Cystic echinococcosis, review and illustration of non-hepatic manifestations.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis (hydatid cysts), is an infection with a wide spectrum of manifestations, from asymptomatic infection to fatal disease. Ultrasound (US) allows screening, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment guidance and follow-up of CE under many circumstances. Hydatid cysts are predominantly observed in the liver but many other organs can be involved.

Placebo response and remission rates in randomised trials of induction and maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis.

Background: It is important to minimize placebo rates in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to efficiently detect treatment differences between interventions. Historically, high placebo rates have been observed in clinical trials of ulcerative colitis (UC). A better understanding of factors influencing placebo rates may lead to more informed clinical trial design.

Serous pancreatic neoplasia, data and review.

Aim: To describe the imaging features of serous neoplasms of the pancreas using ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: This multicenter international collaboration enhances a literature review to date, reporting features of 287 histologically confirmed cases of serous pancreatic cystic neoplasms (SPNs).

Results: Female predominance is seen with most SPNs presenting asymptomatically in the 5 through 7 decade.