Follow-up of the effects of splenic irradiation on some splenic and peripheral blood cells measurements: a contreolled study in patients with hypersplenism secondary to periportal fibrosis

Nineteen patients with hypersplenism secondary to compensated periportal fibrosis [ten patients received splenic irradiation [SI], group 1 and nine patients on supportive therapy [ST] group 2]] were included in this study. The follow up period was 9-18 months in group 1 and 4-6 months in group 2. SI course was administrated twice weekly for three weeks to a total dose of 9 Gy. Initial and follow up blood counts and peripheral hemogram including red cell and platelet indices were measured in each visit; while, spleen size, splenic vein diameter were measured by duplex Doppler ultrasound initially and after three and six months. The study concluded that SI is a promising new low toxic type of treatment for patients with hypersplenism. Dose and schedule of SI should be modified according to the patients clinical condition. Changes in splenic vein diameter are correlated with the degree of platelet and red cell turnover. Its predictive value for hypersplenism should be studied

Acidaemia, hypokalaemia and electrocardiographic changes after unmodified electroconvulsive therapy [ect]

Twenty-eight [fourteen males and fourteen females] psychiatric patients [sixteen had mood disorders, either unipolar or bipolar disorder and twelve patients had schizophrenic disorders] were studied for the effects of ECT on their electrolytes, acid-base state and on electrocardiogram [ECG]. Significant increases in both systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] were noted in both first and last ECT sessions [ECT-S]. T wave duration decreased significantly in the first ECT-S only [0.624 +/- 0.204 vs 0.696. Correlations were done between changes in items and changes in electrolytes and acid-base state. Patient's acid-base status and blood electrolytes should be routinely measured together with a follow up ECG after ECT-S, especially in the elderly and in patients with cardiovascular [CV] disease. Unmodified ECT should not be used anymore in psychiatric practice except with appropriate precautions in non- risky patients

Hyperuricaemia: an additional metabolic abnormality for astherosclerosis in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients

Serum uric acid [SUA] was studied in 50 non-insulin-dependent diabetic [NIDD] patients complicated with coronary heart disease [CHD], hypertension and/or diabetic foot. Other risk factors were studied e.g. Kidney functions, lipogram, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc] as well as Doppler studies for foot vasculature. SUA was significantly high in all diabetic patients. Also, a significant increase in HbAlc in all diabetic groups was observed. No correlation between SUA and HbAlc level was found. No significant correlation could be detected between SUA levels and either CHD, blood pressure or peripheral arterial disease in various groups of patients. SUA appears to be higher in diabetic patients with various types of vascular complications but no significant correlation was observed between its level and vascular complications