No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Here we describe a prospective 2-year evaluation of the efficiency of a new procedure of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) treatment of viscous thyroid cystic nodules (VTCN). Three patients with VCTN were selected from a group of 22 patients with solitary thyroid cystic nodules. A modified two-stage ethanol injection procedure was planned for these patients. Stage 1 was performed through the injection of a small dose of ethanol into the nodule. The viscosity of the content was reduced within 2 weeks after the injection. In the second stage the nodule was decompressed and an established dose of sterile 95% ethanol was injected. Patients were followed up for 2 years. In all cases a reduction in nodule volume was found. In the following 18 months further reduction was observed, with an average of 91.7%. The effect was stable throughout the follow-up period. No complications were observed. Therefore, our new two-stage PEI procedure appears all efficient alternative approach for the treatment of VCTNs even if further investigations on a larger series are required.

Background and Aims The disease course of microscopic colitis [MC] is considered chronic but benign. However, this assumption is based on mainly retrospective studies, reporting on incomplete follow-up of selective cohorts. Systematic, prospective and unbiased data to inform patients and healthcare professionals on the expected course of the disease and real-life response to therapy are warranted. Methods A prospective, pan-European, multi-centre, web-based registry was established. Incident cases of MC were included. Data on patient characteristics, symptoms, treatment and quality of life were systematically registered at baseline and during real-time follow-up. Four disease course phenotypes were discriminated and described. Results Among 381 cases with complete 1-year follow-up, 49% had a chronic active or relapsing disease course, 40% achieved sustained remission after treatment and 11% had a quiescent course. In general, symptoms and quality of life improved after 3 months of follow-up. A relapsing or chronic active disease course was associated with significantly more symptoms and impaired quality of life after 1 year. Conclusions A minority of MC patients follow a quiescent disease course with spontaneous clinical improvement, whereas the majority suffer a chronic active or relapsing disease course during the first year after diagnosis, with persisting symptoms accompanied by a significantly impaired quality of life.