Ultrasonographic evaluation of hepatic involvement in esophageal carcinoma

Preoperative detection of the presence of liver secondaries does not only influence the choice of the therapeutic modality, but also seriously decreases the expected patient's survival. In this study, the role of ultrasonography in evaluation of hepatic involvement is discussed. Thirty patients, 26 males and 4 females, suffering from carcinoma of the esophagus were submitted to preoperative ultrasonography of the liver. The hepatic involvement was confirmed by thorough intraoperative exploration of the liver or by ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy. Ultrasonography detected liver secondaries in seven cases and missed only one lesion detected during operative exploration, [accuracy of 87.5%]. So, being cheap, simple and noninvasive, ultrasonographic examination of the liver should be a part of the preoperative evaluation regimen for all patients with carcinoma of the esophagus

Suitability of Abrams needle lung biopsy for electron microscopic examination

In this study, fifteen patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were submitted to lung biopsy under local anaesthesia using Abrams needle.Sufficient biopsies, averaging 2x3 mm were obtained. Proper electron microscopic [EM] examination of the pulmonary changes consistent with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was possible for all patients. No mortalities occurred. Morbidities included three patients [20%] with pneumothorax; two were managed conservatively and one required tube drainage. No bleeding complications were encountered. It was concluded that Abrams needle biopsy of the lung in diffuse pulmonary disease is suitable for EM studies with minimal morbidity and no mortality