T. Jagrič, M. Plankl, A. Ivanecz, M. Horvat, Borut Gajzer, Z. Grubic, S. Potrč, T. Mars
Background: The concept of sentinel lymph node screening has been recently introduced in gastric cancer treatment. Even through micrometastases can be shown reliably by imunohystochemistry, such staining methods are lengthy and laborious, which precludes its intraoperative use. In this study, the clinical and prognostic implications of a new single sentinel lymph node screening for micrometastases concept were evaluated on a small study group. Methods: Twenty-three patients were included in our study. Nine were selected as a control group. The first stained lymph node was defined as the true sentinel lymph node. This lymph node was sent separately for RT-qPCR analysis to determine CEA and CK-20 expression as markers of micrometastases. Patient and tumor characteristics were analysed and possible correlations with micrometastatic involvement were determined. Results: Fourteen patients were found to be N0. Four patients (28.6 %) had micrometastases. Micrometastases were more prominent in patients with diffuse gastric cancer, with higher CA 19–9 values. Patients with micrometastases were also found to be older than those without them. Conclusions: Even through these results indicate the potential use of a single SNL in intraoperative decision making, the sensitivity and specificity of our method has to be evaluated on a larger series, supported by long-term recurrence and survival results.
{"title":"The prognostic value of micrometastases found intraoperatively in the first drainig lymph node in gastric cancer patients.","authors":"T. Jagrič, M. Plankl, A. Ivanecz, M. Horvat, Borut Gajzer, Z. Grubic, S. Potrč, T. Mars","doi":"10.6016/1564","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/1564","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The concept of sentinel lymph node screening has been recently introduced in gastric cancer treatment. Even through micrometastases can be shown reliably by imunohystochemistry, such staining methods are lengthy and laborious, which precludes its intraoperative use. In this study, the clinical and prognostic implications of a new single sentinel lymph node screening for micrometastases concept were evaluated on a small study group.\u0000Methods: Twenty-three patients were included in our study. Nine were selected as a control group. The first stained lymph node was defined as the true sentinel lymph node. This lymph node was sent separately for RT-qPCR analysis to determine CEA and CK-20 expression as markers of micrometastases. Patient and tumor characteristics were analysed and possible correlations with micrometastatic involvement were determined.\u0000Results: Fourteen patients were found to be N0. Four patients (28.6 %) had micrometastases. Micrometastases were more prominent in patients with diffuse gastric cancer, with higher CA 19–9 values. Patients with micrometastases were also found to be older than those without them.\u0000Conclusions: Even through these results indicate the potential use of a single SNL in intraoperative decision making, the sensitivity and specificity of our method has to be evaluated on a larger series, supported by long-term recurrence and survival results.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"58 1","pages":"775-783"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85473752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: This article presents a new direction of good clinical practice, Clinical Pharmacist Report at the Psychiatric Hospital Idrija. This is a written document intended for a physician (psychiatrist or specialist in internal medicine). By the help of the Report, doctor can make a correct decision about the use of drugs and choice of examinations. It is described in detail when and how the Report can be prepared. Conclusion: Clinical practice has shown that the need for Clinical Pharmacist Reports at the Psychiatric Hospital Idrija exceeds the available personnel capacities , but nevertheless, clinical pharmacist should at least be involved in the treatment of patients taking eight or more medicines. Clinical pharmacist report in the Psychiatric Hospital Idrija is an example of constructive cooperation of different profiles in health profession. It represents an added value in the treatment of psychiatric patients and should be upgraded, because a patient in the hospital environment has practically no chance to consult a pharmacist. A doctor that decides to prescribe medicines contrary to Clinical Pharmacist Report should substantiate and document his decision.
