News

Vesalius project gives new meaning to pathology institute and anatomical theatre

21 June 2021

In 2025, KU Leuven and UZ Leuven will be opening a new public experience centre on the Hertogen site in Leuven. The Vesalius project will be dedicated to scientific research, care and society. The university will be restoring two historic buildings to house the project.

Inflammation of the duodenum seems to be cause of unexplained stomach problems

16 June 2021

Leuven researchers have discovered that stomach problems are often linked to an inflamation of the first part of the small intestine. The degree of inflammation is considered to be a new biomarker that can help reach the right diagnosis. At the same time it is an important starting point for better treatments.

Coordination working group for bacteriophage therapy at UZ Leuven

15 June 2021

The coordination group for bacteriophage therapy is committed to finding an alternative for antibiotics. As one of the first in Europe, the recently established CBL will select patients in a structured manner, set up a treatment plan and collect data for scientific research.

Shorter antibiotic treatment just as safe for patients with a reduced immune system

10 June 2021

For patients with reduced immunity as a result of intensive chemotherapy the antibiotic treatment can shortened safely as demonstrated in a trial on neutropenic fever by researchers at UZ Leuven and Erasmus Medisch Centrum in Rotterdam.

Fetal surgery for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia saves lives

8 June 2021

An international research team led by the University Hospitals Leuven and the KU Leuven has completed a randomized clinical trial on surgery before birth in fetuses with a severe form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The researchers provide evidence that surgery before birth improves the chances of survival.

Leuven cardiac specialists first to replace mitral valve without surgery

7 June 2021

For the first time in Belgium, a team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have replaced a mitral heart valve by a prosthetic valve in a minimally invasive way. Until recently this was only possible with cardiac surgery and the use of a heart-lung machine for which not all patients qualify.

Whole genome sequencing conquers place in routine hospital examinations

1 June 2021

Eight Belgian genetic centres have started a trial that will examine the added value of whole genome sequencing for the diagnosis of unaccounted developmental disorders and rare intellectual disabilities

Ophthalmologists, biologists and engineers wage war on Alzheimer's

26 May 2021

Researchers at UZ Leuven, KU Leuven, VITO and imec have published promising results on the use of a hyperspectral camera to detect protein plaques in the eyes of Alzheimer's patients.

New criteria for the diagnosis of type 1 neurofibromatosis and Legius syndrome

19 May 2021

An international team under the supervision of prof. dr. Eric Legius of UZ Leuven has reached a consensus about new criteria for the diagnosis of type 1 neurofibromatosis and the Legius syndrome. The new guidelines allow a better distinction between the two related disorders.

Risk of malnutrition linked to higher mortalitiy and re-admission to the hospital

17 May 2021

One in five people admitted to the hospital run a risk of malnutrition. A good nutritional follow-up of these patients is important, because they have a higher risk of mortality during their admission or within the first month after their admission and they have to be readmitted more often.

Single-cell technique paves the way for biomarker breast cancer immunotherapy

6 May 2021

Leuven researchers found a way of predicting whether immunotherapy will catch on in patients with early-stage breast cancer. The tumour tissue of 40 patients was examined before and after a first treatment with anti-PD1 immunotherapy. 1 in 3 patients showed a response.

First figures on quality of care for lung cancer show excellent results for UZ Leuven

5 May 2021

For the first time, more than 50 Flemish hospitals reported their results and survical rates for lung cancer to the Flemish Institute for Quality of Care (VIKZ). It concerns patients that were diagnosed between 2012 and 2016. UZ Leuven is the largest treatment centre and can present excellent figures.