Franca Wagner

• PD Dr. med.
• Consultant at Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern

Purpose Given its unique anatomical position and the amalgamation of bony and soft tissues within the cochlea, exploring its intricacies poses persistent challenges. Histopathology remains the gold standard in research, but given its inherent limitations, there is a clear need for innovative alternatives. The integration of microCT technology with...

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused millions of infections and deaths globally. Post-COVID-19 syndrome, or long COVID is characterized by lingering symptoms such as chronic fatigue, headaches, and sleep disturbances. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between these symptoms and T2-hyperintense white...

The detection of contrast-enhancing lesions (CELs) is fundamental for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This task is time-consuming and suffers from high intra- and inter-rater variability in clinical practice. However, only a few studies proposed automatic approaches for CEL detection. This study aimed to devel...

Objectives MRI is well established for diagnosing GCA. Its role in monitoring disease activity has yet to be determined. We investigated vascular and musculoskeletal inflammation using MRI in the patients of the GUSTO trial to assess the utility of MRI in monitoring disease activity. Methods Eighteen patients with newly diagnosed GCA received 500...

Background Despite advances in resuscitation practice, patient survival following cardiac arrest remains poor. The utilization of MRI in neurological outcome prognostication post-cardiac arrest is growing and various classifications has been proposed; however a consensus has yet to be established. MRI, though valuable, is resource-intensive, time-c...

The ELECTRA-STROKE study investigated the potential of EEG for prehospital triage of patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO), in which fast triage to stroke centers for endovascular treatment is crucial. The study was conducted in 4 phases, and this Journal Club article focuses on the fourth phase in the prehospital settin...

Purpose To systematically analyse the time course of vessel wall enhancement and associated stenosis in patients with primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) following immunosuppressive therapy. Material and methods Two neuroradiologists retrospectively analysed MRIs of patients with PACNS seen at the Bern University Hospital and th...

Introduction Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare angioinvasive fungal infection known to be associated with high morbidity and over 50% mortality. ROCM is becoming more common due to an increase in predisposing immunocompromising comorbidities as well as COVID-19. Case Presentations We report two cases – a 75-year-old woman with di...

We describe a case of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in a diabetic patient. She presented with cavernous sinus syndrome and ischemia of the optic nerve. Initially unremarkable findings in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus delayed early diagnosis. Within two weeks, a follow-up MRI showing progressive orbital inflammation, thrombosis o...

Background Reporting of sex-specific analyses in multiple sclerosis (MS) is sparse. Disability accrual results from relapses (relapse-associated worsening) and independent thereof (progression independent of relapses). Objectives A population of MS patients during relapse treated per standard of care was analyzed for sex differences and short-term...

Background: To develop an effective radiological software prototype that could read Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files, crop the inner ear automatically based on head computed tomography (CT), and classify normal and inner ear malformation (IEM). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 2053 patients from 3 hosp...

Objective: A normal video Head Impulse Test is the gold standard in the emergency department to rule-in patients with an acute vestibular syndrome and a stroke. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of vHIT metrics regarding the vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and the corrective saccades in detecting vestibular strokes. Methods: Prospective c...

Background and Objectives Progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) is a crucial determinant of overall disability accumulation in multiple sclerosis (MS). Accelerated brain atrophy has been shown in patients experiencing PIRA. In this study, we assessed the relation between PIRA and neurodegenerative processes reflected by (1) longitudina...

Introduction An optimal placement of bone conduction implants can provide more efficient mechanical transmission to the cochlea if placed in regions with greater bone column density. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis and to determine the clinical potential of preoperative bone column density assessment for optimal implant placement....

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare angioinvasive fungal infection known to be associated with high morbidity and over 50% mortality and has increased lately due to increasing predisposing immunocompromising comorbidities as well as COVID-19. In addition to the common acute disease progression, chronic less aggressive courses have...

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare angioinvasive fungal infection known to be associated with high morbidity and over 50% mortality and has increased lately due to increasing predisposing immunocompromising comorbidities as well as COVID-19. In addition to the common acute disease progression, chronic less aggressive courses have...

To assess the accuracy of CT and MRI reports of alert patients presenting after non-self-inflicted strangulation (NSIS) and evaluate the appropriateness of these imaging modalities in NSIS. The study was a retrospective analysis of patient characteristics and strangulation details, with a comparison of original radiology reports (ORR) to expert rea...

