Tongue and oropharynx: findings on MR imaging

Ten healthy subjects and 44 patients with diseases of the tongue or oropharynx were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Axial, coronal, and sagittal images with a thickness of 4 mm were obtained with a pixel size of 0.75 X 0.75 mm on a 256 matrix. Nineteen of the patients underwent computed tomography (CT). Nine of those patients later had surgery, and the specimens were obtained for organ sectioning. These three studies as well as clinical history and physical examination findings were correlated. MR imaging was equal to or better than CT in those patients having both examinations. However, neither CT nor MR allowed recognition of histologic features or detection of microscopic spread of disease. Direct coronal and sagittal imaging planes on MR imaging allowed visualization of intrinsic tongue musculature, not possible with CT; this was important in recognizing subtle tumor extension. For these reasons, MR is the imaging method of choice for studying diseases of the tongue and oropharynx.     

Vergütungsanspruch einer Kieferorthopädin nach Verzicht auf Ermächtigung

Abstrakt 1. § 95b Abs. 3 S. 1 SGB V normiert eine Schuldübernahme i.S. des § 69 S. 3 SGB V i.V. mit § 414 BGB. 2. Ein Vertrags(zahn)arzt, der in einem mit Kollegen aufeinander abgestimmten Verfahren oder Verhalten auf seine Zulassung verzichtet, ist im Anschluss hieran nicht berechtigt, nach Ma?gabe des § 95 Abs. 3 SGB V Versicherte der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung als Behandlungsf?lle, die erst nach dem Verzicht aufgenommen werden, zu behandeln. (Leits?tze des Bearbeiters)     

Zur Zulässigkeit des Verzichts auf Zuzahlungen durch eine Krankenkasse im Rahmen integrierter Versorgung

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Radiologically guided balloon dilation of gastrointestinal strictures. Part I. Technique and factors influencing procedural success

Radiologically guided balloon catheters were used to dilate 94 gastrointestinal strictures in 92 patients over a 6-year period. Fifty strictures were esophageal and 44 nonesophageal (22 gastroenterostomies, 11 antral-pyloric strictures, four colorectal strictures, four enteroenterostomies, and three miscellaneous strictures). Factors influencing the success of stricture intubation included patient age, stricture location (esophageal vs. nonesophageal and proximal vs. distal esophageal), and association with a surgical anastomosis. Malignancy was associated with greater postdilation irregularity and a smaller increase in stricture diameter, as measured radiographically. Procedural failures occurred in 8% of cases (2% of esophageal and 30% of nonesophageal lesions). Two small, asymptomatic mucosal tears were seen after dilation (one esophageal and one colonic); no other procedural complications occurred. Following successful dilation, 16 patients (17%; six with esophageal and ten with non-esophageal strictures) had recurrence of symptoms during short-term (30-day) follow-up.     

AIDS awareness in the conduct of radiologic procedures: guidelines to safe practice

The epidemic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has affected all geographic regions of the United States. Indeed, it is likely that a majority of U.S. hospitals have cared for patients who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. More than 46,000 individuals with HIV infection have fulfilled the strict diagnostic criteria for AIDS (1). All of these patients with AIDS have been seriously ill and have been hospitalized, often multiple times and for prolonged periods. Another, larger group patients with HIV infection has had another form of the disease, the so-called AIDS-related complex. Many of these patients have also spent time in hospitals. An even larger group of individuals has been infected with HIV but has remained asymptomatic to date. Some of these persons have been admitted to hospitals or have received outpatient diagnostic procedures for intercurrent medical or dental complaints that were unrelated to their asymptomatic HIV infection. At the time of their medical evaluation, some of these asymptomatic individuals were known to have a positive HIV antibody test. It is likely, however, that the serologic status of the majority of asymptomatically infected patients was unknown. Thus, by now a very large number of health-care personnel in the United States, including diagnostic radiology staff, have assisted in the care of HIV-infected patients.     

Zur Bedeutung eines Kranken- und Berechtigungsscheines bei Leistungen zur künstlichen Befruchtung

Abstrakt 1. Das Vorliegen eines überweisungsscheins bei Inanspruchnahme vertrags?rztlicher Leistungen ist nicht Abrechnungsvoraussetzung. 2. Die Sterilit?t ist eine nachhaltig lebensver?ndernde Erkrankung, welche die Abrechnung der Nrn. 17/18 des EBM rechtfertigt. 3. Zur Auslegung des Umfangs einer Erm?chtigung kann auf die “Erm?chtigungsgeschichte” zurückgegriffen werden. (Leits?tze des Bearbeiters)