Magnetic resonance imaging findings in primary lymphoma of the liver: a case report.

Introduction: Primary lymphoma of the liver is an extremely rare finding, with the few such cases reported in the literature to date describing indeterminate imaging findings, being focused more on computed tomography. To the best of our knowledge, there is no prior report describing magnetic resonance imaging scan findings with such a lesion. In the case reported here, magnetic resonance imaging gave us the opportunity to ascertain the correct diagnosis, confirmed by histopathology, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery or other treatments.

Breaking bad news in a Southeast European population: a survey among cancer patients in Albania.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes of cancer patients, their family, and community members in Albania, a post-communist country in Southeast Europe, regarding breaking bad news.

Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive cancer patients, 150 respective relatives, and an age-sex-residence matched sample of 150 individuals in Tirana district were interviewed from September 2009-January 2010 about attitudes related to diagnosis disclosure. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of diagnosis disclosure with demographic characteristics.

Human leukocyte antigen-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in an Albanian population from Kosovo.

HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 genotyping was performed in a sample of Albanian population from Kosovo. The comparison of the respective allele frequencies through Fst analysis resulted in a close relationship with the Albanians from Albania, the Bulgarians, FYROM Macedonians and Greeks, while the other neighbouring populations are slightly more distant.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome associated with acute pancreatitis.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a systemic infectious disease caused by Hantaviruses and characterized by fevers, bleeding tendencies, gastrointestinal symptoms and renal failure. It encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from unapparent or mild illnesses to fulminant hemorrhagic processes. Among the various complications of HFRS, acute pancreatitis is a rare find.

Anesthetic challenges in the obese patient.

Obesity seems to be the modern concern to society. An increasing number of obese patients present annually to surgical wards to undergo surgical procedures. As morbid obesity affects most of the vital organs, the anesthesiologist must be prepared to deal with several challenges.

The combination of infiltrative bupivacaine with low-pressure laparoscopy reduces postcholecystectomy pain. A prospective randomized controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of combined infiltrative bupivacaine with low intraperitoneal pressure insufflation in reducing the post-laparoscopic pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods: This randomized prospective single-blind study included 473 patients undergoing LC. The study took place at University Hospital Center Mother Teresa, Tirana, Albania between January 2006 to September 2009.

The first case of primary alpha-sarcoglycanopathy identified in Albania, in two siblings with homozygous alpha-sarcoglycan mutation.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D (LGMD2D) is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the alpha-sarcoglycan gene. The clinical, biochemical, histological, imunohistochemical and molecular genetic data in 2 Albanian siblings with LGMD2D (adhalinopathy or alpha-sarcoglycanopathy) are presented and the resemblance with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is discussed. Both siblings had very high level of CK and a negative molecular test for DMD deletions and duplications.

Fat embolism among patients with hip and long bone fractures in Albania.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and the effectiveness of treatment of fat embolism in patients with hip and long bone fractures (femur and tibia) in Albania.

Methods: 229 patients (68% men) with combined hip and long bone fractures (femur and tibia) hospitalized at the Orthopedics-Traumatology Services of the University Center "Mother Teresa" during 2004-2006 were included in the study. Patients were classified into three groups based on astrupogram data: PaO2<60mmHg, 65mmHg75mmHg.

Epidemiology and mortality of burned patients treated in the University Hospital Center in Tirana, Albania: an analysis of 2337 cases during the period 1998-2008.

Background: The basis for qualitative changes concerning everyday clinical practice are created from epidemiological studies, which not only generalize situations but at the same time provide specific details of the country's features; especially during periods of social transition. The aim of this study was to present demographic and epidemiological features of severe burns treated in the Service of Burns in UHC (University Hospital Center) in Albania and to analyze burn mortality as an important outcome measure.

Method: The data used was obtained by the analysis of the medical records of 2337 patients hospitalized in Burns Service ICU near in Tirana, Albania during 1998-2008.

Urinary tract infections in polycystic kidney disease.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological findings and the frequency of urinary tract infections in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and their impact on renal function.

Methods: One hundred eighty patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease were studied from 2003 to 2008. Subjects were considered as having urinary tract infections if they had had one or more episodes of urinary infection.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome complicated by orchitis.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a disease caused by viruses of the family Bunyaviridae, genus Hantavirus. HFRS from Dobrava virus (DOBV) is a seldom reported disease in Albania. Clinically HFRS is manifested as mild, moderate, or severe.

Help Seeking Process among Children Attending Psychiatry Clinic in Tirana, Albania.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate all the potential routes to Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic-University Hospital Center (CAPC-UHC) in Tirana. The article provides demographic data, as well as further information on the types and amounts of services children/adolescents received during the process of seeking help related to different diagnoses.