{"title":"Clinical pharmacist report in Psychiatric Hospital Idrija","authors":"Cvetka Bačar Bole","doi":"10.6016/1563","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/1563","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This article presents a new direction of good clinical practice, Clinical Pharmacist Report at the Psychiatric Hospital Idrija. This is a written document intended for a physician (psychiatrist or specialist in internal medicine). By the help of the Report, doctor can make a correct decision about the use of drugs and choice of examinations. It is described in detail when and how the Report can be prepared.\u0000Conclusion: Clinical practice has shown that the need for Clinical Pharmacist Reports at the Psychiatric Hospital Idrija exceeds the available personnel capacities , but nevertheless, clinical pharmacist should at least be involved in the treatment of patients taking eight or more medicines. Clinical pharmacist report in the Psychiatric Hospital Idrija is an example of constructive cooperation of different profiles in health profession. It represents an added value in the treatment of psychiatric patients and should be upgraded, because a patient in the hospital environment has practically no chance to consult a pharmacist. A doctor that decides to prescribe medicines contrary to Clinical Pharmacist Report should substantiate and document his decision.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"761-774"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80824582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: To compare 4 psychophysical colour vision tests in children and to decide which test is most suitable for screening in pre-school and early school-age period. Methods: The first test used was a modified Ishihara plates test (Handaya Co. Ltd., Tokyo). The second test ”Colour vision testing made easy” (CVTME) (T. L. Waggoner, 1994) is also based on pseudoisochromatic plates with child-friendly symbols. The third test used was the ”Neitz test of colour vision” (WPS, 2001) and the fourth was ”Mollon-Reffin Minimalist test” (MRM) (version 0.7, 1994). In the first three tests, the child had to tell what he or she saw in the picture, whereas in the fourth test the child had to pick the coloured button among distractors. Thirty-seven children (19 girls and 18 boys) from 3–9 years of age with normal colour vision (at least one test should be performed without errors) were tested. The number of errors in each of the first 3 tests was registered, whereas in the MRM test the least saturated button distinguished among distractors was registered. Specificity was calculated for each test. Every child was also asked which was his or her favourite test. Results: 16/37 children made one or more errors in the modified Ishihara test, among them all children under the age of 5 years. Nine children made 1 error, three made 2, two made 3 and two children made 5 errors. 8/37 children made 1–3 mistakes in the CVTME test. Four children made one mistake, three made two and one child made three mistakes. All tested children made at least one mistake in the Neitz test. All gave a wrong description for the figure in the 6th position of the test. Two 3-year-old girls were not able to perform the test. The MRM test was not performed in full by 10/37 children. Most of these children made errors in the tritan colour vision axis. The highest specificity in all 3 age groups was calculated for CVTME test and MRM test. 28/37 children chose the MRM test as their favourite. Conclusions: The modified Ishihara colour test has turned out to be too difficult and therefore unreliable in the youngest children. For children under 5 years of age CVTME was more reliable in this study. For all ages the MRM test was the easiest to perform. Most children in this study subjectively preferred the MRM test.
背景:比较4种儿童心理物理色觉测试,以确定哪种测试最适合在学龄前和学龄早期进行筛查。方法:采用改良石原板法(Handaya株式会社,东京)。第二个测试“颜色视觉测试变得容易”(T. L. Waggoner, 1994)也是基于带有儿童友好符号的假等色板。使用的第三个测试是“Neitz色视觉测试”(WPS, 2001),第四个是“Mollon-Reffin极简测试”(MRM)(版本0.7,1994)。在前三个测试中,孩子们必须说出他或她在图片中看到了什么,而在第四次测试中,孩子们必须在干扰物中选择彩色按钮。对37名3-9岁色视力正常的儿童(19名女孩和18名男孩)进行了测试(至少一次测试应无错误)。记录了前3个测试中每个测试的错误数,而在MRM测试中,记录了在干扰物中区分的最不饱和按钮。计算每个试验的特异性。每个孩子也被问到他或她最喜欢的测试是什么。结果:16/37的儿童在修改后的石原测验中出现一个或多个错误,其中均为5岁以下儿童。9个孩子犯了1个错误,3个犯了2个,2个犯了3个,2个犯了5个。8/37的孩子在CVTME测试中犯了1-3个错误。四个孩子犯了一个错误,三个孩子犯了两个错误,一个孩子犯了三个错误。所有参加测试的孩子在Neitz测试中至少犯了一个错误。对测试第6位的数字都给出了错误的描述两个3岁的女孩无法进行测试。10/37的儿童没有进行完整的MRM测试。这些孩子中的大多数在三色视觉轴上犯了错误。计算CVTME试验和MRM试验在所有3个年龄组中的最高特异性。28/37的孩子选择了MRM测试作为他们的最爱。结论:经过改进的石原颜色测试在最小的孩子身上太难了,因此不可靠。对于5岁以下的儿童,CVTME在本研究中更为可靠。对于所有年龄段的人来说,MRM测试是最容易进行的。在本研究中,大多数儿童主观上更喜欢MRM测试。
{"title":"Which psychophysical colour vision test to use for screening in 3–9 year olds?","authors":"M. Pompe, B. S. Kranjc","doi":"10.6016/1021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/1021","url":null,"abstract":"Background: To compare 4 psychophysical colour vision tests in children and to decide which test is most suitable for screening in pre-school and early school-age period. Methods: The first test used was a modified Ishihara plates test (Handaya Co. Ltd., Tokyo). The second test ”Colour vision testing made easy” (CVTME) (T. L. Waggoner, 1994) is also based on pseudoisochromatic plates with child-friendly symbols. The third test used was the ”Neitz test of colour vision” (WPS, 2001) and the fourth was ”Mollon-Reffin Minimalist test” (MRM) (version 0.7, 1994). In the first three tests, the child had to tell what he or she saw in the picture, whereas in the fourth test the child had to pick the coloured button among distractors. Thirty-seven children (19 girls and 18 boys) from 3–9 years of age with normal colour vision (at least one test should be performed without errors) were tested. The number of errors in each of the first 3 tests was registered, whereas in the MRM test the least saturated button distinguished among distractors was registered. Specificity was calculated for each test. Every child was also asked which was his or her favourite test. Results: 16/37 children made one or more errors in the modified Ishihara test, among them all children under the age of 5 years. Nine children made 1 error, three made 2, two made 3 and two children made 5 errors. 