Prospective per-target analysis of the added value of the PrecisionPoint Transperineal Access System in cognitive prostate biopsy of MRI targets.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of perineal access cannulas tethered to a biplanar ultrasound probe in cognitive transperineal prostate biopsies of targets identified by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) by comparing the results of the PrecisionPoint (PP) Transperineal Access System with the double-freehand (DFH) technique.

Patients And Methods: All patients who underwent cognitive transperineal prostate biopsy of mpMRI targets using the PP or DFH technique between November 2020 and September 2023 were enrolled. All data related to mpMRI target biopsies were stratified by technique, visibility in transrectal ultrasound and analysed by comparing PP versus DFH.

Combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Major hepatectomy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) patients with a small future liver remnant (FLR) risks posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). This study examines combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation (PVE/HVE) to increase preoperative FLR volume and potentially decrease PHLF rates.

Methods: In this retrospective, multicentre, observational study, data was collected from centres affiliated with the DRAGON Trials Collaborative and the EuroLVD registry.

Immunological and homeostatic pathways of alpha -1 antitrypsin: a new therapeutic potential.

α -1 antitrypsin (A1AT) is a 52 kDa acute-phase glycoprotein belonging to the serine protease inhibitor superfamily (SERPIN). It is primarily synthesized by hepatocytes and to a lesser extent by monocytes, macrophages, intestinal epithelial cells, and bronchial epithelial cells. A1AT is encoded by SERPINA1 locus, also known as PI locus, highly polymorphic with at least 100 allelic variants described and responsible for different A1AT serum levels and function.

Combining Intravenous Thrombolysis and Dual Antiplatelet Treatment in Patients With Minor Ischemic Stroke: A Propensity Matched Analysis of the READAPT Study Cohort.

Background: The optimal treatment for acute minor ischemic stroke is still undefined. and options include dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT), intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), or their combination. We aimed to investigate benefits and risks of combining IVT and DAPT versus DAPT alone in patients with MIS.

Multishell diffusion MRI reveals whole-brain white matter changes in HIV.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) have been previously used to explore white matter related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. While DTI and DKI suffer from low specificity, the Combined Hindered and Restricted Model of Diffusion (CHARMED) provides additional microstructural specificity. We used these three models to evaluate microstructural differences between 35 HIV-positive patients without neurological impairment and 20 healthy controls who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging using three b-values.

An economic impact of incorrect referrals for MRI and CT scans: A retrospective analysis.

Background And Aims: Up to date, no research on the economic efficacy of diagnostic modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT), has been done in Central Asia. The aim of this study was to analyse the inappropriate appointments of MRI and CT scanning procedures in Kazakhstan.

Methods: We used the imaging diagnostic reports and medical records from 9725 planned outpatient CT and MRI exams performed in two major hospitals in Almaty.

A new micro-forceps for endoscopic ultrasound-guided through-the-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions: Single center experience.

Background And Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided through-the-needle biopsy (TTNB) has improved the diagnostic algorithm of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs). Recently, a new through-the-needle micro-forceps device (Micro Bite, MTW Endoskopie Manufakture) has been introduced. The primary aim was to assess the safety and technical success of this new type of micro-forceps.

Nursing role in the assessment and care of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome patients: a consensus paper by the "Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Midollo Osseo".

Purpose: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is one of the most serious complications post haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The diagnosis of SOS is clinical, but nurses should be involved in the pre-transplant risk assessment period and play a crucial role in the early detection of signs and symptoms during and after hospitalization. The aim of this work is to achieve a consensus on nurses' behaviour in caring for SOS.

Practical recommendations for radium-223 treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Purpose: Radium Ra 223 dichloride (radium-223, Xofigo®) is the first targeted alpha therapy for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and symptomatic bone metastases. Radium-223 provides a new treatment option for this setting, but also necessitates a new treatment management approach. We provide straightforward and practical recommendations for European nuclear medicine centres to optimize radium-223 service provision.

Alexithymia and weight loss in obese patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Purpose: Obesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by genetic, social, cultural and psychological factors. Currently, bariatric surgery represents the gold-standard intervention to treat morbid obesity in order to counteract associated disabling comorbidities. Several studies showed correlation between post-surgery weight loss and psychological factors.

Cervical paragangliomas: single centre experience with 44 cases.

Paragangliomas (PGL) are rare lesions of the neuroendocrine system; in the neck, they usually affect the carotid glomus (carotid body tumours-CBT). This retrospective analysis reports our experience in management of these lesions in patients treated by surgical resection. Between 2000 and 2014, 33 patients were surgically treated at our institution, obtaining a series of 44 cervical PGLs.

Longitudinal Ultrasound Study of Breast Implant Rupture Over a Six-Year Interval.

Background: Silicone gel-filled implants as opposed to saline-filled breast implants are the most commonly used breast implants in Europe, and this has recently also become the case in the United States. Modern implants have a multiple layer silicone shell and high to very high levels of cohesive silicone gel inside. Although breast magnetic resonance imaging is at present considered the gold standard imaging method for breast implant rupture detection, breast ultrasound (US) imaging is still the first-step investigation in Europe.