Laser hyperthermia for treatment of implanted malignant tumour in mice

Different modalities could be used for treatment of recurrent and non-resectable malignant tumours. Laser hyperthermia [HPT] is a loco-regional ablative technique that could be applied by surface or interstitial approach. The present study evaluates both approaches of laser HPT using Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet [Nd:YAG] laser [1064nm] for treatment of subcutaneously implanted malignant tumour in mice. Seventy-five Swiss albino female mice were included in the present study. Each animal was injected subcutaneously at its dorsum with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. Tumours developed 6-8 days after injection. All mice were randomly divided into three equal groups. Tumours at group [A], had received no treatment and served as a control group. Tumours at group [B], were treated by surface approach of laser HPT, whereas, tumours at group [C], were treated by interstitial approach of laser HPT. The results were grossly and histo-pathologically evaluated. Both approaches of laser HPT, at the same temperature, had proven favorable responses as denoted by the statistical significant changes at tumours' volumes in both groups [B and C] in relation to the control group [A] at the 7[th] and 14[th] days after treatment. Grossly, false deep ulcers after interstitial approach of laser HPT, while large ulcers after surface approach of laser HPT were elicited. The enlightenment of active tumour re-growth was supported by the histopathological findings. Within the limitation of the present study, laser HPT has proven to be an effective, palliative, minimally invasive, loco-regional modality for treatment of subcutaneous malignant tumours. The favorable results at the present study encourage for refinement of laser HPT technique preliminary to its proposed application in humans, especially for those patients with skin metastases when multiplicity of the lesions and/or the debilitating general condition of the patients may interfere with tumours' excisions

Zinc variation during liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in schistosomiasis [experimental study]

This study aimed to estimate the serum level and hepatic content of zinc in experimental schistosomiasis as well as their alteration during liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy. The included animals were divided into two groups, schistosomal [40 hamsters] and non-schistosomal [33 hamsters]. The hamsters, either infested or not, were subjected to 35% partial hepatectomy [left lateral lobe hepatectomy]. Scarification of animals, collection of blood samples and regenerating liver tissue were done at two days, one, two and three weeks after hepatectomy. The serum level and hepatic content of zinc were estimated biochemically. The rate of hepatic regeneration was studied by histopathological examination and measurement of DNA content in the liver remnant. Hypozincemia with decreased hepatic zinc content was reported in schistosomal group preoperatively. Their DNA content [175.8 ug/g] had significant lower level when compared with the non-schistosomal group [335.75 ug/g]. During liver regeneration, serum zinc declined sharply; however the highest hepatic concentration and peaked DNA content were recorded in the first 48 hours following partial hepatectomy in schistosomal group. The mean liver weight reached a maximum of only 72.3% of its preoperative weight

Biochemical assessment of liver cell regeneration in normal versus bilharzial livers after partial hepatectomy

The liver exhibits a remarkable regenerative capacity after major resection provided it is normal. It is commonly assumed that a normal liver tolerates 70-80% resection safely. On the other hand, the capacity for regeneration after partial hepatectomy in chronic liver disease such as produced by schistosomiasis mansoni, is still unknown. The aim of this work is to assess DNA, thymidine kinase activity and liver function tests after partial hepatectomy in normal hamsters compared to those infected with schistosoma mansoni, this is to show the effect of schistosomal infestation on the regenerative ability of the liver. In the bilharzial groups there was a significant increase in the liver DNA level [P<0.005]. In the nonbilharzial group there was a highly significant increase in the liver DNA level [P<0.005]. In the bilharzial groups there was a significant increase in the liver thymidine kinase activity [P<0.005], in the non-bilharzial group there was a highly significant increase in the liver thymidine kinase activity [P<0.005]. In the bilharzial group there was a marked rise in the serum enzyme during the first three days after partial hepatectomy [P<0.005] and still high even after three weeks. In the non-bilharzial group there was a significant rise in time AST observed during the first three days after surgery [P<0.005] and returned to the preoperative mean value by the second post-operative week. .in the bilharzial group, total proteins showed a significant decrease [P<0.05] in relation to the pre-operative baseline value, and still after three weeks post-heptectomy [P<0.005] didn't recover to the pre-operative mean value. In the bilirarzial group there was a significant rise in sermon total bilirubin during the first three days after partial hepatectomy [P<0.005] which continued up to the third week post hepatectomy. In th non-bilirarzial group there was a significant increase observed up to three days after the operation [P<0.005] and started to drop after the first week posthepatectomy. The bilharzial group showed a significant rise in Serun Alkaline Phosphatase [P<0.05] during the first three days after the operation and returned to the baseline value after the first week after the operation. The non bilharzial group didn't show any changes throughout the whole periods after the operation

Distal splenorenal shunt. reassessment of rationale from Egyptian perspective

Selective distal splenorenal shunt [DSRS] occupied an important role in the management of bleeding esophageal varices. This role, however, has been challenged by the introduction of new therapies over the past two decades. This encouraged us to reassess our experience with DSRS in order to evaluate its role in the management of portal hypertension at the present time. The results presented in this paper as well as the reported results of the new modalities support the important role of DSRS in the management of variceal bleeding in appropriately selected Egyptian patients

Serum bile acids in portal hypertension part I: the effects of the distal splenorenal shunt and splenectomy-devascularisation operation on the levels of serum bile acids

Twenty patients with child group A portal hypertension were subjected to Warren's distal splenorenal shunt [10 patients] and splenectomy- devascularization operation [10 patients]. Serum bile acids were studied preoperatively, one week and one month after each procedure. Both procedures led to the rise of serum bile acids, though more significant with the later. Such observation has a predictive value as it is known that the rise in serum bile acids precedes the impairment of the other routine liver function tests which showed less significant concomitant variation during the period of the study. Long term follow up is needed for confirmation

Serum bile acids in portal hypertension part II: the pattern of serum bile acids in patients with portal hypertension

Serum bile acids were studied in 35 patients with portal hypertension [11 patients of child group A, 16 patients of child group B and 8 patients of child group C], as well as in 8 normal controls. A statistically significant difference in serum bile acids was detected in each child's group. Analysis of variance between the control group, on the one hand, and the three child's groups, on the other, revealed statistically significant variance. Serum bile acids is a sensitive liver function test that rises with rise in child's grade of portal hypertension and exhibits prognostic significance. The routine liver function tests showed lesser significant variation with the progression of portal hypertension

study of some metabolic and hemodynamic changes following distal splenorenal shunt [warren] and splenectomy-vasoligation

Thirty cases of portal hypertension with bleeding esophageal varices were presented in this study. Twenty patients were subjected to splenectomy vasoligation and ten patients were subjected to warren's distal splenorenal shunt.Hemodynamic and metabolic aspects were studied in relation to both procedures

Early changes in the doppler findings after sympathectomy

This study was made taking advantage of the data obtained by the Doppler ultrasound in evaluating sympathectomy operation. These Doppler ultrasound tests were performed on patients before the operation and 10 days after it. Most of our patients showed an increased segmental systolic blood pressures after sympathectomy operation and such an increase was more marked preximally than distally especially in the lower limb. All the parameters showed significant change except the ankle/ brachial index; the more proximal the more was the significant change. From the clinical point of view, most of the patients showed improvement of rest pain and better healing of ulcers in their extremities