Diagnostik und Therapie der auditorischen Synaptopathie/Neuropathie

Pathological auditory brainstem responses (lack of responses, elevated thresholds and perturbed waveforms) in combination with present otoacoustic emissions are typical audiometric findings in patients with a hearing impairment that particularly affects speech comprehension or complete deafness. This heterogenous group of disorders first described as “auditory neuropathy” includes dysfunction of peripheral synaptic coding of sound by inner hair cells (synaptopathy) and/or of the generation and propagation of action potentials in the auditory nerve (neuropathy). This joint statement provides prevailing background information as well as recommendations on diagnosis and treatment. The statement focuses on the handling in the german language area but also refers to current international statements.     

Aktuelle Leitlinien zur interventionellen Mammadiagnostik

Minimally invasive diagnostic procedures for the breast under mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance guidance have led to a higher specificity of imaging techniques and a decrease in open biopsy of the breast. The percutaneous approach is more cost and time effective and reduces morbidity compared with open biopsy. The “Step-3-guideline for early breast cancer detection in Germany” represents the first national guidelines for a nationwide, quality assured, early breast cancer detection program, including recommendations for minimally invasive breast diagnostics. Indications for ultrasound guided vacuum biopsy of the breast are summarized in the “Consensus on the use and technique of vacuum-assisted sonographic breast biopsy” by the Study Group on Minimally Invasive Breast Interventions (AG MiMi) of the German Society of Senology (DGS).     

Strahlentherapie des Schilddrüsenkarzinoms

Zusammenfassung Beim differenzierten Schilddrüsenkarzinom besteht bei nicht Organkapsel überschreitendem Tumorwachstum und adäquater Operation keine Indikation zur postoperativen Bestrahlung. Bei Patienten mit Organkapsel überschreitendem Wachstum wird nach vollständiger Resektion der Nutzen einer zusätzlichen perkutanen Radiotherapie kontrovers diskutiert. Die MSDS-Studie (Multizenterstudie Differenziertes Schilddrüsenkarzinom), die eine Randomisierung genau zu dieser Fragestellung durchführte, musste aufgrund der mangelnden Rekrutierung vorzeitig beendet werden. Beim anaplastischen Schilddrüsenkarzinom wird die vollständige Resektion angestrebt. Die postoperative Bestrahlung ist dann obligat. Bei Therapieprotokollen mit zusätzlicher Adriamycingabe konnten erhöhte lokale Kontroll- und Überlebensraten beobachtet werden. Bei medullärem Schilddrüsenkarzinom und inkompletter Tumorresektion geht eine additive Radiotherapie mit einer verbesserten lokalen Kontrolle einher. Bei nicht Radiojod speichernden Metastasen des Schilddrüsenkarzinoms wird die Radiotherapie im Bereich des Knochens bei Schmerzen, Frakturgefahr oder Myelonkompression eingesetzt.     

Moderne immuntherapeutische Ansätze für die Behandlung von Lungen- und Kopf-Hals-Tumoren

Zusammenfassung Multimodale Therapiestrategien, die Chirurgie, Strahlen- und Chemotherapie kombinieren, haben die Behandlungsergebnisse bei Tumoren der Lunge und der Kopf-Hals Region verbessert. Die Ergänzung des Therapiespektrums um weitere Ansätze, die sich in der Wirkungsweise und möglichst durch reduzierte Toxizität von den konventionellen unterscheiden, erscheint jedoch zur Erzielung weiterer Fortschritte notwendig. Eine neue Generation immunologischer passiver (antikörperbasierter) und auch aktiver (Vakzinierungs-) Strategien erscheint aussichtsreich und befindet sich gegenwärtig in der klinischen Prüfung. Die Untersuchung der optimalen zeitlichen Sequenz in Kombination mit den konventionellen Therapieverfahren und die Individualisierung der Therapie auf Basis genomischer/proteomischer Daten muss die klinische Integration begleiten.     

