Histiocytosis X and Caroli's disease

Both Caroli's Syndrome and Langerhan's cell histiocytosis can be associated with a variety of congenital anomalies. However, the association of the 2 diseases together has not been reported. We report a case of a 3 year old boy who had Caroli's disease as diagnosed radiologically and Langerhan's cell histiocytosis as diagnosed histologically

prevalence of asymptomatic gallbladder stones in patients with diabetes mellitus

To study the prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones in patients with diabetes mellitus [DM] and to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of asymptomatic gallstones among diabetics. In a cross-sectional study design, 511 patients [294 with DM and 217 without DM] were ultrasonically screened for the presence or absence of asymptomatic gallbladder stones and information on risk factors was obtained. The prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones among patients with diabetes mellitus was 11.9% compared to 3.2% among non-diabetics [p<0.001]. Among diabetics increasing age and female gender were found to be risk factors for developing gallbladder stones. Diabetes mellitus per se is a risk factor for the development of gallbladder stones in Saudi patients

rare metastasis from Hepatocellular carcinoma

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer [GIT] in the Kingdom Skin metastasis occur mainly in advanced cases. Using Medline Search only 48 cases of skin metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma have been reported in the world literature in the past 10 years, with no report from Saudi Arabia

concentration of trace elements and electrolytes in human lithogenic bile

To study the concentration of trace elements in the human lithogenic bile from its different sources, in order to look for a possible role of the trace elements in the process of gallstone formation. Bile from 43 patients operated on for symptomatic gallstones was used, because for medico-legal and ethical reasons bile from normal human subjects was difficult to obtain. Gallbladder bile was taken from the gallbladder; common bile duct bile was taken directly from the common bile duct, and hepatic bile was obtained from intrahepatic biliary radicle through a percutaneous placed catheter. After preparing the bile sample, it was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. From the 22 elements searched for, only 12 could be detected. Generally, the concentration of elements was higher in gallbladder bile, with the exception of Zn concentration which was significantly lower [p= 0.007]. The noticed increase of the trace element content in gallbladder bile is partially explained by the simple difference of concentration due to water absorption in the gallbladder. The exceptionally low concentration of Zn in gallbladder bile deserves more in-depth investigation as Zn can be the protective bile solute against gallstone formation