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Amyloidosis is a very rare condition, which, due to its rarity, is often missed or diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease, causing significant morbidity and mortality. In this review we describe the existing types of amyloidosis focusing on the gastro-intestinal tract. Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal protein fibrils (amyloid) deposit in the muscularis mucosae. This can cause an array of symptoms ranging from (in order of occurrence): gastro-intestinal bleeding, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, early satiety, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fecal incontinence (1). Treatment is focused on the underlying condition (if any) causing the production and deposition of the abnormal fibrils, in combination of symptomatic treatment., (© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica.)

Background: Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive imaging-guided treatment using radiation exposure., Purpose: To compare the patients' radiation exposure during UFE before and after introduction of a new X-ray imaging platform., Material and Methods: Forty-one patients were enrolled in a prospective, comparative two-arm project before and after introduction of a new X-ray imaging platform with reduced dose settings, i.e. novel real-time image processing techniques (AlluraClarity). Demographic, pre-interventional imaging, and procedural data, including dose area product (DAP) and estimated organ dose on the ovaries and uterus, were recorded and angiographic quality of overall procedure was assessed., Results: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics and preoperative fibroid and uterine volumes in the two groups. The new imaging platform led to a significant reduction in mean total DAP (102 vs. 438 Gy.cm 2 ; P < 0.001), mean fluoroscopy DAP (32 vs. 138 Gy.cm 2 ; P < 0.001), mean acquisition DAP (70 vs. 300 Gy.cm 2 ; P < 0.001), and acquisition DAP estimated organ dose in ovaries (42 vs. 118 mGy; P < 0.001) and uterus (40 vs. 118 mGy, P < 0.001), without impairment of the procedure and angiographic image quality., Conclusion: A substantial 77% reduction of DAP values and 64% and 66% reduction in organ dose on ovaries and uterus, respectively, was demonstrated with the new imaging platform, while maintaining optimal imaging quality and efficacy.