Method: The study was conducted in CAPC-UHC in Tirana, during September 2006-September 2007.

Molecular Genetic Characterization of β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Syndrome in the Albanian Population.

β-Thalassemia (β-thal) is a major public health problem in Albania as it is in many Mediterranean countries. We determined the different β-thal alleles that are present in the Albanian population by using the temporal temperature gradient electrophoresis (TTGE) method because of its high throughput, cost-effectiveness, sensitivity and simplicity. DNA from blood of 68 patients with β-thal, 26 with sickle cell anemia or sickle cell β-thal, 54 parents of these patients and 14 heterozygotes related to these families.

The efficiency of Bonviva (Ibadronate) in women with pre-post menopause.

Aim: our aim was to see the efficiency of Bonviva(Ibadronates) among in osteoporoses among women.

Objectives: We chose this medicament which has the most acceptable price by all the GDP women's family and also this medicament which is at the new line of biphosphonate (Ibadronates), and has the most commodity of taken ones per monthly. For our proposal we include in our study all women age 45 -60 years old (average 52.

The presentation and management of presacral tumors.

Objectives: Retrorectal masses are uncommon lesions. They remain a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge despite the use of newer imaging modalities and improvement in preoperative care. Although useful for planning a resection, neither CT nor MRI can provide a definitive diagnosis.

TOURNIQUET VERSUS NO TOURNIQUET USE IN KNEE VIDEOARTHROSCOPY: A MULTICENTRIC, PROSPECTIVE, DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

Unlabelled: To evaluate whether, by using an arthropump (irrigation equipment with pressure sensor), pneumatic tourniquet use could interfere with the duration of surgery, recovery of movement and joint volume in patients who underwent knee videoarthroscopy for partial meniscectomy.

Methods: 103 patients divided randomly into two groups regarding use or nonuse of a pneumatic tourniquet were evaluated in five different centers by seven different surgeons. The variables were evaluated during the surgery and seven days after the operation.

Comparison of hypertonic vs isotonic fluids during resuscitation of severely burned patients.

Background: The hypertonic lactate saline (HLS) solutions with mild concentration of sodium have been used in some burn centers to maintain plasma volume without infusing larger fluids volumes. To evaluate the fluid requirements during resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution and to realize resuscitation with HLS, we suggest the following clinical trial. Specific objectives include fluid loads, sodium loads, and fluid accumulation.

The influence of renal manifestations to the progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Renal stones, urinary tract infections (UTI) and gross hematuria (GH) are the most important renal manifestations of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). They are not only common, but are also frequent cause of morbidity, influencing renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of these manifestations in our patients with ADPKD and their impact on renal function.

HLA allele and haplotype frequencies in the Albanian population and their relationship with the other European populations.

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are very interesting markers in identifying population relationships. Moreover, their frequency distribution data are important in the implementation of donor-recipient registry programs for transplantation purposes and also in determining the genetic predisposition for many diseases. For these reasons, we studied the HLA class I and II allele and haplotype frequencies in 160 healthy, unrelated Albanian individuals originating from all regions of the country.

It's Fournier's gangrene still dangerous?

Background: Fournier's gangrene is known to have an impact in the morbidity and despite antibiotics and aggressive debridement, the mortality rate remains high.

Objectives: To assess the morbidity and mortality in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene in our experience.

Methods: The medical records of 14 patients with Fournier's gangrene who presented at the University Hospital Center "Mother Teresa" from January 1997 to December 2006 were reviewed retrospectively to analyze the outcome and identify the risk factor and prognostic indicators of mortality.

Net fluid accumulation and outcome. A randomized clinical trial.

Outcome measures are the first step in determining the consequences of health care. These include mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. As major burns are life-threatening conditions, the main priority in discussing outcome measures is mortality as a problem-specific measure.

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in Albania.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Albania.

Methods: Blood samples from 410 unselected schoolboys, 666 students, 500 military personnel, 1286 casual blood donors, 378 voluntary blood donors and 640 pregnant women (total 3880 non-vaccinated residents of rural and metropolitan areas from all over Albania; 2354 (60.7%) male and 1526 (39.

Factors of cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes and incipient nephropathy.

Background: Microalbuminuria was originally established as a predictor of renal failure and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus as well as in general population. The aim of our study is to assess the relationship between microalbuminuria and the other risk factors in diabetics and their prevalence.

Methods: Sixty five patients, 22 men and 43 women with mean age 58.

Head and neck burns: acute and late reconstruction.data of burn injury management in 2007.

Modern burn care is based on operative wound management. The evidence is clear that prompt excision and closure can be lifesaving for patients even with large burns. Facial burns that are full-thickness need grafting.