Reliability,validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Major Depression Inventory

Background  

The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression. It is reported to be valid because it is based on the universe of symptoms of DSM-IV and ICD-10 depression. The aim of the current preliminary study was to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the MDI.     

Inflammatory pseudotumour of the liver

A case of inflammatory pseudotumour of the liver is presented. The clinical, radiological and pathological findings are described and a brief discussion of this rare but important condition is presented.     

Integrating OASIS data collection into a comprehensive assessment

OASIS should not be used as a survey tool; rather, it should be integrated into a comprehensive assessment. It is almost never appropriate to simply read OASIS questions verbatim to patients and expect them to name the letter of the response. This article provides strategies for collecting OASIS data as part of a routine patient comprehensive assessment.     

Biliary sphincterotomy: Less benign than once thought?

Twenty-five years ago, Classen and Kawai, working independently, reported the first use of endoscopic sphincterotomy. Since that time, thousands of patients have undergone this procedure. The immediate risks of sphincterotomy, including pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, and infection, are well documented. However, the long-term complications of ablating the sphincter of Oddi are poorly understood. It is becoming clear that exposing the biliary tree to duodenal contents is far from benign. Recently reported long-term complications of sphincterotomy include stone formation, cholecystitis, sphincterotomy site stenosis (with recurring cholangitis), and, possibly, an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma. Balloon dilation of the duodenal papilla (balloon sphincterplasty) has been shown to carry unacceptable risk of serious and even fatal pancreatitis. Medical dilation of the papilla is rarely helpful. Consequently, endoscopists must reevaluate their use of endoscopic sphincterotomy in light of long-term complications in the data.     

Epidermal cyst of the breast: Detection in a screening programme

Two cases of epidermal cyst of the breast, a rare benign condition, were detected during a 3-year period in a mammographic screening programme, from 57 954 screening examinations. It is not uncommon for epidermal cysts to be initially misdiagnosed. The mammographic, ultrasound and histological features are presented. It is recommended that these lesions be resected because they possibly have malignant potential.     

Effect of practical timing of dosage on theophylline blood levels in asthmatic children treated with choline theophyllinate.

Two dosage schedules, 8 mg/kg per dose daily and 10 mg/kg per dose tds of choline theophyllinate were evaluated in asthmatic children. The times of the doses were considered the most practical for use outside hospital. Theophylline levels were measured 2 hours after each dose and were satisfactory in both schedules. The levels before the first dose of the day were, however, unsatisfactory. We emphasis the desirability of measuring blood levels in any patient receiving a theophylline compound.