ABSTRACT
Objective: to determine the frequency of pneumothorax following ultrasound guided thoracentesis in our department and its association with gauge of needle in causation of pneumothorax
Methadology: this is descriptive cross sectional study conducted at the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shifa International Hospital [SIH], Islamabad from January 2010 to April, 2012. A total of 359 ultrasound guided thoracentesis were performed followed by a chest radiograph between January 2010 and April, 2012 fulfilling the inclusion criteria. All procedures were performed by radiology consultants and residents. Generally 18 and 16 G cannulas were used. A few were done with 16 and 18 G spinal needle and 21G syringe needle. Relevant data was collected from hospital data base system on the performa and was analyzed for demographic variables, frequency of pneumothorax, and its association with operator's experience [residents or consultants] and gauge of needle by applying chi square test. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant
Results: 309 patients had thoracocentesis while performed by residents and 50 by consultants. Pneumothorax occurred in 22 of these 359 cases with an overall frequency of 6%. In 219 patients 18 G cannula was used and 8 of these developed pneumothorax [3.6%]. In 94 patients 16 G cannula was used. Pneumothorax occurred in 11 [11.6%]. Statistical analysis confirmed that the frequency of pneumothorax was significantly increased following use of 16G as compared to 18G [p=0.02]
Conclusion: the frequency of pneumothorax following ultrasound guided thoracentesis increases significantly with use of 16G as compared to 18G [p=0.02]
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of an economically-important class of mycotoxins, the aflatoxins [AFs] in Pakistani Brown Rice. A total of 262 of brown rice samples were collected from different vendors during July 2006 to June 2011. Samples were analyzed for the occurrence of aflatoxin B[1] [AFB[1]], B[2] [AFB[2]], G[1] [AFG[1]] and G[2] [AFG[2]] by thin layer chromatography [TLC] technique. AFB[1] was detected in 250 [95.4%] samples, whereas AFB[2] was detected in 20 [7.6%] samples. Furthermore, AFG1 and AFG2 were not found in any sample. The contamination range of AFB[1] and AFB[2] was found 1.07-24.65 micro g/kg and 0.52-2.62 micro g/kg, respectively. Total AFs were quantified in 250 [95.4%] samples with an average of 3.89 micro g/kg and contamination range was noted to be between 1.07-27.27 micro g/kg. The overall results indicated that in 12 [4.6%] samples, AFs were not found within detectable limits. Furthermore, in 188 [71.7%] samples, AFs level was found below than maximum tolerated levels [MTL] as recommended by the European Union [4 micro g/kg]. Moreover, in 61 [23.3%] samples, AFs range was found between 4-20 micro g/kg, which were fit for human consumption as per MTL [20 micro g/kg] assigned by USA [FDA and FAO] and Pakistan [PSQCA]. While only one sample [27.27 micro g/kg] exceeded the above mention regulation limits. Low level of AFs occurs frequently in brown rice, and can be improved using proper harvesting practices, storage and transportation conditions. The small quantities of AFs warrant performing further investigation, monitoring and routine analysis on regular basis