Computerised tomographic scanning for headache

To assess the utility of Computerized Tomographic [CT] scanning of brain in the evaluation of patients presenting with headache. Cross-sectional retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology, Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Islamabad from April 2007 to August 2009. The referral forms of CT scanning of brain for evaluation of headache, available in our radiology department were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I included those patients who's only presenting complaint was headache while group II patients had other symptoms associated with headache. The results of their CT scans of brain were compiled and analyzed. Out of a total of 829 CT scans of brain 58 were done for evaluation of headache. Twenty four [41%] patients had a CT scan for headache only [group I] and all of them had a normal CT of brain. Rest of the patients had headache with other associated symptoms [group II]. Out of 34 [59%] of group II patients, four [12%] had an abnormality. CT scanning of brain is not useful in the diagnosis of headache in the absence of other associated symptoms and/or signs

Impact of demonstration of extracted sarcoptes scabiei

To evaluate the impact of demonstration of extracted Sarcoptes scabiei to patients on therapeutic outcome. Quasi experimental study. Department of Dermatology, PNS Shifa Karachi, from Jan 2007 to Dec 2007. Sixty patients [36 males, 24 females] with scabies of upto two months duration were included in the study. Patients with other concomitant chronic illnesses and those who had been treated with antiscabies medicines in previous two months were excluded. After informed consent and initial evaluation, diagnosis was confirmed in all the patients by extracting living Sarcoptes scabeii. The mite was extracted after direct identification under a magnifying lens with the help of a sterilized common pin. All patients were fully explained about the disease and method of treatment. Half of the patients [group 1] were shown the extracted living mite under microscope while remaining patients [group 2] were just informed about the disease and mite was not shown to them. Twenty four hour application of 5% permethrin cream [Lotrix] was prescribed for patients as well as their families. Response to treatment was recorded at the end of 2nd and 6th week. Patients with living mites in the lesions during follow up visit were again prescribed 5% permethrin cream after showing them and/or their attendants the extracted living mite. At follow-up visit after two weeks 12 [40%] patients of group one were having itching but no mite could be extracted from the resolving lesions while in group two, 14 [46.7%] patients were having itching [p>0.05]. Treatment failed in six [20%] patients of group two who were found to have living mites in lesions. All patients of both groups were symptom free at the end of six weeks though some had a few residual resolving nodules on genitalia but no mite could be extracted. Convincing the patient about the nature of scabies by showing him the extracted mites at the time of diagnosis significantly improves treatment compliance