Marcus Hörmann

Radiological emergency room management with emphasis on multidetector-row CT

Trauma is the fifth leading cause of death after disease of the cardiovascular system, malignomas and disease of the respiratory and digestive system. The management of severely injured patients, including radiological imaging, is a matter of ongoing development. In particular, as for the imaging modalities, multidetector-row CT represents a substantial refinement in the diagnostic work-up of multitrauma patients. Sufficient therapy within the first hour after trauma increases the patients chances for survival significantly. Thus, therapeutic procedures and diagnostic evaluation have to be concomitant events, performed by a multidisciplinary team, namely trauma surgeon, anesthesiologist and, last but not least, radiologist. The increased performance of multidetector-row CT leads to increased spatial resolution, which is a prerequisite for sophisticated two- and three-dimensional postprocessing. The increased volume coverage speed allows for comprehensive whole-body CT at still high levels of spatial resolution, resulting in significant spare of time which influences patients survival. Using this technique conventional imaging such as plane film or angiography may be omitted.

Three-dimensional volume rendering of multidetector-row CT data: applicable for emergency radiology.

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MD-CT) not only creates new opportunities but also challenges for medical imaging. Isotropic imaging allows in-depth views into anatomy and disease but the concomitant dramatic increase of image data requires new approaches to visualize, analyze and store CT data. The common diagnostic reviewing process slice by slice becomes more and more time consuming as the number of slice increases, while on the other hand CT volume data sets could be used for three-dimensional visualization. These techniques allow for comprehensive interpretation of extent of fracture, amount of dislocation and fragmentation in a three-dimensional highly detailed setting. Further more, using minimal invasive techniques like CT angiography, new opportunities for fast emergency room patients work up arise. But the most common application is still trauma of the musculoskeletal system as well as face and head. The following is a brief review of recent literature on volume rendering technique and some exemplary applications for the emergency room.

Imaging of the scrotum in children.

Clinical examination of the scrotum is difficult due to the small size of the testes and the epididymis in infants and young children, and eliciting patients’ history is challenging. Therefore imaging of the scrotum in childhood bears great importance. Ultrasound is the standard imaging technique of choice providing the clinicians with a definitive diagnosis in most cases. However, in conditions of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis—the most common differential diagnosis of scrotal pain—ultrasound findings can be inconclusive and further evaluation is required. Since there is a large overlap between paediatric and adult pathology, differences from adults in anatomy and pathology must be considered when evaluating the paediatric scrotum.

Sonographic diagnosis of intussusception of the appendix vermiformis

We present 2 cases of intussusception of the appendix vermiformis (IAV) in children. Sonographic examination demonstrated a lead point within a characteristic multiconcentric ring sign, and longitudinal sonograms showed the inverted appendix protruding into the cecal lumen. A contrast‐enema study, using a water‐soluble contrast medium, was performed in each case, and a “coiled‐spring” sign or “spiral shell” appearance confirmed the diagnosis. A surgical reduction of the appendix and an appendectomy were performed in each case.

Correlative high-resolution MR-anatomic study of sciatic, ulnar, and proper palmar digital nerve

Aim of this study was o evaluate the effectiveness of high-resolution MR imaging in demonstrating the anatomic structure of peripheral nerves of different diameter and composition. The dissected sciatic, ulnar, and proper palmar digital nerve of fresh cadavers were imaged at pre-selected landmarks on a 3T MR scanner. The nerves were then embedded in formalin, sliced, stained, and microscopically analyzed. The size, shape, and signal intensity of the sheath and axonal structures in the nerves at the landmarks were identified in MR images by comparison with histologic sections. The fascicles were clearly distinguished and counted in all specimens with MR imaging and showed only small differences from the histologic evaluation. High resolution MR imaging has the potential to visualize the fascicular structure in nerves of all sizes, which may be helpful in the preoperative assessment.

Role of MRI in paediatric musculoskeletal conditions

The aim of this review is to discuss the indications and use of MR imaging (MRI) in the paediatric musculoskeletal system. After briefly reviewing basic technical considerations the MRI appearance of the most relevant congenital, inflammatory, infectious, ischemic, and posttraumatic skeletal conditions, as well as benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumours that are typical for the paediatric age group will be presented.

First experiences with multidetector CT in traumatized children

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to describe and discuss first experiences with multidetector CT (MDCT) in the assessment of traumatized children. MATERIAL AND METHODS Since the implementation of a MDCT scanner in April 2002, 85 children (31 girls, 54 boys with a mean age of 9.2 years) consecutively underwent MDCT (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with different protocols depending on age, weight, trauma mechanism and clinical presentation. In all patients in whom pathology was suspected, multiplanar reformations (MPR) in coronal and or sagittal orientation was performed. Examinations were evaluated by two radiologists retrospectively and in consensus. RESULTS In 55 (65%) children, a MDCT solely of the head was performed, in 46 there was no pathology found. In six (7%), head and facial bones were scanned. Head and abdomen was examined in two (2%), in two (2%) the abdomen only and in one (1%) the pelvis solely. Scans of the spine were obtained in seven (8%) children. A thorax and abdomen examination only was obtained in one (1%) child each. In 11 (13%) children, a polytrauma protocol was performed. In all patients, the time of examination did not exceed 17 min, including setup time. All children survived at the writing of this report. CONCLUSION MDCT was promising in the management of traumatized children and seems to shorten the necessary time to reach diagnosis and to initiate life-saving treatment.

