https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/12463 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:32:16 GMT 2026-04-19T15:32:16Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14024 Title: The Synapse : the medical professionals' network : volume 14 : issue 2 Editors: Galea, Wilfred; Ellul, Ian C. Abstract: Apart from the normal articles regarding medicine, this issue contains also the following: Editorial : C stands for cancer... colleagues... compassion - Ian C. Ellul; Between Leonardo and long, long walks (Pierre Vassallo) - Marika Azzopardi Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14024 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13987 Title: US-guided treatment of calcific rotator cuff tendonopathy Authors: Vassallo, Pierre Abstract: Calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposits in the rotator cuff are a common source of shoulder pain. Calcified tendinitis can lead to chronic disability and may interfere with daily living activities. Traditionally, the initial conservative therapeutic approach consists of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical rehabilitation to prevent loss of joint mobility and local steroid injections. When conservative treatment fails, open surgical or arthroscopic excision of calcium deposits can be performed. Removal of the calcium deposits from the tendon significantly accelerates healing of the tendonopathy, however, the open surgical and even arthroscopic techniques are prone to prolonged post-operative disability and complications such as reflex sympathetic muscle dystrophy. Image-guided interventions to remove calcium deposits in the rotator cuff have been used as far back as 30 years ago. However, these procedures were mainly done under X-ray fluoroscopic guidance and utilized two large-bore needles, one to inject normal saline and the other to fragment the calcification and aspirate the fluid containing the calcium fragments. Use of these needles generally resulted in significant damage to the tendon. More recently, ultrasound (US) (figure 1) has been utilized to guide the intervention; this allows better visualization of smaller deposits, while avoiding radiation exposure to the patient and the performer. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13987 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13986 Title: The cholesterol controversy : part 1 Authors: Cilia Vincenti, Albert Abstract: The relationship between saturated fats and cholesterol in foods, and blood cholesterol levels and cardiac pathology, is the most serious current controversy in nutritional science. It is not only confusing doctors but also undermining the credibility of medical science among the general public. Generations of doctors that since the 1950s had been led to believe that too much dietary saturated fats and cholesterol was linked to increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, are now expected to accept claims that this was all a fable based on bad science. This must be one of the most serious U-turns in medical science. How could this have happened? Description: Part 2 of this article can be found through this link: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/14073 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13986 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13985 Title: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease Authors: Attard, Stephanie Abstract: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the commonest life-threatening genetic disease, affecting 12.5 million people worldwide. It is found in all races and occurs equally in men and women. PKD is characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts that can profoundly enlarge while replacing much of the normal renal structure, resulting in reduced kidney function and subsequently to renal failure. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13985 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z