Search

ZusammenfassungSeit dem letzten gemeinsamen Positionspapier der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin im Jahr 2011 hat sich die Datenlage zur Lungenkrebsfrüherkennung mit Niedrigdosis-CT deutlich erweitert und in der 2018 revidierten S3-Leitlinie Lungenkarzinom wird eine schwache Empfehlung zur Lungenkrebsfrüherkennung mit Niedrigdosis-CT in einem qualitätsgesicherten Früherkennungsprogramm ausgesprochen. Diese neuen Entwicklungen erforderten eine Neupositionierung der beteiligten Fachgesellschaften. Das vorliegende Positionspapier beschreibt Grundzüge eines qualitätsgesicherten Früherkennungsprogramms für Lungenkrebs in Deutschland.

On February 26th, 2013 the patient law became effective in Germany. Goal of the lawmakers was a most authoritative case law for liability of malpractice and to improve enforcement of the rights of the patients. The following article contains several examples detailing legal situation. By no means should these discourage those persons who treat patients. Rather should they be sensitized to to various aspects of this increasingly important field of law. To identify relevant sources according to judicial standard research was conducted including first- and second selection. Goal was the identification of jurisdiction, literature and other various analyses that all deal with liability of malpractice and patient law within the field of Interventional Radiology – with particular focus on transarterial chemoembolization of the liver and related procedures. In summary, 89 different sources were included and analyzed. The individual who treats a patient is liable for an error in treatment if it causes injury to life, the body or the patient’s health. Independent of the error in treatment the individual providing medical care is liable for mistakes made in the context of obtaining informed consent. Prerequisite is the presence of an error made when obtaining informed consent and its causality for the patient’s consent for the treatment. Without an effective consent the treatment is considered illegal whether it was free of treatment error or not. The new patient law does not cause material change of the German liablity of malpractice law. Key points: • On February 26th, 2013 the new patient law came into effect. Materially, there was no fundamental remodeling of the German liability for medical malpractice. • Regarding a physician‘s liability for medical malpractice two different elements of an offence come into consideration: for one the liability for malpractice and, in turn, liability for errors made during medical consultation in the process of obtaining informed consent. • Forensic practice shows that patients frequently enforce both offences concurrently. Citation Format: • Sommer SA, Geissler R, Stampfl U et al. Medical Liability and Patient Law in Germany: Main Features with Particular Focus on Treatments in the Field of Interventional Radiology. Fortschr Rontgenstr 2016; 188: 353 – 358

Purpose To survey integrative teaching in radiology at German universities. Materials and methods A questionnaire about radiological education was sent electronically to all 37 chairpersons of university radiology departments in Germany. The questions included the course type, teaching methods, concept, perception, and advantages and disadvantages of integrative teaching. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric statistics and chi-square test. Results The survey was considered representative with a return rate of 68 %. Integrative teaching is established at 4/5 of all departments. Integrative teaching is well accepted with an acceptance rate that is significantly higher in so-called "Modellstudiengangen" [model courses of study] (100 %) compared to conventional courses of study (72 %). The advantages of integrative teaching include linking of content (92 %) and preparation for interdisciplinary work (76 %). The disadvantages include high effort (75 %) and time (67 %) for organization. Furthermore, there is a risk that basic radiological facts and knowledge cannot be conveyed and that the visibility of radiology as an independent discipline is lost. Conventional radiological teaching has a similarly high acceptance (84 %) compared to integrative courses (76 %). Conclusion Integrative teaching has a high acceptance among chairpersons in radiology in Germany despite the greater effort. A good interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for integrative teaching and at the same time this can be conveyed to the students. However, the visibility of radiology as a discipline and the possibility to cover basic radiological content must be ensured. Therefore, both conventional courses and integrative teaching seems reasonable, especially in cross-disciplinary subjects such as radiology. Key points Both integrative teaching and conventional radiological teaching are highly accepted. The advantages include the linking of multidisciplinary content and the preparation for interdisciplinary cooperation. The disadvantages include more time and effort for organization and reduced visibility of cross-disciplinary subjects.

