Prevalence and predictors of atrial fibrillation in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source: a real-life single-center retrospective study.

Introduction: Up to one-third of ischemic strokes remained cryptogenic despite extensive investigations. Atrial fibrillation may be detected in a significant proportion of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source, particularly after the introduction of implantable loop recorder in clinical practice.

Methods: We retrospectively included all the consecutive patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source referred to our units in the period November 2013 to December 2018 and in which an implantable loop recorder was positioned within 6 months from stroke event.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in adult with asymptomatic partial agenesis of the right diaphragm: Case report and the literature.

Introduction: The importance of unilateral diaphragmatic agenesis (DA) in adults for performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been well described in literature.

Presentation Of Case: A 60-year-old female patient entered our ward in March 2019 for laparoscopic cholecystectomy after 6 months history of epigastric pain and multiple episodes of biliary colic treated conservatively. She never complained of pulmonary symptoms.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting as a solitary soft tissue arm metastasis in an elderly hyperthyroid patient. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) presenting as a solitary metastasis in the right arm muscle is described in an elderly hyperthyroid male patient. A 2-cm nodule in the right bycipites muscle was found to be a papillary carcinoma of thyroid origin and a primary, 3.5-cm tumor was subsequently found in the left lobe of a hyperfunctioning gland due to toxic goiter.

The in vitro diagnostic directive. What it doesn't say, but manufacturers need to know.

By now, everyone should have a copy of the In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Directive. After careful reading, people are realizing that there is much that the Directive does not say and much that is wide open to interpretation--interpretation that could make a big difference to the IVD industry. This article highlights those parts of the Directive that are unclear and therefore will need to be discussed and interpreted.

Choosing an IVD notified body: start now and gain a competitive edge.

Following more than two years of negotiation, the In Vitro Diagnostic Directive could be nearing adoption by Member States. Manufacturers will then have a short window of opportunity to obtain the CE mark early in the transition period when it has real competitive value. This article recommends immediate action and looks at some of the issues to consider when choosing a Notified Body.