Tracheal agenesis: evaluation by helical computed tomography

Abstract We present a newborn infant with type II tracheal agenesis. Helical CT was performed and confirmed the diagnosis. Retrospective coronal and sagittal multiplanar reconstructions clearly demonstrated the complex anatomy of the malformation. The absence of a significant portion of healthy trachea did not present any possibility for surgical correction.

Thoraxröntgen beim neonatologischen Patienten

ZusammenfassungIn der bildgebenden Diagnostik thorakaler Pathologien bei reifen und insbesondere unreifen Neugeborenen steht das Thoraxröntgenbild an erster Stelle. Profunde Kenntnisse des normalen Thoraxbilds und der möglichen physiologischen peripartalen Veränderungen sind Voraussetzung für die Interpretation der neonatologischen Thoraxaufnahme. Kindliche Pathologien: Eine Vielzahl von kongenitalen und erworbenen Veränderungen, mit denen der Radiologe in der Neonatologie konfrontiert ist, sind in der Radiodiagnostik des erwachsenen Patienten unbekannt. Viele dieser Veränderungen sind für den Patienten lebensbedrohlich oder können die Lebensqualität in seinem weiteren Leben beeinflussen. Eine frühzeitige Diagnostik in enger Zusammenarbeit mit dem Pädiater ist daher essenziell. Hier wird ein Überblick über die wichtigsten Pathologien, mit denen der Radiologe in der täglichen Routine konfrontiert sein kann, gegeben.SummaryIn diagnostic imaging of thoracic pathologies in mature and especially immature neonates, chest X-ray has a leading position. Profound knowledge of the normal chest X-ray and the potential physiological perinatal changes is the basic requirement for interpretation of the X-ray of a neonate. Childhood pathologie: Many congenital and acquired diseases that the radiologist is faced with in neonatology are unknown in the imaging of adults. Many of these changes are life-threatening or may have an impact on the patient’s future quality of life. Therefore early diagnosis in close cooperation with the paediatrician is essential. We give here an overview of the most important pathologic changes that the radiologist may be con- fronted with in daily routine.

Radiological diagnostics of malignant tumors of the musculoskeletal system in childhood and adolescence

Rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma and Ewings sarcoma are the most common malignant tumors of the musculoskeletal system in childhood and adolescence representing about 10% of newly diagnosed cancers in children and adolescents.In the last two decades the prognosis of patients with such malignancies improved significantly. On the one hand because of the advances in chemotherapy and orthopedic surgery, on the other hand also because of the innovations in radiological diagnostics. The precise pre-therapeutical staging of tumors of the musculoskeletal system provides important prognostic information and has impact on the entire therapy management. During respectively after therapy, imaging is extremely important in the follow-up and in diagnosing a possible recurrent disease.Modern imaging diagnostics of musculoskeletal tumors basically consist of conventional X-ray, of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and of modalities of nuclear medicine such as szintigraphy, positron emission tomography (PET) and PET CT.ZusammenfassungDas Rhabdomyosarkom, das Osteosarkom und das Ewing-Sarkom sind die am häufigsten auftretenden malignen Tumoren des Muskuloskelettalsystems im Kindes- und Adoleszentenalter. Diese Erkrankungen repräsentieren etwa 10% der bei Kindern und Jugendlichen neu diagnostizierten Tumoren.In den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten hat sich insgesamt die Prognose der Patienten mit solchen Malignomen deutlich gebessert. Einerseits aufgrund der Fortschritte in der Chemotherapie und orthopädischen Tumorchirurgie, andererseits nicht zuletzt aufgrund der zahlreichen Innovationen der radiologischen Diagnostik. Das präzise prätherapeutische Staging von Tumoren des Muskuloskelettalsystems liefert wichtige prognostische Informationen und beeinflusst das gesamte Therapiemanagement. Während bzw. nach erfolgter Therapie ist die Bildgebung ganz entscheidend im Follow-up und bei der Diagnostik einer möglichen Rezidiverkrankung.Die moderne bildgebende Diagnostik maligner muskuloskelettaler Tumoren umfasst im Wesentlichen das konventionelle Röntgen, die Computertomographie (CT) und Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) sowie die nuklearmedizinischen Untersuchungen Szintigraphie, Positronenemissionstomographie (PET) und PET-CT.AbstractRhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma are the most common malignant tumors of the musculoskeletal system in childhood and adolescence representing about 10% of newly diagnosed cancers in children and adolescents.In the last two decades the prognosis of patients with such malignancies improved significantly. On the one hand because of the advances in chemotherapy and orthopedic surgery, on the other hand also because of the innovations in radiological diagnostics. The precise pre-therapeutical staging of tumors of the musculoskeletal system provides important prognostic information and has impact on the entire therapy management. During respectively after therapy, imaging is extremely important in the follow-up and in diagnosing a possible recurrent disease.Modern imaging diagnostics of musculoskeletal tumors basically consist of conventional X-ray, of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and of modalities of nuclear medicine such as szintigraphy, positron emission tomography (PET) and PET CT.