Computed tomography imaging findings in chemical warfare victims with pulmonary complications

Data on imaging findings in pulmonary complications of chemical agents is scarce. The current study aimed to evaluate radiological findings of late onset pulmonary complications in chemical warfare victims [CWV] and to guide pulmonologists in diagnosis of these subjects. Ninety- three male CWV were enrolled in this prospective study, 20-25 years [mean=23] after exposure. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. High resolution computed Tomography [HRCT] of the lung was performed during inspiration and expiration and was double reported blindly by two radiologists. Final diagnosis was made according to HRCT findings. The HRCT findings, final diagnosis, and distribution of the abnormalities were compared between subjects whom had been exposed to more complex chemical agents used during the second half of the war and simpler agents during the first half. The most frequent HRCT findings were air trapping [56.7%] and mosaic attenuation [35.1%]. The distribution of abnormalities was mostly local [79.4%] and bilateral [73%] especially in lower regions [61.3%]. The diagnosed respiratory diseases included bronchiolitis obliterans [43%], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] [27.9%], asthma [23.6%], bronchiectasis [13.9%] and interstitial lung disease [ILD] [9.6%]. Frequency of subjects involved in the second half of the period of war was more than the first period [P-value < 0.05] but the HRCT findings were similar. Bronchiolitis obliterans with picture of focal bilateral air trapping was the most common finding in CWV but asthma appeared to have become a new problem in these subjects

Atypical radiological findings in patients with Hydatid cysts of the lung, study of 1024 cases

Introduction: The objective of this study was to give a description of the most prominent atypical radiological presentations of lung hydatidosis

Materials and Methods: All patients diagnosed with pulmonary hydatidosis by surgical exploration were included in this study. Standard chest roentgenogram and computed tomography CT] were evaluated before surgery for lung cysts or unknown lesions. Radiological findings were divided into two categories: 1- Typical hydatid cysts that were previously presented by imaging as a hydatid cyst in the form of an intact cyst, water lily sign and crescent sign. 2- Atypical hydatid cysts that were not similar to typical previously mentioned hydatid cysts

Results: During a 26-year period, 1024 subjects with pulmonary hydatidosis were diagnosed and operated on. Chest X-rays [interpreted in 832 cases] showed perforated cysts in 190 [23%] and atypical findings such as mass, alveolar type infiltration, abscess and collapse in 113 [13%] patients. Seventy-nine patients had a thoracic CT scan in which atypical cysts were detected in 32 subjects [40.5%] such as: thick wall cavity in 9 patients [28%], solid masses in 7 [21%], abscesses in 6 [18%], consolidation in 3 [9%], fungus balls in 3 [9%], collapse [atelectasis] in 2 [6%] and round pneumonia in 2 [6%]. Cavity was significantly more frequent in the right lung [90%] and mass-like opacity was significantly more frequent in the lower lung field [100%]

Conclusion: Hydatid cysts should be considered for most of localized radiological pictures of the lung without respect to localization, size and count of lesions

eccentric torque production capacity of the ankle, knee, and hip muscle groups in patients with unilateral chronic ankle instability

The aim of this study was to investigate eccentric torque production capacity of the ankle, knee, and hip muscle groups in patients with unilateral chronic ankle instability [C AI] as compared to healthy matched controls. In this case-control study, 40 participants [20 with CAl ;and 20 controls] were recruited based on convenient non-probability sampling. The average peak torque to body weight [APT/PW] ratio of reciprocal eecentric contraction of ankle dorsi flexor/plantar flexor, ankle exertor/invertor, knee flexor/extensor, hip flexor/extensor and hip abductor/adductor was determined using an isokinetic dynamometer. All subjects participated in two separate sessions with a rest interval of 48 to 72 hours, in each testing session, the torque production capacity of the ankle, knee, and hip muscle groups of only one lower limb was measured. At first, 3 repetitions of maximal eccentric-eccentric contraction were performed for the reciprocal muscles of a joint in a given movement direction. Then, the same procedure of practice and testing trials was repeated for the next randomly-ordered muscle group or joint of the same limb. There was no significant interaction of group [CAI and healthy controls] by limb [injured and non-injured] for any muscle groups. Main effect of limb was not significant. Main effect of group was only significant for eccentric torque production capacity of ankle dorsi flexor and hip flexor muscle groups. The APT/BW ratio of these muscles was significantly lower in the CAI group than the healthy controls [P<0.05]. CAI is associated with eccentric strength deficit of ankle dorsi flexor and hip flexor muscles as indicated by reduction in torque production capacity of these muscles compared to healthy controls. This strength deficit appeared to exist in both the injured and non-injured limbs of the patients

Diagnostic value of ct scan in obstructive jaundice

Background and Purpose: The diagnosis of obstructive jaundice entails the rapid examination of the patient for the causes and following a treatment protocol. Imaging is one of the most useful diasnostic methods, ultrasonography and CT scan being the most common. Despite the advautages of ultra sonography, CT scanning has been popularized due to diagnostic limitations of the latter. Therefore, this study investigates the diagnostic value of CT scanning

Methods and Materials: 23 patient with obstructive jaundice under went CT scan, the results of which were compared with postoperative biopsies and its sesitivity was calculated

Results: 52.2% of the patients were mule and the rest female; their auerage age was 58±19.4years.

The most common causes reported in CT scan were Liver metastasis, pancreatic mass, Choledocal stone hydatic cyst, cholangiocarcinoma, gall bladder stone, Cirrhosis and stricture in distal choledoc. The CT sensitivity of all patients was 63.6%.It was 66.7% for Choledocal stone, 71.4% for pancreatic mass and 100% for liver metastasis

Conclusion: CT scan is an effective method of high sensitivity for diagnosing the level of obstruction in jaundice. Also, it is of high diagnostic accuracy for viewing the liver structure and if performed with IV contrast, it witt be of valuable help in distinguishing between vascular structures from bile ducts

Diagnostic value of CT-scan in diagnosing brain tumors

Background and purpose: Brain tumors represent 10% of primary neoplasms of the central nervous systems. Great achievements have been made today using CT-Scan in diagnosis such tumors

Methods and materials: This analytical prospective research was conducted in two hospitals in Mashad on 50 patients with primary diagnosis of brain tumors. All Ct- scans were interpreted by the same radiologist. The interpretations were compared with postoperative pathological results

Results: Mean age of the subjects was 41.03???18.8 years, ranging from 6 to 71. Tumors were most common in the 4th, 5th and 7th decade and least common in the first and second decades of life. Tumor prevalence in biopsy results were GBM [30%], meningioma [18%], asterocytoma [12%], metastasis and hypophyse adenoma [each 6%]. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant relationship between the type of tumors and sufferer's sex

Conclusion: The Findings indicated that CT- Scan is of high diagnostic value in diagnosing large tumors and that they are consistent with Pathological results in 68% of the cases