Ultrasonographic diagnosis of potential contralateral inguinal hernia in children

Several methods have been advocated to minimize the frequency of negative exploration of the contralateral side in children presenting with a unilateral congenital inguinal hernia [CIH]. This study was carried out to investigate the accuracy of ultrasonography in recognition of an unapparent CIH or a patent processus vaginalis [PPV] in the contralateral side in children presenting with a unilateral CIH. From November 2003 to March 2005, 173 children presented with a clinically apparent unilateral CIH. Their ages ranged between 1 week and 24 months [mean, 21.8 weeks]. The contralateral inguinal region was examined by ultrasound using a 7.5 MHz transducer. Presence of potential CIH was considered if one or more of the following features were noted: 1. A well defined viscous is observed in the inguinal canal; 2. A cystic pattern is seen at the internal ring of inguinal canal; 3. The presence of a PPV that enlarges when abdominal pressure increases 4. The PPV contains moving material without enlargement. Only patients with positive ultrasonographic findings undergone exploration of the contralateral inguinal canal at the same session following repair of the clinically detected hernia, follow up ranged from six to eleven months. Positive ultrasonographic findings were noted in 31 of the 173 patients [17.9%]. Twenty seven of the 31 patients [87.1%] proved to have a PPV or a definite hernial sac, while 4 [12.9% false positive] showed no hernial sac on exploration. Two of the 142 patients who had negative ultrasonographic findings at the contralateral side, developed an inguinal hernia after 4 and 6 months respectively [1.4% false negative]. The sensitivity and the specificity of utrasonography in detecting a potential CIA or PPV in the contralateral side was 87.1% and 98.6% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of this diagnostic tool were 93.1% and 97.2% respectively, and the accuracy rate reached 96.5%. 1. Ultrasound is a non-invasive and relatively accurate method to determine which patient should have exploration of the contralateral side; 2. Routine contralateral inguinal exploration is not recommended anymore

Synthesis of some new 1,3,4-oxadiazoline -2-thione derivatives of antibacterial activity

Three new 5-[1-[benzoylamino] styren-1-yl]-1, 3, 4- oxadiazoline-2-thiones and nine of their Mannich bases with some primary and secondary amines and three N-hydroxymethyl derivatives are synthesized. Some of the new derivatives were active against the bacteria Escherichia coli

Premature rupture of membrane, pre-term labor and group B streptococcus colonisation

The study was conducted on pregnant women to determine the incidence of group B streptococcus [GBS] colonisation in the vaginal and urine flora and its association with premature rupture of membrane [PROM], preterm labor [PTL], and both of them. A conventional method and rapid agglutination latex test were used. In 204 pregnant women, GBS was carried vaginally in 17.2%, in the urine of 7.8% and both in 5.4%. Follow up till confinement revealed that vaginal carriage was associated with a lower risk than urine carriage [PROM in 11.4% versus 31.3%, preterm labor in 5.7% versus 18.7% and both in 5.7% versus 12.5%]. IN another group of patients, GBS were found in the urine in 64 of 725 [8.8%] cases. These 64 positive cases were randomised to receive either penicillin [subgroup I, 34 patients] or placebo [subgroup II, 30 patients] and were followed up till confinement Subgroup I was found to have a significantly lower incidence of PROM [8.8% versus 26.7%,], preterm labor [5.9% versus 20.0% and both [5.9% versus 23.3%] than subgroup II [P<0.01]. The study concluded that, early detection, efficient treatment and follow up to prevent GBS recolonisation in the urine during prenatal care, can reduce the incidence of premature rupture of membrane and preterm labor

Constituents of the essential oil of metha microphylla C Koch

Analysis of the essential oil of Mentha microphylla Koch. has been carried out by capillary gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Twenty- five compounds were identified. The main constituents are piperitone oxide and piperitenone oxide accounting for more than 65% of the oil and their relative concentration seems to be dependent on the maturity of the plants. Other major compounds are 3-octanol, limonene B- caryophyllene and B-cubebene