Artificial Intelligence in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Advances in Imaging, Pathology, and Personalized Care.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, affecting both low- and middle-income countries, with a growing number of cases. In 2024, about 310,720 women in the U.S.

Elastographic Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaques and Determination of Vascular Risk in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

: The present study aimed to examine the role of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (SWE) in the assessment of the vascular wall of the carotid arteries and atherosclerotic plaques in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with moderate and low disease activity versus healthy controls. : An observational case-control study was carried out at the University Medical Hospital "Kaspela" in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from June 2023 to August 2024. This study included 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 25 healthy controls.

Risk factors related to amputation in diabetic foot patients: single center outcomes.

This study aimed at identifying factors that worsen the prognosis of diabetic foot, one of the most common complications seen in patients with diabetes.

Breast cancer imaging-clinical experience with two-dimensional-shear wave elastography: A retrospective study.

Background: Breast cancer morbidity has been increasing worldwide, but treatments are improving. The therapeutic response depends on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed. Therefore, early diagnosis has never been more essential for successful treatment and a reduction in mortality rates.

Artificial Intelligence Algorithms and Their Current Role in the Identification and Comparison of Gleason Patterns in Prostate Cancer Histopathology: A Comprehensive Review.

The development of the Gleason grading system has proven to be an irreplaceable tool in prostate cancer diagnostics within urology. Despite the advancements and developments in diagnostics, there remains a discrepancy in the grading process among even the most experienced pathologists. AI algorithms have demonstrated potential in detecting cancer and assigning Gleason grades, offering a solution to the issue of significant variability among pathologists' evaluations.

Combined laser and mechanical lithotripsy for endoscopic management of Bouveret's syndrome: A case report.

Bouveret's syndrome (BS) represents an exceedingly rare clinical entity characterized by gastric outlet obstruction induced by a gallstone passing through a cholecystoduodenal, cholecystogastric or choledochoduodenal fistula and impacting in the duodenum or pylorus. Endoscopy is the preferred first-line therapy. It has a favorable safety profile, but requires high level of expertise to achieve stone clearance.

The expanding role of artificial intelligence in the histopathological diagnosis in urological oncology: a literature review.

The ongoing growth of artificial intelligence (AI) involves virtually every aspect of oncologic care in medicine. Although AI is in its infancy, it has shown great promise in the diagnosis of oncologic urological conditions. This paper aims to explore the expanding role of artificial intelligence in the histopathological diagnosis in urological oncology.

Exploring the impact of curcumin on osteoarthritis symptomatology: correlations and insights from a Bulgarian cohort.

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder associated with pain and functional impairment. Curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic benefits in osteoarthritis management.

Rare case of enteric type of urachal adenocarcinoma: A case report.

Urachal adenocarcinomas, constituting 10 % of bladder adenocarcinomas, pose a significant challenge with limited literature. A 43-year-old male presented with haematuria and abdominal pain, leading to surgical intervention for a 13 cm pelvic tumor. Histopathology identified an intestinal-type primary urachal adenocarcinoma, staged as IIIA, no recurrence on follow-up.

Diagnostic and prognostic role of serum interleukin-6 and carotid ultrasonography to detect subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with RA and ANCA-associated vasculitis.

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) can affect multiple organs with severe life-threatening manifestations. Disease monitoring is difficult due to a lack of defined biomarkers. We aimed to assess the diagnostic role of serum interleukin-6 and vascular ultrasonography in AAV and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Estimating reference values of parenchymal stiffness of normal pancreatic parenchyma by means of point shear wave elastography.

There are numerous imaging modalities available to describe pancreatic parenchyma. None of the broadly accepted diagnostic methods uses elasticity as an indicator of tissue damage.

Surgical Innovations in Tracheal Reconstruction: A Review on Synthetic Material Fabrication.

: The aim of this review is to explore the recent surgical innovations in tracheal reconstruction by evaluating the uses of synthetic material fabrication when dealing with tracheomalacia or stenotic pathologies, then discussing the challenges holding back these innovations. : A targeted non-systematic review of published literature relating to tracheal reconstruction was performed within the PubMed database to help identify how synthetic materials are utilised to innovate tracheal reconstruction. : The advancements in 3D printing to aid synthetic material fabrication have unveiled promising alternatives to conventional approaches.

PAPILLARY MICROCARCINOMA OF THE THYROID GLAND - DOES SIZE MATTER?

Introduction: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma has provoked discussion among the endocrinological community due to the extremely diverse therapeutic methods adopted in international guidelines. From the radical approach of total thyroidectomy with prophylactic central lymphatic dissection to "active monitoring" and opinions such as "papillary microcarcinoma is not carcinoma".

Aim: To investigate the factors of invasiveness in papillary microcarcinoma.

Hepatico-Duodenal Fistula Following Iatrogenic Strasberg Type E4 Bile Duct Injury: A Case Report.

