Correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is endemic in some regions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and efforts have been made to find factors that play a role in its prognosis. We retrospectively examined the correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP] levels with several clinicopathological characteristics of 207 cases of oesophageal carcinoma. The mean ALP level in patients with lymph node involvement was significantly higher [141 [SD 77] U/L] than with node negative cancers [116 [SD 63] U/L]. Patients with ALP level > 165 U/L were 3.29 times more likely to have lymph node involvement than patients with ALP level

Non-contrast spiral computed tomography in diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Approach to patients with acute right lower quadrant pain remains a clinical dilemma. Decreasing the risk of negative appendectomies is one of the major goals surgery units intend to achieve. This study has been conducted to determine the accuracy of non-contrast focused appendiceal computed tomography [CT] in preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. During a period of three months, 50 consecutive adult and adolescent patients who were clinically diagnosed as acute appendicitis were included in this study. Focused non-enhanced appendiceal spiral computed tomography [CT] was performed for all patients, preoperatively. Two radiologists who were unaware of the surgical findings assessed the CT scans. After the operation and pathologic assessment, eight patients with negative appendectomy were found. The sensitivity of CT was 0.71 and 0.83 according to the interpretations of the first and second radiologists, respectively. Moreover, its specificity was 0.88 and 0.75 according to the first and second radiologists' reports, respectively. In patients with clinically diagnosed acute appendicitis, relying on abdominal CT is not helpful

[Duplication of appendiceals: a case report]

Background: appendiceal duplication is one of the rare appendiceal anomalies with an incidence between 0.004% and 0.009% appendectomy specimens. Herein we present a 34 year old woman with appendiceal duplication, which caused in acute abdomen

Case presentation: a 34-year-old woman was admitted on an emergency basiswith a 10-day abdominal pain, loss of appetite,nausea, and.There was localized tenderness at McBurney'spoint, moderate rebound tenderness, guardingThe blood count showed leukocytosis [WBC :16800/mm3] with a shift to the left.Appendectomy was done and patient discharge after 3 days. Because fecal fistula and limited response to conservative management right hemicolectomy was done and pathology report a second appendix in iliocecal junction

Conclusion: in conclusion, appendiceal duplications are a rare finding. They may be confused with cecal diverticular disease or even colorectal cancer. The classification system of these abnormalities is important as a missed Type B appendix may result in serious clinical and medico-legal consequences. In addition, a double appendix can be associated with other congenital abnormalities. It is therefore important that trainee surgeons are aware of the anatomical anomalies and malpositions of the appendix

Water and creatinine clearance in thyrotoxicosis

In thyrotoxicosis, changes in urine output and serum creatinine [Cr] concentration has been related to increased glomerular filtration rate [GFR]. The aim of this study is to clarify the mechanism of these changes. Forty-one thyrotoxic patients, 9 male and 32 female with the age range of 16-62 years were selected and body weight, 24-h urine output, serum and urine Cr concentration, and GFR were measured in the thyrotoxic state and two months after treatment. The data was analyzed by student 't' test and paired 't' test. The following parameters were measured and are compared in thyrotoxic and euthyroid states respectively. Body weight: 58.4 +/- 10.6 Kg and 61.6 +/- 10.4 Kg after receiving anti-thyroid therapy [p<0.001]. 24-h urine output: 1430 +/- 420 ml, and 1165 +/- 450 ml [p <0.001]. Serum creatinine concentration: 0.7 +/- 0.11 mg/dl, and 0.84 +/- 0.13 mg/dl [p<0.001]. 24-h urine creatinine concentration: 906 +/- 225 mg/l and 1081 +/- 285 mg/l [p<0.001]. The change in GFR was not statistically significant, being 90.1 ml/min before therapy and 89.5 ml/min in the euthyroid state. Increased urine output and decreased serum creatinine concentration in thyrotoxicosis is not GFR related