Neurological symptoms, genotype-phenotype correlations and ethnic-specific differences in Bulgarian patients with Wilson disease.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to characterize the neurological symptoms in Bulgarian patients with Wilson disease (WD), to investigate genotype-phenotype correlations, and to test whether there are differences in phenotype between patients of different ethnic origin.

Patients And Methods: A total of 126 Bulgarian patients with WD were included in the study. Detailed history, physical and neurological examination, laboratory investigation of copper metabolism, slit-lamp examination, abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography of the brain, molecular genetic testing, and statistical analysis were performed.

Endosonographic assessment of rectal cancer after neoadjuvant radiotherapy.

Aim: To assess the changes in the angiogenic status of rectal cancer before and after preoperative radiotherapy (RT) using endosonography (ES).

Material And Methods: Fifty-four patients with rectal cancer were examined by ES before and 6-7 weeks after preoperative RT and . The tumour size, stage, echostructure and vascularization before and after RT were compared.

Gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer: report of two cases.

Metastatic involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract secondary to breast cancer (BC) is rare and usually occurs in patients with lobular BC. We report 2 cases with GI presentations of metastatic BC. In the first case endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography because of abdominal discomfort, tenesmus and rectal bleeding demonstrated liver, gastric and rectal metastases with histological and immunohistological patterns of metastatic lobular BC.

Endosonographic assessment of the response of rectal cancer to preoperative radiotherapy endosonographic assessment of the response of rectal cancer to preoperative radiotherapy.

Background/aims: The accuracy of endoluminal ultrasonographic restaging of rectal cancer after chemoradiation has not been extensively studied and its definitive clinical utility has yet to be defined. The aim of the present study is to assess the benefit of endoluminal ultrasonography with Doppler evaluation for rectal cancer restaging after preoperative radiotherapy.

Methodology: Twenty six patients (10 female, 16 males, mean age--58 years) with histologically proven rectal cancer underwent preoperative radiotherapy.

Preparation and evaluation of isosorbide mononitrate hydrogels for topical fissure treatment.

The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate hydrogels containing 0.1% isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) for topical treatment of anal fissure. The hydrogels were prepared on the base of Carbopol 940, Poloxamer 407 or their combination.

Topical anal fissure treatment: placebo-controlled study of mononitrate and trinitrate therapies.

Aim: The present study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two nitrate gels, containing isosorbide-5-mononitrate (ISMN) or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), in the therapy of chronic anal fissure.

Materials And Methods: The patients were randomly assigned to three groups: 0.1% ISMN gel (21 patients), 0.

Contrast-enhanced endoanal and transperineal sonography in perianal fistulas.

Background/aims: To improve the diagnostic potential of ultrasound in patients with perianal fistulas, by performing a combined perineal and endorectal Doppler sonography investigation before and after contrast enhancement with hydrogen peroxide.

Methodology: Ten patients (9 male and 1 female) with perianal fistulas were tested. After contrast-free transperineal and endoanal sonography, hydrogen peroxide was injected in the fistulas and the ultrasound examinations were repeated.