overview of smoking practices in Pakistan

Smoking remains a major player in morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a matter of immense public health importance as single leading cause of preventable deaths. The aim of this study was to assess smoking practices that prevail across Pakistan and Attitude of people towards this issue. We conducted an extensive search on major databases as well as search of bibliography of published literature for studies assessing Attitudes and Practices of tobacco smoking that prevail across Pakistan. Data from available studies was abstracted and utilized in preparation of this manuscript. After screening of 613 articles, we were able to identify 22 studies matching our criteria for inclusion. Majority of studies reported adolescence as time of initiation. Average national prevalence was 21.6%. A significant portion of smokers comprised of females. The prevalence of smoking in healthcare professionals ranged from 32 - 37%. Passive smoking was a major contributor of tobacco exposure. Prevalence of [Shisha] use was 33%. Smoking continues to be a major Public Health issue in Pakistan. The prevalence in healthcare professionals and adolescents is alarming. Adequate measures need to be taken to ensure its control

Pediatric abdominal pain; role of high frequency ultrasonography in its evaluation

Objectives: To assess common presenting features of children with abdominal pain and to determine role of High frequency and Doppler Ultrasound in evaluation of these patients

Material and Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted from August 2012 to December 2012. Data from patients presenting for evaluation of abdominal pain was analyzed for presenting complaints and ultrasound findings according to objectives of the study

Results: In total 262 cases were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 6.3 years with a male to female ratio of 1.47:1. Dysuria followed by Diarrhoea and vomiting were most common associated complaints, Urological pathologies were most common ultrasound findings upon evaluation of patients

Conclusions: Abdominal pain is a frequent presenting feature in peadiatric population, Urological pathologies were most common examination findings. Ultrasound is a useful and safe modality in evaluation of abdominal pain in children

Scrotal pathologies; role of high resolution and Doppler ultrasound in evaluation

To assess common presenting complaints and the role of Grey Scale and Doppler ultrasound in evaluation of scrotal pathologies. Cross sectional study, Khyber X rays, Khyber Medical Centre, Peshawar. July 2011 to December 2011. Data from patients presenting for evaluation of scrotal pathologies was analyzed for presenting complaints and ultrasound findings according to objectives of the study. In total 210 cases were included in the study. The age wise categorization included pediatric population [14.3%] adult population [80.9%] and geriatric population [4.3%]. Pain was the most common presenting feature in all age. Other major presenting complaints included swelling, absent testis, history of trauma, lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS], and infertility. Hydrocele was the most common finding overall. Other major ultrasound finding included varicocele, epididymo-orchitis, spermatocele, atrophic testis, undescended testis tumors and complications of trauma. Scrotal pathologies are among the frequently encountered problems in our region. Ultrasound is a sensitive and useful tool for evaluation of scrotal pathologies

Ultrasonographic evaluation; Neck masses

To assess common presenting complaints and the role of ultrasound in evaluating neck masses in pediatric and adult population. Cross sectional. Khyber X-Ray, 7 Khyber Medical Centre, Dabgari Gardens, Peshawar. July 2011 to December 2011. Data from patients presenting for evaluation of a neck mass was analyzed for presenting complaints and ultrasound findings according to objectives of the study. ln total 105 cases were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 36.8 years with a male to female ratio of 1:2.1. The age wise categorization included pediatric population [10.5%] adult population [89.5%]. Both painful and painless neck swellings were common presenting complaints in pediatric population with cervical lymphadenopathy being the most common ultrasound finding. Among Adult males painless neck swelling was the most common presenting complaint with cervical lymphadenopathy followed by Multinodular goiter being most common ultrasound findings. Most common presenting complaint in Adult females was painless neck swelling with Multinodular goiter being most common ultrasound finding. Neck Masses are commonly encountered in all age groups especially pediatric population and adult females, Ultrasound is a useful and safe modality in evaluation of neck masses.

Urolithiasis presentation and ultrasonographic evaluation

[1]To assess the common presenting features of urolithiasis. [2] To assess the role of Ultrasonography in its evaluation. Cross sectional study. Khyber X rays, Khyber Medical Centre, Peshawar. March 2010 to June 2010. Data from patients presenting with urolithiasis for an ultrasound examination was analyzed for presenting complaints and ultrasound findings according to objectives of the study. A total of 210 cases of urolithiasis were analyzed. The age wise categorization included pediatric population [9.5%], adult population [82.4%] and geriatric population [8.1%]. Pain was the most common presenting complaint in all three age groups. Kidney was the most common site for renal calculi followed by ureter, bladder and urethra in descending order. Accompanying dysuria was present in 20% cases. Mild hydronephrosis was noted in 44.8%. Statistically significant difference was present between ultrasound findings in geriatric population and overall results. Urolithiasis continues to be a major cause of morbidity among population of all age groups. Overall trend of Ultrasonographic findings was applicable to pediatric and adult population. There has been significant difference of ultrasound findings among geriatric population from normal trend

Pathology of chorionic villi in spontaneous abortions

Spontaneous abortions are quite common. While in a normal multiparous woman, one or two spontaneous abortions are not unusual, recurrent spontaneous abortions may pose serious problems for some couples. Many such abortions may have a background of genetic anomaly that is reflected in abnormalities of chorionic villi. It is therefore, important to study placenta for various pathological lesions in order to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of the abortion. The chorionic villi are the main fetal part and functional unit of placenta. In this study, we examined various pathological changes in chorionic villi in 64 cases of spontaneous abortion specimens. These included hydropic change, numbers of vessels, and patency of vessels, stromal fibrosis, and fibrinoid degeneration and Hofbauer macrophages. We observed that the villi were reduced in 97% of cases, 83% of villi had stromal fibrosis, 75% displayed fibrinoid degeneration, 75% contained reduced numbers of blood vessels while the patency of vessels was seriously affected in 66% of cases, and 67% cases had prominent Hofbauer macrophages. We conclude that vast majority of spontaneous abortions have abnormal chorionic villi and the most common abnormalities are marked fibrosis and severely compromised vasculature incompatible with fetal development and viability