Noninvasive prediction of carotid artery atherosclerosis by multiple abdominal fat indices measured via ultrasonography

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of multiple abdominal fat indices as measured via ultrasonography for predicting the presence and severity of carotid artery atherosclerosis and to compare the predictive capacity of ultrasonographic measurements to that of anthropometric measurements. @*Methods@#A total of 92 patients were included in this study. All participants underwent clinical and laboratory assessments, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Ultrasound examinations were performed to measure the values of all abdominal fat indices and the intimamedia thickness, as well as to detect the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. @*Results@#In the multivariate analysis, significant associations were detected between carotid artery atherosclerosis and posterior right perinephric fat thickness (PRPFT) (hazard ratio [HR], 15.23; P<0.001), preperitoneal fat thickness (PPFT) (HR, 4.31; P=0.003), visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT) (HR, 7.61; P<0.001), visceral fat thickness (VFT) (HR, 8.84; P<0.001), the ratio of VFT to subcutaneous fat thickness (VFT/SCFT) (HR, 9.39; P<0.001), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (HR, 2.65; P=0.046). In the multivariate analysis, significant associations were also detected between carotid artery plaque and PRPFT (HR, 7.09; P<0.001), the abdominal wall fat index (AFI) (HR, 3.58; P=0.010), and VFT/SCFT (HR, 4.17; P=0.006). @*Conclusion@#Many abdominal fat indices as measured by ultrasound were found to be strong predictors of carotid artery atherosclerosis, including PRPFT, VFT/SCFT, VFT, VAT, PPFT, and WHtR. Moreover, PRPFT, VFT/SCFT, and AFI were identified as strong predictors of the presence of carotid artery plaque.

Ultrasonography and computed tomography in patients with crystal induced arthropathy

To assess the different ultrasonography [US] and computed tomography [CT] findings in patients with crystal induced arthropathy. A total of 45 patients; 27 male and 18 female with joint effusion are enrolled in the study in the period between May 2008 to November 2012 by the cooperation of the Radiology and Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Departments, Sohag University Hospital All patients subjected to physical examination, ultrasonography; computed tomography; joint aspiration and analysis of aspirated fluid. Ages of the patients were between 40-73 years. Thirty sixth patients were proven to have crystals fluid analysis. About 90% of them diagnosed by CT and 86% diagnosed by US. Different types of calcification were found In 88% f patients. US show double contour sign in about14% of patients with MSU. Synovial hypertrophy was observed in about 28% of patients. Erosion was diagnosed better by CT than US and found in 80%." of patients. Uneven joint space was seen in 22% of patients. US and CT are very important in assessment of patients with crystal induced arthropathy

Imaging of neonatal vomiting in correlation with clinical and surgical findings

This study was conducted for-correlating the early radiological findings of different surgical causes of vomiting in the in neonates with surgical findings. From January 2009 to September 2012, 101 neonates presented with surgical cause of neonatal vomiting were referred to Diagnostic Radiology Department at Sohag University Hospitals and private sectors. Abdominal X-ray, abdominal ultrasound and Doppler and contrast imaging were done to identify the surgical causes of vomiting with clinical and surgical correlation. All cases were managed surgically by one pediatric surgeon in Pediatric Surgery Unit at Sohag University Hospitals. Patients with vomiting caused by non-surgical causes were excluded. Our study compromised 101 vomiting neonates [72 boys and 29 girls] with male sex predominance. Male to female ratio was 2.5:1. Sixty jour patients were found to have congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis [CHPS], 19 cases with jejuna-Heal atresia [JIA], 8 cases with duodenal atresia [DA], 2 cases with pyloric atresia, 2 cases with volvulus, 2 cases with complicated congenital inguinal hernias, 2 cases with congenital bands, 1 case with malrotation, and 1 case internal hernia. Radiological examinations were diagnostic in most of the cases and allied with surgical findings. Persistent vomiting in the neonatal period may the indicative of serious surgical conditions and requires neonatal and pediatric surgical involvement. Differentiating between all theses causes is difficult, it relies on good history taking and rumination and early appropriate radiological workup

Pro- brain natriuretic peptide [pro-BNP] in cirrhotic patients as a marker of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

This study was conducted to determine the significance of Pro-brain natriuretic pepitde [Pro-BNP] measurement as a marker of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in cirrhotic patients. Thirty patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled in this study. Diagnosis depended on history taking, clinical examination, laboratory testing, abdominal ultrasonography and liver biopsy when applicable. Echocardiography was done to all patients and depending on its results, patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group included 15 patients with liver cirrhosis with no cardiomyopathy and the second group included 15 patients with liver cirrhosis and cardiomyopathy proved by echocardiography. In addition to a control group consisted of 15 age and gender matched healthy individuals. Blood samples were taken for laboratory investigations other samples were taken heparinized of 2m1 to detect level of pro-BNP in blood. Pro-BNP was significantly elevated in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathic when compared with group of cirrhotic non cardiomyopathic arid with control group [p<0.01]. Also, pro-BNP is related with severity of liver cirrhosis [Significantly related with Child scoring. serum albumin, serum bilirubin]. Pro-BNP was significantly related to SWT, PWT, left atrial diameter and fractional shortening. In conclusion, markedly-elevated pro-BNP is considered a reliable marker for cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and not hyperdynamic circulation that occurs in liver cirrhosis. Upon its clinical significance SWT may be used as a marker for detection of cardiac dysfunction in advanced cirrhotic patients

Value of ST - segment elevation in predicting infarcts size and left ventricular function at discharge in patients with perfused acute anterior myocardial infarction

The electrocardiogram [ECG] is simple and non-invasive and can be recorded at bed side, its role in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction [AMI] is well established. We are aiming through this study to assess the predictive value of ST segment elevation pattern in reperfused anterior myocardial infarction as an index of infarct size and left ventricular function [LVF]. The study was conducted on 40 patients who were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the National Heart Institute between October 2000 and may 2001 with the diagnosis of first time acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. All patients included in the study were submitted to: Full history taking and clinical examination, laboratory investigation including: Serum cardiac enzymes CPK, LDH on admission, at 6 hour intervals for the first day and then daily until discharge, standard resting 12 electrocardiogram A 12 lead ECG was recorded immediately before reperfusion. Evaluation and classified the shape of ST elevation in V3 into 3 types: Concave type: ST-T segment rise with downward convexity group I, 2] straight type: ST-T segment raised obliquely like an inclined plane group II and convex type: ST-T segment rise with upward convexity Left ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography: The left ventricle was divided into segments wall motion score is assigned [or each segment. Left sided cardiac catheterization with coronary angiography was performed to all patients within 2 weeks after the onset of infarction coronary artery patency was determined by TIMI grade 2,3. The grade of collateral filling in the LAD was evaluated according to the criteria of Rentrop et al. [no 0, visible filling of any collateral channel; 1] filling only of side branches without visualization of the epicardial segment; 2] partial filling of the epicardial segment; 3] complete filling of the epicardial segment, a good collateral channel was defined as grade 2,3 and poor collateral channel as grade 0 or 1. There was no significant difference in the smoking between the 3 groups regarding smoking, hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and dyslipidemia. The infarct related artery [IRA] was the left anterior descending in 4.0 patient [100 percent of cases]

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I in a brother and sister

Familial cases of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia are extremely rare. Described are a brother and sister with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I. Both had a history of neonatal jaundice, moderate anemia and hepatosplenomegaly. They were blood transfusion independent