The Use of Handheld Ultrasound Devices - An EFSUMB Position Paper.

The miniaturization of ultrasound equipment in the form of tablet- or smartphone-sized ultrasound equipment is a result of the rapid evolution of technology and handheld ultrasound devices (HHUSD). This position paper of the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound and Medicine (EFSUMB) assesses the current status of HHUSD in abdominal ultrasound, pediatric ultrasound, targeted echocardiography and heart ultrasound, and we will report position comments on the most common clinical applications. Also included is a SWOT (Strength - Weaknesses - Opportunities - Threats) analysis, the use for handheld devices for medical students, educational & training aspects, documentation, storage and safety considerations.

Reference Values of Certain Serum Indicators of Liver Fibrosis.

Background: Liver fibrosis shows a continuously increasing trend worldwide, due to alcohol abuse, obesity, and, to a lesser extent, chronic hepatitis B and C. Biopsy is still considered the "gold standard" for diagnosis of liver fibrosis. However, it has a number of limitations, such as invasiveness, high cost, need for specialists to conduct and interpret biopsy results, risk of complications, inability to dynamically monitor the pathological process, low patient compliance, and uneven fibrosis distribution.

Chronic Hepatitis C-Related Cirrhosis Hospitalization Cost Analysis in Bulgaria.

Objective: HCV infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease with long-term complications-extensive fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The objective of this study is to perform cost analysis of therapy of patients with chronic HCV-related cirrhosis hospitalized in the University Hospital "Queen Joanna-ISUL" for 3-year period (2012-2014).

Methods: It is a prospective, real life observational study of 297 patients with chronic HCV infection and cirrhosis monitored in the University Hospital "Queen Joanna-ISUL" for 3-year period.

Efficacy and safety of PAIR for cystic echinococcosis: experience on a large series of patients from Bulgaria.

We report our experience with puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis in Bulgaria. PAIR was performed in 230 patients with 348 echinococcal cysts. At 12-month follow-up, 77.

Disease and treatment outcome in chronic active hepatitis C with occult HBV infection.

Background/aims: To evaluate the clinical course and effect of antiviral treatment in chronic active hepatitis C with coexisting occult hepatitis B infection.

Methodology: Basic liver enzymes, histological activity of hepatitis (Ishak score), biochemical and virological response rate at the end of treatment and 6 months later of 30 patients (15 of them positive for hepatitis B core antibody in serum) with chronic active hepatitis C are compared. All patients were treated with Interferon alpha-2b 3ME three times weekly and oral Ribavirin 1000/1200 mg daily for six months.