Cystic Lymphangioma: Are Triglycerides Always Measurable?

The presence of chylous fluid with high triglycerides levels on endoscopic ultrasound- (EUS-) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) is very pathognomonic for the diagnosis of cystic lymphangiomas of the pancreas. In our case report the puncture of the pancreatic cyst showed a typical milky fluid though measurable triglyceride concentrations were absent in the laboratory. Two possible explanations were found.

Advances in radiotherapy delivery for rectal cancer: a European perspective.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy with an integrated boost offer excellent local control rates in patients with rectal cancer. The introduction of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and image-guided radiotherapy has drastically improved the tolerance of these treatments. The new challenge is developing organ-preserving strategies and curative treatments for medically inoperable patients.

[A man with a strange mass in his defecation].

A 56-year-old patient underwent a preventive colonoscopy. We found a large mass in his colon with a benign aspect. The 'unroofing' technique was used for further diagnosis and we suspected the diagnosis of 'lipoma'.

Factors affecting satisfaction with treatment in European women with chronic constipation: An internet survey.

Background: Data on factors affecting treatment satisfaction in European women with chronic constipation are limited.

Objective: To assess factors associated with treatment satisfaction among European women with chronic constipation.

Methods: A 2011-2012 internet survey was conducted in men and women from 12 European countries.

Pancreatic panniculitis: a rare complication of pancreatitis secondary to ERCP.

Panniculitis is an uncommon and rare complication of systemic fat necrosis in patients with pancreatic diseases. The skin manifestations are independent of the severity of the pancreatic pathology and can occur at any time. The lesions can precede, be concomitant with or rarely follow the pancreatic illness.

Gastroesophageal reflux evaluation in patients affected by chronic cough: Restech versus multichannel intraluminal impedance/pH metry.

Objectives/hypothesis: Oropharyngeal (OP) pH monitoring has been developed to detect supra-esophageal gastric reflux (SEGR). The results obtained with OP pH-metry and multichannel intraluminal impedance/pH monitoring (MII/pH) were compared.

Study Design: Diagnostic study.

Prediction of response to neoadjuvant radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer by means of sequential 18FDG-PET.

Purpose: Morphologic imaging techniques perform poorly in assessing the response to preoperative radiotherapy (RT), mainly because of desmoplastic reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sequential 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18FDG-PET) in assessing the response of rectal cancer to neoadjuvant RT and to determine which parameters can be used as surrogate markers for histopathologic response.

Methods And Materials: 18FDG-PET scans were acquired before and during the 5th week after the end of RT.

Capsule endoscopy for detection of small bowel malignancies.

Capsule Endoscopy (CE) is a recent diagnostic tool for detection of small bowel disease. The tiny imaging capsule has to be swallowed by the patient, which allows transmission by radiofrequency two images each second, to sensors worn around the patient's abdomen. After eight hours, the pictures can be downloaded and read by a Gastroenterologist.

Regulation of sinusoidal perfusion in portal hypertension.

Portal hypertension, a major complication of cirrhosis, is caused by both increased portal blood flow and augmented intrahepatic vascular resistance. Even though the latter is primarily caused by anatomical changes, it has become clear that dynamic factors contribute to the increased hepatic vascular resistance. The hepatic sinusoid is the narrowest vascular structure within the liver and is the principal site of blood flow regulation.

Capsule endoscopy in paediatrics: multicentric Belgian study.

Background And Study Aims: Capsule Endoscopy (CE) is a noninvasive procedure for evaluating small bowel disease. Data concerning children are scarce. The aim of the present report was to review all paediatric cases investigated by CE in Belgium.

Expression of somatostatin receptors in splanchnic blood vessels of normal and cirrhotic rats.

Background/aims: Somatostatin has been used for over two decades to treat acute variceal bleeding. Although it is assumed that somatostatin lowers portal pressure by constriction of the splanchnic arteries, little is known about the expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) in splanchnic blood vessels. In this study we investigated SSTR expression in splanchnic blood vessels from normal and cirrhotic rats.

Somatostatin at nanomolar concentration reduces collagen I and III synthesis by, but not proliferation of activated rat hepatic stellate cells.

Previous studies have shown antifibrotic effects of somatostatin. Since hepatic stellate cells (HSC) express somatostatin receptors and play a key role in hepatic fibrogenesis, we investigated the in vitro antifibrotic effect of somatostatin on rat HSC. At day 12 after isolation, cells were exposed to different concentrations of somatostatin (10(-6)-10(-9) mol l(-1)).

Metastases to the thyroid gland-a report of six cases.

The association of an asymptomatic mass, normal thyroid function, and a cold nodule can occur months to years after a primary cancer. Work-up should include ruling out other metastases and fine-needle aspiration cytology. We report six cases of secondary thyroid cancer.

Heartburn in Belgium: prevalence, impact on daily life, and utilization of medical resources.

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a frequently occurring disease that may be considered a public health issue, particularly in developed countries. The specificity of heartburn for the diagnosis of GORD is good. Our aim was to define the prevalence of heartburn in Belgium, characterizing both its impact on everyday life and the ensuing use of medical resources.