Evaluation of renal functions using isotopic renogram and biochemical tests

Radionuclide renography is now very important diagnostic tool comparable to other diagnostic modalities for the evaluation of renal diseases. This study was carried out to assess the role of radionuclide renography and biochemical test in the evaluation of the renal function. A total of 50 samples with a history of renal disease were included in this study. Out of a total 50, 31 were males and 19 were females, their age ranged between 9 and 79 years and most of the patients were in the age group above 46 years, weight ranged from 22 to 97 kg, mean [standard deviation [SD]] 67.32 [17.203]. Height ranged from 125 to 185 cm, mean [SD] 163.07 [12.573]. Radionuclide renography and biochemical test were done for all patients in the Radiation and Isotope Center of Khartoum in the period from March 2011 to October 2011. In case of radionuclide renography, total glomerular filtration rate [GFR] ranged from 6.64 to 130.70, mean [SD] 65.87 [31.30] and the biochemical test showed that [10%] of patients with abnormal serum creatinine level and [12%] with abnormal serum urea level. The serum urea level was normal in 44 patients, but in the renogram 19 patients were abnormal [both kidneys GFR], 14 patients were abnormal [right kidney GFR] and 8 patients were abnormal [left kidney GFR]. A total of 45 patients had normal serum creatinine level, but in the renogram 18 patients were abnormal [both kidneys GFR], 16 patients were abnormal [right kidney GFR] and 8 patients were abnormal [left kidney GFR]. It is concluded that both isotopes renogram technique and biochemical test are very important in the evaluation of renal function

Calcipotriol [Daivonex] as monotherapy for patients with psoriasis vulgaris

Calcipotriol is a new antipsoriatic therapy. The study was designed to assess the antipsoriatic effect of calcipotriol as monotherapy in Iraqi patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Eighty-nine patients with psoriasis vulgaris [66 male and 23 females] were included in this study with a mean age of 27 years. All patients were selected according to the recommendations on the use of calcipotriol therapy. Calcipotriol [Daivonex] was used topically as ointment and solution 50 ug / gm twice daily for 8 weeks. Pruritus as an associated finding was seen in 47% of cases. Eight cases were dropped becausa of non-compliance. At the end of treatment period the mean percent reduction in PASI score was 75% while the decrease in total sign score for scalp involvement was 85%. Local sensitivity and irritation seen in 33.3% of cases. The study concluded that calcipotriol is effective and safe antipsoriatic therapy but patients exhibited poor compliance to its use because of irritation and delayed action. Recommendations were suggested to improve compliance and to get a better therapeutic value