RESUMEN
Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy [MHE] is the mildest type of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis. Patients with MHE have normal clinical and physical examination but they show some neurocognitive dysfunctions that affect their quality of life negatively. The aim of the current study is to diagnose MHE in patients with cirrhosis and its associated factors
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 120 known cases of cirrhosis referred to hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during 2014-17. The patients' cirrhosis severity was evaluated using laboratory tests and physical examinations based on MELD [Model for End-stage Liver Disease] and Child-Pugh criteria. The patients' demographics were filled in a checklist. All included patients with cirrhosis were asked to respond to the questions of Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score [PHES] test
Results: Mean age of the patients was 51.2 +/- 9.7 years. 62 [51.7%] patients were men and 58 [48.3%] patients were women. The mean score of the patients based on MELD criteria was 14.03 +/- 6.09. 26.7% of the patients presented MHE. Mean age of the patients with MHE was statistically less than the patients without MHE [p value < 0.001]. Mean score of MELD criteria among the patients with diagnosis of MHE was significantly higher than the other group [p value < 0.001]. The patients' Child class was statistically associated with MHE [p value < 0.001]. Men were significantly more affected than women [p value = 0.03]
Conclusion: MHE was associated with MELD score and Child class of the patients with cirrhosis. The noticeable point was reversible association of age with MHE. Further studies are recommended
RESUMEN
Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation which is endemic in many sheep and cattle raising areas [such as Iran] and is still an important health hazard in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment in patients with hydatid disease. This retrospective study evaluated 72 consecutive patients who presented with pulmonary hydatid cyst to Mofid Children's Hospital from 1992 to 2007. Patients' medical records were reviewed and their gender, age, clinical features, cyst localization, diagnostic tools, operative techniques, pathologic report, morbidity and mortality, recurrence, hospital stay and outcome of treatment were evaluated. The patient group consisted of 40[55.56%] boys and 32[44.44%] girls in the age range of 2 to 14 yrs. In general, 72 patients had a total of 87 cysts. Fifty-five patients [76.38%] had single cysts. Fifty-five lung cysts [63.21%] were in the right side, and 31[35.64%] were in the right lower lobe. Cough was the most common symptom and chest radiography gave a correct diagnosis in 68[94.44%] patients. Conservative surgical treatment was carried out in 70 children [97.22%]. There were no mortality or recurrence in our cases. Due to the high accuracy of chest X-ray in diagnosis of lung hydatid cyst, it is the preferred method of diagnosis in endemic regions. Parenchyma-saving surgical procedures such as cystotomy and capitonnage as well as cyst delivering by lung expansion are the preferred methods of treatment for pulmonary hydatid disease in childhood. These methods are safe, reliable and successful