Radiofrequency thermal ablation vs percutaneous ethanol injection for small hcc in cirrhosis:metanalysis of randomized controlled trials

1. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Feb;104(2):514-24. Epub 2009 Jan 13. Radiofrequency thermal ablation vs. percutaneous ethanol injection for small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Orlando A, Leandro G, Olivo M, Andriulli A, Cottone M. Department of Medicine, Pneumology and Nutrition Clinic, V. Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, Piazza Mameli 1, Palermo, Italy. ambrogiorlando@tiscali.it OBJECTIVES: Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RF) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) have been employed in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as curative treatments. The aim of the study was to review the available evidence compari…

Eltrombopag before procedures in patients with cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia

Eltrombopag is an oral thrombopoietin-receptor agonist. This study evaluated the efficacy of eltrombopag for increasing platelet counts and reducing the need for platelet transfusions in patients with thrombocytopenia and chronic liver disease who are undergoing an elective invasive procedure.We randomly assigned 292 patients with chronic liver disease of diverse causes and platelet counts of less than 50,000 per cubic millimeter to receive eltrombopag, at a dose of 75 mg daily, or placebo for 14 days before a planned elective invasive procedure that was performed within 5 days after the last dose. The primary end point was the avoidance of a platelet transfusion before, during, and up to 7…

Frequency of NOD2/CARD15 variants in both sporadic and familial cases of Crohn's disease across Italy. An Italian Group for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study.

Abstract Background. Three variants of the NOD 2 /CARD 15 gene are strongly associated with susceptibility to Crohn’s disease; however, striking racial and geographic differences of their frequency have been described. Aims. We have compared the allele frequencies of familial cases of Crohn’s disease recruited in a multicentre study across Italy, in order to disclose possible geographic heterogeneity. Moreover, we also compared the allele frequencies in sporadic cases of Crohn’s disease and healthy controls from Southern Italy with those reported in other two populations from Central and Northern Italy. Subjects and Methods. A total of 731 subjects were genotyped for the polymorphism of thr…

Early discontinuation of Ribavirin in HCV genotype 2 and 3 patients undergoing short-treatment duration with Peg-Interferon alpha 2a and Ribavirin