MRCP as compared to ERCP in patients with obstructive jaundice

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography MRCP was performed in 300 consecutive patients with clinical diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. These patients were divided into three groups. Group one included 120 patients in whom ERCP was performed within 72 hours prior or after MRCP. Group two included 20 patients in whom ERCP was failed [12 patients] and patients refused the procedure [8 patients]. Group three included 160 patients in whom MRCP was done as the primary diagnostic modality. Ultrasonography was done in conjunction with MRCP in all groups. The results of MRCP matched that of ERCP as regards to the determination of presence or absence of obstruction and its level. ERCP has a major advantage of its ability to perform a therapeutic drainage procedure simultaneously with imaging which was not possible with MRCP

Correlation between serum levels of triiodothyronine [T[3]] and thyroxin [T[4]] and severity of clinical manifestations of uncontrolled thyrotoxicosis

The present study was carried out on 30 patients with uncontrolled thyrotoxicosis. Twenty seven patients [90%] were female and three [10%] were male. Their ages ranged between 17 and 56 years with a mean age of 36.6 years. Results revealed a significant correlation between the mean serum level of total triiodothyronine [TT3] and some, but not all, symptoms and signs of thyrotoxicosis. No significant correlation was found with respect to total thyroxin [TT4] level. A significant direct positive correlation was found between Wayne's score and the serum levels TT3 and TT4 [p<0,05]. An inverse relationship existed between serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and those of TT3 and TT4 [p<0.05]. Fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] was not conclusive in pre-operative diagnosis of the disease as compared to post-operative paraffin section biopsies

Comparative study of hematological and immunological responses to splentectomy versus splenic autotransplantation in patients with traumatic rupture of the spleen

The present study was carried out on 20 male patients admitted to the Main Alexandria University Hospital with traumatic rupture of the spleen. Group 1 patients [n=10] were subjected to total splenectomy with intraperitoneal splenic tissue autotransplantation via an omental pouch, while group 2 patients [n=10] were subjected to total splenectomy alone and served as controls. Both groups were compared, utilizing hematological and immunological parameters measured preoperatively and 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively, in order to assess function of the splenic implants. Results revealed partial restoration of splenic function as reflected by a statististically significant reduction [P<0.05] of the mean percentage of vaculated RBCs at 8 weeks postoperatively as compared to controls and significant increase of serum IgM levels at 8 weeks postoperatively as compared to their level at 4 weeks. Based on these data, it may be concluded that whenever total splenectomy is unavoidable following trauma, intraperitoneal autotransplantation of splenic tissue restores, at least partially, splenic function, particularly its role as a blood filter