Clinical and imaging profile of agenesis of corpus callosum

Agenesis of corpus callosum [ACC] is a common cerebral malformation in the pediatric age group. It is a heterogeneous anomaly, with many etiologies. The present study aimed at analysis of clinical profile of ACC among children presenting with neurological problems in a referral center set-up. Correlation of neurologic dysfunction with neuroimaging abnormalities was studied as well. The subjects of the study were children attending the Neuropediatric Clinic, at The Children Hospital Cairo University from June 1997 to October 2001. We selected those neurological patients who undenvent neuroimaging studies and were found to have corpus callosum agenesis. All patients had to have detailed medical history, full systemic and neurological examination; electroencephalogram in addition to brain K4RI. Children were investigated for any syndromic association, congenital infections, metabolic defects or chromosomal aberrations. Comprehensive developmental assessment using Bayley Scales of Infant Development [BSID] were also done. The study patients [n = 92] were mostly below the age of two years, with no sex preponderance. ACC was unrelated to perinatal history or parental consanguinity. Eighty five percent of patients presented with psychomotor retardation of which 34% had seizures; predominantly GTCS. Spasticity and microcephaly were common findings. Twenty seven percent had associated clinical abnormalities mostly facial dysmorphism and blindness. EEG was normal in 50%, epileptogenic in 27% and hypoactive in 23% of patients. ACC was syndromic in 42% of patients. Seventy five percent of patients had developmental delays [55% severe and 20% mild], severe retardation was significantly related to syndromic cases. On neuroimaging, complete agenesis was found in 62% of cases and 60% had associated neuroimaging abnormalities, more often in the form of brain atrophy. Prenatal cryptogenic etiology was evident in half of the cases

Toxicological deteriorations of two volatile oils of Matricaria chamomilla and Clerodendron inermis on the adult house fly Musca domestica L

The adult stage of the house fly Musca domestica L. was treated topically with the sublethal doses of LD25, LD50 and LD75 of chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla L. flowers and jasmine, Clerodendron inerme G. leaves oils. Various biological activities of adult stage as well as the amino acids of the treated adults ovaries were determined. Treatment with the two volatile oils induced serious effects on the biology and biotic potential of Musca domestica. Treatment significantly increased the acidic and the aromatic acids during oogenesis. In contrast, the quantity of aliphatic amino acids was significantly decreased, while the hydroxy amino acids showed inconsistent results. The hydroxy amino acids were remarkably increased in the ovaries during 3 days of development, then decreased on the 4th day. Moreover, the concentration of basic and the sulfur amino acids were varied with the two treatments and the amino acid was completely disappeared in the ovaries of the treated flies

Apolipoproteins: varied response to fasting and changing eating pattern during Ramadan

The changes in the level of plasma apolipoproteins after 1 month of fastingrefeeding refeeding during Ramadan were measured in 12 healthy subjects. Apolipoproteins AI, AI and B had increased significantly by the end of the fasting month. On the other hand, apolipoprotein E had significantly decreased. Apolipoproteins CII and CIII also decreased, although not significantly. These observations suggest that changing the eating pattern from several spaced meals in a day to a fasting-refeeding cycle could change the plasma apolipoprotein profile. Thus subjects with lipoprotein abnormalities and/or heart disease should consult their physician before fasting in Ramadan

Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in paediatric patients

From January 1985 to January 1988, 26 children with renal calculi were treated by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy [PCNL]. Their age ranged between 2 and 11 years. In 4 cases, the stones were present in the only functioning kidney. Single stone was present in 20 cases [77%] and multiple stones in 6 cases [23%]. Calculous anuria was the presentation in 11 cases [42.3%]. The technique which we used was the same as that which we used in adults, but we used a low pressure irrigating system to avoid excess fluid absorption. A single stage procedure was done in 14 cases [54%]. A staged procedure was required in 12 cases [46%]. Extraction entero was done in 15 cases [57.6%], while ultrasonic destruction was required in 11 cases [42.4%]. Complete clearance of stones was achieved in 22 cases [84.6%]. Residual fragments were present in 4 cases, two of them required open surgery to remove them. Blood transfusion was required in 8 patients with an average amount of 300 cc. We got only one major complication of extravasation that required open drainage

Aspiration of soft cataract

The modified instrument of Ferguson has been used in aspiration and irrigation of 20 cases of congenital cataracts, with gratifying results, superior to the conventional methods of treating soft cataract. A review of the literature, together with the advantages, the indications and the description of the technique have been discussed

Congenital colobomata of lids

The morphology, associated anomalies, aetiology and treatment of congenital coloboma of the lids were discussed together with review of the Egyptian literature. Four cases Were presented. The first was a congenital coloboma of one upper lid. The second was bilateral congenital coloborna of both upper lids associated with right epibulbar dermo-lipoma. The third wag bilateral congenital coloboma of both lower lids associated with left epibulbar dermo-lipornata and congenital ectropion of right upper Nd together with hare-lip and cleft-palate. The fourth was a very rare case of bilateral congenital coloboma of both lower lids associated with other multiple, systemic congenital anomalies