The structure of trauma patients, its management and health care in the University Hospital of Alexandroupolis.

Objective: The present study was designed to describe the patterns of trauma patients using a newly-introduced trauma registry, as well as retrospectively assess the management and outcome facts of these patients.

Materials And Methods: The study included 2346 patients (62.15% male) with a mean age of 34.

Thyroglobulin - what is the postoperative threshold for the suspicion of thyroid cancer recurrence in the absence of anti-Tg antibody measurement?

Background: Thyroglobulin (Tg) is used as a postoperative marker for the follow-up of patients with thyroid carcinoma, but there is no consensus regarding the value that may indicate possible recurrence. Aim. To evaluate Tg levels as a marker for recurrence of thyroid carcinoma.

Epidemiology and survival of patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer subjected to total thyroidectomy in Thrace area, Northern Greece: a 20-year experience.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiology and survival of patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WTC) treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) in the area of Thrace, Northern Greece.

Methods: The study was conducted on 80 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy from January 1985 to December 2004 for WTC. Patients' medical records and demographics, including age, sex, histological type (papillary, follicular, mixed type papillary-follicular, Hurthle), stage according to TNM staging, coexistence or future postoperative occurrence of local recurrence or distal metastases and overall and specific survival were analyzed and survival rates were calculated.

Hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy, cytoprotection and capecitabine in the treatment of rectal cancer: a feasibility study.

Background: This is a report on the feasibility and efficacy of hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy combined with amifostine cytoprotection (hypoARC) and capecitabine in the treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-seven patients (pts) received pre- (14 pts) or postoperative (13 pts) conformal radiotherapy with 10 consecutive fractions of 3.4 Gy in 12 days, supported with subcutaneously administered high-dose amifostine (up to 1000 mg) and capecitabine (daily dose of 600 mg/m2 twice a day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks).

Evidence for the ''paradox'' association between hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

There are several studies suggesting the paradoxical simultaneous presence of hypertensive lower oesophageal sphincter and gastroesophageal reflux disease. We present a case of a 22-year-old male patient who was examined in our outpatient clinic with oesophageal food bolus impaction during a meal, severe chest pain and drooling. Manometry revealed a hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter pressure (resting pressure 35 mmHg) and pHmetry revealed a DeMeester score > 14.

Early antivascular effects of bevacizumab anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody on colorectal carcinomas assessed with functional CT imaging.

Background: The complex effect on anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) monoclonal antibodies on the tumor vasculature urges studies to identify the optimal time frames for the administration of such agents with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Using CT scan functional imaging, we examined the perfusion changes of contrast medium induced 7 days following administration of bevacizumab (5 mg/kg iv) in 12 patients with colorectal cancer.

Results: CT imaging 7 days after the administration of bevacizumab confirmed tumor shrinkage in 3 of 12 cases.

Enterolith small-bowel obstruction caused by jejunal diverticulosis: Report of a case.

We report the successful surgical treatment of intestinal obstruction caused by enteroliths formed in jejunal diverticula. A 78-year-old man with bowel obstruction of unknown etiology was initially managed conservatively, but suffered recurrence of the obstruction. Thus, we performed a laparotomy, which revealed multiple diverticula in the jejunum, with one enterolith inside a diverticulum and one enterolith in the terminal ileum.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor type 2 in the human stomach: protective biological role by inhibition of apoptosis.

Corticotropin-releasing factor agonists exert inhibitory effects in stomach functions possibly through peripheral routes. We have previously reported the expression of Urocortin (Ucn) I, an endogenous ligand of both CRF receptor types CRF(1) and CRF(2), in the human stomach. We examined CRF(1) and CRF(2) expression in the same tissue.

Lateral subcutaneous internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of chronic anal fissure: our experience.

Background: Chronic anal fissure is the most common cause of anal pain associated with internal anal sphincter hypertonia. Reduction of hypertonia favours fissure healing. Temporary reduction in sphincter tone can be achieved by conservative treatment.

Extrahepatic biliary obstruction due to a solitary pancreatic metastasis of squamous cell lung carcinoma. Case report.

A 53-year old male, with a history of squamous cell lung carcinoma, was presenting with jaundice. Examinations showed a pancreatic tumor infiltrating the common bile duct and a percutaneous biopsy proved that the lesion was metastatic from the lung carcinoma. The decision was taken to perform a laparotomy.

Infliximab for treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with clinically inactive Crohn's disease. A case report.

We report the case of a 57-year old female patient with refractory to treatment pyoderma gangrenosum associated with clinically inactive Crohn's disease. Pyoderma gangrenosum was successfully treated with Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Our case report suggests that Infliximab, a therapeutic agent for refractory and fistulizing Crohn's disease, may also be safe and effective in the treatment of Crohn's disease associated pyoderma gangrenosum, even though the inflammatory bowel disease is clinically inactive and repeated infusions may be required for successful treatment.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori: lack of influence of infection on oesophageal manometric, 3-hour postprandial pHmetric and endoscopic findings.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease according to manometric and pHmetric findings.

