Modified Harris Hip Score as patient-reported outcome measure in osteoarthritic patients: psychometric properties of the Greek version.

Introduction: This study explored the psychometric properties of the modified Harris Hip Score-Greek version (mHHS-Gr) as a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure in osteoarthritic hip patients.

Methods: Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and reproducibility were evaluated in 90 patients aged >55 years. Construct validity was tested against Greek versions of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS-Greek) and WOMAC Index (WOMAC-Gr), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 9-stairs-ascend/descend (9S-A/D) tests.

Parietal cell/oncocytic gastric carcinoma: systematic review and first-time assessment of HER2 status in two new cases.

Introduction: Parietal cell/oncocytic gastric carcinomas are very rare and various aspects of this group remain unclear. The human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status of these tumours is largely unknown.

Methods: We performed a systematic electronic search of the literature and clinicopathological presentation of two cases including first-time complete assessment of HER2 status.

Use of Focused Ultrasound (Sonication) for the Diagnosis of Infections in Neurosurgical Operations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Postoperative infections are one of the most devastating complications in neurosurgery, and their results are even more disastrous when biocompatible implants are involved. As the application of these implants increases, the need for a sensitive and efficient method to detect pathogens becomes imperative. The application of sonication appears to be a viable option.

Simultaneous Diagnosis of Emphysematous Osteomyelitis and Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Diabetic Patient.

BACKGROUND Emphysematous osteomyelitis of the spine is characterized by intravertebral or intraosseous air. Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP) is the infection of the renal parenchyma and perirenal tissues caused by gas forming microorganisms and thus is characterized by gas formation. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of necessary treatment is crucial, as both entities are associated with high mortality rates.

Early Post-EVAR Rupture in a Patient with Early Type II Endoleak: A Borderline Treatment.

Purpose: The detection of type II endoleak one month after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is usually neglected or considered benign. Aim of this report is to present a case of post-EVAR rupture, due to type II endoleak, and discuss on pathophysiology and differential diagnosis.

Case Report: We present a case of a 67-year-old male who was treated with EVAR for an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm and four months later, he presented with a contained rupture due to a type II endoleak.

Homocysteine is an independent predictor of long-term cardiac mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease in the era of statins.

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To explore the long-term prognostic value of Hcy in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) in the era of statins.

Methods: A total of 876 consecutive patients with stable CAD were recruited and followed up for a median of 6.

Anal Pain of an Unusual Cause: Role of Endoanal Ultrasound.

Anal pain is among the most frequent complaints referred in coloproctology clinic. Nevertheless, this symptom may have a great variety of etiopathogenetic causes. This is the first report that highlights the presence of a rare cause of anal pain, originated by ingested seeds.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Erenumab Versus OnabotulinumtoxinA for Patients with Chronic Migraine Attacks in Greece.

Background: Migraine is a common, chronic neurovascular brain disorder with non-negligible multifaceted economic costs. Existing preventive treatments involve the selective use of onabotulinumtoxinA, which aims at migraine morbidity reduction for patients who have failed initial preventive treatment with oral agents. Erenumab is a new preventive treatment for migraines.

Spinal angiolipoma: Presentation of two cases and review of the literature for the years 2012-2017.

Introduction And Objectives: Angiolipomas of the spinal canal are a rare condition of unknown origin. They are considered histologically benign; however, some have the potential to infiltrate adjacent structures. The aim of this systematic review was to suggest a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of spinal angiolipomas, along with a useful approach for their preoperative management.

En Plaque Meningioma Presenting as a Cutaneous Nodule.

Meningiomas are the most common central nervous system tumor and can be found anywhere in the neuraxis. In rare cases, they may extend beyond the cranial vault, while cases without evidence of intracranial mass existence have also been reported. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old male patient with a history of craniectomy for parasagittal meningioma, who presented at the emergency department with onset of focal seizures.

The Effect of Intensive Abductor Strengthening on Postoperative Muscle Efficiency and Functional Ability of Hip-Fractured Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hip fractures are common in the elderly and many patients fail to regain prefracture hip abductor strength or functional status. The purpose of this clinical trial was to compare the effects of an intensive abductor muscle exercise program versus a standard physiotherapy intervention in hip-fractured patients.

Materials And Methods: Ninety six femoral neck-fractured patients were randomized into equal-sized groups.

Loading with Oral P2Y12 Receptor Inhibitors: To Crush or Not to Crush?