Therapieprinzipien beim Lokalrezidiv des Rektumkarzinoms

The aim of treatment in isolated locally recurrent rectal cancer is R0 resection, which is possible in 30%. Because of the high rate of surgical complications after repeat surgery in the pelvis, preoperative staging has to be precise to estimate the extent and location of the recurrent rectal cancer. After exclusion of distant metastases, surgery should be considered following preoperative radiochemotherapy if possible. When a curative treatment concept is not indicated, radiotherapy is the best treatment choice. This paper presents various tabularised summaries about therapeutic strategies in isolated locally recurrent rectal cancer.     

Kann die Telemedizin in der Schlafmedizin die Akzeptanz der nCPAP-Therapie verbessern?

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has considerable consequences for morbidity and mortality in affected patients. The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can reliably prevent the nocturnal disordered breathing and minimize health implications (high efficacy). However, the effectiveness of this therapy is restricted due to reduced adherence in the daily routine. Practical methods are urgently needed to improve adherence. Special problem groups, such as post-stroke patients or those with poor sleep efficiency in the first therapy night have already been identified. Up to date information technology enables remote monitoring and control of therapy devices and a centralized evaluation of the data. Usage time, residual breathing disorders, high mask leakage or high therapy pressure in the home environment can promptly be determined to arrange remedies in a timely manner. Scientific evidence regarding the effects of telemedical care of CPAP patients is limited, but the results of available studies are promising. Many practical questions have still not been answered. Furthermore, the danger of using the new technologies only with the aim of short-term cost reduction must explicitly be emphasized. If such information would only be used to discontinue funding of an allegedly insufficient treatment, no additional benefits would be achieved from the patient point of view. The aim of telemedical concepts has to be the improvement of therapy acceptance especially in risk groups. From the perspective of sleep medicine a primacy of physicians is promoted in order to achieve a real improvement for the patient due to telemedicine. The findings obtained so far are promising.     

Rolle der Angiogenese und ihrer Inhibitoren in der Gynäkologie

Angiogenesis describes the neoformation of blood vessels which develop by budding and sprouting of the existing vessel system. Solid tumor growth is dependent on the surrounding growing capillary network providing the tumor with essential nutrients and oxygen. The pathophysiological role of angiogenesis could be shown for multiple benign (endometriosis, menorrhagia, leiomyomatosis, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, preeclampsia and placental hypoperfusion syndrome) and malignant (especially metastasized and therapy-refractory breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer of the fallopian tube and the primary peritoneal cancer) diseases. Diseases that are very much dependent on (neo) angiogenesis can be treated with various anti-angiogenic agents. Due to the broad spectrum of side effects of established angiogenesis inhibitors which are mostly given in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, this therapeutic approach is mostly limited to malignant diseases, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer of the fallopian tube and primary peritoneal carcinoma. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge in the anti-angiogenic therapy of gynecological diseases and will give a perspective of potential future implications of new therapeutic agents.     

Rückblick auf 10 Jahre Infektionsschutzgesetz

In 2001, the German Protection against Infection Act came into force, implementing a variety of new regulations. For the first time, obligatory infection control visits of the public health departments in surgical ambulatory practices were implemented, as well as optional infection control visits in all medical, dental and paramedical practices using invasive methods. Based on the data of the public health department of the city of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, an evaluation of this new regulation is given in this paper. First, prioritization of these new tasks was mandatory. First priority was given to the obligatory visits in surgical practices, second priority to the hygiene visits in practices performing endoscopy in gastroenterology as well as in urology and in practices of traditional healers, and third priority was given to all other doctors’ practices. After receiving preliminary information and further training of the doctors etc., the control visits were performed by members of the public health department, using a checklist based on the guidelines of the German Commission on Hospital Infection Prevention (“Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention”). Since 2001, more than 1100 infection control visits in medical practices in Frankfurt am Main were documented. Not only in surgical, but also in gastroenterological and urological practices great improvement could be achieved, regarding not only hand hygiene and reprocessing surface areas, but especially in reprocessing medical devices. In practices for internal medicine and those of general practitioners, errors in hand hygiene, skin antiseptic and surface disinfection also decreased. According to our results, especially regarding the improved quality of structure as well as quality of process and with regard to the public discussion on this hygiene topic, our evaluation is absolutely positive. The new regulation proved worthwhile.