NMR-based metabolomic fingerprinting of serum and urine has the potential to be a useful tool in distinguishing patients with active IBD from those in remission.

IntroductionOur study was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of combined autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (MNC) and gene therapy in comparison to conventional drug therapy in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI).Material and methodsThirty-two patients with CLI persisting for 12–48 months (average time 27.5 months) were randomized into 2 groups, each group consisting of 16 patients. In the first group, administration of autologous bone marrow MNC and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plasmid was performed. The patients from the second group were treated pharmacologically with pentoxifylline. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured and angiography was performed before and finally 3 months after treatment. The pain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after 3 months.ResultsAnkle-brachial index improved significantly from 0.29 ±0.21 to 0.52 ±0.23 (p < 0.001) in 12 patients (75.0%) 3 months after the experimental therapy in group 1. In this group angiography showed the development of collateral vessels. Ischemic ulcers healed completely in 11 patients (68.75%). In group 2 the ABI did not improve in any patient; moreover the complete healing of skin ulcers was not found in any of the patients of this group. Amputation was performed in 4 (25.0%) patients in group 1, and in 8 patients (50%) from group 2.ConclusionsThese data after 3-month follow-up indicate that intramuscular injection of MNC combined with gene therapy in patients with chronic CLI is safe, and a more feasible and effective method of treatment than the conventional therapy. However, both therapies are limited by the degree of microcirculation damage.

Background. One of the underestimated causes of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women may be pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) that is defined as the presence of varicose of ovarian and pelvic veins associated with chronic pain in the region of the pelvis. This pain is present longer than 6 months and intensifies with prolonged standing, coitus and menstruation. The disease constitutes a diagnostic as well as therapeutic problem, thus posing a challenge for the clinician. Transcatheter ovarian vein embolization might be a safe and effective option for PCS treatment. Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ovarian vein embolization ovarian as a method of the PCS treatment. Material and methods. Between 2002-2012, 11 embolization procedures were performed in 10 women (age range: 34-43; median age 39) with the diagnosis of PCS. One patient underwent embolization procedure twice. In 1 case the combined therapy of endovascular embolization and surgical phlebectomy of vulvar varices was performed. Results. There were no major intrainterventional complications. In all the patients (100%) a significant improvement in the clinical status was noted. The procedure improved the quality of life in the patients. Three women (30%) had a mild recurrence of the symptoms at mid-term follow-up. Among 8 women who had complained of dyspareunia prior to embolization 6 patients reported complete pain relief, in other 2 cases the pain subsided partially. There was a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms associated with hemorrhoids. Conclusions. We consider embolization of insufficient ovarian veins an effective and safe way of treatment in a well-selected group of patients with PCS.

Iatrogenic CA trauma is one of the most dangerous vascular injuries, connected with hemorrhage and neurological complications. We recommend intravenous administration of 5000 units unfractionated Heparin, anatomical artery preparation, then shunt inserting. Autogenous material should be used if possible. For reconstruction of the initial part of internal carotid artery the transposition of the external carotid artery is useful.

Abstract. Background: We present the methods and results of the surgical management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECCA). Postoperative complications including early and late neurological events were analysed. Correlation between reconstruction techniques and morphology of ECCA was assessed in this retrospective study. Patients and methods: In total, 32 reconstructions of ECCA were performed in 31 symptomatic patients with a mean age of 59.2 (range 33 - 84) years. The causes of ECCA were divided among atherosclerosis (n = 25; 78.1 %), previous carotid endarterectomy with Dacron patch (n = 4; 12.5 %), iatrogenic injury (n = 2; 6.3 %) and infection (n = 1; 3.1 %). In 23 cases, intervention consisted of carotid bypass. Aneurysmectomy with end-to-end suture was performed in 4 cases. Aneurysmal resection with patching was done in 2 cases and aneurysmorrhaphy without patching in another 2 cases. In 1 case, ligature of the internal carotid artery (ICA) was required. Results: Technical success defined as the preservation of ICA patency was achieved in 31 cases (96.9 %). There was one perioperative death due to major stroke (3.1 %). Two cases of minor stroke occurred in the 30-day observation period (6.3 %). Three patients had a transient hypoglossal nerve palsy that subsided spontaneously (9.4 %). At a mean long-term follow-up of 68 months, there were no major or minor ipsilateral strokes or surgery-related deaths reported. In all 30 surviving patients (96.9 %), long-term clinical outcomes were free from ipsilateral neurological symptoms. Conclusions: Open surgery is a relatively safe method in the therapy of ECCA. Surgical repair of ECCAs can be associated with an acceptable major stroke rate and moderate minor stroke rate. Complication-free long-term outcomes can be achieved in as many as 96.9 % of patients. Aneurysmectomy with end-to-end anastomosis or bypass surgery can be implemented during open repair of ECCA.