Objectives To assess the prevalence of new hearing losses in patients with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) and to start to evaluate its diagnostic value for the differentiation between peripheral and central causes. Design We performed a cross-sectional prospective study in AVS patients presenting to our Emergency Department (ED) from February 201...

Background and purpose Vestibular symptoms are common in emergency department (ED) patients and have various causes, including stroke. Accurate identification of stroke in patients with vestibular symptoms is crucial for timely management. We conducted a prospective cross‐sectional study from 2015 to 2019 to determine stroke prevalence and associat...

Objective Evaluation at long term of the impact of the stereotactic surgery (SRS) on the vestibular function in vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients. Study design and setting Retrospective study in a tertiary referral center. Patients Fifty-one VS patients were included (34 females;17 males), aged from 41 to 78 years treated exclusively with SRS....

Objective Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic technique used in the treatment of various salivary gland diseases. To date, there are very few suitable training models other than the pig's head, which has been used at the European Sialendoscopy Training Center for 22 years. The goal of this study was to describe an ovine...

Objective: To correlate radiographic evidence of cholesteatoma in the retrotympanum with intraoperative endoscopic findings in cholesteatoma patients and to evaluate the clinical relevance of radiographic evidence of cholesteatoma in the retrotympanum. Study design: Case series with chart review. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Methods: S...

Purpose The osseous spiral lamina (OSL) is an inner cochlear bony structure that projects from the modiolus from base to apex, separating the cochlear canal into the scala vestibuli and scala tympani. The porosity of the OSL has recently attracted the attention of scientists due to its potential impact on the overall sound transduction. The bony pi...

To determine the diagnostic bias between clinical and forensic radiology in cases of nonfatal hanging and determine and describe typical underreported imaging findings. In a retrospective, single-center study, all patients admitted for attempted suicide with near-hanging or fatal hanging between January 2008 and December 2020 who received CT or MRI...

Objectives: Reliable determination of cochlear implant electrode positions shows promise for clinical applications, including anatomy-based fitting of audio processors or monitoring of electrode migration during follow-up. Currently, electrode positioning is measured using radiography. The primary objective of this study is to extend and validate...

Objectives We aimed to determine the frequency of vestibular syndromes, diagnoses, diagnostic errors and resources used in patients with dizziness in the emergency department (ED). Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting Tertiary referral hospital. Participants Adult patients presenting with dizziness. Primary and secondary outcome...

Simple Summary Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive form of brain tumors characterized by rapid growth. The subventricular zone (SVZ) is an important region in the brain for processes such as neurogenesis, learning and memory, and brain repair after injury. Some studies have shown that glioblastoma stem cells can originate from the SVZ and have been...

Disorders of isolated mineralocorticoid deficiency, which cause potentially life-threatening salt-wasting crisis early in life, have been associated with gene variants of aldosterone biosynthesis or resistance; however, in some patients no such variants are found. WNT/β-catenin signaling is crucial for differentiation and maintenance of the aldoste...

Background: Detecting new and enlarged lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is needed to determine their disease activity. LeMan-PV is a software embedded in the scanner reconstruction system of one vendor, which automatically assesses new and enlarged white matter lesions (NELs) in the follow-up of MS patients; however, multicenter validat...

Disorders of isolated mineralocorticoid deficiency causing potentially life-threatening salt-wasting crisis early in life have been associated with gene variants of aldosterone biosynthesis or resistance, but in some patients no such variants are found. WNT/β-catenin signaling is crucial for differentiation and maintenance of the aldosterone produc...

Imaging of parotid gland tumors is challenging due to the wide variety of differential diagnoses. Malignant parotid tumors can have very similar features to benign ones, such as slow growth and displacement instead of infiltration of neighboring structures. Malignant and benign tumors may therefore not be clinically distinguishable. Correct charact...

Brain morphometry is usually based on non-enhanced (pre-contrast) T1-weighted MRI. However, such dedicated protocols are sometimes missing in clinical examinations. Instead, an image with a contrast agent is often available. Existing tools such as FreeSurfer yield unreliable results when applied to contrast-enhanced (CE) images. Consequently, these...

Background Leptomeningeal inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) mainly affects meningeal B-cell follicle-like structures linked to cortical and subpial lesions and can be visualized as leptomeningeal enhancement (LME). Objective To evaluate the evolution of LME under different MS immunotherapies. Methods A total of 214 MS patients...

