Pocket-size ultrasound device in cholelithiasis: diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of short-term training.

Pocket-size ultrasound devices (PSUD) are now widely available becoming a useful tool for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We aim to investigate the accuracy of PSUD in diagnosing cholelithiasis as compared to traditional ultrasonography. Moreover, we tested the reliability of PSUD when performed by inexperienced internal medicine residents after a short-term training.

Neoplasia in Turner syndrome. The importance of clinical and screening practices during follow-up.

Aim Of The Study: Turmer syndrome (TS) patients show increased morbidity due to metabolic, autoimmune and cardiovascular disorders. A risk of neoplasia is also reported. Here, we review the prevalence of neoplasia in a cohort of Turner patients.

The effect of gluten on intestinal fermentation, gastric and gallbladder emptying in healthy volunteers.

Background: The relationship between gluten ingestion and gastrointestinal tract function is a matter of debate.

Aim: We analysed the effect of gluten on gastric and gallbladder emptying and intestinal fermentation in healthy volunteers.

Methods: Ultrasound measurement of gastric and gallbladder emptying after both gluten-containing and gluten-free meals was performed in 18 volunteers (8 women, age 25.

Ultrasonographic findings in Crohn's disease.

In recent years transabdominal bowel sonography has become a first-line modality both in the diagnosis and in the follow-up of inflammatory bowel diseases, especially Crohn's disease, reaching values of sensitivity ranging from 84 to 93 %. In particular, its role is very useful in the early diagnosis of complications such as stenosis, phlegmons, abscesses and fistulae. According to the available literature the ability of US to provide information about disease activity is still under debate and further studies are necessary.

The Circulating Level of Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products Displays Different Patterns in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: RAGE is a transmembrane receptor expressed on immune and endothelial cells, whose binding with its ligands, the S100 calgranulins, leads to chronic inflammation. Conversely, its soluble form (sRAGE) plays a protective role by acting as a decoy. We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of the sRAGE and S100A12 serum levels in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and searched for a correlation with clinical and biological markers of activity.

Metabolic syndrome in Turner syndrome and relation between body composition and clinical, genetic, and ultrasonographic characteristics.

Background: An increased relative risk of diabetes, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, and hypertension have been reported in Turner syndrome (TS) patients. No data are currently available on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in TS subjects. We evaluated the frequency of metabolic syndrome in obese and nonobese patients with TS.

Is it worth investigating splenic function in patients with celiac disease?

Celiac disease, an immune-mediated enteropathy induced in genetically susceptible individuals by the ingestion of gluten, is the most frequent disorder associated with splenic hypofunction or atrophy. Defective splenic function affects more than one-third of adult patients with celiac disease, and it may predispose to a higher risk of infections by encapsulated bacteria and thromboembolic and autoimmune complications, particularly when celiac patients have concomitant pre-malignant and malignant complications (refractory celiac disease, ulcerative jejunoileitis and enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma). However, the clinical management of patients with celiac disease does not take into account the evaluation of splenic function, and in patients with high degree of hyposplenism or splenic atrophy the prophylactic immunization with specific vaccines against the polysaccharide antigens of encapsulated bacteria is not currently recommended.

Lymphomatous superficial lymph nodes: limitations of physical examination for accurate staging and response assessment.

Background And Objectives: Superficial lymph nodes in lymphoma management are usually evaluated by physical examination. However the accuracy of this assessment has not been thoroughly tested and so it remains debated whether physical examination can meet the international requirements for clinical evaluation and response assessment.

Design And Methods: Palpatory size estimates of lymph nodes in 97 lymphoma patients were separately compared with ultrasonographic (US) measurements in cervical, supraclavicular, axillary and inguinal regions.