmonary nodules.

According to a modified method originally developed by Cameriere et al. (Int J Legal Med 120:143–146, 2006; J Forensic Sci 52:1151–1155, 2007; Forensic Sci Int 174:59–62, 2008; Forensic Sci Int 174:178–181, 2008; Forensic Sci Int 193:128.e1–128.e6, 2009), the suitability of the iliac crest apophysis (ICA) for the purpose of forensic age estimation in living individuals was investigated by means of area measurements in 643 pelvic radiographs of patients aged between 10 and 30 years. The area of the ossification centre(s) of the iliac crest and the area of the iliac wing (IW) were determined by manual segmentation. In 116 cases, area measurements were possible. ICA/IW ratios were calculated and used for regression analyses, yielding different regression equations. Depending on sex, pelvic side and ratio considered, R 2 ranged between 0.20 and 0.38 and the standard error of the estimate, between 1.91 and 2.00 years. No statistical significant differences were found between the right and the left pelvic sides. In conclusion, this method is potentially applicable for forensic age estimation in living individuals. However, further studies under more standardised conditions and with higher case numbers are needed in order to decide whether the iliac crest apophysis might become suitable for routine age diagnostics.

To clarify the relevance of the bony fusion of the distal femoral and the proximal tibial epiphyses by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a prospective cross-sectional cohort study was performed with a special focus on a reliable determination of the 14th, 16th and 18th years of life. We scanned 658 German volunteers in the age bracket 12–24 years using a 3.0 T MR-scanner and utilising a T1 turbo spin-echo sequence representing true bone anatomy. Minimum, maximum, mean ± standard deviation and median with lower and upper quartiles were defined. Intra- and interobserver agreements were determined (Cohen’s kappa). The statistical relevance of sex-related differences was analysed (Mann-Whitney U test, p

As hatchet blows to the human head frequently cause fatal injuries, the forensic examination of survivors with cranial chop injuries is a rare phenomenon in forensic casework. Besides evaluation of clinical records, photographs, and medico-legal physical examination, the analysis and 3-dimensional reconstruction of pre-treatment computed tomography data (3DCT) must be considered an important and indispensable tool for the assessment of those cases because the characteristics of chopping trauma often appear masked or changed by clinical treatment. In the present article, the role of 3DCT for the evaluation of chop wounds in clinical forensic medicine is demonstrated by an illustrative case report of a young man who was attacked with a hatchet. 3DCT provides additional possibilities for supplementing missing information, such as number and direction of blows as well as weapon identification. Furthermore, 3DCT facilitates demonstration in court and understanding of medical lay people. We conclude that 3DCT is of particular value for the evaluation of survivors of life-threatening head and face injury. An increasing significance of this technique may be expected.

The dramatic rise in the number of refugees entering Germany means that age estimation for juveniles and young adults whose age is unclear but relevant to legal and official procedures has become more important than ever. Until now, whether and to what extent the combination of methods recommended by the Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics has resulted in a reduction of the range of scatter of the summarized age diagnosis has been unclear. Hand skeletal age, third molar mineralization stage and ossification stage of the medial clavicular epiphyses were determined for 307 individuals aged between 10 and 29 at time of death on whom autopsies were performed at the Institutes of Legal Medicine in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main and Hamburg between 2001 and 2011. To measure the range of scatter, linear regression analysis was used to calculate the standard error of estimate for each of the above methods individually and in combination. It was found that combining the above methods led to a reduction in the range of scatter. Due to various limitations of the study, the statistical parameters determined cannot, however, be used for age estimation practice.

Berichtet wird uber den protrahierten Krankheitsverlauf eines 22-jahrigen Mannes mit einem Osteoidosteom des rechten Talus. Durch MRT- und CT-Diagnostik konnte 2 Jahre nach Auftreten der Symptomatik die Diagnose gestellt und anschliesend durch eine Thermokoagulation therapiert werden. Zwolf Monate postinterventionell zeigt sich der Patient symptomfrei.

Die radiologische Untersuchung des Ossifikationsstatus der medialen Klavikulaepiphysenfuge ermoglicht im Rahmen der Alterschatzung bei Lebenden im Strafverfahren, eine Aussage zur Vollendung des 21. Lebensjahres zu treffen. In der vorgestellten Studie untersuchten die Autoren prospektiv 8 aus dem Sektionsgut stammende Praparate der Sternoklavikularregion von Individuen der Altersgruppe 15 bis 17 Jahre vergleichend mit der Projektionsradiographie, der Dunnschicht-Computertomographie (CT) und der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT). Bei 6 von 15 untersuchten Sternoklavikulargelenken stimmte das Ossifikationsstadium der medialen Klavikulaepiphysenfuge in allen 3 angewandten Bildgebungsmodalitaten uberein. In den ubrigen 9 Fallen wurde der Ossifikationsstatus in jeweils einem der 3 Bildgebungsverfahren ein Stadium hoher oder niedriger als in den anderen beiden Modalitaten eingestuft. Auf der Grundlage konventioneller Rontgenbilder wurde in 5 Fallen (gegenuber CT) bzw. in 7 Fallen (gegenuber MRT) ein hoheres Verknocherungsstadium als in den Schichtbildverfahren festgestellt. In 2 Fallen ergab das konventionelle Rontgen ein niedrigeres Stadium als die durch die CT und MRT bestimmten Stadien. In 2 Fallen zeigte das MRT ein niedrigeres als das mithilfe der CT ermittelte Ossifikationsstadium. In der Alterschatzungspraxis sind modalitatenspezifische Referenzstudien fur eine adaquate Bewertung des Ossifikationsstatus der medialen Klavikulaepiphyse zu verwenden.

