Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tests for Portal Hypertension in Patients with HBV- and HCV-Related Cirrhosis: A Comprehensive Review.

Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease indicates an increased risk of decompensation and death. While invasive methods like hepatic venous-portal gradient measurement is considered the gold standard, non-invasive tests (NITs) have emerged as valuable tools for diagnosing and monitoring CSPH. This review comprehensively explores non-invasive diagnostic modalities for portal hypertension, focusing on NITs in the setting of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. Biochemical-based NITs can be represented by single serum biomarkers (e.g., platelet count) or by composite scores that combine different serum biomarkers with each other or with demographic characteristics (e.g., FIB-4). On the other hand, liver stiffness measurement and spleen stiffness measurement can be assessed using a variety of elastography techniques, and they can be used alone, in combination with, or as a second step after biochemical-based NITs. The incorporation of liver and spleen stiffness measurements, alone or combined with platelet count, into established and validated criteria, such as Baveno VI or Baveno VII criteria, provides useful tools for the prediction of CSPH and for ruling out high-risk varices, potentially avoiding invasive tests like upper endoscopy. Moreover, they have also been shown to be able to predict liver-related events (e.g., the occurrence of hepatic decompensation). When transient elastography is not available or not feasible, biochemical-based NITs (e.g., RESIST criteria, that are based on the combination of platelet count and albumin levels) are valid alternatives for predicting high-risk varices both in patients with untreated viral aetiology and after sustained virological response. Ongoing research should explore novel biomarkers and novel elastography techniques, but current evidence supports the utility of routine blood tests, LSM, and SSM as effective surrogates in diagnosing and staging portal hypertension and predicting patient outcomes.

Child-Pugh Class and Not Thrombocytopenia Impacts the Risk of Complications of Endoscopic Band Ligation in Patients with Cirrhosis and High Risk Varices.

Background and Aims: Endoscopic band legation (EBL) is an effective method for the prophylaxis of acute variceal bleeding (AVB). This procedure may be associated with several complications, particularly bleeding. Our analysis aimed to evaluate the risk of complications due to EBL in a cohort of patients who underwent EBL for the prophylaxis of variceal bleeding and the eventual presence of risk predictors. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from consecutive patients who underwent EBL in a primary prophylaxis regimen. For all patients, simultaneously with EBL, we recorded the Child-Pugh and MELD score, platelet count and US features of portal hypertension. Results: We collected data from 431 patients who performed a total of 1028 EBLs. We recorded 86 events (8.4% of all procedures). Bleeding after EBL occurred 64 times (6.2% of all procedures), with the following distribution: intraprocedural bleeding in 4%; hematocystis formation in 17 cases (1.7%); 6 events (0.6%) of AVB due to post-EBL ulcers. None of these events presented a correlation with platelet count (84,235 ± 54,175 × 103/mL vs. 77,804 ± 75,949 × 103/mL; p = 0.70) or with the condition of severe thrombocitopenia established at PLT < 50,000/mmc (22.7% with PLT ≤ 50,000/mmc vs. 15.9% with PLT ≥ 50,000/mmc; p = 0.39). Our results showed a relationship between cumulative complications of EBL and Child-Pugh score (6.9 ± 1.6 vs. 6.5 ± 1.3; p = 0.043). Conclusions: EBL in cirrhotic patients is a safe procedure. The risk of adverse events depends on the severity of liver disease, without a relationship with platelet count.

Taper-wedge stem suitable for anterior approach total hip arthroplasty: Adequate biomechanical reconstruction parameters and excellent clinical outcome at mid-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a less invasive and muscle-sparing approach that seems to improve early function and patient satisfaction. Several studies, however, have reported high complication and revision rates due to the technical difficulties related to the femoral preparation. AIM: To evaluate the usefulness and safety of a new stem equipped with a morphometric design and a size-specific medial curvature in DAA for THA. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on 130 patients that underwent mini-invasive DAA procedures for THA using the Accolade II stem. A total of 144 procedures were included in the assessment, which was based on postoperative complications, survival rates, functional parameters, and patient related outcomes. RESULTS: Overall complications were recorded in 6 procedures (4.2%). There were no complications related to the stem implantation and no intraoperative fractures. Only one patient was revised for deep infection. On radiographs, biomechanical hip reconstruction was satisfactory and no stem showed any subsidence greater than 2 mm. Full osseointegration based on Engh scores was seen in all of the implanted stems. Median Harris hip score at final follow-up was 99 points (range 44-100 points), which resulted excellent in 91.3% of patients. The median values of the osteaorthritis outcome score ranged from 87.5 to 95. CONCLUSION: The mid-term positive outcomes and low complication rate in our consecutive series of patients support the safety and suitability of this new stem design in DAA for THA.

Bilateral tibial Brodie's abscess in a young patient treated with BAG-S53P4: case report.

BACKGROUND: Brodie's abscess is a form of chronic pyogenic osteomyelitis that usually affects the cancellous part of the long bones in children. Its treatment is represented by antibiotic therapy alone or in association with surgical procedures. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-years-old male affected by a Brodie's abscess of the tibia involving the distal growth plate was admitted to the Pediatric Department for a conservative treatment. After several attempts of antibiotic therapy interrupted for intolerance manifestations he was surgically treated with bioactive glass BAG-S53P4 (BonAlive, BonAlive Biomaterials Ltd., Biolinja, Finland), with excellent results. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience BAG-S53P4 has proven to be an effective bone substitute without side effects even in the pediatric population. In our case it eradicated the infection without interfere with the growth; neither epiphysiodesis nor other disorders were found during the follow-up. For the publication of this case report we followed the CARE guidelines for good clinical case reports; the parents gave consent for publication.

[The quality of preoperative information to head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative study]. / La qualità delle informazioni preoperatorie ai pazienti operati di tumore nel distretto cervico-facciale: un'indagine qualitativa.

UNLABELLED: Patients with head and neck cancer have complex long-lasting physical and psychosocial needs due to illness and treatment, and studies have shown deficiencies concerning support received. AIM: To explore how satisfied head and neck cancer patients were with information provided about their illness and treatment, to identify areas of improvement. METHOD: Patients were interviewed about their experience, focusing on informational support received, involvement of relatives, and their satisfaction with information before and after the surgery. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed and relevant meanings identified. RESULTS: Thirty patients were interviewed. Patients were generally satisfied with information, however they report the difficulty of understanding what is happening to them, and identify a lack of information on side effects of treatments. They appreciate the straightforwardness of information and the involvement of an expert patient. Reactions and preferences vary across patients. DISCUSSION: This study confirms the need for tailored information provision and highlights the problems and feelings of patients undergoing head and neck surgery, the impact of the intervention and patient's needs for information prior to treatment.

Acute skin toxicity management in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy or EGFR inhibitors: Literature review and consensus.

The adverse effects of radiation therapy, often integrated with chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies, on the skin include severe acute and chronic dermatitis associated with pain, discomfort, itching, and burning, and may heavily affect patients' quality of life. The management of these skin adverse effects in head and neck cancer patients (HNCPs) are very heterogeneous due to the lack of shared rigorous classification systems and evidence based treatments. A multidisciplinary group of head and neck cancer specialists from Italy met with the aim of reaching a consensus on a clinical definition and management of dermatitis in HNCPs treated with radiotherapy with or without systemic therapies in order to improve skin toxicity management. The Delphi Appropriateness Method was used. External expert reviewers then evaluated the conclusions carefully according to their area of expertise. This paper offers contains seven clusters of statements about the management of dermatitis in HNCPs and a review of recent literature on these topics.