Diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum and tissue trace elements in breast malignancy.

50 cases of breast malignancy constituted the study group. 26 age and sex matched formed the control group. Serum and tissue trace element viz copper, zinc, selenium and molybdenum levels were estimated by atomic absorption photometry. The study group showed significant hypercupremia and molybdenemia, hypozincaemia and hyposeleniamia. The reversal of trend was documented after therapy. The tissue level of copper and molybdenum was high and zinc and selenium was low. An association between serum and tissue level of trace element, stage, histological differentiation was observed. It was postulated that levels of trace elements may help in diagnosis and prognosis of disease.

Value of venous pressure and phlebography in detecting deep vein thrombosis after major surgery and in primary venous disease.

A total of 60 patients from high risk group for deep vein thrombosis, which included the patients after major surgery and patients of primary venous diseases, were studied. Peripheral venous pressure measurement performed on 42 cases, detected deep vein abnormality in 6 patients (14.3%) only out of which 2 patients were designated as cases of deep vein thrombosis and 4 of chronic venous stasis syndrome. But phlebography detected deep vein thrombosis in 28 cases (46.6%) and other deep vein abnormalities in rest of the cases.