ACL-reconstruction aims to restore joint stability and prevent osteoarthritis; however, malfunction and osteoarthritis are often the sequelae. Our study asks whether ACL-reconstruction or conservative treatment lead to better long-term results. In this retrospective cohort study, 136 patients with isolated ACL-rupture who had been treated by bone-ligament-bone transplant or conservatively were identified. Twenty-seven of these were excluded because of a revision operation in the 11.1 years follow-up period, leaving 109 patients (60 reconstructions and 49 conservatively treated) for evaluation based on clinical, radiological and internationally accepted knee-scores (Tegner, IKDC, Kellgren and Lawrence). An individual cohort study is classified as EBM level 2b according to the Oxford Centre of EBM. We observed significantly better knee-stability (P = 0.008) but more osteoarthritis (Grade II or higher) after ACL-reconstruction (42% vs. 25%). Physical activity levels were similar in both groups during the follow-up period (P = 0.16). Eleven years after ACL-rupture the physical activity levels are similar for both groups. After ACL-reconstruction, stability is higher as is osteoarthritis, whereby the result is not necessarily perceived as better subjectively. Specifically, this retrospective study yielded a 24% incidence of oseoarthrits 11 years after conservative management of ACL-rupture in patients not needing secondary surgery. The risk of secondary meniscal tears is reduced after ACL reconstruction, which reduces the negative effects of OA after surgery. The ultimate objective would be to achieve a good subjective outcome by conservative treatment followed by a rehabilitation program designed to keep secondary meniscus tears at a low level.

Correct placement of the femoral and tibial bone tunnels is decisive for a successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Our method of tunnel placement was evaluated as part of quality control at a teaching hospital. The emphasis was placed mainly on investigating the influence of surgical experience on tunnel placement, and the effect of tunnel position on the clinical outcome. Seventeen surgeons with different levels of experience (between 0 and >150 ACL reconstructions) performed endoscopic ACL repair in uniform technique from August 2000 to August 2003 on 50 patients (18 women, 32 men, age range 18-43 years). The patients were available to clinical and radiological follow-up after an average of 19 months. The clinical outcome was classified according to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) standard evaluation form. The femoral tunnel was evaluated according to the quadrant method of Bernard and Hertel; the position of the tibial bone tunnel was assessed according to the criteria of Stäubli and Rauschnig. The IKDC score revealed 47 (94%) patients with a normal (A) or nearly normal (B) knee joint at follow-up. According to the quadrant method, the femoral canal was situated on average at 29% in the saggital plane. The tibial tunnel was situated on average at 43% of the a.p. diameter of the tibial condyle. Statistical analysis of our data showed no significant correlation between tunnel placement and surgical expertise. However, a highly significant correlation was found (alpha<0.01) between the femoral position of the tunnel in the sagittal plane and the IKDC score. The more anterior the femoral canal, the poorer the IKDC score. The method of tunnel placement in ACL reconstruction being investigated here only showed slight dependence on surgical experience, whereby good short-term clinical outcomes were achieved. Therefore, the method is suitable for application at a teaching hospital. A far too anterior femoral tunnel placement will probably lead to a decline in the clinical result.

Gadobenate dimeglumine is a capable diagnostic agent for MRI of the breast. Although preliminary, our results suggest that 0.1 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine may offer advantages over doses of 0.05 and 0.2 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine and 0.1 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine for breast lesion detection and characterization.

The aim of this study was to determine the value of power Doppler sonography in the detection of tumor vascularity in breast lesions and to find new diagnostic criteria for differential diagnosis. Power Doppler sonography was prospectively performed in 102 patients with 118 histologic (n = 116) and cytologic (n = 2) results. A semisubjective scoring system for the intratumoral increase in blood flow compared with the flow in normal breast parenchyma (reference structure) was introduced and the flow pattern registered. The difference in the flow increase for benign and malignant breast disease was highly significant (p < or = 0.0001). This applied especially to invasive cancer above a maximum tumor diameter of 5 mm excluding cancer stage Tis and T1a. A positive correlation between cancer size and flow increase were found. The flow pattern was an additional feature. The sensitivity was calculated to be between 74.5 and 78.8%, and the specificity between 74.6 and 77.8%. The level of flow increase in Power Doppler sonography is an important feature in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions and should be considered together with the established criteria in B-mode ultrasound. The flow pattern might also add some important information.

The risk involved in partial liver resections depends mainly on tumor localization, invasion of central vascular structures, and parenchymal function. The imaging techniques available today (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) allow us to detect precisely the extent of tumor invasion and their relationship to central vessels. The various three-dimensional reconstruction techniques are helpful with regard to a virtual planning of liver resections. The calculation of remaining liver volumes subsequent to partial hepatectomies are considered to be an essential predictive parameter in terms for the development of postoperative liver failure. In a retrospective and a later consecutive, prospective clinical study we analyzed the postoperative risk in a series of 570 patients. In an univariate analysis 13 of 31 parameters showed significant values. In multivariate analysis only three parameters (partial hepatic resection rate, PHRR), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, and prothrombin activity) were independent parameters for predicting liver failure, generating the most significant values for the PHRR. In our experience the most comfortable and precise technique for evaluating PHRR is the b-spline technique.