The juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS): a poorly defined disorder.

Juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS) is a chronic condition characterized by symptoms of chronic diffuse musculoskeletal pain and multiple painful tender points on palpation. It is often accompanied by fatigue, disorders of sleep, chronic headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and subjective soft tissue swelling. The complexity of the presenting clinical picture in JPFS has not been sufficiently defined in the literature.

Percutaneous ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy of gastrointestinal lesions: what's its actual role in clinical practice? A retrospective study for safety and effectiveness.

Purpose: Endoscopic biopsy is commonly performed to obtain a pathological diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) lesions. When the lesions are submucosal, subserosal, or exophytic, endoscopic biopsy is often unsuccessful, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biopsy is considered the procedure of choice in these cases. Nevertheless, in some patients both endoscopic and EUS-guided biopsy are not indicated, or yield inconclusive cyto-histological results.

Transthoracic ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy of pleural-based lung lesions: prospective randomized comparison between a Tru-cut-type needle and a modified Menghini-type needle.

Purpose: The diagnostic yield of the different types of cutting needles used to perform transthoracic biopsy is scarcely investigated. Aim of the study was to compare a Tru-cut-type (TCT) needle and a modified Menghini-type needle (MMT) in ultrasonography (US)-guided biopsy of pulmonary lesions.

Materials And Methods: 307 subjects (191 males and 116 females, mean age 58 years) with peripheral lung lesions selected to undergo US-guided biopsy were randomized to undergo biopsy by using an 18-gauge TCT or MMT needle.

Predictive value of hematological and phenotypical parameters on postchemotherapy leukocyte recovery.

Background: Grade IV chemotherapy toxicity is defined as absolute neutrophil count <500/microL. The nadir is considered as the lowest neutrophil number following chemotherapy, and generally is not expected before the 7th day from the start of chemotherapy. The usual prophylactic dose of rHu-G-CSF (Filgrastim) is 300 microg/day, starting 24-48 h after chemotherapy until hematological recovery.

[Screening for colorectal cancer in high-risk and intermediate-risk subject: what's the best tool?].

Although several screening tests are now available, at present none of them has been proven the best one. Colonoscopy is usually used in high-risk subjects (family history of either colorectal cancer [CRC] or adenomas). In intermediate-risk subjects, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is preferred, and colonoscopy is performed only when FOBT results positive.

Subcapsular liver tumors treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation: a prospective comparison with nonsubcapsular liver tumors for safety and effectiveness.

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of subcapsular liver tumors.

Materials And Methods: The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board, and all patients gave written informed consent. One hundred eighty-one patients (79 men, 102 women; age range, 36-85 years) underwent ultrasonographically (US) guided percutaneous RF ablation of 361 primary or secondary (metastatic) liver tumors.

[Physicians working in internal medicine's ward: a survey on their role in the management of the gastrointestinal endoscopy services in Emilia Romagna].

We carried out a survey on the role played by the Wards of Internal Medicine in the management of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (G.E.) Services operating in Emilia Romagna.

Diagnostic accuracy of a rapid fecal test to confirm H pylori eradication after therapy: prospective comparison with a laboratory stool test.

Aim: To investigate the clinical performances of rapid stool test (ImmunoCard STAT HpSA, Meridian Diagnostic Inc.) in the evaluation of eradication therapy of H pylori and to compare it with a well-known and validated laboratory stool test (Amplified IDEA Hp StAR, Dako).

Methods: Stool samples of 122 patients were evaluated after eradication therapy of H pylori.

[A peculiar case of hypomagnesemia].

An old man with previous resections of small intestine for infarction and sigmoid for adenocarcinoma presented vomit, vertigo, visual impairment, fatigue, serum non detectable, reduced cellular magnesium, no ECG alterations. For the lack of symptoms proportionate to this alteration, an adaptation to progressive decrease in cellular magnesium is hypothesized.

Unsedated ultrathin upper endoscopy is better than conventional endoscopy in routine outpatient gastroenterology practice: a randomized trial.

Aim: to compare the feasibility and patients' tolerance of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) using a thin endoscope with those of conventional oral EGD and to determine the optimal route of introduction of small-caliber endoscopes.

Methods: One hundred and sixty outpatients referred for diagnostic EGD were randomly allocated to 3 groups: conventional (C)-EGD (9.8 mm in diameter), transnasal (TN)-EGD and transoral (TO)-EGD (5.

