Pleural effusion in Nejef, a prospective study of 30 cases

The causes of pleural effusion were studied in thirty consecutive patients by clinical examination and laboratory tests. The three most common causes were found to be tuberculosis [12 cases], malignancy [5 cases], bacterial infection [4 cases], while the cause was not found in 4 cases. The various causes and usefulness of different investigations are discussed

Can Iraqi patients use metered dose inhaler correctly?

The technique of self-administering metered dose inhaler [MDI] was assessed in 50 previously treated patients attending for the first time to Saddam Teaching Hospital consultation clinic. In only 11 patients [22%] was inhaler technique adequate. Of those patients with an adequate technique, nine [82%] have been taught how to use the inhaler by the prescribing doctor, whereas of those 39 patients with an inadequate technique only 10 [26%] had received instructions [p<0.001]. Where technique was regularly checked by a consultant or general Practitioner, it was adequate in 7 out of 18 patients [39%] whereas in the remaining 32 patients where no checking occurred it was adequate in only 4 [12.5][p<0.05]. Competence of inhaler technique was not related to age, sex, underlying diagnosis, smoking habit or duration of MDI therapy

Effect of metabolic control on serum lipids in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Changes in serum lipids, as modulated by metabolic control, in non- insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were studied in 51 patients [17 males and 34 famales]. The results were compared to those obtained from a group of 34 healthy non-diabetic controls of matching age and sex. There is a significant difference in the level of serum lipids between the diabetics and non- diabetics. However no effect of the degree of metabolic control on these changes appears to exist in the present study. possible mechanisum underlying these changes are presented

comparative study of the incidence of arrhythmias during fiberoptic bronchoscopy and gastroscopy

Electrocardio graphic monitoring of 50 consecutive patients undergoing fibreoptic gastroscopy and 15 consecutive patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy for various reasons revealed that arrhythmias during these procedures were common. The arrhythmias tended to occur more frequently in the bronchoscopy group [40%] compared to gastroscopy group [16%] [P < 0.05]. The commonest electrocardiographic abnormalities were ventricular premature contraction present in 4 patients in the gastroscopy group and 3 Patients in the bronchoscopy group

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy in diagnosis of pulmonary abnormalities

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy under local anaesthesia was carried out on 67 patients with various clinical and radiological pulmonary abnormalities. The procedure was easy, safe and clarified the diagnosis in all cases. Bronchoscopic appearance suggestive of endobronchial malignancy was the commonest finding in 33 [49.4%] patients, 4 females and 29 males [1 :7.25]. The biopsy verified the various histological types. It is recommended that the procedure should be used on a wider scale and early in patients with different respiratory problems

Recent advances in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is characterized by hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity of bronchi to specific and non specific factors. The cause of this bronchial hyperreactivity is still not clear. However, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of some of the basic biochemical, immunological and physiological processes of this disease. In this article a review concerning the most recent understanding in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma is presented