ABSTRACT
To establish the benefits of immature reticulocyte fraction [IRF] measurement using an automated hematology cells analyzer over absolute neutrophil count [ANC] in predicting bone marrow recovery post induction chemotherapy. A prospective observational study was carried out in the Departments of Pathology, Medicine, and Pediatrics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Medical Center [UKMMC], Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during a period of 19 months from April 2009 to December 2010 to assess the bone marrow recovery in patients with acute leukemia. A total of 22 patients in remission induction phases were enrolled in this study. The blood specimens were collected from day zero after chemotherapy, and every 3 days until patients recovered hematologically. All blood samples were measured for ANC and IRF using an automated hematology analyzer [Beckman-Coulter LH750]. The percentage of patients showing IRF recovery earlier than ANC recovery was 63.6% [14 out of 22 patients]. There was a significant difference in the mean number of days for IRF recovery as compared with ANC recovery [14.05 and 17.18 days], p=0.005. This study proved that IRF was more useful in predicting bone marrow recovery in a patient with acute leukemia post induction chemotherapy compared with ANC. The IRF is not affected by infection, is easily measured, and inexpensive; thus, it is a reliable parameter to evaluate bone marrow reconstitution
ABSTRACT
We report the case of a 22-year-old Saudi male patient who was treated extensively in the past with various regimens for acute promyelocytic leukaemia that was refractory to all standard treatments. He was ultimately administered Gemtuzumab to induce remission and subjected to an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. However, he developed orchitis, which has not been previously reported with this agent
ABSTRACT
To study clinical presentation of 24 Sudanese patients who had flaccid paralysis. The study was conducted in Elshaab Teaching Hospital [Sudan] in the period from January 2005 to November 2005, 24 patients were included in the study. A full detailed history and proper clinical examinations were performed by the authors. A list of investigations were done including urine, stool analysis, complete haemogram, urea and electrolytes BFFM, liver function test, Lumbar, Dorsal or Cervical MRI if needed, Brain M.R.I, nerve conduction study and C.S.F analysis. The study for viral infection revealed no evidence of circulating antibodies. Out of 24 patients 12 were males and 12 were females, fever was the commonest prodromal symptoms. Weakness of upper or lower limbs occurred either 24 or 48 hours following the prodromal symptoms. The facial nerve was the commonest cranial nerves affected. Four patients had sphincteric disturbances. Twelve patients had sensory disturbances. Two patients had respiratory muscles involvement and one patient had autonomic nervous system involvement. CNS showed an evidence of demylination in 16 patients while four had both demylination and axonal degeneration. CSF analysis revealed heigh proteins in eight patients. All patients showed remarkable improvement. This was acute paralysis which mimics G.B.S
ABSTRACT
Quadriparesis is a major disabling health problem. Its importance is due to the incapacitating disability that often persists despite treatment. The study was aimed at detecting the etiologies and clinical presentation of Sudanese patients with quadriparesis, as there was no available documented information about quadreparesis in Sudan. This is a descriptive hospital based cross-sectional study of 100 patients admitted to Elshaab Teaching Hospital [ETH] from January 2002 to October 2003, who presented with four limbs weakness. Out of 100 patients 55 were males and 45 were females. 55% were in the age group of 18-44. Patients were originally from different states and different racial groups. Weakness was the presenting complains in all patients. 75% of the patients presented with gradual onset weakness. MRI detected the lesion in all patients with cervical cord compression. Cervical cord compression, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy, motor neuron disease and muscular dystrophy constituted the etiological bulk of quadriparesis in the Sudan