Evaluation of healing of varicose ulcers after endovenous laser ablation of great saphenous vein

Background: Varicose veins are permanently swollen, tortuous and elongated while standing due to back flow of blood caused by incompetent valve closure which result in venous congestion .they are of two types primary and secondary varicosities .The main symptoms are tingling, itching, pain, fatigue, a heavy feeling in the legs especially if one has to stand for a long time. Ulcers and thrombophlebitis are possible complications. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of laser ablation of great saphenous vein on healing of varicose ulcers.Methods: A prospective study conducted at Suez Canal University Hospitals and Nasser Institute Hospital in Cairo on 20 patients complaining varicose ulcers due to incompetent saphenous femoral junction.Results: All patients had improvement in Abrdeen Varicose vein questionnaire after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) during the first, second and third follow up visits when compared with preoperative scores. The Aberdeen Varicose vein questionnaire ranged from 8 to 18 before the procedure, with a mean of 12.11, ranged from 3 to 11 at the first follow up visit with a mean of 7.07, ranged from 2 to 10 at the second follow up visit with a mean of 4.89 and ranged from 2 to 10 at the third follow up visit with a mean of 3.85, p value is less than 0.001 compared to the pre-operative data. During the assessment of the patients of our study after 6 months of continuous follow up, we found that the healing rate of the patients who underwent laser ablation of great saphenous vein were (91.67) (p=0.769).Conclusions: EVLA of great saphenous vein leads to better wound healing rates in treating patients with varicose ulcers.

Evaluation of carcinoantigen 19-9 as a new biomarker in different types of carcinoma

The present study was conducted to evaluate serum CA 19-9 as a new biomaker for the early detection of different types of cancer. Serum CA 19-9 level was estimated for 30 patients with pancreatic carcinoma, 26 patients with hepatic carcinoma and 15 healthy controls. Results obtained showed that serum CA 19-9 levels were significantly higher in the pancreatic carcinoma patients [167.6 +/- 14.3] than both patients with hepatic carcinoma [58.6 +/- 4.8] and healthy controls [8.3 +/- 1.2]. Also, it was revealed that CA 19-9 levels were significantly higher in the hepatic carcinoma patients then the healthy controls. Sensitivity of CA 19-9 was estimated in each group. It was 96.6, 73.1 and 0.0% in the pancreatic, hepatic and healthy individuals. Therefore, it may be suggested that CA 19-9 is valuable and good aid in the detection of such types of cancer

Serum apolipoprotein B in childhood nephrotic syndrome

The study included fourteen patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome. They were 8 males [age range 3-13 ys] and 6 females [age range 3-5 ys] and 10 healthy controls. Serum total lipids for nephrotic patients was 1126.922 plus or minus 491.623 mg/d1 and that of the controls was 251.766 plus or minus 39.973 mg/d1. Such increase in patient group was statistically highly significant [p less than 0.0001]. Serum apoprotein B in nephrotic patients was 207.07 plus or minus 67.906 mg/d1 and that of controls was 100.1 plus or minus 15.934 mg/d1, this difference was statistically highly significant [P less than 0.001]. High level of apoprotein B is considered as a predictive factor and a good screening test for early detection of childhood atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease

Serum catecholamines in rheumatic chorea

Serum dopamine [DA], norepinephrine [NE] and epinephrine [E] levels were determined in 20 patients with rheumatic chorea [age ranges 5- 13 years with female to male ratio 3: 2] as well as 10 healthy controls. Mean serum DA of the patients was found to be significantly elevated [5.862 +/- 1.654 ng/ ml vs 1.829 +/- 0.560 ng/ml in controls P less than 0.01]. Mean serum levels of NE and E in patients were 6.214 +/- 2.672 ng/ml and 17.189 +/- 7.448 ng/ml respectively and those of controls were 2.199 -+ 0.760 ng/ml and 9.595 -+ 3.232 ng. ml [P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.01 respectively]. Serum DA was positively related to the severity of involuntary movements while NE and E were not correlated. After one month of reserpine therapy there was no statistically significant difference between serum levels of DA, NE and E in choreic patients and controls