Correlation Between Real-Time Shear Wave Elastography and Liver Serum Markers in Determining the Stage of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Liver Diseases.

: Non-invasive methods aim to predict the stage of liver fibrosis in line with histological findings via biopsy. Shear wave elastography and serum markers are proven as accurate non-invasive methods for determining liver fibrosis as a modern non-invasive methods compared to liver biopsy in staging hepatic fibrosis. : This study aims to determine the correlation between Shear Wave Elastography and indirect and direct serum markers of fibrosis when staging liver fibrosis.

Evaluation of the Effects of Gastro Protect as an Alternative Medicine on Gastritis and Other Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Introduction: The use of herbal medicine as a part of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine is increasing worldwide. Herbal remedies are used to better different conditions including gastritis.

Material And Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized control clinical trial on a total sample of 72 patients with gastritis in order to examine the effects of the commercial herbal product Gastro Protect.

Testicular Mixed Germ Cell Tumor Presenting with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report.

Testicular mixed germ cell tumors (TMGCTs) are aggressive neoplasms that often have metastases at the time of diagnosis, primarily in the lungs, bones, and brain. Gastrointestinal metastases are rare, occurring in less than 5% of cases, while duodenal involvement is extremely rare, with only few reported cases. Furthermore, gastrointestinal bleeding is an atypical initial presentation of metastatic TMGCTs.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor immunohistochemical expression in hepatocellular carcinoma without Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor exons 18-21 mutations.

EGFR targeted therapies, have been proved beneficial for patients with HCC, nevertheless additional research on EGFR immunoexpresion and EGFR mutations is still needed, especially in population in which it has not been done yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate EGFR immunoexpression in HCC without EGFR exons 18-21 mutations and to evaluate its influence on survival in HCC patients in North Macedonia. We studied 31 cases of HCC for EGFR immunohistochemical expression and EGFR exons 18-21 mutations.

Chronic Abdominal Pain, an Overlooked Diagnosis of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS).

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare condition that is often overlooked as a result of its nonspecific symptoms. It is usually presented with nausea, bloating, abdominal postprandial pain, and weight loss. The diagnosis of MALS is usually delayed and made by excluding other causes for the symptoms.

Diagnostic Potential of Calprotectin for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients Withliver Cirrhosis and Ascites.

The development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious and life-threatening condition in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic potential of calprotectin in ascites, for SBP in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites before and after antibiotic treatment and to compare the mean values of calprotectin in ascites in patients with and without SBP. This prospective-observational study was comprised of 70 patients with cirrhosis and ascites, divided into two groups, the SBP and the non-SBP group.

PREDICTIVE POTENTIAL OF BLOOD AND ASCITIC FLUID LABORATORY PARAMETERS FOR SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS.

Patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) usually have serious complications associated with deteriorating synthetic and excretory function of the liver cells, and require hospitalization and regular monitoring of biochemical parameters in blood and ascites.Aims - to determine the average values of laboratory parameters in blood and ascites in patients with SBP, to determine whether there is a difference in the average values between patients with SBP and non-SBP as well as their predictive power for the diagnosis of SBP.The study was designed as a prospective-analytical-observational and was conducted at the University Clinic for Gastroenterohepatology in Skopje for a period of one year.

Atorvastatin in Combination with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin Provided High Rate of Sustained Virological Response in Patients with Genotype 3 Hepatitis C Virus.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection represents a more frequent cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Statins, inhibit HCV replication in vitro, enhance the antiviral effect of the already known antiviral drugs and reduce their resistance.

Aim: To determine the impact of additional therapy (treatment with Atorvastatin 20 mg) to the standard antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon alpha-peg-IFN α and ribavirin) on achieving sustained virological response (SVR).

Comparison of Argon Plasma Coagulation and Injection Therapy with Adrenalin and Polidocanol in the Management of Bleeding Angiodysplasia in Upper Gastrointestinal Tract.

Introduction: The term angiodysplasia (AD) refers to acquired malformation of the blood vessels (communications between veins and capillaries), frequently found within the gastrointestinal mucosa and submucosa. AD of stomach and duodenum are cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 4%-7% of patients. The means of treatment are usually endoscopic, including argon plasma coagulation (APC), electrocoagulation, mechanical hemostasis by clippsing, laser photo-coagulation and injection therapy.

Factors That Influence the Virological Response in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Treated with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin.

Introduction: The success of the antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C depends on the factors related to the virus and the host. The aim of the study is the analysis of the antiviral therapy which is a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin, considering various factors that will identify the predictors of the sustained virological response.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included 226 patients, divided in two groups.

Screening for liver disease in cystic fibrosis: analysis of clinical and genetic risk factors for its development.

This study analyzes the prevalence and the role of possible clinical and genetic risk factors for the development of cystic fibrosis (CF)-related liver disease (LD) in a Macedonian CF population. All patients older than three years (n=52) were screened for LD. LD was defined by the finding of hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly, significant and persistent increase of at least two serum liver enzyme levels, suggestive ultrasonographic abnormalities (score >4), and morphologic or functional scintigraphic abnormalities.

Contrast-enhanced power doppler sonography in detection and differentiation of focal liver lesions.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the contrast enhanced power doppler technique as a method to detect and differentiate vascular patterns of focal liver lesions. Fourty-nine patients with focal liver lesions were included in the study, twenty-nine of them with malignant liver lesions (9 HCC, 20 metastatic), twenty patients with benign lesions (12 haemangiomas, 5 focal nodular hyperplasia, 3 focal steatosis). In all patients classic B-mode and power doppler sonography was performed prior to administration of the contrast medium Levovist (300 mg/ml) and a power doppler examination subsequent to medium administration.