From Innumeracy to Insight: The Uncertainty of Help versus Harm in Treatment of Asymptomatic Aortic Aneurysms

There is insufficient evidence that the surgical treatment of asymptomatic infrarenal aneurysms > 5.5 cm. is beneficial to patients. This is the result of serious complications of aneurysm surgery and the dearth of information from randomized trials. Based on evidence from the literature we defined scenarios and translated data into natural frequency trees to improve understanding of the uncertainty of help versus harm due to treatment of aneurysms. Our analysis shows that the majority of patients can expect little on longevity from surgery while they are at risk of dying from surgery or suffering from serious morbidity. We conclude that, as long as uncertainty persist, patients should be treated in hospitals that can show very low surgical mortality and major morbidity rates. To further resolve the problem of uncertainty randomized trials for larger aneurysms should be performed. Important issues to discuss are the lower and upper limits of the diameter of the aneurysms and the age and risk profiles of the patients to be included in such trials.     

Analysis of surgical management of calvarial tumours and first results of a newly designed robotic trepanation system.

This study was performed to evaluate the surgical strategy in patients with calvarial tumours, in order to design and modify a robot-assisted trepanation system. A total of 75 patients underwent craniectomy for the treatment of calvarial tumours during the 10-year period from 1993 to 2002. The patients' complaints, the size, location and histology of the tumour, and the various cranioplasty techniques used were analysed retrospectively. In a second procedure several craniectomies at typical locations according to the study's results were performed in a laboratory setting using a hexapod robotic tool, constructed at the Helmholtz-Institute, RWTH Aachen University, and plastic model heads. The workflow was documented and the reproducibility and the accuracy of the procedure were registered. A total of 83 surgical procedures were performed on 75 patients. The majority (87 %) of lesions treated surgically were located in the frontal, temporal and anterior parts of the parietal region. Histological examination revealed benign lesions in 66 % of the patients and dural involvement in 46 %. According to these results craniectomies were performed using the robotic system. Mean positioning accuracy of the robotic system while milling was 0.24 mm, with a standard deviation of 0.04 mm, and maximum error under 1 mm. Craniectomies leaving a 1-mm layer of the tabula interna intact to ensure a healthy dura were performed in several regions successfully. The majority of calvarial tumours, requiring surgical treatment in our patients, were located in cosmetically relevant areas in which drilling can be carried out with the robotic trepanation system. Consequently, the surgical approach had to be planned carefully in order to achieve a good cosmetic outcome.     

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This paper gives an overview of the changes in the sector of accident insurance companies over recent months and a prognosis for the changes that can still be expected, especially with reference to the election results.     

Malignancy larynx presenting solely as pharyngo-cutaneous fistula

Malignancy larynx usually presents early, the common symptoms being hoarseness, pain thorat, cough and irritation of throat. An advanced malignancy is likely to be complicated by a pharyngo-cutaneous fistula. However it is an occurrence towards the end stage of the disease. Here we present a case of malignancy larynx primarily presenting as pharyngo-cutaneous fistula without any other symptoms.     

11C-乙酸盐PET显像在肾脏肿瘤诊断中的作用

目的探讨^11C-乙酸盐PET显像在肾脏肿瘤诊断中的作用及其与^18F-脱氧葡萄糖（FDG）肾肿瘤显像的关系。方法29例疑肾肿瘤患者行^11C-乙酸盐PET早期及延迟显像，其中22例1周内行^18F—FDG PET显像。所有患者均有手术病理检查或CT、随访结果。患者静脉注射^11C-乙酸盐后即刻采集肾脏部位早期图像，以反映肾皮质血流灌注；10min后采集延迟图像，以反映^11C-乙酸盐在肾皮质内的代谢。观察^11C-乙酸盐在人体内的分布，并比较^11C-乙酸盐与^18F—FDG肾肿瘤显像的阳性率及其与病理类型、分级的关系。结果^11C-乙酸盐在人体内以胰腺摄取最高，并可能经胰液分泌人肠道。肾皮质对^11C-乙酸盐摄取随时间而变化，延迟相大部分原发肾皮质肿瘤（13例中分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ为12例）对^11C-乙酸盐摄取高于正常肾皮质，阳性率为76．9％（10／13例）；而^18F—FDG显像仅为30．8％（4／13例）。6例肾盂输尿管移行细胞癌^11C-乙酸盐显像阳性仅2例；其中5例行^18F—FDG显像，均阳性。1例肾血管平滑肌脂肪瘤^11C-乙酸盐早期及延迟显像均清晰显示，2例输尿管炎症对^11C-乙酸盐无摄取。结论^11C-乙酸盐PET显像对恶性程度较低的肾皮质肿瘤显像阳性率较高，可弥补^18F—FDG显像的不足。     

Transcapillary fluid balance consequences of missing initial lymphatics studied in a mouse model of primary lymphoedema

To investigate the phenotypic consequences of a deranged lymphangiogenesis in relation to tissue fluid accumulation and the possible role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of lymphoedema, we measured determinants of transcapillary fluid filtration and inflammatory mediators in the interstitial fluid in genetically engineered Chy mice, a model for primary congenital lymphoedema (Milroy's disease). Although initial lymphatics were not present in dermis in any of the areas studied (fore paw, hind paw, thigh and back skin) interstitial fluid pressure ( P _if), measured with micropipettes, and tissue fluid volumes were significantly increased only in the areas with visible swelling – the fore and hind paw, whereas interstitial colloid osmotic pressure (COP_if) was increased in all the skin areas examined. A volume load of 15% of body weight resulted in a more pronounced increase in P _if as well as a four-fold increase in interstitial fluid volume in Chy relative to wild-type (wt) mice, showing the quantitative importance of lymphatics for fluid homeostasis during acute perturbations. A similar level of proinflammatory markers in interstitial fluid in early established lymphoedema (3–4 months) in Chy and wt suggests that inflammation does not have a major pathogenetic role for the development of lymphoedema, whereas a reduced level of the immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 may result in a reduced immunological defence ability and thus lead to the increase in inflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-6 observed at a later stage (11–13 months). Our data suggest that primary lymphoedema results in a high interstitial fluid protein concentration that does not induce an interstitial inflammatory reaction per se , and furthermore shows the paramount importance of the initial lymphatics in tissue fluid homeostasis, especially during perturbations of transcapillary fluid balance.     

Application of an augmented reality tool for maxillary positioning in orthognathic surgery – A feasibility study

BACKGROUND: An augmented reality tool for computer assisted surgery named X-Scope allows visual tracking of real anatomical structures in superposition with volume rendered CT or MRI scans and thus can be used for navigated translocation of bony segments. METHODS: In a feasibility study X-Scope was used in orthognathic surgery to control the translocation of the maxilla after Le Fort I osteotomy within a bimaxillary procedure. The situation achieved was compared with the pre-operative situation by means of cephalometric analysis on lateral and frontal cephalograms. RESULTS: The technique was successfully utilized in 5 patients. Maxillary positioning using X-Scope was accomplished accurately within a range of 1mm. The tool was used in all cases in addition to the usual intra-operative splints. A stand-alone application without conventional control does not yet seem reasonable. CONCLUSION: Augmented reality tools like X-Scope may be helpful for controlling maxillary translocation in orthognathic surgery. The application to other interventions in cranio-maxillofacial surgery such as Le Fort III osteotomy, fronto-orbital advancement, and cranial vault reshaping or repair may also be considered.