Oesphagitis - a study in 301 patients

A retrospective analysis of 301 cases of oesophagitis was carried out regarding age, sex, occupation, origin, habits, blood groups and symptoms. Role of smoking as a causative factor is supported. Pain in the epigastrium was found to be the most frequent symptom. Heartburn was significantly more frequent in patients without any associated disease. The suggestion that oesophagitis is a part of the spectrum of peptic ulcer disease is supported

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy [PEG] - the local experience

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was done for feeding purposes in 3 patients with inoperable carcinoma of oesophagus and oropharynx. Procedure was tolerated well by all with no complications. All the patients were able to maintain their weight till death. The procedure is safe and cost effective for enteral feeding in patients with dysphagia

Alpha-fetoprotein in liver disease

Alpha fetoprotein [AFP] was determined using Radioimmunoassay [R IA] in 278 patients with various liver diseases. Titres were raised in hepatic malignancies as well as in other liver disorders. No correlation was found between the titres of AFP with age, sex, liver function tests and HBsAg positivity

survey of coagulopathy of liver disease in Karachi

One hundred eleven patients divided into three groups hepatitis [53], Cirrhosis[50] and Primary liver cancer[8] cases were screened for coagulopathy by Prothrombin Time [PT] and Activated Partial Throm-boplastin Time [APT] Abnormalities were found in 30% cases of hepatitis, 70% Cirrhosis and 25% cases with liver Cancer. In Hepatitis factors involving both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways were deficient specially factors IX, X and V. In Cirrhotics factors of the extrinsic pathway were severely deficient, specially factor VII, while in liver Cancer factor V and VII were deficient. Increased levels of fibrinogen were found in hepatitis and liver Cancer with low to normal in Cirrhotics. In a number of cases PT was normal though factors of the extrinsic pathway were deficient and this deficiency was manifested by prolonged APTT. This study establishes the pattern and extent of coagulopathy in liver disease in Pakistan and suggests that differences observed in comparison to Western populations are due to differences in etiological factors. It recommends estimation of both PT and APTT as screening tests in our population rather than PT alone, and emphasizes Vitamin K therapy in most chronic cases and those with severe hepatitis