Uro-dynamic evaluation

drsaqii1711@hotmail.com To describe the pattern of Urodynamic evaluation at Armed Forces Institute of Rehab Medicine, Rawalpindi. Descriptive study. This study was conducted on 466 patients reporting for urodynamic evaluation at Urodynamic/Incontinence Clinic at A F Institute of Rehab Medicine from Feb 2003 to Dec 2006. We considered the age, gender, etiology, reason for referral, and presenting complaints whereas results were formulated according to Classification of voiding disorders by International society of Incontinence. Data was analyzed using statistical package for Social Science version 10. In all [466] patients, 58% were males and 42% were females. Mean age was 46.8 years. Increased frequency [61%] and incontinence [52%] were the most common presenting complaints, 158[34%] had spinal cord injuries, 58 were cases of myelodysplasias and 128 reported with stress incontinence. Urodynamic studies showed that 152[33%] had hyperactive bladders, 110[24%] had a contractile/hypo-contractile bladders, 104[22%] had stress incontinence and 56[12%] cases had normal results. Urodynamics helps in diagnosis of potentially life threatening urinary problems. The availability of this equipment and trained staff must be encouraged at tertiary care hospital. More research is required in this regard in Pakistan, which shall help in formulating better management protocols in future

Role of nerve conduction study and electromyography in adult traumatic brachial plexopathy

Traumatic brachial plexopathy mostly affects young adults and has a very high rate of morbidity. The aim of this clinical survey was to highlight this problem and the diagnostic and prognostic value of electrodiagnostic procedures. Fifty adult patients with the clinically brachial plexus injury who were referred to Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine [AFIRM] Rawalpindi for nerve conduction study [NCS] and electromyography [EMG] were included in this survey. They were followed up for two years. The recovery was assessed as per Medical Research Council [MRC] scale and electrophysiologically. Traumatic plexopathy mainly affects young adult males with mean age of 24+7.26 years. The recovery was better with C5 and 6 lesions and those having neurapraxia and it was worse with avulsion injury. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography proved to be the key investigation in assessing brachial plexus injury, in regard to their localization, severity and extent. The best investigation for assessment of brachial plexus injury is Electrodiagnostic procedures