Antiphospholipid thrombosis syndrome with massive pulmonary embolism

The antiphospholipid thrombosis syndrome is a thrombotic disorder, which can occur in a primary form or more classically in systemic lupus erythromatosus. We describe for the first time in Jordan a young patient with a complete thrombosis of the right pulmonary artery, a raised serum IgG anticardiolipin antibody and a positive lupus anticoagulant. An invasive approach of management will be discussed. The importance of screening for the APL antibodies in patients with thrombotic episode is discussed

Endobroncheal hydatid cyst: Analysis of cases diagnosed at King Hussein Medical center over five years

Hydatid disease is a relatively common disease in the Middle East with variable prevalence rates among different countries. Lung involvement is a common site and patients may present with different clinical pictures. Serological tests may help to confirm the diagnosis but a negative serology does not necessarily exclude the diagnosis of cystic hydatid disease. Endobroncheal hydatid cyst [a hydatid membrane which can be seen endobroncheally via a fiberoptic bronchoscope] is a relatively rare clinical finding in pulmonary hydatid disease. We describe four cases of this clinical entity that were diagnosed at the bronchoscopy unit at King Hussein Medical Center over a five years period

Thyroiditis in a Jordanian cohort with goitre: results of fine needle thyroid aspirate

To determine the prevalence of cytologically proven thyroiditis among patients with goiter referred to Endocrine clinic at King Hussein Medical Center using fine needle thyroid aspirate and to assess thyroid status among those patients. Case study of patients who underwent fine needle aspirate thyroid biopsy for different types of goiter from January 1995 to June 2004 was conducted. Fine needle aspirate thyroid biopsy was taken using a 20cc syringe on a pistol gun apparatus under aseptic technique. All reports including the diagnoses of thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis [Hashimoto's thyroiditis], lymphocytic thyroiditis, and focal thyroiditis were included. Thyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies were also reported in some patients. A total of 1934 patients underwent fine needle aspirate thyroid biopsy during the study period, 279 cases were excluded because of inadequacy of the sample, missing reports and repeated sample in some patients with the same diagnosis. Those actually included in the study were 1655 [females 1475, males 180, male: female ratio was 8:1]. Thyroiditis was reported in 323 patients [females 93.5%], giving a total prevalence of 19.5%; 11.7% for males and 20.5% for females. Hashimoto, lymphocytic and unclassified thyroiditis were found in 66.25%, 22.6% and 8.6% of the patients respectively. Hashimoto' and lymphocytic thyroiditis are the commonest causes of thyroiditis in Jordanian patients with goiter, females being affected more commonly than males. Fine needle aspirate thyroid biopsy of thyroid gland is an important tool of investigation for thyroid disorders in general and thyroiditis in patients with goiter. Long term follow up of patients with thyroiditis should be adopted