Fetal echocardiography service in Qatar: establishment, challenges and outcome

A prospective observational study at the newly established Fetal Medicine Unit Hamad Hospital, Qatar, evaluated the impact of the service on the detection rate of critical congenital heart defects, patterns of referral and subsequent yield for structural congenital heart disease in a population with a significant proportion of high risk factors. Of 391 pregnant females examined between January 2003 and December 2004, 58 [14.8 percent] had fetal cardiac abnormalities of which 23 [5.8 percent of total referrals] had major structural malformations of the heart. Cases of fetal congenital heart disease had further evaluation using real time three-dimensional echocardiography [RT3DE] which is new equipment in the paediatric cardiology department. All cases with cardiac defects whether minor or major had follow up fetal echocardiography. Neonatal echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis in all cases with major defects [100 percent specificity]. False positive cases that were found to be normal post natal were 1 percent of the total cases referred [12 percent of cases with congenital malformation]. False negative cases were 1 percent and all had a small ventricular septal defect [VSD] except for one Down's syndrome with a very large VSD. Three patients needed urgent Caesarean section [CS] deliveries, one with complete heart block [HB] and two with supraventricular tachycardia [SVT]. One patient traveled abroad as the fetus had left isomerism and major cardiac defects and complete HB. Fifteen newborns had to receive prostaglandin based on the fetal diagnosis before being seen by paediatric cardiologists. There was no termination of pregnancy due to major cardiac defects even in cases of HLHS. The preliminary results of this clinic are very satisfactory and have affected favorably the outcome of the new-borns with congenital heart defects. It is hoped that the results of this study will encourage more referrals to the FMU

External dacryocystorhinostomy versus endoscopic non-laser dacryocycstorhinostomy " A comparative study"

A retrospective study to compare outcomes after external dacryocystorhinostomy [Ex-DCR] and transnasal endoscopic assisted nonlaser dacryocystorhinostomy [End-DCR]. A total of 214 Ex-DCR performed to 208 operated from the 1996 to 2002 and a total 118 End-DCR of 116 patients were reviewed. The follow up period was at least One year. techniques were performed in each group. Patency of the drainage system was assessed by history and irrigation. A full success was in 86% of Ex-DCR group and 77.1% among End-DCR group by techniques. The operating time, difficulties, postoperative recovery time and complications were compared. The Ex-DCR has a higher success rate compared to the End-D CR. However, End-DCR has a shorter operative time, no external scar es. and more suitable for recurrent cases

Recent situation of pigeon paramyxo-virus infection in pigeons in Egypt

47 pigeon lofts at different localities in Sharqia, Daqahlia and Giza were investigated for causes of nervous manifestations. Morbidity and mortality rates ranged from 15 to 80% and 10 to 65%, respectively. Paramyxovirus could be isolated from 24 cases; 14 of them were more related to pigeon paramyxovirus-1 [PPMV-1] using cross hemagglutination inhibition test and 3 more related to Montana strain of Newcastle disease virus [NDV]. Three were similarly related to both PPMV-1 and [NDV] and the last 4 less related to both PPMV-1 and Montana. The isolates showed antigenic similarity to each other and to the reference PPMV-1. On the other h and, they showed marked diversity from the Montana strain [NDV]. High percentage [88.7%] of the sera tested from the above mentioned flocks had HI antibodies against both NDV [Montana] and PPMV-1

Pathogenicity of recent isolates of pigeon paramyxo virus in pigeons in Egypt

Ninety two-month old pigeons were divided into six groups to study the pathogenicity of five PPMV-1 isolates with a control non-infected group. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups for intravenous, intranasal and contact infection. Clinical signs, morbidity, mortality and postmortem lesions are presented. Reisolation, seroconversion and histopathological changes are Discussed