8/37 children made 1–3 mistakes in the CVTME test. Four children made one mistake, three made two and one child made three mistakes. All tested children made at least one mistake in the Neitz test. All gave a wrong description for the figure in the 6th position of the test. Two 3-year-old girls were not able to perform the test. The MRM test was not performed in full by 10/37 children. Most of these children made errors in the tritan colour vision axis. The highest specificity in all 3 age groups was calculated for CVTME test and MRM test. 28/37 children chose the MRM test as their favourite. Conclusions: The modified Ishihara colour test has turned out to be too difficult and therefore unreliable in the youngest children. For children under 5 years of age CVTME was more reliable in this study. For all ages the MRM test was the easiest to perform. Most children in this study subjectively preferred the MRM test.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"28 1","pages":"170-177"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81995646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Authors describe their first experience with the treatment of macular edema of different etiology with subtreshold diode micropulse laser (577 nm), which does not cause any damage to the retinal pigment epithelium. Therapy with subtreshold diode micropulse laser was used for treating macular edema as a result of diabetic retinopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion and central serous chorioretinopathy. Before treatment, all patients were examinated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure their retinal thickness and visual acuity. In some patients fluorescein angiography (FA) was also performed before treatment. Patients were monitored on monthly basis by measuring their visual acuity and retinal thickness. Using OCT to measure macular edema, all patients showed a reduced macular edema at their first monthly check-up. These results show that the therapy with subtreshold diode micropulse laser is successful in diminishing macular edema.
{"title":"Our first experience with subthreshold diode laser in the treatment of macular edema.","authors":"D. Sevšek, A. Gril, S. Farac","doi":"10.6016/1022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/1022","url":null,"abstract":"Authors describe their first experience with the treatment of macular edema of different etiology with subtreshold diode micropulse laser (577 nm), which does not cause any damage to the retinal pigment epithelium. Therapy with subtreshold diode micropulse laser was used for treating macular edema as a result of diabetic retinopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion and central serous chorioretinopathy. Before treatment, all patients were examinated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure their retinal thickness and visual acuity. In some patients fluorescein angiography (FA) was also performed before treatment. Patients were monitored on monthly basis by measuring their visual acuity and retinal thickness. Using OCT to measure macular edema, all patients showed a reduced macular edema at their first monthly check-up. These results show that the therapy with subtreshold diode micropulse laser is successful in diminishing macular edema.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"81 1","pages":"178-183"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86205804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simona Kovačec, M. Krajnc, M. Cokolic, A. Zavratnik
Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the number of women who have some form of diabetes during their pregnancies is increasing. Diabetes in pregnancy entails an increased risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity, as well as complications in mother. These are mainly the result of fetal exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia. Undelayed achievement of normoglycemia is therefore crucial for optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes in all women with diabetes during pregnancy, regardless of the type of diabetes. In light of this, we would like to address the importance of early detection of likely prepregnancy diabetes – mostly T2DM, and the value of preconception care in women with preexisting T2DM and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This review is aimed to discus pregestational and gestational diabetes and the associated health risk to the developing fetus and the mother. The management should take into account the clinical evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of T2DM published by the Slovenian Endocrine Society in June 2011.
