Comments on EFSUMB recommendations, role of ultrasound in cutaneous neoplasms.

The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has been publishing guidelines, position papers and also technical reviews. In addition, comments have been published for illustration of such papers including the hepatobiliary system, pancreas, lung and other organs. In the current paper, we aim to summarize the typical sonographic findings of the most commonly seen cutaneous neoplasms.

Diagnostic accuracy of 2D-SWE ultrasound for liver fibrosis assessment in MASLD: A multi-level random effects model meta-analysis.

Background Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) imposes significant healthcare burdens. Early detection of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in MASLD is essential due to their unfavourable outcomes. This multi-level random-effects meta-analysis aimed to provide the best evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in detecting liver fibrosis in biopsy-proven MASLD.

Assessing Fat Grafting in Breast Surgery: A Narrative Review of Evaluation Techniques.

Fat grafting has gained prominence in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, necessitating accurate assessment methods for evaluating graft volume retention. This paper reviews various techniques for assessing fat and fat grafts, including their benefits and limitations. Three-dimensional (3D) scanning offers highly accurate, non-invasive volumetric assessments with minimal interference from breathing patterns.

Endoscopic papillectomy versus surgical ampullectomy for adenomas and early cancers of the papilla: a retrospective Pancreas2000/European Pancreatic Club analysis.

Objective: Ampullary neoplastic lesions can be resected by endoscopic papillectomy (EP) or transduodenal surgical ampullectomy (TSA) while pancreaticoduodenectomy is reserved for more advanced lesions. We present the largest retrospective comparative study analysing EP and TSA.

Design: Of all patients in the database, lesions with prior interventions, benign histology advanced malignancy (T2 and more), patients with hereditary syndromes and those undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy were excluded.

Deep Learning in Endoscopic Ultrasound: A Breakthrough in Detecting Distal Cholangiocarcinoma.

Introduction: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly lethal malignancy originating in the bile ducts, often diagnosed late with poor prognosis. Differentiating benign from malignant biliary tumors remains challenging, necessitating advanced diagnostic techniques.

Objective: This study aims to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) using advanced convolutional neural networks (CCNs) for the classification and segmentation of EUS images, specifically targeting dCCAs, the pancreas, and the bile duct.

The Bleeding Edge: Managing Coagulation and Bleeding Risk in Patients with Cirrhosis Undergoing Interventional Procedures.

This review addresses the peri-procedural bleeding risks in patients with cirrhosis, emphasizing the need for careful coagulation assessment and targeted correction strategies. Liver disease presents a unique hemostatic challenge, where traditional coagulation tests may not accurately predict bleeding risk, complicating the management of procedures like paracentesis, endoscopic therapy, and various interventional procedures. As such, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of current data, guidelines, and practices for managing coagulation in cirrhotic patients, with a focus on minimizing bleeding risk while avoiding unnecessary correction with blood products.

Emerging Long-Term Risks of the Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers.

Acid-related disorders represent a significant global health burden. Pharmacological treatment of these conditions has at times been challenged and limited by incomplete effectiveness, antibiotic resistance, adverse medication effects and/or interactions, and disease recurrence. Since the early 1990s, the mainstay of treatment has been proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Cirrhosis Progression Is Not Associated with Clinically Significant Alterations in Global Hemostasis Assessed by Thromboelastography.

(1) Background: Cirrhosis is associated with frequent alterations in standard coagulation tests that do not adequately reflect hemostasis. Thromboelastography provides a global assessment of coagulation and evaluates the functional status of clotting factors, fibrinogen, platelets, and fibrinolysis. The study aimed to assess whether liver disease severity leads to progressive alterations in the thromboelastography-based assessment of coagulation.

A 3D-Printed, High-Fidelity Pelvis Training Model: Cookbook Instructions and First Experience.

Since laparoscopic surgery became the gold standard for colorectal procedures, specific skills are required to achieve good outcomes. The best way to acquire basic and advanced skills and reach the learning curve plateau is by using dedicated simulators: box-trainers, video-trainers and virtual reality simulators. Laparoscopic skills training outside the operating room is cost-beneficial, faster and safer, and does not harm the patient.

Clonal distribution and molecular characterization of isolated strains in Chania and Heraklion, Crete.

Aim: This study investigates the demographic distribution, antibiotic resistance profiles, and molecular characteristics of infections.

Methods: The study was carried out in 141 patients, 60.4% male, in patients from Chania and Heraklion, Crete.

An Uncommon Overlap Syndrome Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Case Report.

This case report describes an uncommon overlap syndrome between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Initially, the patient was diagnosed with AS, for which he received various specific treatments, including TNF-α inhibitors. After five years of treatment with TNF-α inhibitor etanercept, the patient was referred for a full neurological assessment after he reported balance disturbances, postural instability, muscle weakness, and other neurological symptoms that indicated the presence of a neurological disorder.

Impact of Sarcopenia on Treatment Outcomes and Toxicity in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

: Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by muscle mass loss, is prevalent in up to 68% of rectal cancer patients and has been described as a negative prognostic factor, impacting overall survival and tumor response. While there are extensive data on rectal cancer globally, only a handful of studies have evaluated the role of sarcopenia in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia, overall response rate, and toxicity in patients who underwent total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) for LARC.

Circulating miR-18a and miR-532 Levels in Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly aggressive cancer of the bile ducts with a poor prognosis and limited diagnostic markers. This study aims to investigate the potential of miR-18a and miR-532 as biomarkers for CCA by exploring their correlations with clinical parameters and traditional tumor markers such as CA19.9, CEA, and AFP.

Macrophages as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous malignant hemopathy, and although new drugs have emerged recently, current treatment options still show limited efficacy. Therapy resistance remains a major concern due to its contribution to treatment failure, disease relapse, and increased mortality among patients. The underlying mechanisms of resistance to therapy are not fully understood, and it is crucial to address this challenge to improve therapy.

The impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist on the gastric residue in upper endoscopy.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the association between Glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptors agonists (GLP1-RA) use and gastric residue on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study included all EGDs conducted across seven gastroenterology departments. EGDs with the diagnosis of "poor preparation" or described as a poor preparation in the endoscopist's report were considered as gastric residue.

Disseminated Histoplasmosis Diagnosed in an Immunocompetent Patient from a Non-Endemic Area: Neglected or Emerging Disease?

() is considered to be one of the most extensively spread dysmorphic fungi worldwide. Histoplasmosis primarily impacts patients with weakened immune systems and can result in a diverse range of clinical manifestations. In immunocompetent patients, the disease may manifest as a self-limiting or asymptomatic infection; however, in immunocompromised individuals, it can occur as a debilitating, disseminated disease.