The new German S3 guideline regarding stomach cancer includes a variety of innovations with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of adenocarcinoma of the stomach and the esophagogastric junction. The guideline has been strongly supported by the "oncology" guidelines program consisting of the "Deutsche Krebshilfe" and the German Cancer Society and the AWMF (Dr. M. Follmann). This guideline contains evidence-based treatment recommendations and quality indicators for guideline implementation and evaluation in order to improve broad medical care and to facilitate development and subsequent adjustment. The purpose of this article is to introduce the innovations with regard to radiological diagnosis and to discuss the latest literature on the subject.

PURPOSE: High-resolution MR imaging of the layers of the gastrointestinal wall to provide a foundation for tumor staging based on morphological criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a period of 12 months, miscellaneous parts of the gastrointestinal tract of 15 human specimens and 30 porcine specimens were scanned using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MRI scanner combined with an endoluminal receiver coil. The sequences used were T 1-weighted opposed-phase, T 2-weighted turbo spin echo with fat saturation and fast T 2-weighted inversion recovery. The number of differentiable layers, their width and the signal intensity were documented. Then, the results were compared with histological specimens in order to link the imaged wall layers to the anatomical layers. Spearman’s Rank Correlation was used to determine the soundness of the link between the images and their related histology. RESULTS: For both human and animal specimens, the MRI scanning produced 3 to 5, maximum 6 (pig), differentiable layers. The mucosa, submucosa and muscularis could be differentiated with a hyperintense, hypointense and intermediary signal, respectively. The subserosal layer displayed a hypointense signal. CONCLUSION: High-resolution MRI is able to produce differentiable images of the anatomical layers of the gastrointestinal wall in both humans and pigs. Accordingly, it is possible to use MR imaging to diagnose the extent of local tumor infiltration of the gastrointestinal wall.

This review presents the basic principles of functional imaging of the central nervous system utilizing magnetic resonance imaging. The focus is set on visualization of different functional aspects of the brain and related pathologies. Additionally, clinical cases are presented to illustrate the applications of functional imaging techniques in the clinical setting. The relevant physics and physiology of contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced methods are discussed. The two main functional MR techniques requiring contrast-enhancement are dynamic T1- and T2*-MRI to image perfusion. Based on different pharmacokinetic models of contrast enhancement diagnostic applications for neurology and radio-oncology are discussed. The functional non-contrast enhanced imaging techniques are based on "blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD)-fMRI and arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique. They have gained clinical impact particularly in the fields of psychiatry and neurosurgery.

In order to promote the care of patients with COPD in Germany a national guideline clearing project was initiated jointly by autonomous corporate bodies of the German health care system. Following a systematic search of literature data bases between 1992 and 2002, 20 guidelines were identified that met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated with the German Checklist for Methodological Guideline Appraisal. Following this, a multidisciplinary expert group appointed by the German Guideline Clearinghouse (Leitlinien-Clearingstelle im Arztlichen Zentrum fur Qualitat in der Medizin, AZQ) reviewed the suitability of these guidelines for the use in the German health care system. Referring to methodological aspects, criteria were best met by the guideline of the Veteran's Health Administration/Department of Defense (US), followed by the one of the Deutsche Atemwegsliga and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Pneumologie. Aiming at the production respectivly a revision of a German national guideline for COPD the expert group agreed on recommendations organized in 19 chapters. Among others these strengthened the role of a precise definition of COPD based primarily on the pathogenesis, of a subtle description of all diagnostic and therapeutic tools and of a detailed description of quality assurance and quality management. The feasability of recommendations were demonstrated by examples chosen from the evaluated guidelines. Additionally the presented findings may be used as steering tools in the German Health care system.

