Role of percutaneous microwave ablation in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with an annual occurrence of one million new cases. An etiologic association between HBV infection and the development of HCC has been established. Hepatitis C virus is also proving an important predisposing factor for this malignancy, the use of minimally invasive Percutaneous ablative technique [e.g. Radiofrequency [RF] and Microwave ablation [MW] has gained great momentum and because of the drawbacks of RF ablation, several groups have successfully proved the efficacious nature of Microwave ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this work is to highlight the role, the principles and the applications of percutaneous Microwave Ablation in Hepatocellular carcinoma. The studied group included 30 patients [25 men and 5 women] with hepatocellular carcinoma. All patients underwent microwave ablation for the hepatocellular carcinoma. The results of the procedures will be assessed as regarding sizeand enhancement of the lesion [s] on triphasic CT abdomen before the procedure and at the follow up at one month as well as the Alpha fetoprotein levels. MWA technique represents a safe, fast and efficacious way to perform hepatic ablation in patients with HCC. Initial results are encouraging; however, longer follow-up is needed for further classification of our results

Role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis of congenital thoracic vascular anomalies

Congenital vascular anomalies of the thorax represent an important group of entities that can occur either in isolation or in association with different forms of congenital heart diseases. CT scan is a non invasive and rapid technique used for evaluation of the pediatric vascular disease as an alternative to conventional angiography. To assess the role of MDCT scan in evaluation and its ability to diagnose congenital thoracic vascular anomalies as well as to recognize these anomalies early for proper treatment and post operative follow up. The studied group included 80 patients, who underwent MDCT angiography and had diagnosed of congenital thoracic vascular anomalies, post operative follow up or asymptomatic [incidentally discovered] were included in this study. CT angiography can diagnosis about 13% [n=6] of cases not seen very well by echocardiography [inconclusive] and 26% [n=12] of cases appear as different findings by CT scan than echocardiography. Three dimensions [3D] images allow excellent display of vascular anomalies that can be used as a vascular road map by surgeons. MDCT provides reliable diagnostic information on the normal anatomy of the aorta, pulmonary and vena cava as well as congenital anomalies in pediatric and adult patients. MPR and 3D VR images have increased the diagnostic value of CT. Furthermore, coronal and sagittal views of the vessels facilitate the orientation of a surgeon, and thus aid in planning surgery

Role of multidetector computerized tomography in coronary in-stent restenosis

We described the role of multi detector computerized tomography in the detection and exclusion of coronary in-stent re-stenosis compared with the conventional coronary angiography. 30 patients pretreated with coronary stenting and complaining of angina like symptoms underwent dual source coronary angiography one day before performing conventional coronary angiography. 47 stents were examined 43 of them were assessable by DSCT-CA and the calculated sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and overall accuracy of all assessable stents were 100%, 90%, 100%, 81% and 93%, respectively. When analyzing the results for stents

Prevalence of renal anomalies in children with auricular malformations among attendance of genetics clinic in Ain Shams University

Although many pediatricians pursue renal ultrasonography when patients are noted to have external ear malformations, there is much confusion over which specific ear malformations do and do not require imaging. The objective of this study was to delineate characteristics of a child with external ear malformations that suggest a greater risk of renal anomalies. We highlight several multiple congenital anomaly [MCA] syndromes that should be considered in a patient who has both ear and renal anomalies. From September 2004 to April 2006, 50 patients with external ear anomalies [preauricular pits and tags, low set ears, microtia, anotia, cup, phone, bat, and other forms of dysplastic ears] were consecutively recruited from the Genetics and Outpatient Clinic of Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound was done to each patient to screen for any renal anomaly. 4 patients [8%] with external ear anomalies as a part of MCA syndrome had renal anomalies, in the form of left hydronephrotic changes [n=1; 2%], absent left kidney and bifid right renal pelvis [n=1; 2%], and bilateral reflux and hydronephrotic changes [n=2; 4%]. Ear malformations are associated with an increased fre-quency of structural renal anomalies compared with the general popula-tion. This is because auricular malformations often are associated with specific MCA syndromes that have high incidences of renal anomalies. A renal ultrasound is useful not only in discovering renal anomalies, but also in the diagnosis and management of MCA syndromes themselves; it shou-ld be performed without delay in patients with ear anomalies, especially if those anomalies are part of MCA syndromes, in order to start conservative management or corrective surgery before irreversible kidney damage