Cystic pancreatic neoplasms in a tertiary gastroenterologic referral center: Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound, progression rate and malignancy rate in a large unicentric cohort.

Introduction: Cystic pancreatic neoplasms (CPN) are frequently diagnosed due to better diagnostic techniques and patients becoming older. However, diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and value of follow-up are still unclear.

Material And Methods: The aim of our retrospective study was to investigate the frequency of different cystic pancreatic neoplasms (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm [IPMN], serous and mucinous cystadenoma, solid pseudopapillary neoplasia), diagnostic accuracy, size progression, and rate of malignancy using EUS in a tertiary reference center in Germany.

Cerebral lesions in patients with connective tissue diseases and systemic vasculitides: are there specific patterns?

This study was performed to evaluate whether specific patterns of cerebral lesions can be identified in different rheumatic disease entities. In 132 patients with different connective tissue diseases and vasculitides (systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], systemic sclerosis [SSc], mixed connective tissue disease [MCTD], Wegener's granulomatosis [WG], immunocomplex vasculitides, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome [APS]), cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed. Patients were examined clinically, and laboratory parameters including autoantibodies were determined.

Rituximab for the treatment of refractory pediatric autoimmune diseases: a case series.

Introduction: To report on efficacy, tolerability and safety of rituximab in children with refractory autoimmune diseases.

Case Presentation: Five patients (juvenile dermatomyositis, Wegener's granulomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis with systemic lupus erythematosus) were treated with rituximab and followed for a median time of 2.5 years.

Rituximab and concomitant leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rituximab has only been approved in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. As some patients have intolerance to methotrexate, alternative co-therapies are needed. This method involved retrospective analysis of ten patients treated with a combination of rituximab and leflunomide.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus have increased renal excretion of mitogenic estrogens in relation to endogenous antiestrogens.

Objective: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 17beta-estradiol was thought to play a dual pro- and antiinflammatory role depending on its concentration or probably conversion to downstream mitogenic 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone or naturally occurring antiestrogens such as 2-hydroxyestrone. We compared renal excretion of these 2 types of estrogens in healthy subjects and patients with RA and SLE.

Methods: In a prospective study with 30 patients with RA, 32 with SLE, and 54 healthy subjects, we measured urinary levels of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestrogens by enzyme immunoassay.