{"title":"Diabetes in pregnancy","authors":"Simona Kovačec, M. Krajnc, M. Cokolic, A. Zavratnik","doi":"10.6016/1031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/1031","url":null,"abstract":"Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, type\u0000 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and gestational diabetes\u0000 mellitus (GDM), the number of women\u0000 who have some form of diabetes during their\u0000 pregnancies is increasing. Diabetes in pregnancy\u0000 entails an increased risk of perinatal mortality\u0000 and morbidity, as well as complications in mother.\u0000 These are mainly the result of fetal exposure\u0000 to maternal hyperglycaemia. Undelayed achievement\u0000 of normoglycemia is therefore crucial for\u0000 optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes in all\u0000 women with diabetes during pregnancy, regardless\u0000 of the type of diabetes. In light of this, we\u0000 would like to address the importance of early detection\u0000 of likely prepregnancy diabetes – mostly\u0000 T2DM, and the value of preconception care in\u0000 women with preexisting T2DM and type 1 diabetes\u0000 mellitus (T1DM).\u0000 This review is aimed to discus pregestational and\u0000 gestational diabetes and the associated health\u0000 risk to the developing fetus and the mother. The\u0000 management should take into account the clinical\u0000 evidence-based guidelines for the treatment\u0000 of T2DM published by the Slovenian Endocrine\u0000 Society in June 2011.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"745-752"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82387426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Vujasinovic, Zdenko Kikec, M. Hafner, Vera Ferlan Marolt
Background: Drug-induced liver injury has been described for a large number of drugs. It is a common cause of drug withdrawal from the market. Ciprofloxacin is a commonly prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotic and is a rare cause of hepatotoxicity. To our best knowledge this is the first case of ciprofloxacin-induced cholestatic liver injury in Slovenia. Case report: A 19year old man has been treated with ciprofloxacin at a daily dose of 500 mg twice a day due to a mild respiratory infection. After twenty days he was admitted to hospital because of jaundice. Laboratory findings showed a typical pattern of acute cholestatic liver failure, which was additionally confirmed by the liver biopsy. The patient was treated symptomatically. Ten months later the patient’s clinical status is stabile with a normal bilirubin level and mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Conclusion: Although severe hepatotoxicity after the administration of ciprofloxacin is rare, physicians should be cautious and alert to its side-effects.
{"title":"Ciprofloxacin-induced cholestatic liver injury - a case report.","authors":"M. Vujasinovic, Zdenko Kikec, M. Hafner, Vera Ferlan Marolt","doi":"10.6016/1000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/1000","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Drug-induced liver injury has\u0000 been described for a large number of drugs. It\u0000 is a common cause of drug withdrawal from the\u0000 market. Ciprofloxacin is a commonly prescribed\u0000 fluoroquinolone antibiotic and is a rare cause of\u0000 hepatotoxicity. To our best knowledge this is the\u0000 first case of ciprofloxacin-induced cholestatic\u0000 liver injury in Slovenia.\u0000Case report: A 19year old man has been treated\u0000 with ciprofloxacin at a daily dose of 500 mg twice\u0000 a day due to a mild respiratory infection. After\u0000 twenty days he was admitted to hospital because\u0000 of jaundice. Laboratory findings showed a typical\u0000 pattern of acute cholestatic liver failure, which was\u0000 additionally confirmed by the liver biopsy. The patient\u0000 was treated symptomatically. Ten months later\u0000 the patient’s clinical status is stabile with a normal\u0000 bilirubin level and mildly elevated alkaline\u0000 phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase.\u0000 \u0000Conclusion: Although severe hepatotoxicity after\u0000 the administration of ciprofloxacin is rare,\u0000 physicians should be cautious and alert to its\u0000 side-effects.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"15 1","pages":"676-680"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84333112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: In the last few years new approaches to the diagnosis and management of abdominal trauma were introduced, and in addition, monitoring of individual organ function in the intensive care units has become an almost daily practice. In our article we review the principles of assessment and management of injured individual abdominal organs from surgical and intensive care medicine’s point of view. Conclusions: Appropriate diagnostics and, precise and timely decision for surgery are the most important factors in the management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. The mechanism of injury, presence of concomitant injuries, lifethreatening condition and competence of medical staff have to be taken into consideration. The most often injured organs, spleen and liver, are nowadays managed mostly non-operatively. Such an approach has resulted in an increased admission of patients to the intensive care unit, with an attempt to prevent secondary organ dysfunction and multiple-organ failure. These new treatment options have contributed to lower morbidity and mortality and improved quality of life.