Oral P2Y receptor inhibitors represent a mainstay treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. In the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction, when early platelet inhibition is highly desirable, the onset of action of oral P2Y receptor inhibitors is, however, delayed, likely due to delayed drug absorption. Crushing the tablets, which are to be used for patient loading with an oral P2Y receptor inhibitor, has been shown to provide earlier platelet inhibition than standard, integral tablets administration.

Intra-abdominal lymphatic tuberculosis as a rare case of small intestine volvulus.

Tuberculosis used to be uncommon in the developed countries but seems to be still on rampant in developing countries. However, there seems to be an increasing occurrence in the developed countries too mainly due to low living conditions, increased migration, HIV immune-compromisation and inappropriate use of antitubercular drugs. Lymphatic tuberculosis is the second commonest extrapulmonary location of tuberculosis followed by genitourinary, bone and joint, miliary, meningeal and abdominal.

Critical Illness Polyneuropathy (CIP): a multicenter study on functional outcome.

Objectives: To describe the functional recovery of consecutive inpatients with Critical Illness Polyneuropathy (CIP) at the time-point of the discharge from rehabilitation units according to Barthel Index scores. To examine whether age, gender, pre-ICU admission diagnosis, tracheostomy performance, heterotopic ossification development and duration of neuro-rehabilitation treatment are among the prognostic factors that can predict the functional outcome in studied patients.

Methods: A retrospective observational clinical study from January 2010 to December 2014 in three rehabilitation units in Greece.

The 2018 Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in Greece.

Unlabelled: We report the updated guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in Greece, which include guidance on fracture risk assessment, diagnosis-pharmacological treatment-follow-up of osteoporosis based on updated information, and national evidence from Greek clinical practice and the healthcare setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this report was to update the Guidelines for the Management of Osteoporosis in Greece that was published in 2011.

Methods: In line with the GRADE system, the working group initially defined the main clinical questions that should be addressed when dealing with the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in clinical practice in Greece.

Neuromuscular efficiency in fibromyalgia is improved by hyperbaric oxygen therapy: looking inside muscles by means of surface electromyography.

Objectives: Neuromuscular efficiency (NME) is impaired in fibromyalgia (FM). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment using 100% of oxygen through an oxygen mask. HBOT in FM induces changes in cortical excitability and a secondary reduction in pain and muscle fatigue.

Effect of Caffeine Intake on Postoperative Ileus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Postoperative ileus prolongs both hospital stay and patients' morbidity, having at the same time a great impact on health care costs. Coffee, a worldwide popular, cheap beverage might have an important effect on the motility of the postoperative bowel.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched.

Is fertility sparing surgery a treatment option for young patients with yolk sac tumor?

Yolk sac tumor (YST) is the third most frequent ovarian germ cell type ovarian tumor. YST occurs primarily in young girls and in women at reproductive age and thus, the preservation of fertility is considered to be a crucial option if possible for these patients. Compared to previous years, the use of innovative chemotherapeutic regimens in the treatment of YSTs improved significantly the prognosis and outcomes of this rare type of neoplasia.

General versus local anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy: Special considerations.

Anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy (CEA), general or locoregional, has been an issue of debate in literature ever since the first Cochrane review in 1991. The largest available study on the subject, the GALA trial, has not shown any difference in patient's outcome - incidence of stroke and 30-day-mortality postsurgery. However, increasing evidence favors regional anesthesia as an independent factor of reduced morbidity after CEA.

Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Corticosteroid Intra-Articular Injections for the Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Arthritis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Various systematic reviews have recently shown that intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (IA-PRP) can lead to symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis for up to 12 months. There exist limited data on its use in small joints, such as the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMJ) or carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb. A prospective, randomized, blind, controlled, clinical trial of 33 patients with clinical and radiographic osteoarthritis of the TMJ (grades: I-III according to the Eaton and Littler classification) was conducted.

Robotic assisted laparoscopic cerclage: A systematic review.

Introduction: The gold standard in the management of cervical incompetence is cerclage via vaginal approach. Minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic, have been also described.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Scopus, searching evidence on robotic assisted laparoscopic cerclage in both pregnant and non pregnant women.

Cavernoma of the cauda equina.

Background: Cavernomas are benign malformations of the vasculature. In the central nervous system, they are mostly located supratentorially. However, in adults, cavernomas also comprise about 3% of all subdural spinal cord tumors.