To the Editor: We read the editorial of Professors Matko and Ana Marusic in the December issue of the Croatian Medical Journal (CMJ) (1). With regret we learned that the policy of the editorial board of CMJ, which created one outstanding, general medical journal, is questioned. We have been reading the CMJ for many years and published several articles in it. We consider Prof. Marusic not only the editor of an excellent journal, but the teacher of medical writing as well. We were aware that, because of our lack of experience, the article we were sending was incomplete, but we were also aware that it would not have the destiny like in other journals, as Prof. Marusic would correct the article with us. The comments in his char acteristic, amusing way what to correct, omit, or add, were making the article better and better… After attending Prof. Marusic’s workshop of medical writing, some on us published the articles in very prestigious journals. We are very grateful to him for his help. Prof. Marusic placed his editorial board at the disposal of the postgraduate students of Tuzla Medical University School of Medicine, as the assistance during the writing of articles which even do not have to be sent to the CMJ – with the wish to expand the awareness of necessity

The aim of this study is to evaluate epidemiological status of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Bosnia from 2003 through 2005. Incidence and prevalence rates of BEN, diabetes mellitus (DM) and RRT population and proportion of BEN RRT population in total RRT population were tracked in renal units covering the entire BEN endemic region in Bosnia. BEN incidence and prevalence rates were 52; 34;48 and 262; 265, 292, respectively. DM incidence and prevalence rates were 7; 13; 8 and 20; 28; 33, respectively. Total RRT population incidence and prevalence rates were 89; 82; 79 and 424; 436; 473, respectively. Proportions of incident BEN RRT population in incident total RRT population and proportions of incident BEN RRT population in incident total RRT population when incident diabetics were subtracted from incident total RRT population were 0.58; 0.41; 0.61, and 0.63; 0.49; 0.67; respectively. Proportions of prevalent BEN RRT population in prevalent total RRT population and proportions of prevalent BEN RRT population in prevalent total RRT population when prevalent diabetics were subtracted from prevalent total RRT population were 0.62; 0.61; 0.62, and 0.65; 0.65; 0.66, respectively. Trend of BEN RRT population was stable in Bosnia from 2003 through 2005.

AIM To analyze the results of ultrasound guided percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) and percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the treatment of splenic abscess. METHODS Thirty-six patients (14 females and 22 males, with an average age of 54.1 +/- 14.1 years) with splenic abscess were treated with ultrasound guided PNA and/or PCD. Patients with splenic abscess < 50 mm in diameter were initially treated by PNA and those with abscess > or = 50 mm and bilocular abscesses were initially treated by an 8-French catheter drainage. The clinical characteristics, underlying diseases, organism spectra, therapeutic methods, and mortality rates were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients had unilocular and 9 bilocular abscess. PNA was performed in 19 patients (52.8%), and 8 of them (42.1%) required PCD because of recurrence of abscess. In 17 patients (47.2%), PCD was performed initially. PCD was performed twice in six patients and three times in two. PNA was definitive treatment for 10 and PCD for 21 patients. One patient with PCD was referred for splenectomy, with successful outcome. In all 4 deceased patients, malignancy was the underlying condition. Twenty-one patients (58.3%) underwent 33 surgical interventions on abdomen before treatment. Cultures were positive in 30 patients (83.3%). Gram-negative bacillus predominated (46.7%). There were no complications related to the procedure. CONCLUSION Percutaneous treatment of splenic abscess is an effective alternative to surgery, allowing preservation of the spleen. This treatment is especially indicative for the patients in critical condition postoperatively. We recommend PNA as primary treatment for splenic abscesses < 50 mm, and PCD for those > or = 50 mm in diameter and for bilocular abscesses.