PURPOSE To evaluate multislice-CT versus MRI in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic carcinoma in a prospective multi-reader analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma underwent both multislice-CT (4-Row, "hydro-technique") and state-of-the-art MRI (two 1.5 T units). In correlation with histopathologic findings or in case of a non-lesion diagnosis by follow-up (6-month interval), we evaluated MRI versus CT in a multi-reader analysis (2 reader pairs) for: 1. diagnostic quality; 2. examination time; 3. accuracy of potential resectability; 4. kappa analysis of observer variations; and 5. overall diagnostic reliability. RESULTS A total of 28 lesions (n = 22 malignant, n = 6 benign) were present in the cohort group versus 22 patients without a focal lesion (n = 10 pancreatitis, n = 12 no tumor). For lesion detection, CT had a sensitivity of 100/89 % (reader pair 1/2) and specificity of 77 %, and MRI had a sensitivity of 75/89 % and specificity of 77/73 %. For the subgroup of adenocarcinomas of the pancreas (n = 17), we found a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 61 % for CT versus a sensitivity of 82/94 % and a specificity of 67/61 % for MRI. The accuracy for determining the resectability was 91/82 % for CT and 90/82 % for MRI. The kappa analysis showed a good correlation for CT (0.71) and a moderate correlation of both groups for MRI (0.49). CONCLUSION CT and MRI showed comparable results in the detection of pancreatic carcinomas as well as in the determination of resectability. Chronic pancreatitis as a "tumor-like-lesion" was the major factor of a missed diagnosis. The results of multi-reader analysis for both reading groups were almost identical with a moderate to good kappa correlation. There is no reason to prefer MRI (more expensive) over CT for patients with the presumptive diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical value of 1H MR spectroscopy (1H MRSI) for follow-up of irradiated glioma compared to positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-2-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) and single photon emission tomography with [123I]-a-methyl-L-tyrosine (IMT-SPECT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four patients with irradiated gliomas were examined using 1H MRSI (2D spectroscopic imaging; PRESS; TE = 135 msec; 1.5T Magnetom Vision, Siemens; Voxel size 9 x 9 x 15 mm (3)). MR spectra (n = 233) were evaluated in areas suspicious of tumor (n = 86) as well as in healthy appearing brain tissue (n = 147). Relative signal intensity ratios of choline (Cho), creatine (Cr) and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) were calculated. PET scans (n = 19) were performed with 200 - 250 MBq FDG, IMT-SPECT examinations (n = 14) with 200 - 250 mBq IMT. Based on clinical and MRI/CT, follow-up lesions were classified as either neoplastic [PT] or non-neoplastic [nPT]. RESULTS True positive results for the diagnosis of PT/nPT were 88/89 % (1H MRSI), 73/100 % (PET) and 100/75 % (SPECT). Cho/Cr showed highly significant changes for PT. Determinating a correlation between Cho, Cr, NAA and IMT-SPECT as well as FDG-PET was not possible because of different location of maximum tracer uptake and acquired 2D 1H MRSI. CONCLUSION IMT-SPECT seems to be superior to detect tumor progression in irradiated gliomas. 1H MRSI was more suitable than FDG-PET to differentiate between recurrence and radiation-induced changes. FDG-PET plays a role as sensitive method for detecting high-grade tumors. PET and SPECT allowed the examination of the entire tumor including surrounding brain tissue with higher spatial resolution than the acquired 2D 1H MRSI. A main limitation of our study was that only 2D 1H MRSI was used, with only parts of the tumor evaluated. The use of 3D MR spectroscopic imaging may further increase the diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose: A tutorial illustration of a flexible approach to determine the sample size in reference-controlled diagnostic trials. Materials and Methods: Assuming the usual setting of a new diagnostic method to be compared with a reference method, the emphasis is on the sensitivity of the new method in comparison with the reference method, using a binary outcome (positive versus negative) for both methods. Based on the confidence interval of the sensitivity, a simple but flexible procedure for determining the sample size is described, which incorporates clinically interpretable information. The procedure is illustrated by the fictious planning of a trial to assess the diagnostic value of MRI versus arthroscopy as a reference, in the detection of meniscal ruptures. Results: The principal investigator merely has to propose the range for the sensitivity in which the new method is considered equal to the reference method. Furthermore, it must be decided in advance how accurate the study outcome should determine the sensitivity of the new method, i.e., how wide its maximum confidence interval may become. The minimum sample size necessary for the trial can be directly derived from this outlined strategy, which can easily be extended by simultaneous consideration of sensitivity and specificity of the new method being tested. Conclusion: The flexible approach to planning by means of the confidence interval of the sensitivity controls the desired confidence of the outcome of the diagnostic trial. It allows a priori evaluation of study budget, study duration, number of study centers and, above all, any ethical limitations. It provides arguments for the investigator to proceed with the comparison and a rationale for the decision to conduct the comparison as mono- or multicentric trial.