Accuracy of transthoracic sonography in detection of pneumothorax after sonographically guided lung biopsy: prospective comparison with chest radiography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of transthoracic sonography in the detection of pneumothorax after transthoracic sonographically guided lung biopsy.

Subjects And Methods: Transthoracic sonography was performed on 285 patients after transthoracic sonographically guided lung biopsy. Disappearance of the sliding lung and comettail artifacts and appearance of reverberation artifacts were considered evidence of pneumothorax.

[Primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. An early case].

A 21-year old asymptomatic woman had accidental report of increased transaminases. Serologic tests were negative, autoimmune profile was positive for anti-nuclear, antimitochondrial antibodies and rheumatoid factor. Histology of the liver biopsy showed severe necro-inflammatory activity both in biliary epithelium and in intralobular area, suggesting primary biliary cirrhosis/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome.

[Stool antigen test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Merely a research opportunity, or an effective diagnostic tool?].

Since Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was recognized as a major cause of peptic ulcer disease and an important risk factor for gastric malignancy, several strategies have been used to diagnose it. These methods are split up along two lines: 1) direct detection of the bacteria, and 2) detection of antigen-antibody assay against H.

Degradation of polyurethane gastrostomy devices: what is the role of fungal colonization?

The aim of this study was to evaluate polyurethane percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube degradation and the role played by fungi. The inner surfaces of 20 used polyurethane tubes were brushed, and the brushing end was incubated for 7 days in Saburaud broth and cultured if fungal growth occurred. Three tubes used for 12 (sample 12w), 17 (sample 17w), and 96 (sample 96w) weeks and two new tubes were cut to produce several 4-cm-long equal halves.

Evaluation of a new rapid immunoassay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in faeces: a prospective pilot study.

Background: Detection of Helicobacter pylori antigen in faeces is a valid method to diagnose H. pylori infection. Presently available stool tests are performed in the laboratory, and diagnostic report is delayed.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: are preparatory interventions or conscious sedation effective? A randomized trial.

Aim: The fears and concerns are associated with gastroscopy (EGD) decrease patient compliance. Conscious sedation (CS) and non-pharmacological interventions have been proposed to reduce anxiety and allow better execution of EGD. The aim of this study was to assess whether CS, supplementary information with a videotape, or presence of a relative during the examination could improve the tolerance to EGD.

Sonographically guided small-bore chest tubes and sonographic monitoring for rapid sclerotherapy of recurrent malignant pleural effusions.

Objective: To evaluate the role of sonographically guided small-bore chest catheters and sonographically based monitoring of fluid evacuation in rapid sclerotherapy of malignant pleural effusions.

Methods: In 50 patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions, a 9F catheter was inserted into the pleural space under sonographic guidance. When sonography documented complete fluid evacuation, bleomycin (0.

Prospective randomized trial of intrapleural bleomycin versus interferon alfa-2b via ultrasound-guided small-bore chest tube in the palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions.

Purpose: To compare bleomycin pleurodesis and immunotherapy with intrapleural interferon alfa-2b (IFN) in the palliation of malignant pleural effusions.

Patients And Methods: One hundred sixty patients with rapidly recurrent malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to intrapleural bleomycin (83 patients) or IFN (77 patients). A 9-French intrapleural catheter was placed under sonographic guidance, and pleural effusion was completely drained before starting the treatment.

Comparison of magnesium concentration in serum, erythrocytes and gastric tissue in two groups of patients affected by chronic gastritis, Helicobacter pylori negative and positive.

Unlabelled: Magnesium seems to be an important factor both for acid gastric secretion regulation (together with Ca2+) and for Helicobacter pylori survival and virulence. It can therefore be useful to evaluate if Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is accompanied by variations in the host Mg availability. In this study serum, erythrocytary and gastric tissue Mg concentration was measured in 36 patients affected by chronic antral gastritis.

Longevity of silicone and polyurethane catheters in long-term enteral feeding via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Background: As percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is often used for many months or years, the longevity of the feeding tubes plays an important role in the global outcome and costs of PEG.

Aim: A retrospective study to evaluate the longevity of silicone and polyurethane PEG catheters.

Methods: The records of 297 patients who were fed via PEG for over 90 days were evaluated.