Advanced oesophageal cancer treated with endoscopic stent insertion: A case report

The majority of oesophageal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. They have a poor prognosis. Dysphagia is regarded as the most distressing symptom of oesophageal cancer, with a profound impact on quality of life. Insertion of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) is one of the most effective ways to relieve dysphagia. We present a case of advanced oesophageal cancer in which a SEMS was inserted using a modified endoscopic technique

A rare case of follicular thyroid carcinoma with metastasis to the scalp

Follicular thyroid carcinoma accounts for 10% of thyroid carcinomas. Cutaneous metastases are rare and usually indicate an advanced tumour stage. We present a case of follicular thyroid carcinoma with scalp metastases

An unusual case of pyogenic liver abscess during pregnancy

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a condition involving bacterial abscess formation within the liver parenchyma. Despite significant changes in medicine involving improved diagnostic techniques and management strategies, the incidence of PLA has remained largely unchanged.  We present an unusual case of PLA during pregnancy

An audit on the preliminary results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography performed in the Limpopo Academic Complex, Polokwane, South Africa

Background. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic procedure that is an important treatment modality for the management of hepatic, pancreatic and biliary diseases. The ERCP unit in the Limpopo Academic Complex in Polokwane, South Africa, was established at the end of 2021. Objectives. To identify areas for improvement in the new ERCP unit. Methods. All ERCP procedures were audited in five components: (i) room set-up; (ii) endoscope, guidewires and consumable accessories; (iii) fluoroscopy; (iv) sedation and analgesia; and (v) ERCP endoscopist and staff. These were considered the essential pillars of an ERCP unit. The quality of each component was graded in every ERCP procedure as grade 1 (very poor), grade 2 (below average), grade 3 (average), grade 4 (above average), and grade 5 (highly satisfactory). Results. Nine therapeutic ERCP procedures were performed during the period 10 January - 31 May 2022. Eighteen theatre slots were allocated for ERCP procedures during the study period, but only seven of them were utilised. The quality of ERCP unit components was highest for the sedation and analgesia component (mean grade of 4) and lowest for fluoroscopy (mean 1.8). Conclusion. Establishing a new ERCP service is a task with many challenges. We present the preliminary results of the Limpopo Academic Complex ERCP unit with a view to adding our experience to the current knowledge

Retrosternal goitre at Pietersburg Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa: A case report

Retrosternal goitre presents in 2 - 19% of all thyroidectomies. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice. We report a case of an anterior retrosternal goitre, which was removed by a combined cervical/sternotomy approach

Association of common genetic variants with risperidone adverse events in a Spanish schizophrenic population

Risperidone non-compliance is often high due to undesirable side effects, whose development is in part genetically determined. Studies with genetic variants involved in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of risperidone have yielded inconsistent results. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the putative association of genetic markers with the occurrence of four frequently observed adverse events secondary to risperidone treatment: sleepiness, weight gain, extrapyramidal symptoms and sexual adverse events. A series of 111 schizophrenia inpatients were genotyped for genetic variants previously associated with or potentially involved in risperidone response. Presence of adverse events was the main variable and potential confounding factors were considered. Allele 16Gly of ADRB2 was significantly associated with a higher risk of sexual adverse events. There were other non-significant trends for DRD3 9Gly and SLC6A4 S alleles. Our results, although preliminary, provide new candidate variants of potential use in risperidone safety prediction.This study was supported by Fondo de Investigation Sanitaria (FIS) EC07/90393, EC07/90466 and EC07/90604 Grants. Berta Almoguera's work is supported by a Rio Hortega Grant from Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Pedro Dorado is supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FIS and European Union (FEDER) Grant CP06/00030. The contribution from the Extremadura group is coordinated in the frame of the Iberoamerican Network of PharmacogeneticsPeer reviewe

Neuroanatomical and Neurochemical Bases of Vigilance States

International audienc