Pregnancy and thrombosis risk for women without a history of thrombotic events: a retrospective study of the real risks.

Background: During pregnancy and puerperium women are at high VTE risk. Current guidelines recommend dynamic VTE-risk assessment during pregnancy. Based on related RCOG-guidelines we constructed a digital VTE-risk assessment tool: PATrisks ( www.

Recognition of Neonatal Hospitalization Cost in an Intensive Care Unit in Greece and the Deviation from Its Current Reimbursement System.

In this paper efforts have been made to record the actual, real cost of health care services in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N.I.C.

Real-world data on incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with macrofocal multiple myeloma (MFMM) in the era of novel therapies: A study of the Greco-Israeli collaborative myeloma working group.

We investigated incidence, characteristics and outcome of patients with macrofocal multiple myeloma (MFMM) treated mainly with novel therapies. Based on definition (BMPCs <20% and lytic lesions/plasmacytomas, without anemia, renal insufficiency or hypercalcemia) we identified 140 patients with MFMM, among 4650 myeloma patients (3%). Twice the number of patients with typical myeloma were used as controls; 60% were <65 years and 70% had advanced bone disease.

Low molecular weight heparins use in pregnancy: a practice survey from Greece and a review of the literature.

Background: Use of LMWH in pregnancy is not only limited to VTE management, but it extends, to the management of vascular gestational complications and the optimization of IVF pregnancies despite the lack of concrete scientific evidence. In this context, we conducted the present study aiming to gain insights regarding the use of LMWH during pregnancy and puerperium. We recorded indication for use, diagnostic work-up as well as the safety and efficacy of the treatment, trying to elucidate the clinical practice in our country.

Diffuse connective tissue disorders in HIV-infected patients.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been associated with various autoimmune disorders.

Aim: To review the spectrum of diffuse connective tissue disorders (dCTD) in HIV-infected patients, in the context of highly active anti-retroviral therapy.

Methods: Electronic search of the literature was performed using the terms HIV, AIDS, autoimmune, rheumatic/rheumatological, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Diffuse Infiltrative Lymphocytosis Syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, vasculitis, Behçet's disease, cryoglobulins, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Overcoming heparin resistance in pregnant women with antithrombin deficiency: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: The risk of thromboembolic events during pregnancy in patients with antithrombin deficiency is increased. Preventing thromboembolic events during pregnancy in the case of antithrombin deficiency is still a matter of concern.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 19-year-old primigravida Greek Pomak woman, who was diagnosed as having congenital antithrombin deficiency.

Diagnosis and Management of Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anaemia Type II in a Secundigravida.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemias (CDAs) are very rare, heterogeneous hereditary red blood cell disorders characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis, erythroblast morphological abnormalities, haemolysis, and hypoglycosylation of red-blood-cell membrane proteins and lipids. There are four types (I-IV) of the disease identified, and all of them are associated with abnormal maturation and division of erythroid precursors. We report the management of a rare case of CDA type II diagnosed in a 26-year-old pregnant woman.

Hypercalcemia remains an adverse prognostic factor for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients in the era of novel antimyeloma therapies.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic impact of hypercalcemia in newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM), especially after the incorporation of new agents.

Methods: we analyzed the outcomes of newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic myeloma included in the database of the Greek Myeloma Study Group for the prognostic effect of the presence of hypercalcemia (defined as corrected serum calcium ≥11 mg/dL) at diagnosis.

Results: Among 2129 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM, 19.

Lupus thrombocytopenia: pathogenesis and therapeutic implications.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is frequently complicated by cytopenias. Thrombocytopenia is usually non severe and its frequency ranges from 20% to 40%. It is mostly an autoimmune process caused by autoantibodies against platelet surface glycoproteins and it is associated with worse prognosis in SLE.

Hyperhemolytic Syndrome Complicating a Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction due to anti-P1 Alloimmunization, in a Pregnant Woman with HbO-Arab/β-Thalassemia.

Background: Hyperhemolytic Syndrome or Hyperhemolytic Transfusion Reaction (HHTR), a life-threatening subset of Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (DHTR) is characterized by destruction of both transfused and autologous erythrocytes evidenced by a fall in post transfusion hemoglobin below the pre-transfusion level.

Case Report: We describe a case of DHTR due to anti-P1 alloimmunization manifesting with hyperhemolysis in a 30-year-old Greek Pomak woman with thalassemia intermedia (HbO-Arab/β-thalassemia), during the11 week of her first gestation. She was successfully managed with avoidance of further transfusions and administration of IVIG and corticosteroids.

Endonasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks versus craniotomy: comparison of the outcomes.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks have been traditionally managed via craniotomy with an intradural repair. The endonasal endoscopic approach represents a minimally invasive alternative. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of the two methods.

Laryngeal cancer: epidemiological data from Νorthern Greece and review of the literature.

Background: Cancer of the larynx accounts for 1% to 2.5% of all human neoplasms and is the most common malignancy of the Head and Neck region. The purpose of this study is to analyze epidemiological data of patients with laryngeal cancer and to point out the geographical variations.

Clinical features, outcome, and prognostic factors for survival and evolution to multiple myeloma of solitary plasmacytomas: a report of the Greek myeloma study group in 97 patients.

Solitary plasmacytoma (SP) is a rare plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by the presence of bone or extramedullary plasma cell tumors. The treatment of choice is local radiotherapy (R/T) ± surgical excision. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (C/T) or novel agents (NA) is uncertain.

CD1d expression as a prognostic marker for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We analyzed the expression of CD1d, an antigen-presenting molecule, on peripheral blood leukemic cells of cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by flow cytometry. We demonstrated variable expression of CD1d on leukemic lymphocytes and an association between high expression of CD1d with shorter time to treatment and overall survival of patients. CD1d was positively associated with CD38 expression, but not with unmutated heavy chain variable (VH) mutational status or adverse cytogenetics of leukemic lymphocytes.

Coagulation and fibrinolysis activation after single-incision versus standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single-center prospective case-controlled pilot study.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with attenuated acute-phase response and hypercoagulable state compared with the open procedure. Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a new technique aiming to minimize the invasiveness of the procedure. By comparing the degree of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation after conventional multiport (CLC) and single-incision (SILC) laparoscopic cholecystectomy, we aimed to determine whether the reduced incision size induces a lower thrombophilic tendency.

Sarcoidosis-like granulomatosis of the hypopharynx as a complication of anti-TNF therapy.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, occasionally presenting with signs and symptoms that occur within the head and neck. Recently, granulomatous reactions and cases of sarcoidosis have been reported in patients treated with anti-TNF agents.

Methods: This report describes a 56-year-old man who developed sarcoidosis in the hypopharynx during adalimumab therapy for psoriatic arthritis.

Plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity, a B cell-derived lymphoma associated with HIV infection: a case series.

Objectives: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) of the oral cavity is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is most frequently met in human immunodeficiency (HIV) positive patients. Only a few cases have been reported worldwide since 1997. This clinical entity may escape detection due to its unusual immunophenotype and rare occurrence.