{"title":"Up-to-date management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma","authors":"A. Pleskovič, P. Gradisek, B. Kremžar","doi":"10.6016/1010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/1010","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In the last few years new approaches\u0000 to the diagnosis and management of\u0000 abdominal trauma were introduced, and in addition,\u0000 monitoring of individual organ function\u0000 in the intensive care units has become an almost\u0000 daily practice. In our article we review the principles\u0000 of assessment and management of injured\u0000 individual abdominal organs from surgical and\u0000 intensive care medicine’s point of view.\u0000 Conclusions: Appropriate diagnostics and, precise\u0000 and timely decision for surgery are the most\u0000 important factors in the management of patients\u0000 with blunt abdominal trauma. The mechanism\u0000 of injury, presence of concomitant injuries, lifethreatening\u0000 condition and competence of medical\u0000 staff have to be taken into consideration. The\u0000 most often injured organs, spleen and liver, are\u0000 nowadays managed mostly non-operatively. Such\u0000 an approach has resulted in an increased admission\u0000 of patients to the intensive care unit, with an\u0000 attempt to prevent secondary organ dysfunction\u0000 and multiple-organ failure. These new treatment\u0000 options have contributed to lower morbidity and\u0000 mortality and improved quality of life.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"77 1","pages":"543-553"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78589426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The purpose of this article is to describe the role of functional radiological imaging modality–CT perfusion in the evaluation of head and neck tumors. Methods: Perfusion CT imaging provides a rapid evaluation of tissue perfusion and can be easily implemented in every head and neck CT protocol. The determination of tissue perfusion using CT is based on examining the relationships between the arterial, tissue and potentially the venous enhancement after the introduction of a bolus of contrast material. The quantification of the perfusion values allows us to determinate the processes of neovascularization, also known as angiogenesis, essential for the growth of head and neck tumors. Conclusions: Perfusion CT is a robust, accessible and promising method for the assessment of functional parameters on the tissue level. It helps outlining the malignant tissue as well as differentiating recurrent disease from nonspecific post-therapeutic changes and can be used as a therapeutic monitoring tool during and after tumor therapy.
{"title":"Imaging of head and neck tumors – the role of CT perfusion","authors":"K. Popovič, S. Bisdas, P. Strojan","doi":"10.6016/860","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/860","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The purpose of this article is to describe the role of functional radiological imaging modality–CT perfusion in the evaluation of head and neck tumors.\u0000Methods: Perfusion CT imaging provides a rapid evaluation of tissue perfusion and can be easily implemented in every head and neck CT protocol. The determination of tissue perfusion using CT is based on examining the relationships between the arterial, tissue and potentially the venous enhancement after the introduction of a bolus of contrast material. The quantification of the perfusion values allows us to determinate the processes of neovascularization, also known as angiogenesis, essential for the growth of head and neck tumors. \u0000Conclusions: Perfusion CT is a robust, accessible and promising method for the assessment of functional parameters on the tissue level. It helps outlining the malignant tissue as well as differentiating recurrent disease from nonspecific post-therapeutic changes and can be used as a therapeutic monitoring tool during and after tumor therapy.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"85 1","pages":"480-486"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83898798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Nowadays, endometriosis represents the most frequent cause of female infertility.The treatment of choice is by all means laparoscopic surgery, which results in more than a 60 % pregnancy rate, regardless of the stage of the disease. For the rest of patients in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most appropriate treatment of choice. Views of the impact of endometriosis on IVF outcome remain controversial and subject to debate. Whereas some studies have documented that endometriosis is associated with reduced pregnancy rates, others failed to prove this association. The present study was designed to elucidate whether or not endometriosis affects IVF outcome at our institution. The study was retrospective, statistical significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. Methods: In 96 patients (group A) that underwent IVF program the only cause of infertility was endometriosis which had been previously treated surgically. Sixty-two (64.6 %) patients had minimal or mild endometriosis (group C) and 34 (35.4 %) had moderate or severe stage of the disease (group D). The control group (group B) consisted of 305 patients who underwent IVF procedure for tubal or idiopathic infertility. Among other variables, pregnancy rate per cycle and per embryo transfer (ET), take-home-baby rate (THBR) per cycle and per ET were compared between the study and control groups of patients as well as between both groups with endometriosis. The study was retrospective. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in any of the compared parameters. In Group “A” pregnancy rate per cycle and per ET was 41.7 % and 46.8 % respectively, compared to Group “B” where it was 36.4 % and 40.5 % respectively. THBR per cycle and per ET in Group “A” was 35.4 % and 43.0 %, whereas in the control group it was 30.5 % and 33.9 % respectively. Pregnancy rate per cycle and per ET in Group “C” was 40.3 % and 48.1 % whereas in Group “D” it was 44.1 % and 55.6 % respectively. THBR per cycle and per ET in Group “C” was 33.9 % and 40.4 % whereas in Group “D” it was 38.2 % and 48.1 % respectively. Conclusions: Endometriosis does not affect the outcome of IVF procedures. We believe that appropriate surgical technique is of paramount importance in patients with endometriosis, leading to favourable IVF outcomes.
