Similar ethical difficulties are present in the clinical practice of both physicians and nurses, with important differences in access and use of ethics support services. A need for systematic ethics educational activities was identified. Inclusion of individual ethics consultants in Croatian healthcare ethics support services is strongly advised.

The aim of this study was to assess nurses' and physicians' ethical dilemmas in clinical practice. Nurses and physicians of the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka were surveyed (N=364). A questionnaire was used to identify recent ethical dilemma, primary ethical issue in the situation, satisfaction with the resolution, perceived usefulness of help, and usage of clinical ethics consultations in practice. Recent ethical dilemmas include professional conduct for nurses (8%), and near-the-end-of-life decisions for physicians (27%). The main ethical issue is limiting life-sustaining therapy (nurses 15%, physicians 24%) and euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (nurses 16%, physicians 9%). The types of help available are similar for nurses and physicians: obtaining complete information about the patient (37% vs. 50%) and clarifying ethical issues (31% vs. 39%). Nurses and physicians experience similar ethical dilemmas in clinical practice. The usage of clinical ethics consultations is low. It is recommended that the individual and team consultations should be introduced in Croatian clinical ethics consultations services.

SUMMARYBurkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, is the fastest growing human cancer, presenting pathologically with a ‘starry sky’ pattern. It is most often found in the abdomen and the jaw, however, localization in the abdomen other than the ileocecal area is very rare and described only in a handful of cases. Standard treatment consists of initial tumor cytoreduction followed by intense chemotherapy. Most of the relapses occur within one year of the diagnosis, while the 5-year survival is around 80%. We present two cases which are specific for unusual location of Burkitt lymphoma in the colon and stomach, in immunocompetent patients with negative Epstein-Barr virus tests. Also, one of the patients presented is one of the oldest ever reported with abdominal Burkitt lymphoma, while the other patient is an example of diagnostic difficulties in distinguishing Burkitt lymphoma from similar lymphomas. Due to the rapidly growing tumors and urgent need for cytoreductive surgery, it is crucial to consider the diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma even in atypical localizations or absence of the common risk factors associated with Burkitt lymphoma.

Over the last few decades obesity has become a major health issue worldwide. Although dietary and lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of obesity management, it still poses a huge challenge for the majority of patients to permanently change their eating habits. Bariatric endoscopy represents an evolving filed of minimally invasive techniques and procedures for weight loss trying to respond to these challenges by developing new methods with the increasing role of endoscopists in the management of obesity. Areas covered: The aim of this article is to review the role and the advantages of bariatric endoscopy in the management of obesity by providing a comprehensive reference source and evaluating the currently available and emerging endoscopic devices and techniques for weight loss. Expert commentary: Endoscopic methods for weight loss represent a useful armamentarium in the management of obesity by providing improved effectiveness compared with medications, with a lower risk profile than traditional bariatric surgery. Although preliminary results of recently introduced methods are encouraging, many questions remain regarding the safety and efficacy of such interventions. Combining scientific background with advancements in technology is the key strategy for the further development of bariatric endoscopy.