Introduction: Gallstone disease (GSD) is among the most common disorders worldwide. Gallstones are established in up to 15% of the general population. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the "gold standard" for treatment of GSD but is associated with a higher rate of certain complications, namely, bile duct injury (BDI).

Comparison of short term results following robotic and laparoscopic total gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection.

In the last decade, there has been a progressive shift from open to mini-invasive operative techniques for surgical resection of gastric cancer. Advanced equipment of surgical robots, with its 3D visualization, steady camera view, flexible instrument tips, attracts more and more practitioners in performing robotic gastrectomy with D2 dissection in gastric cancer patients. Thus, the comparison of some basic oncological as well as some surgical variables related to laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy is necessary.

Clinical Outcomes of EUS-Guided Choledochoduodenostomy for Biliary Drainage in Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Case Series.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is associated with poor prognosis and 98% loss-of-life expectancy. 80% of patients with PDA are unfit for radical surgery. In those cases, emphasis is set on management of cancer-related symptoms, among which obstructive jaundice is most common.

Prophylactic Central Neck Lymph Node Dissection Adds No Short-Term Benefit to Total Thyroidectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

: To answer the research question: "Is prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection (pCNLD) beneficial among differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients?" : This was a retrospective cohort study enrolling DTC patients treated at the University Hospital Kaspela, Bulgaria, from 30 January 2019 to October 2021. The predictor variable was presence of pCNLD (total thyroidectomy with vs. without pCNLD).

Surveillance Value of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Maps: Multiparametric MRI in Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer.

Background: This study aims to establish the value of apparent diffusion coefficient maps and other magnetic resonance sequences for active surveillance of prostate cancer. The study included 530 men with an average age of 66, who were under surveillance for prostate cancer. We have used multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent transperineal biopsy (TPB) to verify the imaging findings.

Evaluation of Liver Stiffness Measurement by Means of 2D-SWE for the Diagnosis of Esophageal Varices.

Portal hypertension (PH) and esophageal varices (EVs) are a matter of extensive research. According to current Baveno VII guidelines, in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD), liver stiffness measurement (LSM) < 15 kPa and PLT count > 150 × 10/L, upper endoscopy (UE) is not mandatory, and the emphasis should be set on non-invasive methods for evaluation of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). The aim of this study is to establish whether liver stiffness (LS) measured by 2D-SWE could be used as a predictor for the presence and severity of EVs in cirrhotic patients.

Diverting ileostomy in low anterior resection: single center retrospective analysis.

<b> Introduction:</b> Low anterior resection (LAR) is the standard procedure for distal rectal cancer allowing anal sphincter preservation. Anastomotic leakage remains one of the most dangerous complications following LAR and its management is difficult. </br></br> <b>Aim:</b> This study reviews our experience of LAR with and without protective ileostomy (PI).

COVID-19 Mortality and Related Comorbidities in Hospitalized Patients in Bulgaria.

Until now, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in at least 27 million cases and over 900,000 deaths worldwide. Bulgaria is one of the countries that is the most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the mortality rate is among the highest registered in the world. The aim of this study is to investigate and analyze mortality rates due to the fact of COVID-19 in addition to the most common related underlying medical conditions in those hospitalized to outline the factors that have an impact on the mortality rate due to the fact of COVID-19.

Comparative Assessment of the Level of Patient Safety Culture between Surgical and Nonsurgical Units in Bulgarian Hospitals.

Patient safety culture is a key component of the organizational culture and a critical measure of the quality of healthcare. The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the problems concerning patient safety culture, based on the analysis of data, collected after interviewing healthcare specialists working in surgical and nonsurgical units in selected Bulgarian hospitals. This was a cross-sectional online study using a web-platform and the Bulgarian Version of Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture.

Prophylactic central lymph node dissection in differentiated thyroid cancer - benefits and risk.

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common thyroid malignancy. Lymph nodes involvement is common in differentiated thyroid cancer, and cervical lymph node micrometastases are observed in up to 85% of patients with papillary thyroid cancer during surgery. While the therapeutic central lymph node dissection has been accepted, the debate on the prophylactic in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) continues.

Robotic-assisted colorectal surgery - initial results.

The mini invasive procedure in colorectal surgery is gaining ground as an alternative to conventional surgery. Colorectal surgery has significantly evolved since the advent of the automatic stapler devices and subsequently with the minimally invasive approach. The next logical step - the robotic assisted surgery was developed to satisfy surgeons' needs to the area of colorectal surgery and to offer a new and safer method to patients.

Evaluation of Ultrasound-Based Point Shear Wave Elastography for Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Diseases.

Introduction: A variety of imaging techniques exists for the diagnosis of pancreatic disorders. None of the broadly applied diagnostic methods utilizes elasticity as an indicator of tissue damage. A well-known fact is that both chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) are associated with the development of prominent fibrosis (increased tissue stiffness).