{"title":"The impact of endometriosis on in vitro fertilization outcome","authors":"M. Herzog, Katarina Pavšlar, A. Vogler","doi":"10.6016/857","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/857","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Nowadays, endometriosis represents the most frequent cause of female infertility.The treatment of choice is by all means laparoscopic surgery, which results in more than a 60 % pregnancy rate, regardless of the stage of the disease. For the rest of patients in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most appropriate treatment of choice. Views of the impact of endometriosis on IVF outcome remain controversial and subject to debate. Whereas some studies have documented that endometriosis is associated with reduced pregnancy rates, others failed to prove this association. The present study was designed to elucidate whether or not endometriosis affects IVF outcome at our institution. The study was retrospective, statistical significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05.\u0000Methods: In 96 patients (group A) that underwent IVF program the only cause of infertility was endometriosis which had been previously treated surgically. Sixty-two (64.6 %) patients had minimal or mild endometriosis (group C) and 34 (35.4 %) had moderate or severe stage of the disease (group D). The control group (group B) consisted of 305 patients who underwent IVF procedure for tubal or idiopathic infertility. Among other variables, pregnancy rate per cycle and per embryo transfer (ET), take-home-baby rate (THBR) per cycle and per ET were compared between the study and control groups of patients as well as between both groups with endometriosis. The study was retrospective. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05.\u0000Results: No statistically significant differences were found in any of the compared parameters. In Group “A” pregnancy rate per cycle and per ET was 41.7 % and 46.8 % respectively, compared to Group “B” where it was 36.4 % and 40.5 % respectively. THBR per cycle and per ET in Group “A” was 35.4 % and 43.0 %, whereas in the control group it was 30.5 % and 33.9 % respectively. Pregnancy rate per cycle and per ET in Group “C” was 40.3 % and 48.1 % whereas in Group “D” it was 44.1 % and 55.6 % respectively. THBR per cycle and per ET in Group “C” was 33.9 % and 40.4 % whereas in Group “D” it was 38.2 % and 48.1 % respectively. \u0000Conclusions: Endometriosis does not affect the outcome of IVF procedures. We believe that appropriate surgical technique is of paramount importance in patients with endometriosis, leading to favourable IVF outcomes.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"45 1","pages":"453-460"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90146495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Operative neuromodulation is the field of electrically or chemically altering the signal transmission in the nervous system by implanted devices in order to excite, inhibit or tune the activities of neurons or neural networks to produce therapeutic effects. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an important component of the therapy of movement disorders and has almost completely replaced high-frequency coagulation of brain tissue in stereotactic neurosurgery. This article presents the first DBS cases in Slovenia. In the article the technical features and adjustments of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and development of a new microdrive, which was clinically successfully tested, are described and discussed.
{"title":"Treatment of movement disorders using deep brain stimulation - illustrative case reports and technical notes.","authors":"T. Strojnik, D. Flisar, I. Drstvenšek","doi":"10.6016/837","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6016/837","url":null,"abstract":"Operative neuromodulation is the field of electrically or chemically altering the signal transmission in the nervous system by implanted devices in order to excite, inhibit or tune the activities of neurons or neural networks to produce therapeutic effects. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an important component of the therapy of movement disorders and has almost completely replaced high-frequency coagulation of brain tissue in stereotactic neurosurgery. This article presents the first DBS cases in Slovenia. In the article the technical features and adjustments of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and development of a new microdrive, which was clinically successfully tested, are described and discussed.","PeriodicalId":49350,"journal":{"name":"Zdravniski Vestnik-Slovenian Medical Journal","volume":"10 1","pages":"422-434"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87839207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}