Thin-slice computed tomography provides the imaging modality of choice in analysing the ossification process of the medial clavicular epiphysis for the purpose of forensic age diagnostics in the living in the course of criminal proceedings. The classification of the ossification stages by Schmeling et al. compass the emergence of an epiphyseal ossification centre (stage 2), the partial fusion of the epiphysis with the metaphysis (stage 3), the complete fusion of these osseous elements including a visible epiphyseal scar (stage 4), and the complete fusion without a visible epiphyseal scar (stage 5). In the present study, each of the ossification stages 2 and 3 was divided into an early, intermediate and late phase. The authors evaluated the thin-slice CT scans of 185 patients aged between 13 and 26 years. In all these cases, a stage 2 or 3 had been determined in a previous study. The late stage 3, which is characterized by a fusion between metaphysis and epiphysis completing more than two thirds of the former epiphyseal gap, first appeared at age 19 in both sexes. If a late stage 3 is found, it is therefore possible to substantiate that an individual has already reached the legally important age threshold of 18 years.

In this study we present a series of patients (n = 11) with resection of the entire distal fibula in the case of sarcoma or metastasis. Moreover, we describe a new method to restore ankle stability with a tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde hindfoot nail (n = 4) in contrast to tibiotalar arthrodesis with screws (n = 5). The screw fixation failed in two patients due to osteopoenic bone. The crucial benefits of an arthrodesis with a retrograde nail are a stable arthrodesis, intramedullary stabilisation of the tibia and avoidance of extrinsic material in the wound area. An arthrodesis with a retrograde nail is a good alternative for reconstruction after a wide distal fibula resection. The additional arthrodesis of the subtalar joint was not associated with worse functional results in the MSTS and TESS scores.

The aim of this study is to examine the predictive value of ultrasound diagnostics for the assessment of traumatic lesions of the posterior ligament complex (PLC) in burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. This was a prospective validating cohort study. Judgment about instability and treatment of burst fractures depends on the condition of the PLC. There have been some studies describing underdiagnosis of PLC injuries due to classification problems in ligamentary distraction type fractures. The gold standard for assessing these lesions is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Even then, there are often limits in contemporary operational availability and technical limitations of MRI. Ultrasound was described being an alternative. In a prospective study, 54 levels of 18 patients with acute burst fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine have been examined by ultrasound and additional MRI scans preoperatively. The condition (intact vs. ruptured) of supraspinous ligament (SSL) and the interspinous ligament has been assessed for the ligaments separately. Hematoma below the SSL has also been evaluated as an indirect sign of an injured PLC. In all the patients the primary performed operative treatment was a posterior spinal instrumentation. Postoperatively the blinded results of the ultrasound procedures have been matched against intraoperative and MRI findings. Assessments of all target structures have been contributed to the calculation of the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound. A total of 18 patients, 14 males and 4 females, with acute burst fractures have been qualified for inclusion in the study. The patients’ mean age was 43.4 years. Comparing intraoperative findings with preoperatively performed investigations, ultrasound archived a sensitivity of 0.99 and a specificity of 0.75 (P

Madelung deformity (MD) is a rare, normally painful abnormality of the wrist and forearm which characteristically begins in adolescence. Usually the deformity appears between the age of 8 and 14 years, often progressing from initially mild functional pain to fatigue and loss of strength and finally, reduced mobility. We present the MR-findings in three patients with bilateral MD, using a high-resolution imaging protocol adapted for 3.0 Tesla (3.0 T) examinations.Wrist images of three patients were acquired at a 3.0 T Scanner (Gyroscan Intera, Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands), using a dedicated phased array coil. The imaging protocol consisted of coronal T1-weighted Turbo-spin-echo (T1w-TSE) and coronal and sagittal T2-weighted TSE sequences (T2w-TSE).MR-images of these three girls demonstrated severe volar bayonet configuration of the forearms with a dorsal prominence of the ulnar head, also a curved distal radial articular surface with increased ulnar angulation, due to a deceleration of growth in the ulnar portion of the distal epiphysis. The proximal carpal row showed pyramidal configuration. Also visible was a prominent short radiolunate ligament, the so called Vickers ligament, which originates from the ulnar border of the radius, inserts into the volar pole of the lunate and likely contributes to carpal pyramidalization. Furthermore, the images demonstrated an anomalous hypertrophied and elongated volar radiotriquetral ligament which, to our knowledge, has been described elsewhere only in another case.High resolution imaging at 3.0 T permitted a detailed analysis of the complex pathomorphology in patients with MD. Investing the better signal-to-noise ratio at higher field strengths into spatial resolution an excellent image quality could be obtained, depicting the Vickers ligament and the anomalous volar radiotriquetral ligament in this rare disease.

In long-term survivors, oncologic surgeons are regularly faced with the problem of revising stem breakage of first generation Kotz modular femoral and tibial reconstruction system (KMFTR) prostheses. To avoid a whole prosthesis-exchange, we invented an adapter which allows connecting original KMFTR devices to new modular universal tumor and revision system (MUTARS) components. The adapter was used in 10 patients after a mean time span of 16.6 years after primary implantation of KMFTR prostheses. Reasons for revision included femoral stem breakage in five cases, breakage of tibial component in three cases and periprosthetic fracture in two cases (one femoral, one tibial). The femoral stem (three cases), the tibial stem (two cases) or the tibial plateau and body (two cases) were exchanged to MUTARS and connected to the remaining KMFTR parts. Three cases were converted to a total femur. Postoperative complications included one cone-dislocation and one aseptic loosening. In all patients, the pre-incidence function could be restored. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 81.7% of normal function. The presented adapter enables restoration of the long-term extremity function with relatively minor revision.