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Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity were associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between markers of inflammation, disease severity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without diabetes and obesity. Materials and Methods: Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from the University Hospital of Ioannina COVID-19 Registry and included hospitalized patients from March 2020 to December 2022. The study cohort was divided into three subgroups based on the presence of DM, obesity, or the absence of both. Results: In diabetic patients, elevated CRP, IL-6, TRG/HDL-C ratio, and TyG index, severe pneumonia, and hyperglycemia were associated with extended hospitalization. Increased IL-6, NLR, and decreased PFR were associated with a higher risk of death. In the obese subgroup, lower levels of PFR were associated with longer hospitalization and a higher risk of death, while severe lung disease and hyperglycemia were associated with extended hospitalization. In patients without DM or obesity severe pneumonia, NLR, CRP, IL-6, insulin resistance indices, and hyperglycemia during hospitalization were associated with longer hospitalization. Conclusion: Inflammatory markers and disease severity indices were strongly associated with disease outcomes and hyperglycemia across all subgroups.

The surgical approach to the atrium of the lateral ventricle remains a challenge because of its deep location and close relationship to important neurovascular structures. We present an alternative and safer approach to lesions of the atrium using a natural pathway through the parieto-occipital fissure. We demonstrate this approach through cadaveric anatomical microdissection and a case series. Five formalin-fixed brain specimens (10 hemispheres) were dissected with the Klingler technique. Transillumination was used to show the trajectory of the approach in cadaveric specimens. Clinical data from five patients who underwent this approach were reviewed. This data included intraoperative ultrasound images, operative images, pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, MR tractography, and visual field examination. The parieto-occipital fissure is a constant, uninterrupted fissure that can be easily identified in cadavers. Our anatomical dissection study revealed that the atrium of the lateral ventricle can be approached through the parieto-occipital fissure with minor damage to the short association fibers between the precuneus and cuneus, and a few fibers of the forceps major. In our series, five patients underwent total resection of their atrial lesions via the posterior interhemispheric transparieto-occipital fissure. No morbidity or mortality was observed, and the disruption of white matter was minimal, as indicated on postoperative tractography. The postoperative visual fields were normal. The posterior interhemispheric transparieto-occipital fissure approach is an alternative to remove lesions in the atrium of the lateral ventricle, causing the least damage to white matter tracts and preserving visual cortex and optic radiation.

Background: Hardware-related infection after deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the most serious complications and may need additional interventions. Objectives: To reuse the internal pulse generator (IPG) after DBS infection and to reduce the economic costs. Methods: A database of 102 patients who underwent DBS surgery was used in the study. The incidence, clinical characteristics and management of infections while reusing the IPG after DBS-related infection were analyzed and reported. Results: The overall infection rate was 5.9% (6 of 102 patients). Management consisted of total hardware removal followed by intravenous antibiotics. The IPG was at first kept in a solution, then rinsed with water and dried following sterilization with ethylene oxide gas at 38°C for 18 h. When the treatment of the infection was finished, we reused the IPG and reimplanted the DBS. No hardware-related infection or other complications were observed after reimplantation. Conclusions: Management of hardware-related infections can be challenging. The medical and economic costs associated with these infections are enormous. The IPG can often be saved in infected patients. Thus, a significant cost burden is eliminated. Properly executed, reuse of IPG should markedly reduce the costs of these devices.

External electrical cardioversion is mostly performed solely under sedatives or hypnotics, although the procedure is painful. The aim of this prospective randomised study was to compare two anaesthetic protocols that included analgesia.Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation were randomised to receive intravenously either fentanyl 50 μg and propofol 0.5 mg/kg (group P) or fentanyl 50 μg and etomidate 0.1 mg/kg (group E), while breathing spontaneously 100% oxygen. In the case of inadequate anaesthesia, repeated doses of 20 mg propofol (group P) or 4 mg etomidate (group E) were given as often as necessary until loss of eyelid reflex. Cardioversion was achieved with an extracardiac biphasic electrical shock ranging from 200 to 300 J, performed three times at most.Forty-six patients (25 in group P, 21 in group E), aged 64 ± 9 years, were enrolled in the study. There were no differences between the study groups concerning left ventricular ejection fraction, the dimension of the left atrium, the number of shocks needed or the number of unsuccessful cardioversions. Patients in group E had a shorter time from injection of the induction agents until loss of consciousness (49 vs. 118 s, p=0.003) and until the first shock was given (61 vs. 135 s, p=0.004). Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (repeated measurements ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment) in group P when the baseline value was compared to that after anaesthesia induction (mean decrease 15.2 mmHg, 95% CI 5.6-24.8 mmHg, p=0.001) and to the value after recovery (mean decrease 15.2 mmHg, 95% CI 4.8-25.7 mmHg, p=0.002). Manual ventilation was required in 7 and 9 patients in groups P and E, respectively (p=0.360).Both anaesthetic regimens provided excellent conditions for external electric cardioversion. In addition, etomidate in combination with fentanyl had a shorter induction time and ensured haemodynamic stability.

Primary aortoenteric fistula (PAEF) is a rare but clinically important cause of catastrophic gastrointestinal bleeding. "Herald bleeding" is a characteristic symptom which refers to specific case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that stop temporarily spontaneously and then proceeds to massive bleeding. We present the case report of a 55-year-old male with PAEF who was admitted due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic studies were unremarkable and patient underwent exploratory laparotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and prompt appropriate surgical intervention are crucial for survival of patient with PAEF. Gastrointestinal bleeding combined with a negative endoscopy suggests PAEF. Endovascular operation is an attractive treatment option.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe with survival rates remaining unchanged over the last three decades. Early diagnosis and accurate staging are essential due to the difficulty of curing this tumor in its advanced form. Endoscopic or laparoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography are the preferred imaging and staging modalities for many patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Morbidity and mortality are similar for pylorus-preserving and classic pancreatico-duodenectomy. Extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy does not improve survival and increases morbidity compared with standard pancreaticoduodenectomy, while adjuvant chemoradiotherapy prolongs survival in selected groups of patients. This article reviews the causes, risk factors, and clinical features of pancreatic adeno-carcinoma and discusses the methods of optimal diagnosis, staging and treatment.