Objective Measuring the Vestibular-Ocular-Reflex (VOR) gains with the video head impulse test (vHIT) allows for accurate discrimination between peripheral and central causes of acute vestibular syndrome (AVS). In this study, we sought to investigate whether the accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) based vestibular stroke classification applied...

Peripheral vestibular dysfunction has been found associated with altered volumes in different brain structures in previous studies, especially in the hippocampus. However, published evidence is conflicting. Based on previous findings, we compared hippocampal volume, as well as supramarginal, superior temporal and postcentral gyrus in a sample of 55...

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate signal alteration in the inner ear using three-dimensional (3D)-constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequence in patients with Ménière's disease and labyrinthitis and its correlation with clinical and audiological parameters. Methods: The medical records of the department of otorhino...

Purpose Otospongiotic plaques can be seen on conventional computed tomography (CT) as focal lesions around the cochlea. However, the resolution remains insufficient to enable evaluation of intracochlear damage. MicroCT technology provides resolution at the single micron level, offering an exceptional amplified view of the otosclerotic cochlea. In t...

Objective A three-step bedside test (“HINTS”: Head Impulse-Nystagmus-Test of Skew), is a well-established way to differentiate peripheral from central causes in patients with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS). Nowadays, the use of videooculography gives physicians the possibility to quantify all eye movements. The goal of this study is to compare the...

Robot-assisted systems offer great potential for gentler and more precise cochlear implantation. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical workflow for robotic cochlear implantation using a robotic system specifically developed for a minimally invasive, direct cochlear access. The clinical workflow involves experts from v...

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the variability of the retrotympanum in patients undergoing surgical treatment for cholesteatoma. Methods We included 59 ears of patients undergoing middle ear surgery for cholesteatoma who had preoperative computed tomography scans. A retrospective analysis of the medical records was conducted. The sinus ty...

Importance: The mechanisms driving neurodegeneration and brain atrophy in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) are not completely understood. Objective: To determine whether disability progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in patients with RMS is associated with accelerated brain tissue loss. Design, setting, and participants: In th...

Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) is a structural bony defect of the roof of the superior semi-circular canal into the middle cranial fossa and is responsible for the creation of a third window, which alters the dynamics of the inner ear. During humming, vibratory waves entering the vestibulum and cochlea are re-routed through the dehiscenc...

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus. We report a case of global hypoperfusion in an elderly patient on CT, with complete resolution shown on early MRI follow‐up. Metabolic causes have always to be included in the differential diagnosis of diffuse hypoperfusion in the appropriate clinical setting. Diabetic ketoacidosi...

Background Flat detector computed tomography (FDCT) is widely used for periprocedural imaging in the angiography suite. Sine Spin FDCT (SFDCT) is the latest generation of cone beam CT using a double oblique trajectory for image acquisition to reduce artefacts and improve soft tissue brain imaging. This study compared the effective dose, image quali...

Objective Skew deviation results from a dysfunction of the graviceptive pathways in patients with an acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) leading to vertical diplopia due to vertical ocular misalignment. It is considered as a central sign, however, the prevalence of skew and the accuracy of its test is not well known . Methods We performed a prospectiv...

Objective Cold and warm water ear irrigation, also known as bithermal caloric testing, has been considered for over 100 years the ‘Gold Standard’ for the detection of peripheral vestibular hypofunction. Its discovery was awarded a Nobel Prize. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Caloric Testing when compared to the video head impulse...

Purpose The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often limited in patients with auditory implants because of the presence of metallic components and magnets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a customized MRI sequence for metal artifact suppression in patients with BONEBRIDGETM BCI 602 implants (MED-EL, Innsbruc...

Hypothesis: The use of freehand stereotactic image-guidance with a target registration error (TRE) of μ TRE + 3σ TRE < 0.5 mm for navigating surgical instruments during neurotologic surgery is safe and useful. Background: Neurotologic microsurgery requires work at the limits of human visual and tactile capabilities. Anatomy localization comes at th...

Background and Objective: Quantitative assessment of bone density and thickness in computed-tomography images offers great potential for preoperative planning procedures in robotic ear surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed-tomography scans of subjects undergoing cochlear implantation ( N = 39). In addition, scans of Thiel-fixated e...

