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In Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), a timely diagnosis is required to avoid severe complications such as blindness or structural vascular damage. The heterogeneous symptoms are mainly due to local and systemic inflammatory processes. Diagnostics are based on increased inflammation parameters in the laboratory, imaging, in which color-coded duplex sonography (FKDS), high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT) or CT angiography (CTA) and 18F fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography with CT (FDG-PET-CT) have become established, as well as histopathological findings in temporal artery biopsy.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of C-arm fluoroscopic cone-beam computed tomography (CACT) in combination with a new electromagnetic tracking (EMT) system for needle guidance during percutaneous biopsies. Materials and Methods: 53 patients were referred for biopsy of thoracic (n = 19) and abdominal (n = 34) lesions. CT-like images of the anatomical region of interest (ROI) were generated using a flat panel-based angiographic system. These images were transmitted to an EMT system. A coaxial puncture needle with a sensor in its tip was connected with the navigation system and tracked into an electromagnetic field created via a field generator. Data generated within this field were merged with the CACT images. On a monitor both the anatomical ROI and needle tip position were displayed to enable precise needle insertion into the target. Through the coaxial needle, biopsy specimens for the histologic evaluation were extracted. Number of representative biopsy samples, number of core biopsies/patient, total procedure time, dose-area product, fluoroscopic time, and complications were recorded. Results: 53 CACT/EMT-guided biopsy procedures were performed, 48 of which (91 %) yielded representative tissue samples. Four core biopsies were obtained from each patient. 40 (75 %) lesions were malignant and 13 (25 %) lesions were benign. The total procedure time was 9 ± 5 min (range, 3 – 23 min), fluoroscopic time was 0.8 ± 0.4 min (range, 0.4 – 2 min). The mean dose-area product (cGy cm²) was 7373 (range, 895 – 26 904). The rate of complications (1 pneumothorax, 2 hemoptyses) was 6 %. Conclusion: CACT combined with EMT appears to be a feasible and effective technique for the guidance of percutaneous biopsies with a low rate of therapeutically relevant complications. Key Points: • Guidance of percutaneous biopsies with a combination of CACT and EMT is technically feasible. • CACT/EMT-guided biopsies are associated with a good diagnostic yield. • The rate of complications appears to be low for this guidance technique. Citation Format: • Kickuth R., Reichling C., Bley T. et al. C-Arm Cone-Beam CT Combined with a New Electromagnetic Navigation System for Guidance of Percutaneous Needle Biopsies: Initial Clinical Experience. Fortschr Rontgenstr 2015; 187: 569 – 576

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.

Purpose: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. Aortic root dilation is a main criterion of the Ghent Nosology. Dural ectasia and the presence of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) contribute to its systemic score. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of dural ectasia and its correlation with cardiovascular manifestations in a pediatric study population. Patients and methods: 119 pediatric patients with confirmed or suspected MFS were examined in the local Marfan Clinic. 31 children with MFS who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included. Each patient was evaluated according to the Ghent nosology. Echocardiography was used to measure the aortic root diameter and assess the presence of MVP and mitral regurgitation. Z-scores were calculated for the evaluation of the aortic root diameters. MRI was performed to determine the dural sac ratio (DSR). Results: The prevalence of dural ectasia was 90.3 %, of aortic root dilation 32.2 %, of MVP 64.5 % and of mitral regurgitation 51.6 %. DSR at L5 correlated with the intraindividual z-scores (slope, 3.62 ± 1.5 [0.56; 6.68]; r = 0.17; p = 0.02; F = 5.84). Z-scores ≥ 2 were accompanied by dural ectasia in 100 %, MVP in 95 % and mitral regurgitation in 100 % of cases. MVP was accompanied by mitral regurgitation in 70 % of cases. Conclusion: As the examined cardiac manifestations show a coincidence with dural ectasia in 95 – 100 % of cases, MRI for diagnostic dural sac imaging should be reserved for MFS suspicions with the absence of those manifestations in order to establish the diagnosis according to the Ghent criteria. Thus, the present study supports the recent downgrading of dural ectasia to a contributor to the systemic score. Citation Format

Ein Grosteil aller zur Publikation eingereichter wissenschaftlicher Manuskripte beinhaltet formale und redaktionelle Fehler. Dadurch kommt es zur Ablehnung von wissenschaftlichen Daten in Journalen mit Peer-Review-Verfahren. Die vorliegende Arbeit soll jungen Wissenschaftlern eine Anleitung fur die Erstellung eines geordneten und klar strukturierten radiologischen Manuskripts an die Hand geben.