Comparison between cobalt-chromium and dental d-acetal resin clasps [in vitro study]

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare between the mechanical properties of Cobalt-chromium alloy and Acetal resin clasps. Tensile strength and transverse strength tests were performed on 10 specimens from each material using computerized testing system model LRX plus. The Vicker's hardness test was also performed following embedding the fractured transverse specimens in epoxy resin. The results revealed statistically significant differences in ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation, and modulus of elasticity between the tested specimens. The Dental D-Acetal resin group showed higher value than the other metallic group as regards the transverse strength and Vicker's hardness. Dental D Acetal resin is highly versatile material that can be used to replace cobalt-chromium clasps because of its superior aesthetic, physico-mechanical, and biocompatible properties

Neuroradiological correlative study of pateints with transient ischemic attacks [TIAs] with special emphasis on the role of MRA

Accurate evaluation of the intracerebral vasculature is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment of many neurological disorders including TIAs. Vascular anatomy of brain can be assessed by many modalities including: Direct angiography, MRA, CT angiography and transcranial sonography. This study aimed to compare the validity and clinical matching of the different radiological and para-radiological modalities of examination in the evaluation of the cause of TlAs, with special interest to evaluate MRA and relation of TIAs to congenital vascular anomalies. 28 patients presented recently with TIAs were the subject of this study. Conventional CT of the brain, MRI brain, MRA brain and neck were performed to all patients while Duplex Doppler study of neck vessels was performed in 20/28 patients. MRA Brain showed positive findings in 20/28 patients while MRA neck showed positive results in 8 patients and both were negative in 2 patients [either one or both were positive in 26 patients] and they match clinical presentation in 20/28 of the patients and mismatch the clinical diagnosis in 8/28 of patients. combined MRA and MRI studies for the patients increase the diagnostic accuracy to 79% . .MRA neck showed 100% matching with D. Doppler examination of the neck vessels. MRI diagnosed 12/28 patients while CT diagnosed only 6/28 patients. Congenital anomalies of brain vessels occurred in 13/28 patients. The most common anomaly was absent Al segment in 28% of patients followed by absent P1 segment in 11% of patients. MRA missed the diagnosis in 2/28 patients while MRI proved it. Vertigo was a deceiving symptom, with the least accuracy and matching with all modalities of examination. MRA is the technique of choice to evaluate brain vascularity [accurate, safe, no contrast medium and no Ionizing radiation] with high accuracy and matching with clinical presentation. There is direct relation between the incidence of TIAs and congenital anomalies of the brain. MRI examination is very helpful in few patients while conventional CT can be replaced by MRI as it adds nothing and miss the diagnosis in many patients. Duplex Doppler study of neck vessels can replace MRA neck. We recommend the following scheme for evaluation of patients with TIAs :1. MRI brain, 2. MRA brain, 3. D.Doppler neck vessels

Role of MRI in differentiation between spinal arachnoid and synovial cysts

The current study was conducted upon 121 patients referred from the neurologists and neurosurgeons to the radiology departments[Alex. University Hospital and to private centers in Alexandria and Jeddah during the period Jan.1998 to Jan.2000] presenting with radiculopathy at different levels. MRI examinations were performed to such patients using the Siemens Vision 1.5 tesla in sagittal and coronal planes, T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained. Cystic lesions on the spine were identified in seven patients. Five of those patients were diagnosed as arachnoid cysts. The remaining two patients were diagnosed as synovial cysts. MRI has been proved to be an effective,accurate and non-invasive modality in diagnosing and differentiating spinal arachnoid and synovial cysts

use of laparoscopy in the management of right iliac fossa pain in women of reproductive age

Laparoscopy has been performed in 38 women presenting with pain in right iliac fossa, but clinical findings were insufficient to establish a definite diagnosis. At laparoscopy, the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made in 14 patients, gynecological pathology in 18 patients, and 6 women were judged to have no pathologic abnormalities. In conclusion, laparoscopy is safe and useful adjunct in diagnosis and management of women with pain in right iliac fossa of uncertain origin. In addition, it will spare a significant number of patients with the need for laparotomy

Echo fallacies in the diagnosis of premature cervical dilatation

Antenatal ultrasonography is an accepted method of evaluating the cervix and lower uterine segment. The potential for overdiagnosis of premature cervical dilatation has not been previously emphasized. This study was performed on 18 cases to demonstrate the potential pitfall due to lower uterine segment contractions, and how it can result in an appearance that falsely simulate preterm cervical dilatation. Ultrasonographic features typical of pseudodilatation were described

Study of the effect of the anticonvulsants, diazepam and magnesium sulfate, on the electronic fetal heart rate monitoring and the neonate

This study included 32 patients. Twenty of them were in active labor with mild hypertension. Each one was given 10 mg diazepam IV to relieve her anxiety. The other twelve patients had severe pregnancy hypertension and significant albuminuria. Each patient of the latter group was given magnesium sulfate [4 gm IV and 10 gm IM] to prevent convulsions. Electronic fetal heart rate [F.H.R.] monitoring was done for all cases before and after drug administration. Both drugs had insignificant reducing effect on baseline FHR. Diazepam produced a significant reduction of both the long and short term variability while the effect of Mg sulfate on both of them was insignificant. Diminished or disappearance of the normally occurring accelerations with uterine contractions, occurred in 70% of the diazepam group and in 50% in the Mg sulfate group, while 25% of both groups did not show any change. Most of the above changes worn off one hour after injection of the drugs in about half of the affected cases. The mode of delivery and the appeared neonatal complications were mostly related to the clinical condition of the patient rather than to the effect of the drugs used

clinical approach to dyspareunia: a study of 104 cases

Out of 1700 out-patient cases studied, 104 presented with, dyspareunia, an incidence of 6.1%. Fourteen cases presented only with dyspareunia, while 17 patients complained also from one further complaint. Thirty four patients had two further complaints, while 34 patients had three further complaints. The additional symptoms were more common in cases with deep dyspareunia. Cases with both superficial and deep dyspareunia had no further additional complaint. The organic causes of dyspareunia were far more common than the functional causes [86.5% and 13.5% respectively]. This had thrown light to the importance of the prophylaxis and several important points had been suggested