Publications (9)17.52 Total impact
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Article: Endometriosis of the round ligament. Is it really a rare entity?
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology: the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 05/2010; 30(4):417-8. · 0.43 Impact Factor -
Article: A rare case of breast cancer metastasis.
Breast disease 01/2010; 31(1):53-5. -
Article: Systematic review and meta-analysis of interferon after curative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral hepatitis.
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ABSTRACT: A combined antiviral and tumoricidal effect of interferon (IFN) is assumed to occur after resection or ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An electronic search of the Medline, Embase and Central databases from January 1998 to October 2007 was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating adjuvant effects of IFN after curative treatment of HCC. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effects of IFN on 2-year outcome. Seven trials enrolling a total of 620 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Adjuvant treatment with IFN significantly reduced the 2-year mortality rate after curative treatment of HCC, with a pooled risk ratio of 0.65 (95 per cent confidence interval 0.52 to 0.80); P < 0.001) in absence of any significant heterogeneity (I(2) = 0 per cent, P = 0.823 for chi(2)). The effect on reduction of tumour recurrence was less pronounced but still significant (pooled risk ratio 0.86 (95 per cent c.i. 0.76 to 0.97); P = 0.013). IFN had to be discontinued in 8-20 per cent of patients. IFN has a significant beneficial effect after curative treatment of HCC in terms of both survival and tumour recurrence.British Journal of Surgery 09/2009; 96(9):975-81. · 4.61 Impact Factor -
Article: Vascular complications in renal transplantation: a single-center experience in 1367 renal transplantations and review of the literature.
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ABSTRACT: Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. Vascular complications in renal transplantation are not uncommon and may often lead to allograft loss. The most common vascular complications are transplant renal artery stenosis, transplant renal artery thrombosis, transplant renal vein thrombosis, biopsy-induced vascular injuries, pseudoaneurysm formation, and hematomas. Transplant renal artery and vein thrombosis have an early onset and a dramatic clinical manifestation and usually lead to allograft loss. In contrast, transplant renal artery stenosis has better treatment possibilities, whereas the rest do not occur so often. In our institution, 1367 renal transplantations were performed from September 1980 to April 2005. During this period, we encountered 38 major vascular complications leading to graft loss and 19 transplant renal artery stenoses with successful treatment in the majority of cases. According to these data, we can conclude that renal transplantation is a safe therapeutic procedure for renal failure.Transplantation Proceedings 07/2009; 41(5):1609-14. · 1.00 Impact Factor -
Article: Management of external ear keloids using form-pressure therapy.
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ABSTRACT: Keloids are a frequent finding after physical trauma. Keloids of the pinna (helix and antihelix) as a complication of ear-piercing are the most difficult cases. Clinicians have tended to avoid the surgical approach, preferring local conservative treatment with corticosteroids or other treatments. We report use of intrakeloid resection and a form-pressure device to treat pinna keloids and avoid recurrence. The purpose is to maintain the form of the folds of the pinna. The recommendation for this therapy is to maintain the pressure at 24-30 mmHg, and the duration of the form-pressure therapy in our patients was about 25 weeks.Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 06/2008; 33(3):273-5. · 1.20 Impact Factor -
Article: Inflammation and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection correlate with the severity of peripheral arterial disease.
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ABSTRACT: Our aim was to investigate the association of inflammation and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with the presence and severity of peripheral arterial disease. Twenty-eight patients whose initial claudication distance (ICD) in the traditional constant-load treadmill test was <200 m, underwent femoral endarterectomy as part of their interventional treatment (group A). Group B consisted of 23 patients whose ICD was >200 m and were put on medication and a daily exercise program. The control group consisted of 30 non-vascular patients of the Ophthalmology Department (group C). We measured the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and the titers of IgA and IgG antibodies against C. pneumoniae in the serum of all the patients. Finally, the atheromas and vein segments of group A patients, were immunohistochemically (IHC) examined for the presence of C. pneumoniae. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients, had significantly higher CRP (p=0.026) and anti-Cp IgA levels (p=0.001) when compared to control subjects, after a multiple linear regression analysis. The odds ratio for the prevalence of femoral atherosclerosis was 3.16 for IgA seropositive patients (CI 1.15-8.67). When comparing group A and group B patients, CRP (p=0.003) and IgA (p=0.011), were significantly correlated with severe PAD. Group A patients with positive immunohistochemical examination of the plaque, had higher anti-Cp IgA levels (p=0.023) and TNF-alpha values (p=0.031), compared to the IHC negative patients. C. pneumoniae was detected in 50% of the femoral atheromas, but in only 3.6% of the veins. This study supports the hypothesis that inflammation (CRP) and chronic C. pneumoniae infection (IgA seropositivity), have an important role in lower limb atherosclerosis and correlate with the severity of the disease.European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 06/2006; 31(5):509-15. · 2.99 Impact Factor -
Article: Inflammation and atherosclerosis.
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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to discuss the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis. SUMMARY: An initial chemical, mechanical or immunological insult induces endothelial dysfunction. This triggers a cascade of inflammatory reactions, in which monocytes, macrophages, T lymphocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells participate. Leukocyte adhesion molecules, cytokines, growth factors and metalloproteinases participate in all stages of atherogenesis. Almost all of the traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis are associated with and participate in the inflammatory process. Many infectious agents, mainly Chlamydia pneumoniae, have been proposed as potential triggers of the cascade. The immune system has been implicated in plaque formation, through the activation of cellular and humoral immunity against innate or microbial heat shock protein 60. Methods of detection of systemic or local plaque inflammation have been developed and research is being conducted on the potential use of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drugs in atherosclerosis.European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 05/2006; 31(4):386-93. · 2.99 Impact Factor -
Article: Long-term treatment of deep venous thrombosis with a low molecular weight heparin (tinzaparin): a prospective randomized trial.
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ABSTRACT: Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) tinzaparin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) followed by acenocoumarol in proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Consecutive patients (n=108) with acute leg DVT, confirmed by duplex, were randomized to either tinzaparin alone or UFH and acenocoumarol for 6 months. Patients were evaluated ultrasonographically at entry, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Thrombus regression, reflux distribution and the incidence of complications were studied. A cost-analysis, comparing the two treatments, was performed. The overall incidence of major events (mortality, DVT recurrence, pulmonary embolism, major bleeding, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia) was significantly different (p=0.035) in favor of tinzaparin (7 versus 17 events). The ultrasonographic clot volume score (an index of recanalization) decreased significantly in both treatment groups. However, tinzaparin produced significantly more extended overall recanalization from 3 months onwards (p<0.02). Thrombus regression was equivalent or in favor of tinzaparin in the different DVT subgroups and venous segments, but the statistical significance varied. Reflux showed non-significant differences overall or in subgroups. A cost-analysis resulted in favor of LMWH. A fixed daily dose of tinzaparin for 6 months was at least as effective and safe as UFH and acenocoumarol. Regarding major events and recanalization, there was a significant benefit in favor of tinzaparin. Long-term DVT treatment with tinzaparin could represent an alternative to conventional treatment.European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 07/2005; 29(6):638-50. · 2.99 Impact Factor -
Article: Venous abnormalities encountered in abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
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ABSTRACT: The coexistence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and venous abnormalities is unusual. In this article two cases of AAA with concomitant abnormalities of a retroaortic left renal vein and left-sided inferior vena cava are presented.VASA.: Zeitschrift für Gefässkrankheiten. Journal for vascular diseases 09/2003; 32(3):164-6. · 1.31 Impact Factor