ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis of the brain and spine is a very severe disease and causes increased rate of mortality and morbidity. Its diagnosis is a challenge for physicians worldwide. Patients of different age groups and having varied socio-economic status suffer from neurotuberculosis which need to be evaluated successfully to help the physician with further management of the condition. Aim: To estimate role of CT scan and MRI in diagnosis of tuberculosis of brain and spine. Material and methods: Patients referred to the Radiology Department with any kind of neurological symptoms, coincidental finding of neurotuberculosis or even those with already diagnosed cases of neurotuberculosis which needed follow up radiological investigations were evaluated with either CT or MRI or sometimes both (These were performed on 1.5 T Philips MRI and Seimens 16 Slice MDCT machine). Results: Patients with intracranial tuberculosis mainly presented with tuberculous meningitis and tuberculomas. Most patients suffering from spinal infection presented with Pott’s spine. Most of the lesions were paradiscal with involvement of the articular discs. MRI is more sensitive than CT scan in the diagnosis of intracranial tuberculosis. MRI is also very sensitive in the diagnosis of intracranial. tuberculosis as compared to CT. CT had no significant role in the diagnosis of Spinal tuberculosis. Hence, MRI is the preferred choice of investigation while evaluating neurotuberculosis.
ABSTRACT
Background: Fetal arterial and venous doppler studies help in identification of the foetuses at risk for perinatal complications and may help in prediction of the fetal acid base status or neonatal complications. Aim: To estimate various color doppler indices in low and high risk preterm pregnancies. Material and methods: Study comprised of 60 patients which was an observational,descriptive hospital based study. The study was divided into 2 groups: High risk group (n=30) and Low risk group (n=30). Color doppler scanners (Philips envisor HD7, HD9 and GE logic P5 ultrasound machine), wasused with 3.5 Mhz curvilinear array and following Doppler Velocimetry were assessed- Uterine artery, Umbilical artery, Middle cerebral artery, Umbilical vein, Uterine vein and Ductus Venosus. Results: Gestational age (in weeks)at examination was (31.89+2.69) in low rsk group as compared to (29.25+1.96) in high risk group. Gestational age (in weeks) at delivery was (36.2+1.78) in low risk group as compared to (29.83+1.86) in high risk group. In low risk group uterine artery doppler show decrease in PI, RI and S/D ratio with increasing gestation as compared to increasing PI,RI and S/ratio were seen (p<0.001). Conclusion: Doppler investigation of the fetal circulation play an important role in monitoring high risk pregnancies and thereby help to determine optimal time for delivery. Hence, the use of doppler provides information that is not readily obtained from more conventional test for fetal wellbeing. Therefore it has a role to play in management of high risk pregnancies.