Role of diffusion weighted and perfusion weighted imaging in characterization of ovarian tumours

Background: ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer and the fifth most common cancer in women. Proper management depends on proper preoperative assessment with the help of clinical examination, laboratory tests and different imaging modalities. Radiological evaluation includes ultrasonography [US], computed tomography [CT] and recently magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. Diffusion weighted imaging [DWI] has been established as a useful functional imaging tool in neurologic applications for a number of years, but recent technical advances now allow its use in abdominal and pelvic applications

Purpose: it was to evaluate the role of diffusion weighted and perfusion weighted MRI imaging in the characterization of ovarian tumours and differentiation between benign and malignant tumours

Patients and Methods: this study was performed on 24 patients. All patients had US finding of solid or complex adnexal lesions

Results: DWI and dynamic MRI are significant promising tool factors for characterization of ovarian tumours and differentiation between benign and malignant lesions with high sensitivity, specificity. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of detection of the nature of the lesions. Have been increases after adding of DWI and DCE-MRI to the conventional imaging

Conclusion: Adding of DWI and DCE-MRI to the conventional MRI improves the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis and allows confident diagnosis and differentiation between benign and malignant lesions

Association of intraocular pressure with cataract surgery

Background and objective: Cataract and glaucoma are common co-morbidities and are the first and the second leading causes of blindness worldwide. There are many reasons to consider cataract extraction in individuals with cataract. These individuals derive great visual benefit from the increased acuity and improved contrast sensitivity provided by a clear artificial lens. An improvement in vision allows for more accurate visual field monitoring, and a clear optical pathway enhances the quality and reproducibility of optic nerve imaging. This study aimed to determine the association between intraocular pressure with cataract surgery in human eyes by monitoring changes in intraocular pressure in patients who underwent cataract surgery at Hawler Teaching Hospital at Erbil

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 71 subjects that underwent cataract surgery at Hawler Teaching Hospital at Erbil city from April 2013 to April 2014. Full ophthalmic examination including intraocular pressure measurement was done to every participant before cataract surgery, one week and one month after surgery

Results: Paired samples t-test showed highly significance difference [P <0.001] between mean intraocular pressure measurements before, one week and one month after cataract surgery. The average decrease in postoperative intraocular pressure from preoperative intraocular pressure during one month was 2.02mm Hg [12.39%]

Conclusion: Cataract surgery reduces intraocular pressure and can be considered as an effective way to manage patients with a concurrence of glaucoma and cataracts

Prickly pear spine keratoconjunctivitis

To study the ocular and extra-ocular features, clinical presentation, and treatment of prickly pear glochids. This retrospective study included 23 eyes of 21 patients with ocular prickly pear spines who were seen between August and October 2011 in the outpatient ophthalmic clinic at Prince Rashid Bin Al Hassan military hospital in Jordan. Medical records of patients including age, gender, history of exposure to prickly pear plants, and ocular examination were reviewed. All glochids were localized and removed with forceps under topical anesthesia with the patient at the slit lamp. Patients were followed up after one week. The mean age of patients was 37.1 years with a male to female ratio of 1.6- 1. Involvement of the right eye was seen in 61.9% patients, left eye in 28.6% patients, and bilateral involvement in 9.5% patients. Glochids were most commonly found in the upper subtarsal conjunctival space [47.6%] followed by inferior palpebral conjunctiva in 23.8% eyes. The most common complaint was eye irritation in 95.2% patients. Pain was a complaint in 57.1% patients. Superior corneal epithelial erosions or ulcer were found in 33.3% patients, inferior corneal epithelial erosions in 19.1% patients, and diffuse epithelial erosions in 9.5% patients. Glochids were found in other parts of the body in 38.1% patients. Although prickly pear glochid ocular surface injury is not uncommon in the region during summer, it should be considered in patient with eye pain during that period. Farmers who are in close contact with prickly pears should use protective eyeglasses and gloves

Hydatid disease in Yemeni patients attending public and private hospitals in Sana'a City, Yemen

Hydatid disease is endemic and represents a major health problem in Yemen. The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude of the problem of hydatidosis in patients attending Public and Private Hospitals at Sana'a city, Yemen. 66 patients with hydatid disease were identified during the period from August 2006 to February 2007. Complete medical history for all CE patients were collected and analyzed. Among the 66 CE patients, 67% were females and 33% males. Liver was the most common involved organ. Single cyst was more frequently detected than multiple cysts and approximately 94% of the cysts were >/= 5 cm. Moreover, Public hospitals were the main source of patients with CE disease. Hydatidosis is still an endemic disease and an important health problem in Yemen which needs to be studied further. Therefore, accurate information on the distribution of the disease is the first step for the control and prevention of the disease. Moreover, it is crucial to investigate the role of different intermediate hosts and genotypes of E. granulosus in humans and animals