MRI of transplanted pancreatic islets.

A promising treatment method for type 1 diabetes mellitus is transplantation of pancreatic islets containing beta-cells. The aim of this study was to develop an MR technique to monitor the distribution and fate of transplanted pancreatic islets in an animal model. Twenty-five hundred purified and magnetically labeled islets were transplanted through the portal vein into the liver of experimental rats. The animals were scanned using a MR 4.7-T scanner. The labeled pancreatic islets were clearly visualized in the liver in both diabetic and healthy rats as hypointense areas on T2*-weighted MR images during the entire measurement period. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of iron-oxide nanoparticles inside the cells of the pancreatic islets. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats was observed; normal glycemia was reached 1 week after transplantation. This study, therefore, represents a promising step toward possible clinical application in human medicine.     

The modification of the new type of end-to-side anastomosis between carotid arteries in rats: A technical and Scanning Electron Microscopic study

Summary Modification of a type of end-to-side anastomosis that has been described before is studied. The recipient artery is occluded for only 3–4 minutes to complete the anastomosis by using only the running suture. The anastomotic site was studied by inspection and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at different times after the operation on 30 rats.     

Intracranial plasmacytoma: a case report

Multiple myeloma may have extraosseous manifestations in the cranial region. It may be a solitary intracranial tumour without any other signs of multiple myeloma, or intracranial disease may be a part of generalised disease, as in the present case. Our patient had received chemotherapy for multiple myeloma for 9 months, with good response. However, her condition suddenly deteriorated, with signs of increased intracranial pressure and a 5-cm-diameter tumour infiltrating the meninges and brain was found in the left temporal fossa. The radiological diagnosis, based on contrast-enhanced CT and angiography, was not straightforward or specific for plasmacytoma, as chemotherapy for the extracranial disease had been successful. Diseases such as meningioma, metastasis, lymphoma, chondrosarcoma or haemangioma had to be considered. Received: 1 November 1994 Accepted: 31 August 1995     

Valproinsäure in der prophylaktischen Behandlung der Migräne

Zusammenfassung Im Jahr 1988 wurde erstmals von der m?glichen Wirksamkeit der Valproins?ure in der Migr?neprophylaxe berichtet. Seit 1992 sind insgesamt 359 Patienten in 5 Doppelblindstudien untersucht. In allen Studien ergab sich eine signifikant überlegene Wirksamkeit im Vergleich zu Placebo, eine Studie belegt einen gleichen Effekt wie Propranolol. Es fehlen noch Wirksamkeitsanalysen, die sich am Plasmaspiegel orientieren. Die Nebenwirkungen entsprechen denen aus der Epilepsietherapie, scheinen aber im Vergleich zu Propranolol etwas h?her zu liegen. International und nach den Empfehlungen der Deutschen Migr?ne- und Kopfschmerzgesellschaft gilt Valproins?ure mittlerweile als etabliertes Mittel der zweiten Wahl.      

Time-dependent changes of insufficiency fractures of the sacrum: intraosseous vacuum phenomenon as an early sign

Sacral insufficiency fractures develop over a period of time and show time-dependent changes. We report on 15 CT examinations of 5 patients with early-stage insufficiency fractures of the sacrum. In 4 patients only irregular sclerosis without distinct fracture lines was present in 7 of 8 fractures. Of these 4 patients; 3 exhibited intraosseous gas inclusions in a ventral part of a lateral mass; 5 of 8 fractures disclosed a ventral cortical break. When distinct fracture lines had developed in 1 patient, intraosseous vacuum phenomenon had disappeared. Fracture lines evolve over weeks to months and show central bone absorption. The fractures can heal as demonstrated in 4 of 6 fractures in 3 patients, can persist over 1 year without significant changes or can progress to pseudoarthrosis with bone destruction similar to neuropathic joint disease. Intraosseous vacuum phenomena can persist to this stage. Intraosseous vacuum phenomenon is recognized as a potential finding in the early stage of sacral insufficiency fracture, which also is true for irregular sclerosis and ventral cortical disruption. Correspondence to: A. Stäbler     

Qualitätssicherung in der Therapie chronischen Schmerzes

Ohne Zusammenfassung The online version of the original article can be found at