The authors developed an instrument called the “Rehabilitation Problem-Solving Form” (RPS-Form), which allows health care professionals analyze patient problems, to focus on specific targets, and to relate the salient disabilities to relevant and modifiable variables. In particular, the RPS-Form was designed to address the patients' perspectives and enhance their participation in the decision-making process. Because the RPS-Form is based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Model of Functioning and Disability, it could provide a common language for the description of human functioning and therefore facilitates multidisciplinary responsibility and coordination of interventions. The use of the RPS-Form in clinical practice is demonstrated by presenting an application case of a patient with a chronic pain syndrome.

Anastomotic stenosis of the pulmonary artery after lung transplantation is a rare complication, which commonly necessitates surgical correction. Transesophageal Doppler sonography and pulmonary arteriogram are standard diagnostic means for visualization of venous and arterial anastomoses. Balloon dilatation combined with implantation of a vascular endoprosthesis was successfully used for treatment of severe anastomotic stenosis of the pulmonary artery after lung transplantation.

The German version of the cervical NASS patient questionnaire (NASS) is a valid instrument for patients with cervical spine health problems. As this instrument is also sensitive to change, it is recommended for use. Moreover, the present study gives evidence for the validity of the original cervical NASS questionnaire in English.

TIPSS may be of benefit in children with severe portal hypertension. It allows control of intractable bleeding, and stabilizes the patients preparing them for subsequent elective orthotopic liver transplantation.

Sacral insufficiency fractures develop over a period of time and show time-dependent changes. We report on 15 CT examinations of 5 patients with early-stage insufficiency fractures of the sacrum. In 4 patients only irregular sclerosis without distinct fracture lines was present in 7 of 8 fractures. Of these 4 patients; 3 exhibited intraosseous gas inclusions in a ventral part of a lateral mass; 5 of 8 fractures disclosed a ventral cortical break. When distinct fracture lines had developed in 1 patient, intraosseous vacuum phenomenon had disappeared. Fracture lines evolve over weeks to months and show central bone absorption. The fractures can heal as demonstrated in 4 of 6 fractures in 3 patients, can persist over 1 year without significant changes or can progress to pseudoarthrosis with bone destruction similar to neuropathic joint disease. Intraosseous vacuum phenomena can persist to this stage. Intraosseous vacuum phenomenon is recognized as a potential finding in the early stage of sacral insufficiency fracture, which also is true for irregular sclerosis and ventral cortical disruption.