Characterization and Long-Term Prognosis of Postmyocarditic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Compared With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DC) is the final common pathway of different pathogenetic processes and presents a significant prognostic heterogeneity, possibly related to its etiologic variety. The characterization and long-term prognosis of postmyocarditic dilated cardiomyopathy (PM-DC) remain unknown. This study assesses the clinical-instrumental evolution and long-term prognosis of a large cohort of patients with PM-DC.

Excitability of the motor cortex in de novo patients with celiac disease.

Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) may initially present as a neurological disorder or may be complicated by neurological changes. To date, neurophysiological studies aiming to an objective evaluation of the potential central nervous system involvement in CD are lacking.

Objective: To assess the profile of cortical excitability to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in a group of de novo CD patients.

The importance of disease prevalence in assessing the diagnostic value of a test: endoscopic markers in celiac disease.

Background/aims: We evaluated the diagnostic variability and reproducibility of endoscopic signs in two populations with a different pretest likelihood of celiac disease (CD).

Methods: We recruited 289 CD patients (both adults and children) in a multicenter prospective study. Group 1 (high risk) included 111 patients referred for positive serology.

Prevalence of celiac disease in adult patients with refractory functional dyspepsia: value of routine duodenal biopsy.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in adult patients referred to an open access gastroenterology clinic in the south of Italy and submitted to esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) for evaluation of refractory functional dyspepsia.

Methods: Seven hundred and twenty six consecutive dyspeptic patients (282 male, 444 female; mean age 39.6 years, range 18-75 years) with unexplained prolonged dyspepsia were prospectively enrolled.

Is endoscopic ultrasound clinically useful for follow-up of gastric lymphoma?

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is considered the best technique for locoregional staging at diagnosis but its role in the follow-up of patients with gastric lymphoma after organ-conserving strategies has not been established.

Design And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 23 patients with primary gastric lymphoma treated with a stomach-conservative approach. Sixteen of them were affected by MALT lymphoma and seven by diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Propofol sedation with fentanyl or midazolam during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in children.

Background And Objective: Sedation is commonly used to facilitate diagnostic procedures in children. The aim of our study was to investigate sedation in children using propofol alone or combined with fentanyl or midazolam with regard to efficacy, adverse reactions or side-effects related to the drugs, ease of operation for the endoscopist, and time to discharge from the post-anaesthesia care unit.

Methods: We prospectively studied 240 children, aged 1-12 yr of age, undergoing endoscopic procedures of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Esophacoil for palliation of recurrent malignant esophago-jejunal anastomotic stricture. Case reports.

Recurrent malignancy at esophagojejunal anastomosis represents an incurable stage of disease. Treatment options are limited. Surgery presents a high rate of morbidity and mortality and frequently fails to alleviate symptoms.

Polyamines levels in colorectal cancer: new markers?

Background/aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate free polyamine and acetyl derivate levels in colorectal cancer, precancerous lesions and a control group in order to investigate if there are different concentrations between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions.

Methodology: For this study, in the Department of Surgical Sciences of Catania University we observed 62 patients affected by colorectal cancer, 32 affected by precancerous lesions and 20 used as the control group. In each patient we performed an endoscopic biopsy on the lesion, one 5 cm to the lesion and one 10 cm to the lesion.

EsophaCoil for palliation of dysphagia in unresectable oesophageal carcinoma: short- and long-term results.

Background And Aim: Few reports have shown that EsophaCoil is an effective and safe prosthesis for palliation of malignant oesophageal dysphagia. A single centre experience using this type of prosthesis is reported.

Patients And Methods: Between January 1995 and September 2000, 42 consecutive patients, 41 with unresectable oesophageal cancer and one with oesophageal stenosis secondary to lung cancer, were treated with 44 EsophaCoils (2 patients received 2 stents).

[Campylobacter pylori (C. pylori): an occasional finding or a constant pathogenetic factor in peptic and inflammatory gastroduodenal pathology? Personal observations].

The detection of CP in the mucosa of the gastric antrum had led to the supposition of this bacterium's potential pathogenetic role in the onset and continuation of peptic ulcer and/or inflammatory gastroduodenal disease. After reviewing the literature, the Authors report the incidence rate of the presence of C.P.

Endoscopic ultrasonography in a case of gastric leiomyoblastoma.

Endoscopic ultrasonographic diagnosis of a gastric leiomyoblastoma stemming from the gastric wall is reported. Transparietal echography and CT had indicated that this tumor arose form the right ovary.

[Pathology caused by suture materials in patients with gastric resection. Endoscopic findings].

The authors report the results obtained from an endoscopic study on 131 gastric resected patients, who in 18.3% showed a pathology due to suture thread. The Authors dwell upon the clinical picture shown by these patients, and also consider the cases performed on urgency for hematemesis and/or melaena, and upon the diagnostical role of endoscopy.