BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine hospital services globally. This study estimated the total number of adult elective operations that would be cancelled worldwide during the 12 weeks of peak disruption due to COVID-19.

METHODS: A global expert response study was conducted to elicit projections for the proportion of elective surgery that would be cancelled or postponed during the 12 weeks of peak disruption. A Bayesian β-regression model was used to estimate 12-week ...

AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a new generation of 40 μm drug eluting beads in patients not eligible for curative treatment.

METHODS: Drug eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) using a new generation of microspheres (embozene tandem, 40 μm) preloaded with 100 mg of doxorubicin was performed on 48 early or intermediate HCC patients with compensated cirrhosis. Response to therapy was assessed with Response ...

Children affected with chronic granulomatous disease develop severe infections, which frequently evolve to abscess. In most instances the liver is involved. We report a case of liver abscess successfully treated by percutaneous transhepatic alcoholization after antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage had failed. This procedure avoided the need for hepatic resection, which is associated with high morbidity in such patients.

Bacterial meningitis and septicemia are invasive bacterial diseases, representing a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Both conditions are characterized by an impressive inflammatory response, resulting rapidly in cerebral edema, infarction, hydrocephalus, and septic shock with multiple organ failure. Despite advances in critical care, outcome and prognosis remain critical. Available adjunctive treatments to control the inflammatory response have shown encouraging ...