Percutaneous transcatheter vascular embolization for life threatening hemoptysis

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate 47 patients [37 males and 10 females, aged 37-72 years] with life threatening hemoptysis treated by bronchial artery embolization. Between April 2007 and April 2012 at the Assuit University Hospital, the cause of hemoptysis was tuberculosis and post TB bronchiectasis in 29 patients, bronchiectasis in 11, 3 arteriovenous malformation, 3 post infective fibrosis and one patient with chronic renal failure. Recurrence of hemoptysis after embolization occurred in 2 patients within the 6 month follow-up period, these cases underwent re-embolization with successful control of hemoptysis. There were no procedure-related major complications. Bronchial artery embolization is a safe and effective palliative treatment for patients with massive hemoptysis

impact of a multi-disciplinary management approach on diabetic control in young Saudi patients

The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus worldwide makes traditional approaches to its management inadequate. The involvement of young people in this diabetic "epidemic" provides an opportunity to apply a multidisciplinary approach to its management, to help reduce the huge burden of the disease and its complications. In 1998, we established a diabetic clinic for young adults, located within a privately owned company health center, because they were not receiving adequate attention in the adult clinic. Our purpose was to optimize diabetes control by teaching about diet, exercise, medications, and other practical diabetic management issues. In this special communication, we describe the organization of the clinic and present our experience with 105 patients in the first 4 years. Diabetic control as measured by serial glycosylated haemoglobin levels [HbA1c] and the occurrence and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis improved in our patients over those 4 years. Studies in the West have shown that small reductions in HbA1c have translated into dramatic decreases in microvascular complications. Application of this model to a larger population group is needed. Further study may help determine whether to adopt this pattern of care more widely, with its obvious benefits in reduction of diabetic morbidity, mortality and health care cost. We also identified three groups that may require special attention: females, young adults who develop the disease as children, and adolescents who have no regular adult supervision