Background: Delayed cerebral ischemia and cerebral vasospasm remain the leading causes of poor outcome in survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Refractory cerebral vasospasms can be treated with endovascular vasodilator therapy, which can either be performed in conscious sedation or general anesthesia. The aim of this study is to compare...

A 36-year-old man of central Asian origin was diagnosed with subacute disseminated tuberculosis. Initially, central nervous system involvement was suggested by an encephalopathic condition and MRI showing extensive basal and spinal meningitis. After initiation of anti-tuberculosis drugs and corticosteroid therapy, clinical and radiological deterior...

Background/Aims The aim of this study was to identify specific MRI characteristics of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) and optic neuritis (ON) that would aid in the differentiation between these two diagnoses. Methods We retrospectively analysed a consecutive case series including all patients with an MRI study of brain and orbit and the...

Aims To retrospectively analyse the Bernese radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) cohort with the goal of developing a prediction score for conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods A total of 31 patients with RIS were identified by screening medical records of neurological patients seen at the University Hospital of Bern between 2004 and 20...

Objective Gaze-evoked nystagmus (GEN) is a central sign in patients with the acute vestibular syndrome (AVS); however, discriminating between a pathological and a physiologic GEN is a challenge. Here we evaluate GEN in patients with AVS. Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study, we used video-oculography (VOG) to compare GEN in the light...

Background: Delayed cerebral ischemia and cerebral vasospasm remain the leading causes of poor outcome in survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Refractory cerebral vasospasms can be treated with endovascular vasodilator therapy, which can either be performed in conscious sedation or general anesthesia. The aim of this study is to compare...

Background A peripheral spontaneous nystagmus (SN) is typically enhanced or revealed by removing fixation. Conversely, failure of fixation suppression of SN is usually a sign of a central disorder. Based on Luebke et al., (1988), who suggested the normal fixation mechanism is disengaged during pursuit, we hypothesized that vertical tracking in the...

Objective Failure of fixation suppression of spontaneous nystagmus is sometimes seen in patients with vestibular strokes involving the cerebellum or brainstem, however, the accuracy of this test for the discrimination between peripheral and central causes in patients with an acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) is unknown. Methods Patients with AVS were...

Background Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are slowly progressing tumors which represent the most common malignancy of the ocular surface. The standard of care is surgical excision with wide margins combined with intra-operative cryotherapy. In advanced disease, ocular enucleation or orbital exenteration is recommended. Yet even with radical surgery,...

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Caloric Testing and video Head Impulse Testing (vHIT) in differentiating between vestibular neuritis and strokes in acute dizziness. Design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Emergency department of a tertiary referral center. Participants: 1677 adult patients were screened be...

Background Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been recognized as a first-line treatment option for small to moderate sized vestibular schwannoma (VS). Our aim is to evaluate the impact of SRS doses and other patient and disease characteristics on vestibular function in patients with VS. Methods Data on VS patients treated with single-fraction SRS...

Objective: To assess the factors affecting early local and audiometric outcomes in vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Study design: A retrospective review of medical records. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Records of all adult patients who underwent SRS between 2010 and 2016 for th...

Objectives To assess the feasibility of radiologic measurements and find out whether hearing outcome could be predicted based on computer tomography (CT) scan evaluation in patients with temporal bone fractures and suspected ossicular joint dislocation. Methods We assessed 4002 temporal bone CT scans and identified 34 patients with reported ossicu...

Segmentation of white matter lesions and deep grey matter structures is an important task in the quantification of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. In this paper we explore segmentation solutions based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for providing fast, reliable segmentations of lesions and grey-matter structures in multi-m...

Background/Objective In order to monitor tissue oxygenation in patients with acute neurological disorders, probes for measurement of brain tissue oxygen tension (ptO 2 ) are often placed non-specifically in a right frontal lobe location. To improve the value of ptO 2 monitoring, placement of the probe into a specific area of interest is desirable....

Background Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been recognized as a first-line treatment option for small to moderate sized vestibular schwannoma (VS). Our aim is to evaluate the impact of SRS doses and other patient and disease characteristics on vestibular function in patients with VS.Methods Data on VS patients treated with single-fraction SRS t...

Background Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been recognized as a first-line treatment option for small to moderate sized vestibular schwannoma (VS). Our aim is to evaluate the impact of SRS doses and other patient and disease characteristics on vestibular function in patients with VS.Methods Data on VS patients treated with single-fraction SRS t...