Die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf ist in medizinischen Fachberufen mit Schichtdiensten und Uberstunden ein schwieriges Unterfangen. Da Frauen im arztlichen Bereich in Deutschland zunehmend die Mehrheit stellen, werden insbesondere angesichts des Arztemangels bei der Auswahl der Arbeitsstelle sozial-familiare Gesichtspunkte eine grosere Rolle spielen. Daher haben wir Mitarbeiter befragt, wie sie die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf beurteilen und was sie verbessern wurden. Von Herbst 2009 bis Fruhjahr 2010 wurden 115 Fragebogen in 8 unterschiedlichen radiologischen Abteilungen verteilt. Der anonyme Fragebogen mit teils offenen, teils abgestuften Fragen und Mehrfachantworten wurde mit einer Statistikerin konzipiert und erfragte die aktuelle berufliche und familiare Situation, Zukunftsplane, erwunschte Arbeitszeit- und Kinderbetreuungsmodelle und Verbesserungsvorschlage. Evaluiert wurden 87 Fragebogen mit einer dazu konzipierten Access-Datenbank, u. a. mittels deskriptiver Statistik und Histogrammanalyse. Von den Befragten waren 68% weiblich und 31% mannlich (1% keine Angabe), 46% hatten Kinder und 49% waren kinderlos (5% keine Angabe); 63% gehorten zum arztlichen Personal und 33% waren MTRA (3% Sonstige). Ganztags arbeiteten 82%. Bei Vatern war zu 42% die Partnerin zu Hause. Bei Muttern war zu 18% der Partner zu Hause und nur Mutter arbeiteten in Teilzeit; 73% der Manner wurden gerne Elternzeit nehmen; 44% (70% der Manner/34% der Frauen) stimmten dem zu, dass das Fach Radiologie besser als andere Fachrichtungen die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf ermoglicht. Eine Kinderbetreuungseinrichtung in Kliniknahe wunschten sich 87%. Bei den meisten Familien herrscht noch das klassische Rollenmodell vor, trotz guter Ausbildung der Frauen und obwohl Manner zunehmend auf die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf achten und gerne auch Elternzeit nehmen sowie in flexibleren Arbeitszeitmodellen tatig sein mochten. Dies stellt insbesondere fur das Fach Radiologie eine Chance dar.

The ranking of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and chemical shift imaging (CSI) of the bone marrow was assessed in 30 patients in the initial staging of Hodgkin's disease or in the restaging after relapse. The results were compared with other staging procedures, especially trephine biopsies. Pathologic findings were divided into diffuse and focal lesions resulting in a better differentiation between malignant infiltrations and unspecific marrow reactions that are common in Hodgkin's disease. Diffuse changes were unspecific, a diffuse marrow infiltration could not be established in 7 patients. Focal lesions proved to be infiltrations in 6 of 7 patients; only in one case an unspecific marrow reaction was found on histology. CSI showed a pathological increase of the relative water signal in focal and diffuse marrow changes, and made no individual diagnostic contribution.

MR angiography (MRA) proved to be promising combined to MR imaging (MRI) in the assessment of intrathoracic masses. Sequential FLASH 2D angiograms were acquired in breath-hold technique using the following parameters: TR = 30 ms, TE = 10 ms, FA = 30 degrees. Section thickness was 5 mm with 1 mm overlap between sequential sections. Individual conditions of the examination were achieved by an automatized control procedure. Targeted MIP postprocessing resulted in 3D reconstructions illustrating vascular anatomy and avoiding superimposition. Presentation should be done by cine-mode for better spatial impression. This method was evaluated in a prospective study of 21 patients with malignant pulmonary and mediastinal masses in addition to spin-echo imaging. The diagnostic contribution concerning the relationship between the mass and the vasculature like displacement, stenosis, and poststenotic perfusion defect were assessed.

The aim of this study is to show the advantages of a power injector for contrast media application in comparison to manual bolus injection. The evaluation of 144 studies showed significant improvements for the examinations using the power injector based on densitometry in selected vessels (average enhancement 348 vs 280%) as well as subjective evaluation of contrast quality (3.4 pts vs 2.3 pts on a subjective scale) and contrast-induced artifacts (1.8 vs 2.3 on a subjective intensity scale). All parameters show that an increased, more reliable, and homogeneous enhancement can be obtained by application of the power injector compared to manual bolus injection technique using the same amount of contrast media (100 cc). Due to the possible standardisation of this technique, the results are reproducible. Increased reliability in expected diagnostic gain can be obtained using our technique for intravenous contrast application. This introduced technique requires no additional monetary or time expense and is therefore applicable for clinical routine work.