Method: Fifty-nine consecutive patients with reflux symptoms and endoscopic evidence of mild oesophagitis, were recruited. Manometry and ambulatory pHmetry were performed in all patients, as well as the 3-hour postprandial pHmetry, as a more flexible and well tolerable test.

Angiogenesis and p53 at the invading tumor edge: prognostic markers for colorectal cancer beyond stage.

Background: Angiogenesis has emerged as a major prognostic factor in many human malignancies and it is a prospective target for cancer therapy.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we investigated immunohistochemically the angiogenic activity and the expression of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in a series of 170 operable colorectal carcinomas, stage B and C.

Results: A high vascular density at the invading tumor front was directly related to nuclear p53 accumulation, and inversely to cytoplasmic expression of bcl-2.

Both early-onset and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia are caused mainly by potentially multiresistant bacteria.

Objective: To compare the causative pathogens of early-onset and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage quantitative cultures. Most previous reports have been based on endotracheal aspirate cultures and gave uncertain findings.

Design: Prospective evaluation of consecutive patients with clinical suspicion for VAP.

Relationship between obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease as recorded by 3-hour esophageal pH monitoring.

Objective: To evaluate the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a Greek cohort in relationship to the body mass index (BMI), using the 3-hr postprandial esophageal pH monitoring.

Methods: Sixty-four consecutive patients (55 males, 9 females; mean age 40.7 +/- 13.

Terminology in coloproctology.

On the matter of the terminology used for large intestine, its sections and different pathologies, a general observation would be that there is a quantity of different sections, words and interchanges that in the end cause some distress in the medical community. The correct terminology assists in the understanding between doctors, some terms, though are standard and unchangeable. Some of those terms are somewhat false but can always be used in a better way.

Emergency operations for carcinoma of the colon.

The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to record and analyse the immediate and long term results obtained from emergency operation for carcinoma of the large bowel. In a 12-year period (1991-2003), 154 patients were operated on for carcinoma of the colon. In 29 patients (19%; 11 males, 18 females, m.

Impact of hiatal hernia on histological pattern of non-erosive reflux disease.

Background: Hiatus hernia (HH) has major pathophysiological effects favoring gastroesophageal reflux and hence contributing to esophageal mucosa injury, especially in patients with severe gastroesophageal disease. However, prospective studies investigating the impact of HH on the esophageal mucosa in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) are lacking. This study evaluated the association between the presence of (HH) and the histological findings in symptomatic patients with NERD.

Mucocele of the appendix: a report of five cases.

Mucocele of the appendix is an uncommon disorder, characterized by a cystic dilatation of the lumen. It is often diagnosed clinically from signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis or, if it is asymptomatic, as an incidental finding during ultrasonography, computed tomography, and radiographic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract, or laparotomy. The incidence of mucocele ranges from 0.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric emptying rate in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Aim: The pathogenesis of delayed gastric emptying in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) remains unclear. We aimed to examine whether gastric emptying rate in NUD patients was associated with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection and whether it was affected by eradication of the infection.

Methods: Gastric emptying rate of a mixed solid-liquid meal was assessed by the paracetamol absorption method in NUD patients and asymptomatic controls (n=17).

Impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on histological changes in non-erosive reflux disease.

Aim: The evidence for an association between Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and gastroesophageal reflux disease, either in non- erosive (NERD) or erosive esophagitis (ERD) remains uncertain. The available data on the histological changes in NERD and the effect on H pylori infection on them are elusive. The aim of this study therefore was to prospectively evaluate the histological findings and the impact of H pylori infection on a group of symptomatic patients with NERD.

Treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer with secondary cytoreduction and continuous intraoperative intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion (CIIPHCP).

Objective: Evaluation of the combined effect of secondary cytoreduction and continuous intraoperative intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion (CIIPHCP), in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, in a phase II clinical study.

Material And Methods: Twenty consecutive, heavily pre-treated patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, were treated with a combination of cytoreductive surgery and CIIPHCP. All patients had extended peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Amifostine before chemotherapy: improved tolerance profile of the subcutaneous over the intravenous route.

Introduction: The i.v. administration of the cytoprotective agent amifostine is associated with reversible clinical hypotension, protracted emesis, and malaise in a various percentage of patients.

Methylene blue chromoendoscopy for the detection of Barrett's esophagus in a Greek cohort.

Background And Study Aims: Specialized columnar epithelium of Barrett's esophagus is a precursor of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma, and methylene blue selectively stains this type of epithelium. The present prospective study examined the detection of short-segment and long-segment Barrett's esophagus using methylene blue chromoendoscopy-directed biopsies, in comparison with biopsies directed using conventional endoscopic criteria.

Patients And Methods: Biopsies were obtained from macroscopically conspicous areas in the distal esophagus observed during conventional endoscopy in a total of 975 patients.